Sep 1, 2007 – Day 5 – Summary – WSBT Closing Report – Documents Archive for Cocaine Anonymous

C.A. WORLD SERVICE CONFERENCE 2007

WORLD SERVICE BOARD OF TRUSTEES REPORT INTRODUCTION AND OPENING

COMMENTS

Opening Comments

Our thanks to everyone here at this year’s WS 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 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 2007 WSC will be reported on at next year’s Conference.

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We are pleased to report that all members of the WSBT and all members of the WSOB were successfully ratified. Two trustees are rotating out at the end of this Conference: Jay Finesilver, the Southwest Regional Trustee and current WSBT Vice Chair, and Tony Drake, the Midwest Regional Trustee and WSBT Chair.

The faces on the WSBT will be changing after the close of this Conference, but 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

Bobbie Harmon, Trustee at Large
Tony Drake, Midwest Regional Trustee and WSBT Chair

Carl Warlick, Pacific South Regional Trustee
Jay Finesilver, Southwest Regional Trustee and WSBT Vice Chair
Earl Henderson, World Service Office Trustee
Hayward Hunt, World Service Trustee and WSBT Secretary
Bruce Watson, Atlantic North Regional Trustee
Nicholas Lynn, European Trustee
Lawrence Matlock, Atlantic South Regional Trustee
Trevor Scheible, Pacific North Regional Trustee

COMMITTEE WORK THAT RESULTED IN MOTIONS

None

REFERRALS THAT RESULTED IN MOTIONS

None.

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

We received several referrals during this year’s Conference, which we will be working on during the year. These are listed below:

Referral #4189

Please review websites stating “we are a fellowship of, for and by cocaine addicts.” This is an exclusive drug specific statement and does not truly state membership requirement. I would like to see CA honestly described.

Referral# 4198

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Please create a list of all newsletters and contacts for them. This would assist us in reaching our members with request for help with ideas; like PSAs. This would be complied by the Trustees (as they are aware of which areas have such newsletters and current contacts) and kept at WSO. It should be accessible to committees within the CA service structure.

Referral # 5036

How do concerned members request help of Trustees when most of the time the issues are to be handled by respective Districts/Areas and those Districts/Areas are same people, same thoughts, same ideas.

Referral #5040

Change the formation of the first step to read; We admitted we were powerless over all other mind altering substances – that our lives had become unmanageable.

Referral #5115

Can we have guidelines or a committee entitled “accreditations” in the WS Manual? And WS Conference?

Referral# 5087

At last years conference it was decided to remove the last paragraph page 4 of the financial guidelines covering: “Special Donations – Special Causes”

To respect Tradition 7 and Tradition 9

This action would suggest that CA as a whole no longer encourages the earmarking/ring fencing of funds or the raising of money for special causes. However, there is still a lack of clarity amongst the membership over theses practices, not least Unity Days to raise money for delegate travel and passing of H&l Cans to raise money specifically for H&l.

It would suggest this fellowship is providing a mixed message and leaving the membership confused. If a guideline of such weight is removed surely it shouid be replaced by a clear and informed direction which must question the whole practice of H&l Cans and the process for raising funds specifically for delegate travel. If our guidelines are contradictory we run the risk of diminishing our collective responsibility as world service leaders to steer our global fellowship through the traditions with clarity and grace.

PROPOSAL: – This conference accepts that the practice of passing H&l Cans and Unity Days (to raise money for delegate travel) promotes inequality and specialness in contradiction to the principles of Traditions 7 & 9, and fails to reflect the action of Conference 2006 in removing the last paragraph of Page 4 of the Financial Guidelines.

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Referral #4776

Delegate report – provide delegates (especially new ones) with formats/guidelines for Area report.

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

To Convention Committee:

Referral for issue of non-CA tapes at all CA events

Please revise page 34 of Convention committee guidelines to add new item# 29 to read as following:

While in agreement with Cocaine Anonymous, Contractor wiii catalog, sell and display only Cocaine Anonymous Speaker and Workshop recordings while onsite at CA events.

To S&B Committee #1:

Referral to clarify Regional Assembly process and how an Area’s votes are distributed amongst its representatives. Also clarify the voting status of the Assembly Chairperson.

Please amend page 26 (paragraph under Regional Service assembly) of the

World Service Manual that currently reads:

REGIONAL SERVICE ASSEMBLY

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, voting is exclusive to those members representing the Region: Trustees residing in the Region, WSC Delegates, and Area Chairpersons. WSC Delegates 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.

Motion to modify section to read as follows:

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REGIONAL SERVICE ASSEMBLY

A Region shouid 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, voting is exclusive to those members representing the Region: Trustees residing in the Region, WSC Delegates, and Area Chairpersons. Each Area shall have the same number of votes at the Assembly as it would have at the Conference, to be carried by its Delegates and/or Alternate Delegates. WSC Delegates may carry no more than two votes at the Regional Assembly (one proxy pursuant to WSC voting procedures). The Area Chairperson may carry no more than one additional vote. 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.

To S&B Committee #2:

Referrals related to increasing the sobriety requirements of Delegates and Trustees respectively. The reasoning is in part due to the recognition that the CA fellowship has matured greatly since these sobriety requirements were set. Also, in looking at the AA sobriety requirements, they are 5 or 6 years for delegates, and 10 years for regional trustees and trustees at large. NA minimum clean time for trustees is also 10 years.

Please amend page 24 (paragraph 3 the last sentence) of the World Service Manual that currently reads:

It is further suggested that Delegates have two years of continuous sobriety.

Motion to modify this sentence to raise the suggested number of years of continuous sobriety for Delegates from two years to four years of continuous sobriety. So the sentence as modified would read:

It is further suggested that Delegates have four years of continuous sobriety.

Please amend page 39 (paragraph 4 under Qualifications of Addict Trustees) of the World Service Manual that currently reads:

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A minimum of five years of continuous abstinence from cocaine and ai! other mind-altering Substances at the time of the election to the Regional slate.

Motion to modify, this sentence to raise the suggested number of years of continuous sobriety for Trustee candidates from five years to eight years of continued abstinence from cocaine and ail other mind-altering substances. So the sentence as modified would read:

A minimum of eight years of continuous abstinence from cocaine and all other mind-altering Substances at the time of the election to the Regional slate.

To S&B Committee #3:

Referral to add a Director position to the World Service Office Board of Directors

To create a tenth (10^th) Director position for the World Service Office Board of Directors, The position of Director of Strategic Planning would be a new role title with responsibilities as follows:

Directly responsible for selecting, planning, scheduling and implementations of various fundraising business related programs and materials for the continued growth and expansion of the C.A. fellowship.

The position of Paid Director (Office Manager) will be changed to Director ofOperations with the following responsibilities:

Directs and oversees an organization’s operational policies, objectives, and initiatives. Familiar with a variety of the company’s concepts, practices, and procedures. Relies on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Performs a variety of tasks. Leads and directs the work of others. A wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected.

Please amend page 43 (paragraph 5) of the World Service Manual that currently reads:

The CAWSO Board shall not exceed nine directors. Except for the Paid Director and Trustees, qualifications to be selected as a WSO Director shall include membership on a WSO committee, or prior Area or District service committee.

The CAWSO Board shall consist of the following:

Chairperson, Vice Chairperson

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Secretary, Treasurer, Director(s)-At-Large, World Service Trustee, Paid Director (or equivalent), World Service Office Trustee.

Motion to modify section to read as follows:

The CAWSO Board will consist of ten directors. Except for the Director of Strategic Planning, the Director of Operations and Trustees, qualifications to be selected as a WSO Director shall include membership on a WSO committee, or prior Area or District service committee. The CAWSO Board shall consist of the following:

Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, Director(s)-At-Large World Service Trustee, Director of Strategic Planning, World Service Office Trustee, Director of Operations

Please amend page 43 (under World Service Board of Directors Interview Process: ltem#3) of the World Service Manual that currently reads:

The WSO Paid Director(s)

Motion to modify Item# 3 and add new Item# 4 to read as follows:

The WSO Director of Strategic Planning
The WSO Director of Operations

Please amend page 43 (under Process of the Candidate interview: Item#1 and #2) of the World Service Manual that currently reads:

Except for the Paid Director, the potential candidate must have attended at least two WSOB meetings prior to submitting their resume to either the WSBT or the WSOB.
Except for the Paid Director, complete a service resume and submit it to the Chair of the applicable interviewing board.

Motion to modify Items# 1 and 2 to read as follows:

Except for the Director of Strategic Planning and the Director of Operations, the potential candidate must have attended at least two WSOB meetings prior to submitting their resume to either the WSBT or the WSOB.

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2, Except for the Director of Strategic Planning and the Director of Operations, complete a service resume and submit to the Chair of the applicable interviewing board.

Please amend page 44 (under The Board of Directors of CAWSO shall be elected as follows: ltem#1 and #2) of the World Service Manual that currently reads:

All Directors, other than the Paid Director or Trustee Directors, will be elected by the Board of Trustees after consideration of the specific qualifications of each prospective Director.
The Paid Director, being a Director automatically after employment, will be installed by the CAWSO Board of Directors at the first meeting of the Board after the hiring of the Paid Director.

Motion to modify Items# 1 and 2 to read as follows:

All Directors, other than the Director of Strategic Planning, Director of Operations or Trustee Directors, will be elected by the Board of Trustees after consideration of the specific qualifications of each prospective Director,
The Director of Strategic Planning and the Director of Operations, being a Director automatically after employment, will be installed by the CAWSO Board of Directors at the first meeting of the Board after the hiring of the Director of Strategic Planning and the Director of Operations.

Please amend page 45 (under PAID DIRECTOR (or equivalent Item) of the World Service Manual that currently reads:

PAID DIRECTOR (or equivalent)

Duties/job description of the WSO Director shall be determined by the CAWSO Board and administered through the Chairperson.
A current job description shall be maintained on file at the WSO.
Sits on a committee of the WSC.

Motion to modify section to read as follows:

DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC PLANNING

Duties/job description WSO Director of Strategic Planning shall be determined by and administered by the WSBT and the CAWSO Board Chair.

A current job description shall be maintained on file at the

Sits on a committee of the WSC.

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DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Duties/job description WSO Director of Operations shall be determined by the CAWSO Board and administered through the Chair.
A current job description shall be maintained on file at the WSO.
Sits on a committee of the WSC.

To S&B Committee #4:

World Service Manual/Committee guideline Approval/Sign Off

Please amend page 37 (Standing Rule 16) of the World Service Manual that currently reads:

16) MINUTES OF WORLD SERVICE CONFERENCE. The World Service Office will oversee the preparation of the transcripts of Conference session, for delivery to the Conference Committee not later than 90 days following the Conference. The Conference Committee is to prepare and deliver the minutes of the World Service Conference to the World Service Office, for distribution to the delegates no later than 150 days after the close of the Conference. If the Conference Committee is unable to do so, the World Service Office will immediately assume responsibility for preparing and distributing the minutes in the most expeditious manner possible.

Motion to add the following paragraph at the end of Standing Rule 16:

Whenever WSC Committee guidelines or other materials are to be distributed to the fellowship, it is the responsibility of the Trustee assigned at the time such materials are approved to review the materials for accuracy, following approval by the WSC Committee, and forward them to the WSO for distribution. This approval shall only occur after receipt and comparison of the current Conference transcripts by the WSC Committee.

To S&B Committee #5:

SPECIAL NOTE: This item is included for informational purposes only as this is a modification to the CAWS bylaws, done and approved under California statutory corporate law. We wanted the delegates to be aware of this item and its inclusion in the next WSM.

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TOPIC: further changes to trustee ratification process in the World Service Manual

Please revise page 52 (Bylaws of Cocaine Anonymous World Services, Inc.) of the World Services Manual that currently reads:

All Director Trustees shall be ratified by secret ballot no less than once per year at a quarterly Meeting of the WSBT. Such a ratification vote can be called at any of the WSBT quarterly meetings by a simple majority vote. Trustee ratification requires a 2/3-majority vote by the WSBT. If a trustee is not ratified the WSBT shall ask for the trustee’s immediate resignation. If the trustee is not ratified and does not resign within 48 hours of such request the WSBT shall immediately vote by secret ballot on whether to remove said trustee. Trustee removal requires a 2/3-majority vote by the WSBT. If there is not a 2/3 majority in favor of removal, the trustee remains on the WSBT. In the event that any trustee shall resign, die, or be removed, the Trustee Election Committee shall elect a new trustee at the regular trustee elections at the next WS conference.

Motion to modify section to read as follows:

All Director Trustees shall be ratified by secret ballot no less than once per year at a quarterly meeting of the WSBT. Such a ratification vote can be called at any of the WSBT quarterly meetings by a simple majority vote. Trustee ratification requires a 2/3-majority vote by the WSBT. If a trustee is not ratified the WSBT shall ask for the trustee’s immediate resignation. If the trustee is not ratified and does not resign within 48 hours of such request the WSBT shall immediately vote by secret ballot on whether to remove said trustee. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT CONSIDERATION OF THE VOTE FOR REMOVAL SHALL INCLUDE THE RIGHT TO BE PRESENT AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE AFFORDED TRADITIONAL RIGHTS OF APPEAL. Trustee removal requires a 2/3-majority vote by the WSBT. If there is not a 2/3 majority in favor of removal, the trustee remains on the WSBT. In the event that any trustee shall resign, die, or be removed, the Trustee Election Committee shall elect a new trustee at the regular trustee elections at the next WS conference.

REFERRALS THAT DID NOT RESULT IN MOTIONS Referral #5000 Date:9/2/06 From: Kevin M.

To address the TEC numerical imbalance, and the difficulty of the WSBT members being 2 places at one time, consider drawing lots at the winter meeting for a needed Trustee presence on the TEC.

Response:

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We appreciate the spirit of this Referral and continued concern about how the TEC selects new trustees. At the WS Conference 2006, the Conference passed a revised selection/voting process which in essence confirmed the ratio of Trustee members of the TEC (ten in number) and Delegate members of the TEC (seven in number). There were many referrals which were submitted to the Conference for consideration at the 2006 WS Conference in the aftermath of the decision by the 2005 TEC to leave on trusteeship unfilled for that year. In light of this concern, the WSBT studied this issue and brought forth a motion to remedy past problems and uncertainties. This was passed by the Conference this year, as we noted earlier in this response. The S&B Conference Committee also studied this issue this year and opted to see if the revised process would work. The TEC was pleased to announce that all four Trustee openings were in fact filled at the 2006 selections using the revised process. Incidentally, this year’s TEC had eight Trustee members and seven Delegate members.

To address the specific concerns from this referral, our current experience has shown that while there may be a slight numerical imbalance, it still takes a combination of both Trustees and Delegate TEC members to select a new Trustee (it takes a 2/3 ratification to be selected; so if there are 15 votes as there were this year, it would take 10 votes for ratification- remember that the ratio was 8 Trustee members and 7 Delegate members). So, we do not see the numerical imbalance as unfair or problematic. In fact, the Conference itself by its actions this year tacitly approved this imbalance.

As to the difficulty of the WSBT members being in two places at one time as also referenced in this referral, this year, all the interviews were held and completed even before the Conference started. So, during the Conference, there were no interviews held during Conference Committee or Conference floor time. Only the Trustee voting occurred during the Conference week, as it could not have occurred any earlier due to the need to first pass the revised selection process. The WSBT worked earnestly this year to ensure that there was minimal time away from the respective Conference committees. The WSBT and ultimately the TEC when configured for next year will continue this practice.

So, we decline to proceed to act upon this referral in the manner requested. The process as it stands now with the effort to compiete the interview portion of the process prior to the start of the Conference works as properly and should not be altered at this time.

Referral #4234 Date: 7/3/06 From: Deb H.

Our delegate and another member lent our CA name and logo to a softball team. 1 believe this violates tradition 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10,11, and 12. Since we don’t “lend the CA name to any related facility or outside enterprise,” I also

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believe it’s a trademark violation, thus illegal. After bringing this to their attention they contacted our trustee, and said he OK’d and agreed with their decision. Enclosed is my written correspondence with the trustee and his response. I still believe this is a blatant disregard of the traditions and it hasn’t been resolved to my satisfaction. I’m eager to hear what the rest of the conference thinks about this issue.

Response:

This exact referral was sent to the WSBT at the end of Conference 2005. We studied the issue(s) presented and approved a response which was attached to our 2006 WSBT Conference Report. We, for some reason, have been presented with the exact same referral even with the same referral number. The prior response to the same referral, which we again confirm, is as follows:

Response:

The WSBT appreciates you bringing this issue to our attention. You had written a referral to the Conference which was referred on to the WSBT for review and comment. We too thank you for the narrative setting forth the problem as it helps to clarify the depth and breadth of the concern.

The issue of CA softball in recovery leagues continues to come up locally and even, as in Kansas, at the District and Area level.

In our review of this matter, we are guided by the traditions and concepts as well as the writings in the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. We have referenced to the Fourth Tradition which provides that “Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or CA as a whole.” The inquiry becomes therefore, whether the permission to have the team and use the CA logo which occurred in Kansas was within the purview of the Kansas Area to permit or disallow, or whether such action(s) affect other groups, districts, areas or CA as a whole.

We are further guided by the long form of the Fourth Tradition which provides in part: “And no group, regional committee, or individual should ever take any action that might greatly affect [C.A.] as a whole without conferring with the trustees…. On such issues our common welfare is paramount.” Also in the narrative text of the Fourth Tradition (page 147), the inquiry seems to turn to whether the action taken would “greatly” injure C.A. as a whole. In that same paragraph is the notion that the group’s sole objective has to be “Sobriety”; and “[i]n all other respects there was perfect freedom of will and action. Every group had the right to be wrong.”

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So we begin by asking whether the use of the CA logo for a CA based softball team, and even having a CA softball team in a recovery league affects other groups, districts, areas, or CA as a whole. Further, we must then ask whether that action might or did serve to “greatly” affect CA as a whole. This inquiry then relates to the first part of our First Tradition as to whether our common welfare is impacted.

In using this framework, we decline to find that what occurred in Kansas greatly affected CA as a whole and that our common welfare was impacted to such a level as to prohibit participation by CA members in a softball league or the use of the CA logo by a CA team.

We are mindful that there are many challenges on the periphery of CA recovery that might affect our events and members at some level: some relate to smoking or non-smoking, some to food perhaps (for example buffets at banquets); some to gender issues; some perhaps to cigar meetings; some related to emotional matters and even ‘anon issues; and we could go on. Softball would be in this group too. The point is that those types of matters, while important, are tangential to the CA primary purpose of obtaining freedom from cocaine and all other mind altering substances. Our sole objective, as the text so perfectly states is “Sobriety.”

We are saying basically that the Kansas CA members who played softball in a recovery league using the CA logo, as this was presented to us, does not greatly affect CA as a whole. Therefore it is left to the autonomy of the Area to decide whether such events are proper after a full discussion of ail arguments pro and con. The group conscience of the Area would then take precedence on this matter, in this instance, the Kansas Area actually gave the required permission, in writing on April 9, 2005 pursuant to a full discussion at an Area service meeting held that day. The minutes of the Area reflect this action by the Area. The matter appears to have been considered and resolved by such action at the Area level. If there were disagreement with the action, those could have been brought and considered at a later Area meeting under the CA 5^th Concept. To our knowledge, that did not occur either and has not occurred since that time.

We also looked at the correspondence from that time and find the supplemental information and facts very different than those which were presented in this referral. The reference to a member of our Board “agreeing” with the action taken by members of the Area is not what actually occurred. The member of our board advised the local trusted servants that the matter was to be left for consideration by the area at an Area meeting. Further, the member advised the local fellowship consistently with the references to the Traditions contained in this response. A letter by the maker of this referral to the trustee was written on April 16, 2005,

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postmarked April 21,2005 and responded to by the trustee on April 25, 2005 which response contained a detailed explanation of the facts as well as what the trustee did in fact represent to the Area servants by way of advice to them. In that letter, the maker of the referral was again reminded of her ability under our service structure and concepts to request a new vote or express a formal minority opinion. To date that has not occurred in the subsequent year this matter has been pending. We re-emphasize the rights of anyone with a minority opinion or disagreement with an action of the Area service board, that person can always express that opinion and ask for a new vote.

We close with a quote again from the Twelve by Twelve:

Over the years every conceivable deviation from our Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions has been tried. That was sure to be, since we are so largely a band of ego-driven individualists. Children of chaos, we have defiantly played with every brand of fire, only to emerge unharmed and, we think, wiser. These very deviations created a vast process of trial and error which, under the grace of God, has brought us to where we stand today, (Page 146)

We thank you for bringing this issue forward. If you or the concerned member or any other member of the Kansas fellowship desires further information or has any questions related to this matter, please feel free to contact us or have them contact us directly.

2006.09.06 Referral #4888 Date: none From: Anne B.

Please see attachment circulated at the Arizona Area Convention regarding distribution of “red book” by H&l committee at H&l meetings. Attached is a flyer asking for a signature to support the acceptance of the red book by world services, they received 166 signatures.

Response

The WSBT appreciates you bringing this issue to our attention related to the propriety of a CA H&l Committee reading and/or distributing the “Red Book” at CA meetings. We too thank you for the narrative setting forth the problem as it helps to clarify the depth and breadth of the concern.

If you recall from last year, a similar referral was submitted by you to the LCF Conference Committee who referred it to our Board for consideration and response.

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Here is that Referral and our Response formally issued in August 2006 as a part of our Conference Report.

Referral #4480 (referred from LCF to WSBT)

I would like to have the little red books accepted as approved literature. The red books are dramatically cheaper and would keep more money in our groups. Note from Anne B.: I believe the intent of this referral is for H&l to give little red books out at Hospitals & Institutions as brought in by our CA groups.

Response:

A couple of years ago this issue came before our Board and it was examined in some detail. We are not in favor of seeking approval from the Conference for The Little Red Book to be available at CA meetings because 1) it is not AA Conference approved, 2) it is a book published by a private for profit entity (the Hazelden Foundation) and our approval of it could imply affiliation; and 3) the book contains advertisements for for-profit entities.

We are aware that some local groups and H&l committees are using The Little Red Book, with or without removing some of the ads or portions of one of the appendices. While we understand that cost is an important factor, we would encourage members to be mindful of the following language in the World Service Manual:

Cocaine Anonymous groups, meetings and service committees should only use, display, distribute or sell the following literature and materials: the WSC Approved Literature set forth in the Appendix, the books “ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS,” “TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS,” and “The A.A. Service Manual, combined with the 12 Concepts For World Service,” and Cocaine Anonymous World Service, Region, Area, District and group/ meeting approved flyers, meeting directories and other materials displaying the CA logo as described above.

During the course of this past your our Board has had the chance to examine the issue of the propriety of non-Conference approved literature being used or distributed at CA meetings. From that examination, we again looked at the propriety of use of the Red Book.

The issue of appropriate readings during or in conjunction with CA meetings or events continues to come up locally and even at H&l, district, area and regional

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levels, in our review and study of the matter, we are guided in part by our own CA World Service Manual which sets forth on page 13 the following:

We are also guided by the steps, traditions and concepts as well as the writings in the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. We have referenced the Fourth Tradition which provides that “Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or CA as a whole.” The inquiry becomes therefore, whether the use, reading, or distribution of the “Red Book” is appropriate for the group, or whether such action(s) affect other groups, districts, areas or CA as a whole.

On such issues our common welfare is paramount.” Also in the narrative text of the Fourth Tradition (page 147), the inquiry seems to turn to whether the action taken would “greatly” injure C.A. as a whole. In that same paragraph is the notion that the group’s sole objective has to be “Sobriety;” and ^,£[i]n ail other respects there was perfect freedom of will and action. Every group had the right to be wrong.”

So we begin by asking referencing the language cited from our World Service Manual page 16 which sets forth specifically which items and writings “should” be used, displayed, distributed or sold by the groups. Clearly, the “Red Book” is not on the Conference Approved list referenced in the Manual’s Appendix, nor has there been any advisory opinion to date authorizing its reference and use. The World Service Conference just recently voted to include the paragraph from page 13 with the word “should” included. That language as cited, therefore is the clear conscience of our entire fellowship regardless of whether we, as a Board, or any member of the fellowship or group argues or decides whether the word “should” is suggestive as some argue or directive as others might argue. The intent and spirit of including that paragraph was and is to set a base level of appropriate materials and readings for all groups and service committees of CA throughout our CA world.

Having said that though, the inquiry for our board is whether the use by your Area or the H&i Committee of this specific book “Red Book” affects other

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groups, districts, areas, or CA as a whole. Further, we must then ask whether that action might or did serve to “greatly” affect CA as a whole. This inquiry then relates to the first part of our First Tradition as to whether our common welfare is impacted.

In using this framework, we decline to find that the use of the book “Red Book” as specifically greatly affects CA as a whole and that our common welfare would be impacted to such a level as to prohibit the use of the Book by your group or service committee at this time. Having said that though, we remain deeply concerned about the precedent and message of any group or service body at any level using non-Conference approved materials.

The notion of the autonomy of the group to use the Red Book should be looked at as well. We have said basically that the use of the Red Book, while contrary to the language from the World Service Conference, does not greatly affect CA as a whole. Therefore it becomes left to the autonomy of the group to decide whether such continued use is proper after a full discussion of all arguments pro and con. The informed group conscience of the group or service body would then take precedence on this matter.

We close with a quote again from the Twelve by Twelve:

We thank you for bringing this issue forward. We too thank all of the members of the fellowship who signed the petition re the use of the Red Book. If you or any other member of the local fellowship desires further information or has any questions related to this matter, please feel free to contact us or have them contact us directly.

In love and service,

The World Service Board of Trustees

Referral# 5487 Date: none From: Bruce W.

Cocaine Anonymous should initiate and develop contacts with in Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous at the World Service

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Level, perhaps among boards of trustees for the purpose of identifying areas of cooperation that serve the primary purposes of the fellowships.

Response:

The WSBT appreciates you bringing this issue to our attention related to the usefulness of initiating contact with other 12-step fellowships for the purpose of identifying areas of cooperation that serve the primary purposes of the fellowships.

We have in fact engaged in informal contacts over the years for the purpose of learning from our brothers and sisters in Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous about issues which those fellowships have addressed, and which we in C.A. are now facing. For example, several board members discussed the issue of “When Trust is Lost”, concerning what steps are appropriate to take, including but not limited to prosecution, when a trusted servant in a position of responsibility regarding group or area funds engages in larceny. We expect to continue to use such opportunities to learn from those who have walked before us.

Having acknowledged that we take such opportunities as they may be of use to our Fellowship, we are nevertheless aware that we cannot take any action that could be construed as endorsing or lending the C.A. name to either of these fellowships, in contravention of Tradition Six.

Your suggestion will be referred to the Long Term Planning Committee of the World Service Board of Trustees, so that committee may identify additional opportunities for such contact.

Thank you again for your thoughtful referral.

Referral #4895 Date: 8/30/06 From: Dan S. ft/L

Please see attached sheet for referral content; one page. Attached: “why do you feel it is important that you again serve as a Trustee rather than deferring to the concept of the “spirit of rotation” and allowing another to serve in this position?”

Response:

The WSBT much appreciates you bringing this question forward to the Board at this time. Presently the Trustee election process functions very well with the confidential questions written, reviewed and updated (where necessary) by the entire Board. We are not at liberty to discuss what questions comprise the

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interview process due to their extreme confidential nature of the entire process. We can advise you though that, the WSBT will consider adding your question as appropriate.

NEW WSBT STRUCTURE AS OF THIS CONFERENCE

WSBT Officers:

Chair: Carl Warlick
Vice-Chair: Bobbie Harmon
Secretary: Bruce Watson

CAWS, Inc. Corporate Officers:

President: Hayward Hunt
Vice President: Earl Henderson
Secretary: Bobbie Harmon
Treasurer: Lawrence Matlock

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.

Respectfully Submitted:

World Service Board of Trustees

Steve Edwards ~ any questions for the Trustees?

John Whitaker – the WSO and you and some interested members of this body are all interested in doing translation work. Are we going to be working separately or together.

Tony Drake – I would hope that we would all work together.

John Whitaker – we were not involved in some of the things going on, not that we would need to be, but we would like to be included in the work that you are doing. Tony Drake – we’d love that.

Jenn Scheible – Tony is that your’s and Jay’s last conference. Thank you so much for all your hard work.

Steve Edwards – thank you to the Board of Trustees for their report.

Bryan Seid – we would like to request a 5 minute break so that we can take the lunch break in the middle of our report.

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Steve Edwards – we will take a short break and come back and hear the Structure & Bylaws report.

*****BREAK*****

Steve Edwards – Please take your seats and come to order. Our Conference Committee Vice Chair, Scott Botz, would like to ask a questions. Who is meeting in Santa Cruz? Are you done? Who is meeting in Santa Barbara, Westwood, Hollywood, Malibu? Are you done with the rooms?

Steve Edwards – take your seats and come to order and we will hear the S&B report. Where we will play parliamentary hardball if we haven’t already. It is now 10:33 am and we have returned from our break and resuming session.

Musical rendition of something was performed.

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