CLOSING REPORT C.A. WORLD SERVICE CONFERENCE 2008
STRUCTURE AND BYLAWS REPORT
INTRODUCTION AND OPENING COMMENTS
Opening Comments
The Structure and Bylaws committee’s relentless obligation to ensure your most comprehensive 2009 WSM worked meticulously through long late night hours to assure we delivered motions to the floor that did not include large, voluminous, convoluted, obstreperous or controversial motions that resulted in lengthy conference discussions from the 43 referrals worked on at this 2008 conference. Being comprised from the 29 referrals received at the conference, 9 carried over from the close of the 2007 WSC (post conference referrals), 3 received from other committees during the 2008 WSC and 2 carried over from our committee work in 2007. These resulted in a moderate 16 motions to be brought to the floor.
We welcomed 9 new members this year to join Structure and Bylaws and they are all on fire for the next 3 years of their terms. Watch out for these folks, they will soon be WSM experts.
Committee Officers
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Bryan Seid: Chairperson
Gloria Bridget: Vice Chairperson
Deborah Wilbert: Secretary
Janice Whitted: Co-Secretary
Bobbie F. Harmon: Trustee
Committee Members
Scott M. Keaveny, Kenny Williams, Julia Coheley, Patrice Royal, Dan Sadur, Edward T. Ballard, Nick Alexander, Bill Burmeier, Jamie Schwab, Valerie Cote, Chris Whybrow, Teresa Neighbors, Micheal J. Schelin, Ronald Washington, Anita Jones, Benjamin T. Lackey, John Bodkin, Michael Chiki, Duane Miller
COMMITTEE WORK THAT RESULTED IN MOTIONS
REFERRALS THAT RESULTED IN MOTIONS
Referral #5673
Create new section for WSM “The Spirit of Rotation.” The principle of consistent rotation pg. 10
Motion: To move the sixth paragraph, beginning with, “Formal organization…”, on page 10 to the last paragraph and modify the next paragraph as follows:
The principle of consistent rotation of responsibility is followed by all C.A. service positions. The spirit of rotation is a vital principle within our service structure which allows for non-successive terms on all service positions. This enables more members to experience the true nature of service. Positions in the local Group Service Structure are rotated according to a vote of the Group Service Structure. Representatives to the service organizations are voted on at the Group Service Structure level according to a schedule defined by each Group Service Structure. Officers of the local service organization are elected based on the group conscience of that organization.
Formal organization is kept to a minimum at the local Group level. The Group may have a limited number of “officers” whose responsibilities include, but are not limited to, arranging meetings, providing refreshments, handling the Group’s budget, and maintaining contact with the local service organization.
Second
Steve Edwards – speak to your motion?
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Scott Keaveny – not at this time.
Steve Edwards – any debate?
Motion carries unanimously.
Referral #5554
Please add the following disclaimer to the WSM, Page 12: “In the spirit of Tradition Six, we are not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution.” This disclaimer was past by the WSBT for use on all flyers, newsletters and such.
Motion: To insert new paragraph on page 12 following the word memorabilia.
Any advertisement related to Cocaine Anonymous must include the following disclaimer: In the spirit of Tradition Six, We are CA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization, or institution.
Second.
Steve Edwards – speak to your motion?
Jaime Schwab – not at this time
Susan Bredau – kindly define advertising as it is meant in this motion.
Jaime Schwab – Advertising – newsletters, anything that has Cocaine Anonymous on it.
Jeffrey Ushry – friendly amendment strike word “advertising” and add “publication.”
Jaime Schwab – we do not accept.
Ian Young – Point of Information – if you have to add the Tradition 6 thing , do you mean outside the fellowship.
Jaime Schwab – it is not for tshirts but newletters, flyers, etc. Anything that has the logo.
Steve Edwards – printed on cotton it doesn’t have to have it but paper it does.
Nick Alexander – speak in favor of the motion. Turn to Page 12 of Manual where we are talking about logo and such. We are just inserted language into the manual – convention registrations, flyers, hotel & CA logo on the same page, you have the disclaimer that you are not allied with the hotel.
Dan Santa Maria – speak in favor of the motion. Friendly amendment from “We are” to “CA is.”
Jaime Schwab – we accept.
Aurora Lopez – Point of Information – to be clear – flyers would include any local CA events, meeting directory?
Jaime Schwab – yes
Jay Parker – speaks against the motion. Not really necessary to put on every single publication we have. It’s hard enough to get the fellowship to adhere to logo requirement. We might be getting to the area of micromanaging.
Steve Kontos – Point of Information – in application to street art, would this have to have the disclaimer attached?
Jaime Schwab – no it doesn’t.
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Dan Dickey – Point of Information – will this relate to anything electronic? Website, picnic?
Jaime Schwab – any advertisement.
Steve Edwards – there seems to be some question of clarity on the term advertisement.
Dan Dickey – this will be another disclaimer in addition to the other 4 or 5.
Jaime Schwab – meeting schedules, flyers and such.
Bobbie Harmon – this was crafted because WSBT saw that we were having some issues that when you put together your Holiday party or beach bingo party, you put this on your flyer and your newsletter. Just respect the follow Tradition 6. We aren’t affiliated. We aren’t endorsing. That’s all this is for.
Kurt Lynn – speak in favor of the motion. I have great concerns about the misuse of the logo is out of hand. At group and Area level we are throwing the logo out there without thinking through the property’s usage. I would rather err on the side of being more careful with logo usage. I want to remind everybody that when they use that logo there is an obligation to protect it.
De De McKinney – speaks for the motion. Previous motion passed about not putting hospital’s name on flyer about event.
Earl Henderson – speak in favor of motion. Don’t care for wording but it does specify in body of referral use in flyers, newsletters and such. We need to make sure that we are honoring the spirit of non-affiliation.
Ian Young – I think most of the floor is in favor but is poorly written and make a motion to go back to committee .
Steve Edwards – I think that you would love to make motion but you have already debated.
Michael Chiki – call to question
Motion fails.
Call for the count.
Motion fails.
Kim Sherwan – speak in favor of motion. In spirit of Tradition 6 to alleviate affiliation in our directories and flyers, it was not necessarily meant to be on the bottom of your tshirt.
Trevor Scheible – speak in favor of the motion. In some regions of CA, this is not really a problem. But in other areas, it is. Meeting lists are being published with the name of the building on there and we need to break away from that sort of publication. We are asking you to OK inclusion in the Manual. I personally like the word “advertising” but ask you to have an open mind.
Mike Phelps – speak against the motion. I see a lot of gray area when reading the response. Possibly be more specific.
Ethel Thomas – Motion to refer to committee.
Second.
Steve Edwards – speak to motion?
Ethel Thomas – 2/3 of the body does not have the right definition of “advertising.”
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Pete Nielsen – speak in favor of motion. It is not specific enough and there needs to be guidelines and it will be abused. We need to be clear and specific to our members.
Duane Miller – Point of Order – aren’t we supposed to be talking about referral to committee.
Steve Edwards – he was walking the line but the point of clarity does talk to a reason for referral to committee.
Susan Bredau – speak in favor to committee. I have a conference approved business card here….
Steve Edwards – Susan, you are out of order.
Simple majority is required.
Motion to refer carries.
Steve Edwards – Break for 15 minutes.
Break
Steve Edwards – Take your seats.
Referral #5558
Manual includes under Area Finance that distributions out of Area should be split 70/30; however, in Finance Guidelines no split committee is suggested as there is no other service structure.
Motion: To add “or three” to item 8 on page 13 of the 2008 WSM.
- Monies maintained in a general account should be limited to two or three months operating expenses to curtail embezzlement.
Second.
Steve Edwards – Speak to your motion?
Motion carries unanimously
Motion: To remove “an Area” and add “by a group” from item 11 on page 13 of the 2008 WSM.
- All non-committed funds may be donated to World Service, an Area by a group, or District in accordance with the 70-30 plan.
Second
Steve Edwards – Speak to your motion?
Julie Coheley – Not at this time.
Glen Tucker – Good job. Offer a friendly amendment. “all non-committed funds should be donated to World Service by a Group or District or Area in accordance with the 70-30 split.
Julie Coheley – We do not accept.
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Joy Hutcheson – The groups will bypass money to the Area?
Julie Coheley – No.
Nick Alexander – The idea is basically saying a group may donate to World Services with a 70-30 plan. There is no such thing as 70-30 plan for the Area.
Joy Hutchenson – May I speak against the motion?
Steve Edwards – No.
Mona Ibrahim – I speak against the motion. I believe the word Group should be in there. If we do that and the District is in a bind, they are not going to donate to the District or Area.
Brian Tenenbaum – Can I concede my spot to Nick?
Steve Edwards – Yes.
Nick Alexander – What we are doing is to align the WSM financial guidelines with the guidelines in the workbook. We are trying to have unity between the two. This is excellent, 30 percent of non-committed funds could be donated to World Service. The other 70 percent could be donated to District or Area.
Dan Santa Maria – Pass.
Susan Bredau – Point of Information. The 7th Tradition pamphlet says this, right?
Nick Alexander – Yes.
Cynthia Cronkhite – You are talking about what can be done at any level and now changing to what a Group can do. It no longer refers to District.
Steve Edwards – Point of information?
Cynthia Cronkhite – I was speaking against the motion.
Willy Bailey – I speak in favor of this motion. The truth is there are Groups not trusting in the District. It educates the Group what they can do if they have a problem with the District or Area.
Michael Chiki – In favor of the motion. We are not telling you to do anything. You may if you chose to. It’s an option. Thank you.
Earl Henderson – Speak in favor of the motion. The WSM says this and the financial guidelines say this, that’s all we’re trying to do is get them to say the same thing.
Jason Smidt – Friendly amendment add “to an Area” Is it too late to withdraw my offer?
Steve Edwards – No.
Jason Smidt – I withdraw.
Sonya Stevens – Call the question.
Steve Edwards – Carries with substantial unanimity.
We will now vote on the main motion
Motion carries with substantial unanimity.
Cynthia Cronkhite – Makes a 5th Concept statement.
Elizabeth Saldebar – Parliamentary Inquiry – Once a motion has passed how do I change a word?
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Steve Edwards – Motion to reconsider a motion. The answer is, once recognized to make the motion.
Bobbie Harmon – I come from an Area where we don’t have Districts, where I live we don’t look at the Financial guidelines. Our Area may struggle with this.
Motion: To add new language in between items 11 and 12 “An Area should forward all non committed funds to the World Service Office”. Renumbering 12 and 13.
Second.
Steve Edwards – Speak to the motion?
Mike Schelin – Not at this time.
Dan Santa Maria – Groups can contribute to District, Area and World, the District to Area and World, and the Area to the World. It is the proper flow of the 7th tradition. Thank you.
Earl Henderson – Speak in favor of the motion. This completes the task what we are trying to do.
Dan Dickey – We are going to take away its ability to take money from the Group of a District. I think you just changed the 70-30 plan.
Nick Alexander – This motion says may. They are suggestions. Please refer to your Area bylaws or Group to supercede anything the manual says.
Pete Nielsen – Speak for the motion. Page 9, 5 all funds in excess should be forwarded on to the next level.
Michael Chiki – Speak in favor of this motion. We are trying to bring the guidelines together.
Niki Drake – I speak in favor of the motion. Point of Information. Does 70 percent not go to Area and 30 percent not go to World?
Nick Alexander – Yes.
Larry Seebeck – I don’t see anything wrong with the verbiage.
Kenny Williams – Call the question.
Second.
Motion carries with substantial unanimity.
Now to the main motion.
Motion carries with substantial unanimity.
Referral #5296
Page 15 of the WSM under “Book Study” change to reflect our new literature and other pieces of new literature.
Motion: To modify the BOOK STUDY category with the following:
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BOOK STUDY: Participants study and discuss with the Group any of these books: Hope, Faith & Courage Book Stories from the Fellowship of Cocaine Anonymous (the “C.A. Story Book”); Hope, Faith & Courage Volume II Stories and Literature from the Fellowship of Cocaine Anonymous; Alcoholics Anonymous (the “Big Book”), Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions (the“12 and 12″); and The A.A. Service Manual, combined with the 12 Concepts For World Service”.
Second.
New version:
BOOK STUDY: Participants study and discuss with the Group any of these books: Hope, Faith & Courage Book Stories from the Fellowship of Cocaine Anonymous (the “C.A. Story Book”); Hope, Faith & Courage Volume II Stories and Literature from the Fellowship of Cocaine Anonymous; Alcoholics Anonymous (the “Big Book”), Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions (the “12 and 12″), and The A.A. Service Manual, combined with the 12 Concepts For World Service”.
Steve Edwards – Speak to the motion?
Duane Miller – Yes. The new version is as you see it on the page.
Kelly Lynch – I would like to offer a friendly amendment to this, to CD’s or study CD’s of these books?
Nick Alexander – We like the spirit, we do not accept it.
Jennifer Scheible – Parliamentary Inquiry – I can’t see the difference.
Steve Edwards – The first one has the new language, the new version is without the strike and replace formatting if the motion passes.
Felicia Adams-Franks – It seems to me perhaps the good old cut and paste version. Housekeeping.
Steve Edwards – That’s not an option.
Felicia Adams-Franks – Point of information. There is not HFC-II in the original language.
Steve Edwards – Unless you go into the manual you won’t see it there now. These are both the same proposed version. Put in italics are the new parts, those don’t currently appear in the manual.
Dan Santa Maria – The wording exists in the manual, the order of the wording is changed.
Felicia Adams-Franks – I demand an apology.
Steve Edwards – And the committee owes you one.
Kurt Lynn – Point of information. I notice a change in the order. Why is it necessary?
Duane Miller – When we inserted HFC-II we wanted to put our fellowship literature first.
Cynthia Cronkhite – I speak in favor of the motion. The word book doesn’t need to appear. Awesome job.
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John Bodkin – Is it possible as we grow the guidelines incorporate all forms of media?
Duane Miller – Yes.
Rose Jones – Call the question.
Second
Motion passes with substantial unanimity.
Now vote on the main motion.
Motion carries with substantial unanimity.
Referral #5355
Add on Page 20 under “Area Meetings” “Voting Procedures: Determined by Area” Some examples: Check for a place to put under District also on Page 17. Why are the Area & District meetings so different?
Motion: To add the following language to page 20 of the WSM under the section Voting Procedures: Determined by Area Voting Examples can be found in the WSM WSC Parliamentary Procedure Guidelines
Second.
Steve Edwards – Speak to the motion?
Patrice Royal – Not at this time.
Dan Dickey – Does this follow the title?
Patrice Royal – page 20 under voting procedure.
Motion carries unanimously.
Motion: To add new paragraph #6, on page 17 of the WSM,
Possible Voting Members: Officers of the DSC, Group Service Representatives, alternate Group Service Representatives (optional) and other trusted servants.
Second.
Steve Edwards – Speak to the motion?
Anita Jones – Not at this time.
Dan Santa Maria – Can you add the comma after optional?
Anita Jones – Yes.
Steve Edwards – Motion carries unanimously.
Motion: To add new section, to page 17 of the WSM, above OFFICERS OF THE DSC, Voting Procedures: Determined by District. Voting Examples can be found in the WSM WSC Parlimentary Procedure Guidelines
Second.
Steve Edwards – Speak to the motion?
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Janice Whitted – Not at this time.
Steve Edwards – Motion carries unanimously.
Referral #5596
Page 21 of WSM – Treasurer, Item D – Gainfully employed. Change to “gainfully employed or receiving legitimate income such as pension, disability (public or private), social structure retirement.
Motion: To add new language to item d on page 21 of the WSM under Treasurer to read:
d. Gainfully employed and/or financially stable.
Second.
Steve Edwards – Speak to your motion?
Dan Sadur – Not at this time.
Kurt Lynn – I speak against the motion. I find the language difficult. I am still sorting out taxes at 9 years sober. This is a word really ambiguous and may cause problems.
Roy Ricord – Speak in favor of the motion. I understand that some people aren’t gainfully employed. As people get older, it will be more and more common. It should be there now. They are not trying to bamboozle us. We have already done this at my District. It is not an issue anymore because it’s done. I encourage the floor to do it now.
Benjamin Lackey – Speaking for the motion. As writer of this referral, I was unable to be Treasurer of our Area and I was not allowed because I was on diasability.
Larry Seebeck – Friendly amendment from “gainfully employed” to “gainful income.”
Dan Dickey – Parliamentary Inquiry – I believe the word you are trying to change is outside the scope of the motion.
Steve Edwards – that was a Point of Order and it is in the scope of the motion.
Dan Sadur – No thank you.
Nick Alexander – Speak in favor of the motion. We found the term “financially stable” in the H&I Guidelines under the Treasurer. This motion is intended to be inclusive. Our intent is that you can be on disability, have a pension, be retired to hold this position.
Michael Chiki – Speak in favor of the motion.
Mona Ibrahim – Speak against the motion but I believe in the intent and spirit of the motion. “Financially stable” is ambiguous. If you are receiving financial assistance, you are not financially stable. Possibly use legitimate income. All of our subcommittees look to S&B on how to write their own guidelines to use in their guidelines. You should lay the foundation for us. Wording could be clarified and this motion needs to be addressed for people who are unemployed but receive a legitimate income.
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Kelly Lynch – Speak for this motion 100%. I have been on public assistance for a long time being a single dad for a long time and also on Social Security and would like to know that I could possibly hold this position.
Scott Keaveny – Speak in favor of the position. When I look at the spirit of the motion, I see what they are trying to do.
Melissa Lewis – Speak in favor of the motion. Sometimes a disability check is even more than a paycheck. I have been in this position where I was gainfully employed and then I was not, but I was in a household that was financially stable.
Jennifer Scheible – friendly amendment – financially autonomous.
Dan Sadur – Thank you, no.
Steve Edwards – It has been brought to my attention that it has been a long time we heard someone speak against the motion.
Larry Seebeck – I speak against the motion. I am retired from the Marine Corps and who determines that I’m financially unstable because I served my career in the Marine Corps.
Pete Nielsen – Call to question.
Second.
Steve Edwards – 2/3 majority to pass
Motion carries with substantial unanimity.
Original motion carries with substantial unanimity.
Kurt Lynn – 5th Concept Statement –
Steve Edwards – is this something that we haven’t already heard?
Kurt Lynn – I’m not sure. This speaks against the inclusiveness. What we are trying to say is someone honest who isn’t going to steal from us. It worries me that we are opening the door for exclusion.
Motion: To add new language to item d on page 18 of the WSM under Treasurer to read:
d. Gainfully employed and/or financially stable.
Second.
Steve Edwards – Speak to the motion?
Ed Ballard – Not at this time.
Susan Bredau – Friendly amendment to read “gainfully employed or otherwise financially stable”
Felicia Adams-Franks – Parliamentary Inquiry – is it really necessary to have 2 motions since they are making the same change.
Steve Edwards – I don’t know because that is what they decide to do.
Kevin Murphy – There is a possibility to combine motions but we can’t get there from here now.
Ed Ballard – No, we don’t accept the friendly amendment.
Kevin Conley – “financially stable” – should we clarify – pensions, retirement, etc.?
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Bryan Seid – You are correct. To put a list down about what would be financially stable would fill the entire manual. I can’t tell you what financially stable but your Area should know who you are, where you’ve been and what you do.
Pete Nielsen – Motion to limit debate to one for and one against.
Second.
Steve Edwards – 2/3 majority
Motion passes.
Dan Sadur – Speaks in favor of the motion. The idea of using this terminology are guidelines we suggest. We believe the old language was too restrictive. We have broadened the definition but by leaving in this language we are leaving the areas/districts to be autonomous.
Steve Edwards – is there anyone wishing to speak against the motion?
Motion carries with unanimously.
BREAK
Steve Edwards – please take your seats and come to order. Thank you.
Referral #5354
Define time lines for terms of duty for Alternate Delegate. Whether it is from the time they get elected or number of conferences that pass since elected.
Motion: To add new language to item 4 on page 24 of WSM.
- The Delegates and alternate delegates are to be elected for a term of four (4) Conferences, within a period of four (4) consecutive years. It is suggested that the spirit of rotation be followed. The Area may decide the length of terms for Alternate Delegates.
Second.
Steve Edwards – speak to your motion?
Kenny Williams – not at this time.
Steve Edwards – any debate?
Motion carries with substantial unanimity.
Referral # 3569 (Post Conference)
Please revisit the regional assembly section on page 26 to clarify: what is meant by “voting member” in the chairperson section – that the chair is elected from voting members or that the chair has a vote? If the chair had a vote but loses it when elected is their a proxy allowed? If an area has its chair and 3 delegates present, and the area has 3 votes, does its chair get an additional vote? Or does an Area’s votes get divided among its representatives in a number not to exceed the votes it would be entitled to at the conference?
Motion: To make the following changes to the 1st paragraph on page 26 under REGIONAL SERVICE ASSEMBLY:
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A Region should hold a Service Assembly at least once per year, preferably five months prior to the annual World Service Conference. The Regional Service Assembly should be hosted by one Area. Attendance is open to all C.A. members; however, an Area may not exceed the number of votes that the area carries at the World Service Conference voting is exclusive to those members representing the Region. Votes may be carried by: Trustees residing in the Region, WSC Delegates, Alternate Delegate, and Area Chairpersons, residing in the Region. Any of these voting members may carry no more than two votes at the Regional Assembly (one proxy pursuant to WSC voting procedures). Voting agenda should include only the selection of Trustee Candidates pursuant to the procedures outlined herein and proposed locations for future Regional Assemblies. It is suggested that the Regional Assembly adopt the C.A. Manual to govern its proceeding and voting process. The Regional Assembly can then make appropriate modifications.
New version:
A Region should hold a Service Assembly at least once per year, preferably five months prior to the annual World Service Conference. The Regional Service Assembly should be hosted by one Area. Attendance is open to all C.A. members; however, an Area may not exceed the number of votes that the area carries at the World Service Conference. Votes may be carried by: Trustees, WSC Delegates, Alternate Delegate, and Area Chairpersons, residing in the Region. Any of these voting members may carry no more than two votes at the Regional Assembly. Voting agenda should include only the selection of Trustee Candidates pursuant to the procedures outlined herein and proposed locations for future Regional Assemblies. It is suggested that the Regional Assembly adopt the C.A. Manual to govern its proceeding and voting process. The Regional Assembly can then make appropriate modifications.
Second.
Steve Edwards – speak to your motion?
Michael Chiki – would it be possible to read the “New Version”?
Steve Edwards – I’d be happy to read it.
Dathan Martin – says it is open to all CA members and you get to carry the same 4 or 5 votes at the Conference, so we would carry that many votes at the Regional assembly?
Michael Chiki – no
Jeffrey Ushry – speak against the motion just because of that reason. My Area carries 5 votes here and my Area Chair carries a vote at the Regional Assembly and now you are saying they don’t have a vote.
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Dan Santa Maria – speak against the motion. At the Conference we sent our Delegates to represent us but the Area is part of the Region as part of the Region and it is important the Area Chair has a direct interest in the Region and they don’t carry anything forward to the Conference. It is important that they participate at some level. The portion of it that I do like is that anyone showing up from that Area carries a vote.
Cynthia Cronkhite – speak in favor of the motion. I would like to thank the committee to thoroughly review the referral. This came out of my experience of running a Regional Assembly as a Trustee. We would always come up with the same questions that we couldn’t answer. This lays it out and answers the question. Giving the Area Chair a vote only gives a vote to only one or two Areas. We do our voting proportionately here for a reason and it gives us the same voting proportions at the Regional Assemblies as well.
Michael Chiki – the language says that any Area will not carry any more than they have here at the Conference.
Gloria Bridget – yield
Nick Alexander – the idea behind this motion is to very clearly as it states in the 4th Concept – voting in reasonable proportion. We aren’t saying that your Area Chair can’t vote. If you carry 5 votes here, you can distribute them any way you like but you get the equal proportionate as you get here.
Russell Sedman – speak against the motion for the same reasons that take away from the Area Chair. If we had 5 Regional Trustees attending our Regional Assembly, they would have a vote.
Bryan Seid – Point of Information – is it not true if I show up for Assembly and this procedure would take effect for a few minutes until someone possibly makes a motion that everyone present is allowed a vote?
Steve Edwards – to whom was that question addressed?
Bryan Seid – to the committee.
Willie Bailey – friendly amendment – along with the stricken wording that you now strike the new wording after “attendance is open to all CA members” everything else stricken up to “votes may be carried by:”
Michael Chiki – no to friendly amendment
Mona Ibrahim – Point of Information – since the Conference recognizes Committee Chairs and we do have a committee chair living in the Region would they have a vote?
Steve Edwards – they aren’t tied to an Area so the answer would be no. Those don’t originate as a Regional vote, they are Committee vote.
Duane Miller – call to question.
Steve Edwards – 2/3 majority to pass.
Motion to close debate carries.
Motion carries.
Jeffrey Ushry – 5th Concept – the maker of the referral based this on her experience and in the Midwest everyone travels and shows up and then won’t be able to vote. It does effect us.
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Dan Santa Maria – 5th Concept Statement – not in agreement with the motion. While respect the proportionate voting, we are excluding participatory voting rights for at least one member of our Area by this voting.
Dathan Martin – 5th Concept – biggest part of our State has already budgeted for 4 delegates and our Area Chair to travel to regional and now you are telling us to dismiss one of our votes.
Gloria Bridget – Motion to reconsider
Second.
Gloria Bridget – I’m not comfortable with this and I feel we are taking away the rights of the certain individuals.
Kelly Lynch – speaks in favor of the motion to reconsider.
Pete Nielsen – speak in favor of reconsidering motion because when I originally voted and now realize that any Trustee votes to make it uneven on the side of the Trustees.
Nick Alexander – speak against the motion to reconsider. We debated this motion and had ample discussion and the questions were answered and the Floor had ample information to make an informed decision.
John Whitaker – in Pacific South Region, when we begin, the first matter of business we decide
Kevin Murphy – there has been some confusion. There are 2 things – Regional Assembly and Regional Caucus. Caucuses discuss regional issues and usually admit everyone in the room to vote. Regional Assembly usually slates the Regional Trustee slates and choosing the next Regional Assembly and at this time, the Committee usually restricts who votes in this procedure.
Dan Santa Maria – speak in favor of motion. Believe the motion was not adequately debated.
Doug Linblad – pass
Glen Tucker – pass
Michael Chiki – call to question.
Second.
Steve Edwards – 2/3 majority.
Motion to close debate to the motion to reconsider.
Motion to reconsider carries.
Dan Santa Maria – friendly amendment – strike all of the content after the word “attendance is open to all CA members” everything else stricken up to “votes may be carried by, or proxied to: ”
Michael Chiki – we would like to withdraw our motion.
Steve Edwards – is there any objection to the withdrawal? Hearing none, the motion is withdrawn.
Nick Alexander – can we have a break to check the next motion?
Steve Edwards – can you move on and check it at dinner break?
Nick Alexander – yes
MOTION: To make the following changes.
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Regional Service Assemblies should be presided over by a Chairperson (voting member) elected from the voting members at the beginning of the Assembly and. who The Chairperson shall preside for that Assembly only. The Chairperson vote is reserved to break a tie. Voting Delegates’, Alternate Delegates’ and Area Chairpersons’ expenses to the Regional Assembly should be provided exclusively by their local Areas.
New version:
Regional Service Assemblies should be presided over by a Chairperson elected from the voting members at the beginning of the Assembly. The Chairperson shall preside for that Assembly only. The Chairperson vote is reserved to break a tie. Voting Delegates’, Alternate Delegates and Area Chairpersons’ expenses to the Regional Assembly should be provided exclusively by their local Areas.
Referral # 5512 (Post Conference)
Just as Trustees are limited to one four year term WSC conference chairs should be limited to the xxxxxxx of four years, even if this is spread over 2 terms. Yes it is requested that a provision be inserted in the WSM to provide four total years as the limit for conference chair service. This is done in the spirit of rotation.
Motion: To strike and replace item i on page 32 under WSC COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON.
i. It is suggested that a Chairperson serve no more than four consecutive years.
i. A Chairperson shall serve no more than three terms.
Second.
Steve Edwards – speak to your motion?
Ronald Washington – not at this time
Motion carries with substantial unanimity.
Motion: To remove the word “consecutive”, in the second to the last sentence, from the paragraph under VACANCY, REPLACEMENT, AND TERM on page 41 of the 2008 WSM.
…. No Regional Trustee, Trustee at Large, Non-Addict Trustee, or World Service Trustee shall serve two consecutive terms. The WSO Trustee may serve two consecutive two-year terms.
Second.
Steve Edwards – speak to your motion?
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Bill Burmeier – not at this time.
Trevor Scheible – who is dumb enough to do that?
Bill Burmeier – There are probably some members who are dumb enough to do that.
Motion carries unanimously.
Referral# 5603
Strike 1st sentence in SR 5(b). Change 2nd sentence of SR 5 (b) to “if prior to the WSC, a new delegate replaces the duly…” It should not be possible for the Area Chairs to designate persons to carry votes that have not been elected by their area.
Motion: To make the following changes to SR 5(b) on page 37 of the WSM.
SR 5(b): If an area desires to send its votes other than by its delegates or alternate delegates designated in subparagraph 5(a) above, it must send a written proxy to be submitted to the Conference Chairperson by the beginning of the World Service Conference. If, prior to the WSC, an elected delegate or elected Alternate Delegate replaces a duly designated Delegate, pursuant to subparagraph 5(a),a written Certification of Transfer form shall be submitted to the Conference Chair by the beginning of the WSC.
Second.
Steve Edwards – speak to your motion?
Chris Whybrow – not at this time.
Dan Santa Maria – Point of Information – curious what the duration of the Certification of Transfer is – the entire Conference or one roll call?
Steve Edwards – the Certificate of Transfer form is a permanent replacement.
Dan Santa Maria – applies to entire conference?
Steve Edwards – yes
Kelly Lynch – do we have this form available in the manual?
Steve Edwards – not in the manual. Available here and online.
Going to reanswer Dan’s question. Certification of Transfer form actually has blanks for dates and can be modified to be effective for any period of time. Very similar to proxy but does require Area Chair signature.
Larry Seebeck – Page # is wrong on the motion.
Steve Edwards – through some sort of quirk of electronic media and downloadable manual is off by one page.
Motion carries unanimously.
Referral #5811
Page 36, SR 11 – modify the sentence to accommodate future types of media.
Motion: To strike and replace on page 36, SR 11 with the following:
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11) All Main Motions shall be displayed in electronic format and provided in handouts to the Conference Floor.
11) All main motions must be presented in the format requested by the Conference Chairperson. The Conference floor must be presented a copy of all main motions.
Second.
Steve Edwards – speak to motion?
Teresa Neighbors – this would allow CA to grow along with forms of format that may be development. To amend a Standing Rule requires a 2/3 majority.
Motion passes with substantial unanimity.
Referral # 5519 (Post Conference)
CA WSM page 36 item 17-point ii, lets replace the AA reading with the CA reading “We can recover”. Lets read from CA literature whenever possible.
Motion: To replace “How it Works” with “We Can Recover” in item 17 C. ii. on page 37 of the WSM
17) AGENDA OF WORLD SERVICE CONFERENCE
c. Each agenda is to contain the following items:
ii. How It Works We Can Recover
Second.
Steve Edwards – speak to motion?
Valerie Cote – not at this time
Scott Keaveny – speaks against the motion. I am a big fan of How It Works.
Carl Warlick – speak in favor of this motion. It is about time that we read our stuff.
Tony Drake – speak against the motion. Our Conference Chair has already added We Can Recover and we don’t need to strike How it Works. We need to remember where we came from.
Felicia Adams Franks – Parliamentary Inquiry – is this point where I would ask the committee to consider not striking How It Works and just add We Can Recover?
Steve Edwards – you could have offered friendly amendment if you had been recognized in normal course of debate.
Michael Chiki – speaks in favor. How It Works isn’t ours. This is nothing against what came before us, it’s about our fellowship growing.
Ian Young – speaks in favor of the motion. When I got sober, I didn’t relate to How it Works but when I heard We Can Recover, I felt at home. This is our own reading. This has been written by cocaine addicts. We need to be fully self-supporting through our own literature.
Pete Nielsen – speak against the motion because I believe that How It Works is a part of us no matter how far we go into the future. Let’s just leave it.
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Roy Ricord – speaking favor of the motion. I love How It Works. I love the Big Book. The program saves my life but I found my home in CA, not in AA. Last year and this year, I have heard plenty of discussion about the identity of CA. I’ve heard members talk about how we need to begin embracing who we are in CA.
Valerie Cote – we believe our fellowship is mature to use our own literature. We can use We Can Recover because it belongs to our wonderful fellowship and it saved my life.
Nick Alexander – Call to question.
Steve Edwards – 2/3 majority.
Motion carries with substantial unanimity.
Motion carries.
BREAK
Steve Edwards – Let’s resume at 7:47 p.m.
Motion: To make the following changes.
Regional Service Assemblies should be presided over by a Chairperson (voting member) elected from the voting members at the beginning of the Assembly and. who The Chairperson shall preside for that Assembly only. The Chairperson vote is reserved to break a tie. Voting Delegates’, Alternate Delegates’ and Area Chairpersons’ expenses to the Regional Assembly should be provided exclusively by their local Areas.
New version:
Regional Service Assemblies should be presided over by a Chairperson elected from the voting members at the beginning of the Assembly. The Chairperson shall preside for that Assembly only. The Chairperson vote is reserved to break a tie. Voting Delegates’, Alternate Delegates and Area Chairpersons’ expenses to the Regional Assembly should be provided exclusively by their local Areas.
Second.
Steve Edwards – Speak to your motion?
Nick Alexander – Yes. The idea is to specify how the chair is elected and how the chair of the assembly can vote, only in a tie.
Carl Warlick – I speak against the motion. The 4th Concept talks about the right of participation. The individual should maintain their vote. Yes, you can make them the chairperson but don’t take away the right to participate.
Kenny Williams – Point of information. As a delegate I go to my area and am elected chairperson to preside, can I give my vote to another voting member?
Nick Alexander – No.
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Michael Chiki – Speak in favor of the motion. We are establishing a structure so we can have voting. All we are doing is establishing structure.
Roy Ricord – Speak in favor of the motion. We need structure. People carry all kinds of votes at a Regional Assembly, one vote, four votes, five votes. I think this brings clarity.
Willie Bailey – Speak against the motion. We are telling Trustee’s how to do their job. We elected Trustees for a reason, we should let them do their job.
Ethel Thomas – One person should not be treated different than any other. If they chose and I accept I am still participating.
Jason Smidt – I am going to speak in favor of the motion. We thought we had rules, it went sideways and we were there for 6 hours. It was bizarre. If I have to choose between a trusted servant shooting from the hip or some guidelines, I’ll take the guidelines.
Rose Jones – I have a point of information. It is my understanding when we go to a regional assembly to vote, I thought the Trustee presided over that, is that true?
Nick Alexander – They can.
Ernest Martin – I speak against the motion. An Area may decide that none of them will be the chair to keep their votes intact. An Area could only bring 2 delegates or one and then the Area loses votes.
Bryan Seid – I speak in favor of the motion. There is no way the chair loses a vote. The person being chair will vote in the event of a tie. It keeps it intact when he becomes the chair.
Cynthia Cronkhite – I never understood what paren voting member close paren meant. There should be uniformity the way Areas conduct the assembly. When it comes to Trustees they serve the entire fellowship, it’s vital from region to region. These make sense.
Elizabeth Saldebar – I speak against the motion due to the long form of Tradition 9. It’s best to rotate and allow others the opportunity to gain experience.
Melissa Lewis – You took out voting member and added some things. Are you clarifying or changing the assembly?
Nick Alexander – The way it reads now the chairperson has a vote. The spirit is not to take away a vote. We are stating here the chair does not get to vote on everything, just on a tie.
Dan Santa Maria – I speak against the motion. The example that was cited about our conference chair having a vote or not. When the voting members come and the Area expects them to discharge the duties it is taking away a vote. We might trust our Area’s enough to have a non-voting member chair.
Steve Kontos – I speak in favor of this motion. If I’m asked to chair the regional gathering, I can refuse the nomination and carry my vote. No one is forcing me to chair. You’re choosing one position over the other. We need guidelines.
Mary McGrath – I believe I have a friendly amendment. Can we put into this motion that the person who takes the chair position can proxy his vote to another member?
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Nick Alexander – I answered a previous question incorrectly. A chairperson may proxy their vote. It is in the paragraph prior.
Felicia Adams-Franks – Parliamentary Inquiry – One proxy is striken on my copy, is that correct?
Steve Edwards – That motion was withdrawn.
Felicia Adams-Franks – Can we put the wording back?
Steve Edwards – It is still there. The language is still there in the WSM.
Ian Young – I speak in favor of the motion. What I hear is fear about the chair not having a vote. I’m not hearing gratitude and servitude. It’s an honor to chair and if I don’t have a vote fabulous. I get to feel like I participated. It’s about being of service. This is a nice motion.
Kim Sherwan – I have a question. If my Area carries three votes and we proxy a vote to the delegate and the second delegate is voted chairperson, what do we do about that?
Nick Alexander – May I have a moment?
Steve Edwards – Yes.
Nick Alexander – To answer the question, you could decline to become the chair, or your vote can be in the event of a tie.
Steve Edwards – Your vote could not be proxied to another area?
Nick Alexander – that’s what we came up with.
Gloria Bridget – Call the vote.
Motion Carries with substantial unanimity.
Vote on the main motion.
The motion carries.
Yvette Holman – 5th Concept. This is a really messed up motion that passed. Some small Areas will lose votes.
Ernest Martin – 5th Concept. If I am sent by my Area to vote, that is my responsibility.
Referral #5555
Please consider inserting under World Service Office Trustee in the Section titled “Trustee Selection and Election Process Summary” on Page 41 of WSM #1 as a new sentence: “Candidates to be considered by the WSOB must be presently serving on the World Service Office Board or have served as a past WSOB Director.” This would allow the WSOB a larger pool of individuals to select from for consideration of WSO Trustee for the WSOB. Also add to Page 39, 2nd sentence, 2nd paragraph at the top.
Motion: To insert on page 42 under the heading “TRUSTEE SELECTION AND ELECTIONS PROCESS SUMMARY” sub-heading “World Service Office Trustee” insert the words “past and present” and strike the words “serving on the CAWSO board”, so that #1 now reads “All past and present volunteer Directors
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not already a Trustee may be considered as candidates for any World Service Office Trustee vacancy.”
All past and present volunteer Directors not already a Trustee serving on the CAWSO Board may be considered as candidates for any World Service Office Trustee vacancy.
Second.
Steve Edwards – Speak to your motion?
Gloria Bridget – Not at this time.
Glen Tucker – I was going to make a motion to limit debate.
Willie Bailey – I would like to offer a friendly amendment to set a time limit how far you go back to bring that person on as a WSO Trustee.
Gloria Bridget – No.
Jeffery Ushry – I speak against this because I don’t have enough understanding. It seems to lack the spirit of rotation.
Glen Tucker – Parliamentary Inquiry – I guess I want to ask my earlier motion to limit debate be imposed?
Steve Edwards – No, you have to be recognized in the course of debate.
Earl Henderson – I speak in favor of this motion. The slate is very limited to current serving directors and it’s very narrow. We do have talent that has served in the past that could be effective. The Board still has the voting control.
Dan Sadur – Speaking in favor of the motion. I’d like to remind the conference that the office requires to live in a certain radius so limits the pool. Those directors have to be there frequently to meet. In order to keep it intact we have extended it to past directors as well.
Mike Fennell – I speak against the motion, you can pick and choose who you want.
Scott Keaveny – I speak for the motion. I think increasing the pool will give us effective leadership.
Richard Leve – Call for the vote.
Motion carries unanimously.
Prepare to vote on the main motion.
Motion carries with substantial unanimity.
Referral #5598 and 5849
The Conference Finance committee has conferred with the makers of both referrals 5598 and 5849 and has determined them to be substantively the same. As such, the Conference Finance Committee endorses addressing both referrals with the following change to the last paragraph on page 46 of the CA World Service Manual.
Motion: To modify the last sentence on page 46. Insert after the word
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“exceeded” with the following exception:
- Spending on purchases of books, chips, literature, and merchandise when a line item’s sales have exceeded its budgeted amount. In no case shall the line item expense exceed a 10% increase.
Second.
Steve Edwards – Speak to your motion?
Deborah Wilbert – Not at this time.
Kevin Murphy – I have a problem because there is a page discrepancy.
Deborah Wilbert – The sentence prior to this, “the total WSC budget is not exceeded.”
Felicia Adams-Franks – I’m not sure, it doesn’t tell me what the referrals were. Can you tell us the nature of the referrals?
Deborah Wilbert – I’d like to refer to the maker of the referral.
Dan Santa Maria – We referred this. Do you want the exact words or the nature? The referrals were to try and improve our ability to capitalize on upside wind. So if we spend $5,000 on preconvention fundraising, we can go to 10 percent to be a little more profitable.
Cynthia Cronkhite – Is the cap on the increase 10% only intended for books chip and lit or other items?
Dan Santa Maria – The ability to do an increase is only on line items related to books, chips, lit. Those are the only lines with potential limit.
Steve Edwards – Any further debate?
The motion carries unanimously.
Referral #5552
Fix description of “RESCIND” on page 55. The first line is wrong. A motion to rescind is NOT like a motion to reconsider (and reconsider does not nullify). “RESCIND” is a form of “amend a passed motion”.
Motion: To change as following paragraphs on page 55 of the WSM:
RECONSIDER
A Motion to Reconsider a previous vote, if successful, returns the previous motion to the floor as if no vote had ever been taken, and debate begins anew. The Motion to Reconsider or motion may only be made and seconded by members who voted with the prevailing side. The Motion to Reconsider must be made in the same day as the motion being reconsidered. It is debatable, if the motion to which it applies was debatable. Adoption of a motion to Reconsider requires a simple majority vote. No motion may be twice reconsidered.
RESCIND (PASSED MOTION)
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The Motion to Rescind, like unlike the Motion to Reconsider, overturns the passage of the previous motion. If the Motion to Rescind succeeds, the affected motion (which previously passed) now fails. nullifies the motion to which it applies. Any member may make or second a Motion to Rescind, and it may apply to any motion passed at any time during the Conference. However, the Motion to Rescind must be used if the motion to which it applies was passed during a previous day or if the maker of the motion did not vote with the prevailing side. It requires a second and, is debatable. It requires and is adopted by a 2/3 vote, to pass unless at least one day’s notice is given of the attempt to rescind. If previous notice is given, only a simple majority is required to adopt.
New version:
RECONSIDER
A Motion to Reconsider a previous vote, if successful, returns the previous motion to the floor as if no vote had ever been taken, and debate begins anew. The Motion to Reconsider may only be made and seconded by members who voted with the prevailing side. The Motion to Reconsider must be made in the same day as the motion being reconsidered. It is debatable if the motion to which it applies was debatable. Adoption of a motion to Reconsider requires a simple majority vote. No motion may be twice reconsidered.
RESCIND (PASSED MOTION)
The Motion to Rescind, unlike the Motion to Reconsider, overturns the passage of the previous motion. If the Motion to Rescind succeeds, the affected motion (which previously passed) now fails. Any member may make or second a Motion to Rescind, and it may apply to any motion passed at any time during the Conference. It requires a second and is debatable. It requires a 2/3 vote to pass, unless at least one day’s notice is given of the attempt to rescind. If previous notice is given, only a simple majority is required to adopt.
Second.
Steve Edwards – Speak to your motion?
Jeffery Ushry – Point of order – the motion speaks to page 55 but it’s 56.
Steve Edwards – That’s the page discrepancy, thank you.
Bobbie Harmon – Not at this time.
Steve Edwards – Any debate?
Kelly Lynch – I speak against this motion because the simple majority.
Kevin Murphy – We’re correcting an error in a different place and making it less confusing.
Cynthia Cronkhite – Point of information to the Parliamentarian. Is it correct to say a motion to rescind succeeds it fails?
Kevin Murphy – It is treated as a failed motion.
Steve Edwards – Any further debate?
The motion carries unanimously.
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