See Attached for Agenda Items
Kellie F: Report
OPENING REPORT
C.A. WORLD SERVICE CONFERENCE 2012
Literature, Chips & Format Committee
INTRODUCTION AND OPENING COMMENTS:
The World Service Conference Literature, Chips, and Format (“LCF”) Committee reviews, edits, and submits literature to the WSC for approval. It is our function to facilitate the expression of our Fellowship’s Hope, Faith and Courage through the writing of material for distribution. The LCF Committee remains committed to facilitating this work. The work we do is immensely important; it allows us via the
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written word to carry the message to the addict who still suffers. In a growing fellowship such as C.A., where we cannot always be there to carry the message in person, our literature is a valuable tool in helping support and inspire that growth.
The LCF Committee consists of members of Cocaine Anonymous worldwide who have a passion for and about the message we share in our pamphlets and books.
COMMITTEE INTRODUCTIONS:
Chair: Kellie F.
Vice Chair: Julie P.
Co-Secretaries: Tom P.& Ernest M.
Trustees: Randy G.& Joy H.
WSOB Liaisons: Elizabeth S. & Bob C.
Literature Update Liaison: Cynthia C.
Members:
- Caroline B.
- helsea S.
- Jason L.
- Jeannette J.
- Michael A.
- Sheyan S.
- Susan D.
- Yves W.
REFERRALS THAT WERE WORKED ON DURING THE YEAR:
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#6826: With reference to the closing report, would you forward information on the content for this project, thank you.
Response: The maker of the referral was contacted and it was determined that the subject of the inquiry was the 12-Step Workbook. Please see the notes on the 12-StepWorkbook in this Opening Report. If further clarification is needed, the LCF Chair would be happy to discuss the project with the maker of the referral.
#6479: Trustee committee reviewing content of recovery-related book projects. Establish a trustee-appointed review committee to approve content of recovery-related book projects.
Response: This post-Conference referral will be addressed in our Closing Report.
Overview of Pending Projects and Progress Made Since the 2011 WSC
Pieces Distributed Pursuant to SR14:
The First 30 Days: This is a revision to an existing pamphlet which has been in subcommittee for several years. Additional changes were made this past year as a result of feedback on the 2011 SR 14 draft. We have done our best to improve the wording so that the piece is in alignment with We Can Recover and more clearly conveys the message of C.A. This year’s SR 14 packet included both a ‘clean copy’ of the revised piece and a redline showing all changes made from the current version.
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Anonymity: This is a new pamphlet approved as a concept at past WSC. We have been unable to determine exactly when it was approved as a concept; however, we do know it has been at Point 5 of the C.A. Pamphlet Approval Process for at least 10 years. This year’s SR 14 packet included a draft version of this new pamphlet.
One of the most important aspects of the C.A. Pamphlet Approval Process is the feedback we receive from the SR14 material sent to the Fellowship, which the committee reviews at Point 11. We hope you understand the importance of sharing with the members in your Area the DRAFT material sent to you in that mailing. Please remember to share with this committee any feedback you have received from members in your Area regarding these drafts prior to committee breakout sessions. We hope to present these materials for approval in the LCF Closing Report.
Pieces in Approval Process:
These projects are new pamphlets unless otherwise indicated:
- 12 Principles: Caroline B. has the lead on this project. The subcommittee presented a draft to the main committee in April 2012. A considerable amount of feedback was received and the subcommittee is reworking the draft.
- 12-Step Workbook: The WSC approved the concept for a 12-Step The subcommittee has been collaborating via a Yahoo group since December 2, 2007.Kellie F. has been the lead on this subcommittee since July 11, 2010 and the committee is busy working on each Step. The workbook outline/format per group conscience includes the Step, personal experience, questions, some worksheets, quotes from various literature and a gratitude exercise or prayer for
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each Step.Help is needed on this project from motivated individuals who would like to see this project come to fruition. Anyone interested should contact the LCF Committee or the subcommittee. Please take the flyer created for the workbook back to your local Fellowship to help us facilitate the project. All we need is few good people. The Workbook subcommittee does not believe this will be the ‘official C.A. way’ to work the Steps but rather another tool to help new people and sponsors work the 12 Steps which is vital to our personal recovery.
- 12 Steps & 12 Traditions Book: Slowly but surely, a subcommittee is taking shape. Very little work has been completed on this project to date. Jason L. is the lead on this sub-committee. The committee is taking shape to create an outline of what the finished project might look like. A flyer has been created to solicit input from the Fellowship for LCF’s book projects.
- 12 Traditions Illustrated: Bob C. took the lead on this subcommittee in April 2012. A Yahoo group has been formed to facilitate subcommittee work.
- Meditation Book: The Meditation Book Subcommittee has been burning the midnight oil to complete its first draft. Jeanette J. has the lead on this subcommittee. The intent is to bring a motion to main committee at the Conference to approve the draft meditation book manuscript pursuant to point 10 of the C.A. Book Approval Process. Approximately 440 submissions were received and the subcommittee has made extensive use of excerpts from NewsGrams and other literature approved for use in C.A. In case there are submissions in the draft that need to be rejected for one reason or another, the subcommittee will continue taking submissions (if for no other reason than to store for the next edition or another LCF project).
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- The 7th Tradition (revision to existing pamphlet): Tom P. is the lead on this project. Pamphlet draft has been completed. Subcommittee is reviewing changes and remains in discussion.
- To The Newcomer (revision to existing pamphlet): No report available at this time. Julie P. has the lead and will work on the project in subcommittee.
- We Can Recover: Cynthia C. has the lead on this committee. This reading was put into the subcommittee process for possible revisions based on referrals received in 2003. At the 2005 WSC, someone pointed out from the floor that there were several inconsistencies between We Can Recover and The First 30 Days. Revisions to We Can Recover were presented at the 2010 WSC but the reading was referred back to subcommittee. Based on feedback received in 2010, we have left this piece ‘on the back burner’ pending the outcome of the proposed revisions to The First 30 Days.
- Young People in Recovery: Elizabeth S. has the lead on this project. A draft will be presented to the main committee at Conference.
In addition, in our SR 14 cover letter, we gave notice of our intent to bring motions to remove the Crank/Methamphetamines piece and the Recovery for the Disabled piece from the C.A. Pamphlet Approval Process. Both these items were approved as concepts for LCF to work on during prior WSC’s; however, neither of these projects has had an effective lead or any draft materials to work with. If we receive drafts or a suitable lead for these projects prior to presentation of our Closing Report at the 2012 WSC, we may consider not making the motion(s).
Pieces in Publication Process:
The Literature Update Liaison position is an ad hoc commitment created during an LCF conference call on November 8, 2009. Cynthia C. is the elected Liaison. The concept was to have a single person facilitate the various publication
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processes by serving as a liaison between LCF and the Office. The goal was to help clear up the backlog of new and revised literature that had yet to be published. Since that time, additional issues have arisen related to the need to update the A.A. disclaimers used on our literature and the Office’s decision to start printing pamphlets in-house.
As part of this project, the Literature Update Liaison developed and delivered to the Office a ‘literature bank’ containing the current version of all our literature pieces in multiple file formats (PDF, Publisher and/or Word). We are pleased to report that the current Conference-approved versions of all C.A.’s pamphlets and booklets are now available in English in hard copy. As also stated in an article written by the LCF Chair for the NewsGram, the recently updated literature includes:
- A. is Also for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual or Transgender Addict (approved in 2009);
- Choosing Your Sponsor (revised in 2008);
- Cocaine Anonymous Self-Test (revised and retitled in 2010);
- Dos & Don’ts for 12th-Step Calls for Addicts (approved in 2008);
- Meeting in a Pocket (revised in 2011 to include updated and additional readings);
- Newcomer Booklet (updated in 2012 to include current versions of literature and changed to a larger format); and
- Yes, You Can Start A C.A. Meeting (approved in 2007 and available for free).
Earlier this year, the Literature Update Liaison also worked with the Office to help create the new International Edition and the French version of Hope, Faith & Courage Volume II.
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The last publication-related issue that needs to be addressed is updating the virtual literature rack on ca.org to include the most recent versions of the pamphlets listed above. We have also asked the Office to make the Reaching Out card (approved in 2009) available for local printing via the website.
CLOSING COMMENTS:
We encourage and look forward to new members joining our raucous committee. Please come and join LCF and help us help the addict who S. suffers as well as support the growth of this amazing Fellowship. No special skills are needed! You don’t have to be a journalist or an editor to be a member of LCF.
Thank you for allowing us to be of service –
Kellie F.
LCF Chair
Questions:
Susan B..: Can you tell me why all submissions for the Meditation book that are not used become property.
Kellie F..; Release forms are signed, and thus become our property
Susan B.: Do you think that is why submissions are slower?
Kellie F.: Prior to the last month did not have enough, now we do…we needed more, to pick the best…all submissions may be considered for other projects.
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