CA WORLD SERVICE BOARD OF TRUSTEES SUMMARY MINUTES OF MEETING QUARTERLY BOARD MEETING
August 26, 2016 – September 4, 2016
Since this report is a confidential C.A. 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 any way out Tradition on anonymity in public communications media (press, radio, TV, etc.).
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WSBT Quarterly Friday, August 26th – Sunday, September 4th, 2016 Los Angeles, California
Minutes
(2:00 pm meet in lobby.)
Moment of silence followed by the Serenity Prayer
8/26/16 4:10 PM
Personal Sharing (approximately 3-5 minutes each)
5:38 PM
Roll call
Ira Land – WST
Suzanne Veltman – ERT
Rob Wellhauser – TAL/PNRT
Yves White – ANRT
Jeannette Johnson – MWRT – WSBT Assistant Secretary
Anne Bouley Meyer – ASRT – WSBT Secretary
Jay Parker – SWRT – WSBT Vice-Chair
Duane Miller – PSRT – WSBT Chair
Reading of the 12 Traditions – Suzanne
Read long form of Tradition 11 and discuss – Jeannette
Read Concept 11 and discuss – Rob
Chair’s opening remarks: (Duane M) We are going to be busy. We have enough time. Remember, give yourself extra time if you need to be somewhere. Expect to be stopped. It’s important we are visible and available to the fellowship. We will have an amazing quarterly and get it done. We will be selecting five new trustees. Our interim office chair has been doing a great job. We are ready to go to work.
WSBT officer reports:
Chair (Duane)
Vice-Chair (Jay)
Secretary (Anne)
MOTION: To approve the reports-Jay. Second-Ira. Motion passes.
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Trustee reports:
Atlantic North Regional Trustee (Yves)
Atlantic South Regional Trustee (Anne)
Midwest Regional Trustee (Jeannette)
Pacific North Regional Trustee (Rob)
Pacific South Regional Trustee (Duane)
Southwest Regional Trustee (Jay)
European Regional Trustee (Suzanne)
Trustee At Large (Rob)
World Service Trustee Report (Ira)
MOTION: To approve the reports – Yves. Second- Suzanne. Motion passes.
Reports discussed and questions asked and answered.
WSBT Subcommittee reports – lead member listed first:
Finance (Duane)
International Structure and Development (Yves)
Legal (Anne)
Long Term Planning (Rob)
Newsgram (Yves)
Orientation (Jay)
Trustee Election Committee (Rob)
Trustee Negotiating Committee (Ira, Duane, Jay, Rob, Jeannette)
Trustee Outreach (Duane)
World Service Conference (Ira)
MOTION: To approve the reports – Ira. Second – Rob. Motion passes.
Reports discussed.
Trustee Conference Committee reports: – lead member listed first:
Archives (Ira – Duane 2nd)
Conference (Ira – Anne 2nd)
Convention (Rob – Ira 2nd)
Finance (Jay– Suzanne 2nd)
Hospitals & Institutions (Rob – Jay 2nd)
IT (Yves – Duane 2nd)
Literature, Chips & Formats (Anne – Jay 2nd)
Public Information (Duane – Jeannette 2nd)
Structure & Bylaws (Jeannette – Yves 2nd)
Unity (Suzanne – Rob 2nd)
MOTION: To approve reports – Rob. Yves – second. Motion passes.
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CAWS Convention updates
- CAWS 2016 (Jeannette)
- CAWS 2017 (Rob)
- CAWS 2018 (Yves)
- CAWS 2019 (Suzanne)
- CAWS 2020 Bids updates. New York, Austin and Colorado went out in the SR-14 mailing.
Reports to be presented at B2B meeting in order to avoid duplicity.
PLACE MARKER – BUSINESS ITEMS
MARKER 2006.02.20 Copyright and trademark protection (Ira) – Discussed.
To remain on agenda for quarterly review.
| Matter No. | Country | Mark | Renewal Due: | |
| 59628-0001 | Canada | WE’RE HERE AND WE’RE FREE | September 30, 2027 | |
| 59628-0002 | U.S. | COCAINE ANONYMOUS | September 4, 2020 | |
| 59628-0003 | Canada | COCAINE ANONYMOUS | December 13, 2021 | |
| 59628-0004 | U.S. | CA | December 20, 2018 | |
| 59628-0005 | Canada | CA | June 12, 2022 | |
| 59628-0006 | U.S. | CA HOPE FAITH COURAGE | April 24, 2020 | |
| 59628-0007 | Canada | CA HOPE FAITH COURAGE | August 9, 2021 | |
| 59628-0008 | U.S. | WE’RE HERE AND WE’RE FREE | April 2, 2026 | |
| 59628-0009 | Europe | COCAINE ANONYMOUS | April 1, 2026 | |
| 59628-0010 | Europe | CA HOPE FAITH COURAGE | July 26, 2026 | |
| 59628-0011 | Europe | CA | November 15, 2021 | |
*Please refer to Trademark Renewal Process file located in WSBT Yahoo group
MARKER 2006.08.13 Signature of annual corporate documents (All) To be completed @ at fall quarterly
MARKER 2009.05.09 Status of WSO – (Ira) – Things are going well. Questions asked and answered.
MARKER NADCP – (Rob/Duane) – PI committee did the event this year. PI committee is making motion to take over.
MARKER TEC – (Rob & Jeannette) – Rob goes over the schedule. The interviews will be on Tuesday, August 30, 2016.
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OLD BUSINESS
2016.06.01 International Product Support (Suzanne/Rob)
(a/k/a 2011.03.01 European fulfillment facility)
Discussion regarding having WSO versus ER locals to find potential vendors. It would be helpful to see invoices from buyers in foreign countries to see added taxes and shipping costs. There are so many factors involved. How do we produce books and chips in Europe? There are a lot of dynamics involved. WSO has paid workers to look into it. They have the specs, they can do online research to look into production of literature and chips overseas. We need more information about real costs for members overseas. We need some data about how taxes are added once it leaves US. We don’t want to create a financial hardship on CA. Keep a global perspective. Who is the customer: Groups, Districts, Areas? Will discuss this at the meeting with ER delegates to see how they would like to proceed.
-2014.01.01 New www.ca.org site update (Yves)
Discussion regarding the contribution button on CA website as being US-centric. Suggestion to WSO to add a bank-transfer button.
-Discuss the Holland translation of the First Step (Suzanne) – Discussed costs of changing banners, formats and literature. $400 cost to replace banners. Have a lot of literature to distribute before new literature is needed.
-Selling chips and literature at Hazelden and other venue (WSOT) – Discussed at Board to Board.
-New Region (Suzanne/Rob) – There is not an interest in UK at this time. The UK has decided to close the ad-hoc committee. We need to look at ways to assist the ERT so the workload isn’t so heavy for one person.
MOTION: To reactivate the TAL-2 position to assist the ERT – Jay. Second
– Jeanette. Motion passes unanimously.
Adjourn 8/26/16 11:04 PM
Commence 8/27/16 8:35 AM
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-Creating Area support spending guidelines (Jay) – Discussed if this is a 7th tradition violation. Discussed eliminating the line item.
MOTION: To eliminate this line item from WSO budget. (500562) – Ira. Second- Jay. Following debate, motion passes without substantial unanimity.
MOTION: To reconsider – Ira. Suzanne – second. Following debate, motion passes unanimously.
UNDERLYING MOTION RENEWED: To eliminate the line item from WSO budget. (500562). Further debate. Motion passes with noted opposition. Discussion regarding going forward with notifying the office.
-Prudent reserve conversation (Rob) – What entity has name on prudent reserve (i.e., Trustee) to protect fellowship in the event of legal action. May need legal advice. Discussion. To be removed from agenda.
-WSPI Facebook page – (Duane) – Completed in Chicago. To be removed from agenda.
Discussion regarding scheduling and preparation for meetings.
MOTION: To elect Kevin M for WSOB DAL – Jay. Second – Rob.
Motion passes unanimously.
Discussion regarding scheduling and preparation for meetings.
NEW BUSINESS
-WSBT Visit to CAUK – (Suzanne/Anne/Rob) – Experience discussed by
Suzanne, Rob and Anne.
ADJOURNED 11:45 PM
8/28/16 COMMENCED 9:00 AM
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-Breakout session to complete referrals/correspondence/reports Lunch 12:00 – 1:30
-DOO face-to-face meeting
-WSOB Chair face-to-face meeting
-WSOB Chair interview/election
Congratulations to Tim Andre for being selected as the new WSOB Chair.
Preparation and discussion regarding Board to Board meeting.
Dinner 7:00 – 8:30
WSBT financial oversight guidelines for WSOB prepared and discussed and finalized.
8/28/16 Adjourned 10:45 PM
8/29/16 Commenced 8:30 AM
-Possible Trademark violation regarding online treatment referral website – (Ira/Anne)
MOTION: To have Bob C. to help WSBT proceed with the attorney’s recommendation to have someone approach Cocaine.Org and express the concerns we have – Anne. Jeannette – Second. Motion passes.
MOTION: To elect Alison M for WSOB DAL – Yves. Second – Jeannette.
Motion passes.
ER agenda discussed and prepared.
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MOTION: To invite Tim A. to attend – Yves. Second – Ira. FA: Ask Tim if he wants Linda to be here. – Suzanne. Accepted. Motion fails. Without substantial unanimity.
Board to Board meeting
MOTION: To approve response to correspondence – Anne. Second – Jeannette. Motion passes.
Adjourned 10:45 PM
8/30/16
Commenced 8:00 AM
TEC
Adjourned 11:45 PM
8/31/16
Commenced 9:00 AM
TEC
CONFERENCE OPENIING
Adjourned 11:00 PM
9/1/16
Commenced 8:00 AM
CONFERENCE OPENING CONTINUES
Regional Caucus
Committee breakout begins
WSBT Business: NADCP discussion
TEC
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Adjourned 11:45 PM
9/2/16
Commenced 8:00 AM
Unity breakfast
WSBT Business
Meeting with European Region delegates TEC
-WSOB TREASURER Interviews/Election – Congratulations to Alison M for being selected as the new WSOB Treasurer.
-Royalty issue – Postponed to December quarterly.
-Regional placement for Martinique – Postponed to December.
-PI summit discussion – Discussed on conference floor.
-Trademark review process (Yves) – It’s owned by WSBT. We should build the process to accommodate the budgeting necessary for the years legal fees will be incurred for the renewals.
-ELECTION OF WSBT BOARD OFFICERS:
WSBT Chair – Yves
WSBT Vice Chair – Anne
WSBT Secretary – Jeannette
WSBT Assistant Secretary – TBD at December quarterly.
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-CORPORATE OFFICERS:
President – Rob
Vice President – Suzanne
Secretary – Jeannette
Treasurer – Anne
9/3/16 8:00 AM
Conference floor
MOTION: To ask the WSOB to remove the NADCP line item from budget – Rob. Ira – Second.
*Note – Conference floor passes motion for PI to take over responsibility of NADCP.
-TEC Scheduling “Welcome Aboard” brunch
| OTHER BUSINESS: | |||
| MONDAY, AUGUST 29TH | 7:00 PM – Board to Board at the WSO | ||
| TUESDAY, AUGUST 30TH | 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM TEC Interviews | ||
| 7:30 PM – TEC Interviews begin | |||
| WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31st | 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM – TEC meets | ||
| 2:00 | PM – 5:00 PM – New Delegate Orientation | ||
| 5:00 | PM – 7:00 PM – Kickoff Dinner | ||
| 6:45 | PM – 6:55 PM – Secretary/Chair meeting | ||
| 7:00 | PM – Conference begins | ||
| THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1st | 6:30 PM – 11:00 PM – TEC meets | ||
| FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2nd | 8:00 AM – 11:45 AM – TEC meets | ||
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*(8:00 – 10:30 AM – Unity breakfast)
12:00 – 2:00 PM – Meet with ER Delegates
2:15 PM – 11:00 PM TEC meets
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3rd 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM – Chairs meet
CORRESPONDENCE/ RESPONSES FROM/TO THE FELLOWSHIP:
Dear WSBT
Thank you for your response, i appreciate the amount of time and effort put into drafting such a response.
I would like to clarify that your conclusion on what it is I’m looking for [We understand from the questions you have posed that you seek a strict interpretation and enforcement of Tradition 5] is wrong, unfair and in my opinion another demonstration of an unwillingness to act as guardians of the traditions [as per WSBT role/duty/responsibility].
The intent and spirit of my enquiry is grounded in love and gratitude for Cocaine Anonymous and its purpose. I want nothing more than to look after this fellowship to allow the baby being born tonight, destined for drug addiction, to be able to find, at their time of need, the same solution as we found.
If the WSBT are unclear of the purpose of Cocaine Anonymous, our principle spiritual aim, and the scope and/or parameters of the fellowships collective understanding of such, may I be suggest you make some time at your next quarterly to consider a workshop and study group to look at our 5th tradition as I’m unsure how you feel qualified to guide when there is a reluctance to answer and the answer given is so uninformed around our purpose.! The WSBT lead by example and do not drive by mandate…show me your are sufficiently informed and grounded with the guidance being sort to be such an example.
So, in hoping that your conscience will steer you toward accepting your responsibility can I again ask you answer the question that you’re putting so much effort into avoiding….that being, does the WSBT believe that our fellowships purpose is as stated below.
C.A. is concerned solely with the personal recovery and continued sobriety of individual drug addicts who turn to our Fellowship for help.
I look forward to your response and trust I won’t get a ‘we feel we have answered the questions in the previous email’ response as after a month of seeking guidance and council of other CA members I can confidently tell you you have not answered my enquiry and in fact put much work into avoiding answering a clear and specific request regarding our 5th tradition and the integrity & future of our fellowship.
With much sincere love and respect
Russell S
PRPOSED RESPONSE
Dear Russell,
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Thank you for your correspondence. Per your indication to the WSBT chair in Chicago, we understand your questions/concerns have been addressed.
ILAS,
WSBT
REFERRALS OUTSTANDING:
None
POST-CONFERENCE REFERRALS TO BE ADDRESSED:
None.
COMPLETED
APPROVED REFERRAL RESONSES:
2015WSBT-02
When I send a referral about the TEC election process, why does it get kicked to the Trustees? I understand that the conference charter and bylaws are legal documents and not changed by S&B, but the rest of world service manual has is worked on by S&B. The problem is the conference body never gets a chance to change this process. It could look poorly that the Trustees are manipulating the process for their own purpose.
MOTION: Approve the response – Jeannette. Second – Anne
No action taken.
Thank you for your question about the Trustee Election Process.
The TEC is a subcommittee of the WSBT, all referrals get sent to the WSBT.
Any changes to the TEC process must be voted on by the conference floor.
2015WSBT-03
Start considering non-addict trustees. I believe it would be invaluable to have a non-addict brain to give a different perspective.
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MOTION: To accept the following response – Ira. Second – Jeannette.
Thank you for your referral.
The WSBT is always considering Non-Addict Trustees. The position is part of an ongoing discussion. When a person shows interest, we can then help said person go through the process of Trustee Selection. Please see WSM page 56.
2015WSBT-04
I am concerned with the fact the direction of the Trustee Negotiating Committee’s current practices. There seems to be a significant disconnect between the negotiation needed and the needs of the applicable Conference Committee. The trustees have to communicate with the Committee along the way to make sure that what they are negotiating makes any sense and is not done in a vacuum. I could give very specific examples related to the Meditation Book editor process and the contract negotiation for the Conference Contract. In the case of the Conference contract, the TNC took the contracts for the three years negotiated with the hotel and the committee heard nothing again until the contracts were signed. This left the committee in an untenable position at several levels. There has to be better communication back and forth and some concrete time frames on when the responses will be forthcoming all well before the respective contracts are finalized and signed. The TNC has to be and remain keenly aware of what the committee needs and why at every step of the way.
NO ACTION TAKEN:
Good communication between the Trustee Negotiating Committee and the Conference Committees regarding contracts is extremely important, this is why there is a Trustee assigned to each Conference Committee to act a conduit of information during any negotiation period whether that Trustee is on the TNC or not. Communication is a two-way street, and is very necessary before, during and after contract negotiations.
As per the WSM, The Trustee Negotiating Committee assists the World Service Office Board and with all World Service Conference Committees in the review of all contracts needing to be negotiated on behalf of Cocaine Anonymous, involving amounts of $500 USD or greater prior to our engagement on the part of Cocaine Anonymous. A contract is defined as any signed document between Cocaine Anonymous and any other person(s) or business(es), that indicates a commitment of services or goods between the two defined entities.
pg 13
When presented with the contract for the editor of the Meditation Book by the WSOB, the TNC was enlisted to sign the contract.
The new Conference Contract for 2015 -2017 was signed more than one and a half years before taking effect, on Nov. 22, 2013, and was sent to the committee in January 2014. The Trustees on the Committee made their connection to the Committee during that month’s Conference call, advising them of the signing of the new contract. The timetable of events would seem to suggest that there was ample time for additional communication, discussion, debate, and/or amendments, if necessary.
It is always our desire to facilitate this process with the committees to the best of our ability. We will continue to make every effort to immediately advise every committee of TNC approved contracts so that any necessary amendments may be discussed and processed.
2015WSBT-05
I am concerned with the fact that the WSBT Chair is given his/her own room at the Conference and CAWS Convention. This is now given even when there is not an odd man out situation. I’d like us to go back to honouring the inverse pyramid please and do away with this practice which makes no sense to me at any level. Please re-examine. Thank you.
MOTION: Approve the response – Ira. Second – Yves. Motion passes.
No Action Taken
Thank you for your referral and concern. The current practice of the WSBT Chair having his or her own room only occurs if there is an odd man/woman out situation as the Trustees pair up at our quarterly meetings whenever possible.
2015WSBT-06
The fellowship no longer uses the reading “How it works” in it’s adapted form. Do we have permission to use AA’s Preamble in it’s adapted form?
NO ACTION TAKEN
Yes. Cocaine Anonymous has permission to use the CA preamble as written in a letter granting permission received by AA Grapevine, Inc, dated February 6, 1989.
POST CONFERENCE
pg 14
2015PC-WSBT-1
My question is as follows: Is an Alternate Delegate, who is here for his/her first conference allowed to be voted in for the Trustee Election slate for next year’s voting process. As I read in the Bylaws, it doesn’t have any info for Alternate Delegates, only states a Delegate. Do we even know that they will be back for there vote at next year’s Conference? Thank you, Bob Obraskin. 09/05/15 – Bob Obraskin, (917) 716-8043, milkman1960@aol.com, CANY
Referred to S&B – email to Jay F. and Susan L. 3/26/16
2015PC-WSBT-2
Please change the name of Cocaine Anonymous incorporated to CAWSO incorporated to protect the fellowship from potential controversy that may follow if the company was to default on filing tax returns, etc. or possible lawsuits. In the UK, our company was names “Cocaine Anonymous England & Wales.” The company defaulted on its tax returns, as a result, the Company name was then published in the national press (as per English Company law) as a company that had defaulted on its tax returns. This brought the good name of Cocaine Anonymous into disrepute in the public eye. We resolved to protect the name Cocaine Anonymous by renaming our company “CAUK England & Wales.” 9/5/15 – Jim Silverlock, +44-7825614616, jimcauk.delegate@yahoo.com, CAUK
MOTION: To approve response – Anne. Second – Rob. Motion passes No action taken.
The Cocaine Anonymous World Service Office, Incorporated, is currently organized to ensure that we are compliant on all of our administrative and legal obligations.
2015PC-WSBT-3
This is a follow up to a previous referral. I know you like suggestions so I suggest we replace our adapted version of AA’s Preamble with something like this: Preamble: Cocaine Anonymous is a Fellowship of addicts and alcoholics who meet together to share our hope, faith, and courage for the purpose of
pg 15
staying sober and helping others achieve the same freedom. Everything heard at our meetings is to be treated as confidential. There are no dues or fees of any kind. To be a member, you only have to want to quit. We also exchange phone numbers, and give and seek support from one another between meetings. We are all on equal footing here. We are men and women of all ages, races and social backgrounds, with the common bond of addiction. Many years of experience have demonstrated the value of one addict helping another. We use the Twelve Step Recovery Program because it has already been proven that the Twelve Step Recovery Program works.
Referred to LCF – email to Jay F. and Susan L. 4/11/16
COMPLETED
CORRESPONDENCE/ RESPONSES FROM/TO THE
FELLOWSHIP:
APPROVED RESPONSE
DATE OF NEXT WSBT CONFERENCE CALL: October 16, 2016 at 9:00 AM PDT for Orientation
DATE OF NEXT QUARTERLY MEETING: TBD
WSBT Group Inventory – Completed Sunday, September 4, 2016 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Close – Serenity Prayer
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