Sep 1, 2001 – Day 4 – Summary of Motions – Public Information Committee Closing Report

Cocaine Anonymous World Service Conference 2001

Saturday, 1, 2001 – Day Four

Summary of Motions and Activities

1. Session opens with the Serenity Prayer.
2. Announcements
3. Roll Call – 135 voting members, is the quorum is 90.
4. Chair: More announcements and clarifications on what a point of information.
5. Joy: Motion to rescind – Unity’s first motion which states that any overage of monies from the unity luncheon at the delegate conference be used for the unity budget in the following budget year to be used for the CAWS unity breakfast or luncheon. Second.
6. Chair: Be advised that it only needs a simple majority to pass since written notice was given yesterday.
7. Joy: The reason this should be rescinded is that the number presented yesterday on the floor was incorrect.
8. Discussion ensues.
9. Chair: Please prepare yourself to vote. Motion fails.
10. Angela: Motion to rescind – The Public Information’s last motion that read, “That Cocaine Anonymous World Service Conference 2001 accept our Columnist Form Letter with hopes that it will be received with as much enthusiasm as we feel, and to delete the word “cocaine” at the end of the second paragraph, in the columnist form letter and to strike the word “the” from the letter that proceeds the word cocaine in the first sentence. Second.

11. Discussion ensues.
12. Ronald: Call for the vote.
13. Chair: I will call that out of order, Ronald, since there is no other debate apparent.
14. Chair: Please prepare yourself to vote. Motion to rescind fails with substantial unanimity.

15. PUBLIC INFORMATION REPORT – CONTINUED 

16. Motion 3: Cocaine Anonymous World Service Conference has agreed to a Public Information bi-annual creation, distribution and dissemination of a Cocaine Anonymous Member Survey. There were concerns with our 1999 survey questions, which we, in committee, have changed to reflect the concerns of the conference. Motion: that The Cocaine Anonymous World Service Conference 2001 accept our 2001 Membership Survey to be distributed to the fellowship for their responses. Second.

17. Chair: Any debate?
18. We will not at this time be accepting any friendly amendments to the motion, however, we do realize that their may be some typos, which we will gladly correct and/or take into your consideration any typographical corrections you may find necessary.
19. Tony: Parlimentary Inquiry – Is it proper to make corrections on the floor.
20. Chair: If you have a substantive issue as far as content, you may bring those to the floor. If you find typo’s, please do not bring those to the floor, instead advise the committee.
21. Discussion ensues.
22. Paulette: Point of Information – could you let us know what your putting at the top of the charts.
23. Committee: We did make the suggested changes to the titles of the charts.
24. Chair: Please prepare to vote. Motion carries.
25. Motion 4: .We the PI Committee Motion that The Cocaine Anonymous World Service Conference 2001 accept the revised 1999 compiled data reflecting the approved 1996 questionnaire to be distributed and available to the fellowship. Charts Included in Report to Chair. Seconded.
26. We would like to begin this report by addressing the issues surrounding the 1999 survey. We reviewed our referrals and responses from the 2000 and 2001 conference delegates and we believe that the information contained in this survey is important to report to the fellowship, and to provide this information to the public so they can better understand “Who is a cocaine addict!” We are however in agreement pertaining to a few controversial questions and the wording used in reporting the information. We have discussed in length in our committee and have determined that it would best serve the fellowship to report the information from the 1999

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survey with a few modifications. The process we used to determine which information we would report was based on the information provided in the 1996 survey. There were thirteen corresponding questions between the 1996 conference approved survey and the 1999 survey . We took the data from those questions and reported on them only. We then reviewed the wording used in the results and rephrased the headings as requested

27. We also believe that the continuation of the survey is vital to CA, as it provides us with the information needed to target our P.I. audience, as well as to better understand the fellowship as a whole. According to page 1 chapter 1 of the Public Information Workbook under the heading “Why We Need Public Information.” It states: “The purpose of the public information committee is to carry the message of Cocaine Anonymous to the still suffering addict. We achieve this by making our presence known to the person, community groups and interested parties affected by drug addiction. We also have the tasks of keeping our own fellowship members informed and up to date on the changes with respect to Cocaine Anonymous.” As such , We feel it is very important that this survey is distributed throughout our and should continue to be made available every two years to assist us in doing our job properly.
28. Following are the thirteen points of the survey that we intend to release to the fellowship. They areas follows: *Gender *Age *Occupation *Other Mind Altering Substances *Form of Cocaine Use *How Did You Get To CA *Professional Counseling *Length of Time Clean and Sober * CA Meetings Per Week *Do You Have A Sponsor *Do You Have Service Commitments *What Level Do You Serve *Do You Sponsor Anyone.
29. Discussion ensues.
30. Paulette – Point of Information – Are you planning on putting the number of surveys returned somewhere on this for statistical purposes?
31. Point of Information – will all information be made available to all who ask?
32. Committee: No.
33. Chair: Will all this information gathered in this survey be made available to anyone who asks?
34. Committee: The approved information will be.
35. Kevin: Point of Information – Overall statistical information will be given out and not any personal information will be given out?
36. Committee: That’s correct.
37. Jeanne: Point of information – while you’re motion clearly states, “available to the fellowship,” that area PI’s could distribute this to outside organizations?
38. Committee: Yes.
39. Brenda: Point of information – part of the question that was just asked was what non-approved information…what information was gathered, that is not represented on the survey.
40. Roy: There were 11 questions that were not seen be the delegates that will not be dispensed.
41. Brenda: Can you tell us what that is.
42. Roy: I can photocopy the copy from last year and distribute.
43. Chair: Is it possible to read that into the minutes right now.
44. Roy: No.
45. Karl: Point of information – what’s the purpose
46. Committee: The point is to help reach targeted populations(?)
47. Michael: What’s the purpose of this?
48. Committee: So we can do our job. All this information has already been approved.
49. Bill: Point of information – by targeting do you mean stereotyping?
50. Committee: No, I mean to help the addict who still suffers.
51. Chair: I’ve asked for a question to be answered before we vote on this motion…
52. Roy: The gender, age, educational, occupation, ancestory, primary language, alternate life style, handicapped are out. The ones that were included have been reflected. Also comparisons have been taken out, per request by the Unity committee.

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53. Chair: There was a non-conference approved survey that was distributed. The data that was collected from that was not approved for distribution.
54. Chair: Please prepare to vote on the main motion, which reads: The Cocaine Anonymous World Service Conference 2001 accept the revised 1999 compiled data reflecting the approved 1996 questionnaire to be distributed and available to the fellowship. Charts Included in Report to Chair. Motion carries.

55. ITEMS TABLED UNTIL NEXT YEAR; AND ITEMS THE COMMITTEE WILL CONTINUE WORKING ON THROUGH THE YEAR:

56. Response to Referral 1610 Broaden the scope of our PSA’s to reflect the “All Other Mind Altering Substances” aspect of our Program – We will be looking into this in sub-committee to correct and review such questions and will review the PSA’s etc., as well.
57. With regard to referral 1254 from the 2000 Conference “To write guidelines for the PI Committee on creating a statistical chart for the purpose of carrying the message, formed from a survey completed by the recognized areas of the World body” We will be working on this throughout the next year.
58. ITEMS REFERRED TO OTHER COMMITTEES; WORLD SERVICE OFFICE, OR BOARD OF TRUSTEES:
59. From the 2000 Conference

60. 1319 Read the 12 Traditions before each new day’s business in exchange for one smoke break. It was taken into consideration and referred to the Conference Committee

61. Refer to all above that when ever speaking of sober time say “Clean and Sober” No action was taken by this We believe this is a personal choice issue.

62. 1274   Clearer definitions of guidelines by which we can print submissions to or reprint CA Newsletters NewsGram is Copywritten Material – Referred to BOT

63. To support the theme of this conference of “Unity Has No Borders” I would request that the BOT and/or BOD and/or WSO and/or WSOB (possibly an ad-hoc committee of Unity) or (whomever/however the aforementioned trusted servants feel it be best) to create either a committee, an ad hoc committee or other such group of interested members with support from the WSO, BOT, BOD whose purpose would be to consider petitions, requests or situations regarding cultural/language differences, translation standards and petitions or other such requests from within and without the United States for new meetings in languages other than English and to help give language, translation, diplomatic and or cultural support to such requests and/or petitions.

MOTION TO SEND TO BOT, BOD

64. From 2001 Conference
65. Approval process for H&I Video the 12 Point literature approval process doesn’t seem to work with videos. Videos, electronic media, and films should have some type of approval process similar to the 12-Point process.

 Referred to Chips, Literature and Format. Send it back to BOT for clarifications. “We believe there needs to be an approval process, need more clarification.”

66. 1608 Create a guide to local services to create an easier read for new areas and groups expound and explain Structure & Bylaws for how to conduct business and the CA Structure as a whole. We felt it necessary to REFER TO LCF AND TO PNT/BOT to follow up with this.

67. 1648 Have a volunteer committee at WSO to answer E-Mails and requests from Prisons or Hospitals. Instead of using a paid employee. E-mails could be forwarded to H&I area committees to go over E-Mails and mail. We felt it can be best answered if sent to WSO
68. 1877 I would suggest the creation of a C.A. Workbook which would take the member through the Big Book from the Cover Page and Bill’s Story (AA history ) and to create the addition of the history of CA then going through the Steps with the Big Book, and when necessary using the 12 & 12 as step-study and book study then going on to include the 12 Traditions and How To’s, i.e. To the Wives, The Family Afterward, To

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the Employer and a Vision for You. This can become an excellent source of income for CAWSO. Refer to Chips and Literature

69. 1995 That the unity committee be included in the review and approval process of C.A. literature. For example, but not limited to surveys and inventories so that the unity committee can address concerns over biases that may be harmful to the unity of C.A. as a whole – ref: Page 5 of the WSC Unity Committee. Refer to Structure & Bylaws
70. REFERRALS THAT DID NOT RESULT IN MOTIONS:

71. 1309 Adherence to standing rule 14. We believe that the standing rule 14 takes care of this.
72. 1701 “That committees not be allowed to response to referrals as “no action taken” and that all committees must respond to all referrals with some type of action or description of non-action and why the non-action was taken. And, that this requirement be added to our service manual.” We duly noted this and as a committee we will follow this request as we have attempted to in the past.

73. 1971 That when holding CA sanctioned events that the entertainment provided be restricted in content or language that is overtly abusive for example the content if presented on film would qualify for an “R” rating and if children are allowed to attend content must be clean. No action necessary, it is an Area issue and Each group is autonomous.
74. 2114 Make it possible to download the entire starter kit from the CAWS Website Can already do that. It is already in effect. No action needed.
75. 2245 Angela Camos “To discontinue the membership survey which is currently done every 2 years or at the very least do them every 5 to 7 years with revision of questions. CA’s time, energy and money could be put to better sue in PI than putting out and compiling this info. • Cost to mail out, Loss of funds, Time and Energy to compile Cost to redistribute A number of questions focus on differences rather than similarities, which directly opposes our unity committee and traditions one and three” . We continue to feel the importance of the Bi-

 Annual Survey as we have motioned above.

76. NEWLY SELECTED COMMITTEE TRUSTED SERVANTS: Chairperson: Dale Schneider

Vice Chairperson: Tom Harper

Secretary: John Whitaker (2^nd Year)

Workshop Committee Chair: Glen Gorham Workshop Com V. Chair Sherri Hoffman

77. CLOSING COMMITTEE COMMENTS: 

78. WORK FOR OUR COMMITTEE THROUGHOUT 2001-2002
79. We’re developing another chapter to the HelpLine Handbook on how to set up and maintain a Help Line for new and developing areas. We will be working on more guidelines especially for the PSA’s and reviewing another chapters and including a media contact chapter in our PI Handbook for 2002. Our Workshop sub-committee has created a workshop format outline. We hope to be presenting a PI workshop at the 2002 World Convention in Portland, Oregon.
80. We thank you for letting us be of service and hope to hear from all of your PI Chairs in the coming year. Please contact our Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary or the World Service Office for more information.
81. PI-CAWS Conference Committee 2001

82. Chair: Any questions?
83. Discussion

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84. Chair: I would like for the committees to please clarify acronyms.