1. Welcome to NDANA’s Ice Cream Social and GSR Orientation Workshop!
This presentation has been lovingly prepared by our NDANA Outreach Subcommittee
Be advised that we have put this together from the fellowship literature and other GSR Orientations .
What is OUTREACH you ask?
Handout -REFER to GSR Workshop AGENDA-
Your Home Group (HG) has elected you to serve in probably the most important service position in NA, its Group Service
Housekeeping & Bathroom directions
Outreach Subcommittee:
The fundamental approach in outreach efforts often described as support services for groups and service committees, is helping groups and committees to help themselves.
Handout -REFER TO NA Outreach Service Bulletin #1
If you stay till the end, We will Serve You Ice Cream! Why do we say we will serve you? Because we are trusted servants. PLEASE hold all questions until Q&A session

2. Introductions First Name Home Group Service Position (if any)
What I hope to get out of this workshop
Since this is a WE fellowship and our strength is imbedded in fellowship let’s go around the room and very briefly introduce ourselves to each other.

3. Purpose of this Workshop
You are a trusted servant and vital link between the HG and the rest of the fellowship.
To introduce some acronyms and other terms
This is NOT the final word or an exhaustive study.
This packet was created as an informational resource to help GSRs to more effectively serve their groups. To educate you as a GSR, on your position as a steward of Narcotics Anonymous as the communicator of and to the Home Group.
It is not meant to be the final word or complete description of their duties but merely a suggested guide and should not override any group autonomy. We hope that this will be an inspiration to more effectively serve in the GSR position.

4. Workshop Packet Agenda Various IP’s Group Booklet
Group Service Representatives Handout
Alphabet Soup and Important URL’s
NDANA Area Service Meeting Format
Sample GSR Report Form
Sample Literature Order Form
Sample Motion Form
Suggested tools for NDANA service work
Group Booklet – A World Services piece of literature
Various IP’s you have probably seen before and haven’t read
Alphabet Soup (acronyms) and really important URLS such as NDANA Policy Handbook, RVANA.Org Unified meeting list CARNA WSO etc
ASC meeting format
GSR “reporting to AREA from HG” form
And a literature ordering form
Sample motion form
To consider…

5. Who can be a member of NA? 3rd Tradition
The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using.
5th Tradition
Each group has but one primary purpose—to carry the message to the addict who still suffers.
If an addict wants to be a member of Narcotics Anonymous, all that addict needs is a desire to stop using. Our Third Tradition ensures that.
Whether an individual NA member chooses to be a member of a particular group as well is entirely up to that individual.

6. What is a Narcotics Anonymous Group?
When two or more addicts come together to help each other stay clean, they may form a Narcotics Anonymous group.
Traditions state in a longer version that:
1. Group is made up of drug addicts, and all drug addicts are eligible for membership.
2. Group is self-supporting.
3. Group’s purpose is to help addicts recover using the Twelve Steps of NA
4. Group has no affiliation outside Narcotics Anonymous.
5. Group expresses no opinion on outside issues.
6. Group carries the message of hope through attraction rather than promotion.

7. Closed Meeting? Open Meeting?
“Closed” NA meetings are only for addicts or those who think they might have a drug problem.
Who are Open Meetings for?
This is to provide an atmosphere of identification for newcomers and old timers
It should be made clear during the meeting perhaps in the Meeting Format, that NA groups do not accept monetary contributions from even “well meaning” non-addicts.
Meetings which the home groups vote to be an Open Meeting are for anyone who wants to attend.
Some groups have open meetings once a month to allow non-addict friends and relatives of NA members to celebrate recovery anniversaries with them. Groups that have open meetings may structure their format in such a way that opportunities for participation by non-addicts are limited only to short birthday or anniversary medallion presentations

8. Clarity Statement
“We are presented with a dilemma; when NA members identify themselves as addicts and alcoholics, or talk about living clean and sober, the clarity of the NA message is blurred. To speak in this manner suggests that there are two diseases, that one drug is somehow separate from the rest, requiring special recognition.”
Have you ever heard of the Clarity Statement? This is included merely to provide information about the proper wording of it if your group wants to include this in the readings. The tone and underlying purpose of it is not to shame folks for saying the wrong thing. It is rather to educate newer NA members to keep our focus on Traditions 3 and 5.
The clarity statement is “extracted” from Bulletin #13 of NA World Services

9. Does the group address all addictions?
The emphasis is on drug addiction
Narcotics Anonymous groups cannot be all things to all people and still provide the initial identification drug addicts need to find their way to recovery. ..
By clarifying our groups’ sole membership requirement and primary purpose in this way, … we free ourselves to focus on freedom from the disease of addiction…
In stating the six points that differentiate an NA group from other kinds of groups, we place greater emphasis on drug addiction than almost anywhere else in our service literature. This is because Narcotics Anonymous groups cannot be all things to all people and still provide the initial identification drug addicts need to find their way to recovery. By clarifying our groups’ sole membership requirement and primary purpose in this way, once and for all, we free ourselves to focus on freedom from the disease of addiction in the bulk of our service literature, certain that our groups are providing adequate grounds for identification to those seeking recovery.
1 The six points describing a group have been adapted from “The AA Group,” published by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. Reprinted by permission. (granted to NA)
Groups maintain contact with the rest of Narcotics Anonymous through representatives
Sometimes specialized NA groups form to provide additional identification for addicts with particular needs in common. For example, many men’s, women’s, gay, and lesbian groups exist today. But the focus of any NA meeting—even if it’s conducted by a specialized group—is on recovery from addiction, and any addict is welcome to attend.

10. Introduction to The Group Booklet
Not a RULE BOOK,
but rather a
HOW TO booklet!
"Narcotics Anonymous groups are self-governing. This booklet is not a RULE BOOK but rather a HOW TO with information and suggestions from the shared experience of many groups that have met with success, conducting meetings and tending to business.“
The group may conduct its own affairs in whatever way seems fit to its members, provided the group’s actions do not adversely affect other groups or the entire NA Fellowship. The group booklet offers the collective wisdom of our predecessors.

11. "The Group Booklet" A Fellowship-approved Piece of Literature
The group booklet. (1998). Van Nuys, CA: Narcotics Anonymous World Services. )
So why are we talking about the group booklet? Because this is one of the primary guidelines you as a GSR are entrusted to be familiar with.
What does it mean “fellowship-approved”? This means that some point a GSR like yourself voted on the contents and sent that approval to the World Services Board for final approval and publishing.

12. What is a “HOME GROUP”? Soooo…
-Refer to the NA SERVICE Structure- Handout!
For the group, it ensures the support of a core of regular, committed members
Have you chosen a home group?
What are some things you’ve been told about a homegroup? Or what does it mean to you? Practice making a personal commitment
Have a stable recovery base
No matter what, it’s a place to call “home,”
Place to say, “I know people, and they know me…”
Practice making and following through with a personal commitment

13. Why Be a Member of a Home Group?
Feel part of
Familiar faces
Accountability, Hey where have you been? Are you okay?
Promotes unity and availability to others
 Opportunity to begin service work
Helps to feel part of and increase the probability of seeing familiar faces
Accountability, Hey where have you been? Are you okay?
Promotes unity and availability to others
Opportunity to begin service work

14. Group’s Role in Service
NA Home Groups — not NA meetings — are the foundation of the NA service structure.
Our Home Groups maintain contact with the rest of Narcotics Anonymous through representatives (YOU) selected to participate on the groups’ behalf in the NA service structure.
Handout – Refer to NA Service Structure handout
Group’s Role in Service
NA groups—not NA meetings—are the foundation of the NA service structure.
Groups maintain contact with the rest of Narcotics Anonymous through representatives selected to participate on the groups’ behalf in the NA service structure.

15. How does an HG take care of its business?
By Group Conscience
By holding elections of trusted servant positions
By sending their GSR or group representative to the ASC monthly
By creating an ad-hoc committee when needed
By holding special service meetings when important issues surface, like a literature review, a group conscience, etc.
Change locations if necessary
Where can we hold NA meetings?
Before securing a location, it may be well to consider whether or not the room will be accessible to addicts with physical limitations.
Seventh Tradition encourages our groups to be self-supporting by paying all our own expenses, including our rent. Some facilities may prefer their rent to be paid in literature or other services.
It’s generally recommended that group meetings not be held in members’ homes.
Holding regular NA group meetings in some types of facilities—addiction treatment centers, clubhouses, or political party headquarters, for instance—can compromise the independent identity of the group.
Is it clear to all concerned that your NA group, not the facility, is sponsoring the meeting?

16. What makes up a Home Group?
4th Tradition
Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or NA as a whole.
Refer to IP #2 The Group
Suggested HG positions/responsibilities
GSR and Alternate GSR
Secretary
Treasurer
Greeters
Cookie Monster
GSR Group Rep is the liaison between the Home Group and Area Services and carries information from Area to the Group as well as bringing the group’s vote and any concerns back to the Area.
The alternate is as involved and informed as the GSR and may attend Area as a voting member, in her or his absence.
Secretary – is the liaison between the HG and the meeting location,
Treasurer – In some groups the treasurer collects 7th Tradition monies, records it, purchases and brings the money order to area for donation and literature, Pays rent, maintains prudent reserve, keeps treasurer’s sheet for view by any group member etc.
Refer to IP 24 ‘Money Matters’
If possible, each HG member could have a position, such as coffee maker, Greeters, Newcomer welcomer / phone number collector, put together a newcomer packet etc.
Cookie Monster

17. What is a Group Conscience?
Informed vote taken by the group as a whole
Not just the majority!
An expression of our Higher Power's will
Best for the group as a whole
Placing principles before personalities (Tradition 12)
Handout – Refer to IP Group conscience
Group Conscience is more about deciding what everyone is willing to agree on, than deciding which side wins a majority result.

18. When to have a Group Conscience?
A group conscience may be initiated anytime during a group service meeting if a member feels it's necessary.
Handout – Refer to IP called Group Conscience

19. So…Why are you a GSR? I am serious about my recovery
My sponsor made me
No one else would do it
My Home Group made me
It was my turn
I volunteered
I am brave…
-Refer to Group Service Representative- Handout

20. What is a GSR? Trusted servant Voice of their group at (ASC)
Voice of Area at their group
The financial link between their group and the Area
Main source of information about service, activities, and events
Source of information on service work opportunities
Source of information for the group about NDANA Policy, Traditions and Concepts

21. Qualifications for a GSR
Addict in recovery
Attends the group they represent
Willingness to serve
One year clean time (suggested only)
Knowledge of the service structure of NA or the willingness to study it
Understanding of or the willingness to learn the duties of a GSR

22. Suggested Position Expectations
Attend HG meeting regularly
Attend the ASC meeting monthly
Report to the ASC:
Group status
Donation
Problems
Concerns
Update phone and meeting lists
Bring issues from the ASC to the group for a group conscience and report back to the ASC
Learn about the subcommittees of the ASC.
-What do the subcommittees do? –
When do they meet? –
Who may attend? –
Which subcommittees need support? –
Attend subcommittee meetings. –
Learn the service structure.
-Learn what the ASC, RSC, WSC, WSO, etc are.
-Review the Guide to Local Service and the ASC Policy guidelines.

23. GSR Report to the HG GSR report may include
Attendance of groups and Elected trusted servants of the ASC
Open positions at Area and Region
Motions carried back to the group
Points of discussions made during the ASC
Open positions within the sub-committees
Passing over the Area announcements to the group secretary
Announce Area/Regional Activities during the regular meeting.
Handout – Refer to Group Report Handout

24. Alphabet Soup & Important URL’s
ASC
NDANA
RCM
WSO
NAWS
BOD
CARNA
-Refer to Alphabet Soup Handout-
Central Atlantic Region of NA
States: Maryland North Carolina Pennsylvania Virginia West Virginia

25. Q & A
Good Questions To Ponder and Perhaps Discuss with Others 1.) Why do we have suggested clean time with positions? 2.) If you were asked to express your feeling of what group conscience means to you, what would you say? 3.) What are your priorities at a meeting of the Area Service Committee? 4.) What is the group open forum for? And is it just for GSR’s? 5.) Do you understand what discussion on a motion is for? If yes, write it out. 6.) How do your principles influence your voting? 7.) What are the reasons for abstentions? List them. 8.) What are my expectations before, during, and after an ASC meeting? List them. 9.) Is policy important? Why? 10.) Do I get confused at an area meeting? If so, how can we change that? 11.) What is the purpose of having an Area Service Committee? 12.) What is the C.A.R. and how are you involved as a member of N.A.? 13.) What is the role of the 7th tradition in the area and N.A. as a whole? 14.) What are the responsibilities of your position? List them. 15.) Where do spiritual principles play a part in service?

26. WHAT IS NDANA? New Dominion Area of Narcotics Anonymous RVANA.org
REFER to HANDOUTS – Exploring the website: RVANA.org
Each month our area meets here to bring information from the Home Groups to AREA and from AREA to the HG’s
Virginia has several Areas including our neighbors Richmond, Blackwell-Southside & Tri-Cities Areas,
A little farther out are Piedmont Area, BRANA, TACNA, RVANNA, NORVANA, TACNA, Dulles Corridor, and the Outer Limits Area, to name just a few.

27. How Does Area Service Committee Work?
Area Service Format
Home Group Reports
Committee Reports
Sub-Committee Reports
Ad-Hoc Subcommittees
Motions
Elections
Open Forum
Handout – Refer to New Dominion Area Service Format
Handout – Refer to Motion Form
ASC meets second Sunday
Regional meets every other month on the third Sunday
ASC Committee is Chair person, Vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer
Sub-Committees are Outreach, H&I, Special Events, Literature, PR, Policy to name a few.
Ad-hock – VRCC, Alt. VRCC, RCM, Alt. RCM
Contact Information form: Please write down and give to the ASC secretary before you leave your first ASC meeting so that you will be included in the mailing list for ASC meetings

28. CAN I GO???? How do I bring our concerns to the AREA?
Anyone may attend ASC. However, only the GSR may vote on any motion the individual or HG brings.
The group or any member may bring concerns to the GSR’s attention at their HG meeting.
Area Service meets at 2300 Dumbarton Road each
Most groups do not like to spend meeting time with reports – utilize home group meetings usually before or after the meeting.
Try to understand your report from ASC so it can be brief.
Group may request support, ask for an event they are having to be announced etc.

29. How does the 7th Tradition $ Get to Area?
The group if and how much
Money Order is sent to the monthly ASC meeting
The group decides at their regular monthly service meeting if and how much of a donation they can make to the ASC. A check or money is prepared and sent with the GSR or group representative to the regular monthly ASC meeting.

30. Area Service
NDANA Service Format NDANA Group Reports NDANA Literature Order Form NDANA Motion Form NDANA List of Service Work Tools
-Refer to New Dominion Area Service Handouts;
ASC Format
Group Reports
Literature Order Form
Motion Form
List of Suggested Tools for Service Work

31. How do I prepare for Area?
Check your folder for:
_____ Last Month's Area Minutes
_____ Motion Forms
_____ GSR Report Form
( Write in Voting or just Reporting)
_____ Literature Order Form and a Money Order
(Should be made out to NDANA for the HG's
Area Contribution and Literature Order)
Handout is in Booklet (page 9)
You are an important part of making sure the business of Area is being conducted properly. Plan to arrive early, so you can turn in your literature order and socialize.
Hopefully, you have gone over the previous month's area minutes in your HG business meeting to give new information, nominations for Area and Regional trusted servants and bring group conscience votes and motions from your HG
Find a seat at the table! Pick up an Agenda for today’s meeting so you'll know the order business will be conducted and when you can ask questions, give feedback, bring motions, nominations and/or new business.
Blank and filled out ones coming from the Home Group
Please to secretary or have a copy of your report ready to present to area so that it may be included in the minutes and read on the Area floor

32. What are the 12 Concepts? 12 CONCEPTS
These are the guiding principles for our service structure.
Much like the 12 TRADITIONS are guiding principles for our groups’ unity and the 12 STEPS are the guiding principles of the individual addicts’ recovery.

33. Q&A

34. Thank you!
Let us serve you some ICE CREAM!