CLOSING REPORT C.A. WORLD SERVICE CONFERENCE 2008
WORLD SERVICE OFFICE BOARD
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INTRODUCTION AND OPENING COMMENTS
In mid August 2008 the World Service Office received the following letter:
“To whom it may concern,
My name is Tanisha and I am a addict. I’m 29 yrs old and I am currently doing a 2 year commitment with ½ time… I’ve been using cocaine for almost 11 years and I’m tired of the life and the hurt and pain that it brings. I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired. I believe in God but feel so out of touch. I need someone that knows about the disease I have and is willing to teach me the tools I need in my newborn stages of recovery and to share their strength and wisdom with me.
Please help me I don’t want to die by the hands of cocaine. I don’t want my children to see me die in the streets. I really want a sponsor that can help save my own life…
Thank you and God Bless,
Tanisha J****** ”
The WSO receives literally hundreds of letters just like the one above from Tanisha every year. Countless calls from not only addicts, but family members and friends seeking to obtain more information about addiction and to understand more about what Cocaine Anonymous is, and how we can help.
The World Service Office stands at the ready to serve the needs of both members and non-members alike, and to provide the best possible support and services available.
At this time it is once again my pleasure to introduce both paid Directors of the WSOB to comment on plans and projects the upcoming year and beyond as we look forward to the next 25 years.
Taffy Wallace – Being here and absorbing the process is so important to me. The WSO is here for you. You have the face to put with the email. We put in place customer service. We would like to have a 3-day turn around on orders. Your calls make us extend ourselves further. There is no better problem than to be overwhelmed because that means we are growing. I sit on the committee and sit with them. Every Committee is interwoven with the operations work. I hold it sacred and am proud to be a special worker. Thank you.
John Bodkin – We sent out 105 starter kits. We can track that activity going forward. We sent kits to Australia, 2 kits to Iran, Canada, Atlantic South Region, which was great to hear. With that I’d like to introduce Patty Flanagan.
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Patty Flanagan – Transition, our original power point was a butterfly. I thought that was impossible. I would like to acknowledge that Robin Long made that happen. Because without you, I couldn’t have let go. I’m a control freak, I need stuff, I need more. So I’m here for stuff. John said we got a meeting in Australia. Meetings start because someone finds a meeting amazing. Recognize our responsibility that we welcome other people. Call the office, let them help you start. The events are the worshops. Those people come to you and your Area and give a sense of complete information to bring some light to your Area. I’d like other WS events like a retreat. It’s about enthusiasm and fundraising the retreat would be in the realm of the rest of the stuff. We went to 50 years with our chips. I think a retreat is an important event.
The database, you are the only ones that give that to me. If email is not your format, let me know at the break. I’m excited about the eternity chip. Shows within the first 2 years we can recoup our investment. I can find out the rate of the return, and we should recoup that within 2 years. As long as we’re not out of pocket, we are tapped. We need your help. I love the idea that we have so many orders we can’t ship it until Friday. I got 2 meditation submissions; get me the information about the book.
Archives. That is one of those places where we intersect. Do not worry about Patty or Taffy, we will handle your situation or direct you to the other. We will refer you to each other. Taffy has done amazing to direct people to me and communicate. Email to us should always be cc’d to CAWSO at CA.org.
BOARD MEMBERS:
John Bodkin – Chairperson
Kathy Jo Rangno – Vice-Chairperson
Teresa Neighbors – Secretary
Tom Phelan – Treasurer
Patty Flanagan – Director of Resource and Project Development
Taffy Wallace – Director of Operations
Willie Bailey – Director at Large
Richard Leve – Director at Large
Earl Henderson – WSO Trustee
Hayward Hunt – WS Trustee
COMMITTEE WORK THAT RESULTED IN MOTIONS
There was none.
REFERRALS THAT RESULTED IN MOTIONS
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# 5556 – Approve the submitted P.I. PowerPoint to be available on the CAWS website P.I. page. (Was submitted via SR-14).
Motion: To approve the P.I. presentation template, with continually updated data provided by the PI committee. This presentation may be made available via the World Service Office for distribution to the fellowship on www.ca.org as well as through other channels.
Second.
Steve Edwards – Speak to the motion?
John Bodkin – It’s the hard work of PI and we’d like to keep it relevant.
Motion carries unanimously.
REFERRALS OR ITEMS TABLED UNTIL NEXT YEAR; AND ITEMS THE COMMITTEE WILL CONTINUE WORKING ON THROUGH THE YEAR
Referral #’s 5756 & 5855
Please create Spanish language pages on the WSO website. Most of the content can be pulled from existing Spanish language pamphlets.
Referral # 5761
That the WSO accept the attached Spanish translations of the conference approved (2006) PI business cards.
Referral # 5824
Refer to 2007 referral #5075. Creation of International Flip Book.
Referral # 5846
To provide information on how WSO takes care of sending out of H&I material internationally (outside US & Canada).
Referral # 5844
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 drug 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
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WSO to make use of experience within CA fellowship.
Referral # 5763
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.
Referral # 5766
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.
Referral # 5808
To create a document or helpguide in how to begin a meeting in foreign countries or outside generally recognized areas of CAWS.
Referral #5816
Website states “Fresno South” being a part of Pacific South Region when it is not. Rather, Pacific North Region – Can this be changed? I would refer you to link- not with me at present time.
Referral # 5822
Approve the website for CARD – CA Republica Dominicana
Dominican Republic – www.CARD-STODGO.ORG
Referral # 5670
Make nicer year chips in place of or as alternative to current chips. Similar to “Eternity Chip” only these would be anniversary ones.
Referral # 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.
Referral # #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
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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 # 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.
Finance Committee suggestion for the above two referrals 5230 & 5551:
Refer this to the WSOB as we agree for the potential opportunity to educate the fellowship on our program services, 7th Tradition Opportunity/Contribution Program. We suggest that an Awareness Month will be held immediately after the Conference. Attached posters may provide some ideas.
REFERRALS OR ITEMS REFERRED TO OTHER COMMITTEES; WORLD SERVICE OFFICE, OR BOARD OF TRUSTEES
There were none.
REFERRALS THAT DID NOT RESULT IN MOTIONS
Referral # 5845
Provide conference with information on how many meetings have actually started and are still up and running after starter kits have been sent.
Answer: Over the course of the past year we have sent more than 100 starter kits to new meetings. Now, each time a starter kit is sent the office gathers information on the location, day, and time of the new meeting prior to sending the materials. Locations included: Australia, Hawaii, Iran (two kits), Saskatoon / Saskatchewan Canada, W. Virginia, Maryland, Virginia and South Carolina, and many more. Of particular note was thin increase in requests from the Atlantic South Region over the course of the year. Yeah!!
Referral # 5823
Please see 2007 Referral #5072. Documentation available. To move the International Outreach under WSO—from Unity.
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Answer: Thank you for your suggestion. The WSO would not presume, nor do we have the authority, to move a standing committees sub-committee. The WSO continues to be proactive about building our international outreach efforts and works cooperatively not only with Unity but with the WSBT long-term planning committee that is also concerned with the same subject.
Referral # 5810
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.”
Answer: The WSO is continually seeking ways to effectively make the C.A. message available throughout the world using many resources such as the Web, Email, Print, Multi-media, Etc. Further, the creation and development of the Director of Resource and Project Development position will aid in this ongoing effort.
Referral # 5809
International Outreach Committee. Create a glossary of terms for use in helping translation of CA Literature
Answer: Thank you for you suggestion! We will explore this potentially useful tool and would appreciate your assistance in its development.
Referral # 5850
Can WS Conference recording CD’s be made available for purchase to the Fellowship & Delegates?
Answer: No. We do not make recordings of the conference available for sale but rather use the recorded media as a supporting tool by which we create our transcripts of the conference. We also respect the anonymity of our conference members with respect to our conference transcripts and minutes.
NEW COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AS OF THIS CONFERENCE
Chair – John Bodkin
Vice-Chair – Open
Secretary – Open
CLOSING COMMENTS
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As we close today, I would like to take this moment to recognize the tremendous contribution of our outbound Vice-Chairperson Kathy Jo Rangno who has given so much of her personal time in so very many important areas of our business. The C.A. Fellowship has benefited greatly from her experience in convention planning, including the exciting auctions she has designed for world conventions, while we also rely on her for the more elegant and sophisticated elements of her skill set in the areas of business management, policy creation, and procedure implementation. She is tireless and ever so valuable to our board. KJ, thank you. You will be missed and we love you.
With Hope, Faith, and Courage as our legacy, the WSOB welcomes the opportunity to trudge with you toward the next twenty-five years of Cocaine Anonymous. Today CAWSO is set squarely upon a solid foundation of sound and sophisticated business practices. Thoughtful future planning, and the ongoing love and support of our members may sustain us, but a financially sound future, capable of supporting the work with which you have charged us, will rely heavily on increased 7th tradition donations from the groups and areas in order to fund our activities. The Cocaine Anonymous World Service Office has come of age, and now, so must our awareness of what it takes to get the job done. What it takes to compensate our staff and management fairly and competitively. What it takes to reach out in new and exciting ways that we had not dreamed possible before, what it takes to carry a message of hope and recovery to places in the world that have not yet found what we have.
Respectfully Submitted:
John Bodkin
World Service Office Board Chairperson
Steve Edwards – Any questions?
Kevin Conley – You said you receive a lot of letters. Do you refer the letters or any information to the H&I of that Area from which they come?
John Bodkin – Thanks for the question. Taffy will answer that question.
Taffy Wallace – Yes, they are given to the H&I Chair and the Trustee.
Felicia Adams-Franks – I remember there was a person in WSO who forward that to me, worked for the WSO. What can we do in my Area to fix that problem? Will the office assign someone to that task again?
Taffy Wallace – Yes. Please meet with me at the break.
Bryan Seid – From the letters we receive, do we have the ability to write back to ask for permission to print their letter in the Newsgram under “Cries for help”?
Taffy Wallace – This issue is specifically about this. You’re asking about printing the letter?
Bryan Seid – Could you ask permission to print the letter in the Newsgram?
Taffy Wallace – Great idea.
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Steve Banks – Even though we are not affiliated with Co-anon, is there any way to direct families there?
Taffy Wallace – I spoke with Jackie about this.
John Bodkin – We love Co-anon. We give the best information we can about finding a meeting. We have a cooperative relationship. It deserves further discussion.
Steve Banks – I think it’s not only ourselves, but we hurt our family and friends also.
Roy Ricord – How many groups are registered say in Northern Nevada? Is there a way to find out?
John Bodkin – Here is the answer to your question.
Patty Flanagan – We gather that data in an access database. We use that database to verify the 2,000 meetings in HFC-II.
John Bodkin – I heard you say can I get that on the website? A place where members can go for information is a very real possibility in short order.
Roy Ricord – Are the registration cards available here?
Taffy Wallace – We can make it available.
Bryan Seid – Is there any handout you can give me about the stuff you talked about because it wasn’t in the report?
John Bodkin – We are recording what happens in our meeting for such a document to be produced.
Patty Flanagan – I would send an email when we are done with the conference and it will have that information available.
Steve Edwards – Are you going to share Patty’s Perfect Plan?
John Bodkin – It’s a group conscience outlook on how the WSOB and WSBT shares the view. It’s a perfect plan of a HP guiding us.
Dan Santa Maria – We have a great staff. Do you believe it’s less costly to retain an exceptional staff than to go out and train a new staff?
John Bodkin – Yes. Training costs money. Retention saves money.
Dan Santa Maria – What can we do out there that the Areas will understand to help us keep our workers?
John Bodkin – We need to choose now at the 2008 WSC to educate ourselves on what it takes to discharge the duties you charge this office with, hours, time, money to maintenance that. We need to look at other non-profit business models. Are we competitive to that. I think now is the time to start asking questions. We can be more sophisticated in that regard.
Mike Schelin – Patty, does the meditation book still need submission? Is there a new deadline?
Patty Flanagan – Yes, we still need submissions and there is not a deadline yet.
Dan Dickey – You used to contact the Area when there was a meeting starter kit sent out, is this still the case?
Patty Flanagan – Yes. The procedure is contact the Area first.
Dan Sadur – I want to know about the communications from WSO and WSOB outbound. The only outbound information as a delegate has been the Newsgram. We have yet to receive an email advising us anything. I have
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advised groups how the receive a starter kit but have not received info that someone has requested a starter kit. You talked about the database of inquiries is available to the trustees in a database. It needs to be pushed out rather than available to be taken. Why have I or my Area not gotten more information on the action of the WSO?
John Bodkin – I think the Trustees are reporting in their minutes the meetings starting in their areas.
Taffy Wallace – Yes, you are to be cc’d along with the Trustees, that’s an oversight. That’s part of going forward with excellence that we are committed to.
Russell Sedman – Are you beginning to talk about the possibility of a fourth member outside the geographical area of the office?
John Bodkin – We are open minded. We have some restrictions.
Kathy Jo Rango – One of the subcommittees to revise the bylaws written in 1984 which limits, we are striking that from the bylaws, so we look forward to a referral.
Nicholas Lynn – Translation policies, have you worked with any countries or do you have feedback?
John Bodkin – Yes.
Patty Flanagan – We have great success. We are finalizing the Dutch. Sweden is approved. There is a member working with Brazil for Portuguese.
John Bodkin – We have been focused on international outreach. We will rely on you also.
Shawn Bacoccini – What do I do if I do not receive my delegate mailing?
Taffy Wallace – You can get them hard copy or email. We need your correct address. Contact twallace@ca.org if you do not receive it. The choice is hard copy or electronic. The electronic is an outside source that you click on and saves money for the fellowship.
Shawn Bacoccini – When do I receive it?
Taffy Wallace – December, March, June and conference.
Mike Schelin – What is the proper procedure to protect the trademark?
Patty Flanagan – We send 2 letters before we go after them. We have invited people to use the trademark.
Bill Burmeier – Is there a reason we have to chose which mail delivery?
Taffy Wallace – It can be both. If you chose both, great.
Bill Burmeier – Where do I put both?
Taffy Wallace – Instead of Y or N put both.
Brian Tenebaum – You have to go now because it’s being finalized.
Taffy Wallace – Please call Taffy Wallace at the office.
Jay Parker – Given the SR14 comes out before the conference and comes out in late June or early July, getting the group conscience back before the conference, who do we submit a referral to?
Steve Edwards – It goes to S&B.
Cynthia Cronkhite – On average, if we elect to receive the electronic form, how much money does that save for one person’s mailing?
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Taffy Wallace – Postage, paper, copy, labor, all of those together. Those are the components the postage alone would not be under 5 or 10 dollars per mailing and there are 4 mailings.
Cynthia Cronkhite – I was looking for a figure.
Taffy Wallace – $25 per mailing.
Kelly Lynch – We can get a lot more done if we don’t have handfuls of paper.
John Bodkin – Look how far ahead we are, we are growing up.
Mike Schelin – Is the translation material available to all members?
Taffy Wallace – Yes. You can order off the website the languages we have.
Patty Flanagan – Currently there is not a Portuguese copy of HFC-II or Spanish. As soon as it’s available, it’s a check box.
Dan Sadur – The delegate list produced here is the delegates able to attend here. How is that list compiled and utilized?
Steve Edwards – There is an Area information worksheet, we then have an accurate record who is the chair and delegates and how to contact them.
Patty Flanagan – We have delegates not present. Anyone can receive the delegate mailing if they pay for postage. We make an effort to make it available.
Ian Young – Can you tell me where you are going with the retreat and fundraising and how we can be involved?
Patty Flanagan – I want to tell you what’s in my head, but until it’s on paper and it is a more concrete plan I hope you will work with me to make this a reality.
Steve Edwards – At every WCC there is a meeting where these are discussed.
Megan Kenney – In regard to the referrals. Are the posters available for us to review?
John Bodkin – We will be working on it. We have not had time to look at it ourselves. As we move forward those will be available.
Kathy Jo Rango – We haven’t asked the question does someone know about a copy right infringement we are not aware of? Please contact the office if you see something that we are unaware of.
Steve Edwards – Thank you WSOB. I have been advised a member would like to make amends.
Dan Santa Maria – The microphone is an art form. In regards to the inventory to the conference committee and Brian Tenebaum I apologize and let me know how to make it right.
Cynthia Cronkhite – LCF committee would like to meet for lunch in the restaurant for those who wish to join us.
Steve Edwards – Download the after-conference report template from the thumb-drive and then return them.
Brian Tenenbaum – Please return the reports within 30 days.
BREAK
Steve Edwards called the meeting to order and reconvened at 1:45 pm. We have returned from our lunch break and we will now hear the Finance Committee report.
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