Minutes of the Meeting of
CA World Service Office Board of Directors
CAWS Conference
August 28, 2008
A. Opening. Meeting called to order with the “we” version of the Serenity Prayer at 8:20am by Chair, John B.
B. Directors gave brief summary of what is going on in their committees.
C. Birthdays—KJ. The Board sang happy birthday and the Chair juggled.
D. Roll call and Quorum Determined
I. Voting Members Present: John B. (WSOB Chair), KathyJo R. (WSOB Vice Chair), Tom P. (WSOB Treasurer), Teresa N. (WSOB Secretary), Earl H. (WSO Trustee), Hayward H. (WS Trustee), Patty F. (DR&PD), Taffy W. (Director of Operations), Willie B. (Director at Large), Richard L. (Director at Large). A quorum is established.
II. Board Members Absent: none.
E. Guests Present: John W. & Monica, translations/international outreach.
1. John—Visited…….. Met with member who is trying to help CA grow there and also with Attorney General along with AA/NA re: drug-program-type options (ie: court cards) Going to Acapulco
2. Monica—Requested Turkish literature translations. There is interest in Turkey. Working with addict in dutch-speaking country in S. America to offer him support with CA literature/starting CA.
F. Conference Referrals submitted to the WSO
I. 5756/5855 (Ruby Lemoine)
a. Please create Spanish language pages on the WSO website. Most of the content can be pulled from existing Spanish language pamphlets.
1. Answer: The WSO is already in the process of making this happen and it is in stages.
II. 5761 (Susan Bredau)
a. That the WSO accept the attached Spanish translations of the conference approved (2006) PI business cards.
1. Discussion ensued regarding whether or not this needs to be addressed under the translation policy and whether or not it needs to get “Conference approved” to be translated into Spanish.
2. Answer: Yes, we will accept the submission and will work on it throughout the upcoming year, subjecting it to our translation policy.
III. 5824 (John Whitaker)
a. Refer to 2007 referral #5075. Creation of International Flip Book. Documentation available.
1. Answer: We will work on this throughout the year.
IV. 5845 (Monica Suyker)
a. Provide conference with information on how many meetings have actually started and are still up and running after starter kits have been sent.
1. Answer: Will be included in our closing report this weekend.
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V. 5823 (John Whitaker)
a. Please see 2007 Referral #5072. Documentation available. To move the International Outreach under WSO—from Unity.
1. Some discussion ensued. John: I have found that it is more effective working with the WSO throughout the year. Earl: There is also an international outreach committee on the WSBT. I’m not sure which direction we should go, but we need to keep the TAL in the loop. Monica: We need to consider those countries/communities that are really in need of our outreach. John: Although the Unity committee has had its issues over the past year, there seems to be a change in the positive direction with regards to leadership. Willie: I think we need to be a bit more creative in dealing with this. KJ: I suggest we create a sub-committee that reports to Patty/the WSOB.
2. Answer: Thank you for your suggestion. However, we feel this should stay in the Unity Committee, while at the same time, we will be creating a sub-committee that will report back to the WSO.
VI. 5846 (Monica Suyker)
a. To provide information on how WSO takes care of sending out of H&I material internationally (outside US & Canada).
1. Monica: Similar to how we send out literature to jails in US & Canada, would like to extend this to other countries.
2. Answer: We will work on throughout the upcoming year.
VII. 5844 (Monica Suyker)
a. Create platform to work with Dir of Projects & Research Development in order to make use of International experience & information of CA members. Provide WSO with local info re research carried out by local institutions on drup use, addiction, treatment etc. Use experience of CA members with starting meetings from scratch in countries where 12 step recovery is not/very little known. Support translation officer with experience with translating work and through that support new meetings who start translating. Not important what shape or form, just want to ask WSO to make use of experience within CA fellowship.
1. Answer: We will work on throughout the upcoming year.
VIII. 5556 (Ruby Lemoine)
a. Approve the submitted P.I. Powerpoint to be available on the CAWS website P.I. page. (was submitted via SR-14).
1. Discussion ensued regarding the need for the Conference to approve this literature for use and whether it is the job of the WSO or P.I. to have this accomplished and the need for regular revisions/updates. Teresa made a motion that we respond to this referral in the form of a motion on the Conference floor. Seconded by KJ. Some further discussion ensued. Vote taken. Passed unanomously.
2. Answer: Motion to have the Conference approve the P.I. Powerpoint to be available for use to all C.A. members.
IX. 5763 (Susan Bredau)
a. That the WSO be proactive in seeking translations of the Conference approved business cards (2006) in French, Dutch, German, etc. for inclusion on the PI page of ca.org.
1. Answer: We will work on throughout the upcoming year.
X. 5766 (Susan Bredau)
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a. That the WSO craft a statement regarding the WSPI Census—why we do it, what is the info used for and why it is important. Hopefully this will prevent another dismal response.
1. Discussion ensued regarding census vs. survey. Is office moving to eradicate the census and only use the survey, which is more thorough?
2. Answer: we will work on throughout the year.
XI. 5850 (Joan Johnson)
a. Can WS Conference recording CD’s be made available for purchase to the Fellowship & Delegates?
1. Answer: Anonymity and recordings not intended for sale/for tool to create transcripts only.
XII. 5810 (John Whitaker)
a. International Outreach Sub-Committee. Create a place &/or way to find CA members who are outside the usual areas of CA—Somehow let them know wherever they are, they are “Here & They’re Free.”
1. Answer: Since the International Outreach Committee did not move to the WSO, this is not our question to answer. It is a subcommittee of Unity.
XIII. 5809 (John Whitaker)
a. International Outreach Committee. Create a glossary of terms for use in helping translation of CA Literature
1. Answer: The International Outreach Committee is not a sub-committee of the WSO. It is a sub-committee of Unity.
XIV. 5808 (John Whitaker)
a. To create a document or helpguide in how to begin a meeting in foreign countries or outside generally recognized areas of CAWS.
1. Answer: We will be working on throughout the upcoming year.
G. Meeting adjourned at 9:48am
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