CA WORLD SERVICE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
CONFERENCE CALL MINUTES 04/22/07
Record of Online Business Between
March 2007 and May 2007
Quarterly Meetings
(Approved by WSBT for Distribution on May 22nd 2007)
Since this report is a confidential CA document, for members only, it contains 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 our Tradition on anonymity in public communications media (press, radio, TV, etc.).
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WSBT QUARTERLY CONFERENCE CALL MINUTES
April 22, 2007
10:00 a.m. PDT
1. Meeting opened with a moment of silence followed by the WE version of the Serenity Prayer
2. Roll call
| Bruce W. | Atlantic North Regional Trustee | |
| Lawrence M. | Atlantic South Regional Trustee | |
| Nicholas L. | European Regional Trustee | |
| Tony D. | Midwest Regional Trustee | Chair |
| Trevor S. | Pacific North Regional Trustee | |
| Carl W. | Pacific South Regional Trustee | |
| Jay F. | Southwest Regional Trustee | Vice-Chair |
| Bobbie H. | Trustee at Large | |
| Earl H. | World Service Office Trustee | |
| Hayward H. | World Service Trustee | Secretary |
3. Chair’s opening remarks
Welcome to all, in conversation with WSOB Chair the HFC II book was completed by typesetter.
OLD BUSINESS
CAWS Convention updates:
CAWS 2007 (Tony D.)
Committee is excited and doing well, contracts are being finalized, registrations are slightly below average, but the committee continues to progress along.
CAWS 2008 (Trevor S.)
Experiencing some challenges communicating with the committee Chair and some scheduling problems attending the committee meetings. Registration flyers are in the approval process. The program chair and treasurer both stepped down, reasons centering around health issues and just plain burnout on service work. The Chair is in the process of seeking replacements for the vacant positions.
CAWS 2009 (Jay F.)
See attachment A – The committee just recently met, and still seeking candidates to fill the remaining vacant service positions.
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CAWS 2010 (Tony D.)
The steering committee positions are filled, the committee is working on finalizing the budget to present at the upcoming 2007 conference. There will be a conference call scheduled with the WSO to assist with finalizing the hotel contract.
Old business from online agenda:
Online Items
2007.03.10 Trustee role on WSC committees (Jay, Trevor, Tony, Bobbie, Bruce, Hayward, Carl, Earl, Lawrence, Earl)
- Work on statement for trustee orientation online, Update at 4/22/07 Conference Call. Committee to review orientation process for signing off on committee guidelines and trustee responsibilities on conference committees to be presented at May Quarterly meeting.
Outstanding Correspondence
2007.03.15 – Charlie G., Mesa, AZ – Long Form Traditions and Non -CA Announcements (Jay)
See Attachments B and C – Motion to approve responses passes.
2007.04.01 Cults & Exclusion of Membership – Teresa R., Riverside, CA (Carl)
Due 5-1-2007 – Carl working on draft response will post online.
To be completed by or updated at May Quarterly:
2006.02.12 WSBT statements/positions accessible to both WSBT and the fellowship (combination of two old business items, OA #12 & #33) (Jay, Hayward, Bobbie)
- On agenda since August 2005
- Hayward will archive all documents on Yahoo group to DVD, store on Sharepoint and provide link to trustees.
- Will continue to work online
- Remain on agenda
- The beta website has been presented to both boards. Will update at May Quarterly about linking new site to main CA.org website.
2006.02.20 Copyright and trademark protection (Jay, Hayward)
- To remain on agenda for quarterly review
- Canadian renewal due 10/06 – completed
- Sweden and South Africa’s areas status?
- 1/07 waiting on reply from office, update at March Quarterly
- Cost about $250 each to protect the CA name, logo and trademark. To remain on agenda for updates May/07
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- Sent email questions to outside legal firm concerning protecting the CA name, logo and trademark in Sweden and South Africa. Questions about European Union membership and areas unrecoginzed by the WSC.
- When countries become members of the European Union (EU) the trademark rights and protection automatically extend to them.
- Sweden is a European Union (EU) member and a recognized area in the European Region (ER). Sweden is protected.
- South Africa is not a member of the EU, but a recognized area in the ER. Estimated costs for all protection is $2400.00
- Belgium and France are members of the EU but not recognized areas by the WSC, both countries are attached to the ER. Both countries will be protected once recognized by the WSC.
- Israel is not a recognized area by the WSC, but attached to the ER. Also Israel is not a member of the EU. Estimated cost for protection is $2700.00
- Holland is a EU member because it’s attached to the Netherlands which is a EU member. Holland is protected.
- Hong Kong is not a EU member, but a recognized area in the ER.
- Scotland is a EU member and a recognized area in the ER. Scotland is protected.
- Post information for online discussion, contact WSO about 7th tradition donations, chips and literature sales.
2006.08.13 Signature of annual corporate documents (All)
- To be completed at all WSBT November Quarterly Meetings, to remain on agenda as a place marker
2006.10.07 Status of the Newsgram editor vacancy, what is the job description, what is the process for selection, and when will that position be advertised and then filled
- Placemarker for status at March Quarterly
- 3/07 Position Filled, leave on agenda for description and process followup
- NewsGram guidelines approved by WSOB, WSOT will follow up on remaining items.
2006.10.05 Status of Volume II Storybook
- Update on April Conference Call and at May Quarterly meeting.
2007.03.11 Clarification of the use of the CA logo in compliance with trademark law (Jay, Hayward, Bobbie)
- Jay to to check with lawyer on current laws, update at May Quarterly.
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2007.03.13 Trustee & Delegate Sobriety Requirement
- Motion passes to increase sobriety requirements for Trustees to 10 years and Delegates to 5 years. (Jay, Bobbie and Hayward) to craft referral,
- Motion to approve draft referral passes 6 to 3. Motion to reconsider passes. Original motion gets tabled for discussion online and finalized at May quarterly.
2007.04.1 Vendor License Agreement Status and Approval by WSBT
- WSOB Intellectual Properties Subcommittee has created draft 1.0 of vendor certificate and draft 10.0 of the vendor licensing agreement. Both documents have been forwarded to the WSBT legal committee and questions answered.
- Both documents to be forward to WSBT board for review and finalize at May quarterly meeting.
2007.04.2 Ultimate Authority – Russell – UK (Nick, Trevor, Bo bbie, Carl, Jay)
- Subcommittee created to provide response from the WSBT. Update at May quarterly.
2007.04.3 New Life Group, Pine Bluff, AK. – Lawrence (Lawrence, Bruce, Bobbie, Jay)
- Subcommittee created to provide response from the WSBT. Update at May quarterly.
NEW BUSINESS
2007.04.01 WSBT/WSOB Board to Board for May 2007
- During the regular conference calls between board chairs it was noted during the CAWS convention the Board to Board meeting should be limited to only the WSOB Chair, Paid Director and WSOB Treasurer to cut expenses to the fellowship and provide more time to participate with the fellowship.
2007.04.02 World Service Forum at CAWS 2007
- Will forward draft program guide to the board with proposed dates and times of events
2007.04.03 Long Term Planning meeting at CAWS 2007
- Will forward draft program guide to the board with proposed dates and times of events
2007.04.04 Status of Trustee meet and greet at CAWS 2007
- Motion passes to approve Trustee meet and greet letter created by TAL
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2007.04.05 TEC interview status for 07/08 and any interviews necessary for CAWS 2007?
- Chair of TEC – in the process of updating schedules , presently no interviews at 2007 CAWS Convention. Request that regional trustees have their TEC members and candidate’s information completed. Will update at May quarterly meeting.
2007.04.06 Orientation Process update for WSBT
- Provide input to WSBT vice-chair about new trustee orientation process
2007.04.07 Completion of Interview Process update for TAL
- WSOT and SWRT to update at May quarterly meeting.
2007.04.08 What needs to occur for any and all referrals and matters the WSBT intends to submit to comply with SR 14 due one week after May 07 Quarterly?
- Board chair, vice chair and secretary – to review 2 006 Auqust quarterly letter and create draft for approval at May quarterly meeting.
Motion to Adjorn 11:17AM PST
Close with Serenity Prayer
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Attachment A.
CAWS 2009 Report – Colorado Area
April 19, 2007
Submitted by: Jay F. SWRT
The Colorado Area was selected as the host area for CAWS 2009 at the World Service Conference 2005. The Convention Committee Chair is Beth R. from Denver. The Steering Committee members are: Rick G. Denver Program Chair; Rob W. Denver Resort Liaison; Bill O. Denver Secretary; Richard S. Colorado Springs Treasurer; and Aaron C. Denver Vice Chair. The Registration Chair is Yvonne M. from Denver and the Fundraising Chair is Eric C. from Denver. The Theme and Logo Chair is Mariea from Denver. The Spending Committee is also in place. Planning efforts are commencing, even though the Convention is still over two years out.
The hotel contract was finalized in December, 2005 at the Omni Interlocken Resort. There will be some distinct opportunities to offer resort-like events at this hotel during the Convention, such as golf, trail hikes, campfire meetings, a giant pool party and the like.
The CAWS Convention in 2009 will be the 25th year of CAWS conventions and special designs, logos and events are being considered in conjunction with this celebration.
The Bid Committee from the Colorado area donated its remaining funds to the CAWS 2009 Committee in an amount of approximately $1200. Initial fundraising efforts within the local fellowship are also underway. Now that the CAWS 2006 convention in Houston is complete, fundraising within the Southwest Region has commenced.
The focus on the Steering Committee has been to place its first budget together after being awarded the bid and ensuring that that budget is approved by the WSOB, the WSC Finance Committee, the WSC Convention Committee, and ultimately by the entire
World Service Conference. A working budget is in place also and fundraising continues. At this juncture, the steering committee meets bi-monthly. There is a meeting planned for this coming weekend, 2007 to solicit members of the local fellowship to fill many service positions on the CAWS 2009 General Committee. Thereafter, the Steering Committee will review the position applications and will select the remaining chair and service positions. This should occur within the next thirty days. Several additional fundraisers are in the planning process.
Beth R. as the CAWS 2009 Committee Chair, can be contacted by email at breinhardt@bhf-law.com
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Attachment B.
Part A response re long form of traditions
Name: Charles G
Email: charlieg@aznetget.net
City: Mesa
State Province: AZ
Area Region: Sun Valley Intergroup
Subject: Long Version of CA 12 Traditions?
Message: Is there a long version of the 12 Traditions adapted for CA or is the short version the only CA adaptation.
Thanks,
Charlie G.
Proposed response
Dear Charlie:
The WSBT appreciates you bringing the question of whether CA has adapted the long form of the Twelve Traditions. The question had not been previously formally posed to our Board and we appreciate your asking such an important question.
In our review and study of the matter, we are guided in part by our own CA World Service Manual (WSM) which sets forth on page 13 the following:
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,” “T WELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS,” and “The A.A. Service Manual, c ombined 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….
Further, on Page 6 of the WSM after the Twelve Traditions are listed for the first time, is the following caveat:
The Twelve Traditions are reprinted and adapted with permission of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. Permission to reprint and adapt the Twelve Traditions does not mean AA is affiliated with this program. AA is a program of recovery from alcoholism. Use of the Traditions
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in connection with programs and activities which are patterned after AA, but which address other problems, does not imply otherwise
As referenced in the World Service Manual (2007) at page 31 is a further explanation of CA’s use of the AA Big Book, and two other books.
The World Service Conference passed the following Advisory Opinion on August 20, 1989: “THE BOOKS ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS AND TWELVE STEPS AN D TWELVE TRADITIONS OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS ARE TWO OF OUR MOST VALUABLE TOOLS OF RECOVERY AND AS SUCH, IT IS THE OPINION OF COCAINE ANONYMOUS THAT MEETINGS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO HAVE THESE BOOKS AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT MEMBERS IN THEIR RECOVERY.” O n September 4, 2004 the World Service Conference passed the following Advisory Opinion: THE BOOK, “A.A.
SERVICE MANUAL”, COMBINED WITH THE “TWELVE CONCEPTS FOR WORLD SERVICE” IS A VALUABLE TOOL OF RECOVERY IN SERVICE, AND AS SUCH, IT IS THE OPINION OF COCAINE ANONYMOUS THAT MEETINGS AND SERVICE MEETINGS WITHIN THE FELLOWSHIP SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO HAVE THIS BOOK AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT THE MEMBERS IN THEIR RECOVERY.”
From this review, it is clear that CA has permission to use the original Twelve Traditions in their adapted form. It is also clear that the World Service Conference has acknowledged that the book Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions is allowed to be used as a valuable tool of recovery to support the individual CA members in their own recovery. It is equally clear that the long form of the Twelve Traditions have not been ever adapted by CA for specific use standing alone, nor has permission to adapt them been sought by CA or granted by AA. The book which contains the long form of the Twelve Traditions can be used as a guide and recovery tool.
If your group or service body desires to seek adaptation of the long form of the Twelve Traditions, please have them bring the matter to the World Service Conference for action.
We thank you for bringing this question to us. 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
Date: 4/22/07
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Attachment C.
Part B response re Non-CA related announcements at CA Speaker Meeting
Name: Charles G
Email: charlieg@aznetget.net
City: Mesa
State Province: AZ
Area Region: Sun Valley Intergroup
Subject: non-CA related announcements at the end of CA Speaker Meeting
Question: We are trying to come to grips with the subtleties in the 6th Tradition with reference to non-CA announcements at the end of our Speaker Meetings.
Does CAWS have a stated position on non-CA announcements after our meetings or is this up to the discretion of each autonomous group?
Proposed Response:
Dear Charlie,
The WSBT appreciates you bringing this issue to our attention related to the propriety of non-CA related announcements made during a CA Speaker Meeting and the related question of the autonomy of the Group to permit such announcements.
In our review of this matter, we begin by referencing Tradition Four, Tradition Five and Tradition Six.
These are as follows:
Each group should be autonomous, except in matters affecting other groups or C.A. as a whole.
Each group has but one primary purpose — to carr y its message to the addict who still suffers.
A C.A. group ought never endorse, finance or lend the C.A. name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property or prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
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Occasionally, questions which reach our Board are such that reference to other writings which have examined similar issues is helpful. We begin by looking at three such writings from the AA Grapevine.
From an article from October, 1982 entitled “Safegu ards for Survival – AA’s Twelve Traditions are a powerful protection for the future” is the fo llowing excerpt:
Probably, none of our Traditions has taken more abuse than the long-suffering Sixth: “An AA group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the AA name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property, and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.”
With our talent for rationalization, AA members can sometimes convince themselves that, while the Traditions are certainly a good idea for others, their own pet “related facility or outside enterprise” is so special that breaking the Sixth Tradition is justified. We may always have a few members who reason that way, but my observation has been that those who had an early, intensive introduction to the Traditions seldom do.
Ironically, the respected position AA has in public estimation, which makes being linked to it valuable to the Tradition breakers, is the direct result of following the Traditions. It came about precisely because AA never asked for money, avoided all public controversy, and sought no personal publicity for its members.
In one locality, a large monthly inter-group open meeting had tenderly protected the Sixth Tradition for twenty years, barring all announcements not directly pertaining to AA. By long custom, announcements were made by the leader of the meeting, or someone the leader called on to do it. No reference was to be made to any treatment facility, club, halfway house, or anything else not actually a part of AA.
Then, an AA member we’ll call Chester, who had become deeply involved with establishing a new treatment center, told a few friends that he had arranged to give the announcements at the next inter-group meeting, when he intended to tell the audience all about the new facility and urge them to support it. Learning of this plan, the chairman of arrangements for the meeting and the area delegate met with Chester to explain in detail why such an action would shatter Tradition Six and naturally must not be carried out.
At the next meeting, they and other Tradition-respecting members sat in stunned horror when Chester went to the lectern and made a lengthy statement about the splendid new facility now available, and the duty of every AA member to support it generously.
Since then, all announcements at these meetings have been made by a member of the arrangements committee. Their great regret is that this safeguard was not in effect in the years B.C.–Before Chester.
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In a Grapevine article from October, 1986 entitled “You Can Take it With You” was a discussion, among other things, of the propriety of non-AA related announcements during an AA meeting. There, the solution suggested was as follows:
[T]he steering committee has decided that no announcements of any kind will be made within the meeting unless they are directly related to AA. All other announcements will be posted on a bulletin board outside the meeting room.
In a June, 1998 Grapevine article entitled “Awarene ss and Action – Tradition Six” was an extended discussion on the challenges of non-AA related announcements at AA meetings.
At meetings of this AA group, announcements were made of social events which the group sponsored such as a picnic in the summer and a New Year’s Eve party; special and celebratory meetings of other AA groups; monthly meetings of the district and intra-area committees; the yearly statewide conventions; as well as special regional ones–all events properly using the term
However, now were added announcements that items were needed for an auction, that an “AA meeting” would be held at a business location, and that a picnic/softball game would gather at a private home, with all the money collected going into an Alano Club fund. Although such activities might be of interest to alcoholics, they are not AA events and should not be treated as such, in step with the Sixth Tradition. By announcing outside events, an AA group appears to endorse the facility or proposal…. The pamphlet Twe lve Traditions Illustrated directly refers to the fact that “some individual members have . . . founded successful clubhouses, rest farms, halfway houses, etc. The enterprises are run by these A.A.s and patronized by other members or prospective members. But money and property are involved. Therefore, it has proved wise to keep the operation of the facility completely separate from that of any AA group. . .” Money or goods solicited at an AA meeting for another group of any kind implies affiliation of the AA group and violates the meaning of the Sixth Tradition.
The article concludes with the following:
As individuals we may wish the best for other organizations and facilities and support them with our endeavors (such as an Alano Club–which is a private enterprise), but as an AA group we “neither endorse, finance nor lend the AA name to any related facility or outside enterprise. . .” That keeps us out of trouble and strictly on the AA path.
As to the issue of non-CA related announcements, these are not specifically defined in this referral to the WSBT as to their respective topic and scope. However, even without such definition, any non-CA related announcement implies endorsement and affiliation by CA and by that CA group with the other activity and enterprise which is contrary to the prohibitions in Tradition Six. Such announcements may tend to divert the CA group and its members from its and their primary purpose which is contrary to the teachings of Tradition Five. Hence, such non-CA related announcements cannot be permitted. Announcements at CA meetings must be directly CA related.
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We also reference the Fourth Tradition which provides that “Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or CA as a whole.” The inquiry under this Tradition becomes, whether non-CA related announcements at the group level, 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 Four th Tradition (page 147), the inquiry seems to turn to whether the action taken would “greatly” in jure C.A. as a whole. In that same paragraph is the notion that the group’s sole objective has to be “Sobriety;” and “in all other respects there was perfect freedom of will and action. Every group had the right to be wrong.”
So we start by asking whether non-CA related announcements at CA meetings affects other groups, districts, areas, regions, inter-groups or CA as a whole. Further, we must then ask whether such actions 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 of inquiry, the WSBT most often defers to the groups and their respective autonomy. As related to non-CA related announcements at CA meetings, however, there is no line of what would and could be acceptable non-CA related announcements and even attempting to articulate such a line would be contrary to our primary purpose. Hence, any non-CA related announcements have the potential to greatly injure CA or even other CA groups by implying affiliation or endorsement of CA or the group and having the serious potential to divert the group and its members from their primary purpose. In light of this potential, the usual autonomy of the groups comes secondary to the overall need to protect our common welfare and not impact other groups as well.
Announcements at CA meetings need to be directly related to CA and its primary purpose.
Announcements not directly related to CA and its primary purpose should be avoided.
We thank you for bringing these issues forward. If you or any other member of the group 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
Date: 4/22/07
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