National Service Committee
Origins of Codependents Anonymous (CoDA) in the UK
CoDA meetings started in the UK in Craven Street, near Trafalgar Square in London with 4 members. The first official meeting was held in Wood Green in 1989.
Initially 4 meetings existed in London held in Wood Green, Hampstead (2) and St Pancras. The founding members from London formed a national steering committee (NSC) and invited others to join. As the number of meetings grew rapidly, 2 members from Bath produced a CODA newsletter.
In 1990 there were celebrations held on 1st anniversary. Founders of CoDA, Ken and Mary visited the UK for work and met with the committee and invited them to the World Service conference in 1991 in Scottsdale.
By April 2004 we had our first CoDA UK website kept up-to-date by a passionate team of CoDA members serving fellowship across the UK.
What is the National Service Committee (NSC)?
The NSC are the trusted servants of CoDA UK, meeting quarterly to discuss issues raised by the groups and matters affecting CoDA as a whole. One of their meetings is the Annual General Meeting (AGM). Groups and regions are free to raise issues with the NSC and to send along a Group Service Representative (GSR). All members of CoDA UK are welcome at NSC meetings but only the elected committee and GSRs are able to vote on any issues. Details of when the meetings are held appear on the Events page of the CoDA UK website, with the agenda for the meeting appearing at least a week in advance. CoDA UK pays travel expenses for the NSC members; other members have their expenses paid by their groups. Any member is welcome to volunteer for relevant posts at any time during the year. NSC members keep in touch with each other by email and WhatsApp during the year for any service queries and matters which arise between meetings, and additional NSC meetings are sometimes arranged when there is a lot of business to discuss.
What is its remit?
The NSC acts on concerns brought by the membership which are raised through local group consciences, at regional level and which are brought to the NSC by email or at the AGM. If a group has a Group Service Representative (GSR), it is their role to bring issues raised at Group Conscience to the wider fellowship i.e. Region or NSC (depending on which is available in their area).
The NSC works as a committee, so operates on a group input/approval process much the same as a Group Conscience. This means that all members are welcome and invited to contribute and put forward suggestions on all areas of service. Members are able to propose and spearhead certain areas of service that are important to them if supported by the NSC group. Sub-committees are also sometimes formed to deal with larger pieces of service.
What are the service positions on the NSC?
A list of suggested service positions at this level is on the CoDA UK website but the list is flexible, members serving the needs of the fellowship in whatever way they can. For the full list see: https://codauk.org/nsc-service-positions/ For a list of all those currently in service, please see below.
What are the membership/recovery requirements for service in the various roles?
It is suggested that NSC members should have at least one year’s recovery (unless specified otherwise) and a good working knowledge of the 12 Steps and Traditions.
How do members join the committee?
They are voted in at the AGM; or may attend one of the quarterly meetings during the year; or may be sent to the NSC as a representative of their region. The format for nominations is that members put themselves forward for a role, then say a little about their service background, length of time in recovery and why they want the role and answer any questions. A seconder is required, then a vote is taken (the member usually leaves the room during the vote). Members wishing to serve must be in attendance at the meeting where they come forward; votes on new members do not take place in the absence of the member being nominated. Members can only put themselves forward – they cannot be proposed by others.
How long do they do service in any particular position?
The length of time for each service position is listed on the website but generally all posts are for one year, unless specified otherwise. Members can elect to serve a longer term if they wish.
What guidance is there to help members with the NSC’s work?
The Twelve Service Concepts are read at each meeting and describe how members can serve together: https://coda.org/meeting-materials/twelve-service-concepts/
The CoDA Fellowship Service Manual provides guidance to members in service in all parts of the fellowship. There is some useful info directly relating to the NSC’s work on p 12 in Part 1 and p7 in Part 3.
How often and where do the committee meet?
The committee meet quarterly, with the AGM as one of their quarterly meetings. Location is decided by the membership of the NSC as the most convenient place for all members to get to; since spring 2020, meetings have been held on Zoom. Meetings are publicised on the website, in the CoDA Noticeboard WhatsApp and by email to the CoDA UK mailing list, and via the regional mailing lists. All members are welcome at NSC meetings, not just GSRs, NSC members or Regional reps. Between meetings, communication is usually by email to all NSC members. There is also an NSC WhatsApp where members may ask for or share ESH but not all NSC members are included in this so it’s not a formal channel for NSC business, just a supportive space.
Leaving the committee
Please do let the committee know if at any time you decide to step down from doing service or if you are going to be away or need to take a break from service. It was decided that if a member has not been in email contact or has not attended 3 consecutive NSC meetings and has not sent any apologies, then this member will be contacted and if no response is given they are automatically removed from the NSC email group mailing list and the NSC WhatsApp group.
Updated by the NSC, AGM March 2026
| Role | Name | Term began | Terms ends |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chair | Andy | May 22 May 24 *renewed* June 25 *renewed* | June 26 - Description - |
| Vice Chair | Jon B | Dec 25 | Dec 27 |
| Treasurer | Annie | Sept 25 | - Description - |
| Public Liability Insurance | - Service Needed - | - Description - | |
| Bank Signatories | Rochelle Andy Annie Gillian | Aug 22 Pre Aug 21 Pre Aug 21 | - TBC - |
| Secretary | - Service Needed - | - Description - | |
| Website | No officer Supported by Bryony, Emma, Ian, Jason, Julia, Kate F, Pete H, Rochelle | Description - | |
| Communications and Email Responder | No officer Newsletter by Jason, Supported by Kate F | Description - | |
| Meetings List Co-ordinator | Julia With support as required | Mar 2026 | Mar 2028 - Description - |
| North Region Intergroup Rep | - tbc - | voted within Region | voted within Region |
| London & SE Region Intergroup | - Vacant - | ||
| Public Information | No officer Supported by Emma, Helen, Ian, Jason, Karen, Kate F, Rochelle, Ruben, Sarah, Suzanne | ||
| CSC Reps 2025-26 | Rochelle Mandy Alt Emily V | Mar 25 Sept 25 Mar 2026 | 27 (with confirmatory vote taken March 26) |
| Literature Secretary | - Service Needed - | - Description - | |
| Sponsorship Rep/s | Rochelle, Jason & Emily V - Service Needed - | Sept 25 | |
| General Committee Members | Don, Mali - Service Needed - | Jun 24 Dec 2025 | Jun 26 Dec 2027 |
