CA WORLD SERVICE BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECORD OF ONLINE BUSINESS BETWEEN QUARTERLY MEETINGS
August 2010 – December 2010
APPROVED
Since this report is a confidential CA 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 anyway out Tradition on anonymity in public communications media (press, radio, TV, etc).
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October 11, 2010
Kim S.: There is a motion by Joy H. to approve the response to Cynthia S. regarding S&B question. Second by Robert L.
Open for discussion until Friday, October 15, unless the question is called.
Name: Cynthia S.
City: Calgary State/Province: Alberta Area/Region: Southern Alberta
Subject: WSM edits by S & B Committee
Message:
Greetings WSBT, I am writing in my capacity as a member of the Structure and By-laws Committee. During the course of working with the WSM at Conference this year, it became apparent that as changes had been made to the WSM over the years, the document had not been formatted consistently. For example, some lists are numbered while others in the same section are lettered. There are punctuation issues. For example, the incorrect use of semi-colons and commas in some of the lists. Our Committee would like to go ahead and correct such items as housekeeping in order to provide our fellowship with a more professionally presented manual. We also note that the page in the WSM that contains the Regions/Areas is not formatted in such a way as to accommodate the growth of our fellowship as more Areas are recognized. We suggest that the text boxes be eliminated allowing for a cleaner presentation of this information while also leaving space for those Areas not yet recognized. We would propose that the above formatting changes be made in advance of sending the revised WSM (incorporating changes from Conference 2010) to our Trustee for final approval so that only one review is necessary. Please advise as to whether we may proceed in this way or whether what we propose is such that it falls under SR 14. We await your reply.
In love and service,
Cynthia S.
Co-Secretary Structure and By-laws Committee
Response:
Cynthia,
Thank you for your recent email regarding the C.A. World Service Manual. We appreciate your desire and passion to edit, housekeep, and organize the manual. We welcome your time and effort to do such work.
It is the position of the WSBT that any and all housekeeping items, such as suggested in your email, are not considered Standing Rule 14 issues, and do not need Conference approval.
Any and all actual material changes to the C.A.World Service Manual, any proposed motion that would change World Service Conference structure, World Service Conference Committee structure, or which would have a significant effect on the Conference, a committee, or the World Service Manual, or C.A. as a whole must of course go through the proper committee, and must be approved on the Conference floor. Both Standing Rule 13 and 14 speak to the process for a well informed group conscience.
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The proposed changes you are referring to would not be considered items that would fall under SR13, or SR14, therefore we encourage the committee to proceed with the suggested housekeeping.
In Love and Service,
WSBT
Discussion>
October 12, 2010
>Joy H.: Since there has been no discussion. I call the vote.
>Randy G.: Busy weekend for me and have no issues with the housekeeping effort by S&B.
- Is S&B also responsible to make any/all changes to the WSM as the result of this year’s conference? I would only ask that the “clean up” effort take place in conjunction with those changes as to not have to do things twice.
- Are the trustees responsible for reviewing those changes and “clean up” prior to posting (similar to the subcommittee guidelines)?
>Kim S.: calling for the vote, or question, closes debate, and forces the vote…
…but at my discretion, I will allow for Randy’s questions to be addressed…
Joy? Do you want to respond to Randy’s questions? Do you want to revise the response to address these subjects?
>Joy H.: They are putting in the changes from the 2010 conference as we speak. The WSM needs to be reformatted as it is a mess. That is S&B’s responsibility as a conference committee. I being the trustee of the committee and Nick was last year will sign off on the Manual before it is set to the fellowship.
>Richard S.: I sat ‘backup’ to Nicolas last year, your the answers are;
- Yes, S&B is obligated to implement the changes of conference 2010 for posting before the end of 2010 but the housecleaning effort is up to the committee, I agree it would make sense and result in only 1 WSM for 2010 / 2011 but again it is up to the committee.
- Yes, a trustee for the committee is responsible for reviewing all changes and the entire document before signing off for publication and distribution to the fellowship.
>Kim S.: thanks Joy…appreciate you addressing the questions…
As to allow for additional questions, concerns, and revisions, I will now call “out of order” on the original call for the vote, as it has only been 24hours since the motion was posted. I would however be so incline to consider the call for the vote tomorrow…
>Russell S.: I speak for, it’s good with me.
>Joy H.: I call for the vote on the motion regarding the Response to Cynthia S.
>Kim S.: As there appears to be no one waiting to discuss the main motion, I will call this out or order…On the other hand, due to the lack of discussion in 24hours, I will request that we proceed with the voting on the main motion: Motion by Joy H. to approve the response to Cynthia S. regarding S&B question. Second by Robert L..
Please prepare yourself to vote…
October 18, 2010
>Kim S.: Thanks everyone…Motion passes unanimously.
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November 7, 2010
Kim S.: Attached please find a copy of the response to referral #6460…
I would entertain a motion to approve…
Kim S.: There is a motion to approve the response to referral #6460 by Russell S., seconded by Robert L. Discussion will be open until Friday, November 12th.
>Referral #6460 WSBT Reports
The WSBT reports are, in my opinion, rambling and somewhat self-indulgent. At the end of a 6,000 mile flight funded by my area, out of tradition 7 donations, I expect the time at conference to be spent dealing with business.
Could future reports deal, in the main, with business proposed and/or transacted. Particularly in the diabolical absence of WSBT minutes.
Response:
Thank you for your suggestion, however understanding the history of the WSBT reports is essential to knowing why there is so much information in the individual WSBT reports to the Conference floor, including transacted business, as well as the “personal” aspect of the duties, and daily interactions of each of us with the fellowship.
At one time the reports only included facts and figures. It was the opinion of the Conference floor that these types of reports were rather dry, and lacked character. The Conference floor requested to know more, to know the personal side of each Trustee in regards to their travel, and business conducted with the local and world fellowship. This touched on the loving and spiritual side of our fellowships business in the necessity to share with our fellows.
Bill W. writes in his essay on Concept One:
“In other chapters great emphasis is laid on the need for a high order of personal leadership, on the desirability of careful induction methods for all incoming personnel, and upon the necessity for the best possible personal relations between those who work in our services. The concepts try to design a structure in which all may labour to good effect, with a minimum of friction. This is accomplished by so relating our servants to their work and to each other that the chances of personal conflict will be minimized.”
Bill goes on in Concept Four to describe our spiritual needs in service:
“All of us deeply desire to belong. We want an A.A. relation of brotherly partnership. It is our shining ideal that the “spiritual corporation” of A.A. should never include any members who are regarded as “second class.”
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We feel that although the concepts layout out for us the relationships between our world servants and the groups in an often corporate style, Bill always tries to remind us of our individual and collective spiritual needs and our rights to practice and apply them. Therefore the format of the current reporting to the Conference.
Armed with that information, and a willingness to take into consideration your thoughts; moving forward, we will be sure to read the full report, all the statistics, facts, and figures, as well as the “personal” aspect to Area visits, convention visits, and quarterly visits. Also keep in mind during our reports it is also an opportunity for us to thank the fellowship, and our fellow Trustees for their friendship, fellowship and service.
Regarding the minutes of the WSBT; we believe that we explained the absence of the May Quarterly minutes in the summer delegate mailing. Other than that, all minutes are current up to that date.
Discussion>
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
>Kim S.: As there has been no discussion regarding the motion since it’s posting, Sunday, November 7th…I am requesting that we proceed with the voting process. Please prepare yourself to vote: Motion to approve the response to referral #6460 by Russell S., seconded by Robert L.
Friday, November 12, 2010
>Kim s.: Thanks everyone…Motion passes unanimously.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Kim S.: There is a motion to accept the attached response for 2010.10.06 Alcohol and C.A.’s 5th tradition by Randy G. Second by Russell S. Discussion will remain open until Friday, November 19th.
Correspondence:
C#2010.10.16 – To: CAWS Trustees
From: Jay R.
Subject: Our Reading- Who is a CA member. With its all-inclusive Third Tradition and First Step, Cocaine Anonymous welcomes anyone with a drug or alcohol problem and offers a solution.
This reading tells me that anyone can be a “card carrying member of CA.” Let us not confuse our membership with our primary purpose which is still to help the addict. Our 5th Tradition states that our primary purpose is to help the addict. Websters defines primary as “ first & formost”. Our basic fundamental. Until our 5th tradition includes the word alcoholic, we do not offer a solution for these individuals. We are failing to show the proper respect & it is harming the essence of our 5th tradition. I urge the trustees to vote on eliminating the words alcohol problem from this reading.
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With much respect & love for CA
Jay R.
Response:
Thank you for your question regarding alcohol, “Who is a C.A. Member?” and C.A.’s 5th tradition. Webster’s defines addict as “one who is addicted especially to a substance.” Even more important than any dictionary definition is the collective group conscience of our fellowship as spoken through our World Service Conference. C.A. has went to great lengths to be inclusive of the alcoholic as highlighted on our website, our readings and our literature – all conference approved. Over the years, the fellowship of C.A. has moved to take “and all mind altering substances” to more clarification and inclusiveness of alcohol.
From our website –
“SO WHAT DOES “AND ALL OTHER MIND-ALTERING SUBSTANCES” MEAN? It means that it is the collective experience of the members of Cocaine Anonymous that addiction is a problem not limited to any one substance. It means that C.A.’s Twelve Steps are not drug-specific, and that Cocaine Anonymous is not a drug-specific fellowship. It means that it doesn’t matter to us if you drank or what type of drugs you used; if you have a desire to stop, you are welcome here!”
From our readings –
“We have experienced all sorts of tragedies as a result of cocaine, drugs and/or alcohol. We have lived many of the same horrors you have, yet today we are free from the misery, terror and pain of addiction.” – We Can Recover
From our literature –
The pamphlet “And All Other Mind Altering Substances” is entirely devoted to what that means to the fellowship of C.A.
“Marijuana is a potent drug, and alcohol is a mind-altering chemical in liquid form. Many people don’t realize that these are no different from any other drugs regarding the potential to get us into trouble. One drink is never enough; just as one puff, hit, fix, bump, pill or snort is never enough. We are masters at combining and substituting one drug with another to get high.”
The collective group conscience of C.A. as spoken through the actions of the World Service Conference has defined “substance” to include alcohol. The fifth tradition’s use of the word addict (one who is addicted especially to a substance) does not contradict that group conscience, but encompasses it.
Serving with love and tolerance,
WSBT
Discussion>
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
>Kim S.: As there has been no discussion regarding the motion since it’s posting, Monday, November 15, I am requesting that we proceed with the voting process. Please prepare yourself to vote.
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November 18, 2010
>Richard L.: I need to make a couple of motions for CAWSO.
>Robert: Second
>Kim: I have to call this out of order…the motion and the second.
All board members have not voted, and the vote results have not been posted.
Please wait until the current motion has been called. Thank you.
>Kim: Thanks everyone…Motion passes unanimously.
November 18, 2010
Kim: There is a motion: To transfer $19,054.00 from the CAWS EY account into Money Market Savings account, and then transfer $25,000.00 from the Money Market
Savings account into the CAWSO Operating account. Second by Terry. Does the maker of the motion wish to speak to his motion? Discussion will remain open until Tuesday, November 16th.
Discussion>
> Richard L: Thank you Madame Chair:
Data Points:
- One or more transfer(s) always occurs this time of year for the purpose of paying for the conference hotel and other operational considerations such at payroll, insurance, equipment leases, utilities, etc.
- YTD 2010 we have received only 1 transfer, in August, for $10k. Last year in August we received 20k.
- Last year the WSBT authorized $53,400.00 from August 24 – September 29th, 2009. Again this year we have only requested 10k and its November 18th.
- Similar conditions existed last year to this year, but with several cost savings YTD we are requiring less money to operate at this time.
The motion will act like this:
- $8667 shall be replaced (a check written) from operations back into the EY account to reimburse the check written upon the separation of the DOO. This will make the EY account balance $19,544.00.
- The EY account will be swept of all funds, ($19,054.00 ), except $500 to keep the account running, and transfer those funds into the Money Market savings. Money market savings account balance will then be about $112,411.00.
- Finally we will transfer the $25,000.00 into the operating account from Money Market savings leaving $87,411.00 in the prudent reserve. 12k above the 75k minimum policy. Thanks you!
PS Discussion will remain open until Tuesday, November 16th. has come and gone and next week has a 4 day weekend, due to Thanksgiving (here in the USA). Are we talking the Nov. 23rd or sooner?
>Kim: thanks Richard… my error… discussion will remain open until November 23rd.
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>Richard S.: Motion to divide. There are two separate actions for transactions proposed that should be clearly motioned and defined separately so each motioned transaction can be clearly presented, discussed and voted upon.
>Kim: There is a motion to divide. The motion to divide must be seconded, is not debatable, and requires a majority vote. Prior to that the maker of the motion to divide must clearly state the manner in which the question(s) should be divided.
>Richard S.: Motion to divide:
$8667 transfer (or a check written) from operations into the EY account; Transfer
19,054.00 into the Money Market savings; Transfer the $25,000.00 into the operating account from Money Market.
To read:
Motion 1: Transfer $8667 (or a check written) from operations into the EY account.
72 Hours / 3 days for Discussion 24hrs for voting
Motion 2: Transfer 19,054.00 into the Money Market savings account.
24 Hours / 1 Day for Discussion 24hrs for voting
Motion 3: Transfer $25,000.00 into the operating account from Money Market.
72 Hours / 3 Days for Discussion 24hrs for voting >Kim: Is there a second to the motion as division is stated?
>Randy: Second
>Kim: There is a motion to divide as stated by Richard S., second by Randy. Please prepare yourself to vote.
>Kenny: Point of Information:
This seems to be a financial / accounting procedure that has been in place.
- What is the purpose for dividing this into several motions?
- How will this affect the general ledger bottom line?
- Will this increase productivity.
In short, I don’t understand the true purpose.
Please clarify the pros and cons so I can make an informed decision.
Thanks in advance.
>Terry: As stated by the chair
Motion to divide was not debatable.
>Kim: thank you Kenny and Terry…
Terry, you are correct, the motion to divide is not debatable, on the other hand a point of information is not debate, it is a factual question about the motion.
>Kenny, to address your point of information:
- What is the purpose for dividing this into several motions?
The motion to divide is done when a motion relating to a single subject contains several parts, each of which is capable of standing as a complete proposition if the others are removed, the parts can be separated to be considered and voted on as if they were distinct questions.
- How will this affect the general ledger bottom line? It will not affect our general ledger bottom line.
- Will this increase productivity. In short, I don’t understand the true purpose. No, this does not increase productivity, but the division of the motion allows for a clear
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understanding of each action. It allows for debate, questions and information to be shared allowing for a well informed group conscience. Historically, for the most part, motions for transfers have been done as single motions, as single transactions.
>Terry: Kim… Your welcome… & Thanks
>Kim: Kenny will you be casting a vote.
>Kim: thanks everyone…
I was just able to get online, as mentioned before, I wasn’t sure of the availability of internet…sorry for my delay in calling this.
With that…
The motion to divide has failed; therefore the discussion on the main motion is now open again.
>Richard S.: I speak against the motion.
Discussion by the maker of the motion references items not for consideration to this motion, specifically but not exclusively, funds transferred from operating due to payment to the former DOO, the amount being transfer has been referenced prior as a different amount which is a misrepresentation of monies paid and needing to be replaced. Two (or more) separate acts / actions in a motion to transfer funds is inappropriate for the recording of our questioning and approving transfers.
The WSBT is held responsible as the financial planners, to not only inquire and report but to make sound financial decisions based on facts presented and held responsible to ask questions when facts are not clear or presented with clouded and inappropriate debate. By following our guidelines and Roberts Rules to present, discuss and vote on motions, we operate quickly and our actions are more clearly understood when reviewed and scrutinized by our fellowship as all our online business is recorded and presented to the fellowship through our mailings.
>Joy: I feel your problems, but we are having our quarterly meeting there in two weeks and the hotel bill has not been paid. The hotel is asking for payment and I would hate for our first quarterly after conference to get messed up.
There is nothing we can do about the DOO check. It is done and over with. The EY accounts needs to be replenished and then closed out. The transfer from Prudent Reserve to the Operating account needs to done to pay the hotel bill and for us to get our quarterly checks. We are still being fiscally responsible as this request is way less than prior years and it looks like the office is finally looking ahead. 7th Tradition was very bad the first quarter and it looks like this quarter is not looking up. With the office consultant in the office we are getting a clear picture of CAWSO’s finances for the first time. Prudent Reserve is still above the required amount and if as Trustee’s make sure the office is within budget and we are getting the financial reports we need in a timely manner, we are finally ahead of the game. For two years we have never had a clear picture, and we are finally getting one. I understand you want to divide the motion, but we are in crunch time with the hotel payment. Let get this done and move forward. My opinion only.
>Richard S.: I still speak against the motion;
I don’t see these just as my problems, I see our responsibilities as our problems, a need to get things done is no reason to do things improperly and hastily, especially for the solely responsible persons (our WSBT). And the ‘need’ is not as large as you presented in your discussion.
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A single motion to transfer from Money Market into operating with a description of what is needed to be paid would suffice; again, my argument is this improper motion with multiple actions and no clarity.
Yes we are meeting for our quarterly but let’s not introduce unrelated facts; being on the conference committee, I am quite aware that we have JUST recently received the hotel bill so we are not late or even close to a ‘crunch time’ with payment as the hotel just provided us our bill and it is still in review by the Conference Committee and CAWSO.
The office is operating outside of their budget as there was no line item for the large lump sum payout drafted by a single individual and how many signatures were on that check? Only 1? Aren’t our checks two party signature checks? Since when are any of us to act alone? We are not, there are boards for a reason, to ignore our structure is inappropriate, let’s talk about this, it’s not to be swept under the rug.
There is no budget we could be operating in for an outside consultant, the expenses being paid for computer services were out of budget, I disagree that the office is operating within budget, I do not dispute the necessity to keep the doors open, pay bills and help to keep things running smoothly but WE (both boards need to be on the same page, open, honest and clear) need to be doing this together.
I dispute that we are getting a clear picture; we have not received account balances following the WSOB meetings, we are financial planners not ‘the bills need to be paid! reactors’
I do not and cannot have a blind “get this done” attitude, I have a responsibility to ask questions and request for appropriate clear motions especially where our finances are concerned.
There is nothing about the motion on the table that is clear, I wouldn’t want to see this motion presented on our conference floor as it is being presented here, imagine the questions that would ensue, while I may be in the minority and I have no problem speaking as the minority, there is nothing business like about what has been proposed; isn’t this what we are to do, take care of the business of C.A. when conference is not in session? Just acting or reacting isn’t taking care of business.
>Terry: Point of Information:
First off this discussion seems to be going to a issue which I am not clear about in this motion.
We seem to be back on the DOO.
Maybe I missed something on our conference call but I do remember the WSBT requesting Tom to be on our call and was a decision made on our orientation call.
Who told him he did not need be on the call as the WSBT requested him to. As the topic was brought up in Richard S argument.
Is this transfer of money issue really affecting our day to day operations of the WSO? I will use the I am new excuse and confused
As for the day to day operations who is correct in the necessity of this being dealt with before the quarterly.
>Kim: As the maker of the original motion refers to the “separation of the DOO” in his discussion; that does, and was allowed, to open the door to the line of discussion taking place. As to your additional questions, please refer to the 1009 WSBT Orientation minutes:
2010.09.02 Exit Interview of DOO (Kim)
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Kim: Richard L. called me the week of the exit interview, and the outcome of the interview. I requested that Richard L. post to the group, in his words the outcome of that face to face meeting. Regarding the payout to the former DOO, there have been some concerns and questions as to why Tom acted without any input from the WSBT. Richard S. has suggested that Tom P. ring into our next conference call to address the responsibilities of the WSOB Chair and the coordination and cooperation with the WSBT as financial planners. Will further discuss this with Richard S., and coordinate with Tom P. to be on our next conference call.
If you recall, additionally, during executive session of the last conference call it was discussed. Richard S. indicated that the after his personal conversation with Tom, he advised me that his request to have Tom on the call was not necessary at that time, but would rather continue to have dialog among the two Boards as to what occurred regarding the funds disbursed following the exit review. The request for Tom to be on the call came from Richard S., and was not an action item by the WSBT. I advised Tom that he would not need to be on the call. To further answer your questions, in my discussions with John B., the motion to transfer the money should have come to us following the Board to Board meeting (November 11th), and was never considered an emergency motion by the WSOB. Richard S. is correct regarding the hotel bill, and the information that I was given is that due to the tardiness of the bill being forwarded to us, they are being patient as we review, and negotiate the final amounts. The transfers need to be done to continue to move the business of C.A. forward, and discussion is due to close tomorrow, allowing for the outcome of the vote to move us forward. I would like to add that the information and education that Richard S. is providing to all of us should be taken note of, and filed for future reference.
>Richard S.: Motion to amend by substitution:
Substitute:
Motion – To transfer $19,054.00 from the CAWS EY account into Money Market Savings account, then transfer $25,000.00 from the Money Market Savings account into the CAWSO Operating account.
For:
Motion – Transfer $6000.00 from the Money Market Account to the Operating Account. The substituted motion contains the main intent for the prior motion of transferring funds into the CAWSO Operating Account.
The amount allows for the prudent reserve of the Money Market account not to be pierced (as far as I know but we have yet to be provided the account balances as we are supposed to) until the other transfers can be moved, discussed and completed.
Since the motion to divide failed which would have had us completed with the 19K from the EY account transfer motion already, this motion allows up to transfer into operating an appropriate amount, be finished with it and move immediately to transferring 19K form the EY account into the Money Market Account, then a motion to transfer from Money Market into Operating, this completes the 25K in two following appropriate standard (for the time of year) motions and transfers.
Transfers should be done one motion at a time for appropriate accounting record, clarity and transparency which is our responsibility to our fellowship.
>Kim: Is there a second?
>Terry: I will second.
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>Kim: Thank you for the process…
Motioned and seconded; but at this time I will call the motion to amend by substitution out of order as the motion was stated and debated prior to a second. The motion also will impede and hamper the business that needs to move forward.
Please now prepare to vote on the main motion: Motion to transfer $19,054.00 from the CAWS EY account into Money Market Savings account, and then transfer $25,000.00 from the Money Market Savings account into the CAWSO Operating account.
>Kim: After reviewing my position, I wish to amend it regarding the following statement:
The motion also will impede and hamper the business that needs to move forward.
As not to suggest the maker of the motion to amend by substitution was deliberately impeding or hampering the business that needs to get done, I would like to rephrase that statement:
The motion also potentially could impede and hamper the business that needs to move forward.
Thank you…ok, time to vote.
>Terry: If you were going to call Richard’s motion was out of order can I ask why you called for a second Madame Chair.
>Kim: Is this a point of information?
> Terry: Sorry, Yes it was. Point of information
>Kim: If it is a Point of Information, and I will presume that it is…as there was no response to the motion for a hour and a half; it is at the chair’s discretion to call for a second to be sure that all have seen it before proceeding with the pending business. Please prepare yourself to vote.
>Kim: thanks everyone, motion passes.
Richard Leve, please advise John Bodkin, and the WSOB the result of the motion.
To clarify… that would be the main motion that passed:
Motion to transfer $19,054.00
from the CAWS EY account into Money Market Savings account, then transfer $25,000.00 from the Money Market Savings account into the CAWSO Operating account.
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