Conference session begins.
Serenity Prayer
Roll Call- 132
Quorum -88
Committee Reports
CLOSING REPORT
C.A. WORLD SERVICE CONFERENCE 2006
WORLD SERVICE OFFICE BOARD REPORT
INTRODUCTION AND OPENING COMMENTS
It is once again our privilege to report to you on the status of our World Service Office operations and special projects of the World Service Office Board (WSOB) of Directors.
My thanks and to the staff and Director for a job well done, as always. Over the course of the last few years WSO Director of Operations, Patty Flanagan, has focused not only on the improvement of day to day operations by way of a systemic implementation of policies and procedures for the office, but working in conjunction with the WSOB, has assisted the Office board to migrate to a process of orienting its activities around long term goals with an eye toward future planning and the emerging needs of a growing International fellowship. As a result the WSOB has identified several areas that it shall remain focused on for the coming year.
- Professionally and effectively discharge the program services.
- Address current staffing challenges.
- Delivery of the new HFC ll Storybook for year end.
- International Growth and Development with an emphasis on translation of world service approved literature.
- Further develop outreach efforts to professionals.
- Develop a more strategic approach to new product development and sales growth.
- Increased oversight and support of convention event planning
- Improving IT infrastructure to accommodate and ever-growing need to communicate with the fellowship worldwide.
- Further development of existing and new fundraising initiatives
During the course of the year the WSOB has enjoyed the opportunity to be able to work with the various standing committees of the World Service Conference, as well as the host city convention committees. Most notably we would again wish to thank the Storybook sub-committee of LCF for their tireless efforts in bringing the Storybook HFC II down the home stretch. Other LCF related activities slated to be worked on include the new meditation book, the as yet published newcomer packet and other new work products like the possibilities of customizable CA metal coins.
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As of this conference, we are pleased to report much progress on the “toll free” 800 referral line. Earlier in the year, the WSO allocated funds, obtained, and is presently deploying a new computer, new hardware, and new customized software to repair the antiquated system previously maintained by the WSO. An Immediate and sustained increase in uptime is expected upon completion of the deployment process. Future budgeting consideration to the ongoing maintenance of out I.T. and telephone systems has been allocated. We look forward to this updated referral line service being restored very soon.
In the area of World Convention event coordination and planning, the WSO welcomes the opportunity to continue to be an experienced and reliable source. The WSO shall continue to compile, maintain and consolidate past convention data and produce document highlighting timelines and suggestions such that it may offer maximum support to both prospective and actual host committees in the area of World Service Convention planning, timelines, budgets, strategies and program planning. We look forward to working closely with the World Service Conference Convention Committee to obtain there feedback during the coming year.
In the area of International growth and development, the topic of translations has been adopted by the WSOB as a regular agenda item and report at all WSOB meetings. The WSO has been made aware of the tremendous efforts foreign language speaking members not only domestically but also abroad, and has begun a process of collecting samples of the ongoing work emerging out of local translation committees. The WSOB has sought and obtained a budget from the WS Finance Committee in our budget to begin a dedicated effort of compiling a repository of translation activity and data, such that the WSO may develop and become a repository and central point of communications for such activity. Moreover, the WSOB is committed to developing a procedure for new literature translations that will more easily aid new translation committees to more effectively begin the process of developing Conference approved literature in there native language. We would like to again thank the substantial input and contribution of the Swedish, German, Dutch, and Icelandic fellowships and the Spanish and French speaking fellowships both in North America and Abroad. Finally the WSOB is presently seeking to assign the administrative tasks of collecting and archiving international translations to a dedicated member of the WSO Staff and or management in the coming months such that WSO may most effectively support all emerging translation projects moving forward.
Committee Introductions:
John Bodkin – Chairperson
Howard Eley – Secretary
Tom Phelen – Treasurer
Kathy Jo Rango – Director 1
Earl Henderson – WSO Trustee
Hayward Hunt – WS Trustee
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Jonas Kullgren from Sweden, Speaks in Swedish
Translation, just to give you an idea of how some of the Swedish fellowship could look at our book or pamphlets.zyn nu Nederlands-talige meetings amdat voor velen van ons het belangryk is om de taal van ons heart in het Nederland’s wten horen,the language of our heart.
Robert Bowman- Just because our Delegates can speak English, does not mean our fellow members in Sweden do. We want you to support us, the small countries. You speak a lot about being inclusive, and yet the fact that there is no tools for us to use to carry the message to the non English speaking members of CA, is clearly exclusive. Please help us reach out.
Karen Rupp- Speaks in Dutch, Myn noom is Karen en ik ben verslaafd. Dit is wat ik ze3g als ik een Nederlands-talige meetig ben . Ilk sit niet in de vertallcommitte’ , maar ik kan er wel iets over vertellen. Op dit moment heeft de commite een folder vertaalod we hebben stuckken van aantal folders somengewegd. Drie folders zyn veraald en nummer vier wordt vertaald. Wy zyn niet zo ver als Sweden met hun prachtig gedrukte folders. De meetings zyn gestart in het Englels:sommige meetings
Translation- I am not on the translation committee in Holland. We have already translated one pamphlet, which is not conference approved. But we are working on pamphlet number 5.The logo is the same, just the language is different.
Yves White- Speaks in French- Bonjour ,mon nom es Yves White, CA au Quebec a maintenant 20 ans et la premiere reunion dan une langue entrangere le Francais,en lieu en 1986.
Translation-We are 20 years in CA Montreal. We were the first foreign language meeting in 1986. We have translated the book into French and all the Conference approved pamphlets. We translated the WSM as well. It is an on going process.
Jackie Schickler- I need to trust the process. Today I believe that the WSO and the WSOB have a plan for our needs in translation. I want to applaud and thank the finance committee. Thank you for listening to the Intl Fellowship. I have faith in all you and the process.
David Crosland- It has become very apparent how important translation is to the growth of our fellowship. Money is a huge issue and who and how is it going to be paid for.
John Bodkin, Support from the WSO is critical to the issue of translation. To begin the process of translation. I believe in a loving hp is driving the process. The WSOB will continue to make translation a regular item on our agenda.
We encourage members from within 125 miles of WSO to join the board of Directors.
COMMITTEE WORK THAT RESULTED IN MOTIONS
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There was no committee work that resulted in motions.
REFERRALS THAT RESULTED IN MOTIONS
There were no referrals that resulted in motions.
REFERRALS AND ITEMS THE COMMITTEE WILL CONTINUE WORKING ON THROUGH THE YEAR
Referral # 2970
For LCF and WSO to create a metal coin use form i.e., H&I, newcomers and addicts met on the street, etc. This coin should have complete CA logo on one side, and on the opposite side of coin the Area or District Help Line number and website if available. This could be a great outreach piece for the still suffering addicts. Areas/Districts could order in lots from WSO with their contact information on it. Attached is a sample coin from the older fellowship that starts with an A followed by another A.
- Response – The WSOB appreciates this new item suggestion and would be pleased to research the feasibility of creating a customizable CA coin.
Referral #’s 4899 and 5467
#4899 – That the WSO offer a discount on HFC II for Public Information work.
#5467 – That the WSO offer a discount on HFC for Public Information work.
- Response – The WSOB recognizes the good works the spirit in which this referral is offered and is in the process of considering our overall discount policy on an ongoing basis. The WSOB expects to reach further resolution on discounting within the coming year however shall not extend any additional discounting. All members and committees of CA, however, may take advantage of the current case price for Hope Faith and Courage which is discounted by 25%.
Referral # 4918 Insert postal code/PC with ZIP on all appropriate forms, i.e. “delegate referral has zip only” in Canada there are Postal Codes not ZIP.
- Response – Thank you! We are not currently aware of any such form, however, the World Service Office is currently working to make all world service forms useful internationally. The WSO realizes it responsibility to continue to improve our communications with fellowship worldwide and welcomes your ongoing feedback and suggestions.
Referral # 4962 The CA International Referral Line 800 Number not be down for more than 24 hours at a time and that the money be kept in the GSO budget to replace or repair the computer that supports the referral line if the computer goes down and that the software be kept up to date.
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- Response – We hear you! We understand! We appreciate your patience. Earlier this year, the WSO allocated funds, obtained, and is presently deploying a new computer, new hardware, and new customized software to repair the antiquated system previously maintained by the WSO. While the office can not guarantee that any computing equipment or source of power will be restored within 24 hours of an unanticipated interruption of service, An Immediate and sustained increase in uptime is expected upon completion of the deployment process. Future budgeting consideration to the ongoing maintenance of out I.T. and telephony systems has been allocated. We look forward to this ALL NEW service being restored very soon.
Referral # 5126 – Putting together a package of all documents (Timeline, budget spread sheet, etc.) as I am finding out we have done things and found out that later we used the wrong info. By having a set of updated documents I believe world help a lot and make the process easier without having to do many times.
- Response – The WSO welcomes the opportunity to compile maintain and consolidate convention data such that it may offer maximum support to host committees in the area of World Service convention planning, timelines, budgets, strategies and program planning. We shall begin work on such a resource immediately and present to the World Service Conference Convention Committee for review and feedback during the coming year.
Referral # 4868 – Please consider adding a WSBT tab to the delegate notebook and include the current trustee guidelines.
- Response – Happy to do it. Thank you for your suggestion.
Referral # 4876 and 5402
Referral # 4876 – Translate the HFC book to Swedish. Regarding translation of Cocaine Anonymous book Hope, Faith and Courage, the Swedish area has following suggestions: –A Swedish foreword
–Main text remains untouched
–change a few personal stories to Swedish ones.
CA in Sweden is starting to get recognition and therefore it is of great importance that the book in Swedish and communicates to Swedish cocaine addicts. Based on tradition 5, the objective is to have the book translated and printed at the end of 2008.
Referral # 5402 – Would like that each approved piece of literature should be published simultaneously in English, French and Spanish.
- Response – The World Service Office Board of Directors wishes to thank the
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makers of the above two motions. The topic of Translations has been adopted by the WSOB as a regular agenda item and report at all WSOB meetings. The WSO has been made aware of the tremendous efforts foreign language speaking members not only domestically but also abroad, and has begun a process of collecting samples of the ongoing has sought and obtained funding in our budget to begin a dedicated effort of compiling a repository of translation activity and data and archive such activity. Moreover, the WSOB is committed to developing a procedure for new literature translations that will more easily aid new translation committees to more effectively begin the process of developing Conference approved literature in there native language. We would like to again thank the substantial input and contribution of the Swedish, German, Dutch, fellowships and the Spanish and French speaking fellowships both in North America and Abroad. Finally the WSOB is presently seeking to assign the administrative tasks of collecting and archiving international translations into one repository of information.
REFERRALS OR ITEMS REFERRED TO OTHER COMMITTEES; WORLD SERVICE OFFICE, OR BOARD OF TRUSTEES
There were no referrals that resulted in referrals to other committees.
REFERRALS THAT DID NOT RESULT IN MOTIONS
Referral #5134 – Is there any way to cut the cost of shipping and handling, with smaller groups, districts, and areas, it is a hard hit on smaller bankrolls.
- Response – We understand your concern, however, CAWSO shipping costs are presently reduced to the lowest possible margin sufficient to effectively fulfill and ship orders. There is no plan to reduce shipping costs at this time.
NEW COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AS OF THIS CONFERENCE
John Bodkin – Chairperson
Howard Eley – Secretary
Tom Phelen – Treasurer
Kathy Jo Rango – Director 1
Earl Henderson – WSO Trustee
Hayward Hunt – WS Trustee
CLOSING COMMENTS
Kathy Jo Rango- Speaks about the WS Convention and the process from the WSOB .
Convention Committee’s we really thank you and look forward to working with you.
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Please if you need help, call on us. We have lots of items that are available and use us as a resource. We have time lines, PDF’s and budgets etc.
John Bodkin- Special Thank You to Waheedah Muhammad WSOB Secretary and to Thank you to Earl Henderson
On a final note, the WSOB wishes to extend its best wishes and many thanks to our outgoing Trustee members Jackie Schickler and Cynthia Cronkhite, Your loving guidance and spirit has been most appreciated. It has been an honor to serve with you.
Questions
Vinnie Martin- Thank you
The 1-800 has been down for quite a long time. I got that answer at Christmas. Can we have a time line as to when the 1 -800 number will be up?
Earl Henderson- This has been an on going challenge. The system crashed and there was no chance to save it. Between 8 and 5 there is a live body answering. We also had a message system for after hours. The phone system should be up Tuesday.
Scott Botz- Are translated items going to require, conference approval?
John Bodkin- This is a major focus; this is not an easy question. It is not simple. The Boards of CA will take every measure to ensure the translations are accurate. However we will have to move forward with Hope, Faith and with Courage and TTP. I do believe the conference should always exercise its voice regarding translations at all times.
Mona Ibrahim – I have a question regarding referral 5134. You said you have no cost to reduce shipping costs at this time. If we can apply discount for orders over 200.00 why can we not give discounts to smaller areas? Terms and agreements from the website, there are so many different fees . Please explain. Explain why you have not responded to this referral.
John Bodkin- The Board members did confer on this. We do have the ability to discount products. We are looking into discounting in other ways. We have to take into consideration the entire fellowship. At this time the Board was unwilling to act on shipping for smaller areas.
Tom Phelen- My feeling is that what was being asked for is the lowering of carrying the message. If our primary sources that support the office increase we may be able to look further into this concept.
We do not have much flexibility in our pricing.
John Bodkin- Thank You for your question.
Greg Barron- Wondering if the HFC volume 2 slide show is available for areas?
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John Bodkin- It is being discussed.
We plan to prepare some materials.
Greg Barron- Translations, I heard a lot of general stuff. I was wonder specifically. Has anyone started working on any kind approval process or guidelines for this? Has there been any market research regarding who would buy or use the translated literature and if it would be self supporting?
John Bodkin- Part 1- Yes, nothing prepared at this time. Part 2-No not at this time.
Robert Bohman- Referral 4868, you have not answered our question. You have given no answer. I do not believe this is for our Higher Power, but for us and the professionals to do the work. I believe we need to get this moving. Why did not answer us.?
John Bodkin- This and other referrals are too large a question to answer at this time. I am however committed to answering you as soon as possible. That is the most honest answer I can give you at this time.
Susan Buredau- We have a budget and a general Idea . Is there an instrument in place to accept donations for special project, such as shipping and Handling for smaller areas, translations etc?
John Bodkin- No not at this time.
Steve May – Is there any other reason for delays for shipping of Chips and literature?
John Bodkin- the Office is operating at its highest efficiency it has. You will get your chips and literature within 5 days.
Chair- Just to clarify that member was a Canadian; it may take longer to get to Canada.
Housekeeping Item, Regarding 4868 that referral is on here 4 times.
Nicholas Lynn- was there at any time a position or policy on collecting monies for special projects. For example we sent money for H and I . And we sent money from the UK and it was sent back.
Tom Phelan- We have no earmarked funds at this time.
Nicholas Lynn- And there never will be ear marked fund?
Tom Phelan- At this time ,there is not , however that could change.
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