Day 2 – August 30, 2024 – Evening Session
Russell S. Opened the evening session at 7.07pm
Sophia W. Read the Serenity Prayer
Russell S. Check you phones are off.
CONFERENCE REPORT
C.A. WORLD SERVICE CONFERENCE 2024
LCF REPORT
INTRODUCTION AND COMMENTS:
The Literature, Chips, and Formats Committee is composed of members across the world in our C.A. Fellowship. Our goal as a committee is to implement changes the fellowship wishes to see in our literature, chips, and format that helps the addict that still suffers and carries our common solution. We rely on the input, participation, and the voice of our diverse and broad Fellowship to help contribute and add their experiences to our growing library. Below will be a list of our active projects the LCF Committee is working on changes and bringing to the hands of all C.A. Members. Our main committee meets regularly as do each sub-committees to bring these projects to everyone who wishes to hear a message of Hope, Faith, and Courage.
ACTIVE PROJECTS
12 & 12 Book Project (Matt L.): A new piece of literature which will enable C.A, to have their own experiences encapsulated in a 12 Step & 12 Tradition Book. The sub-committee currently meet twice a month to work together on this project.
12 Traditions & 12 Concepts Illustrated – Project Lead Jay F: This project is currently being written and illustrated.
Page | 69
World Service Conference of Cocaine Anonymous Daily Minutes – Day 2 – Friday – August 30, 2024
Traditions Group Inventory – Project Lead Kyle B.: The project is progressing, and the sub-committee meets regularly.
HFC III – Project Lead Renzo P.: This project is in progress with the sub -committee gathering frequently. A flyer for story submissions has been produced for ratification at Conference.
I thought I was only hurting myself – Project Lead Terry M.: This project is under review by the LCF Committee.
Yes, You Can Start a C.A. Meeting – Project Lead Jason L.: The revision of the pamphlet is in progress as the sub-committee meets on a regular basis.
Topics Format – Project Lead Nadz L.: The Project will be progressing post Conference.
ACTIVE PROJECTS IN CONCEPT STAGE
Safety Statement – Project Lead Susan B.: The concept is being developped.
COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AT CONFERENCE:
Position | Member Name | Email | Phone
| Chair LCF | Matt L. | lcf@ca.org | 34 6776 43833 |
| Chair: 12×12 sub-committee | lancley5@hotmail.com | ||
| Vice-Chair at Conference | Jacob M. | Jacobmerrion13@gmail.com | 1-720-429-7814 |
| Co-secretary | Nadz L. | nadzl2102@gmail.com | 353-85-759-7288 |
| Co-secretary | James H. | james.hoggarth1@gmail.com | 44-795-6669758 |
| Trustee 1 | Barry H. | ||
| Trustee 2 | Ruby C. |
Page | 70
World Service Conference of Cocaine Anonymous Daily Minutes – Day 2 – Friday – August 30, 2024
Position | Member Name | Email | Phone
| WSOB | Yves W. | ||
| Arlene G. | grantarlene5066@yahoo.com | 1-587-983-5765 | |
| Chair: Service Sponsor | Cynthia C. | cynthia@bgr8ful.net | 1-425-985-4808 |
| Handbook sub-committee | Denise R. | 49 177 8438378 | |
| Chair 12 Step Companion Guide | Elizabeth S. | esaldebar@aol.com | 1-626-689-6999 |
| Emma S. | shandall@ualberta.ca | 1-780-686-1143 | |
| Chair: Early Days of C.A. Book sub-committee | Jami D. | james.s.davisiii@gmail.com | 1-205-999-9381 |
| Chair: Yes You Can Start a Meeting sub-committee | Jason L. | jason_LRNC@yahoo.co.uk | 44 779 206 3165 |
| Chair: 12 Traditions and Concepts Illustrated sub-committee | Jay F. | finesilver1988@gmail.com | 1-303-596-5592 |
| Jen S. | jencolst@gmail.com | 07864 011628 | |
| Chair: Traditions Goup Inventory sub-committee | Kyle G. | kyle.belvail@gmail.com | 1-803-399-8225 |
| Ncile L. | nicole.langlois4@videotron.ca | 1-514-570-5396 | |
| Phil J. | phillip.antony.jones@gmail.com | 44 7771 633018 | |
| Chair: HFC III sub-committee | Renzo P. | 2013acceptance@gmail.com | 31 646992880 |
| Chair: 12 Concepts | Rob W. | robartinaction@yahoo.com | 1-303-885-0422 |
Page | 71
World Service Conference of Cocaine Anonymous Daily Minutes – Day 2 – Friday – August 30, 2024
| Inventory sub-committee | Susan B. | mirthfully@aol.com | 1-818-26-8643 |
| Chair: Safety Statement sub-committee | Susan L. | susan.calkins@gmail.com | 1-512-699-8002 |
| Chair: I thought I was only hurting myself sub-committee | Terry M. | mred007@aol.com | 1-602-697-9510 |
| Ulysses G. | utownselljr335@yahoo.com | 1-209-624-6961 |
SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE MOTIONS:
MOTION 1: Motion to restore the previous text “However, take away the drug of choice, substitute another, and eventually it becomes a problem drug.” to the Alcohol Reading, as follows:
Alcohol is a mind- altering substance in liquid form. Many people don’t realize it is no different from cocaine or other drugs in its ability to lead to addiction. One drink is never enough, just as one hit, fix, pill or snort is never enough. We are masters at combining and substituting one drug for another to get high. Many of us never felt that alcohol was part of our problem.
However, take away the drug of choice, substitute another, and eventually it becomes a problem drug.
MOTION 2: Motion to approve a flyer to solicit HCF III story submissions. See Attachment LCF001
Page | 72
World Service Conference of Cocaine Anonymous Daily Minutes – Day 2 – Friday – August 30, 2024
Referral number (in bold).
NONE
REFERRALS THAT WERE FORWARDED TO OTHER COMMITTEES:
14416821 – Individual Submission. – Central UK Area – Pre-conference: Could the LCF Committee look to create a similar poster the AA Conference approved online Anonymity Poster. The attached is material is effective in highlighting the issue of anonymity in a digital environment. Alternatively, could the attached material be approved as is by WSC?
RESPONSE: Agreement to transfer to IT as this could be added to their guidelines.
12633382 – Individual Submission. – NY – Pre-conference: Can you put the 12 Step Companion Guide English version onto an audio book for our fellowship members to listen to. We have individual who suffer from dyslexia and those who don’t know how to read as well as the visually impaired individuals who would love to listen to this guide.
RESPONSE: As the WSO deals with the publication, this referral was transferred to the WSOB.
9769579 – Individual Submission. – LCF – Pre-conference: Requesting Quiet Peace and other books to be printed with a larger print. Like the
RESPONSE: As how books are published is down to WSO, this has been transferred to the WSOB.
REFERRALS STILL IN COMMITTEE:
9298312 – Individual Submission – CANY – Pre-conference: Originally submitted to LCF, transferred to WSBT in 2021, transferred back to LCF in WSBT Conference report 2021. Per our NY member Becca, CANY voted to bring this to WSC: AA has changed the Preamble to the gender neutral “people” from “men and women.” We propose that CA follow suit and change the CA preamble to the gender neutral people” as well.
Page | 73
World Service Conference of Cocaine Anonymous Daily Minutes – Day 2 – Friday – August 30, 2024
14923456 – Individual Submission. – CAUK Northwest district – Pre-conference: To have a Guidance Document produced by CA for long-term illnesses/conditions. prescription medication for Treatment of pain/illness management alongside a CA 12 step program as AA have a guidance document for its members and many members feel shame and guilt around opiate, cannabinol, stimulant etc use for medical needs
14612846 – Individual Submission. – Northern Alberta – Pre-conference: My wife has asked me to help her with this safety statement. She has been a committed member of Cocaine Anonymous since 2002, and has immense love for the fellowship of Cocaine Anonymous, she is a pillar in the community and has been an excellent support for the women in Edmonton Area, in fact, wherever life takes her. I regret to report, I know of far too many incidents where instincts have run rampant in and outside of the meeting rooms, the behavior of some has discouraged newcomers and other members from returning. The more experienced members do their best to stay on top of it, coaching everyone to focus on the principles. With our growing numbers, it’s impossible to notice and respond appropriately to each situation. This is a tragedy, because the people who are kept from feeling safe in the rooms may have missed their only chance at recovery. In reaching out to others for support, I’ve noticed this issue is not local to my group, and it’s not even only confined to Northern Alberta. Therefore, we concluded to draft a suggested safety statement to be read at meetings. We drafted a statement, attached to this referral, and presented it at the Area level, where we were met with enthusiasm and general support. I am writing this because the members at Area encouraged us to submit this for acceptance in the CA world service manual. We are grateful for the support at our Area level, and hope that you will consider this vital topic.
13961709 – Individual Submission. – LCF – Pre-conference: After discussion at our LCF meeting on the 19th Nov, I’d like to have the Step Study meeting format being revised to a Literature Study meeting format, which includes the list of approved literature titles.
12241124 – WSBT – Pre-conference: The LCF Committee of WSC to amend or change the pamphlet “Yes, you can start a C.A. Meeting” to better include current and future meeting platforms for C.A. Meetings.
Discussion
Page | 74
World Service Conference of Cocaine Anonymous Daily Minutes – Day 2 – Friday – August 30, 2024
C.A. has grown to include more and more members throughout the world. With that we have crafted our guidelines and manuals to advise the fellowship a way to facilitate growth through starting new C.A. meetings. At some point new types of meeting were included in both the WSM and the pamphlet “Yes, You can start a C.A. Meeting”. The wording of the part of new meetings are as follows:
Quote WSM:
ONLINE MEETINGS:
Email meetings – These are email based and run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Voice meetings – These are voice only, voice over internet protocol meetings and are similar in format to face to face meetings.
These few lines are no longer sufficient, as they don’t include Video meetings online via Zoom or other similar platforms. These meeting is not included in either the manual or literature such as “Yes, You can start a C.A. Meeting”. Furthermore, we assume that the future might create possibilities for C.A. meeting in other settings that we know nothing or very little about. In our discussions we touched the idea that the wording might benefit of being technology neutral to be able to include current and hopefully also future types of meetings and platforms. We also debated the actual definition of a C.A. meeting or group. The current wording is clear:
Quote, WSM:
DEFINITION OF A COCAINE ANONYMOUS “GROUP”
Two or more C.A. members meeting regularly to share their experience, strength and hope with each other, may call themselves a Cocaine Anonymous Group when:
- The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using cocaine and all other mind-altering substances.
- It is fully self-supporting.
- Its primary purpose is to help addicts recover through the Twelve Steps of C.A.
Page | 75
World Service Conference of Cocaine Anonymous Daily Minutes – Day 2 – Friday – August 30, 2024
- It has no outside affiliations.
- It has no opinion on outside issues.
- Its public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion
We leave the decision of any action to the respective committee and have no suggestion or opinion on wording or details regarding, but we believe it would be of great benefit to the fellowship to be up to date and current and reflect the fellowship we have today, and that we seek in the future. We also believe that S&B and LCF could work on these matters in co-operation.
Respectfully submitted by WSBT
wsbt@ca.org
11357708 – WSC Committee Submission. – Structure & Bylaws – Pre-conference: In 2021, S&B received a referral regarding gender neutral language in the WSM. A subcommittee was formed, and has been working on the referral. The sub committee wrote motions to Cocaine Anonymous more gender neutral in all areas of print. The motions we wrote would impact LCF. So, we are referring the motions that we made, and including a copy of the original referral.
The S&B committee asks that you consider the following motions as relates to the original attached referral.
Motion that any existing books published by Cocaine Anonymous takes great consideration in being gender neutral, when the time comes for reprinting.
Motion to make meeting formats and pamphlets gender neutral, excluding readings that Cocaine Anonymous doesn’t hold the rights to/not published by Cocaine Anonymous. (reach out to LCF, office board, trustees, H&I, and potentially finance, to follow SR13) all sub committees
Motion to make all future and reprinted literature published by Cocaine Anonymous gender neutral, excluding literature that Cocaine Anonymous doesn’t hold the rights to/not published by Cocaine Anonymous, and/or personal stories as submitted by members.
Page | 76
World Service Conference of Cocaine Anonymous Daily Minutes – Day 2 – Friday – August 30, 2024
11322160 – Individual Submission. – CAUK, south central district – Pre-conference: The steering of the Monday night 12×12 meeting, south central district feel that the wording “just dont use or drink – no matter what” should be removed from the Tools of Recovery pamphlet. It is felt that this phrase could be a misrepresentation of the message of recovery as outlined in the Big Book. As such, it could be misinterpreted by the newcomer
9285222 – Individual Submission. – Pre-conference: Suggestion getting monthly chips. Its a long time to go between 60 day and 6 month 🙂
9730009 – Individual Submission. – Pre-conference: Please consider the idea of a Service Companion Guide offering original C.A. narrative content regarding the Traditions and Concepts along with exercises to help our members become more effective trusted servants. It would be intended for studying along with A.A.’s Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions and Service Manual, as well as C.A.’s own service- related literature and guidelines, all of which would be referenced and/or quoted with appropriate citations.
With the Steps having been so thoroughly covered in the Twelve-Step Companion Guide, please also consider modifying the existing Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions book concept rather than presenting this as a separate new book concept. The Service Companion Guide could also incorporated other pending pamphlet/booklet projects such as the Twelve Concepts Inventory, Twelve Traditions and Concepts Illustrated, and potential new projects such as Service Sponsorship, either as chapters within the book or as appendices.
A proposed Table of Contents is included below. There has been some informal discussion of doing a separate book or workbook on the Concepts, but I think combining them with the Traditions is the best way to bring them to the attention of members who might not otherwise realize how much they can benefit from studying the Concepts. Thank you for your consideration.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREFACE
PART A: INTRODUCTION TO SERVICE
Benefits and Rewards of Service
Page | 77
World Service Conference of Cocaine Anonymous Daily Minutes – Day 2 – Friday – August 30, 2024
Opportunities to Be of Service
Becoming a More Effective Trusted Servant Service Sponsorship
PART B: THE TWELVE TRADITIONS OF COCAINE ANONYMOUS [Narrative and exercises]
PART C: THE TWELVE CONCEPTS OF COCAINE ANONYMOUS
[Narrative and exercises]
PART D: APPENDICES
- Resources for Further Reading
- Definitions of Acronyms and Initialisms
- Traditions Group Inventory
- Twelve Concepts Inventory
- Twelve Traditions and Concepts Illustrated
- Twelve Steps of Cocaine Anonymous
- Twelve Traditions of Cocaine Anonymous
- Twelve Concepts of Cocaine Anonymous
- Acknowledgements
- More About Cocaine Anonymous
- Suggested Meeting Formats
CLOSED REFERRALS:
Page | 78
World Service Conference of Cocaine Anonymous Daily Minutes – Day 2 – Friday – August 30, 2024
11690808 – Individual Submission. OCCA Convention Committee – Pre-conference: The Pamphlet “Yes, You can start a CA meeting” is not aligned with pg15 of the 2022 WSM “statement of purpose” it may need to be forwarded to S&B
RESPONSE: LCF is currently working on a revision of “Yes, You can start a C.A. meeting”. No further action will be taken.
14926196 – Individual Submission. – Texas Area Service Gulf Coast – Pre-conference: Would it be possible to change the wording in We Can Recover that reads, “No one comes to Cocaine Anonymous to find God”. To: “Many of us believe that No One Comes to Cocaine Anonymous to find God”?
As the inclusive fellowship that we are and shall forever remain, I believe the current wording lends itself to exclusive, arrogant, and discriminative thinking and thereby action.
Please take this submission seriously.
RESPONSE: The statement is qualified by the following sentence in the reading.
No further action will be taken.
14710295 – Individual Submission. – Merseyside – Pre-conference: I am unsure if this is WSOB as opposed to LCF but as it relates to download resources I thought I would send it to you.
I would like the Traditions readings of T7 and the Anonymity statements to be made available as stand alone downloads for printing and laminating for group use please. I think it would be wonderful to have them available outside if being within the formats as groups often create their own formats and not use the download ones off ca.org. Groups that do not wish to or need to update meeting formats regularly are missing out on these readings.
RESPONSE: Any group is at liberty to take a piece from existing conference approved literature and formats to use as a reading at the group. No further action will be taken.
13812808 – Individual Submission. – Arizona – Pre- conference: I would like to suggest a 12 Step Companion Guide Study meeting format.
Page | 79
World Service Conference of Cocaine Anonymous Daily Minutes – Day 2 – Friday – August 30, 2024
RESPONSE: The committee is already looking at the concept to change the Step Study format to potentially a Literature format, which would include all approved C.A. literature. At this point, no further action will be taken.
13585158 – Individual Submission. – Wales – Pre-conference: I’m inspired by my attendance at conference and conscious of our shortfall for 2024 budget.
Would LCF consider creating a reading promoting the ‘doubling up’ of Tradition 7 contributions for meetings. When I attended my 1st meeting 14 years ago I was putting £1 in the pot & still see people putting £1 coins in the pot while attending with a £5 coffee, claiming keyrings, taking leaflets and eating their own body weight in biscuits. Prices have increased significantly yet we still see the same contributions in the pot. I’m trying to get 2 dollars/pounds in the basket instead of only 1. I thank you in advance.
RESPONSE: After discussion, this would be more linked with the Finance Committee and sponsorship. This is something that could also be addressed through a NewsGram article. At this point, no further action will be taken.
13364764 – Individual Submission W-C – UK – Pre-conference: I would like to suggest that we have a specific leaflet that outlines and explains the traditions and also concepts such as the illustrated version available in AA.
RESPONSE: This project is already in progress with the LCF. At this point, no further action will be taken.
10885750 – Individual Submission. – CAUK Area – Pre-conference: To remove gender-specific terms when referring to God in the 12 Steps of Cocaine Anonymous and the 12 Traditions of Cocaine Anonymous. Background:
Considering the changes in language to the World Service manual to remove/reduce gender-specific terms, this feels like a natural progression. The author of this referral feels that the benefits of this change would extend to improving accessibility of the program by the newcomer by making it even clearer that the steps do not require religion, nor belief in any deities described in popular scripture. There is already a precedent for this, set by the sibling fellowship of MA*. * https://marijuana-anonymous.org/how-it-works/the-twelve-steps/
Page | 80
World Service Conference of Cocaine Anonymous Daily Minutes – Day 2 – Friday – August 30, 2024
RESPONSE: The World Service Board of Trustees have taken time to consider and deliberate on this referral. The World Service Board of Trustees have made a decision not move forward with the referral at this time, therefore no further action to be taken. Cocaine Anonymous is in the process of addressing the change of Tradition 11, this was initiated due the suggestion of a wide range of our members. To go through such a massive change would require significant member support. We would be willing to relook at removal of gender reference to God if we receive a similar response.
9757337 – Individual Submission. – Colorado – Pre-conference: I remain concerned that in the translation of our approved literature, in this instance, A Quiet Peace, into another language that there were changes made to that work without any involvement by LCF or sign off. The changes made on at least one meditation was a complete rewrite of one day’s meditation. As a member of LCF involved in the authoring and assembly of this book, where we struggled with every comma and quote, this practice seems not aligned with LCF’s or the Conference’s charge. Plus it sets a really bad precedent for future translations. I am concerned that LCF and its book approval process is being avoided/ignored by the WSOB currently.
To me, literature translation and the sales of that product/publication needs to be about preserving the piece not making money.
I’d like to see the LCF work with WSOB to come up with an agreeable solution please. Perhaps the Book Approval Process needs to be modified to include further clarity on translations.
Thank you.
RESPONSE: The translation process now used by WSO attends to this issue.
9833451 – Individual Submission. – West Country UK Area – Pre-conference: It’s come to my attention that we have many conference approved readings including but not limited to the Preamble, Alcohol, etc but there is not one for the Step 10 Promises.
I’d like to request that the committee create an approved reading of the Step 10 Promises for use in our meetings to be able to download from our websites rather
Page | 81
World Service Conference of Cocaine Anonymous Daily Minutes – Day 2 – Friday – August 30, 2024
than have to search the internet or guide people to the relevant pages in the big book.
Thank you for your service
RESPONSE: Each group is free to read material in line with guidance from the WSM Advisory Opinion, page 99 of 2024 WSM.
5345467 – Individual Submission. – Southern Alberta – Pre-conference: Make a Social Media pamphlet outlining how we can use social media and still follow our traditions on anonymity. The does and don’ts and how to use it. For example, don’t check in on a meeting and don’t tag people on FaceBook. And the proper use of photos. Please see the attached conference approved presentation for your consideration.
RESPONSE: The C.A. Anonymity statement was approved at the 2023 Conference and is now available on the Service Download Documents of ca.org.
CLOSING COMMENTS:
Conference is once again upon us and its that time to reflect on the previous year’s efforts and service made by the LCF Committee. I’m humbled by the dedication and consistency of our members coupled with their enthusiasm to carry the message in our various formats, whether it be producing literature that tell the stories of our founding members, producing a 2nd edition of the Companion Guide or producing a new pamphlet on Service Sponsorship.
The LCF Committee continue working on current projects and are looking forward to bringing these to fruition soon.
It has been an honour and a privilege to serve on this Committee and has had a profound effect on my recovery, seeing first-hand how our literature comes
Page | 82
World Service Conference of Cocaine Anonymous Daily Minutes – Day 2 – Friday – August 30, 2024
together through a shared spiritual process has made me immensely proud to be a member of C.A.
Respectfully Submitted:
Matt L.
LCF Chair
Page | 83
World Service Conference of Cocaine Anonymous Daily Minutes – Day 2 – Friday – August 30, 2024
COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AT END OF THIS CONFERENCE:
Jacob M – Thanks to the committee. Always looking for new members.
Nadz L. Motion 40 to restore the previous text “However, take away the drug of choice, substitute another, and eventually it becomes a problem drug.” to the Alcohol Reading, as follows:
Alcohol is a mind-altering substance in liquid form. Many people don’t realize it is no different from cocaine or other drugs in its ability to lead to addiction. One drink
Page | 84
World Service Conference of Cocaine Anonymous Daily Minutes – Day 2 – Friday – August 30, 2024
is never enough, just as one hit, fix, pill or snort is never enough. We are masters at combining and substituting one drug for another to get high. Many of us never felt that alcohol was part of our problem.
However, take away the drug of choice, substitute another, and eventually it becomes a problem drug.
Seconded
Russell S – Re-Read Motion
Would you like to speak to your motion
Nadz L. – Speaks to the motion
Russell S. Any debate. Seeing none. Prepare to vote.
All those in favour/all opposed
Motion passes with Minor opposition.
Renzo Pi – MOTION 41: Motion to approve a flyer to solicit HCF III story submissions. See Attachment LCF001
Seconded
Russell S. Any debate. Seeing none. Prepare to vote.
All those in favour/all opposed
Motion passes unanimously
Jacob M – Any questions
Lee B – Is there going to be any framework on what we send to you or will it be adhoc
Renzo P. – For now we offer a simple file for the story’s and they are looked at. Judson W. – Any projected on when the book will be available
Jacob m – during proofreading edits there is still some work to be done and it will be coming out soon.
Russell S. – Any more questions – Seeing none. Thank you to LCF committee. Next up is PI
Page | 85