Approved Minutes
WSBT Conference Call Agenda
January 17th and 31st, 2021 9:00 PST
London, 5:00 pm
Eastern, 12:00 pm
Central, 11:00 am
Mountain, 10:00 am
Pacific, 9:00 am
Via Video Conferencing Using Zoom Platform
Meeting Details Below
Topic: WSBT Conference Call
Time: Jan 17, 2021 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
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Moment of silence followed by the “WE” version of the Serenity Prayer
Roll Call:
Kevin Murphy WSOT-present
Sarah Taylor ERT-present
Kerry Wesley SWRT/WSBT Asst. Secretary-present
Clay Plummer MWRT/ WSBT Secretary-present
Tom Phelan PSRT/WST-present
Wade Staples PNRT-present
Jason Laurence TAL1/MERT/WSBT-Vice Chair-present
George Mooney ANRT/ASRT/WSBT-Chair-present
Reading of Twelve Traditions (Jason)
Tradition 1 & Discuss (Wade)
Concept 1 & Discuss (Kerry)
Chairs Remarks (George)
Here we are at the start of a New Year, and I know it’s been a challenge for all of us personally and professionally. This being said, my thanks to you all for what we have accomplished this past year.
Since we last met, I have been working with both CAWS2022 and 2023. I’ve been in contact with the NY Hyatt and at this time it is looking a bit bleak, as the are looking at a potential March 2021 re-opening. All their events up until May’21 have cancelled.
Atlanta is now working with Robert and they are looking stronger, than they did a while ago.
From my conversations with Brenda our newly installed WSOB Chair I’m encouraged with the direction the WSO is heading.
Under Brenda’s leadership and the DOO’s assistance there is a new sense of urgency to complete tasks that are long overdue.
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PLACE MARKER – BUSINESS ITEMS
MARKER 2006.02.20 Copyright and trademark protection (Tom & Kevin) 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, 2030? |
|||
|
59628-0003 |
Canada |
COCAINE ANONYMOUS |
December 13, 2021 |
|||
|
59628-0004 |
U.S. |
CA |
December 20, 2028 |
|||
|
59628-0005 |
Canada |
CA |
June 12, 2022 |
|||
|
59628-0006 |
U.S. |
CA HOPE FAITH COURAGE (logo) |
April 24, 2020 |
|||
|
59628-0007 |
Canada |
CA HOPE FAITH COURAGE (logo) |
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 (logo) |
July 26, 2026 |
|||
|
59628-0011 |
Europe |
CA |
November 15, 2021 |
|||
|
59628-0012 |
South Africa |
COCAINE ANONYMOUS |
? |
|||
|
59628-0013 |
South Africa |
CA |
June 30, 2027 |
|||
|
59628-0014 |
South Africa |
CA HOPE FAITH COURAGE (logo) |
June 30, 2027 |
NOTE: U.S. 59628-0002 was renewed for 10 years.
- Canada’s three markers will be done at once by attorney.
- Of the 3 items for Europe, will the United Kingdom need to be done separately.
- It was clarified that CAWS Inc. owns these place markers.
- Has CAWS Inc. given CAWSO Inc. licensing and permissions for Literature and trademarks, currently they are comingled.
- The Legal Subcommittee will create an action item to deal with this.
- The Board should have a file copy of everything CAWS Inc. has a copyright to.
MARKER 2006.08.13 Signature of annual corporate documents (George)
To be completed @ at Winter Quarterly
Have we received copies of the Directors and Officers Insurance?
(Important)
Any further action required for signing until 2020 December?
NOTE: Can signing of these documents in December 2020 be facilitated via courier/electronic means?
- Election of Board of Directors of CAWS Inc., officers:
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o. President: Jason Laurence, Vice President: Clay Plummer,
Secretary: Sarah Taylor, Treasurer: George Mooney.
Nominations made and seconded passed unanimously.
- OLD BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Response to Q4.04.2020.12.01
a. Motion made and seconded to continue vote on original response, passed.
b. Motion on response to Q4.04.2020.12.01 failed 4 to 3 and a new response will be drafted for online business.
2. CAWS 2021 Update (Kerry)
a. Motion to move CAWS 2021 to 2022 made and seconded. There was considerable debate and discussion and a motion to call the question was made. Motion to call the question passed unanimously. The original motion to move CAWS 2021 to 2022 passed unanimously.
3. CAWS 2022 Update (George)
a. Motion made and seconded to cancel CAWS 2022 in New York made and seconded, passed unanimously.
4. Fulfillment Center (Kevin/Sarah)
a. It has been established that books and chips are expensive outside of the U.S.
b. There has been an enquiry to the German fellowship about printing there.
c. Have obtained prices from local printers
d. It is better to figure out (coordinate) printing in Europe rather than in Los Angeles.
e. There was a question as to if the minutes of the Fulfillment center meetings have been taken and minutes and a report should be provided.
f. There is a reliance on people in different Areas and Regions to do the research.
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• NEW BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Signing of Corporate Documents (George)
a. George will look into and deal with this item
2. Signing of WSBT Roster (George)
a. George will look into and deal with this item
3. Review of WSOB Tracking Document (Kevin/George)
a. Literature Fulfillment added and tracked
4. Update Conference Committee Progress (Kevin/Tom)
a. Sub-committee Virtual/or Physical Conference
i. Moving forward and have eliminated the hybrid Conference idea
ii. There will be a cost, free software cannot be used, and they need to have time to get used to the software
b. Drop Dead Time Line for either
i. Need date from Conference Committee for a go/no go
ii. Motion that the WSBT establish a criteria of deciding between a virtual or physical Conference(withdrawn)
iii. Report to be provided by Conference Subcommittee as to holding virtual/physical conference and decision from Chair of Conference a go/no go date
c. Delegate Mailing Adhoc Committee
i. Motion that a meeting of the WSBT Delegate mailing Adhoc Committee be set up to meet with Conference Committee Delegate mailing Adhoc Subcommittee, made and seconded, passed unanimously.
5. Update on TEC (Wade/Sarah/All)
a. Have all lead TEC Delegate information and still need information for the Alternate TEC delegates from the Mainland European Region, the Atlantic North Region, and the Atlantic South Region.
b. Looking at formats still if online is needed.
c. Dates of upcoming assemblies: AS and AN mid-February, SW in March, and PN in April; for Trustee candidates resumes.
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d. Have 1 candidate for WSOT and need to have a second.
e. If hubs are needed they will be booked by WST and looking to meet in Los Angeles at Sheraton August 26 to September 5, 2021.
6. Update on 12 Step Companion Guide (Clay)
a. Review Subcommittee met on the 30th and should be receiving updated copy of book soon.
7. Review of Financial Guidelines (Kerry)
a. Should be reviewed by WSBT at Q2 and at next WSOB meeting.
b. Added to 2nd Quarterly agenda.
8. Proposal to add a Marker that we track referrals.
a. Motion to add a marker to the agenda to track referrals, made and seconded, passed unanimously.
9. Branding Guidelines
a. To be place on ca.org with hyperlink in WSM to make a standard after approval at Conference.
b. Should be sent to WSOB, LCF, PI, and S&B under SR-13.
c. Motion to proceed in accordance with SR’s of Conference to present a motion that Branding Guidelines be uploaded to ca.org.
10. NewsGram (If not approved)
a. Should list Tom as interim WST and list Cathal as WSOB Secretary.
b. Flyer for CAWS 2021 needs to be updated with CAWS 2022 flyer.
c. Should include the latest letter from the World Service Board of Trustees.
d. Motion to table to handle in online business, made and seconded, passed unanimously.
11. Mailing Adhoc Committee
a. Concerns over the process that has been suggested that Bylaws of the corporate entity will be revised by Conference Committee and then sent to S&B.
i. Question as to whether this should come from Conference committee or the WSBT.
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ii. Some changes are taking out operation of mail vote from CAWS Inc. and places on Conference Committee.
-
-
- It was stated that we should not be handing over ability to operate as a corporate entity to the fellowship volunteers to revise the corporate Bylaws.
-
iii. CAWS Inc. Bylaws in WSM because A.A. had theirs in the A.A Service Manual, CAWSO not in the WSM because it had not been created yet.
b. It has been explained to Conference Committee the objections of the WSBT and their answer was that the Conference Committee is called the Structure and Bylaws Committee so they should have say over Bylaws.
c. Question was also raised as to why Conference Officers are being inserted into the CAWS INC. Bylaws where only Conference is mentioned.
d. Question about how well policy and principal are defined in Bylaws.
e. Changes to the CAWS Inc. Bylaws should come from the Board of Directors not S&B or somebody else. Hey should go to fellowship for approval at Conference.
12. Q2 Quarterly
a. Will be May 28th, 29th, and 30th 2020.
b. Motion that Q@ be held virtually, made and seconded passed unanimously.
CORRESPONDENCES/RESPONSES FROM/TO THE FELLOWSHIP – (PENDING RESPONSE): PAST DUE AND APPROVED
03/11 2020/9/10
From: Elizabeth Hutchings Webb [mailto:Elizabeth.Hutchings.Webb@…]
Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2020 8:37 PM
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To: cawso@…
Subject: CA opinion on psychiatric medications
Hello,
My name is Liz and I’m an addict. I also have bipolar disorder. For bipolar, I take psychiatric medications that are prescribed by my doctor, who specializes in addiction treatment. I am trying to do some research on what fellowships I’m considered “sober” or “clean” in.
I have looked on the CA website for information regarding this, but the only thing I can find is the “And All Other Mind-Altering Substances” literature that is very unclear to me and seems to be discouraging the use of any medications.
In Cocaine Anonymous, am I considered sober if I continue to take the psychiatric medications as they are prescribed to me?
Thank you for your time,
Liz W.
Approved Response
Response to 03/11 2020/9/10
Dear Liz,
Thank you for your enquiry regarding psychiatric medications.
Cocaine Anonymous can not give “Medical Advice” as we are not medical professionals. We are addicts just like you and can only reiterate what is in our literature. As far as Cocaine Anonymous discouraging the use of any medications is not the case. Please see the passages below copied from our pamphlet …And all mind-altering substances. Take note of the italicised copy. If this criterion is followed and you are true to your self “To thine own self be true” it is our opinion yes you are clean and sober.
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
The use of prescription drugs may be medically necessary at times. However, old patterns of thinking influenced by the presence of a mind-altering substance in our system can soon have us convinced that we need to take it more frequently than prescribed. “An informed prescribing physician, placing our medication in control of someone we can trust, and honest communication with a sponsor or another recovering addict can be helpful in preventing abuse”.
Our bodies and minds don’t know the difference between drugs used for legitimate reasons and drugs used for recreational pleasure. “It’s a sound practice to enlist the support of all of
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our physicians and/or mental health care professionals in continuing on the path to recovery. Abruptly stopping the use of tranquilizers, antidepressants or other prescription drugs can be dangerous and even deadly and should only be done under the guidance of an informed physician”.
Sincerely,
Cocaine Anonymous World Service Board of Trustees
PENDING RESPONSE
From: “ca.org” <web servant@…>
Sent: Wednesday, September 23, 2020 5:44pm
to: wst@…
Subject: Board of Trustees Request
Name: John D Fuse
Email: john.d.fuse@…
City: Benton Harbor
State: MI
Area or Region: Benton Harbor, Michigan
Subject: Work shop related to obtaining employment with a past criminal history after currently earning a Master’s Degree
Message: I have a drug charge past 18 years and have earned a master’s Degree in social work. I have gaps in my employment history due to caring for my deceased father and elderly mother for over 12 years. This has strengthened me from a personal and professional perspective. I have applied at recovery centers and have not been able to get any hits. It would be great to empower recovering individuals with workshops. “Now that I am clean and sober, what now”. Thank you
Assigned to Tom
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WSBT REFERRALS
WSBT 2019-2 Referral forwarded from S&B – S&B number is 2017-15
Referral Subject (summarize please): To develop a process to change Article 10 of Conference Charter, one of the 12 Steps or 12 Traditions 15 (Jason/Kevin)
WSBT 2019-3 Referral forwarded from S&B – S&B number is 2018-13Referral Subject (summarize please): To develop a process to change Article 10 of Conference Charter, one of the 12 Steps or 12 Traditions and clarification of ¾ of the groups. (Jason/Kevin)
Close With “We” Version of the Serenity Prayer
Dates and Times for Conference Calls and Quarterlies:
Conference Call: TBD
Q1 2021 Quarterly
Friday March 5th 8AM-4PM PST
Saturday March 6th 8AM-4PM PST
Sunday March 7th 8AM -4PM PST
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