Aug 31, 2019 Day 4 – Daily Minutes – S&B Committee Closing Report

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CLOSING REPORT

C.A. WORLD SERVICE CONFERENCE 2019

Structure and Bylaws Committee

INTRODUCTION AND OPENING COMMENTS

During the past year the Structure and Bylaws Committee have been extremely busy and has been so at the Conference as well. We have received some new members that have brought great enthusiasm, new points of view and opinions to the Committee and they have been greatly appreciated. With the returning members from last year’s Conference and the new members added we are looking forward to having another great year as a Committee. We have brought six motions from Committee work throughout the year and we received several thousand referrals that we considered bringing as motions but decided on a mere one million motions that were created at Conference this year.

  • Clayton P.
  • Franco T.
  • Zach A.
  • Kevin M.
  • Kerry W.
  • Randy M.

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  • Ray M.
  • Michael C.
  • Ernest M.
  • Tom W.
  • Rob W.
  • Nathan B.
  • Joni E.
  • Lucas S.
  • Claudia W.
  • Travis J.
  • Alice F.
  • Delores B.
  • Maxine M.
  • Billy L.

COMMITTEE WORK THAT RESULTED IN MOTIONS

  1. S&B 2017-1 & S&B 2017-17 From David S. (Arizona) and Justine K. (CAUK) 
  • S&B 2017-1: On page 31 of the WSM item 1. Starting at: If an area has more than 75 meetings per week of its groups (excluding H&I), then that area will be entitled to one additional vote for every fifty (50) meetings per week of its groups (or portion thereof). If an area has any questions concerning the number of

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votes to which it is entitled, that Area should contact its Regional Trustee or the WSO.

I would like to make it completely clear that the meetings which meet more than one time per week are to be counted individually and not as one. The current language as written can be confusing and lead to miscounted meeting totals for Areas.

  • S&B 2017-17: After reading the response to a previous referral (S&B 2016-18), I am not in agreement with the response and would like the committee to re-look at this. I do not believe this is a balanced representation of the world-wide fellowship and takes into account the growth in particular Areas.

When a new Area is created, the Area is automatically given 3 Delegates and 1 Alternate Delegate. This is regardless of size of Area.

This seems disproportionate and could create a bias in certain Areas. It could also prove more costly to Cocaine Anonymous as a whole and not represent the Area’s in growth. Would it not be more fair and cost effective to have the number of Delegates based on the size of the Area?

When a new Area is Created, the Area is given 3 Delegates and 1 Alternate. This occurs no matter the size of the starting Area. Would it better serve the area if the amount of Delegates is relative to the

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size of the Area? I have heard this discussion among CA members and though I would put the referral for discussion.

A. Motion to make the following change to page 31 2019 WSM:

Each Area shall have three (3) two (2) votes which may be carried by up to three (3) two (2) Area Delegates or Alternate Delegates, in person or by proxy, as set forth in the Standing Rules for the Cocaine Anonymous World Service Conference. If an Area has more than 75 25 meetings per week of its groups (excluding H&I), then that Area will be entitled to one additional vote, and one further vote for every additional fifty (50) meetings per week of its groups (or portion thereof). If an Area has any question concerning the number of votes to which it is entitled, that Area should contact its Regional Trustee or the WSO.

***The following is data that has been collected over the last few years that our committee has used to prepare this motion for the Conference Floor***

The S&B committee has worked on these referrals for a couple of years. We have run numbers, discussed fairness and conference group conscience. We decided that we wanted each area to have two delegates so that the area

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can always have a delegate with some conference experience. We have decided to move in the direction of the referrals with this proposal. We would like to see what happens to real delegate numbers if this is approved after seeing the real numbers another change might be in order.

We have used the past area attendance and past meeting counts to make an estimate of how this proposal would change the conference’s numbers. Being unable to know what various areas will do in the future we have chosen a point of time, the 2017 conference of estimate what this proposal would do.

Number of delegates allowed* Actual number of delegates*
2016 actual 138
94
2016 proposal 127
96
2017 actual 159
109
2017 proposal 148
108
2018 actual 141
110

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2018 proposal 133
102
Total Areas** 1-25 26-50 51-100
101-150   151-200 201-250
2016 41 20 9 8
3 0 1
2017 50 25 10 9 5
0 1
2018 45 20 10 9
4 0 1
Delegates sent
2016 actual 29 24 24
10 0 7
2016 proposal 27 26 25
12 0 7
2017 actual 45 26 19
16 0 3
2017 proposal 40 26 20 19

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2018 actual 41 23 28
14 0 3
2018 proposal 33 23   28 15
0 3
  1. In Committee Motion

A. Motion to Add language to page 44 of the WSM under section Conference Chairperson.

E. Basic understanding of fractions.

  1. S&B 2018-7 and S&B 2018-14 Caroline H. (CAUK) and Susan B. (OSA)

In response to referrals S&B 2018-7 and S&B 2018-14

S&B 2018-7: Motion to amend the organigram on pg. 12 of WSM. In the interest of transparency aiding clear understanding. I would ask you to consider under SR14 a reorganization of the organogram on pg. 12 of the WSM to include the CAWSO Board and Directorships detailed on pages 61-61 of the WSM. I believe this change, which would provide clear identification of WSOB committees and

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Directorships (including Directors at Large) sits happily within concept 1, 3, and 9.

Trevor S. – any debate? seeing none,

VOTE # 27 for 157 / 3 against

Motion passes substantial unanimity.

S&B 2018-8 (In Conference) RE: Recognition and support of the Online Service Area as it related to C.A. as a whole Dear C.A. WSC, Online meetings began in 1997 in response to requests from suffering addicts. The Online Service Area was formed and ratified by this conference in 2000 to continue carrying the C.A. message of recovery to those who do not have access to face-2-face meetings. We are a touchstone to C.A. for the homebound, disabled (many meeting locations do not have wheelchair access), those traveling for business, recovering from surgery, and a dedicated group that just love our Fellowship and participating in their recovery. The OSA attracts many newcomers and provides help news to Yes, You Can Start a C>A> Meeting pamphlet – No mention of and hope to those who are afraid to attend face-2-face meetings. Online support has given them the opportunity to feel safe in embracing C.A. as H&I. The challenges we face are many as we are spread out all over the globe. One of the biggest challenges we have is the support and recognition of C.A. as a whole! It is news to many of our members that C.A. By example, I refer to the following: Yes, You Can Start a C.A. Meeting pamphlet – No mention of online meetings. World Service Manual –

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no mention of online C.A. meetings. Public Information – Repeated attempts to coordinate outreach have been to no avail.

A. Motion to replace the existing organogram on page 12 of the World Service Manual with the one attached as Exhibit A.

*SEE ATTACHED FILE*

  1. S&B 2018-15 Cynthia C. (Washington State Area)

S&B 2018-15: Please consider clarifying the Delegate responsibilities to indicate whether materials from the Delegate mailings, in particular SR 14 items, are to be shared with the Area for feedback. If so, please provide whatever guidance you believe is appropriate regarding the timetable for and manner of distribution. The current language seems oriented toward Post-Conference reporting, but it seems equally important that Area members be informed in advance of anticipated Conference business, particularly materials subject to SR 14.

A. Motion to amend page 30 of the WSM to read:

WORLD SERVICE CONFERENCE DELEGATE

The Delegate’s Job is a Spiritual One!

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  1. Conference Delegates are required to have a working knowledge of the Twelve Steps, the Twelve Traditions, the Twelve Concepts of Service and the World Services Conference Charter.
  2. Prior to the Conference, the Delegate transmits SR-14 material to his or her Area through Area and District Meetings as well as to individual Groups. It is important that the information about the WSO and WSC be passed on with enthusiasm, encouraging the continued health and growth of C.A.

Henry A. – I speak against the motion, something about working knowledge of the 12 concepts, this is concept three. It’s the right decision to take the choice away from the member, it’s up to me as a delegate and my area as to what to bring back to the area. They can get rid of me if they feel I as delegate voted in an improper way. This floor cannot turn around and take authority over the relationship of the delegate to the area. I think this is not in order of what we need to talk about.

Michael C. – I speak in favor, the point of us coming here is to represent the fellowship as they send us here to do the business of Cocaine Anonymous. Part of our jobs is to be fully informed, this referral allows that so they know what is going on at C.A. That is in our concepts, steps, traditions.

Tammy L. – I am extremely in favor of this motion. We were just discussing the knowledge and importance of this.

Robert H. – I speak in favor, we are here are representatives of our area, we were so excited we had an sr14 party before coming here.

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Tracey W. – the present language referenced, can i add a friendly amendment ?

“that all conference delegates be present on the floor at all times until the end of conference”

Taylor F. – We do not accept that amendment .

Albina K. – I speak in favor, to echo what Mike said, also I do find it important to bring back information to my area, they have a right to tell me what they expect me to bring back. I am strong willed and minded, but I do take direction and am in favor of this motion.

Susan B. – Highly in favor, informed group conscious, when i first got here, we were in growing stages. I came to understand as C.A. grew I had to think as a delegate and to choose C.A. as a whole. offering flexibility and what we do affects C.A. as a whole. I feel this includes the expectation of the delegates spiritual qualifications.

Jason L. – Friendly Amendment , I would like to see the language in this motion to show the meaning of standing rule 14, because there is no reference to it.

Taylor F. – We will not accept that amendment.

Rob W. – I speak for this motion. Concept 1 talks about the collective conscious. When I see this and I am a new delegate, from a new area, without any other delegates. This is for the new areas and regions. This specifies what you do after the conference, as the following statement to all the things to do at conference .

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Natalie L. – I speak in favor of this motion. 2 & 4 are relatively the same, it is not quite explained as to WHY we are doing this.

Henry A. – I hate to hold y’all hostage, but I will, because you’re ordering me to go back to my area and hold them hostage. The relationship of what choices I make on this floor and what I take the group back are mine and my areas decisions. It is not the decision of the conference floor. The upside down pyramid is applied here as the areas serve the groups and then the members. They will not put up with me going back and reading the entire sr14 mailing. It is not the right of the conference to tell me how to distribute the information gathered.

Rose J. – MOTION call the question.

VOTE # 28 for 160 / 10 against . motion passes with substantial unanimity.

Original Motion of Amending pg 30 of the WSM.

VOTE # 29 for 143 / 30 against. motion passes with substantial unanimity

  1. Attending the World Service Conference (WSC) prepared, in order to be able to vote knowledgeably. Conference Delegates should be present during all voting times until the end of Conference. Every Conference Delegate, after his or her election, will notify the World Service Office (WSO) in order to be placed on the mailing list and to receive all Conference materials, which require several hours study.
  2. After the Conference, the Delegate transmits the information back to his or her Area through Area and District Meetings as

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well as individual Groups. It is important that the information about WSO and WSC be passed on with enthusiasm, encouraging the continued health and growth of C.A.

  1. Delegates shall encourage their Areas to generate funds to help support World Services.
  2. Delegates must be prepared to attend District, Area and Regional service meetings. They must understand the issues in their Areas to be better able to present them to the Conference.
  3. Delegates cooperate with WSO by providing local meeting schedules and local C.A. information numbers.
  4. Delegates provide C.A. leadership by helping to solve local problems involving the C.A. Traditions. In the spirit of this leadership need, it is suggested that, if possible, Delegates and Alternate Delegates not hold any other service commitments at the District or Area level. Further, in the Spirit of rotation, wherever possible, Delegates should only serve one term and not consecutive terms.
  5. Delegates visit Groups in their Districts/Areas and are sensitive to their needs and reactions. They should learn how the Groups have reacted to Conference reports. Delegates know communication is a two-way street, with information moving in directions.
  6. Delegates serve on a World Service Conference Committee and work closely with Committee members throughout the year. It is the Delegate’s responsibility to work closely with other members of their WSC committee to ensure that it is in action throughout the year.
  7. Delegates keep Alternate Delegates fully informed so that the Alternate can replace the Delegates in an emergency.

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  1. Delegates shall help all newly elected WSC Delegates from their Areas by passing on knowledge of WSC procedures.
  2. They are also responsible for contacting the Regional Trustee at least once per quarter to provide the Trustee with Area reports and updates.

 

  1. S&B 2019-6 Jessi G. (SCTA Area)

S&B 2019-6: Please change the 6 month term requirement to a 1 year requirement for the new position, group PI liaison.

A. Motion to change the term of PI Liaison to 1 year from 6 months on Page 19 of the WSM.

Trevor S. – Any debate to this motion?

Stuart J. – I speak in favor, I was a part of PI when this was written originally created, during the last year we were able to realize it is not a long enough term. The individuals who get the position could do more with a longer term.

Stu E. – Question, does this bring the service commitment length in line with the other WSM positions?

Clayton P. – The service commitment positions in the WSM have different term times, this one would be for one year.

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No additional questions.

VOTE # 30 for 155 / 12 against. Motion passes with substantial unanimity.

  1. S&B 2019-8 Jay F. (Colorado Area)

A. Motion to add verbiage on page 33 under requirements to change Region or become a Region

  1. The Petition is subject to the then current deadlines and requirements of SR14.

Trevor S. – Any debate to this motion?

None.

VOTE #31 for 158/ 3 against. Motion passes with substantial unanimity

B. Motion to change verbiage on page 33 under requirements to change Region or become a Region

  1. Submission of a Petition not later than one hundred and twenty 90 days prior to the World Service Conference and approval thereof.

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None.Trevor S. – Debate to this motion?

VOTE # 32 for 157 / 6 against. Motion passes with substantial unanimity.

  1. S&B 2019-14 Jason L (TAL)

A. Motion to add verbiage on page 53 of the WSM

11. EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS

High level World Service outreach to external bodies. Contact media outlets including TV, radio, film, press and government bodies, etc. to either thank them for their assistance/mentions or introduce ourselves and the purpose of C.A. Receive questions from within and without the fellowship and respond appropriately. Represent C.A. at Drug related conferences to promote our fellowship with the professional community, in liaison with the World Service Conference Public Information Committee and the Trustee assigned to that committee, if different from the Chair of the WSBT External Communication Sub-committee.

Trevor S. – Any debate to this motion?

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Rose J. – Some clarification please. The subcommittee of the NADCP gathers all the information and then sends it to the trustees and then it eventually comes back to the members of the subcommittee, before it can be utilized by the members in this area. Why do we want to create more steps and limit our actions?

Jason L. – We put this referral in because an additional subcommittee for referrals has been created, when TAL 2 position was created, it was very much a position of Public Information service. When they were originally written, they were dated in the 80s. Instead of limiting PI and their outreach, instead to have the task of going back and introducing themselves to these agencies. The idea of this is to be able to do this from a WS level, out of the office in addition to respond from requests from other agencies. Instead of the idea of replacing, instead to work with PI, so that the agencies would have another outlet. We want to pay more attention to it. The intention was not that it move past housekeeping, instead to bring up the TAL 2 responsibilities and what they were doing.

Trevor S. – This is a subcommittee of the WSOB, and run through the S&B on conference floor to enter their manual. This is what they decided to do.

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Wade S. – I speak in favor of this motion. The WSBT in reviewing the roles and responsibilities of the fellowship and created an external part of the subcommittee that the board agreed upon and is approved to encourage external communications when they are asked directly. It allows a person to be assigned. We brought it forward for the floor to understand and it changes our guidelines. This will reference external and internal communications.

Jenn S. – clarification on what ‘high level world services outreach’ is.

Jason L. – When we were talking about high level, we were referencing national agencies – new, radio, health service, parole. Maybe larger than an area or a district to go out and then be followed up. International and large. Send out an intro letter to then follow up.

Justin C. – Is there a verb in that first sentence?

Clayton P. – I believe the word ‘outreach’ is used as a verb in this sentence.

Jenn S. – Can this committee work on the first part of this non-sentence wording?

Clayton P. – We did pull this directly from the trustees and their written existing position, for the purposes of guideline purposes. I am sure we can work with them on the verbiage.

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Stuart J. – The actual piece of literature we send out to PI in regards to engaging in communication, – High level, professional communities (government bodies…, news, national organizations, etc.) – I am not sure if that is helpful in understanding the current verbiage.

Jason L. – I was coming up to try to help explain Stuarts intention of reading the example language. I am sure that we can look at it and bring it back next year from where we have had it as it stands in the description of the WSBT committee and we can look at it and bring it back, and yes we can, but at the moment it is already in the subcommittee as a description.

Tom P. – Friendly amendment “to facilitate” and make it flow.

Clayton P. – We accept if we can, but we have to check with the trustees.

Trevor S.- Calls chair of the board to the mic. this is a former document of the WSBT, we do have authority over this. This is something that belongs to them. As it stands right now it belongs to the board of trustees.

Jeannette J. – In the WSM, 2019 p 53, there is a list of all the WSBT subcommittee, it is simply adding it to the list that is already here in the WSM, it was created this past year.

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Trevor S. – The friendly amendment is not accepted.

Dawn M. – So, I completely understand the intention to add to WSM, my concern is that its then stuck in the manual. We would have to work around the content once it is in there. Could I be respectful enough to ask that it be taken care of in the WSBT and returned.

Stu E. – Question, each committee outline list in the WSM starts off with a verb. I don’t think that the request to put “to facilitate” doesn’t make sense.

Clayton P. – I would like to withdraw this motion.

Trevor S. – Any objections? None. Motion withdrawn.

  1. Motion from PI Committee

A. Motion On page 40 of the World Service Manual Under Public Information Committee. Create a third paragraph. Start new language,

The Public Information committee shall organize an annual Public Information global poster campaign. Encouraging the fellowship worldwide to become involved in a weeklong event June 1st through the 7th. Order and customize your local posters from PI.CA.ORG.

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Seconded

Trevor S. – Is there any debate?

Susan B. – I’d like to make a Friendly Amendment to have that section read “, to encourage the fellowship worldwide, to…” the Friendly Amendment is accepted.

Paul S. – I have a question. Why should this be in the WSM? the PI committee does a fantastic job…

Trevor S. – I ask that you allow PI to respond. Stuart to the mic. Stuart J. – this is the only thing we ask to have in the WSM for clarification and have some introduction to that. That is why. Trevor S. – any further debate?

Vote #33 for 145 / against 24

motion passes with substantial unanimity

  1. S&B 2019-4 James G. (Finance Committee)

WS Finance Committee proposes to amend verbiage in WSM 2018

Pg. 38; Para 6: to read as follows:

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A. Motion to add new language on page 39 of WSM under section

World Service Conference (WSC):

Each Delegate serves on a designated Conference Committee of his or her own selection. It is suggested that each Committee contains at least one Trustee. Any member of Cocaine Anonymous may serve and vote on any World Service Conference Committee, however, each Participant is limited to voting in one committee. Non-delegates may serve as Committee officers. It is recommended when electing Committee Chairpersons that the length of their delegate tenure is considered in order to be fiscally responsible to the fellowship and respectful of Conference budgets. Non-Delegate chair expenses must be incorporated into the committee budget and approved by the committee. Then the approved budget is brought to the Conference floor by the Finance Committee as part of the complete World Service budget for approval. All committee budgets need to be submitted to the Finance Committee by 9 am of the last breakout committee work day.

Seconded

Trevor–yes S. – debate? just to confirm we are on para 6?

Henry A. – Point of Information – can you explain this to new delegates please?

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Clayton P. – This came from the finance committee and we have been asked to include this in the WSM.

Dawn M. – may I contest this motion by asking the finance committee to inform us how much we spend on non-delegate chairs?

Maya B. – Honestly, it depends where the chair comes from. Cost for committee chairs is as follows: S&B is $1,031, LCF is $1,075, PI is $1,250. It depends where they come from. Mine was $700. It is a burden to the fellowship and we would love to not have to budget for it.

Linda F. – A non-delegate chair is not an automatic given, but we have never turned anyone down and includes airfare and halfnights at the hotel and a per diem.

Ian Y. – I speak for this motion – Concept 9 speaks of selecting the right person for the right job. Stuart is fine PI chair, but perhaps we should be looking within the committee for an appropriate chair. We are fully self-supporting. Those finances are none of our business. I want the right person for the right job, not at the sake of saving $1000. The PI committee is choosing Stuart (sorry to keep using you as an example Stuart) and we need to honour that.

Jason L. – I speak in favour. The language is asking that we consider the tenure of the delegate. It does not say we don’t have to elect a particular individual, but rather just to consider the time left of a delegate role.

Also consider having to ask finance to cover these expenses.

Michael C. – I speak in favour. Our concepts state that we elect the right people for the right job. To limit someone as a chair is not in our best

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interest as a spiritual aspect of this fellowship. Our higher power brings us the right people to the right job.

Nathalie L. – I speak in favour – We are asking to be considerate when electing these positions. With the intention of keeping finances in mind. This includes skype, email and other forms of being in attendance. There are those who deserve to come back as a result of the work they do.

Stu E. – I like the wording. I speak in favour – it doesn’t say “no”, it says be mindful. I was asked where I stood in my delegateship and we have been doing that since always and now we find that over half of our chairs are non-delegates. Just be mindful. Spirit of rotation.

Linda F. – I speak in favour with the understanding that we want the best candidate for the position. Please train your replacements. What does it take to become the chair, vice chair, rather than just showing up. It’s not an issue if you are the right person, but you have a responsibility to train the right person.

Sarah T. – I speak in favour of this motion. the trustee of the H&I committee – we have a great H&I chairperson and there is a lot of trepidation involved in replacing her and we asked those involved what the terms of their delegates hips are. These are young delegates on the H&I committee. We are paying for these individuals to come here when we can be recruiting internally.

Justine K. – am in favour – we are talking about the finances of our fellowship and we need to practice prudence. We have 140 delegates here, why do we need to consider non-delegates? I support this motion

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Paul S. – I am in favour for reasons of financial, spirit of rotation, prudence, etc,. we have people who are capable of filling these roles. Again, the way this motion is worded, it is only a recommendation. Melanie VR – I am against this motion, not because of the wording, but because we are nit-picking and throwing the book at everybody. If we start putting things like this in the WSM, we make it law and it becomes limiting.

Ian Y. – I heard about Spirit of rotation and it encourages me, but there are 3 ways to fund people to get here – the area, the conference, and self support. I want us to put all of this aside so that we may select the right people for these positions regardless of finances. Worrying about finances is negligible. We are doing a disservice at this level if we are worried about how people are getting here financially.

Henry A.- Motion call the question

Seconded

Vote #34 for 163/ against 5

Vote #35 (on motion 9) for 151 / against 18

motion passes with substantial unanimity

  1. S&B 2018-10 Kevin M. (WSOT)

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A. Motion to amend SR-14:

  1. Any material motion that has a significant effect on the World Service Conference, including but not limited to WSC bids, literature changes, new Area petitions etc. that is to be reviewed by the Delegates for possible consideration by the Conference must be received by the WSO at least 90 days before the WSC so that all Delegates can receive and review the material motion at least 60 days prior to the Conference.

Seconded

Jay F. – Point of Order – I challenge this under SR14. This current verbiage was not sent out to S&B. This was to add a new standing rule but rather they have amended a current standing rule and this needs to go out for 90 days.

Trevor S. – Jay, I am going to not allow this as this is not valuminous enough that the people here cannot make a decision on this.

Kevin M. – Why this is, is because in the SR14 mailings that we have been receiving, there are motions and a wrath of referrals that have not passed through the committees at all and a number of areas that ask what it is that they are supposed to talk about when they receive them. Committees have worked on referrals throughout the year and this is to avoid these kind of motion or motion- like things from going out in these SR14 packages.

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Rick K. – You want to limit what goes out but they come to these committees and turn into motions and now I am unaware of how to vote on these matters on the conference floor. Is that what you are saying? Kevin M. – That is not what I am asking. Those mailings are not directed to committees and some of these things that are going on here but they require more attention.

Cynthia C. – I’d like to make a Friendly Amendment to say “draft literature” instead of “literature changes”.

Kevin M. – Please advise what the intent is

Cynthia C. – It would encompass new literature.

Kevin M. – We accept the friendly amendment.

Jay F. – I speak against this motion. I have been here for 25 conferences. We grow and mature on many things. I was here when SR13 and 14 were written. When you take away my right to review a motion, IE something doesn’t get sent out and is not brought to committee and now I am unaware, but I have to now vote on this and am unprepared, I don’t think that is the purpose of this floor or this body.

Jason L. – I speak in favour. I see people come up and speak “strongly” in favour. I speak “strongly” in favour. I love that anyone can write a referral and which committee should review it and it is fantastic. we get the same referral over and over again and they keep coming in. There is no reason why the entire fellowship needs to see these come in. We formed an ad hoc committee for the idea to take care of these things.

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We now have a committee that has discussed changing the convention to biennial instead of annual, which I believe is to come to the floor. Then there was another referral to have 2 conventions per year. There was confusion if this was to be biennial or biannual. But it is in fact for a biannual convention, one in the US and one in Europe. This was discussed at some length but it is not going to be coming to this floor. A GSR was wondering which motion is being brought to the floor. There is too much time wasted in discussing things that never come to the floor. There are 35 more things brought to the floor this year, which took away my homegroups, my districts and my areas ability to discuss the things that are ACTUALLY coming to the floor. The rest doesn’t matter. Just because someone can tick an SR14 box on a referral form. Perhaps some of these things can be discussed in the future when it is applicable, but not when it is not an item to be discussed. We should only review the things that are being discussed here.

Paul S. – I speak half-heartedly against this motion. We get extra stuff all the time and I believe that we all have a higher power that speaks through this process. We talked ad-nauseum about certain things that didn’t come to the floor. It is the responsibility of the delegates to determine what needs to be discussed at your groups or area at home. Nathan H. – Question – does this exclude the convention bids the way it is written?

Kevin M. – It says “etc.” and it said that in the original language. So the WSC bids would still be there.

Kevin M. – this is regarding new motions, not WSC bids.

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Trevor S. – It is the opinion of the chair that this doesn’t change a damn thing.

Kevin M. – I don’t think that that is true.

Trevor S. – I provided an answer to the question

Wade S. – point of information – I was wondering if you could reread the motion on the floor?

Trevor S. – why the hell not. *reads motion*

Susan B. – point of information – I am concerned about the timeline on this as by the time this gets to the delegates get to discuss this, some delegates have to translate this first. How do we get an informed conscious from delegates in 30 days?

Kevin M. – I don’t believe the committee is responsible for how things are dealt with after they are sent out. We get them out in 60 days and hope for the best.

Michael C. – I speak in favour. We live on referrals. I’ve seen one change 3x here that is what was needed. We live on them here. We have a timeline, which has been changed 3x. I’ve seen referrals come back after 2 years. This is how we change things here. 30 and 60 days is what we have here. If you want to change that, put it in a referral. This referral is about things that need to be discussed outside of this room. the point is that motions. bids, etc. all fall in the same category. Changing the material of the motion doesn’t change what we bring here. If it doesn’t meet your fancy, that’s just the way it works. We need to realize we can’t all have our own way.

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Nathan B. – Motion call the question

Seconded

Vote #36 for 154 / against 5

Trevor S. -motion passes, the question has been called.

Vote #37 (on motion 10)

this requires ⅔’s to pass as it

for 134/ against 29

Jay F. – I am going to make a 5th concept statement – we are going down a dangerous path in order to have a committee have their concerns heard. it could take another year for this to be heard again.

Misty C. – Can I Motion to reconsider?

Trevor .S.- did you vote on the prevailing side?

Misty C. – No

Trevor S. – Then no, you cannot

Rick K. – 5th concept – Any material that has a significant effect should be allowed to be reviewed as it does have a significant effect. I would like to ask someone on the prevailing side to reconsider.

  1. S&B 2019-12 Jay F. (Colorado Area)

A. Motion to amend SR-16

SR 16 MINUTES OF WORLD SERVICE CONFERENCE.

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a. The World Service Office will oversee the preparation of daily summaries and a summary of motions for Conference sessions, providing them to the Conference Committee no later than 90 days following the Conference. The Conference Committee is to prepare and deliver the aforementioned documents to the World Service Office, for distribution to the delegates or C.A. members as requested. Also, the WSO will make available, upon request, a copy of the audio recordings no later than 150 days after the close of the Conference.

b. Whenever WSC guidelines or other materials are to be distributed to the fellowship, it is the responsibility of the Trustee assigned at the time such materials are approved to review the materials for accuracy, following approval by the relevant WSC committee, and forward them to the WSO for distribution no later than 60 days after issuance of approved conference minutes and summary of motions. This approval shall only occur after receipt and prompt comparison of the current Conference documents namely; the daily summaries and the summary of motions by the applicable WSC Committee.

Seconded

Trevor S. – I wish to review with the parliamentarian. This motion is out of order. We do not have approved conference minutes until the end of this conference from last year, and this year won’t be approved until next year.

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  1. S&B 2019-18 Jay F. (Conference Committee Chair)

A. Motion to add verbiage on page 27 under Chairpersons duties and qualifications

h. To have all delegates attending the WSC credentialed at minimum 30 days prior to the WSC

Trevor S. -Would you like to speak to your motion?

— not at this time

Vote #38 for 143 / against 12

motion passes with substantial unanimity

B. Motion to amend SR 5-A. to read

a. To be credentialed and carry votes at the WSC, the chair of the body you are representing must submit complete names, complete mailing addresses, and phone numbers of conference delegates and alternate delegates, with the number of votes being carried by each phone numbers, and number of votes being carried must be submitted to the World Service Office 30 days prior to the World Service Conference.

seconded

Trevor S. – debate?

— not at this time

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Paul S. – Would you entertain a Friendly Amendment to include “email address” to be added to the “complete mailing address”?

Clayton P. – We accept the Friendly Amendment Trevor S. – Does the floor object? Seeing none.

Henry A. – Request for info please, what is the change? Is it that the area chair is doing this rather than the delegates?

Trevor S. – In my experience that nowhere in the manual does it indicate what credentialing is. now we know that it is the chair’s responsibility to ensure that the bodies are credentials.

Lucas S. – Point of Order – We are past the motion of explaining chair duties.

Trevor S. – I am aware of that and am trying to explain what the purpose of this motion is

Jason L. – If for some reason, perhaps someone cannot get a passport, and now we have to send a new delegate because person “A” cannot get a passport, is it pass the 30 days, is there any wiggle room for this? Trevor S. – Great question, keep reading, there is wiggle room based on the discretion of the Conference Chair.

Misty C. – I’d like to make a friendly amendment to remove “chair” and make it a “delegate”.

Lucas S. – We do not accept that amendment.

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Trevor S. – Seeing no further debate, prepare to vote. Requires 2⁄3’s as this is a SR.

Vote #39 for 145 / against 21

motion passes with substantial unanimity meeting the requirement of ⅔’s.

  1. In Committee Motion

A. Motion to change the language on page 80 of the WSM under section WSC Parliamentary Procedure Guidelines – Suspend the Rules.

This Motion must be qualified by stating why the rules should be suspended, i.e. to consider a motion out of order of the agenda or accepted procedure. Suspending the rules may not be used to bypass the charter or bylaws, but may be used to suspend the effect of standing rules or previous motions only when passed by a 2/3rds majority. “Simple” suspensions, which are used to consider a motion out of its order in the agenda, require a simple majority. Neither motion is debatable; both require a second and are in effect only until the reason for suspension is resolved. This motion is not debatable; it requires a second and must be passed by a 2/3

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majority. It is in effect only until the reason for suspension is resolved.

EXAMPLE: I move we suspend the rules to elect a new Conference Committee Chairperson before taking action on the Conference Committee’s recommendations. (Requires simple majority)

EXAMPLE: I move we suspend Standing Rule #11 to allow a motion to be displayed using an overhead projector. (Requires 2/3 majority)

Seconded

Trevor S. debate?

— not at this time

Henry A. – If there is a good enough reason to suspend the rules and get ⅔’s, we have no problem getting that. The Roberts Rules of Order is possibly the best book there is and getting ⅔’s is never an issue. Trevor S. – any objection to rereading the motion? this is a standing rule and requires ⅔.

Nathan B. – this is not a SR.

Trevor S. – you are correct.

Vote #40 for 144/ against 21

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Robby S. – Point of Personal Privilege I can’t concentrate. Please, I have to use the washroom

Trevor S. – Robby, I will race you to the bathroom – break until 5:30 Trevor S. – Please return to your seats.

Conference resumes at 5:30pm.

I have some announcements, the non- affiliated coffee establishment has extended their hours until 7 pm tonight, please get there before 7 to fulfill your caffeine needs. We have to finish S&B, there will be no extending the session, as we will be breaking at 6 pm to go to dinner, no matter the placement within the agenda at the time.

Nathan B. – S&B would like to return by referencing their FIRST MOTION. ***insert 1st motion***

Trevor S. – I am ruling this motion as out of order, as this motion affects the business of multiple committees including conference committee and their already signed contractual agreements for the next two years based on the number of delegates in regards to the current WSM suggestions.

Nathan B. – I would like to appeal the decision of the chair Trevor S. – I will explain the reasons for my ruling, SR13 Read in completion. I can list 3 or 4 committee that this effects. we are contractually bound for a certain number of nights, that contract is signed sealed and delivered. I do not believe we can change that. It would affect the finance committee. It would affect the fellowship of C.A. as a whole. This violates almost every point of SR13, which is why it is ruled out of order.

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Nathan B. – This was submitted as an SR14 within the rules. The WSC purpose is stated to…

Jay F. – Point of Order he is debating the motion not the decision of the chair.

Russell S. – If this will conclude with the reason to appeal the ruling of the chair, then i will give latitude.

Nathan B. – Making a point that this does not affect the WSCC and the delegate role. I believe that as the S&B committee there was no other committee that could have brought this to the floor, with our proposal and take it to C.A. as a motion to how it should proceed.

Jay F. – I support the decision of the chair, stated to the sr13, we were never discussed about this. there are contracts for the next few years that are affected by the number of attendees.

Nathan B. – Point of Order is he debating the motion?

Russell S. – He is given the same latitude as you.

Jay F. – I believe the chair is right as there was no conversation, and this would affect the WSCC.

Kevin M. – SR13, all relevant committee have to be consulted in some decisions, when we talk about creating rules when creating laws for the conference, how do you go around that to make these changes. S&B purpose read. SR13 talks about things that are affected, bylaws, committee structure, significant affect to the WSM. The proper

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committee is the S&B committee. If every committee has to be consulted then we will be here for days. there are some things that must be run by committee this has to do with the numbers of delegates at the conference. We have been repeatedly asked to rebalance those. this should not require any additional consideration from the SR13.

Jay P. – I disagree with the chairs decision, I don’t believe it needs to go to the conference committee to preserve the concepts when it comes to proper representation.l i dont think a hotel contract, or a few dollars here or there should dictate any of our actions when referencing a concept.

Duane M. – Minor point, I think this borders on frothy emotional appeal regarding the numbers, and this should be taken up factually at another time.

Lucas S. – I agree with Kevin, we have had two motions that have required committee work that have passed before, and we have ran those numbers. I agree with the appeal of the chair.

Henry A. – The S&B makes the rules for the manual, that statement is not the case. I am pretty sure it is going to be what we do moving forward. But the floor is to make the decision. I support the chair, this will affect everyone and need some time to adjust for this ruling to be made. It will affect a lot of things, especially people’s feelings.

Cynthia C. – I do speak to the appeal, there is no indication that the SR13 signifies multiple cmmte. I do not speak to the motion, I believe it does not have a significant effect.

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Wade S. – I also speak in support of the appeal to the chair, I was going to add one but i just heard it.

Robert H. – I also stand in support of the chair, there are many, many considerations here. I believe a prudent time and having someone look at it and in fact our contractual agreements are already in place. I see it is a big thing and not a small thing.

Nathan B. – are we not debating if this is about the appeal of the ruling on SR13?

Russell S. – We have been close on a number of occasions.

Tom P. – I speak in support of the appeal. There is no committee that this can be given to. This affects the areas, there is no other space other than this conference itself that represents the areas voice.

Marcus M. – I stand with the decision of the chair, I think we should have more delegates than we should have now. I think that taking people away from what we do is not helping.

Jason L. – I speak in support of appeal. further to what Tom said, this would affect the areas, there is no committee here that would need to be consulted. it certainly does not affect the guidelines, it should be presented by S&B to this floor.

Russell S.- Permitted to speak one time to this appeal.

Rose J. – i stand with the chair. I believe if it has an affect on the conference as a whole, we should take some time to work it out and not jump to conclusions as we are all inclusive.

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Stu E. – Stand with the chair. Already had an instance that committee had to pull motion for not doing due diligence. Even if it seems miniscule to others, if it affects the other committee in any way it should be communicated.

Tom P. – Point of order calling the question gives the chair the opportunity to speak again.

Russell S. – the chair will have the vote to speak one more time, anytime, before the vote to appeal is made.

MOTION to Appeal the Chair

VOTE # for 147 / 9 against

Trevor S. – You are absolutely right, some of you made the point, the appropriate committee is for S&B to take this to the floor. the are the caretakers and not the owners of this manual. one of the things I’ve heard, when we talk about finance, we discuss frothy emotional appeal, we will not be removing quite a whole one third of them, how many people will be missing from this room? How can you say that this has no financial input on this conference, that is not accurate.

Nathan B. – Point of Order, this is not about the appeal.

Russell S. – would you like to speak further?

Trevor S. – Taken from Robert’s Rules of Order #11 “he can give a response to the ruling as well as speak to the decision”. Does this financially impact the structure for the conference committee, and take away the amount of people who get to be involved in this? It certainly does. This response was not about the actual scope of this debate. Is it

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wise to change the WSM it will absolutely affect the conference committee and why I stated it as being out of order

VOTE for the ruling chair 73 / 32 overturn

Parliamentary Inquiry 

Lucas S. – my clicker turned red partially through that vote.

Point of Order

Michael C.  – I believe our agenda breaks for dinner.

Russell S. – I will run the vote.

A. to support 123 / 42 C to overturn.

Russell S. – I do appreciate the opportunity to sit in this chair, I see that some do not appreciate the latitude given when speaking.

Kevin M- 5th concept.

I am appalled to the chair making this ruling, for pulling Robert’s Rules of Order, allowed himself to state a marginal truth, when at further review this shows that the outcome of this motion might affect four people in this room. I am surprised it wasn’t cast as an opportunity for the S&B committee which are the stenographers for C.A. to be the writers for the conference and WSM. The use of SR13 reasoning in parliamentary procedure, if you didn’t like this, it could be voted down another way. However, this method could cause harm in the future to further motions, as any other vote could be swayed to say under a SR13 to say ‘this also affects me’.

Trevor S.- I will respond to Kevin’s statements after our break for dinner, as this will take some time for me to address.

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REFERRALS OR ITEMS TABLED UNTIL NEXT YEAR; AND ITEMS THE COMMITTEE WILL CONTINUE WORKING ON THROUGH THE YEAR:

  1. S&B 2019-7 From David J. Germany Area (Pre-Conference)

Referral for Structures and Bylaws Committee.

Would Conference recommend that the WSOB offer a concise version of the World Service Manual (WSM) for newer Areas where English is not the first language?

The growth of non-English speaking C.A. in Europe (and beyond) is accepted. Many of these new young Areas only have a translated Basic Text of Alcoholics Anonymous as their primary source of recovery literature. The translation of CA Leaflets and HFC II is their responsibility and this is an empowering arrangement, however, the task of translating the WSM is perhaps beyond their ability and budget.

In the spirit of Tradition 5 a concise version of the WSM would be much simpler and cheaper to translate, it would encourage these newer areas into good practice helping them reach out further to the still

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suffering addict in whatever language. It would encourage new Areas to nurture groups as “spiritual entities” and promote our “primary purpose”.

nab Whilst it is unfeasible to translate the Manual into all languages, perhaps pre-conditions could be set to allow for some growth in membership and longevity of recovery in these Areas, this would be for World Service to consider. So to, World Service should decide on the exact nature of “concise”.

  1. S&B 2019-13 from Jay F. Colorado Area (Pre-Conference)

Referral re Regions

Per SR 14 this referral is submitted related to the description on page 33 of the WSM of how to change or become a Region. Note please that the applicable changes would also be incorporated into the CA Form Petition to Become a Region. A ballot for use by the GSR’s would be created as well (note there is a ballot which was used when the European Region was created which is readily accessible as a template).

Currently, these are the requirements on Page 33 in their entirety:

REQUIREMENTS TO CHANGE REGION OR BECOME A REGION

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  1. Two-Thirds approval in person or in writing of all GSR from the Area(s).
  1. Two-Thirds approval in person or in writing of all World Service Delegates from the Area(s).
  1. Submission of a Petition not later than one hundred and twenty days prior to the World Service Conference and approval thereof. 
  2. A change of Region or recognition of a new Region will become effective at the end of the World Service Conference at which it was approved.

There has only been one successful creation of a Region about 12 years ago when the European Region was created. There is a current Petition pending which will be addressed at this Conference. All would agree that the current process is flawed and hard to interpret and has been the subject of much debate, consternation and continued confusion. My purpose in submitting this Referral is to attempt to fill in some of the gaps of a more detailed process and have S&B review this and bring this forward when appropriate.

Here are my suggestions for changed language:

REQUIREMENTS TO CHANGE REGION OR BECOME A REGION

  1. Two-Thirds approval in person or in writing of all GSR’s from the Area(s) desiring to change Regions or form a new Region.

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-The process for obtaining this approval is as follows:

a. A draft petition is completed using the current iteration of the Petition to Form a Region, on it is a watermark which says “Draft” and the date. The reasons for the new Region should be fully detailed so that the group consciences can be fully informed. Further, this document should have a map of the current Region, and a map of the new region as well as new boundaries for the existing Region. The proposed new name for both Regions is to be included as well.

b. This entire draft petition is transmitted to the affected Areas though the applicable Area Chairs along with a ballot for voting by the GSR’s. Note, once the circulation of the petition begins, there can only be very minor changes to it without having to have the voting by the GSR’s to begin again.

c. The respective Area Chairs circulates the completed draft petition and the ballot form to each GSR in the Area per the then most recent meeting list available to the Area. There is a deadline noted on the ballot for return by the GSR’s.

d. The GSR’s reconvene and turn in the ballots at a specific time and place and date to the Area Chair who then transmits the tallies of the ballots (and the copies of the actual ballots) to the organizing committee which is putting forth the Petition.

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c. Voting is to take place at a group level, and notice of the result must be substantiated and with a fully documented listing of individual group results within the minutes of DSC & ASC meetings. This vote requires a 2/3 majority of all [groups] GSR’s involved in each Area. This means that 2/3 of all [groups] GSR’s will need to approve the petition in order for it to move forward from that Area.

  1. Two-Thirds approval in person or in writing of all World Service Delegates from the Area(s).

This second point is met if the delegates of the newly proposed region vote to support the new Region with a 2/3 majority of all of those delegates. One of the main reasons for all the involved groups and delegates to contribute to the discussion and voting is found in our 12 Concepts. Our 4th Concept grants us the right of participation. This means that everyone involved or affected by an issue has the right to be involved in its resolution. Our 12th Concept also reminds us to always remain democratic in thought and action. This vote needs to be carefully documented and should be completed preferably at an Assembly which includes this vote as a specific agenda item. Note this vote can occur by conference call or other similar medium where the voting can occur at one time.

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  1. Consideration must be given to the Areas and fellowship members in the current existing region where the Areas are desiring to form a new region currently are a part of (“Affected Areas). Under the Concept of the Right of Participation, at a minimum, the views of these Affected Areas should be polled and considered and those views should be specifically included as an Appendix to the final petition.
  2. The votes referenced in Point 1 including the requisite ballot summary or minutes; along with the votes from the delegates in the newly proposed region shall both be appended to the petition which with this new information shall be finalized and the petition will be identified as final with a date.
  3. Submission of a Petition not later than ninety days prior to the World Service Conference or per the then applicable time requirements set for in Standing Rule 14.

6.. Once submitted, the Structure and Bylaws Committee shall review the filed petition for completeness and compliance with the provisions contained in this Section, also a similar independent review shall be made by both the Conference Chair and the Conference Vice-Chair/Parliamentarian. The Conference Finance Committee shall review the petition to ascertain the financial cost to the fellowship for the new Region including but not limited

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to the cost of the additional trustee. The findings of S&B and of the Conference Chair and Vice-Chair Parliamentarian shall be documented into a separate report as well. This information (from these three groups/Committees) shall also be available to the Conference Floor in detail before it votes to approve the formation of the region.

  1. The Vote for the new Region must pass the Conference floor by a 2/3 margin as well. 
  1. A change of Region or recognition of a new Region will become effective at the end of the World Service Conference at which it was approved.

Additional information to insert into the form Petition please – note these are new questions to be inserted in the master Petition form.

-Total contributions for the past three years from each area to the WSO per 7th tradition

-Estimated total expense for a new trustee for the region for travel and other related matters per year (for inclusion in the Finance Budget)

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-Names and brief service resumes of at least 4 members of the fellowship in areas to be included in the new region who at the time of the petition qualify for trusteeship -along with their respective willingness to serve in such a position)

  1. S&B 2019-15 from Cynthia C Washington State Area– (In-Conference) received after the SR14 deadline

Please consider expanding paragraph G of the Statement of Policy to include specific RGB and CMYK values for the traditional C.A. green. The conversions I’ve found online are inconsistent. Thank you.

REFERRALS OR ITEMS REFERRED TO OTHER COMMITTEES; WORLD SERVICE OFFICE, OR BOARD OF TRUSTEES

  1. S&B 2019-11 from Jay F. Colorado Area (Pre-Conference)

Submitted under SR14

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Proposal for the creation of a new standing Conference Committee –

Long Term Planning and International Development

Discussion: This proposed committee has been discussed for many years now as a logical expansion of the Trustee’s similar committees. There currently is a Long Term Planning meeting at the CAWS Conventions each year and there was a Long Term Planning meeting at the recent European Regional Convention in Birmingham UK in April, 2018. I brought this to S&B last year and the Committee decided to not bring it to the floor. Since then I have watched what has occurred at the Trustee level and there is now an active Long Term Planning Committee which had its first call/meeting in May, 2019, another call is scheduled for early June. Given the keen interest in this it is clear to me that there is a strong sincere interest in the future of our fellowship. This new Committee would be intended to serve as a resource of the requisite planning to identify future goals both in the US and Internationally and then to help facilitate, with the help, planning and support of the WSBT and the WSOB and of course the two TAL’s. It is time to allow more people including delegates to be involved in this on an ongoing basis.

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Motion: to create a new standing Conference Committee named Long Term Planning and International Development, with the following committee description, to be created effective at the close of the 2019 World Service Conference:

The purpose of the Long-Term Planning and International Development Committee is to study of the long-term needs and goals of the CA fellowship throughout the world.

The responsibilities of the Committee shall be to:

a. Develop an analysis of long-term fellowship needs, goals and structure.

b. Recommend long-term goals and strategies to the Conference, the WSBT and to the WSOB, as appropriate.

c. Evaluate the long-term effectiveness of the many programs of the fellowship.

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d. Work to create and then update, as appropriate, a comprehensive long-term plan and present a report to the Conference for adoption. Any such plan shall be based upon input from the fellowship at large, from current Conference delegates, the WSBT, the WSOB and past trusted servants of the Conference.

e. Work to craft updates to the process of how Regions are created and new areas also.

Note: the passage of this Motion would cause amendment to the chart on page 12 of the WSM, the list on page 38 of the WSM and also in the Conference Committee Guidelines for meeting space allocations.

Thank you.

Referred to WSBT committee

REFERRALS THAT DID NOT RESULT IN MOTIONS

  1. S&B 2019-1 From Jonathan H. Arizona Area (Post-Conference)

Suggestion:

Have all Committee Chair position terms be decreased to 1 year from 2 years. Additionally, it would be suggested that the Vice-Chair position become a 2-year position where Year 1 would be served as Vice-Chair

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and Year 2 be served as Chair. However, for the Vice-Chair to move into the chair position they would need to be ratified after serving their first year as Vice-Chair term before automatically rolling into the Chair position.

Reasoning:

I have a concern about new delegates ultimately being able to serve in the capacity as a committee Chair before the end of their 4-year delegate term. There are a few main causes for this issue. First, the Chair position is a 2-year commitment. Second, it is recommended that a delegate first serve as Vice-Chair prior to serving as Chair. Lastly, if we attempt to have the Chair position be filled by delegates whose Chair term and delegate term coincide for the goal of decreasing costs of non-delegate positions this creates limitations. It is possible to be elected to be Chair during your 4th year term, but this would create 2 years of expenses for the committee as a non-delegate Chair.

Recent example: if a new delegate is not elected to be Vice-Chair during their first conference, the path to become chair during their delegate term is basically non-existent.

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Year 1 – no position and not elected for Vice Chair

Year 2 – no position and elected for Year 3 Vice Chair, new chair elected for 2-year term

Year 3 – serves as Vice Chair, no Chair election due to 2-year commitment, could be elected to Vice Chair for a second term, or take another position

Year 4 – serves as Vice Chair for second term or another position, election for Chair is held but the delegates term has ended

Please consider making these changes to ensure that our new delegates feel they at least have a chance to serve in the capacity as Chair at some time during their delegate term. This is especially important in Areas who strive to follow rotation in service where being a delegate for two 4-year terms is not acceptable.

Response: Every committee should nominate and select their own officers each year at conference. WSC committee chairperson 1st term is a max of 2 years at the committee discretion (WSM pg. 43).

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  1. S&B 2019-2 From Maria K Northern Alberta Area (Post-Conference)

Under trustee election committee on page 56, that the word delegate be defined to include alternate delegates. Namely, point 6 which refers to a to any “delegate” rolling out of their term is not eligible to serve on the TEC. It should be made clear that same point also applies to alternate delegates.

Response:

No action taken. Alternate delegates are not eligible to serve on the TEC, therefore no distinction between a delegate and an alternate delegate or inclusion of alternate delegate in description is required in this section.

  1. S&B 2019-3 From Stu E. Nevada Area (Post-Conference)

I would like to see a written procedure on how a committee fills the committee officer positions in the event that all of them resign at once.

Response:

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No action taken. This would be covered within the guidelines of each individual committee if they chose.

  1. S&B 2019-5 From Daniel H. Arizona Area (Post-Conference)

Are we willing to explore a guideline that sets a specific amount of time a member may hold the mic during any particular instance of debate on the committee floor?

Response:

No action taken. This is already defined in Roberts Rules of Order and the committee believes that this is under the chairs duties and responsibilities already.

  1. S&B 2019-9 From Kevin M. WSOT (Pre-Conference)

There is a mistake in the Conference Charter. The second paragraph of Article 3 is labeled “4”. Article 4 actually starts with the following paragraph (“Conference Relation…”)

If you compare this section to the AA Conference Charter which it was copied from, the error is obvious.

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This is probably housekeeping.

Reason: Housekeeping

  1. S&B 2019-10 from Lennie K. CAUK (Pre-Conference)

Recording Speakers at C.A. Events – Guidance

The purpose of this referral is to:

(a.) Enhance protection of a speaker’s anonymity

(b.) Protect C.A. against legal issues which could arise surrounding ownership of material and permission for distribution

(c.) Implement an unavoidable introductory statement which gives unilateral clarification that the speakers are not representing C.A.

The motive driving this referral is to create a resource which offers a standardized guidance for a simple protocol on the recording of main shares at meetings, unity days and conventions. The intention is to achieve clarity on an issue for which there is currently no set guidance.

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If approved, versions of the Recording Speakers at C.A. Events Release Form and Additional Notes ought to be included in the World Service Manual (Attachment 3), C.A.W.S.C. Unity Committee Guidelines/Duties (Attachment 4), Convention Committee Guidelines (Attachment 5), C.A.W.S Public Information Handbook (Attachment 6).

The CA Event – Speaker Release Form (attachment 1) has been adapted directly from the Interview Release Form for C.A. Archival History (attachment 2) found on page 20 of the C.A World Services Archives Committee Guidelines to insure a close adherence to a legally binding contract already approved by W.S.C.

Although this referral has been submitted to Structures & Bylaws, it is understood that it may be referred to other committees.

Background

During the months Nov – Jan 2018/19 there was recurring debate around the subject of the recording of main shares at meetings of C.A. The discussion also came to include unity days and conventions. It was the conscience of several meetings in the district that main shares

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were to be recorded with the permission of the speaker. There were concerns expressed by other members of the district regarding the matter and interrelated issues. It became apparent that there were several other districts in CAUK who were also discussing the subject. The topic was also discussed in the neighboring Area (Central Area). The question was raised at CAUK whether there was any guidance on this matter – it became apparent that there was not. Following substantial debate at North West District the conclusion was reached that there was nothing inherently wrong with the recording of shares at meetings, it was down to the autonomy of the group; no traditions were being violated by the action of recording shares provided that permission was granted. However, certain members were keen to devise a method by which the recording of shares should be done being mindful of the above points (a.) (b.) (c.). A proposal was made for a standardized method for recording of shares at meetings in North West District. It never went to a vote, it was agreed that it was outside the jurisdiction of the district to decide such matters. The subject had farther reaching implications, the legal aspect to the release form was outside the district’s area of expertise, and if such a decision was to be reached it ought to be done at the W.S.C. and the resource be made available for C.A. meetings, unity days and conventions across the globe.

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(Please include 3 additional important attachments on submitted on a separate form (Attachments 4,5,6)

Response: Views and opinions of a speaker/Speakers are not reflective of Cocaine Anonymous as a whole.

  1. S&B 2019-16 Dawn M. CAUK Area (In-Conference)

Please document and record in WSM the agreed formula to calculate quorum including any decimal points included in the calculation.

This year there was discrepancy by one vote – one absent vote could impede voting. Every vote counts. P81 of WSM states 2/3 for Quorum not .66.

Thanks

Response:

The committee feels that two thirds as stated is sufficient for finding the quorum

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  1. S&B 2019-17 from Marshall S. Washington State Area (In-Conference)

That a non-delegate chair may only hold that position for maximum of 60 days.

Response:

Every committee should nominate and select their own officers each year at conference. WSC committee chairperson 1st term is a max of 2 years at the committee discretion (WSM pg. 43). It is up to each individual committee to determine the term length of the elected officials.

NEW COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AS OF THIS CONFERENCE:

Clayton P. Chairman Clayboy7447@aol.com
2163224316
Taylor F. Vice-Chair taylorthedad@gmail.com
2064348937
Kevin M. WSOT wsot@ca.org
3106543724

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Kerry W. SWRT swrt@ca.org
7137259516
Randy M. WSOB wsochair@ca.org
7147218014
Zach A. Co-Secretary Zachalby93@gmail.com
5128500132
Joni E. Co-Secretary joni.etue@yahoo.com
8583536898
Ernest M. Member Trudge2@att.net
2096017034
Ray M. Member montgomeryrcm@yahoo.com
4028135949
Michael C. Member thorent@hotmail.com
7788866019
Maxine M. Member Jmaxine.mcintosh501@gmail.com
5017793748
Rob W. Member robartinaction@yahoo.com
3038850422
Tom W. Member Tw5715@gmail.com
4802097015

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Nathan B. Member Nathan.black.206@gmail.com
4259483855
Lucas S. Member Sabaca.wsd2@gmail.com
4038370901
Claudia W. Member claudiawf@gmx.de
+491636376998
Travis J. Member tdjmoon30@yahoo.com
9013035405
Billy L. Member bill.lacour@sbcglobal.net
7132048494
Alice F. Member alice.charmdgirl@gmail.com
8015806878
Deloris B. Member delorisbryant58@yahoo.com
9096401799

Return to Conference Session, Return to S&B Committee motions at 7:30pm

Trevor S. – Before I turn back over to S&B. I would like to offer my sincere apologies for my conduct during the appeal to the chair. When I called Nathan out of order I was, in fact, out of order. I am not using an excuse, it bothers me and I am truly sorry about the misstep in my conduct. As the conference floor, please forgive me.

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Clayton P. –

CLOSING COMMENTS:

The Committee as a whole would like to thank the fellowship and Conference for allowing us to be of service. It has been the Chair’s pleasure to work with the committee this past year and I am looking forward to the next year. We have formed a cohesive unit and I hope that we as a Committee continue working in a positive way in the future.

Respectfully Submitted:

Clayton P.

Chairperson Structure and Bylaws Committee

Justin C. – Thank you for all that you do, and for being of service. I have a question about an SR14 that resulted without a motion, S&B2019-10. We submitted this in my area, we were highly anticipated as to this coming through to a vote for the conference floor. This was a form for the recording of C.A. audio. The quote on your report response as to why it didn’t come through as a motion, is that the support of the speaker is not a representative of C.A. as a whole, despite there being a disclaimer on the form for reading of a preamble to indicate that tradition at the start of the recording.

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Nathan B. – I believe that it was to indicate that C.A. as a whole is not in the habit to link or store the rights to that speaker’s information.

Gary P. – I heard that there was a motion about non-delegate chairs holding positions for a limited number of days, any action taken on referral?

Nathan B. – No.

Justin C. – I raise an issue to the response statement as to the licensing of the speaker at our conventions, we pay for an audio service to record our speaker’s vocal licensing , and because no additional form exists, they then own that licensing do with the speaker’s recording as they like, including sales and distribution. I am asking again to reconsider, using this form as a tool would establish an owning right within our traditions, to create something to stand on to store, protect and observe our traditions for these speakers that are manifesting our experience.

Trevor S. – This committee has chosen their action. You are welcome to revisit this next year.

No further questions, please join me in thanking the S&B committee.

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