Serenity Rocks is a project initiated by the Outreach Subcommittee of the Global Online Region (GOR) of Nar-Anon Family Groups. It is hoped that several groups will participate in it by creating and placing rocks in public places. This is a way to get the word out about Nar-Anon in general, and the participating groups of the Global Online Region.
The rocks will show some inspirational artwork and/or an affirmation or slogan that may attract attention. On the bottom side, there would be a QR Code that people can scan, leading them to the Serenity Rock web page, where they can find out about the Serenity Rock project, post the location where they found the rock, and go to other pages to find about th Nar-Anon and GOR groups.
This page gives instructions on how to participate.
- Obtain some rocks.
The rocks should have two flat sides. They need to be about 3 or 4 inches (8 to 10 cm) across. The flat areas need to be larger than the artwork and QR Codes. Otherwise, the QR Codes and artwork could wrinkle when applied to the rock. - Obtain materials to prepare the rocks
- If you want to paint the rocks, obtain appropriate paint and brushes. After it dries, a protective coating may be applied (below).
- You will need a computer with a printer to print QR Codes and possibly the artwork. A color laser printer is best, color inkjet second best. The QR Codes can be printed with a black and white printer, but we suggest that the artwork be colorful.
- Scissors or a cutting machine to cut up the sheets of QR Codes and possibly artwork.
- Adhesive material to securely apply the printed material to the rocks. The same material might also be used as a weather-protective coating. We have used Mod Podge. The dishwasher-safe Mod Podge has been found to work well. It can be found on Amazon. 8 ounces can cover around 32 to 40 rocks. (It also comes in 16 ounce and 32 ounce sizes.)
- One inch brushes for applying the coating to the rocks. Sponge brushes are good.
- Latex or vinyl gloves for handling the rocks while coating them.
- Print sheets of QR Codes
Use this web page to create the sheets or QR Codes:
gornfg.org/serenity-rocks-qrcodes.htm
Group ID: That page asks for your Group Id. This is the six digit Group Id assigned by the Nar-Anon World Service Office, not the nine to eleven digit Zoom Meeting Id. You can find it on the GOR website meeting list pages or the World Service website find-a-meeting page. By using the Group Id, we can track where each group’s rocks have been found.
Sheet Number: This also asks for a sheet number (initially set to 1), Each printed sheet needs to have a different sheet number so that they have different QR Codes. Each QR Code can be tracked individually, allowing us to see where each rock has been found. After printing one sheet, you can click on “next sheet” to get the next sheet number.
Black and White Only checkbox: if you are using a black and white printer, and a Microsoft Edge, Chrome, or DuckDuckGo browser, check this box. This will force the QR Code sheet to be in black and white. Otherwise the printed background will be gray. The Firefox browser does not need this.
When printing the sheet, make sure it fills one page. Please print only one sheet for each sheet number. The sheets may be printed to PDF files and sent to other members, but let them know that each sheet should be printed only once.
Print Settings:- Orientation: portrait
- Page size: letter or A4
- Under “More settings” disable (uncheck) print headers and footers.
- Under “More settings” enable (check) print backgrounds
- Under “More settings” margins: minimum
Cut up the sheet to separate all the QR Codes. There should be a faint division between each cell. They are supposed to be about 1.25 inches across.
- Create artwork and/or phrases to use
We want the rocks to be attractive and inspirational. Something positive. Something colorful. This might be prepared on a computer and printed, or painted directly on the rock.
Some suggestions (but you can think of more):- “You don’t need to be alone”
- “You are loved”
- “You matter”
- “You have a purpose”
- “Don’t worry”
- “Have a wonderful rest of the day”
- “S**t happens. So do miracles”
- “Accept the things you cannot change”
- “Smile and make someone’s day better”
- Apply the artwork and QR Code to each rock and coat the rock with a weather protective coating
If using the suggested Mod Podge:- Process one side at a time. Several rocks can be processed at the same time.
- Coat the rock where the paper will be attached with the Mod Podge.
- Carefully press down the paper artwork or QR Code over the Mod Podge so it doesn’t wrinkle.
- Cover the entire side and edges with Mod Podge
- Wait 90 minutes for the Mod Podge to dry and become clear, then apply another layer.
- Repeat the last step another time so that there are three layers of Mod Podge on that side.
- Let the rock dry overnight.
- Turn over the rock and repeat all these steps for the other side, with artwork on one side, QR Code on the other. Use a plastic tray or a similar surface to set the rocks on when turning the rocks over. Do not use paper or cardboard, which can stick to the rocks.
- Place several rocks in a cold oven on the rack, and bake at 175o F for 90 minutes to speed up the curing process. Once this is done, the rocks should not stick to anything.
- Put the rocks in various public locations
- A place where people are likely to see it
- Don’t obstruct sidewalks, streets, or doorways or create a nuisance.
- Avoid places where it’s likely to be swept into the trash
- Near recovery/rehab/medical agencies is an idea
- You may also post the location where you place the rocks.
Scan the QR Code on each rock individually, and enter the location in the form. Click on the “left the rock” check box. These locations will not appear on the map until the rock has been found.