RD Report - Cedric, Bob B Alt

The RDA Bob and myself are retiring from the workshop, in Austin, TX. We feel that it was a great success, making the connection with World Board members and the Lone Star Region. We split up to do workshops in order to cover them all to the best of our abilities. We took notes as well as taped discussions. Committee members and home group members opened my heart and mind to special needs meetings in our Region. We would like to workshop theses topics at the Convention.
Workshop discussions on tape if anyone would like to hear. Zonal forum information was routed to the old RD. The current committee is meeting this weekend but was missed because the RSC did not get the information on time. Additional taxes needed for airfare. See Report attached. Discussion ensued regarding specific meetings. Diversified meetings may help include rather than exclude. Newcomers may not attend much-needed meetings if they think that a group is specific to certain people. Special needs meetings vs. special interest meetings. Our preamble states regardless of age, sex, etc. Addicts should not be excluded from meetings seeking recovery. This Area is the last to not recognize special interest meetings. Discussion ensued regarding medicines and drug usage. World's view is that we need to be more open-minded and not exclude people or hurt people with our own opinions.
I would like to thank this body for the opportunity to serve. This worldwide workshop was a great learning experience for me. The future of W.N.Y. as a whole. The workshop was something new, different and surprising. The format was interactive and made you feel a part of so it was very fun.
The purpose of the workshop was to improve face to face communication between world and the fellowship and through this it created an opportunity for dialogue, training and exchange of experience, ideals, and this for me generated enthusiasm to carry the massage of recovery and service more effectively from now on.
The opening meeting was just a get to know us all RD and RD alts introduced our selves talk about what we were going to do over the weekend were told that there were 30,000 plus meetings world wide the most interesting fact was 89% of income is literature sales. (Basic text out sells all books combined.) 9% is donators, 2% others. Then we took a 5 minute break when we came back we were asked that each table talk about issues that were important. (we were in tables of 8.) Topic of discussions and debate were focus on principles 3rd and 5th tradition, Special interest belongs in sponsorship, diversity is strength be grateful solution is openmindness, communication on a area level, recognize that our differences are sometimes larger cultural racial beyond NA, proved better training on traditions, concepts, for trusted servants, why not just call them meetings instead of gay, lesbian, men or woman only solution we are all equal. Asked to write down what we think are issues that needed to be talked about. (made a tree.)
Focus on local issues, this is were we voted on the two most important on the tree they happened to be "cultural diversity/unity and serve structure." On unity/diversity we discussed why is diversity/unity such a high topic of conversation? Like woman, gay, lesbian. Why when we grow meetings become cultural? What are the answers to unite? Some things talked about like we tend to view our group as us others as them get past "us" "them" mentally by putting a face on region. Visit areas create a relationship.
Service structure, parliamentary procedure sometimes fosters conflict/disunity. Try consensus based decision making, avoid filling positions with "warm body" who might not be qualified, open "communication", sponsorship - 12th step, stress fun, avoid negative characterizations of service area curious, etc.
Self-support, how does it relate to our principle purpose to our cumin welfare and NA unity? Responsibility/accountability, emotionally, physically, spiritually how we act. Literature there for the taking. Relay on our recourses to allow new and old timers to get involved, giving to feel a part of by giving back being open-minded. To make sure of the availability, self support in also. Service makes people feel comfortable, humanity, self worth, personality, and anonymity sharing on how it works. Benefits on being involved freedom, area 30 plus going down to 8 a week. Letting go letting God. Having a lot of new comers. Groups holding money, groups its a lack of trust.
Cultural diversity, why is diversity/unity such a high topic? Woman meetings, gay, woman conventions. When we grow meetings become cultural, what are the answers to unite? Sponsorship - men with men women with woman. How dose this relate to gay members? Unity among woman needed, woman need to support each other, Go to meetings predominately of a different racial group, religion, we tend to view our groups as "us" other than "them". Need more awareness of don't be hard on ourselves. To change it is to confront them to live up to principles and steps. Don't forget this is a process. Fear, habit, comfort. Diversity is strength, power, spirit says you belong there. Hate is a defect of charictor. Felt indifference about being labeled.
Atmosphere of recovery, icebreaker use questions to get to know each other. What does your home group do to insure an atmosphere of recovery in a loving carrying way? Nothing just let it run, monitor conversations. Home group members help with literature, pass phone lists, birthday, eating and speaking meetings all in one. If a member is disruptive in your home group do you have a greater responsibility to deal with the situation then a visitor to your group? Yes it is a home group member's duty to keep it if your visitor is disruptive. Take them aside talk to them away from others. No control. Let God.
We were thinking of doing a workshop on the same type of round robin maybe to it with activities and see were our region is on these issues and when they leave they will have a sense of unity and how to turn diversity into a positive strength.

THANK YOU DONNA I FOR TYPING!