CoDA: Getting The Word Out

 
From: "CoDA Announcements" <codalist@codependents.org>
Date: February 25th 2017

The following is a resending of an August 2010 email from the 2010 CoDA Communications Committee, comm@coda.org

 

As CoDA is mentioned less & less in the media many of our communities have seen membership shrink. Our 12th step states: "Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to other codependents, and to practice these principles in all our affairs."

Per our 5th tradition, "Each group has but one primary purpose: to carry its message to the codependent who still suffers." Our 11th tradition also states, "Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio and films." However, for the suffering Codependent to be attracted to us they need to know we exist! This is what is meant by attraction. Attraction only becomes promotion with claims that CoDA is "right" for someone or that it will "cure" them.

There are a number of ways to get the word out. Perhaps the most effective is telling our stories to friends & acquaintances where appropriate. If people are interested in learning more, they can be directed to the CoDA world website at coda.org. Several countries, states and local communities have also created their own websites. These websites provide information about CoDA and information about meetings across the world.

Another option is to print out a flyer which can be distributed on bulletin boards in a variety of locations. The Fellowship Service Manual includes a sample flyer that can be tailored for your location.

Other ways to get the word out within the spirit of the traditions include sending public service announcement (PSA) requests to radio, television, magazines & newspapers; letting local counseling professionals know that we exist & when & where our meetings are; providing approved CoDA pamphlets to libraries, doctor's offices & similar; in the summer some members have even been known to set up a booth at a fair to hand out schedules & welcome pamphlets! Craig's list & other on line resources can also be a no charge option to post a community contact.

We hope your meeting finds some of these suggestions useful for getting the word out! If you or your community would like to pursue any of these options locally and would like some help in creating other documents or a PSA please email us and we can supply samples that have been used by other communities. If you'd like to send us ideas that have worked for you we can make them available to other communities as well.

The CoDA Communications Committee comm@coda.org

 

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