NSA
Newcomer Support and Assistance Committee
The Newcomer Support and Assistance Subcommittee (NSA) is part of the World Service 12th Step Committee. The purpose of this subcommittee is to provide support and assistance to the newcomer in in the following ways:
- Helps the newcomer better understand what to do when they first come to FA
- Helps existing members support newcomers
- Helps foster a welcoming environment for newcomers
- Aids in the retention of members
THOUGHTS TO HELP NEWCOMERS
Browse through the FA website!
The FA website has an introductory section for newcomers with resources worth reviewing. Just click on “Menu” on the top right of any webpage and open the section entitled “New to FA.”
Go to Meetings!
FA members support each other and aid in their own recovery by attending FA meetings. At meetings, members share and listen to experience, strength, and hope regarding recovery from food addiction. All meetings are free and open to everyone, and they’re probably available at a time that works for you. Go, go, go! Go Go Go! Find a meeting here!
Looking for a sponsor?
Would you like to get started? First, you'll need an FA sponsor. We ask an FA sponsor to guide us through the recovery program on every level: physical, mental, and spiritual. Every meeting includes an introduction of available sponsors. That’s how most newcomers find sponsors. You can also contact the Newcomer Support and Assistance Committee using the email below for help in finding a sponsor.
Curious?
Check out the “A New Way of Life” video developed by our Newcomer Support and Assistance Subcommittee to help Newcomers better understand why we do some of the things we do in FA.
FA Podcasts: Stories of Recovery
- Check out some podcasts! FA Podcasts are recordings of members’ individual stories of recovery. We often can identify with a member’s challenges with food addiction and get hope from hearing about solutions that worked for them and can work for us.
- Read Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous. Our FA book describes the illness of food addiction and the possibility of recovery offered by our program. (Note: You can read the first two chapters of the FA book (FA book sample)
Learn and Practice the Tools of the Program
- Each meeting has a brief review of the tools of our program, however, there exists a pamphlet that provides more detail on each of the tools. You might consider reviewing the pamphlet Living Abstinently – A Guide to the FA Tools.
Use the FA and AA Literature
This is a list of books commonly used by members in FA:
- Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous
- Alcoholics Anonymous (the “Big Book”)
- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions
- The Little Red Book
- Twenty-Four Hours a Day (see the daily reading here: 24 Hours a Day Reading)
There are also many helpful FA pamphlets accessible on the FA website. Newcomers may want to discuss with their sponsors in particular the Before You Take That Bite pamphlet.
- Need Help? Reach out to us! Email with the Newcomer Support and Assistance Subcommittee newcomersupport@foodaddicts.org.
THOUGHTS TO HELP CURRENT MEMBERS BETTER SUPPORT NEWCOMERS
Be a Greeter!
- The Greeter service position in our meetings has a tremendous influence on helping newcomers to feel welcome, to become part of a group, and to learn about some helpful FA resources.
- If you are a Greeter, consider reviewing the Greeter Service Description.
Sponsor a Newcomer!
- We pass along the program that we’ve been given. There are some resources on the FA website that can help you help the newcomer:
- The Some Thoughts on Sponsoring pamphlet. Consider reviewing and discussing it with your own sponsor.
- The Living Abstinently – A Guide to the FA Tools pamphlet. Use it to share your experience and practice of the tools with your newcomer sponsee.
- Also, review this: Important Message About Mental Health Care and Treatment.
Meetings
Meetings can also better support newcomers by practicing the principles of our program found in these resources on the FA website:
- The Meeting Essentials document provides many suggestions to help newcomers
- The Meeting Effectiveness Questions that Meeting Effectiveness Support and Assistance (MESA) Representative review can spark discussions at business meetings about how meetings can improve in supporting newcomers.
- The EAI 12th Step Committee has a Crosstalk video that you might consider reviewing.
- There is a suggested Newcomer Starter Kit & Newcomer Packet Band Template (in-person meetings).
- Meeting Contacts need to maintain current information about the meeting on the FA website. Let’s avoid having newcomers come to an empty room (in-person meetings) or a non-existent virtual meeting. If you are the Meeting Contact, consider reviewing Meeting Contact responsibilities.
WE’RE LOOKING FOR ASSISTANCE
Thinking of doing service? Our Newcomer Support and Assistance Subcommittee is looking for help. If you have a minimum of five years of continuous abstinence in FA; are working with an FA sponsor; have completed one in-depth study of the Twelve Steps in sequence, using a method focused on food addiction and requiring abstinence throughout each Step; and have knowledge of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of FA, please consider joining us!
Contact NSA: NewcomerSupport@foodaddicts.org