World Service Conference of Cocaine Anonymous
Thurs. Aug. 29, 2019 Day 2 Daily Minutes
Session called to order at 8am.
Trevor S. – It is 8 am, happy Thursday, it is August 29th. We will open with the ‘We’ version of the “Serenity Prayer”.
Welcome back everyone, before we begin, a very special thank you and a great job to our conference co-secretaries. We got out of here last night and the dailies were done, approve and redacted just 40 minutes afterward.
Jenn S. – Reads “We Can Recover”
Trevor S. introduces himself.
First item on our agenda is to call roll.
DURING ROLL CALL – DO NOT APPROACH. Keep your chatter low.
Trevor S. – Our vote count total is 179. With a quorum of 119. We are going to go into the WSBT report and committee opening reports. After the World Service Board of Trustees’ report they will be called alphabetically. If you have something to add and show to your report – you must bring to Russell to be approved FIRST and then it will be distributed to the secretaries. Do not surprise us with anything, as we will not use it.
OPENING REPORT
C.A. WORLD SERVICE CONFERENCE 2019
WORLD SERVICE OFFICE BOARD REPORT
INTRODUCTION AND OPENING COMMENTS:
Good evening Delegates, my name is Randy M., I am your World Service Office Board Chairman, and I am an addict. I am blessed to
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stand up here as part of this incredible board of dedicated and enthusiastic individuals, all of us committed to one thing: improving the ability of the fellowship to carry its message to the still suffering addict.
This board has worked very hard over the last year. As you will hear, from human resources to committee work, daily office functions to an incredible Ad Hoc Committee, these volunteers have committed their experience, their energy and their time to this goal.
COMMITTEE INTRODUCTIONS:
Vice Chairperson: Alesia F.
Treasurer: Michael T.
Secretary: Brenda M.
World Service Trustee: Yvette H.
World Service Office Trustee: Kevin M.
Director of Operations: Linda F.
Director at Large Ron D.
Director at Large Pierre K.
Director at Large David C.
NewsGram Editor Yves W.
SUMMARY OF BOARD MATTERS WORKED ON THROUGHOUT THE YEAR:
Director of Operations Report
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This is my ninth CAWS Conference and I would like to thank you for the privilege to continue to serve you while allowing me to continue to learn and grow. It is always my pleasure to work with many of you in different capacities and I look forward to meeting others for the first time. This is just one more incredible step in my journey of working with Cocaine Anonymous and the World Service Office.
- Although, all our staff is small we are able to service the World and get an amazing amount of work done.
- If you have ever been around me when someone asks – what is the World Service Office? You will hear me explain, “CAWSO is the business side of a 12-Step Recovery Program. We are responsible for making sure that we have chips, metal coins, literature (over 25 pamphlets along with other publications), books and tons of other miscellaneous items available to all our Regions, Areas, Districts and Meetings throughout the world.”
- This is done with our hard-working dedicated staff:
- Customer Service is currently provided by Adrianne L & Tanya L
- Shipping and Warehouse chores are done by Brian C.
- Our bookkeeping is done by Frank C.
- Our IT Consultant is Marius S.
- Our Webmaster is Cameron F
- The WSO Store was open earlier this afternoon and will only be open Thursday, and Friday at hours listed below – so please plan to shop early and often!
World Service Store Hours
Wednesday. August 28th—10 am to 6 pm
Thursday, August 29th—12 noon to 6 pm
Friday, August 30th— 11 am to 6 pm
Store will not be open on Saturday or Sunday
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- If you wish to place an order from the WSO (order forms are available in the Conference Office or at the WSO Store) – please turn in your order to me by Friday, Saturday or Sunday and it will be pulled and will be shipped to you the first week of September.
- CAWSO continues to work on Translation projects… This important 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.
- Currently we have Sobriety Chips translated in 9 languages: English, Dutch, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Danish, and Farsi.
- We have Printed Materials (Pamphlets and some posters) translated in 10 languages: English, Dutch, French, German, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Danish, Welch and Farsi.
- Hope, Faith and Courage II is currently translated in German, Swedish, French and English.
- The mediation book “A Quiet Peace” is currently being translated by the local groups from Sweden (in the works), Germany (in the works) and Montreal (3/4 complete)
- Under the careful eye of our Trustees, we continue to work with our trademark attorney to be sure we stay current with all our trademarks, registrations and licenses.
- Our relationship with the Volunteer Center of South Bay, Harbor & Long Beach continues to provide us with volunteer help for both the office and the warehouse. However, if anyone from the local area would like to help out in the office, please see Adrianne (at the WSO Store.). We always have chips to count, pamphlets to flatten and count – not to mention filing and other fun projects to help with.
- We are excited to announce – we continue to grow – 220 Starter Kits have been sent out from the World Service Office or provided by the local area in 2018 and as you can see another 96 already this year thru then end of July (2019). Yahoo! We started tracking by Region in April 2018 – So as you can see we continue to grow everywhere!
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| JA | FE | MA | AP | MA | JUN | JUL | AU | SE | OC | NO | DE | TOTA | |
| 2018 | N | B | R | R | Y | E | Y | G | P | T | V | C | L |
| ANR | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 23 |
| ASR | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 34 |
| EUR | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 13 |
| MWR | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 24 |
| PNR | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 19 |
| PSR | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 15 |
| SWR | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 26 |
| TAL1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| TAL2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 16 | 29 | 19 | 64 | ||||||||||
| TOTA | |||||||||||||
| L | 16 | 29 | 19 | 16 | 15 | 11 | 16 | 24 | 24 | 19 | 19 | 12 | 220 |
| JA | FE | MA | AP | MA | JUN | JUL | AU | SE | OC | NO | DE | TOTA | |
| 2019 | N | B | R | R | Y | E | Y | G | P | T | V | C | L |
| ANR | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 13 | |||||
| ASR | 7 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 23 | |||||
| EUR | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 9 | |||||
| MWR | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 11 | |||||
| PNR | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 13 | |||||
| PSR | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 12 | |||||
| SWR | 0 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 10 | |||||
| TAL1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
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| TAL2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |||||
| TOTA | |||||||||||||
| L | 23 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 96 |
- Inmate Starter Kits for 2018 totaled 38 Inmate Starter Kits for 2019 to date 10
| ● | ANR | 1 | 0 |
| ● | ASR | 8 | 5 |
| ● | MWR 9 | 2 | |
| ● | PNR | 5 | 0 |
| ● | PSR | 4 | 0 |
| ● | SWR | 11 | 3 |
| 38 | 10 | ||
- The WSOB and I wish to acknowledge and thank the European Region for hosting 2019 CAWS Convention in Stockholm, Sweden. Who was there! An amazing event and a good time…right!
- A special thanks to the Convention Chair; steering and general committee members in addition to all volunteers who helped put together this wonderful event. “Stockholm Syndrome” was truly the place to be this past July. They did a fantastic job as their theme indicates (Stockholm syndrome is a condition which causes hostages to develop a psychological alliance with their captors during captivity.)as it had me loving this event at every event, every meeting, every dance, the amazing people and everywhere you looked! This was truly a wonderful memorable CA Convention with a Count Down like no others!! Thank you, Thank you, and Thank you to everyone who worked very hard to provide a truly memorable convention experience!
- I have to ask…Who is ready to go “Deep in the Heart of Recovery”! – We are moving back to Memorial Day for our Convention for 2020? Mark your calendars today for Thursday, May 21 – Monday, May 25, 2020.
- The CAWS 2020 Convention Chair and Committees have been very busy planning many wonderful new and exciting
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events to make sure your “Deep in the Heart of Recovery” experience to be truly one of a kind!
-
- With a great Hotel selected and many wonderful activities (including Texas famous BBQ) this committee is working to make your visit to Austin, Texas “leaving you with a Yellow Rose Welcome, a little “Keep Austin Weird” fun as well as wanting you to keep coming back!”
- Hey Y’all – see you in TEXAS in MAY!
- 2021 CAWS Convention in New York City…with their steering committee selected this committee is working nonstop to make sure your trip to The Big Apple is going to wonderful! They are planning a fun-filled event and it also will be over the Memorial Day Weekend! The committee is working on fundraising and putting together the necessary volunteers to ensure your memories will last a lifetime!
- 2022 CAWS Convention in Atlanta, GA is in the planning stages…A peachy time is being planned…more to be revealed in the upcoming year!
Respectfully submitted,
Linda L F.
Secretary Report – Brenda to discuss HR issues.
Human Resources Projects:
We have completed the following HR activities in 2018/2019
- Reviewed the Employee Handbook.
- Revised questions used to conduct board member interviews.
- Interview training.
- Conducted sexual harassment training for staff, office board and trustees.
- Conducted salary analysis.
- Revised the annual performance review process.
Ad Hoc Committee Report
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n response to Referral WSOB 2018-6 the WSOB formed an Ad Hoc Committee to undertake a ‘root and branch’ review of all matters appertaining to CA World Conventions past, present and future, the impact on the whole Fellowship and their value in practicing Tradition 5.
A diverse group of members, representative of our global Fellowship and with a wide range of service experience, were invited to join monthly conference calls set up by video link. An open, far ranging ‘outside of the box’ approach resulted in no stone being left unturned. Discussion was searching, candid, creative and kind. Nothing was too precious to be off limits. The full process and findings can be found in a comprehensive report distributed to the whole fellowship via the SR14 mailing. The ‘Substantive Conclusions and Recommendations’ of this report highlight the problems and the solutions required to ensure Cocaine Anonymous is financially and spiritually fit to ‘carry the message to the addict who is still suffering’ and reflect a changing world both inside and outside the Fellowship.
The Ad Hoc committee report concludes with an ‘Ensuing Plan of Action’ comprising of Two WSOB Referrals, Two WSLCF Committee and Five Motions coming to Conference 2019. All of these are supported by the WSOB. Indeed Motion 3 has already been approved by the Board. In summary the Motions are as follows
- Create a new Director of Conventions and Conferencesposition on the World Service Office Board.
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- To include ‘Vetting CAWS Bids and Substantial Checklist for CAWS Bids’ in the actual WSC Convention Committee Guidelines.
- 5% price increase to literature and chips. Approved by WSOB.
- Propose in principle to revise Guidelines and operational process, changes to Standing Rules (specifically SR22), to change the convention cycle to Biennial (every two years) and to present this to 2020 Conference.
- That after the bidding and award of Host City for CAWS 2023 that there be no award for the host city for 2024.
We humbly ask Delegates to consider the whole report to best understand the context of the conclusions outlined above and our ambition to Remodel CAWS Convention as a NEW Biennial Event. An opportunity to stage a ‘global festival of recovery with higher priority on creativity, inclusivity and Tradition 5.
We envision an event that frees us from compromising commercial contracts, enables ALL our members to attend the celebrations, and better serves delivery of our Primary Purpose. More will be revealed; God has a plan!
Last, but by no means least, and in accord with our endeavors to make CA less financially dependent on CAWS, we relaunch the World Contribution Program. The FREEDOM FUND is a new name for an old principle; “The basket is where spirituality and money mix. The next time you put money in the pot/basket/hat think of all the things that are being accomplished with those funds and how you are helping the addict who is still suffering”.
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The existing program raises considerable funds for the Fellowship, however sadly only a minority know of its existence especially in Europe. Supported by the WSOB, the Ad Hoc Committee is recommending a relaunch as the “Freedom Fund” with new smart phone friendly graphics to spread the word across the whole of our global fellowship from Hong Kong to Saint Petersburg, from London to Los Angeles and all places in between! Starting with the Delegates spreading the word in your Areas and thus “Help others find the freedom you enjoy”.
You ‘may’ even qualify for a Free T shirt!
In love and service David C DAL WSOB Ad Hoc Chair
Treasurer’s Report
Go to Treasurer’s Power Point Presentation
NewsGram Editor Report.
As we read in our Q4 2019 Edition on the theme “Life on Life’s term” unfortunately, I cannot be with you at this years’ Conference. I know that you have a full slate of work to do this year, so I will be with you in my heart.
Over and above being sober, the most precious gift of learning that I receive from C.A. is to be of service. It is my pleasure to serve as your NewsGram Editor. This is my second year in this position, and I would like to thank Susan B. for being the associate editor and bearing with
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me and Heidi J as our angel and additional set of eyes. They also help in bringing articles and proofing each edition, along with Linda F., WSO Director of Operations. We also have the support of Chris R. our NewsGram Trustee.
This year we received articles from England, Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Ontario, Canada, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Texas and Utah, USA. We also received articles from Archive, Conference, Finance, H&I, LCF, PI and Unity WSC committees and finally from WSO and WSBT.
We also had our second non-English article published, in Dutch! And we have added a quarterly “Starter Kits Report”, supplied by the WSO
Our biggest challenge has been to receive your articles in a timely manner. It takes about 2 months to complete an edition, from gathering data (articles, updating information) editing articles, building a draft copy, proofing and then having it approved by the WSOB and finally to the WSBT, where they check it for Tradition violations and then back to WSO for printing and distribution. So, we really need your support and your articles. You, as Delegates and WSC Committees chairs are our main channel for this. It is important for each region to nominate a NewsGram delegate to be the channel for our communication with all your area’s delegates.
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Most importantly, the NewsGram is YOUR publication! We need your input on what you’d like to see changed, added, taken out, articles or topics you’d like to see, etc.
You can now upload your article and complete the release form directly through the ca.org website. You can still use snail mail or email.
In closing, I would like to remind you all my dream to publish a special edition of the NewsGram with an article from each area of C.A. in your own language. Are you up for this?
Here are the Publication dates that we will 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/ | 2/10-2/17 | 2/17 |
| Second | 4/10 | 4/22 | 4/29-5/ | 5/6-12 | 5/18 |
| Third | 7/10 | 7/22 | 7/29-8/ | 8/6-8/13 | 8/17 |
| Fourth | 10/10 | 10/22 | 10/29-11 | 11/6-11/13 | 11/16 |
The Theme of our next issue is “Eleventh Step”
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REFERRALS THAT WERE FORWARDED TO OTHER COMMITTEES DURING THE YEAR: NONE.
COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AS OF THE START OF THIS CONFERENCE
Chairman: Randy M. | wsobchair@ca.org
Vice Chairperson: Alesia F. | alesiafleming@yahoo.com
Treasurer: Michael T.
Secretary: Brenda M. | mabinbrenda@gmail.com
World Service Trustee: Yvette H. | wst@ca.org
World Service Office Trustee: Kevin M. | wsot@ca.org
Director of Operations: Linda F. | doo@ca.org
Director at Large Ron D. | rwdavis59@yahoo.com
Director at Large Pierre K. | pierrekennedy@mweb.co.za
Director at Large David C. | davidcrosland@fastmail.fm
NewsGram Editor Yves W. | yves.white@videotron.ca
CLOSING COMMENTS
I am indeed humbled to serve this fellowship. These men and women who serve on the World Service Office Board are tireless workers, each with a unique skill set and intellect which they bring to the table month after month, week after week, and day after day.
We are inspired by the great work that YOU do! We sit on your committees, attend the monthly calls, and each and every time we
Page 13 of 86are filled with gratitude and humility, that we work alongside such great minds, who have a singleness of purpose to help the still suffering addict. We are very excited about the work we are here to do, and we’ll roll up our sleeves, and get into the breakout trenches with you to accomplish those things together, that we could not do ourselves. May God Bless Cocaine Anonymous!
Respectfully Submitted:
Randy M.
Trevor S. – This is my one and only announcement, as the reports are finished and the committees are still present, now is the time to approach the microphone and ask your questions. Any questions for the WSOB? Seeing none.
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