Public Information
Region 9 PI Initiative 2012
Dear fellow members,
This year at the Region 9 assembly we had a great representation at the P.I. Committee meeting from several different countries; there we discussed many ideas on how to help groups all over region 9 spread the word about OA. This year we have focused on three main ideas:
1. Encourage groups to hold open/public meetings and invite professionals to attend.
2. Each intergroup to increase attendance by one at a Tradeshow.
3. Every intergroup to understand that PI is not a cost but an investment.
1. Encourage groups to hold open/public meetings and invite professionals to attend.
To increase health care professionals’ awareness and understanding of OA it was suggested that Intergroups could hold an open/public meeting directly focused at the professional. In Italy, members have found it very beneficial to liaise with the health care professional, sharing their experience, strength and hope.
Here are some helpful links/resources that your group could use if interested in holding an open meeting:
-The oa.org website has guidelines set out to assist groups when organising an open meeting
http://www.oa.org/pdfs/pi_events_guidelines_2010.pdf
-The following flyer: Introducing OA to Health Care Professionals explains how OA complements professional care and is available online at http://bookstore.oa.org/products/753-introducing-oa-to-health-care-professionals
-Courier: A newsletter for the Professional community can also be found on this website:
http://bookstore.oa.org/products/752-emcourierem-newsletter
-Professional Outreach Manual- Revised and Updated (2011)
This comprehensive guide for groups and service bodies includes tips on starting a professional outreach committee; contacting professionals; conducting panel presentations; and working in prisons, medical facilities, schools and other settings.
http://bookstore.oa.org/products/772-professional-outreach-manual
Appendix 1 of this manual is available at http://www.oa.org/pdfs/po_manual_app1.pdf
Spanish Intergroup in Madrid held an open public meeting last year and I am attaching their experience of carrying out this PI.
2. Each intergroup to increase attendance by one at a Tradeshow.
Countries such as Belgium and Great Britain have held Tradeshows very successfully and believe it has contributed greatly in spreading the OA message. I have attached experiences from both countries to this e mail which show in greater detail how it was carried out.
The P.I. committee are suggesting that your Intergroup could discuss the possibility of holding a tradeshow or if previously done, to hold another one!
-The oa.org website has suggested guidelines to follow when carry out such P.I. and can be found at:
http://www.oa.org/pdfs/health-fair-guidelines.pdf
-Need help financially?
Professional Exhibits Fund:
In 2005, the Board of Trustees created a special fund to help service body’s exhibit at professional conferences and conventions that might otherwise be too costly. This fund is supported by OA members’ and service bodies’ contributions. To apply for funding go to http://www.oa.org/pdfs/pe_fund_application_09.pdf
Reduced Cost Literature Fund:
Is available to assist groups in providing professionals with literature on the day.
http://www.oa.org/pdfs/ReducedCost.pdf
Member services manager Sandy Zimmerman szimmerman@oa.org is available to help with filling out the application or calculating costs.
3. Every intergroup to understand that PI is not a cost but an investment.
Our primary purpose in OA is to carry the message to compulsive overeaters who still suffer, right? The P.I. committee really believe that putting money into Public Information; spreading the word about OA, is an investment! Through P.I. OA can grow and increase in members. By carrying out P.I. in your area, the suggestions above or any other ideas your group may have, you as a group will be creating awareness about OA, reaching other suffering compulsive overeaters and in turn contributing to the growth of OA.
Here are a few questions you could bring to your Intergroup to think about or discuss:
-Have you a budget for P.I. for next year?
-Would you consider increasing your investment in P.I. by 20% this year?
-How much did you spend last year?
-What % of your income do you spend on P.I.?
I understand that many of you may have carried out some of these ideas within your groups prior to this but perhaps you could choose to focus on one of the other suggestions mentioned. The P.I. committee would love to hear all about your experience with public information in the coming year! You can e mail me at pi@oaregion9.org
Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any queries or questions regarding P.I., I will do my best to help in any way possible.
Looking forward to hearing from you over the coming months,
Kind Regards,
Siobhan
P.I. Chair pi@oaregion9.org