Another World Service Conference has come and gone. WSC '94 was held in Atlanta, Georgia this past May. There is always so much that goes on there, it can be quite overwhelming, but in this and upcoming issues of the Asia-Pacific Forum Newsletter, We will try to give a general overview of some of the issues being discussed.

For those of you who have attended a World Service Conference you already know just how hectic an experience it can be. The way the conference is structured and the rules by which we do business, sometimes seem to work against our coming together in the most informed group conscious possible. There was a lot of discussion on ways we might improve our decision making process. We get overly caught up with making motions before, or in lieu of, adequate discussion and problem solving. A general consensus was achieved to try to make next years conference focused more on making decisions through the discussion of issues rather than making motions.

Those of us from the Asia-Pacific forum who were able to attend the conference had a great time sharing with, and supporting one-another. We want to extend a special warm welcome to Dennis from India who was at the conference for the first time. Last year Peter attended the conference and was from the Bombay area. Dennis is from Manipur in eastern India. He also expressed the desire to participate with us in the Asia-Pacific Forum and we welcome the opportunity to share our experience, strength and hope with each other. Anyone who would like to contact Dennis or Peter may do so at the addresses below:

Peter C. Pinero Hijam Dinesh

463 Marinagar Keisampat Thokchom Leikai

M.M. Chotani Marg. Imphal, India 795001

Mahim Bombay

India 400016

Motion 39

Motion 39, received a lot of on going discussion at the conference, and at the conference a motion was passed to begin the process of putting this issue out to the fellowship for discussion and decision. The topics being debated have expanded significantly since the original motion was first made by the Australian Region. Listed on the next page are several questions from a report by the RSR Alt. Hawaii Region that you might find helpful in your discussions.

Since we have made an effort to write new materials in NA in a non- gender specific manner, is it really necessary to go back and rewrite the steps and traditions? If so, does this mean we need to go back and rewrite all old IP's and other materials? What impact would this have on the Basic text moratorium?

1. How much effect does the issue of gender specific language or having God identified with a particular gender have on anyone's individual recovery? How large a portion of the Fellowship is effected by this issue?
2. Does the principle "regardless of age, race, sexual identity, creed, religion or lack of religion" relate to this debate, and if so, how?
3. Does the use of the term God imply endorsement of a particular religion? Is the term God universally accepted to mean any Higher Power of anyone's choice or does the use of the term God limit a person’s identification.
4. Do these issues affect the newcomer walking in the doors of NA looking for recovery? Does our language affect our ability to carry the message to the addict who still suffers? What affect will these issues have in the future?

Upcoming Asia-Pacific Forum Conference

We are all looking forward to having an APF Conference before next years WSC '95 in Los Angeles next year. We are in the very preliminary stages of planning and would welcome any thoughts you might have. One suggestion was to meet in Australia and possibly coincide with the up-coming combined Sydney Areas Convention in October. Another thought was to meet in a region such as the Philippines. A fellowship large enough to help in its organisation and one that might greatly benefit from our support. There are many other questions and details that need to be resolved, such as how we would fund this event, but I believe that if we work together on this we can make it happen.

Representation at the WSC

This is an ongoing topic of discussion and one that is of particular interest and concern to the Asia-Pacific Forum. It can approached from two different perspective’s, one of funding, the other of how we are represented at the annual WSC meeting. Most of us have to make some very hard decisions when it comes to funding our RSR's attendance and others of us would not be able to attend at all if it were not for funding from the Development Forum. At this past conference, the APF members attending were; Aotearoa New Zealand, the Philippines, India and Hawaii. Australia and Japan were not able to attend due to funding considerations. Their presence and input was sorely missed. Many of us face the choice of funding our representatives attendance at the WSC or putting the money to use furthering our primary purpose at home. Others, India, the Philippines, and Aotearoa New Zealand, were only able to attend by having the Development Forum assist them. That funding may or may not be there again. Smaller fellowships without a developed service structure don't qualify for consideration of assistance from the WSC, and because of their small size, most don't have the money to fund themselves. What can we do?

The other issue has to do with our representation at the WSC. A lot of people feel that one of the problems we have in doing business at the annual conference is that its just to big to get work done effectively. Also, some feel that more effective work in furthering our primary purpose can be done at a more local level. More and more, people are looking to the Zonal Forums to fill this need. One idea is that the different Zonal Forums would send a representative to the WSC instead of every region thus making for a smaller conference and hopefully a more productive one. The Zonal Forums would have an annual meeting at which they would conduct much of the business that pertains to their local area and to address World level concerns.

Of course its all much more complicated than this and there are many issues here that would have to be discussed. Please write and we will print all viewpoints and hopefully stimulate some ongoing discussion of these issues.

Translations

Translations remain one of the most important tasks that we may undertake. The World Services Translations Committee has a monumental job in front of them, and anything that we might do to help will always be much appreciated.

The Philippines is very close to having their very first piece of translated literature, IP #1, published by the WSO. India is making good progress also, working on various pamphlets in both Hindi and Manipuri.

We need to do all we can to assist where we can with ongoing translation work and to encourage and support any new projects that may develop. Any member of the fellowship, who wishes to begin or assist with translations and/or is fluent in any language as well as English, is encouraged to contact us here at the Asia-Pacific Forum or the WSTC. The written NA message is one of the most powerful tools we have, not only to reach out to the addict still suffering but also for our own on-going recovery.

Additional Resources

The World Service Office also provides a variety of services to addicts who are geographically isolated. They produce a phone line directory that lists all known NA phone line numbers in the world, as well as an International Meeting Directory, which lists all registered meetings outside the continental United States. They also send out free Group Starter Kits and informational packages upon request. You can write or call to find out where the nearest NA meeting or office is. You can also get answers to many other questions through the shared experience, strength and hope of NA groups around the world channelled through the World Service Office.

You might also find the Narcotics Anonymous Loner Group helpful. It is a means by which geographically isolated addicts communicate with one another through the mail. This unconventional meeting allows recovering addicts to share their experience, strength and hope through regular correspondence. The Loner Group publishes a bimonthly newsletter, entitled Meeting by Mail. If you wish to become involved with the Loner Group, write to the World Service Office, attn. Loner Group.

There are two other publications that are very beneficial to addicts in remote areas. The first one is the Newsline that is a bimonthly publication produced by the World Service Office. There is no charge for this publication, and you can have your name added to the mailing list just by writing to the WSO. You will then begin receiving the Newsline on a regular basis.

It contains notices of upcoming NA conventions, as well as articles written by the World Service Board of Trustees and various other newsworthy items.

This publication is very helpful in encouraging communication and unity by keeping you informed of developments in the worldwide Fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous.

The N.A. Way magazine is another helpful publication. This Fellowship magazine contains many articles about recovery written by addicts for addicts.

We suggest that you and other members of your group subscribe to the magazine so that you can receive issues on a monthly basis. You can obtain a subscription blank in the back of the magazine, or request one from the WSO.

The most important service NA offers is the recovering addict. Remember that the therapeutic value of one addict helping another is without parallel. So if it is possible, contact some other recovering addicts either by phone or by mail. If you contact the NA World Service Office they will assist you in reaching the nearest recovering addicts. Remember that you don't have to be lonely, even though you might be alone.

Send Us Your Letters

I can't stress strongly enough how much we want your comments, suggestions and input. We want this newsletter to be your newsletter, an open forum to provide all of us a way to share our experience, strength and hope. Write us at:

ASIAN PACIFIC NEWSLETTER

PO BOX 90397

HONOLULU, HAWAII USA

96835-0397

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION YOU MAY CONTACT:

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(808) 396-2316 PHONE (808) 395-6809 FAX

OR LEON B

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The Asian Pacific Forum Newsletter is distributed free of charge by the Asian Pacific Forum to its members. We invite your input and suggestions. This newsletter is intended to be a place where the NA fellowship in the Pacific Rim can share experience, strength and hope in print. Send us your articles about recovery, opinions on NA matters, and features. All submitted manuscripts become the property of this newsletter.

The Asian Pacific Newsletter presents the experiences and views of individual members of Narcotics Anonymous. The opinions expressed herein do not represent the views of Narcotics Anonymous as a whole, the Asian Pacific Forum, or it's newsletter. Any publication of materials does not imply endorsement.

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