Jim S. – reads report
CLOSING REPORT C.A. WORLD SERVICE CONFERENCE 2016 WSCITC REPORT
INTRODUCTION AND OPENING COMMENTS
Opening Comments
The committee has worked tirelessly over the course of our breakout sessions to address all referrals received. We are excited with the possibilities that are presented within this digital age and believe there is great scope to develop new and exciting ways for our Fellowship to use digital technology. Our intention is to facilitate good and effective communication to support committees seeking to do the business of Cocaine Anonymous.
COMMITTEE INTRODUCTIONS:
Jim S. (Chairperson)
Daniel G. (Vice Chairperson)
Pierre K. (Secretary)
Committee members
Will B.
Brent P.
Bob W.
Michele D.
Roger Mc.
Dave I.
Linda F. (WSOB representative)
Yves W. (Trustee)
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COMMITTEE WORK THAT RESULTED IN MOTIONS
We have created the following presentation to assist each Area/District in educating their local membership.
*****
Jim S. makes motion.
- MOTION: To approve the resource pack ‘Social Media and Our Guiding Traditions’ to be made available to the Fellowship to help educate our members on how they can keep themselves and the Fellowship safe within our Traditions.
(PowerPoint shown on Conference floor)
Seconded.
Tony D. – Would you care to speak to the motion?
Jim S. – No.
Ian Y. – I’ve looked at the PowerPoint, and there are inaccuracies in it. I’ve requested this document to be corrected in the past and I would like it edited before I approve it. I don’t think it is appropriate for IT to tell us not to use the 2nd largest social media platform. Would be better if they gave us appropriate ways to use it. I speak against.
Henry A. – I like this. I know we can’t police social media all the time. About anonymity, in the 12×12… humility expressed as anonymity …… We can set examples. I am in favor of motion.
Jason L. – On Facebook, I am seeing the PSAs posted twice in the last hour and they have been up since July in some places. Are the guidelines going to make any difference? People seem to be ignoring them.
Jim S. – We know that social media is a large problem, but we cannot stop the tide. We can’t stand by idle while these things happen. That is what the PowerPoint is for, to help educate the fellowship. We need to try to educate the fellowship.
Cliff W. – Against the motion. The use of media falls on the individual. An individual can choose to break their anonymity if they choose. We need to be mindful of others and their anonymity.
Melissa W. – Against the motion. The concept behind the motion is what bothers me. Our primary purpose is to reach out to the addict who still suffers. Social media is the way to do that now. Why are we not trying to figure out how to do this within the Traditions? The Colorado Facebook page has been brought before the trustees and disclaimers were added at their request. Liking a page does not make you a member. This platform can reach a massive amount of people and is cost effective.
Devin R-F. – Point of Order, this was not in the SR-14, shouldn’t it have been?
Tony D. – It was in last year’s SR-14. The floor asked for the document to be redacted and brought back this year.
Jimmy Y. – In favor of this motion as promotion is a great thing. Social media should be through PI, not individual members. This would help as people would have guidelines. Members of the fellowship have been asking for this for awhile. We can’t police everyone. Dawn M. – In favor of the motion. When I attend C.A. events, we ask that the press does not disclose if specific people are present. This PowerPoint gives the fellowship guidance on how to handle this on social media. I am concerned the PSA was out before it was approved. I want my anonymity protected.
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Morgan T. – This is huge. Social media can reach large numbers of people. We are always trying to figure out how to reach more people. Facebook is a very effective way to reach people. I don’t see a way to utilize it without violating the Traditions. Live your life, have fun, live Traditions in all your affairs – then when people ask you about having fun without drugs, let them know about the fellowship at that point.
Gary M. – This is disturbing for me. I am in favor of the motion. This is out of control. I use social media for business and my anonymity is important. I can see all kinds of stuff on social media even when the groups are supposed to be secret. If we can’t beat them, we need to join them to try to handle the issue. These guidelines are not working.
Ginger L. – Per these guidelines, is it wrong to post on my personal social media page the approved PSA that is a ‘public’ announcement?
Jim S. – References the WSM page 13 about who can use the C.A. name and logo.
Ian Y. – The PowerPoint does not show info accurately. IT committee needs to help us find a solution. My understanding of anonymity is different then what the PowerPoint states. I feel the PowerPoint is misleading.
Jimmy Y. – Point of Information . . . . (content of Point of Information was not captured)
Ian Y. – We need assistance on how to use social media effectively and not be in fear of it.
Chris ??? – We are breaking 4 traditions to cover 1 tradition.
Howard J. – I am for the motion. I don’t think that anyone with good knowledge of the Traditions wants to break them on social media. We need this guidance.
Kevin M. – I am in favor, it does need to be corrected a bit, but it can be fixed later. It has a lot of good info. There is a referral for the WSOB to create a Facebook page. That would stop others from putting up a page for us. It is not your right to use C.A. intellectual property without asking, it cannot be used by an individual. If items are copyrighted, they are not to be used without our permission. This info needs to get out. WSO probably does need to look at this more closely.
Stu E. – In favor of the motion. We had a sub-committee Chairperson tonight state he was not responsible for things done by an Area, but that Area had used C.A. intellectual property without appropriate permissions. If we don’t have any rules, no one can be held accountable.
Jade H. – This info needs to be accurate and this PowerPoint needs to be corrected.
Robert H. – In favor, we have broken the 12 Traditions, it is done. We need to get a handle on this so we have to start with something.
Suzanne V. – I don’t know how to use Facebook with all these ‘rules’ to protect or not protect
things. I would be happy with guidelines. Our primary purpose is to get the message out, but I
am concerned about what that cost may be. We are Anonymous and we need to get the message out within our Traditions.
*****
John W. – Call the question.
Tony D. – Prepare to vote to call the question.
Vote 50 – 118 for and 7 against, motion to call the question passes.
*****
Tony D. – Restates the motion. Please prepare to vote.
Vote 51 – 115 for and 16 against, motion passes
*****
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REFERRALS THAT RESULTED IN MOTIONS
None
REFERRALS OR ITEMS TABLED UNTIL NEXT YEAR; AND ITEMS THE COMMITTEE WILL CONTINUE WORKING ON THROUGH THE YEAR
We plan to spend the next year rewriting the WSCITC workbook to be more user friendly.
IT 2016 – 4
Mike S.
Online / ASR
The online Service area would like to put forth a referral to the WSC IT Committee for the following to be included in the SR14 and be brought up on the Conference floor:
The OSA is currently using Skype for the means of conducting On Line (VoIP) meetings. It requires an invitation to be part of the meeting, does not have a waiting area that is ‘brandable’ and the 7th tradition is at another web address. There are other meetings calling themselves a CA meetings and using CA literature on line that use venues such as In The Rooms. These type of ‘meeting places’ pose affiliation issues and loosely follow CA’s traditions.
The solution found, in discussion with the ITC that would allow Online CA meetings to be accessible, and allow anyone that wishes to start an online meeting to be able to do so, as well as stay within our traditions and concepts was to use the same type of software the Trustees and WS Committees use. GoToMeeting Pro 1-Year Initial Subscription – Access to Discounted Rates G-47844 -Online web conferencing tool for one organizer and up to 25 attendees (discounted rate of $234 annually paid to Citrix) Admin Fee: $12.00
Because the OSA is a World Area and encompasses all of the physical Regions of CA, and servicing the world fellowship essentially is what CA world services should be about, we would like for the IT committee to approach this expense as a World Service Expense and have the Finance Committee add it to the annual budget.
Response:
Thank you for your referral and the exciting opportunities that this presents. We are currently in consultation with the WSOB to research different resources that we may be able to use in future to facilitate the needs of the Worldwide Fellowship of CA, for the purpose of creating an online virtual meeting place to carry the message to the addict that still suffers and also to provide space for business meetings of CA.
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REFERRALS OR ITEMS REFERRED TO OTHER COMMITTEES; WORLD SERVICE OFFICE, OR BOARD OF TRUSTEES
IT 2016 – 1
Justin C.
Florida Area
Digital delivery of Speaker Audio files – as we proceed in the digital world, and as more and more conventions are transitioning toward uploading digital files from workshops and speakers, should there not be a WS standard (bit rate, frequency, format, compression, and production origin) for these files?
Furthermore, is it possible to create on the CAWS site a file distribution system, or at least a link to a page so that members worldwide can access the media as it is produced and posted?
Response:
Referred to WSOB.
IT 2016 – 2
Ian from England
Central UK Area
It is common practice for almost all non-profits, corporates, businesses (small and large), charities, and other public facing organizations, to have both a website and a Social Media presence.
I propose that CAWorld Services establishes a Cocaine Anonymous FaceBook Page, that it operates for promoting Worldwide Unity, Forthcoming events, Carrying the Message even better to those seeking recovery and to those in early recovery, and offering a forum of discussion for those members already in recovery. This could be supported and run by the Online Area, and could host FaceBook Chat meetings, and indeed have a Secretary, Speaker, Literature Secretary, Greeters and GSR.
There already exists many unofficial groups who are not reaching out to potential new members, and there is at least one unofficial Page (note the difference between a Facebook Group and a Facebook Page). It would only serve to better carry the message to more people if we were to operate this officially rather than clandestinely.
Furthermore, tradition 7s could be generated here and used to promote the post to reach more people using meme’s videos, and chat.
Please consider reviewing this link as an example
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Please do discuss this with me for further info. ILAS, Ian from England
Response:
Referred to WSOB.
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REFERRALS THAT DID NOT RESULT IN MOTIONS
REFERRAL 2014IT-2
To add Groups to Chapters “CONCERNING WEBSERVANT AND/OR INTERNET COMMITTEES”,”A TYPICAL AREA WEB SITE “, “REQUIREMENTS FOR C.A. AREA/DISTRICT WEB SITES”. To Add both Districts and Groups to chapter “POLICIES FOR POSTING ON C.A. WEB PROPERTIES”, “LINKING, EMERGENCY DE-LINKING, & NON COMPLIANCE”. Groups under the 4th Tradition are autonomous and can elect through their own group conscience to create and manage their own website.
Response
Thank you for your referral. This workbook is set forth for any Areas/District that wishes to be linked to www.ca.org. Currently this does not apply to any Groups.
The WSCITC Guidelines are the requirements to be linked from www.ca.org. However any Area/District is urged to use these same guidelines for Groups requesting the use of the CA logo online as per WSM p13.
REFERRAL 2014IT-6
Please create a new section to the IT Workbook to illustrate best practice when creating meetings through digital media/technologies.
Consult with the Online Area to inform this new documentation and make use of their experience and knowledge in this aspect of carrying the message.
I foresee this as useful for Areas and Districts who may see the benefit of creating their own online meetings and also in facilitating VOIP meetings at special events etc.
The purpose of this new documentation will be to support the digital outreach potential for Areas and Districts by sharing what works/what doesn’t and how to in a practical away and thus aid in safely utilizing digital technology to further carry the message of CA.
Response:
Thank you for your referral. Please refer to the updated WSCITC workbook on page 15, under the heading,
”TEXT BASED CORRESPONDENCE, TELECONFERENCING, AND/OR VIDEO CONFERENCING”.
Many groups, both in the real and virtual space, have begun exploring the possibilities of utilizing technologies for meeting via text based correspondence, teleconferencing, and/or video conferencing. Presently, two distinct classes of interactions exist. The first class can be defined
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as a connection where all endpoints can be accounted for by trusted servants (e.g., a joint meeting between two geographically distant groups). With this class, there is a level of assurance that no person or group is exposed to issues concerning a potential breach of the Eleventh Tradition. The other class, however, which is characterized by one or more connection endpoints that cannot be moderated by a trusted servant, may be subject to violations of the Eleventh Tradition (e.g., the recording/duplication of images, video, audio, or text and the possibility for them to be posted publicly). Therefore, it is suggested that at the start of any such meeting and/or at regular intervals, the following disclaimer be read or displayed:
Due to the technologies being used for this meeting, a participant’s anonymity, or the anonymity of others mentioned, could be compromised at a public level. The individual participants and our group as a whole have the responsibility to consider the potential implications, and our level of participation in this meeting. Our group conscience reminds us that Anonymity is the Spiritual Foundation of all our Traditions. Additionally, in the spirit of Tradition Six, C.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution and as such does not endorse and is not affiliated with any of the specific technology providers utilized to facilitate this meeting.”
It is suggested that at least two or more committee members, including the Chair, know all appropriate passwords or access details.
REFERRAL 2014IT-4
Please update the IT workbook to be fully inclusive of the worldwide fellowship rather than US specific eg: page 4 refers to costs in dollars, is it necessary to specify costs as these can vary considerably around the world.
Response:
Thank you for your referral. As requested the WSCITC has updated the 2015 IT workbook by removing any reference to specific currency.
IT 2016 – 3
Mike S.
Online / ASR
The online Service area would like to put forth a referral to the WSC IT Committee for the following to be included in the SR14 and be brought up on the Conference floor:
There is a CA VoIP (online) that is currently being hosted on a web venue called In The Rooms. The meeting has been vetted by the OSA and was linked to the OSA website. It follows the CA format and uses CA approved Literature.
The IT committee was not happy with the OSA website listing this meeting because in order to access it you must go to the ITR website and sign in.
ITR is a for profit “clubhouse” for on line meetings for many 12 step fellowships. They charge a fee as a clubhouse would rent, and advertise just like a clubhouse has bulletin boards to find
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recovery services and living places.
With technology moving rapidly forward, there will be many of these types of places on the
www, and chances are more than one CA meeting will get started before the OSA gets word,
even if we provide our own CA affiliated web space to hold meetings. The IT committee
currently uses ‘Disclaimers’ to let people know that they are leaving CA approved web space
and non-affiliation statements as needed for software and or websites.
I would like the IT committee to make it a resolution that the OSA can link to the “Welcome to CA” CA meeting on the ITR website using disclaimers and non-affiliation statements as needed so that the members of this meeting can become an approved part of our fellowship. As this probably won’t be the last meeting to start on its own on another type of venue, the OSA would also like to ensure that any group that starts an online meeting that meets the proper definition, should also be able to be linked.
The OSA is a World Area and encompasses all of the physical Regions of CA, and servicing the world fellowship essentially is what Online Service Area does with these meetings on the web.
Response:
We would very much like to thank you for your referral to this ongoing issue addressing Online Area issues with regards to possible tradition violation items. There is an ongoing research endeavor to find a central platform to facilitate online meeting venues and needs. In our considered opinion directing members to meetings facilitated by ‘In The Rooms’ contradicts the WSCITC 2015 workbook:
THINGS TO BE AVOIDED
The following items have been found to be in conflict with the Twelve Traditions, or otherwise harmful to Cocaine Anonymous as a whole, and must be avoided by Area and District web sites:
a) Links to non-C.A. web sites must be avoided, including all of the following:
- Commercial web sites or any web site containing advertising, except for the following:
- Mapping Services for meetings and events (e.g., to give directions to a meeting location), when accompanied by the disclaimer found in the Information Technology (IT) Workbook and Guidelines under the section entitled “REQUIREMENTS FOR C.A. AREA/DISTRICT WEB SITES”, subsection k
- Online payment gateways (e.g., for the purposes of collecting donations or payments for events), when accompanied by the disclaimer found in the Information Technology (IT) Workbook and Guidelines under the section entitled “REQUIREMENTS FOR C.A. AREA/DISTRICT WEB SITES”, subsection k
- Government web sites
- Non-profit organizations web sites (whether involved in the field of recovery or not )
- Recovery houses, hospitals, and alternative treatment providers
- Web sites of other 12-Step programs
- Pages posted by individual C.A. members
- Any non-C.A. meetings or events
(WSCITC Workbook, 2015, p7)
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NEW COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AS OF THIS CONFERENCE
Chair (Daniel G.)
Vice-Chair (Pierre K.)
Secretary (Julian N.)
Members
Will B.
Brent P.
Bob W.
Michele D.
Dave I.
Jim S.
Randall M. (WSOB liaison)
Yves W. (Trustee)
CLOSING COMMENTS
We are excited to be working with WSOB in prospectively creating a virtual online meeting place that will be accessible to the World Wide Fellowship of CA. If our research and work comes to fruition we envisage providing a virtual meeting place that belongs solely to CAWS. That groups and committees will be able to use as per their needs for a nominal ‘rent’ fee payable to CAWS so as to allow our groups and committees to live within our 7th Tradition.
Over the course of the next year the committee will continue to fulfil our other duties such as reviewing and clearing websites for linking to www.ca.org
In loving service,
WSCITC
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Tony D. – Any questions for the committee?
Jimmy Y. – Would you consider editing these guidlelines?
Jim S. – Yes, come help us if you are interested.
Michael C. – Do you have any timeline about the ‘online clubhouse’ issue?
Jim S. – No, we are still very much in discussion with that issue.
Michael C. – OSA appreciates your work in this regards as it would help us grow.
Morgan T. – We have heard a lot of info about the connection between IT and PI. Are you going
to work closely with PI this next coming year?
Jim S. – Yes
Tony D. – Seeing no more questions, please thank the committee.
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