Central and Eastern Canada Debtors Anonymous

Carrying the Message

D.A.’s Twelfth Step asks us to carry our message to the debtor who still suffers. Working through the principle of attraction, not promotion, we carry that message to the public in an informative, accurate, and nonsensational way.

We can use the tools on this page to help us be more effective in bringing the D.A. program within reach of those who want it.

D.A. Public Information Representative (PIR)

Groups and intergroups sometimes use Public Information Representatives to carry the D.A. message to the news media and helping professions. This section discusses the PIR’s role and the importance of working within D.A.’s 12 Traditions.

The primary purpose of the D.A. Public Information Representative (PIR) is to carry the message of recovery to the still-suffering debtor and to other people and groups who come in contact with debtors. We seek to be a credible community resource by providing information on DA Web sites and via other communications to the general public, the media, and helping professionals. We also provide information to institutions when there is no local hospital, institution and prison (HIP) committee. PIRs report to their Intergroup or home group meeting.

Suggested qualifications for a PIR:

  • Is an active member of Debtors Anonymous, attending meetings regularly with at least three months of not incurring unsecured debt; *requirement is one year of not incurring unsecured debt for working with the media
  • Has an understanding of the Traditions, including a firm grasp of anonymity as discussed in Traditions 11 and 12
  • Has worked the Steps or is currently engaged in step work in the DA program
  • Has a sponsor in DA

Responsibilities of a PIR

  • Report to his or her home group about PI activities
  • Commit to a minimum of one hour per month of service work
  • Attend DA speaker training and media training within the first year of service
  • Be a point person for requests from the media

Suggested activities of a PIR

Public Outreach. In keeping with our 11th Tradition, we spread the word about DA to local media (TV, radio, newspapers, Internet sites, etc.). In cooperation with the World Service Conference (WSC) PI Committee, we also reach out to professionals and institutions. In addition, we spread the word about DA, including specific meeting information, to local churches, libraries, self-help clearing houses, teen centers, crisis hot lines, and other 12 Step fellowships. The PI manual has excellent examples of specific letters, announcements, and meeting listings for these purposes.

In-reach to the D.A. Fellowship. We inform local, regional, and the greater DA fellowships about our DA activities and events. These include retreats, workshops, meeting anniversary celebrations, days of sharing, etc. We accomplish this by disseminating flyers and notices to other local meetings and Intergroup(s) and by posting notices on DA’s E-News.

You can sign up to receive International D.A. news here.

You can sign up to receive Canadian D.A. news here:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between "Attraction" versus "Promotion" for D.A. Meetings?

Our 5th Tradition states: “Each group has but one primary purpose: To carry its message to the debtor who still suffers.” And our 11th Tradition states: “Our public information policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and film.” The difference between “attraction” and “promotion” may be somewhat subtle and may be seen as a matter of degree. We offer information about the fellowship: what it offers/how it works. We invite people to see what they could gain — if anything — by attending our meetings and joining our fellowship. We only share our experience, strength, and hope.

What is the first thing I can do as a Public Information Representative?

The first thing to do as a Public Information Representative is to let others know you are spreading the word of D.A. The Public Information Committee suggests you look at your meeting as the centre of a bull’s eye, and consider the area in close proximity as your target. Place a flyer about your meeting or a meeting schedule in the building it is housed. Next, consider your location and the places near your meeting with a community bulletin board or a stream of people, such as a supermarket, library, or church. Encourage other meetings to elect a PIR, and you can form a committee to brainstorm ideas and widen your net.

How can I best carry the message in our community?

First and foremost, familiarize yourself and your group with the suggested processes in the Public Information Manual for Debtors Anonymous. It includes most of the details about how to organize your PI media activities. But wide D.A. experience shows that it’s best to start small: post flyers or meeting schedules with basic D.A. meeting information and local contacts on bulletin boards in recovery centres, AA centres, recovery bookstores, religious institutions, and the like.

Then, you might have a “Contact Professionals mailing party” during which you and your group prepare, address, and mail flyers and basic D.A. pamphlets to the addiction recovery professionals, marriage counsellors, therapists, psychologists, employee relations professionals, etc. in your area. As you feel more comfortable, consider contacting (after you have completed the D.A. media training)—by mail, phone, or email—local media as well as debt-related organizations in your area: Consumer Credit Counselling Services; Bankruptcy Judges/Lawyers, Doctors, CPAs, Accountants, Tax Accountants; Employee Assistance Programs; Senior Citizen organizations; 24 Hr. Crisis Hotlines; Hospitals, Recovery Treatment Centres, and Free Clinics.

The General Service Office has thumb drives with PSAs available for your Outreach efforts. Some are in Mp3 (radio) and some in Mp4 (television). They hold the full whiteboard video plus 30-second versions in English/Spanish. The other three PSAs are also in 30-second versions in English/Spanish. They can be distributed directly to local and/or national stations. Make sure you have the correct title of the proper contact person who handles PSAs before you send them out. Each thumb drive should include a well written letter of introduction, updated D.A. Meeting lists, and contact information. Copy the files to your computers, distribute them to your local PI Groups, and ask them to make more thumb drives to distribute locally. Contact: Publicinfo@debtorsanonymous.org for more information. Locally do one-on-one contact. Take the PSAs to those that you know well.

Public Information Resources

Public Information Manual for Debtors Anonymous (2021)

Hospital, Institutions and Prisons (HIP) Starter Kit (2022)

Informations for Helping Professionals (2019)

Debtors Anonymous Glossary (2016)

Debtors Anonymous Tear-off Flyer (2016)

Recordings of 2023 Fellowship-wide calls on “How Should Members of D.A. Interact with the Media?” and “How Hospitals, Institutions and Prisons (HIP) Committee service enhanced our recovery” are available on debtorsanonymous.org.

D.A. Radio Spot: “I Owe, I Owe… Off to Work I Go”

D.A. Radio Spot: “Pushy Collector”

D.A. Testimonials

D.A. Radio Spot: “Business Debtors Anonymous”