Rodney D – read report
OPENING REPORT C.A. WORLD SERVICE CONFERENCE 2018
STRUCTURE AND BYLAWS COMMITTEE
INTRODUCTION AND OPENING COMMENTS:
This year the S & B committee was able to get the World Service Manual updated a couple of months earlier thanks to the Conference Committee getting the “Summary of Motions” out within a month of last year’s conference. We are deeply honored to be given such an opportunity for service.
COMMITTEE INTRODUCTIONS:
- Rodney D rdavisrecoverystuff@gmail.com Chair
- Clayton P clayboy7447@aol.com Co-secretary
- Ernest M Etrudge2@yahoo.com Co-secretary
- Kerry W swrt@ca.org Trustee
- Taylor F taylorthedad@gmail.com Member
- David S dsheriff85@gmail.com Member
- Josh J jwjordan92@yahoo.com Member
- Michael C thorent@hotmail.com Member
- Jill E jill@gmail.com Member
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- Dwanna R forserenity@yahoo.com (non-delegate) Member
- Zach A Zachalby93@gmail.com Member
- David S slackdavid@yahoo.com Member
- Kevin M wsot@ca.org trustee
- Randy M randyvm@mac.com WSOB
Special thanks to Clayton, Taylor, Zach, Dwanna, Kerry, Kevin and Randy who all took on extra work this year.
REFERRALS THAT WERE WORKED ON DURING THE YEAR:
S&B 2017-15: Article 10 of the Conference Charter includes: “But no change in Article 10 of the Charter or in the Twelve Traditions of C.A., or in the Twelve Steps of C.A. may be made with less than the written consent of three-quarters of the C.A. Groups.” Since the process for contacting and obtaining responses from the C.A. Groups is not defined, please provide a process for meeting this requirement.
S&B 2017-17: A proposal that the committee reconsiders the number of delegates per Area based on the number of meetings as stated in the WSM.
S&B 2017-1: On page 30 of the WSM item 1. starting at If an area has more than 75 meetings per week of its groups (excluding H&I), then that Area will be entitled to one additional vote for every fifty (50) meetings per week of its groups (or portion thereof). If an area has any questions concerning the number of votes to which it is entitled, that Area should contact its Regional Trustee or the WSO.
I would like to make it completely clear that meetings which meet more than one time per week are to be counted individually and not as one. The current language as written can be confusing and lead to miscounted meeting totals for Areas.
S&B 2017-9: Page 49 of the WSM would be changed to new language in whole to explain the referrals that are received.
S&B 2017-18: Create a “mini-WSM” suitable for people attempting to set up CA meetings or a new area service structure that is easier to translate into new languages. Definitions of meetings types and officers, commitments, area structure and servants and relationship to WS and the WSO are important. The Traditions and the Definition of the Group should be there. But maybe not the composition of the Trustee Board, or the Standing Rules or the Conference Charter or any of those things we didn’t care about when we were now.
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S&B 2017-2: On page 43 of the WSM under the heading Conference Chairperson in minimum qualifications bullet point section, the bullets are listed as a, b, c, b, c, d.
The language should read:
Minimum Qualifications:
- Voting experience at a World Service Conference.
- 4 years continuous sobriety.
- Service oriented background.
- Willingness to serve
- A thorough working knowledge of the Twelve Concepts of Service, Twelve Traditions, Conference Charter and Bylaws, Conference Standing Rules, Robert’s Rules of Order and Parliamentary Procedure.
- Previous leadership/chairperson experience.
S&B 2018-3: World Pi would like to change the statement of purpose verbiage in the WSM so that it matches the statement in the PI manual.
The purpose of the Public Information Committee is to carry the message of Cocaine Anonymous to the still-suffering addict. We achieve this by making our presence known to the individuals, community groups and interested parties affected by drug addiction. We also have the task of keeping our own Fellowship members informed and up-to-date on changes with respect to Cocaine Anonymous. The Public Information Conference Committee develops, initiates, and plans the means of communication to the public, which is presented to the Conference for Fellowship approval.
S&B 2018-1: Our current language for electing conference committee chairperson is “Every Committee should nominate and select its own officers each year prior to presenting its motion(s) on the Conference floor.” This is vague and open to interpretation. Most committees do elections at the end of the breakout session; some do it at the beginning. I always thought the intent was to announce the slate, in the committee’s closing remarks, that will operate through the following conference. I believe that this process should be a little more specific in order to ensure that all our WSC committees operate the same way. Wording like: “Every Committee should nominate and select its own officers each year at the end of their breakout session and present them to the fellowship during its final report on the Conference floor.”
S&B 2018-7: MOTION TO AMEND THE ORGANIGRAM ON PG 12 of WSM. In the interest of transparency aiding clear understanding, I would ask you to consider under SR14 a reorganization
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of the organogram on page 12 of the WSM to include the CAWSO Board and Directorships detailed on pages 61-61 of the WSM. I believe this change; which would provide clear identification of WSOB committees and Directorships (including Directors at Large) sits happily within concept 1, 3 and 9.
S&B 2018-4: World Pi would like to create a new service position to be included in the World Service Manual. GROUP PI LIAISON Suggested sobriety time: 6 months continuous sobriety Term: 6 months the purpose of the Group PI Liaison is to attend their local PI committee meeting, collect CA literature / posters and distribute these locally. 15 The Group PI Liaison is the one who will carry the information between their group and their local PI committee. DUTIES AND RESPONSABILITY – Familiarize yourself with PI guidelines and C.A.’s 12 traditions -Act as a liaison between your group and your local PI committee -Actively support your group by placing literature / posters in your meeting venue / local area on a regular basis – Keep group members informed of upcoming PI activities and opportunities for service.
S&B 2018-5: Motion: that at all times when there exists vacancies for Directors, in any capacity, on the CAWSO Board, a one page flyer is distributed with each quarterly delegate mailing and also displayed prominently on the ca.org website. The flyer should detail: •Number of Director vacancies •Description of each vacant position •Information regarding WSM location of qualifications and responsibilities of CAWSO Board members •Length of term and qualifications •Information how, where and when to submit expressions of interest, resumes and other documentation.
S&B 2018-6: Motion: to amend content pertinent to WSM P.33. Add the following words in bold where indicated as follows: ‘REGIONAL CAUCUS The Region may hold a Regional Caucus during the WS Convention or at other times necessary to conduct the business of the Region. The Caucus may determine the appropriate voting procedures. However, during the WSC, each Region shall hold at least one Regional Caucus. It shall be attended by all WSC Delegates, Alternate Delegates, Conference & Committee Officers, and Trustees within the Region. The first order of business is to establish voting qualifications. Those persons who have a vote at the WSC should make this determination. Participation from the floor at a Regional Caucus may be open to all members in attendance and as recognized by the Chairperson. It is suggested that, other than major matters of business as described in Standing Rule 13 (SR13) for the CA World Service conference, voting shall be open to all of the participants. Determination of which matters of business meet SR13 criteria should be made by the Chairperson and voting directed accordingly. Another order of business shall be the election of the Delegate to represent the Region in the Trustee Election Committee.’ The intention of this motion is to ensure that Concepts 1, 2 ,3, 4 and 9 are embedded in the Caucus structure as follows: Concept 1 – The members are invited and welcome to attend and participate at Regional Caucus thus informing the body of their views and opinions. Concept 2 – The delegated authority to WS delegates and Conference Officers is not undermined Concept 3 – The right of decision for the Caucus to determine its voting procedures and for the Chairperson to determine which are major matters of business and voting procedures adjusted accordingly in line with Concept 2 Concept 4 – Voting rights are representative for those in attendance and are
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proportionate to the responsibility that each has in respect of each motion. Concept 9 – given that an order of business is the election of the delegate to represent the Region in TEC, it is critical that the voting procedure ensures an appropriate method for that election.
Furthermore when adhered to this will remove the opportunity for the tyranny of the majority or indeed minority to unduly influence outcomes by manipulating WSM content and guidance.
S&B 2018-8: Proposal for the creation of a new Conference Committee – Long Term Planning and International Development Discussion: This proposed committee has been discussed for many years now as a logical expansion of the Trustee’s similar committees. There currently is a Long Term Planning meeting at the CAWS Conventions each year and there was a Long Term Planning meeting at the recent European Regional Convention in Birmingham UK in April, 2018. There is a strong sincere interest in the future of our fellowship and this Committee would be intended to serve as a resource of the requisite planning to identify future goals both in the US and Internationally and then to help facilitate, with the help, planning and support of the WSBT and the WSOB. Motion: to create a new Conference Committee named Long Term Planning and International Development, with the following committee description, to be created effective at the close of the 2018 World Service Conference: The purpose of the Long-Term Planning and International Development Committee is to study of the long-term needs and goals of the CA fellowship throughout the world. The responsibilities of the Committee shall be to: a. Develop an analysis of long-term fellowship needs, goals and structure. b. Recommend long-term goals and strategies to the Conference, the WSBT and to the WSOB, as appropriate. c. Evaluate the long-term effectiveness of the many programs of the fellowship. d. Work to create and then update, as appropriate, a comprehensive long-term plan and present a report to the Conference for adoption. Any such plan shall be based upon input from the fellowship at large, from current Conference delegates, the WSBT, the WSOB and past trusted servants of the Conference. Note: the passage of this Motion would cause amendment to the chart on page 12 of the WSM, the list on page 38 of the WSM and also in the Conference Committee Guidelines for meeting space.
S&B 2018-9: Recognition and support of the Online Service Area as it relates to C.A. as a whole Dear C.A. WSC, Online meetings began in 1997 in response to requests from suffering addicts. The Online Service Area was formed and ratified by this conference in 2000 to continue carrying the C.A. message of recovery to those who do not have access to face-2-face meetings. We are a touchstone to C.A. for the homebound, disabled (many meeting locations do not have wheelchair access), those traveling for business, recovering from surgery, and a dedicated group that just love our Fellowship and participating in their recovery. The OSA attracts many newcomers and provides help and hope to those who are afraid to attend face-2- face meetings. Online support has given them the opportunity to feel safe in embracing C.A. as a way of life. The Online Service Area is as much a part of the lifeblood of C.A. as H&I. The challenges we face are many as we are spread out all over the globe. One of the biggest challenges we have is the support and recognition of C.A. as a whole! It is news to many of our members that C.A. even has online meetings. By example I refer to the following: •Yes, You Can Start a C.A. Meeting pamphlet – No mention of online meetings. •World Service Manual – no mention of online C.A. meetings •Public Information – Repeated attempts to coordinate outreach have been to no avail MOTION: That
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this body recognize the OSA and the role it plays in its approved literature, service structure, and all public information materials generated by the WSC PI Committee.
COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AS OF THE START OF THIS CONFERENCE
| Chair | Rodney D | rdavisrecoverystuff@gmail.com 816-349-0351 | ||
| Vice-Chair | vacant | |||
| Secretary | Clay P | clayboy7447@aol.com | 216-322-4316 | |
CLOSING COMMENTS
I have loved the opportunity to serve on the S & B committee. The committee takes its service very seriously, yet we do not take ourselves too seriously. We learn and apply the principles of the Steps, Traditions and Concepts as we consider changes to the World Service Manual. I know I have grown from my time on this committee. Honestly, S&B was not my first choice, nor was it my second. I had not even considered serving on the S&B committee. A member of my area strongly suggested I serve on S&B, I have to say thank you Carl. As I finish my final conference I can say I have learned more about the power of God as He speaks to us though group conscience during this experience. Please consider serving on the S&B committee. We have many important referrals to work on, plus you will all get to experience our World Service Manual in perhaps a new spirit. Come share the principles of service coming alive in the S&B committee.
Respectfully Submitted:
Rodney D
Trevor S – Questions for the committee? Seeing none, please thank committee. Next up is Unity.
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