Structure and Bylaws – Eric T
CLOSING REPORT
C.A. WORLD SERVICE CONFERENCE 2013
STRUCTURE AND BYLAWS REPORT
On behalf of the WSC 2013 Structure and By-Laws committee I would like thank this body, our respective Areas, Regions and God for the honor and privilege to serve this Conference and C.A. as a whole. This journey has been amazing & this Committee is even more amazing. We have had such awesome participation from Areas all over the globe, truly allowing us to have international views on the referrals that have been given to us. We thank everyone who took time, thought and effort to present referrals to our committee directly and indirectly. We assure you that each referral has received due diligence. From this work we will be presenting six motions for your consideration & holding two in committee to work on through-out the off-season. For those referrals not resulting in motions or housekeeping we hope that you will find our responses thoughtful and well crafted. Following is the line-up of this extraordinary team.
Eric T – Chair
Jon H – Secretary –
Yves W – Trustee
Julia C
Dana V
Maria M
John M
John O
Suzanne V
Robert S
Tim M
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Bob C
Michael C
Richard E
REFERRALS THAT RESULTED IN MOTIONS
- Referral Number 6940
Please add a duty to the Vice Chair’s duties to review ALL subcommittee reports prior to printing and presenting them on the floor. This would ensure reports were completed properly and avoid wasting valuable floor time.
a. Motion: To insert on page 44 of the WSM after point “F” under Description of Duties, Vice-Chair/Parliamentarian is to review all sub –committee reports prior to printing and presenting them on the Conference floor.
Second; Debate:
Dana V; Speak in favor – this would insure that reports are done properly.
Motion passes
- Referral Number 7350
In Section G of the Statement of Policy, in the box outlining the use of this CA logo, add “or any approved translation thereof” to follow the words “Hope Faith Courage.”
a. Motion: To insert on page 14 in the logo box line 1, The first official logo includes the inner circle of the logo that contains the artistic “CA”, the outer circle which contains the text “HOPE FAITH COURAGE” or any C.A. WSC approved translation thereof and on line 5, The other official logo includes the inner circle of the logo that contains the artistic text “CA”, the outer circle which contains the text “HOPE FAITH COURAGE” or any C.A. WSC approved translation thereof. Second; Debate: Maker did not speak to the motion.
Motion passes.
- Referral Number 7356
Revise item (5) of Treasurer’s responsibilities so that outside accounting firm prepares financial statements on annual basis instead of quarterly.
a. Motion: To insert on page 64, number 5, under Treasurer, Has prepared by outside firm of Certified Public Accountants quarterly annual financial statements for
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CAWSO Board and WSBT. , in time to be distributed at the World Service Conference. In addition, prepare any additional reports or explanations to describe noteworthy changes or trends in the financial condition of C.A. World Services.
Second; Debate: Maker did not speak to the motion.
Cynthia C; Would this mean that the financials would not be required to be sent the WSBT quarterly?
Question has been answered off microphone – the CPA report is annual – thank you.
Tom P .
Motion passes.
- Referral Number 6126: Please add guidelines link/site details to each of the committee sections as listed in the WSC Committee Statement of purpose page 32 & 33 of the 2009 edition of the World Service Manual
a. MOTION: To insert in the WSM, under WSC Committees Statements of Purpose, on pages 39,40 and 41, after each committee name a link to their respective pages on the ca.org website as follows:
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE: http://www.ca.org/service/wscconference.htm
PUBLIC INFORMATION COMMITTEE: http://www.ca.org/service/wscpi.htm
CONVENTION COMMITTEE: http://www.ca.org/service/wscconvention.htm
LITERATURE, CHIPS, AND FORMAT COMMITTEE:
http://www.ca.org/service/wscliterature.htm
HOSPITALS AND INSTITUTIONS COMMITTEE: http://www.ca.org/service/wschi.htm
STRUCTURE AND BYLAWS COMMITTEE: http://www.ca.org/service/wscbylaws.htm
FINANCE COMMITTEE: http://www.ca.org/service/wscfinance.htm
C.A. UNITY COMMITTEE: http://www.ca.org/service/wscunity.htm
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE:
http://www.ca.org/service/wscinternet.htm
ARCHIVE COMMITTEE: http://www.ca.org/service/wscarchive.htm Tony D – This is considered housekeeping.
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Committee; Motion withdrawn – will attend to housekeeping by committee.
Villsia C; Point of Information – Report is different for some members on the floor.
Tony D; We will take a break to get the reports out.
- Referral Number 6946: I would like to see the TEC have a greater balance in their numbers (that is, that there are not more Trustee votes than Regional delegate votes).
a. MOTION: To insert on page 57 of the WSM Trustee Election Item 1, One Two current WSC Delegate Delegates from each Region shall be selected to serve as Trustee Election Delegate by a Regional Caucus conducted at the WSC.
Second; Debate:
Tony D – Question – regarding SR14 – has this been taken to the Finance Committee
Committee; No
Tony D; Rules out of order – motion is withdrawn.
Michael A; Point of Information – how does this affect the finances. Tony D; This would affect the additional cost to fund the delegates for the additional time needed to complete the TEC interviews.
- Referral 7307: Change the wording under the Regional Caucus to convey that a caucus is optional at a World Convention.
a. MOTION: To insert on page 33 of the WSM under Regional Caucus, The region may hold a Regional Caucus during the WSC, the WS Convention, or at other times necessary to conduct the business of the Region. , the Region may hold a Regional The Caucus may determine the appropriate voting procedures. However, during the WSC, each Region shall hold at least one Regional Caucus.
Second; Debate: Maker did not speak to the motion.
Motion passes
REFERRALS OR ITEMS TABLED UNTIL NEXT YEAR; AND ITEMS THE COMMITTEE WILL CONTINUE WORKING ON THROUGH THE YEAR
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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.
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.
REFERRALS OR ITEMS REFERRED TO OTHER COMMITTEES; WORLD SERVICE OFFICE, OR BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Referral Number 2013-1
Please remove the regional caucus meetings and Conference subcommittee meetings from the World Convention.
We have the communication tools available to complete our work without pushing our areas into the additional expenses of attending the convention.
Many areas have to choose between the Convention or Conference for representation or split between the two. Our attendance at Conference suffers and is much more important than the very little activity produced at a convention.
Referred to the WSC Convention Committee
Referral Number 7282
It is my understanding that any votes tallied by the TEC are counted by the Trustees alone. If this is true, I would recommend that this process be changed so that there is equal representation by both Trustees and Delegates during the counting process.
Referred to the WSBT
The TEC is a sub-committee of the WSBT.
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REFERRALS THAT DID NOT RESULT IN MOTIONS
Referral Number 7135
Please consider adding AA’s The Twelve Traditions Illustrated and The Twelve Concepts Illustrated to the list of literature under the Advisory Opinion section of the Appendix of the WSC Approved Literature.
No action taken.
C.A. is currently working on a document that is structured along these lines; which will facilitate C.A. in having its own literature.
Referral Number 7136
Please advise as to whether or not the reference/listing of “The Books Alcoholics Anonymous and Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Alcohol Anonymous” (From the Advisory Opinions section of the WSC Approved Literature) includes signed and Braille versions.
Please note that signing is not International and that there are specific signing languages for the US, UK and Australia, etc.
No Action Taken
All translations of the books “Alcoholics Anonymous” and “Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions” of Alcoholics Anonymous are available for members to help support them in their recovery. Please refer to Advisory Opinion dated August 20, 1989.
Referral Number 7250
Please consider revising SR5(c) to allow a proxy to a former delegate and/or former Trustee from the same Area. Such individuals would be familiar with both Conference procedures and the local Area’s perspective. Thank you.
No action taken.
In keeping with the spirit of rotation, SR5 (c) should be kept as written.
Referral Number 7312
Please address the minimum number of candidates needed to fill the Trustee nominee slate of the WSC.
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WSM, Page 57 states Pacific South Region should have no less than (4) and all other regions no less than (2). For the last three WSC’s some slates have had only one.
Please fix or allow it to state that one is enough.
No Action taken
The WSM clearly states the minimum number of candidates needed for the Trustee nomination slate for all regions. Whilst the WSC has the right to suspend the rules, the current WSM is effective.
NEW COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AS OF THIS CONFERENCE
This was my first full year as your Structure & Bylaws Chairperson. I don’t ever say that. I don’t want to get any grand ideas in my head, but I was informed that everytime I’m at the podeum I need to announce myself in this manner also. To give our fellowship the opportunity to know who they can contact if in need. So…. If you didn’t know.. I am the one to blame for whatever it is you wanna put on me. I do have the priviledge & responsibility of serving as your S&B Chair for one more year. It has been a wonderful journey. Part of what has made this voyage so incredible is the unfaultering love, commitment & passion of your entire Structure & Bylaws Commiittee. It has truly been my honor & priviledge to be part of such an amazing Team. Over the past few years I have watched & feel like I have been a part of, something truly inspiring. I look forward to serving our fellowship for another year & I say “Thank you” so much for the oportunity to do so. Now if I may, I would like to introduce your officers for the Structure and Bylaws committee
Chair Eric T
Vice-Chair John M
Co-Secretary Richard E
Co-Secretary Jon H
Respectfully Submitted: Eric T
Questions;
Susan B; Challenge the chair.
Tony D; Rules out of order –
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Jason L; Regarding the links – if you open the manual online – will you be able to link?
Eric T; It is the intention to have this happen – with the assistance of IT.
Jason L; Referral – regarding “signed/braille” versions of the Big Book – will that be added to the “advisory statement.”
Eric T; It is our understanding – the advisory covers this – all translations would included this.
Stu E; Question – regarding Concepts – currently we have 12 trustees and 7 delegates serving on the TEC – is this a fair.
Eric T; The committee feels that determination is not in the committee’s scope
Susan B; 5th concept statement – since 2009 – there has been talk and referrals regarding the power on the TEC and adjusting this – we avoid this discussion – this is in regards the lack of 12 (10) trustees versus the number of delegates. The Finance Committee has had time to look into this financial issue – and the impact to the fellowship – this fellowship deserves better.
Elizabeth S; Point of Information; Hasn’t this been referred to committee – Tony D: – Allowing for the 5th Concept.
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