WSC'96 REPORT







A COMPREHENSIVE OVERVIEW OF THE 1996 WORLD SERVICE CONFERENCE OF NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS



Webmaster's note: Due to resource constraints, we will not have the Spanish, Portuguese, German, and French versions of the WSC'96 Report posted on the website. 







WSC'96: THE WEEK AT A GLANCE

Saturday, 25 May



Development Forum session

Orientation

PI, H&I workshops





Sunday, 26 May



Conference opening

Introductions

Approval of rules of order, minutes

New regions recognized

Approval of election procedures

Resolution Group presentation

Board, committee meetings





Monday, 27 May



Discussion of Resolution Group proposals

Reports, Q&A begun





Tuesday, 28 May



Reports, Q&A continued

Old business begun





Wednesday, 29 May



Old business concluded

Zonal Forum meetings





Thursday, 30 May



Conference elections

Budget presentation, discussion

Transition Group plan and resolution process presentation

Board, committee meetings





Friday, 31 May



Issue discussion paper presentation, open discussion

Transition Group plan and resolution process approved

Budget approved

New business begun





Saturday, 1 June



New business concluded



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WSC'96 MEETS IN NORTH 

CAROLINA

Regional representatives and world-

level trusted servants met from 25 May 

through 1 June 1996 at the Holiday Inn 

Four Seasons and Joseph S. Koury 

Convention Center in Greensboro, 

North Carolina, for NA's 20th World 

Service Conference. The theme of this 

year’s conference was “Moving to 

Solutions.” The mood of the conference 

matched the theme as participants 

spoke of change and the willingness 

and trust needed to achieve such 

change.

Every meeting of the World Service 

Conference makes history in our 

fellowship. Every group of conference 

participants faces the awesome 

responsibility of shaping the future of 

NA. WSC’82 approved the First Edition 

of our Basic Text. WSC’86 made 

changes to our literature that had a 

significant impact on our identity and, 

consequently, our growth. WSC’90 

approved a literature-development 

process that eventually produced two 

books: Just for Today, approved at 

WSC’92, and It Works: How and Why, 

approved at WSC’93. WSC’93 also 

approved the world services inventory, a 

process that is rooted in our twenty-

year-long struggle to make our service 

structure more effective. 

This year’s conference also had 

ample opportunity to leave its mark on 

NA. On the agenda were several 

consequential matters: deciding whether 

or not the fellowship should consider a 

change to its steps and traditions, 

ensuring that the resolution phase of the 

world services inventory went forward 

as planned, and finding a way to fund 

global participation in NA’s future 

development—just to name a few. 

Perhaps the most significant action 

taken by WSC’96 was the adoption of 

both a “vision statement” and a “mission 

statement” for world services. These 

statements bring together the essence 

of our primary purpose, our spiritual 

principles, and our highest aspirations 

into a guiding vision for NA world 

services—a direction we can all follow 

as we walk into the future together. 



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DIRECTION SET FOR CHANGES TO WORLD 

SERVICES: RESOLUTIONS APPROVED

Establishing an efficient and effective 

service structure has been on the world 

service agenda since the NA Tree was 

replaced with the Temporary Working 

Guide to Our Service Structure. As 

implied in the title, the TWGSS was 

meant to be temporary, a description of 

policies and procedures that would 

guide us until we could develop 

something more permanent. 

The first entity charged with putting 

together a permanent service manual 

was created at WSC’84. Other groups 

were formed as this effort evolved. 

Finally, a draft manual, A Guide to 

Service in Narcotics Anonymous, was 

presented at the conference in 1993. 

However, there was no clear consensus 

that the structure outlined in that manual 

was the solution to the current 

problems. In fact, as the discussion 

unfolded at WSC’93, it became clear 

that not only was there substantial 

disagreement about proposed solutions, 

there was substantial disagreement 

about what the problems were. 

Therefore, WSC’93 went all the way 

back to Square One: defining the 

problems. 

Thus began the evaluation phase of 

the world services inventory. During this 

two-year phase, problems were 

identified. The results were presented 

at WSC’95, and the conference drew 

from the presentation a list of the five 

most pressing problems. The 

Resolution Group was formed and given 

the task of coming back to this year’s 

conference with proposed resolutions 

for change. These were actually 

published in October 1995 in order to 

provide the fellowship with ample 

opportunity to review and discuss the 

Vision Statement, the Mission 

Statement, and the structural resolutions 

before the annual meeting of the World 

Service Conference. 

During the Sunday afternoon and 

evening sessions at the conference, the 

Resolution Group presented its work 

and answered questions from 

conference participants. The questions 

did not focus on any particular area or 

resolution, but instead ranged from the 

content of the individual resolutions to 

the process used to develop them. 

Prior to the business session, many 

conference participants had expressed 

the opinion that the structural resolutions 

should require a two-thirds majority vote 

to pass. Conference administration 

agreed that a two-thirds majority would 

be a good indicator of the fellowship’s 

support for going in the direction the 

resolutions suggested, so the 

chairperson announced that both the 

Vision and Mission Statements and the 

structural resolutions would require two-

thirds to pass. 

The Vision and Mission Statements 

were both approved overwhelmingly, 

with the provision that either one could 

be changed by future World Service 

Conferences. 

All of the structural resolutions 

specified approval in principle. The 

Resolution Group believed that including 

this language would enable the 

fellowship to set a direction without 

taking any specific action until such time 

as specific motions are drafted and 

presented for conference action. 

Resolution A was approved. It called 

for a change in participation at WSC 

that would reduce the total number of 

participants, provide for equal 

representation from all geographic 

entities, and encourage a consensus-

based decision-making process. 

Resolution B was approved with two 

amendments, one of which was quite 

significant. The resolution called for the 

consolidation of all administrative 

bodies—the World Service Board of 

Trustees, the WSO Board of Directors, 

and the WSC Administrative 

Committee—into a single entity called 

the World Board. A minor amendment 

included the World Convention 

Corporation Board in that consolidation. 

The significant amendment proposed 

that within the World Board there be a 

specific group whose purpose matched 

the one originally assigned to the 

trustees, i.e., to act as guardians of the 

traditions. 

After Resolution B was approved, a 

motion was carried that made 

Resolutions C through G non-

amendable and specified that all 

proposed amendments be given to the 

body that would lead world services 

through the transition stage of this 

process by developing specific motions. 

Resolutions C1 and C2 offered a 

choice of two options to deal with the 

same issue: C1, to approve in principle 

the elimination of standing committees; 

or C2, to approve in principle a 

significantly downsized standing 

committee structure responsible to the 

World Board. The conference 

approved C2. 

Resolution D called for the creation of 

an ad hoc committee structure 

responsible to the World Board. 

Because the Resolution Group had 

originally developed Resolution C1 as 

the only “C” resolution, Resolution D 

naturally would have followed if C1 had 

been approved. However, because of 

input leading to the presentation and 

subsequent approval of C2, Resolution 

D didn’t really fit, and so the conference 

rejected it. 

Resolution E proposed the adoption 

of a unified budget, encompassing all 

world service funds. Resolution F 

proposed the creation of a World Pool 

of experienced trusted servants to serve 

as a resource to world service projects 

and initiatives. Resolution G called for 

the creation of a Human Resources 

Panel as a means by which the WSC 

could choose trusted servants. All three 

of these resolutions were approved by 

similar margins—approximately ninety 

percent of those voting said “yes.” 

The coming year's work

Just as a different group was needed 

to move NA world services from the 

evaluation phase of the world services 

inventory to the resolution phase, a new 

group was formed to handle the coming 

year’s work. A Transition Group will 

develop a structural model for world 

services using the resolutions approved 

at WSC’96 as its framework. The 

group will also develop plans for the 

transition to the new structure. 

The conference has learned a great 

deal about what can be expected of a 

volunteer committee in a year’s time. It 

also learned that mandating too many 

details about how a group accomplishes 

its work often ties the hands of a 

committee and actually inhibits the 

progression of the work. For the 

Transition Group plan, the conference 

willingly approved a plan with enough 

latitude for the Transition Group to 

decide for itself how the work will be 

accomplished.

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TRANSITION GROUP PLAN

Goal

The purpose of the Transition Group is 

to develop and present for conference 

approval a structural model resulting 

from the resolutions approved at 

WSC’96. Clearly defined plans to 

transition to such a model will also be 

included. The transition plans will be 

written in clear language and include 

structural diagrams.

Objectives



To develop transition plans that will include impact studies along with specific actions necessary for the transition and implementation processes.

To diagram the resulting world service structure with the corresponding elements and their functions.

To consider available resources and possible options during the development of final proposals.





Activities



Provide conference participants, in the Fall 1996 Conference Report, with a clear and practical schedule of the TG’s work for the remainder of CY 96-97.

Solicit input as part of the process of developing proposals for conference consideration. This can be achieved through written and verbal communication, surveys and/or questionnaires, workshops, and world service meetings, among 

other venues.

Determine the need for consultant(s) during the planning stages and during the proposal development stage.

Be available to participate in fellowship events to present proposals and to respond to 

questions and input.

Attend WSC’97 as fully funded participants.

Provide conference participants with regular progress reports.





Group Composition



Slate ratified by the conference 

Should a TG member become unable to serve, an alternate member can be appointed by the Interim Committee.

The TG has the ability to request any resources it believes are necessary. These may include bringing additional individuals to TG meetings, creating work groups, using a consultant, or asking professionals to assist in any area requiring professional expertise.



Administration

The Transition Group will be administered by the Interim Committee. The IC will be responsible for preparing and administering the TG’s budget.

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NA WORLD SERVICES VISION STATEMENT

All of the efforts of Narcotics Anonymous world services are inspired by the primary purpose of the groups we serve. Upon this common ground we stand committed. 

Our vision is that one day:



Every addict in the world has the chance to experience our message in his or her own language and culture and find the opportunity for a new way of life; 

NA communities worldwide and NA world services work together in a spirit of unity and cooperation to carry our message of recovery;

Narcotics Anonymous has universal recognition and respect as a viable program of recovery.



As our commonly held sense of the highest aspirations that set our course, our vision is our touchstone, our reference point, inspiring all that we do. Honesty, trust, and goodwill are the foundation of these ideals. In all our service efforts, we rely upon the guidance of a loving Higher Power.



Communication

Emphasis will be on two-way communication between the TG and the Interim Committee and between the TG and the fellowship. The same means as described in the ways the TG may solicit input can be used for communication.



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WORLD SERVICE CONFERENCE MISSION STATEMENT

The World Service Conference brings all elements of NA world services together to further the common welfare of NA. The WSC’s mission is to unify NA worldwide by providing an event at which: 



Participants propose and gain fellowship consensus on initiatives that further the NA world services vision;

The fellowship, through an exchange of experience, strength, and hope, collectively expresses itself on matters affecting Narcotics Anonymous as a whole;

NA groups have a mechanism to guide and direct the activities of NA world services;

Participants ensure that the various elements of NA world services are ultimately responsible to the groups they serve;

Participants are inspired with the joy of selfless service, and the knowledge that our efforts can make a difference.





PARTICIPANTS SAY NO CHANGES TO STEPS AND TRADITIONS

Another question that’s been around the fellowship for several years now is the one that was originally presented as Motion 39 at WSC’93. Motion 39 proposed specific changes to Steps Three, Seven, and Eleven and to Tradition Two. However, a working group formed at WSC’93 and assigned to discuss and make a recommendation on that motion believed that the issues surrounding Motion 39 were bigger than the language the motion suggested, and so recommended widespread fellowship 

discussion. The question returned as Motion 88 at WSC’94. Motion 88 outlined a two-stage plan for considering the question: an open forum at WSC’95 followed by a group tally. During CY 94-95, it became apparent to world service leadership that the discussions in the fellowship had become so broad that many people weren’t sure what the question before the fellowship actually was. So at WSC’95, the trustees asked participants to adopt Motion 47. This proposal allowed the trustees to re-focus the discussion and develop a plan for dealing with any proposed changes to the steps and traditions. 

Finally, this year a question came before the conference. It was Motion 3: Should the NA groups consider a proposal to eliminate gender specificity in NA’s Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions?

The conference said “no,” though the vote was close enough to require a standing vote. 

The second part of the discussion, which was presented as Motion 4, asked that WSC policy be adopted requiring that any changes to NA’s steps, traditions, name, nature, and purpose be approved directly by the groups through a group tally process. The motion was approved with an amendment that included the Twelve Concepts. 

This means that any future “Motion 39s” must be approved by the groups. As it says in the essay on the Second Concept in the Twelve Concepts booklet: “The NA groups bear the final authority in all our fellowship’s service affairs, and should be routinely consulted in all matters directly affecting them. For example, proposals to 

change NA’s Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, name, nature, or purpose should be approved directly by the groups.” Motion 4 provided a process by which that will be done, if ever necessary. 



ISSUE DISCUSSION

There has been a trend since the start of the world services inventory to get away from the "business as usual" approach to the conference agenda. So, for the second year in a row, the conference set aside time in its agenda for issue discussion. The topics this year were: “Racial and Cultural Diversity and Our First Tradition” and “Group Conscience in the Service Structure.” Panel members had been chosen ahead of time to present papers on each of these topics. Those presentations were followed by questions and comments from other participants. During the business session following the presentations, a motion was made that the WSC Literature Committee use the material from the “Racial and Cultural Diversity and Our First Tradition” session to create an IP. That motion was referred to the WSC Literature Committee. 

Issue discussion topics for next year’s WSC are: 



Retention of experienced members in service and recovery

Faith and trust in our service structure, particularly with the WSC







NA WAY MAGAZINE TO CONTINUE UNDER CLOSE SCRUTINY

In the March Conference Report, the WSO board stated its desire to eliminate The NA Way Magazine as a service provided by WSO. The board fully expected this issue to be discussed at WSC’96. The board’s expectations were met. 

RSRs asked questions of the World Service Office Board of Directors, and then expressed through a straw poll that they would like to see the office continue producing the magazine for at least another year.

Conference participants suggested a variety of approaches for dealing with the magazine. One motion suggested lowering the quality (paper, graphics) and raising the price. Another offered specific suggestions for marketing the magazine and raising the price. Still another called for continuing the magazine as it is at any cost. All of 

these motions were referred to the WSO board for consideration during the coming year.

The board’s concern about the magazine, which resulted in its recommendation to cease publication, has never been solely about money. The expense is an issue because the WSO board considers itself the steward of NA resources, both financial and human, at the World Service Office. However, any service the fellowship finds essential to its growth and development is going to be a priority for the WSO board, and financial and human resources will be devoted to providing that service. The board had begun to question the necessity of The NA Way Magazine as a service because of its dwindling subscriber base.

At this writing, the magazine has about 4,800 subscribers. That’s less than one subscriber for every four registered meetings. Even more disheartening is the fact that when the board first notified the fellowship of its desire to stop publication, there were 5,500 subscribers. We’re not sure if the drop in subscribers is because some expected the magazine to fold and so didn’t renew their subscriptions or if it’s part of the same overall trend of the past several years. Either way, it’s not encouraging for the future of the magazine.

The board and editorial staff will be reporting regularly about the status of the magazine—subscriber rates, marketing efforts, etc.—both in the magazine and in other periodicals such as the Newsline, the Conference Report, and the Conference Digest. Unless the subscriber base picks up substantially, the board may wind up reporting at next year’s WSC that it appears the fellowship just doesn’t consider the magazine an essential service. 

The board does recognize that any decision to stop publication of the magazine would require conference approval. Therefore, it would present a motion in the Conference Agenda Report if it felt the magazine should cease publication. That way, the fellowship would have ample opportunity to discuss the issues surrounding The NA Way Magazine and express its group conscience through its regional service representatives at the next World Service Conference. 



DEVELOPMENT FORUM

This year’s Development Forum addressed an issue that has been on the horizon for the past couple of years; namely, that the DF has outlived its original purpose. So where should we go from here?

The trustees have previously reported that they do not wish to be in the position of deciding who gets funded to the WSC and that the DF should be incorporated into the overall Fellowship Development Plan (see related item, page ?). This year, DF participants met in small groups to begin identifying fellowship development needs and how to go about meeting those needs. The trustees will incorporate the input 

gathered at those meetings into the Fellowship Development Plan. 

At the end of the conference, DF participants were given a survey to complete that asked them to rate the value of each segment of the conference. The results of that survey will be used in planning next year’s DF. 

TRANSLATIONS

The World Service Translation Committee had two full business meetings during conference week and also managed to meet with nine separate language groups to discuss local translation efforts and concerns. 

WSTC is busy developing a resource packet for local translation committees that will include background information on the literature translation process, a paper explaining conceptual fidelity, and definition of recovery terms. WSTC 

reported that four language groups are now using the auxiliary production 

process—a simplified process that allows an established LTC to work 

directly with WSO on producing new items—and are very pleased with the 

setup. 



OUTREACH AD HOC DISSOLVED 

The Outreach Ad Hoc Committee was formed at the 1992 World Service Conference to gather and distribute information on outreach efforts in NA, to register local outreach committees, to develop an outreach handbook, and to coordinate the efforts of local outreach committees. 

The committee was the subject of much controversy from its inception. With the exception of developing an outreach handbook, staff and the World Service Board of Trustees were already handling the gathering and distribution, registration, and coordination tasks assigned to the Outreach Ad Hoc. The controversy arose over the ad hoc’s belief that its task didn’t duplicate staff and trustee efforts, but enhanced them. 

Beginning in 1993, motions to create a standing outreach committee began hitting the floor at WSC. Each year, the motions were defeated. However, the ad hoc was continued each year with a mandate to finish its work on the outreach handbook and report regularly to WSC administration about its activities. 

This year, the Outreach Ad Hoc presented its work on the outreach handbook. The chairperson presented the work as a draft, and informed the conference that the ad hoc believed the work needed editing and perhaps further drafting. After another motion to create a standing outreach committee failed, the work was given to the 

trustees to complete. 

By definition, an ad hoc committee dissolves once the purpose for which it was created has been fulfilled. Because no motion was presented to extend the Outreach Ad Hoc for another year, and the handbook was given to another body, the Outreach Ad Hoc dissolved at WSC’96. Assistance to local outreach committees will continue to be provided by the WSO and WSB. 



TRUSTEES

After having to delay work on the Fellowship Development Plan because of the world services inventory, the trustees were able to bring an outline of the plan to the conference this year. The trustees will work on the actual plan over the next year. The plan is intended to focus world services efforts on serving the needs of the fellowship. 

The trustees also presented the 1996 World Services Public Relations Work 

Plan. The plan was developed by staff and will be administered by the WSB 

External Committee. The plan identifies three key objectives:



To secure reliable information about NA for PR purposes.

To develop cooperative relationships with addiction professionals.

To provide ongoing coordination and training for NA community outreach.





Two new WSB bulletins—”Regarding Methadone and Other Drug Replacement Programs” and “Theft of NA Funds”—were distributed to conference participants. The trustees expected formal publication of these bulletins to take place by the end of 

August, at which time they will be available to the fellowship.

INTERIM COMMITTEE

The Interim Committee presented four motions at the conference. All amended conference policy as outlined in TWGSS. One dealt with the committee’s reporting procedures; it separated routine decisions, which will be reported each month, from 

philosophical discussions, which may appear in the Conference Report. It also specified that all world service travelers are required to submit trip reports to the Interim Committee within forty-five days of the trip. 

The other motions dealt with travel and credit card use policies, revising the very restrictive policies adopted at WSC’94 in the wake of several misuses of credit cards. 



CONFERENCE ADMINISTRATION

A motion presented by the WSC Administrative Committee during the new business session was adopted, but after further discussion the conference agreed that the motion should appear in next year’s CAR. The motion was to make the site of the WSC within seventy-five miles of the WSO. 

Conference administration announced that it was committed to including zonal forums in future conference participant mailings, though representatives from zonal forums are not actually conference participants. This will be done in an effort to keep zonal forums informed about world services. 

Next year, the Regional Assistance Panel will be exploring whether or not it should provide support (such as help with writing motions) to regions doing business at the conference.

A motion carried that released the WSC treasurer from membership on the WSC Administrative Committee and granted voting privileges on the Interim Committee.

The WSC chair announced that the administrative committee was making 

plans to observe Unity Day during the years that there is no world convention. 

The committee plans to arrange the 1997 Unity Day celebration somewhere 

in the New England region. 

WSC’97 will be held 27 April to 3 May in Woodland Hills, California.





IMPORTANT DEADLINES



Regional motions to be in next year’s CAR--15 October 1996

Other items and issue discussion papers for next year’s CAR--1 December 1996



H&I

The WSC H&I Committee presented the conference with a revised H&I Handbook this year. Though there were some minor changes to existing chapters, the new chapter on “Forensic and Psychiatric Units” was the primary change. The changes were approved. A motion to lower the suggested clean time in the H&I Handbook was 

presented during the new business session and referred to the committee to review over the coming year. 

LITERATURE

The WSC Literature Committee had two motions in this year’s CAR. One was to approve a revision of the IP, Hospitals and Institutions Service and the NA Member (retitled). The other was to approve the committee’s “A” worklist, which includes the Step Writing Guides and a booklet on sponsorship. Both were approved. 

The committee is working on a plan for developing the Step Writing Guides, and expects to present the work for approval in the 1998 CAR. Once a plan has been developed for SWG, available resources for the sponsorship booklet can be evaluated. More information on both of these projects will be reported as soon as it is available. 



PUBLIC INFORMATION

The WSC Public Information Committee sought approval from this year’s conference to go ahead with a plan to revise both A Guide to Public Information and A Guide to Phoneline Service. The conference gave its okay. 

WSCPI has been busy over the past year with developing a Basic Public Information Guide to assist emerging NA communities in planning and executing simple PI efforts. WSCPI also developed mission and vision statements for itself. The committee expressed that it had not developed the statements in isolation, ignoring the bigger picture of the world service resolution process, but simply as a tool to focus the committees efforts as long as there is a WSC PI Committee. The effort was well-received by all. 

POLICY

After WSC’95, the WSC Policy Committee had removed references to world services from the draft of A Guide to Service in Narcotics Anonymous, in the process creating a new draft called A Guide to Local Services in Narcotics Anonymous. This draft has been available for purchase since October 1995. 

At this year’s WSC, conference participants approved the Policy Committee’s motion to send A Guide to Local Services out for an approval period, with action to take place at WSC’97. 



WSO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The WSO Board of Directors’ decision to revise its sales policy prompted a great deal of attention during the discussions at this year’s conference. Most of the comments were voiced by regions where there is a service office. 

<H4>When the original sales policy was written in 1984, the discount structure was put in place to benefit the regional service offices. The thinking at the time was that the regions would be the link between world services and the membership, both as literature distribution points and as service providers. The WSO believed it should 

do everything possible to forge a strong link at the regional level, and so offered 

discounts that were intended to allow the RSOs to strengthen their position in 

the overall literature distribution system.

During the ensuing twelve years, several problems have arisen. First of all, the RSOs have become completely dependent on the discount, and haven’t been able to generate sufficient operating income, even by adding specialty items such as coffee mugs and T-shirts. In addition, many of the RSOs have raised the price on the 

Basic Text to more than what it can be purchased for directly from the WSO. In fact, the retail price of the Basic Text varies widely, depending on where it is purchased. 

All of this led the board to begin re-examining the whole literature distribution system. The board wants to create a sales policy that will benefit the groups and individual members. With that goal clearly stated, many conference participants expressed support for revising the sales policy. 

The price of the Basic Text from WSO became an issue when two separate regional motions were introduced that suggested lowering the price. One region proposed dividing the book into two parts and selling Book One on its own as a separate inventory item. One region suggested lowering the paper quality, binding, etc., so the cost of merchandise would allow a lower retail price. 

The WSO board had provided in its annual report a report about what would be likely to happen to the WSO if any such motion were carried. The following quote from that report conveys its essence: 

“For many of our customers, the low-cost text would be essentially the same as the text they currently purchase at a much higher price. If all the Basic Texts sold in 1995 had been low-cost texts, WSO income would have been reduced by $579,003. However, we do not expect the impact of a low-cost text to 

be this extreme, since many NA members and other customers will continue to buy the current Basic Text. We would expect that some percentage of NA members would purchase one of the low-cost versions and, at some future point, purchase the Basic Text. 

“We are fairly certain that our non-fellowship customers, who represent 30.4% of all sales, would quickly begin ordering low-cost texts instead of Basic Texts. If our single largest customer had bought low-cost texts rather than Basic Texts in 1995, the resulting income reduction would have been $230,524. That kind of reduction, all by 

itself, would have translated into a three percent ($180,249) net annual loss in 1995.

“Now that we have provided some of the financial information, what does all of this mean? In fairness, we must tell you that we do not believe the full impact of low-cost text sales would be felt immediately, but we have no way of telling how long it would actually take. We have not done any exhaustive research on what would have to 

happen, but we are relatively certain that, at the very least, we would have to reconsider any and all services we offer that are not income-producing. In the final analysis, the World Service Office could cut facilities, equipment, and personnel back to the point where we only print, stock, and fill orders for existing NA literature. This would be a very different kind of World Service Office than the one developed under the fellowship's guidance since 1982.”

Many conference participants had read the report and said during discussion that they wouldn’t vote “yes” on any motion that would put the WSO out of business. However, the conference chair ended up ruling both motions out of order. Both times, the decision of the chair was challenged, and both times, the decision of the chair 

was upheld by a majority of conference participants. 

After the sales policy discussion, the low-cost Basic Text discussion, and the NA Way Magazine discussion, the two motions presented by the WSO board in this year’s CAR actually received very little attention, and both passed without opposition. The motions allowed the WSO to stop offering speaker tapes for sale through its product catalog. 

Finally, the WSO board and World Convention Corporation Board announced that there will be a combined office and convention workshop 27-29 September in Denver, Colorado.  



WORLD CONVENTION CORPORATION

The World Convention Corporation had a motion in this year’s CAR to approve its new internal guidelines. The guidelines will help the corporation as it makes the transition to a two-year cycle for the world convention. 

Two motions were committed to the WCC. One proposed the creation of an activities handbook. The other motion asked the WCC to explore the need for common needs meetings, workshops, or forums at the world convention. 





CY 1995-96 FINANCIAL SUMMARY

The following is a summary of World Service Conference fiscal activity 

beginning 1 June 1995 and ending 31May 1996. It is not a complete WSC 

financial report. For a complete set of CY 1995-96 financial statements for the 

WSC, write WSC Treasurer, Box 9999, Van Nuys, CA 91409 USA.



Opening balance $ 142,569

Contributions 467,803

Interest income 2,512

Expenses (435,148)

Closing balance $ 177,736

Contributions

Members $ 8,850

Groups 10,305

Areas 27,727

Regions 375,892

Conventions 14,359

Unity Day 7,552

Other 23,118

Total contributions $ 467,803

Expenses

Travel $ 292,556

Bank charges 389

Consultant 1,026

Copying 10,004

Equipment 9,631

H&I stockpile 7,219

Meeting space 3,650

Parliamentarian 1,428

Postage 31,431

Telephone, fax 45,985

Translating 12,934

Non-NA events 4,820

Miscellaneous 14,075

Total expenses $ 435,148







Note: Expenses for CY 95-96 include $ 

42,884.05 in carryover expenses from 

CY 1994-95.





CY 1996-97 BUDGET

World Service Meetings



Annual meeting $ 60,000

Development Forum 30,000

World service meetings 17,500

Translation meetings (2) 27,300

WSB meetings (2) 18,500

Interim Committee meetings (2) 12,000

Leadership planning & training 14,000

Board & committee liaisons 6,000

Total world service meetings $ 185,500





Administrative expenses



Bd & com phone and copying $ 16,000

Bd & com mailings 10,000

Conference calls 25,000

Misc office supplies 2,000

Total administrative $ 53,000





Public relations



Professional events (non-NA) $ 13,500

Total public relations $ 13,500





Publications



Conference Agenda Report $ 4,000

PI publications 1,500

Reaching Out 5,500

Conference Report & Digest 6,000

Publications translations 12,000

Total publications $ 29,000





Fellowship development, additional needs, outreach



CAR workshops $ 8,000

Fellowship asst/dev travel 10,000

Zonal forum/wkshp attendance 20,000

Add needs workshops 1,500

Expanded WSB meeting (1) 12,500

Total fellowship development $ 52,000





Other



H&I literature stockpile $ 6,000

Unity Day 5,000

Total other $ 11,000

World service projects

Resolution process $ 77,500

Literature committee projects 12,500

Public information 9,300

Policy 4,000

Total world service projects $ 103,300





Total $ 447,300





1996 ELECTION RESULTS

WSC administrative officers



Chair: Michael McD (California)

Vice chair: Ron S (New Mexico)

2nd vice chair: Jon T (New Jersey)

WSC treasurer (member of Interim 

Committee)

WSC Treasurer: Paul H (Delaware)





Conference committee officers



Lit chair: Jorge B (New York)

Lit vice chair: India T (Minnesota)

H&I chair: Mike C (West Virginia)

H&I VC: Craig R (North Carolina)

PI chair: Tony W (South Carolina)

PI vice chair: Erik R (Hawaii)

Policy chair: Mary C-V (Idaho)

Policy VC: Lib E (Australia)





Trustees



Stu T (California)

Pete C (North Carolina)

Larry R (Hawaii)

Mary Kay B (Virginia)





Transition Group



Saul A (Panama)

Tim B (Texas)

Susan B (Illinois)

Pete C (North Carolina)

Rose C (Florida)

David J (England)

Bob J (Wisconsin)

Shannon L (Pennsylvania)

Jane N (Connecticut)

First Alternate: Matt S (California)

Second Alternate: Adam W (Quebec)





WSO board 1-year terms



Cary S (Illinois)

Jane Nickels (Connecticut)

Laura Jennison (Oregon)





WSO board candidates pool



Bob F (New Jersey)

Nick K (Massachusetts)

Tom L (Hong Kong)





NA Way Editorial Board



Mary F (Ohio)





WSC Literature Committee members 





Stuart B (New Hampshire)

Eddie M (West Virginia)

Jim B (Illinois)

Donna W (South Carolina)

Emma W (Oregon)





WSC Policy Committee members



Roy J (Michigan)

Barb P (Minnesota)

Sandi S (Florida)

Dee S (Nebraska)

Richard S (Connecticut)









MOTIONS

Format note: The following are all the motions either approved or defeated at WSC'96. Most are preceded by the motion number assigned them during 

proceedings, such as 2, which was approved, or Not 30, which was defeated. Those motions preceded only by a symbol had no numbers assigned them during the conference.  Vote counts are shown for motions for which standing or roll call votes were taken.

OUTREACH



107: Approved turning over the Outreach Handbook to the trustees for completion

not 15: Defeated motion to create a standing outreach committee.





RESOLUTION GROUP 

PROPOSALS

(REQUIRE 2/3S TO PASS)



1: Approved the NA World Services Vision Statement subject to review/revision by future WSCs

2: Approved World Service Conference Mission Statement subject to review/revision by future WSCs

69: Approved a motion that corrected a grammatical error in the Mission Statement, changing “which” to “that” 

A: Approved in principle a change in participation at WSC that would reduce size of WSC and provide equal representation from geographic entities 

(66 yes, 17 no, 0 abstain)

B: Approved in principle the creation of a single World Board (74 yes, 11 no, 1 abstain)

75: Amended Resolution B by stating that single board should include a group 

to serve the original purpose of the WSB, i.e., guardians of the traditions





Motion to vote on amendments C through G as they appeared in the CAR, 

and refer all amendments to the Transition Group



C2: Approved in principle a significantly downsized standing committee structure responsible to World Board. (66 yes, 18 no, 3 abstain)

E: Approved in principle the adoption of a unified budget for all of world services (73 yes, 11 no, 4 abstain)

F: Approved in principle the creation of a World Pool of experienced trusted servants as a resource (73 yes, 12 no, 1 abstain)

G: Approved in principle the creation of a Human Resources Panel as a means to 

select trusted servants (71 yes, 13 no, 2 abstain)

Not C1: Defeated proposal to eliminate standing committees 

Not D: Defeated proposal to create ad hoc committee structure responsible to World Board (53 yes, 32 no, 3 abstain) 

Not 67 or 105: Defeated a proposal to create a single World Board now and a 

proposal to do so at the close of WSC’97 

Not 68: The chair ruled out of order a motion to change wording in Vision Statement because such a change can only be made through the CAR process 

Not 77: The chair ruled out of order a motion that required the current zonal forums to be the geographic entities called for in Resolution A 







TRUSTEES



4: Approved a process that requires groups to directly approve through a group tally process any changes to NA’s steps, traditions, concepts, name, nature, or purpose

55: Amended Motion 4 by including the Twelve Concepts 

103: Amended Motion 4 by requiring conference to formally accept the group tally database

Not 3: Defeated a proposal to have NA groups consider eliminating gender-specificity from steps and traditions

Not 18 or 63: Defeated motions that directed the trustees to write papers on NA members’ use of antidepressants or psychotropics







LITERATURE



9: Approved Hospitals and Institutions Service and the NA Member, a revision of Hospitals and Institutions and the NA Member

10: OK'd "A" work list, including step guides and a booklet on sponsorship

Not 23: Defeated an attempt to institute a ten-year moratorium on proposals to 

make changes to steps and traditions 







H&I



8: OK’d revisions to H&I Handbook, which added a new chapter, “Forensic and Psychiatric Units,” revised the sections on learning days, and made minor changes to other chapters 

Not 53: Defeated motion to move proposed sections to different places than were specified in Motion 8 

Not 54: Defeated motion to specify Serenity Prayer rather than prayer of one’s choice in example sections of H&I Handbook







PUBLIC INFORMATION





11: OK’d WSC PI Committee work plan to revise A Guide to PI and A Guide to Phoneline Service







POLICY



12: Approved a proposal to release A Guide to Local Services in NA for a one-year approval period with a decision at WSC’97

93: Passed motion that sent WSC’93 Motion #145 re: A Guide to Service in NA to Transition Group as resource material





WORLD SERVICE OFFICE



5 & 6: OK’d the WSO ceasing tape sales and removed section from TWGSS that described that activity 

Not 13 or 25: The chair ruled out of order two different regional motions for a low-

cost Basic Text

Not 14: The chair ruled out of order a motion to eliminate the current approval 

process for translations of new NA literature and give to regions the right to 

translate, publish, and distribute literature on their own

Not 20: Defeated a motion to make the NA Way a special periodical with 

conference-approved status

Not 22: The chair ruled out of order a motion to create a new product, a 

separate Book One of the Basic Text

Not 65: Defeated a motion that would set the precedent of WSC involving itself in 

WSO personnel matters by requiring WSO to hire a special worker whose sole 

responsibility would have been to maintain the database







WORLD CONVENTION CORPORATION



7: Approved new WCC internal guidelines that had been used on a trial 

basis last year







WSC PROCEDURES

(REQUIRE 2/3S TO PASS)



16: Approved a motion that required all future proposals in CAR to change policy to include the text of the policy to be changed

26: Revised “Reporting Procedures” section on p. 40 of TWGSS

27: Replaced references to “WSO Travel Organizer” with “WSO” in TWGSS

28: Deleted sections entitled “Personal Expense Allowance,” “Transportation,” 

and “Hotel Accommodations” in TWGSS; replaced with new section. 

29: Revised credit card policy in TWGSS 

Not 24: Defeated a motion to create an ad hoc committee to deal with the issue 

of sponsoring incarcerated addicts 

Not 30: Defeated a motion to grant a representative from the Asia-Pacific Forum non-voting participatory rights during the conference

Not 17 or 46: Defeated proposals that attempted to require inclusion of pro and 

con statements on motions appearing in the CAR

Not 83: Defeated a motion to make CAR available at least five months before WSC’97

108: Released the WSC treasurer from membership on the WSC Administrative 

Committee and granted voting privileges on the Interim Committee





NEW REGIONS



South Dakota Region (from Upper Midwest Region)

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