WSI Public Information (PI) Committee Manual

Mission Statement

Tradition Eleven states that FA’s public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion. As trusted servants the Public Information Committee (PI ) serves as the custodian of PI materials available to the public, including health care professionals, spiritual professionals, and the press.The PI committee's mission is to guide the fellowship to the most effective and appropriate means to communicate the FA solution to the public. In a guidance capacity, the PI committee will:

• Review PI materials and activities for integrity, clarity of printed communication, and adherence to the Twelve Traditions. 

• Through the practice of group conscience, vet all PI materials using procedures outlined in the PI WSI Manual

• Develop and present in-person and virtual programs to PI Representatives and the fellowship

• Support and mentor PI committee members at the WSI and intergroup levels 

• Maintain PI materials on the FA website PI sections  

Descriptions for Public Information Subcommittee Positions and Activities 

Writing and Editing Subcommittee (WE)

The PI chair will appoint the WE Subcommittee chair. 

Requirements:

• Minimum of five years of continuous current FA abstinence

• Knowledge of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of FA 

• Completion of two twelve-step studies as defined in Article II, Section 3 of the Bylaws within the current term of abstinence, uninterrupted by a break in abstinence

• Must continue to be actively involved in a twelve-step study during their period of service

Role:

• Review, update and draft PI content

• Make recommendations to the PI committee on the creation of new materials and revision or withdrawal of existing content 

• Any PI materials intended for public consumption must be appraised, edited and approved in the following order: 

1. PI Writing and Editing committee 

2.  PI Committee

Media and Press Relations Subcommittee (MPR)

The PI chair will appoint the MPR chair. 

Requirements:

• Minimum of five years of continuous current FA abstinence

• Knowledge of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of FA 

• Completion of two twelve-step studies as defined in Article II, Section 3 of the Bylaws within the current term of abstinence, uninterrupted by a break in abstinence

• Must continue to be actively involved in a twelve-step study during their period of service

Role:

• Review, update and draft PI content for the media and press

• Make recommendations to the PI committee on the creation of new materials and revision or withdrawal of existing media content 

• Establish an internal written policy for responding to media inquiries

• Educate media professionals on the importance of member anonymity

• Oversee  the Mediawatch team and the team’s methods for responding to posted and published content relevant to food addiction. 

• Any PI materials intended for public consumption must be appraised, edited and approved in the following order: 

1. PI Writing and Editing committee 

2.  PI Committee

Cooperation with the Professional Community Subcommittee (CPC)

The PI chair appoints the CPC chair. 

Requirements:

• Must have a minimum of five years of continuous current FA abstinence

• Knowledge of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of FA

• Completion of two twelve-step studies as defined in Article II, Section 3 of the Bylaws within the current term of abstinence, uninterrupted by a break in abstinence

• Must continue to be actively involved in a twelve-step study during their period of service

Role: 

• Review, update and draft current PR materials for healthcare professionals and spiritual professionals

• Present methods for individuals and groups to build relationships and educate health care professionals and spiritual advisor professionals

• Assist with inquiries from health care and spiritual professionals and organizations

• Any PI materials intended for public consumption must be appraised, edited and approved in the following order: 

1. PI Writing and Editing committee 

2.  PI Committee

PI Mentoring and Coaching (PCM)

PI Mentoring and Coaching (PCM) Selection Process

The PI chair appoints the (PCM)chair.

Requirements:

• Must have a minimum of five years of continuous current FA abstinence

• Knowledge of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of FA

• Completion of two twelve-step studies as defined in Article II, Section 3 of the Bylaws within the current term of abstinence, uninterrupted by a break in abstinence

• Must continue to be actively involved in a twelve-step study during their period of service

Role: 

• Assist intergroups and meetings with PI activities

• Educate intergroups and meetings regarding anonymity and the importance of attraction versus promotion

• Guide intergroups and meetings on applicable resources available on the FA web site 

• Review, update and draft current PI activity resources on the FA web site

• Any PI materials intended for public consumption must be appraised, edited and approved in the following order:

1. PI Writing and Editing committee 

2.  PI Committee

PI Social Media Engagement Subcommittee (SME)

The PI  chair appoints the SME chair. 

Requirements:

• Must have a minimum of five years of continuous current FA abstinence

• Knowledge of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of FA

• Completion of two twelve-step studies as defined in Article II, Section 3 of the Bylaws within the current term of abstinence, uninterrupted by a break in abstinence

• Must continue to be actively involved in a twelve-step study during their period of service

Role: 

• Provide oversight of official FA public information activity on social media

• Committee members include FA facebook, FA Youtube channel and FA Linkedin page coordinators and must meet the same requirements as the SME chair (see above)

• Educate the fellowship regarding specific anonymity requirements for social media

• Any PI materials intended for public consumption must be appraised, edited and approved in the following order:

1. PI Writing and Editing committee 

2.  PI Committee

Individual Position and Subcommittee Member Requirements

Secretary

Secretary Selection Process

The PI  chair appoints the secretary. 

Requirements:

• Must have a minimum of five years of continuous current FA abstinence

• Knowledge of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of FA

• Completion of two twelve-step studies as defined in Article II, Section 3 of the Bylaws within the current term of abstinence, uninterrupted by a break in abstinence

• Must continue to be actively involved in a twelve-step study during their period of service

Role: 

• Take minutes at all PI committee meetings and email to all members for approval

• Work with the PI  Chair to draft an annual calendar of the monthly committee meetings  

Requirements for Subcommittee Members:

Each subcommittee chair or the PI  will appoint subcommittee members. 

Requirements: 

• Members must have a minimum of 6 months of continuous current FA abstinence

• Knowledge of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of FA

• Actively involved in a current twelve-step study 

Revised 2025 0414