COCAINE ANONYMOUS
Summary minutes from
WSBT and WSOB ‘Board to Board’
August 26th 2012
FINAL
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 World Service Conference. Such confidential use does not, of course, violate in any way our Tradition on anonymity in public communications media (press, radio, TV, etc).
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Minutes of the Meeting of
CA WSBT & WSOB Board to Board
August 26, 2012, 12pm
I. Opening. Meeting called to order with the “we” version of the Serenity Prayer at 12:43pm by WSBT Chair Randy G.
II. Introductions
A. Randy G. (SWR Trustee & WSBT Chair), Teresa N. (WSOB Chair), Linda F. (WSO DOO), Barry J. (WSOB Treasurer), Joy H. (PSR Trustee & WSBT Vice-Chair), Richard L(WSOT), Bob C. (WSOB DAL), Terry M. (PSN Trustee), Brian T. (MWR Trustee), Richard S. (TAL & acting WST), Kenny W. (ASR Trustee), Russell S. (EUR
Trustee & WSBT Secretary), Susan D. (WSOB Secretary), Robert L (ANR Trustee), Elizabeth S. (WSOB Vice-Chair, late with prior notification).
III. Opening remarks by WSBT Chair & WSOB Chair – Randy G. & Teresa N.
A. Randy G thanks everyone for their participation throughout the last year.
B. Thank you to the European region for hosting an amazing and successful convention!
C. Teresa N. thanks all of the outgoing trustees for their years of service. Thank you for allowing Teresa N. to serve, and she continues to learn and grow in the position.
D. The WSOB has been successful in completing many new projects, and finishing past ones.
IV. Conventions
A. CAWS 2012 – Russell S. (verbal & written report – see attached)
1. Wonderful convention. We received great feedback. Thank you to everyone who worked throughout the convention. The European region really benefited from hosting the convention, and other areas in the region have expressed interest in how they can someday host a convention like this as well.
2. Russell S. suggests the office write a pass it on as well, so in the future the information is available for the other areas.
B. CAWS 2013 – Kenny W. (verbal & written report – see attached)
1. CAWS 2013 is moving along. We have booked out the entire hotel, and the hotel then realized they overlooked some previous commitments they made. In exchange for releasing some of the rooms, we received some additional concessions.
2. The convention is working on fundraising, and is moving forward with this.
3. There has been some slight changes in the positions, which occurred without problem.
4. The convention committee is meeting every six weeks, because the area is so spread out, and it is difficult for everyone to meet, more often, at this point.
5. Bob C. notes that this is not the best hotel contract we have ever had. Bob C. mentions that it is really important that more than one set of eyes should look at the contract, so that it is not only the responsibility of the WST. Bob C. thanks Richard S. for jumping in, and thank you to Kenny W. as well, you are both doing a wonderful job.
C. CAWS 2014 – Joy H. (verbal & written report – see attached)
D. CAWS 2015 – Teresa (verbal report)
1. The WSOB is in discussion about holding the 2015 convention in Las Vegas, NV
V. Copyright and trademark protection – Richard L.
A. Bob C. will work with Richard L. on creating a letter regarding trademark issues. Bob C. notes the problem with sending out a cease and desist letter, the clock starts
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ticking, and you will have to file a formal action within a certain amount of time. Bob C. says we have to act, but we need to figure out the best way to go about it.
B. Richard S. mentions it might be healthier to take copyright and trademark concerns on a case-by-case basis, as opposed to having something on the ready. Bob C. agrees with this, but he does believe we should have a letter template which we can fill in on a case-by-case basis.
C. Russell S. believes we should have some type of letter on file, because it does take time to draft these types of things, and having a template ready for when it is needed, is important.
D. Richard S. will take over the drafting an article for the Newsgram regarding this topic.
E. This will stay open as an agenda item
I. NADCP – Linda F., Richard S. & Kenny W.
A. Drug court this year was in Nashville, TN. Linda F. felt that this one was more productive than the year before, because she was better prepared.
B. We had face to face contact with around 200 people from 30 different states. Linda F. will send out a follow up letter after conference.
C. Kenny W. worked extremely hard, since this was his area, and he made a lot of contacts. Linda F. thanks Kenny W. and Richard S. for the hard work.
D. Next year the NADCP will be in July in Maryland.
E. Kenny W. has received a lot of feedback and phone calls asking for people to show up, which he is very excited about. ASR received over 20 starter kit requests as a direct result of the NADCP. There are many people there who never knew of CA, and they were very excited to find a fellowship where their clients fit.
F. Linda F. hopes to hold a break out session at a NACP in the future. Linda F. and Teresa N. are working on a proposal for this.
II. Status of WSO – Teresa N.
A. The office is functioning more efficiently over this past year. Linda F. is doing a great job, and continues to take on a lot. Sheila S. continues to work hard, we really appreciate her. We have a new person in the shipping department. Teresa N. comes in a couple times a month to meet with the staff.
III. European fulfillment facility – Russell S.
A. Russell S. is hoping to work with Linda F. to get some weights of items, to better price this.
IV. Review Guidelines Re: Non-addict Trustee – Brian T. & Richard S.
A. Richard S. submitted a draft of the non-addict trustee description, this will be included in the internal guidelines for the Trustees, not for the WSM. This will allow us to better answer the questions of what we are looking for.
B. Bob C. suggests the non-addict trustee should be from the PSR, due to travel expenses. Richard S. does not think it is fair to our fellowship to restrict this to the PSR.
Break 1:55pm
Resume 2:07pm
V. Financials – Barry J. (submitted written and verbal report, see attached)
A. 7th tradition is up, but sales are way down. We must come up with a way to market our products, and increase our sales.
B. Barry J. motions to transfer the balance of the Even year account less $4000.00 to Savings. Seconded by Joy H. Russell S. challenges the chair to allow this motion to take place with both boards together. Russell mentions that many of the trustees could vote against the motion, but the motion could still pass because there are two boards voting together. Joy H. responded in favor of the chairs ruling, but if there is difficulty with the vote, and the member feels there is an unfair outcome of the
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vote, that member is allowed to have a 5th concept statement. Russell S. is worried we are setting a precedent that we are to make financial matters with the two boards together. Kenny W. notes that there is a reason why the procedures were set up the way they are, and we need to be careful about doing things out of order. Richard S. mentions it is healthy to work together. Bob C. motions to table the motion. Seconded by Richard S. Motion passes unanimously.
C. Break 2:54pm: The WSBT stepped away for a moment, and the WSOB went into executive system.
D. Executive session concluded and there was a motion made by Barry J., seconded by Bob C. to transfer $91,388.91 from the even year account to savings, pending trustee approval. Motion passed unanimously.
E. Resume 3:04pm
F. Brian T. motions to take the motion off the table. Seconded by Robert L. Motion passes unanimously.
G. Barry J. withdraws his motion.
H. Randy G. mentions that although we are tight with our budgets, that there is a reason we have the budget, and being actively involved and representing the WSBT in the Regions. Just be sure that in an effort to save money, don’t forgo the representation in your regions.
VI. 2015 Convention
A. As a result of this convention falling into the WSOB’s laps, there has been lots of discussion and motions made, regarding where to hold this convention. Teresa N. and Richard S. contacted many members in many areas. It has been determined by the WSOB to move forward with holding the 2015 convention in Las Vegas.
B. Terry M. wanted to know if the WSOB will be following the convention committee guidelines, as outlined. Bob C. responds that we will follow the guidelines. Also, since most spending committee requests go through the WSOB for a second approval process to check things, how would this happen. Bob C. explains that the WSOB will not be the entire committee, although it will have some overlap, so that committee will have to pass our procedures and spending request.
C. Terry M. has asked if we have discussed how the WSOB will create the steering committee. Teresa N. responds that the WSOB has discussed that the chair would come from the WSOB, while the other positions would come from other places. Joy H. suggests that if we are to actually follow the procedures, it would be best to believe in the process, and put it out there to the fellowship.
D. Elizabeth S. mentions this is a really great opportunity for CA to do something different, and to promote unity.
VII. Assistant to the DOO Position (Special Projects Coordinator)
A. The job description was sent to the WSBT. They reviewed the description.
B. The WSBT would like the special projects coordinator to be responsible for: Publications, translations, NADCP, Assist with the convention, and assist the conference. Elizabeth S. suggests the SPC also work with the website and the NewsGram. The WSOB will take the suggestions back and discuss this in their next meeting.
Break 4:27pm
Resume 4:40pm
VIII. Farsi and Dutch translations
A. The WSBT has approved the Farsi translations.
B. There are 9 total Dutch translations. 6 will for sure be processed. The other 3 will hopefully be able to go through the trustee approval process, but they are waiting to hear back from the local area’s approval. This is on the WSBT agenda to complete.
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IX. CAWS Corporation status
A. The trustee’s corporation “CAWS, Inc.”, is suspended. This is because a bi-annual statement was not filed. This is a simple process and happens often with corporations. We just need to file a new statement. Bob C. reminds everyone that the agent of process must be in California, and should be the WST.
X. Review of Area Corporation status and non-profit IDs
A. Randy G. asked the trustee, to speak to their regions, to insure their areas corporation status are up to date.
XI. NADCP budget
A. The WSBT had a great discussion regarding the NADCP. Richard S. believes it can be done with one fewer individual. The WSBT is mindful of our expenses, but this is definitely something we would want to keep, because the benefits of the NADCP is large. The outcome of the discussion was that the WSBT would like to hold the NADCP budget intact for next year.
XII. CA Scotland
A. The European trademark is in place. There is a potential challenge to our trademark in Scotland. They said they will not file objections if we agree to the following: 1. Cannot use the mark in relation to accounting services, 2. We cannot use the mark C.A. unless we use the words “Cocaine Anonymous” in close proximity to the “C.A.”. They want an answer by October 26, 2012, or they will file a formal objection.
B. The first part of the agreement is fine. Our lawyer suggests that we respond with something to allow them to understand why we use the abbreviation “C.A.”, so that we specifically don’t need to use the full words.
C. They would like to know how far back our use of “C.A.” goes in the European region. Russell S. would be the best one to give this information. Bob C. notes that prior use is important.
XIII. Close/Serenity Prayer – Meeting closed at 5:20pm by WSBT Chair, Randy G., with the “we” version of the Serenity Prayer.
For attached reports and documents see: WSBT_B2B_2012-08-26_minutes_final.pdf
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