Service System Proposals

Workshop Objectives

• Provide an overview of the latest draft of the Service System Proposals• Answer as many questions as

possible• Help to understand the resolutions

and the straw polls

Project Background• Workshop feedback for many years

reports apathy towards service as our main challenge

• PR roundtables indicate problems with NA services

• IDTs also report many of the same issues

• Service System Project is designed to address these reported issues

Elements of an Effective System

Foundational Principles

Purpose-Driven

Flexible

Defined by Geographic Boundaries

Group-Focused

Collaborative

Focus of Local Services

Our current ASCs are tasked with group support and local service delivery. In these proposals, local efforts would be divided:• Group Support Unit (GSU): devoted

entirely to providing support to groups• Local Service Unit (LSU): devoted entirely

to providing local services. Where possible, geographically defined (e.g., city, town, county)

Group SupportBoth structure and process changes to support groups:

•Group Support Units: discussion and support forums for group issues

•Usually multiple GSUs for a single Local Service Unit

•GSUs are neighborhood based

Group SupportWhat happens at the GSU:

•Welcome & outreach to new groups & members•Informal information sharing – group to group•Orientation & introduction to service•Informal training & mentoring•Limited, informal service if necessary•Open attendance

GSU/LSU Options

Local ServicesThe Local Service Unit:

•Delivers bulk of local services

•Conforms to a recognized geographic boundary

•Is purpose- and vision-driven

•Uses planning

Local Services

Local Planning Conference Meets 3 or 4 times yearly including

Annual Assembly Other meetings follow planning cycle Consists of group delegates, project

and workgroup leaders, LSB, state/national delegates, interested members

Uses consensus-based decision making

Local Services

Annual Assembly Planning event to gather input and set

service priorities Wide attendance consisting of Local

Planning Conference attendees and any other interested members

Uses consensus-based decision making

Local Services

Local Service Board Meets monthly (or as needed) Consists of admin officers, delegates to next

level of service, coordinators for essential services

Oversees workgroups and essential services Coordinates planning assembly Develops budgets and plans Maintains external relationships

Delegation & Communication

On a local level—more administrative details are delegated

Discussion and decisions at the LSU are more focused on planning, priorities, setting direction, etc.

No intention to change how a conscience is gathered locally to take to the WSC

Still need to work on bridging some of the disconnect, improving communication (e.g., between world & local services).

We are open to all ideas!

Intermediate Bodies

• Occupies space between service bodies like an accordion, when needed due to density, distance or language

• Based upon need

• Could be useful in large countries or states

• Communication is main task

State/National Service Bodies

• More change for parts of the US where regional boundaries are not always state boundaries

• No structural change for many, though possibly process changes for all

• Still working on ideas for large states and non-US countries consisting of multiple regions

State/National Service Bodies

State/National services include:

•Interaction with statewide/national government and professionals

•Assemblies and conventions

•Centralized service resources

•Communication link between WSC and local NA communities

Zonal Service Bodies

Discussion points around zones include:

•Zones offer opportunities for communication

•Zones may need common standards

•Zonal boundaries could be collaboratively reexamined

Zonal Service Bodies

Possible roles of zones include:

•Fellowship development

•Leadership development

•Planning

•Fund-flow

•Sharing best practices

•Point of connection

•Communication link

WSC Seating• State/national/province service bodies

seated at the conference

• Other seating criteria will be needed

• Some regions will have to unify

• Arrangements for large states and countries are still being discussed

• Small countries or states may choose to group together for seating purposes

Process ExamplesCommunication Sharing information & ideas with each other. Better use of tools and tying communication to planningLeadershipIdentifying leadership potential, training, mentoring, making effective use of veteran leadersPlanningDetermining actual needs, setting specific goals, assessing and assigning resources, monitoring and making adjustmentsDecision MakingWorking together to make decisions through consensus where possible, exercise delegation and accountabilityInformation ManagementCapturing, preserving, and delivering information as needed

Wrap-Up

• Current 4-year project to end at WSC 2012

• Offering 8 resolutions at WSC 2012 to be voted on at WSC 2012

• Project will be proposed for the 2012-2014 cycle to work on transition plans

Service System Webpage

More information is available here:

www.na.org/servicesystem