Minutes – Final
WSBT Trustee Conference Call
October 5th, 2008
10:00 A.M. PST
- Begin meeting with a Moment of silence followed by the “We” version of Serenity Prayer.
- Roll call
Joy Hutcheson – PSRT
Willie Bailey – WSOT
Randy Groen – SWRT
Robert Lyle – ANRT
Richard Schafer – TAL
Nicholas Lynn – ERT
Trevor Scheible – PNRT
Kim Sherwan – MWRT/Secretary
Lawrence Matlock – ASRT/Vice Chair
Hayward Hunt – WST/Chair
OLD BUSINESS
- Approve WSBT Orientation Call Minutes, September 14, 2008. *Motion to approve the minute. Joy/Willie Second/motion passed.
- CAWS Convention updates:
–CAWS 2009 (Randy/Richard)
Richard – Miss Patty was at resort to see and meet with steering committee, half the members were there. There was a walkthrough of the hotel. Video was taken of the resort for Randy to see. General committee has been having attendance issues. Registration chair agreed to use registration on line soft ware/will use on-line registration for this convention. Next meeting Oct 26… Nick asked about the online– Richard is comfortable with the online process. Good time to start this type of registration.
-CAWS 2010 (Kim)
Purchased more t-shirts for fundraising. They now have a Newsletter for distribution to the fellowship. They held mini-golf outing: $370.00 Income, $146.00 Golf fee, $224.00 Profit. Attempting to fill open positions. Need speaker tapes.
Hayward-question about “Freak night.” – Have not heard of it… Next meeting today, October 5. Trustee to attend November General Committee meeting.
-CAWS 2011 (Randy/Richard)
Randy – spent some time with Evan , SWR Convention will host a meeting for CAWS 2011. Still looking for hotel bids, have 3, but expecting more. Collecting resumes for open chair positions. Yahoo group should be set up soon…regular meeting second week in November.
-CAWS 2012 (Nicholas)
Excited as all heck, may not be able to name a chair in the time frame suggested by Convention Guidelines due to the frequency of Area meetings…should have someone by January. Have people willing to step up to serve. Looking forward to John, Patty, Tom coming to UK, will look at hotels at time. Yahoo group is set up…
Question…who funds the visit? Don’t know. Think…personal pickup on airfare, Area will pay for hotel etc… Willie-problem, problems with funding, how is that being done?
Richard – we are not sure of how funding is panning out… can we research this?
Hayward – further research should be taken to deter mine the cost/funding for the visit. Basically-Where is the money coming from? Nick will find out from Russell…
Answers: Two members are funding themselves, and one member is being funded by CAUK.
3) LCF – Draft Literature for review (Trevor)
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“Pursuant to Point 7 of the C.A. Pamphlet Approval process (see below), I’m forwarding drafts of the new “C.A. is for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual or Transgendered Addict” pamphlet and the revised “Self Test” pamphlet for review by the WSBT. I’ve included both a clean copy and a redline of the “Self Test” showing where it has been changed from the original.”
*Motion to tabled until October Conference Call. (Joy) seconded (Willie) Motion passed *Motion to pull item off the table. (10/5) Trevor/Lawrence second/motion passed.
*Motion to approve “C.A. is for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgendered Addict” pursuant to Point 7 of CA Pamphlet Approval process. Trevor/Nick second/motion passed.
* Motion to send “Self Test” back to committee with suggestion to make language more inclusive. Trevor/Nick second
Discussion – last year the word of day may stick ou t top much…cocaine… Motion passed.
4) Old business from the August Quarterly:
2008.08.01 Date/time for next WSBT quarterly meeting November 7th, 8, 9 7:00pm (Four Points Sheraton, LAX)
2008.08.03 NADCP – Richard
Areas of concern regarding preparation for future attendance and contact follow up.
Richard – have discussed with Patty, books need to be available, talked about who would go? Someone else on the WSO, maybe Hayward or Taffy. Dates: June 10-13, 2009.
2008.08.04 The trustee rotation – Hayward
Large number of trustees coming and going the stagger has to be fixed. Review minutes of 1999 and later. Remove from agenda
Future board will have to review this, and see if there is a need to pursue this… Hayward/Joy will look into archives. Info good to have on hand.
Will report back to board in November.
2008.08.1 Per diem (Nick, Kim) travel reimbursements (present 0.17 per mile)
Will review budgets to help justify increases –
Question- Joy, when did it go down, use to be much higher… when we followed the non-for- profit laws.
Nick – Patty was looking into ways to reduce/i ncrease this. Will review in November.
5) Outstanding Correspondence:
a) CALA meeting – Joy/Lead, Richard, Robert, Willie, and Kim
From: Laurie
To: psrtrustee@aol.com
Sent: 9/15/2008 11:29:44 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time
Subj: FW: Your CA meeting
Joy, please see the exchange below, Carl W. suggested I forward it to you so you are aware of the situation. I will send you the flyer and original email I sent out, and I’ll send you the format of the meeting too if you want to see it. Thanks.
Laurie A. R.
—–Original Message—–
From: R., Laurie
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Sent: Monday, September 15, 2008 11:21 AM
To: ‘Kevin M’
Subject: RE: Your CA meeting
Kevin, thank you for your unsolicited humble opinion, not that I have to defend or explain my position on this, but please note that there are no limitations on who can attend – ALL ARE WELCOME to become members of the group and attend the meeting on a regular basis, especially the newcomers, no one is restricting membership nor violating tradition 3, however, just like the format in almost every other CA meeting in the Los Angeles area reads, “please do not share if you have had any drugs or alcohol in the last 24 hours.” – is this not a limitation on sharing?? This new meeting will have the same type of format for sharing in the meeting. Per traditions 2 and 4, we have every right to have the format the way we want it. Since you have not seen the format, nor attended the meeting since it has not even happened yet, don’t you think it’s a little premature for an opinion about it? After we run through the format at the first meeting, we will open the floor for discussion on any changes to the format, and it will be decided by group conscience, per tradition 2. Please give us chance to work it out before the “CA police” gets involved. There have already been some suggestions to allow the last 10 minutes for newcomers, etc, etc. Like
I said, LEAVE US ALONE and let us (the group conscience) work it out.
Further, the South Central District had a meeting called 10 and up for many many years which had the same type of format. Also, the format of this new meeting, along with its name is taken directly from AA, which has this same meeting in Santa Monica every night of the week, and has done so for over 20 years. Surely if there were any tradition violations as you seem to think, AA would have figured that out and not have allowed such a format to go on for over 20 years.
This is the reason why there are over 150 different meetings in the CALA area, if you do not like the idea, concept or format of this meeting, please do not come, you have the option to go elsewhere. Furthermore, I did my homework and showed the format to the regional trustee Before putting the meeting in place, and there was no problem with it per the trustee. I also ran it by former trustees and other long time service members like Leon Strange and Stan Jackson, and they saw no problem with it either.
I do not want to debate or argue this with you, but just out of curiosity, please tell me in particular, 1) how this meeting would affect other groups or CA as a whole??? 2) How this concept puts additional “requirements” for “membership” of the fellowship on anyone?? (Think Kevin, it DOES NOT) 3) how the primary purpose of the group in “carrying its message to the addict who still suffers” would be affected?? (in fact, this would be a very powerful way to carry its message to the newcomers who choose to attend this meeting!!) 4) How would tradition 12 be violated??? Also, per the 6 points required for a CA Group, which ones are not being met??? (None of them as far as I can see).
Finally, the meeting is not requesting accreditation, nor participation at the district with a GSR, nor to be put into the CA directory. So,
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with that being said, you are welcome to take it wherever you need to with YHO, But the meeting is going to happen, whether you agree with it or not.
However, to appease you, I will take the logo off the flyer and stop promoting it within the fellowship. But again, why not take a look at the actual format before forming such a strong opinion with no facts and “contempt prior to investigation.”
Take it to the board of trustees if you like. When I hear it from them, I’ll think about doing something different.
Laurie R.
—–Original Message—–
From: Kevin M
Sent: Saturday, September 13, 2008 8:25 PM
To: Laurie
Subject: Your CA meeting
Laurie–
As I understand this, your new meeting intends to exclude or limit participation by some CA members, based on their length of sobriety. I must tell you that I find the idea repugnant and a violation of Traditions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 12. But more importantly, it violates World Service’s only Rule, defining when a “meeting” becomes a “CA Group.”
Page 14 of the CA World Service Manual lists six requirements for a “meeting” to refer to itself as a “CA Group” All these points must be met.
“A meeting may call itself a C.A. Group when:
- The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using cocaine and all other mind-altering substances.
- It is fully self-supporting.
- Its primary purpose is to help addicts recover through the Twelve Steps of C.A.
- It has no outside affiliations.
- It has no opinion on outside issues.
- Its public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion.”
You are imposing an additional requirement on attendance and/or participation at this meeting, namely a sobriety requirement. IMHO, this places your meeting outside the requirements for a CA Group. Therefore, you should not call your group “CA”, nor should you use the CA logo at meetings or on fliers, ask for inclusion in the directory of CA Groups, nor expect the District to seat a GSR.
While this is solely my opinion, it is based upon 20 years of CA service work. I am expressing this opinion to you privately in hopes that you will see the light and I will not be obligated to express it more
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widely.
Nothing in CA’s Traditions, however, would prevent you from having speakers with 10 years or more, but imposing limits on who can attend or participate pretty much flies in the face of everything CA and AA have stood for since 1935.
–Kevin
———–
the “Life After Ten” meeting of Cocaine Anonymous will be starting on Sunday, September 28th, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Share Center in Culver City. This will be a “closed” speaker/participation meeting (addicts and alcoholics only) for longtimers (10 years and up). See the attached flyer for details.
There will be a few commitments open and I am hoping some of you Oldtimers will step up and volunteer to take them.
Please come out and support this new & much needed meeting!
Feel free to email or call me (310-600-9992) if you have any questions about it. Thanks and I hope to see you all there!
Laurie R.
Joy – unable to find anything on the Archives to re search this further.
*Motion to push to sub-committee, work on line. Kim/Richard second/motion passed.
Joy will send Lori an email regarding the status of response.
b) Non profit tax questions – Randy – lead, Willie
Randy- called the individual, answered/explained the situation of over phone, and asked him to send email for a further response. Concerned member did not seem to think that was necessary. Randy feels that the member has been satisfied. Removed from agenda.
Hayward, thought this is a great idea for a Newsgram article. Nick will work on this. Richard, Lawrence will help.
To be Completed by or Updated at the October conference call:
2006.02.20 Copyright and trademark protection (Hayward)
To remain on agenda for quarterly review
| Service Marks | Where Protected |
| We’re here and we’re free | USA, Canada, EU |
| Cocaine Anonymous name | USA, Canada, EU |
| C.A. | USA, Canada |
| CA logo | USA, Canada, EU (new) |
The following marks have been registered in Canada:
- Trademark: WE’RE HERE AND WE’RE FREE
Renewal Date: September 30, 2012
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- Trademark: CA HOPE FAITH COURAGE & Design
Renewal Date: August 9, 2021
- Trademark:COCAINE ANONYMOUS
Renewal Date: December 13, 2021
- Trademark:CA
Renewal Date: June 12, 2022
2008.04.14 CA Helpdesk site (Hayward)
Help Desk—John, Taffy, Mike had tele-meeting to bri ng helpdesk project into further realization.
1) Mike purchased the domain for $10 per year—hosti ng is $30 per year.
2) Mike submits a proposal of cost to retain himself (Blurrr Design) as the Host—see handout.
a) Tom made motion to enter into agreement with Blurrr Designs, as laid out in his submitted proposal, for website development and maintenance. Seconded by KJ. Vote taken. Passed unanimously.
3) Taffy will make up a “Helpdesk Transition Projec t”—basically, a chronology of actions to move up forward from the present to owning and linking the Helpdesk to CA.org.
- Update at conference call 10/5/08 10:00am
- WSO is in the process for changing the hosting of website and on-line store, when that is completed they will work on the Helpdesk site. Hayward will update us in November. Richard – plan is to more the Helpdesk to the new hosting as well. Talked with Mike, want this protected from the oblivious. Taffy and Mike are working on making the site come together…want it to be a smooth transition.
2008.08.12 Conference Committee assignments
- Archives – Joy
- Conference – Hayward/ lead, Willie Convention – Kim/lead, Randy
- Finance – Lawrence/ lead, Willie, Joy
- Hospitals & Institutions – Randy/lead, Robert IT – Richard
- Literature, Chips & Format – Trevor Public Information – Robert
- Structure & Bylaws – Nick/ lead, Richard Unity – Willie/lead, Kim
2006.08.13 Signature of annual corporate documents (All)
To be done @ November quarterly, to remain as a place marker
Referral Matters from the Conference for Action/Response by the WSBT
WSBT In conference referrals
Referral #5632 – Nick – lead, Trevor, Richard – DON E: Approved Online
Self Test for Addiction
Members have expressed concern regarding the cocaine specific nature of the ‘Self Test for Addiction’
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questionnaire on the CAUK website. In line with being a non-drug specific fellowship we would like to remove the word ‘Cocaine’ and substitute with the w ord ‘Drug or Drugs’. Please see below for the questions concerned…
Are we able to make such changes at a local level and simply remove the ‘Approved Literature’ statement? Self Test For Addiction Questions
- Do you ever use more cocaine than you planned?
- Has the use of cocaine interfered with your job?
- Is your cocaine use causing conflict with your spouse or family?
- Do you feel depressed, guilty, or remorseful after you use cocaine?
- Do you use whatever cocaine you have almost continuously until the supply is exhausted?
- Have you ever experienced sinus problems or nosebleeds due to cocaine use?
- Do you ever wish that you had never taken that first line, hit, or injection of cocaine?
- Have you experienced chest pains or rapid or irregular heartbeats when using cocaine?
- Do you have an obsession to get cocaine when you don’t have it?
- Are you experiencing financial difficulties due to your cocaine use?
- Do you experience an anticipation high just knowing you are about to use cocaine?
- After using cocaine, do you have difficulty sleeping without taking a drink or another drug?
- Are you absorbed with the thought of getting loaded even while interacting with a friend or loved one?
- Have you begun to use drugs or drink alone?
- Do you ever have feelings that people are talking about you or watching you?
- Do you use larger doses of drugs or alcohol to get the same high you once experienced?
- Have you tried to quit or cut down on your cocaine use only to find that you couldn’t?
- Have any of your friends or family suggested that you may have a problem?
- Have you ever lied to or misled those around you about how much or how often you use?
- Do you use drugs in your car, at work, in the bathroom, on airplanes or other public places?
- Do you spend time with people or in places you otherwise would not be around but for the availability of drugs?
- Have you ever stolen drugs or money from friends or family?
Response:
Thank you for your inquiry to the WSBT.
As we move forward, as individuals, and as a fellowship, we are faced with many challenges. One of the big ones of late, is language in our readings. With the broad scope of substances in the world today, many feel that the use of any wording which specifically defines our using to be out of touch. There is a call to be more inclusive, and not mention any specific drug by name. We, as members of the WSBT, hear these calls.
The language used in all our literature, however, is something that represents the fellowship as a whole. There is a process in place to write, edit, and publish all Cocaine Anonymous literature. The LCF Committee works very hard throughout the year to serve the needs of the fellowship. They are the ones tasked to carry out all of our literature needs. Many hours go into creating even the shortest piece of literature.
That being said, one of the challenges is to keep the language in our publications current. Over the past few years, the LCF Committee has had many referrals dealing with language in our work. They continue to redraft conference approved pieces to bring them into line with our current fellowship. This to is a process. Once a piece is rewritten, they must submit it to the World service Conference for approval before publication. The fellowship as a whole must approve it before it becomes available.
The answer to the question raised regarding changing literature can be directly found in the World Service Manual. Our second concept “The C.A. Groups delegat e to the World Service Conference the complete authority for the active maintenance of our world services and thereby make the Conference — excepting for any change in the Twelve Traditions — the actual vo ice and the effective conscience for our whole Fellowship.” tells us that our fellowships directio n is taken from the conference. All important decisions are discussed, and voted on during that time. As members, we must be mindful that decisions reached at the
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conference are the voice of our entire fellowship. We should do our utmost to support those decisions, and the work that it creates. Our First Tradition: “Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon C.A. unity.” reminds us of our need to always place unity first. The CA message needs to be spread, but we all must carry the same message. It would not be appropriate for any entity to change any literature, in any way, regardless of removing the conference approved statement or not. Any changes to our CA copyrighted literature affects the unity of our fellowship worldwide. Any individual or group, is, however, encouraged to submit a referral to the LCF Committee with suggestions on possible improvements to any piece of literature. Your local Area delegates, or your Regional Trustee, can help in this process.
If you have further questions, please feel free to contact us at any time.
In Love & Service,
WSBT
Referral #5778 – Randy – lead Lawrence, Robert -DON E
To suggest to the WSBT that it acknowledge communications from non-Delegates or non-Area Chairs to ensure that the senders can confirm that the communication was received and what disposition has been taken.
*Motion to incorporate the final paragraph into this document, and submit as response. Randy/Joy second/ motion passed.
Guidelines for Email questions/concerns from the fellowship
-The WSBT Secretary would receive the question/concern and send the initial standard response and post it
to our board’s yahoo group. The matter would be labeled Inquiry re ____________ from
___________received ____________.
-The WSBT Secretary would also calendar the event on the yahoo group calendar for a thirty day reminder and if the matter was resolved, there would be no re-calendar, if more time was needed an additional thirty day reminder would be set each thirty days until the matter was completed.
-If there was some reference to a region in the inquiry that lead would be assigned automatically, to the applicable regional trustee. If not, the lead would be assigned on a rotational basis among the entire board, with the WSBT Secretary keeping track of the rotation. Even if a regional trustee was assigned an inquiry that would not change the rotational assignment order.
-The WSBT Chair shall add each new item of correspondence to the online agenda as it is received, making note of the assigned trustee.
-Responding to correspondence in a timely manner is a priority. Therefore, all outstanding items of correspondence which have not yet been resolved online shall be transferred to the agendas for conference calls and quarterly meetings as appropriate.
-The WSBT Secretary is responsible for creating and maintaining a matrix of all inquiries including the matter, date of receipt, date response is due, who has the lead, whether an extension of response time is needed and date of actual response. This matrix shall be updated as needed (at least monthly) and posted to the yahoo group.
-Recognition of hard copy mail and verbal/phone communication applies to this guideline as well. Hard copy mail requesting a WSBT response should be sent/relayed to the WSBT and directly inserted in the same response and tracking procedure as above. The WSBT would request that any verbal/phone communications with the WSBT requesting a WSBT response be reproduced in writing, either mail or email, as to avoid any misinterpretation of the issue – and also be directly inserted i n the same response and tracking procedure above.
Referral #5788 – Hayward – lead, Joy, Trevor, Lawre nce, Robert
To clarify the use of CA trademarks on Group websites and the authorization process licensing their use. …Hayward – Continue to work on this, Trevor will he lp as well
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Referral #5789 – Hayward – lead, Joy, Lawrence, Rob ert
To clarify or describe the procedure for enforcement or protection of CA trademarks.
…Hayward – Continue to work on, Trevor will help
Referral #5794 & 5821 – Willie – lead, Trevor
Change the name of Cocaine Anonymous (CA) to Cocaine and All Other Mind Altering Substances, but still use the letters CA. To be known as Cocaine and all other mind altering substances (CA). …Willie- working on responses…research continues.
WSBT Post Conference Referrals
Referral # 5784
Are collections other than the 7th Tradition themselves within the scope of the Traditions? If so, what are the
limits on such other contributions and purposes?
…Hayward, requested some input from Tom.
…Willie – don’t know if we have received a respons e from Tom, WSOB is helping on working on response.
NEW BUSINESS
2008.10.01
- WSBT Subcommittee assignments first name listed is the lead
- Finance (Joy/lead, All)
- International Structure and Development (Nick/lead, Hayward, Trevor, Richard)
- Legal (Willie/lead, Joy, Nick, Hayward)
- Long Term Planning (Richard/lead, Nick, Hayward, Trevor, Lawrence, , Robert, Randy, Willie)
- NewsGram (Nick/lead, Trevor, Hayward)
- Orientation (Lawrence/lead, All)
- Trustee Election (Kim/lead, Trevor-vice chair, All)
- Trustee Negotiating (Hayward/lead , Lawrence, Nick, Trevor, Randy)
- Trustee Outreach ( Randy/lead, Lawrence, Trevor, Robert)
- World Service Conference (Hayward/lead, Kim, Joy, Trevor, Willie)
2008.10.02
Private Meeting with paid Director(s)
Hayward – Patty was allowed time with the board pri or to the two directorships. Question, should we also allow Taffy the same time…? Should their s upervisor be present?
*Motion to have a private meeting with both paid directors separately without the WSOB chair present. Trevor/ Willie second
Discussion – explanation again and question as to w hy would we not want to have the supervisor present. Want the directors to feel comfortable to speak free about any concerns. Should we not allow time to John as well? WSBT chair and the WSOB chair should be meeting frequently as to any concerns.
Motion passed.
2008.10.03
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Southern Ontario/CANY problems – Robert
2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
“How It Works” Group
(Last Sunday of every month)
Take all 12 Steps in 4 hours!
Broadview Alano Club
740 Broadview Ave.
(SW side of Broadview, South of the Danforth)
Arrive Early – Seating is limted.
Hi Robert,
I’m writing you not as delegate to the CA Online Area but as member of the Southern Ontario Area of C.A. We’ve never met in person, although we have >shared some airtime on HF&C.
I don’t know if Bruce gave you any of the history of what’s going on in our Area but we have some significant unity issues that I believe seriously affect many groups in the Area and, frankly, C.A. as a whole. Here’s the quick summary:
We have a group of, what I would call, “highly orthodox” C.A. people here. Originally they were called “muckers” and were in AA (but got ousted) and then in NA (and got ousted) and then in AAA (and got ousted). However, in C.A. they have found some traction. By itself this is not an issue. Live and let live and all that.
The difficulties began a few months ago when they began to throw up websites for each of the orthodox-focused groups – now there are approximately 5 groups. So far, they have refused to follow the WSM guidelines with respect to the use of the logo, they have refused to follow the WSM IT guidelines with respect to websites, and, sadly, the Area chair is unable or unwilling to try to encourage consistency. In response to various efforts to bring some sanity to this, the kingpin of the orthodox folks started offerings other groups “free” websites. Several groups have taken him up on this and he manages those sites for those groups as well.
There are several Traditions issues at stake here. Not least is the 4th Tradition. By creating group websites – websites that in some cases carry separate phone numbers, separate meeting lists, and unapproved literature, they adversely affect other groups, the Area, and C.A. as a whole. They do this by jeopardizing the likelihood that the Area site will be found in a web search (already the Area site comes up with lower search rankings than some of the group sites), and by using the logo on these sites, they speak for all of C.A. One of the groups, for example, espouses taking the steps in 4 hours and offers a download for a separate step guide – see www.howitworksgrouptoronto. org.
Somehow, the Area webmaster also agreed to post the following on the Area site meeting list.
Screen clipping taken: 9/25/2008, 1:33 PM
The fact that many of these websites have been provided free is a violation of Step 7 (as I see it) and there is a distinct promotion versus attraction thing going on as well. At the Area table, the current chairperson is inexperienced in
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parliamentary procedure and inexperienced with the concepts and the traditions also. The result is that there is considerable acrimony at the Area table with little progress being made to address these issues. I am increasingly concerned, >as are many others, about the state of C.A. here.
I guess I am writing you in the hopes of bringing some focus on these >issues. what I hope would occur would be the following:
(1) That you would find your way here during the SOCA convention next >month to see/assist in bringing some resolution to these concerns;
(2) That you might educate the Area chair about the logo use issues and >underline the importance of following the WSM guidelines in this respect (lest we lose our trademarks as AA did for some of their marks);
(3) That you might provide other guidance in the way of helping the Area >chair and the Area work through these problems with websites.
I think you will find that Siobhan A (the delegate from this area) shares my concerns and I would encourage you to seek her experience of it. If there’s some way you believe I can be of assistance, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. I hope I have the opportunity to >meet you face-to-face at the SOCA convention. Kind regards,
Kurt L.
Robert
First things first congrats on being elected Atlantic
North Trustee.
I’m Ben L. CANY World Service Delegate along with George M. & Dan S.
Looking forward to meeting you at the Regional convention.
There is an important issue in the New York area
that’s been going on for a while that I’d like your thoughts on. I like many members of CA have over the years attended many Big Book meetings, over the past 2 or 3 years a format of Big Book meeting has evolved where there are 2 facilitators that help group members and others attending those particular meetings Experience the Big Book. We consider these meeting formats to be Big Book Experience meetings. There are 6 of these type meetings in the New York area and I’m sure other area’s. We would like to be listed on our website and our meeting lists with the format Big Book Experience meeting as opposed to Big Book because it is a different format. Our Area Chair Alan S. won’t allow our Webmaster do make the necessary changes because he says there is no such existing format. As far as I can understand the 2nd tradition states all groups are autonomous except when affecting CA as a whole. I cannot see how having a format called Big Book Experience could affect CA as a whole.
Would like to know your thoughts about this matter.
In Love, Trust & Service
Ben L.
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Discussion….Robert, Richard, Randy… members. many people have been discussing this situation with the concerned
Randy will help to draft a response…
Robert, Randy, Richard, and Trevor will work in sub-committee.
Follow-up at the November Quarterly. Robert has sent out the standard response.
2008.10.04
Sponsors and Pen Pals for prison inmates – Lawrence
Hey Lawrence, My thought was, that if a Trustee of a Region got a request say for Alabama, you would give the prisoners name and address to the Area Chair or Delegate. Then they would have an available list of men and women that volunteer to be pen-pal sponsors. This may be way out there, but some of these men want to stay sober and don’t have meetings coming into the prisons. I believe there is a need there. What can I do to be of service? Thank you Lawrence, Tim
Response:
Dear Tim,
The WSBT appreciates you bringing the questions on sponsors and pen pals for prison inmates to one of our members, who brought it to the entire Board to review and comment upon. We are very apprehensive about the idea of providing a list of Cocaine Anonymous member’s names and addresses to prison inmates. One of our members informed us that in the United Kingdom the CA members have contact with the inmates through a third party. They also do one on one sponsorship work with the inmates in the prisons. This something you area may consider investigating, to carry out you idea. The current procedure for inmate requests of any kind that come directly to the World Office are handled as follows: (1) if the request is for literature, the office sends the literature to the inmate then contacts the H&I Committee of the request and action taken so it can be funneled through the committee for follow up – (2) any other request (sponsorship included) from the inmate is also passed on to the H&I Committee as well. Currently we understand that these requests are handled by the chair of a subcommittee inside of H&I that would contact the local area’s H&I and inform them of the request – potentially opening up communication with the facility for our service. The WSBT appreciates your enthusiasm to carry the message of Cocaine Anonymous. If you have any more question or concerns on this matter or any other matter, fill free to contact us at wsbt@ca.org.
Love & Service
Cocaine Anonymous World Service Board of Trustee
*Motion to accept the response, and send out. Lawrence/Joy second/motion passed.
2008.10.05
Protocol of communication between WSOB and WSBT. – Willie
Miscommunication with emails…between Hayward and Wi llie. Conversation between Hayward and Tom should have included Willie. When in question as to who should receive email, ask Hayward…
2008.10.06
Response regarding fundraising- Lawrence
This is regarding a member in Arkansas; we discussed a bingo game with non-ca members participating. FYI) This member has a recovery center (clubhouse) and has bingo games under state law to raise funds for the center. He was suggesting having a bingo night for a fundraiser for the regional CA convention on one of
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his regular nights because those are the only nights he could operate by law and have his regular customer (non- ca members) participate. The previous board suggested that I recommend that the convention committee precede with this a fundraiser.
Lawrence,
Not trying to be controversial but does that opinion also apply to car washes and other fundraisers where the public will participate? Including events at the convention itself. If so that means only members of the fellowship can get their car washed or even buy tickets for the pancake breakfast. I fail to understand the difference.
Above all, congratulations on the vice-chair position.
Norith
RESPONSE:
Dear Norith,
The WSBT appreciates you bringing the question of fund raising events with non-CA member participants (bingo games, carwashes, pancakes breakfasts, etc) to one of our members, who brought it to the entire Board to review and comment upon.
In looking into this matter, we refer to long form of Tradition Seven as well as one of Bill W’s early writings on the Seventh Tradition and writings from the A.A. Digital Archive.
From pages 190 and 191 of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, the long form of
Tradition Seven states as follows:
The A.A. Groups themselves ought to be fully self supported by the voluntary contribution of their own members. We think that each group should soon achieve its ideal: that any public solicitation of funds using the name of Alcoholics Anonymous is highly dangerous, whether by groups, clubs, hospitals or other outsides agencies; that acceptance of large gifts from any source, or of contributions carrying any obligation whatever, is unwise. Then too, we view with much concern those A.A. treasuries which continue, beyond prudent reserves, to accumulate funds for no stated A.A. purpose. Experience has often warned us that nothing can so surely destroy our spiritual heritage as futile disputes over property, money and authority.
From a writing in the A.A. Digital Archive July 1990 Vol. 47 No. 2:
The long form leaves little room for wonder as to what Tradition Seven is all about, Too, it gives added emphasis to some things found elsewhere in the Traditions. For example, public solicitation of funds using the A.A. name affects other groups and A.A. as a whole, and implies affiliation or endorsement, so it violates Traditions Four and Six as well as Tradition Seven.
From Bill W’s writing in the A.A. Digital Archive November 1957 Vol.14 No. 6:
To conclude: Our spiritual way of life is safe for future generations if, as a society, we resist the temptation to receive money from the outside world.
In referring to the above writings, any fund raising event with participation of non-CA members would be a solicitation of public funds and a violation of Traditions Four, Six and Seven. 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. (Page146)
We thank you for bringing these issues forward. If you or any other member of the Area desires further information or have any questions related to these matters, please feel free to contact us or have them contact us directly.
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In love and service,
The World Service Board of Trustees
*Motion to accept response Lawrence/Joy second/motion passed.
Wrap up, questions:
Randy: What is the schedule for Trustee Slates are due?
Richard: People know to come with resumes to their assemblies.
Manual has the correct process.
*Motion to close Willie/Joy second/motion passed.
1230pm/PST
Respectfully submitted by:
Kim S.
MWRT
WSBT Secretary
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