WSBT Quarterly Meeting
Record of Minutes
Los Angeles, California
November 22th – 24th, 2013
Since this report is a confidential CA document, for members only, it may contain members’ full names. This usage to facilitate communication within the fellowship was approved by the 1990 WS Conference. Such confidential use does not, of course, violate in anyway out Tradition on anonymity in public communications media (press, radio, TV, etc.)
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Record of Minutes
Los Angeles, California
November 22th – 24th, 2013
[Start at 7pm with finance workshop]
7:05 start
Personal sharing (no more than 10 minutes each)
Moment of silence and Serenity Prayer
Roll call
Ira Land – WST
Kathy Jo Rangno – WSOT
Brian Tenenbaum – MWRT
Terry Marsden – PNRT
Duane Miller – PSRT
Jay Parker – SWRT
Yves White – ANRT/Ast Secretary
Rob Wellhauser – TAL/Secretary
Kenny Williams – ASRT/ WSBT Vice Chair
Russell Sedman – ERT/ WSBT Chair
Reading of the 12 Traditions – Ira
Read “long form” and discuss Tradition 1 – KJ (Limit discussion)
Read and discuss Concept 1 – Kenny (Limit discussion)
Chair’s opening remarks:
Review of WSBT agenda Change to agenda.
We are meeting with RL at 9.00am on Saturday
We are interviewing for WSOB Treasurer at 11am on Saturday
Our B2B is going to start with light lunch at 1.30pm on Saturday
Lets watch the background noise; we are using a new recording device.
WSBT officer reports (discussion on reports previously submitted for review):
Chair (Russell)
Vice-Chair (Kenny)
Secretary (Rob)
motion to approve made by Brian seconded by Terry Passes
Trustee reports (discussion on reports previously submitted for review):
Atlantic North Regional Trustee (Yves )
Atlantic South Regional Trustee (Kenny)
Midwest Regional Trustee (Brian)
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Pacific North Regional Trustee (Terry)
Pacific South Regional Trustee (Duane)
Southwest Regional Trustee (Jay)
European Regional Trustee (Russell)
Trustee At Large (Rob)
World Service Office Trustee Report (KJ)
World Service Trustee Report (Ira)
motion to approve made by Rob, seconded by Jay except PSR passed
Motion to approve the PSR report by Terry seconded by Brian passed
WSBT Subcommittee reports – lead member listed first (discussion on reports previously submitted for review):
Finance (KJ)
International Structure and Development (Russell)
Legal (Duane)
Long Term Planning (Rob, all)
NewsGram (Terry)
Orientation (Kenny)
Trustee Election (Brian)
Trustee Negotiating (Ira, Terry, Russell, Brian, Jay)
Trustee Outreach (Yves)
World Service Conference (Brian)
motion to approve made by Brian seconded by Terry passed
Trustee Conference Committee reports (discussion on reports previously submitted for review):
Archives (Russell – Duane 2nd)
Conference (Terry – Ira 2nd)
Convention (Duane – Brian 2nd)
CAWS 2014 (Duane)
Motion to approve made by Duane seconded by Terry passed
CAWS 2015 (Rob)
Motion to approve made by Rob seconded by Terry passed
CAWS 2016 (Brian)
Motion to approve made by Brian seconded by Jay passed
CAWS 2017 (Terry)
Motion to approve made by Terry seconded by Brian passed
Finance (Jay– Brian 2nd)
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Hospitals & Institutions (Brian – Kenny 2nd)
IT (Kenny – Yves 2nd)
Literature, Chips & Format (Rob – KJ 2nd)
Public Information (Ira – Russell 2nd)
Structure & Bylaws (Yves – Rob 2nd)
Unity (KJ – Terry 2nd)
Motion to approve made by Jay seconded by Brian except CAWS reports passed
CAWS Convention updates:
To be done at the board to board.
CAWS 2014 (Duane)
CAWS 2015 (Rob)
CAWS 2016 (Brian)
CAWS 2017 (Terry)
PLACE MARKER – BUSINESS ITEMS
MARKER 2006.02.20 Copyright and trademark protection (Ira) –
To remain on agenda for quarterly review
Next Review – Principle register – September 4, 2020
Review of On-Line Copyright Issues
Service Marks Where Protected
We’re here and we’re free USA and EU
Cocaine Anonymous name USA EU
C.A. USA
CA logo USA EU
The following marks have been registered in Canada:
- Trademark: WE’RE HERE AND WE’RE FREE Renewal Date; 9-30– 2027
- Trademark: CA HOPE FAITH COURAGE& Design Renewal Date: 8-9-2021
- Trademark: COCAINE ANONYMOUS Renewal Date: 12-13-2021
- Trademark: C.A. Renewal Date: 6-12- 2022
Nothing new to report.
MARKER 2006.08.13 Signature of annual corporate documents (All)
To be completed @ at fall Quarterly
Need to post a copy on the WSBT site.
MARKER 2009.05.09 Status of WSO. – (KJ & Ira)
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WSOB OVERVIEW
o STAFFING ISSUES: WSO’s shipper is on maternity leave and the temporary hire is having health issues. So the office is currently running on 2½ staff. Please be considerate of this when you want to request Linda’s assistance for something.
o As time allows, the warehouse is being re-organized for more efficient work flow
o WSO met with another computer specialist so WSO now has 2 proposals for new hardware and maintenance agreements; looking for 1 more person to submit proposal
- UPDATE: KJ announced this at PSR caucus but no one came up after meeting to advise they knew someone who might be interested…
o WEBSITE
- Security patch is nearly complete. Testing during WSOB meeting showed that the contact info was still not displaying as expected; Linda should have a better update for B2B
- FOR TRUSTEE CONSIDERATION: At this time, Linda is cc’ing herself on all the emails associated with the “Contact Us” page. This will help her confirm that the hack-fix is working (recall it was the Contact Us page that got hacked). After we feel comfortable that this is back up and running as expected, should Linda remove herself from any trustee “contact us” links? In the past, Trustees did not want the office seeing trustee communications. However, back-up is always a good thing. Please advise.
o NeoPost – contract with shipping vendor is due to expire. Linda Is having issues getting multiple bids because this is no comparable vendor to NeoPost; information she has obtained thus far was handed off to Ira for review by the TNC. Of note, one of the new features NeoPost is adding to their equipment is the ability to handle customs paperwork for international shipping.
o Reg OnLine is changing their payment structure. We currently pay $150 per event plus $3.15 per on-line registration; new pricing will be $3.55 per registration with no event fee
o PayChex – No update
o EUFC – WSO completed the list of proposed inventory to be shipped; review by Russell and KJ pending
- Once we have a Treasurer in place, Kathy Jo will work with them to help establish cost-per-unit of our inventory items so WSOB can look at current pricing
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o Translations: In addition to the HFCII clean-up in French, the Portugeese meeting format was sent to Kerns and the Anonymity pamphlet, with review notes from Kerns, was sent to the Dutch members for them to finalize.
o Holland Book : Susan and Russell have been in communication. Issues surrounding who will translate the Dutch stories to English so these can be reviewed for content are being worked out. Holland feels that, if this is needed, CAWSO should handle/pay for this; however, full translations cost thousands of dollars and there are no funds budgeted for these to be translated.
o Prudent Reserve: MOTION made by the WSOB to move $5000 from savings to Prudent Reserve will be brought to the B2B
o Leach vs CAWSO – all docs have been turned over to the insurance company
o Contribution Program was briefly discussed; I brought up the issues with filling out the current forms due to the fact that they are on glossy paper – note that this can be changed but an order was just recently placed to replenish the stock so it will be a while before we re-order these.
- CAWSO &WSOB POLICIES: No update
- LCF Meditation Book –
o No update – still waiting on LCF to finalize pictures and cover
- CAWS 2014
o 32 Registrations to date
o No check reqs or other committee updates received
o [From last report] The 2014 committee has not yet submitted the outline of events, rooms, timings and such. This program of events was due in June.
- CAWS 2015
o No updates
- CAWS 2016 – Received copy of their first steering committee meeting minutes
- CAWS 2017 – No updates
- COMMITTEE UPDATES
o Archives: WSOB passed an online motion allowing this committee to sell sets of the
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30-60-90-day chips for $25 per set.
o Public Information committee on-going communications were discussed; this resides with the trustees so not much for WSOB to do but be aware of current status.
- MISCELLANEOUS
o WSOB continues to tackle post-conference referrals. One of these requested that we make available the WSOB online business guidelines. To that end, the WSOB reviewed and updated the online guidelines to reflect current practices. These are available to members upon request.
o CAWSO, Inc needs to change the “agent of record” for CAWSO, Inc. In discussion.
o HFC II in French was reviewed for any updates needed before CAWSO ships this to RR Donnelly for re-print; Yves assisted Johw W. and they corrected 6 pages
- FINANCIALS
o Wells Fargo has started charging us for transfers (a percentage). Kathy Jo to see about going to bank on Friday, 11/22 before Quarterly meeting starts to get these charges reversed.
- Additional items that need to be discussed with Wells Fargo include:
- EFT – what options do we now have for handling monthly, recurring electronic deposits/donations
- Payroll services – do they offer this type of assistance? If so, what is provided and at what cost…
o MOTION made to transfer $5000 from Savings to Operating passed
- UPDATE: Funds were transferred on 11/15/2013
o Financial snapshot as of 11/14/2013:
| Operating | $18,944.34 |
| Even Year Convention | $15,263.32 |
| Odd Year Convention | $488.00 |
| Odd Year Petty Cash | $364.40 |
| Prudent Reserve | $50,138.78 |
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| Even Year Petty Cash | $547.20 |
| Publication Fund | $23,650.78 |
| Savings | $48,899.11 |
| TOTAL WF: | $158,295.93 |
MARKER NADCP – (Rob) NADCP will be in California after CAWS in 2014.
Hilton Hotel booked May 27-30 2014
MARKER TEC – (Brian second Jay)
SWR and MWR have slate. Other regionals will be held in April.
OLD BUSINESS
2011.03.01 – European fulfillment facility – (Russell/KJ) Draft for formal information of proposal.
2013.10.02 Legal update … Duane [off record]
NEW BUSINESS
2013.10.01 Social Media guidance document. Jay, KJ, Kenny and Yves
NA -9 page
AA-5 page
We have a document that is complete (remove from agenda)
2013.11.01 Trustee Finance Committee (Jay) KJ is the chair working on getting the information to the board. Principle planners on financial matters. Intent was to help KJ because of a full plate.
2013.11.02 Online donations (Jay) Motion to take this item out of order by Jay second Kenny. Have the ability to make donations online. Can not fill out the forms with a pen. Need a secure site so it does not have to be entered each month. Have a site like NA that will be able to do it online. Have not really utilized to the best of are ability.
Motion to take to WSOB by Terry seconded by Brain. To take to the WSOB for consideration for the Website.
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2013.11.04 WSOB Treasurer Interviews/Election (scheduled for Saturday @ 11am)
Laurie was elected as WSO Treasurer
2013.11.05 CAWSPI issues (Ira) see below correspondence
2013.11.06 Transcriptions of the quarterly update (Yves/Rob)
1305 was completed, Pam will start 1308. We will be able to have them out before the December Delegate mailing.
2013.11.07 NewsGram and future financial disclosure (Terry)
Motion to approve the NewsGram by removing the 3 7th tradition charts.
Passes 7-2
2013.11.08 Incorporation of Areas (Russell)
2013.11.09 Need to update computers and server, build a new website from an outside vender.
2013.11.10 Moving the WSO office to a new city. (Rob) will take the lead.
Pros and Cons of a possible relocation, the spirit of relocation, Start a team to start looking into it.
Motion to approve the Spanish version of Tools Of Recovery.
Motion made by KJ seconded by Brian passed
Motion to approve the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions in Spanish
Motion made by KJ seconded by Brian passed
Motion to approve the group registration card in Spanish
Motion made by KJ seconded by Brian passed
CORRESPONDENCE/ RESPONSES FROM/TO THE FELLOWSHIP:
Lead (Jay)
From Nicholas L via email to CAWSO to WSBT
Although love and tolerance is our code and education of traditions is on going – often posters / emails for event reference such Christian festivals as Easter event / Christmas party etc – I never see Dewali brunch or Ramadam cookout !
What is the boards position on using Christian refs and there possible affect on our ever expanding membership in places like Iran / Russia etc where a variety of religious beliefs are held seriously indeed ? or even in London where i sponsor a Muslim from Pakistan
( he is NOT attending a Christmas event in the near future )?
Response:
In keeping with Tradition One with regards to C.A. unity and Tradition Six in regards to affiliation with outside enterprises, our suggestion is to avoid association, actual or perceived with religious, political, or any outside issue that might offend or create a sense
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of exclusion to fellow members.
Thank you for your correspondence
The WSBT
November 2013
Motion by Jay second by Brian passes
Greetings, Members of the WSBT,
I apologize if any of this sounds redundant in any way, I am attempting to keep the chronologics in order as to not have to send you 38 emails, but they are available if you’d like to review them in their entirety.
I need to share with you some issues that have arisen with Craig A. the PI Chair, Grace M. the PI Vice Chair and Ira L. the WST assigned to PI.
To all parties: My only desire in this is for a clear and acceptable method for conducting CA’s business that doesn’t result in stalemates, arguments or biased behavior.
Here is an overview of the situation as I believe it to be.
Between conference calls, I sent an email prefacing to the committee, the need to make motions regarding two agenda items that I have volunteered to work on. In this effort I made two motions (within them were my “speaking to my motion verbiage”) so that everyone isn’t caught off guard with something that was too broad like a simple one line motion. The motion was then seconded my Destiny M, then seconded again by Robert O, then agreed with, which I construed as a second, by Derek H. The following morning, the first second made by Destiny M, was retracted. I enquired on Destiny M. as to why she retracted her second and I will address that separately below. Then The Chair began debating the motions stating there wasn’t enough information to collectively vote on; never once “ruling” on anything. Theresa H requests documentation regarding the motions etc. Which i send to the committee. Grace M weighs in, spouting weary concerns about “people” who “have an agenda” and ‘want to make things happen” reminding the committee to practice principles before personalities. The Chair continues debating the difference between a gateway domain and an linked domain that is being used for obtaining survey data which was part of the content of the motion, combatively telling me, “I am wrong and mistaken” upon every rebuttal. I attempt to contact The Chair privately. I tell him that I find his conduct debating the motion a bit outside any chairs’ purview. In that private email, I request him to facilitate the debate, reminding him he is The Chair and his duties are supposed to out weigh, his personal agenda. This exchange goes back forth until he essentially blows me off. He then sends an email stating that the committee will only address my motions during a conference call, which he provides some dates for. Which are then questioned by Derek H and Robert O who try to ask why a conference call rather than settling it online. The Chair refuses to answer. Alan S
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chimes in with his experience, later agreeing that email is an acceptable method for getting committee work done. Ira then weighs in, after being requested by an unknown number of members. I then send a private email to Ira informing him of the inappropriateness of The Chair’s behavior towards Destiny M. Then Ira chimes in again, quoting directly from the WSBT Manual for Online Procedures which would seem to support and encourage us to do business online, but is delivered as a biased argument; giving off the “governing” vibe which was immediately questioned by Derek H, and subsequently not responded to either. Then Chair sends an email attempting to setup the conference call, and I then state that he’s out of order, he states that he’s “ruled” on this already and at that time I made a valid Challenge to The Chair, who then ruled on his own challenge, the Vice-Chair never responds attempting to address the Challenge, the committee nor I are addressed directly about the Challenge and then Ira chimes in telling me directly that he sustains The Chair’s ruling without remark or regard that the Challenge was ever addressed and then proceeded to call me out of order. I then respond to Ira objecting to his statements.
Roberts Rules Online #58 “The chairman cannot close debate unless by order of the assembly, which requires a two-thirds vote.”
Roberts Rules Online #58: “The chairman sometimes calls a member to the chair and takes part in the debate. This should rarely be done, and nothing can justify it in a case where much feeling is shown and there is a liability to difficulty in preserving order. If the chairman has even the appearance of being a partisan, he loses much of his ability to control those who are on the opposite side of the question. There is nothing to justify the unfortunate habit some chairmen have of constantly speaking on questions before the assembly, even interrupting the member who has the floor. One who expects to take an active part in debate should never accept the chair, or at least should not resume the chair, after having made his speech, until after the pending question is disposed of. The presiding officer of a large assembly should never be chosen for any reason except his ability to preside.”
With regard to the Chair’s conduct regarding Destiny M.
The chair has willfully ignored one of the most coveted concepts the “Right of Participation” thus ignoring WSM Page 38 “Any member of Cocaine Anonymous may serve and vote on any World Service Conference Committee” When it became clear to me that the Chair was attempting to circumvent my motions by telling Destiny M that even though she is included in the email chain (for the last two years) and who is a member of the committee – tells her she isn’t a member of the committee and doesn’t have a vote because she didn’t attend conference and needs to retract her second. Instead, if he believed my motions to be out of order, he should have ruled so after the second and before the debate but he didn’t do that.
I whole heartedly believe my attempts to resolve the issues using the customary methods to do so, have failed. Attempts to request the use of Robert Rules of Order have failed. Attempts to challenge the Chair resulted in the Chair ruling on his own challenge and the
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WST sustaining his ruling, by calling me out of order (which was nonsensical), has also failed.
In closing, I am formally requesting action be taken by the WSBT, by having the TAL review and attempt to impartially resolve the issues that seem to be going unresolved. I believe that the current Trustee assigned has a clear lack of knowledge as demonstrated by sustaining the Chair’s rulings and not addressing the Challenges which were validly made at the onset and during the debate; which failed to be addressed by the Vice Chair nor the concerns regarding the Chair’s conduct towards another CA member, clearly ignoring the WSM page 38. Therefore I request the TAL’s immediate involvement to bring impartiality to a situation that has become very convoluted by conjecture and bias.
Patrick P
From the WSBT:
Thank you for your correspondence. In the spirit of unity and cooperation, it is the view of the WSBT that a reset would best serve the committee and Cocaine Anonymous as a whole. Resuming committee business on the next conference call would be a beginning to mend. Continuing your committee work is important to the growth of our fellowship.
Dr. Bob said he believed that the Twelve Steps, simmered to their essence, were described in the phrase “love and service”.
Motion by Terry seconded by Rob passes
IN-CONFERENCE REFFERRALS TO BE ADDRESSED:
#7130 Rob (lead) Yves
Please provide brief minutes of WSBT meetings. These to be distributed to the fellowship whilst they are still relevant.
#7131 Rob (lead) Yves
Please desist from producing full transcript minutes of the WSBT meetings. It is understood that there is no legal requirement to produce these and it is a huge drain on time and financial resources. The time taken to produce full transcriptions makes the information contained obsolete.
#7255 Russell (lead) KJ
With regard to the proposed European literature fulfillment facility/centre. Please to be able to make a “one stop shop” for all our literature requirements.
This would entail being able to purchase not only C.A. literature but also the AA publications as listed under the Advisory Opinions section of the WSC Approved
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Literature. A facility that does not do this will not meet our needs.
#7322 Kenny (lead) Duane Brian Ira
To change all “CA” owned entities to private foundations and change 501c3 to 509c2.
See attachment for reasons.
- The would limit legal expenses
- This would eliminate the 150 mile rule
- This would change (increase) member’s ability to donate
- This would eliminate State mandates imposed on public benefit not-for-profits
- This would change four tax status and save us money
#7326 Kenny (lead) Yves
Social media is a big part of our lives today. I see our C.A. logo quite a lot! I feel it be necessary to have social media added in to our 11th Tradition. It is trademarked. Anyone can use it without C.A.’s authorization. I do not state C.A. in any of my posts etc. because there are those such as my son who do not need to have my anonymity broken for his sake. I feel that newcomers can misconstrue this and be okay adding the C.A. logo or using it not knowing it is a tradition violation.
#7282 Brian (lead) Jay Terry Duane
It is my understanding that any votes tallied by the TEC are counted by the trustees alone. If this is true, I would recommend that this process be changed so that there is equal representation by both trustees and delegates doing the counting process.
POST-CONFERENCE REFERRALS TO BE ADDRESSED:
#7364
I am concerned how directors on the WSOB can serve more than the maximum term. Nowhere else in our service structure is this permitted; trustees don’t get a second term, nor do conference officers, so how can this even be acceptable. The WSM is acceptable on this, so how can this be please. Thank you.
~ WSBT Conference Call –January 12, 2014 10am PT
~ WSBT Quarterly- February 7-9, 2014
Collected 180.10 for the November Gratitude Month
WSBT Group Inventory
Close – Serenity Prayer
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