WESTERN NEW YORK REGION
NEZF DISCUSSION TOPICS

RESOLUTION A…WHERE DO WE GO NOW?

Allow me to preface this report by detailing the overwhelming lack of interest in Resolution A by a majority of the local fellowship. This is certainly a topic which is difficult to elicit any form of participation, particularly because most addicts-trusted servants included-have no conception of the nature of the WSC. This being said, the Western New York Region discussed Resolution A in preparation for the NEZF. As expected, our turnout was low. Summertime service related workshops are not the highest item on most addicts' priority lists. It is for this reason that our Region will initiate a new workshop strategy designed to piggyback on traditionally more engaging events-conventions, picnics etc. But I digress…

Points of general consensus regarding Resolution A:

· Establish criteria for regional seating but do not limit the number of regions which can exist-to do this would be short-sighted and in the words of one participant, "ridiculous"
· The number of participants at the WSC should NOT be downsized. It is not unusual for forums and conferences to have many participants, all vying for microphone time. Real world examples-the US Senate and House of Representatives-should illustrate that substantial work can-and does-get accomplished.
· Cost equalization should unquestionably be further explored but we would like to see exactly how this might be implemented. One participant believed that cost equalization would be counterproductive with regions that don't need funding getting subsidized. It could potentially become a disincentive for donations.
· Small groups should be utilized as frequently as possible. One suggestion generated by our regional workshop was that we begin each day at the WSC with small groups each with the same targeted and specific agenda. After the small groups tackled the issue at hand, all the groups should come together into a whole and discuss the issue as a body. In short, all business would be conducted in small groups first and then as a body. This would ensure that each item is thoroughly digested, that some of the more silent and non-US participants' voices were heard and could squelch the overabundance of strident and vocal "obstructionists".

It would be very productive if the NEZF could collectively establish a direction regarding Resolution A.

DISPELLING THE US VS. THEM MENTALITY

This topic-at least its title-confused many people. Like Resolution A, it is not perceived as an issue which directly affects addicts at the home group level. In fact, introducing it as a topic was challenging. For whatever reasons, it did not seem appropriate to discuss an issue which is not considered problematic by the local fellowship and could indeed plant a new and unnecessary negative seed.

Our discussion of this topic evoked a few interesting ideas. One participant expressed the opinion that we should have a healthy skepticism. Other ideas generated are as follows:

· Educate people about the service structure
· Encourage greater discussion of our 12 Traditions
· Better dissemination of financial reports
· Release documents directly to home groups
· World should develop a piece which is targeted directly toward the home groups

Submitted by the Western New York Region
August 7, 1999