Let every group’s conscience be heard

United States Service Conference

of Narcotics Anonymous (USSCNA)

United States Service Conferenceof 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extrapolated from various historical documents and should not be considered the only events in NA’s history.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:

Slide #10

"...we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve."

Tradition Nine of NA

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 VISIONTHE 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 USSCNAA 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