Conference Opens
Steve Edwards, Conference Chair, welcomes everyone to the 2007 World Service Conference.
Moment of Silence followed by the “We” version of the Serenity Prayer.
We Can Recover – Read by Yves White
The Twelve Traditions – Read by Monica Suyker
The Twelve Concepts – Read by Peter Olsen
Welcome to the 24h Annual conference of the world service Conference Introductions Conference Officers: Steve Edwards Conference Chair, Kevin Murphy Vice Chair, Susan Calkins & Anne Bouley-Meyer Co-Secretaries.
We conduct the business of CA. Spiritual attitudes should be followed. God does work through us here no matter how difficult the process. We abide by the principles of the program. When the gavel falls on Sunday, the work should be carried back to your Areas and groups.
Now we will have roll call. Very important to establish the quorum. Please keep side conversations to a minimum. A seating chart will be created after the roll call to assist the conference officers. Approach the microphone and state your name, where you are from, and how many votes you have. We will start with Ms. Patty Flanagan.
154 votes present – Quorum -103
Steve Edwards asked the indulgence about normal talking volumes, but when enough talk at the same time it makes it difficult to hear. We came up with 4 different numbers and had to come up with an average.
The PI committee has an announcement to make.
Russell Sedman – some of the delegates have brought survey forms back, please return them to Russell, Ruby or Joe R. so that they can start counting them.
Kim Sherwan – announcements. Committee Chairs pick up flash drives from Susan at the next break. 10% discount in the restaurant only. When seating chart goes around, please print your name so the secretaries can read it. Please do not touch the thermostat. Please talk to Kevin and he will let them know. PI has boxes in the office and check with her to get them out of there.
Steve Edwards – speaking of seating charts. Could someone please come up and start circulating them around the room.
A couple of other announcements – a couple of people came up to talk to the officers during roil call. Please don’t do that. When not in roll call, please approach Kevin to talk. Please give us 4 copies of each report and give them to Kevin.
Materials up here are for the use of the Conference secretaries and do not borrow them.
We have another individual that we try to protect and that is our Director of Operations at World Service – Patty Flanagan. The Director of Operations is a voting member rather than the normal business functions that she performs. If you have something to give to her, please wait until the break. If you need
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something done about the Conference, please get with Leslie Groter or Deborah Botz.
We will have regularly scheduled breaks.
Speak clearly in the microphone.
Votes – fist for one vote, two fingers for two votes.
Some points of Parliamentary Procedure before we continue.
Kevin Murphy reads the paragraphs on the top of Page 54 of the World Service Manual.
Steve Edwards – must be recognized by the Chair before going to microphone. There are some exceptions. When you don’t need to be recognized, please stand up and proceed to the microphone and don’t wait for the Chair to recognize.
When lining up to speak, our list will prevail.
Members of the Conference will be found in SR1. Other concerned individuals may speak at the Chair’s discretion.
Point of Information (POi) is a question about an issue on the floor. Not a Point of Order. A piece of information that you think we should know, please raise your hand and share in the process of regular debate, POI is always directed to the Chair but the Chair can have someone else answer. Once the question is answered, your time at the microphone is done. POI does not count as debate. We need to debate the motion that is actually on the floor. Particularly in motions to rescind.
In debate in general, please listen to what is being said before your time at the microphone. Stating the same thoughts over and over is not constructive use of time.
Referrals – all go in to the box in front and must be made to a single committee.
Standing Rules – all important and please review them in the World Service Manual (WSM).
If you have a copy of Robert’s Ruies of Order, please keep handy.
5th Concept assures us that the minority opinion is heard. Statement regarding 5th concept statement read.
That concludes the Chair’s remarks.
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David Booth – Conference Orientation and Theme – 2006 WS Conference, the Unity Committee voted on the prevailing guideline and theme of the 2007 WS Conference – Each One, Reach One, Teach One.
Steve Edwards ~ thank you David.
Next Item of business is New Area Petitions.
Carl Warlick – Motion: To accept the petition of the West inland Empire to become an Area of the Pacific South Region to be effective immediately.
Second.
Steve Edwards – would you like to speak to your motion?
Carl Warlick ~ not at this time.
Steve Edwards – any other debate?
Dwayne Miller – Inland Empire Area Chair – no votes – I speak against the petition. There is no geographic reason to approve this motion. Believes this petition is not spiritual. Dangerous precedent that it sets. Breaks the number one principle of Unity.
Brian Bell – speaks against the motion because to support it I would have to ignore the steps, traditions, concepts. The motion states the lack of unity.
Neither side attempted to persuade each other to work together. It takes practice and work and going to meetings that we may not be comfortable at, means putting principles before personalities. It is appealing because of quick Area meetings. Our 5th concept statement states that people who disagree with us might be right. It fails to recognize the group conscience is the voice of God even if it doesn’t go your way. Problems have created resentments that have grown and festered. This split of our fellowship assures that these 2 groups will not mix. Our diversity makes us strong. It is not about avoiding disagreement, but resolving them. Welcoming our diversity instead of demanding that others conform to our own opinions. You are here to keep us from making irrational decisions – not work out our problems. This is not a new problem and the new Area will not solve anything. There are no geographic problems for creating this new Area. It is a division of program philosophy. This creates a competition between groups and the real losers are the newcomers. This sends the wrong message. It makes love and tolerance not our code.
Vinny Martin – POl – why?
Aurora Lopez – the reason we set up this petition
- Several months – much disunity and tension. Trustees were invited to help with group inventories. Petitions to set up Districts. Unity Ad Hoc committee was set up. Passing motions by a vote or two and people were still not experiencing substantial unanimity.
- We believed that the spirit of traditions were being violated. There was a bank account that was in existence that was not revealed.
- New people were willing to step up and take commitments, attending one Area Meeting and not coming back.
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- Individual meetings began to take group consciences and the decision was made to submit the petition.
Jenn Scheible – speaks in favor the motion. Our Area went through the same thing a few years ago. There was no solution so we separated and we get along better now than we ever have. ! trust the people involved in this petition, it will help the Area and change is good so I support this petition 100%.
Ed Ballard – speaks against the motion because of unity. Each meeting autonomous and does not affect CA as a whole. Sounds more political than geographical.
Denine Grant – speaks in favor of the motion. The Note from the WSO in the Newsgram reminds of the theme – it is possible that this particular petition will reach another addict to get sober, stay sober and make another meeting happen. In order for the fellowship to grow we have to do some things that make us uncomfortable. There would not be some 100 people sitting here right now if we didn’t create new areas. Regardless of what ever personality concerns, it has to be added to. If they can bring more addicts into the rooms, help more people, do more for CA as a whole, there is no reason to deny them. Our primary purpose is to help another addict and I believe that every new Area does that Bobbie Harmon – speaks in favor of the motion. Coming from Texas, in my first year, we added an area. In my 2nd year, we added 2 more. If I’m really promoting unity, how can I say no? You cannot make grown people mind. If I decide that I don’t want to play with you anymore, l don’t have to. I want to move, I should be able to do so. Our job here is to promote unity. It’s OK even if it’s across the street. You will probably get along better once you have separated. It all works out in the end. It’s going to be OK.
Gloria Bridget – speaks in favor of the motion. Unity, recovery and service are what CA about If l don’t like what is going on in one meeting, I can go to another. Let them go and there is no reason to hold a group of people that do not want to be there. Give them a chance to grow.
Bryan Seid – MOTION to table this motion until the beginning of next year’s conference. Second.
Susan Bredau -Objection to consideration.
Steve Edwards – Objection to consideration is out of order. We are researching if the motion to table is in order. Please remain in order.
Kevin Murphy – had to answer a number of questions. A motion to table cannot be for another time. You can’t bind the conference as when a motion comes off the table. Cannot make motion to postpone past the end of the current conference.
Steve Edwards – the motion is out of order,
Bryan Seid – can I speak to the motion now?
Steve Edwards – yes
Bryan Seid – speaks against the motion. The first person that spoke against the motion was the Area Chair. My Area fights tooth and nail all the time but we get along. We talk to one another. By disseminating your Area, you are not making a commitment to unify your Area. Need to communicate as a group. It’s all
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about Unity, it’s about addicts. When that phone cai! comes, it doesn’t matter if the east side or west side answers the call. It’s about getting the addict to the meeting. When I get a hotline call, it doesn’t matter where I’m from, l get them to a meeting.
Susan Bredau – Motion: To limit debate to 3 more for and 3 more against. Second.
Steve Edwards – motion not debatable and needs 2/3 majority. Prepare yourseives to vote. We are going to need 2 non-voting members to count. Brian Tennenbaum and Patrick McGuinness will count.
The motion to limit debate carries. 96-46.
Ethel Thompson – speaks against the motion simply because I live by principles today. In and of myself, l would vote for the motion. But l am speaking of unity here. This has become a turf war. There has never been a east, west, north, and south, it has been a whole. At some point, we come together in some of the rooms. Period. We don’t want to believe in the spirit of rotation. Others need to get a turn and an opportunity to grow. Majority of our meetings are in the Central inland Empire. It is not like we have meetings all spread out across the Inland Empire. For us, this conference, to allow this motion to be approved is a sad day in the annuls of CA.
Khalid King – speaking in favor of the motion. 1 can’t force anyone in A to live a spiritual way of life. The book tells us that we are not normally people who would not mix. When you are outside the issue, we can see the freedom that will come about but if you are in it, it’s hard to see that. If l can get to the last column, 1 can see why 1 want to hold on or let go. There will be some freedom and they will be able to look at the other party because they took their own inventory. This is what happens when gossip passes through , but there is a divine motion behind this motion.
Trevor Scheible – speaks in favor of the motion. If I asked the people in this room if they came from an Area that was split off, we all have in one point in time except LA. It’s not always about the stuff behind it. If I am going the same destination as you but I want go another direction, it does not mean that either is right or wrong. We still have a common goal. It’s about the ultimate growth and health of CA, I’m all for splitting. Sometimes people are too far apart. Texas, Alberta ~ all had these problems and get along now better than ever. Ultimately, the splits have produced Areas that are growing and healthy. We have to trust in God and the reasons may not be perfect, but let’s let them grow. Let’s give them the blessing.
Tony Drake – speaks in favor of the motion. 1 sit on the WBOT and we get emails about both sides of the story. Truth is probably somewhere in between. My reality is that I don’t care. They don’t want to be there anymore. Trustee has made 6 trips. They want to go, iet them go. They will grow. What’s the fear? 1 feel the fear. Let’s grow CA and move on,
Lynn Neubel – not speaking for or against.
Steve Edwards – out of order. We are limiting discussion to debate. We need 2 more speaking against.
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Ben Schuier – speaks against the petition. CA needs to grow and I’m aware of that and 1 was listening to some of the complaints and I disagree with some of the complaints. As a delegate, I was not informed of the issues going on. Nor were any of the other delegates informed. We got it through the grapevine. The procedure
POO – Carl Wariick – we had this discussion regarding this and personal attacks need to cease.
Steve Edwards – he was beginning to speak to the petition again and your POO is out of order.
Ben Shuler – was not informed as a delegate that a petition was being put out. I should have been informed so that I could help, share what is wrong from my end of it and the other delegates can do the same. I received the information in a mailing. The ethics of it is why l am against motion.
Veronica Williams – speaks against the motion because the last time I stood at this mike I was the Area Chair when this happened in Texas. Some people died and were being torn to take sides. We can stand here all day saying that we want to help the newcomer. We took sides and there were personalities involved and the disharmony took people out and they didn’t make it back.
POI – Dan Sadur – how many meetings are in the current area and what will the result be?
Carl Wariick – in the West Inland Empire, there are 16 meetings and 5 H&l’s.
The Inland Empire…Dwayne, can help me -16 meetings and 10 H &ls – all together 32 meetings and 15 H&ls.
POO – Tony Drake – we very clearly made a motion to 3 for and 3 against.
Steve Edwards – PO! is not debate. When they tried to turn it into one, I stopped.
John Whitaker – how long the current meetings, I understand they have split already…the current meetings have been going on as such for how long?
Steve Edwards ~ they haven’t been split. It’s what they are trying to do now.
We have heard the limited debate and it time to vote on the motion.
POI – Ruby Lemoine.
Steve Edwards – no. It’s too late.
Motion: To accept the petition of the West Inland Empire to become an Area of the Pacific South Region to be effective immediately.
Motion passes. 92 for and 43 against.
We need to take a break now and ask the new delegates to come up and incorporate them into the quorum.
****** BREAK*********
Steve Edwards – Calls conference back to order.
Has gavel and will use it.
Lynn Nuebel – 5th Concept Statement.
I have been a member of IE Area. Who has been affected by the split?
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1 was for it then against it. Then became neutral, i witnessed things. I believe this is personality before principles. I believe it was inevitable. I wanted to hear as someone who is hurting by seeing people split in her Area and watching them become enemies. It’s a shame people can’t work out their problem.
Vinny Martin – I voted against this petition because of what was said. Seemed like you came in ready for this. Getting a schedule right after the vote didn’t feel right. We have 7 districts in our Area they all have three delegates. We didn’t talk about the delegates, i wanted to bring up these concerns.
Willie Bailey – WSOB Director, Motion to suspend the rules in order to hear an item out of order. Requires 2/3rd not debatable.
Motion carries.
Motion: To hear a portion of the WSOB report.
Second.
Motion passes.
Patty Flanagan – Our staff at the WSO needs to leave. We are restructuring. Staff Introductions, Patty introduced Rocco, Tim, Susan and Robin.
Thank you, more later.
Nicolas Lynn – Motion:
Notice Pursuant to Standing Rule 14
Petition to Become an Area submitted by CA Germany (Deutschland).
Note to the CA World Service Conference 2007: This Petition to Become an Recognized Area within CA is submitted by CA Germany (Deutschland) to be considered and approved at the CA World Service Conference in August, 2007. CA Germany (Deutschland) appreciates the Conference’s and delegates’ consideration of this request.
- Reason to become a World Service Conference approved Area. To participate in the worldwide structure of Cocaine Anonymous and to join the new European Region of Cocaine Anonymous, Other smaller areas in the European Region – Sweden, Scotland and Spain, for example, have all benefited from having been recognized and then included in the new European Region; and have continued their growth and development as a part of the newest region of Cocaine Anonymous. Further, there is a unique language spoken within the boundaries of the Proposed new Area – German, which is different from the languages spoken in adjacent countries and being a separate area would serve to ensure that the addicts within the country (Germany) who speak this language are included within the CA
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fellowship. Also, only part of one adjacent area – Netherlands is recognized as a CA area, all other countries surrounding Germany have not been recognized to date.
- Are you a proposed Area in a State, province or Country that has not been represented at the World Service Conference before? We have not been represented before. Germany (Deutschland) has formed its service structure and desires to be included and represented at the World Service Conference for the first time this year (2007).
- Proposed Area name. COCAINE ANONYMOUS GERMANY (DEUTSCHLAND)
- If applicable: Attach map of regional geographic division of Area as it now exists. The new Area will be the entire country of Germany (Deutschland) (see attached map please).
- Attach a map and a written description of the proposed division of Area. The attached map will be the entire country of Germany (Deutschland).
- Contact details
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within Europe: 00 49 1 72 450 33 54
from the United States: 011 49 172 450 33 54
Email ca.hamurq@qmx.de
Website www.ca~deutschland.de
- Total population in proposed Area: 82 Million. CA population in proposed Area: 5-15 current members (Hamburg)
- Number of CA Groups in proposed Area; 2 groups, both in Hamburg at this time, with some preliminary discussions to expand to other Germany cities and other cities where the populace speaks German .
- Attach a brief 5 year history of CA groups and membership in the proposed Area. CA in Germany began in February 2006 after a founding member attended the 1s* European Regional Assembly in Stockholm, Sweden. As a direct result of this visit the St Pauli meeting (in Hamburg) started in February 2006 the second meeting followed in September in the University district (in Hamburg).
The Area is being formally organized, has a service structure in place per the CA World Service Manual, and now have a linked website to CA.org. The Area also hosts bi-monthly 12 step weekends attended/facilitated by members of the European Region and other international CA members.
Using email, posters and various flyers and mail-outs, the Area members are broadly reaching out to their community. CA Germany (Deutschland) has begun H+l, Public Information and have sent a representative to participate in the European Regional Caucus. They wish to participate within the European Region and the World Service Conference.
- Structure and function of proposed Area. The Area plans bi-monthly meetings. Each meeting now has a GSR and the Area is in the process of completing its formal organization – which should be completed before the Conference starts in August, 2007.
- Distance and travel time to nearest Area Service Committee meeting:- The Netherlands Area is the closest and is 282 miles away (or a one hour flight or 4-5 hour car ride or 8 hour train ride). Even there, there is a different language from that spoken in CA Germany.
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- How would the Fellowship benefit by establishing a new Area as opposed to adding more DSRs, creating a new district, or redistricting wouid accomplish? This new Area does not have DSR’s or districts and none are even remotely accessible. The closest organized Area and service structure is in Netherlands.
- If the proposed area is in a State, Province or Country which the Fellowship has not been previously established, have you investigated incorporating as a non-profit organization in order to protect the CA name? We are aware that the process is complex and will explore it after recognition by the CA Conference.
- If this Petition to Become an area in approved, are you prepared to be responsible for all liabilities the fellowship may incur? Are you prepared to pay all applicable sales tax and file all the necessary State and Federal tax forms as required. Yes
- Note any special considerations: CA Germany (Deutschland) is young, vibrant, enthusiastic and committed to carrying theca message. We have been strongly supported by the other Areas in the new European Region ( SWEDEN / UK ) and would like full participation in the service structure of Cocaine Anonymous.
For some history of the expansion of other areas within Europe please note that Scotland just celebrated its 4th anniversary. The Area formed in 2001 and the groups have grown. The Area has a solid area structure and since being recognized at the WSC last year, have continued to grow. Last year the Area hosted its first convention “Rocketed” which attracted a few hundred members form all over the UK and even the US. The members have just completed building their website, now have their own helpline and have also entered into a separate royalty agreement with the WSO. They have several hundred members.
Sweden has 2, and is starting a 3rd meeting in Stockholm. They are active in PI, H&l, and have a local translation committee working on Swedish translations of the CA pamphlets. Their delegate attended the WSC in 2005 where they were recognized and then again last year. They are in their 3rd year. They have between 50-100 members.
Holland has been established and recognized as an Area for 5 years. Starting with one small meeting in De Hague they now have 6 meetings, 4 in Amsterdam and 2 in De Hague. They are well
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established and are active in ail areas of service. They have a few hundred members.
Hong Kong was also formally recognized at the WSC in 2004. They are now in their third year and are a growing fellowship.
There are also 4 meetings in Spain in three cities which was welcomed into the CA World Service structure last Conference 2006.
Please note that the entire membership of the European Region enthusiastically supports this Petition.
We appreciate the opportunity to submit this Petition for the review and consideration of the World Service Conference in 2007.
Steve Edwards – Would you like to speak to your motion?
Nicholas Lynn – Yes. Reads a Setter from an addict in Germany. By making this Area a reality will help many people who speak German.
Steve Edwards » Any debate? Seeing none please vote.
Motion; Petition to Become an Area submitted by CA Germany (Deutschland).
The motion carries unanimously.
Germany will not be represented at this conference, we have added three voted for the other new Area, but the Quorum went up to 104 from 103.
Trevor Scheible – Motion: To suspend the rules in order to extend the time. Second.
Motion carries.
Motion: To extend the time to hear the Trustee’s reports.
Second.
Motion carries.
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