Timeline of the Midwest Zonal Forum
Only facilitated 1 workshop on the Service System at the Greater Illinois Regional Convention because per our guidelines as the first meeting after WSC this would be our planning meeting for the upcoming cycle. Set the hosting Regions for the conference cycle, including the Minnesota Region giving their space to the Upper Midwest Region. Website Analytics: From March 1st to November 19, 2010, the site received 1,715 unique visits, with over 7,000 page views recorded. The majority of the site traffic comes from na.org (22%), with a smaller percentage finding us through Google (18%) and other search engines. On average we have 12 unique visitors a day. This is a significant drop from our previous numbers, but it’s to be expected since the site was new and everyone was checking out the new features.
The first Multi-Regional assembly rotating outside of the Michigan Region happened in Chicago. Workshopped CAR and discussed Conference Approval Track material, facilitated by NAWS presenters.
Facilitated a pair of workshops at the Wisconsin Regional Convention on Rural Recovery that were well received and attended. Substantial progress was made on the refurbish of our website including adding the ability to distribute and publish our minutes to a protected list as well as a discussion board to facilitate the history project. Also approved our report for WSC.
Stand alone workshops on Issue Discussion Topics; “Our Freedom / Our Responsibility” and “Our Service System – Communication”. Also a very successful workshop, including input, on the new Living Clean book. These workshops were facilitated by NAWS board members. Also, approved substantive changes to the website and an update to the guidelines.
Successful leadership workshop at a convention and a smaller but effective workshop on good communication.Approved moving the website to a different provider and updating it to be more in line with current technology and more functional for users, including discussion boards.
Hugely successful stand alone workshops on the new cycle’s Issue Discussion Topics, facilitated by NAWS presenters. Next cycle planning: mix up workshops and meetings at conventions and stand alone to broaden our impact across the local fellowships request convention committees to put our workshops in time slots with little or no competition from other workshops balance our requests for NAWS participation keeping in mind fiscal responsibility with our responsibility to help local fellowships “humanize” the NAWS members.
Multi-Regional assembly in Kalamazoo. Workshopped CAR and discussed Conference Approval Track material, NAWS members were not able to attend due to inclement weather.
Two small group discussion workshops, “Our Service System” and “Building Strong Home Groups”, provided for the GIRCNA convention very well attended and successful. Better planning and no competition from other convention workshops. Service profile – Resume approved, proposed guidelines distributed but they need work. History project brought a questionnaire for all MZF participants to complete regarding current ongoing history projects. New meeting agenda/format to improve meeting flow and process. Four proposals to formalize the function and planning of future direct services provided by the MZF. With consensus that workshops are one of the more effective and successful ways the MZF provides direct services to the local fellowship we adopted 2 of the proposals that formalized our planning and notification process for workshops.
“What is the MZF?” workshop provided for the DACNA convention had no attendance, discussion regarding possible solutions for future workshops.Service profile presented “resume” to be reviewed for approval at next MZF. History project initiated.
Leadership workshop was very effective but small due to weather. Protected meetings; MZF meeting frequency/rotation.
Presentation from “Project Hope”, an H&I initiative in the Kettle Moraine Area of the Wisconsin Region. Discussion about how the participating Regions at the MZF can help. Continued discussion about what MZF can and should provide; PI-initiate or support, workshops, etc. Decided to provide stand alone leadership workshop in Chicago and offer ourselves to the convention committee for a workshop on strategic planning in April in Metro Detroit. Website; provide contact information while protecting personal information. Regions funding delegates to the MZF. Appropriate use of the CD provided to the RDs from NAWS.
Multi-Regional Assembly in Kalamazoo. Workshopped CAR and discussed Conference Approval Track material with members from NAWS.
The web page committee has been meeting online. MZF Logo. WSC report. Service Profile. WSC prep: Help for new RDs; Timelines. How to do CAR this year? PR Handbook and the way literature is approved.
New web page guidelinesPI presentation, What worked, what can we do better?
PI presentation in Indiana. Work on the web site. What is it”s purpose for public or help within the Zone. Resource List/Resume
The Internet Committee met by e-mail over the last quarter, and addressed several things: **MZF Internet Committee Guidelines. Recommendations for Email Responses Income – We’re bringing in less money than we”re paying out. There was clear consensus that we are not interested in doing any merchandising at this time. The MZF will take the time out of our meeting in April to host a workshop at the convention about diversity and use the small group format.
WSC ‘04 During the past Conference cycle, the MZF finalized specific financial guidelines. The MZF is currently in the final stages of taking over the former Mid Coast Convention”s 501c3 tax-exempt status. To this end, the forum has been renamed MZFNA Inc This year the MZF agreed to begin funding its trusted servants to attend its meetings –when the money is available The MZF has identified a significant void in the provision of Public Information services in the Midwest and a work group has been established to determine how we can assist local service bodies with projects beyond the scope of their resources, as well as how we can most effectively train addicts in the local fellowships within our zone to provide more effective PI services. In the spirit of this ongoing discussion the MZF thoroughly workshopped the Minnesota Region’s “Resolution A” motions at our meeting in August 2003 in Madison Wisconsin. No clear consensus has developed on this issue to date.
Public Information Service proposal Voting Procedures at WSC World Board Participation at MZF
The motions in the CAR. Resource List. MZF SERVICES- discussing their concern that the MZF does not provide enough service to justify the money being spent there was also some discussion about the merits and drawbacks of the MZF hosting/assisting with learning days
Proposed changes to the MZF guidelines were discussed,The Minnesota region presented a document that the region is going to submit to the conference report.
The discussion regarding changing our statement of purpose. Our MZF website guidelines have now been drafted and the MZF has launched a website at www.mzfna.org
MZF Internet Committee Guidelines adopted. MZF geographic boundaries. US service conference. Review guidelines for Funding MZF trusted servants.
WSC”02MZF hosts World Wide Workshop in Chicago.
Discussion of World Wide Workshop hosted by MZF. Role of MZF?Minnesota voted to join MZFDiscussion of Funding MZF trusted servants.Multi regional Learning days boundaries. MZF Website. World Wide Workshop.Draft “Funding MZF trusted servants” guidelines.
MZF-CAR workshop rotation. World Wide Workshop topics location’s
World Wide Workshop focus.
Approve Mission Statement The Midwest Zonal Forum (MZF) is a consensus based service body that seeks to further NA”s primary purpose by facilitating communication, cooperation and growth in the Midwestern United States and NA world services.Approve Financial Guidelines.
CAR motions, Election-member recognition, Procedures of WSC.The dates are unclear on the following events / discussions of other agreed upon guidelines of MZF:
Sign papers to take over MCC inc.MZF issue paper draft for WSC.
MCC inc, WSC elections, Draft Mission / Vision statements.
MZF meeting rotation schedule established, MZF meeting 3 times a year.Trusted servant election rotation established.Discussion of MZF motion in CAR.WSC election procedures.
MZF Community development / report about speed of progress to regions.Coffee table book.Draft report to WSC elect reps to present.
Discussed how regions are working with the GTLS, MZF financial guidelines, and the idea of the Zone presenting an issue paper.
Review drafts of financial guidelines and an Issue Paper on Res. A.
Elect two reps for reporting to WSC and attend meeting (canceled) with World Board.
WSC donation?, Removal of “Featured trusted servant” in NA way.
Consensus was reached that MZF will take over the MCC Inc. and thus, we needed to create better financial guidelines. Discussed Chicago Service Office mishandling of funds and how regions are implementing The Guide to Local Service (GTLS).
Discussed Greater IL/ Faith Regional split, MCC participation, TG input and Federal court ruling on NA being a religious organization.
Presented the idea of MZF taking over Mid-Coast Convention Inc. (MCC), and how we might use the 501.c.3 corporation. MCC donated $500 for operating cost to MZF. Shared ES&H on Transition Group(TG) proposals. Reviewed Greater IL/Faith Region split. Approved draft qualifications for Co-facilitator, Secretary, Calendar Coordinator, and Treasurer positions. Treasurer Duties and Responsibilities Keep and maintain MZF checkbook and accounts Reports at all MZF meetings status of all MZF accounts Is a signer of the checking account Previous experience as treasurer Can be a Regional Delegate Voting participant Clean time requirement of 5 years Term 1 year
Created an ad-hoc to draft MZF guidelines on funding and MZF meeting agenda.
We created a first draft of the agenda for the MZF meeting and general guidelines for trusted servants. MZF meeting agenda: Recovery meeting, regional reports, sharing session, and old and new business. Co-Facilitators Start meeting on time Follow pre-established agenda Clean time requirement of 5 years Non-Voting Non-Participant Familiar with rules of order as used by MZF Not currently serving as RSR/A Term 1 year Secretary Responsible to take minutes of the MZF meetings Clean time requirement of 2 years Past experience as a secretary desirable Maintains mailing list Voting participant Term 1 year Calendar Coordinator Maintain MZF calendar (conventions, learning days, MZF meetings, etc.) Clean time requirement 2 years Maintains contact list of regional subcommittee chair people Maintains a working relationship with secretary Voting participant Term 1 year
Raised question of need to have more structure. Created a Pros and Cons to structure paper.
Changed our name from Midwest Forum to Midwest Zonal Forum (MZF). Discussed taxes and midwestern conventions.
Discussed the following: WSC / fellowship inventory process (composite group surveys), WSO sales policy, overall Regional financial guidelines and issues, gender specific issue, WCNA 23 in Chicago, and Regional participation in Mid Coast Convention
The first recorded meeting of Midwest Forum away from the WSC. The format which was agreed upon was to start with was a recovery meeting, and then have a business meeting to be moderated by a chair who would be a non-regional representative. Also, we created a formalized mailing/trusted servant list and discussed the need for a steering committee and forum meeting location rotation Created a “Statement Of Purpose” PaperThat the attending regions in the Midwest United States formed a non-policy making body to be known as the Midwest Forum. Its purpose would be to provide participants a forum for the discussion and exchange of information on problems and issues confronting the regions of the Midwest U.S. This would be a place to network and share ideas with the focus on finding solutions. Goals of the Midwest ForumFacilitate and coordinate inter-regional activities, such as other meetings of the Midwest Forum, Learning Days, CAR workshops, etc.Encourage and facilitate inter-regional communication to all levels of service. Sharing our common concerns and questions with the WSC.Research and explore the feasibility / desirability of Zonal formation as directed by our member fellowships.Develop and maintain a resource list of trusted servants within the Midwest Forum.(MWF) participants.Get together and act more effectively in development of regional motions for inclusion in the CAR or for action at WSC. Membership of the Midwest Forum is open to any member of NA. Everyone is encouraged to be an active member in helping us arrive at consensus, which is our only way of decision-making. The Midwest Forum always starts with a recovery meeting to remind those present of our primary purpose.
Out of concern for not looking like we were creating a ” Midwest Voting Block” we changed the name from Midwest Caucus to the Midwest Forum.
Intended to coordinate larger regional and multi-regional functions, facilitated communication between regions through the exchange of names and numbers of Regional trusted servants. ALL DECISIONS WERE BY CONSENSUS, which to us meant without objection. In attendance were representatives from, IA, IL, IN, KY, ND-SD-MN & parts of Manitoba Canada, MI, MO, OH, and WI. Open participation.. all present may participate.