C.A. World Service Conference 2009
Structure and By-Laws Committee>
INTRODUCTION AND OPENING COMMENTS:
Welcome to the 2009 World Service Conference. The purpose of the Structure and By-Laws Committee is to formulate by-laws, guidelines, and structures by which Cocaine Anonymous can operate, day-to-day, at Conferences and elsewhere around the world. Our goal as a committee is to leave the conference knowing that we have done the job that you as a fellowship have employed us to do. This committee will work hard to update our ever growing fellowship’s World Service Manual. This committee takes great pride in helping people better understand this sometimes confusing manual, and the process that we are about to take part in. We are committed to delivering the fellowship the most accrete and updated manual; to make a manual that shapes Cocaine Anonymous as a whole. I would like to invite all those who have complained, questioned, or was ever curious about the World Service Manual to write referrals or better yet come
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and participate, help us foster the growth of C.A. and this conference. We will continue to break new ground as we formulate, reword, and change the structure that affects our World Service Conference and Cocaine Anonymous as a whole. As Bill Wilson once said, “The good is often the enemy of the best” and this committee will not be satisfied with “good enough”. This body and fellowship deserve the best. Come and be a part of the “heart” of this conference.
COMMITTEE INTRODUCTIONS:
Our committee (ask S & B members to stand) will be glad to answer any question you may have and are looking forward to producing a great manual for you all.
Our current officers are Nick Alexander – Chair, Gloria Bridget – Co-Chair, Deborah Wilbert and Janice Whitted Co-Secretaries. All returning delegates from the Structure and Bylaws Committee are encouraged to rejoin in our quest to provide Cocaine Anonymous with the most up to date and comprehensive World Service Manual.
REFERRALS THAT WERE WORKED ON DURING THE YEAR:
A majority of the Structure & By-Laws referrals are worked at conference, but the Structure & By-Laws committee worked on several referrals this past year that were held over in committee including in a meeting at the World Service Convention, emails, and conference calls.
CLOSING COMMENTS:
While the Structure & By-Laws Committee encourages new membership to our group with great enthusiasm, by talking with any returning delegates you will understand that this committee is not for the faint of heart. This committee demands late night sessions, only to rise early to start again. The committee has and will take hard criticisms from the floor, the Chair, and even our own committee members. It will require great mental stability to handle hours of discussion, but with all that being said, once you catch the S&B “bug” you will be hooked. It is a great committee for new delegates who would like to learn more about our manual and how business is conducted on this floor. Our hope is that when the conference is over you will feel a sense of accomplishment and knowing that the work we all do here continues to change the course of Cocaine Anonymous for its survival for the future. Thanks to all past delegates and officers who have come before us and laid the ground work for us all. A very special thanks to our former Chair, Steve E. who’s passion for the conference and this committee will always bring a smile to my heart, as he has done for many of you. We encourage and challenge you to join us this year in making a difference with the 2010 World Service Manual.
In Love and Service,
Nick Alexander Structure & By-Laws Chair.
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Kevin Murphy: any questions for S&B? Next report – Convention Committee.
Ian Young: MOTION – can we suspend the rules to extend time. Second.
Kevin Murphy: Motion passes.
Ian Young: MOTION to extend in order to hear all Committee reports. Second.
Kevin Murphy: this can be debated.
Ian Young: speaks in favor of motion I’d like to get through business rather than spread into the afternoon and will have heard the reports before Break Out Sessions.
Kelly Lynch: speaks against.
Joy Hutcheson: speaks against because my Caucus is going to take forever.
Brian Tenenbaum: speaks in favor.
Glen Tucker: Friendly amendment – hear half now and half after lunch
Ian Young: No.
Mary McGrath: friendly amendment to extend no longer than 12:15 pm to hear all the reports?
Ian Young: No
Simone Talton: friendly amendment that each committee to limit time to 5 to 10 minutes each. Second.
Ian Young: Accepted.
Kevin Murphy: prepare to vote. Motion passes.
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