The Importance of SCANNING World Service Conference April

The Importance of SCANNING World Service Conference April 2010 The Importance of Scanning

What Leaders Do Information Loop P____ R_____ P_____ *Communicate* *Engage Others* E_____ D______ M_____ Information Loop The Importance of Scanning 2

Sources of Information - NAWS WHO ü Individual members ü Local trusted servants ü Regional delegates HOW ü Discussion boards ü Zonal Forums ü WSC ü Workshops ü Surveys, contact with WSO Information Loop NAWS Strategic Planning Information Loop Inside the fellowship Outside the fellowship WHO ü Local professionals ü National professionals ü Treatment counselors ü Government agencies ü Drug courts ü Professional associations HOW ü Meetings, conferences ü Publications ü Research studies, reports ü Focus groups, etc. The Importance of Scanning 3

What is Scanning? Scanning is. . . a process leaders use on a regular basis to collect and analyze information about the environment in which the service body operates. Scanning collects information from NA members and the service body, and from outside of NA. Leaders scan in order to. . . better understand the changing world around them and how change could affect the ability of the service unit to achieve its goals and further the NA vision. Leaders use scan information to. . . identify challenges as well as opportunities that the service unit should address, and to guide decisions on the best action to take to address challenges and take advantage of opportunities to better serve the members. The Importance of Scanning 4

The NAWS Scan: Using Information to Make Good Decisions Collect Analyze Act What do we hear, observe? What does it mean? What should we do about it? The UN continues to put more funding into drug interdiction than treatment. The medical communities lean more toward drug replacement therapies. Medication abuse is one of the more prevalent causes of relapse. Medical residents receive only 0 to 6 hours of addiction training. Increase in drug courts and referrals from drug courts. ETC… Donations continue to increase, but not at the same rate as expenses. Income from literature sales continues to increase, but not at the same rate as production expenses. A culture of supporting NAWS through direct fellowship and group donations does not exist. There is heavy reliance on conventions and events as sources of funds. Demand for service is increasing at the same time that resources are declining. Groups may become overwhelmed with members from drug courts who have different expectations of NA. Provide clear guidance and support on philosophical issues that challenge NA groups. (Objective 6) NA philosophy may be increasingly in conflict with prevailing attitudes about treatment. . . may cause confusion among the membership. Local leaders have the tools to address several complex issues currently facing the fellowship. (2010 Outcome) NA credibility as a program of recovery may weaken. The level of service provided is not sustainable into the future. The general fellowship may not see the value of the work NAWS is doing in furthering the NA vision on a global scale. NAWS may need to look at additional sources of revenue. Approaches: Publish In Times of Illness. . . Collect best practices on how to respond to drug courts and develop tools and discussions. . . Raise awareness and a sense of responsibility on the part of the fellowship to adequately fund the cost of services, throughout NA, including NAWS. (Objective 13) Increase the level of fellowship contributions throughout the service system. (2010 Outcome) Approaches: Initiate a 3 -year message campaign that builds on group donations Create self-support session profiles and tools… ETC… The Importance of Scanning 5

Sample Area Scan Collect Analyze Act Review the information collected from the sample Area scan. What can we learn from the information collected? What are some of the possible issues the Area may need to address? What are some possible goals the Area should include in their Plan? What are one or two approaches they could take to achieve these goals? Information from INSIDE THE FELLOWSHIP Members are generally apathetic toward service ASC meeting attendance has been declining Members are aware of the ASC, but concern themselves only with their group GSR orientations are inconsistent; no written orientation materials exist Goal: Approach: Goal: No professional members at meetings; new addicts that are professionals don’t stay There is an increase in older members Approach: Two groups represent over 80% of area funds; other groups don’t contribute regularly Information from OUTSIDE THE FELLOWSHIP Local doctors want meetings that match specific client demographics Doctors are reluctant to send patients on medication to NA Local drug courts are creating a large influx of court mandated addicts in meetings Goal: Approach: Goal: Increasing mentions of NA in local papers; media inquiries and requests for presentations are on the rise PI function is not pro-active Approach: The Importance of Scanning 6

RD: A Critical Link in the Scanning and Planning Process Regional Delegate Role: “The Regional Delegate (RD) serves as the primary contact between NA’s world services and the local NA community. On the one hand, the delegate provides information on current world service projects to the regional committee. On the other, the delegate provides local perspective to the work of world services. ” -- A Guide to World Services How the RD Provides Input into the NAWS Planning and Scanning Process Currently Regional Reports World Service Conference discussion Zonal Forum discussion NAWS Discussion Boards Dialog with World Board members and WSO staff Other? ? Ways the RD can more effectively participate in the NAWS Planning and Scanning Process: Ways the RD can more effectively report on the work of World Services to other parts of the service system: The Importance of Scanning 7