Feb 7 – 9, 2014 – WSBT Quarterly Minutes

CA WORLD SERVICE BOARD OF TRUSTEES SUMMARY MINUTES OF MEETING QUARTERLY BOARD MEETING

FEBUARY 7^TH -9^TH 2014

Since this report is a confidential C.A. document, for members only, it may contain members’ full names. This usage to facilitate communication within the fellowship was approved by the 1990 WS Conference. Such confidential use does not , of course, violate in anyway out Tradition on anonymity in public communications media (press, radio, TV, etc).

Page 1

WSBT Quarterly

Feb 7^th-9^th, 2014

Record of Minutes

(5pm Dinner, start at 7pm with personal sharing, 3-5 minutes each)

Open at 8:20 after personal sharing

Moment of silence and Serenity Prayer

Roll call

Ira Land – WST
Kathy Jo Rangno – WSOT
Rob Wellhauser – TAL/Secretary
Brian Tenenbaum – MWRT
Terry Marsden – PNRT
Duane Miller – PSRT
Jay Parker – SWRT
Yves White – ANRT/Ast Secretary
Kenny Williams – ASRT/ WSBT Vice Chair
Russell Sedman – ERT/ WSBT Chair

All Present

Reading of the 12 Traditions – KJ

Read long form of Tradition 2 and discuss – Jay

Read Concept 2 and discuss – Terry

Chair’s opening remarks: B2B on Saturday, get to WSO at 1pm for 2pm start. WSOB Treasurer will be at Four Points at 10.30am on Saturday. Recording Equipment and noise.

WSBT Ratification. All trustees have been ratified

WSBT officer reports (discussion on reports previously submitted for review):

Chair (Russell)
Vice-Chair (Kenny)
Secretary (Rob)

Motion made by Brian Seconded by Ira Pass

Trustee reports (discussion on reports previously submitted for review):

Atlantic North Regional Trustee (Yves )
Atlantic South Regional Trustee (Kenny)
Midwest Regional Trustee (Brian)
Pacific North Regional Trustee (Terry)
Pacific South Regional Trustee (Duane)
Southwest Regional Trustee (Jay)
European Regional Trustee (Russell)
Trustee At Large (Rob)
World Service Office Trustee Report (KJ)

Page 2

World Service Trustee Report (Ira)
Motion made by Jay Seconded by Brian Passes

WSBT Subcommittee reports – lead member listed first (discussion on reports previously submitted for review):

Finance (KJ)
International Structure and Development (Russell)
Legal (Duane)
Long Term Planning (Rob, all)
NewsGram (Terry)
Orientation (Kenny)
Trustee Election (Brian)
Trustee Negotiating (Ira, Terry, Russell, Brian, Jay)
Trustee Outreach (Yves)
World Service Conference (Brian)

Motion made by Brian Seconded by Ira

Passes Trustee Conference Committee reports (discussion on reports previously submitted for review):

Archives (Russell – Duane 2nd)
Conference (Terry – Ira 2nd)

Convention (Duane – Brian 2nd)

CAWS 2014 (Duane)
CAWS 2015 (Rob)
CAWS 2016 (Brian)
CAWS 2017 (Terry)

Finance (Jay– Brian 2nd)
Hospitals & Institutions (Brian – Kenny 2nd)
IT (Kenny – Yves 2nd)
Literature, Chips & Format (Rob – KJ 2nd)
Public Information (Ira – Russell 2nd)
Structure & Bylaws (Yves – Rob 2nd)
Unity (KJ – Terry 2nd)

Motion made by Brian

Seconded by

Kenny Passes

CAWS Convention updates:

CAWS 2014 (Duane) Moving along reg and room nights slow, Getting along with the WSO, What Regional caucuses are happening, Motion made by Duane Seconded by Ira Passes

CAWS 2015 (Rob)

Full Steering meeting in Vegas Monday, concern we are behind. Motion Rob made Seconded by KJ

CAWS 2016 (Brian) Have contract with hotel,

Motion made by Brian Seconded by Ira

Page 3

CAWS 2017 (Terry)

Went up there for steering committee meeting. Motion made by Terry Seconded by Brian

Bid updates. Sweden, Scotland and friends from the north Montreal maybe Memphis.

PLACE MARKER – BUSINESS ITEMS

MARKER 2006.02.20 Copyright and trademark protection (Ira) – To remain on agenda for quarterly review

Next Review – Principle register – September 4, 2020 Review of On-Line Copyright Issues

Scotland bill for $107.00 Bill Paid.

Service Marks		Where Protected
We’re here and we’re free		USA and EU
Cocaine Anonymous name		USA EU
C.A.		USA
CA logo		USA EU

The following marks have been registered in Canada:

1. Trademark: WE’RE HERE AND WE’RE FREE Renewal Date; 9-30^– 2027
2. Trademark: CA HOPE FAITH COURAGE& Design Renewal Date: 8-9-2021
3. Trademark: COCAINE ANONYMOUS Renewal Date: 12-13-2021
4. Trademark: C.A. Renewal Date: 6-12- 2022

MARKER 2006.08.13 Signature of annual corporate documents (All)   To be completed @ at fall Quarterly

MARKER   2009.05.09 Status of WSO – (KJ & Ira) Office is working through staffing issues. Physical year-end inventory was completed. WSO reviewing payroll and HR service options to see about reducing monthly expenses; also working to reduce the monthly overhead on web/network maintenance. Will be re-upping contract with Neopost (shipping vendor). Literature increase from 20¢ to 25¢. Free literature now limited to 10 items and will cost 10 cents for each additional piece. Web site contract has been signed.

MARKER NADCP – (Rob) NADCP will be in California after CAWS in 2014.

MARKER TEC – (Brian second Jay) All

Page 4

OLD BUSINESS

2011.03.01 – European fulfillment facility – (Russell/KJ) KJ posted to yahoo group in this Quaterly. The document is 90% do not think it can get any better. 6 sections.

2013.10.02 – Legal Update (Duane) off line

2014.02.09 Conflict of interest

NEW BUSINESS

2013.10.01 Social Media guidance document. Jay, KJ, Kenny and Yves (referral sent to have the IT page 13 sent to WSM for inclusion about social media guidance)

2013.11.01 Trustee Finance Committee (Jay) Remove Marker, cash flow was created.

2013.11.06 Transcriptions of the quarterly update (Yves/Rob) working on August Motion by Rob second by Duane, Motion not to transcribe the February 2014 Quarterly. Motion Fails.

2013.11.07 Newsgram and future financial disclosure (Terry) Do something to put a consolidated update for the fellowship.

2013.11.08 Incorporation of Areas (Russell/Yves) it was discussed that locals groups should not use the name Cocaine Anonymous or C.A. name when applying for incorporation.

2014.01.01 New www.ca.org site update (Kenny) [including donations button] Implementation of a new site update, Had 3 bids took the 2,500 bid. Made a deposit for the new site. The company will take 106 hours to build the site and then 54 hours for follow-up. Motion to table until after the BtoB.

Motion removed from the table.

2014.02.08 TNC issue

1401 approval of the record of minutes

Motion by Rob second Yves passes

Page 5

CORRESPONDENCE/ RESPONSES FROM/TO THE FELLOWSHIP:

Sent: Saturday, January 18, 2014 10:40 AM

To: wsbt@ca.org

Subject: Gay and lesbian pamphlets

Name: Jim: City: Milwaukee StateProvince: WI AreaRegion: Midwest Message: What does that have to do with our primary purpose?

Duane lead

Per Concept 1 The final responsibility and the ultimate authority for C.A. world services should always reside in the collective conscience of our whole Fellowship.

Per Concept 2 The C.A. Groups delegate to the World Service Conference the complete authority for the active maintenance of our world services and thereby make the Conference — excepting for any change in the Twelve Traditions — the actual voice and the effective conscience for our whole Fellowship.

The pamphlets published by our fellowship have all been through a conference approved process that allowed for the fellowship’s review, debate and ultimately a decision of approval.

Our Fifth Tradition speaks to inclusivity and our group conscience that was voiced at the conference that gave final approval of that pamphlet affirmed including the people described therein. The WSBT supports the group conscience of our fellowship and those actions represented through conference approval.

HOPE FAITH & COURAGE FROM A MEMBER OF COCAINE ANONYMOUS SCOTLAND

Dear WSO & WSBT, I am reaching out as a member of CA who has deep heartfelt concerns about the future of this fellowship called Cocaine Anonymous. I worry that some of the actions in my Area (Scotland) threaten to affect CA as a whole and also violate the letter and spirit of several of the CA 12 Traditions. I would appreciate it greatly if the WSBT could look at these issues on its quarterly agenda or through the process where members of the Fellowship write to the WSBT with concerns and the WSBT responds in writing back to them. Here are my concerns:

“Keeping COCAINE in Cocaine Anonymous”

Firstly, I would like to express my gratitude to all the people who are currently serving, and who have served over the last 30 + years all around the world. I, for one, know how hard and troublesome it can be serving in CA.

I have not had the experience or privilege of serving at the world level, but I am truly grateful to those who do have the opportunity of serving us. I have communicated as best as I can from afar over the years, and I have been fortunate enough to have members from all over the world, some of whom either are or have been trustees, to visit Glasgow.

I think the best thing for me to do, is to share briefly my own experience about why I got involved in Cocaine Anonymous. It is a topic that I don’t like to discuss openly, but that I feel is very important in this instance.

“My own experience getting started in Scotland”

I am an alcohol addict. I struggled for 2 years to get clean and sober, not because I wasn’t ready, but because I was suffering from a disease. I struggled to identify in NA and relapsed many times. I eventually met a man at my food stall who was a long time sober, and a long story short, he became my sponsor in AA and I went through the BIG BOOK (1998) . I had a profound experience, and to this day I have not used ANYTHING. I loved AA and I still am very grateful to them. I tried to help many people who used drugs in AA, mainly cocaine, but none could stay sober, including my brother. Many of them tried NA and had the same problem that I had. I struggled to identify in AA with my drug use. I tried my best to respect the organization, but found it hard sometimes, as I craved identification with my cocaine use, and therefore I would separate myself. A friend then gave me a share tape of someone I’m sure most of you know, Micky B., from Cocaine Anonymous. I enjoyed listening to the tape, but was not driven at that time to start a meeting.

My brother had moved to London and was still using badly when a miracle happened… He called and asked for help. I directed him to Cocaine Anonymous, as I knew CA was in London, and I also got him a copy of HFC from Amazon. My brother took to CA right away and he felt at home for the first time since becoming an addict.

I flew down to London many times that year, and I think there were only 15 meetings. My first meeting was in a hospital and ‘Nick the Stitch’ was doing the table. I went to Flood Street on a Saturday, and I fell in love with the place, and most importantly, I felt that I was a part of something special. CA was that small at the time; we all knew each other. I would come home with so much enthusiasm for the organization that my AA sponsor would shake his head at me. At this point, I was playing around with the idea of starting a meeting in Scotland, knowing full well that other people had tried before me, and that it had never really taken off.

I then attended the CA Brighton Convention in 2001. Loads of Americans came over, including Ken C. The next thing I knew, I had a starter pack from the UK, and CA was starting in Scotland! My AA sponsor again shook his head at me, but accepted that there was

Page 6

no stopping me. CA Scotland was up and running less than six weeks after the Brighton Convention. I must stress here that others were involved in this whole process, and that this letter is not about me taking recognition for starting CA in my country. I am telling my story for the sole purpose of effectively conveying the reasoning behind my deep concerns.

I did the first PI work (2^nd flyer included). I printed the first flyer that said “COCAINE ANONYMOUS MEETING STARTING” and gave it to friends in AA who had a cocaine problem. I was told that people were coming from another fellowship to protest, and I was heavily criticized, but I knew in my heart that Cocaine Anonymous was needed and had a place in Scotland. There were 27 people at the first meeting and it was electric! Many people who were in AA struggling to get sober are now grateful, active members of CA. One such person who started PI, later became my husband and the father of my children. We have now been married for over twelve years which I count as a miracle in itself! Many people joined from NA as well, and were able to find a home in CA.

Sadly my brother left CA London, but through his relapse, he ended up in Spain and started the first meeting there with others. He then left CA Spain and was away for many years, but I am incredibly proud and grateful now to be able to report that he is 90 days clean and sober.

My experience has always been that anyone who has ever come through the doors of Cocaine Anonymous has always been welcomed. Even my AA sponsor, who was very helpful in starting CA Scotland, and who openly admitted that he was not one of us, was always welcomed and highly respected. I feel he was the same to us as Tom K was to LA/World Services.

“The growth I have witnessed since May 8^th 2001”

We grew mainly through resentment of other fellowships. The first meeting group closed, but the next group meetings that opened are still active today. We became a District of the UK in February of 2003, but when Jackie S. became Trustee, we were encouraged to become an Area in order to support the start of the European Region. We were recognized as an Area in 2003.

Over the years, we have had great growth. In fact, we have grown at the same pace as the UK Area in terms of our number of meetings, although not financially I’m afraid. In the first 12 years that CA was in the UK, they had 47 meetings (meeting list from April, 2004), and in 12 ½ years, CA Scotland had 49 meetings. Although we have made great progress, Scotland has and continues to have a massive cocaine problem (news articles attached).

My husband became First Delegate in 2005; however, he could not adequately fulfil his duties, as we were unable to gain enough sponsorship to send him to Conference, and we could not personally afford the trip. We did our best to create interest and stress the importance of attending World, but we struggled to get support from our Area. I think we decided to proxy our votes to the UK Area at that time. In 2011, we were finally able to send delegates to Conference, and this year we are hoping to send delegates as well (subject to funding). I have the utmost confidence in our current delegates, and our Area continues to educate ourselves about CA processes such as referrals.

“The rebranding and the concerns I have”

I have found the last 6 months of CA to be very unsettling, and after speaking with others in my Area and around the world, I have discovered the reason why I am feeling that way. I must stress that I am not speaking on behalf of anyone other than myself, as a member of CA.

A series of events that have occurred in our area recently has brought to the surface an obvious problem and a potential divider in members old and new. This issue involves our PI Area and PI District eliminating the word “cocaine” in recent campaigns (see attached).

Below are views which members have personally shared with me, and which I find especially concerning:

• Cocaine addicts are not feeling comfortable sharing about their cocaine use because another drug is now primarily spoken about in my area.
• Cocaine addicts a few years sober have stopped coming to CA altogether because they don’t identify anymore. Many are now just going to AA, and we are not retaining members.
• Four members that I know personally who are cocaine addicts left CA last month because they didn’t identify with the other drug shares.
• Members are upset because “cocaine” seems to be getting put aside in PI and amended literature and reading cards. For instance, the Self-Test verbiage from World has changed dramatically.
• Most meetings have adapted the Who is a CA Member, and when I asked my own group to read Who is a Cocaine Addict recently, it was an issue getting it passed, as if it was somehow wrong. There was also a distinct awkwardness in the room when it was read out loud.
• Barriers are going up between cocaine and heroin users as a result of the obvious differences in the way they use. I understand that as we continue through the program, whichever drug we used doesn’t make much difference, but in the beginning, it can (and does) make a huge difference. For instance, my cousin, who is a heroin addict, still attends NA as he identifies better there. This issue goes back to the whole reason CA started in the first place… AA meetings were not easy to identify with for cocaine addicts. The fact remains that there was (and still is) a non-drug-specific fellowship at that time, but thankfully people felt there was a need for Cocaine Anonymous, the same way I did (and still do). That being said, all were and still are welcomed who are attracted to CA. Even if someone doesn’t use cocaine, if his drug use brings him to us, then he is probably in the right place.
• Branding us as a drug or alcohol program would not have attracted our original members in Scotland, and will not attract addicts who may still be searching for a home. There are many members who came to CA because they thought they had a cocaine only problem… We all know once you get in, it is much more than that, but we need to get them in first.
• We need to carry the message to a wider audience. There are plenty of fellowships that cater to everyone, but not all cocaine addicts fit the molds of those other fellowships.
• Headlining the word “alcohol” is dangerous grounds for disrespecting the fellowship that helped us get started in first place. Though alcoholics are welcome, are we now wanting to target AA prospects??? Old-timers in AA in my Area were not impressed with our recent wordings of PI. It is only a matter of time before we offend the fellowship that helped us get on the ground.

Page 7

• When you Google “drug and alcohol problem,” the search highlights outside organisations, but if you search “cocaine anonymous ,” CA is at the top of the results page.
• The “Who is a CA Member” that was approved in 2008 has influenced our membership in such a way that we are attracting more people who are jumping from other fellowships. This is not our purpose.
• People are getting confused about us being a non-specific fellowship and are concerned that we are losing our identity. NA members who are in NA groups are serving on committees in CA and making major decisions for our future. Also now, CA members in non-CA groups are sharing in H&I because it is considered all the same.
• If we make any further changes regarding our organization’s purpose, we will certainly be crossing over to Drug Addicts Anonymous.
• Our main purpose now is to carry our message to addicts in general, whereas we started as an organization for cocaine addicts.
• By highlighting the fact that we are “non-drug-specific,” we may increase numbers, but the internal damage, including our loss of identity, could destroy CA for good, at least for the original cocaine addict.
• Many people now have confusion about the differences between NA, AA, and CA.
• People are attracted to Cocaine Anonymous for very specific reasons, which may simply be that they are probably in the right place and are welcome.
• Now there are members who were originally attracted to CA because of the brand “Cocaine Anonymous” that want to change our brand to attract a bigger audience.
• A lot of cocaine users that I know and have helped over the years do not come in thinking that they have problems with other substances, though through the first step they are educated about the “All Other.” However, most came in specifically because they identified with “Cocaine” of “Cocaine Anonymous” and that was what attracted them to our fellowship. Many had tried other programs and didn’t identify with them, which is why they sought CA.
• I believe that at this time, the “All Other” mind altering part of CA is more of a priority than the reason that this fellowship started in the first place, especially keeping in mind that AA and NA were available in 1982. Our founders chose CA because they saw a need, and I feel strongly that that need still exists.
• Though “CA” and “cocaine” are still featured on our posters, etc., a new phrasing is taking over that is moving the emphasis away from our original purpose.
• We, as a fellowship, ought to steer clear of using words like “drugs” and “alcohol.”
• “Cocaine” is becoming a dirty word in Cocaine Anonymous.

“My observation of rebranding and reasoning of the ‘All Other’”

The first step, as I understand it, was put together at the dinner and included cocaine and all other mind altering substances, the reason being that cocaine addicts thought it was ok to use other drugs. It was there so that there was no loop hole for relapse, and we welcomed anyone who came in. I still respect that decision and welcome everyone. What I feel has happened over the years, is that the “all other” is taking away from the reason we started.

What I have noticed is that abbreviations of the first step and highlighting of the “all other” have led to a misinterpretation of what was originally meant. I have serious concerns that we are changing our purpose that was set when CA was founded, and that we are becoming a fellowship that already existed before our founding, in fact there were two.

• Cocaine AND all other mind altering (still wording of step and tradition)
• Cocaine OR all other mind altering (PI approved posters)
• Cocaine OR DRUGS OR ALCOHOL (wording from PI cards)
• Headlining “Non-drug –specific” and “Drugs or Alcohol” problem (was not what was on the yellow card that was given to the Marshal in AA meetings, and was not what attracted people to CA in Scotland)
• DRUG OR ALCHOHOL PROBLEM (WORDING USED IN PI)
• My own Area wants to steer away from using the word “cocaine” so as to reach a bigger audience.

The objections I have come across and my views in the last few months are as follows:

• It’s all the same – If it’s all the same, then why are so many new members changing the literature? The Self-Test which was specifically designed for cocaine identification has massively changed three questions that HELPED cocaine addicts identify specifically. Also, there was a separate pamphlet “All Other” for everyone else that may have come through the doors that welcomed them too.
• It’s all the same – If it’s all the same, then why did a bunch of cocaine addicts start in the first place when they could have gone to the non-drug-specific fellowship at that time.
• We are clarifying our membership – It was clarified during the dinner many years ago.
• We are evolving – So is the world. There are many new fellowships to accommodate other addictions now.
• CA is not growing. We need to try to get membership up – Washingtonians! Also cocaine is still a global problem. See attached articles in my own Area – Trust God.
• There are new drugs out – “All other” still covers everything and COCAINE is still a massive problem. There is still a need to reach out as Cocaine Anonymous.
• Focused on the “We are non-drug-specific” message – We were specially named Cocaine Anonymous for a reason.

Page 8

• Wording needs to change to be more modern – Most of us still manage in CA to go through a book that has not been touched since 1939. Although it is very old fashioned, it has not been a barrier for thousands of us.
• Non cocaine addicts won’t come – Two things here: 1.) People have been coming for years knowing we are CA, and 2.) If they feel strongly on the word “cocaine” being an issue, they may be better in a more general substance fellowship. There are plenty of choices for ALL addicts out there.

I must stress at this point that I am not trying to put people out of CA, and I do and have always sponsored people even if they didn’t use cocaine or it wasn’t their main problem. That said, I feel strongly that cocaine users will eventually struggle to get clean as they all do not share the opinion that it’s all the same and some do struggle to identify in Cocaine Anonymous with all the new changes in our reading cards and pamphlets.

We are Cocaine Anonymous, and nothing would upset me more than for our fellowship to become increasingly irrelevant or no longer needed. Bill W. wrote in the 12×12, “Shoemaker stick to thy last.” In other words, do what it is you do best. We can never be all things to all addicts nor should we attempt to be.

Cocaine Anonymous, with the simple statement, “cocaine and all other mind altering substances” unknowingly covered all the horrors that were not even dreamed of at the time CA started.

• I would like to see the word “cocaine” always featured in any PI work we do before it’s too late, as there are two referrals in this year to focus more again on the “non-drug-specific.”
• I would like Self-Test put back into its original context because it was powerful for cocaine identification (6 7 8 11 12 20).
• I would like “Who is a Cocaine Addict” and what brought us to CA to be protected from ever being modernised to suit new members because it is part of the limited history we have. It’s not the end of the world about the corners of brown bottles. I, along with any self respecting cocaine addict, still identify plenty with that reading. Nobody has changed the Big Book, and we still use it today.
• I would like for us to use the original wording and stick to it: “Cocaine and all other…” and “Trust God.” If people are attracted to CA, then they are meant to be in our fellowship.

I am aware of CA’s Statement of Purpose, etc., but most people in my Area don’t go beyond Who is a CA Member Card (group level), which I think, though it was done with the best possible intention, has in fact confused our fellowship, and made it into a general fellowship. Is that Cocaine Anonymous’ intent today and for the future?

My biggest concern is that cocaine addicts will no longer be able to identify in CA if we keep focusing on evolving to new audiences.

““The World Service Conference meets annually to unify the Fellowship and consider those actions which affect the Fellowship as a whole. Comprised of Delegates from all the recognized Areas of C.A., as well as the Trustees and the World Service Office Board, the Conference considers how best to carry the message of recovery from cocaine addiction to those outside, as well as inside, the meeting rooms of Cocaine Anonymous. Committees of the Conference cover various areas that affect carrying that message of recovery: Literature, Hospitals and Institutions, Public Information, Convention (responsible for the annual World Service Convention), and Unity. Other Committees address the internal functions of the Fellowship: Conference, Finance, and Structure and Bylaws .

Jay Lead

Dear member,

Thank you for your thoughtful correspondence. With heartfelt appreciation for your many years of hard work and sacrifice to the addict who still suffers, the WSBT would like to acknowledge your efforts of carrying the message of Cocaine Anonymous.

The transition from a being a Cocaine centric fellowship to a more diverse fellowship is in keeping with the maturity of Cocaine Anonymous worldwide.

From the conference approved pamphlet ….And all other mind altering substances;

TRADITION THREE: The only requirement for C.A. membership is a desire to stop using cocaine and all other mind-altering substances.

Many people come to Cocaine Anonymous thinking one of two things: “I rarely (or never) even used cocaine. I don’t think I belong here,” or “What exactly does the ‘and all other mind- altering substances’ part mean? I came to Cocaine Anonymous because cocaine had become a problem in my life.”

Those of us who have been C.A. members for a while have heard questions and statements like this before; perhaps the words were even our own. Over time, virtually

Page 9

every single one of us has realized that our real problem is not cocaine or any specific drug, it is the disease of addiction.

Some of us never even used cocaine. Some of us used a variety of drugs, and for others it was combining cocaine with alcohol and/or other drugs that got us into trouble and made our lives miserable…

The point is that addicts like us soon find ourselves unable to stop using the substitute. Whatever drug we use, the problem of not being able to stop resurfaces, often bigger than before.

At some point we finally realize that we cannot control our use of any mind-altering substances. The problem isn’t the drug of choice; the problem is the disease of addiction. With its Third Tradition and all-inclusive First Step, Cocaine Anonymous welcomes anyone with a drug or alcohol problem and offers a solution.

SO WHAT DOES “AND ALL OTHER MIND-ALTERING SUBSTANCES” MEAN?

It means that it is the collective experience of the members of Cocaine Anonymous that addiction is a problem not limited to any one substance. It means that C.A.’s Twelve Steps are not drug-specific, and that Cocaine Anonymous is not a drug-specific fellowship. It means that it doesn’t matter to us if you drank or what type of drugs you used; if you have a desire to stop, you are welcome here!

As per Tradition Five the intent of Cocaine Anonymous is to carry its message to the addict who still suffers.

Tradition 5 – Each group has but one primary purpose — to carry its message to the addict who still suffers.

These traditions play an important part in any group’s decision regarding format and structure. In cases when groups are considering drug related restrictions, it would be important that the group consider 3 and 5 in their decision. The WSBT also believes that any group restricting participation in any meeting to a single drug specific issue would negatively affect our common welfare and promote DIS-unity among those desperate for our message of hope and recovery. As to the word “and” found in our definition of a CA member and the possible literal implication that cocaine is a required drug for membership – according to a dictionary definition of the conjunction “and” from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/and – 11. (used to connect alternatives): ex. He felt that he was being forced to choose between his career and his family.

The future of Cocaine Anonymous is always driven by the Second Tradition.

Which states “For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority – a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.

(Approved to be send out)

Page 10

COMPLETED

From Nicholas L via email to CAWSO to WSBT

Although love and tolerance is our code and education of traditions is on going – often posters / emails for event reference such Christian festivals as Easter event / Christmas party etc – I never see Dewali brunch or Ramadam cookout !

What is the boards position on using Christian refs and there possible affect on our ever expanding membership in places like Iran / Russia etc where a variety of religious beliefs are held seriously indeed ? or even in London where i sponsor a Muslim from Pakistan ( he is NOT attending a Christmas event in the near future )?

ANSWER:

Dear Nicholas

Thank you for your question and concerns.

Here is our view on this: In keeping with Tradition One with regards to C.A. unity and Tradition Six in regards to affiliation with outside enterprises, our suggestion is to avoid association, actual or perceived with religious, political, or any outside issue that might offend or create a sense of exclusion to fellow members.

From: Patrick X

Date: 2 November 2013 22:26:28 GMT

Greetings, Members of the WSBT,

I apologize if any of this sounds redundant in any way, I am attempting to keep the chronologics in order as to not have to send you 38 emails, but they are available if you’d like to review them in their entirety.

I need to share with you some issues that have arisen with Craig A. the PI Chair, Grace M. the PI Vice Chair and Ira L. the WST assigned to PI.

To all parties: My only desire in this is for a clear and acceptable method for conducting CA’s business that doesn’t result in stalemates, arguments or biased behavior.

Here is an overview of the situation as I believe it to be.

Between conference calls, I sent an email prefacing to the committee, the need to make motions regarding two agenda items that I have volunteered to work on. In this effort I made two motions (within them were my “speaking to my motion verbiage”) so that everyone isn’t caught off guard with something that was too broad like a simple one line motion. The motion was then seconded my Destiny M, then seconded again by Robert O, then agreed with, which I construed as a second, by Derek H. The following morning, the

Page 11

WSBT Quarterly Feb 2014

first second made by Destiny M, was retracted. I enquired on Destiny M. as to why she retracted her second and I will address that separately below. Then The Chair began debating the motions stating there wasn’t enough information to collectively vote on; never once “ruling” on anything. Theresa H requests documentation regarding the motions etc. Which i send to the committee. Grace M weighs in, spouting weary concerns about “people” who “have an agenda” and ‘want to make things happen” reminding the committee to practice principles before personalities. The Chair continues debating the difference between a gateway domain and an linked domain that is being used for obtaining survey data which was part of the content of the motion, combatively telling me, “I am wrong and mistaken” upon every rebuttal. I attempt to contact The Chair privately. I tell him that I find his conduct debating the motion a bit outside any chairs’ purview. In that private email, I request him to facilitate the debate, reminding him he is The Chair and his duties are supposed to out weigh, his personal agenda. This exchange goes back forth until he essentially blows me off. He then sends an email stating that the committee will only address my motions during a conference call, which he provides some dates for. Which are then questioned by Derek H and Robert O who try to ask why a conference call rather than settling it online. The Chair refuses to answer. Alan S chimes in with his experience, later agreeing that email is an acceptable method for getting committee work done. Ira then weighs in, after being requested by an unknown number of members. I then send a private email to Ira informing him of the inappropriateness of The Chair’s behavior towards Destiny M. Then Ira chimes in again, quoting directly from the WSBT Manual for Online Procedures which would seem to support and encourage us to do business online, but is delivered as a biased argument; giving off the “governing” vibe which was immediately questioned by Derek H, and subsequently not responded to either. Then Chair sends an email attempting to setup the conference call, and I then state that he’s out of order, he states that he’s “ruled” on this already and at that time I made a valid Challenge to The Chair, who then ruled on his own challenge, the Vice-Chair never responds attempting to address the Challenge, the committee nor I are addressed directly about the Challenge and then Ira chimes in telling me directly that he sustains The Chair’s ruling without remark or regard that the Challenge was ever addressed and then proceeded to call me out of order. I then respond to Ira objecting to his statements.

Roberts Rules Online #58 “The chairman cannot close debate unless by order of the assembly, which requires a two-thirds vote.”

Roberts Rules Online #58: “The chairman sometimes calls a member to the chair and takes part in the debate. This should rarely be done, and nothing can justify it in a case where much feeling is shown and there is a liability to difficulty in preserving order. If the chairman has even the appearance of being a partisan, he loses much of his ability to control those who are on the opposite side of the question. There is nothing to justify the unfortunate habit some chairmen have of constantly speaking on questions before the assembly, even interrupting the member who has the floor. One who expects to take an active part in debate should never accept the chair, or at least should not resume the chair, after having made his speech, until after the pending question is disposed of. The

Page 12

presiding officer of a large assembly should never be chosen for any reason except his ability to preside.”

With regard to the Chair’s conduct regarding Destiny M.

The chair has willfully ignored one of the most coveted concepts the “Right of Participation” thus ignoring WSM Page 38 “Any member of Cocaine Anonymous may serve and vote on any World Service Conference Committee” When it became clear to me that the Chair was attempting to circumvent my motions by telling Destiny M that even though she is included in the email chain (for the last two years) and who is a member of the committee – tells her she isn’t a member of the committee and doesn’t have a vote because she didn’t attend conference and needs to retract her second. Instead, if he believed my motions to be out of order, he should have ruled so after the second and before the debate but he didn’t do that.

I whole heartedly believe my attempts to resolve the issues using the customary methods to do so, have failed. Attempts to request the use of Robert Rules of Order have failed. Attempts to challenge the Chair resulted in the Chair ruling on his own challenge and the WST sustaining his ruling, by calling me out of order (which was nonsensical), has also failed.

In closing, I am formally requesting action be taken by the WSBT, by having the TAL review and attempt to impartially resolve the issues that seem to be going unresolved. I believe that the current Trustee assigned has a clear lack of knowledge as demonstrated by sustaining the Chair’s rulings and not addressing the Challenges which were validly made at the onset and during the debate; which failed to be addressed by the Vice Chair nor the concerns regarding the Chair’s conduct towards another CA member, clearly ignoring the WSM page 38. Therefore I request the TAL’s immediate involvement to bring impartiality to a situation that has become very convoluted by conjecture and bias.

Patrick P

ANSWER:

Dear Patrick

Thank you for your correspondence.

In the spirit of unity and cooperation, it is the view of the WSBT that a reset would best serve the committee and Cocaine Anonymous as a whole. Resuming committee business on the next conference call would be a beginning to mend. Continuing your committee work is important to the growth of our fellowship.

Dr. Bob said he believed that the Twelve Steps, simmered to their essence, were described in the phrase “love and service”.

Page 13

Follow-up question

Sent: Wednesday, November 27, 2013 04:53 PM

To: wsbt@ca.org

WSBT,

Can I ask for a clearer explanation of what is referred to as a “reset”?

ILAS

Patrick P

ANSWER:

Dear Patrick

Thank you for your follow up question.

What does “reset” mean? Reset means to start over. The spirit of the original response was to restart the process of performing committee work after the last conference.

The WSBT understands the challenges of trying to do committee work on line. There are no set rules and clearly there are some dynamics of performing committee work and trying to adhere to some basic structural rules of conducting such business on line.

Seemingly the progress that the committee has made during the last committee conference call has helped in restarting the process of the committee doing business in between conferences. As always the the lead and second Trustee assigned to that committee will help with guidance if needed.

IN-CONFERENCE REFFERRALS TO BE ADDRESSED:

#7130 Rob (lead) Yves

Please provide brief minutes of WSBT meetings. These to be distributed to the fellowship whilst they are still relevant.

Response: The WSBT goal is to approve the minutes within a month after our conference call or Quarterly meeting. These are then sent to the office to be included in the next delegate mailing.

Page 14

Motion Rob second Brian Passes

#7131 Rob (lead) Yves

Please desist from producing full transcript minutes of the WSBT meetings. It is understood that there is no legal requirement to produce these and it is a huge drain on time and financial resources. The time taken to produce full transcriptions makes the information contained obsolete.

Response: We have looked at this issue extensively, First and foremost the board believes that the transparency of the board is of great importance our minutes only reflect the motion or a very general description of the discussion and the transcripts are the complete wording of our meeting recordings. The cost of this transparency to the fellowship right now is 1,600.00 per year.

(Back to committee)

#7255 Russell (lead) KJ

With regard to the proposed European literature fulfillment facility/centre. Please to be able to make a “one stop shop” for all our literature requirements.

This would entail being able to purchase not only C.A. literature but also the AA publications as listed under the Advisory Opinions section of the WSC Approved Literature. A facility that does not do this will not meet our needs.

#7322 Kenny (lead) Duane Brian Ira

To change all “CA” owned entities to private foundations and change 501c3 to 509c2.

See attachment for reasons.

• The would limit legal expenses
• This would eliminate the 150 mile rule
• This would change (increase) member’s ability to donate
• This would eliminate State mandates imposed on public benefit not-for-profits
• This would change four tax status and save us money

#7326 Kenny (lead) Yves

Social media is a big part of our lives today. I see our C.A. logo quite a lot! I feel it be necessary to have social media added in to our 11th Tradition. It is trademarked. Anyone can use it without C.A.’s authorization. I do not state C.A. in any of my posts etc. because there are those such as my son who do not need to have my anonymity broken for his sake. I feel that newcomers can misconstrue this and be okay adding the C.A. logo or using it not knowing it is a tradition violation.

Answer:

Your insight is very keen and your diligence in keeping with the traditions is highly respected. We have been deliberating this for some time now. As a whole, Cocaine Anonymous adheres to the 11^th Tradition. The Information Technology

Page 15

committee has been viewing this at as well. Our 11^th Tradition indeed speaks to press, radio, television, and film. The 11^th Tradition in its original form did not relate itself to television what-so-ever. At this point, according to our Information Technology Guidelines, social media is considered social networking. The IT guidelines speak to your concerns.

Tradition 11:

Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, television and films.

Information Technology (IT) Committee Workbook and Guidelines

SOCIAL NETWORKING, BLOGGING, & MICRO-BLOGGING

Social networking, blogging, micro-blogging, and other tools have emerged as daily communication methods for individual members. When using these tools, we need always be mindful to not use the C.A. logo, Cocaine Anonymous name, or other registered trademarks of C.A. (e.g., “C.A.”, “Hope, Faith and Courage”, “We’re Here and We’re Free”, etc.) and to be respectful of anonymity and other spiritual principles in accordance with the Twelve Traditions of C.A. It is further suggested that members refrain from posting on any of the tools mentioned above any photos and/or videos that identify any activity, entity or person as being associated with Cocaine Anonymous.

Thanks,

WSBT

Motion by Kenny second by Terry Passes

#7282 Brian (lead) Jay Terry Duane

It is my understanding that any votes tallied by the TEC are counted by the trustees alone. If this is true, I would recommend that this process be changed so that there is equal representation by both trustees and delegates doing the counting process.

POST-CONFERENCE REFERRALS TO BE ADDRESSED:

#7364

I am concerned how directors on the WSOB can serve more than the maximum term. Nowhere else in our service structure is this permitted, trustees don’t get a second term, nor do conference officers, so how can this even be acceptable. The WSM is acceptable on this, so how can this be please. Thank you.

Page 16

Lead Duane

DONM ~ WSBT Conference Call

Saturday April 19^th 10am PT

10DONM ~ WSBT Quarterly Monday May 19th 9:30am meet for breakfast.

WSBT Group Inventory

Close – Serenity Prayer

Page 17