WHAT I LEARNED: 1. Regional Service Seminars (RSS’s) were established in 1979 but I have never heard of these.
2. Apparently between the US & Canada there are 9 regions total & 3 RSS’s per year. I’m on the hunt to find out more about these & when the next one will be. 🕵️♀️ If you have any info, please feel free to leave me a reply or comment below this post!
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**BONUS CAL QUESTION: The World Service Office’s Archives’ motto: “Look to the Past to Protect the Future” surrounding the image of Lois W’s home, Stepping Stones, appears on this pamphlet & only 1 other piece of literature… What is it? (Hint: see item # G-30!)
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***UPDATE (12/4/16): This pamphlet has been revised & redesigned for 2016 & hard copies can no longer be ordered because it is available online only. It can now be downloaded directly from the World Service Office website by clicking this link: “Al-Anon Then & Now” (AR-2) pamphlet
"CAL Chat" Blog ~My journey in Al-Anon~ 
About RSS….. evolved to TEAM event instead. You’ll find RSS description in the older Service Manuals. TEAM described
in the later one.
The Regional Service Seminars events were held in various states/regions. Areas submitted bid to WSO to be the host location and planner, with WSO being the primary service workshop personnel. Attendance meant traveling distances, out of state for a week-end seminar/workshop event.
I remember when North Florida hosted one. Our Area even included a budget line item for some of our Panel members to attend these informational seminars, usually out of state. We heard about Panel members RSS experience at our Area Assembly. Sort of a service training type event, available to all members who could attend. It was a great learning-about-service experience.
Today WSO offers a TEAM instead of RSS (Together Empowering Al-Anon Members). Described in 2010-2013 Svc Manual as “…a partnership between an Area(s) and the WSO with the aim of providing an opportunity for Al-Anon and Alateen members to learn more about service and the Al-Anon program. This is accomplished by the Area and a WSO Task Force working together to plan an agenda or workshops and presentations that address the Area’s specific needs and expand members’ understanding of our worldwide fellowship. TEAM events are sponsored by the Area(s) and the WSO. ” The WSO guidelines for hosting a TEAM event is minimum of 2-day event.
This TEAM event, rather than a Regional event, is better for travel, time, and expenses, and more service leaders and regular members are more likely to attend. Also the workshops are designed to address the Area needs.
In 2011 North and South Florida Areas co-hosted their first TEAM event here in Orlando. The second TEAM event 2012 was a North Florida event hosted by Dist 12 in Sarasota. This year the North Florida Area 2013 annual event is not a 2-day TEAM event, but like the NFA Day of Workshops of previous years, is hosted by District 2, and is planned as a 1-day NFA Service Workshop, in Ocala August 3 for $10 donation to help defray the costs. Two-day events and paying expenses for WSO personnel to come and be the presenters translates to TEAM events can be more costly to have compared to the other. It appears that a mix of alternating these two approaches for NFA annual workshop events, may be the way to go. Luv’n this. Martha
Thanks for this clarification! I guess the AR-2 pamphlet hasn’t been updated for a while, but this explanation definitely saves me a lot of searching for the RSS’s!
I attended the first T.E.A.M. event in Orlando in 2011. It was very very interesting in learning about the program. It was especially good to meet members from the South Florida Area. I believe it was the first event during which Spanish translation was offered. I recall reading a brochure on the Regional Service Seminars when I volunteered in the District 10 office and, like you, wondered what they were. A longimer who is a wealth of info, as well as our district meeting trusted servants, shared the when and wheres of RSS with me. Love the learning!!!
I remember that event in 2011! It was the first time North & South Florida were brought together & it was very informative. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to make the last one because of the driving distance. I’m hoping it eventually comes back to Orlando, but I’m still considering going to the all day event of service workshops in 2013 in Ocala.