WESTERN NEW YORK DELEGATE REPORT
MARCH 17, 2001

On February 9, 2001 I traveled to Lancaster Pennsylvania site of MARLCNA XVII accompanied by Regional PI Chair Robert B. and Buffalo Area RCM-Alt Cedric S.

We arrived to find lively discussions ensuing among delegates, literature chairs both area and regional as well as interested addicts as to what might be discussed in this "off year" for the Conference Agenda Report usually the mainstay of this event in the past. For those unaware MARLCNA (Mid-Atlantic Regional Learning Convenference Of Narcotics Anonymous) takes place each year as a preview and discussion to the upcoming World Service Conference. However, the WSC is now takes place on a two-year cycle and will be held in 2002.

So here we go. The World Service Offices workshop began promptly at 9-00pm with lively and invigorating question and answer session regarding a WS discussion topic, "What Should NA Literature Say About Sponsorship?"

Before I go much further, I need to add that present at this gathering that some had felt a useless gathering because of the absence of the CAR were 12 regions, 32 areas and a total of 102 delegates, literature chairs and interested members of NA as well as at least 4 WB members.

The session began with WB advising that a workgroup has indeed been formed to work on this project, which was the directive of Motions 1 - 4 from the CAR 2000 work shopped by the Regional Delegate before traveling to the WSC 2000. Interestingly enough there have been no discussion on how the material on sponsorship will be presented, for instance will it be in IP, booklet or text form? None present seemed to take a position here although we all agreed that something on this delicate of subjects is needed.

I have taken the liberty of enclosing a copy the World Board News Flash for your perusal and which for the uninformed will help to provide some insight as to what this project is about. I also have copies available for RCMs might take back to their areas and distribute in the interest of instituting discussion groups.

SATURDAY - 9-00AM

This session began with questions centering around how many regions/areas needed help to get literature committees started and what would be the best way to commit to the writing process! Sounds familiar here, like doing step writing, eh?

SMALL WORK GROUPS

For sure a great method for gathering input is to conduct discussions in small groups where all are heard and not just the sometimes-dominant personality. In small groups even the somewhat reluctant addict can be encouraged to share experiences and ideas. Workgroups should meet regularly, be on time, have someone present taking notes and possibly provide refreshments as an added incentive for attendance. We all know that nothing attracts addicts like coffee and food!

Home Groups as the most powerful vehicle for recovery in NA need to be evolved in any discussion on this topic and should be encouraged to share and workshop this topic. Something that we all agreed on (amazingly) was the fact that groups should start with those who are committed.

In looking for effective ways of work shopping this topic, a question arose centering around as to whether to present it during a convention/conference or do it as an "Stand Alone" project, no really clear stand was taken by those present. A sound suggestion is that we distribute the Sponsorship News Flashes through out fellowship to Newcomers as well and preferably those with 90 days or less!

WORKGROUPS

Workgroups will be held throughout NA on a variety of subjects to include Fellowship Development Areas, World Board and Learning Opportunities within our fellowship.

MOTION 15 ISSUE DISCUSSION TOPIC "D"

This work asks the question "How can we continue to provide services to our fellowship and at the same time decrease our reliance on funds from events and conventions?
As you might imagine, the discussion on this issue was at times somewhat heated, producing varied responses as one might suspect centering around the Seventh Tradition. It became clear that groups need to discuss this issue and that discussion should be kept simple with one addict present to record information and another to facilitate to gather key points. It would also be helpful to ask people to address what is important to them. For instance, ask everyone present to be involved when discussing topics, identify by name rather than just groups for input being requested by the WB.

Here an interesting point arose, how much input is needed and is response mainly from U.S. or non-U.S. regions, or is response mostly from North America?

In response, one region responded that they had held 3 workshops so far and that involvement had been great. Saying that each workshop drew more interested addicts out to participate in the discussion. The down side seemed to be that it was hard to get Area Committees involved and that as a whole we face the difficult task of getting members to workshop this topic with any kind of consistency. It seemed here then the task would go

to the regions to provide input, however it is clear that we need to be careful that information is not just from the regions.

An interesting concept mentioned was whether or not a Modality for opening up reading at our meeting would be useful, for instance "How It Works." Most in attendance did not feel this a vive able action and no further discussion ensued. Now that you have all at least peeked at the WB NEWS FLASH included in this report you need to know that we as a fellowship are not restricted to just the 12 sample sponsorship questions, we all agreed that more is good!

At the present time there is not a method of procuring information compiled from the WSO, however the WB is considering a way of making the compiled information available to any who seek it. It is clear however, that groups must be formed to work on this topic. Sponsorship "Evaluation" groups as well as Literature Development input are welcomed by the WSO.

As the session progressed it became clear that perhaps some of the questions to ask regarding sponsorship are how do we do development in a "multi-lingual" fellowship where the majority are non-English speaking?

MOTION 15 ISSUE DISCUSSION TOPIC H

"How can we create a bridge that builds and maintains a connection to service for home group members?"

Here the body struggled mightily with many different points presented but nothing set in concrete as a guide. We did seem to agree that recovery has to come from within and that nothing exists at the present that will ensure participation.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

The first question that arose was, do we really know what Public Relations means to NA? Our literature speaks to "attraction rather than promotion", whereby drawing potential members through how we live rather than what we say. A dictionary defines public relations as inducing the public to relate, It Works How & Why, speaks to perception, communication and awareness. Here a member of the WB spoke of the work group formed to address the need for a new public relations statement where the purpose is to develop a long-range plan that is consistent with our efforts to market NA. The point is that there is a need for information that better describes our program, for instance Informational Pamphlets that would describe NA to Hotels, Chemical Dependent professionals, etc.

Finally……………. MARLCNA Chair report advises that the next CAR will be distributed out earlier than in the past and that MARLCNA welcomes ways to get the information out to GSRs, AREA and REGIONS and welcome any and all input to help accomplish this huge task.

The next World Services Meeting will be held in Vienna, Virginia on Labor Day weekend for the celebration of Unity Day on September 1, 2001 during Aug 31, 2001 through September 2, 2001. World Service Meetings are a chance for regional delegates to have face to face dialogue with world board regarding work in process.

Around The Region

Our region begun to workshop the 7th Tradition/reliance on funding from events, etc. WNYRCNA V for input regarding this topic and welcome all input. A Regional Assembly will be hosted in the near future to discuss sponsorship literature and other revelant issues. Please keep in mind that the deadline for input regarding the sponsorship proposed changes and or additions to the WSO is June 2001. We really do need to get busy! Regional members were invited to participate in a Learning Day on February 10, 2001 by the newly formed Niagara Falls Area service body sharing experience, strength and hope that was well received by all accounts.

The next Northeast Zonal Forum will be held in Connecticut during the month of June.

Submitted in Loving Service,
Freddie R.
RD-Alt.

Enclosures: WB NEWS FLASH - WSC Topic One
WB NEWS FLASH - WSC Topic Two
WB NEWS FLASH - NA WAY Articles (Needed)