CA WORLD SERVICE BOARD OF TRUSTEES SUMMARY MINUTES OF MEETING QUARTERLY BOARD MEETING
DECEMBER 4th – DECEMBER 6th, 2015
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 December 4th – December 6th, 2015
(5:00pm meet in lobby for dinner)
Moment of silence and Serenity Prayer (6:50 PM)
Personal Sharing (approx 3-5 minutes each)
Interview with WSOB Treasurer approximately 8:00 – 9:45 PM 10:05PM
Roll call
Ira Land – WST
Frank Pappano – WSOT
Suzanne Veltman – ERT
Rob Wellhauser – TAL
Deborah Giles – PNRT
Yves White – ANRT
Jeannette Johnson – MWRT
Anne Bouley Meyer – ASRT/ WSBT Secretary
Duane Miller – PSRT / WSBT Chair
Reading of the 12 Traditions – Deborah G
Read long form of Tradition 8 and discuss – Frank P
Read Concept 8 and discuss – Ira L
Chair’s opening remarks: (Duane M)
WSBT officer reports (discussion on reports previously submitted for review):
Chair (Duane)
Vice-Chair (Jay)
Secretary (Anne)
MOTION: To approve the WSBT officer reports – Rob. Second – Deborah.
Passes unanimously.
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Select Asst. Secretary: Nomination – Jeannette Johnson – Elected.
Trustee reports (discussion on reports previously submitted for review):
Atlantic North Regional Trustee (Yves)
Atlantic South Regional Trustee (Anne)
Midwest Regional Trustee (Jeannette)
Pacific North Regional Trustee (Deborah)
Pacific South Regional Trustee (Duane)
Southwest Regional Trustee (Jay)
European Regional Trustee (Suzanne)
Trustee At Large (Rob)
World Service Office Trustee Report (Frank)
World Service Trustee Report (Ira)
MOTION: To approve the WSBT regional reports – Frank. Second – Yves.
Passes unanimously.
Reports were discussed.
Adjourn – 12:20 AM
12/5/15
8:00 AM – TNC committee meets to discuss 2016 Convention contract.
9:05 AM – Full Board commences
Prepare an ongoing task list for WSO Chair (Ira/All)
Discussed and prepared
10:02 AM adjourned to office.
WSOB Interviews at B2B – Business casual attire
- Chair
- DOO
Board to Board meeting and lunch.
4:20 back in Boardroom.
WSBT Subcommittee reports – lead member listed first (discussion on reports previously submitted for review):
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Finance (Frank)
International Structure and Development (Yves)
Legal (Anne)
Long Term Planning (Rob)
Newsgram (Deborah)
Orientation (Jay)
Trustee Election (Rob)
Trustee Negotiating (Ira, Duane, Jay, Rob, Jeannette)
Trustee Outreach (Duane)
World Service Conference (Ira)
MOTION: To approve the WSBT subcommittee reports – Jay. Second – Yves.
Passes unanimously.
Trustee Conference Committee reports (discussion on reports previously submitted for review):
Archives (Frank – Deborah 2nd)
Conference (Ira – Anne 2nd)
Convention (Rob – Ira 2nd)
- CAWS 2016 (Jeannette)
- CAWS 2017 (Deborah)
- CAWS 2018 (Yves)
- CAWS 2019 (Suzanne)
- CAWS 2020 Bids update
Finance (Jay– Suzanne 2nd)
Hospitals & Institutions (Deborah – Frank 2nd)
IT (Yves – Duane 2nd)
Literature, Chips & Formats (Anne – Jay 2nd)
Public Information (Duane – Jeannette 2nd)
Structure & Bylaws (Jeannette – Yves 2nd)
Unity (Suzanne – Deborah 2nd)
MOTION: To approve the WSBT Conference Committee reports – Yves.
Second – Rob. Passes unanimously.
CAWS Convention updates
- CAWS 2016 (Jeannette)
- CAWS 2017 (Deborah)
- CAWS 2018 (Yves)
- CAWS 2019 (Suzanne)
- CAWS 2020 Bids update
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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 | ||
| Needs to be renewed for 2016 | |||
| Cocaine Anonymous name | USA and EU | ||
| C.A. | USA | ||
| CA logo | USA | ||
The following marks have been registered in Canada:
| 1. | Trademark: WE’RE HERE AND WE’RE FREE | Renewal Date: 9-30– 2027 |
| 2. | Trademark: CA HOPE FAITH COURAGE& Design Renewal Date: 8-9-2021 | |
| 3. | Trademark: COCAINE ANONYMOUS | Renewal Date: 12-13-2021 |
| 4. | Trademark: C.A. | Renewal Date: 6-12- 2022 |
MARKER 2006.08.13 Signature of annual corporate documents (All) To be completed @ at fall quarterly
COMPLETED 12/5/15 B2B
MARKER 2009.05.09 Status of WSO – (Frank & Ira)
COMPLETED 12/5/15 B2B
MARKER NADCP – (Rob)
COMPLETED 12/5/15 B2B
MARKER TEC – (Rob, Jeannette-second)
DISCUSSED.
OLD BUSINESS
2011.03.01 European fulfillment facility – (Rob/Frank) – DISCUSSED
B2B.
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2013.10.02 Legal Update (Anne) – To be removed from the agenda.
2014.01.01 New www.ca.org site update (Yves/Frank) – Discussed
B2B.
2014.05.03 Financial year – (Jay) – Discussed.
2014.06.02 Long term financial comparison – (Jay) – To be removed from agenda.
-Fiscal Year Start Update (Frank) – To be removed from Agenda.
-Discuss the Holland translation of the First Step (Suzanne) – Change the word Discuss to update on the agenda. – Discussed.
-Selling chips and literature at Hazelden and other venue (Frank) –
Ongoing thing.
-Validate backup process in place for WSO IT infrastructure (Yves) –
Change to update of documenting the backup and restoration process.
-New Region (Suzanne/Rob) – Discussed.
12/5/15 6:00 PM – Dinner break
7:38 PM
NEW BUSINESS
- Review and approve the prudent reserve policy passed by the WSOB. (Jay) MOTION: Approve prudent reserve policy adopted by the WSOB on 11/14/15 – Jay. Second – Jeannette. Passes.
- Approval of Orientation Documents. MOTION: To approve updated orientation – Jay. Second – Jeanette. Passes.
- Would we need to fill the DRPD at WSO (Ira) – Remove from agenda.
- Louisiana Drug Court Conference (Anne) –
- Discuss meeting time for conference calls (Deborah) –
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- Use of CA.org E-mail addresses (Frank/Yves) – MOTION: To table until next conference call – Deborah. Second – Frank. Passes.
- Conference Committee reports posted online (Ira) – Discussed.
MOTION: Refer to S&B Standing rule all reports be redacted. Conference committee advise everyone to use first name last initial on conference reports – Ira. Second – Jeanette. Fails.
- Discussion on using the website In The Rooms to hold on-line meetings. (Yves) – Discussed. Yves will work with IT and OSA to work together.
- Washington issue (Deborah) – Discussed. MOTION: To table to look at bylaws – Ira. Second – Frank. Fails. Continue to discuss.
- Ratification (Jay) – Process complete. All ratified.
- Trustee Budgets (Jay) – Discussed.
CORRESPONDENCE/ RESPONSES FROM/TO THE FELLOWSHIP:
Dear Trustees,
could gambling, sex or food be considered mind altering substances in the context of Tradition 3?
Many thanks,
Jim
PROPSED RESPONSE
Dear Jim,
Thank you for your correspondence.
We believe that everybody has the right to come and find out if CA is the right place for them. “Cocaine Anonymous believes that no one can decide for another whether he or she is addicted.” We do not believe there is a requirement, or even a way to measure or evaluate what type of addict comes through our doors. We believe these types of questions are of a personal nature and should be part of a discussion between a member and his/her sponsor.
Sincerely,
WSBT
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MOTION: To accept the above response – Frank. Yves – Second. Passes.
ADJOURN: 11:30 PM
12/6/15
8:00 AM – TNC meet to discuss 2016 Convention contract
9:09 AM – Full Board commences
-Newsgram Articles
The following is a response to a NewsGram Article 3rd Quarter this year page 10. Please read the Article then this response. I believe it is worthy of discussion in December
Hi family –
As a former trustee, I have embraced new roles of service in my recovery and support the new representatives of our fellowship at all the levels of our service structure. As an elder statesman, I have watched and reserve my opinion in most cases to allow the spirit of our world service manual, concepts and traditions to guide the service related decisions of our fellowship. But there are some exceptions to this silence when I believe the information we give our fellowship to make informed decisions is questionable.
In the third quarter Newsgram, there is an article entitled “Does Group Autonomy Trump the Traditions?” The title itself grabbed my attention as the group’s autonomy IS the 4th tradition. Upon reading the article with some confusion as to the content, I reminded myself of the beauty of each member’s opinion regarding questions such as these. And I don’t want anyone confused as to my understanding that the rest of this article is only my opinion as well.
The crux of the issue in my opinion is what is and what isn’t CA Conference approved literature? What is and what isn’t CA approved literature? And does CA take a position regarding the utilization of literature that is not CA Conference approved for our members and in our meetings? Looking to the experience of AA on this subject provided me with some clarity.
What is and what isn’t CA Conference-Approved? From Service Material from the General Service Office of AA –
“Conference-approved” – What It Means to You
The term “Conference-approved” describes written or audiovisual material approved by the Conference for publication by GSO. This process assures that everything in such literature is in accord with AA principles. Conference-approved material always deals with the recovery program of Alcoholics Anonymous or with information about the AA fellowship.
The term has no relation to material not published by GSO. It does NOT imply Conference disapproval of other material about AA. A great deal of literature helpful to alcoholics is published by others, and AA does not try to tell any individual member what he or she may or may not read.
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This definition directly from AA seems very clear that “conference-approved” is the stamp given to literature that is being published by AA and has no bearing on any other literature. The fact that AA took great care to define this term “conference-approved” as having no relation to material (literature) not published by GSO is very important. I don’t know of any reason that CA wouldn’t hold the same position this subject.
What is and what isn’t CA approved? From GSO Box 4-5-9 (Volume 23, No 4) – Any literature that pertains to the principles of AA or is approved by a GROUP CONSCIENCE – is perfectly acceptable to be read by any AA member or in an AA meeting.
I found no information regarding any such label as “AA approved” and found a lot of information and writings going to great length to make sure that there was never an “AA-disapproved” or “AA banned” list of literature either. Bill W took it even one step further with the following:
“If you were to ask me what is the greatest danger facing AA today, I would have to answer: the growing rigidity – – – – the increasing demand for absolute answers to the nit-picking questions: pressure for GSO to ‘enforce’ our Traditions: screening alcoholics at closed meetings: prohibiting non-Conference-approved literature, ie ‘banning books’: laying more and more rules on groups and members.”
As AA has no such thing as AA approved or AA disapproved, I don’t know of any reason that CA wouldn’t hold the same position on this subject. Our CA meetings have flourished with studies of New Pair of Glasses, AA Comes of Age, Sermon on the Mount, etc. as examples of many types of literature that, with the group conscience, have been part of our recovery meetings. The history of AA is full of these experiences as well and I would personally hope that CA supports those efforts – not discourage them. Specific to the little Red Book (containing the first 164 pages of the Big Book published by Anonymous Press) being used by some H&I groups:
I was part of the H&I subcommittee in Arizona back in the day when the decision was made to use the area’s generosity to the H&I can to distribute the first 164 pages of the Big Book to as many addicts confined to hospitals and institutions as we could.
Discussion on the subject was informed and the voices for all the angles were heard. With approximately 100 H&I meetings each week in Arizona, the expense to provide the Big Book to those individuals or the little Red Book to 7 or 8 times as many was discussed. The loyalty to AA vs purchasing literature from another organization was discussed. Possibly removing the back pages of the little Red Book to remove affiliation concerns before distribution was discussed. The “approved” or “not-approved” question addressed above was discussed. Does the choice of either avenue of purchasing the literature effect CA as a whole was discussed.
Any individual’s position or concerns were allowed to be brought forward and discussion was fair and informed. The decision was our Area would provide the Big Book of AA to our regular meetings where our members are most likely to purchase the book themselves and the H&I committee elected to provide the little Red Book to the confined addicts free of charge. The result of that action was, and still is, truly in the spirit of our 4th tradition and I support the areas across our fellowship to have their own discussion.
I love our 2nd tradition: For our group purpose, there is but one ultimate authority – a loving God as he may express himself through our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants, they do not govern.
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I don’t believe it’s my role to convince anyone on which way they should vote on the issue if it was before them, so I don’t believe it’s my role as a former trustee to dictate which way would be right or wrong. But I do believe it’s our roles as members of this fellowship with some experience to educate and inform our fellowship. I believe in the Steps, Traditions and Concepts of our fellowship and can only pray that Bill’s fear for his fellowship doesn’t become a reality for ours.
In Love and Service –
Randy G
Discussion
REFERRALS OUTSTANDING:
TBD – Haven’t received any from the conference committee yet
POST-CONFERENCE REFERRALS TO BE ADDRESSED:
TBD
DONM ~ WSBT Conference Call – Saturday January 23, 2016 9:00 AM PST
- May 7, 2016 9:00 AM PDT
DONM ~ WSBT Quarterly – February 26, 27, 28, 2016
- June 28, 2016 8:00 AM CDT for breakfast (start 9:30 AM)
WSBT GROUP INVENTORY
Close – Serenity Prayer
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COMPLETED
CORRESPONDENCE/ RESPONSES FROM/TO THE FELLOWSHIP:
Dear Trustees,
could gambling, sex or food be considered mind altering substances in the context of
Tradition 3?
Many thanks,
Jim
Dear Jim,
Thank you for your correspondence.
We believe that everybody has the right to come and find out if CA is the right place for them. “Cocaine Anonymous believes that no one can decide for another whether he or she is addicted.” We do not believe there is a requirement, or even a way to measure or evaluate what type of addict comes through our doors. We believe these types of questions are of a personal nature and should be part of a discussion between a member and his/her sponsor.
Sincerely,
WSBT
COMPLETED REFERRALS:
NONE
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