WESTERN NEW YORK REGIONAL DELEGATE REPORT
NOVEMBER 2000

Since my last report framed such an eloquent beginning, I must repeat it….I am compelled to begin my report as the "lone dissenting voice." Having not met since September-over two months ago-I question whether we are losing a critical flow of information by meeting every other month. It is for this reason that I once again express my ardent desire to meet monthly or to create a system where information flows more frequently. It is also for this reason that my report may take forever to read. :-)

The major highlights:

World Service News/WSC Issue Discussion Topic Workshops

Two topics will be workshopped throughout all of NA this year:

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

Last year, the Western New York region set a wise precedent in workshopping the two WSC discussion topics at our regional convention. This year, we workshopped topic #1 at our convention. About 15-20 people were present and many were able to participate and share their perspectives. There was no set consensus on this issue. Many felt that relying on conventions as funding mechanisms is a shortsighted strategy and believed that funding begins at the Home Group level. It is clear that people enjoy conventions and it is a supply and demand equation where it appears that everyone wins. NA has evolved and one of these manifestations is our desire for large conventions. We will most likely be conducting more workshops but at this time I raise two thoughts: 1) the WNY region should direct the convention committee to allot time for two WSC topic workshops each convention and 2) perhaps we could prominently post the topics on our website and ask for feedback…

One issue is crystal clear. Our region needs to mobilize in the workshop and learning day areas…

Northeast Zonal Forum (NEZF)

The next NEZF is January 13th-14th in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Today, we will be workshopping/discussing the following two topics:
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?

Freddy has arranged the logistical aspects of today's workshop. Please find below excerpts from my September report which detail information from the last NEZF.
______________________________________________________________________________________

Freddy, RDA and I attended the NEZF on July 22nd and 23rd in Harrisburg, PA. Thirteen regions from throughout the Northeast were present. Zonal Forums are sharing sessions between geographically linked regions, generally held a few times per year. The purpose of the NEZF is "to discuss issues of mutual concern, address common needs, exchange ideas and share experience to further our primary purpose."

We are at a critical point with the NEZF and much discussion centered around our purpose moving forward. If you recall, our region discussed this in July and concluded that we didn't want the NEZF to formalize its structure. (Attached is the report I submitted on our behalf as well as minutes from the NEZF). It turned out that the entire zone struggled with this issue as we addressed the question, "Function/Purpose of our Zonal Forum-where are we going?" Some regions favored stronger service delivery as well as using the zones to communicate with each other in light in of the new two-year conference cycle. Other regions were dead-set against any change and want the NEZF to be strictly a sharing session. Perhaps the most ironic part of this discussion is the fact that many regions are looking for the NEZF to tell them where the NEZF is going while the NEZF is looking to the regions for direction. We will be discussing this once again at the January NEZF but this time the question is more direct: What does your region need that can be provided by the NEZF?

We also discussed the topic of strengthening our ASCs. Unfortunately, there was an overall lack of input. Lack of participation was a universal issue. One interesting suggestion (RCMs take note): one area hand delivers letters and information to groups that don't show up at the ASC. This would be a great workshop topic!

We came to a confusing conclusion when we discussed the issue of allowing non-RD/RDAs to serve as trusted servants of the NEZF. Most people thought this was okay but also felt having the host region providing a facilitator was acceptable.

In terms of accepting voluntary funding, once again there were those in complete support and those vehemently against. Issues that arose were: what would the funds be used for? Can we discuss this without having a plan? Can we create a plan with the variety of regional consciences-and confusion-expressed?

Please provide any input on the NEZF to Freddy or myself and also keep in mind that anyone who wants to attend the NEZF is welcome.

The NEZF will also meet June 23-24th in Connecticut. Regions were additionally asked to provide input about MARLCNA in the non-conference years.

BUDGET/NEZF
By all accounts, this edition of the NEZF will be a costly endeavor. I will leave it at that…

As the NEZF is scheduled for January, driving the approximately nine hours to Atlantic City does not appear viable. Roundtrip flights to AC are approx. $330. There is no train service to AC. Freddy still has a $300 ticket voucher left from WSC 2000. I do not. Here is my plan: I will travel to Islip (long Island) at a cost of $260 Roundtrip and then travel with Carolyn, RDA-Greater New York. I plan to go a day early and will pay for all costs incurred during that time.

$260-Tracy's flight
$330-Freddy's flight
$80----approximate cost for Tracy's hotel stay
$80---approximate cost for Freddy's hotel stay
$105-per-diem-Tracy
$105-per diem--Freddy

TOTAL: $960

More WS News:

I have not received any information from World Services since the time of my last report. I am therefore repeating information (see below) delivered in my September report.

Online meeting directory still being finalized. Anyone may access this at www.na.org

Communications Task Force

For the first time in NA's history, NAWS (NA World Services) is taking a comprehensive look at our fellowship communication problems. It stands to reason that a worldwide fellowship such as NA, with 27,000 groups and 28,200 meetings would have problems. A process-led by the Communications Task Force (CTF)-is currently in place to define the problems and offer solutions. Bear in mind that this is a multi-year process which is already well underway.

Findings indicated that the awareness of our members of the functions and resources of NAWS must be improved. Ultimately, the general sense is that members are not being served as well as they could be. Written communications should also be tailored to our varying readerships.

Suffice it to say that there are many issues that the CTF will be addressing. 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.

Some local communications ideas: a regional phoneline and a regional newsletter. Also, more workshops!!!

Events/Activities

I propose that we hold a series of learning days, rotating throughout the region. For this, we need either an activities committee or committed volunteers. One thought I had, albeit not the most exciting topic, is fund-flow. We could discuss the benefits of flowing funds to all parts of the service structure as well as detail what the basket is for.

Area Visits:

Freddy and I visited the Chautauqua ASC in October. Their hospitality was deeply appreciated. We will continue making these area visits as it is important to remain in touch with our member areas. We were slated to visit Niagara Falls. This trip is being rescheduled. We will also be visiting NiO in December. We are open to making any visits or attending any learning days.

Regional Rotation

In January, the WNY region will begin meeting in our member areas. Thus far, we will meet in Niagara Falls in January and in Chautauqua in March. This is a great way to connect with our areas and expose the local fellowship to regional service.

RD Budget
I was asked to prepare my annual budget-which spans from November to the following November--to be presented at this meeting today. A few factors have unfortunately muddied this issue. Historically, the RD (and RDA) received an annual budget of $4500. I am fairly certain that we have never spent this amount in total, instead sending the remainder of the money to World Services. Creating a budget is complicated by the fact that I am unsure whether we will have any type of travel for World Services this year. Of course there is no World Service Conference this year but there very well may be another event. I respectfully ask that we either stay with the traditional budget amount of $4500 until I receive more information.

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.

As always, if you have any question call me at 881-1080.