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Service System January Update

sfradm — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 15:44:58 +0000

A Summary of the WB’s Service System Discussions
January 2011
We spent much of our January meeting holding discussions about the next stage of the
Service System workgroup. We spent two full days in discussions with the Service
System workgroup members and staff and will be formulating a new, revised proposal
in the upcoming weeks. We expect to have this next draft to you by March. We hope it
will be the basis of further discussion that will help us to frame what proposals will be
contained in the 2012 Conference Agenda Report.
Much of our discussions were about how components of the system work as well as
how they work together based on being Purpose Driven, Group-focused, Defined by
Geographic Boundaries, Flexible, and Collaborative. Our discussions will be reflected in
the revisions of the proposals, but this eblast should give you an overview of our ideas
in the meantime. We are also working on developing material about processes that we
believe can help us all be more effective in working toward our vision.
So many of you have held and are planning to hold workshops and discussions about
these proposals that we wanted to let you know as soon as we could about our
discussions of your input and the direction of our ideas for revision of the proposals. We
reviewed the more-than-100 pages of input you submitted, and we thank each of you
for helping to shape the proposals and move this work forward.
Foundational Principles—Collaborative
“Collaborative” will be added to the list of foundational principles. There are now five
foundational principles: collaborative, group-focused, purpose driven, flexible, and
geographically defined.
Successful service provision depends on all the elements of a service system working
together toward our common primary purpose. This means that structure, processes,
people, and resources must work together, and that components of the system must
cooperate both “vertically” and “horizontally” throughout the structure.
Group Support
A service body devoted most centrally to meeting groups’ needs will continue to be a
central part of the proposals. We do not feel it is necessary, or helpful, at this time to
recommend a particular option—linear or two-track—for local services, but will try to
outline the different options and provide reasons why a community might prefer one or
the other.
Things that will happen at GSU meetings:
o Informal training and mentoring
o Discussion of group issues, group sharing, no business
o Welcoming and outreach to new groups and members
o Orientation and introduction to service (recovery literature & service literature,
traditions, concepts, etc.)
o Informal information sharing (e.g., upcoming events, LSU activities, new
merchandise, NAWS issues topics)
o In some instances or circumstances, GSUs may be involved in some service
delivery (e.g., putting up flyers in the community or supporting a local H&I
meeting).
GSU attendance is open: Groups send a delegate and any interested member can
come.
Local Services
We have spent quite a lot of time at our last two board meetings discussing how we
believe an LSU actually works. These discussions will result in better clarification of our
vision of this component of the system rather than any real change to the structural
model already offered.
Revisions to the proposals will describe the local service unit as comprised of a local
service board and a regular (three to four times a year) planning conference, including
an annual planning assembly event.
Local Service Board:
o Includes chair, vice chair, treasurer, secretary, delegate(s), and service
coordinators for essential services
o Meets monthly or as needed
o Oversees workgroups and routine services; coordinates the planning assemblies;
develops budget and strategic plan to be reviewed, input, and approved by the
planning conference; maintains external relationships; sends a delegate to the
next level of service.
Planning Conference
o Consists of group and/or GSU delegates, LSB members, project coordinators, and
interested members
o Meets three to four times a year
o Starts with an annual assembly (see below) to gather input and set planning
goals. Planning conferences follow the stages of the planning cycle. They are
used to prioritize, approve workgroups and budget created by the LSB, monitor
and report, change direction as necessary, evaluate service delivery, and elect
the board.
o There may also be training sessions and a session for interfacing with the
intermediate, state/national, and world services levels (like a CAR workshop).
o As throughout the system, decisions will be made by consensus where possible.
Annual Assembly
o The annual assembly is a planning event that gathers input from everyone to set
planning priorities (like our environmental scan).
o It consists of everyone who attends the quarterly/triannual planning conference..
All interested members are encouraged to attend.
Intermediate Bodies
Intermediate bodies are those service bodies created to meet needs of density or
distance or language. In essence, they are intended to span a gap between one level of
service and the next in places where the NA community is densely populated, such as
New York, or where the distances are great, such as Texas, or in places where the
population is bilingual, such as Montreal. They are “permanent” and they are within the
delegation stream. While it may be tempting to rename an existing service body an
“intermediate body” to minimize the impact of restructuring, that’s not the spirit of the
proposals. A clear need must be established to create an intermediate body.
As already stated in the proposal, they are not created to provide shared services
outside of the delegation stream. We acknowledge the need to explain how shared
services will function in the new system and are asking that some of you who have
experience with shared services share your experience with us.
State/Nation/Province
The board needs to further discuss what we mean by “state,” “nation,” and “province.”
In the revisions to the proposals we will more explicitly acknowledge that the terms
“state” and “province” are more flexible than simply “US states, Canadian provinces,
and everyone else is a nation.” Some type of “state” approach may be applicable to
countries such as Brazil, Russia, Mexico, and India with many meeting and multiple
regions. Conversely, it may make sense to combine states in places like New England.
The issue needs further discussion.
WSC Seating
We will be recommending a seating model based on state/national/province service
bodies. We recognize that this model may have a shelf life due to the size of the WSC,
and we will continue to be interested in exploring something like a “zonal” seating
model (with the understanding that the “zones” as we now know them might need to
be revamped to make such a model workable). At this time, however,
state/nation/province seating seems most practical.
Further seating criteria need to be developed, including but not limited to better
defining “state” and “nation” (see above).
Zonal Forums
Zonal forums have only really been addressed in the proposals insofar as they do or
don’t factor into seating. Their role in the system needs to be better defined in the
proposals.
Processes
Ultimately, we would like to see concrete material on processes, like the ideas on
planning discussed above in the “Local Services” section. However, given our perennial
struggles with leadership and communication processes, we just don’t feel like we are
there yet. We will be offering fundamental principles related to leadership,
communication, and planning (and possibly decision-making, and what we are currently
calling information management and issue management) in the next drafts of
proposals.
Issues for Further Discussion
The following items need further clarification and discussion. This is by no means an
exhaustive list. These are simply the items that came up in our recent discussions that
we didn’t have time to fully address:
o Fund flow, including how the GSU is funded
o Literature distribution—where will groups buy their literature?
o Legal issues: corporations, insurance, RSOs
o Synching planning cycles throughout the system
o Who creates intermediate bodies?
o Who determines LSU boundaries?
o How do shared services (committees) work?
o The state/nation issue—e.g., Brazil, Mexico, India, Russia
o Further seating criteria
This is only meant to be a summary and an effort to help in your discussions about this
project. A more complete revision to the proposals will be coming to you soon. We want
to thank you again for your efforts in having these ideas discussed locally and ask that
you let us know how we can help to support your efforts.

2010 Fellowship Literature Survey

sfradm — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 03:09:34 +0000

We’re excited to announce that the 2010 Fellowship Literature Survey is now available at www.na.org/litsurvey and in the October 2010 NA Way Magazine. Feedback from the survey will help provide the World Board with a sense of the fellowship’s needs and ideas.

As you complete the survey, please try to consider not only your own literature needs, but also those of the fellowship worldwide. While many of us are fortunate to find exactly what we need in our literature, we must also think about the needs of NA communities around the world and addicts still seeking NA recovery. We welcome all of your ideas and feedback.

We encourage each NA member to complete the survey and to share the link with others. Thank you for participating.

Please submit your survey by 1 April 2011.

You can complete the survey online at www.na.org/litsurvey; fax it to 818.700.0700; or mail it to NAWS: 19737 Nordhoff Place; Chatsworth CA 91311 USA.

RD REPORT SEPTEMBER 2010

newsletter — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 02:25:22 +0000

HI EVERYONE, I AM AN ADDICT,MY NAME IS FRANK.

SINCE OUR LAST MEETING NAWS MADE AVAILABLE THREE NEW INFORMATION PAMPHLETS,THAT WERE RECENTLY APPROVED,IN TIMES OF ILLNESS,

FUNDING NA SERVICES ANDMONEY MATTERS:SELF SUPPORT IN NA.I HANDED OUT A SHEET THAT SHOWS THESE ITEMS AND SOME OTHERS THAT ARE NEW AND UPDATED SERVICE TOOLS.THIS PAGE IS FROM THE NA WAY MAGAZINE,WHICH IF EVERYONE DOES NOT KNOW YET,WILL NOT BE AUTOMATICALLY DISTRIBUTED AND MUST BE SUBSCRIBED TO EITHER BY E-SUBSCRIBE OR PAPER COPY.THE OCTOBER ISSUE WILL BE THE LAST ISSUE,AND AS NAWS PUTS IT “TAKE ACTION NOW “AT www.na.org/subscribe.

WE HELD OUR SECOND “SERVICE SYSTEM” WORKSHOP AT 1:00 PM YESTERDAY,WHILE NAWS WAS HAVING THEIR FIRST IN DETROIT.THE WORKSHOP FOR OUR ZONE WILL BE IN ORLANDO ON OCT.29-31 AT THE SHERATON ORLANDO DOWNTOWN,400 WEST LIVINGSTON STREET ORLANDO,FL.,32801.THIS IS A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYONE TO EXPERIENCE A NAWS WORKSHOP AND ACTUALLY GIVE SOME INPUT ON SUCH AN IMPORTANT ISSUE.

LIVING CLEAN:THE JOURNEY CONTINUES-WILL BE HAVING THE FINAL REVIEW AND INPUT PERIOD FROM OCT.1-DEC.31,2010.CHECK THE PROJECT PAGE AT www.na.org/?ID=Living_Clean_Project .WE WILL BE HAVING A WORKSHOP AT OUR NOV.REGION AND I KNOW MID-COAST HAS ONE OCT.9 IN DELRAY.THE APPROVAL FORM OF THE BOOK WILL GO OUT IN APRIL 2011,AS CALLED FOR IN THE PROJECT PLAN.

I WANT TO WELCOME TOM TO THE DELEGATE TEAM AND LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH HIM.JUST A REMINDER ,TOM WILL BE THE CONTACT PERSON FOR OUR GROUP INSURANCE AND ALL INQURIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO HIM.I AM WORKING ON GETTING A QUOTE FOR SWAMP RECOVERY’S ANNUAL EVENT IN JAN.,2011.THEY WANT TO HAVE A BOUNCE HOUSE AT THAT EVENT AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY WILL REFLECT THAT IN THEIR QUOTE. ALSO I WANT TO MENTION WE RECEIVED OUR REBATE FROM VISTA IN THE AMOUNT OF 730.00 AND A DONATION FROM GOLD COAST OF 2165.91,THANK YOU GOLD COAST,AND A DONATION OF 25.00 FROM “THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE” GROUP FROM GULF COAST.

CALI,COLOMBIA IS VERY GRATEFUL FOR OUR DONATION OF 550 LITTLE WHITE BOOKS.

IN LOVING SERVICE,

FRANK L. franklatt@bellsouth.net

Rainbow Weekend 13 November 12-14, 2010

newsletter — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 03:30:04 +0000

Rainbow Weekend is a celebration of recovery in Narcotics Anonymous, open to all and hosted in South Florida. In 1996 members of the New Path and Rainbow Groups of NA (Gold Coast Area) formed a committee to have an NA Weekend for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Trans-gendered and open-to-all recovering addicts. In 1997, the first Rainbow Weekend was a great success providing fellowship, learning forums, entertainment and lasting memories. Each year our event gets bigger though our goal remains the same — to help you find the strength, hope and tools to assist you in your journey.

Rainbow Weekend proceeds go entirely to fund the current year’s event and anything leftover is donated to Narcotics Anonymous to help carry the message to other addicts.

Marriott Hollywood Beach, 2501 North Ocean Drive Hollywood, 954.924.2202 ; Hotel Rooms $115/$89 night (See Website) Early Registration until Oct 15, 2010. www.rainbowweekend.org

Hospitals and Institutions Commitments

newsletter — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 03:01:30 +0000

Commitment to the language of recovery

Commitment to the language of recovery in our meetings is also an important issue. In order to remain consistent with our Traditions, and to insure that the message we carry is a clear and consistent message of recovery in Narcotics Anonymous, we refer to ourselves as “addicts”, not “drug addicts”, not “addicts and alcoholics”, not “dually addicted”, not “junkies” or “dope fiends”, just “addicts”! We refer to our time in the program as “clean”, “clean time” or “recovery”, not “sobriety”, not “clean and sober”, just “clean”, “clean time” or “recovery”! A mixed message is a confusing message.

Commitment to represent NA

As H&I volunteers we must remember that when we attend an H&I meeting we are viewed as examples or representatives of NA. The fellowship as a whole may be judged on how we conduct ourselves. Common courtesy is essential! Therefore, we should arrive at the facility early. We should start and end the meeting on time. We should make sure our meeting is covered by an eligible H&I member if we are unable to attend.

We should respect the dress code of the facility as well as recommendations made in the H&I Handbook. We should treat everyone we meet – staff, patients, inmates, guests with respect. Our actions in those facilities will reflect on NA as a whole and will also carry a message of recovery.

Commitment to the Sub-Committee

The H&I sub-committee in each area can be a really effective tool when we all help. One of the reasons it exists is to keep an open line of communication between NA as a whole and the addicts in the facilities we serve. More importantly, at the sub-committee we can share experience, strength and hope, and help each other get through problems we may encounter in carrying the message. To do this, we must attend sub-committee meetings. This will allow us to grow and prosper. Without this commitment from every member of the sub-committee, the message of NA is lost and the sub-committee loses some of its effectiveness. All of the steps of NA include “WE” for a reason. Together we can do a great job.

See Area Service Directories

Gold Coast’s Clean but Crazy Picnic

newsletter — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 02:55:01 +0000

Mother Nature must know us. This event was held at Snyder Park on a balmy Labor Day. Will G: “I liked it better when it was [held] on the beach”. Considering the crowd and the hot temperatures, he had a good point.

Some addicts painted their toe nails. The music jammed and the food was plentiful. Gold Coast members went against South Broward members in Volleyball. Dean B. shared his experience, strength and hope.

Why This Newsletter?

newsletter — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 02:20:40 +0000

Some Areas in our Region already have a newsletter. They report on events and allow members to share their personal recovery. Newsletters in the different areas sometimes come and go. Someone moves on to another position of service and no one picks up where they left off.

The Fifth Tradition in the Basic Text says “All our groups can do is plant the seed for recovery and bring addicts together so that the magic of empathy, honesty, caring, sharing, and service can do their work. “

How many times have two trusted servants in a group debated about whether an issue of service was valid. We serve the servants.

If we could help those who carry the message find a better way to do it, our job as a newsletter would be successful.

We are looking for someone to manage the email accounts. We also need someone to be a “picker” and find interesting material.

Come on and join us.

newsletter@soflarscna.org

Strange Tales From The Home Group

newsletter — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 01:57:20 +0000

Kick Ball Recovery Returns Nov 21

newsletter — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 01:37:11 +0000

An activity group appeared on the scene a few years ago called Kick Ball Recovery. They began with a Father’s Day event to bring addict parents and their children together. The message of NA was clear from the start and now the kids are having fun too.

Apart from a few “NA kids” playing, many young adults and old timers play. Kick ball has made a resurgence and adult kick ball leagues have formed all over the world. This is the only NA Kick Ball we know of.

Activity groups or events are often sponsored by the ASC’s activities subcommittee. Softball, Volleyball and other sports.

Spectators have shown up with coolers and folding chairs. The game is fairly simple and
many admit they haven’t had fun like this in a long, long time. Kick Ball Recovery only
happens once a month, on the third Sunday. Newcomers appreciate having something to
look forward to.

kickballrecovery@yahoo.com

Before we look at any further proposals, let’s look at the current system.

newsletter — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 00:58:09 +0000

The NA Group
NA groups are local, informal associations of
recovering addicts. They are the foundation of
the NA service structure. Groups are formed
for the primary purpose of carrying the NA
message of recovery, and all their activities
should reflect that purpose.
Conducting Narcotics Anonymous meetings is
the primary activity of an NA group. The group
may conduct its own affairs in whatever way
seems fit to its members, provided the group’s
actions are consistent with NA’s Twelve
Traditions, and do not adversely affect other
groups or the entire NA Fellowship. In the
conduct of the affairs of NA as a whole, the
groups delegate to the rest of the service
structure the responsibility for the fulfillment of
NA services. Group service representatives
(GSRs) are elected to participate on behalf of
the groups in the area committee and the
regional assembly.

The Area Service Committee (ASC)
The area committee is the primary means by
which the services of a local NA community are
administered. The area committee is composed
of group service representatives,
administrative officers (chairperson, vice
chairperson, secretary, treasurer),
subcommittee chairpersons, and the area’s
regional committee members.
The area committee elects its own officers,
subcommittee chairpersons, and RCMs.

The Metropolitan Service Committee
(MSC)
A metropolitan service committee may exist to
administer a single set of coordinated NA
subcommittees in a city that has more than
one ASC, eliminating duplication of services
and providing greater effectiveness in carrying
the NA message.
(We do not currently have a MSC in this
Region)

The Regional Service Committee (RSC)
Regional service committees exist to pool the
experience and resources of the areas and
groups it serves. The RSC is composed of
regional committee members (RCMs) elected
by the region’s member-areas; these RCMs
usually elect regional committee officers from
among themselves. RSCs organize regional
assemblies at which GSRs and RCMs discuss a
wide range of service matters, including those
likely to come before the World Service
Conference, and may elect a regional delegate
and alternate delegate to the WSC.
(The RSC may be restructured.)

Zonal Forums
Zonal forums are service-oriented sharing
and/or business sessions that provide the
means by which NA communities can
communicate, cooperate, and grow with one
another. Although not a part of NA’s formal
decision-making system, world services and
zonal forums interact in many ways.

NA World Services (NAWS)
World services are those services which deal
with the needs of NA as a whole, and
which NA offers to its members, its groups,
and to society. The basic purposes of our
world services are communication,
coordination, information, and guidance. It
provides these services so that groups and
members can more successfully carry the
message of recovery, and so our program of
recovery can be made more available
to addicts everywhere.
(Proposed changes to this system include
committee name changes and a new level for
state/national/province services.)

World Service Conference (WSC)
Unlike all other NA service bodies, the
conference is not an entity; it is an event, the
coming together. Every two years, regional
delegates, the members of the World Board,
and the executive director of the World Service
Office meet to discuss questions of
significance to the Fellowship of Narcotics
Anonymous as a whole. The purpose of the
WSC is to be supportive of the fellowship as a
whole, and to define and take action
according to the group conscience of Narcotics
Anonymous.
(Participants at the WSC may be reduced)

The World Board (WB)
The purpose of the World Board of Narcotics
Anonymous World Services, Inc. is to
contribute to the contamination and growth of
Narcotics Anonymous. The World Board
manages all activities of world services
including oversight of the operations of the
fellowship’s primary service center, the World
Service Office. (No changes proposed here)

We hope that someone finds this information useful for further reading we suggest the GLS http://www.na.org/admin/include/spaw2/uploads/pdf/GLS_2005.pdf