The documents included here are personal observations from past or current conference participants about preparing for the WSC. We will post any new letters that we receive to the conference participants area on our website www.na.org/WSC2004 and include them in the next mailing.
We hope that you find these helpful and that it will encourage you to share your experience.
Subject: CAT/CAR Hello Friends! I hope you are each doing well. After realizing the members of Show-Me wanted to know about information in the CAR and CAT during this conference cycle, we did our best to come up with a way of presenting information by topic rather than by type (motion, project, etc...). Some motions or project plans ended up standing alone due to not having another item that was necessarily similar. Some motions or project plans were placed in a topic format with a sense of "hummmmm...does that really fit there?" One way or the other...this has become a project that seems to work. Processing information with members from the CAR and CAT one topic at a time seems to serve the goal of keeping it simple. We are passing along our document that we are calling "What the Heck is this Stuff?" in hopes that it might be helpful to the regions who are also wondering how to best present information that is from the CAR and CAT. Please know this is not a final final final draft. There are a few little things left to address. But...it is close. Again, hope you are all doing well. Mindy A. Show-Me RD
topic #9
Fellowship support Ideas?? Literature??
<CAR> Motion 10: To set aside WSC Policy, and a workgroup be created to Review, edit and submit for approval at WSC 2006 the Tradition Working Guide developed by the Lone Star Regional Literature Committee >Estimated Cost = Unknown
#of Votes: YES ______ NO ______ ABSTAIN _____
Discussion Questions: What tools, information, or support could NA World Services provide to help groups, areas, and regions build a strong foundation to carry the NA message of recovery? _________________________________________
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How can we make NA more attractive and responsive to all of our members and our potential members? _________________________________
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<CAT> “Service Material” To create new and/or revised material on service and topics concerning NA philosophy to better serve a growing and changing worldwide fellowship with the initial topics of: -Giving the newcomer a chance to recover (behavior at meetings) -Availability of the NA message regardless of age, race, sexual identity, creed, religion, or lack of religion (Third Tradition material) -Disruptive people at meetings -Activities and financial responsibility -Information on a range of financial issues -Revision of existing bulletins -The WSC for beginners -Common needs -Anonymity >Priority Level = High >Total Cost = $40,200
Questions: In general, do you like this plan? YES NO What, if anything, would you change about it? ___________________
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“Service Handbooks” This would be the beginning of a process to update service Handbooks. the priority would be the PI Handbook that would include helping all committees relate with the public.
Next, this plan would begin addressing handbooks that
also need updating or All updated and new handbooks would be presented for input and review and would eventual approval by the fellowship.
>Priority Level = High >Total Cost = $78,720
Questions: In general, do you like this plan? YES NO What, if anything, would you change about it? ___________________
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“Service Structure Relationship & Definition” This plan is to define the role, importance and responsibility of each level of the service structure and its components and define how each related to accomplishing NA’s overall vision, primary purpose, and goals. We see this foundation as necessary since practices have changed over the years and vary in many places. This should include a focus on the relationship with the delegates as partners with the World Board. The World Board will define the role and relationship of the staff of the WSO and the World Board. This project will be important as a foundational piece rather than as an end result. Once developed, we plan to use the Conference Approval Track to have this material approved, but do not see this becoming a handbook or piece that stands on its own. If the draft is approved by the conference, we plan to engage WSC 2006 in a discussion about how this foundational piece could be used most effectively. Priority Level = Medium Total Cost = $45,360
Questions: In general, do you like this plan? YES NO What, if anything, would you change about it? ___________________
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topic #1 OUR LEADERS
What is the Human Resource Panel “HRP”? The HRP is a world level service committee of four elected trusted servants. The goal of the HRP are to encourage NA members to join the World Pool so that the HRP can then pull from the World Pool to put forward nominations for world-level trusted servant positions and members who could be on workgroups that are completing specific projects.
What is the World Pool? Any NA member with five or more years clean is encouraged to fill out and turn into the HRP a World Pool Information Form (resume). The HRP then uses that information to help them fill their goal as stated above.
What is Concept 4? “Effective leadership is highly valued in Narcotics Anonymous. Leadership qualities should be carefully considered when selecting trusted servants.”
<CAR> Motion 14: To change the percentage required for election to the World Board from 60% to 51%.
#of Votes: YES ______ NO ______ ABSTAIN _____
Discussion Questions: How do you encourage people to get involved in service? ______________
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What do you expect from an NA leader? _______________________________
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How do you recommend telling an NA leader what you expect? ________
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How do you know when an NA leader is doing a good job? _____________
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What can NA World Services do to strengthen its
relationship with the whole
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<CAT>“Leadership Identification & Development” The purpose of this project is to both evaluate current strategies NA World Services uses to identify and cultivate leaders as well as establish a system to enable this identification cultivation. Evaluations of the current World Pool, nominations and Human Resource Panel systems will involve the HRP, the World Board and delegates. The board will begin by having a dialogue with the HRP and framing discussions for WSC 2004. While the board has identified this issue as a priority over the next conference cycle, the specific focus of this work will be better defined by the discussions with the HRP and WSC. Upon conclusion of this discussion and evaluation, the board will be in a better position to establish NAWS leadership identification and development system. In integral part of this system will include the involvement of the delegates as well as an improved use of and increased ability to identify and access the expertise of the fellowship. Objectives are as follows: -Face to face Activities and Events: Utilize face to face events and activities to identify and cultivate future leaders -Leadership Development: Institute an element or focus for leadership Development (e.g. orientation, training opportunities, mentoring, etc.) at existing NAWS events, such as WSC, worldwide workshops, WCNA, etc… -Involvement Opportunities: Explore expanded opportunities for Involvement that showcase and develop member potential. -HRP/World Pool: Define the role of the HRP and evaluate and implement enhancements to the process of identifying, recruiting, and nurturing qualified volunteers and leaders.
Priority Level = High Total Cost = 44,480
Questions: In general, do you like this plan? YES NO What, if anything, would you change about it? ___________________
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“Leadership Qualities in NA” The purpose of this project is to develop a useful working definition of or piece about leadership qualities in NA that will speak to the needs and experience of members, groups, areas, regional and world services. Concept Four will form the foundation of any drafts created. The practice of leadership varies widely from member to member and culture to culture. To be effective, this work must take the diversity into consideration. We believe this project will be important as a foundation for future work, rather than leading to a particular product or end result itself. Once this material is developed, we plan to use the Conference Approval Track to have it approved but do not see this becoming a handbook or piece that stands on its own. IF the draft is approved by the conference, we plan to engage WSC 2006 in a discussion about how this foundational piece could be used most effectively.
Priority Level = Medium Total Cost = $38,360
Questions: In general, do you like this plan? YES NO What, if anything, would you change about it? ___________________
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Topic #8 Sponsorship book & what it may affect
<CAR>
Motion #1: To approve the book, Sponsorship, contained in Addendum A.
#of Votes: YES ______ NO ______ ABSTAIN _____
Motion #2: To replace the existing IP #11, Sponsorship, with the revised draft contained in Addendum B. This motion would also approve the replacement of the text from the entire Sponsorship IP that currently appears in An Introductory Guide to Narcotics Anonymous.
#of Votes: YES ______ NO ______ ABSTAIN _____
Motion #3: To replace the three quotes in Just For Today from the existing IP #11, Sponsorship with material from the proposed IP as follows: >February 8 >March 13 >March 26
#of Votes: YES ______ NO ______ ABSTAIN _____
TOPIC #11 Our world board Its structure & voting
<CAR> Motion 5: To change the maximum number of members for the World Board from ‘up to twenty-four’ to ‘up to eighteen’ and to reflect that change in the World Board External Guidelines in A Guide to World Services in NA.
#of Votes: YES ______ NO ______ ABSTAIN _____
Motion 6: To eliminate specific language about standing committees, except the Executive Committee, from the section Committees of the World Board in the World Board External Guidelines in A Guide to World Services in NA. These changes would also be reflected in the section on General Duties and in the chart representing the World Service Structure.
#of Votes: YES ______ NO ______ ABSTAIN _____
Motion 13: To rescind the voting rights of the World Board members at the World Service Conference.
#of Votes: YES ______ NO ______ ABSTAIN _____
[There are no projects in the CAT relating to this topic]
topic #13 Let’s communicate!
<CAR> Discussion Questions: How can we improve the communication within our fellowship? _________
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How can we help NA achieve “universal recognition and respect as a Viable program of recovery? ___________________________________________
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<CAT> “NA World Services Communications & Publications” The purpose of this project is to evaluate and improve how World Services receives input from, reports to and gets feedback from the fellowship to assist in all stages of the work process. This project will bring some closure to the Communications Task Force report/project and initiate a communications plan that includes standards for reporting and responding to the fellowship. Ultimately, our goal is to develop a comprehensive and deliberate communications strategy for all world services communications. We will have Communications Task Force problem statements the foundation for this project. The result of this project is an improved ability for the fellowship to impact all of NA World Services work, including our strategic plan and the work that comes out of that plan. The objectives of that project are to initially improve this system by creating the following: -Standards for messages communicated through reports and face to Face interactions with the fellowship -Standards for responding to the information received at fact to face Interactions and other solicitations for input from the fellowship -An interim communications plan for the 2004-2006 conference cycle that Includes The NA Way Magazine -A plan to periodically evaluate the effectiveness of the system
Priority Level = High Total Cost = $47,360
Questions: In general, do you like this plan? YES NO What, if anything, would you change about it? ___________________
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“Worldwide Workshops” The purpose of this project is to hold up to six workshops in this conference cycle throughout the fellowship. Their purpose will be to engage in various discussions on a variety of service and recovery issues with as many members as possible. The exact schedule will be determined by the entire WSC.
Priority Level = Low Total Cost = $152,000
Questions: In general, do you like this plan? YES NO What, if anything, would you change about it? ___________________
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“Fellowship Issue Discussions” The purpose of this project is to both facilitate fellowship-wide discussion of specific issues and improve the quality of that facilitation. The first step in this project is for the board to discuss how to frame, promote and further develop the structure for having dialogue within the fellowship as a whole. The board will begin by reviewing reports summarizing the content and process of the issue discussions from the last conference cycle which are: -Atmosphere of Recovery -Self-Support After the conference selects two new topics for the next conference cycle, the board will have a discussion about framing the discussion of these topics and facilitate their discussion throughout the fellowship.
Priority Level = Low Total Cost = $36,360
Questions: In general, do you like this plan? YES NO What, if anything, would you change about it? ___________________
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topic #3 Resolution a…what’s that?
What is Resolution A? Resolution A was one of six resolutions the WSC passed in 1996 as a result of an inventory of world services that began in 1993. Resolution A reads as follows:
Resolution A - To Approve in principle a change in participation at a new WSC to achieve the following objectives: To reduce the total number of representatives To provide for equal representation from all geographic entities To encourage a consensus-based decision-making process ??????????????????????????????????????? Motions 17 & 18 address Resolution A parts of “reduction of total number of representatives, and equal representation from all geographic entities.”
What is Fellowship Intellectual Property Trust (“FIPT”) This is a trust that serves as custodian for NA‘s recovery literature and logos (trademarks). The document explains how NA‘s literature and trademarks are managed and protected.
<CAR> Motion 17: This proposal seeks to change the trustor of the Fellowship Intellectual Property Trust, and if adopted, would require that this proposal be sent out for a six-month review and input period which ends before June 2005 and then be presented to the fellowship in the 2006 Conference Agenda Report. To reduce the total number of representatives and to provide for equal geographic representation at WSC 2008, the current Regional Delegate representation will be replaced by fellowship representatives. The World Service Conference (WSC) shall be comprised of a maximum of 72 fellowship representatives. Up to 18 fellowship representatives would come from each of the following geographic areas: North America, Europe, Asia/Pacific Rim and South/Central America
#of Votes: YES ______ NO ______ ABSTAIN _____
Motion 18: To create geographic districts and define the selection of fellowship representatives. The following geographic districts shall be created: -Asia/Pacific Rim District - all regions participating in the Asia Pacific Forum -European District - all regions participating in the European Delegates Meeting -North American District - All regions in the Canadian Assembly and each of the eight zones in the USA -South/Central American District - All regions participating in the Latin American Zonal Forum [ Fellowship representatives at the WSC shall me selected by the entities currently known as the zonal forums. Each zonal forum shall select these fellowship representatives by a method of their own choosing and forward the names and contact information of their selected fellowship representatives to NA World These fellowship representatives shall be recognized that the World Services Conference beginning at WSC 2008. The Zonal Forums shall each choose the following number of fellowship representatives: -Asia Pacific Forum Up to 18 -European Delegates Meeting Up to 18 -Latin American Zonal Forum Up to 18 -North America: up to 18 selected as follows Two from the Canadian Assembly Two from each of the eight zones in the USA (16)
#of Votes: YES ______ NO ______ ABSTAIN _____
???????????????????????????????????????
Motion 16 and the CAT project called “Consensus Based Decision Making at the WSC” address the Resolution A part about “encourage a consensus based decision making process.”
<CAR> Motion 16: To direct the World Board to develop a project plan, timeline, and budget for WSC 2006 about the creation of new WSC Rules of Order based on Consensus Based Decision Making as it applies to the World Service Conference.
#of Votes: YES ______ NO ______ ABSTAIN _____
<CAT> “Consensus Based Decision Making at the WSC” The purpose of this project is to define consensus for the WSC and to develop guidelines for consensus based decision making that will be included in the WSC Rules of Order. WE did not prioritize this item as high as the tools for the fellowship, so the approach and this project indicate different priority rankings.
Priority Level = Low Total Cost = $33.360
Questions: In general, do you like this plan? YES NO What, if anything, would you change about it? ___________________
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[TOPIC 3 - Resolution A Cont.]
???????????????????????????????????????
Motion 19 addresses ll parts of Resolution A:… <CAR> Motion 19: To direct the World Board to develop a project plan, timeline, and budget for WSC 2006 for the implementation of the following sections of Resolution A: -To reduce the total number of representatives -To provide for equal representation from all geographic entities -To encourage a consensus-based decision-making process
#of Votes: YES ______ NO ______ ABSTAIN _____
topic #6 BASIC TEXT
<CAR> Motion 4: To approve work on revisions to the Basic Text, Narcotics Anonymous, that includes: -no changes made to Chapters one through Ten -the addition of a new preface to the Sixth Edition preceding the current Preface (the current preface will remain the same and be titled “Preface to the First Edition”) -the replacement of some or all of the current personal stories, in order To better reflect the broad diversity of our fellowship -a brief introduction to the revised personal stories section The timeframe for this work will be two conference cycles, from 2004 to 2008, including a six-month review and input period. The approval form of the Sixth Edition Basic Test will be distributed as an appendix to the 2008 Conference Agenda Report for a minimum of 150 days.
#of Votes: YES ______ NO ______ ABSTAIN _____
Motion 7: That a moratorium be placed on changes to Book One of the Basic Text beginning at WSC 2004 and ending at WSC 2010.
#of Votes: YES ______ NO ______ ABSTAIN _____
Motion 8: That no changes be considered or made to Book 1, Chapters 1-10 Of the Basic Test from WSC 2004 until the start of WSC 2014.
#of Votes: YES ______ NO ______ ABSTAIN _____
Motion 9: To direct NA World Services, Inc. to create a Book One version of the 5th Edition Basic Text (approved April 25, 1991) and make it available for sale at the same price for other language versions available in Book One only.
#of Votes: YES ______ NO ______ ABSTAIN _____
<CAT> “Basic Text” The purpose of this project is to create an approval form Sixth Edition Basic Text including a new preface, the replacement of some or all of the personal stories, and an introduction to the personal stories. Timeline: -July-Dec 2004 Develop a plan for drafting the text and the solicitation process -Jan-Dec 2005 Solicit, compile, and make decisions about input material…then put together a first draft of the text -Jan-July 2006 Finalize the draft text, filling in any gaps -Sept-Mar 2007 Fellowship review and input period -Sept 2007 Publish approval form of the text -WSC 2008 approval
Priority Level = High Total Cost = $119,200
Questions: In general, do you like this plan? YES NO What, if anything, would you change about it? ___________________
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topic #4 Self-support
<CAR> Discussion Questions: How can we increase fellowship awareness of the need for Donations sufficient to cover our services?_______________________________
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What does self-support really mean? ___________________________________
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<CAT> “Self Support Informational Pamphlet (IP)” We propose to draft a new IP that reflects the current contribution practices in NA and encourages our members to see self support as having intrinsic value. We are proposing an IP because the audience for this piece is primarily members and groups, and we believe that we can draft a more effective tool than the current IPs. It is our hope that this new IP could replace both Self-Support and Hey! What’s the Basket For? , but this decision would be made by the fellowship through a motion in the Conference Agenda Report. The results of all work will be communicated regularly to conference participants and ultimately presented to WSC 2006. We plan to create a 90 day review and input period for the draft and a 150 day approval process through a motion in the CAR. The review and input material would be distributed to all delegates and would also be available to any member or committee who requests it. We will clearly communicate the timeframes and review periods as the project is developed. Priority level = Medium Total cost = $33,360
Questions: In general, do you like this plan? YES NO What, if anything, would you change about it? ___________________
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topic #12 New recovery literature Yes? No? Yes! No!
<CAR> Discussion Questions:
Who do we need to make a greater effort to reach through our Literature? ____________________________________________________________
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What ideas do you have to make the literature development process More effective, efficient and responsive? _______________________________
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_______________________________________________________________________ <CAT> “Targeted Literature” We plan to create new and/or revised material addressing specific populations of members or potential members. This may be accomplished by creating articles, bulletins, or new Informational Pamphlets, or by revising existing pamphlets. The populations and/or topics are identified as (in order of priority):
-Youth and Recovery -Medication and Recovery -The benefit of service to personal recovery -The spiritual development of members with longer clean time and how to continue to engage them in the fellowship of NA -Older members and recovery -Issues regarding gender
Approval methods will vary depending upon the type of literature piece that is -developed for each topic. All new literature would go through a review and input process along with fellowship approval. Some topics may be addressed in bulletins from the World Board.
Questions: In general, do you like this plan? YES NO What, if anything, would you change about it? ___________________
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topic #14 Hey, what’s up old-timer?
<CAT> “Capturing Long Time Members’ Experience” The purpose of this project is to gather historical information form some of the longest standing members in NA by conducting personal interview and possibly meetings with some of these members throughout the world.
Priority Level = Low Total Cost = $55, 360
Questions: In general, do you like this plan? YES NO What, if anything, would you change about it? ___________________
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,topic #10 Use of NA literature online
<CAR> Motion 11: To allow the limited (fair use) reprinting and quoting of the NA fellowship approved copyrighted literature by registered NA Service Boards and committees that have a presence on the Internet.
#of Votes: YES ______ NO ______ ABSTAIN _____
T0pic #7 Whaaaaaat? Key tags aren’t conference approved??
<CAR> Motion 12: To adopt the following as fellowship approved: <All key tags, chops and medallions in the colors and corresponding time frames currently available from NA World services. <Furthermore, to delegate to NAWS the authority to produce non-English key tags, chops, and medallions corresponding to their English counterparts with the text appropriately translated as deemed practical by NAWS as conference approved items. <As the fellowship approved items, key tags, chops and medallions would require that NA World services present proposals for any changes to these items in the Conference Agenda Report. Minor design and material changes would not require fellowship approval.
#of Votes: YES ______ NO ______ ABSTAIN _____
Topic #5 PUBLIC RELATIONS STRATEGY
<CAT> “Public Relations Strategy” This project aims to both create a public relations strategy and, with that strategy as a foundation, begin impacting the development of new PR tools.
Using past experience and the information gathered through the PR Roundtables, develop a public relations strategy that allows us to: -Help the still suffering addict find the NA program -Develop and present a positive public image -Cultivate and maintain cooperative relationships with professionals -Clarify the roll of NA as a resource in the community -Ensure that our public relations activities are in keeping with the principles of our 12 traditions -Coordinate the focus and approach of NA’s PR efforts -Assess perceptions of NA -Evaluate the effectiveness of our PR activities
The strategy will be used to evaluate current tools and identify which new tools are needed. New tools should reflect the importance of a common approach of PR and the interdependence of all parts of the fellowship to make these types of efforts a success. This will have some overlap with the PI/PR Handbook proposed in the Service Handbooks project. These tools may include, among other things, materials for: -Orientation of trusted servants and staff -Training and coordination within the fellowship -Community/professional events -Multimedia information (Internet, PSAs, written materials, etc…) -Quality presentations, adaptable to a variety of audiences -Periodic collection of data
The approval process of items may vary. The World Board approves all bulletins. Some material may require conference approval.
Priority Level = High Total Cost = $78,720
Questions: In general, do you like this plan? YES NO What, if anything, would you change about it? ___________________
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TOPIC #2 Event cost reduction
<CAR> Motion 15: To direct the World Board to develop a project plan, timeline, and budget for WSC 2006 about lowering the cost to all participating regions by 25% for all World Services events. These events shall include: the World Service Conference, World Service Meetings, and the Worldwide Workshops. This plan will not include the World Convention.
#of Votes: YES ______ NO ______ ABSTAIN _____
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