Yves W. – Read opening comments
CLOSING REPORT
C.A. WORLD SERVICE CONFERENCE 2017 WORLD SERVICE BOARD OF TRUSTEES REPORT
INTRODUCTION AND OPENING COMMENTS
Your WSBT would like to extend sincere thanks to all participants at this year’s 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.
Your WSBT would like to thank the WSOB for their service and commitment to the fellowship of C.A. We look forward to continuing to work closely with our Office Board and assisting, when requested or required, throughout the upcoming 12 months.
We continue to be prudent with Trustee expenditure and came in under budget. The TEC conducted business and followed the process of electing new Trustees.
We would like to inform the Conference that the WSBT has discussed changing Tradition 11 to read: “Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion, we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of public media.” Pursuant to SR- 14, we wish to inform you that this may come up for possible consideration at the 2018 Conference.
Based on our Traditions, Concepts and Charter we recognize and fully appreciate that it is of course for the Conference and its committees to decide whether, and how, to do this.
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Though there are some guidelines, at this point we do not have a full procedure in place for this kind of change. For this reason, the WSBT has sent S&B a referral to design such a procedure.
We would encourage you to initiate healthy debate and discussion at your groups, areas and regions. Please feel free to share your thoughts and feedback on this matter with your regional Trustee. We understand this is a big change, and we will be looking to the collective group conscience of our entire C.A. Fellowship, and a Loving God as he may express himself, to be our guide.
We are extremely excited by the upcoming CAWS2018 Convention “Célébrez C.A. Sans frontières / Celebrate C.A. Without Borders” in Montreal.
We received referrals at this conference and we will work on these throughout the year. Committee Introductions
- Kerry W – South West Regional Trustee
- Kevin M – World Service Office Trustee
- Rob W– Trustee At Large
- Suzanne V – European Regional Trustee
- Wade S – Pacific North Regional Trustee
- Yvette H – World Service Trustee
- Tom P – Pacific South Regional Trustee /WSBT Assistant Secretary
- Jeannette J – Midwest Regional Trustee / WSBT Secretary
- Anne M – Atlantic South Regional Trustee / WSBT Vice-Chair
- Yves W – Atlantic North Regional Trustee / WSBT Chair
COMMITTEE WORK THAT RESULTED IN MOTIONS
None.
REFERRALS THAT RESULTED IN MOTIONS
None.
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REFERRALS OR ITEMS TABLED UNTIL NEXT YEAR; AND ITEMS THE COMMITTEE WILL CONTINUE WORKING ON THROUGH THE YEAR
WSBT 2016 – 5
This is a referral for the consideration to amend our 11th Tradition.
- Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, television and films.
The amended version would be:
- Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, television, films and internet.
I think it’s important to recognize that when Bill W, wrote the 11th Tradition it was before the widespread use of television, and yet the language of the tradition is flexible enough to cover that form of media. I believe that if the Internet would have existed then, it would have been included in the 11th Tradition as well.
C.A. will continue to grow and change with the years. The “Principal of Anonymity” must remain our primary and enduring safeguard. This change will ensure that we recognize the ever emerging technology around us and adapt to these changes.
WSBT 2017-3 From Jay F. Conference Committee Chair – Colorado Area (In- Conference)
This is a referral related to the Right of Rotation. I have always been troubled by the fact that at the WSOB level, even trusted servants that serve the maximum six years, can go off the board for two years and then be allowed to serve another term or more later on. I sent a referral to the WSOB last year who just responded (in its Opening Report) that the WSM provides for “consecutive” terms and that this practice of letting servants come back after a break in service is allowable due to this technicality. I respectively disagree. To me, the right of rotation means that after six years, the person can no longer serve in the same position again ever. This is how it is at all other aspects of World Service, albeit from Trustees, Conference Officers and even Conference Committee Chairs. To me, this seems to be intellectually and spiritually dishonest. As I understand the Concepts and other writings and practices about the right of rotation, how can this ever be acceptable. Rather than just put forth a motion to change this to S&B I would appreciate please the WSBT weigh in on this. Can the WSBT please clarify this once and for all. We will be submitting a referral about this but believe that the Trustees need to give guidance on this important matter as well. Thanks very much.
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WSBT 2017-3 From Dawn M. CAUK (In-Conference)
I propose that a defined time period is agreed and documented in WSM regarding the publication of WSBT minutes from face to face, online and telephone meetings. Time period to be ‘next available delegate mailing or within the following 60 days’.
It is challenging as a delegate to stay abreast of progress of referrals to WSBT and enquiries that they are dealing with when we receive these minutes in arrears by two quarters.
There must be a way to ensure that minutes from all meetings are available in the next quarterly delegate mailing to allow for timely perusal and enquiry.
WSBT 2017-4 From Earnest M. Northern California Area (In-Conference)
Re the artwork which was at Seattle at the CAWS Convention.
There was a large piece of artwork with AA’s logo and AA’s principles and the C.A. logo in the middle of it, which was right in front of the podium, it was a great piece but had tradition violations. How can this be, please guide us how to prevent this at the World Service Convention level. I have a copy of this art to provide to you and will do so directly. It is attached here;
WSBT 2017-5 From Dawn M. CAUK (In-Conference)
This referral is made in the interest of accountability and transparency:
Motion: that the WSBT quarterly minutes are published with the reports submit to them on a quarterly by the standing committees of conference as unedited attachments with a naming convention including date received and which WSBT assigned to.
REFERRALS OR ITEMS REFERRED TO OTHER COMMITTEES; WORLD SERVICE OFFICE, OR BOARD OF TRUSTEES
None.
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REFERRALS THAT DID NOT RESULT IN MOTIONS
None.
NEW COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AS OF THIS CONFERENCE
Chair: Anne M.
Vice-Chair: Jeanette J.
Secretary: Susan V.
Assistant Secretary: remaining open for discussion at WSBT Quarterly
Rob W. – Outgoing TAL, the Trustee have all touched my heart. I will miss this. Thank Yves for all he has given this fellowhship. He is great for finding info. Thank you all.
CAWS, Inc. Corporate Officers
President: Yvette H
Vice President: Wade S
Secretary: Kerry W
Treasurer: Tom P
From the close of this conference your WSBT consists of the following members
- – Trustee At Large
- – Trustee At Large
- – Atlantic North Regional Trustee
- Kerry W– South West Regional Trustee
- Kevin M – World Service Office Trustee
- Suzanne V – European Regional Trustee
- Wade S – Pacific North Regional Trustee
- Yvette H – World Service Trustee
- Tom P – Pacific South Regional Trustee
- Jeannette J – Midwest Regional Trustee
- Anne M – Atlantic South Regional Trustee
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Yves read —
CLOSING COMMENTS
Your WSBT would like to thank you for allowing us to serve you through this conference. Please let it be known that we will be available throughout the year to assist the Fellowship of Cocaine Anonymous in its mission to carry its message to the addict that still suffers. Please contact us at WSBT@ca.org.
I started with World services in 2000 as an alternate delegate, which was really my first foray outside of my local fellowship. I didn’t know what I was getting into, but I can tell you what a fulfilling and humbling journey it has been, and now I am completing 5 years as Atlantic North regional trustee. These five years will always have a special place in my heart and I owe this to all the people who were with me along this leg in my journey, first and foremost my dear friend Richard A. L. who passed away on May 24, he was my mentor in all of this, Terry M, Russel S, Kenny W, Brian T, Kathy Joe R, Deborah G, Frank P, Duane M, Ira M. L, Jay P, Rob W, Anne M, Jeannette J, Suzanne V, Yvette H, Wade S, Tom P, Kerry W and Kevin M. I thank you all for your teachings, your commitment, your seriousness, your laughs and most of all your love for C.A. I also would like to thank the WSOB for their support and commitment to Service day in and day out for the whole of C.A.
Finally, to paraphrase Dr. Bob, “Remember, let’s not louse this thing up. Let’s keep it simple!” and as a follow up, the important question always to ask is not “Can we do this?”, but “Do we need to do this?”
Merci mes amis, merci ma famille C.A. Je vous aime profondément
Thank you for allowing me to be of Service.
In Love, Service and Gratitude,
Cocaine Anonymous World Service Board of Trustees
Trevor S. – There is a pretty major item that may come up next year. There will be no debate on this potential issue. Are there any questions for the WSBT? Seeing none, thank the WSBT.
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Trevor S. – I added something to the agenda that I hope you enjoy. I don’t think it has
ever been done here.
Rose J. – Point of Order, do we need to elect a secretary now? Trevor S. – No, as Vanessa is still secretary until the gavel falls. Trevor S. – Starts Sobriety Countdown.
Trevor S. – We are going to have a 2-hour break for dinner. Back at 7:30P.
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