CPC: Recycle, Repurpose, Repeat
By the time you’re reading this, our CPC Committee will have gathered for our second quarterly on May 3rd. Picture it: a room full of caffeine, commitment, and a few slightly nervous folks gearing up to roleplay with professionals where we practiced introducing Alcoholics Anonymous to educators, nurses, officers, and others who have probably seen a thing or two.
Our guest speaker, Julia, a vice principal from the Seattle school district, helped us understand how to make our message useful and relevant in the world of education. And then we practiced. Yes, practiced. Because the hardest part of CPC work isn’t brainstorming contacts or making lists, it’s having real conversations with real people, especially those who may have worn badges, robes, or lab coats in the chapters of our past that we don’t exactly scrapbook.
Here’s the truth: CPC work can bring up all kinds of feelings. Maybe we’re talking to people who once judged us, or who we weren’t completely honest with. Maybe we feel unqualified or unsure. But that’s exactly why we do this work together. Because when we practice, we get better. When we study, we get prepared. And when we show up with purpose, something shifts—fear gets quieter, and confidence steps in.
And let’s be real, service helps us grow in ways that are useful far beyond CPC. You learn to speak clearly, listen well, plan ahead, and maybe even wear pants that need ironing. Structure and accountability aren’t just service perks, they’re life skills (who knew?).
Now, let’s talk about recycling. No, not bottles—though, hey, good on you if you do that too. We’re talking about recycling service materials. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel every rotation. If you’ve got something that works, reuse it. Your time is valuable. So is your energy. Tweak, adjust, repurpose, but don’t feel like you need to create a new campaign every time you want to show up and share the message.
And speaking of repurposing—look around. Is there another district that has a killer PowerPoint? Borrow it. Find a group with a polished presentation? Invite them to share with the professionals you’ve made contact with. Then study it and learn to repeat it. Collaboration is not cheating. It’s efficiency with flair. Many groups around Puget Sound are doing great work, but some are doing it separately. Let’s unify and build a solid library of resources we can all use, like a good Tupperware collection—sturdy, dependable, and easy to share.
When sharing materials, check your links. Where does that QR code lead? If it goes to a local Intergroup site, great—just make sure that’s intentional. If you want something for all of Western Washington, make sure it serves the broader community. Think of it like labeling your leftovers—so the next person knows exactly what they’re getting.
To wrap it all up: your best CPC efforts start with working on yourself. Learn to speak clearly, plan thoughtfully, dress like you mean business, and show up with kindness. And if you do something well, set it up so someone else can do it just as well after you. Document it! Leave bread crumbs.
So let’s recycle our message, repurpose our resources, and keep showing up with purpose and a sense of humor. Service doesn’t have to be stiff—it can be strong, smart, and still fun. —With gratitude for the lessons of service work,
Sooz
CPC Enthusiast, Part-Time Recycler
