Sep 4, 2004 – Day 4, Daily Summary – LCF Closing Report

Yves W. Quebec Canada

LCF received 37 new referrals this year. There are currently 21 other literature projects that are “works in progress.” All progress in this committee is as a result of some dedicated, hard- working committee members who have given of their time, talents and long-serving efforts at the conference and throughout the year.

And it has been a long year and sometimes a difficult learning curve. We’ve faced some publishing challenges; had our differences with the WSOB and WSBT; trusted in the process; learned, learned, learned. When resources became short at the office, LCF provided pamphlet formatting and secured a professional editor. As a matter of course, we’ve experienced some of the shortcomings of the current 12 Point Literature Approval Process and pressed the limits of long-distance committee work.

0. The reason I request to refer is that the 12 steps state “having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps.” Not “a”.

Shane M. – Speaks in favor of pamphlet. I’ve never read it. It is not my job to voice opinion about what you should read or what the area has the right to order. LCF is ordered to come up with alternative readings. If you personally do not like the pamphlet, don’t read it. The motion was withdrawn last year because it was not circulated timely. LCF also asked for input and no one let you know. Everyone in my area was moved by the piece and they want to see it. We are here as a duty to our respective areas, not to ourselves.

Matt T. – Speaks against the motion. I got a conscience from my area and the majority gave me the conscience…sorry I didn’t come to the committee, I ran out of time…the conscience was to not have any of the new literature that is being put out. They believe it is along the therapeutic lines rather than doing the steps.

Cynthia C. – Speaks in favor of motion. History of piece: Referral came in 2000 with another piece attached from another fellowship. The concept was approved on the floor. There was some objection last year from the floor. The subcommittee worked on incorporating what was discussed at the conference. This was not intended to quote the 12th step, but to tell someone’s experience. People back home like this and are encouraged to work the steps. It is something that the newcomer can relate to, to keep them inspired.

Brian B. – Speaks against the motion. When we see the new pamphlet on the new order form, those are all supposed to be put on the table. We don’t vote on which to buy. One of my concerns is that the list of literature is going to be the way of raising money and that we are just trying to look for things to write about.

Diane W. – I speak against the motion. The same concerns about the concept was shared here. I was surprised when I saw it in the mailing again this year. I circulated it to my fellowship and the overall response was that they didn’t like the concept.

Sherry H. – Motion, in accordance with point 12 of the 12 point approval process, to remove “self acceptance” as a concept from the literature process.
Second.

Kevin M. – Speaks in favor of motion. This committee is charged by conference, and we were given the concept “self acceptance”. We reformatted the piece to be more toward the 12 steps. We approved the concept Self acceptance, so we shouldn’t be surprised that we came back with it named that. We can only kill this, once the concept has been passed, on the conference floor.

Referral#4726: Add “Choosing a Sponsor” literature to booklet.

In November 1994 while in the San Fernando Valley for the training , I called the CA hotline which directed me to the Studio Club for my first CA meeting. It was when I heard “Who is a

Cocaine Addict” read for the first time with all the side comments that I knew I was home. I have stayed home. CA is my home and you are my brothers and sisters. Doesn’t including additional CA approved pieces in the same piece crowd that important feature and or dilute its importance?

Regarding the new storybook: Book Cover – Point 11

Referral #4734: New pamphlet piece: concept. See attached. “Young people in Recovery” Cover: Family – Friends ñ Being Young in Recovery. Issues & Solutions: suggestions. I see too many young newcomers leave due to various reasons, including thinking they’re too young and can’t relate.

Kevin M. – Speaks in favor of motion. There is a great diversity of projects to work on while on the LCF Committee. The 12 Step Workbook was postponed last year. Regarding the process and thoughts on this piece: there are five people working on it and it needs to be focused on the AA Big Book and 12×12 which are CA approved. The differences are with the format. This is not going to be the touchy-feely piece that people are worried about. Things will be stated from the text and will have a space for the newcomer to answer a long series of questions. Another member wanted to use the causative statements in the book. We believe the workbook is necessary because the AA book doesn’t talk about drugs. A good sponsor can take you through that, but a workbook would be beneficial. We would like your permission to try to create a guide to the twelve steps as understood by CA, for the newcomer; for the sponsor who is just starting out; even for the seasoned sponsor. I hope this Conference give the Committee and the people on it a chance. I would like you to think of this as a CA workbook, not the CA workbook. It may take some time for this to pass, just like the Guide to the 12 steps. Dr. Paul has done one, and others have. There are lots of examples. For CA to have something on the table that is our

David M. – Speaks in favor of the motion. The only reason LCF is asking to explore a workbook that might accompany the text that we already use is because someone asked us to do that. Our job is to expand the materials that circulated to our fellowship. It can provide valuable information to the professional field. We can’t give any examples or ideas until you approve the concept. I think that, as this fellowship grows, people with little time need assistance, and people who aren’t able to sponsor anybody because they don’t know what is in the Big Book. If something like this ever came to be it may facilitate those people.

Karl U. – Speaks in favor of motion. To reiterate, this is simply approval for the concept.
Where I work, we take people through the steps every four weeks. We are just trying to draft one proposed method for taking newcomers through the recovery process. The five members on the subcommittee agree that we need to use the Big Book and 12×12 as our guideline. This is a piece that could enhance CA’s ability to transmit the information. What percentage of the people coming in are still here after 30, 60, 90 days?

Patrice F. ñ Speaks in favor. I have been in an H&I meeting where workbooks have been used, and I get asked “doesn’t CA have a workbook?” One day I would like to say yes.

Cynthia C. – Speaks in favor. I like to have written materials. I would like to say “this is CA approved material that helps me understand.” I am concerned that we are limiting out ability to grow and save lives by being unwilling to expand our literature. This would simply give us more options. It is widening the choice. It would help us grow as a fellowship and as individuals. I’m

hearing fear of change. If we trust in the process, something good will come of it. We would like input, but we can’t do that much unless we have your assistance.

Ethel T. – Speaks against the motion. If a sponsor needs to crack open a workbook to sponsor someone, then they should work the steps out of the Big Book. There is no different way to do the process. If you have sponsors that don’t know how to sponsor, then, yes, you should get a new sponsor or the fellowship is going to die. Sponsorship is based on my experience, not a bunch of written questions.

John B. – Speaks in favor of the motion. I respect the relationship between AA and CA. Iíve done some research and they respect us too. They consider us a budding fellowship in their literature. I respect the source from where the steps grow. I asked Bob C. what was it like when they officially changed the First Step. He responded…blood flowed into the isles. This first step of CA allowed me to stay because I went to other meetings where they said, if you think you have a problem with other substances, you are welcome here, but please limit your sharing to the topic at hand. I felt like I couldn’t share about that thing that made me like cocaine made me feel. I wanted to go away. I didn’t want to hear what the AA’s thought about my drug experience. I came to CA and they said welcome…this is about all mind altering substances. I heard about the kitty litter, duct taping the windows, turning off all the lights so no one would see the match from outside. My point is that, in CA I can share those things. The principle of Step One is the same, but the there are differences. Let someone consider what the possibilities are, in the hope that someone will be able to feel free, the same way I do. I am intrigued by the concept.

Terry M. – Speaks against the motion. When I met with my sponsor, all he said he wanted me to do in return for his sponsorship is to show others precisely how I recovered. The preface says that those who came here and really tried… I understand that times are changing, but I also understand that we either hang together or die separately. I am not willing to put one of my sponsees on the firing line to test out this process.

Aurora L. – Speaks against the motion. When I read the words “this is precisely how we have recovered” it means that this is the process. It says we are going to ask these questions to work through the rest of the steps. The questions that the book is asking, and that my sponsor asks, are in the book. I’ve heard debate about not wanting to water down the program, and my experience is from that book.

Bruce W. – Speaks against the motion. I am a Big Book thumper. When I first came around I had a hard time with the Big Book, because my problem was cocaine, but the sponsor that I chose to guide me through the steps reminded me to replace liquor with cocaine. He pointed out to me the recovery rate at the beginning, and pointed out what I needed to do to recover. There is a reason we rely on the Big Book…because it has been proven that it works. It is not exclusionary, it is inclusionary. I think it is a mistake and I speak against the motion.

Matt T. ñ Speaks against the motion. I am very in tune with my Area and have spoken with many people and the group conscience is that they don’t want to break a good thing. My concern for the committee is that we got caught in a loop with a concept.

Jackie S. – Speaks for the motion. This is but a concept, and the process of going through to get a workbook takes a very long time. For the first year of my recovery I used tools from another fellowship because there wasn’t anyone who could show me. I believe that this is a good concept and I support it.

Heidi J. – Speaks in favor of motion. Served as LCF chair and tried to work under the 12 point process and don’t think it will work for a book. I believe it could be done in the next year. Also, there are sources for how the first book was done.

• New C.A. Storybook: Story Selection Sub-committee is currently in process of collecting more stories as well as reviewing and editing the stories already received. Acknowledgment letters are being prepared to send out to every member who has submitted a story. Release forms will also be sent for stories that have been selected for consideration. See attached CALL FOR STORIES: GOOD NEWS! ITíS NOT TOO LATE! Point 4.
• Pamphlet “Guide to the 12 Traditions” – Point 4. Piece will remain in process throughout the year.
• Referrals #3186, 3217 – Point 4. Revisions to “We Can Recover” Will be worked on throughout the year.
• Meeting Format revisions – Point 4. Revisions to all meeting formats continue to be work in progress.
• Pamphlet “Anonymity” – Point 4. Drafts in progress.
• Pamphlet “70/30” – Point 4. Drafts in progress.
• Regarding pamphlet “12 Principles” – Point 4. Drafts are in progress and will be worked on in subcommittee.
• Regarding revisions to “Suggestions for Relapse Prevention & Recovery” – Point 4.
• Revision work in progress.
• Regarding revision of “And All Other Mind Altering Substances” – Point 4. Revision work in progress.
• Regarding revision of “12 Point Approval Process for Literature” – Point 4. Revision work in progress.
• Regarding revision of “Suggestions for Relapse Prevention” – Point 4. Revision work in progress.
• Regarding piece “Guide to the 12 Traditions” – Point 4. Drafts are in progress and will be worked on in subcommittee.
• Regarding piece “Crank/Methamphetamines” – Point 4. Drafts are in progress and will be worked on in subcommittee.
• Regarding a meditation book – Point 4. Meditation submissions are currently being collected See attached CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: Quiet the Mind. This project is in progress and will continue to be worked on in subcommittee.

REFERRALS OR ITEMS REFERRED TO OTHER COMMITTEES, WORLD SERVICE OFFICE OR BOARD OF TRUSTEES:

#2616 – Having maintained substantial sobriety with a living and working knowledgeable aspect of C.A. it has been my experience to be verbally assaulted in NA meetings for using sober, sobriety or alcoholic sentiments. Why does our literature not specify the C.A. language as does the NA literature desirable usage of NA language. Referred to WSO as a production issue.

#3571 – The Tulsa Info line is incorrect. The phone number tt the information line should be 918-734-0982. Referred to WSO to facilitate helpline publication.

#3786 – To create a subcommittee that will work on translation standards and review and translate the chips format and literature of CA as a whole, for the benefit of newcomers in the fellowship continually growing throughout the world. Referred to WSO as a production issue.

#3806- Our H&I subcommittee submitted an article that contained the word Satan. We were told this was not acceptable because it referred to the occult. Recently there was a poem containing the “devil.” I want to know if this is a double standard, because these words refer to the same situation or person. Referred to WSO as an article publication issue.

#4002- Would like to see Hope, Faith & Courage storybook also printed in large print. Referred to WSO as a production issue.

#4058- On the literature order form (H&I) there is no space to order our new pamphlets ie: Unity, Home Group, etc. When will this form be revised? I don’t see the new literature form out in the fellowship. Referred to WSO as an ordering/distribution issue.

#4060- Contrary to the 11th tradition practice of attraction rather than promotion, doesn’t memorabilia, produced both at the world and local area attempt to achieve both? Towards the end, I propose a new light-reflective Mylar or other such durable CA logo be produced for auto/truck and/or RV applications rather than fragile black or white versions currently in use. Referred to WSO as memorabilia production issue.

#4660- Coordinate how to pamphlet from internet for online discussion/chat for the loners. Referred to Internet committee.

#4707 – Hope, Faith and Courage currently exists as a book and audio cassette. Can we have it made available in MP3 format which we can download from the CA website for a nominal price? Referred to WSO as production/distribution issue.

#4727 – Public information survey be instituted every five years only. Don’t see benefit of every one or two years to fellowship. Referred to PI.

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• Referral #4032 – I ask that CA produce a new piece of literature. A 12-step workbook. There are many different 12-step workbooks already in use by members of our fellowship. There are produced by other 12-step fellowships and commercial enterprises. The experience of CA would be of great value to our members. I also believe the sales of such a workbook would bring in much needed money to CA world.

Response: 12 Step workbook concept is currently in progress at Point 2 (at the beginning of this conference).

• Referral #4036 – I am not in agreement with the draft of the Hope, Faith and Courage storybook. The LCF committee wants to call the text Volume II. This signifies that the text will be produced in sequences. Why not leave the storybook as 2^nd Edition for simplicity?

Response: A 2^nd edition would be appropriate if the new storybook was a revision of the first; however, the new storybook will be printed in addition to the first storybook, thereby creating a second volume rather than a second edition.

• Referral #4098 – Have a chip made for those who died sober. Something like “sober for life” or something like that.

Response: It has been determined (WSO) that such a coin is not cost-effective at this time.

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Response: Meeting formats are currently being evaluated and revised. This referral has been added to the input for this work.

• Referral #4661 – Consider using The Gift in meeting formats.

Response: This writing is an excerpt from a piece of Alanon literature and therefore cannot be added to meeting formats for C.A.

• Referral #4662 – Keep the story of “A Lesbian Gets Sober” in HFC Edition or make separate piece of literature.

Response: This story is not being removed from the first storybook, and the first storybook will remain available for purchase along with the new proposed storybook upon its publication.

• Referral #4655 – Create subcommittee to collect literature from the members.

Response: Materials collection sub-committee is already in place within LCF.

• Referral #4666 – Add individual months up to one year.

Response: Determined that this is not cost effective at this time.

NEW COMMITTEE_– STRUCTURE:

Chair David M.
Vice-Chair Jack B.
Co-Secretaries Judy W., Yves W_–., Ann M.
Storybook Sub-Committee Chair Susan D.

CLOSING COMMENTS:

During my term as chair, I have challenged my committee to reach into themselves and raise the common denominator up to a collective spiritual level as we work together in our common love for C.A. to make its message available in print. And they have succeeded. The results from such a diverse and passionate group of people bears witness of an ultimate authority greater than us all. As LCF Chair, a writer, sometimes even a speaker, I am at a loss for words to explain how deeply this experience has touched my life. I commend each member of this committee for every minute given in service to LCF and the fellowship of Cocaine Anonymous.

Thank you for allowing me to serve.

Gratefully submitted,

Sherri H. – LCF Chair 2002-2004

Questions-

Jay G. – In the packet, there was a pamphlet entitled being of service, but I don’t see that it was voted or acted upon. Can you explain?

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Sherri H. – We did not have any referral on that piece of literature, which is already Conference approved_–.

L. – Around the middle of the year the Suggestions for Relapse needed to be yanked. What happened _–to my favorite piece of literature?

Sherri H. There were some substantive reasons/problems with that piece. Last year we passed pulling it and_– putting it in the revision process.

Ginger L. If someone submitted a story years ago, would someone be allowed to resubmit their story?

Sherri H_–. – Yes, all submissions are welcome.

Pilar R. What can we do to help this committee?

Sherri H. – We have so many projects in the process, we would appreciate all the help we could get. Writing drafts, if you feel strongly about a certain piece, you can participate and join the subcommittee to review submissions. You just need to be willing to serve. We would appreciate any help.