WNY REGIONAL DELEGATE REPORT/JANUARY 2001

Typically, January is the beginning of a very busy season in the life of a Regional Delegate. This year is different, mainly due to the new two year conference cycle. Usually at this time, we are painstakingly reviewing the CAR and setting up workshops. There is no CAR this year but there are still issues to discuss. Therefore, I propose that we still have a Regional Assembly in April to maintain continuity and discuss various issues. Later in this report, you will see what these issues are. I hope that we can start the planning process for this event today.

Northeast Zonal Forum (NEZF)

I attended the NEZF, January 12 - 14 in Atlantic City, New Jersey alone. Thirteen regions were represented with a few other regions from other zones in attendance. Due to our region's low treasury balance at the time, I made my travel arrangements (it has since been dramatically increased); I charged my plane ticket and am requesting reimbursement today. I am also returning money given to me for per diem plus hotel costs.

For the past two years, the NEZF has been struggling with the direction it is going. Many regions want to remain a body where we informally discuss regional issues while other regions see the zone as a vehicle to communicate and learn during non-conference years and to even provide some direct services as a zone, we have been stuck with this, making every Zonal Forum an arduous and tedious task. This Zonal Forum our discussion topics were:

1. What does our region need that can be provided by the NEZF?
2. How can area/regional subcommittees combine their efforts to decrease duplication and increase productivity?

I prepared written input and e-mailed it around (see attached). I received virtually no feedback. I realize that there is little interest in the Zonal Forum among most addicts and I am wondering if the WNY Region should continue to participate. Once again, as a zone, we saw a distinct polarization among those who wanted to become more structured and those who wanted to stay informal. In my utter frustration, I proposed that a new zone be formed for those who wanted to move forward. Oddly enough, this unified people in their desire to collectively move through our slump, an Ad Hoc committee was formed and will give a report at the next NEZF, June 22 - 24 in Meriden, Connecticut. The Ad Hoc will define a mission statement and propose policies about funding, trusted servants, site selection, etc. As much as I want to trust the process, I am afraid that we will not see anything different than what we already know now. I must be brutally honest in saying that I was very much in favor of moving forward with more structure and also was disappointed that I was not asked to serve on the AD HOC. At the July NEZF, I brought up many of the same suggestions but
was not heeded. I'm not sure if my ego is getting in the way here and I'm also not sure that we should continue our participation in the NEZF.

The other topic for June is:
Improving Communications/please refer to verbal report (I left my briefcase in NJ and don't have the specifics!)

Let's discuss our participation in the NEZF further today.

MidAtlantic Regional Learning Convenference/MARLCNA

MARLCNA will take place 2/9 - 2/11 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania since there is no CAR, discussion will center on the following:

1. WS issue discussion topics:
· How can we continue to provide services to our fellowship and at the same time decrease our reliance on funds from events?
· How can we create a bridge that builds and maintains a connection to service for Home Group members?
2. Literature Development

It would be fitting to send our new regional literature committee chair to be privy to the discussion. I am not sure, however, how beneficial it will be for me, as Regional Delegate, to attend. I'd like some feedback today. If I do attend, I need money!

World Service News

Literature Development is the hot topic lately with regional literature committees popping up everywhere to submit input in this exciting process. I am thrilled that our region will be moving forward with this and will be turning over some information to our new Regional Literature Chair.

NA Online meeting directory still being finalized. We need our web group needs to work with this project. Anyone may access this at www.na.org

The Communications Task Force will be addressing many communications issues in the upcoming months. This is an opportune time for the WNY Region to examine our own communications vehicles. Are we effectively serving our members? Do they know what our region does? The CTF has begun a process to address this at the world level and it is incumbent upon us, as part of the service structure, to determine how we can aid the overall communications efforts right here in our region.

Regional Assembly

We may want to use Literature Development as the key issue . . .we could also provide a forum for regional members to give feedback about the WNY Region. I'd like to discuss what others think and then perhaps set-up a work team to plan the event.

Along these lines, I'd love to hold more learning days in conjunction with our member areas' events. This also brings up a great point - we should have a regional event calendar as an attachment to our minutes with all events on one page. Who has ideas?

E-Mail Distribution List
Please forward any e-mails that you receive from our region (minutes etc.) to interested parties. Please also provide me with any e-mail addresses so that I can begin to develop an e-mail newsletter.