Day 3 – August 30, 2025 – Morning Session
Morning Session opened at 9:12am
Michael: Opened with the serenity prayer
Yves W – Opened with A Vision for You in French
Melanie R. – Reads a Vision for You
Russell S – Please make sure your phones are either turned off or on silent. We are asking you to please allow us to lead you through the proceeding where debate is involved. Please don’t be too quick to call the question.
Robyn G – Housekeeping – Please do not lean against the airwall, it is being damaged. Please clean up after yourself. NO vaping inside. Boxed lunches today, chicken and ham (veggie for those who requested it). Ice cream left over from yesterday.
Russell S – Lets acknowledge Robyn G please. We’re going to start roll call, let’s start please.
Roll Call: 189
Quorum: 126
Russell S – Proceed with report. We will finish with Literature; Chips & Formats and we have a 5th concept statement.
Denise R – I would like to make a Fifth Concept statement regarding Motion No. 13 (Motion 44) from the LCF Committee—the last motion from the other night—which was about removing the meeting format from the appendices at the back of the books. I voted in favor of the motion for reasons that, so far, no one has taken into consideration.
We heard that every time the Conference approves any change to a format, the LCF Committee ends up with a great deal of work, because they must update all the books accordingly. Tai from the World Service Office also mentioned the enormous amount of money this costs Cocaine Anonymous each time.
That argument was outweighed by the point that the book had been used during the pandemic to go out on the streets and hold meetings. However, my point is this: before I can go out on the streets in Germany, I need an appropriate, approved translation. In order to get such a translation, the process is as follows:
- We must first create the translation.
- Then it must be sent to the World Service Office for approval.
- The Office will either approve it or request changes.
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- Once approved, we receive a license agreement, which we must sign.
- Only atier sending it back do we receive permission to print, publish, and use the book, pamphlet, format, or any other material.
This is how it works in Germany. Sweden has to do the same. Holland has to do the same. Denmark has to do the same. The newly recognized Area Belgium has to do the same—and so do Poland, Spain, Portugal, and Greece.
Right now, we are in the process of changing the logos on all of our documents because the logos that were approved in 2021 were not uploaded correctly, and the ones we are using are therefore not legally valid. By law, we are not allowed to use them. The same is true for the Eleventh Tradition and for all of our countries. In every pamphlet, every reading, format, book, poster.
So, with every change to the formats, we will have to repeat this entire process again, and again, and again. And you all know how many motions we have that propose changing just a word here or there.
We all try to keep Cocaine Anonymous inclusive, myself included. But the challenge for me, my Area, and all Areas in the region is that, for reasons we cannot change, we are different. We are foreigners.
To include ourselves in this Fellowship requires a lot of effort—which I am more than willing to make, because I am profoundly grateful that CA has reached across the ocean. Still, I would prefer to spend my time going out on the streets and doing H&I work, rather than constantly revising translations and seeking approval.
Only here and WE can help to include us foreigners by making it possible for us 7 people, representing 15 areas from another continent, to carry the message to those who do not understand English. It will always be complicated, but it could be made easier if, here at the Conference, we help one another by not making the documents more complicated than they need to be.
I wanted to let you know that, even more, i had to tell you as this is my responsibility.
Andrew C – I voted on the prevailing side. Motion 45: to reconsider motion 13 in the Literature,
Chips & Formats report (Motion 44).
Seconded
Russell S – Would you like to speak to your motion?
Andrew C – Speaks to the motion
Russell S – Any further debate to reconsider. Simple majority? Motion passes with minor opposition.
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Nadz L – Motion 46: to remove the Meeting Formats from the appendices of all C.A. books in future printings.
Seconded
Russell S – Would you like to speak to your motion?
Nadz L – Not at this time
Russell S – Any debate?
Johnathan Ha – Speaking in favor of the motion
Denise R – Speaking in favor of the motion
Randy G – Speaking in favor of the motion
Sydney P – Speaking in favor of the motion
Parthi T – Speaking in favor of the motion
Al P – Question – How many languages in a pocket are in process right now?
Tai B – 4 as of right now and we have more on request (Swedish, French and French Canadian and possibly Dutch)
Judd W – Speaking in favor of the motion
Judd W – Question – can you task who is in charge of changing literature, with stating that we make the change atier the current stock is sold first?
Tai B – We never discard our literature. With current licensing we encourage areas not to print out the *old* literature.
Russell S – Seeing no further debate, prepare to vote on the main motion #13 in Literature, Chips & Formats.
Motion passes with minor opposition
Russell S – We will now finish with questions for Literature, Chips & Formats Peter McG – Will you welcome a referral to consolidate some pamphlets? Nadz L – Yes, we always welcome a referral.
Georgia – Is there a current project in regard to audio versions or should we put in a referral?
Nadz L – This would be a World Service Office Board referral and not a Literature, Chips & Formats referral.
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Stu E – 5th concept statement – regarding the multiyear chip. I believe that the multiyear chip is best for some meetings. Just because other meetings can’t afford them, we should be thinking about the people who are asking for them.
Sammi J – Motion 47: to reconsider Motion 7 in LCF report (Motion 39)
Russell S – Any debate?
Robert B – Speaking against the motion to reconsider
Parthi T – Speaking in favor of the motion to reconsider
Randy G – Speaking against the motion to reconsider
Noel B – Speaking in favor of the motion to reconsider
Chad L – Speaking against the motion to reconsider
Russell S – I will discuss with the floor the making of a 5th concept, but I want to do the vote.
Let’s vote on the motion to reconsider motion #7.
Motion fails
Russell S – Regarding 5th concept statements – in situations where it is a very close vote, there
is the opportunity to change their view and their opinion. While it shouldn’t be abused, it must be upheld.
Russell S – seeing no further questions for Literature, Chips & Formats, please joining me in thanking them.
Russell S – Quick 10-minute break – Please return at 10:30am
Russell S – The 7th tradition states that we are fully self-supporting declining outside contributions, please feel free to give but remember that we want you more than your money. Please give if you can, but don’t feel pressured.
Russell S – thank you for returning timely, next up is IT.
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