Aug 29, 2008 – Day 4 Summaries – H&I Committee Closing Report

CLOSING REPORT C.A. WORLD SERVICE CONFERENCE 2008

HOSPITALS & INSTITUTIONS REPORT

INTRODUCTION AND OPENING COMMENTS

Opening Comments – Jason Smidt

Jason Smidt, H&I Chairperson. I would like to thank the entire H&I committee for allowing me to be of service. This year we have been blessed with a great new group of members. They are filled with great ideas and boundless passion. It is a great privilege to be a part of this committee.

Committee Introductions – Jason Smidt

Chair: Jason Smidt
Vice Chair: Mona Ibrahim
Secretary: Megan Kenney
Secretary – Incoming: Young Holsey

Trustee: Nicholas Lynn

Outreach Chair: Kevin Conley, Charlie Williams

Correctional Referral Chair: Tim Culverhouse, Felicia Adams-Franks, Steve Banks, Sonya Stevens

H&I Guidelines: Bobby Coyer, Bill Carter

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Ben Lew
Mike Phelps
Randy Groen
Donald Logan

Creative Writing Chair: Dathan Martin
Alonzo Mitchell
Josh Murdock
James Grubbs

MAP – Megan

The H&I Committee appreciates all of the support we have received over the past year and as a result of your areas hard work, the map that was presented at this conference is a glowing example of your efforts. We look forward to updating this map on an annual basis as a visual representation of the expanded efforts of carrying the message to the addict confined in hospitals and institutions.

Committee Activities – Dathan

As general discussion progressed past initial committee business, we recognized that the most pressing issue facing our committee this year was the utilization of the H&I Can. These issues were identified as earmarking, spending direction, excess funds and the autonomous decision surrounding its use.

A year of communication and education has brought the committee to the understanding that there may be some confusion in the fellowship about the H & I Can and earmarking. Earmarking funds is inappropriate. Earmarking is generally defined as any attempt to submit funds to the WSO for a specific purpose. It is our committee’s belief that the H&I can is a self funding process to raise moneys by the group, district or area to carry the message of CA to the confined addicts in Jails and Institutions. This does not fall into the current definition of earmarking as we understand it.

Regarding the spending direction and excess funds – it is the committee’s belief that moneys donated through the H&I Can be utilized expeditiously and in its entirety for its stated purpose. In line with the long form of the 7^th tradition, there is no good served by the holding on to or creation of war chests. It is also the committee’s belief that if any H&I committee finds itself with excess funds, then they should take all efforts to remain true to the intent of the H& I Can’s promise and forward those funds to another H&I committee that may be less fortunate.

Some areas have chosen not use the H&I. We applaud their success and their support of the H&I effort. The committee wanted to inform everyone the utilization of the H&I can has always been and will always be up to each individual group, district or area’s group conscious.

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With these issues defined, discussed and made clear, we are excited and proud of the proposed change to our guidelines we are here to motion to the floor in a few minutes.

Banner – Mike

Prior to our motion, we are also excited about our committee’s opportunity on Thursday night for our entire committee to participate in a local H&I panel in Long Beach. This is the second year in a row that we have been granted this gift. We brought the H&I banner along and proudly displayed the signatures from this conference to the individuals attending. It was an exciting evening of sharing for our committee in the passion we all have – H&I. Upon finishing our meeting, we asked that the individuals attending this meeting come forward and sign the banner as well. Having now a very special banner containing the signatures from those of you here supporting H&I along with signatures from those actually receiving CA’s message Thursday night – a truly special banner has been produced at this conference. It is our privilege and honor to let this conference participate with us in giving this banner to the newest area recognized this year – South Carolina. Could we please have Mike Sigler and Ann Bouley Meyer from the South Carolina Area come forward and accept this banner to do with as they see fit.

Mike Sigler – We will bring this back and for a while hang it around the Home Group and then pass it around South Carolina!!

COMMITTEE WORK THAT RESULTED IN MOTIONS – Mona

REFERRAL #4905: Questions about the H & I Can

The initial idea of passing the H&I can seem great, but does the committee believe that any subcommittee should be fully (or partly) self-supporting. A sub committee is accountable to the committee it reports to. It talks in the concepts of ‘tradition and purse’ as ultimate factors in keeping committees answerable to the committee/groups they serve. Therefore, how and who is an H&I committee accountable to if they have funds directly donated to them?? The other issue is that if money is donated to H&I it cannot cross over to other areas of service. Are we putting a part of CA before the greater whole? Are we wrongly informing our members that H&I is ‘special and different’ and is more important than other areas of service?? Should we not be encouraging our members to respect our 7th tradition and learn ‘how it works’, If members don’t trust that 7th tradition monies are being used correctly, shouldn’t we be educating them in the importance of getting involved at District/Area/World levels?? Or are we, as a fellowship, looking for the easier softer route?? The message was carried to me in an H&I meeting, for that I thank God. I am grateful for H&I and put that gratitude into action through H&I service AND putting my money in the Tradition 7 pot, trusting that the group/district/area or world committees will use it effectively to keep the whole of CA running. I trust that no area of service will be placed above another or shown exclusive treatment. I would therefore ask that we stop promoting H&I cans.

H&I’s Resulting Motion from this referral:

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H&I distributed an SR-14 submission regarding this issue. Upon receiving additional feedback and related referrals at this conference, we have amended the most recent SR-14 and attempted to distribute the amended version to the conference members prior to this motion being made.

Motion: to amend the CA World Service H & I Committee Guidelines, as Follows:

On page 5, Paragraph 4 thru to end of page 6 : the entire Section under the listing of “The H & I Can”

And replace with amended version:

THE H & I CAN

The H&I Committee is a Sub-Committee of the Area and/or District Service Committee. In keeping with the Ninth Tradition, this committee is directly responsible to those they serve.

Some Districts/Areas choose to have an additional collection to help offset the cost of the H & I Committee. The H&I Can not only helps H&I carry the message, but it represents a very important morale booster.

Regular CA Meetings that pass the H&I Can have found the following a suitable addition to the meeting format. At the point where the 7^th Tradition is honored, insert:

“The 7^th Tradition reminds us that we are fully self-supporting through our own contributions. The H & I Can being passed is to help support your local Hospitals and Institutions Committee of Cocaine Anonymous. The contributions help buy supplies and literature for addicts confined in Hospitals and Institutions. I have asked___________ to read the 12 Traditions for us while we observe the 7^th tradition. Newcomers need not feel obligated to contribute.”

PASSING AN H&I CAN – THE HOW AND WHY OF IT

Since the founding of the fellowship, it has been customary to drop a dollar in the basket. While the cost of living increases, the costs of H&I supplies increase too, and the donation remains the same.

Many Areas compensate by increasingly becoming dependent on special fund raising events. Consequently, the numbers of Conventions, CampVentions, Round-ups, etc. increase each year. However, if one of these special events fails, financial disaster may occur for the District/Area for which it was meant to support. After a while, the donations drop off, therefore we encourage members to kindly drop an extra dollar in the basket.

Passing the H&I Can helps the Hospitals and Institutions Committee as well as provide supplies and literature, for those in hospitals and institutions

If you desire to start doing this in your District/Area:

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First, request the support and approval of your District/Area Service Committee. Each CA group is autonomous; the decision on having an H&I Can must be the result of a group conscience by the interested meeting.

Secondly, you’ll need a can; we suggest a one-pound coffee can, preferably painted white, with the H&I label affixed on the can. The importance of using labeled and painted H&I Cans cannot be stressed enough. Attempts to pass another basket have sometimes led to limited success.

Thirdly, please make sure that all literature reflects the CA Logo, the CAWSO phone number and/or the local CA Hotline. This insures the person carrying the book a constant contact with CA.

One potential concern is…”Do the funds actually assist H&I?” Yes. It is simply a fund raising tool. Upon passing the H&I Can, the amount collected is noted on a separate Budget Sheet, and then the money is directly sent with your GSR or H&I Representative at the next District/Area meeting or your local H&I Committee meeting. Your local Treasurer then deposits the donated H&I money.  

One potential concern is “Do the funds actually assist H&I?” Yes. It is simply a fund-raising tool. Upon passing the H&I Can, the amount collected should be tracked separately.

Each local group, district, or area may have different means of tracking and dispersing these funds – month to month expenditures as collected, budget for the following years, etc.

To maintain the integrity of the H&I Can’s intent, it is strongly suggested that these funds be utilized in their entirety towards the spirit it was donated – for the addicts confined in hospitals and institutions.

Upon the fortunate circumstances that any group, district or area would have funds donated in excess of its needs, efforts should be put towards extending these funds chips and literature to the H&I committee of neighboring groups districts or areas that are less fortunate upon area and/or district approval.

Existing H & I Guidelines:

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The H&I Can

If your district or area does, or wishes to do a separate collection to support the H&I Committee, labels for the “H&I Can” may be obtained free of charge by contacting the C.A. World Service Office. Regular C.A. Meetings which pass a collection for H&I have found the following a suitable modification of the meeting format. At the point where the 7th Tradition is honored, insert:

“The 7th Tradition reminds us that we are fully self-supporting through our own contributions. The can being passed is to support the Hospitals and Institutions Committee of Cocaine Anonymous, it goes to buy keychains and literature for addicts confined in hospitals and institutions. I have asked___________ to read the 12 Traditions for us while we observe the 7th. Newcomers need not feel obligated to contribute.”

Subsequently, all funds collected for H&I should go to the H&I Committee. H&I Committees would be well advised to allow H&I funds to be deposited in their existing area or district bank account and thus save the additional bank charges. In addition, H&I committees are always a sub-committee of the area or district service committee, and in keeping with the Ninth Tradition are directly responsible to those they serve. More information on starting an H&I collection in your district or area may be obtained from the C.A. World Service Conference H&I Committee Chairperson or the C.A. World Service Office.

Ever since this fellowship was founded, it has been a custom at each meeting to drop a dollar in the basket. Unfortunately, while costs have increased in every area, the amount of this donation has remained the same. Many Areas have made up for this growing deficit by becoming increasingly dependent on special fund raising events. Consequently, the number of conventions, camp-ventions, roundups, etc. increases each year. When one of these events flops however, it may spell financial disaster for the District or Area which it was meant to support. From time to time, we ask members to drop an extra dollar in the basket when the fellowship is in need, but after a while, the donations drop off again. When the fellowship is having financial trouble, supplying regular C.A. meetings is not a problem as they buy what they need. Not so for the H&I Committee, having no income, they depend on the donations from open C.A. meetings for all their supplies.

One lasting solution to this problem is passing an H&I Can at meetings. This helps us in two ways. First the H&I Committee becomes not only self-supporting, but also able to provide Bookmarks, Keychains, Big Books, Pamphlets and even C.A. Storybooks. Secondly, as H&I is no longer a drain on the financial resources of the fellowship as a whole, these funds are free to be used elsewhere. In one district having 60 C.A. meetings, passing the H&I Can produced an income in 1993 of $6,678.93. Least we seem overly concerned with money here, let’s look at what it bought. Funds from the H&I Can were used to purchase 480 Big Books, 10,000 pamphlets, and 7,736 Keychains. In 1994, this same committee will begin distributing the C.A. Storybook at H&I meetings as well. Big books are stamped on the inside cover with the C.A. logo

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and the number of the local Info-line; this insures that we who pay for the books get credit for their distribution The H&I Can not only helps H&I carry the message, the support it represents is a very important moral booster to those who carry it.

If you desire to start doing this in your area, first go to the District or Area Service Committee to solicit their support and approval. Each C.A. group is of course autonomous; the decision on whether or not to pass the H&I Can must be the result of a group conscience by the meeting in question. Then you’ll need the cans themselves; we suggest one pound coffee cans paint white. Any C.A. H&I Committee may obtain labels for the H&I Cans free of charge by contacting the C.A. World Service Office. The importance of using labeled, painted, H&I Cans cannot be stressed enough; attempts to do this by just passing another basket have proved a failure. Another important point concerns the Meeting Format. The H&I Can is usually passed at the same time the 7th Tradition is collected. The format would read something like this: “The 7th Tradition reminds us that we are fully self supporting through our own contributions. The Can being passed is to support the H&I Committee of C.A., it goes to provide Bookmarks, Keychains, and Literature for addicts confined in Hospitals and Institutions.” If the format remains unchanged, what often happens is that the H&I Can ends up gathering dust in the bottom of the box.

One concern which may be voiced is that funds collected actually go to H&I. The simplest way would be for the meeting to send a representative directly to the H&I Committee, a method successfully adapted by at least one area. Unfortunately, it is difficult enough to get one person to show up for the District or Area Service Meeting; trying to find two reliable people each month may prove unrealistic. An alternative arrangement is to have the G.S.R. bring both the H&I Donation and the 7th Tradition to the Area or District Service Meeting, after noting the amount collected in each. The money is then deposited by the treasurer in the Area or District Service Bank Account. The funds remain separated on paper, and dispersed to H&I by the Treasurer. At the end of the year, the amount collected is divided by twelve. This figure becomes the monthly budget for H&I. In order to maintain the integrity of this process, one district amended its by-laws to state that the monthly budget of H&I must always be equal to, or greater than, the average monthly donation from the H&I Can.

Steve Edwards – Since it was an SR 14 mailing, the committee included that so you know what is being replaced, I have read the motion.

Mona Ibrahim – We will not speak at this time.

Tony Drake – I speak against the motion. Talking about earmarking and excess funds, the Trustees looked at this and said we can’t earmark funds. We have problems with Areas with large accounts. It’s removing that language for one bank account to having multiple bank accounts.

Bobbie Harmon – Tradition 4 says except where affecting CA as a whole. Tradition 9 H&I is a subcommittee for the Area. Area determines whether they have a bank account. Area decides what happens to the money. I speak against it.

Dan Santa Maria – I speak against the motion. There are portions I like. I will take a moment to quote from the 7^th tradition. In my view, the collection placed in the H&I can is a contribution, carrying an obligation to be used for people in H&I. I am not going to be fear-based. Thank you.

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Jay Parker – I was good with it until the last paragraph. It suggests that H&I has the right to distribute the money outside the Area or District, I don’t think that allows for group conscience. May I offer a friendly amendment?

Steve Edwards – You may get back in line.

Jeffrey Ushry – Upon the fortunate circumstances – Friendly amendment. Strike “these funds” and insert “chips and literature”.

Steve Edwards – Do the makers accept?

Jason Smidt – May we have a moment?

Steve Edwards – You may.

Mona Ibrahim – We accept.

Lawrence Seebeck – Upon the fortunate circumstances.

Steve Edwards – Are you for or against?

Lawrence Seebeck – Against. I can write a check for them to give the money to another group is contradictory.

Mona Ibrahim – Point of Order – this is.

Steve Edwards – Mona, that’s debate.

Randy Groen – Point of Order – that was speaking to the area that we just amended.

Carl Warlick – I speak against the motion. I have been dealing with this issue. H&I wanted to put on an event and were told no. They didn’t get the answer they wanted, now they bring it to the conference. It has no place on this conference. The individuals should have brought this to you and told you why.

Brian Tenenbaum – I speak against the motion. This smells bad like earmarking. We look to WS for our guidelines. I don’t like the fact you took out some of the language. There should only be 1 checking account for each Area or District. An Area almost had to close the office because they couldn’t pay the rent and the H&I committee had funds.

Randy Groen – I speak in favor of this motion. H&I carries our primary purpose and carries the message of recovery. These are fundraisers, they are activities that we do at all levels that fund our efforts. We put that language way back when I had hair, and it was important. When that can says you put a dollar in the can it goes to the addict in the hospital or institution. This WS group can either dictate what that means in writing or quit telling people to do it. My understanding of earmarking is sending money to the WSO for a specific purpose. The H&I can is about that money will be used for that only. It should spend its money in its entirety is the intent. The language takes care of that problem. The next Area can use books for their Area.   People quit putting money in the can because we lie to them where it went. It’s fundraising not earmarking. Right now we have fundraising like CATW and my group has a babysitting basket and that goes toward those efforts. We are carrying the message to those confined to institutions; they need us to spend the money wisely.

Roy Ricord – I speak in favor of this motion. I would like to commend H&I for its efforts. In my Area and District, the H&I committee is a subcommittee of the District or Area and H&I is held accountable. If they have $500 the District will ask, why aren’t you spending it? I think this motion addresses a lot of the concerns that were brought up last year and state clearly what H&I is and is not. I know some Areas and Districts don’t have H&I because they don’t need it, others have H&I. This is not whether or not we pass the can, it is. I see this as trying to resolve the conflict.

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Cynthia Cronkhite – I speak against the motion. I’m a product of H&I. I think I was a second year trustee.

Randy Groen – Point of Order – That’s speaking about the application of the can, any issues about the can itself is not in order.

Steve Edwards – It’s okay for her to talk about her feelings about that.

Cynthia Cronkhite – It’s when the contributor tells the money how its spent we take away the group conscience. I have had the same home group since I got sober. We were diligently tracking the money. Our district H&I was flush and we were broke. Paying our rent keeps the group alive. We trust the other groups will support the H&I.

Jason Smidt – I speak in favor of the motion. We pass a can, we track the money separately. At the District meeting, the District has an account that manages all funds. At the end of the year, that is the budget for the entire year. Last year it was $12,000 divided by 12 so we get $1,000 a month for the committee. We spend the money wisely on books and literature for people in institutions and jail. My District does its best to manage its funds and make its committee responsible. If the District fails to properly manage its committee, then any committee can run amuck. The District or Area has an obligation to manage the subcommittees. If there is mismanagement the result is a war chest. When we mentioned the 9^th Tradition, we talked about H&I being responsible to those they serve, the District says that’s not right, you educate and foster responsible behavior. You don’t 86 the whole thing because it’s not properly managed.

Mona Ibrahim – I speak in favor of this motion. Look at the number, this is a referral that came 2 years ago. Last year it came on the floor and people said they didn’t read it. This is not to do away with the H&I can, we are clarifying the language. This is not about having the can or doing away with the can. We are not going to dictate, it’s your choice. Everything in the guidelines are suggestions only. Look at your budgets and if you feel it’s going to bring in excess money, maybe you shouldn’t vote on it. H&I votes to put on an event and the District says you can’t do this. They are telling them they can’t do what they want to do. We don’t want excess money, we want to carry the message. This is not the first fellowship to have the can. Its intent and purpose was to offset the costs. We don’t commingle 7^th tradition with H&I. WS knows better than us where they need it. This is about carrying the message, please don’t mix the two. We’re simplifying the language. Everything is a suggestion. All we’re asking is to keep the money donated as a separate collection to H&I to be used to carry the message. We don’t commingle.

Jay Parker – I’d like to make a friendly amendment. After it says less fortunate, to add “upon Area and or District approval”.

Mona Ibrahim – We accept.

Joy Hutcheson – Motion: Suspend the rules, dinner is at 6:00, to finish the motion.

Second.

Passes.

Joy Hutcheson – Motion: To extend the time until H&I motion is over.

Second.

Motion carries with substantial unanimity.

Willy Bailey – Motion: To limit debate to 2 for and 2 against.

Second.

Motion Carries.

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Russell Sedman – I am against this motion. I come from an Area where we do pass the can and I’ve observed the money not going back in the service structure. The spirit of the referral has not been addressed.

Tom Phelan – I speak against the motion, as this is written. I believe the change makes it worse, responsibility and stewardship is set aside with the new language.

Jason Smidt – Parliamentary Inquiry – We limited debate, right?

Steve Edwards – Yes.

Jason Smidt – Does that limit or prevent someone from making a friendly amendment?

Steve Edwards – No.

Gloria Bridget – Motion: To refer this back to committee.

Steve Edwards – It requires a majority to pass and is debatable. Would you like to speak to your motion?

Gloria Bridget – Yes, there is so much unsurety and I think it needs more work.

Steve Edwards – Any more debate on the motion?

Pete Nielsen – Call the question.

Steve Edwards – I rule that out of order because there was no more debate. And now there is.

Dan Santa Maria – I speak against the motion to refer back to committee. Let’s get a resounding no and put this matter to rest.

Aurora Lopez – I speak against the motion to refer back to committee. This motion has been on the floor now and it needs to pass or go away.

Pete Nielsen – Call the question.

Second.

The motion passes with substantial unanimity.

Vote on the motion to refer back to committee.

The motion fails.

There are only 2 people allowed to speak.

Yvette Holman – I speak in favor of the motion. I can’t put money in the can because I don’t know where it’s going. I speak in favor of this motion.

Steve Edwards – Let me see who wished to speak in favor of the motion.

Kevin – I speak highly in favor of this motion. If it wasn’t for H&I I wouldn’t have got here. When I came I wasn’t looking for recovery, I was looking for a place to sit down. I am for anywhere a person can’t get to it we send it in, and that a group can pass it on. The money says what it’s for. The spirit of H&I is to carry the message.

Steve Edwards – Debate is not closed on the motion.

Patrick Potter – Point of information – if the motion is in regard to the referral do they have to add that?

Steve Edwards – Mona you have a motion to amend your motion?

Mona Ibrahim – Yes.

Steve Edwards – The maker of a motion can not make an amendment after debate has begun.

Dan Sadur – Parlimentary inquarey. Could the maker of the motion withdraw the motion of this time.?

Steve – Yes if there is no objection from the floor.

Susan Bredau – POO isn’t that a question?

Steve Edwards – It was regarding parliamentary procedure.

Dan – After limiting debate can you amend a motion.?

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Steve Edwards – I am now ruling that debate has been closed.

The motion does fail.

6:22, com back in an hour and a half at 7:52.

None.

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

None.

REFERRALS THAT DID NOT RESULT IN MOTIONS

Include all referrals by number and description. Also, there must be an explanation as to why there was no motion made with regard to the referral.

REFERRAL: #5671

STATES:

Remove section “H&I Can” pages 5 and 6 from H&I guidelines. This referral comes from the idea the World Services (thus the Conference doesn’t accept earmarked funds.

RESPONSE: 

The concept of “earmarking” funds is when a District/Area tries to send money to World and directs them on how to spend that money.

The H&I Can pertains to group level meeting donations which strictly “self-funds” the H&I Committee and their efforts.

REFERRAL: #5684

STATES:

That the wording of the italicized portion of the pending SR-14 changes under the heading “The H&I Can” be changed.

See attached referral wording.

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This referral is regarding the italicized portion of the pending SR14 changes to the H&I Guidelines under the section THE H & I CAN.

 Current wording:

“The 7th Tradition reminds us that we are fully self-supporting through our own
Contributions. The H & I Can being passed is to help support your local Hospitals
and Institutions Committee of Cocaine Anonymous. The contributions help buy
supplies and literature for addicts confined in Hospitals and Institutions. I have
asked___________ to read the 12 Traditions for us while we observe the 7th
tradition. Newcomers need not feel obligated to contribute.”

The way this is worded is somewhat misleading. If H&I were self-supporting the contributions would be coming from the H&I committee members not the Fellowship at large. Additionally, the 7^th Tradition and the Spirit behind that Tradition do not provide for separate collections. The practical reality of not having a separate collection for H&I is that about 1 out of 3 dollars will not be received which hinders the ability to do H&I outreach. A fair compromise seems to be that amounts in excess of the H&I Committee’s budgeted needs are rolled into the regular 7^th Tradition so the monies can provide for additional service and outreach and also have a path forward to CAWSO in keeping with the Spirit of the 7^th Tradition.. 

Suggest rewording to convey the following intent:

The H & I Can being passed is to help support your local Hospitals
and Institutions Committee of Cocaine Anonymous. The contributions help buy supplies and literature for addicts confined in Hospitals and Institutions. Amounts collected in excess of the H&I Committee’s monthly needs become part of the general 7^th Tradition fund. I have asked___________ to read the 12 Traditions for us while we observe the 7^th Tradition. Newcomers need not feel obligated to contribute.”

RESPONSE: 

The italicized verbiage of our proposed H&I Can is suggested to replace the current language when circulating the 7^th Tradition Basket. There is no co-mingling of the 7^th Tradition and the H&I donations. The additional issues regarding disbursement of H&I funds will be addressed in the SR-14 Referral Number 4905 regarding the H&I Can modifications. 

REFERRAL: #5685

STATES: 

That the pending SR-14 changes under the heading Passing an H&I Can – The How and Why of it – add a suggestion to not pass the can together with the 7^th Tradition basket to eliminate confusion between the two.

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(Attachment states)

This referral is regarding the italicized portion of the pending SR14 changes to the H&I Guidelines under the section the PASSING AN H&I CAN – THE HOW AND WHY OF IT.

Please add a suggestion that Groups consider the appropriateness of passing the H&I together with the regular 7^th Tradition. Our experience shows that this is confusing to many CA members – not just Newcomers.

Our recommendation is that Groups not pass the H&I can in the same basket / together with the 7^th Tradition. One group I attend place the can on the table and mentions the H&I requesting donations. We take an acceptable amount that way without creating the confusion.

RESPONSE:

The H&I Can is a separate collection and should not be collected in the same basket as the 7^th Tradition.

Please see this additional statement to the SR-14 Referral Number 4905 regarding the H&I Can modifications which is listed as a fourth bullet as follows:

REFERRAL: # 5819

Add the Statement of: “And All Other Mind Altering Substances” to the meeting format.

Attached: (what exactly does the term “ and all mother mind-altering substances” mean: It means that it is the collective experience of the members of Cocaine Anonymous that addiction is a problem not limited to any one substance. It means that C.A.’s 12 steps are not drug specific, and that Cocaine Anonymous is not a drug specific fellowship. It means that it doesn’t matter to us if you drank or what type of drugs you used, if you have a desire to stop, you are welcome here!)

RESPONSE:

An Area, District or Group can elect to use any conference approved literature in readings or formats.

Refer to H&I Guidelines: – Introduction, Page 1, “Each District or Area may need to revise there Guidelines to make them more suitable for their particular District and/or Area.” Please refer to Conference approved pamphlet definition of “ and all other mind altering substances.”

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REFERRAL: #5669

That you include in your guidelines that facilities who may wish to adapt the H&I Guidelines that facilities who may wish to adapt the H&I meeting format may not alter the Cocaine Anonymous Logo, Preamble, or any Conference approved literature.

RESPONSE:

Spoke to the maker of the referral. We explained that these issues are covered in the World Service Manual and guidelines, Page 14 and 15, suggested meeting format of H&I Guidelines and Page 12 of the World Service Manual, “Statement of Policy.” Maker agreed to work with fellow Area Delegate to resolve the matter.

REFERRALS THAT RESULTED IN ITEMS FOR HOUSEKEEPING

REFFERRAL: # 5818 

STATES: 

In the H&I Guidelines there are committee positions that state:

“ELECTED” and “APPOINTED”.

Can we change to state?

“H&I COMMITTEE ELECTED” and “H&I COMMITTEE APPOINTED”

“APPOINTED” conflicts with our Traditions and Concepts.

A more preferable word(s) would be “Group Conscious”

RESPONSE: 

Any and H&I positions/commitments that currently state “ELECTED” and “APPOINTED” shall be changed to state:

“H&I Committee Elected”

“H&I Committee Appointed”

NEW COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AS OF THIS CONFERENCE

Chair:   Jason Smidt

Vice-Chair: Mona Ibrahim

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Secretary: Young Holsey

CLOSING COMMENTS – Jason Smidt

Another great committee. We got A LOT of help this year ( Randy / Nicholas). We lost a lot of experience as many delegates rolled out at last year. This year is no different. This is Alonzo, Bill and Felicia’s last conference and we thank them for all of their hard work over the last few years. But God always provides and so we are blessed with a new and talented committee and I look forward to working with the group over the next year. Thank you again for the opportunity to be of service to the debt I cannot ever repay.

Respectfully Submitted:

Jason Smidt

Steve Edwards – could someone please call the Delegates in? We need to come to order. It’s 8:11 pm and we are 20 minutes late reconvening our session. We have resumed our session now. We are not completed hearing the H&I report.

Susan Bredau – Motion to reconsider H&I’s motion.

Second.

Susan Bredau – making motion because when debate was closed, it prevented me from making a friendly amendment that may have effected the vote on the motion.

Steve Edwards – any further debate to reconsider?

Jason Smidt – speaks against the motion to reconsider. I don’t want to waste your time and it seems obvious that even with a very powerful, wonderfully crafted amendment will not get this passed tonight. Regretfully, we take back to Committee and work on it some more.

Steve Edwards – simple majority will suffice.

Motion fails.

Committee will resume their report.

Jason Smidt – Thank you Mr. Chair.

Steve Edwards – questions for the H&I committee. Please form a line.

Cynthia Cronkhite – response to Referral #5818. Question – is there to be a group conscience but what is the difference between an election and an appointment?

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Mona Ibrahim – In H&I Guidelines, there are some elected positions – Chair, Vice Chair and then we have positions such as H&I reps, Panel Leaders and they are appointed. It is not really an election that takes place. There are some positions in Guidelines listed as appointed. We wanted to clarify that one person doesn’t have the power to appoint but rather a committee.

Roy Ricord – Motion to suspend the rules to hear an item of new business out of order.

Second.

Steve Edwards – requires a simple majority vote.

Motion carries.

Roy Ricord – Motion to remove pages 5 and 6 titled H&I Can from the H&I Guidelines.

Second.

Steve Edwards – speak to the motion?

Roy Ricord – we have been discussing this for 2 years and I believe that we need a group conscience before we make any decision.

Tony Drake – Point of Order – since this would substantially effect a Committee, doesn’t this fall under SR 13.

Kevin Murphy – this is identical to Referral submitted previously. Because the committee received the referral and refused to accept it, it does not apply.

Jason Smidt – Point of Order – we did not refuse the referral. We did take the referral to committee and work on it.

Kevin Murphy – apologize for wording.

Randy Groen – to take and toss in the trash something that has been in place for a number of years…voted on, approved….etc., taking the message to 40% of the incoming fellowship because we can’t figure out how to word something so that everyone thinks it’s acceptable. We just throw it in the trash. I have no problem with us taking the suggestions back and looking at how to incorporate it. Without H&I can our efforts will be severely diminished. The funds from the can give us the can to reach out. It’s irresponsible and I speak against the motion.

Gerald Collard – speak in favor of motion. We don’t have separate can in Canada for H&I but the system is different in the US because many members come from institutions. We don’t put so many people in jail for using. It looks like earmarked funds. If it’s unacceptable at World then it’s unacceptable at the Group level also. I have faith in the group conscience and I have H&I can survive without earmarking.

Tom Phelan – speaks against the motion. We have H&I cans in many groups and it is a significant enough issue to at least direct the fellowship with a unified way through guidelines. It

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gives a level of direction especially in the area of safeguarding the funds that are received and records kept. Take out the pages will not mean that H&I cans will disappear. I’m against the motion to remove the pages. I’m for the fact that committee will take it back and see if they can bring back more broad look at this issue.

Russell Sedman – speak in favor of motion. I believe that the Area’s will get on with what they will. However you leave it, you are encouraging the Areas and Districts to do what they need to do with the H&I can. But I believe in our guidelines we should have ideas of what we strive for.

Brian Tenenbaum – speak against the motion. I don’t like what is written and like less what they brought to the floor but I believe that they shouldn’t craft it n the floor.

Patrice Royal – speak against the motion. I read the literature and heard what they have to say. But I do believe in this body. What I hear is that we don’t like the can so we need to get rid of it. Seems like we are regressing rather than progressing. It’s not the Can that is the problem, but the people who are holding the can.

Ian Young – speak in favor of the motion. The passing of a separate can generates cash. The problem in the UK – having one subcommittee having control of this money has made other subcommittees such as PI makes then feel like a 2^nd class committee. Possibly we put something in the manual that discusses this concern. In UK, H&I has never been refused any monies.

Pete Nielsen – call to question

Second.

Steve Edwards – 2/3 majority required.

Motion carries with substantial unanimity.

We will now vote on original motion.

Motion fails with substantial unanimity.

Any further questions for the H&I committee? Please join me in thanking them for their hard work.

Is Unity prepared?

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