Trevor S. – Back in session at 9:52 a.m.
Report given by Tim A.
OPENING REPORT
C.A. WORLD SERVICE CONFERENCE 2017
WORLD SERVICE OFFICE REPORT
Submitted by: Tim A.., Chairperson
INTRODUCTION AND OPENING COMMENTS:
Thank you so much for the opportunity to serve as the Chair of the World Service Office Board. We have had a new board this year and it has been an honor working with everyone on the board.
Our board has been hard at work on many projects throughout the year. We are excited to announce the new look at office. We saved the fellowship $8000+ by not moving. We were able to expand the Archive room out to give them more space, and we bought some new shelving for the warehouse to store more and to increase productivity. Please come by and take a look.
We are working to include more people from around the world to be part of the board, using Skype or GoToMeeting. We are working with the European Regional Trustee, Suzanne, on the person or people.
The WSOB continues to work closely with the Trustees to improve policies and procedures for the fellowship. Among these are improving the translation guidelines and finding solutions for the dissemination of CA literature and chips to all areas of the fellowship.
We would like to thank Gary P. and his “Spoonless in Seattle” Convention Committee for a very successful 2017 World Convention. We also look forward to another Fabulous Convention in 2018 hosted by our Montreal fellowship, “Celebrate C.A. Without Borders”
Thank you to Heidi J. for all of her hard work and dedication to the NewsGram. Heidi, you will be missed.
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COMMITTEE INTRODUCTIONS:
Vice Chairperson:
Treasurer:
Secretary:
World Service Trustee: World Service Office Trustee: Director of Operations:
Alesia F. Allison M. Randy M. Yvette H. Kevin M. Linda F.
REFERRALS THAT WERE WORKED ON DURING THE YEAR: Referrals from 2016 WSC
- 1 From other Committees- No referrals from other committees.
- 2 From Floor:
- 2016 WSOB 1 – Terms of the DAL’s –I understood that the terms for Directors atLarge were limited to 3, I believe, in the WSM. For some reason, people who have served these terms or up to the then relevant term limit are allowed to be back on this Board at later dates. How can this be ok from a right of rotation standpoint and also without being violative (sic) of our own Manual’s prohibition of this. Thanks so much.Refer to the WSM where it states the 3-term limit is “consecutive” terms.
- 2016 WSOB 2 – Online Service Area Fliers and Business Cards – That the office includes the new OSA fliers and business cards in starter kits. Thank you for your consideration!
The WSOB will be happy to include these items in starter kits provided the OSA provides the fliers and the business cards. - 2016 WSOB 3 – Verification of Translation Guidelines – To have the WSOB verify that the Translation Guidelines have been approved by this body.
The WSOB needs to table this referral for the time being while we review the translation policy. - 2016 WSOB 4 – Video Conferencing Facility –That the World Service Office provide and oversee a video conferencing facility for Worldwide use. This facility to be used for Regional Assembly Meetings and other Service bodies to afford participation where travel would otherwise prove prohibitive. This facility could also be used for bringing together our Fellowship for Celebrate Around The World events etc. It is understood that the WSO already has use of GoToMeeting and it is hoped that this or some similar system be made available to the Fellowship as a whole.The WSOB continues to work on this referral.
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- 2016 WSOB 5 – WSM translations for all areas – World Service Office to carry out translations of our World Service Manual for all Areas recognized by The World Service Conference that do not have English as their first language. The amount to be adequate for said translation works to be carried out by the World Service Office without the requirement for participation the individual Areas. The current number of required / outstanding translations to be completed within the next two years and on an ongoing basis for newly required translations to be commenced immediately upon the recognition of new Areas. Referral No: 10190787 has been submitted to the Finance Committee to provide additional funding for these works. This is being referred to the WSBT.
- 2016 WSOB 6 – CA Bumper Stickers – This is a follow-up on a referral I made last year that the office should make bumper stickers.
The WSOB will research the cost for a round bumper sticker. - 2016 WSOB 7 – Allow areas to produce and distribute CA Items – Please allow Areas to produce and distribute C.A. keyrings, medallions and Books under Royalty Agreement.
The WSOB is working with WSBT to provide solutions which could make this possible. We are continuing to work on this important item throughout the year. - 2016 WSOB 8 – To provide a WSM in the native language of newly recognized areas. That once a new Area has been recognized by The World Service Conference that a World Service Manual be provided in the language spoken by that Area.
This is being referred to the WSBT. - 2016 WSOB 98 – To provide a WSM in the native language of newly recognized areas. That once a new Area has been recognized by The World Service Conference that a World Service Manual be provided in the language spoken by that Area.This is being referred to the WSBT.
CLOSING COMMENTS:
Thank you again for this opportunity to serve the fellowship.
Allison M. presented report
WORLD SERVICE OFFICE TREASURER’S REPORT
Submitted by: Allison M., WSOB Treasurer
It’s been an honor and privilege to serve as the WSOB treasurer over the past year. I have learned more than I ever thought I would of. I have grown tremendously during this past year regards to relationships with others and have found more love and respect for the fellowship. Also, what the true meaning of placing a dollar in the basket means for CA. I hope to continue to grow my ability
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to use my accounting skills and discovering skills I didn’t know I had. I have learned what it truly means to of service especially at my first World Convention (SEATTLE ROCKS) and I LOVED IT!!! Relationships are unique and special and there are those that I will truly do anything for and I mean that! A huge shout out of tons of love to Janette, Frank, Bohica, Maya, Caroline and Laurie. The gifts of relationships will always be with me in my heart and deep in my soul. Learning and understanding QuickBooks will always be a continuous process- Thank you Prof. Laurie. She is and always will be my professor. I want to continue to grow and always stay a student in all areas. Heide thank you for your patience with me with the budget this year – I did learn a lot and I know what I learned this year I will retain it and of course continue to ask for guidance.
The rest of my time has been spent preparing and analyzing financial statements, reporting monthly to the WSOB and WSBT, communicating with the CPA, and our amazing Linda at the office who I have grown to have much love and a deeper respect for! Trust me she knows! Coordinating the filing of tax returns was a unique learning process for me and we all did it with GOD’s help. It defiantly took a group of Trustees, WSOB and office and many other but like I said it was thru the process of GOD! We at WSOB office continually look for ways to cut costs and improve efficiency. Like I stated earlier those donations that go in the basket I want to be sure it is spend in good reasoning and not wasteful at all. Financially we are doing incredibly well because you all are helping, and I want to stress that again all of you! Chips and literature are our best sellers!
Seattle did it and was amazing – I knew they would do it – only because God said so! How much of a close target did they get – that is secret for now because it may be more than we expect. we want to be certain by the time of the conference we have done our due diligence with the numbers. It does appear target is there, how much is the real question since they get funds for their area depending on how high over the target they go. This year will end on the biggest smile from god above because it is through him we are being of service. I fully expect this year to end on a positive note I look forward to Montreal Convention – I will meditate and pray and seek God’s assistance and his thoughts and wisdom will come thru.
In love and Service
Allison M. WSOB Treasurer
Linda F. – presented her report.
WSO DIRECTOR OF OPERATION’S REPORT
Submitted by: Linda F., WSOB Treasurer
My name is Linda F., I am the Director of Operations for Cocaine Anonymous World Service Office (CAWSO) and I have one vote.
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World Service Conference of Cocaine Anonymous Thur. Aug. 31, 2017 Day 2 Daily Minutes
1 Our office continues to serve you with a very small but extremely dedicated staff:
a. b.
Although, all our staff is small we are able to get an amazing amount of work done.
I hope you have an opportunity to meet our some of our staff during the Conference:
- Customer Service is provided by Adrianne L and Sheila H
- Shipping and Warehouse chores are done by Nicole B.
- Our bookkeeping is done by Frank C.
- Our IT Consultant is Marius S.
- Our Webmaster is Cameron F
- 2 Please remind our Fellowship to use our Website?
- It contains a wealth of information, tons of downloadable forms and PSA’s
- You can set yourself up to make either one time or reoccurring donations!
- Visit the Online Store when placing their orders – as it is easy and you can select yourchoice of payment: of sending a check, using a debit or credit card and now you caneven pay using PayPal.
- The New Specialty Medallions Sales have been great…
- So far in 2017 we have sold 148 in English and 21 in French.
- Order Forms are available at the CA Store out in the hall way if you haven’tordered yours yet!
- We are open for Business:
- If you wish to place an order from the warehouse to be delivered to the Hotel on Friday – All order forms must be turned in by 1 pm on Thursday.
- However, if you wish to place an order to be shipped home…you can give me your order any time you see me. All you have to do is please pick up an order form from the WSO table in the hallway. Items to be shipped will go out the first week of September (and will include shipping and handling).
- The WSO Store Hours here at the Conference are:
- Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
- 12 Noon to 3:00 pm 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm
- Please plan to shop early and often!
- 3 CAWSO continues to work on Translation projects…
- Currently we continue have translations from English into Dutch, French, German, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Danish, and Farsi.
- Our work continues with local groups to get as much of our literature translated in all languages to continue to help the addict that still suffers.
- 4 Under the careful eye of our Trustees, we continue to work with our trademark attorneytobesurewestaycurrentwithallourtrademarks,registrationsandlicenses. Weareexcited to have added our name and logo be officially registered in South Africa.
- 5 Since the last conference, I am happy to report that the CAWSO has expanded the onsite Archive Room for the Archive Committee.
a. Please be sure to view the Archive Display in the Conference Office tomorrow.
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- 6 60 Starter Kits have been sent out from the World Service Office since January of this year. (And we still have 4 months to go!) Yahoo!
- 48 in the United States to 22 different states.
- 6 in Canada to 4 different Providences
- 1 Inmate Starter Kits
- 5 to other countries including England, Ireland, Panama and Thailand
- 7 Working with the H & I Committee – we have sent out 31 inmate letters (to 11 different facilities), 1 Inmate Starter Kits and 4 H & I Outreach (Rehab) Kits. We continue to help to the addict that still suffers.
Respectfully submitted by: Linda L F., Director of Operations
Report given by Heidi J.
To the 2017 WS Conference:
NEWSGRAM EDITOR OPENING REPORT AUGUST 2017
HEIDI J.
It is my pleasure to serve as your NewsGram Editor. I took this position in 2011, and it has been a wonderful commitment for me. It allows me to stay in contact with addicts all over the world!
Here is the NewsGrams Statement of Purpose from the NewsGram Guidelines approved on 3/22/2007:
The Cocaine Anonymous NewsGram is a quarterly publication of the C.A. World Service Office Board. Its purpose is to be both informational and inspirational, and to help foster a sense of unity throughout our increasingly diverse worldwide Fellowship. The NewsGram should keep the Fellowship informed about upcoming C.A. events, important developments occurring at the World Service Conference, and significant actions taken by the World Service Board of Trustees and World Service Office Board. The NewsGram should also communicate a message of hope, faith and courage by publishing articles from members sharing their experience with recovery, unity and service in C.A. The overall content should convey the experience, strength, and hope of its contributors and reflect a broad geographic spectrum of current C.A. experience. Articles are not intended to be statements of C.A. policy, nor does publication of any article imply endorsement by either C.A. or the NewsGram.
Most importantly, the NewsGram is YOUR publication! We need your input in what you’d like to see changed, added, taken out, articles you’d like to see, etc.
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Categories: The following are considered standard contents when publishing the C.A. NewsGram:
|
Submission Category |
Responsible Contributor(s) |
|
7th Tradition Report |
WSO |
|
Articles re: Concepts of World Service |
WS Delegates, WSOB and WSBT |
|
Articles re: Recovery Experiences |
C.A. Fellowship |
|
Articles re: Steps, Traditions and Principles |
C.A. Fellowship (incl. Delegates and Trustees) |
|
Calendar of Events |
WSO/C.A. Fellowship |
|
CAWS Convention |
Host City/WSC Convention Committee/WSO |
|
Financial Information |
WSOB |
|
H&I Corner |
WSC H&I Committee |
|
Note from the WSO or WSOB |
WSOB Chair/Office Staff |
|
WSC Committee Corner |
WSC Committee Members |
|
Trustee Corner |
WSBT NewsGram Subcommittee |
|
God Shots |
Members of the CA Fellowship |
Any and all members of our Fellowship can write an article for the NewsGram. We want stories on Recovery, Service, Conventions you’ve attended, how C.A. has changed you, the history C.A. of your Area, how H&I moved/changed you, what your sponsor did, or how you sponsor someone, how God moves over your life. We also accept poems, jokes, cartoons, puzzles, or God Shots. Our release forms are on line, and in most copies of the NewsGram. Please consider writing an article for the NewsGram. Believe me, you have a story to tell.
Here are some of the locations that I have received articles from in the past year: The Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, Vancouver BC, Canada, Quebec Canada, Toronto, Canada, England about 10 States in the USA. Please keep those international articles coming…Our Fellowship loves to hear what’s going on internationally.
The committee consists of members of the Fellowship in different Regions who solicit articles for me, we call these people “NewsGram Delegates.” There are three people who help me proof the NewsGram (Jeanne Ann P., Bob L, (whether he wants to be on the committee or not), and Linda F. The NewsGram Trustee is Tom P. I also have assistance from members of the WSO and WSBT who send out e-mails to solicit articles for the NewsGram I have a great deal of assistance from the WSOB and our DOO, Linda F.. It takes approximately 40 hours to put together a NewsGram issue. First I send out e-mails to about 35 people; about 3-4 weeks later I send out another flurry of e- mails. Then, I send out nagging e-mails. About this time I get a few articles and I start to panic, and send out begging e-mails. When I get at least four articles, I start to put the issue together. That means editing all articles, upgrading the Events page, entering the 7th tradition information, and gathering different “ad” types of items. As this is going on, I’m still receiving articles. When I have
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all of this together, I start to assemble the issue. When everything is placed, I then have to go through and see what “empty spaces” I have to fill. Sometimes I add pictures of literature, or items the WSO has for sale, sometimes I put in a quote, sometimes I get someone to write a 100 word article. When this is all together, I print the issue so I can see what it looks like printed. I proof it all again. I send it my two proofers (they are other members of our Fellowship). When I get all their corrections back, I send it to the WSOB for approval. They make a few changes/corrections. When they tell me it’s approved, I send it on the WSBT where they check it for Tradition violations (sometimes they have a correction or two as well). When they have approved it, it goes back to the Office for printing and distribution. Then I get to take about a 4-week break and start that process all over again.
Here’s what the NewsGram needs from you:
- Each region could have a NewsGram Delegate. That is someone I contact each quarter, which then solicits articles from their Region. I will go to each of the Regional Meetings and ask who you all to choose a NewsGram Delegate.
- Submissions. They can be from members of the Fellowship, Delegates, Committee Chairs, Trustees, WSO Board members and former members of the WSBT, WSO, and Delegates. They can come from members of your fellowship. They can come from members of our fellowship that are incarcerated. Along with the submissions needs to be release forms.
- WS Conference Committee Chair persons should fee free to write an article in the next year for the NewsGram, so our membership knows what goes on in each committee. This is important so that the Fellowship as a whole knows what goes on in your committees. These can be parts of your 4 “Committee Corner’s” and you can write them right here at the Conference if you choose to. They don’t even have to be typed! Just written out on paper, even on the back of the release form. I can collect them this weekend.
- I would like to have committee rosters, so that I can contact members of the Fellowship to solicit articles. You can e-mail these to me at newsgram@ca.org.
- If you have a favorite quote from our literature that you’d like to see in the NewsGram, please forward that information to me. I often have small spaces that are perfect for quotes from our literature.Here are the Publication dates that we attempt to follow:
|
Quarter |
Submission Deadline |
Draft to WSO |
WSBT Review |
WSOB Approval and Printing |
Distribution to Fellowship |
|
First |
1/10 |
1/22 |
1/29-2/9 |
2/10-2/17 |
2/17 |
|
Second |
4/10 |
4/22 |
4/29-5/5 |
5/6-12 |
5/18 |
|
Third |
7/10 |
7/22 |
7/29-8/5 |
8/6-8/13 |
8/17 |
|
Fourth |
10/10 |
10/22 |
10/29-11/5 |
11/6-11/13 |
11/16 |
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I have done this commitment since 2011 (6 years, 4 issues a year) In the spirit of rotation I believe that it is time for me to give the commitment up to someone else. I love this commitment. It’s been wonderful in keeping me in touch with Addicts ALL OVER THE WORLD! It is incredibly fulfilling. After completing 24 issues of the NewsGram, the 3rd Quarter 2017 is my last. I have been putting together a “Pass it On” report, and also I can announce that there has been interest in the Editor position. I am always willing to work with the new Editor until they feel comfortable with the position.
Yours in Service, Heidi J.
Tim A. – Thank you for letting us serve the fellowship.
Trevor S. – Any questions to the mic.
Jon H. – Thank you for the treasure PowerPoint. Will the PowerPoint be uploaded to the box? Trevor S. – Yes.
Dawn M. – The contradictory info in regards to translation referrals. One referral has been tabled and one referral has been sent to the Finance Committee for review. Please speak to the status of translation policy in regards to the translation of the WSM?
Tim A. – The translation policy itself has been guided by us just 90 days ago. It has not been approved by the Conference. Yes, it has been to a few committees to be reviewed. We are trying to do this the best way possible, this is not sitting on the back burner. This is on the top of the list and we are looking into the best economical process. It is roughly $3,000 for a professional proofreading for each language translation and that would be each year for every language every time there is an update.
Rose J – Thank you for your service. If people are in an Area, would it be better for the existing Area to pass on chips and such to start a new meeting or for that new meeting to ask the WSO to do it?
Linda F. – We do provide starter kits when the necessary info is submitted to us. We are happy to provide this, but if existing areas are aware of the need, some of them provide the items to the new meeting. We want to help the growth.
Tim A. – If the Area is able to help the new meeting, it is best for them to supply the items. Starter kits are primarily for new meetings in places without an existing area or without the finances to provide need starter kit items.
Jason L. – At our Area Assembly, we went through the financial reports. $68,000 credit is there and $100,000+ prudent reserve. Why would the office have the credit AND the prudent reserve?
Allison M. – With the convention income, this is what is causing the credit. Decisions need to be made on where that credit gets used. Our prudent reserve is 3 months operating expenses.
Jason L. – Why is there so much money in credit plus the operating expense? Allison M. – That credit is the convention account.
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World Service Conference of Cocaine Anonymous Thur. Aug. 31, 2017 Day 2 Daily Minutes
Kevin M. – That $68,000 is partly from the convention that just finished and hasn’t been distributed yet. We are ‘flush’ with funds due to the convention just ending. That amount will be lower farther into the year.
Stuart J. – About the cost of translation “This is on the top of the list and we are looking into the best economical process. It is roughly $3,000 for a professional proofreading for each language translation and that would be each year for every language every time there is an update.” Wouldn’t just the part that was updated need to be proofed each year? Wouldn’t that be less than $3,000 each year?
Tim A. – We are still investigating this and we are still trying to determine this exact process. If you have options for professional proofing cheaper then we have, let us know/
Stuart J. – I have experience getting things professionally proofed and will get with you.
Dawn M. – About the part of the report stating working to include more people around the world to participate in the WSOB meetings. How?
Tim A. – There is a process in the manual to be part of the Board. If you can come by virtual means to attend the meeting frequently enough, you can be part of the Board. Anyone can be part of the Board meeting, if we know a head of time.
Dawn M. – It would be helpful if this info came out in the delegate mailing.
Albina K. – The inmate starter kits, I would like to take a meeting to jails and our H&I Committee doesn’t know the proper process. Can WSO help?
Tim A. – Yes, we can assist with a little bit, but each location has its own specific requirements. Maya B. – I did not see the CPA report in the box for review. Will it be available?
Allison M. – Yes.
Bart VdP – Are you proposing to make a policy here about translation of the WSM?
Tim A. – We are working on this and are asking the WSBT for guidance on this issue.
Jason L. – I did skype into a couple WBOT meetings a few years ago. It was hard to participate due to the time difference from UK and California. Please look at making the meeting more accessible to the world.
Tim A. – Board meetings used to be at night during the week and are now on Saturdays. We are trying to find a process that works for all.
Stuart J. – Translations process as provided by EUR TTEE, (read process). This is the process for pamphlets, etc. We are asking for a new process for the WSM to be translated when a new non- English language area is created. Will this be a separate policy?
Tim A. – We are open to discussion on a better, easier process that will support the world wide fellowship. Please help us create a better process.
David S. – About starter kits, what policy is there for following up on these? Do we follow-up to see if they need support, etc?
Trevor S. – That goes to the regional Trustee to follow-up on.
Jason L. – About video conferencing facility for use by the fellowship, where are you with that process?
Kevin M. – This is the first time that I have heard about this. I can’t see the Office making an infrastructure change like this. I can’t see this happening.
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World Service Conference of Cocaine Anonymous Thur. Aug. 31, 2017 Day 2 Daily Minutes
Rob W. – Could we upload our translation policy that the Office oversees into the Box?
Tim A. – Yes.
Nick (UK) – I heard that the Office Board received a request from the UK for a starter kit. Can the Office set up an alert that they received a request from the UK? It would recognize meetings that already exist.
Tim A. – Our system is not set-up for automatic notification when we receive a request for starter kits.
Dawn M. – Can the Office handle money in different currencies?
Alison M. – We have a line item that we have used for currency exchange.
Dawn M. – Is there a better way of doing things?
Jason L. – If you are not going to provide something along those lines, could you close the referral out on your report and add it to S & B Comm.?
Tim A. – Yes.
Stuart J. – What would you consider looking at a bank account that would do the currency exchange?
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