Heidi J. gives report –
CLOSING REPORT C.A. WORLD SERVICE CONFERENCE 2015
Finance Committee Report
INTRODUCTION AND OPENING COMMENTS
Chair Heidi J.
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Secretary Keith B.
Trustee Jay P.
WSOB/Treasurer Laurie R.
Member Maya B.
Member Lance D.
Member Caryl S.
Member Caroline B.
The A.A. Service Manual, Twelve Concepts for World Service
Concept Twelve,Warranty Two: “Sufficient operating funds, plus an ample reserve, be its prudent financial principle.”
In this connection, we should pause to review our attitudes concerning money and its relation to service effort.
Our attitude toward the giving of time when compared with our attitude toward giving money presents an interesting contrast. Of course, we give a lot of our time to AA activities for our own protection and growth. But we also engage ourselves in a truly sacrificial giving for the sake of our groups, our areas, and AA as a whole….
…What this has meant in the lives of uncounted alcoholics who might never have reached us had our services been weak or nonexistent, no one can guess. Financial prudence has paid off in lives saved.
The 2015 Finance Committee is the place where money and spirituality do have to mix, in just the right proportions. We found ourselves guided with the words from this concept because they speak to our duties as members of the fellowship who must take on the hard ask of handling the financial affairs of C.A. as a whole.
The WSOB, in their opening report, mentioned our current financial status as “being the best in a long time” but that does not mean we have unlimited funds or that the funds we do have can be used in a non-prudent manner. One of the current efforts of our Fellowship is to maintain a prudent reserve in case of emergencies. The main responsibility of this body is to see that we do not become money-crippled or go broke, but remain healthy for the future addicts that have yet to walk, or crawl, through our doors. Net income has two possibilities: either pay it out to someone or reinvest it back into the company. As a non-profit, we must re-invest it back into the fellowship to further our primary purpose.
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We have had the pleasure of hearing many great ideas and are encouraged with the love and enthusiasm displayed from the various committees. It is because of this genuine desire to serve Cocaine Anonymous in the best possible way that tough decisions are required and others deferred until further growth allows additional expenditures.
It is normal for us to want to jump onboard and try everything possible to promote our Unity and growth, but since sanity has been returned, we must be prudent with the Fellowship’s expenditures.
COMMITTEE WORK THAT RESULTED IN MOTIONS:
Maya B. – MOTION: That we approve the S.M.A.R.T. (Save My A$$ Recovery
Transfer) contribution plan.
Second
Tony D. – Motion has been made and seconded. Any debate?
Michael C. – Could you outline the Save My A$$ Recovery Transfer program?
Maya B. – It is similar to an automatic bill pay contribution.
John W. – Does this supersede or add to the current program?
Maya B. – No, it does not supersede. They are separate plans.
Michael C. – I speak in favor.
Rob W. – Europe has to bill pay to a bank and would we be willing to give our account number?
Laurie R. – We already do it for some international members, so yes.
Devin R-F – If I set that up is it going to take it in US Dollars.
Maya B. – It will take in your currency and deposit in US dollars.
John W. – Is there a fee that is absorbed by the office?
Unknown – No, this is a check sent by your bank to the Office. All the Office needs to do is deposit the check.
Sheyan S. – Will a tax receipt be given for write offs?
Laurie R. – Yes. Every donation, not annually. Maya B.- This is not opening a new account Earnest M. – Is this posted in the NewsGram? Heidi J. – Yes, it would be listed.
Jay P. – For the contribution program, debit cards…for the Save your A$$ program bank accounts?
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Unknown – Yes.
Tony D. – Prepare to vote.
Vote 067 passed 125 – 5
Maya B. – MOTION: That we approve the concept of International Finance Guidelines. Draft to be presented to the Fellowship under SR14 Guidelines 2016. Second
Tony D. – Vote 068 Motion carries 130 – 2
REFERRALS THAT RESULTED IN MOTIONS:
Referral number: 2015 con 15 FIN:
Amend the wording in the Finance Guidelines to contain some sort of warning to the fellowship using ATM/Debit cards, as they can lead to embezzlement issues.
Maya B. – MOTION: On page 9, at the end of bullet point 5 of the Financial
Guidelines add the following statement: “It is not suggested that Groups, Districts, and/or Areas utilize or possess an ATM/Debit card on Fellowship Bank accounts. Other options to consider would be Prepaid Visa cards for purchases and Night Drops for deposits”.
Second
Tony D. – Motion 069
Scott S. – Friendly Amendment –
On page 9, at the end of bullet point 5 of the Financial Guidelines add the following statement: “It is not suggested that Groups, Districts, and/or Areas utilize or possess an ATM/Debit card on fellowship bank accounts. Other options to consider would be prepaid cards for purchases and night drops for deposits”.
Carla —
On page 9, at the end of bullet point 5 of the Financial Guidelines add the following statement: “It is suggested that Groups, Districts, and/or Areas do not utilize or possess an ATM/Debit card on fellowship bank accounts. Other options to consider would be prepaid cards for purchases and night drops for deposits”. Friendly Amendment accepted
Maurice S. – What about when we have hotels that require a credit card? Caryl S. – It is only a suggestion.
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World Service Conference of Cocaine Anonymous
Day 5 Daily Summary September 5, 2015 Jim S. – I speak for the motion.
Brent P. – Night deposits require a driver’s license # and SSN. Unknown – The intent of this is only a suggestion to avoid debit cards. Dane T. – Does this protect the Areas?
Tony D. – re-reads motion – On page 9, at the end of bullet point 5 of the Financial Guidelines add the following statement: “It is suggested that Groups, Districts, and/or Areas do not utilize or possess an ATM/Debit card on fellowship bank accounts. Other options to consider would be prepaid cards for purchases and night drops for deposits.”
Tony D. – Vote 069 carries 120 – 4
Heidi J.- MOTION #4
To approve the amended six month Budget for 2015, July 1st thru December 31st.
Second
Maurice S. –
Keith B. – The one in the Box that ends in 15 is the amended one.
Tony D. – Vote 070 passes 115 – 5
Heidi J.- MOTION #5
To approve the revised 2016 Budget.
Second
Scott S. – on the Box this is the one labeled . . . .
Tony D. – any debate? Vote 071 carries 120 – 8
Action Recommended through Structure and Bylaws:
RAISING MONEY TO SUPPORT AREAS
It was requested of the Finance Committee to come up with some ideas for Areas to help raise money. We have requested the NewsGram assist us with this project, by having Areas write articles on their events in an exchange of ideas.
- Experiences of success stories of what worked for Groups, Districts, and/or Areas
- Stories about what didn’t work for Groups, Districts, and/or Areas
- Work on some “Do’s and Don’ts” of raising money
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Some suggestions already being made:
- Backyard Boogie
- Jet Boat Rides On The Local River
- Dinner, Comedy Show, &Dance
- Prom Night
- Football Parties
- Family Night at An Amusement Park
- Beach Meeting
- Bowling for Sobriety
- Botchy Ball
- Golf Tournaments
- Campouts
- Holiday Parties
- BBQs
- Area Anniversary Parties
- Ice Skating
- Acoustic Recovery
Referrals or Items Referred To Other Committees, World Service Office, Or Board Of Trustees:
Referral Number: 2015 CON3-T-FIN:
That the committee considers offering a basic registration and 4-5 shared room nights for a designated representative from the Archive Committee to oversee the Archive display chain of custody, display set up, and tear down. This would ensure the safety of the archive items and provide assistance to the convention archive chairperson. Thank you for your consideration.
We are referring to the World Service Office Board because the Archives are the property of the World Service Office.
NEW COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AS OF THIS CONFERENCE
Chair – Keith B.
Vice-Chair – Heidi J.
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WSOB /Treasurer Laurie R.
Trustee – Jay P.
Secretary – Caryl S.
Members Maya B.
Members Lance D.
Members Caroline B.
International Guideline Contributors
Jane B. (Scottland)
Ferd-Jan K. (Holland)
Calle O. (Sweden)
Colleen M. (South Africa)
Maria M. (UK)
CLOSING COMMENTS:
We want to stress and ask all the Delegates to carry back to your Areas that there is no such thing as a small donation. Every dollar counts in saving lives.
For example, $5 x 145 (approx. # of members here today) = $725 X 12 months = $8,700 and would cover the following expenses:
| Offices Supplies | $ 3,000 |
| Starter Kits (74) | $ 5,032 (does not including shipping) |
| NewsGram | $ 500 |
| Inmate Literature | $ 168 |
It has been an honor and a privilege working with this committee. All of these members pulled together and we did a great deal of work in a short amount of time. We worked with many other committees in solving their budget issues.
The Finance Committee’s Statement of Purpose is “To develop and implement policies and procedures in all matters concerning the finances of Cocaine Anonymous, including ways and means to generate funds necessary for the continued growth of the fellowship, in accordance with our 12 Traditions.” I feel we were successful in our jobs based on our “statement of Purpose” at this Conference.
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We will continue work in the coming year, we have a subcommittee working on the International Finance Guidelines, and we’ll be working on updating and
changing the Birthday Envelope, so that it includes a memoriam, honoring other members of the fellowship and birthdays. We continue to work on the budgeting process. We will be working closely with the new website so that donations are possible through the website, even international donations.
We will be having conference calls every other month, the first on in November 22nd at 2:00 PM PST, so that we can continue to work on the finances of the fellowship. Thank you for allowing us to be of service to you. Respectfully Submitted:
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Stu E. – spell bocce ball correctly.
Heidi J. – put in a referral
Michelle D. – Where are the committee budgets?
Heidi J.- on the last page
Maurice S. – How to get more money added to the budget
Heidi J. – request via referral
Tony D. – Thank You. S&B is next.
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