Regional Report 
Information & Form

Writing Tips for the Conference Report
Some delegates have asked us for editorial guidelines to use when writing for the Conference Report. Here are some simple tips that we hope you will find helpful. 
Getting Your Point Across
•	Try to write at an eighth-grade level. (You can use Microsoft Word’s grammar check to determine the reading level of your piece.)
•	Use short sentences. 
•	Try to stick with one main idea per paragraph, and begin each paragraph with a topic sentence. In other words, the first sentence of each paragraph should summarize the main point of that paragraph. If a sentence in the paragraph does not fit the topic of the first sentence, then find out where else it might fit in the report, or delete it.
•	Headings can help your readers to focus on your main points.
•	If you are representing a particular point of view (making an argument), try to present a well-rounded discussion. Providing a context, including history if relevant, can help clarify the issue and educate your readers.
•	Don’t worry if you are not a “writer.” If you need help with copy editing for clarity and grammar, all you have to do is ask. Neither content nor the author’s intentions will be changed in the copy editing process.
•	There are no mandatory guidelines about the length of your report, but we have found through experience that lengthy articles often go unread. Going back to an article after you believe it is finished to see what can be omitted is helpful. 
Formatting
•	Use a serif font (such as Times Roman or Bookman), with a font size of at least twelve points, for easier reading.
•	Did you know that since the advent of word processing programs you only need one space after a period? It’s true. 
References
•	Some books that can help when writing:
o	Chicago Manual of Style
o	The Handbook of Good English (Edward D. Johnson)
o	A thesaurus
o	A good dictionary 

Regional Reports for the World Service Conference 
In preparation for WSC 2004, we have created the following regional report form. Our hope is that this will be a helpful tool in assisting the regional delegates in their efforts to identify and report important information and activities regarding their region over the past conference cycle. You can download the form and put it on your own letterhead, in your own style, or you can complete it online at www.na.org.
Regional reports to the World Service Conference that are submitted by 15 February 2004 will be published in the March Conference Report just prior to the WSC. If you miss the 15 February deadline, please send your copy to us as soon as you can—or, as a very last resort, bring your report with you to the conference. If necessary, we will make a second packet of reports for distribution at WSC 2004. Our old method of having you distribute 200 copies yourself was not very successful. 
The information you share in your report serves several purposes. Shared experience is one of the most valuable aspects of the World Service Conference. Being able to see the variety of experience in NA has helped conference participants and other trusted servants in their own efforts to serve our fellowship. Receiving these reports ahead of time allows conference participants to identify those regions that have experience they would like to know more about and to find those delegates at the conference. We are attempting this standardization of the basic information so that world services can consistently keep this information about each region. This should benefit our efforts to serve, as well as help future delegates looking for information. 
You are not required to use this form, but we encourage you to give it a try. Regardless of the form you use, it is the information that is important to us. If there are questions asked that do not apply to your region, please indicate so. There also may be some questions for which you cannot locate the information to answer. In typical NA fashion, take what you can and leave the rest.
We also ask that all those who send us a report supply the following information so that we can follow up with you if there are any problems:
Name
Work Phone
Home Phone
Email address

Report to WSC 2004
About Your Region 

1. What is the name of your region?
2.  Name of Regional Delegate
a.	Name of Alternate Delegate
b.	Have you attended a WSC before?
3.	How many areas are in the region?
4.	How many groups are in the region?
5.	How many meetings take place each week in the region? 
6.	How many H&I panels take place each week in the region? 

Donations and Literature Distribution 

7.	What was the total annual donation from groups and areas to the region in 2003?
8.	What were the total annual expenses for your region in 2003? 

Annual Literature Distribution

9.	Where do you purchase your literature—your region’s service office, NA World Services, or another source?
10.	How much literature does the region distribute to H&I annually (in US dollars)? 
11.	Does your region participate in a zonal forum? 
a.	If you answered “yes” above, which zonal forum is your region a member of? 

Your Regional Service Structure

12.	Does your region have a regional office?
13.	Does your region have a regional convention?
a.	If you answered “yes” above, what is the average attendance?
14.	Do any areas in your region hold conventions?
a.	If you answered “yes” above, how many per year? 
b.	If you answered “yes” above, what is the average attendance at each? 
15.	Is there a corporation or an entity with legal status that is a part of your regional structure?  
a.	If yes, what is the type of legal registration?
b.	If yes, did your regional corporation have to pay any taxes or duties last year?
16.	Do you have tax-exempt or duty-free status?
17.	Has your region hosted learning days over the past conference cycle? 
a.	Is there anything that you can share about the type of workshop or your experience with these efforts? 
18.	Has your region participated in any public relations efforts? 
a.	Is there anything that you can share about the different types of efforts in which your region participated, or about your experience with these efforts? 
19.	Does the region have any type of NA hotline or a helpline?
a.	Is there anything that you can share about your experience with these efforts? 
20.	Do all areas have their own hotline or helpline? 
a.	Is there anything that you can share about your experience with these efforts? 
21.	Has your region hosted CAR workshops?
a.	Is there anything that you can share about your experience with these efforts? 
22.	Are the number of members in your region growing, shrinking, or staying the same since WSC 2002?

Innovations and Challenges

23.	What is the subject that generated the most interest and discussion in your region over the past conference cycle? 
24.	Please share some challenges and solutions your region has faced since WSC 2002.
25.	Please share some highlights or successes your region has experienced since WSC 2002.
26.	Is there any additional information that you would like to share with other conference participants?