Transcript United States Service Conference of Narcotics Anonymous

United States Service Conference
of Narcotics Anonymous (USSCNA)
Let every group’s conscience be heard
United States Service Conference
of Narcotics Anonymous (USSCNA)
This PowerPoint Presentation is a chronological compilation
of NA’s history and services. These events have been
extrapolated from various historical documents and should
not be considered the only events in NA’s history. We have
only taken the most relevant events for the purpose of this
PowerPoint Presentation.
We have included handouts of all supportive documents
contained in this PowerPoint Presentation for the purpose
of personal reference material to assist the viewer in an
easier understanding of the following Slide Show
Presentation.
CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF
NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS
1953
• The creation of a fellowship called Narcotics Anonymous.
• Alcoholics Anonymous General Service Office allows use of 12 Steps
and 12 Traditions.
• The first documented Narcotics Anonymous meeting takes place.
1954
• First piece of literature is created called the “Yellow Book”.
1959
• NA dwindles to shear non-existence.
1960
• NA is re-started (this time with the vow that the Traditions would
be followed more closely).
1962
• The first Little White Book appears.
1963
• The first H & I meeting takes place.
1964
• The Narcotics Anonymous Board of Trustees (BOT)
is created.
1967
• The Parent General Services Organization is formed; where the BOT
and group GSR’s meet every month.
1968
• Jimmy Kinnon designs the NA Symbol.
• The first NA Newsletter, “The Voice” appears.
1969
• The BOT creates a 2 page document called the “Service Structure
Ideal”. They also put forth the Parent General Service Organization
bylaws; the first written shape of our service structure.
1971
• The first World Convention (WCNA) was held.
• The World Services Office (WSO) was started.
1973
• The first Area Service Committee (ASC) is formed using “The Six
Principles of Service” (from the original 1969 “Service Structure
Ideal” which were taken from Traditions 2,5,7,8,9 and Step 12).
1975
• The first Service Structure Guide; the “NA Tree” is approved and
published.
1976
• WSO becomes incorporated.
1980
• The NA Literature Committee Handbook is created and approved at
the WSC.
1981
• The World Literature Conference produces the Grey Review Form;
Traditions rough draft for the NA Basic Text.
1982
• WSC approves the Basic Text for publication.
• Introduction of a monthly magazine called “NA Way.”
1983
• First Edition Basic Text passed out at WSC.
• WSC adopts “Temporary Working Guide to our Service Structure”.
1984
• WSC Select Committee on Service Structure is formed.
• Work starts on “Guide to Service in Narcotics Anonymous”
1987
• WSC Fellowship Report is presented; on page 24 of the report under
the heading “National Assemblies”:
“A National Assembly may be created
when the NA community in a particular
area with a common language,
governmental agency or cultural
background determines that such a service
element would provide better service to the
fellowship”.
1988
• The WSC Select Committee on Service Structure; report to World
Service Conference, excerpt:
“What is group conscience? “
“The collective utilization of spiritual
principles by members of a group to
preserve the common welfare and fulfill the
primary purpose of the group.”
1989
• Introduction of the 12 Principles; later renamed “12 Concepts of NA
Service.”
• Select Committee becomes WSC Ad-hoc Committee on NA Services,
Page 4:
“The time appears to be right for focusing
the work of the North American Service
Conference on to its own service needs,
and creating a truly international service
agency to meet the needs of Narcotics
Anonymous worldwide.”
1990
• WSC Ad-hoc Committee on NA Services report, Page 12:
“Our fellowship’s “world” service units
were created when Narcotics Anonymous
was an almost exclusively American
phenomenon, when no separate national
service system was needed in the United
States” .
(cont’d)
“However, with NA communities now
organized in over a dozen countries, it is
not appropriate for those World Service
units to continue to spend the great
majority of their time, money and
personnel resources on the NA Fellowship
in the U.S. as they do today.”
(cont’d)
“Nor is it appropriate for the American
community to use our world services
agencies to meet the internal needs that
other national communities must meet for
themselves.”
• WSC Ad-hoc Committee on NA Services; Addendum 5 excerpt,
Page 83:
“ The purpose of NA’s national services is
the same in the United States as in any
country: To provide the national
community with a collective voice on
issues affecting all its local elements, and to
coordinate those services administered on
behalf of the entire national community”.
1991
• Creation of the Interim Committee.
1992
• Introduction of the Fellowship Intellectual Property Trust (FIPT).
1993
• Creation of the Composite Group; 2 year World Services inventory.
1995
• Creation of the Resolution Group; develops proposals derived from
previous 2 year inventory.
1996
• Resolution Group recommendations; Conference Agenda Report,
Page 5-6:
Resolution A: To approve in principle a change in
participation at a new WSC to achieve the following
objectives:
1. to reduce the total number of representatives;
2. to provide for equal representation from all
geographic entities; and,
3. to encourage a consensus-based decision-making
process.
Intent: To affirm this as direction for future world
services restructuring efforts.
(cont’d)
Resolution B: To approve in principle the adoption of
a World Board, replacing the current World Service
Board of Trustees, WSO Board of Directors, and the
WSC Administrative Committee.
Intent: To affirm this as direction for future world
services restructuring efforts.
(cont’d)
Resolution C: The Resolution Group is unanimous in its
belief that the standing committee structure should be
eliminated. However, due to some input received at the
world services meeting in Manhattan Beach, we feel
compelled to present the following two alternatives:
C1: To approve in principle the elimination of standing
committees.
C2: To approve in principle downsizing standing
committees responsible to the World Board.
Intent: To affirm this as direction for future world services
restructuring efforts.
(cont’d)
Resolution D: To approve in principle the adoption of
an ad-hoc committee structure responsible to the
World Board.
Intent: To affirm this as direction for future world
services restructuring efforts.
1996
• Creation of the Transition Group; develop detailed proposals on the
resolutions that were adopted.
1997
• Introduction of the “Guide to Local Services in NA” (GTLS).
• Consolidation into a single World Board of Directors (NAWS).
1998
• Dissolution of World Services Standing Committees.
• Transition Group Report on Resolution A, Page 13; Model 4
proposes to divide the globe into five “geo-political boundaries”
Europe (EDM created in 1984)
Canada (CANA created in 1989)
Asian Pacific (APF created in 1992)
Latin America (LAZF created in 1999)
United States (USSC to be created? *)
*To date, the only one of these countries that has not followed this
suggestion and created its own service conference is the United States.
2002
• Motion #6 from Conference Agenda Report: Page 24-25
Motion 6: NA World Services shall organize, host, and
facilitate the first meeting of a new Assembly of United
States Regions In 2005. This assembly shall be a one-time
responsibility of NA World Services. Included In the
agenda for the assembly shall be the following topics:
1. Assembly Guidelines Discussion
2. Financial Responsibility for future assemblies
3. Mission/Vision discussion
(cont’d)
Intent: To provide the United States Regions as a whole
with a scheduled forum where they may come together in
the spirit of unity to further our fellowship's primary
purpose and deal with local issues that are not appropriate
at the World Service Conference.
Rationale by Region: While the zonal forums within the
US fill a much-needed void in unifying our fellowship,
there remains no forum for the US regions to come
together to address US specific concerns. National forums
have been evolving for many years. One group of
geographically linked regions, which have not joined
together to form a national forum, are the US regions.
(cont’d)
" ... a majority (about 70%, in fact) of the WSC
participants want significant change some time in the
future ... the one thing that is clear is that, whatever is to
occur regarding Resolution A and any changes to
representation and participation at a new World Service
Conference must arise from the regional delegates and
their respective regions ... if maintaining our global unity
remains one of world services' priorities, then such a
process will be essential to the future effectiveness of the
World Service Conference" Transition Group Report,
Resolution A, March 1998
(cont’d)
World Board Recommendation: Rather than even entering
into the discussion of this issue and its history, our belief
is that this should not be a responsibility of world services
or a decision of the WSC. The purpose of the World
Service Conference is clearly stated:
"Conference deliberations serve the needs of a diverse
membership of different languages and cultures and
address the challenge of how to provide effective
services to NA groups around the world. The conference
works for the good of all NA, taking into account both
present and future needs."
(cont’d)
Other forums are zonal assemblies, none of which was
created by the WSC. If the US regions wish this to
happen, they should make that decision and decide how
best to achieve it. This motion refers to a US assembly,
while the rationale refers to Resolution A and participation
at the conference. Our recommendation only addresses the
motion and does not address what is contained in the
rationale.
Motion # 6 was not presented on the floor of the WSC. The South
Florida Region concurred with the World Board’s
recommendation and therefore Motion #6 was never considered
by the United States Regions or by the WSC.
Our earliest NA service material tells us that
“everything that occurs in the course of NA
service must be motivated by the desire to more
successfully carry the message of recovery to
the addict who still suffers.” It is for this reason
that we begin this work. In the years since ,we
have continued this work with that same
motivation ,first and foremost.
January, 2011
• A group of addicts assembled in Marion, North Carolina to discuss
the current state of affairs involving the Fellowship of Narcotics
Anonymous in the United States.
• Out of the meeting came the idea of a United States National
Service entity.
• This group realized that it was perpetuating a dream that had
started over 25 years earlier.
• These N.A. members made a decision to invite the Fellowship in the
United States to attend an assembly to further discuss that dream.
March, 2011
• The first United States Fellowship Assembly (USFA-I) took place and
a United States National Service entity was named the “United
States Service Conference of Narcotics Anonymous” (USSCNA).
(cont’d)
• The Assembly drafted 3 proposals with emphasis being on
Proposal 1.
Proposal 1: Does your group want to help create a United
States Service Conference (USSC)?
Intent/ Statement of Purpose: To provide a service
conference whose primary purpose is to aid all US
Narcotics Anonymous Groups, Areas and Regions in their
efforts to carry our message to still suffering addicts
nationwide through coordinated and supportive services
guided solely and spiritually by Group Conscience.
•
The importance of group conscience in our service
structure based on the inverted pyramid:
"...we may create service
boards or committees
directly responsible to
those they serve."
Tradition Nine of NA
Slide #10
October, 2011
• At USFA-II, group representatives from around the U.S. met
and held discussions for two and a half days.
• “Proposal 1” was approved, “Proposal 2” and “Proposal 3”
were defeated, all by majority vote.
• The assembly drafted a motion to be brought to the United
States Fellowship for consideration:
Motion (Amended): To create a USSC Ad-hoc Committee
responsible to USFA Registered Groups. Begins at the end
of the USFA - II and ends at the end of USFA - III. Tasks
to be performed by the USSC Ad-hoc Committee:
(cont’d)
1. To draft a basic statement of Purpose and Function
for the United States Service Conference to be
approved at USFA - III.
2. To draft a Vision Statement for the United States
Service Conference to be approved at USFA - III.
3. To participate in the current service structure as
best as possible.
Intent: To move this effort forward in a positive,
spiritual, productive atmosphere.
Motion passed on assembly floor by majority vote.
June, 2012
• At USFA – III, the USSCNA Purpose and Function Statement,
USSCNA Vision Statement were approved by majority vote.
• A motion was presented on the floor at the assembly.
USSCNA VISION
THE UNITED STATES SERVICE CONFERENCE
OF NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS SHALL BE
READILY AVAILABLE TO SERVE ALL ADDICTS
AND GROUPS IN THE UNITED STATES BY
UPHOLDING THE SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLES AND
TRADITIONS OF NA.
USSCNA PURPOSE AND FUNCTION
THE PURPOSE OF THE USSCNA IS TO COME
TOGETHER IN UNITY TO FULFILL THE
SERVICE NEEDS OF OUR MEMBER BODIES AS
DIRECTED BY THE SPIRITUAL CONSCIENCE
OF THE GROUPS THAT HAVE CREATED IT.
OUR FUNCTION IS ONE OF SIMPLICITY; TO
CARRY OUT GROUP CONSCIENCE AS
DIRECTED BY THE FELLOWSHIP WE SERVE.
USSCNA BASIC RESPONSIBILITIES
1. TO FORM AND MAINTAIN SUBCOMITTEES AS
DIRECTED BY THE U.S. FELLOWSHIP.
2. TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ANY AND ALL
COMMUNICATION METHODS FOR COLLECTING
AND SHARING GROUP CONSCIENCE.
3. TO ENSURE THE CONTINUATION AND GROWTH
OF NA BY ADHERING TO OUR NON-NEGOTIABLE
TWELVE TRADITIONS.
Motion : To make the United States Fellowship Assembly
Planning Group responsible for transitioning the United
States Fellowship Assembly into the United States Service
Conference. The United States Fellowship Assembly
Planning Group shall be hereafter known as the
“Assembly Transition Committee.”
1. To assist the next Host Committee as needed.
2. To develop an initial set of guidelines and/or procedures
necessary to facilitate the United States Service Conference.
3. Guidelines will be established in close following of the 12
Traditions, 12 Concepts and the Guide to Local Services in
Narcotics Anonymous.
4. Procedures for the nomination and election of all United
States Service Conference elected trusted servants will be
incorporated into said guidelines.
5. All work of this Transition Committee shall commence
upon the ending of USFA – III and will be completed and
ready for implementation at the USSCNA in Layton, Utah.
Intent: To utilize the resources and experience of the United
States Fellowship Assembly Planning Group in assisting in the
creation of the United States Service Conference.
Motion passed on assembly floor by majority vote.
WHY WE NEED A USSCNA
A United States Service Conference of Narcotics
Anonymous (USSCNA) will give the NA groups
in the United States a place where their voices
can be heard through “group conscience”.
To deliver services that are no longer available to
the United States fellowship.
A place where information, education and
cooperation are applied through adherence to the
12 Traditions.
On October 26, 2012, the Assembly Transition Committee completed
their tasks assigned at USFA – III . The committee dissolved October
26, 2012 at midnight.
On October 27, 2012, the USSCNA Service Guide was implemented and
the first USSCNA was called to order at 9:00AM MDT.
PLEASE JOIN US .VISIT OUR WEBSITE
AND REGISTER YOUR GROUP , AREA OR
REGION ONLINE AT:
www.usscna.org
"You and I have been given through
illness, through suffering and
through disease a talent for helping
other human beings like ourselves let's never forget that."
Jimmy Kinnon 1974
Co – founder of Narcotics Anonymous