Finance – Alan S
CLOSING REPORT
C.A. WORLD SERVICE CONFERENCE 2013
FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT
INTRODUCTION AND OPENING COMMENTS
Cocaine Anonymous has an estimated 60,000 members. The overall contributions received from the 7th tradition last year were around $120,000. This averages to just over $2 per member per year. Disappointing.
It has come to the attention of our committee that there may be a limited “perceived value” of what the CAWSO provides to the fellowship and its members. Is there some point where we will look at our 7th Concept to see if the “power of the purse” is being exercised by the fellowship?
One of our important tasks as Delegates of C.A. is to educate and inform the members of the Fellowship of the intricate role of the World Service Office. Every dollar donated to the WSO directly benefits the addict who still suffers. Some of the ways the WSO does this is by providing
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administrative support for meeting, chips, literature, national information line, and starter kits for new groups worldwide.
Delegates are responsible for informing our Fellowship of these vital services. Delegates are to transmit the message of the essential role of the World Service Office, without this our Fellowship would wither and die.
As a fellowship, we have to start improving our revenues. We sell chips, literature, and memorabilia on our website. We need to continually improve the 7th Tradition revenues and donation programs included in our finance folder hand out. Only with these improvements can we insure a sound financial foundation for the long term.
We would like each and every delegate at this conference to commit! Go back to your Area, educate, inform, and encourage! All Areas, Districts and Meetings need to be clear on the 70/30 plan. Let’s get the money back to the World Service Office! This continues to help us with our primary purpose: carrying the message to the still suffering addict. This is a message we have presented in the past. We need to continue the efforts to keep the CAWSO financially sound.
I’d like to turn our presentation over to Jackson and Buster to discuss the methods now available to donate.
Hand outs!
Committee Introductions
Chair Alan S
Vice Chair Buster C
Secretary Maya B
Trustee Brian T
Trustee Jay P
Member Jackson H
Member Thomas W
Member Heidi J
Member Lance D
Member Caryl S
COMMITTEE WORK THAT RESULTED IN MOTIONS
MOTION 1: We are motioning to amend the WSCFC Guidelines under District Treasurer, page 9.
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1) One year Two years of continuous sobriety. Second. Debate: Maker – not at this time.
Motion passes.
MOTION #2: We are motioning to amend the WSCFC Guidelines under Area Treasurer, page 12.
1) Two Three years of continuous sobriety. Second. Debate: Maker – not at this time
Motion passes.
MOTION #3: To approve the Amended 2013-2014 budget.
Second. Debate: Maker – not at this time
Tom P: The budget we are voting on is a deficit budget of 15,000. I speak against the motion.
Laurie C: The print is too small to read
Tom P: FA meeting one be eliminated
Point of Order – Brian T: We do not edit the budget on the floor.
Tony D: Correct.
Elizabeth S: I would speak against the motion if I had a vote; but would like someone to make a motion to refer back to committee to be fixed.
Sarah T:
MOTION: to refer back to committee so the floor has time to review.
Second. Debate:
Peter O: I speak in favor of the motion. It is difficult to vote on a budget that is a deficit.
Tom P: Speaks for the motion….needs time to review
Michael C: Speaks for the motion
Heidi J: Speaks for the motion.
P Inquiry Cynthia C: Shouldn’t this be a motion to table?
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Tony D: It could have been. That is why I clarified.
Terry M: I speak against the motion. We should open this up for debate.
Kellie F: FA – to refer back to committee to bring back a balanced budget.
Terry M: Objects to the FA
Tony D: I will uphold the objection and the FA is dead.
Jay P: I speak in favor of the motion
Michael A: If this motion passes will you give us an hour to review?
Tony D: You will have time to review and it will come back up in the course of remaining business.
Kellie F:
Motion: to amend to refer back to committee to bring back a balanced budget as per concept 12 in our charter.
Second. Debate:
Allen S: I cannot object?
Tony D: No.
Allen S: I would rather bring you back a realistic budget than a balanced budget.
P of Inquiry – Jason L: How is this different?
Tony D: A motion to amend is a formal way to amend the motion without asking the maker.
Duane M: I speak against the motion. I trust our fellowship and trusted servants.
Peter O: I speak in favor of the motion. I think the budget should be reworked.
Cynthia C: I speak in favor of this motion….I think we can trim some fat.
Heidi J: I speak against the motion. We can make some cuts but …
Eric T; I speak against the motion. The finance committee has presented the real deal to us and we need to work with that.
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Richard L: I speak against the motion. I think we are putting the cart before the horse.
Tom P: I speak in favor of this motion. I see where we can do away with some luxury items. We need to be adult and responsible.
Alan S: I think the first thing to do is to review it. Then open up for changes.
Patrick P: What is being missed is the 12th concept here.
Jim S: Call the question. Second
Tony D: Motion to close debate passes.
Motion: To refer back to committee so the floor has time to review it and bring back a balanced budget as per concept 12 in our charter.
Debate:
John M: I believe we have asked trusted servants present a budget that is true.
Alan S: 2%…15,000. Not lot of money. Money doesn’t get spent if we don’t have it. This is a projection.
Eric T: Speaks against the motion. This is the reality of our situation. This 15,000 deficit brings me to the reality of having to reach a little deeper.
Peter O: Speaks for the motion. A budget has been presented and we have not approved it. We are asking to have it redone.
Elizabeth S: Back in the day, we cut Trustee travel, took out a quarterly meeting, and began to work online…stuff like that to cut costs.
Susan B: I speak against the motion. We need to dig a little deeper. This is a reality based budget.
Vonya Q: I speak for the motion…I am asking for a balance budget.
Heidi J: A budget is a tool; not actual. It is a projection of what we think we will spend. It is just a guideline.
Maria M: Question – can we take money from the savings account to cover the deficit if needed?
Tony D: Yes.
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Jim S: It is not prudent to spend money that we do not know whether we will have or not.
Richard L: I speak against the motion if we send it back without discussion. Let’s have a healthy discussion then talk about cuts.
Jay H: Call the question. Seconded
Tony D: Motion to close debate passes.
Motion: To refer back to committee so the floor has time to review it and bring back a balanced budget as per concept 12 in our charter.
Tony D: Prepare to vote. Motion passes.
MOTION #4: To approve the Proposed 2014-2015 budget. (will be addressed later)
REFERRALS THAT RESULTED IN MOTIONS Referral Number 6515:
Guidelines to include direction for online banking: 1) who has access to online accounts; 2) how are online accounts protected with rotations; and 3) recommendations for online billings/payments.
MOTION: To include the following in the Finance Guidelines on the top of page 15.
Guidelines for Online Banking
The only Areas that should participate in on-line banking should have a federal tax ID number attached to their bank account.
1) Who has access to online account:
- Two individuals – the Area Treasurer, and another Area Officer should have payment access to on-line banking (and/or account signatories).
- Other Area Officers should have view access only to the accounts as a checks and balance system.
2) How are online accounts protected with rotations:
- Passwords and logins should be changed within 5 business days following the change
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of trusted servants.
3) Recommendations for online billings/payments:
- On-line payment of Fellowship bills should be paid only to businesses that accept on-line payments. All other payments should be paid by check.
- Approval process for on-line payments should be made at the District/Area discretion.
- Copies of payments made on-line should be printed and kept with the Area Treasurer for bookkeeping purposes.
- If the District/Area chooses to receive electronic payment distributions, these MUST be linked to a District/Area Account ONLY and NEVER BE CO-MINGLED with a personal account.
- Wherever necessary, always invoke the Sixth Tradition statement: In the spirit of Tradition Six, C.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution.
- The Treasurer still needs to print the on-line bank statement, black out all account number information, and submit with the Area Treasurers Report so the fellowship has the assurance of proper handling of funds.
Second. Debate: Maker – not at this time
Cynthia C: FA – an Area should obtain its own federal tax ID # prior to engaging online banking. If it is not their specific ID# someone could use anyone’s tax ID # Jim S: FA – insert after tax ID #; or the international equivalent
Michael C: Is a tax ID number equivalent to a non profit number?
Alan S: It depends on your bank’s practices or methods.
Jim S: FA…dual pin access. FA not accepted
Suzanne V: What you are asking…is this just for American practices?
Jim S: I speak against the motion. We need better safeguards.
Ruby L: FA – to remove the previously accepted FA. FA not accepted
Jason L: FA – In the heading can we change to US bank? Not accepted.
John M: This is not fit for everyone…speaks against
Gary M: What safeguards does this offer regarding the 2 signature guideline?
Jackson H: Speaks in favor. Online banking is all over the US. This is better than having nothing.
There are tweaks to be made; it’s not perfect.
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Alan S: This is just the start of some guidelines.
Maria M: I speak against this motion because of the discrepancies where this could be more internationally friendly.
Jason L: I think we need to get this passed for current US accounts while not opening it up for abuse within the international countries.
Jason L: FA – remove or international equivalent and add in the heading US and only
AMMENDED MOTION:
Guidelines for US Online Banking Only
An area should obtain its own federal tax ID # number prior to engaging in online banking.
4) Who has access to online account:
c) Two individuals – the Area Treasurer, and another Area Officer should have payment access to on-line banking (and/or account signatories).
d) Other Area Officers should have view access only to the accounts as a checks and balance system.
5) How are online accounts protected with rotations:
b) Passwords and logins should be changed within 5 business days following the change of trusted servants.
6) Recommendations for online billings/payments:
g) On-line payment of Fellowship bills should be paid only to businesses that accept on-line payments. All other payments should be paid by check.
h) Approval process for on-line payments should be made at the District/Area discretion.
i) Copies of payments made on-line should be printed and kept with the Area Treasurer for bookkeeping purposes.
j) If the District/Area chooses to receive electronic payment distributions, these MUST be linked to a District/Area Account ONLY and NEVER BE CO-
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MINGLED with a personal account.
k) Wherever necessary, always invoke the Sixth Tradition statement: In the spirit of Tradition Six, C.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution.
l) The Treasurer still needs to print the on-line bank statement, black out all account number information, and submit with the Area Treasurers Report so the fellowship has the assurance of proper handling of funds. (housekeeping)
Tony D: Motion passes.
John M: Asking the finance to work with ERT and ER Areas chairs on this?
Eric F: I’m glad we cleared this up international and glad there are guidelines being made for the US areas.
REFERRALS OR ITEMS TABLED UNTIL NEXT YEAR; AND ITEMS THE COMMITTEE WILL CONTINUE WORKING ON THROUGH THE YEAR
We will be working on SMART (Save My Ass Recovery Transfer) during the coming year to give you an additional way to donate. This will be an EFT Electronic Transfer initiated from a member’s bank account. More information to follow.
REFERRALS OR ITEMS REFERRED TO OTHER COMMITTEES; WORLD
SERVICE OFFICE, OR BOARD OF TRUSTEES
None.
REFERRALS THAT DID NOT RESULT IN MOTIONS Referral Number 7256:
As part of your Opening Report, please provide a histogram type (graphical representation) of Tradition 7 income over the period of the past decade. Please indicate on the graphics the full height of each bar rather than just the top portion, as this can lead to misrepresentation.
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CAWSO 7th Tradition Contributions
2007-08 $161, 501.08
2008-09 $145,971.05
2009-10 $128,395.38
2010-11 $ 91,172.58
2011-12 $144,869.09
2012-13 $122,906.75
Referral Number 7257:
Further to your Opening Report, in which a 30% reduction of Tradition 7 donations was noted. I would like to know if there is a threshold at which concerns as to a general application of “the power of the purse” is triggered? We are all aware of the possible repercussions of the recession, however, is it possible that this could be overshadowing an actual lack of perceived value of our World Services by the membership?
- The Finance committee notes any drop in the 7th Tradition Income as a serious concern. This has been noted since the 2008/2009 fiscal year end when the 7th Tradition contributions began to decline.
- We encourage each Delegate to return to their Area and educate their fellowship on the vital importance of the World Service Office for the continued success and life of Cocaine Anonymous. As a reminder, on page 29 of the WSM under World Service Conference Delegate, # 4 says “Delegates shall encourage their Areas to generate funds to help support World Services.”
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Referral Number 7324:
To eliminate the 70/30 split. To suggest a donation of all funds over Prudent Reserve be donated to the Ll of service. Group to District, District to Area, Area to World. There is too much confusion and misinterpretation as to how to split funds. By doing this we encourage the various Lls of service to develop sound budgets and promote a clean and track able stream of accountability.
- It is the opinion of the Finance Committee that the 70/30 split process is clearly defined in the 7th Tradition Pamphlet, the WSCFC guidelines, and the World Service Manual.
Referral Number 7337:
Modify the annual budget to show an income and expense for the Unity Luncheon.
- The Finance committee has modified the annual budget to show both the income and expenses of the Unity Luncheon.
Referral Number 7351:
Please create a specific line item in the budget to accommodate Unity Lunch income and expenses.
- The Finance committee has created a specific line item in the budget to show Unity Lunch income to make it easier to compare to the expenses.
NEW COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AS OF THIS CONFERENCE
Chair Vice-Chair Secretary
Jackson H
Heidi J
Maya B
CLOSING COMMENTS
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It has been an honor and a privilege to serve on this great committee with these wonderful people. Thanks for allowing me the opportunity to do service at this Ll. We are all here for the same reason, to help the fellowship that saved our lives. We, as delegates, need to continue to spread the message that there is indeed a value to the CASWO and by support them we support all of our individual recoveries.
Respectfully Submitted:
Alan S
(requested to pass the basket) We raised $665.00!
Michael A:
Motion: to suspend the rules to hear a motion out of order.
Second. Motion passes.
Michael A:
Motion to change the dinner break from 5:35-7:00.
Second. Motion passes.
Tony D; Calls the floor back to order, please take your seats.
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