Sept 4, 2026 – WS Conference -Structure and Bylaws Report – Day 2 – History of Cocaine Anonymous Documents Archive

CONFERENCE REPORT
C.A. WORLD SERVICE CONFERENCE 2026

Structure and Bylaws Report

INTRODUCTION AND COMMENTS:

Over the course of the last year, the committee had the opportunity to work on referrals and ideas to help the Fellowship. The largest project that we took on was the short form Twelve Concepts. The committee has grown over the last year and the dedication of these members made this an incredibly productive year. The number of motions to be presented this year is shorter than previous years, but are the product of a lot of hard work! Thank you to the vice chair Nick, our committee’s trustees Richard and Stuart, and all the members!

COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AT CONFERENCE:

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Position | Name | Email | Phone

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE MOTIONS:

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1. 16677369, individual submission, preconference

Motion: to add the following language to page 26 of the World Service Manual:

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Have a working knowledge of the 12 Traditions.
2. Follow the format in accordance with the group conscience.
3. See that the responsibilities of the other Group servants are met. 4. Keep an accurate, up-to-date record of changes of the group
conscience and/or motion log.

2. Not the result of a referral

Motion: to add the following language to page 59 of the World Service Manual:

The World Service Trustee is the primary signatory of all contracts negotiated by the Trustee Negotiation Committee.

When the Trustees receive complaints relevant to the Fellowship, they are to publish the correspondence in the WSBT meeting minutes while preserving the anonymity by redacting names and private personal information of any members and respond within 30 days. If a member does not wish the correspondence to be published, they may make that stipulation that the summary of the complaint be published.

3. Not the result of a referral

Motion: to add the following language to page 63 of the World Service Manual:

Trustee Election Committee

Final selection of a Trustee shall be made by a Trustee Election Committee (TEC) consisting of the following: Full Board of Trustees and one WSC Delegate from each Region (currently eight). The interview process will include the service resume, interview questions, clarifying questions, and/or any additional questions that may be necessary for selecting the best possible candidate decision.

4. 16678208, Committee, preconference

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Motion: to amend page 8 and 80-81 of the World Service Manual by striking and replacing the language contained within Concepts 1 through 11 of the Twelve Concepts for World Service.

~~1. Final responsibility and ultimate authority for C.A. World Services should always reside in the collective conscience of our whole Fellowship.~~

~~2. The World Service Conference of C.A. has become, for nearly every practical purpose, the active voice, and the effective conscience of our whole Society in its world affairs.~~

3. To ensure effective leadership, we should endow each element of C.A. — the Conference, the World Service Board of Trustees and its service corporations, staffs, committees, and executives — with a traditional “Right of Decision.”

~~4. At all responsible levels, we ought to maintain a traditional “Right of Participation,” allowing~~ ~~a voting representation in reasonable proportion to the responsibility that each must discharge.~~

~~5. Throughout our structure, a traditional “Right of Appeal” ought to prevail, so that minority~~ ~~opinion will be heard, and personal grievances receive careful consideration.~~

6. The World Service Conference recognizes that the chief initiative and active responsibility in most world service matters should be exercised by the trustee members of the Conference acting as the World Service Board of Cocaine Anonymous.

7. The Charter and bylaws of the World Service Board are legal instruments, empowering the trustees to manage and conduct world service affairs. The Conference Charter is not a legal document: it relies upon tradition and the C.A. purse for final effectiveness.

8. The trustees are the principal planners and administrators of overall policy and finance. They have custodial oversight of the separately incorporated and constantly active services, exercising this through their ability to elect all the directors of these entities.

9. Good service leadership at all levels is indispensable for our future functioning and safety. Primary world service leadership, once exercised by the founders, must necessarily be assumed by the trustees.

~~10. Every service responsibility should be matched by an equal service authority, with the scope of such authority well defined.~~

11. The trustees should always have the best possible committees, corporate service directors, executives, staffs, and consultants. Composition, qualifications, induction procedures, and rights and duties will always be matters of serious concern.

Insert New Language for Concepts 1–11

1. The final responsibility and ultimate authority for Cocaine Anonymous (C.A.) World Services rests in the collective conscience of the entire Fellowship, ensuring that the voice of the groups, our members, guides what happens in C.A. as a whole.

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2. The World Service Conference, as the active voice and effective conscience of the entire Fellowship, is entrusted with authority to guide and maintain C.A.’s World Services, except for changes to the Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, or Article 10 of its Charter. It serves as the practical voice of the Fellowship in all matters of World Service, enabling the Fellowship to delegate authority while preserving ultimate responsibility with the groups.

3. To maintain a clear and effective working relationship among the groups, the Conference, the World Service Board of Trustees, the World Service Office Board, and all related service entities, committees, staff, and executives, each level of service is entrusted with a traditional “Right of Decision.” This principle supports effective leadership and sound judgment, grounded in experience, humility, and trust.

4. To preserve balance and fairness, we ought to maintain a traditional “Right of Participation,” ensuring that every classification of trusted servant has a voice and a vote in proportion to the responsibility they carry, and that decision-making remains democratic and inclusive at all levels of C.A. World Service.

5. Throughout our World Service structure, a traditional “Right of Appeal” is recognized. This ensures that minority perspectives are heard and that concerns or grievances receive thoughtful and fair consideration, helping to maintain balance and guard against misuse of authority.

6. The World Service Conference holds primary responsibility for C.A.’s World Services and makes final decisions on major policy and finance. Most ongoing operations rest with the World Service Board of Trustees, who act as custodians, not governors, providing guidance and oversight to keep services running smoothly and in harmony with our Traditions. This balance allows the Conference to focus on broad policy while delegating day-to-day authority, preserving accountability and efficiency.

7. The Conference’s Charter is not a legal document. It relies on the strength of tradition and the power of the C.A. purse for its effectiveness. While the Trustees manage World Service affairs, the Conference retains ultimate practical power through its ability to guide policy and, if necessary, withhold funding. It ensures cooperation and prevents either body from becoming a mere formality, preserving harmony and accountability within C.A.’s service structure.

8. The World Service Board of Trustees serves two primary roles. In matters of policy and finance, they act as principal planners and stewards, working through their committees to guide the Fellowship’s long-term direction. In relation to separately incorporated service entities, their role is one of custodial oversight, exercised through governance mechanisms such as board selection and accountability structures. This balance supports both continuity and effective day-to-day operations.

9. Effective service leadership, supported by sound and fair methods of selection, is essential for the continued health and safety of our Fellowship. Leadership is not about

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authority but about responsibility, humility, and service. At the World level, the World Service Board of Trustees exercises primary responsibility for World Service leadership.

10. Every service responsibility within C.A. should be supported by clearly defined and appropriate authority, established through tradition, resolution, job description, or governing document. By entrusting capable and dependable servants and empowering them to act, we promote clarity, accountability, and effective service.

11. While the Trustees hold final responsibility for C.A.’s World Service administration, they must be supported by the best possible committees, service boards, executives, staff, and consultants. Cooperation and qualified individuals at every level are essential. Careful attention should be given to committee composition, member qualifications, induction processes, rotation systems, and fair compensation for paid workers.

5. Referral #17618605, submission on behalf of WSOB

Motion: to change the language on page 66:

WSO Board of Directors Interview Process

All Directors, except for Paid Directors, will be interviewed first by the World Service Office Board (WSOB): and v~~iable~~ preferred candidates will be used to create a slate of candidates. This slate, along with the WSOB’s recommendation, shall be forwarded to the World Service Board of Trustees (WSBT). The WSBT will then conduct additional candidate interviews, at the WSBT’s discretion, and make the final selection. It is suggested that the WSBT take the WSOB’s recommendation into serious consideration: however, the final election will be at the discretion of the WSBT.

REFERRALS THAT WERE FORWARDED TO OTHER COMMITTEES:

1. Referral: I request the WSC S&B Committee to look into standardizing the form of English usage across all World Level Documents. Various committees have various people working on various documents where these individuals are from diﬀerent parts of the World. While I appreciate the diversity of our Fellowship, the various spellings of words across multiple plaƞorms can be a bit confusing and disjointing. As CAWS and CAWSO, Inc. are currently U.S. Incorporated entities: I suggest that all World level documents use the proper U.S. English spellings and usage. This would of course not apply to local areas, or documents developed for local usage (i.e. – a P.I. poster developed for use in the U.K.).

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a. 16687288
b. Individual Referral, Pre-Conference
c. Transferred to WSOB, financial implications of translating and editing all literature and documents was found to be outside our scope.

2. Referral: AI is a powerful and potent tool.
Used right, it can enable people to achieve their objectives in regard to finding, compiling and evaluating information.

Voices have been heard in- and around our fellowship, proposing the use of AI in recovery.

When it comes to 12-step work, AI should never be allowed to replace the 12-step work of one addict sharing the program with another addict. AI could possibly transmit the facts of our program in a way that resembles sponsoring, but the most vital part would then be left out:

“PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics. It works when other activities fail.”
(Alcoholics Anonymous p.89)

This sharing is a vital part of the process of recovery, both for the Sponsor and the Sponsee.

I hear many members expressing concerns and fears with AI in our program. This is an ongoing concern.

Our fellowship could probably benefit from a policy statement regarding AI. This could be something like:

“While AI is a useful tool for information purposes, C.A. as a whole does not recommend that AI be used in our 12-step program.

The power of one addict sharing their experience with another is our proven way of sharing the message of recovery.”

I humbly ask the Committee to put forward something like the statement above for the WS Conference to consider.

a. 16630582
b. Individual Referral
c. Transferred to IT, as this relates to technology and is outside the scope of S&B.

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REFERRALS STILL IN COMMITTEE:
None

CLOSED REFERRALS:
1. 176560658, individual submission, preconference

a. Regarding the quorum for the WSBT: Suggesting that 2/5 is not a suﬃcient majority to conduct business, but should be changed to 3/5. (Page 86 of the WSM 2025 EWSC approved manual)

b. The committee discussed this referral length and based upon the conversation
felt this referral was redundant to the way trustees conduct business.

2. 17499207, individual submission, preconference

a. This SR14 requests clarification of the phrase “matters aﬀecting CA as a whole”
as used in Tradition Four and the World Service Manual of Cocaine Anonymous.

At present, the phrase is not formally defined, which can lead to inconsistent
interpretation across groups, districts, and areas. This has, at times, resulted in uncertainty, delayed decision-making, and diﬀering views on the scope of autonomy.

A recent example involving the development of a District H&I structure highlights how the same situation can reasonably be interpreted in diﬀerent ways, depending on how this phrase is understood.

This request proposes that the World Service Manual include a clear definition and/or guiding criteria to support trusted servants in determining when a matter aﬀects CA as a whole.

The intention is to promote consistency, support informed decision-making, and help balance the principles of autonomy and unity within the fellowship.

b. The committee felt that defining “matters aﬀecting CA as a whole” is outside the

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scope of the committee, governance, and too area specific to define.

3. 16987453, Individual submission, preconference

a. Just a bit of housekeeping for the WSM. The pg numbers are oﬀ in the table of contents. For example it says group service positions is on pg 23 but it starts at the end of pg 20. Thanks
b. Handled in housekeeping

PRESENTATIONS OF CURRENT ACTIVITIES OR TASKS (no motions)

At this time, we will work to address the referrals that came in after the SR14 deadline as well as future referrals from Conference and the coming year. This year, the committee also took action on ideas and observations from members of the committee and took a proactive approach to potential updates to the World Service Manual. Many of the projects that we began to work on lead to conversations that increased understanding around the functions of World Service and
getting a variety of opinions.

CLOSING COMMENTS:

This was a great year for the Structure and Bylaws committee, and I look forward to next year! Most importantly, I want to again thank the vice chair Nick, our committee trustees Richard and Stuart, and the rest of the committee. I am grateful to the committee for continuing to have open discussion about the referrals and ideas that are brought and willingness to listen to one another.

Respectfully Submitted:

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Sydney P
Chair/Structure and Bylaws

COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AT END OF THIS CONFERENCE:

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Sydney P – I am grateful to be of service we have pulled our concept motion. I would like to thank our committee and our Trustees and World Service Oﬃce Board Thank you. I look forward to the next year.

Motion 27: Motion To add the following language to page 20 of the World Service Manual:

Secretary Duties and Responsibilities:

5. Have a working knowledge of the 12 Traditions.
6. Follow the format in accordance with the group conscience. 7. See that the responsibilities of the other Group servants are
met.
8. Keep an accurate, up-to-date record of changes of the group
conscience and/or motion log.

Seconded
Duane M Any debate Seeing none
Motion passes unanimously

Motion 28: Motion To add the following language to page 56 of the World Service Manual:

The World Service Trustee is the primary signatory of all contracts negotiated by the Trustee Negotiation Committee.

When the Trustees receive complaints relevant to the Fellowship they are to publish the correspondence in the WSBT meeting minutes while preserving the anonymity by redacting names and private personal information of any members and respond within 30 days. If the member does not wish the correspondence to be published they may make that stipulation, that only a summary of the complaint be published.

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Seconded
Motion made would you like to speak to this motion Not at this time

Jonathan Ha – Point of Order – This Motion is out of order and did not follow SR13

Ryan H – it was sent out to World Service Board of Trustee’s email with no response
The Standing Rule 13 applies to ……..

Duane M: I will have to rule that SR13 was not met. I will rule this motion is Out of Order

Ryan H: The email was sent June

Duane M: Rule Out of Order as no content.

Jesse G: Point of Order
Mr Chair I understand your due diligence was done, I did not realise extra diligence was needed. There were Trustees that were aware of this motion I would like to appeal

Motion 29: Motion to Appeal the Chair’s decision.

Stephen C – I have prepared for this.
The process there is an appeal on the floor that Standing Rule 13 was not met. First thing first.

Mr Chair would you like to assert your privilege

Duane M – Not at this time

Stephen C: The floor is open for debate

Jesse Go: Speaking in favour of the motion.

Russell S: Speaking in favour of the motion

Stuart J: Speaking against the motion

Larissa O: Speaking in favour of the motion

Bryan S: Speaking in favour of the motion

Jonathan Ha: Speaking against the motion

Stu E: Speaking against the motion

Barry He: Speaking against the motion

Larissa O: Question – to the Trustees on the committee why wasn’t this discussed by the trustees?

Richard: All motions pertaining to the World Service Board of Trustee’s were discussed in session.

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Peter Mcg: Question: In standing rule13 is it referring to the referral process?

Stephen C: So, you are asking me to interrupt The wording states it must be referred to the appropriate committee.

Randy G: Question – is there anything about asking the trustee to be transparent about this motion why are we fighting it?

Richard: One of my fellow trustees can answer this as I am standing with my committee Johnathan Ha: Yes, there is a concern about motion. It talks about complaints but to publish

Russell S: Point of Order we are facilitating a motion about the chair ruling Peter

Mcg: Speaking against the motion

Maarten de H: Speaking against the motion

Bryan S: Point of Order – I believe the speaker is speaking to the previous motion not the motion on the floor.

Stephen C: I will allow latitude as he is walking the line. Maarten de H: Continues to speak against the motion. Stephen C: Hold on/

Maarten de H: Continues to speak against the motion

Jesse Go: Speaking for the motion

Randy G: If the World Service Board of Trustee’s has

Barry He: Point of Order – seems like a lot of latitude Randy G: The logical

Stu e: Speaking against the motion.

Axel: Question – if this motion/referral sent by Structure & Bylaws to World Service Board of Trustee’s was discussed why was there no response

Barry he: Speaking against this motion. Stephen C: Are you in debate

Jonathan Ha: It was discussed being put out in Standing Rule 14 not to the email.

Stephen C: That didn’t answer the question

Jonathan Ha: It was not discussed via email – it was bought up by standing rule 14

Barry He: Speaking against the motion

Stephen C: Would you like to assert your privilege

Duane M – I am greatly disturbed by this debate the decision I made and the word due diligence. Email is not 100% I work in telephone industry billions of emails are not received. A phone call asking if email was received is not unreasonable. The board just said they saw that and did not feel it necessary to reply. When I made this ruling a the time it seemed reasonable. So, at this time.. I have no choice but to resverse that decision myself the same standard I hold the floor to I hold to myself. I am trying to be reasonable.

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I have trouble both times but because you said you saw it. I will have to reverse it. The World Service Board of Trustees have responsibility.

That standard needs to be reached and SR13 came in to play I was going by this.

Duane M: The standard is 2/3 we are going to vote.
Ok it is a simple enquiry

Bryan s: Are we voting on your appeal if so you can be in charge Duane M correct
Stephen C: Question is on table is where to sustain the chairs vote.
Vote in favour is to sustain the chair’s initial decision that sr 13 was not met and motion was out of
A no vote will say that the chairs decision was incorrect, and the previous motion was in order.

Prepare to vote

The decision was overruled

Return to Motion 28:

Motion To add the following language to page 56 of the World Service Manual:

The World Service Trustee is the primary signatory of all contracts negotiated by the Trustee Negotiation Committee.

Seconded

Duane M: We will continue debate

Jonathan Ha-

Jesse Go: Point of Order – He is not speaking to the motion Duane M he is
Jonathan Ha: Speaking against the motion

Jennifer G: Speaking for the motion

Eric h: question – Is the idea of this motion already World Service Board of Trustee’s policy to do this.

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Richard P: Is it already practice to include this in to minutes. It was done but it was stopped.

Richard S: Speaking for the motion

Russell S: Speaking for the motion

Randy G: Speaking for the motion

Daniel S: Speaking against the motion

Krista L: Speaking for the motion

Pardy T: Speaking for the motion

Melanie R: Speaking for the motion

Leslie K: Question World Service Board of Trustee’s – it was stated that a few minutes ago it was discussed 6 days ago but was put in sr 14 in June?

Daniel S: The board meets for time to time but we are always in session when we met at board meeting it was first time we met since the sr 14 came out

Richard S -Question – if this motion would Pass would every email be responded to?

Tina R: As of today we have had 13 correspondences 11 have been closed 2 are currently closed

How many complaints?

Tina R: I need him to be specific Duane M: How many complaints? Tina R: 5

Barry He: Speaking against the motion

Jonathan Ha: I would like to make a friendly amendment scratch the word complaint S & B accept friendly amendment

Motion 28: Motion To add the following language to page 56 of the World Service Manual:

The World Service Trustee is the primary signatory of all contracts negotiated by the Trustee Negotiation Committee.

When the Trustees receive c~~omplaints~~ relevant correspondence ~~to the Fellowship~~ they are to publish the correspondence in the WSBT meeting minutes while preserving the anonymity by redacting names and private personal information of any members and respond within 30 days. If the member does not wish the correspondence to be published they may make that stipulation, that only a summary of the complaint be published.

Duane M:

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Bryan S: Motion 30: call the question Seconded

Duane M: Ends debate Prepare to vote

Motion passes

Prepare to vote on underlying motion 28. Prepare to vote

Motion carries with no opposition

Sydney P: We are pulling the next motion to take back to committee and work with TEC.

Veronica W: Motion 31: to change the language on page 66:

WSO Board of Directors Interview Process

All Directors, except for Paid Directors, will be interviewed first by the World Service Office Board (WSOB): and ~~viable~~ preferred candidates will be used to create a slate of candidates. This slate, along with the WSOB’s recommendation, shall be forwarded to the World Service Board of Trustees (WSBT). The WSBT will then conduct additional candidate interviews, at the WSBT’s discretion, and make the final selection. It is suggested that the WSBT take the WSOB’s recommendation into serious consideration: however, the final election will be at the discretion of the WSBT.

Seconded

Duane M: Motion made and seconded would you like to speak to your motion.

Veronica W: Yes

Sydney P: Speaking for the motion Duane M: Any debate?

Seeing none prepare to vote on the motion. All in favour

Motion passes with significant unanimity

Sydney P: We welcome any feedback on concepts.

Duane M: If you have a question step up to mic

Lou b: I sent you a list of referrals with instructions of what should be closed and open on form site. I didn’t hear anything.

Also, no transfer form for a referral can you please in future put open and closed

Sydney P: Yes.

Barry He: Question about process you are going through for the revision.

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Sydney P: We are opened up to feedback and we will work on it. This is a process that will need more time throughout the year. We will come back next year re written. We will be asking for more feedback from fellowship

Stu E: With two trustees on committee why didn’t you collaborate with the trustees? Richard B: When this motion was brought up I did explain to the committee this was in our orientation pack. They didn’t believe me as it had not been their experiences

Stu E: They were doing this you knew about it but in spirit Duane M: You are asking same question

Stu E: I am asking the committee.

Sydney P: First we all sat in conference about what does and does not happen we were told it is in orientation packet, but we felt it belonged in World Service Manual also. We can collaborate more and we will do that.

Russell S: Mr chair I would like to make a motion to extend the session to conclude another committee business

Seconded

Jacqueline R: Which committee Duane M: Unity

Prepare to vote

Motion carries with significant unanimity

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