Albuquerque, New Mexico

WSZF Meeting Record for Albuquerque Meeting

Friday 8/1/03

Meeting opened by Seth S. with a moment of silence followed by the Serenity prayer at 5:15 pm. Seth S. discussed after hours attractions.  

Introduction of the facilitator – Craig J.

Introductions of participants and observers.

California Inland and Southern Idaho are absent.

TOPICS:

Service workshop w/  zonal forum

HRP at region level

WSF support to developing regions

Operation of Co-op areas / Metro services

Basic Text evaluation

Election policies at the WSC

PI Hi guides

Added topics:

–          Ear-marking funds

–          WSL Learning Day

–          Combining H&I PI and Phone-lines into one committee

–          Coordinating Regional events within the forum

–          Resolution A  Minnesota motion

–          Insurance

–          Zonal forum Financial Accountability

–          Consensus based Decision Making

–          Financial Accountability – Better Management of NA funds

–          Assemblies/Car votes

–          Outreach – New Comers

REPORTS:

California Mid-State Region                              Bryan Walker (RD)

                                                                      Christi Weaver (RDA)

Washington-Northern Idaho Region                   Rex Smith (RD)

                                                                      Franney Jardine (RDA)

Pacific Cascade Region                                   Michael Miller (RD)

                                                                                Cathy Klupenger (RDA)

                                                                                Marisha Johnson  2nd AD

Southern California Region                               Ruben Armas (RD)

**BREAK**  6:30pm

Northern California Region                      Roseann Berthron-Arechiga (RD)

                                                                      Jimmy Lee Provance (RDA)

San Diego Imperial County Region                    Eileen (RD)

                                                                      DW (RDA)

Region 51                                                       Jeff (RD)

                                                                                Rick (RDA)

Arizona Region                                                Greg (RD)

                                                                      Deric (RDA)

Rio Grande Region                                          Seth (RD)

                                                                      Jim (RDA)

Sierra-Sage Region                                         Vince P. (RD)

Central California Region                                  George Littleton (RD)

                                                                      Steve Ferris (RDA)

                                                                      Angie Young (2nd RDA)

Prioritized topics by giving 4 dots to all participants.

WESTERN STATES ZONAL FORUM TOPICS

Consensus Based Decision Making (13)

Election Policies at the WSC (9)

WSLD (9)

Outreach – New Comers (9)

Insurance (8)

Assemblies / Car Votes (8)

Operation of Co-Op Areas / Metro Services (7)

Ear-Marking Funds (5)

Zonal Forum Financial Accountability (4)

     Minnesota Motion (4)

Did not cover these, they could be included as a start at picking topics at the conference

PI / H & I Guides (3)

Service Workshop with WSZF (2)

     Combining H & I, PI, & Phone lines into 1 Committee (2)

Financial Accountability – Better Management (1)

HRP @ Region (0)

WSF Support to Developing Regions (0)

Basic Text Evaluation (0)

Coordinate Regional Events in Forum (0)

Saturday 8/2/03

Meeting opened at 9:15am with the Serenity Prayer

The Red River Region was invited to join the forum discussion at the table.

I)        Consensus Based Decision Making

Five minute break 10:35am

II)       Election Policies at the WSC

Meeting reopened with the serenity prayer at 1:20pm.

World Service Report                                       Ron, World Board Member

     1. communication

               internal

               external

     2. fellowship support

               handbook development

     3. recovery literature

               content

               process

     4. leadership and management

               leadership development

               structure

               operating processes

     5. resources

               financial resources

               staff capacity

·       The CAR  – Recommendations

1.     no more standing committees of the board – committees will be project driven.  Where we really need to be is committees for plan driven projects.

2.     6th edition basic text – changes to the stories section

3.     reduction in the maximum size of the world board to 18. will not recommend a minimum.

4.     still formulating a recommendation on the hrp.

5.     sponsorship book – will give copies today. – Up for approval of the conf.

6.     PR roundtables – have done one with judges.  The next one will be with doctors.

·       Resolution A – 1993-4 NAWS bogged down.  Multiple corps, multiple budgets.  Resolution group put together resolutions to restructure NAWS.  Everything was implemented except resolution A.  Resolution A is coming back to the conference with an implementation plan from MN.  1. downsize the conference, 2. base representation at the conference on geography instead of population, 3. move toward consensus based decision making.

·       What can NAWS do to help the fellowship carry the message.

·       Annual report – not detailed enough.  

·       The more information the fellowship receives from NAWS, the better.  

·       The challenge is that when you blizzard people with information, they become overwhelmed and won’t read it, when you pare it down too much is not good either.  There is a balancing act.

·       Is downsizing really the answer?  The board is not recommending downsizing.  

·       The board being accountable to the conference.  

·       Basic text revision – there has not been a plan to do the evaluation as noted in the original motion.  

·       Should have World Service Meeting in off conference years.

·       Is there a possibility to having a fact sheet for the annual report?  That way there is more information available for those who want it.

·       The recommendation from the board on specific changes to revising the basic text is premature.  We should go back to the fellowship to decide what those changes should be.

·       The recommendation from the board on the basic text is not the last word.  This recommendation puts some ideas on the table on what could be changed.  

·       The recommendation is that changes should be made to book 2, not book 1.

·       Recommending changes to book 1 right now would hurt the fellowship.

III)      WSLD

IV)      Outreach – New Comers

V)       Insurance

VI)      Assemblies / Car Votes

Sunday 8/3/03

Meeting re-opened at 9:05am with the serenity prayer.

Region 51 would like to host the next WSZF.  Texas Station 1st weekend in August 2004.

It was agreed that the RD from Nor Cal will give the WSZF report at the conference in April 2004.

VII)     Operation of Co-Op Areas / Metro Services

VIII)    Ear-Marking funds

IX)      Minnesota Motion

1012.00

1049.00

848.00

1400.00

1000.00

1000.00

1365.00

1300.00

1100.00

445.00

1000.00

board & NAWS 400.00

Cost to put on 800.00

Meeting closed at 12:02pm with the 3rd step prayer.

Regional Reports:

ARIZONA REPORT 2003

AUGUST 1, 2003

 HELLO MEMBERS OF THE WESTERN STATES FORUM.  WE HOPE THAT ALL IS WELL IN YOUR PERSPECTIVE REGIONS.

THE ARIZONA REGION IS GROWING AT A STEADY PACE. WE HAVE OVER 350 MEETINGS IN OUR REGION, WHICH IS THE WHOLE STATE OF ARIZONA.  WE HAVE NINE AREAS IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA AND THIS YEAR WE HAVE BEEN JOINED BY THREE ADDITIONAL AREAS; RIVER VALLEY (CALIFORNIA) LAKE HAVASUE (NEVADA), AND CAN WE ARE NOW IN THE PROCESS OF EVALUATING WAYS OF INSURING THESE AREAS.

WE HAVEN’T HAD A LOT OF CHANGE IN OUR REGION SINCE THE LAST FORUM, BUT WE HAVE A FEW ITEMS TO DISCUSS WITH YOU ABOUT THE ACTIVITIES IN OUR REGION.

·       ARIZONA REGION:  AN AD HOC COMMITTEE WAS ESTABLISHED TO RESEARCH CONCENSUS BASE DECISION MAKING AND IF IT IS FEASIBLE IT WILL BE WRITTEN INTO OUR GUIDELINES. IF ANYONE HAS INFORMATION ON CONCENSUS BASED DECISION MAKING PLEASE LET ME KNOW. WE HAVE ESTABLISHED A LOST AND RECOVERY POLICY TO BE ADDED TO OUR GUIDELINES, THIS IS IN PROGRESS. OUR PI COMMITTEE IS RESEARCHING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CD TO DISTRIBUTE TO HOSPITALS AND INSTITUTIONS.  THERE ARE NOW SEVERAL SPANISH SPEAKING MEETINGS IN PHOENIX AND THAT GROUP IS GROWING. WE HAD ONE REGIONAL ASSEMBLY THIS YEAR AND ATTENDANCE WAS BETTER THAN USUALL BUT UNACCEPTABLE IN REGARDS TO AREA REPRESENTATION. A BOARD MEMBER WAS ELECTED AT THE REGIONAL ASSEMBLY AS PER THE CORPORATE BYLAWS. WE ARE TRYING TO ESTABLISH TWO PER YEAR AND TO HAVE THEM REGIONALLY.  

·       THE CAN AREA AND CONVENTION

THIS AREA CONSIST OF THREE UNITS ONE EACH IN CALIFORNIA, ARIZONA, AND NEVADA (CAN). THIS GROUP HAD THREE AREAS THAT OPERATED AS ONE TO PUT ON AN ANNUAL CONVENTION IN LAUGHLIN NEVADA, WHICH HAS ALWAYS BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL.  THE AREAS CAME TO OUR REGIONAL MEETING INQUIRED ABOUT INSURANCE, AND HOW WE OPERATED. THE AREAS JOINED OUR REGION BUT ATTENDANCE HAS BEEN SCARCE, CAN HAS HAD REGULAR ATTENDANCE. WE PURCHASED AN INSURANCE POLICY FOR THE CAN AREA CONVENTION. IT IS NOT CLEAR HOW SERIOUS THE OTHER TWO AREAS ARE ABOUT REMAINING IN OUR REGION DUE TO THEIR ATTENDANCE.

·       INSURANCE:

OUR INSURANCE POLICY WAS AROUND $3000 LAST YEAR AND WHEN WE TRIED TO RENUE OUR POLICY THE COMPANY WANTED $10,000 PER YEAR. THE PROBLEM WAS THE REALIZED THAT THEY WERE INSURING ALL OF OUR MEETINGS AND THAT WAS A HUGE LIABILITY TO THEM. WE SEARCHED AROUND FOR ANOTHER AGENT AND GOT THE SAME RESPONSE. WE WENT BACK TO OUR AGENT AND NOW WE JUST INSURE THE CONVENTION, TWO REGIONAL EVENTS, AND THE CORORATE BOARD.  AREAS EVENTS AND MEETINGS CAN PURCHASE A RYDER UPON REQUEST FROM THE CORPORATE BOARD WHO MANAGES OUR INSURANCE. THERE HAVE BEEN INQUIRIES FROM HOME GROUPS FOR INSURANCE BECAUES SOME CHURCHES REQUIRE THEM TO HAVE IT. WE ARE EXPLORING WAYS TO HELP THE HOME GROUPS BECAUSE MOST HOME GROUPS CANNOT AFFORD A RYDER.

·       CONVENTION:

OUR CONVENTION WAS HELD ON MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND. WE HAD GREAT ATTENDANCE BUT WE DID NOT MAKE OUR ROOM BLOCK AND WE ORDERED TOO MUCH MERCHANDISE. THE CONVENTION WAS HELD IN SCOTTSDALE ARIZONA AT A 3 STAR RESORT GREAT ROOM RATES GREAT FOOD, BUT WE BELIEVE THAT BECAUSE IT WAS HELD IN THE PHOENIX METRO AREA THAT A LOT OF OUR MEMBERS DECIDED NOT TO GET A ROOM AND SAVE FOR THE WORLD CONVENTION WHICH WAS ONLY A 6 HOUR DRIVE AWAY.  WE ARE REVISING OUR CONVENTION GUIDELINES SO THAT THE SUBCOMMITTIES ARE MORE ACCOUNTABLE AND WORK MORE AS A TEAM THAN A COMMITTEE OF ONE. THE ARIZONA CONVENTION WILL BE HELD IN TUCSON ARIZONA NEXT YEAR ON MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, AND YOU ARE ALL WELCOME TO ATTEND.

·       AREA CONVENTION

THERE IS A MOTION THAT HAVE BEEN TABLED IN THE PHOENIX AREA TO HOLD AN AREA CONVENTION IN OCTOBER EITHER YEARLY OR WHEN THE REGIONAL CONVENTION IS NOT IN THE PHOENIX METRO AREA. GUIDELINES HAVE BEEN WRIITEN AND IF THE AREA APPROVES OF THE MOTION A CONVENTION MANUAL WILL BE CREATED TO OUTLINE A PROCESS ON HOW TO RUN A CONVENTION. THE GUIDELINES ARE GOVERNED BY THE CONCENSIS BASED DECISION MAKING PROCESS. COMMITTEE DOES NOT INTEND TO COMPETE WITH THE REGIONAL CONVENTION.

·       WESTERN SERVICE LEARNING DAYS (WSLD):  

THE COMMITTEE REQUESTED $4,000 AND RECEIVED ABOUT $2,000 FROM THE REGION AS SEED MONEY SO THAT THE REGION COULD HONOR ITS OWN BUDGET. AT THIS TIME THE COMMITTEE HAS A BUDGET OF OVER $12,000. THE COMMITTEE IS MEETING REGUALLY HAS MOST COMMITTEE POSITIONS FILLED AND WORKINGTHE COMMITTEE IS A LITTLE DISCOURAGED BECAUSE THERE ARE ONLY A VERY FEW REGISTRANTS.  OUR REGION TOOK THE RISK OF SUPPORTING THIS EVENT AND WE EXPECTED TO RECEIVE MORE THAN THE 10 TO 20 REGISTRATIONS THAT WE HAVE SO I AM PUTTING OUT AN ALERT. PLEASE GO BACK TO YOUR REGIONS AND LET YOU LOCAL FELLOWSHIP KNOWS ABOUT THIS EVENT, I HAVE BROUGHT SOME REGISTRATION WITH ME. THE COMMITTEE HAS NOT RECEIVED CONFIRMATION FROM NAS REGARDING THE REQUEST FOR SERVICE MEMBER PARTICIPATION. THE PROGRAM CHAIR INFORMED ME THAT HE WAS TOLD TO WAIT TILL AFTER THE NEW BUDGET. IF THAT IS THE CASE THE DATE OF THIS EVENT SHOULD BE CHANGED IN THE FUTURE.  THE COMMITTEE IS WORKING VERY HARD TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THIS EVENT AND IT MAY LOOK MORE LIKE A CONVENTION THAN A VENUE FOR LEARNING ABOUT SERVICE BUT THE GUIDELINES AREN’T SPECIFIC ABOUT THAT ASPECT. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CORPORATION COMMITTEE TO AUDIT COMMITTEES UPON REQUEST, A REQUEST WAS MADE AND A COMMITTEE MEMBER GOT OFFENDED THE AUDIT WAS COMPLETED AND ALL MONIES WERE ACCOUNTED FOR. ONCE AGAIN PLEASE GET THE WORD OUT THAT THIS EVENT IS HAPPENING.  OCTOBER 31 TO NOVEMBER 2, 2003, THE BEST WESTERN GRACE INN AT AHWATUKEE, 10831 SOUTH 51ST AVENUE, PHOENIX, ARIZONA RESERVATIONS 1-800-843-6010, ROOM RATE 89.00, MENTION WSLD OR ARSC, ALL ROOMS ARE SUITES, AND THERE WILL BE A BIG TRI-AREA HOLLOWEEN DANCE ON FRIDAY NIGHT SO BRING A HOLLOWEEN COSTOME, THERE MAY BE A PRIZE FOR THE BEST COSTUME. REGISTRATION IS $15.00 AND THE FRIDAY NIGHT BANQUET IS $20.00. THERE WILL ALSO BE A COMEDY SHOW ON SATURDAY.

·       ARIZONA REGIONAL CORPORATION INCORPORATED:

THE CORPORATION COMMITTEE IS DOING WELL. WE HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED PROJECTS BY THE REGION; WRITE GUIDELINES FOR THE REGIONAL CONVENTION, REVIEW THE REGIONAL GUIDELINES AND THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO LOOK FOR CONFLICTS, AND WRITE GUIDELINES FOR SITE LOCATION. THE CORPORATION COMMITTEE IS RESPONSIBLE TO THE REGION ONLY AND RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING BANK ACCOUNTS FOR ALL REGIONAL COMMITTEES, CONVENTION SITE LOCATION, INSURANCE, AND ANY OTHER FIDICUARY RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE REGIONS. THIS YEAR WE PURCHASED CREDIT CARD MACHINES AND SET UP AN ACCOUNT SO THAT THE MACHINES CAN BE USED FOR ALL REGIONAL AND AREA UPON REQUEST FUNDRAISING EVENTS. THESE MACHINES ARE HANDLED BY THE CORPORATION COMMITTEE FOR FINANCIAL AND SECURITY REASONS. AT THIS YEARS CONVENTION WE RAN OVER $4,000 THESE MACINES, THE CHARGE FOR THE USE OF THESE MACHINES WAS INCORPORATED IN THE COST OF THE MERCHANDISE.

·       THE MINNESOTA REPORT: 

THE ARIZONA REGION IS NOT INTERESTED IN THE MINNESOTA SOLUTION TO THE RESOLUTION.

IF THERE IS ANY REGIONAL COMMITTEE IN NEED OF MY ASSISTANCE FEEL FREE TO CALL: 602-285-1947, OR GDWILL2U@QWEST.NET   

IN LOVING SERVICE

                                          GREG W.  REGIONAL DELEGATE

                                          DERIC W. REGIONAL DELEGALE ALTENATE

Northern California Report 2003

Greetings Western States Zonal Forum,

The Northern California Region consists of 20 areas and approximately 1200 meetings. Just last month we had an area spilt, we will see how these areas function in the future. The RSC meets monthly at the RSO Office in Vacaville, consisting of the RCM’s, H&I, PI, NCCNA (convention), RSO Board (an incorporated entity). We had elections in June and approved our budget last month. The regional web page is www.norcalna.org.

The H&I and PI committees meet bi monthly at the RSO office before the RSC meeting, the PI committee is without leadership and has been struggling some with participation. We have had some primarily discussions about changing the structure of the Regional PI and H&I committees, but are not yet ready to make any changes to the structure. We have a working group to host WSLD to Northern CA in 2004. The budget that was approved by our RSC was $46,000 and our RSO Board serves as the fiduciary for this event. This event continues to be a topic and cause some controversy every month at our RSC and RSO. 

NCCNA 25 was held in San Jose this year; we have not gotten a final accounting of the convention as of yet at the RSC. The NCCNA committee financially reports directly to the RSO Board which serves as the fiduciary for this committee, this information is flowing through the structure. 

The RSO Board meets monthly at the RSO office. The RSO Board supplies insurance for all meetings in our region that is paid for by the RSC. We moved our RSO to Fairfield to a bigger location in this last year. This has been a good move for us and all the committees that meet at our office. The RSO Board workload has continued to grow as the need for the RSO Board to sign contracts for events and to serve as the legal entity that provides protection to our fellowship. As a result of this the RSO Board has developed event criteria guidelines that they are requiring all events to follow in order to receive this protection.

Most of our Areas have functioning PI and H&I Subcommittees, Phonelines, monthly ASC’s and Dance or Activities Committees, the new areas are still attempting to start providing services. Some of our areas in the more rural part of the state are experiencing problems common to us in NA, more work to be done, with too few people to do it.

We are doing both pre CAR assemblies in the four zones within the region. We have decided to do just one post CAR assembly due to the lack of interest in this assembly. The Areas have communicated that they do not attend the post CAR assemblies because they receive the information about what happened at the WSC from the reporting that the RD’s give at the RSC.

In loving service,

Roseann Berthron-Arechiga RD

                                      Jimmy Lee Provance RDA

Region 51 Report 2003

Greetings from region 51,

Region 51 is currently comprised of three member areas with approximately 100 meetings per week. The RSC meets quarterly. An assembly is held in March of the conference year to obtain the regional conscience of the CAR through discussion and straw polls.  At this assembly the RD and RDA are elected. A June assembly is scheduled to present the information obtained from the World Service Conference. 

Region 51 functions primarily as a resource committee for its member areas.  Our guidelines are based on the Guide to Local Service.  We implement consensus-based decision-making at our RSC. We have no formal committees at this level of service. We hold quarterly sharing sessions for PI and H&I.  These sharing sessions are facilitated by a member RCM to encourage an exchange of ideas and discuss concerns.  The region is used as a resource to be supportive and offer guidance when needed.  We have made progress with implementing consensus-based decision-making. Many of our members still find it difficult to let go of formal voting procedures.  We hope to once again receive input and experience of other regions that currently operate in this manner. 

It was the decision of the Regional Committee to form an Ad-Hoc committee to update our guidelines. After several lengthy and constructive meetings the committee finished the document to present at our next Regional Assembly for approval. 

We continue to experience problems with fulfilling all regional commitments from our member areas.  The high turn over of trusted servants continues to add frustration and duplication of information. At our Region RCM’s fulfill all administrative committee positions such as chair, secretary, and treasurer.  

We would like to present a bid to host the WSZF in 2004. We have inquired with the Texas Hotel and currently have a tentative contract. 

In Loving Service

Jeff Horn                                  Rick Whitman

RD                                            RDA

Southern California Report 2003

Our region has approximately 1127 meetings and 151 Spanish speaking only meetings throughout its 19 areas.  Of those 1127 meetings, 4 are Armenian, 3 are Farsi, 1 is Hebrew and 3 are American Sign Language. The RSC recently revised its regional guideline. On the off year of WSC with the help of the RDA of Central California Region we held an Infofaire.  The infofaire was presented in the same fashion as NAW’s does it’s World Wide Workshops that they currently holding. It wasn’t as well attended as we had hoped for it to be.  We are currently working with our Regional Activities committee on holding 2 Regional Assembly’s next year so that we may generate more attendance from our GSR’s . One in the northern part of our region and one in the southern part of the region.

Regional Service Office (RSO):  Our RSO is maintaining itself. They had fallen way below it prudent reserve earlier in the year and were able to bring it self back to its prudent reserve, but have once again fallen below it. They currently have only 7 directors of the 13 positions. The RSO carry’s insurance for the regions 19 areas as well as, our events. 

Hospitals and Institutions (H&I):  All 19 areas including the Spanish Speaking region attend the monthly H&I subcommittee meeting. The region carries 57 panels that goes into our Hospitals and Institutions. The 19 areas, along with the Spanish Speaking region carry approximately 518 panels. The subcommittee holds an annual Learning Day in the month of May.

Public Information (PI):  The subcommittee continues to reach out to the community, via the 2 county fairs and by educating our young people by carrying presentations into the schools. They have formed an ad-hoc committee to deal with Prop 36. They have currently met with a group of judges and made a Power Point presentation explaining to them how NA works in the community. The chair of the ad-hoc is also working with WSO on their project for reaching out to the law enforcement community.  The website committee works under the guidance of the PI committee. The website committee this year has now posted maps on the website to better help the addict find a meeting. We are currently running at about 90% accuracy for meeting information on the website.  8 of the 19 areas have websites.  We are setting up a meeting with NAW’s to take a look at their database so that we can function together in updating meeting information on the World’s website.

.

Regional Activities:  The regional activities committee puts on 4 major events per year. The NA Birthday, New Years Eve, Bi-Regional Campout and this year they also put on a Bi-Regional Winter Retreat with the California Inland Region. They also help with the H&I Learning Day and the Regional Assembly Workshop. They help out the 19 areas with there events by providing a calendar so that the areas can have regional dates so that no area event conflict with another areas regional event. They post all areas events whether they are a regional or area event on the regional web site.

Phone lines (PL):   Phone lines are currently running a 24 hour 7 days 800 number with live addicts answering the phones. 7 areas are helping accomplish this.  The Spanish speaking region is starting to get the Spanish phone lines going.

Literature:  We currently have no Literature Review committee because of lack of participation.

Regional Convention:  The Convention committee is getting ready for this years convention which will be held over the Thanksgiving weekend. They had a successful convention last year, donating a little over $7,000 to the region.

Cruise Committee:  In the first year of this subcommittees venture they had a very successful event. They were able to donate to the region a little under $25,000. They are working on the final touches for this years cruise to be held September 26 – 29 of 2003.

Spring Gathering Committee:  The Spring Gathering committee had a successful event this year, donating a little over $700.00. This is a small but active committee showing how diverse our region is.

Thank you for letting us be of Service

Ruben A.  RD

Ken M.      RDA

Pacific Cascade Report 2003

  Greetings from the Pacific Cascade Region.  We are still located in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, our  Region encompasses the western half of Oregon, a small section of northern California and a small section of south central Washington.  We cover about 60,000 square miles (about 300 miles north to south and 200 miles east to west).  We have 13 Areas and approximately 380 meetings.  The Portland Area is the largest Area with about 110 Groups and 170 meetings per week.

           The Pacific Cascade Region meets quarterly on a rotating basis around the Region based on a bid system.  We held our 10th Regional G.S.R. Assembly on July 19th,  2003.  There were between 30 and 50 in the sessions at any given time, with many attending for the first time.  From the feedback we received it continues to be an extremely valuable addition to our Region’s service structure.  While we continue to feel this is an extremely constructive and rewarding event, we continue to struggle with what we can do to increase over all attendance.  The form and function of our assembly has not changed:  We meet twice a year, once in early February and then again in July.  The assembly is held in conjunction with our winter and summer quarterly RSC meetings, with the assembly held on Saturday and the RSC on Sunday.  In February of 2004 we are planning on a 2 day assembly separate from the RSC so that we may present the CAR and go over the fellowship wide discussion issues picked at the preceding WSC, as well as leaving time for group level issues to be discussed.  We are excited to see how this 2-day event works out and may consider separating the assemblies from the RSC if it is a success.  The Assembly held in July is to go over the results of the WSC and to devote more time to group level discussions. Our Assemblies are discussion based only; there is currently no voting taking place.  It is our hope that this introduction to discussion based formats will open the door to allow us to learn how to use discussion rather than debate of motions in our decision-making processes.  We continue to believe that the addition of a Regional Assembly will have a lasting and positive effect on our continued efforts to share information and strive for increased unity among the N.A. fellowship in the Pacific Cascade Region.  

          The RSC continues to be motion based in it’s decision making process however we have begun to have a consensus based discussion prior to considering the motions.  We have active H&I, PI, Activities, Literature, Conferences and Conventions and Policy and Procedure Subcommittees.  The H&I subcommittee reports we currently have 159 panel presentations in 54 facilities.  In 1999 the Regional Literature Committee completed a set of Literature Stockpile Guidelines and uses its quarterly allotment of RSC funds to accumulate a stockpile package of literature to assist Areas without a literature stockpile to get one started.  There are a list of criteria that an Area must meet to acquire the stockpile startup package to help insure continued growth and success of their Area’s literature stockpile.  Five Areas have been given the Stockpile Package and they are continuing to grow and provide the Area’s Groups with the Literature they need for their tables.  The last disbursement made by this committee was to the Umpqua Valley Area when they formed a literature committee in July 2002.  

          We continue to discuss the possibility of incorporating, but it seems as though each time we move in that direction we get information that causes us to stop and rethink the strategy a little longer.  We have an insurance policy for the RSC.  We do not have a web site or a Service Office in the Region currently.

           We held our Regional Convention on May 30-June 1, 2003 in Seaside, Oregon.  This was the first time the North Coast Area ever held a convention and it took some support from outside the Area to get a full committee.  In the end it was a true success, spiritually and financially.  This was particularly meaningful as a scheduling conflict resulted in Washington Northern Idaho Region having their convention in Portland the same weekend.  The convention continues to rotate around the Region on a bid system, but increased involvement by our Conventions and Conferences Sub Committee will hopefully allow for transition to more a  Regional and less of an Area event in the actually facilitation.  As always we continue to discuss financial accountability around the Regional Convention.

           The Pacific Cascade Region is proud to host the Pacific Northwest Convention of Narcotics Anonymous #29  October 6-8, 2006 in Eugene, OR.  We look forward to seeing you all back in Oregon for this event.

          Our Region plans to fund a 2nd alternate delegate to the WSC in May 2004.  There was great deal of discussion at our RSC about our current policy given the extremely limited roll a 2nd alternate plays at this event.  At present our decision appears to be continuing to funding a 2nd alternate position for 2 more conference cycles, and review the policy at that time.  

In loving Service,

Michael Miller   RD                      Cathy Klupenger   AD                  Marisha Johnson  2nd AD

(503) 234-1842                           (541) 736-9435                             (541) 440-8967

michael@mam2.com                    cathyklup@msn.com                    marisha@rio.com

San Diego Imperial Report 2003

San Diego Imperial Region is the southwest most region in the USA. We have eight areas in the region with over 300+ meetings. Including meetings in Spanish. Our regional meeting meets once per month. 

·       SDICR has a web site we invite you to visit. The web site includes all sub committee information, meeting schedule, meeting finder, and links to other NA web sites. We also have a chat room and other interesting spots on our web site. sandiegona.org

·       As you all know the world convention was in our region last month. It was great to celebrate our recovery and the 50th anniversary of Narcotics Anonymous.  Our own regional convention took this time to do a thorough inventory of themselves.

·       We have active PI, H&I, Theatrical, and Outreach committees.

·       We will have both pre& post assemblies to the Conference.

·       Some interesting but not fun issues that have been happening in our region, includes:

1.     San Diego NA is being sued by two members in the amount of $309,000. Apparently, they had a car accident at a NA sponsored campout. A road had washed out and they found the hole. The insurance adjuster assured the Board of Trusties, who in turn assured the regional members that this was being handled. 

2.     During the Convention committees financial report the chair reported the fact that there is money ear marked for the newcomer. This money exceeded the prudent reserve.  A board of trusties member pointed out that ear marking money for the new comer is not in the polices. He requested the convention committee follow there polices and give the region any money over the prudent reserve of $50,000.  The chair of the region agreed, and went on about giving her opinions on the matter. This chaos lead to areas wanting their newcomer donations back, and to an area making a motion to recall the chair. ( as you can see we are Californians)  After motions being made, motions being tabled, and the chair not being recalled, but defiantly not being voted back in during the September elections. We now have polices allowing the newcomer fund. Also a policy on how exactly the chair is to conduct themselves. 

In Loving Services, 

 Eileen George RD

 DW Donahoo  RDA 

 Robert George  RD2

Rio Grande Report 2003

The Rio Grande Region and the Albuquerque Area are very pleased to be hosting WSZF 2003 and to have all of you here. 

The Rio Grande Region stretches from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico/El Paso, Texas through the State of New Mexico and to the Southwestern portion of Colorado.  It contains six Areas including: the Four Corners Area, which includes groups in Durango, Colorado, Farmington, New Mexico and Aztec, New Mexico; the Northern New Mexico Area, which includes groups in Santa Fe, Espanola, Las Vegas, Los Alamos and Taos; the Greater Albuquerque Area, which includes groups in the Albuquerque metropolitan area, Gallup, Jemez Pueblo and Socorro; the Sacramento Area, which includes groups in Roswell, Carlsbad, Alamogordo and Ruidoso; the Lower Organ Mountain Area, which includes groups in Las Cruces, Deming, Silver City and the surrounding geographic area; and the Ciudades Gemelas (Twin Cities) Area, which includes groups in El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.  We have 151 meetings a week in our Region.

The Rio Grande Region had a tremendous year since the last WSZF.  There are now many NA meetings in Ciudad Juarez and those groups are part of what used to be the El Paso Area.  The El Paso Area is now called Ciudades Gemelas, which means the Twin Cities Area.  The Ciudades Gemelas Area and the Rio Grande Region support the groups in Juarez through attendance and by purchasing literature and related materials for their use.  The fellowship in Ciudad Juarez is growing very quickly and their presence has added new energy into our Region.  The Fellowship in Juarez is so appreciative of us and NA that we cannot help but be energized when hearing about them and how much NA means to them.

Another big change for our Region is that we have begun making use of the corporation that we set-up to serve as a single source of accountability for the convention and maintain all of the funds for the Region.  We completed a set of Regional Policies and Procedures, which among other things order the relationship between the Region and the Corporation and between the Corporation and the Local Support Committee, hosting committee, in general terms.  We also elected a new board of directors who are getting started in developing specific guidelines for the relationship between the Corporation and the convention’s Local Support Committee.  This is a major development for our Region in terms of increasing financial and legal accountability.  The Corporation has been certified as non-profit under state law, but we have not yet sought 501(c)(3) tax exemption.  Therefore, we will pay taxes for the first time for 2003.

Our last Regional Convention was held in Farmington, New Mexico, which is in the Four Corners Area.  It was a small convention, with about 250 registered attendees.  Nevertheless, the convention was awesome.  It had a great heart and energy and was quite successful financially.  Our next convention will be in Albuquerque during the weekend of March 19 – 21, 2004 at the Marriot Hotel, 2101 Louisiana Blvd NE.  The e-mail address for the convention is Convention@riograndena.org  The theme is Lost Dreams Awaken / Los Sueños Perdidos Despiertan.  Hopefully, you we will see you there.

Having WSZF here really tops-off the excellent year our Region has had.  Thank you all for coming.

In Service, 

Seth S.                        Jim W.

RD                               AD

Washington-Northern Idaho Report 2003

Greetings:

                  The WNIRNA is comprised of nineteen areas providing approximately 510 meetings weekly in the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Any day we should have twenty areas as our north westernmost area, North Puget Sound, is going through a peaceful reformation into two areas. The Olympia Area has renamed itself South Puget Sound Area.

               Typical attendance at our RSC is at least seventeen areas. Currently, all our RSC admin positions are filled.

                The WNIRNA continues to hold two annual conventions, WNIRCNA and Clean & Free By The Sea. And once every four years we host NA’s second oldest convention, PNWCNA, which travels on a set cycle between the regions of WNIR, British Columbia, Pacific Cascade, and Southern Idaho. This year it’s in Boise, Idaho. See ya there!

                 At our last RSC, a motion passed to request that NAWS,if possible, send someone to assist us in exploring ways to make both our RSC and especially our Regional Conventions Association more streamlined,increase communication and accountability(RCA)to the fellowship, and merging the bodies into one entity. The RCA is an Inc, the RSC is not. This motion was driven somewhat by the challenges the region faced when our RCA treasurer stole approximately 56,000. This is old news in our region but this is the first time I have been able to report it formally here. The member in question is being pursued civilly and criminally.

                  We merged our PI and H&I Learning Days into one. The first one was a rousing success and planning for number two is well under way. We are holding an All-Service Learning Days(weekend). Please contact Franney or me, or www.wnir-na.org.

                 In addition to four CAR workshops and a post conference workshop, the RD team is now also doing two annual regional assemblies.

                 In service with More Gratitude Less Attitude…..Rex & Franney

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