Preserving the Message is a nonprofit organization that exists outside of the Narcotics Anonymous service structure. It is comprised of individuals who are interested in preserving the history of Narcotics Anonymous.
We decided to incorporate Preserving the Message as a nonprofit organization outside the NA service structure for the following reasons.
Funding: There are expenses associated with building, growing, and maintaining a digital archive. Becoming a nonprofit expands funding opportunities beyond revenue sources within the NA service structure (Seventh Tradition contributions and literature sales). These funding opportunities include grants and tax-deductible donations. This is especially important for the sustainability of this work.
Resources and Priorities: The Alcoholics Anonymous General Service Office has funded an archive since 1975. While there has been interest from parts of the NA Fellowship in preserving NA history, a home with funding for it has not emerged within the NA service structure. One reason has been a lack of resources. Current resources go to the work directed through the World Service Conference in support of carrying the NA message. NA World Services does not have the resources to maintain, curate, and disseminate NA archival material. Preserving NA history is our primary purpose.
Sustainability: Those involved in creating Preserving the Message want this mission picked up by the next generation. At this time, we believe this can best be accomplished as a nonprofit that can draw upon NA members and non-NA members with interest and expertise in preserving NA history.
Respecting the anonymity of NA members is important to Preserving the Message. Preserving the Message reviews archival items for last names and other personal identifying information (i.e., phone numbers, addresses, and email addresses). Before uploading these archival items to the website or YouTube channel, last names and personal identifying information is redacted or deleted.
If you discover items on the Preserving the Message website or YouTube channel that contain last names or other forms of personal identifying information, please email this information to info@preservingthemessage.org.
Individuals interested in accessing underacted archival files for purposes of research can submit an application to become an approved researcher with Preserving the Message.
Individual NA members, groups, areas, metros, regions, and zones can request access to unredacted archival files that are approved for sharing within the NA fellowship.
The first step to submitting an archival file(s) to Preserving the Message is to complete the Preserving the Message Archives Consent form.
Upon completion of the Archives Consent form, arrangements will be made for either the digital submission of the archival file(s) or the physical submission of the archival files(s).
Individuals who are interested in volunteering with Preserving the Message can complete a volunteer application or email info@preservingthemessage.org.