Sep 3, 2010 – Day 4 – Daily Summary – I.T. Committee Closing Report

CLOSING REPORT

C.A. WORLD SERVICE CONFERENCE 2010

I.T. COMMITTEE REPORT

INTRODUCTION AND OPENING COMMENTS

Opening Comments

Over the past year, the continued explosive increase in adoption and use of emerging technologies has challenged traditional notions of how to best carry out our primary purpose. In many ways, as technology continues to mature, as well as the general populace’s understanding of and relation to it, some questions have become easier to confront with respect to the issue of twelve step work, while some remain difficult and others are even harder still. Sometimes we may find ourselves, spurred on by novelty and enthusiasm, looking for a job for a tool, rather than a tool for a job. We must remain mindful, however, to balance the freedom, ease and simplicity of our new capabilities for connection and access with respect for our long established and effective guiding principles set forth in the twelve traditions.

With those precautions in mind, some of our more intrepid members and groups have begun experimenting with the potential applications of emerging technologies in the field of recovery. It is important to note that our Workbook and Guidelines do not explicitly prohibit the use of such technologies. Rather, the responsibility rests with the committees, areas, districts, groups and individuals

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as to how they will employ the tools of today to best serve the still suffering and recovering addict. This is the proving ground by which we will discover what works and what doesn’t, “discard[ing] old ideas for new” (Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 52) and “throw[ing] away the theory or gadget which does not work for something new which does” (Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 52).

It is with these thoughts, attempting to “set aside everything we think we know”, that we embarked upon the task brought to us by the 2010 WSC.

Committee Introductions

This Committee has 4 new members:

Jon Himelblau
Ryan Ettipio
Stu Estebo
Michele Dickson

We have 7 returning members:

Marc Harvey, Chair
Melissa Lewis, Vice Chair
Wesley Blount, Secretary
Craig Medlin
Brian Keefer
Keith Perkins
Wade Staples

We have 2 returning longtime members:

Terry Marsden
Leon “Strange” Mason

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Our Trustee Member:

Richard Schafer, TAL, WSOBT

COMMITTEE WORK THAT RESULTED IN MOTIONS

None

REFERRALS THAT RESULTED IN MOTIONS

Referral #6508 – Internet Guideline Workbook

Internet Guideline Workbook – Add – absolutely no C.A. Area/District/Group business reports to be posted on any C.A. websites. Reason – need not place ourselves (C.A.) to public scrutiny, etc.

Our response to Referral #6508:

MOTION: To add language in the Information Technology (IT) Committee Workbook and Guidelines, Page 6, under the section entitled “A Typical Area Web Site”, Paragraph 5, to read:

Any web sites containing C.A. members’ names, phone numbers, or email addresses, or displaying C.A. business reports or financial statements, need prior written approval from both the Area/District and the affected member(s). Additionally, when there is a need to distribute C.A. business or financial documents to members, it is suggested to utilize at least one secure access method (e.g., password protected site, etc.) in order to avoid C.A.’s name being drawn into public controversy, or any other potential violations of the Twelve Traditions of C.A. Second.

Kevin Murphy: Would you like to speak to your motion?

Wade Staples: not at this time.

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Kevin Murphy: Seeing no debate, prepare yourselves to vote. Motion passes unanimously.

Referral #6631 – Skype

Have the committee explore programs like (i.e.: Skype) for worldwide on-line meetings.

Referral #6669 – Guidelines for on-line meetings

I would like to request that IT establish guidelines for online meetings. Live audio and audio/video. As well as bringing people to traditional meetings via online audio/video programs i.e.: Skype, Instant Messenger.

Our response to Referrals #6631 and #6669:

MOTION: To add a new paragraph in the Information Technology (IT) Committee Workbook and Guidelines, Page 3 under the section entitled “Introduction”, under existing Paragraph 3, to read:

Many groups, both in the real and virtual space, have begun exploring the possibilities of utilizing technologies for meeting via text based correspondence, teleconferencing, and/or video conferencing. Presently, two distinct classes of interactions exist. The first class can be defined as a connection where all endpoints can be accounted for by trusted servants (e.g., a joint meeting between two geographically distant groups). With this class, there is a level of assurance that no person or group is exposed to issues concerning a potential breach of the Eleventh Tradition. The other class, however, which is characterized by one or more connection endpoints that cannot be moderated by a trusted servant, may be subject to violations of the Eleventh Tradition (e.g., the recording/duplication of images, video, audio, or text and the possibility for them to be posted publicly).

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Therefore, it is suggested that at the start of any such meeting and/or at regular intervals, the following disclaimer be read or displayed:

“Due to the technologies being used for this meeting, a participant’s anonymity, or the anonymity of others mentioned, could be compromised at a public level. The individual participants and our group as a whole have the responsibility to consider the potential implications, and our level of participation in this meeting. Our group conscience reminds us that Anonymity is the Spiritual Foundation of all our Traditions. Additionally, in the spirit of Tradition Six, C.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution and as such does not endorse and is not affiliated with any of the specific technology providers utilized to facilitate this meeting.” Second.

Kevin Murphy: Would you like to speak to your motion?

Ryan Ettipio: No thank you.

Kevin Murphy: Any debate on this motion?

Mike Seden: I have been involved with online meetings for a while and they have their own hierarchy, is there any way for the IT committee to check the proceedings? There should be someway to keep track of what is happening. If a video link is hacked and I get a lot of spam that way. Where does the committee want to go with that?

Ryan Ettipio: We have discussed what is available to us for regulating that and the scope that it is being dealt with, the best we can do at this time is to make sure the appropriate disclaimers are in place.

Susan Bredau: Parliamentary Inquiry Could we dispense with the rereading of long motions?

Kevin Murphy: Any more debate?

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Jennifer Searl: My understanding on the 11^th Tradition, I don’t know that it would be a violation from one meeting to another.

Kevin Murphy: There is a concern about protecting anonymity.

Mike Seden: to readdress, the most we can do is to put disclaimer up there, should we allow the responsibility to C.A., I think that we go online with this then we are going to need a lot more involvement in keeping with the Traditions and possibly get with brother fellowships as to what they do. Should we all CA to be responsible for all of this?

Ryan Ettipio: Throughout process and we did look through other fellowship’s processes, as these are emerging technologies, in setting forth boundaries, we want to move forward and protect CA. Through our history, we have traditions to work through these issues.

Ben Lachey: this is already happening. Speak in favor of the motion.

Ian Young: I generally speak in favor of motion. I am member of a group that occurs in cyberspace – a VOIP group. This meeting has members from all over the world – global meeting. We are very careful about doing our very best to follow all traditions. We are experimenting with these types of meetings and I will be encouraging the group to use this disclaimer. The online area has been the most proactive about opening doors to CA around the world. Let’s not be scared of these new technologies, let’s have some faith here.

Alan Shields: Speaking for motion. 2010 and new technologies need to be explored to help the still suffering addict. This was highly debated in online area. What they wanted to do is that all was in order before it came here and I want to thank IT committee for the disclaimer because it has done that. We need to keep up with technology used in other fellowships.

Kevin Murphy: is there any opposition?

Elizabeth Wise: call the question.

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Kevin Murphy: that is out of order because there is no one else to debate. Unanimous consent to no reread the motion. Seeing no objection, prepare yourselves to vote.

MOTION: To add a new paragraph in the Information Technology (IT) Committee Workbook and Guidelines, Page 3 under the section entitled “Introduction”, under existing Paragraph 3, to read:

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allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution and as such does not endorse and is not affiliated with any of the specific technology providers utilized to facilitate this meeting.” Second.

Motion passes unanimously.

Referral #6157 – Facebook posting (2009 submission received by the IT Committee late in the 2009 WSC)

At Conventions – please address photographs posted on Facebook indicating – names (first & last) & comments such as newcomer, addicts, etc.

Referral #6458 – VOIP, Twitter, etc.

Please reconsider new technologies emerging to allow us to better carry the message. Examples include – voice over internet protocol (VOIP), location services (for meeting locations), Twitter (used by all business currently), Facebook, etc., webcams, etc . I would be happy to discuss this with you to explain some ideas. I hope this could help.

Our response to Referrals #6157 and #6458:

MOTION: To strike and add language within Paragraph 3 in the Information Technology (IT) Committee Workbook and Guidelines, Page 3 under section entitled “Introduction”, and add new material immediately following said paragraph to read:

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and to be respectful of anonymity and other spiritual principles in accordance with the Twelve Traditions of C.A. It is further suggested that members refrain from posting on any of the tools mentioned above any photos and/or videos that identify any activity, entity or person as being associated with Cocaine Anonymous.

Although most are password protected, social networking web sites still publicly expose a great deal of personal information about the user. There are difficult and confusing issues to be navigated by the user not concerned with anonymity, let alone those of us in recovery. It is impossible to deny the tremendous possibility social networking sites present to aide us in carrying out our primary purpose, but our urge for progress should be tempered by methodical and deliberate consideration. The fact remains that social networking sites are public forums, and should be treated as such. The long form of the Eleventh Tradition states in part that “…our names and pictures as C.A. members ought not be broadcast, filmed or publicly printed.” While the final choice and ultimate responsibility of safeguarding the traditions rests with the individual, it should be noted that the spiritual principle of anonymity protects not only the member, but also the fellowship as a whole.

Nothing presented here specifically precludes a local District, Area, or Group from using these tools as part of their outreach; however, any such decision should be guided by group conscience, respect for our Traditions, and the effect upon the Fellowship as a whole. As such, it is suggested that decisions to adapt social networking and blogging tools for use by a local District, Area, or Group carrying the message be done only after careful deliberation and discussion within the Fellowship, including – if possible – the Regional Trustee. Second.

Kevin Murphy: speak to your motion?

Stu Estebo: No thank you.

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Kevin Murphy: Any debate?

Jason Laurence: It’s not so much as people posting information, but more that I’m being sent information. The fact that information is being sent to me must identify me as a member. Have you considered this – not to post so that it’s obvious to other members?

Stu Estebo: Are you talking about a specific site? The transmission of a flyer which would be a photograph, correct? I believe in the wording we have here, we cover that but I’m not against amending.

Jason Laurence: I was thinking along the lines that there is a play somewhere, would you like to come along to that. There is a constant stream. Is there some guidance so that type of information is not constantly being posted.

Stu Estebo: within the motion in the first part of added text…we, as CA, cannot regulate individuals, social websites, etc., so it is up to the individual to police their own actions and the individual receiving the information to ask them to cease and desist, or cut the link to the person.

Wesley Blount: friendly amendment – second paragraph – long form…strike C.A.

Stu Estebo: Yes

Cynthia Scheible: Do we have permission to using quote of Long Form of Tradition and striking CA, does that still give us that permission?

Kevin Murphy: I am going to say that is fair use.

Stu Estebo: thank you for your comments, Mr. Chair.

Kevin Murphy: Any further debate? Unfortunately, I have to read again because it has been changed.

MOTION: To strike and add language within Paragraph 3 in the Information Technology (IT) Committee Workbook and Guidelines, Page 3 under section

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entitled “Introduction”, and add new material immediately following said paragraph to read:

Social networking, blogging, micro-blogging, and other tools have emerged as daily communication methods for individual members. When using these tools, we need always be mindful to not link to C.A. web sites, not use the C.A. logo, Cocaine Anonymous name, or other registered trademarks of C.A. (e.g., “C.A.”, “Hope, Faith and Courage”, “We’re Here and We’re Free”, etc.) and to be respectful of anonymity and other spiritual principles in accordance with the Twelve Traditions of C.A. It is further suggested that members refrain from posting on any of the tools mentioned above any photos and/or videos that identify any activity, entity or person as being associated with Cocaine Anonymous.

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Traditions, and the effect upon the Fellowship as a whole. As such, it is suggested that decisions to adapt social networking and blogging tools for use by a local District, Area, or Group carrying the message be done only after careful deliberation and discussion within the Fellowship, including – if possible – the Regional Trustee. Second.

Kevin Murphy: Prepare yourselves to vote. Motion carries with minor opposition.

Jennifer Searle: I could be completely wrong and this looks like a direct quote from the Tradition so we have to keep the C.A. in there or we need to make it not a direct quote.

Kevin Murphy: if that was a point of order, I don’t take it as valid.

Referral #6044 – “Location Services” on website

As a method of better carrying the message to the addict searching for a meeting – can the area and World websites begin offering “Location Services” such as mapping, from 3^rd party applications by a Tradition Six statement – or however this committee sees fit.

Referral #6691 – Pay Pal Guidance

Please provide guidance and/or guidelines for use (or non-use) of Pay Pal or other online payment services, as there has been confusion and debate as to how to fit the services within Traditions or if there is an overall Tradition violation.

Our response to Referrals #6044 and #6691:

MOTION: To add language in the Information Technology (IT) Committee Workbook and Guidelines, Page 7 under the section entitled “Requirements for C.A. Area/District Web Sites”, adding subsection “k” at the end of the list (and to add new language to Page 8), to read as follows:

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k) When utilizing any of the following:

Mapping Services for meetings and events (e.g., to give directions to a meeting location)
Online payment gateways (e.g., for the purposes of collecting donations or payments for events)

the following disclaimer should be included on the same page and in close proximity to the link, widget or form:

“In the spirit of Tradition Six, C.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution. As such <your area/district/service committee> of Cocaine Anonymous and Cocaine Anonymous as a whole does not endorse and is not affiliated with <payment gateway/business name> or any of the companies and/or services offered on the <payment gateway/business name> site. Any links to external websites or services are only provided as a convenience to our members.”

Additionally, on page 8, add new language under the section entitled “Things to be Avoided”, under subsection (a) as follows:

a) Links to non-C.A. web sites must be avoided, including all of the following (unless otherwise indicated below):

Commercial web sites, or any web site containing advertising, except for the following:

a) Mapping Services for meetings and events (e.g., to give directions to a meeting location), when accompanied by the disclaimer found in the Information Technology (IT) Workbook and Guidelines under the section entitled “REQUIREMENTS FOR C.A. AREA/DISTRICT WEB SITES”, subsection k

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b) Online payment gateways (e.g., for the purposes of collecting donations or payments for events), when accompanied by the disclaimer found in the Information Technology (IT) Workbook and Guidelines under the section entitled “REQUIREMENTS FOR C.A. AREA/DISTRICT WEB SITES”, subsection k

2) Government web sites

3) Any web site containing advertising (except as indicated in item 1 of this list)

Second.

Kevin Murphy: would you like to speak to your motion?

Jon Himelblau: Not at this time.

Kevin Murphy: Any debate?

Cliff Wright: Speaking of Page 8, links to CA related websites, except as located below. I want to put Google maps on the website will that be OK?

Jon Himelblau: people are already using it and it states that we are not associated with Google.

Nicholas Lynn: You have presented the information in a negative way and it seems rather long winded and could be better presented.

Wade Staples: things to be avoided is what is being discussed.

Nicholas Lynn: it just seems to go on for ages and you seem to be started from the negative. I like “You may”, “you might”

Wade Staples: You may want to look at the guidebook and number 7 does state what you “may” do.

Cynthia Cronkhite: friendly amendment – strike subparagraph 3 from the end of this motion.

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Jon Himelblau: Thank you for your friendly amendment and we accept it.

Mike Seden: Thank you IT committee for finally websites to use mapping and paying links to facilitate the things we do in C.A.

Kevin Murphy: seeing no further debate, the motion has to be reread again and I will turn the microphone over to my Vice Chair. Prepare yourselves to vote.

Motion passes unanimously.

I have been given a “one day notice” to rescind the IT motion regarding Referrals #6157 and #6458.

REFERRALS OR ITEMS TABLED UNTIL NEXT YEAR; AND ITEMS THE COMMITTEE WILL CONTINUE WORKING ON THROUGH THE YEAR

The IT Committee will continue to review new and existing websites for possible issues related to our Traditions and Guidelines as set forth in the Workbook; and will consider revisions to the Internet Technology (IT) Committee Workbook and Guidelines.

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

Referral #6391 – Assist with PI Census

That the IT Committee assist the World Service Office in making the PI census and survey forms available for completion online.

Committee’s Response: The World Service Office administers the World Service website. As such, this was referred to the World Service Office Board.

Referral #6407 – Committee Inventory

Referral 6407 is respectfully submitted to the IT Committee. The referral itself is in italics. The remainder is simply supporting information / ideas / suggestions should you find them useful.

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This referral is a request that the IT Committee take a group inventory of itself in the spirit of assessing how well the committee helps the Conference to fulfill its purpose and to identify what action(s) the committee could take to improve the committee’s ability to better help the Conference fulfill its purpose.

Should the IT Committee opt to take no action on this referral either at the 2010 Conference or as a post-Conference activity throughout the 2010 / 2011 year, please be kind enough to cite the IT Committee’s reason(s) for not undertaking such action in the IT Committee’s closing Conference report.

[Accompanying attachment not included]

Committee’s Response: Our opinion is that it is up to the Conference to decide whether to include a time allotment within this committee’s conference agenda for group inventories. Should the Conference Committee decide to include a Group Inventory in the agenda, this IT committee will gladly comply. Therefore, this was referred to the Conference Committee to make such a decision.

REFERRALS THAT DID NOT RESULT IN MOTIONS None.

NEW COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AS OF THIS CONFERENCE

Brian Keefer, Chair

Wade Staples, Vice-Chair

Wesley Blount, Secretary

CLOSING COMMENTS

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We have worked hard as a committee this year to address the requests and concerns of the fellowship as they relate to our area of responsibility. We have labored to not let the pace of technological progress dictate the pace of our actions while striving not to be left behind. Yet, despite our best efforts, we stand at the boundary of tomorrow and have certainly not considered every possible consequence or possible outcome. It was not theory or speculation that forged our twelve traditions, but experience. It will be experience that shapes our application of these principles to future tools for our ever-present mission. We will likely make mistakes, and find ourselves grateful for the gifts of inventory and introspection, that what is true today may not be true tomorrow, and that we can continue on the path of progress, ever striving for perfection.

In closing, as I am outgoing this year, I personally would like to express my sincere gratitude to this Fellowship for allowing me to serve in this capacity over the last four years. The friendships made and the positive growth I received truly created an exciting and rewarding experience in my sobriety and life that I will always treasure.

Respectfully Submitted:

Marc Harvey, IT Committee Chair

Kevin Murphy: any questions for the IT Committee? Seeing none, let’s thank them for the long and lengthy work. Before we take a break, I would like to point out with the respect to Facebook, I have 88 friends on Facebook, yet I have no Facebook account. We will take a 10 minute break. The time is 4:44 pm. BREAK

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