CLOSING REPORT
C.A. WORLD SERVICE CONFERENCE 2009
WORLD SERVICE BOARD of TRUSTEES REPORT
INTRODUCTION AND OPENING COMMENTS
Opening Comments
Our thanks to everyone here at this year’s “One with the Spirit of Recovery” World Service Conference, and to the entire fellowship for allowing us to be of service, and for your ongoing support. It is truly a pleasure to serve in this capacity.
In keeping with our desire to always remain accessible and accountable, we would like to explain why we are not yet able to respond to referrals received at this year’s Conference. The WSBT’s quarterly meeting adjourned late Monday night so that we could complete the TEC interviews prior to the opening of the Conference. During the Conference breakout sessions, we have been with either our respective WSC Committees or the Trustee Election Committee. We simply have not yet had the opportunity to give the new referrals the time and attention they deserve, but the Board will begin working on them shortly after the Conference, as it has every year. Individual referral responses will become available as they are approved, through our record of business as generated throughout the year and distributed via the delegate mailings, and all referrals from the 2009 WSC will be reported on at next year’s Conference.
Regarding the request from the floor for a “one-pager” reflecting information and actions pertaining to permission to use How it Works, please see ATTACHMENT A.
Regarding the request from the floor for a copy of permission to reprint the Preamble:
The WSO has indicated that we have it. The WSBT has requested a hardcopy of this from the WSO, and has received it. Please see attachment.
In light of our current financial situation, we would like to announce that in the spirit of cooperation with the World Service Conference Finance Committee’s request to reduce our budget, we have suspended the WSBT Third Quarterly Meeting, reflecting a $7600.00 savings in the 2010-2011 budgets.
We are pleased to report that all members of the WSBT and all members of the WSOB were successfully ratified. One Trustee is rotating out at the end of this Conference: Hayward Hunt, World Service Trustee and current WSBT Chair.
Although one Trustee will be leaving the WSBT at the close of this Conference, our commitment to you will remain the same to always remember that we are here to be of service, and to allow a loving God to express Himself through our group conscience.
Committee Introductions
Robert Lyle, Atlantic North Regional Trustee
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Randy Groen, Southwest Regional Trustee
Willie Bailey, World Service Office Trustee
Nicolas Lynn: European Regional Trustee
Trevor Scheible: Pacific North Regional Trustee
Joy Hutcheson: Pacific South Regional Trustee
Richard Schafer: Trustee at Large
Kim Sherwan: Midwest Regional Trustee, WSBT Secretary
Lawrence Matlock: Atlantic South Regional Trustee, WSBT Vice-Chair
Hayward Hunt: World Service Trustee, WSBT Chair
COMMITTEE WORK THAT RESULTED IN MOTIONS
None
REFERRALS OR ITEMS TABLED UNTIL NEXT YEAR; AND ITEMS THE COMMITTEE WILL CONTINUE WORKING ON THROUGH THE YEAR
Referral # 6021
We currently have a line item in the budget that pays for the trustee banquet dinner at the world convention. I have been told by the trustees that this is part of their job description. It is for appearance reasons and the WSOB feels they should be present. I am also told that the members of the WSOB also receive the same. They are not announced or present at the meal so who would know they come out of there. Banquet meals are expensive ($50-60) and for the majority of the fellowship who cannot afford or choose not to pay for an expensive meal like this. This is not a situation where we as a fellowship should foot the bill for this. I think there are better ways to use the fellowships money.
Referral #6140
Create a trustee manual. Every other committee has a manual or more detailed information. I think it would help the fellowship better understand what the trustees do and how they do it.
Referral #6150
That when a meeting with AA regarding C.A. language in “How it Works”, the WSBT make sure that it has international approval of such language in writing for the purpose of C.A. unity and a resolution to this issue once and for all.
Referral #6303
As a delegate from Quebec, I ask that this attached inquiry be addressed in the form of a motion or a statement.
Referral #6305
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What do we say to members who say (and enforce in their group) that you need to be a cocaine user to be allowed to share or hold a service function?
NEW COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AS OF THIS CONFERENCE
WSBT Board
Chair: Trevor Scheible, Pacific North Regional Trustee
Vice-Chair: Nicolas Lynn, European Regional Trustee
Secretary: Kim Sherwan, Midwest Regional Trustee
CAWS INC. Corporate Officers
President: Robert Lyle, Atlantic North Regional Trustee
Vice- President: Joy Hutcheson, Pacific South Regional Trustee
Treasurer: Richard Schafer, Trustee at Large
Secretary: Willie Bailey, World Service Office Trustee
This year we had 1 Trustee position to fill. The TEC worked long and hard, but were unable to fill the position of World Service Trustee.
CLOSING COMMENTS
Thank you for allowing us to be of service. If you have questions or comments on these referrals, or on any matter whatsoever, please contact us at WSBT@ca.org.
ATTACHMENT A
- August 30, 2008, page 10 – line 9 thru page 14-line 5
MOTION: To revise the fourth paragraph of “How It Works” as follows:
To revise the 4th paragraph of “How It Works”, as follows: “Remember that we deal with cocaine [insert new language]”and all other mind altering substances” [end new language] cunning, baffling and powerful. Without help, it is too much for us. But there is one who has all power, that one is God. May you find him now. Half measures availed us nothing. We stood at the turning point. We asked His protection and care with complete abandon.” Motion passed
- This motion started an inquiry by the WSBT to obtain copies of the written permission for our own records and safe keeping for future reference. Result: nothing found. Throughout 2008-2009, the WSBT has corresponded with AA regarding the permission to use, modify and publish a portion of How it Works.
- March 2009: resulting motion(s) by the WSBT: to cease publication and distribution of any material and or literature containing How it Works in any medium. WSBT then continued to research, inquiries, and investigate. Also requested info on The Promises, and A Vision for You Attempted to set up a meeting with AA, letter sent by chairs of both Boards.
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- After many phone calls and email correspondence there is a meeting scheduled with John Kane, AA WS Chairperson, and Valerie O’Neill, AA WS Publication Director, set for September 17, 2009. This meeting will be attended by our WSBT incoming Chair, and our WSOB incoming chair, and Robert Lyle, ANR Trustee. We have made contact with Greg Dobbs, former MWR Trustee (participated in previous meeting with AA in the mid 80’s) to request his assistance and attendance at this meeting as well.
- Recommendations from the WSBT will be forthcoming pending the outcome of this meeting.
- The WSBT would like to make it clear that currently there is no position, or advisory opinion on the use of How it Works by individuals, or groups.
A Guide to the Conference
This guide is intended for Delegates, Alternate Delegates and other CA members who will be participating in the work of the Conference and its committees. Along with this guide, one should also refer to the various sections of the World Service Manual, the relevant committee Guidelines, Workbooks and procedures, and Robert’s Rules of Order.1
In addition, all delegates are strongly encouraged to attend the orientation session the afternoon prior to the first Conference session.
Conference Structure
The Conference consists of three main parts: Opening Business; Committee Breakout Sessions; and the General Session. The Opening Business and General Session take place in the main hall (“Conference Floor”). Both are conducted strictly under Robert’s Rules.
Opening Business
The Conference starts with Opening Business. Currently this runs from the first evening to noon of the second day. During Opening Business, the following items are usually on the agenda:
- Conference opening
- Seating chart and other housekeeping
- Election of Conference Officers if any vacancy exists
- New Area Petitions
_________________
1 While CA and its Conference do not endorse any particular edition of Robert’s Rules, the Conference Officers traditionally use “Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised (10th edition)”; Henry M Robert III, et al editors; Perseus Publishing. A very brief summary of some of Robert’s Rules can be found beginning on page 55 of the World Service Manual.
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- Trustee’s Reports
- WSO Reports
- Approval of Trustee Nominees
- Conference Committees’ Reports
- Approval of the previous year’s Conference Minutes
- Old Business
During this time delegates may submit “Referrals” (Items referred to Boards and Conference Committees) by placing a competed referral form in the basket on the right corner of the dais. Items submitted after the close of Opening Business will not be considered at this year’s Conference.
While much of the Opening Business section is comprised of reports from the various boards and committees, there are usually several items of parliamentary business. These come up most often during New Area Petitions or Old Business, but on occasion have come up during other sections. Since the same parliamentary procedures are used during the General Session, new Delegates can get acquainted with the way floor business is conducted at this time.
Following Opening Business the committees meet and begin dealing with their referrals and old business.
Committee Breakout Sessions
Currently, breakout sessions run from early afternoon on the second day (Wednesday) to noon on day four (Friday). Each committee is assigned its own breakout room. Each committee has their own procedures for accomplishing their business and while Robert’s Rules are involved, committee work is often less formal. While each committee’s Chairperson sets the committee’s agenda, typically a committee’s work can be broken up into several sections:
- Organization and housekeeping
- Committee elections, if vacancies exist
- Review of referrals
- Review of ongoing items
- Assignment of tasks to subcommittees
- Subcommittee breakout
- Full committee review of subcommittee work
- Creation of Committee Report and Motions to bring to the General Session.
- Elections for next year, if applicable
Usually the subcommittee breakout begins the first evening of the breakout session (Wednesday) and continues through most of the next day. Depending on the amount of work the committee has and other factors, the full committee might meet on Thursday evening or Friday morning to review. Work should be finished and a draft report approved before the General Session begins on Friday afternoon. Once the General Session begins, it becomes difficult for a committee to complete work on unfinished items.
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The current Standing Committees are
- Structure and Bylaws
- Literature, Chips and Format
- Finance
- Hospitals and Institutions
- Convention
- Public Information
- Conference
- C.A. Unity
- Information Technology
- Archive
Three elected service groups operate as “committees” for purpose of Conference reporting. These are:
- World Service Board of Trustees (WSBT)
- World Service Office Board (WSOB)
- Trustee Election Committee (TEC)
Each delegate or alternate is expected to become a member of a standing committee. Non-delegates may also serve on committees, and may vote at the committee level if the committee rules allow it. No one may vote on two standing committees.
Each Committee has its own set of workbooks, procedures and other documents. Documents that are internal to the committee do not need to be Conference-approved. Items that are to be distributed to the membership as Workbooks, Guidelines, Manuals, etc., must have all content approved by the full Conference. Special approval procedures are in place for literature and books to ensure thorough review. No committee should make motions to change another committee’s documents. Note that the World Service Manual is maintained by the Structure and Bylaws Committee.
General Session
The main conference floor session begins Friday afternoon and continues until Sunday at 1 PM. These sessions can be fairly lengthy and can extend past the hours listed in the agenda. Breaks will be called at regular intervals, and members are expected attend all floor sessions.
During this time each of the 10 standing committees and the 3 other pseudo-committees will present reports and make motions based on the work they performed during the breakout sessions and in some cases during the proceeding year. Successful motions become the Group Conscience of Cocaine Anonymous.
Rules
Since well over a hundred people are involved in this process, strict adherence to Robert’s Rules is required. In addition there are 22 Standing Rules adopted over the years by the Conference to guide the conduct of business. Standing Rules supersede
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Robert’s Rules if they conflict. The Standing Rules can be found beginning on page 36 of the World Service Manual.
| Standing Rule | Subject |
| 1 | Who may vote |
| 2 | Who may debate |
| 3, 4, 15 | Attendance, tardiness and voting |
| 5, 6 | Proxies and accreditation |
| 7, 16-19, 22 | Conference structure and scheduling |
| 8, 9 | Quorum |
| 10-12 | Presenting motions |
| 13, 14, 20 | Limits on floor motions |
| 21 | Materials to be distributed to the Fellowship |
Note especially SR 14, regarding complex or far-reaching motions brought without pre-Conference notification, and SR 13 regarding motions of significant effect brought during new business without first referring them to the relevant committee. Motions that fail either of these tests can be ruled Out of Order by the Chair.
Types of Motions
Please see the list beginning on page 55 of the World Service Manual, and the table on page 58, along with a description of terms. This highly simplified version of Robert’s Rules may not be accurate in some situations.
Recognition
In most cases, a member needs to be recognized before they can make a motion or speak to debate and must wait until previously recognized members have been heard. Some motions (e.g. Motion to Limit/Close Debate) may prevent someone from debating even though they’ve been recognized – one of the reasons these motions require a 2/3rds vote.
To become recognized for debate, members should raise their hand in a manner likely to be seen by the chairperson. It may take some time for the chairperson to see a raised hand, and obstructions, movement or distance may make this harder. The chairperson will indicate by gesture that you have been recognized and will add your name to the list. There may be several people ahead of you. Once recognized, go to the back of the line behind the microphone. The chairperson will rarely recognize someone twice in the same debate.
There are several motions a member may call out without being recognized:
- Point of Order – assertion that a rule is not being followed.
- Parliamentary Inquiry – question for the Chairperson regarding procedure that cannot wait.
- Call for a Division of the Vote – call for an uncounted hand vote to be counted. Must be immediate.
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- Motion to Reconsider – motion to reconsider a motion that passed that day.
- Appeal the Ruling of the Chair – ask the assembly to vote on a ruling of the chair. Must be immediate.
- Call for a Division of the Question – call for a motion containing several separate items to be treated as separate motions.
- Object to Consideration – RARE. Object to the basic subject matter of a motion (e.g. a motion assigning racial privilege). Objection must be made before any debate.
Except for “Motion to Reconsider,” any of these motions can be called out while someone else is speaking. Only voting members may make motions of this sort.
Note that the much-abused “Point of Information” is not on the above list. There is no motion that allows a member to interject a fact in debate without waiting on line. In fact, a “Point of Information” is a Question relating to the motion on the floor that is taken in the normal course of debate, but does not count as debate; the questioner can still debate later if wished.
Debate
When debating, members should begin with their position: For, Against or “Point of Information.” They should then proceed to say succinctly why they have that position. In the interests of time, if members have heard much of their point of view already, it is acceptable to pass, or if they feel the need to be “counted,” simply state their position and refer to those that spoke before. It is not necessary to restate the same points over and over, even in a close debate, and doing so may even dissuade someone on the fence.
Remember: Keep it short and to the point!
Questions (Points of Information)
When one’s turn at debate arrives, members can ask the maker of the motion a question about the motion. Often there may be a subtle point that needs to be cleared up before members decide their position, and they might not be the only one with that question. Questions do not use up a members’ ability to debate the motion at hand, but they must be recognized a second time to debate. Points of Information should not be used to engage in debate.
Committee Motions
Most of the motions made during the General Session originate in the committee which is giving its report. The person making this motion is acting for the committee and does not have to be a voting member of the Conference. This encourages more people to work on Conference Committees.
Special Procedures
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- Committee budgets are approved when the overall CAWS budget is approved; in most cases they need no separate motion. Only when a committee’s budget increases by 10% or more over the previous year is a separate vote required.
- The approval process for CA pamphlets is involved and typically takes place over several years, from approval of a “concept” to final passage of the text. Note that, in the case of final approvals, this is an up or down vote. Editing of literature on the conference floor has proved to be unhelpful and is not allowed. If delegates feel a piece still needs work, they should vote against passage and return it to committee. The LCF committee welcomes all help.
- Due to the cost involved and other issues, delegates usually do not have access to the final text before the approval vote.
- Awarding World Service Conventions is also subject to several rules and procedures. Additionally, each upcoming Convention (usually spanning 3 years) must report each year, and provide the delegates the current version of their budget.
- Trustee Election. The delegates do not vote on Trustees directly. After the delegates ratify the regional slates, the Trustee Election Committee, composed of the current Trustees and one delegate from each region, elects Trustees to fill the current vacancies. These new Trustees are then announced to the Conference.
Final Business and Adjournment
Old Business, Elections of new Conference Officers, New Business and Adjournment generally close the Conference on Sunday, leaving Labor Day as a travel and recuperation day. The Conference will end no later than 1 PM Sunday.
Delegates should plan their travel to allow attending until 1 PM Sunday, if at all possible.
Respectfully Submitted: 2009 World Service Board of Trustees
Kevin Murphy: Any questions for the WSBT?
Elizabeth Saldebar: Motion to suspend the rules to take a motion of new business out of order. Second.
Kevin Murphy: Requires 2/3 votes. Motion passes by 2/3 vote.
Elisabeth Saldebar: Motion to approve the travel expense not exceeding $700 in the WSO Budget for Greg Dobbs to attend the AA Face-to-Face meeting in New York. Second.
Elizabeth Saldebar: He was one of the original Trustees who attended the original meetings and has historical knowledge could facilitate good communication of our history.
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Yvette Holman: speaks against the motion. We have Trustees in place and the WSO has been communicating with AA in New York and are capable of expressing CA’s needs.
Kevin Murphy: prepare to vote. Motion passes. Any questions for the WSBT.
Cynthia Cronkhite: Thank you for finding written permission for preamble. This statement from Grapevine. I know that we aren’t currently using this information.
Hayward Hunt: This is a request from Russell.
Cynthia Cronkhite: Are we going to take care of that?
Hayward Hunt: yes we will.
Cynthia Cronkhite: Suspending 3rd quarterly meeting. This is the budget for 2010-2011, correct? I believe this doesn’t start until July 1, 2010. What do you consider 3rd quarter?
Joy Hutcheson: It’s the 3rd meeting which will be held in February in 2011.
Glen Tucker: How many candidates were considered for Trustee position?
Hayward Hunt: There were 2 candidates considered.
Rose Jones: What does it mean “also requested info on the Promises and A Vision for You?”
Hayward Hunt: One of our motions in our opening report, one task was to find out from AA if we had permission to reprint the Promises and A Vision for You. We were informed that as long as you print them exactly as they appear in the book and use the disclaimer.
Rose Jones: Who is incoming chair of WSBT and WSOB?
Hayward Hunt: WSBT – Trevor Scheible and WSOB – Tom Phelan
Rich Antolovich: 6th Tradition disclaimer on all flyers. Brought to floor and turned over to Trustees to review. Trustees motioned to post disclaimer on all flyers. Shouldn’t that have come back to floor?
Kim Sherwan: That was a motion from S&B last year. It was sent back to committee. The WSBT requested that we go back to our Areas and use the disclaimer.
Rick Antolovich: It’s not a motion, but a request?
Kim Sherwan: That is correct.
Duane Miller: 5th Concept Statement on $700 motion.
Kevin Murphy: I’ll allow it.
Duane Miller: I have been listening to debate. I hear a lot of fear and this information is public domain. We are jumping past the people selected to handle this meeting and not allowing them to do their job. I was a little bit offended.
Kevin Murphy: Thank you.
Russell Sedman: In your opening report, you spoke about the exit plan for the DRPD but there is no mention of this in your closing report. Can you tell us about it?
Willie Bailey: Personnel matters will not be divulged on the floor as ruled on by the Conference Chair when we presented our opening report.
Russell Sedman: How many current employees do we have at the office?
Hayward Hunt: We have 3 employees – Yvette Love – DOO, Tony-office worker, Shannon-seasonal worker/administrative assistant.
Russell Sedman: Is there going to be some training given to the new DOO?
Joy Hutcheson: Under California law, I wish we could tell you what you want to hear but we can’t. There will be training for the DOO free of charge. From me.
Nick Alexander: Motion to reconsider the special $700 expense. Second.
Kevin Murphy: Did you vote on the prevailing side?
Nick Alexander: I did.
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Kevin Murphy: Then we will take this up this evening. This room will be locked. It is now 6:02 pm and we are on the dinner break.
BREAK
Kevin Murphy: Come to order. The time is 7:42 p.m. and we are returning from the dinner break. When we left there was a motion to reconsider the previous motion regarding spending $700 to send another representative to NY for the meeting with AA.
Nick Alexander: While I appreciate our elder statesman, I believe the representation we have is adequate. They have asked him about what happened back then. I don’t see the need to spend $700 to have him go and tell them about what happened back then.
Elizabeth Saldebar: I speak against the motion. I believe it’s important to have someone from the original meeting that has that information to speak to it in that meeting from our history and vantage point. I believe it’s important to have that accurate history there.
Patrick Potter: Parliamentary Inquiry – The motion that was made was to approve $700 for the budget, correct? He may or may not attend.
Kevin Murphy: What he’s saying is not whether or not this person is going, but whether we will consider paying for him going.
Mike Seden: I have an e-mail. I’d like to read.
Kevin Murphy: Mike, this is good information, but it’s not what we’re talking about.
Margie Maneard: Point of Order – What I heard Ms. Sadelbar say is the money is going to be donated. Is that earmarking?
Kevin Murphy: That is beyond my pay grade. Whether the money is donated or earmarked does not go to the question at hand. It’s not material.
Earnest Martin: I speak against the motion because there is no substitute for experience.
Kevin Murphy: You are now speaking to the underlying motion. This is about whether we are going to spend the $700 in the budget.
Earnest Martin: Nick spoke to the accuracy of the person that is going.
Can’t we get the cat back in the box?
Kevin Murphy: It doesn’t work that way.
Glen Tucker: Point of order – The motion is to amend, correct?
Kevin Murphy: The motion is to rescind.
Earnest Martin: I speak against the motion. I believe $700 is necessary for us retaining how it works. If we can get out of this for $700, I think the floor would do that.
Yvette Homan: I speak in favor of the motion.
Gloria Bridget: Please read the motion. If the $700 was donated, how are we affected?
Kevin Murphy: I don’t know that it was donated. I haven’t heard that stated at the microphone.
Gloria Bridget: If you vote against the motion to reconsider, the original motion stands?
Kevin Murphy: Yes.
Alan Shields: What was the answer to the question of earmark?
Kevin Murphy: It’s immaterial.
Alan Shields: If money is donated it’s earmarked.
Kevin Murphy: What does that have to do with this?
Bill Brumeier: I speak against the motion to rescind.
Patrick Potter: I speak against the motion. We have $45,000 sitting in stock at the office. $700 is a small price to pay to use that up.
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Kim Sherwan: I speak against this motion.
Duane Miller: I speak for the motion to reconsider, the reason being that I still believe that we are acting in error. I understand the spiritual principle of the matter, but once something is in public domain.
Kevin Murphy: You are talking beyond the main motion, you are out of order.
Duane Miller: I believe that the trusted servants in place can handle the situation.
Kevin Murphy: It’s on the border.
Duane Miller: Last chance. We’re not spending $700 to get $35,000.
Tom Svoboda: Call the question.
Kevin Murphy: Seeing that I have no others wishing to speak, prepare to vote.
The motion to reconsider clearly fails.
Next is the Public information Committee.
[1] While CA and its Conference do not endorse any particular edition of Robert’s Rules, the Conference Officers traditionally use “Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised (10th edition)”; Henry M Robert III, et al editors; Perseus Publishing. A very brief summary of some of Robert’s Rules can be found beginning on page 55 of the World Service Manual.
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