MOTION 3-a4 (Amendment to Motion 3):
Maker: Finland
To amend CAR Motion 3 to replace the proposed location selection process with a zonal bidding process as defined in updated Addendum C guidelines (as shown below).
WORLD CONVENTION GUIDELINES
Purpose
Unity is the foundation of everything we do in Narcotics Anonymous, and the World Convention of Narcotics Anonymous (WCNA) is a living expression of that principle. This event brings together members from around the world to celebrate recovery from the disease of addiction.
Just as our symbol makes space for every manifestation of the recovering addict, WCNA highlights the extraordinary diversity, wisdom, and spirit of our Fellowship as we rise together in freedom. It is a chance for NA members to share the joy, hope, and freedom found in recovery.
Beyond being a powerful experience for members, WCNA also serves as a unique opportunity for public relations—allowing professionals, local communities, and the wider world to witness firsthand that “an addict, any addict, can stop using drugs, lose the desire to use, and find a new way to live.”
WCNA is ultimately a celebration of our Fellowship: a vibrant, growing, international community united in carrying a message of hope to the still-suffering addict.
World Convention Rotation Plan
Beginning in 2028, WCNA will be held every five years. The 2028 convention, which will mark NA’s 75th anniversary, will be hosted in Europe. After that, the event will be scheduled to be held every five years. As world conditions allow, the event will rotate, with the World Board responsible for considering locations. WCNA locations will be selected by the World Board based on bids submitted by NA zones. Where feasible, the convention will rotate among different global locations to support participation from the worldwide Fellowship. (See below for more information.)
Traditionally, WCNA has been scheduled on the first weekend in September, coinciding with the Labor Day holiday in the USA. However, the World Board retains the right to set the convention dates as appropriate for each event. As part of the bidding process, zones may propose potential convention dates based on venue availability and local considerations. The World Board retains final responsibility for determining the dates of each convention.
Site Selection
The World Board is committed to planning conventions that highlight the global nature of NA while ensuring the prudent use of Fellowship funds. Sites will be considered that allow for rotation to the extent that is prudent and possible based upon the current geopolitical and financial circumstances in the world, while at the same time Zones submitting bids to host WCNA are expected to consider geopolitical, financial, and logistical factors when proposing locations. Proposed sites should demonstrate the ability to hold WCNA in a manner that supports rotation across global locations where feasible while remaining, at a minimum, “revenue neutral.” Planning an event where income covers expense may require capping attendance. Given the rising costs and increasing complexity of international travel for large events, the greatest flexibility in selecting locations is remains essential, with the World Board responsible for evaluating bids and making the final selection.
A rigid rotation plan established far in advance would make this impractical and create a framework that may not be possible. When the site selection process begins for a convention, the World Board will notify the Fellowship through NAWS publications and report the continent(s) under consideration for that event. Regions and zones may also request that the board consider a specific city by sending an email to wb@na.org. All proposed sites will be subject to the standard site selection process, which typically uses external resources to facilitate the initial site consideration.
The World Board is responsible for researching, negotiating, and approving all potential sites. The planning timeline may vary depending on the event. Eligible cities will be contacted with a standardized request for proposal (RFP), allowing for evaluation of feasibility, cost, and capacity and invite NA zones to submit bids for potential WCNA locations. Zones may collaborate with regions, areas, and local service bodies when preparing bids. Bids should identify a proposed city and demonstrate the ability to hold a WCNA consistent with the requirements outlined in these guidelines.
The World Board is responsible for reviewing bids submitted by zones and evaluating proposed locations. The board may conduct additional research and negotiations with proposed venues to determine feasibility, cost, and capacity. Standardized request-for-proposal (RFP) processes may be used to evaluate venues associated with submitted bids.
Based on these studies, cities may be identified for negotiation. Reports on these negotiations are developed for board review, after which the board makes a final decision or continues negotiations as needed. Final decisions are reported to the Fellowship. After reviewing submitted bids and related feasibility studies, the World Board will select the most appropriate proposal. The final decision will be reported to the Fellowship through NAWS communications.
Prudent planning requires that the board establish and communicate event capacity in advance. It also means some sites may be eliminated due to excessive cost or feasibility.
Bids submitted by zones should demonstrate:
For USA and Canadian cities:
- One million population in the metropolitan area.
- One hundred groups/meetings in the region.
- International airport.
- Sufficient number of hotel rooms and meeting space available for time needed.
For all other cities:
- A half million population in the metropolitan area.
- Fifty groups/meetings in the region/NA community.
- Twenty-five groups/meetings in the city itself.
- International airport.
- Sufficient number of hotel rooms and meeting space available for time needed.
WCNA Workgroup
While the World Board holds ultimate responsibility for WCNA, the WCNA Workgroup plays an essential supporting role. Its purpose is to assist the board in specific areas of planning and implementation by providing input, volunteers, and other support.
Zones whose bids are selected to hold WCNA may coordinate local fellowship participation in planning and organizing the event, working in collaboration with the World Board, World Services, and the WCNA Workgroup. This may include forming local organizing committees or similar service bodies to support the planning and implementation of the convention.
The World Board, through World Services, sets the direction and focus for each convention and provides the WCNA Workgroup with a clear list of responsibilities.
An Expression of Fellowship Unity
The World Board, with the support of the WCNA Workgroup and the Fellowship as a whole, strives to ensure that each World Convention is more than a large event. It is a manifestation of our spiritual principles, showing how addicts from every background can come together in recovery, celebrate freedom from active addiction, and carry a message of hope to still-suffering addicts.
WCNA is one of the most visible expressions of our Fellowship’s unity, diversity, and recovery. Through prudent planning, transparent communication, and global participation, WCNA continues to serve as a beacon of hope for addicts everywhere.
Motion as Amended
To hold the World Convention of Narcotics Anonymous (WCNA) every 5 years, beginning in 2028. The location will be determined by the World Board based on competing bids submitted by NA zones, taking into account fiscal and geographic considerations that lend themselves to, at minimum, a revenue-neutral event. WCNA will be held in different global locations on a rotating basis where feasible. (The specific changes to the WCNA Guidelines in GWSNA are shown in Addendum C – with added language above.)
Intent: To adopt guidelines for zones to submit bids to organize WCNA in locations they consider suitable, from which the World Board will select the most appropriate proposal.
Rationale: WCNA is a global event that represents the worldwide fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous. A zonal bidding process would create a clearer and more inclusive method for selecting locations while encouraging participation from NA communities around the world. Rotating WCNA across global regions where feasible supports fellowship unity and accessibility by allowing different parts of the world to host the convention over time. This approach also maintains the practical considerations of financial viability and geographic accessibility required for a successful WCNA.