SUMMARY MINUTES OF MEETING QUARTERLY BOARD MEETING
June 26 – June 30, 2017
Since this report is a confidential C.A. document, for members only, it may contain members’ full names. This usage to facilitate communication within the fellowship was approved by the 1990 WS Conference. Such confidential use does not, of course, violate in any way out Tradition on anonymity in public communications media (press, radio, TV, etc.).
pg 2
WSBT Quarterly
Monday June 26 – Monday July 3, 2017
Seattle, Washington
Minutes
(2:00 pm meet in lobby.)
Moment of silence followed by the Serenity Prayer
Personal Sharing (approximately 3-5 minutes each)
Roll call
• Kerry Wesley – SWRT
• Kevin Murphy – WSOT
• Rob Wellhauser – TAL
• Suzanne Veltman – ERT
• Wade Staples – PNRT
• Yvette Holman – WST
• Tom Phelan – PSRT/WSBT Assistant Secretary
• Jeannette Johnson – MWRT / WSBT Secretary
• Anne Meyer – ASRT / WSBT Vice-Chair
• Yves White – ANRT / WSBT Chair
Reading of the 12 Traditions
Read long form of Tradition 5 and discuss (Yvette) Discussed Tradition 5
Read Concept 11 and discuss (Rob) Discussed Concept 11
Chair’s opening remarks: (Yves)
WSBT officer reports:
Chair (Yves)
Vice-Chair (Anne)
Secretary (Jeannette)
Motion to accept WSBT Officer Reports, Seconded. Unanimous
Trustee reports: (See attached: 2017_06_WSBT_Quarterly_Summary_Combined_Final)
Atlantic North Regional Trustee (Yves)
Atlantic South Regional Trustee (Anne)
Midwest Regional Trustee (Jeannette)
Pacific North Regional Trustee (Wade)
Pacific South Regional Trustee (Tom)
Southwest Regional Trustee (Kerry)
European Regional Trustee (Suzanne)
Trustee At Large (Rob)
World Service Trustee Report (Yvette)
pg 3
World Service Office Trustee Report (Kevin)
Motion to accept WSBT Trustee Reports, Seconded.
Unanimous.
The board discussed the SOCO new area petition.
Motion to approve amended PSR and WST reports after discussion. Seconded. Unanimous
WSBT Subcommittee Reports:
Finance (Kerry)
Legal (Anne)
NewsGram (Tom)
TEC (Jeannette, Tom)
Long-term Planning (Rob)
Orientation (Anne)
International Structure and Development (Suzanne)
TNC (Yvette, Yves, Jeannette, Rob, Kerry)
Trustee Outreach (Kevin)
World Service Conference (Yvette)
Motion to approve WSBT Subcommittee Reports. Seconded. Trustees asked questions and answers provided.
Concern expressed to define the WSO function to meet today’s scale. This could be a task of the LTP Committee.
The board discussed and suggested the possibility to include the European Region in the monthly WSOB meetings for providing input and feedback on processes and procedures.
LTP is a once a year meeting and should be discussed and included at each quarterly.
It was suggested to add an WSCC LTP / ISD.
Trustee Conference Committee reports – lead member listed first:
Conference (Anne-lead, Yvette-second)
PI (Jeannette-lead, Yves-second)
HI (Wade-lead, Rob-second)
LCF (Kevin-lead, Suzanne-second)
S&B (Kerry-lead, Jeannette-second)
Convention (Tom-lead, Kerry-second)
Archive (Yvette-lead, Kevin-second)
Unity (Suzanne-lead, Anne-second)
Finance (Rob-lead, Tom-second)
IT (Yves-lead, Wade-second)
Motion to approve WSCC reports. Seconded. A friendly amendment to approve with the exception of LCF. Unanimous.
Motion to approve the LCF report. Seconded. Unanimous.
pg 4
RFPs to look at other venues for 2018 conference – San Diego, Vegas, Phoenix, Chicago and Nashville.
Finance Committee is suggesting to increase its budget by $8000 to cover the cost of the increased expenses.
PI Survey page on the ca.org links to the software company. Survey removed from ca.org.
CAWS Convention Updates
• CAWS 2017 (Wade)
Wade gave an update for the 2017 convention. Wade reviewed the budget.
As of 6/26, we have 387 registrations, $66400 revenue, and approximately $2690 to be received at the event. Revised BEOs have been received. Added the breakfast. We need to spend 9800 on food and beverages. We are shy on the room block. As of last night 825 rooms + 87 blocked outside of the room block. The hotel will give us credit for those. 1267 rooms in block need 102 reservations to meet 80% (1,014). Right now the expenses are under budget on expenses.
BEO/Summit at 10 am on Friday.
• CAWS 2018 (Yves)
CAWS 2018 is ready to launch on Sunday night. We will have our raffle tickets (English and French) 1200 raffle tickets.
Four registration package options being offered.
Six special events being offered – golf, cruise, fire works, amusement park
The steering committee will be here this year. There are eight open positions left to be filled one being the hotel liaison. Budget has been submitted $207k with $122 expenses and 82k+ net.
Yves was asked to request the committee to (increase) and provide a more realistic budget and not an ‘undercut’ budget for other committees to plan future bids and budget.
• CAWS 2019 (Suzanne)
Committee’s beginning to form. Spending committee formed. First fundraiser is planned. Preparing for conference. Committee in good shape and ready to go! The TNC asked about scheduling time during this quarterly to meet via Skype regarding hotel negotiations.
• CAWS 2020 (Kerry)
Hyatt Regency Downtown Austin, 1,000 room block 40,000 on F&B. Will meet again on 7/23 to put in the fundraising positions. The concern regarding room rate for conventions is around $200 trending. Could be a sign of the economy.
pg 5
PLACE MARKER – BUSINESS ITEMS
MARKER 2006.02.20 Copyright and trademark protection (Yvette/Yves) – To remain on agenda for quarterly review
Matter No. | Country | Mark |Renewal Due:
59628-0001 | Canada | WE’RE HERE AND WE’RE FREE | September 30, 2027
59628-0002 | U.S. | COCAINE ANONYMOUS | September 4, 2020
59628-0003 | Canada | COCAINE ANONYMOUS | December 13, 2021
59628-0004 | U.S. | CA | December 20, 2018
59628-0005 | Canada | CA | June 12, 2022
59628-0006 | U.S. | CA HOPE FAITH COURAGE | April 24, 2020
59628-0007 | Canada | CA | HOPE FAITH COURAGE | August 9, 2021
59628-0008 | U.S. | WE’RE HERE AND WE’RE FREE | April 2, 2026
59628-0009 | Europe | COCAINE ANONYMOUS | April 1, 2026
59628-0010 | Europe CA HOPE FAITH COURAGE July 26, 2026
59628-0011 Europe | CA | November 15, 2021
Yvette updated the board on the South Africa trademarks – Cocaine Anonymous, C.A. and Hope Faith and Courage. We have paid for those. Yves asked if she could upload the certificate.
Anne asked that the South Africa trademarks could be added into the list on our agenda and asked if the 2018 renewals can be included in the budget for next year.
MARKER 2006.08.13 Signature of annual corporate documents (All)
To be completed @ at Summer Quarterly
Yves will call the office to confirm.
MARKER 2009.05.09 Status of WSO – (Yvette/Kevin)
Kevin and Yvette shared and discussed office concerns. The board discussed possible questions for 1:1 meetings with the WSOB Chair, WSOB Treasurer and DOO.
MARKER NADCP (Jeannette)
MARKER TEC – (Jeannette/Tom)
The TEC process and the June 30 schedule was reviewed.
OLD BUSINESS
• Update on legal matter concerning use of logo by Cocaine.Org. (Anne/Yvette)
Motion that we take no further action on the proposed legal action. Seconded. Unanimous
The board reviewed and discussed the site. It appears the C.A. logo and other tradition violations have been removed.
pg. 6
• Request to print HFCII German translation in Germany
Susanne presented a proposed printing procedure.
The board discussed the following concerns
o We’re moving towards a local printing and not centralized o We need to find the way to take it forward
o Is this a conference issue
o Maybe we should pay a professional to get the book printed right away
o This is not a new book. We need to allow the German Fellowship the okay to print their book.
Motion to request the office to move forward with allowing Germany to print the HFC book using their proposed process, expeditiously. Seconded. Unanimous.
• SA Trademark (Yvette)
Completed
• Need for translation and proofing of Service materials and pamphlets (Kevin)
Member reiterated that this is about the Kern proofing service. It was stated the office is reviewing the process. There was a point at which they thought the process was not being followed. The office has not completed its review.
• Post Conference Referrals
NEW BUSINESS
2018 Budget for Travel to the ER
Discussion ensued regarding the pros and cons of increasing a budget.
Budget’s being increased for transportation cost for four quarterly meetings $1,000, a second TAL $3450 and Conference $8,000.
LTP
Discussion ensued resulting in the following as potential future topics for discussion and review:
• How do we add the next Trustee onto the board?
• Do we look at consolidating the US Trustee positions and adding an additional ER Trustee?
• Moving the World Service Office to London or Amsterdam.
• If C.A. is larger in Europe, do we add an office or just move the office (five years out)?
• LTP should be discussed at least quarterly at board meeting. Look into A cloud-based office setting.
• Areas that were once strong C.A. areas but are now pretty much nothing. How do we potentially bring back that area?
• Level the Big MAC index amicably across our fellowship (i.e., books, travel to conference, chips, literature).
• How do we make the C.A. experience affordable in different areas?
• How to go about carrying the message in a Spanish speaking world?
• How do we move into greater resource support for C.A. around the world?
• Input on how social media and anonymity go together?
• Should we have our literature as downloadable pdf (free)?
pg. 7
WSCC ISD
(Creating an International Development Committee)
The board began healthy discussion regarding pros and cons of having a World Service International Development Committee.
Office Gives Away Books
Motion to ask the office to stop making motions to give away books for free. Seconded.
Unanimous.
Social Media/Twitter
A member sent an email regarding Twitter with their process. This information will be provided to the IT Trustee.
OTHER BUSINESS:
• TEC Interviews – Friday, June 30, 12:30 – 5:30 pm
• 1:1 with WSOB Chair – Thurs, June 29?
• 1:1 WSOB Treasurer – Thurs, June 29?
• 1:1 DOO – Thurs, June 29?
Sunday – July 2, 2017
• 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM – Long term planning (All)
• 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM – Meet the Boards (All)
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM – Great Convention Exchange (Wade, Yves, Suzanne, Kerry)
CORRESPONDENCE/ RESPONSES FROM/TO THE FELLOWSHIP:
From: Claudia Welz <claudiawf@gmx.de>
To: wsbt@ca.org
Cc: Suzanne Veltman <ert@ca.org>, Suzanne ERT <ertrustee@outlook.com>
Date: April 23, 2017 at 1:48 AM
Subject: Request to print HFCII German translation in Germany
Dear trustees,
I hope this email finds you well and buzzing.
SUMMARY
I am writing to ask if we can take a new direction with the translation process, in particular translation of HFCII/German. I would like to propose printing here on the grounds in Frankfurt.
We had a final manuscript August 2016 and it should have been no problem getting the book into print for our upcoming German C.A. event in May. As it turns out, sadly we still are not ready to print.
When our European trustee Suzanne originally asked if we – German area – wanted to print in Germany, we said no, thinking we would not have the people to manage the business process with a printer.
We now changed our mind because we now have a C.A. member with over one year recovery, sponsored and active in H&I, who is a graphic designer and has the professional expertise to guide us and work for us. The experience with the layout carried out in the U.S. showed that a non-German speaker working on this project is a “single point of failure”, leading to errors and delays. And of course, not having to pay shipping can only save C.A. money in the long run.
pg. 8
BACKGROUND
I would like to recap the process so far. My hope is that we can note our lessons learned and maybe develop more efficiency at carrying the message in foreign languages in the future.
1. In 2014, our area submitted parts of HFCII for approval and after revision by Kern, we had a final translation of the 12 steps, the 12 traditions, the suggested meeting format including the texts we read in C.A. meetings, such as “Who is a cocaine addict?”, “Who is a member?” and “Reaching out”.
These core translations were carried out with extreme care and consideration as we wanted to be sure no little diversions from the message creep in. We had lively, thorough discussions and took our time to consider Kern’s suggested changes. When we wrote back to WSO, we gave our reasoning why we did or did not accept some of Kern’s suggested changes, always bearing in mind that we want to carry the C.A. recovery message and keep it clear of any lofty academic ideas a linguist may have about how things should be said.
2. March 2016 we submitted the full German HFCII manuscript, marked the texts that were already approved in red and attached a glossary of terms based on this previous approval. The terms in the glossary needed to be binding for Kern.
3. When the manuscript came back to me with Kern’s suggested changes, I was shocked. They had edited the texts marked in red – so we paid for this service twice and it was now necessary for me to edit backwards to come back to the previously approved text version. I also had to edit backwards the changes they suggested for direct quotes from the Big Book. They had not taken the glossary into account. They made some truly ridiculous suggestions for change, such as “attend gatherings” instead of “go to a meeting”, “my consumption of drugs” instead of “my using”, “graduate from the steps” instead of “work the steps”. In a few instances, Kern had tried to “polish up” the language into grammatically correct written Oxford English, making it sound like no addict would ever talk that way. They clearly misunderstood the disease concept and in a few places suggested a change that revealed their misconception that recovery is about not picking up the first drug. The Kern person who had proofread in 2014 had done a much better job, I now wish we had asked for her to do it again.
4. So I realized that accepting or rejecting suggested changes would be a major effort. I dedicated a week of annual leave in August 2016 to it and sent the finished manuscript to CAWSO.
5. In the fall 2016 (I think it was October), I hadn’t heard back from Linda and checked with her where the printing process was now? To which she replied that nothing had been done and she now could not find the manuscript. Would I please re-send it.
6. I re-sent the manuscript and again heard nothing for a while.
7. February 2017, I emailed Linda to ask if everything was running ok? Can I go ahead and plan a PI event for the book launch at the Unity Day in May? Would not want to risk inviting press etc and then having no book…. She replied that she is working on a timing leading up to delivery date May, should be fine.
8. March 2017, I get an email from Linda asking me to read over the layout real quick, then waited for the layout a couple of weeks. When I looked at it, I found dozens of errors just at a quick glance. The errors occurred because she ended up cutting and pasting a lot, because she needed to adjust margins.
9. April 2017, our German literature secretary Silke read the fully layouted book and found one and a half pages twice in the middle (just to amuse you, she found several little errors, one of them a missing letter “G”, which turned “God” into “od”.) So we would have to take those out, correct page numbers for the rest of the book and proofread again… and no chance will the book be here for our
Unity Day event. Thank God I had listened to my inner voice in February that said wait to invite
professionals for a book launch pi event until you hold the book in your hands!
At this point, we strongly prefer to print in Germany, if the board of trustees gives us permission. I really hope you will consider this. I have lost confidence that with Linda as the main layout person we are coming to a satisfactory result and, frankly, I am not really willing to labor through more rounds of proofreading.
PROPOSAL
Could the following work out?
• Our non-profit organization “CA Deutschland Service-Center e.V.” signs an agreement with CAWSO to be granted permission to print the German translation of HFCII, between 200 and 500 copies. Being the director, I could legally sign the paperwork.
• The by-laws of “CA Deutschland Service-Center e.V.” state this organization serves the singular purpose of supporting C.A. recovery by taking care of admin, banking and literature, referring to ca.org. The by-laws also state that only trusted servants of C.A. Germany at area level can be members of this organization.
pg. 9
• German C.A. area pays for layout and print costs, distributes the books and pays royalties to world service for each copy sold. We have been holding back donations to world to have funds for book order, so we have those financial resources. We should send 20 copies to CAWSO so you have them as well.
• Be aware that we would need to adjust the paper size minimally to German industry standards. While the original measures 8.5 inches x 5.5 inches, the German would have 8.3 inches x 5.8 inches. Is that a problem?
• Specifics might be:
o German Area pays layouting (our C.A. member would layout in InDesign and we pay her for this as a professional service; her rate is reasonable, 35€ per hour) and printing; I do not yet have quotes but I expect it to be around 3 € per book
o German Area sends 40 copies to World Service at our expenses o 10.99 USD = 10.50 EUR is the sales price for one copy
o The balance would be about 7.50 EUR = 8 USD
o That balance goes fully to CAWSO as royalty payment.
Please let me know how to move forward. If I overlooked something, let me know. Thank you for your service and for keeping C.A. recovery alive and safe.
ILAS,
Claudia
Claudia Welz
Area Chair and PI officer C.A. Germany
Maximilianstr. 7
60385 Frankfurt Germany
RESPONSE
Re: Request to print HFCII German translation in Germany
Dear Claudia,
The C.A. World Service Board of Trustees (WSBT) has reviewed the proposal you have provided on behalf of “CA Deutschland Service Center e.V.” and agrees, that at this time, local (i.e., in Germany) printing for the translated Hope, Faith and Courage book serves the best of interests of C.A. as a whole. Thank you for your efforts in bringing this together.
We have communicated to the board of CAWSO, Inc. our consent and look forward to this project’s successful outcome. I have included your proposal for reference in the body of this email.
o Our non-profit organization “CA Deutschland Service-Center e.V.” signs an agreement with
CAWSO to be granted permission to print the German translation of HFCII, between 200 and 500 copies. Being the director, I could legally sign the paperwork.
o The by-laws of “CA Deutschland Service-Center e.V.” state this organization serves the singular purpose of supporting C.A. recovery by taking care of admin, banking and literature, referring to ca.org. The by-laws also state that only trusted servants of C.A. Germany at area level can be members of this organization.
pg. 10
o German C.A. area pays for layout and print costs, distributes the books and pays royalties to world service for each copy sold. We have been holding back donations to world to have funds for book order, so we have those financial resources. We should send 20 copies to CAWSO so you have them as well.
o Be aware that we would need to adjust the paper size minimally to German industry standards. While the original measures 8.5 inches x 5.5 inches, the German would have 8.3 inches x 5.8 inches. Is that a problem?
o Specifics might be:
o German Area pays layouting (our C.A. member would layout in InDesign and we pay her for this as a professional service; her rate is reasonable, 35€ per hour) and printing; I do not yet have quotes but I expect it to be around 3 € per book
o German Area sends 40 copies to World Service at our expenses o 10.99 USD = 10.50 EUR is the sales price for one copy
o The balance would be about 7.50 EUR = 8 USD
o That balance goes fully to CAWSO as royalty payment.
In love and service,
WSBT
dawn moore
6/25/2017 3:22 PM
To wsbt@ca.org
Hello,
I hope that this message finds it recipients well.
I am seeking a response from WSBT in respect of some concerns that I have regarding assumptions that I have observed regarding the reactivated TAL2 position.
I refer to a request made by the TAL on 24/06/2017 to the WS Finance Committee:
Allison please add these numbers to the 2018 budget.
Addition for TaL 2 and New conference contract for 2018
900064 +1000.00 to 5,000.00
900078 +1,000.00 to 7,000.00
900087 +1,000.00 to 5,500.00
900098 +1,000.00 to 5,000.00
=+4,000.00
This is for Transportation of the new TaL 2 from European Region.to US for meetings,
900196 +537.00 to 1,200.00
900197 +1337.00 to 2,000.00
pg. 11
900198 – 413.00 to 250.00
=+ 1,461.00
This gives the TaL 2 a budget for them to travel in the European Region and special projects.
The actual finances request made sense BUT I was most concerned at the assumption that TAL2 would be travelling from the European Region to WSOB mtgs in LA – possibly suggesting that:
a. the Region that TAL2 would be elected from was already known and b. that duties of the TAL2 would be focused on ER which is something that as far as I am aware is as yet undetermined.
Please would WSBT respond to the following questions:
1. Will Trustee Slates from Regions other than Europe be recognised for TAL2?
2. Is the Region from which the TAL2 comes from already a foregone conclusion ie: Europe? How can this be if the answer to the above is affirmative and how can this be known prior to the TEC secret ballots?
3. Are the duties of the reactivated TAL2 now defined by WSBT and focused solely or heavily on supporting the European Region Trustee? When the European Region met with WSBT at last years conference we were informed that whilst ‘dynamic growth in ER’ was the driver behind WSBT reactivating TAL2, the duties were not defined as to how TAL2 would support WSBT to meet the demands of this dynamic growth.
I am concerned that I find myself seeking assurance of the sanctity of the TEC process and eagerly await your response.
—
Dawny Delegate
CAUK Delegate – Elected December 2015
‘Always remembering that the Delegates job is a Spiritual one’!
RESPONSE
Second C.A. Trustee-at-Large
Dear Dawn:
Thank you again for your concerns and attentiveness to these very important issues.
Due to the fact that a position is being created that did not exist the prior year, it is prudent for the budget to reflect the possibility that one or more of the potential candidates might come from the ER. In an effort to prevent a budget shortfall for a new TAL just starting off, it was felt having the funds allocated prior to the selection of the
pg. 12
two TALs would be the prudent way to accommodate this unknown factor. It does not mean they will be used, but they are simply available.
All trustee candidates for both TAL positions shall be considered regarding their qualifications according to the WSM page 52 – Trustees at Large are chosen for their special experience, talents or background. They should: have the ability to be versatile, fill in positions where needed on various committees, attend regional caucuses/conventions, and be, in the purest sense, a servant to the entire Fellowship.
Please be assured that the the WSBT believes that the TEC process, as found on page 58 of the WSM, is of great importance to our Fellowship and shall be followed as set forth in the WSM. All candidates for both TAL positions shall be considered as outlined above. In considering what special experience, talents or background all candidates present with, it is possible that both TAL positions, one TAL position, or no TAL positions could potentially be filled by a candidate specifically from the European Region.
In Love and Service,
WSBT
POST-CONFERENCE REFERRALS:
08/31/2016 WSBT 2016 – 2 – Suzanne/Wade
Please allow Areas to produce and distribute C.A. keyrings, medallions and Books under Royalty Agreement.
Referred to the WSO.
08/28/2016 WSBT 2016 – 3 Anne/Wade
In an effort to save money for our fellowship, It would be prudent to cut the trustee quarterly meetings from 4 to 3 in person meetings and maybe 1 skype meeting or conference call meeting.
PROSPOSED RESPONSE:
No action taken.
The WSM page 54 states:
WSBT MEETINGS
1. The Trustees shall hold regular meetings up to four times per year at the discretion of the WSBT.
pg. 13
As the principal financial planners of the fellowship, it is always our desire to exercise financial prudence wherever and whenever possible. Thus, the WSM allows us the flexibility (which we have used in the past) to conduct at least one quarterly telephonically or by other means when the workload allows us to do so.
08/13/2016 WSBT 2016 – 4 Kerry
That once a new Area has been recognised by The World Service Conference that a World Service Manual be provided in the language spoken by that Area.
It has become apparent that new Areas, e.g. Norway, are not provided with a manual in the language that can be understood by their members. Instead of expecting a fledgling fellowship to carry out their own translation I believe it would be extremely helpful if our World Services paid for manuals be translated and provided as quickly as is reasonably possible so that these new members are afforded the same opportunity as most of us have. It is to easy for members to form their own incorrect understanding of our Fellowships service structure and procedures or even be mislead.
Referred to the WSO.
04/07/2016 WSBT 2016 – 5 – Kevin/Yvette
This is a referral for the consideration to amend our 11th Tradition.
11. 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:
11. 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.
CA 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.
Motion to amend Tradition 11 to read as follows: Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity in the public media.
Seconded. Unanimous.
Members spoke in favor of the motion. The chair noted the process to change traditions for our charter and spoke to creating a process for this kind of change.
The board discussed the process to move forward the motion to the fellowship.
DATE OF NEXT WSBT CONFERENCE CALL: Aug 6th 2017, 9am PDT
DATE OF NEXT MEETING: Aug 25th Noon PDT to Aug 28th 2017 5 pm PDT
pg. 14
WSBT Group Inventory
Close – Serenity Prayer
For all attached documents and reports see: 2017-06-26-30_WSBT_Quarterly_Summary_Combined_Final.pdf