Service System Proposals

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Service System Proposals

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IntroductionAs 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.

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• 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

Workshop Objectives

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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

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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

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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

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A Vision for WB ServiceAll 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

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Elements of an Effective System

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Elements of an Effective System

TOP: Groups of members where Group Conscience

existsNext lower: Area &

Regional Committees where Group Conscience

is collected

Lowest:US or World

Service

“...We may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.” Tradition 9 of NA

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Foundational Principles

Purpose-Driven

Flexible

Defined by Geographic Boundaries

Group-Focused

Collaborative

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Purpose-Driven (members to groups to area to region to world)

Flexible (members make changes when & if needed)

Defined by Boundaries (as determined by the members)

Group-Focused (ASCs)

Collaborative (members, groups, areas & regions)

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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

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

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.

Group-Focused: The group support unit (GSU) focuses on aiding the groups in their efforts to carry our message

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

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Purpose-Driven: Are there needs that you, your group, area & region have that are not & cannot be addressed by your current service structure?

Flexible: Are you, your group, area & region not flexible & have not experienced such flexibility in your current service system?

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?

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?

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?

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...

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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)

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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

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Group SupportBoth 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

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Group SupportNo 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)

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Group SupportWhat 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

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Group SupportWhat 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

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GSU/LSU Options

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Current Service Structure

(No ‘options’ needed)

TOP: Groups of members where Group Conscience

existsNext lower: Area &

Regional Committees where Group Conscience

is collected

Lowest:US or World

Service

“...We may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.” Tradition 9 of NA

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Local ServicesThe Area Service Committee:

•Delivers bulk of local services

•Conforms to a recognized geographic boundary

•Is purpose- and vision-driven

•Uses planning

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Local ServicesThe 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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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!

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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

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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

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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

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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

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• 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

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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

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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

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Zonal Service Bodies

Discussion points around zones include:

•Zones offer opportunities for communication

•Zones may need common standards

•Zonal boundaries could be collaboratively reexamined

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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

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Possible roles of zones include:

•Fellowship development

•Leadership development

•Planning

•Fund-flow

•Sharing best practices

•Connecting regions

•Communication link

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Current roles of zones include:

• Fellowship development

• Leadership development

• Planning

• Sharing best practices

• Connecting regions

• Communication link

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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

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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

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Process ExamplesCommunication Sharing information & ideas with each other. Better use of tools and tying communication to planningLeadershipIdentifying leadership potential, training, mentoring, making effective use of veteran leadersPlanningDetermining actual needs, setting specific goals, assessing and assigning resources, monitoring and making adjustmentsDecision MakingWorking together to make decisions through consensus where possible, exercise delegation and accountabilityInformation ManagementCapturing, preserving, and delivering information as needed

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Process ExamplesCommunication should be determined by the membersSharing information & ideas with each other. Using existing tools & tying communication to planning must be balanced with standing commitments, such as H&I & HelplineLeadership should be determined by the membersIdentifying leadership potential, training, mentoring & making effective use of veteran leaders is not addressed by the SSPPlanning should be determined by the membersDetermining actual needs, setting specific goals, assessing & assigning resources, monitoring & making adjustmentsDecision-Making should be determined by the membersWorking together to make decisions through processes currently in place, exercise representation & accountabilityInformation Management should be determined by members’ ability to use current & emerging technologyCapturing, preserving & delivering information as needed

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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

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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

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Service System Webpage

More information of the World Board view is available here:

www.na.org/servicesystem

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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

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Thank you...for taking your time to become more familiar with the SSP & how it can affect the Fellowship of NA. It has the potential to divide those who believe the WB knows best & those who believe the WB has overstepped its authority. Please keep an open mind & learn as much as you can. If there is common ground to be found, let’s find it by agreeing to disagree & by using spiritual principles rather than character assassination & anger.

Documents

Service System Proposals