Region Minutes 11/17/01
The Buffalo Area will host the next Regional meeting on January
19, 2001. It will be held at the home of the RSC on Indian Church
Rd. Take 90 to 190 north and get off at the Seneca Street exit.
Take Seneca St to Indian Church Road and turn left. The Church
will be on your right.
Dave M. opened the meeting at 12:30 pm with the Serenity Prayer.
Rodney is out of town.
Jim L. read the Twelve Traditions.
Mailbox
Several flyers and other assorted event information were received.
A donation of $45 was received from the Ni-O Area. Invoices and
another completion report was received from Lamar. Letters from
prisons will be forwarded to the PI Chair. A bill came in for
the PO Box for $27.50.
Minutes
A motion was made to accept the minutes from the September meeting
without corrections. The motion was seconded and passed.
Opening Balance: $540.43
Open Positions & Nominations
H&I - Open
Literature - Open
Convention - Nominations were closed. Paul was voted in with all
in favor. Elizabeth S. had been
nominated but she was not in attendance to accept the nomination.
Regional Delegate - Tracy RD, Freddy RD Alt
See attached report. Tracy and Freddy are requesting $194.00 each
for the Zonal Forum expenses. Tracy would ask that, due to lack
of support, the RD/RCM meetings discontinue.
Area Reports
Alley Cats - Not present, no report submitted. A $25.00 donation was received from the Area.
Buffalo - Cedric RCM, Fred Alt RCM
The BASCNA has a balance of $936.46. The Area has a fund flow
problem. They are considering producing the meeting schedule quarterly
instead of monthly. There is an inquiry being made into the Recovery
In The Woods contract. There is a $700.00 debt in question to
the campsite. The Area is looking into old debts from the ?. Is
restitution being made and not being recovered by the Area? The
RCM, Cedric, reports that he has some pressing family matters
but will continue to serve along with the RCM Alt, Fred. The Area
would like to end the RD/RSC meetings immediately.
Chautauqua - Art RCM
Our last 2 ASC meetings began with the readings of the concepts
and went rather smoothly. A group from warren asked for a map
of our geographical boundaries. We, Chautauqua ASC, motion to
implement Mark's suggested guidelines to the website. All sub-committees
are running effectively with many activities happening. Our next
is nov.18 at the 225 club in warren its a Thanksgiving feast and
game day. Our last phone bill was 128.94 Tim h is our new H&I
chair and has a meeting going on in the warren hospital on sun
mornings. PI is busy as usual getting info out to the local newspapers
and the PSAs are still being aired. The Literature committee is
still up to par and our treasury was above prudent until we got
our phone bill but we are still making a $60 donation to region.
The rent for the facility is $10.00.
Niagara-Orleans - Nelson R., RCM
The Area is holding its annual New Year's Eve party meeting at
the United Church of Christ at 98 East Street in Lockport. Flyers
are available. Ni-O created an ADHOC committee to explore the
phone line number with the possibility of incorporating it jointly
with a Regional service. Dominick D (Bill T.) is researching different
services and costs. Ni-O would be honored to host the RSC in March
of 2002 as per the Regional meeting rotation. Space and time can
be made available for an event or workshop. A motion was passed
for all Areas to bring there ASC minutes for an exchange of information.
At this point only Chautauqua and Ni-O areas are involved. Ni-O
Area requests that other Areas bring there minutes to participate
in the exchange.
Niagara Falls - James W., RCM & Reggie D., RCM Alt
Not present, no report submitted.
Secretary - Melanie R.
No report. No budget or reimbursement requested.
Treasurer - Stacey D.
The Region has received papers for the Treasurer and the Chair
to sign and have notarized. The convention Committee turned in
seed money and is closing the account. The checkbook was handed
over to the Treasurer. We also received another bill from lawyers
for filing fees, $42.00.
Chair - Rodney M.
I wish to thank David M for filling in during my absence. I inadvertently
confused the weekend of the RSC with a prior out of town commitment.
I have submitted an agenda of items to be included in the order
of business for today's meeting.
I attended the WNYRCNA, which was well attended and a spiritual
success. There was some disappointment at the lack of support
by some members of this body. Several of the three Regional workshops
were either ill prepared or non-existent. As the convention paid
all its bills or generated the funds to do so, it was my understanding
that the committee did not return all seed money from a year ago.
It is my opinion that the Convention Center is too expensive and
can easily become a financial burden to this body. I am, therefore
suggesting that the WNYRCNA seek a venue that will allow it to
provide an event that is cost effective to the fellowship we serve.
I believe that it is our responsibility to use our (fellowship's)
money to further the services of the Areas and groups that we
serve.
I will be attending the January Zonal Forum and offer to drive
the RD and RD Alt at no expense to the RSC. I will stay with family
during the weekend of the Cleveland Zonal Forum.
I pray our Higher Power's guidance and wisdom may manifest itself
during today's meeting. I might also plant the seed of the WNY
Region participating in a Multi-Regional Learning Day to promote
support and unity within the Northeast Zone. I suggest that the
RD and RD Alt open dialog with sister Regions.
Vice Chair - Dave M.
See attached report.
Sub-Committee Reports
Hospitals & Institutions (H&I) - Vacant
No committee is formed at this point.
Public Information (PI) - Bob B.
Not in attendance and no report submitted.
Convention - Paul N.
See attached report.
The DJ is requesting that the Region cover the loss of a cordless mike. He is asking for $150 for the mike. The seed money and the checkbook have been turned in. The account will be closed in order to avoid incurring account fees. Discussion ensued about how much money is spent on fundraising, entertainment and merchandise. We are losing money in these areas instead of making money.
Literature - Vacant
This position is vacant.
Activities - Bill T
I would like to thank this body for the opportunity to serve in
this capacity. I apologize for not being able to attend the last
meeting due to personal reasons. As this is my first report, I
am still trying to learn what this position entails. I would ask
all the RCMs if they could have their Activity Chairs to call
me or give me their phone numbers. I have some ideas for activities
including a Regional summer picnic. I do not know what type of
budget this committee is allotted. I would guess that each event
would cost between $150 and $250. If anyone has any suggestions
or would like to help, I would love to hear them. Please let me
know if there are any ideas on possible Learning Days and workshops.
RCMs are asked to find out from their Areas what they want for
an Activities Chair. How would they like this committee to serve
them? Some suggestions for events were a recovery play and a CAR
Report Event/Workshop.
Ad Hoc Committee Reports
Website - Mark T.
See attached report. There has been a marked increase of hits
to the website since the billboards were erected. The possibilities
of using the website further included registering for the Convention
online and/or selling merchandise.
Phone Line - Dave M.
See attached report. Dave suggested creating a position for a
Phone Line Chair. Nelson suggested that the PI Chair cover the
Phone Line issue until such a time that a Phone Line Chair is
needed.
Old Business
- An ADHOC committee will be created to update the bylaws to
reflect the change in the meeting structure and to address the
voting issues.
- See attached report on the legal issues. A motion was made to
have Liz continue to serve as a Legal Liaison. The motion passed
with no opposition. She will get three bids from financial/accounting
services for filing and other legal services.
- The RD/RCM meeting has been cancelled due to lack of support.
- Chautauqua made a motion to accept the guidelines spelled out
in the Website report. Item one of the guidelines was amended
to read 'Any addict holding a service position from any WNY group,
WNY Area, WNYRSC or WNYRSC subcommittees can ask that a page(s)
be sent to the website'. The motion was seconded and passed with
6 in favor and one abstention.
New Business
- Do we reimburse the DJ for his missing cordless mike? The DJ
is asking for $150 for the mike. The committee agrees to pay $75,
half of what the DJ requested.
- Reimbursement of $25 to a woman that was unable to attend the
Convention.
- What should the prices of the leftover merchandise be? The committee
will leave this up to the Convention Chair. If anyone is traveling,
get merchandise to take and sell.
- There is a contract to hold the Convention Center for 2002.
There is no commitment yet. Paul will look into other sites and
their availability.
- Closing the Convention account - no opposition.
- RCMs are asked to find out from their Areas what they want for
an Activities Chair. How would they like this committee to serve
them? Some suggestions for events were a recovery play and a CAR
Report Event/Workshop in February or March.
- RCMs are asked to get input from home groups on the Local Guide
To Service and how it is implemented.
- A suggestion was made to look into the purchase of a region
copier. This would save on flyer costs but were it would be kept
is an issue.
- World donation - $2,595.97 - motion passed with 6 in favor and
one abstention.
- Suggestions to budget the world donation and/or setting a prudent
reserve.
Treasurer
Closing Balance: $5,000.00
See attached report.
WESTERN NEW YORK
REGIONAL DELEGATE REPORT
NOVEMBER 17, 2001
I would first like to say thank you to the Chautauqua Area
committee for hosting
This months' meeting of the RSC, its always a pleasure to meet
here in the Jamestown area. I also would like to thank this body
for allowing me to continue to serve Narcotics Anonymous in my
current position as Alternate Delegate.
As some of you know by now, we as a fellowship are in what
is known as the Two-year Conference, simply meaning the World
Service Conference meet will every two years as apposed to yearly
in the past. The next conference is scheduled during
28 April to 4 May 2002 in Woodland Hills, California. For the
first time ever all
Regional Delegates will be funded fully by the World Service Office
leaving regions responsible for funding Alternate Delegates. It's
just about time to begin the planning for this event. Interestingly,
for the first in conference history we will be able to do everything
online, i.e. register, hotel reservations, airline ticketing.
Truly a testament as to how far we have come in electronic communications.
AROUND THE FELLOWSHIP
Here at home in the Western New York region, WNYRSCNA VI was
held at the
Niagara Falls Convention Center in Niagara Falls New York on October
19-21, 2001. The WSC Issue Topic "How can we create a bridge
that builds and maintains
A connection to service for home group members?" was work
shopped with out much success; only the chairperson, tape recording
staff and facilitator were present for this workshop. As for the
convention, sources indicate that it was well received by those
who attended.
The NEZF will meet on January 4&5 2002 in Cleveland, Ohio. Tracy and I will need to put in our agenda for that trip.
WCNA-29 - Atlanta, Georgia 4-7July 2002 WB looking for potential
speakers Ten years clean for main meetings Five years for workshops,
tapes will not be needed, instead speaker recommendations are
being accepted thru December 31, 2001. All recommendations may
be faxed to WB (818) 700-0700 or mailed to NA World Services attention
WCNA-29 Speakers POB 9999 Van Nuys Ca 91409
First Worldwide Workshop in the United States 1-3 February 2002
Chicago Illinois
World Service Meeting held in Vienna, Virginia August 31 - September
2 2001. The meeting was referred to as an success utilizing facilitated
participation leading to the feeling of participating in a topic
discussion workshop type setting. World Unity Day was also held
at this location on September 1, 2001.
Executive Director WSO appointed Anthony Edmondson has been appointed
Executive Director of the WSO
Posting Literature on the Website (WWW.NA.ORG) Ips #1, 7, 16,
17, 22 and the information booklet, NA: A resource in Your Community
as an experiment. (Who,What,How & Why, Am I an Addict?, For
the Newcomer, For Those in Treatment, and Welcome to NA)
WCNA-30 set for 3-6 July 2003 San Diego, California
CAR (Conference Agenda Report) due out to the fellowship 150 days
prior to the WSC (April 28 - May 4 2002)
Sponsorship Project (some ideas are that it will not be a how
to sponsor book or a workbook but will rather examine issues involving
sponsorship)
FELLOWSHIP DONATIONS DECLINING!!!
Fellowship donations ending 30 June were $611,000 vs. $612,000
the prior year. Previously in every prior year donations increased
by some 5 percent.
Donations continue to spiral downward. Reportedly donations
are 34 percent down compared to what they were at this time last
year. In terms of dollars that's $112,800 received this year versus
$171,554.00 for the same period last year.
Lack of increase in donations seems to coincide with the first
year during our first ever two-year conference cycle.
Donations are only 9 percent of the total income (continues financial
dependence of NA WS on literature and product income).
WNYRSCNA has donated $3,476.51 to date (July 2000 - June 2001
donations)
CONFERENCE AGENDA REPORT PREVIEW
Report regarding recovery literature issues for discussion.
Papers submitted by WSC participants on this cycle's two issue
discussion topics.
Regional Motions
Motion from WB to approve Group Treasurer's Workbook. (Revised)
Motion 5, adopted at WSC 2000 offered new policy for approval
of service material. Three ways to seek approval for service material,
fellowship-approved, conference-approved and board-approved (articles/bulletins
& presentation papers.
SPONSORSHIP PROJECT
More input will continue to be asked of the fellowship through
interviews with members.
WB will also continue to keep asking for material through December
31, 2001.
Regional Delegates are asked to continue to keep the fellowship
informed of this ongoing project.
NA WAY MAGAZINE
NA WAY is running out of contributors and are appealing to
the fellowship for articles.
NA WAY is published in five languages with every registered NA
Group in the world.
HUMAN RESOURCE PANEL
For those of you who do not know the HRP is the primary but
not exclusive
resource of WB projects. All members with 5 years clean or more
are encouraged to submit resumes to the World Pool. There are
currently some 530 people in the pool. The HRP serves as a resource
of members within the fellowship who can provide a specific talent
for a project.
CALENDAR DATES TO REMEMBER
CAR for WSC 2002 in English - November 29, 2001.
CAR for WSC 2002 in translated versions (some) December 29, 2001)
Articles for April 2002 NA Way Magazine: theme You and Your Home
Group - Deadline is April 1, 2002.
Submitted in Loving Service
Freddy R, RD-Alt
Vice Chair Report 11-17-2001
1. My ad-hoc phone line meeting was held at 11:00 today and
my report on it is attached.
2. I have drafted an addendum to the by-laws to help everyone
remember nominations and elections each meeting. This could hopefully
be inserted into the by-laws in the future but for now it is just
intended to be a working tool for us to use.
3. Elections for this month should be Secretary, Lit. Chair and
Conv. Chair. H & I chair is still open from last meeting..
4. I am not able to do an audit on the regional books until I
receive bank statements and treasurer records for the period in
question. Please specify the time frame that this body would like
audited and forward the appropriate material to me.
5. I attended our convention and have formed the initial opinion.
When we were in a hotel many complained that it was too crowded,
while at the convention center they complain that the intimacy
has been lost. While addicts will always never be satisfied, it
has become clear to me that we are too small to be in a facility
the size of the N.F.Convention center and not likely to grow into
it any time soon. After factoring in the cost of the building
for the weekend, we need to discuss moving out of the Convention
center for the year 2003. Some ideas are a) a smaller conv.center
if there is one or b) moving to Buffalo, downtown, airport or
Amherst areas. I do not think any area distant from Buffalo could
provide the manpower needed to handle an event this size.
In Service
Dave M.
Chair Report Convention 6 2001
Allow me to express my gratitude to my Higher power for this
service commitment
Let me thank this body and the areas for allowing me to serve
as chairperson of the convention, it definitely was a learning
experience I thank the convention chair people, the comptroller,
the treasurer and the vice chair person for the time and effort
that they put forth on this convention, I do need to state that
certain people did above and beyond their duty and others were
a little laxed in certain areas. I invite this body to be present
when the planning begins in February 2002 to hold the positions
that we fill with the proper people. I am missing final reports
from the Vice chair and the entertainment fund raising chair at
this time.
I need to address certain issues. The DJ reported that his cordless mike was missing when he showed up on Saturday night, he is asking for a $150 reimbursement from the convention, because we have never had to reimburse someone for missing equipment I told him I need to bring it here before I was able to reimburse him, it is noted that I tell him it would be safe overnight and that we had insurance(however we are not covered for theft) and that it should be ok, unfortunately it was gone when he returned on Sat. night at about 8 pm.
We have acquired an Insurance policy for the region for the entire year that will expire on 10/01/02. It is paid in full ($1,960.82). We were able to get this policy that will cover the region and regional events in different locations. At the present time the actual policy has not been received. But we do have a Binder Of Insurance, as soon as our agent reviews the policy it will be forwarded to us. I would like to suggest that we have the up coming convention the last weekend in September so we will get 2 years of insurance out of the policy and then the next year buy another year policy to cover the next 2 years. The policy is under the convention's PO Box 151 so it is important that the chair for 2002 see that the proper papers are forwarded to this body.
The committee has asked me to address the fact that 2 of the regional workshops that were scheduled did not appear to happen appropriately. The buffalo area policy chair and not the RD or the RD alternate as was previously scheduled presented the Friday night RD workshop. The literature workshop was not presented on time and was not recorded. We realize that there was no attendance at this workshop, but we feel that just because there was no audience that the workshop should have taking place so a tape could have been made. I believe that the lit. chair was late and then the tapers were not there anymore. We are asking that we (the region) be responsible in the future as far as workshops go.
The committee has nominated Lewis S. as chair for the 2002 convention. However he declined after much consideration. So our second choice was Elizabeth S. and she accepts the nomination as chair person from this year convention committee.
We are turning over 2 checks 1 for $6,500.00 this is the $6,000 seed money and $500.00 income that we received from the convention. We are also turning over another $722.94 to close out the account. We no longer have a free checking account and will be charged monies if we do not keep a certain amount in the account. So we will not have that amount in December therefore we thought it best to let the account close and a new account be stared for the 2002 convention.
Balance sheet
Merchandise +667.10
Arts & Graphics -993.33
Fundraising / Entertainment -1141.00
Programming -822.38
Hospitality -818.95
Registration +22347.55
Vice Chair $19.48
Secretary -153.63
NF Convention Center and Woods Food Service -16447.00
Misc. transactions -1895.94
Total Income from convention $1,222.94
I have one reimbursement that needs to be made to
Monica Robinson
98-32 57th Ave. Apt 6h
Corona NY 11368
For $25.00 she was unable to attend and called prior to the convention.
(I forgot to take this out of our account and it will throw all
our amounts off so can we write her a check from the regional
account thanks)
We have a large amount of merchandise to sell for this year which
is money for our region I have a complete list of inventory
We have great deal of items that our registration chair is currently
holding on to I have an inventory list
We have some items that our hospitality chair has I do not have
that list with me
I have received final reports from merchandise, comptroller, treasurer,
programming, registration, arts & graphics, secretary, (hospitality
had one at the meeting and was to e mail it to me but at the time
of writing this I did not receive it however it may be there today).
In service
Chairperson of the WNYRCNA 2001
Paul Nichols
129 Greenfield Street
Buffalo, NY 14214
716 831 9847
Ad-Hoc Regional Phoneline Meeting
11:00am Jamestown NY
We opened our meeting at 11:15, 7 people were present although only 1 area was represented. We discussed the feasibility of a regional phoneline financially and practically along with the benefits that could be derived.
The conclusions that we came to are as follows.
We could save some money although not much because areas would
no longer need their own phone numbers and/or services
The region cannot afford a phoneline, which would cost a minimum
of $300-350 per month.
We cannot count on areas to increase their donations.
Chautauqua wants a live addict to continue answering the phone;
other areas do not have this setup.
A regional phoneline sub-committee may be a good idea to support
area phoneline chairs to do a better job and to keep the idea
alive and therefore make it easier for a regional phoneline to
get set-up when the region is strong enough to handle it.
Conclusion: A Regional Phoneline does not make sense at this time
and this committee will disband
In Service
Dave M.
Legal Issues
1. Officers: The law requires there only to be the initial
officers listed in the Certificate of Incorporation. The Committee
does not have to change the officers each year.
2. By Laws: The By-Laws change is not a complex procedure, simply
submitting the change and Mr. de Freitas would review and be sure
that they are still in accordance with the law. Then submit them
to the IRS, more as a notice, not for any type of approval, they
would simply send a letter back confirming receipt. There would
be a minimal filing fee associated with this submission.
By Laws Note: The Fiscal Year chosen in the Certificate of Incorporation and the Fiscal Year on the IRS forms are different and they have sent us a letter indicating that it will have to be amended at some point in the By Laws. Certificate of Incorporation is October 31st and IRS is December 1st.
3. NY State Tax Exemption: The paperwork was sent to Tom and I understand that Stacey will bring it to Region. I will notarize it and return it to Mr. de Freitas. There is a form and procedure for retroactive refunding of tax paid once we have obtained the number. Mr. de Freitas is going to prepare some information for me on that issue.
NY State Tax Exemption Note: Once we obtain this tax exemption number, we will then be required to register with the NY State Charity Organization and make filing of our financial statements for the first three years we have been in existence (1998 through 2000), therefore it is important that we have that information gathered and if we don't have it, to begin to gather it.
4. Statements: I requested that Mr. de Freitas prepare a complete history of invoices and payments made by the committee. I will bring them to region for review.
In Loving Service
Lizzy Q
To: WNYRSCNA
From: Mark T., web site committee chair
Subject: WNYRSC web site report 11-17-01
Hello family:
I am happy to report that that WNY regional web site continues to be up and running without incident. I am also very happy to report that since the PI committee has done their billboard campaign, the number of hits we have had at the site has gone up approximately 20 percents. In raw numbers, we are receiving approximately 45hits per day. Prior to the billboard campaign, we averaged 35 hits per day. I also notice that the average visitor to the site is examining more pages on the site and they are staying at the site for a longer period of time. As the billboard campaign is the only variable here, I would have to say that the increased traffic at our site has been generated by the PI billboard campaign.
At our last RSC meeting, I was directed by the regional chair to only accept pages for the website from the RCMs. Unfortunately, I don't think that this is working well. I have in my possession 3 events flyers from the regional convention that need to be posted to the website but because they did not come from the RCM of that area, they can't be posted to the site.
The Chautauqua RCM will be bringing forth a motion today to accept the guidelines that I proposed at the last RSC meeting. I again recommend that this body accept those guidelines as written, without modification. Those guidelines are listed below and I believe that these guidelines will eliminate most, if not all, problems that we have had with regard to the posting and removing materials from the WNY regional website.
These were my recommendations from the last RSC meeting:
1. Any addict from any WNY group, WNY area, WNYRSC or WNYRSC
subcommittee can ask that a page(s) be sent to the website.
2. Pages on the WNY regional website are for use by WNY groups,
WNY areas and the WNYRSC (including WNYRSC sub-committees). Groups,
areas and regions outside the WNY region may have links to their
pages on our site but may not have their pages directly visible
on the WNY regional website. We link to NO personal websites.
3. Only members of a standing committee, at the area or the regional
level, can ask that a page(s) be removed because of inaccuracies.
The RSC chair settles all controversies.
4. Members of the website committee should be from a group/area
in the WNY region.
5. The WNY regional website committee is guided by the 12 traditions
and the 12 concepts of service.
6. The WNY regional website committee remain an ad-hoc committee.
Submitted in loving service
Mark T.
Western New York Regional Service Committee of Narcotics Anonymous
For the Month Ended November 2001
Income Debits Balances
Opening Balance 540.43
Donations
Alle-Cats
Buffalo 250.00
Chautauqua 60.00
NI-O 45.00
Niagara Falls
Hope on Hertel 45.00
WNYCNA VI 6,500.00
WNYCNA VI 722.94
Total Income 7,622.94
Balance+Income 7,440.43
Expenses Check #
William C. Moran 536 42.00
Postmaster 537 27.50
Emanual Lutheran 538 10.00
Tracy Diina 539 194.00
Fred Robinson 540 194.00
DRJ Productions 541 75.00
Monica Robinson 542 25.00
World Services 543 2,595.87
Total Expenses 3,163.37
End Balance 5,000.00
