Regional Office
Mon, 03/16/2009 - 4:09pm — michael m
I would like comments Pro and Con concerning our regional office and the need or lack of need for one. My personal belief is that at this time it is not prudent use of NA funds. Our Region meets to often and we spend way to much money on having an office that is used for only several hours a month.
THIS TOPIC HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR ADDITIONAL COMMENTS AS A DECISION WAS REACHED AT THE REGIONAL LEVEL - IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE TOPIC RE-OPENED OR A SIMILAR DISCUSSION THREAD CREATED, PLEASE CONTACT THE WEBMASTER.
Regional Office
Hello Regional family. Long time no see.
Our RCM brought to area the prices of the proposed places and, being the dollar and cents guy that I am, i had to run the #s. Currently the rent is $350 and going up to $400 a month= $4800.00 a year for rent alone. If i recall the #s the lowest of the proposed places was $800.00 and the highest being $1500.00 for totals of $9600.00 to 18,000.00 a month for rent alone. WOW.
As a member of NA and being involved in service for a while, I truely have a a passion for prudent use of NA funds. I think this kind of money could be better spent fulfilling our Primary Purpose, " Carry the meesage to the addict who still suffers." An empy buildiing, 28 days a month- I really don't see that purpose being furthered in any way.
I understand We have formed service bodies to better Serve the Fellowship and they need to be able to meet in somewhat comfortable surroundings. The idea of the meeting traqveling every month is awesome and has been suggested before. Maybe it is time to truely take a look at this as a viable option and a way to better serve our Fellowship, Region and members. This could also be a great way for more members to be exposed to the Regional level of service.
That is alot of money that could be spent on literature to new meetings, H&I, PI, Regional or Area learning days or functions. $9800.00 to $18000.00 could truely serve our Fellowship in other ways than an office that is used only 1 or 2 times a month.
Thanx for opening this topic up to us in this forum and allowing members to have thier voices heard. I think this is a big decision and if the Regional body is able to hear the concensus of the Fellowship, will surely make the right decision. Primary Purpose and Prudent use of NA Funds ring out to me.
Maybe it's time to let it go...
For less than we're currently spending on rent/lease per month, we could get a post office box and a storage unit, and simply move to a year-round rotation of the regional meeting. Although Banning may be 'central' to the region, it's far from 'close' for many of us. We are a large region, which means there's always going to be some travel, but I don't think that centralizing in a geographic area that is central to so few is the answer.
I'm concerned that we are focusing on having a "bigger, better, nicer" office, and, granted, it's nice to have a comfortable spot to meet. But when I ask myself questions like: (1) How does a new office improve the service and support that we are able to provide the Areas? or (2) Is a more expensive office prudent use of NA funds? or (3) Does the proposed new office promote better unity or bring the areas closer together? ... My answer is consistently "No".
So let's take the region on a "Walkabout". The sheer scale and distance between populations of recovering addicts in our region present problems that may not be solved by emulating the centralized regional offices that we see with Southern California or San Diego Imperial County Region.
As it stands, there are five months out of the year that we don't utilize the regional office when the regional meeting is rotated to the different areas. That's 41% of the year that already under-utilized. If we simply added another round of rotation between the areas during the year, we'd only have two unaccounted-for months. I have to ask: At what point does the Regional office become an overpriced storage unit?
Then there's the question of the current economic climate. To me, prudent use of NA funds dictates that we should be looking for areas to cut or maintain costs at current levels, not increase our expenses.
Let's make a choice to do something different.
At Area we were informed
At Area we were informed that the Region wanted feedback from the groups. I am the GSR of the Tuesday night "The Healing Starts Here" group in 29 Palms. There were very strong feelings that there is hardly any awareness that Region exists outside of convention activities.
All agreed that they would like the Region to travel to the Area's for Regional meetings. Each Area would be responsible for hosting Region on a rotating basis. In our Area we could have the meeting the same day as or Area meeting. We pay $20 for the day at the Church and only use it in the morning. Region could be in the afternoon. The Area's would get to know Region and Region would be able to fill those empty positions much better. It would provide for much better communication and service to the groups.
We understand there needs to be a place for archives. We see a storage place for that.
That is the feedback from my group and there was discussion by many at Area that something like this seemed best.
My personal view
After talking to many in my area and at world I would like to share what I've learned.
Our Area has almost no real relationship to Region in spite of the many great people in service. This morning my home group talked about and how great it would be to host Regional meetings several times a year and to travel to other Area's when they host Regional metings. It would promote communication of our needs and Region's so they could be met much better. Region would be able to fill the positions it's had open for a long time.
We talked about our new Area now in it's 3rd year. We got a ton of help from the Lower Desert and will be forever grateful for them. I wish they knew how we used what they gave us (Morongo Basin Area) and how this has made our groups multiply and attendance has increased markedly. Region exists to support Area's, at least in part. Yet, Region wasn't ever a factor. We didn't know who to contact at Region and Region never contacted us or has acknowledged us in any way I know of and I have been on the Area Committee since it's beginning/ We did well, but, well, but it would have been nice and appraopriate for Region to be there for us.
Many Regions have Regional Activities. We have the Convention and it's terrific. But, a Service Learning Day, a Regional Campout or other Activities would be great and let the fellowship know our Region exists and is for us.
We have been reminded at every Area meeting by our RCM that Region has many positions open. If Region had more exposure to the Area's I think it will not only get the positions filled but be a body that can be it touch with the Area's needs an serve them well. :)
I think this reflects the feeling of most in my area....