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