Tradition 5 reminds us that "Each group has but one primary purpose – to carry its message to the co-dependent who still suffers." And
Tradition 11 guides us with the wisdom that "Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion."
These traditions work beautifully together. We carry the message not through force or persuasion, but through the quiet, powerful demonstration of recovery in action.
Why Outreach Matters
Kate, a fellow, shared recently about their journey into service, and it speaks directly to why outreach matters. They said they came to care about raising awareness of CoDA because they experienced the 'system', the government agencies and services meant to help people struggling with emotional issues. What they found was that everyone seemed so overstretched and overwhelmed, and CoDA wasn't mentioned as an option for help.
What drives them today is getting accurate information about CoDA into the hands of professionals who understand these issues, like therapists, community workers, and healthcare teams. These people have the expertise to understand what CoDA does and who it can help, without any pressure or promotion. It's just clear, factual information about the program, meetings that run 24/7 across the country, and how this can make a real difference for those who are still suffering."
When we were struggling with codependency, many of us found ourselves navigating complex systems and professionals who simply didn't understand the depth of what we were facing. The programs designed to help often felt overstretched, and CoDA wasn't mentioned as an option.
Today, what might start as simple service in our home group, perhaps putting up a poster or sending some leaflets, can ripple outward to reach recovery professionals, community teams, and those who work with the next generation.
Carrying the Message to Institutions
So how do we carry our message to places like hospitals, prisons, and treatment centres? Our approach must be gentle and respectful, following the principle of attraction rather than promotion.
Through Professional Connections: By sharing information with therapists, counsellors, and healthcare workers who understand codependency but may not know about CoDA's program. We provide clear, factual information about what we do, without any pressure or expectation.
Community Presence: By having posters and leaflets in libraries, community centres, and other public spaces, we make ourselves available to those who might be searching for help. It's not about promotion, it's about making sure that when someone is ready to find us, we're visible.
Recovery Events: Some members take conference materials to recovery events, sharing information with professionals in a way that's educational and supportive rather than promotional.
Community Outreach in Practice
The Fellowship Service Manual's Section 2 on "Attracting Members - Community Outreach" offers some beautiful guidance. The methods suggested including:
- Mailing CoDA leaflets to therapists, hospitals, libraries and other community resources
- Hanging flyers with meeting information on community boards within a 5-10-mile radius of your home or home group meeting
- Reaching out to recovery professionals who work with codependency issues
One member shared how this started for them: "In my first home group, we'd just lost our regular meeting secretary after they'd been one of two regular members giving service. I'd agreed to read over the fellowship service manual, as one part of offering service in my home group. The page which really drew my attention talked about community outreach. I'd not heard anyone speak about this to date."*
What began with reading that manual page led to a campaign of reaching out to recovery professionals, community teams, and those teaching the next generation, all through simple acts of service.
Getting Involved
If you feel called to carry the message in this way, there are many opportunities:
- Download CoDA UK posters and display them in your community
- Contact publicinformation@codauk.org for assistance with outreach materials
- Share information at recovery events where professionals gather
- Start a meeting in an area where one doesn't exist
Remember, it's not about promoting ourselves, it's about making sure that when someone is suffering from codependency and looking for help, they can find us.
The Joy of Service
As we work the steps, we're reminded of Step 12: "Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to other co-dependents, and to practice these principles in all our affairs."
There's a beautiful simplicity in this. If we don't pass on what we were freely given, how will the next codependent find out they're not alone in feeling overwhelmed by emotions?
Service in outreach isn't about grand gestures. It's about the small, consistent actions of sharing hope with others who still suffer. It's about being available when someone needs what we have found.
May we all continue to carry the message with humility, gratitude, and the quiet confidence that comes from knowing we have something of real value to share.
For more information about carrying the message, visit: https://codauk.org/members/carrying-the-message/
For guidance on community outreach, refer to the Fellowship Service Manual: https://coda.org/wp-content/uploads/FSM-Part-2-Meeting-Handbook.pdf#page17#
