WESTERN NEW YORK REGIONAL SERVICE
COMMITTEE/RD REPORT
July 21, 2001

Information from world services continues to be somewhat sparse. Here are major highlights, many of which were announced at our last meeting.

Major World Service Issues:

-The Worldwide Workshop System is beginning. 5 workshops will be held throughout the world between now and 2002. The first workshop was held in British Columbia, June 29 - July 1, 2001. The purpose of the workshops are to facilitate communication between world services and the local fellowship in non-conference years.

-World Pool - Application can be found at www.na.org. They continue to look for
people to serve on special projects.

-Sponsorship Project is moving forward. The workgroup received thousands of pages of input and now must determine how to proceed.

-Literature Distribution & Convention Workshops will be held on August 3 & 4, 2001 in
Woodland Hills, California.

-World Service Meeting and Unity Day will be held August 31 - September 2, 2001 in Vienna, Virginia. Issues that will be discussed are the literature development project, the Communications Task Force and motions to be presented in the 2002 Conference Agenda Report. Today we must discuss Freddy and my attendance at this event. We should also discuss having a Unity Day event.

-Issue Discussion Topics - Our region has already held a workshop on one topic: "How can we continue to provide services to our fellowship and at the same time decrease our reliance on funds from events and conventions?" and needs to hold another workshop on this topic: "How can we create a bridge that builds and maintains a connection to service for home group members?" before October. We need to set a date on this today!!!

RD/RCM Meeting-June 16, 2001
Attendance: Freddy-RD Alternate

FREDDY--FILL in here

NEZF

As we say here, don't leave before the miracle happens. This definitely applies to my feelings about the NEZF. I went with trepidation, loathing and dread but amazingly left with a spirit of optimism and hope. It actually felt like we were progressing out of gridlock and moving forward!

13 regions were present, with another-Freestate-seeking admission. By way of history, the NEZF has been struggling in its evolution. In January, an Ad Hoc committee was established and charged with the task of bringing guidelines to the June NEZF meeting. At the time-and until this NEZF meeting-I was upset that I was not included in the Ad Hoc. Well, I was finally able to let go!!! We also got some $$$ back!

Guidelines were presented and were the fodder for much of the weekend's discussion (these were e-mailed to my entire list in early June; I received no feedback). The overriding message-we are a body in progress! After much dialogue, a new Ad Hoc was formed to further hone the guidelines. The draft guidelines included a mission statement, funding and rotation proposals and the potential creation of an outreach committee. We'll all have another chance soon to review the new draft which will be sent out this Fall.

The Issue Discussion Topic-Improving Communicdations-generated a lot of positive ideas, including:

· Online meeting directories
· Meeting list coordinated between regions in the same state/neighboring regions
· 800 numbers
· Fliers sent out to groups seeking input
· Simple guidelines for business meetings
· Multiple copies of reports given to RCMs
· Multi-regional learning days
· Personal contact between region and areas
· Continuity of service positions
· Fun Days/NA Jeopardy
· Put a face on service people/work
· Surveys/Inventories
· Interaction/Personal Touch
· Open House
· Committees are required to bring one new person to each meeting
· Have GSRs present talk to those not present
· Regional Inventory
· H&I should explain service work more during their in-house presentations
· Use color, eye catching fliers

The next NEZF will be in Cleveland, Ohio--January 4-6, 2002. Guidelines will once again be discussed as well as the following scintillating topic J Regional & Area Implementation of the Guide To Local Service. PLEASE PROVIDE INPUT!!! We should also conduct a workshop…I was also elected as the new Vice Chair!

World Service Meeting

August 31-September 2nd in Vienna, Virginia. The meat of the 2002 CAR will be discussed with literature development most likely a key topic.

FREDDY--PLEASE FILL IN BUDGET ETC.

Other Ideas

-Annual Report to our groups
--Events calendar