Service System Structural Proposals

Overview for Local

Workshops

Objectives for Today• Understand the proposals well enough

to begin participating in the discussions• Understand how to participate• Focus on particular aspects of the new

structure that may represent real change for our community or communities

Project Background• NAWS took an inventory and restructured in

the late 90s, but we have never similarly examined local services – until now

• In the past decade we have had Issue Discussion Topics and Worldwide Workshops focused on topics such as: – Atmosphere of Recovery (including in service

meetings– Building Strong Home Groups– Infrastructure

Project BackgroundInput includes the same commonly experienced, ongoing challenges in NA service:• Ineffective communication• Insufficient resources• Frustrated trusted servants• Poor atmosphere of recovery in service

meetings

Project Background• This fellowshipwide discussion led to the

current Service System Project being adopted at the 2008 World Service Conference.

• Current structure was designed before the Twelve Concepts were adopted in 1992

• Our hope is for a system that more closely embodies the principles of the Twelve Concepts

General TimelineSummer/Fall 2010 – First discussions &

workshops31 December 2010 – Input receivedEarly 2011 – Revise & re-release proposals Late 2011 – Prepare for WSC

To stay involved, visit the project page at: http://www.na.org/servicesystem

Elements of an Effective System

Foundational Principles

Purpose-Driven

Flexible

Geographically Defined

Group-Focused

Focused Local UnitsOur 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 local groups• Local Service Unit (LSU): devoted

entirely to providing local services

The group support unit (GSU) is intended to help groups better carry the message within their meetings by separating out the group support function from the “business” of NA and creating a body whose purpose is helping groups

The LSU is the “workhorse” of the service system, responsible for the bulk of local services.Wherever possible and practical, the LSU will be bound by recognized geography (e.g. town, county.)The LSU is project- and plan-driven

GSU Options

• Enables rural GSUs to send a single delegate on their behalf to the LSU meeting• Enables urban GSUs to come together to send a single delegate to reduce the size of the LSU• Could allow minority language speaking groups to come together and send a single delegate to the LSU meeting as well as providing services like translations and events

• Enables neighboring LSUs to send a single delegate on their behalf to the state/national service body meeting• Can reduce travel time for trusted servants• Enables densely populated communities to reduce the number of delegates at the state/national body

• Consists of a state, province, or country• Could consist of neighboring states,

provinces, or countries for seating purposes

• Provides services that cover the whole state, province, or country

• Border communities may join neighboring states if practical

Intended ServicesState/national service bodies:

• Interact with government and professional bodies

• Organize assemblies and conventions

• Coordinate centralized resources

• Provide a communication link

Existing and Proposed Seating Options

Summer/Fall 2010 – Discussions & workshops

31 December 2010 – Input received

Early 2011 – Revise & re-release proposals

Late 2011 – Prepare for WSC

Stay involved! Visit the project page: http://www.na.org/servicesystem

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