NA WORLD SERVICE MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

· Coming soon, regions will be able to post their events to the official NA website, www.na.org
· The World Service Meeting (WSM) was held from September 23-26 in Hollywood, Florida. Many issues were discussed. Several of these issues will appear in the 2000 Conference Agenda Report (CAR). Attending this meeting gives us a sense of what to be expected in the CAR. We are also able to provide input on any of these items and I suggest that we do.
· The World Board (WB) has drafted their internal processes and procedures. They were presented as a "living document" to which changes may be made. Of special interest is that the WB will form committees in 2000. Currently, workgroups are used.

Communications Task Force

· The Communications Task Force (CTF), which was approved by the WSC 99, is presently studying communication practices along with proposing and implementing improvements to those practices by June 2000. The CTF is looking at the following: periodicals, memos & reports, telephone, public relations and marketing, world service office internal communication and interaction with professionals.
· The CTF will hold eight focus groups as an opportunity to have face-to-face interaction with the fellowship. Philadelphia will be the first focus group, next weekend. Other locations are: Rockford, Illinois; Spokane, Washington; Frankfort, Germany; Calgary; Mumbai, India; Uruguay and Southern California. The above locations have been picked to balance urban and rural interests and US and non-US interests. The focus groups include non-service type people and members with varying clean time to get a broad representation.
· We may want to provide input in how we believe that communication could improve. Some initial ideas are more focus groups; "training the trainer," a communication/bulletin designed for home groups etc.

Human Resource Panel

· The Human Resource panel (HRP) is asking for members to complete their World Pool resumes. They currently have about 200 resumes. This is an opportunity for any member to serve NA with his/her specific skills.
· The Election Process is currently being reviewed and analyzed. At the WSC 99, co-facilitator candidates were presented by the HRP. World Board candidates were not. Co-facilitator positions were filled. World Board positions were not.
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· Two motions will be in the CAR regarding the HRP, specifically nominations to the HRP and term "limits."
· Some controversy over non-addicts being used to serve on committees. This is not currently happening but there is the potential.
· We can offer input on any HRP issues; voting process; suggestions to increase the World Pool etc.

Two Year Conference Cycle

· Adopted by the WSC 98
· Tremendous growth at the WSC in the last 15 years. In 1984, there were 47 participants, including 33 US regions and 1 non-US region. In 1999, there were 110 participants, including 66 US regions and 27 non-US regions.
· The World Board made the following recommendations:
· World-wide workshop system/less use of the CAR
· Consensus based, discussion oriented conference
· Six workshops to be held, using zonal forums
· CAR printed 150 days prior to WSC/translations 120 days prior
· Fund all RDs to WSC
· Adopt seating criteria of regions
· Include description of zonal forums in TWGSS
· Movement away from using motions-we are being encouraged to use the process for projects adopted at the WSC 98 where ideas are presented to the World Board. Encouraged use of the workshop system (as of now not defined).
· The goal of the Worldwide Workshop system is to improve written and face to face communication with the fellowship. It is proposed that six workshops be held over the next two years, in conjunction with zonal forums.
· The World Board has asked us to reconsider motion 6 passed at WSC 99 where it was decided that the CAR would be printed 180 days prior to the WSC (WNY region voted for this motion). The World Board would like 150 days, not 180 days prior. It is believed that the new workshop system will lighten the CAR.
· The World Board recommends funding one delegate from each seated region to the WSC. Other options were considered: cost averaging, partial flat rate funding, funding for two delegates from each region, and developmental assistance only. The fact that this might be a financial disincentive was discussed and many people felt we should "act on faith."
· Regional Seating. The report we were given stated that "the growth of the WSC must be slowed" and that "continued growth will complicate and possibly undermine efforts at being more focused and consensus driven." Many criteria were suggested…Please refer to handout.
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· Recommendation made by the World Board that zonal forums be included in TWGSS and added to the WS system chart in TWGSS
· Issues we may want to provide input on: seating criteria; workshop system; CAR; funding for RDs

Motion 21

· The recent literature survey was deemed ineffective, despite 2300 responses. It was not totally ineffective but it was unscientific. The results did indicate that the top rated categories for the development of new literature are: sponsorship, traditions and spirituality.
· The report presented by the World Board shows little action. This upset some regions as they feel that new literature has been requested but not received.
· The World Board, in response to the above, asked us to consider that there may be more pressing matters now.
· Between now and 2002, there will be an "identification of needs" process, based on fellowship input, costs associated and local needs.
· The World Board may select a certain number of items to evaluate each conference cycle and a general priority setting literature survey may be developed. An input and review process must be set up.
· The World Board wants to put off the development of any new literature until after 2002; many regions want to start now.

Other Items

· The step working guides have been an unprecedented success.
· Zonal Forums: what direction do we want to take?