Salina, KS. 67402 PO Box 3534 - Mid-America Region of Narcotics ...
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www.marscna.net 855-732-HOPE (7673)
Vol. 44 PO Box 3534
Salina, KS. 67402
Fall
Issue 3 newsletter@marscna.net 2019
“What is our message? The message is that an addict, any addict,
can stop using drugs, lose the desire to use, and find a new way
to live. Our message is hope and the promise of freedom.”
Basic Text page 68
Note: the opinions and views each issue number, a com-
shared in this publication do not mon mistake if you aren’t
necessarily reflect those of The aware of what those numbers
M.A.N. staff, or NA as a whole.
represent. Over the years, the
amount of issues per year
What’s in a number? When
have changed, so those num-
I published the last issue, I
bers fluctuate. The volume, or
thought to myself “How can
year remains constant. When
this newsletter be four years
this newsletter started it pro-
older than the region itself?”
duced eight issues per year
Well, the short answer is, it
but was quickly dropped to
can’t.
six. When the region went
Mid-America Region was
from paid subscriptions to
formed July 1979, and this
free, it dropped to it’s current
publication started January of
rate of four per year, or quar-
1980. So I traced back many
terly. So to be clear, the MAN
issues to find just where the
is in it’s 40th year and this is
discrepancy happened, and it
issue 3 for 2019.
took me back several years.
Now you can get on with the
In one particular year the vol-
enjoyment of reading your
ume number increased with
newsletter, as summer starts
1
www.marscna.net 855-732-HOPE (4673)
to wind down but recovery loner, an introvert so things
carries on. like this used to scare me to
The deadline for submis- death! However, with a gentle
sions for the next issue is No- nudge from my sponsor to at-
vember 1st, but there is no tend my first campout which
time like the present to send was at Webster Lake, I
your NA recovery, written or learned to laugh again. I felt at
illustrated to: peace and it reminded me of
newsletter@marscna.net how much I used to love
camping. Something of which
Tim S., Editor
I had forgotten all about be-
cause let’s face it, in my ad-
diction I lost myself com-
The longest running “free”
pletely. There was just some-
campout in the world! - Mid
thing very freeing to discover
America Region Campout
something I loved doing
My name is Priscilla, and I’m again.
an addict, So suffice it to say, I attended
My home group is in Hays, every campout after that one
KS. and this year was my first along with my Sponsor, in-
year going to the Beloit camp- cluding the one in Beloit, and I
out, my first year going
to any campouts to be
honest since joining NA
in 2018. The Beloit
campout was my 4th NA
campout I attended with
my Sponsor, and I was
looking forward to it!
However, that wasn’t al-
ways the case lol.
A little background real
quick, I’ve always been a
2
www.marscna.net 855-732-HOPE (7673)
have to give credit to every- laugh and have fun again.
one who made the Beloit Something for which I really
campout possible because the thought I would never be able
effort that had to go into pre- to do again. And for that I love
paring for and pulling off such you all!!!
a wonderful experience as
Forever Grateful,
that is simply amazing! Seeing
and interacting with others I Priscilla S.
had met at prior campouts
and getting to meet new peo-
ple at the Beloit campout I
hadn’t met yet, for me is what
NA is about. The Mid-America Region was
formed July 7th, 1979 at Camp
Just the feeling of warmth and Hawk, near Newton, KS. This
togetherness that you feel, event was put together by groups
like we are all part of one big in Kansas, mainly Wichita, New-
family, is something you can ton, and Topeka. It drew how-
never forget, which for some, ever, groups from Nebraska and
is something never felt before. Iowa as well as other groups
The love, support, and accep- throughout Kansas. The newly
tance that you experience at formed region created three ar-
eas, North and South in Kansas
these functions is something
and East in Nebraska. The Iowa
you take away with you when
group joined the Nebraska East
you leave. For me personally, area.
it’s a feeling that I will never
forget. For me, I feel like I The campout this historical meet-
found a little piece of me ing was held at has continued
again. And I can’t say enough every 4th of July weekend, with
the exception of 2003 when it
how grateful and how much I
was moved one week off as to
truly loved the Beloit campout,
not to interfere with NA’s 50th
as well as all the ones before anniversary world convention. It
it, and to everyone for the love has always remained a free
and compassion shown to me. event, no registration fee, no
I thank you from the bottom of primitive camping fee, and al-
my heart for teaching me to ways includes at least one free
meal, typically more.
3www.marscna.net 855-732-HOPE (4673)
Though Clean, Acronym for RECOVERY
the Battle Still Wages
By Tia R. (1973-2011)
Internally longing to feel like I
matter R----Respect-------Learning to
respect yourself and other
Though along this path, every-
through recovery
thing has seemed to shatter
E----Escape--------To break
The broken and tangled
free from the confinement of
pieces of this heart
our addiction
In the wind they blow never
C----Change--------Willing to
feeling apart.
become a better person
Masquerade, of everything’s through our recovery
wonderful and fine
O----Optimisms-----To have
Though deep inside, not a sin- faith, trust, confidence and
gle light can shine hope in our recovery
Facades, make them laugh V----Vital-------------Be willing
and show your smile to make recovery very essen-
tial to our daily lives
Though the crevices of this
soul are deeper than a mile E----Encourage-----Encourage
yourself with hope, faith, and
In the eerie silence of black-
willingness
ened night
R----Rational---------Becoming
Are when my demons are
of a sound mind through our
loudest and in plain sight
recovery
To hush the thousand voices
Y----Yearn-----------To feel a
That echoes the misguided very strong craving for our re-
choices covery
Blinded by this mental disease
called addiction
For years has been the basis
of this internal affliction.
Though clean now, I am still
wrapped in fear
And the memories of yester-
days still bring me to tears
Ron Z., Miracle Area
4www.marscna.net 855-732-HOPE (7673)
5www.marscna.net 855-732-HOPE (4673)
“Good will is best exemplified power or position. It is about
in service; proper service is: doing for others as they did for
“doing the right thing for the us.
right reason”.
I look around this fel-
Basic Text page xv
lowship in our region and I
see a great many addicts who
exemplify this principle. How-
When I got clean
ever, I see too many who
things in the fellowship of NA
“serve” NA without this princi-
were much different than they
ple. So how does this reflect
are today. The suggestions
on us – are we attracting the
were simple and clear: go to
newcomer, or are we chasing
meetings, listen and don’t
them away? Are we staying
share for the first 90 days, find
true to the principles, tradi-
a sponsor, work the steps and
tions and concepts of this fel-
give back what was so freely
lowship, or are we using our
given to you.
place in the service structure
To give back – to be of as a way to create chaos and
service. I followed these sug- destruction? Do you know
gestions and I continued to deep in your heart why and
stay clean. I still do these who you serve?
things today. What I find dis-
So I ask you my fellow
turbing about service work is
addicts, are you a living exam-
that I believe a lot of people
ple of this program? Are you
have forgotten why they serve
giving back what was so freely
and/or who they serve.
given to you? Are you expect-
I believe that there has ing things or are you remem-
been a breakdown some- bering that recovery is a daily
where in the communication gift given to us all by a loving
through the years. I was Higher Power?
taught by my first sponsor,
Anonymous Addict
and I have passed it on to my
sponsee’s through the years.
The spirit of giving back
to the fellowship is to
give freely what was
so freely given to us.
We are trusted ser-
vants to those in this
fellowship. It is not
about recognition,
6www.marscna.net 855-732-HOPE (7673)
CBDM = Complicating? so it wasn’t all bad. Since that
conference the WSC has re-
sorted back to a customized
“Consensus Based version of Robert’s Rules of
Decision Making” or CBDM Order.
ultimately derived from the
There are good merits
inventory world services
to the CBDM process, and it
started in 1993. In 1996 Reso-
can even be labeled for the
lutions A thru G, Vision, and
outcome as well as the proc-
Mission Statements were ap-
ess. But realistically, for most
proved, the first resolution, or
service bodies, discussion
Resolution “A”, included Con-
and voting can yield the same
sensus Based Decision in it’s
results. My experience has
objective. While all other
shown that if your service
resolutions were implemented
body complicated voting in the
within a few years, Resolution
“old system”, then you are go-
“A” was left to the fellowship
ing to complicate CBDM as
to set an implementation time-
well. The initial five color card
line. That resolution involved
system was testament to that.
reducing the size of the WSC,
providing equal, worldwide Most service bodies
participation. Jump ahead six dropped the white card, signi-
WSC’s to 2004, where Con- fying surrender, that you have
sensus Based Decision mak- no opinion. The four that re-
ing was added to the “low- main are green for “Assent”;
priority approved projects” list. yellow for “Assent with Reser-
That carried to the 2006 con- vations”; orange for “Stand
ference where a motion for Aside”; and red for “Block”.
the World Board to reinstate
With Roberts Rules of
the CBDM at WSC 2008
Order, no service body that I
passed.
have served on, including the
At the 2008 WSC, World Service Conference,
CBDM was put to the test, but have ever used those rules by
still needed much fine tuning. the book. As stated above,
The 6th Edition Basic Text WSC used a customized, or
passed at that WSC though, simplified version, taking
7www.marscna.net 855-732-HOPE (4673)
into consideration the nature structure.
of our fellowship and group
The difference in vot-
conscience. The Mid-America ing varies, Roberts Rules ver-
Region and most ASCs follow sion usually has 2/3 for policy
an even more simplified ver- or money matters and simple
sion. majority for the rest. CBDM
In both versions of can range from 100% to 80%
reaching a conscience, the using any vote (card) but the
key is the facilitator or chair- “block”. Some might also ar-
gue that there is no voting in
person. When I held the RSC
CBDM, but voting can happen
chairperson position, I would
in many ways. Whether you
want to hear from the RCMs
raise your arm, speak, write it
that either voted against or
down, or simply keep quiet,
abstained on the business at
your vote can be tallied, if
hand. Hearing all aspects has even for a straw poll. Which
always been in our process, if version is best? Well obvi-
utilized. That also applied to ously the version that works
the times I acted as facilitator for you is best. The Mid-
between two committees or America Region uses a simple
regions in times of crisis. version of Roberts Rules on
There might be some the main business meeting,
service bodies that follow the but incorporates CBDM during
subcommittee meetings.
“limited discussion, three pros
and three cons” process, they What CBDM did incor-
are only cheating the fellow- porate in its structure is spiri-
ship they serve and I could tual traits that should have
imagine there would be re- always been used anyway,
sentments surrounding that but sometimes neglected.
structure. Allowing questions Principles like leadership, in-
and comments to reach a full tegrity, humility, trust, open-
understanding with all partici- mindedness, cooperation, and
pating is imperative in both accountability.
versions as well. A clear un- Whatever your service struc-
derstanding is what reaches a ture is, please participate. ☺
true conscience with any
8www.marscna.net 855-732-HOPE (7673)
9www.marscna.net 855-732-HOPE (4673)
August
24th CKA Sponsorship Tea Party & Guided Painting
Fundraiser for CKA Women’s Retreat—RSVP by Aug. 20
142 S. 7th St. Salina, KS.—upstairs, starts at Noon
24th Living Miracle monthly Potluck 3-8 pm
840 Kearney Atchison, KS
September
30th—Sept 2nd Pioneer Group Campout
John Redmond Reservoir Group Campsite
New Strawn, KS.
30th—Sept 2nd Newton HOW Makeup Campout
Harvey Co East Park Egret Shelter
20th-22nd Miracle Area Fall Campout
Clinton Lake Bloomington East Campground
21st Unity Group 28th annual Street Dance
918 W. 2nd St Wichita, KS.
21st Larned Annual Rib Feed CKA Service Meeting 1pm
Camp Pawnee Larned, KS (west of State Hospital)
27th—29th Wichita Metro Area Campout
Lake Afton Shelter 5
27th—29th Soul to Soul (see flyer)
30th Deadline for candidate submissions to HRP
October
5th Multi-Area Kick Ball Tournament
Hobbs Park Lawrence, KS
5th Living Clean Group NA Fall Fish Festival
3735 W. Douglas Wichita, KS
12th Night Flyers 18th Annual Fish Fry
801 S. Bell Lyons, KS
18th-20th CKA Women’s Retreat
Living Water Ranch Olsburg, KS
25th Friday Fright Night
Big Gage Shelter House Gage Park
Topeka, KS
10www.marscna.net 855-732-HOPE (7673)
26th Unity Area Spooktacular Halloween Dance
Friendship Center 746 Commanche
Salina, KS
November
2nd Gift of Life Freaker’s Ball Halloween Dance
Homebuilders Shelter Carey Park
Hutchinson, KS
16th-17th RSC (see back cover)
11www.marscna.net 855-732-HOPE (4673)
Mid-America Regional Service Committee
November 2019 Quarterly Meeting
Marquette Elementary School
310 Swedonia St.
Marquette, KS
tentative schedule only -
please check with ASC or MARSCNA Officer
Subcommittee Meetings
Saturday November 16th, 2019
9:00 - 9:30 am Fellowship Development
9:30 - 11:00 am FD breakout (MAN, Soul to Soul,
Events, etc.)
11:00 - 11:30 am FD Wrap-up
11:30 am - 1:00 pm Lunch
1:00 - 3:00 pm Convention/Campout
3:30 - 4:00 pm Public Relations
4:00 - 5:30 pm PR breakout (H&I, Web, Phone-
line, Communications, etc.)
5:30 - 6:00 pm PR Wrap-up
Evening activities vary, possible speaker meeting, dance, dinner, etc.
Regional Service Committee Meeting
Sunday November 17th, 2019
9:00 am - 5ish pm Reports, Open Forum, General
Business, Funds
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