We are excited to be working on a local service toolbox—a collection of tools that reflect our Fellowship’s best practices and experiences delivering services locally. We already have some materials, such as PR, Planning, and H&I Basics, but there are so many more we lack or that we have not revised or adapted in years. The “Basics” seem to be a good approach for us because they are perhaps less overwhelming than a large handbook, and they are easier to translate and revise. We believe a “toolbox” with small-scale pieces will have the same advantages.

CBDM Basics discusses what consensus-based decision making is and how it aligns with our spiritual principles, and offers a model of the process for communities to adapt for local use.

Serving NA in Rural and Isolated Communities discusses some of the challenges and solutions when carrying the message in less densely populated areas. This tool is available in English and Spanish. Along with this printed piece we are also offering a webpage containing links to downloadable locally developed resources here, and we host regular web meetings to bring together members servicing in rural and isolated communities for mutual support and discussion of common issues and solutions. If you would like to get involved, email ruralservice@na.org.

We have completed a review draft of the next piece in the toolbox, and have posted it here: GSR Basics. It will be available for a 90-day delegate review period until the end of August. At that time, any necessary final revisions will be made and it will be posted as a piece of Board-approved service material. 

We have also created two templates for GSR reports here and here. 
We invite you to send us your thoughts and ideas: toolbox@na.org.

The next focus of the project will be online meetings best practices, and carrying the NA message effectively and virtually.

Whether you are a service veteran or a local service newcomer, we could use your help.

What can you do?

• Sign up for project updates by emailing toolbox@na.org
• Send us any tools that have been helpful locally—sample agendas, workshops, guidelines, policies, budgeting tools, project outlines, you name it. If it’s helped your local service delivery, it will probably help others. 
• Share your ideas and experience in our local service toolbox web meetings. These will be announced to all who signed up at toolbox@na.org
• Help spread the word and raise awareness locally

Following a decision by participants at the 2018 WSC, service materials produced by this project will be identified as World Board-approved material and follow the same approval process as service pamphlets. That means after the World Board signs off on them, drafts will be distributed to Conference participants for a 90-day review before being identified as approved.