Break
At this time, Finance is ready to retake the floor.
COMMITTEE WORK THAT RESULTED IN MOTIONS
Motion: To accept the proposed CA WSO budget to be in effect from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010.
Second.
Steve Edwards – speak to your motion?
Elizabeth Saldebar – not at this time.
Steve Edwards – any debate on the motion?
Joan Johnson – Point of Information – what is the cost of each starter kit with shipping?
Patty Flanagan – retail value is $57, raw materials is that we use for the line item is $26 which doesn’t include postage.
Steve Edwards – any further debate or questions?
Motion passes unanimously.
REFERRALS OR ITEMS TABLED UNTIL NEXT YEAR; AND ITEMS THE COMMITTEE WILL CONTINUE WORKING ON THROUGH THE YEAR
Referral Number 5559
Finance guidelines should include provisions for delegate expense to conference as “operating expenses” of an area.
Referral Number 5636
Can you clarify suggested guidelines for prudent reserves at District and Area Levels?
Referral Number 5587
Please create a workbook for area/district treasurers, using the NA Workbook as an example.
The above three referrals seek guidance that we feel will cause changes that are substantial enough to require review under SR14. Thus, we will perform this work during the year and present the changes for evaluation prior to making motions to change the ‘Financial Guidelines for Groups, Districts & Areas of Cocaine Anonymous’.
Referral Number 5588
Please address discrepancies between the Finance Guidelines and what is stated in the WS Manual. Review what is in the manual and make changes, as necessary. Also, please ensure more clarity in the WSM with regards to Areas, and prudent reserves/donating monies to WSO.
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This action requires close and thorough readings of both the CA WSM and the financial guidelines and is an activity best done with a degree of focus not generally available while at the Conference. Thus we will undertake this activity post Conference.
REFERRALS OR ITEMS REFERRED TO OTHER COMMITTEES; WORLD SERVICE OFFICE, OR BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Referral Number 5537
To raise the PI Budget by $2,000.00 to conduct an outreach plan in the region where the WS Convention will be held.
It is the responsibility of a given committee to establish its own budget needs.
Referral Number 5230
Can the concept be looked into about an “awareness month”. The concept could look at raising the awareness that one dollar might not be enough anymore. This idea also might include a local area, district, or group, collecting members “extra” dollar and send them to the WSO directly, so the money doesn’t get “held up” at the area, district, or group level.
Referral Number 5551
Just an idea, maybe with the “Awareness month” idea can there be a “Celebrate Around the World” for World. Twice a year is not too hard to put an event on.
Referral number 5230 and referral number 5551 are referred to the WSOB as we agree for the potential opportunity to educate the fellowship on our Program Services, 7th Tradition opportunity and Contribution Program. We suggest that an Awareness Month be held immediately after the Conference.
Referral Number 5849
Allow bottom line changes between Conferences based on revenue and/or remove cogs from budget with allowance for %.
Referral Number 5598
The authority for spending could be expanded allowing WSOB spending authorizes all committees including Host City based on revenue. An example when revenue exceeds pre-convention & 7th Tradition donations etc. could be funded for additional purchases.
The Conference Finance Committee has conferred with the makers of both referral number 5849 and referral number 5598 and has determined them to be substantively the same. As such, the Conference Finance Committee endorses addressing both referrals with the following change to the last paragraph on page 46 of the CA World Service Manual.
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Old wording:
“The CAWSO Board has authority during the CAWS fiscal year to authorize spending relative to a specific line item, money greater than authorized in the Conference approved budget, so long as:
1) The specific Committee, office, or Trustee total period budget is not exceeded; and
2) The total period CAWS budget is not exceeded.
New wording:
“The CAWSO Board has authority during the CAWS fiscal year to authorize spending relative to a specific line item, money greater than authorized in the Conference approved budget, so long as:
1) The specific Committee, office, or Trustee total period budget is not exceeded; and
2) The total period CAWS budget is not exceeded with the following exception:
- a) Spending on purchases of books, chips, literature and merchandise when a line item’s sales have exceeded its budgeted amount. In no case shall the line item expense exceed a 10% increase.
Referral Number 5779
That the financing summarization of the WSO include “Per Group and “Per Area” ratios with comparisons to prior years. The objective being to reflect financial activity in a way that individual groups and Areas can identify with.
This referral asks that the WSO take an action and is subsequently referred to the World Service Office Board (WSOB).
REFERRALS THAT DID NOT RESULT IN MOTIONS
Referral Number 5589
Please add line item for donated registrations in the convention budget in the amount of $1,000.00. Also, please add line item for donated rooms.
This is a duplicate of referral number 5591 and the Convention Committee has addressed this matter.
Referral Number 5506
Please provide a budget vs. actual report for the previous fiscal year when using it as a basis to revise the current fiscal year budget. Please also provide a line item name/description rather than just the number to assist the floor in reviewing changes. We often review budgets when the floor is very tired and I believe we should do what we can to make sure the group conscience is fully informed, this
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should help avoid questions and confusion during the current sessions as well as in the following year(s).
We appreciate the referral. The Finance Committee already provides this
information and material to the Conference. As for placement in the
agenda of Committee Reports we are just one of many very important WS
Conference Committees. The Finance Committee presents their committee
report when the WS Conference Chair indicates by the agenda.
Referral Number 5088
At last years conference it was decided to remove the last paragraph page 4 of the financial guidelines covering: “Special Donations – Special Causes”
To respect Tradition 7 and Tradition 9:
This action would suggest that CA as a whole no longer encourages the earmarking/ring fencing of funds or the raising of money for special causes. However, there is still a lack of clarity amongst the membership over theses practices, not least Unity Days to raise money for delegate travel and passing of H&I Cans to raise money specifically for H&I.
It would suggest this fellowship is providing a mixed message and leaving the membership confused. If a guideline of such weight is removed surely it should be replaced by a clear and informed direction which must question the whole practice of H&I Cans and the process for raising funds specifically for delegate travel. If our guidelines are contradictory we run the risk of diminishing our collective responsibility as world service leaders to steer our global fellowship through the traditions with clarity and grace.
PROPOSAL: – This conference accepts that the practice of passing H&I Cans and Unity Days (to raise money for delegate travel) promotes inequality and specialness in contradiction to the principles of Traditions 7 & 9, and fails to reflect the action of Conference 2006 in removing the last paragraph of Page 4 of the Financial Guidelines.
We believe that this issue has already been addressed with the proper response of the removal of the special donations paragraph of the Financial Guidelines for Groups, Areas and Districts.
We are also reminded of the long form of the Seventh Tradition which states in part, and we quote, “We think that acceptance of large gifts from any source or of contributions with any obligations whatsoever, is unwise”.
Referral Number 4783
That a complete audit of CA financial records be conducted at least every 5 years.
Referral Number 5111
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I would like the book (financial books) to be audited. It would not take $14,000.00 but only $4,000.00. We have never been audited and it is only right to have this done. Please we have a right to have this done professionally. The hees and haws simply will not do. It is time to have this done. I know there are a lot of our eyes on the books. New eyes won’t hurt. PS: If I clean out my garage it’s clean the way I want it, then my friend comes and does the same thing that I perhaps have been looking for.
“In reviewing these two referrals one thing became immediately apparent. We do, in fact, provide the internal checks and balances necessary to protect the CA Fellowship at its current operating levels; these are outlined in the ten items below.
1. A professional bookkeeper enters the billing – this individual may be full or part-time.
2. A World Service Office staff member receives and enters payments for literature, chips, and 7th Tradition.
3. The World Service Office Director of Operations supervises those activities.
4. The World Service Office Board Treasurer monitors accounting activities and reports regularly to the WSOB.
5. Transfers between accounts require WSOB approval.
6. Transfers over $5000 require WSBT approval.
7. All Trustees receive reconciliation reports every month on all the accounts for review.
8. All bills are reviewed by at least a minimum of two of the World Service Office Board members – the World Service Office Trustee, the World Service Office Board Chairperson, the World Service Trustee, or the World Service Office Board Treasurer.
9. All checks written require two authorized signatures from the WSOB.
10. Each year when the books are closed an external accounting service provides a limited review of the books for the past fiscal year.
During our review the committee determined that the cost of regularly performing external audits appears to be financially burdensome to the Fellowship at this stage of its development.
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Presently these costs would better serve the Fellowship by being allocated to one of the many activities already approved by the Conference to fulfill our primary purpose of carrying the message of recovery.
This could change over time as the Fellowship grows and our Worldwide operations become more complex. With such growth the funds necessary to perform formal external audits may be more readily available provided the Conference acts wisely in deciding when, how, and on what to spend CA revenues. As CA grows and funds become available to support external auditing this committee would support the use of external auditing.”
Referral Number 5573
In the financial guidelines it states Groups may open bank accounts when applicable. This referral is to suggest defining when applicable in the guidelines so it can be referenced to when it is read in the WS Manual. This is a loophole for groups to hoard money that belongs to the CA and lends for misuse and theft.
“When applicable“, is a matter determined by Group conscience. Bank accounts are useful in safeguarding Group funds, a Group’s treasury can be kept in a checking account in the Group’s name, often requiring at least two signatures on all checks. This provides security against accidental loss; it also provides ease of disbursement and a continuing record of income and expenses.
Referral Number 5595
Dear Finance Committee:
We are writing on the following topic: 7th Tradition clarification.
Definition of contribution per internet dictionary from MSN:
Donation – something such as money or time that is given, especially to a common fund or for a specific purpose.
Regular payment – a regular fixed amount paid, e.g. to a retirement fund, often deducted from somebody’s wages.
Role played in achieving something – the part played by somebody or something in causing a result.
We have questions and would appreciate clarification on what is considered an outside contribution.
These questions/examples below are in regards to a CA sanctioned event, meaning it is an event that has been approved by CA and would benefit CA.
- If having a fundraiser/luncheon…is it considered an outside issue if we accept a check from law firms or accounting firms or the United Iron Workers Union or any outside corporation or business?
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- What if the check is made out from that organization directly to CA and they want to buy a table and want someone to fill it with newcomers?
- Or, does the check from this firm/organization, etc. need to be made out to a CA member, and the CA member needs to write a check to CA and then fill the table?
- Does it matter even though the check is written from an outside organization and would be benefitting members of the program with attendance? Is that acceptable to receive?
- Is it an outside issue to accept checks/cash from any recovery home/detox centers/recovery facilities even though they may be sending their clients to the event?
- What if a CA member owns a recovery home/facility and writes a check to CA on their business account? Is that an outside issue? Or does the check need to come from the member’s personal account made out to CA directly? Even though they may or may not be sending their own clients to this event.
- What if a corporation owns a recovery home/facility and they want to write a check to the event, is that an outside issue? Even though they may or may not be sending their own clients to this event.
- Can we solicit and accept checks from non-CA members to attend the event? What if we wanted to solicit outside clubs/organizations that have nothing to do with CA, but are social groups that like to experience different organizations and may be interested in attending a CA fundraising luncheon? Again, everyone would be writing checks directly to CA. Like women’s organizations such as the Red/Purple Hat Society, etc.
- Can we accept outside donations for events such as t-shirts, or other goodies directly? A. Or does it need to be donated to the CA member, and the member needs to donate it to the event?
- Is it in violation to have a company’s logo on the goods, etc.? Even though the donation comes through a CA member? What if a member has a connection for example with Reebok? Their name would be on whatever product would be received, but the member would be donating the goods…not Reebok directly to CA…is that an outside issue and if it is, there isn’t a product out there that does not have some type of logo or company name on it.
We appreciate the referral. As stated in the Financial Guidelines for Groups, Districts and Areas on page 2 paragraphs 6 & 7 –
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“Being Self-Supporting is the sprit of our 7th Tradition. This Tradition of self-support places us in the position to be useful agents whether as individuals, groups, districts areas, conventions, or service offices…
Being mindful as stated in the long form of the 7th Tradition “that any public solicitation of funds using the name of Alcoholics Anonymous is highly dangerous, whether by groups, clubs, hospitals, or outside agencies; that acceptance of large gifts from any source, or of contributions carrying any obligation whatever, is unwise.”
In the context of CA, contributions are most closely associated with the idea of a donation. Generally speaking, a donation is a gift of something tangible (e.g. items, money, services, etc.) with no anticipated tangible return for having made the donation. The acquisition of a tangible item made equally available for purchase (e.g. T-shirt, hats, mugs, meals, beverages etc.) at a CA fundraiser is not a donation but actually a purchase (‘for consideration’) and, as such, we believe this is not an outside contribution. Thus, our deliberations lead us to believe that a contribution / donation falls under the principles of the 7th Tradition and is different than a purchase.
Referral Number 5679
If possible please post helpful hints online to help facilitate new Groups/Districts/Areas in opening bank accounts for non-profit.
We reference on page 15 of our guidelines that the requirements for achieving non-profit status will likely be different from locale to locale. In many locales this really can not be done without the assistance of an attorney. In other locations it may be simpler. We have neither the resources nor the expertise to provide specific legal guidance on the matter of incorporation and to maintain the currency of that guidance as the laws and requirements evolve worldwide.
We suggest that any CA Group/District/Area interested in incorporating to achieve non-profit status engage the services of an attorney knowledgeable in the laws and procedures in that Area’s locality.
Referral Number 5807
What can members in the US do in order to get credit for contribution now that all IRS deductions must have documentation, i.e. meeting donations, H&I donations after the 2007 Tax year. What is the plan – if none please help create something.
We view income taxes as an outside issue. However, we can state that the CA World Service Contribution Program does provide a receipt for your contributions
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annually. Upon consulting YOUR tax advisor you may find these contributions are tax deductible.
Referral Number 5813
Develop a way to accept donations made by individuals through alternate organizations, I have tried to make donations through the “United Way” and I understand the donation says it comes from me, but is always rejected.
We are not affiliated with outside enterprises, lest problems of money divert us from our primary purpose. Our concern is that CA may show up in the outside enterprise’s annual financial report(s) implying affiliation. If you wish to make an individual contribution we have World Service Contribution Program in place.
NEW COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AS OF THIS CONFERENCE
Chair – Tom Walsh
Vice-Chair – Tom Svoboda
Secretary – Jane Sisson
CLOSING COMMENTS
We as a committee are extremely grateful for the privilege of serving our CA family. It is a wonderful experience. We had many returning members, and a few new, giving us valued insight.
Please excuse our passion and excitement about the Individual Contribution Program. However, we believe that those of you committing your time and service at this Conference for the betterment of the CA Fellowship, are the ones to best understand the true promise that this program offers the Fellowship as a whole, new and old comers alike!
The program is in place and working well for those participating. We continue to urge you to participate but more importantly for you to engage members of your Area and encourage them to participate as well. The math is simple. 1000 addicts contributing $5 per month is $60,000 per year. Just imagine the ability this gives us to reach the suffering addict, to translate literature, to create and maintain an archive of our heritage, and to TRULY make a difference.
Ladies and Gentlemen…Think about it…..it’s the same as buying a SINGLE, Grande percent, decaf, iced white mocha latte, with 12 cubes of ice, 3 pumps vanilla, 2 pumps caramel, light whip, in a Vente cup……..with room….. once a month!
The program is safer than offering your credit card at your average restaurant and very simple to participate in. Contribution forms are available. If you are
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living a Life beyond YOUR wildest dreams, and in Recovery you are, PLEASE SHARE your dream with others by participating and encouraging others to participate as well.
Members of the Finance Committee participate in the contribution program because it works! We would like to see the contribution flyer on the table of every CA meeting in the World! More importantly we would like to see the COMPLETED form at the WSO.
Thank you all for allowing us to continue our sobriety by being of service to you.
God’s Love and ours,
Dan Santa Maria
2008 Conference Committee Finance Chair (outgoing)
- Quoted from the ‘A.A. Service Manual Combined With Twelve Concepts for World Service’.
Steve Edwards – questions for the committee?
Joy Hutcheson – congratulations to the committee for showing a $400 profit on the budget.
Steve Edwards – I see no further questions for the Finance committee. Thank you Finance committee for your hard work.
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