Summary of Events / Discussions of MZF

April '87

First meeting of the Midwest Caucus is held at the WSC.

Intended to coordinate larger regional and multi-regional functions, facilitated communication between regions through the exchange of names and numbers of Regional trusted servants. ALL DECISIONS WERE BY CONSENSUS, which to us meant without objection. In attendance were representatives from, IA, IL, IN, KY, ND-SD-MN & parts of Manitoba Canada, MI, MO, OH, and WI.

Open participation.. all present may participate.

April '88

Out of concern for not looking like we were creating a " Midwest Voting Block" we changed the name from Midwest Caucus to the Midwest Forum.

'88-'92

We continued to have formal meetings at WSC only and some informal meetings at multi-regional functions and conventions.

February '92

The first recorded meeting of Midwest Forum away from the WSC. The format which was agreed upon was to start with was a recovery meeting, and then have a business meeting to be moderated by a chair who would be a non-regional representative. Also, we created a formalized mailing/trusted servant list and discussed the need for a steering committee and forum meeting location rotation

Created a STATEMENT OF PURPOSE paper:

That the attending regions in the Midwest United States formed a non-policy making body to be known as the Midwest Forum. Its purpose would be to provide participants a forum for the discussion and exchange of information on problems and issues confronting the regions of the Midwest U.S. This would be a place to network and share ideas with the focus on finding solutions.

GOALS OF THE MIDWEST FORUM:

1     Facilitate and coordinate inter-regional activities, such as other meetings of the Midwest Forum, Learning Days, CAR workshops, etc.

2.  Encourage and facilitate inter-regional communication to all levels of service. Sharing our common concerns and questions with the WSC.

3.  Research and explore the feasibility / desirability of Zonal formation as directed by our member fellowships.

4.  Develop and maintain a resource list of trusted servants within the Midwest Forum.(MWF) participants.

5.    Get together and act more effectively in development of regional motions for inclusion in the CAR or for action at WSC.

Membership of the Midwest Forum is open to any member of NA. Everyone is encouraged to be an active member in helping us arrive at consensus, which is our only way of decision-making. The Midwest Forum always starts with a recovery meeting to remind those present of our primary purpose.

July '93

Discussed the following: WSC / fellowship inventory process (composite group surveys), WSO sales policy, overall Regional financial guidelines and issues, gender specific issue, WCNA 23 in Chicago, and Regional participation in Mid Coast Convention (MCC).

Nov '93

Changed our name from Midwest Forum to Midwest Zonal Forum (MZF). Discussed taxes and midwestern conventions.

Early '95

Raised question of need to have more structure. Created a Pros and Cons to structure paper.

July '95

We created a first draft of the agenda for the MZF meeting and general guidelines for trusted servants. MZF meeting agenda: Recovery meeting, regional reports, sharing session, and old and new business.

Co-Facilitators:

·Start meeting on time

·Follow pre-established agenda

·Clean time requirement of 5 years

· Non-Voting

· Non-Participant

· Familiar with rules of order as used by MZF

· Not currently serving as RSR/A

· Term 1 year

. Secretary:

· Responsible to take minutes of the MZF meetings

· Clean time requirement of 2 years

· Past experience as a secretary desirable

· Maintains mailing list

· Voting participant

· Term 1 year

Calendar Coordinator:

· Maintain MZF calendar (conventions, learning days, MZF meetings, etc.)

· Clean time requirement 2 years

· Maintains contact list of regional subcommittee chair people

· Maintains a working relationship with secretary

· Voting participant

· Term 1 year

Dec '95

Created an ad-hoc to draft MZF guidelines on funding and MZF meeting agenda.

Sept. '96

Presented the idea of MZF taking over Mid-Coast Convention Inc. (MCC), and how we might use the 501.c.3 corporation. MCC donated $500 for operating cost to MZF. Shared ES&H on Transition Group(TG) proposals. Reviewed Greater IL/Faith Region split. Approved draft qualifications for Co-facilitator, Secretary, Calendar Coordinator, and Treasurer positions.

Treasurer duties and responsibilities

· Keep and maintain MZF checkbook and accounts

· Reports at all MZF meetings status of all MZF accounts

· Is a signer of the checking account

· Previous experience as treasurer

· Can be a Regional Delegate

· Voting participant

· Clean time requirement of 5 years

· Term 1 year

Dec '96

Discussed Greater IL/ Faith Regional split, MCC participation, TG input and Federal court ruling on NA being a religious organization.

Oct. '97

Consensus was reached that MZF will take over the MCC Inc. and thus, we needed to create better financial guidelines. Discussed Chicago Service Office mishandling of funds and how regions are implementing The Guide to Local Service (GTLS).

Feb '98

WSC donation?, Removal of "Featured trusted servant" in NA way,

April '98.

Elect two reps for reporting to WSC and attend meeting (<<canceled) with World Board.

July '98.

Review drafts of financial guidelines and an Issue Paper on Res. A.

Oct '98

Discussed how regions are working with the GTLS, MZF financial guidelines, and the idea of the Zone presenting an issue paper.

Feb '99

MZF Community development / report about speed of progress to regions.

Coffee table book.

Draft report to WSC elect reps to present.

July '99

MZF meeting rotation schedule established, MZF meeting 3 times a year.

Trusted servant election rotation established.

Discussion of MZF motion in CAR. WSC election procedures.

Nov '99

MCC inc, WSC elections, Draft Mission / Vision statements.

Feb '00

   Sign papers to take over MCC inc.

MZF issue paper draft for WSC.

April '00

CAR motions, Election-member recognition, Procedures of WSC.

The dates are unclear on the following events / discussions of other agreed upon guidelines of MZF:

July '00

Approve Mission Statement The Midwest Zonal Forum (MZF) is a consensus based service body that seeks to further NA's primary purpose by facilitating communication, cooperation and growth in the Midwestern United States and NA world services.

Approve Financial Guidelines.

Feb '01

World Wide Workshop focus.

April '01

MZF-CAR workshop/ rotation. World Wide Workshop topics/ location-?'s

Aug '01

Discussion of World Wide Workshop hosted by MZF. Role of MZF?

Minnesota voted to join MZF

Discussion of Funding MZF trusted servants.

Dec '01

Multi regional Learning days boundaries. MZF Website. World Wide Workshop.

Draft "Funding MZF trusted servants" guidelines.

April '02

WSC'02

MZF hosts World Wide Workshop in Chicago.

Nov '02

MZF Internet Committee Guidelines adopted. MZF geographic boundaries. US service conference. Review guidelines for Funding MZF trusted servants

March '03

The discussion regarding changing our statement of purpose. Our MZF website guidelines have now been drafted and the MZF has launched a website at www.mzfna.org

May '03

Proposed changes to the MZF guidelines were discussed,

The Minnesota region presented a document that the region is going to submit to the conference report.

Dec '03

The motions in the CAR. Resource List. . MZF SERVICES- discussing their concern that the MZF does not provide enough service to justify the money being spent there was also some discussion about the merits and drawbacks of the MZF hosting/assisting with learning days

Feb '04

Public Information Service proposal Voting Procedures at WSC: World Board Participation at MZF

April '04

WSC ‘04

During the past Conference cycle, the MZF finalized specific financial guidelines. The MZF is currently in the final stages of taking over the former Mid Coast Convention's 501c3 tax-exempt status. To this end, the forum has been renamed MZFNA Inc

This year the MZF agreed to begin funding its trusted servants to attend its meetings –when the money is available The MZF has identified a significant void in the provision of Public Information services in the Midwest and a work group has been established to determine how we can assist local service bodies with projects beyond the scope of their resources, as well as how we can most effectively train addicts in the local fellowships within our zone to provide more effective PI services.

In the spirit of this ongoing discussion the MZF thoroughly workshopped the Minnesota Region's “Resolution A” motions at our meeting in August 2003 in Madison Wisconsin. No clear consensus has developed on this issue to date.

Nov '04

The Internet Committee met by e-mail over the last quarter, and addressed several things: 1. **MZF Internet Committee Guidelines. Recommendations for Email Responses Income-We're bringing in less money than we're paying out. . There was clear consensus that we are not interested in doing any merchandising at this time. The MZF will take the time out of our meeting in April to host a workshop at the convention about diversity and use the small group format.

April '05

PI presentation in Indiana. . Work on the web site. What is it's purpose for public or help within the Zone. Resource List/Resume

Aug '05

New web page guidelines

PI presentation, What worked, what can we do better?

Dec '05

The web page committee has been meeting on line. MZF Logo. WSC report. Service Profile. WSC prep: Help for new RDs; Timelines. How to do CAR this year? PR Handbook and the way literature is approved

Feb '06

Multi-Regional Assembly in Kalamazoo. Workshopped CAR and discussed Conference Approval Track material with members from NAWS

The webservant@mzfna.org is a trusted servant of the Midwest Zonal Forum and a contact for questions regarding matters of the MZF. Feel free to email any concerns to this address. They will be addressed in a timely fashion.