service system structural proposals project overview
TRANSCRIPT
Service System Structural Proposals
Project Overview
Desired Outcomes for this Workshop
We hope to:• Help everyone to understand the
proposals• Receive input and feedback to help
shape the future of the work• Hear how these ideas might work in your
local communities• Work together to build a holistic service
system
Project Background
Commonly experienced, ongoing challenges in NA service:• Ineffective communication• Insufficient resources• Frustrated trusted servants• Poor atmosphere of recovery in
service meetings
Project Background
• NAWS restructured in the late 90s, but we haven’t holistically examined local services – until now
• Current structure 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
Project Background
• Current system designed to meet NA’s needs in the 1970s
• Today NA is:– Larger - more than 58,000 weekly
meetings–Present in 130+ countries– Faced with far different
social/governmental attitudes toward addiction and recovery
Project Background• Current system works for some, but not
for many others• The hope is to improve all services
throughout our system• Project unanimously adopted at WSC
2008; Unanimously reaffirmed at WSC 2010
• Additional background info available• Vision Statement passed at WSC 2010
Elements of an Effective System
Process-Driven Structure
We must also consider our processes:
PlanningEffectively and efficiently carrying the message
Decision makingReflecting the will of a loving Higher Power
Communication Sharing information and ideas with each other and those outside NA
Leadership / TrainingPassing on our service experience
More on these processes will comein later versions of these proposals
Foundational Principles
Purpose-Driven
Flexible
Geographically Defined
Group-Focused
Collaborative
Purpose Driven
Each service system unit meets a specific need or group of needs, and each unit’s responsibilities are clearly defined and understood.
Group-Focused
The group support unit (GSU) in each model focuses on aiding the groups in their efforts to carry our message.
Defined by Geographic Boundaries
Following established geographic boundaries for our service bodies where practical would:• Allow better interface with professional
and legislative bodies,• Make it easier for professionals and the
general public to find and communicate with us.
Flexible
Form should follow function, so each model offers ideas for optional or “intermediate” service bodies, which may be used if needed, but are not “mandated.”
Collaborative
Successful service provision depends on all the elements of a service system working together toward a common goal.
Focused Local Units
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 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
GSU Options
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 plan-driven
GSU/LSU Options
Group Support and Local Services
Benefits & Challenges
•Reduce travel for rural GSUs
•Reduce size of urban LSUs
•Allow minority language groups to come together
•Neighboring LSUs can send delegate(s)
•Reduces travel time
•Reduces number of delegates in large 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 Services
State/national service bodies:
• Interact with government and professional bodies
• Organize assemblies and conventions
• Coordinate centralized resources
• Provide a communication link
State/National Services
and Intermediate Bodies
Benefits & Challenges
Existing and Proposed (Updated) Seating Option
Service System Project
To stay involved, visit the project page:
http://www.na.org/servicesystem