12 Precepts of Service            1. Service is a Spiritual Principle; it is through giving freely of ourselves that we receive. In N.A. we believe that service is an integral part of Recovery, and as a result we have created a "Participatory Service Structure" where the equal opportunity to serve is a privilege of membership. 2. Service should be inclusive not exclusive, all N.A. members have something to offer and we actively strive to involve as many members as possible in our service efforts. Ultimately, it is a Loving God working through our members that makes it possible for us to achieve our goals. 3. Our service is for the addict who still suffers, and we believe that the N.A. Group is the most important part of our Service Structure since it is the service unit in direct contact with the newcomer. All the other elements of our Service Structure have been created to serve, support, and assist our groups in the fulfillment of their primary purpose. 4. Our Service Structure is a tool whose purpose is to do those things for our Groups, which would compromise their spiritual integrity or distract them from their primary purpose. 5. Our services are initiated and completed by our Groups and Members. Our service structure is a closed loop. Our Groups and/or members begin the process with an idea of what needs to be, or could be done to help fulfill their primary purpose, our Service Structure is responsible for implementation of the idea which is finally achieved by Groups and/or members working directly with the addict who still suffers. 6. The Principle of Practical Spirituality is at the heart of our service. We believe that if it is not practical then it is not spiritual; a Loving god is at the center of our service and this God has the power to make all things possible and practical. 7. The resources we need to fulfill our service projects will always be available when the time is right. We believe that if a service project is spiritually correct then the finances, manpower, and emotional support necessary to complete the task will be available. 8. Our service should be simple and straightforward. Ongoing recovery is a process of simplification and likewise in our services we should strive for simplicity, if our service efforts are in tune with God's will then they will not be complicated. When service is spiritually based there is no need for secrecy, dishonesty or subterfuge; the spiritual correctness of the service is all that is necessary. 9. All service should be open and above board, communication is inherent in the principle of direct responsibility. Open information and full accountability are implicit in our approach to service. We have nothing to fear and nothing to hide. 10. Selfless service is our ideal. The Disease of Addiction is our greatest strength because it brings us together, it is also our greatest weakness because it tends to tear us apart. Our disease is one of obsessive ness and compulsivity; it is physical, mental, and spiritual in nature. We recognize that there is a direct relationship between quality of service and personal recovery. We stress the need for each member involved in service to keep their personal recovery (physical, mental, and spiritual) as their first priority. When individuals fall short or fail in their service we treat them with compassion and love rather than rejection, exclusion, or punitive action. We strive for progress and do not demand perfection from each other. 11. The services we provide within our Service Structure should always be guided by principle. "True Spiritual Principles are never in conflict" and the Spiritual Principles embodied in our Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions should be respected and maintained throughout our services. Our Twelve Steps literally apply to the member seeking recovery, our Twelve Traditions literally apply to our Groups, and these Precepts of Service literally apply to our Service Structure. Awareness of Spiritual Principles is necessary for all if we are to survive; to grow, and provide service based on God's will for us. 12. Ultimately, our service projects are in God's hands. Trust is a key principle for us, and essential in our service efforts. The trust that N.A. Members give those who serve is equal to the trust that those who serve have in the Fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous, in Spiritual Principles, and in God. As individuals, we trust our will and our lives to the care of a loving God. Our Groups trust in a loving God as their ultimate authority. Likewise, in our Service Structure we trust a loving God as the source and strength of our service.                                          12 Concepts  of Service   1.  To fulfill our fellowship's primary purpose, the NA groups have joined together to create a structure which develops, coordinates, and maintains services on behalf of NA as a whole.   2.  The final responsibility and authority for NA services rests with the NA groups.   3.  The NA groups delegate to the service structure the authority necessary to fulfill the responsibilities assigned to it.   4.  Effective leadership is highly valued in Narcotics Anonymous.  Leadership qualities should be carefully considered when selecting trusted servants.   5.  For each responsibility assigned to the service structure, a single point of decision and accountability should be clearly defined.   6.  Group conscience is the spiritual means by which we invite a loving God to influence our decisions.   7.  All members of a service body bear substantial responsibility for that body's decisions and should be allowed to fully participate in its decision-making processes.   8.  Our service structure depends on the integrity and effectiveness of our communications.   9.  All elements of our service structure have the responsibility to carefully consider all viewpoints in their decision-making processes.   10.  Any member of a service body can petition that body for the redress of a personal grievance, without fear of reprisal.   11.  NA funds are to be used to further our primary purpose, and must be managed responsibly.   12.  In keeping with the spiritual nature of Narcotics Anonymous, our structure should always be one of service, never of government.