OPENING REPORT
C.A. WORLD SERVICE CONFERENCE 2011
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT
INTRODUCTION AND OPENING COMMENTS:
Welcome to the 2011 World Service Conference. Our theme this year is “”Big Book – $8.00; Hope, Faith and Courage – $10.00, Unity – Priceless!”
While the price of the Big Book and HFC has changed, the value of Unity remains a priceless commodity in our Fellowship.
Unity can be referenced as: The state of being one; oneness; a whole or totality as combining all its parts into one; absence of diversity; oneness of mind or feeling as among a number of persons; harmony or agreement.
We are all here this week because we have a common purpose, to work together and help grow Cocaine Anonymous. Service workers in this Fellowship are valuable to the whole, we gather once a year face-to-face in order to do the business of Cocaine Anonymous. Though most work tirelessly all year from around the world now is the time to work together, without the boundaries of time and distance to hinder progress.
Helen K. said “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
Ask questions this week, count on one another; remember our primary purpose and common goals. Unity is our most priceless asset.
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Our committee‟s task during the past year was to provide the best possible service to the attendees of the Conference as well as keeping the delegates and the fellowship informed of issues affecting CA as a whole. Our Committee began working soon after the 2010 Conference, meeting each month, sometimes more than once a month, as well as online, preparing for this year‟s Conference. Below is a summary of the items we have addressed:
- Review of Evaluation of the 2010 Conference
- Completion of the “Final Conference Report” for distribution to the delegates/fellowship and posting to website
- Distribution of Conference minutes distributed to delegates/fellowship Review of Conference transcripts
- Review of Closing Report vs. Final Conference Report Preparation and distribution of Summary of Motions
- Approval of Conference Committee Guidelines for posting to website and distribution to delegates/fellowship
- Committee review of responsibilities and participation of committee members
- Approval of all Conference forms ie: registration, proxy, etc.
- Development of an electronic referral form
- Approval of responses to Post Conference Referrals
- Method of ensuring that all items prepared by the Conference Committee are included in mailing
- Completion of 2011 Conference Agenda
- Review and update of Orientation for 2011 Conference
COMMITTEE INTRODUCTIONS:
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Committee Members
Robin L. – Chair
Barbara N. -Vice Chair
Laurie R. -Secretary
Lori P. –Coordinator
Jay F.-Co-Coordinator
Teresa N. – Administrative Coordinator, WSOB
Brian T.
Mark C.
Ben S.
Linda Francisco, DOO
Gregory A.
Jenn S.
Conference Officers
Tony D. – Chair
Trevor S. – Parliamentarian
Susan C. – Secretary
Deborah W. – Secretary
Richard S. – Trustee at Large
Peter D – The World Service Trustee
Kimberly S. – Midwest Regional Trustee
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This committee has worked hard all year; I am appreciative of my mentors and everyone who stepped up to help out from our local area.
Post-Conference Referral Responses:
Referral # 6434 informal new delegate orientation: To have a few more experienced or “senior” delegates meet with incoming/new delegates for 15-20 minutes, after the new delegate orientation, to help “personalize” their beginning at the Conference. (I know senior delegates from their area are supposed to help them but it has been my experience here that many new delegates don‟t have anything to do this.
They would answer questions, not only on conference procedure, without the “audience” on the floor, but also explain the little things too, such as shortcuts, to restrooms, which elevator is really the closest to room, etc. I found one member working in S&B rooms who walked the whole width of the hotel because the only bathroom he saw was the one near the smokers/confer floor. This is meant to be somewhat similar to what senior highschoolers do for the new class of incoming freshmen. Thanks.
Response: We thank you for making this suggestion to our Committee. In the past we have tried various approaches to achieve a similar end with mixed results, ranging from formal speakers to even a buddy system of sorts. We do like the idea of doing something more informal and will work on creating such a dynamic for Conference 2011. That said, by the time this referral is presented at the Conference, this plan will already be in place. At first blush, we are thinking of breaking into smaller groups of 4-5 new delegates with a more senior conference member. We will work on a list of topics to cover as well ranging from Hotel, food and Conference logistics to surviving the week with no sleep
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and with minimal resentment(s). We will then appreciate feedback to our efforts on either the evaluations at WSC 2011 or by further referrals.
Referral # 6437 Pre-conference volunteer list: To allot 3-4 hour volunteer list pre-conference to help WSO.
Response: Thank you for your referral, we will have sign up list.
Referral # 6443 Distribution of reports by committees: Require committees to distribute reports sooner than 5 minutes before giving them so that delegates can have time to review them properly to make an informed decision.
Response: Thank you for your referral. As the effects of your referral would alter the way the conference is run, and would need to be a standing rule, we have referred this to the Structure & Bylaws committee.
Referral # 6453 Projection Screen: Please have the projection screen oriented so that it is viewable by those on the presenting podium. Presenters may need to reference particular items or areas on documents, graphics or other displays, and it is difficult to do so with the current set up.
Response: We appreciate the request/suggestion. At the time of set up, we will make every effort to ensure that this is done.
Referral # 6476 Jump Drives with Conference Materials: Please investigate the possibility of selling jump drives and/or downloadable zip files containing the same material as the delegate notebook for those who prefer to receive these materials electronically. Thank you.
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Response: Thank you for your suggestion! Beginning this Conference (2011), flash drives loaded with all of the materials from the Delegate Notebooks will be available for purchase on site.
Referral # 6492 Formats for Readings at Conference Sessions: Please have a copy of the current meeting format available for the readings at the beginning of each session. We missed reading “Who is a C.A. Member?” Tuesday and the version of “Reaching Out” read today was missing the last paragraph. Thank you.
Response: Thank you for the reminder. We will make sure that all readings are available in their correct form for each session in 2011.
Referral # 6493 Chair‟s Statement re voting members (Tony & Trevor): Please update the Chair‟s statement re voting members to reflect the current language of SR1 and SR2. Former trustees no longer have carte blanche to make motions on the floor. It is at the discretion of the Conference Chair. Thank you.
Response: Our standing rules clearly state who may make motions on the conference floor. In recent past, the chairs of the conference have been fairly lenient in allowing past trusted servants to fully participate on the conference floor. Any member may ask the chair for the opportunity to make and/or discuss a motion. As such a ruling is at the chairs discretion, any members may challenge the chairs decision.
Referral # 6494 Chair and Vice Chair coordination with Conference Committees (Trevor, Tony & Peter)
Please consider having the Conference Chair and/or Vice Chair/Parliamentarian spend some time with each committee during breakout session in order to review their proposed motions. It would benefit the conference as a whole to have these officers help identify and eliminate any potential parliamentary issues before
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motions are brought to the floor. It would also be a valuable learning experience for the committees. Thank you.
The Conference Chair and Vice Chair, aside from their duties in facilitating the efficient flow of business during the Conference sessions, are members on the Conference committee as well. As such, they participate in all the business at the committee level. This does partially limit their time; however as servants of the conference as a whole, they are available to any committee to provide any needed assistance. As well, all conference committee chairs have a meeting with the conference officers, where any and all concerns can be addressed.
Referral 6499 Mock Motion Play: Please reinstate the mock motion play. It really helps the new delegates understand in a tactile way. If you (the committee) are bored of ice cream then change the topic or subject. But please put this back in the spirit of the 9th Concept, allow the new delegates every opportunity to be the best delegates they can be.
Response: At the 2010 Conference, the mock motion play was not done due to technical difficulties. It was not left out on purpose, and it is the intention of the conference committee to continue using this and all updated versions of the mock motion in the future.
Referral # 6500 Kickoff Dinner: Please host the Kickoff dinner on site at the hotel:
Response: Thank you for the referral. The Conference Committee will explore all options in selecting a location for the Kickoff dinner in 2011. We will ensure that the option of hosting the dinner at the hotel itself will be strongly considered. Throughout the year, we, as a Committee work with the Hotel as well as some other restaurants to explore all possible viable alternatives for this dinner. We
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have approached the Hotel for some concessions in this regard which have previously made having the dinner on-site prohibitive. The Hotel has been most receptive to these discussions. By the time these responses reach the fellowship at the Conference next August, this issue will have been resolved. Just know please, that the Committee will consider this suggestion seriously as there were many evaluations from the 2010 Conference which made the same suggestion; and from a logistical standpoint, having the dinner at the Hotel is easier, if the price is comparable.
Referral # 6506 Digital information about Conference: Please provide the option of delegates and other attendees of the Conference to receive digital copies of the delegate notebook, to save paper, costs and my poor arms.
Response: Thank you for your suggestion! Beginning this Conference (2011), flash drives loaded with all of the materials from the Delegate Notebooks will be available for purchase on site.
Referral # 6507 Name tags: That the Area from which a Conference attendee hails is printed on their Conference name tag. Thanks for your consideration. Response: We appreciate your referral related to Area designation on Name tags of Conference attendees. We used to do this automatically but received a referral some years back about the anonymity issues of what the attendees wanted on their individual name tag. We have asked for years how the attendee desired to be listed as in the registration materials. We will, though, specifically ask if the individual attendees want their areas listed as a separate question. This should address the referral while still being mindful of anonymity issues. Referral # 6520 Power strips for conference members (Peter & Trevor): Please consider in negotiation of our hotel contract the provision of power strips to meet the needs of power strips to meet the needs of members‟ laptops.
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Response: At this year’s conference, anyone wishing to rent a power strip or extension cord from the hotel is able to do so. The cost is $10.00 per item per day, and they are available on a limited first come first serve basis. The committee feels that supplying such items for the entire conference would be cost prohibitive. We would like to encourage conference members to bring their own equipment instead. A cord and power strip doesn’t take up much room in luggage, and avoids the possibility that the hotel is out of rental supplies.
Referral # 6523 Names on referrals: While I understand the idea of “principles before personalities” I know from experience that as a subcommittee chairperson, when I get a referral, I look at the person who wrote it first. Being that we are all just human, can we remove the names of people that wrote the referral, not on the form just to the committees. I have some ideas about this if the committee feels the need to talk to me about how to make this happen.
Response: Thanks for sending this referral to our Committee. We believe it is appropriate to leave the name of the person making the referral on the master form but removing it from the master referral log itself which is circulated to all conference attendees. We already have made this adjustment to the post-conference referrals from WSC 2010. However, we believe that in order to be accountable to the fellowship and responsive/transparent to the referral process itself, that the names of the person making the referral will be readily available upon request. The name of the maker of the referral would still remain on the copy of the respective referrals when the referral is transmitted to the chairs of the various conference committees.
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Referral # 6531 Dress of Conference Officers: I would like to have the dais to be held to a little higher dress code, out of respect to our fellowship, than shorts and sandals.
Response: Conference Officers, like delegates and alternate delegates, are volunteer members from amongst the fellowship. They are chosen to help lead and facilitate the flow of business being conducted. As such, they are subject to the same expectations as are all other members of the conference. As volunteers from all around the world, and individuals from all walks of life, each attendee is responsible for his or her own attire. This committee does not believe we should suggest how an individual chooses to dress keeping in mind that even in today’s world, “outward appearances are not inward reality”(pg 48 BB).
Referral # 6694 Conference announcement re cell phones (Tony, Barbara & Susan): That for the Conference Chair to make announcement each time before we start each Conference session that we silence all cell phones and pagers.
Response: Thank you very much for your referral, it has been confirmed with this year’s Conference Chair; The Chairs session announcements include the request to silence all cell phones and communication devices.
Referral # 6695 Delegate workbook (Lori & Jay): That the delegate workbook be double checked before handed out. To avoid wrong pages being printed out.
Response: Thank you for the referral. This concern was brought to our attention at the last Conference and we worked hard to make sure that it did not recur. We will endeavor to further refine our copying efforts so as to correct this problem completely for future Conferences.
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Referral # 6717 Referral Suggestion (Trevor, Laurie R., & Mark C.): In dealing with referrals that you take no action until you have 20 or more of the same referrals. That way it will show more of a group conscience.
Response: In our concepts, all members and all committees have certain rights. Adopting any such a motion would infringe upon these rights and handcuff a committee as they attempt to carry out their work. Any idea put forward to a conference committee deserves to be considered and acted upon as the committee sees fit. It is our job as members of our individual committees to participate in a healthy debate, thus insuring that as a whole we are doing what is best for C.A.
CLOSING COMMENTS:
In closing, we, the Conference Officers and the Conference Committee, look forward to serving you this week, and to having a successful 2011 World Service Conference. If you have any questions or concerns during the remainder of this week, please see myself, Lori P., or Jay F. As a reminder, we are seeking and encouraging all members to join and serve on this committee. Being a member of this committee is exciting and rewarding, AND we have a lot of fun!
Conference Committee Rocks! Thank you.
Tony D.: Any questions? Seeing none, please thank the committee.
Joy H.: MOTION: to approve the 2010 Conference Minutes.
Tony D.: Seconded. Motion carries. A few announcements. Regional Caucuses:(add locations for regions)
Jason L.: A request for referral missed last year be addressed; sent to S&B. And referral 5860 as well.
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Tony D.: It will be done.
Roy R.: Are we going to have a 3 hour lunch?
Tony D.: Only 2 hours.
Roy R.: Do I need to motion to have the Caucuses moved to 11a.m?
Tony D.: No. That is not necessary.
add Robin’s announcements:
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