COCAINE ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES BOARD OF DIRECTORS MINUTES JULY 11TH, 1985
The July 11th meeting of the Board of Directors of Cocaine Anonymous World Services, was called to order at 7:5o p.m. Board members in attendance were:
- Michael
- Richard
- Ray
- Jennifer
- Neil.
- Gil, a trustee of Cocaine Anonymous was also in attendance.
- Scott, who is helping with the accounting as well as the budget, sat in on half the meeting.
The minutes from the previous meeting wore read by Richard.
Old business was discussed, the first of which was the treasury. The Security Pacific accounts are a mess. lt is imperative that we get those accounts closed out as soon as possible. Ray will sign one check on each Security account so we can get them closed when Willie is back in town to provide the other signature required. The literature account at Wells Fargo is open, using money brought in from chip and literature sales. The World service account is not open yet, because the check drawn on the Security account used to open it, was returned Insufficient Funds. Neil will take full responsibility for the new Literature account. Ray suggested that we work with a bookkeeping service on a quarterly basis in order to monitor the accounts. Neil and Jennifer will work together monthly in order to keep a check on activities in both accounts. It was suggested that Jennifer contact Scott S. (714) 641-9822, who is an accountant who is willing to help with the accounting and taxes. Jennifer agreed.
World Service should only sell chips and literature. We are not here to sell bumperstickers. We have bumperstickers left over from the convention. Michael suggested we sell them to the Los Angeles Convention Committee, and be done with it. It was also pointed out that World Services should theoretically, be selling only approved literature.
Ray introduced Gil, one of three Trust members. He was asked to come and talk to the board about internal organization of our meetings, and to go over the Twelve Traditions, which govern all decisions of the Board of Directors. As far as structure of the meetings, the chairman and secretary are in charge of an agenda. Old business is covered, and then new business. Then, at the next meeting, the new business from the previous meeting, becomes the old business. In this way business is conducted in an orderly fashion and things get accomplished. Minutes are vital documents- the Secretary is very important. There should be one person in charge of calling absent board members to let them know about the next meeting. Next, Gil discussed the board of directors and their responsibility to uphold the Twelve Traditions. There is specific concern regarding this issue, and the way the situation with CBS was handled. However, this responsibility is much more far reaching than just this situation. Gil was elected to the Trustees to uphold the traditions, as were the members of the. Board of Directors, and, like Gil, the governing board members need to follow these Traditions to the letter! None of us has the authority to act on his/her own. The importance of this, subject can not be stressed enough!
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In relation to the issue with CBS and our responsibility to the traditions, the answer is NO! They can not film faces, or a speaker, or e meeting of Cocaine Anonymous, because this is in direct violation to one of the traditions. CBS should have been dealt with swiftly and succinctly. We do not need them- spiritually. (Gil’s opinion! in fact, we arc not equipped to handle national television exposer and the effect could be very harmful. As far as CBS going ahead with a show on Cocaine Anonymous anyway, Gil will call William Paely, (Chairman of the Board of CBS) if he has to, in order to stop it.
The problem of the phones and having responsible people to answer them was discussed again. How can we help the people answering the phones? The people
need to have some prior training, and some knowledge of who to refer Cocaine Anonymous business calls to. If Los Angeles General Services is going to be responsible for the the phones, we need to work something out with them. Ray suggested that we have a occasional joint meeting with World Services and General Services board members in attendance in order to take care of business that relates to both. Michael suggested having a separate number for World Service calls, but then we would have a problem of who would answer it. Robert, our public information officer needs to keep in touch with the national 1-800 number, run out of a hospital in New Jersey. Richard volunteered to talk to Robert about this issue, since he is not present at the meeting.
New business was discussed. Scott informed the board that he will be changing jobs, and will be unable to give as much time to Cocaine Anonymous World Service taxes and accounting, He feels that this should be take care of in this general geographic area anyway, because it is too hard to arrange meetings. He is willing to work with Jennifer, however, in the beginning, and on a quarterly basis.
Scott discussed his proposal for a budget format and schedule. Our proposed budget runs from September 1st through May 31st. Committees will propose monies needed for that time period, as well as goals. the board has the final decision and can revise the proposals if necessary. Scott further explained that the budget is a one page guide that allocates money to certain projects at certain times. It is a goal setting process. We sit down, with the committee proposals, and decide what we are going to go ahead with durning the six month period, and what we are going to hold until the next six month period.
Scott also pointed out that the Bylaws need to be amended. Scott will call Mitch, our attorney, to update the ???? of the board of directors in the Bylaws. When the Internal Revenue Service reviews our non-profit status, it is vital that everything is in order.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m. The next meeting will be Thursday, July 25th, at 7:30. Richard offered to call the members of the board who are not present and inform them of the date and time.
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