Public Information / Cooperation with the Professional Community

The PI/CPC Committee is actively seeking AA members to help us get the word out to alcoholics who are still suffering about our program of recovery.

If you are interested in becoming an active member of the PI/CPC Committee or are interested in what we do, please feel free to contact us using the link below.

Contact the PI/CPC Committee

Public Information/Cooperation with the
Professional Community Committee (PI/CPC)

Goals of the District 5 PI/CPC Committee:

Our Twelfth Step — carrying the message to the alcoholic who still suffers — is the basis of our service. Members of the PI/CPC Committee inform professionals and future professionals about AA — what we are, where we are, what we can do, and what we cannot do.

Many people from the AA community with backgrounds in professional fields such as medicine, social work, sales and marketing, and law enforcement are often attracted to service with the PI/CPC Committee.

We bring the message of AA to professionals and students at professional schools in our community, helping them to understand how and why AA works. Most of these professional groups encounter the alcoholic still suffering in their workplace.

Legacy of Service for the PI/CPC Committee

Composition:

The committee is composed of:

PI/CPC Chairperson: Elected by PI/CPC committee members and approved by the District 5 Body at the next monthly District 5 business meeting.
PI/CPC Committee Members: Any member of an AA group in District 5 can join the PI/CPC Committee. There is no limit to the number of committee members and there is no required time of commitment.
Additional positions, as needed: If the committee becomes large enough, an Alternate PI/CPC Chairperson, a Secretary and/or a Treasurer position may be added. All interested A.A. members in District 5 are eligible to stand for these positions and are elected by the current PI/CPC committee members. These officer positions would require approval by the District 5 Body at the next monthly District 5 business meeting.

Qualifications:

PI/CPC Chairperson – It is recommended that the PI/CPC Chairperson has 2 years or more of continuous sobriety, a working knowledge of AA’s 12 Steps and 12 Traditions, and is available to attend monthly District 5 business meetings and quarterly Area 15 Assemblies. (When attending the Area Assembly, the PI/CPC Chairperson is reimbursed by District 5 for one night’s lodging, plus $30 towards the banquet or other expenses.)
PI/CPC Committee Members: There is no minimum sobriety requirement, however, it is recommended that members with less than one year of continuous sobriety check with their sponsor.

Scope:

The PI/CPC Committee meets monthly, usually at a centrally located library. (Note that the District 5 PI/CPC Chairperson is responsible for reserving a space for the monthly meetings, informing committee members of the scheduled meeting, and making sure the District 5 calendar reflects accurate meeting information.) The monthly committee meetings offer a forum for members to discuss their experiences and ideas on ways to carry the message of AA’s program of recovery to the general public and to professional groups who may come into contact with an alcoholic through their work.

GSO has designed useful workbooks for both Public Information and Cooperation with the Professional Community which contain suggested target groups, sample letters and other correspondence, ideas for gaining committee members, outlines and suggested literature/pamphlets to use with presentations. There is also a ready-made PowerPoint Presentation. The websites aa.org and the AA YouTube Channel both contain helpful videos that can be used during presentations, and pre-taped PSA announcements for radio or newsprint.

The PI/CPC Committee cooperates with other District 5 Committees, particularly the Accessibilities Committee, sharing information and coordinating projects where appropriate.

PROCEDURE:

PI/CPC Chairperson Responsibilities:

Hold regular monthly PI/CPC Committee meetings. Inform PI/CPC committee members of the schedule and ensure the District 5 website calendar at https://aadistrict5.org/ reflects the accurate meeting information.
Update the PI/CPC Committee web page (https://aadistrict5.org/?page_id=87) as needed throughout term. Also, review Legacy of Service and update by October of even numbered year to ensure it is accurate for anyone wishing to stand for the PI/CPC Chair position for the next panel/term.
Maintain committee records and provide orientation to successor.
Attend monthly District 5 business meeting and give oral report of committee activities and monthly committee expenditures. Email typed report to District Secretary no later than the day after the business meeting for inclusion in meeting minutes.
Submit receipts for committee expenditures to District Treasurer for reimbursement.
Submit a budget to the Finance Committee by October each year.
If a special need comes up which requires additional funds, check with the Finance Committee to see if funds are available. If funds are available, request the additional funds as a motion under New Business at the district business meeting. If approved by the body, additional funds will be granted.
Should any monetary contributions be made directly to the PI/CPC Committee, forward them to the District Treasurer for the General Fund.
Attend quarterly PI/CPC workshop at the Area 15 Assembly and give a summary report of District 5 PI/CPC activities. In turn, include PI/CPC news and information gathered from other districts in Area 15 and the General Service Office (GSO) in monthly PI/CPC report at the next District 5 business meeting.

Review PI/CPC conference agenda items each year with committee members and then present a brief summary of the changes requiring a vote at the District 5 business meeting held prior to April Area Assembly.

PI/CPC Committee Responsibilities:

Attend health fair events, setting up attractive displays of literature and Each health fair event provides a forum for networking with other like-minded professions with the goal of identifying a new opportunity to carry the message
Respond to invitations to speak describing AA’s program of recovery to professional groups such as: Parole, police, schools, drug courts and DUI classes, hospital discharge planners and mental health providers.
Maintain literature/pamphlets and meeting lists at all 9 libraries within District Ensure each library has copies of the AA Big Book, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, Living Sober and Came to Believe, in both English and Spanish.
Attend various monthly/quarterly grass-roots events to network, identify new opportunities to speak and to disseminate literature
Cooperating with the District 5 Accessibilities Committee, reach out to the senior population, 55+ community and assisted living facilities to provide literature, determine interest in staff presentations, and introduce the availability of Zoom AA Meetings. Also, if the Accessibilities Committee is in agreement, introduce the availability of in-person AA meetings which would be organized and facilitated by the District 5 Accessibilities Committee.
Cooperate with District 5 Corrections Committee, as needed. For example, present at their pre-release seminars, cover parole and probation overlap, etc..
Attend community networking lunches hosted by various Mental Health and Social Service providers; increase visibility of AA and identify opportunities to present and/or participate in additional professional arenas.
Create and deliver literature racks or packets specific to the needs of the professional group requesting the information.
Maintain/enhance the PI/CPC Display that the PI/CPC Committee takes to District 5 events, such as the District 5 Intergroup-hosted Gratitude Dinner, District 5-hosted workshops, roundups, etc., home group anniversaries if invited, etc.

Updated March 8, 2025/AM&CR