John M presented the S&B report.
CLOSING REPORT
C.A. WORLD SERVICE CONFERENCE 2014
STRUCTURE AND BYLAWS REPORT
INTRODUCTION AND OPENING COMMENTS
On behalf of the Fellowship, the 2014 Structure and Bylaws Committee, and all of our referral writers, I am here to thank YOU. I have had the privilege to serve you and this wonderful committee for the last four conferences and this year as acting chair. I have never experienced working with such dedicated and caring people as these guys sitting here now. I want to thank Duane M who inspired me and still does to continue with S&B, Russell S are outgoing alphabet Trustee and all the trustees for their help and support and once again Jon H. for his untiring commitment to this committee.
This exceptional group of people, have worked tirelessly throughout the year and over the last few days have given their very best to satisfy the Conference and the entire Fellowship with the work that they have carried out.
Our watchword has been as always been “Diligence” and this year as some of you will testify we have come looking for you to talk about YOUR referrals.
We hope that you will find all our responses whether they result in motions or not thoughtful and well crafted. Let me introduce this extraordinary team
Committee Introductions
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Eric T Chair
John M Vice- Chair
Jon H Secretary
Yves W Trustee
Dana V
Julia C
Michael C
Suzanne V
Maria M
Ernest M
Sandra A
Debi H
Mike L
Maria K
Melissa B
Susan D
Jason M
Imani A
Benjamin S
COMMITTEE WORK THAT RESULTED IN MOTIONS
Michael C – MOTION: To insert on page 79 of the WSM METHODS: Voting shall be by one of four five methods and to create a number 5 on page 80 to
Read: 5. Electronic: To be used at the discretion of the chairperson.
Seconded
Tony D – Rereads the motion. Do you want to speak to your motion?
Michael C – No.
Tony D – Any debate?
Elizabeth S – The page numbers are not in line with what is currently on the website.
Tony D – This is going to be a question for the Office.
Stu E – I speak against the motion as it is currently written and this new system has not been tested.
John W – Friendly Amendment– Instead of indicating a page number that we refer to the correct section.
Tony D – I am ruling that out of order as the page numbers issue is housekeeping.
Kevin M – The 2014 version of the WSM is online
Tony D – Seeing no further debate, prepare to vote….motion passes
REFERRALS THAT RESULTED IN MOTIONS
- Referral Number 7251 Please consider revising the title of the appendix to “Appendix List of Literature Approved by the WSC for Use, Display, distribution, or sale in C.A.”. This combines the policy on p. 14 with the language in the Appendix and removes the implication that the AA publications referenced in the Advisory Opinions are “WSC Approved” If you can find a more succinct way to say this, please do so. Thanks.
MOTION: To change on pg. 83 of the WSM to: APPENDIX LIST OF WSC APPROVED
LITERATURE: The following literature has been approved by the World Service Conference: and insert a new sub-heading, WSC Approved Literature and change Advisory Opinions to a new sub-heading.
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See attachment regarding proposed appendix
Seconded.
Tony D – Any debate?
Cynthia C- Friendly Amendment, on the Appendix capitalize the word ‘guidelines’ and ‘workbooks’ to show as a separate heading.
Accepted
Tony D – Seeing no further debate, please prepare to vote ….. Motion passes.
Referral Number 7124
Please consider adding a page/s at the front of the World Service Manual that lists the revised sections, from the previous year’s edition. The section and page number would probably be adequate.
MOTION: To insert on page 84 of the WSM a new sub-heading after the Advisory Opinions: Changes in the 2014 WSM.
See attachment regarding proposed appendix
Seconded
Tony D- do you want to speak to the motion. Prepare to vote . . . . . Motion passes
Referral 2014S&B-6
Please consider revising the CAWSO Board Qualifications and Responsibilities set forth on p. 65 of the WSM as follows: The CAWSO Board as a whole shares responsibility for reviewing and publishing all WSO publications, i.e., the NewsGram, directories, etc. [insert new language] The WSO and the CAWSO Board also have specific responsibilities with regard to Conference-approved literature as set forth in the C.A. Pamphlet Approval Process, C.A. Pamphlet Publication Process and C.A. Book Approval Process, all of which may be found in the WSC Literature, Chips, and Format Committee Guidelines.[end new language]•
MOTION: To insert on page 63 as the second paragraph, The WSO and the CAWSO Board also have specific responsibilities with regard to Conference approved literature as set forth in the C.A. Pamphlet Approval Process, C.A. Pamphlet Publication Process, and C.A. Book Approval Process, all of which may be found in the WSC Literature, Chips, and Format Committee Guidelines.
Seconded
Tony D- any debate? Prepare to vote . . . . . Motion passes
Referral 2014S&B-7
Please consider revising the first paragraph in the description of the literature, chips, and format committee set forth on page 40 of the WSM as follows: (Literature, Chips, and Format Committee: The WSC Literature, Chips, and Format committee reviews, edits, submits to the WSC for approval, and
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submits assists in the publication of WSC approved literature to the WSC for approval through as detailed in the CA pamphlet approval process, CA pamphlet publication process and CA book approval process. All of these processes may be found in the WSC Literature, Chips, and Format Committee. 12 point literature approval process. This process may be found in the committee. It Guidelines. It is our function to facilitate the expression of our Fellowships hope, faith, and courage through the writing of material for distribution.
MOTION: To change the WSM on page 40 first paragraph in the description of Literature, Chips, and Format Committee to the following: The WSC Literature, Chips, and Format Committee reviews, edits, submits to the WSC for approval, and submits assists in the publication of WSC approved literature to the WSC for approval through as detailed in the C.A. pamphlet approval process, C.A. pamphlet publication process and C.A. book approval process. All of these processes may be found in the WSC Literature, Chips, and Format Committee Guidelines. 12 point literature approval process. This process may be found in the committee It is our function to facilitate the expression of our Fellowship’s hope, faith, and courage through the writing of material for distribution.
Seconded
Tony D- do you want to speak to the motion?
Dana V- not at this time
Richard L- Are you requesting to be on the committee that works with the publication?
Cynthia C- This simply updates our guidelines…LCF actually works with the Office and the trustees. Tony D- motion passes
Referral 2014S&B-8
In order to clarify the incorporation requirement for our areas, we would like to suggest the following: To update the World Service Manual on page 24 Add to the last paragraph under the heading THE AREA: If an area chooses to or needs to incorporate, be advised that the name Cocaine Anonymous belongs to the Fellowship as a whole and is not to be used in the name of any corporate entity. On page 1. The Area Service Committee is entrusted with local Fellowship Incorporation. Change for 1. The Area Service Committee is entrusted with local service board incorporation, if required.
MOTION: To insert on page 24 of the WSM, Area sub-heading, paragraph 3, line 5 after Area Central
Office: If an area chooses to or needs to incorporate, be advised that the name “Cocaine
Anonymous” belongs to the Fellowship as a whole and is not to be used in the name of any corporate entity.
Seconded
Tony D- rereads the motion.
Susan B- (inaudible)
Yves W-(inaudible)
Ginger L- Do we need to go back and change the name of our Area?
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Tony D- You will have to discuss that in your Area.
Allen S-(inaudible)
Yves W-(inaudible)
Kevin M- Since it is expensive to change the name, is CA acceptable?
Yves W- (inaudible)
Jim S- Speaks in favor of the motion and have changed the name to CA Tom P- Point of Order- was this an SR14? Tony D- No
Russell S- Speaks in favor of the motion. Please use CA instead of the fellowship’s name Cocaine Anonymous, as our name clearly defines us.
Tom P- Point of Order please make a ruling based on SR14.
Tony D- I did not feel it was substantial enough to fall under that rule.
Tom P- Challenges the chair’s ruling.
Trevor S-Would you like to speak?
Tony D- On page 13 in the WSM it clearly states who can use our name.
Tom P- I appeal the ruling as this is complicated and jurisdiction is complicated. I do not feel comfortable in voting on this without speaking to my Area. Susan B: Speak for overturning the chair’s ruling.
Michael C- I speak in favor of the chair’s ruling. This is just changing what we can do…it is not substantial.
Jim S- Speak in favor of the chair’s ruling…
Cynthia C- I speak in favor of overturning the chair’s ruling…the manual is not clear.
John W- I speak for the chair’s ruling…it states we can ask for permission from the WSBT.
Allen S- Speaking to overturn the ruling. On page 13 it states a group may not use the name, but an Area can.
Tom P –Point of Order- Debating on the underlying motion Trevor S- I am trying to give a little leeway.
Stu E- I speak in favor of the motion as we need some more time to think this through. AJ R- I speak in favor to overturn the chair’s ruling…
Joy H-I speak in favor of the chair…
Patrick P- Could you read SR14 please?
Trevor S – reads SR14
Maria M- speak in favor to uphold the chair’s ruling. The material that is being discussed is not new.
Duane M- My point has already been made.
Carl R- speaking against the Chair’s. SR14 doesn’t state whether the material has to be new or old, just
that it has significant affect.
John M- (inaudible)
Brian T- Speak in favor of the Chair…it’s already in the manual…this is just clarification.
Gary M- what referral are we working on?
John M-Referral #8
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Henry A-Speaking against the chair’s ruling…
Kevin M- Speaks against the chair’s ruling. This has a monetary affect on Areas. It should be covered by SR14.
Tammy L- Speaking for the chair’s ruling….if it is already in the manual this is just a duplicate.
Jim S- Still in favor of the chair’s ruling.
Tom P-Point of Order- Speaking to the underlying motion.
Trevor S – Please keep your debate to speaking for or against the chair’s ruling.
Terry M- I would like to go back and debate the original motion.
Russell S- I think we have sufficient information to vote on this issue.
Joy H- I support the chair as the cost of changing the name is 30.00.
Duane M- support the chair…
Lauri C -Speaks against the chair….would like to talk to my Area.
Sarah T- call the question
Trevor S- prepare to vote….motion passes
Tony D- I do not know how you can have a substantial change to something that already exists in the WSM. That is the sole reason for my ruling.
Trevor S- all in favor of upholding the chair’s ruling…..with noted opposition…the ruling stands. Count called
Terry M- Point of Order- did Patrick debate?
Trevor S- no he did not. He asked a question and did not state an opinion.
(Earl and Patrick count)
Trevor S- 93-44. The chair’s ruling stands.
MOTION: To insert on page 24 of the WSM, Area sub-heading, paragraph 3, line 5 after Area Central Office: If an area chooses to or needs to incorporate, be advised that the name “Cocaine Anonymous” belongs to the Fellowship as a whole and is not to be used in the name of any corporate entity.
Cynthia C- MOTION: to refer to WSBT.
Seconded
Tony D: would you like to speak to your motion?
Cynthia- I speak in favor of the motion. The WSM is very clear. And the WSBT needs to take a closer look at this and defining it.
Jim S- Speak against the motion.
Susan B- I speak against the motion. I believe we need a clear understanding what the motion means. Russell S- Speak against the motion to refer. I believe we can have a healthy discussion about this right here on the floor.
Kevin M- Speaks against the motion…
Patrick P – Speaks for the motion as it is not the same as what is on page 13. From the 12th concept….no conference action….telling someone how to incorporate is a government action.
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Terry M- Speak against the motion. WSBT discussed this.
Michael C- Speaks against the motion…referring from one committee to another is not the solution. Stu E- Speaks in favor of the motion. What I would like to see is a clear understanding from the WSBT. John W- call the questions
Tony D: motion to close debate passes
Tony D: MOTION: to refer to WSBT.
Motion fails
Tony D- back to the original motion.
MOTION: To insert on page 24 of the WSM, Area sub-heading, paragraph 3, line 5 after Area Central Office: If an area chooses to or needs to incorporate, be advised that the name “Cocaine Anonymous” belongs to the Fellowship as a whole and is not to be used in the name of any corporate entity.
Michael C- What we are trying to do is protect the fellowship.
Tom P- Speaks against the motion. Page 13 says “who can use Cocaine Anonymous”
Stu E- Speaks against the motion. My point has been made and on page 13 it states that Areas can use the name.
Patrick P- Is this designed to be retroactive?
Yves W- We are giving the Areas and local groups the right to make effective.
Gary M- Does that mean that I have to go back and tell all our districts, groups, and areas that we have to change our name going back to the beginning of time? Tony D-(inaudible)
Kevin M- Speaks for the motion. It is worth the money to change the name.
Jason- Speaks in favor of the motion…point was made.
Russell S- Speaks in favor of the motion. Reads from the 12th concept…
Eric F- If this motion passes will I be asked to go back to San Diego and ask my Area to change their name?
Tony D- It is up to the Area to decide to change the name.
Lauri C- Speaks against the motion…
Patrick P- Speaks against the motion. Cocaine Anonymous Inc is owned by the founding Area.
Maria M- Speaks for the motion. Cocaine Anonymous is our name and our fellowship. This motion will help new areas avoid this issue.
John W- call for the vote
Seconded
Tony D- prepare to vote…motion to close debate passes.
MOTION: To insert on page 24 of the WSM, Area sub-heading, paragraph 3, line 5 after Area Central Office: If an area chooses to or needs to incorporate, be advised that the name “Cocaine Anonymous” belongs to the Fellowship as a whole and is not to be used in the name of any corporate entity.
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Tony D- Motion passes.
Tom P- 5th concept. The committee continues to say this is in the WSM, yet I do not agree. I believe this is a travesty.
Stu E- The WSM expresses permission for Areas and Regions.
Elizabeth S- 5th Concept. I believe we have just diluted our fellowship out of fear.
MOTION: To insert on page 24 under Suggested Area Functions Item 1: The Area Service Committee is entrusted with local Fellowship service board incorporation, if required. Seconded
Tony D- any debate?
Susan B- Point of Information, can you explain what “if required” means/ Yves W- (inaudible)
Susan B- Friendly Amendment in Canada and other countries Not accepted
Tony D- motion passes
Jackson H- MOTION: To reconsider a previously passed motion.
MOTION: To insert on page 24 of the WSM, Area sub-heading, paragraph 3, line 5 after Area Central
Office: If an area chooses to or needs to incorporate, be advised that the name “Cocaine Anonymous” belongs to the Fellowship as a whole and is not to be used in the name of any corporate entity.
Seconded
Jackson H- Speaks for the motion. There appears to be much confusion about what the motion means. Russell S- Speaks for the motion. From the 5th concept statements and the motion to reconsider, I believe we need to revisit this.
Peter B- In favor of the motion to reconsider
Roland R- Speaks in favor as I did not have a clear understanding of the effect of using the name Cocaine Anonymous.
Jason M- Speaks in favor we don’t have enough information.
Tony D- Please prepare to vote to reconsider…motion passes
John M- We as a committee want to withdraw.
Tony D- Any objections to having this motion withdrawn? Duane M – Has an objection to having this motion withdrawn.
****** LUNCH BREAK ******
Tony D – Back in session at 1:05 pm. Current motion on the floor is
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MOTION: To insert on page 24 of the WSM, Area sub-heading, paragraph 3, line 5 after Area Central Office: If an area chooses to or needs to incorporate, be advised that the name “Cocaine Anonymous” belongs to the Fellowship as a whole and is not to be used in the name of any corporate entity.
Duane M – Offer friendly amendment – if an area chooses to or needs to incorporate, be advised that the name Cocaine Anonymous belongs to the fellowship as a whole and should not be used as a name of …(interrupted)
Point of Information – Do we need a quorum count? Tony D – No. Back to Duane’s friendly amendment.
Duane M – offer friendly amendment – if an area chooses to or needs to incorporated, be advised that the name Cocaine Anonymous belongs to the fellowship as a whole and should not be used as a name of any corporate entity.
Tony D – Does the committee accept?
Michael C – We accept.
Tony D – The friendly amendment has been accepted.
Duane M – Speaks in favor of motion, thinks this will clarify and soften the motion. The main problem in the original motion is ‘in the name of’, you can call yourself Cocaine Anonymous Tony D as that is part of the name. You just can’t be Cocaine Anonymous. Tom P – yield
Kevin M – Please show the amended motion on the screen.
MOTION as amended: To insert on page 24 of the WSM, Area sub-heading, paragraph 3, line 5 after Area Central Office: If an area chooses to or needs to incorporate be advised that the name Cocaine Anonymous belongs to the fellowship as a whole and should not be used as the name of any corporate entity.
Kevin M – I’m in favor of motion as amended.
Ira L – It took me awhile to understand this motion. This is not about the use of the name, it is about incorporating the name Cocaine Anonymous. You won’t have to change your Area’s name if you are something like SVCA or Cocaine Anonymous New York. This is about protecting the trademarked name. This is now about what we should do, not what we can do. Will help eliminate confusion for future areas/groups/etc.
Jay P – I agree with the spirit of the motion. But I speak against it as it is presented here. Think it needs more work and some good questions have been asked that need to be answered. The WSM is confusing on this topic and needs more work.
Henry A – Reads from WSM page 13, this says a group, area or region can use this without qualification. This motion is in contradiction of page 13. I speak against the motion.
AJ R – I have spoken to some members of our group, I am against the motion. A group member from the 1990s was encouraged by the Office at that time to use the name Cocaine Anonymous Idaho when they incorporated.
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Michael C – In favor of the amended motion, whenever we hear the name Cocaine Anonymous and we want to change it, it causes controversy. We take due diligence when we work on any motion and to do the best for Cocaine Anonymous. Group conscious showed we need to re-work this. We are not changing our name. The substance of the motions is about incorporation so as not to cause trouble. To protect against harm.
Susan B – Speaks against the motion. I don’t think enough due diligence was done. If we take the name Cocaine Anonymous out of a corporate filing, can we keep the non-profit status? This should be a SR14 ruling.
Jim S – Friendly amendment to go back to the original motion.
John M – We do not accept.
Patrick P – Speaks against, is the example ‘Cocaine Anonymous CALA’ acceptable? Point is, if there was some suggestion back in the early years, then S&B should be doing the research into that history. There are many places in the manual that conflict with this.
John W – Question to motion makers, the word ‘grandfathering’ means anything in existence prior to this ruling can stay the same, but in the future, we would not use ‘Cocaine Anonymous xxxx’. John M – No, this says ‘should not.’ The intention is to protect the fellowship.
John W – So, I would have to go to WSO to get permission to use the name Cocaine Anonymous in our name?
Yves W – Existing ones would not have to change, future ones should follow this motion.
Russell S – Is in favor of this motion. Has heard discussion about areas being dis-empowered. This actually empowers them. This is to clarify the difference between the incorporated parts of the fellowship and the fellowship itself.
Kenny W – Motion to refer this back to committee.
Seconded.
Tony D – Do you want to speak to the motion?
Kenny W – There seems to be misunderstanding on both sides and I think more work needs to be done to make this more easily understood not just here but back in the Areas.
Stu E – In favor of the motion to refer back to committee. There is too much ambiguity in the motion, too much confusion and still in conflict with WSM page 13.
Gary M – In favor. I’m from a foreign location and this doesn’t address our issues, just addresses the English language entities, not French or other languages, they need to be included in this motion. AJ R – In favor, my point is already made.
Terry M– In favor to refer back to committee. I was originally opposed, but think it will be helpful now.
Dana V – We are in favor, we wanted to take it back before lunch.
Elizabeth S – Great idea to refer back, and would be helpful to use the international attorneys we have to see what those implications will be too. Important that everything gets lined up.
Tony D – Seeing no more debate, prepare to vote ….. motion to refer back to committee passes with minor opposition.
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Referral 2014S&B-10
The manual, Page 77, does not list a Point of Information as one of the things you can interrupt the speaker for during discussion. The Chart on Page 82 states you can interrupt the speaker. Roberts Rules of Order indicate that you can, by asking the current speaker, if he/she will yield if it pertains to business on the floor. Please fix this issue.
Maria K – MOTION: To change on page 82 of the WSM Robert Rules of Order chart, Number 33, column 3, Yes NO
Seconded
Tony D – Do you wish to speak to your motion?
Maria K – Not at this time.
Tony D – Seeing no debate, prepare to vote ….. motion passes unanimously
Referral 2014S&B-11
WSM pg 42 WSC Committee officer’s duties, Qualifications & Selection: WSC Committee Chairperson item H. change first term is for two years but the committee has the option to elect a chair for one year
Julie C – MOTION: To insert on page 42 of the WSM under WSC Committee Chairperson Item H:
First term is for two years, limited one-year term thereafter. but the committee has the option to elect a chair for one year.
Seconded
Tony D – Do you wish to speak to your motion?
Julie C – Not at this time.
Stu E – (inaudible)
Jim S – Parliamentary inquiry, there are actually two #33 Tony D – This is in regards to the second to the last one.
Stu E – The term is two years, but could then be elected for another term, but this motion doesn’t address what it was intended to address.
Joy H – I am the person who wrote this, having discussion with Trustee, a lot of the Chairperson are farther into their Delegate term, they come back as non-delegate chairs and that is expensive. This is to help address that.
Edy R – This is to help define what the terms should look like, but this removes the directions for what happens after that.
Stu E – Friendly amendment – The first term is for one or two years, limited one year term thereafter. Julie C – Accepted
Alan S – What determines if this is one or two years in the first shot?
Sarah T – If the chair has completed a two year term would next year a new person could be voted in?
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Joy H – The first year term for any committee is a one or two year term based on how long you have left as a delegate to save the expense of coming back as a non-delegate chair. If you are voted in as a non-delegate, that is ok. This is just to help clarify that you don’t have to serve two years if you only have one year left as a delegate.
Kevin M – Parliamentary inquire – When does this motion take effect if not stated in the motion Tony D – At end of conference.
Cynthia C – friendly amendment – First term is a maximum of two years at committee discretion, limited to one year term thereafter.
Julie C – Accepted.
Cynthia C – I was a non-delegate vice chair and had to step up to help once, this helps to clarify things a bit.
Tony D – The motion as amended – MOTION: To insert on page 42 of the WSM under WSC Committee Chairperson Item H: First term is a maximum of two years at committee discretion, limited to one year term thereafter.
Tony D – Prepare to vote …. motion passes with minor opposition.
Referral Number 7355
Change WSM standing rules so that transcripts are not required to be word-for-word written copy of recording but can be dailies and audio transcript which would be made available to anyone, as requested.
Referral 2014S&B-14
In the standing rules, it spells out who is responsible to prepare conference minutes, and who distributes them. It does not spell out what the minutes are, either a summary of motions or the actual transcripts. Plus it doesn’t say directly who they get distributed to. Delegates? or who???? Please fix this.
Maria M – MOTION: To change on page 46, Standing Rule 16, Minutes of World Service Conference
16. MINUTES OF WORLD SERVICE CONFERENCE. The World Service Office will oversee the preparation of the transcripts daily summaries and a summary of motions of for Conference session sessions, for delivery providing them to the Conference Committee not later than 90 days following the end of Conference. The Conference Committee is to prepare and deliver the aforementioned minutes documents of the World Service Conference to the World Service Office, for distribution to the delegates or C.A. members as requested. Also, the WSO will make available, upon request, a copy of the audio recordings no later than 150 days after the close of the Conference. If the Conference Committee is unable to do so, the World Service Office will immediately assume responsibility for preparing and distributing the minutes in the most expeditious manner possible. Whenever WSC guidelines or other materials are to be distributed to the fellowship, it is the responsibility of the Trustee assigned at the time such materials are approved to review the materials for accuracy, following approval by the relevant WSC committee, and forward them to the WSO for distribution. This approval
CAWS Conference 2014 Day Four – Redacted Approved version Page 30 of 71
shall only occur after receipt and prompt comparison of the current Conference documents transcripts namely; the daily summaries and the summary of motions by the applicable WSC Committee.
Maria M – Please See Standing Rule 16 attachment.
Tony D – Do you want to speak to the motion?
Maria M – No.
Tony D – Prepare to vote ….. motion passes unanimously.
Referral 2014S&B-1
Add to standing Rule 5(c) the first sentence the following sentence: “No persons may have proxied a second vote from an Area until all delegates and/or alternate delegates present for that Area have at least one vote.”
Sandra A – MOTION: To insert in the WSM page 45 after the first sentence in Standing Rule 5(c): A Delegate or Alternate Delegate may proxy one vote to another Conference Delegate or Alternate Delegate from the same Area or another Area within the same Region. No person may have a second proxy vote from an Area until all Delegates and/or Alternate Delegates present for that Area have at least one vote.
Seconded
Tony D – Do you wish to speak to your motion?
Sandra A – No.
Tony D – Is there any debate?
Henry A – Friendly amendment, please strike the word ‘second’ before proxy.
Brian T – Point of Information, appears that under 5(c) is a lot of other text? Where is this going to be added?
Tony D – The new language goes in at the beginning
Elizabeth S – I’m having a hard time understanding this motion. It doesn’t seem to clarify anything. I don’t understand how the change makes a difference.
Michael C – For clarification purposes, this goes in after the first sentence.
Tony D – What does this change?
Jerico M – If we have 3 delegates here but the alternate delegate doesn’t have a vote, this would let the alternate delegate have that vote instead of someone else having 2 votes.
Kevin M – In the past situation, one delegate had 2 votes and one delegate had one vote. We want to have the most people participating and voting, so this would help spread the votes around.
Derek H – Please clarify, we have 3 delegates and 3 alternate delegates. This seems to interfere with how the two we send carry votes.
Tony D – No
Susan B – There are some areas that send alternate delegates without a vote so they can listen/learn. I was overwhelmed at my first Conference. I am working on our Area S&B to send an alternate delegate
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without a vote specifically so they can listen/learn. Don’t think inexperienced delegates can make informed decisions.
Jim S – Against the motion, this should be left to Areas how they want their delegate votes to be carried.
Michelle D – Call the question.
Seconded
Tony D – needs 2/3 majority, prepare to vote … motion clearly meets 2/3. The new motion is —-
Amended MOTION: To insert in the WSM page 45 after the first sentence in Standing Rule 5(c): A Delegate or Alternate Delegate may proxy one vote to another Conference Delegate or Alternate Delegate from the same Area or another Area within the same Region. No person may have a proxy vote from an Area until all Delegates and/or Alternate Delegates present for that Area have at least one vote.
Tony D – Prepare to vote …. Motion passes with noted opposition.
Brian T – Fifth Concept Statement – I feel that we are doing the work of Area Ll, we just took away their decision on who they want to vote for them.
Cynthia C – Parliamentary inquiry – did that motion pass with 2/3 majority?
Tony D – We will count the votes…….It did not meet the 2/3 majority requirement …. Motion fails.
REFERRALS OR ITEMS TABLED UNTIL NEXT YEAR; AND ITEMS THE COMMITTEE WILL CONTINUE WORKING ON THROUGH THE YEAR
Referral 2014S&B-1
To create a policy and/or procedure for how to deconstruct a group, district or area. The WSM provides the design and structure for forming Districts and Areas, but it does not provide any deconstruction options if it were to become necessary to close a district. This may come as a shock, but some Areas that had districts split off to become Areas may find themselves wanted to deconstruct that choice and revert back to a district, Or an Area may elect to remove districts from its structure and revert them back to a GSR only assembly. There is no specific language in the WSM that provides guidance in the event that an Area chooses to limit its size or structure.
Referral 2014S&B-2
To add where appropriate to the WSM “Districts are not autonomous” “Committees are not autonomous” or some similar language. What came first? The Chicken or the egg? An Area or a District? In Los Angeles, the birthplace of CA – meetings formed an Area and as the Area grew it realized the need for Districts to help manage the business of the Area in designated geographical territories. As the ASM clearly states 10 or more groups/meeting can petition their Area to become a district. But those districts are NOT autonomous from the Area, they are merely an extension of the Area for ‘Managing’ CA business. It needs to be stated clearly that District are not autonomous and are not indemnified by the 4th Tradition. This also true for committees or boards of any kind, whether a Standing Committee in a District, Area or World Service Conference – or boards/committees are not
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Groups and therefore are not indemnified by the 4th Tradition. This needs to be written in black and W to prevent misinterpretation.
Referral 2014S&B-12
Would the S&B’s committee please add to the world service manual a list of C.A. approved readings for C.A. meetings
REFERRALS OR ITEMS REFERRED TO OTHER COMMITTEES; WORLD SERVICE OFFICE, OR BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Referral 2014S&B-3
To add a minimum of 10 years sobriety and Professional Skills to the qualification for World Service Office Board Director. The public face to Cocaine Anonymous resides in the World Service Office Board of Directors, they are official Directors recognized as such in the California Code of Corporation and should maintain a minimum 10 years of sobriety and professional skills (ie: accounting, business, legal, administrative, creative, etc) in addition to being a Member of Cocaine Anonymous. Cocaine Anonymous is 32 years old – our requirements for sobriety should be a third of our age as a minimum. Bringing unqualified Directors to a Board of such significance undermines our effectiveness and creates risk and liability for CA, of which it can’t afford.
REFERRED TO THE WSOB
Referral 2014S&B-4
To add a minimum of 10 years sobriety and Professional Skills to the qualification for World Service Trustee. The safe-keepers of Cocaine Anonymous resides in the World Service Trustee, they are official Officers and Directors recognized as such in the California Code of Corporation and should maintain a minimum 10 years of sobriety and professional skills (ie: accounting, business, legal, administrative, creative, etc) in addition to being a Member of Cocaine Anonymous. Cocaine Anonymous is 32 years old – our requirements for sobriety should be a third of our age as a minimum. Bringing unqualified trustees to a Board of such significance undermines our effectiveness and creates risk and liability for CA, of which it can’t afford.
REFERRED TO THE WSBT
Referral 2014S&B-5
To Change Cocaine Anonymous’ name. To make it less drug specific. We can write and produce as many pieces of literature we want telling people that we are not drug specific. But we are. Cocaine is the first word everyone sees and despite any literature, the public perception is that we are focused solely and entirely on cocaine addiction. Our founding members only called it Cocaine anonymous because it was their drug of choice. If you were to ask any of them today, as I have. They would have called it
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Chemical Dependency Anonymous. CA in my Area is dying. We have gone from over 500 meetings in 1990 to barely 150 in the founding area. We as a fellowship have a responsibility to help the still suffering addict – Addict, not cocaine addict specifically. Legally, I’m told by two different attorney’s in the program, that it is not a huge undertaking, its filing amendments with the states we’re incorporated in and the IRS and conjuring up a new logo and trademarking it. Just because we amend our name doesn’t stop us from using AA’s permitted works. My referral is in hopes of creating some healthy dialogue among committee members to look at this as a viable solution for our steady decline. Without a name change, I feel we will always appear to be drug specific.
REFERRED TO THE WSBT
Referral 2014S&B-9
As our fellowship continues to grow it becomes difficult for Area’s outside of the US to identify with media and publications that specify one single currency $$ and this can create separation within the world wide fellowship of CA rather than creating an environment of exclusivity. For example look at the Financial Guidelines, or IT guidelines or recent poster created by the finance committee (see attachment)- a good example of how publications can be made inclusive is this year’s 2014 Gratitude month poster. My suggestion is to propose a new standing rule that anything published by CAWS to be circulated to the entire fellowship is done with the differences regarding monetary representation to be fully represented. This could be achieved by writing about ‘money’ rather than a specific currency, or, in the case of a poster or web publication, could have many different currencies illustrated.
REFERRED TO THE WSOB
REFERRALS THAT DID NOT RESULT IN MOTIONS
Referral Number 7451
With the respect to adding more Delegates to the TEC, I cannot tell you how many years this has come up, at least 10 years. Can S&B once and for all please go back & look at which years this came up, what was the motion that was defeated, and the debate that year. Please make a list so this can be produced each year this argument comes up. Thanks.
NO ACTION TAKEN.
Though Structure & Bylaws endeavors to be of assistance with matters of investigation this is usually specific to changes in policy. Practicing mindfulness with regards to the time, resources and responsibilities of both S&B and other WSC committees and in an effort to be of maximum service. We would encourage any individual C.A. member who requires such information to look through previous Conference minutes, dailies or their WSC delegate reports. To seek further guidance from their Delegates or Trustee about this matter.
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Referral 2014S&B-13
Add, as the end of SR 5(c): In exceptional circumstances, verbal proxies may be accepted at the discretion of the Conference Chair.
NO ACTION TAKEN
A motion to suspend the rules would be an appropriate procedure for a proxy that has exceptional circumstances.
NEW COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AS OF THIS CONFERENCE
This is my last year as a serving delegate at the WSC it has been an honor to serve as acting chair for this year. I had no intention of staying clean and sober when I got here I just needed to slow down. The committee up there had other ideas’. I have loved every minute of your company, companionship, love and tolerance and would not change a thing, thank god for C.A. and thank you and the Fellowship for letting me serve YOU.
Now let me introduce you to your new committee.
Chair Dana V
Vice-Chair Ernest M
Secretary Jon H
Co-Secretary Maria K
This is my last year serving as a Delegate at the WSC. It has been an honor to serve as acting chair for this year. I had no intention of staying clean and sober when I got here I just needed to slow down. The committee up there had other ideas’. I have loved every minute of your company, companionship, love and tolerance and would not change a thing, thank God for C.A. and thank you and the Fellowship for letting me serve YOU.
Respectfully Submitted:
John M
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Tony D – Any questions? Seeing none, please thank the committee. Next up is the WSOB.
Terry M– There was a comment made about whether clapping earlier. Should it happen or not, please clarify.
Tony D – In the interest of time, please keep this in mind.
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