Northern California Regional Service Committee

1

• Northern California Regional Service Committee
• RCM Orientation

2

• Orientation Topics
• Welcome to the Regional Service Office
• People you should know (and why you should know
  them)
• A Quick Overview of the NA Service Structure
• Elements of the Regional Service Structure
• A look ahead to todays RSC (Breaking down the
  Agenda)
• Additional resources (to help you do your job)

3

• Welcome to the Regional Service Office
• Our Regional Service Office
• Provides the distribution of NA literature to
  Areas, Groups, and members in Northern California
• Provides a central, permanent location for the
  RSC, RSO Board, NCCNA and HI/PR to meet
  regularly
• Serves as storage for Convention merchandise and
  equipment as well as the Regions records and
  archives

4

• Welcome to the Regional Service Office
• Things to consider while at the RSO
• The photocopier is for Regional Reports and
  information. It is not the appropriate place to
  make several hundred fliers for an area event!
• There are certain areas of the RSO that we ask
  members not to venture into without permission
  from a Board member. We do have literature,
  merchandise and equipment that must be treated
  the same as cash
• Remember that the RSO holds several committee
  meetings, and our Special workers spend their
  weekdays here so lets keep the office clean!
• This is our Fellowships office we want everyone
  to feel comfortable and welcome. If there is
  something you need, please ask us!

5

• People You should Know
• RSC Chair and Vice Chair
• The RSC Chair and Vice Chair can help you with
  any additional orientation, procedural questions,
  access to guidelines, or facilitation of requests
  from your area. They can also put you in touch
  with the right person to assist you with any
  special needs you may have
• Current RSC Chair Jon B American River Area
• Current RSC Vice Chair Frank W Peninsula Area
• RSO Board Representative
• The BOD Rep can help you with any facilities
  needs during your visit. Also, the BOD Rep can
  help with any insurance questions or concerns you
  may have regarding a meeting or area event, as
  well as fulfillment of literature orders
• Current BOD Rep Sue L Mission Peak Area

6

• People You should Know
• Regional Delegate and Alternate
• The RD and RDA are your connection to NA World
  Services and NA as a whole. They serve as your
  primary resource and point of contact regarding
  all aspects of NA World Services and the rest of
  the fellowship outside of Northern California.
  They strive to keep you informed of all the
  developments in NA and are available for
  workshops or guidance on a variety of NA Service
  Issues
• Current RD Lenny R San Francisco Area
• Current RD Alternate Matt S San Francisco
  Area
• Regional PR Coordinators
• The RSC provides 2 coordinators to serve as
  resources and mentors for the provision of PR
  services throughout the Region. The coordinators
  assist areas in coordinating PR
  workshops/learning days and provide ongoing PR
  training education for members throughout the
  Region. If your area needs assistance in
  interfacing with the public, these are the people
  that have their hands on the resources and can
  help you
• Current PR Coordinator Rory B American
  River Area
• Current PR Coordinator Vacant

7

• People You should Know
• Regional HI Chair and Vice Chair
• The HI Chair and Vice Chair can help you with
  anything your local HI subcommittee might need
  and can also help if your area is having
  difficulties serving a prison or other large
  facility. Like the PR coordinators, the HI
  Chair and Vice Chair are available to provide
  ongoing training and mentoring in all aspects of
  HI service through workshops and learning days
• Current HI Chair Ginny N Contra Costa Area
• Current HI Vice Chair Vacant
• NCCNA Rep
• The NCCNA Rep can help you with any questions or
  concerns regarding the Northern California
  Regional Convention including questions about
  the process for areas to submit bids to host an
  NCCNA subcommittee. The NCCNA subcommittee is
  also a great repository of events experience and
  the NCCNA Rep may be able to provide some
  guidance on any event-related issues your area
  may be having
• Current NCCNA Rep Paul D Peninsula Area

8

• People You should Know
• Your Fellow RCMs!
• Every RCM had their first Regional meeting at
  one point. Many are now knowledgeable RSC
  veterans that can assist you in navigating your
  new adventure. A benefit of the size and
  diversity of the Northern California Region is
  that the RCMs represent a dynamic cross-section
  of hard-won NA service experience from different
  NA Communities. You may find the best answers
  and insights from the RCM sitting right next to
  you, even if their area is 300 miles away!

9

• A Quick Overview of the NA Service Structure
• 14,000 weekly meetings in Northern California
  turn to 21 Area Service Committees to provide
  local services
• The NCRSC Provides coordination amongst the areas
  and provides resources so they may provide direct
  services to the Groups
• The Northern California Region is one of 70
  regions seated at the World Service Conference, a
  biennial gathering of delegates from around the
  world that takes action on issues concerning NA
  as a Whole providing direction to the World
  Board

Group
Group
Group
Group
Group
Group
Group
Group
Area
Area
Area
Area
Northern California RSC
World Service Conference
10

• A Quick Overview of the NA Service Structure
• Our Regional Neighbors

11

• Elements of the Regional Service Structure
• NCRSC
• Consists of 2 RCMs from each Area, the HI Chair
  Vice Chair, 2 PR Coordinators, 1 RSO BOD
  Representative , 1 NCCNA Representative, and 7
  members of the Regional Administrative Committee.
  All together, this could total 55 People!
• The RSC has embraced the spirit of the 7th
  Concept for NA Service and recognizes both RCMS
  from each area as full voting participants.
  Although some areas choose to distinguish between
  RCMS using terms such as alternate or
  Senior/Junior RCM for continuity of experience,
  no such distinctions are made at the Regional
  Level
• All members of the RSC bear substantial
  responsibility for Regional Services and fully
  participate in the decision making process. The
  only exception is when a motion is directly
  referred to Areas. In these instances, only the
  RCMs, carrying a direct conscience from their
  area, vote on that decision.

Northern California RSC
12

• Elements of the Regional Service Structure
• NCRSC
• The RSC does not provide any direct hands-on
  services and functions more as an assembly than
  as a committee in the classic sense. If youre
  not good with Roberts Rules of Order, youll
  be relieved to discover that voting on motions is
  a very small part of what we do here
• The RSC serves primarily as a forum for sharing
  experience, strength and hope, providing guidance
  and direction for regional services and assisting
  the areas. Forum discussion of Area, Regional,
  and, occasionally, World, issues is the part of
  the RSC that seems to be the most valuable for
  our members
• The RSC occasionally meets in some of our
  geographically isolated areas, usually upon that
  areas request, as a show of unity and a gesture
  to offset a small part of the travel burden these
  areas face on a monthly basis

Northern California RSC
13

• Elements of the Regional Service Structure
• RSC Administrative Committee
• The Administrative Committee is much like your
  Area Administrative Committee, consisting of a
  Chairperson, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer,
  Assistant Treasurer, Regional Delegate and
  Regional Delegate Alternate
• The Administrative Committee meets monthly,
  usually just prior to the RSC and keeps abreast
  of regional, area and world issues in their
  discussions ensuring that the RSC is fully
  informed and that we are all looking at the big
  picture. Members of the Administrative committee
  are appointed liaisons to each Regional
  Subcommittee to act as the voice of the RSC
  when the RSC is not in session. The
  administrative committee has been granted
  authority to handle critical or time-sensitive
  decisions that may need to be made between
  meetings of the RSC.
• Unlike other members, who only serve for 1 year
  terms in their positions, the RD and RD Alternate
  serve for 2 year terms. This is based on the
  fact that the WSC meets every 2 years and
  considerable service experience is required to be
  an effective RD. Although it hasnt happened
  yet, a person could serve as RD Alternate and
  then RD for up to 8 years!

Northern California RSC
RSC Admin
14

• Elements of the Regional Service Structure
• RSO Board of Directors
• The RSO Board is comprised of 9 members, 3 of
  whom are directly elected annually by the RSC and
  6 who are selected from a pool of candidates
  screened by the RSC to serve for 2 year terms.
  The Board meets monthly, usually on the first
  Saturday of the Month, to manage literature
  distribution, convention finances contracts,
  the regional insurance policy, office facilities
  and equipment, and other tasks as requested by
  the RSC
• NCSRO, Inc. is a California not-for-profit 501
  C.(3) corporation. We entrust all of the Regions
  legal and insurance issues, as well as financial
  management of the Convention to the BOD. Although
  NCRSO, Inc. is an incorporated business, the
  Board remains fully accountable to the NCRSC
• In keeping with the Eight Tradition, the RSO
  Employs Special Workers. These are individuals
  that may or may not be NA Members, but who work
  for the RSO as paid employees during the work
  week. Our special workers primarily fill
  literature orders, but they do a variety of other
  tasks as well to help us provide services to NA
  in Northern California

Northern California RSC
RSC Admin
NCRSO
15

• Elements of the Regional Service Structure
• NCCNA
• The NCCNA subcommittee is comprised of 23
  members, 17 of whom are elected directly from the
  RSC to serve 2 year terms, and 6 of whom who are
  elected by the Areas awarded Programming, Host,
  and Registration subcommittee bids.
• NCCNA plans, organizes and facilitates the
  Northern California Regional Convention
  historically one of the largest and best-managed
  conventions in NA. In addition to planning the
  current years convention, the committee is always
  looking ahead several years at facilities for
  upcoming conventions, an increasingly difficult
  task as we continue to grow!
• Convention finances are managed by NCRSO on
  behalf of the RSC. Therefore the Convention
  finds itself needing to answer to both bodies.
  Accordingly, both the RSC and RSO Liaisons to
  NCCNA are full voting members of the convention
  committee and NCCNA sends either their Chair or
  Vice Chair to both the RSC and RSO Board meetings
  

Northern California RSC
RSC Admin
NCCNA
NCRSO
16

• Elements of the Regional Service Structure
• PR Coordinators
• The RSC Elects 2 PR Coordinators annually in
  June. The PR Coordinators serve as Northern
  California's resource of experience and
  information on all aspects of Public Relations
  service. The coordinators provide training and
  education to strengthen Area PR efforts by
  facilitating workshops, learning days and
  training sessions. The Coordinators also host an
  open PR Forum held on the second Saturday of
  even numbered months at the RSO. The forum
  allows for communication and coordination of Area
  PR efforts, and training sessions on various PR
  related topics. The Coordinators also help area
  PR efforts by providing a booth for area events
  and assisting wherever requested

Northern California RSC
RSC Admin
PR Coordinators (2)
NCCNA
NCRSO
17

• Elements of the Regional Service Structure
• H I Chair/Vice Chair
• The HI Chair and Vice Chair facilitate the
  Regional HI Subcommittee. They take an active
  role in facilitating workshops, learning days and
  training sessions to strengthen area HI efforts.
  The HI Chair and Vice Chair are available to
  assist coordination of HI efforts in large
  State, Federal , or geographically isolated
  facilities that may be too demanding on the
  resources of any one area alone. Additionally,
  the HI Chair and Vice Chair maintain a small
  literature fund to help area HI subcommittees
  with temporary shortfalls.

Northern California RSC
RSC Admin
PR Coordinators (2)
HI Chair V Chair
NCCNA
NCRSO
18

• A look ahead to today's RSC
• Agenda
• Introductions and Birthdays
• Area Reports
• Area Forum
• Regional Reports
• Regional Forum
• Just for Today Reading
• Roll Call/Quorum Count and approval of Minutes
• Old Business Elections
• New Business

This sounds like a big order, and we couldnt do
it all at once, so we do take breaks!
19

• A look ahead to today's RSC
• Area Reports
• Area Reports are your opportunity to stand up at
  the microphone (dont be too intimidated, we all
  have to do it !) and tell us the highlights of
  whats going on in your area. This is also the
  time to ask that an issue you or your area would
  like to have discussed be placed on the Area
  Forum part of the agenda
• The most effective reports focus on the
  highlights of the highlights. Getting into too
  much detail regarding routine monthly finances or
  area-level business will lose your audiences
  attention. All of these facts can be included in
  your written report for the minutes. Try to
  focus on the Big Picture when giving your
  verbal report!

20

• A look ahead to today's RSC
• Area Reports
• You will be asked to email your report to the RSC
  Secretary. The Secretary has to compile reports
  from up to 21 areas, as well as 11
  administrative/subcommittee reports, and needs to
  make sure the record is accurate. This isnt
  meant as homework or punishment!
• The RSC provides a template Area Report Form to
  help you get started. These should be on the
  counter at the RSO and are also available from
  the RSC Secretary. However, These forms havent
  been revised in many years and ask for a lot of
  the minutiae that may put your audience to sleep.
  Use judgment as to how much detail you want to
  provide on routine matters. Save the details for
  the Juicy stuff you know well want to hear
  all of those!

21

• A look ahead to today's RSC
• Area Forum
• Area Forum is just what it sounds like. Its a
  special block of time (at least 30 minutes), set
  aside in the agenda for free and open sharing of
  issues or challenges facing any of our areas.
  This is your opportunity to get feedback on a
  challenge your area is facing
• The focus of this forum is on local issues
  affecting your area. This is the time to get into
  grass-roots NA Service applying our principles
  to challenging real-world situations. Take
  advantage of this opportunity to hear the
  experience of other RCMs. This is the part of
  the meeting where we find out we dont have to
  face adversity on our own!

22

• A look ahead to today's RSC
• Regional Reports
• At this point in the Agenda , you will hear and
  receive written copies of reports from
• NCRSC Chair
• NCRSC Vice Chair
• NCRSC Secretary
• NCRSC Treasurer
• NCRSC Assistant Treasurer
• Northern California RD
• Northern California RD-Alternate
• NCSRO Board of Directors
• NCCNA (Convention Committee)
• Public Relations (PR) Coordinators
• HI Chair/Vice Chair

23

• A look ahead to today's RSC
• Regional Reports
• We recognize this is a lot of reports and this
  can be a difficult stretch in the agenda for some
  of us to sit through. We too are always trying
  to keep our verbal reports brief when possible
  keeping in mind that we give you all the details
  in writing. We ask your patience as we try to
  ensure you have all the pertinent information to
  do your job!
• Our Regional Trusted Servants will gladly answer
  any questions you may have at the conclusion of
  our reports. Dont be afraid to seek
  clarification if we didnt explain something well
  or if we slipped in an unfamiliar acronym. If
  youre wondering, chances are someone else in the
  room is as well. We will also give you a list of
  common acronyms as an additional orientation tool

24

• A look ahead to today's RSC
• Regional Forum
• Regional Forum is the time to discuss issues we
  are facing at the Regional level. This forum is
  often used to provide any guidance we need to
  give to our Regional trusted servants or
  committees based on what we believe is in the
  collective best interest of the fellowship.
• Occasionally we will also use this time to
  discuss world service issues that may be raised
  by the Regional Delegates in their reports

25

• Just for Today Reading

We strategically insert a Just for Today Daily
Meditation Reading just prior to the Business
session to hopefully keep us in touch with
ourselves during the business process!
26

• A look ahead to today's RSC
• Roll Call/ Quorum Count
• During the roll call the Secretary will ask you
  to specify whether you have one or two RCMs
  Present. This is done to get both the number of
  areas present (which determines quorum) and a
  count on the total number of participants (which
  determines the majorities needed to pass a given
  motion)
• 2/3rds of the 21 seated Areas in Northern
  California (14) must be present with at least one
  RCM to conduct business. This defines our quorum
• One half 1 of the total participants present
  will be required for motions needing a simple
  majority. At least 2/3rds of the participants
  (always rounding up) will be required for motions
  that seek to alter any Regional policies or
  guidelines
• The RSC chair will report these numbers to you so
  we all are operating from the same playbook

27

• A look ahead to today's RSC
• Elections
• The RSC is responsible for 7 Administrative
  Committee Positions, 9 members of the BOD, 20
  NCCNA Members, 2 PR Coordinators, and 2 HI
  Co-Chairs. Elections tend to be a year-round
  phenomena
• Every Month at 5PM we suspend the agenda to allow
  candidates for regional positions to qualify.
  This is done in consideration for members who may
  travel a long distance just to qualify for a
  regional election
• All candidates fill out a written NCRSC Service
  Resume. The resume is for voting participants
  to review and ask a candidate questions about
  their service history. All resumes will be
  returned to the candidate or destroyed at the
  conclusion of qualifications. Resumes should not
  be taken outside the RSC without permission from
  the candidate think of them as job
  applications!

28

• A look ahead to today's RSC
• Elections
• Elections are conducted by written ballot and the
  vote count is known only to 2 impartial vote
  counters and the RSC Chair. The us of a
  confidential ballot rather than a show of hands
  and not releasing numbers helps protect the
  integrity of the process by ensuring Principles
  before Personalities and helping prevent peoples
  feelings from getting hurt
• Prior to any qualifications, the RSC Chair will
  inform the body of the duties and qualifications
  for the position being considered.
• Depending on the type of election, the method of
  filling out your ballot may differ. The RSC
  Chair will explain these nuances to you and you
  will usually be provided with different colored
  ballots to emphasize the distinction in voting
  practices

29

• A look ahead to today's RSC
• Old and New business
• Although a small part of our agenda, this is
  nonetheless the time where we utilize a form of
  Roberts Rules. The Chair will try to go
  slowly and make sure were all on the same page.
  Speak up and ask for clarification if you are
  unsure of a procedure. Chances are if youre
  confused, your not the only one
• All motions are copied and distributed to you
  prior to the business session. This will help
  you follow along in the heat of the moment as
  well as have an accurate copy of the verbiage to
  report to your area
• Prior to voting on a motion, the Chair will tell
  you whether the motion requires a simple majority
  or 2/3rds majority to pass. At the conclusion of
  the vote count, the chair will announce the
  voting numbers in addition to signifying whether
  the motion passed or failed

30

• Other Resources
• You will receive a CD ROM containing the latest
  RSC, RSO, NCCNA, PR, and HI Guidelines, as well
  as several common forms. You are not expected to
  be an expert on all of these, but taking the time
  to familiarize yourself with the RSC guidelines
  will enhance your understanding and experience
• A list of common Acronyms (such as NAWS, IDT,
  CAR, APT, et.) will also be made available to
  you. If your not sure what were talking about
  when we employ these shortcuts, ask! (By now you
  should be getting the theme that if youre not
  sure, youre probably not the only one!)
• Finally, the most important resource here are the
  people. Many of us have formed long lasting
  friendships as a result of our shared experience
  in Regional Service. If you ever felt alone as
  the die-hard service enthusiast in your area,
  you will find here a community of addicts that
  are just like you! Youre going to get a roster
  of everyone's number and email address, and
  length of RSC experience. Like we say in our
  meetings Get phone numbers and use them!

31
Acronym Guide
32
Acronym Guide
33

• Thank You for Choosing to do Regional Service.
  As an RCM you are full participant of the
  Regional Service Committee and a valuable member
  of the Regional team!