Trevor S. – Start at 9:21 A
Rodney D. – Read opening comments.
CLOSING REPORT
C.A. WORLD SERVICE CONFERENCE 2017 STRUCTURE & BYLAWS REPORT
INTRODUCTION AND OPENING COMMENTS
Opening Comments:
On behalf of the WSC 2017 Structure and Bylaws Committee, we are deeply honored to have the opportunity to serve and would like to thank you for a wonderful conference.
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We would like to thank all those who made referrals to the S & B. We are inspired by the passion and love for C.A. that is displayed in your referrals.
Thank you for allowing me to serve as chair of the wonderful hard-working Structure and Bylaws committee. Words cannot describe the magic I have experienced at this conference.
Committee Introductions:
| 1 | Rodney D. | Chair |
| 2 | Ken S. | Vice-chair |
| 3 | Clayton P. | Co-secretary |
| 4 | Ernest M. | Co-secretary |
| 5 | Kerry W. | Trustee |
| 6 | Jimmy Y. | Member |
| 7 | Jon H. | Member |
| 8 | Taylor F. | Member |
| 9 | David S. | Member |
| 10 | Josh J. | Member |
| 11 | Micheal C. | Member |
| 12 | Jill E. | Member |
| 13 | Dwanna R. | Member |
| 14 | Zach A. | Member |
| 15 | David S. | Member |
Add new person here****
COMMITTEE WORK THAT RESULTED IN MOTIONS
N/A
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REFERRALS THAT RESULTED IN MOTIONS
S&B 2017-1
Referral:
On page 30 of the WSM item 1. starting at If an area has more than 75 meetings per week of its groups (excluding H&I), then that Area will be entitled to one additional vote for every fifty (50) meetings per week of its groups (or portion thereof). If an area has any questions concerning the number of votes to which it is entitled, that Area should contact its Regional Trustee or the WSO.
I would like to make it completely clear that meetings which meet more than one time per week are to be counted individually and not as one. The current language as written can be confusing and lead to miscounted meeting totals for Areas.
Response:
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Ken S. – Motion in reference to S&B 2017-1 to change on Page 30 of the World Service Manual Item 1
If an Area has more than 75 meetings per week of its groups that meet per
week (excluding H&I), then that Area will be entitled to one additional vote for every fifty (50) meetings per week of its groups that meet per week (or portion thereof). If an Area has any question concerning the number of votes to which it is entitled, that Area should contact its Regional Trustee or the WSO.
Seconded by committee.
Trevor S. – Re-read motion. Do you wish to speak to your motion? Ken S. – No.
Trevor S. – Any debate?
Anne M. – If a group meets 7 times a week it is represented as 1 group and if a meeting meets 1 time a week, it is also rep as 1?
Rodney D. – Read from the WSM about what defines a group. We asked people with extensive experience on WSM. One of them said a group would get 1, another person said the group would get 7. If a meeting is held 7 times a week at one location, that is not notated in the WSM at this time in what is defined as a group.
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Stu E. – Against, it is vague on what is the definition of a group. Some groups meet multiple times a week. There is confusion on the exact definition of a group versus a meeting for this purpose. The way this motion is written would create confusion.
Randy M. – presents a friendly amend,
If an Area has more than 75 C.A. meetings per week of its groups that meet per week (excluding H&I), then that Area will be entitled to one additional vote for every
fifty (50) C.A. meetings per week of its groups that meet per week (or portion thereof). If an Area has any question concerning the number of votes to which it is entitled, that Area should contact its Regional Trustee or the WSO.
Trevor S. – Friendly amend has been accepted.
Stuart J. – What is the motivation behind this. How will that change the delegate representation here at this Conference? Will if increase/decrease votes?
Rodney D. – Motivation was because some geographic locations use meetings, some places use groups. This motion was created to help clarify what exactly is a meeting and what is a group. We do not have hard figures on this at this time.
Kevin M. – Because this states “contact WSO,” how are we supposed to respond? If a group meets 3 times a week, does it count 3 towards 75 or as 1 towards the 75?
Rodney D. – According to what defines a group in WSM, it could be counted as 3 groups. Trevor S. – The S&B Committee wants to withdraw this motion. Any objections?
Motion is withdrawn.
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S&B 2017-3
Referral:
I would like clarification and changes regarding standing rules 5 and 6. SR-5 a) states that delegates need to register 120 days prior to carry a vote at conference. SR-6 states that reasonable exceptions can be granted by the conference chair. I understand what reasonable means, but my definition can be vastly different from some others. A rule is a rule or it isn’t. In the previous years, I have seen a great many people register either on site or just days before the conference. I find this to be unfair to both the conference committee, as well as the wso. We need to have a firm rule, or not.
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Response:
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Taylor F. – Motion in reference to S&B 2017-3 to change on page 46 Standing Rule 5, Point A
Complete names, complete mailing addresses, and phone numbers of Conference Delegates and Alternate Delegates, with the number of votes being carried by each, must be submitted in writing to the World Service Office 120 30 days prior to the World Service Conference.
Seconded by committee
Trevor S. – Re-read motion. Is there any debate? Taylor F. – Not at this time
Jason L. – What would the consequences be if they don’t comply?
Trevor S. – The Standing Rules state the member may ask for reasonable cause from the Conference Chair to be able to vote.
Jason L. – Has to be done to vote? Trevor S. – Yes.
Rose J. – Have you spoke with Conference Committee and is 30 days enough? Taylor F. – Yes and Yes.
Trevor S. – Seeing no more debate, prepare to vote. Vote 5 – 136 for, 12 against, motion passed.
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S&B 2017-7
Referral:
Motion to modify Standing Rule 6 on page 46 of the 2017 WSM The rule currently reads
- Only elected Delegates or Alternates registered with the World Service Office 120 days prior to the Conference will be certified as a Conference Delegate or Alternate. Reasonable exceptions to the above may be made, for good cause, by the Conference Chairperson.
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The Motion is to modify SR-6 as follows: will be to reduce the 120 days to 75 days in the first sentence of SR-6.
Response:
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Ernest M. – Motion in reference to S&B 2017-7 to change on page 46 Standing Rule 6.
- Only elected Delegates or Alternates registered with the World Service Office 120 30 days prior to the Conference will be certified as a Conference Delegate or Alternate. Reasonable exceptions to the above may be made, for good cause, by the Conference Chairperson.
Seconded by committee.
Trevor S. – Re-read motion. Do you want to debate? Ernest M. – No.
Trevor S. – I didn’t mention on the earlier vote that 2/3rds majority was needed for it to pass, but it had that. This motion needs 2/3rds majority to pass.
Troy S. – Who has to notify WSO of the new delegates?
Trevor S. – Per the WSM, the new delegate has to notify WSO. The Delegate has to register, the Area has to send in credentials. This motion is just to streamline the timeline due to the modern electronic age.
Vote 6 – 151 for, 9 opposed, passed with 2/3rds
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S&B 2017-8
Referral:
SR-14 Notice to modify SR-3 to add a sentence about voting using voting devices. SR-3 currently reads:
- Each voting member is responsible for attending all Conference sessions and must be physically present on the Conference floor to vote. There will be no absentee voting.
A motion will be brought at the Conference to add a sentence (in red) to this Standing Rule so that it will read as follows:
- Each voting member is responsible for attending all Conference sessions and must be
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physically present on the Conference floor to vote. There will be no absentee voting. Voting methods may be used as the Conference Chairperson decides and may include the use of wireless based voting devices.
So the motion would be to amend SR-3 to add a sentence in paragraph 3 at the end of that paragraph as follows:
Voting methods may be used as the Conference Chairperson decides and may include the use of wireless based voting devices.
Response:
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Michael C. – Motion in reference to S&B 2017-8 to add new language on page 46 of the WSM
- Each voting member is responsible for attending all Conference sessions and must be physically present on the Conference floor to vote. There will be no absentee
voting. Voting methods may include the use of wireless based voting devices, unless otherwise directed by the Conference Chairperson.
Seconded by committee
Trevor S. – Re-read motion. Do you wish to debate? Michael C. – No.
Rose J. – If someone got sick and had to proxy, would that rule this out? Michael C. – No, the proxy process is still in place. This does not change that. Henry A. – This is just a formality as we are already doing this?
Michael C. – Yes.
Petra L. – I am confused about the placing of the new language about the ‘present to
vote.’ How does this effect the clickers?
Michael C. – This is the Standing Rule that deals with voting and it has not had language about electronic voting. That is all we are adding.
Trevor S. – Seeing no further debate, prepare to vote. Vote 7 – 153 for, 7 against, passes with 2/3rds
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S&B 2017-9
Referral:
To make the following changes to the WSM page 49 related to referrals as indicated below words to be removed are stricken by a line, words to be added are underlined, all changes are indicated in red:
REFERRALS 2017 World Service Manual Page 49 In-Conference
An “In-Conference” referral is any referral received within 119180 days prior to the Conference or that is handed in at the start of the Conference, prior to the announced cutoff time at the current WSC. (usually the close of the second day’s Conference session or as the Conference Chairs announces). As a function of the WSC Conference Committee, theythe Committee members will enter all referrals on a master list for tracking purposes and then distribute them to the appropriate WSC committee for action. Each committee dealsWSC Committee addresses with referrals as they seethat Committee sees fit; however, they arethe Committee is guided in this process by the Standing Rules. for the C.A. World Service Conference. With each referral, the committeeConference Committee may: bring a motion to the Conference floor for approval; keep itthe referral in committeeCommittee for further work or research; refer the referral to another WSC Committee or service board, or, decide that the referral is not currently in the best interest of C.A. to pursue at thethat present time. and that no action is to be taken. If there is a decision to take no action, the WSC Committee must give a detailed reasoned response in the referral. It is important that each Committee respond to each referral each year. In-Conference referrals also include referrals from a previous Conference by one other WSC Committee or service board to the WSC Committee who will be then asked to consider the referral for action and response.
Post Conference
A referral that is handed in at the Conference, post the “cutoff time” mentioned above and prior to the close of the Conference is considered a “Post-Conference” referral.
Again as a function of the WSC Conference Committee, these referrals are collected, logged to a master list for tracking purposes and then distributed to the appropriate WSC Committee Chairs within 30 daysas soon as practicable following the Conference. TheyThese referrals are then dealt withaddressed by the committeeappropriate WSC
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Committee in much the same fashion as an “In-Conference” referral; however, any resulting action(s) will take place at the next annualsubsequent WSC. All World Service Conference Committees are encouraged to work throughout the year on their “Post Conference” referrals so that they are free to handleaddress and respond to all new “In- Conference” referrals, plus any “Pre-Conference” referrals the following year.
Pre-Conference
A “Pre-Conference” referral is any referral submitted following the close of the WSC, but prior to 120180 days before the next WSC. These referrals are generally received atby the World Service OfficeWSC Conference Committee throughout the year. TheyThese referrals are logged by the WSOWSC Conference Committee on a master list and then sent outdistributed to the appropriate committeesConference Committees. The master list is copied to the WSC Conference Committee Chair for the tracking purposes.
Special Note: All referrals are now submitted on-line through the applicable on-line Conference portal.
Response:
Motions dealing with referral S&B 2017-9
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David S. — Motion 1 to change on page 49 In-Conference heading line 1: 119 30
Seconded.
Trevor S. – Re-read motion.
Jason L. – Point of Order, this did come out as SR-14, we discussed this in depth. There was no supporting documentation to explain why these changes were being made. I asked the Conference Committee Chair and asked for explanations and he provided them. My concern is that the explanations were not sent out with the SR-14 and others don’t know why these changes are happening. I Don’t feel there was enough info to make the changes.
Trevor S. – What are you asking for?
Jason L. – I don’t think this complies with SR-14. There was no info to explain why the changes were being made, so I don’t feel it complies with SR-14 as the purpose of SR-14 is to give enough info for Areas to make informed decisions on the proposed changes.
Trevor S. – The Ruling of the Chair is that SR-14 requirements have been met and this is something that can be voted on at this time.
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Kevin M. – Point of Order, SR-14 included a red-line copy. These separate motions is not how this was presented in SR-14. This is not what was sent out in SR-14.
Trevor S. – Rules the motion is out of order, as are the subsequent related motions.
*****
(Note – Motion 2 through Motion 15 are ruled out of order) Motion 2 to change on page 49 In-Conference line 2: start of the (Note – Motion 2 through Motion 15 are ruled out of order)
Motion 3 to change on page 49 In-Conference line 3: (usually the close of the Second
day’s
Conference session or as the Conference Chair announces).
(Note – Motion 2 through Motion 15 are ruled out of order)
Motion 4 to change on page 49 In-Conference line 4: they the Committee members.
Ruled out of order
(Note – Motion 2 through Motion 15 are ruled out of order)
Motion 5 to change on page 49 In-Conference line 6: committee deals WSC Committee addresses with referrals as they see that Committee sees fit; (Note – Motion 2 through Motion 15 are ruled out of order)
Motion 6 to change on page 49 In-Conference line 7: they are The Committee is guided in this process by the Standing Rules. for the C.A. World Service Conference.
(Note – Motion 2 through Motion 15 are ruled out of order)
Motion 7 to change on page 49 In-Conference line 9: committee Conference Committee
(Note – Motion 2 through Motion 15 are ruled out of order) Motion 8 to change on page 49 In-Conference line 10: it the referral in committee Committee
(Note – Motion 2 through Motion 15 are ruled out of order)
Motion 9 to change on page 49 In-Conference line 10: referred the referral to another WSC Committee or Service Board, or, decide that the referral is not currently in the best interest of C.A. to pursue at the that present time. and that no action is to be taken. If there is a decision to take no action, the WSC Committee must give a detailed response in the referral. It is important that each Committee respond to each referral each year. Referrals which were referred to a second WSC Committee are considered In-Conference referrals for the following Conference.
(Note – Motion 2 through Motion 15 are ruled out of order)
Motion 10 to change on page 49 Post Conference line 4: within 30 days as soon as practicable
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(Note – Motion 2 through Motion 15 are ruled out of order)
Motion 11 to change on page 49 Post Conference line 5: They These referrals are then dealt withaddressed by the committeeappropriate WSC Committee
(Note – Motion 2 through Motion 15 are ruled out of order)
Motion 12 to change on page 49 Post Conference line 7: next annual subsequent
(Note – Motion 2 through Motion 15 are ruled out of order)
Motion 13 to change on page 49 Post Conference line 9: referrals so that they are free to handle address and respond to
(Note – Motion 2 through Motion 15 are ruled out of order)
Motion 14 to change on page 49:
Pre-Conference
A “Pre-Conference” referral is any referral submitted following the close of the WSC, but prior to 120 days before the next WSC. These referrals are generally received at the World Service Office throughout the year. They are logged by the WSO on a master list and then sent out to the appropriate committees. The master list is copied to the WSC Conference Committee Chair for the tracking purposes.
(Note – Motion 2 through Motion 15 are ruled out of order)
Motion 15 to change on page 49:
Special Note: All referrals are now submitted on-line through the applicable on-line Conference portal.
(Note – Motion 2 through Motion 15 are ruled out of order)
*****
Jay F. – Point of Order, all motions related to this one referral are out of order, not all presented by the S&B Committee, correct?
Trevor S. – Yes.
S&B 2017-10
Referral:
This referral relates to page 24 of the WSM “Any Group or District seeking to change areas must complete a “petition for District or Group to change Areas form ” and the change must be recognised by the WSO.”
When new Areas are formed I can understand the need for this and if a whole District was to change areas I could understand, but to ask Groups to do this should they wish to change Districts or Areas I believe is unnecessary . We in CAUK are experiencing this on
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a regular basis as new Districts are formed and as the New Areas formed last year. As long as the groups communicate with the relevant districts there shouldn’t be any issues.
Response:
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Zach A. – Motion in reference to S&B 2017-10 to change on page 24 of the WSM
“Any group or District seeking to change Areas must complete a “Petition for a District or Group to Change Areas” form, and the change must be recognized by the WSC.” Seconded by committee.
Trevor S. – Re-read motion. Want to debate at this time? Zach A. – Not at this time.
Gary M. – How would a group go about changing areas if you are removing them from the process?
Zach A. – That is done on a district level.
Rodney D. – We looked at Tradition 4, groups cannot be forced to fill out forms nor participate in districts/areas. We took groups out of the equation so any issues with a group needs to be done on a district/area level. We can’t make groups do this.
Joanna H. – We don’t have districts in my area, so where does that get done now? Rodney D. – This would be done at the area level. Groups are autonomous at the local level, so the district/area has to submit the necessary forms.
Henry A. – For the motion, there is no such form for a Group, the form is for the District/Area to complete. This motion just makes the language match the process. Trevor S. – Seeing no further debate, prepare to vote.
Vote 8 – 132 for, 15 opposed, motion passed.
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S&B 2017-14
Referral:
On Page 61 of the WSM, under the WSOB Treasurer Responsibilities add: 2g: Prepare the next year’s WSO Budget.
(This is because, although this is a responsibility of the Treasurer, it is not in writing!)
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Clayton P. — Motion: in reference to S&B 2017-14 add new language to page 62 of the WSM under WSOB Treasurer Responsibilities under item 2
g: Prepare the next year’s WSO Budget.
Seconded by committee
Trevor S. – Re-read motion. Do you wish to debate? Clayton P. – No.
Tom P. – Offer a friendly amend
Motion: in reference to S&B 2017-14 add new language to page 62 of the WSM under WSOB Treasurer Responsibilities under item 2
g: Prepare the next year’s proposed WSO Budget.
Clayton P. – Friendly amendment accepted.
Trevor S. – Any more debate? Seeing none, prepare to vote. Vote 9 – 146 for, 6 against, motion passed.
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S&B 2017-16
Referral:
This Referral concerns possible modification of the World Service Manual on page 63 middle of the page, page 5th sentence in the paragraph which paragraph starts “Each CAWS) Board member… In that 5th Sentence, please modify the following sentence to add the following words in bold to this sentence:
No member shall serve more than three consecutive terms.
No member shall serve more than three consecutive terms in total and no additional terms shall ever be permitted for that member.
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Imani A. — Motion in reference to S&B 2017-16 to add language on page 63 of the WSM Each CAWSO board member shall serve a two-year term and be ratified no less than once per year at a meeting by each of the CAWSO board and WSBT. Such ratification
vote or votes can be called for by a two-thirds majority of members of either board. If a
CAWSO board member is not ratified and does not resign at the request of the WSBT the WSBT may remove said CAWSO member by a two-thirds majority vote. The first term of each CAWSO Board member begins upon ratification by the WSBT and ends at the close of the third WSC. No member shall may serve more than
three consecutive terms either consecutively or non-consecutively. For the purposes of this paragraph the term “CAWSO Board member” shall not include paid Directors, nor the World Service Trustee. In the case of the World Service Office Trustee, when elected Trustee, the WSO Trustee shall not serve more than four consecutive years on the WSBT and:
Seconded by committee.
Kevin M. – Point of Order, this was not submitted under SR-14 and it effects the WSO. Jay F. – This was a referral that was with WSO last year, and has been discussed previously.
Trevor S. – I am ruling this is an acceptable motion. Kevin M. – Appeal the ruling of the Chair.
Russell S. – Ok.
Kevin M. – The referral that was made asked us how we appointed people to the Board
who may have served previously. We looked at the word ‘consecutive.’
Russell S. – You are debating the main motion.
Kevin M. – This changes the language and was never done as SR-14. The challenge to the Chair is based on the fact that Jay thinks the SR-14 was sufficient for changes to the language. I do not agree. This is a significant change.
Russell S. – Trevor waives first right to debate.
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Tom P. – I support the Chair as the spirit of SR-14 was met as this has been discussed for over a year and has been sent out previously.
Jay F. – I support the ruling of Chair as the notice to the floor was proper and this was on the floor last year.
Russell S. – Does Chair want last debate?
Trevor S. – Yes. (Reads from WSM from SR-14.) Everything in this motion went out in minutes from last year and it was on the floor last year. Even though there is a change in the wording, it is not sufficient to withhold this motion from the floor now.
Russell S. – Prepare to vote on challenge to the Chair.
Vote 10 – 121 for, 28 against, decision of the Chair is upheld.
*****
Trevor S. – Re-read motion
Motion in reference to S&B 2017-16 to add language on page 63 of the WSM
Each CAWSO board member shall serve a two-year term and be ratified no less than once per year at a meeting by each of the CAWSO board and WSBT. Such ratification vote or votes can be called for by a two-thirds majority of members of either board. If a CAWSO board member is not ratified and does not resign at the request of the WSBT the WSBT may remove said CAWSO member by a two-thirds majority vote. The first term of each CAWSO Board member begins upon ratification by the WSBT and ends at the close of the third WSC. No member shall may serve more than
three consecutive terms either consecutively or non-consecutively. For the purposes of this paragraph the term “CAWSO Board member” shall not include paid Directors, nor the World Service Trustee. In the case of the World Service Office Trustee, when elected Trustee, the WSO Trustee shall not serve more than four consecutive years on the WSBT and:
Trevor S. – Do you wish to speak to motion? Imani A. – Not at this time.
Stu E. – Against the motion as written, this position is not easily filled and many times there are no qualified candidates are available. This motion could put WSOB in a position to go without qualified leadership. There are sufficient checks/balances to make sure the best interest of the fellowship is maintained and person could be removed if needed by the ratification process.
Kevin M. – Against, this was presented to the WSOB for review and input ahead of time and this significantly impacts our operations. These are hard positions to fill, this has been part of the WSM since 2000. There have been changes to the WSO Trustee position to allow past members of the WSOB to be eligible for WSO Trustee. I realize there is some concern about spirit of rotation.
Carla S. – Is there something we don’t know? Why are we taking away the non- consecutive thing?
Trevor S. – I am hoping questions will be answered during debate without getting personally punitive. I don’t know who made the motion, so I’m not sure if we can ask them.
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Jay F. – I made this referral last year. My concern is about the spirit of rotation. It should be the same for all levels of service. To allow this position to ignore spirit of rotation is not appropriate.
Henry A. – Against, this is a hard job to fill. We need the people who can do this job. Tim A. – Against, we have had 3 Directors At Large positions open for the past year. I am grateful Kevin was able to come back to this Board. We would struggle greatly on
handling finances and such for the entire fellowship. Do you want ‘journeyman’ to be
handling these business aspects for C.A.? This is about taxes, corporate requirements, payroll, etc. People rotate. This is a hard job and needs experience. This would tie the hands of the WSO and do a disservice to the fellowship.
Rob W. – Against, we asked someone who had served many years ago to come back to the board to help get things stabilized, then they left after their duties were done. This is business. Experience is necessary.
Michael C. – In favor, we not trying to say we don’t need people with experience that we don’t need you, we are trying to make sure new people can come into these positions and can learn new things. This has been in S&B for a while and we did due diligence on this motion. We are trying to make things equal for everyone. There are service term requirements for all other positions. Spirit of rotation is vital.
Rose J. – Against, I understand spirit of rotation, but this is WSO and it is located in a fixed location which limits who is eligible. Read Concept 9.
*****
Jimmy Y. – Call the question.
Trevor S. – Prepare to vote to close debate.
Vote 11 – 108 for, 31 against, motion passed to close debate.
*****
Trevor S. – Re-read motion.
Motion in reference to S&B 2017-16 to add language on page 63 of the WSM
Each CAWSO board member shall serve a two-year term and be ratified no less than once per year at a meeting by each of the CAWSO board and WSBT. Such ratification vote or votes can be called for by a two-thirds majority of members of either board. If a CAWSO board member is not ratified and does not resign at the request of the WSBT the WSBT may remove said CAWSO member by a two-thirds majority vote. The first term of each CAWSO Board member begins upon ratification by the WSBT and ends at the close of the third WSC. No member shall may serve more than three consecutive terms either consecutively or non-consecutively. For the purposes of
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this paragraph the term “CAWSO Board member” shall not include paid Directors, nor the World Service Trustee. In the case of the World Service Office Trustee, when elected Trustee, the WSO Trustee shall not serve more than four consecutive years on the WSBT and:
Vote 12 – 37 for, 120 against, motion fails.
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REFERRALS OR ITEMS TABLED UNTIL NEXT YEAR; AND ITEMS THE COMMITTEE WILL CONTINUE WORKING ON THROUGH THE YEAR
S&B 2017-5
Referral:
Looking at the way AA chooses the committees their delegates serve on could the conference adapt it in some way to allow understaffed conference committees to gain more members. AA world service manual page S60
Response:
Keeping in committee with help from conference committee.
S&B 2017-12
Referral:
To remove the 12 Steps, 12 Traditions, and 12 Concepts of Alcoholics Anonymous below the 12 Steps, 12 Traditions, and 12 Concepts of Cocaine Anonymous. I believe the footnote to where they originated is sufficient.
Response:
Keeping in committee for clarification
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S&B 2017-15
Referral:
Article 10 of the Conference Charter includes: “But no change in Article 10 of the Charter or in the Twelve Traditions of C.A., or in the Twelve Steps of C.A. may be made with less than the written consent of three-quarters of the C.A. Groups.” Since the process for contacting and obtaining responses from the C.A. Groups is not defined, please provide a process for meeting this requirement.
Response:
Keeping in committee. We have been working on this for several months.
S&B 2017-18
Referral:
Create a “mini-WSM” suitable for people attempting to set up C.A. meetings or a new area service structure that is easier to translate into new languages.
Definitions of meetings types and officers, commitments, area structure and servants and relationship to WS and the WSO are important. The Traditions and the Definition of the Group should be there.
But maybe not the composition of the Trustee Board, or the Standing Rules or the Conference Charter or any of those things we didn’t care about when we were now. K.I.S.S.
Response:
Keeping in committee. To work on.
S&B 2017-17
Referral:
After reading the response to a previous referral (S&B 2016 – 18), I am not in agreement with the response and would like the committee to re-look at this. I do not believe this is a balanced representation of the world-wide fellowship and takes into account the growth in particular Area’s.
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When a new Area is created, the Area is automatically given 3 Delegates and 1 Alternate Delegate. This is regardless of the size of the Area.
This seems disproportionate and could create a bias in certain Area’s. It could also prove more costly to Cocaine Anonymous as a whole and not represent the Area’s in growth. Would it not be more fair and cost effective to have the number of Delegates based on the size of the Area?
Motion: I propose that the committee reconsiders the number of delegates per Area based on the number of meetings as stated in the WSM.
Response:
Keeping in committee. We have reconsidered our decision on last year’s referral and will
be working on these referrals throughout the year.
WSBT 2017-2.S&B
Referral:
When a new area is created, the area is given 3 delegates and 1 alternate. This occurs no matter the size of the starting area. Would it better serve the area if the amount of Delegates are relative to the size of the area? I have heard this discussion amount C.A. members and thought I would put in the referral for discussion.
Response:
Keeping in committee. We have reconsidered our decision on last year’s referral and will
be working on these referrals throughout the year
REFERRALS OR ITEMS REFERRED TO OTHER COMMITTEES; WORLD SERVICE OFFICE, OR BOARD OF TRUSTEES
N/A
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REFERRALS THAT DID NOT RESULT IN MOTIONS
S&B 2017-2
Referral:
On page 43 of the WSM under the heading Conference Chairperson in minimum qualifications bullet point section, the bullets are listed as a, b, c, b, c, d.
The language should read:
Minimum Qualifications:
- Voting experience at a World Service
- 4 years continuous
- Service oriented
- Willingness to serve
- A thorough working knowledge of the Twelve Concepts of Service, Twelve Traditions, Conference Charter and Bylaws, Conference Standing Rules, Robert’s Rules of Order and Parliamentary
- Previous leadership/chairperson
Response:
Housekeeping
S&B 2017-4
Referral:
As a new Alt delegate attending my 1st Regional Assembly, there are concerns that certain areas the could not afford to attend, and other Areas with only 1-2 votes are not having fair and equal representation when voting for a Trustee nomination.
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Response:
No action taken.
“The regional assembly can then make appropriate modifications” from page 32 of WSM
S&B 2017-6
Referral:
Change the name of Texas Area Service to Texas Area Service Gulf Coast.
Response:
Housekeeping
S&B 2017-11
Referral:
My referral relates to the European Region. With 6 Regions in the USA and 1 covering the rest of the world I believe the European Region should be re-named The Rest of the World.
This I believe is the right thing to do as quite clearly it is no longer a European region with Hong Kong & South Africa being included , as C.A. continues to grow in new countries outside of the USA this will become more apparent. It would also be more respectful to those countries outside of Europe. Thank you.
Response:
No action taken.
As C.A. continues to grow then the regions will organically.
S&B 2017-13
Referral:
Please consider adding a rule regarding anyone caught passing a voting clicker during conference to anyone else to vote while they are out of the room. possibly that both
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parties will be stripped of their vote for that session. Repeat offences would result in a total ban.
Response:
Housekeeping
Rodney D. – read closing comments
NEW COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AS OF THIS CONFERENCE
Chair Rodney D.
Vice-Chair Ken S.
Co-secretary Clayton P.
Co-secretary Ernest M.
CLOSING COMMENTS:
The S &B committee is committed to serving the conference. We are excited about playing our part in helping the WSOB get the WSM translated. We will continue to work on all our referrals this coming year. Thank you for allowing us to be of service and allowing us to experience the magic.
Respectfully Submitted By your secretaries.
Trevor S. – Questions for S&B? Seeing none, thank you S&B.
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Break at 10:46A for 10 minutes.
Trevor S. – Back in session at 11:05A.
Jason L. – 5th Concept Statement. Want to raise concern that I have about the amount of info that is being sent out to the fellowship with SR-14. A number of items were sent out but there was no supporting info as to why those changes are being suggested. In the UK, we look these items over thoroughly and send the info out to the groups as well.
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We have a pre-conference assembly with members and delegates where we discuss this stuff so we can make informed decisions. We understand that we have the right of decision and if we have additional info presented here, we can vote differently then what was suggested by our groups. We do expect that enough info will be provided with SR-14 mailings so groups can make an informed decision. I feel this lack of supporting info is taking groups out of the process. When you are not present at Conference and have no one to ask like we do here on the Conference floor, there is no ability to ask why these changes are being made.
Jimmy Y. – Point of Order, I think this is addressing the referral process and not a 5th Concept Statement.
Trevor S. – This is addressing the process of a committee that has already been up and I am allowing the 5th Concept Statement.
Jason L. – The Convention guidelines went out but didn’t have enough info to identify it as a completely new document that needed to be reviewed. I couldn’t explain to our groups why we needed to see this document. This is detrimental to allowing the groups to have participation in the process.
Trevor S. – Thank you. Next up is WSOB.
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