Service System Proposals

1. Service System Proposals

2. Introduction As you may or may not be aware, the SSP (Service System Proposals) has been the topic of, at times, heated discussion. This presentation was created using the PowerPoint file available from na.org. Each slide was duplicated then every other slide changed to include viewpoints other than those provided by the World Board. Also, the NA logo was replaced with the SSP+ logo to avoid potential problems, the color was changed & ‘A Vision for WB Service’ was created to show what it should be not what it is.

3. Workshop Objectives • Provide an overview of the latest draft of the Service System Proposals • Answer as many questions as possible • Help to understand the resolutions and the straw polls

4. Workshop Objectives • Provide an overview of the latest draft of the Service System Proposals (pros & cons) • Answer as many questions as possible • Help to understand the resolutions & straw polls (as well as the World Board motions & regional proposals that were not included in the presentation from na.org) is available in a separate PowerPoint presentation

5. Project Background Workshop feedback for many years reports apathy towards service as our main challenge PR roundtables indicate problems with NA services IDTs also report many of the same issues Service System Project is designed to address these reported issues

6. Background • Apathy towards service has been an issue for many groups, areas & regions for a long time • PI & H&I Subcommittees already can & do work in many areas • IDTs (Issue Discussion Topics) are just that...discussion topics, not solutions • The SSP is the result of discussions held on the WSC floor, not group conscience, & does not sufficiently address these issues

8. A Vision for WB Service • All service efforts are inspired by the primary purpose of the NA groups. Upon this common ground the NA members stand committed. • Our vision is that one day: • The World Board will seek to expand its communications to include all NA groups in its decision-making processes, as the groups are the ultimate authority in service • The World Board will work in a spirit of unity & cooperation to follow the directives given it by NA groups through their RDs • The World Board will seek the input & review of the NA groups before proceeding with any change that ultimately affects NA as a whole • The World Board will be fully accountable to the NA Fellowship as well as the WSC • Direct responsibility to NA groups will be the basis of all WB service efforts

9. Elements of an Effective System

10. TOP: Groups of members where Group Conscience exists Next lower: Area & Regional Committees where Group Conscience is collected Lowest:US or WorldService “...We may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.” Tradition 9 of NA Elements of an Effective System

11. Foundational Principles Purpose-Driven Group-Focused Defined by Geographic Boundaries Collaborative Flexible

12. Foundational Principles Purpose-Driven (members to groups to area to region to world) Group-Focused (ASCs) Defined by Boundaries (as determined by the members) Collaborative (members, groups, areas & regions) Flexible(members make changes when & if needed)

13. Foundational Principles Purpose-Driven:Each of the proposed service system units is designed to answer a specific need or group of needs, and the responsibilities of each unit should be clearly defined and understood Group-Focused:The group support unit (GSU) focuses on aiding the groups in their efforts to carry our message Defined by Geographic Boundaries:Following established geographic boundaries for our service bodies where practical will make it easier for professionals and the general public to find and communicate with us. It will also allow us to interface better with professional and legislative bodies. Collaborative:Successful service provision depends on all the elements of a service system working together toward a common goal. Consensus‐based decision making encourages collaborative efforts within service bodies. Communication and planning help service bodies cooperate and synchronize efforts both “vertically” and “horizontally” throughout the structure Flexible:We feel strongly that form should follow function and that communities need to have the flexibility to adapt the system in ways that work best for them. Structurally, that may be accomplished through optional service bodies, or “intermediate bodies,” which can answer specific needs if the general model of GSU-LSU‐state/nation/province cannot accommodate distance, density, or language needs in a given community

14. Foundational Principles Purpose-Driven:Are there needs that you, your group, area & region have that are not & cannot be addressed by your current service structure? Group-Focused: Are your groups hindered in their ability to join service committees where you may endeavor to carry the message, beyond welcoming new members & visitors to your group, to those who wish to stop using or at least to avoid the consequences of their using? Defined by Geographic Boundaries: Are you & those with whom you interface outside the Fellowship hindered by the lack of geographical boundaries & have you not been able to establish an identity with those with whom you may interface to recommend NA as a viable resource for those who wish to stop using or at least to avoid the consequences of their using? Collaborative: Do you feel your area or region requires a new service system in order to evaluate &/or implement the use of consensus-based decision-making? Flexible: Are you, your group, area & region not flexible & have not experienced such flexibility in your current service system? If you answered ‘no’ to each of the above questions, you’re voting ‘no’ to the SSP. If you answered ‘yes’ to any of the above questions, please continue...

15. Focus of Local Services Our current ASCs are tasked with group support and local service delivery. In these proposals, local efforts would be divided: • Group Support Unit (GSU): devoted entirely to providing support to groups • Local Service Unit (LSU): devoted entirely to providing local services. Where possible, geographically defined (e.g., city, town, county)

16. Focus of Local Services Our current Area Service Committees (ASCs) are tasked with group support & local service delivery: • Devoted to providing support to groups • Devoted to providing local services through H&I & PI Subcommittee efforts • Devoted to providing fun in recovery through Fellowship activities

17. Group Support Both structure and process changes to support groups: Group Support Units: discussion and support forums for group issues Usually multiple GSUs for a single Local Service Unit GSUs are neighborhood based

18. Group Support No structure or process changes are necessary to support groups: • ASCs: discussion & open forums for group issues • Multiple groups comprise an area (as determined by the members) • ASCs are neighborhood-based as determined by the members • We have seen members drive hundreds of miles to help support a new group (Basic Text 5th Edition, p 50)

19. Group Support What happens at the GSU: Welcome & outreach to new groups & members Informal information sharing – group to group Orientation & introduction to service Informal training & mentoring Limited, informal service if necessary Open attendance

20. Group Support What can happen at an ASC: Welcome & outreach to new groups & members Open forum sharing – group to group Orientation & introduction to service Informal training & mentoring Limited, informal service if necessary All are welcome

21. GSU/LSU Options

22. Current Service Structure(No ‘options’ needed) TOP: Groups of members where Group Conscience exists Next lower: Area & Regional Committees where Group Conscience is collected Lowest:US or WorldService “...We may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.” Tradition 9 of NA

23. Local Services The Area Service Committee: Delivers bulk of local services Conforms to a recognized geographic boundary Is purpose- and vision-driven Uses planning

24. Local Services The ASC/RSC (Area/Regional Service Committees): Share in the delivery of local services Conform to recognized geographic boundaries as determined by the members Are purpose- & vision-driven as determined by the members Follow the 12 Traditions & 12 Concepts

25. Local Services Local Planning Conference • Meets 3 or 4 times yearly including Annual Assembly • Other meetings follow planning cycle • Consists of group delegates, project and workgroup leaders, LSB, state/national delegates, interested members • Uses consensus-based decision making

26. Local Services ASCs & RSCs: • Meet as determined by the members • Hold other meetings when & if necessary • Consist of GSRs (group service representatives), RCMs (regional committee members), subcommittees & interested members • Use decision-making process as determined by the members

27. Local Services Annual Assembly • Planning event to gather input and set service priorities • Wide attendance consisting of Local Planning Conference attendees and any other interested members • Uses consensus-based decision making

28. Local Services ASCs & RSCs: • Meet to gather input & set service priorities as determined by the members • Wide attendance consisting of GSRs, RCMs, subcommittees & any other interested members • Use decision-making process as determined by the members

29. Local Services Local Service Board • Meets monthly (or as needed) • Consists of admin officers, delegates to next level of service, coordinators for essential services • Oversees workgroups and essential services • Coordinates planning assembly • Develops budgets and plans • Maintains external relationships

30. Local Services ASCs & RSCs: • Meet as determined by the members • Consist of GSRs, RCMs, subcommittees & other interested members • Oversee subcommittees, Ad hoc subcommittees & essential services • Are the planning assemblies • Develop budgets & plans as determined by the members • Maintain external relationships through H&I & PI Subcommittees

31. Delegation & Communication • On a local level—more administrative details are delegated • Discussion and decisions at the LSU are more focused on planning, priorities, setting direction, etc. • No intention to change how a conscience is gathered locally to take to the WSC • Still need to work on bridging some of the disconnect, improving communication (e.g., between world & local services). • We are open to all ideas!

32. Delegation & Communication • At existing group, area & regional levels administrative details are already delegated • Discussion & decisions at ASC & RSC meetings currently include planning, priorities, setting direction, etc. • Will not change how group conscience is gathered to take to the WSC • Ideas/solutions on bridging the disconnect, improving communication (e.g., between world & local services) are welcomed

33. Intermediate Bodies Occupies space between service bodies like an accordion, when needed due to density, distance or language Based upon need Could be useful in large countries or states Communication is main task

34. Intermediate Bodies Unnecessary ‘space’ between existing service bodies as determined by the members Do not ‘need’ another layer of service Members of large countries or states can & will determine what they need Communication is main task for each & every service body

35. State/National Service Bodies More change for parts of the US where regional boundaries are not always state boundaries No structural change for many, though possibly process changes for all Still working on ideas for large states and non-US countries consisting of multiple regions

36. State/National Service Bodies Unwarranted change for parts of the US where regional boundaries have already been determined by the members There should be no structural or process changes made by anyone except the members Members of large states & non-US countries consisting of multiple regions can & will determine what works for them

37. State/National Service Bodies State/National services include: Interaction with statewide/national government and professionals Assemblies and conventions Centralized service resources Communication link between WSC and local NA communities

38. State/National Service Bodies Many ASC/RSC services already include: Interaction with statewide/national government & professionals via H&I & PI Subcommittees Assemblies & conventions Centralized service resources Communication link between WSC & local NA communities

39. Zonal Service Bodies Discussion points around zones include: Zones offer opportunities for communication Zones may need common standards Zonal boundaries could be collaboratively reexamined

40. Zonal Service Bodies Existing zones: Offer additional opportunities for communication May need common standards to be determined by the members Boundaries could be reexamined if the members want

41. Zonal Service Bodies Possible roles of zones include: Fellowship development Leadership development Planning Fund-flow Sharing best practices Connecting regions Communication link

42. Zonal Service Bodies Current roles of zones include: Fellowship development Leadership development Planning Sharing best practices Connecting regions Communication link

43. WSC Seating State/national/province service bodies seated at the conference Other seating criteria will be needed Some regions will have to unify Arrangements for large states and countries are still being discussed Small countries or states may choose to group together for seating purposes

44. WSC Seating State/national/province service bodies seated at the conference as determined by the members No other seating criteria will be needed No regions will have to be combined Arrangements for large states & countries should be determined by the members Small countries or states may choose to group together for seating purposes

45. Process Examples Communication Sharing information & ideas with each other. Better use of tools and tying communication to planning Leadership Identifying leadership potential, training, mentoring, making effective use of veteran leaders Planning Determining actual needs, setting specific goals, assessing and assigning resources, monitoring and making adjustments Decision Making Working together to make decisions through consensus where possible, exercise delegation and accountability Information Management Capturing, preserving, and delivering information as needed

46. Process Examples Communication should be determined by the members Sharing information & ideas with each other. Using existing tools & tying communication to planning must be balanced with standing commitments, such as H&I & Helpline Leadership should be determined by the members Identifying leadership potential, training, mentoring & making effective use of veteran leaders is not addressed by the SSP Planning should be determined by the members Determining actual needs, setting specific goals, assessing & assigning resources, monitoring & making adjustments Decision-Making should be determined by the members Working together to make decisions through processes currently in place, exercise representation & accountability Information Management should be determined by members’ ability to use current & emerging technology Capturing, preserving & delivering information as needed

47. Wrap-Up Current 4-year project to end at WSC 2012 Offering 8 resolutions at WSC 2012 to be voted on at WSC 2012 Project will be proposed for the 2012-2014 cycle to work on transition plans

48. Wrap-Up • The Service System Proposals can end at WSC 2012 only by voting ‘no’ to the SSP in its entirety AND by defeating the existing funding in the CAT • Some groups & areas are already trying the SSP model – let’s see how it works for them for the next 2 years • Voting ‘no’ to the 8 resolutions at WSC 2012 does not prevent us from taking them up again at later WSCs • NAWS’ project plans are extremely expensive – allowing them to go ahead at the current area & regional levels cost little or nothing

49. Service System Webpage More information of the World Board view is available here: www.na.org/servicesystem

50. Service System Proposals Alternative viewpoints & information are available online: Ask how you can join a closed (no-one except members see posts) Facebook discussion group