Michele D presented the IT Closing report.
CLOSING REPORT
C.A. WORLD SERVICE CONFERENCE 2014
WSCITC REPORT
INTRODUCTION AND OPENING COMMENTS
Opening Comments
Our fellowship continues to grow and utilize new and emerging technologies to assist us in communicating and conducting business, and most importantly to assist in our efforts to carry the message. In addition to assisting the CAWSO Web servant in reviewing websites for linking from www.ca.org, your IT Committee continues actively researching and advising on new technologies. All Lls of our C.A. service structure continue to explore new options for communication and organization in an effort to improve financial efficiency and better inform our membership.
We remain mindful, respecting the principles set forth in the Twelve Traditions whilst considering these new capabilities for connection and access.
Committee Introductions
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Michele D, Chairperson
Roger M, Vice Chairperson
Jim S, Secretary
Gary M
Wendell S
Pierre B
Will B
Daniel G
Kenny W, Trustee
COMMITTEE WORK THAT RESULTED IN MOTIONS None
REFERRALS THAT RESULTED IN MOTIONS
- Referral Number 2014IT-3
Please consider deleting paragraph K) under things to be avoided on page 7 of the IT Guidelines (“The proper names of locations must not be used. It is recommended that the generic name of a location be used, such as restaurant, church, hospital, etc.”). This is taking non-affiliation too far, especially in the context of helping people find a meeting. Just imagine looking for a meeting at ‘a coffee shop’ in Seattle!
Michele D – MOTION:
k.)The proper names of locations must not be used. It is recommended that the generic name of a location be used, such as restaurant, church, hospital, etc.
Insert –
k.) Do not use the proper name of a location without including the sixth tradition disclaimer – “In the spirit of Tradition Six, C.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution.”
Seconded
Tony D – Do you care to speak to the motion?
Michele D – No.
Bob O – Point of Order, A lot of people did not get a hard copy of the IT Closing report.
Tony D – Let’s get some for them . . . Prepare to vote. . . Motion passes with substantial unanimity.
REFERRALS OR ITEMS TABLED UNTIL NEXT YEAR; AND ITEMS THE COMMITTEE WILL CONTINUE WORKING ON THROUGH THE YEAR
REFERRAL 2014IT-1
To remove paragraphs ¶2 and ¶3 from page 13, of IT Guidelines Chapter “Media”. Public Information may not have been savvy at the time to produce or address the issues surrounding Media but it is a Public Information subject matter as it relates to outreach. A new referral was submitted in 2013
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expressly designed to incorporate social media and variety of other tools to assist in CA Public Information, these two paragraphs directly contradict the work product Public Information has produced.
REFERRAL 2014IT-2
To add Groups to Chapters “CONCERNING WEBSERVANT AND/OR INTERNET COMMITTEES”,”A TYPICAL AREA WEB SITE “, “REQUIREMENTS FOR C.A. AREA/DISTRICT WEB SITES”. To Add both Districts and Groups to chapter “POLICIES FOR POSTING ON C.A. WEB PROPERTIES”, “LINKING, EMERGENCY DE-LINKING, & NON COMPLIANCE”. Groups under the 4th Tradition are autonomous and can elect through their own group conscience to create and manage their own website.
REFERRAL 2014IT-4
Please update the IT workbook to be fully inclusive of the worldwide fellowship rather than US specific eg: page 4 refers to costs in dollars, is it necessary to specify costs as these can vary considerably around the world.
REFERRAL 2014IT-6
Please create a new section to the IT Workbook to illustrate best practice when creating meetings through digital media/technologies. Consult with the Online Area to inform this new documentation and make use of their experience and knowledge in this aspect of carrying the message. I foresee this as useful for Areas and Districts who may see the benefit of creating their own online meetings and also in facilitating VOIP meetings at special events etc. The purpose of this new documentation will be to support the digital outreach potential for Areas and Districts by sharing what works/what doesn’t and how to in a practical away and thus aid in safely utilizing digital technology to further carry the message of CA.
REFERRAL 2014LCF-2 Too create a pamphlet similar to the attached AA Guidelines.
REFERRALS OR ITEMS REFERRED TO OTHER COMMITTEES; WORLD SERVICE OFFICE,
OR BOARD OF TRUSTEES
None
REFERRALS THAT DID NOT RESULT IN MOTIONS
REFERRAL NUMBER 2014IT-7
Please rename the IT Workbook’s name to WSC Internet Technology Guidelines to fit the protocol of other guidelines published by CAWS.
Submitter withdrew Referral
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REFERRAL NUMBER 2014-IT-8/7299 ‘please consider creating a smartphone (across platforms) app to further carry the message and provide information through digital medias.’
Response: We all are enthused about moving forward with new technology. CAWS is diligently working on the new site however it will not be up and running until sometime in the first quarter of 2015. Once all of the issues have been worked out the intention is to then add a mobilized version.
REFERRAL 2014IT-5
Please update the WSCITC guidelines manual, a suggested red line draft is attached for consideration
Submitter withdrew Referral
NEW COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AS OF THIS CONFERENCE
Michelle D, Chair
Daniel G, Vice-Chair
Jim S, Secretary
Pierre B, Communication Moderator
CLOSING COMMENTS
We have worked hard as a committee this year to address the requests and concerns of the fellowship as they relate to our area of responsibility. The CA Peru website is in the final stages of the approval process for linking to www.ca.org
Over the past year we have been able to address and approve a number of websites for linking to www.ca.org as well as researching world service infrastructure ideas and methods to improve workflow and communications.
We will continue to assist the WSO Web servant by reviewing requested web sites for linking from www.ca.org and look forward to working with our new Trustee.
Over the next year we will continue to meet quarterly to review Area websites and will be updating the IT guidelines as driven by current technology and needs of the fellowship. Our primary focus will be to address the concerns of the tabled referrals that we received this year.
Respectfully Submitted:
Michele D, Chair WSITC Committee
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Tony D- Any questions?
Dwanna R- What security is in place to stop hacking of the website?
Cynthia C- When you are looking at websites to see if they meet current requirements, do you check to see if current websites have the current literature?
Michele D- Literature is not one of the things we check to make sure is current.
John W- How are you able to verify the content of websites that are not in the English language? Michele D – We have a translator and we confer with someone to make sure the translation is correct. Kevin M- About the question Cynthia asked, is the suggestion to refer websites to the ca.org link for literature still in the guidelines?
Michele D – I’m not sure…will check for.
Tony D – Seeing no more questions, please thank the committee. S&B is up next.
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