Mar 5 – 7, 2021 – WSBT Quarterly Meeting Minutes – Approved

WSBT 1st Quarterly Meeting

Approved Minutes

March 5th, 2021 8:00 PST

Via Video Conferencing Using Zoom Platform

Meeting Details Below

First Day – Part I

Topic: WSBT 1^st Quarterly Meeting

Time: Mar 5, 2021 08:00 ARE Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Page 1 of 237

First Day – Part II

Topic: WSBT 1^st Quarterly Meeting

Time: Mar 5, 2021 01:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Second Day – Part I

Topic: WSBT 1^st Quarterly Meeting

Time: Mar 6, 2021 08:00 ARE Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Page 2 of 237

Second Day – Part II

Topic: WSBT 1^st Quarterly Meeting

Time: Mar 6, 2021 01:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Third Day – Part I

Topic: WSBT 1^st Quarterly Meeting

Time: Mar 7, 2021 08:00 ARE Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Page 3 of 237

Third Day – Part II

Topic: WSBT 1^st Quarterly Meeting

Time: Mar 7, 2021 01:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Moment of silence followed by the “WE” version of the Serenity Prayer.

Roll Call:

• Kevin Murphy: WSOT – present
• Sarah Taylor: ERT-present

Page 4 of 237

• Kerry Wesley: SWRT/WSBT Asst. Secretary-present
• Clay Plummer: MWRT/ WSBT Secretary-present
• Tom Phelan: PSRT/WST-present
• Wade Staples: PNRT-present
• Jason Laurence: TAL1/MERT/WSBT-Vice Chair-present
• George Mooney: ANRT/ASRT/WSBT-Chair-present

Readings

Reading of Twelve Traditions (Clay)

Tradition 3 & Discuss (Sarah)

• Talked about excluding people and how inclusivity is important. Only thing necessary is a desire to stop using to call oneself an addict. The solution to the problem is the desire to stop drinking and using. Not for others to judge if you are an addict if you say you are. There are no rules or policing of the issue of who can attend.

Concept 3 & Discuss (Kevin)

• Informed group conscience is important. There should be no robots. Listening to new info and coming to a decision is the key and core of the service structure of our fellowship.

Chair’s Opening Remarks (George)

I want to welcome you all to our Q1 2021 quarterly. As we are aware these past few months have been anything but easy. But again, as you all have done in the past, we weathered the storm. I know I speak for the entire board that our hearts reach out to Wade on the passing of his Mum. My thanks go out to the entire Board for their tireless efforts to carry on the work of the Fellowship. Special thanks to our Vice-Chair Jason L, and our Secretary Clay P for their assistance over the past quarter. I also am grateful for the Board‟s patience with me i.e. internet issues, and illness. (Internet is still a work in progress but should be resolved forthwith). We face some awesome task ahead, TEC, and Conference to name a few. But I have complete, confidence that this Board will work to get it done. I realize that sometimes our work seems a bit laborious and maybe unappreciated; but we continue with the tasks at hand to the best of our collective abilities. We have much to accomplish during this Quarterly and I have total confidence that we will get it done.

ILAS

George Mooney

ANRT/WSBT-Chair

Acting ASRT

Page 5 of 237

WSBT Officer’s Reports (see attachment A)

• Chair (George)
• Vice-Chair (Jason)
• Secretary (Clay)
• Assistant Secretary (Kerry)

Motion to accept Officer’s Reports made and seconded, passed unanimously.

Trustee Reports (see attachment B)

Atlantic North Regional Trustee (George)

• Atlantic North Regional Convention is July 1-4 in New York City
• Question about number of meetings in Atlantic South and Atlantic North

Atlantic South Regional Trustee

• There has been a referral put in that English speaking Caribbean will be part of Atlantic South Region

Midwest Regional Trustee (Clay)

• Nebraska inquired about insurance and it was asked if they are an incorporated entity. Should Area get liability insurance which covers for injury and financial loss, which would also include events?
• eventhelper.com is a place to look for insurance

Southwest Regional Trustee (Kerry)

• There were questions about Oklahoma‟s North East Districts participation in Area
• Arizona has questions about helpline and ca.org with difficulties with donations and literature and chip purchases
• Questions were asked about meeting counts being accurate due to Covid; and about making donations, particularly transferring of account info from WSO to Areas making donations
  • Only options now are Freedom Fund and check to make 7^th Tradition donations

• • • need people to give error code notice when a problem happens with donations

• WSOB is currently investigating opening an international bank account to deal with International transfers

• Need to make clearer on website what Freedom Fund is and what is a 7th tradition to WSO through PayPal

• -Webmaster for ca.org and WSOB will be instructed to have two separate links on website for 7^th Tradition donations and Freedom Fund

Pacific North Regional Trustee (Wade)

Pacific South Regional Trustee (Tom)

Page 6 of 237

• Question about resumes for TEC
• Meeting counts are not clear due to Covid

European Regional Trustee (Sarah)

• An Adhoc Committee has formed for Inter-area cooperation

Mainland Europe Region Trustee (Jason)

• Region continues tremendous growth.
• Doing a lot of work in translations
  • Use of local translation contractors may be a better option than WSO looking for one.
  • This is a policy question of WSBT. Previous policy very in terms of translating and costly. We need to provide clear direction to WSOB on our assurance that intellectual property is being translated properly.
  • It is costly and needs to be done and approved by fellowship -A cheaper vendor may not provide a good product.
  • If a pamphlet is licensed how sure are we that it is correct
    • What do we need to check?
    • Possibly need to be more sensible about
    • -WSO deals with doing this but these materials are under the WSBT‟s oversight and are property of CAWS Inc.
  • Should a Subcommittee be created to deal with?

Trustee At Large 1 (Jason)

World Service Trustee Report (Tom)

• Has spoken with Sheraton LAX, they continue to house international flight groups but no guests are quarantining in hotel. Noncommittal if we can hold conference.
  • Worry was expressed that we may not be able to make room nights and discussion went to force majeure options when concessions were mentioned. If delegates cannot attend then it is a force majeure situation. DO we set a go/no go date for Conference or do we stay with late May decision?
• Questions arose as to if the WST position was still needed on Board and it was stated that the WST is the Boards voice on WSOB. Workload may be too much to spread amongst the board. Questions as to if it should be a larger selection area than just PSR. (Needs to remain amongst PSR due to going to office and some of the other workload involved in dealing with office.)
• World Service Office Trustee Report (Kevin)
• Office running well with new Director of Operations and World Service Office board Chair

Motion: to accept Trustee Reports made and seconded passed unanimously.

WSBT Subcommittee Reports – lead member listed first (see attachment C)

Finance (Kerry/All)

Page 7 of 237

• WSO can sustain itself with the revenue coming in. Sales down, and 7^th Tradition up. A financial background will be important for a future member of the board. Fellowship seems to be adjusting to the new situation of the world well, and dependence on Convention may not be as high in the future.

Motion to suspend the rules to handle subcommittee reports then CAWS Convention today, start with Conference Committee reports then financial marker tomorrow, made and seconded passed unanimously.

Legal (Tom/Kevin)

• Will come back to rights assignments in New Business

NewsGram (George/All)

• Deadline extended to March 15, 2021
• Trustees should reach out to Conference Committee chairs to submit articles about their committee work.

TEC (Wade/Sarah)

• To be discussed under the marker later in the agenda.

Long-term Planning (Jason/Clay/All)

• Procedures of LTP have groups working on different points. Questions arose about workload of the WSBT between Conference Committees and LTP Subcommittees
• Financial and Attracting members to Conference committee projects are near completion.

Orientation (Wade/Jason/All)

• Work to resume and be completed prior to the new intake to the board but a head start has been done.

International Structure and Development (Sarah/Tom, Wade, Kevin, Jason)

• Next meeting March 14, 2021

Motion that new item be added to IS&D chart, WSBT translations policy, made and seconded passed unanimously.

TNC (Tom/Sarah/Jason, Kerry)

• No active items in place, addendums to CAWS 2022 Austin contract in place and received refund for CAWS 2022 NYC.
• Is there a policy on what our approach to conventions is, what are Director of Conferences and Conventions Direction to be?
  • Director of Conferences and Conventions developing a procedure and committee ormation. Developing calculator for conventions based on CAWS 2022 in Austin.
• Difference between European and US contracts was questioned and discussed.
  • Is current procedure being used correct, there is a lower return in European Convention and this is a de-risking of the procedures? Office has been de-risking of Conventions. Trying to make a European Convention a US Convention is

Page 8 of 237

putting risk back into the process. How much risk do we want, less risk = less profit. Conventions making 80 to 100 thousand dollars are the norm for making up for trustee travel and Conference losses.

• Bids presented for Conventions at Conference are not the same a few years later.

Trustee Outreach (George/Jason)

World Service Conference (Kevin/George)

• No activity this quarter.
• Question arose as to whether sites were being looked at for 2024 and 2025, answer that the WSC Conference Committee is doing this
• As long as TNC and Conference Committee are doing their jobs this Subcommittee is not essential but it is part of WSM and serves a purpose.
• External Communications (Jason/Kevin) (Currently suspended until new Trustee intake)

Motion: to accept Subcommittee reports made and seconded passed unanimously

Trustee Conference Committee Reports – lead member listed first (see Attachment D)

Conference (Kevin/Clay)

• Chair and Vice Chair and some members of committee expressed skepticism of a virtual conference working
• Presented the WSBT with three options for Conference business handling scenario, time zone options and platforms
• Is the Conference Committee Fundraising Committee permitted in their guidelines?
• Accreditation Subcommittee- no such thing exists should be Credentialing, not in guidelines.
• Is Adhoc not a subcommittee of Conference Committee?
• Each Conference Committee has a liaison from the Conference Committee
  • Reaching out to the different subcommittees of the Conference to submit flyers, or they will do
    • Should be approved at Conference per SR21
• Question asked as to whether Conference Committee is asserting itself as another layer of Service Structure.

New business item added to discuss growing scope of Conference Committee.

• What is deadline for submission of materials for March delegate mailing?
• 14 referrals for WSBT, should be less and should be reflected in report
• WSBT Conference Subcommittee should begin liaising with Conference Committee in regards to RFP‟s
• Has two referrals from WSBT in report twice and missing one regarding time of Conference sessions

Public Information (George/Clay)

Page 9 of 237

• Is SR21 being circumvented when subcommittees get together and put out materials?
• In NADCP section should be changed that a request was made to WSOB to pay for booth at NADCP.

Motion that not conference approved materials have a water mark on them that states they are not Conference approved. With a friendly amendment that referral be sent to PI to add to guidelines, made and seconded, passed unanimously.

• Change of PI survey to be more inclusive of gender, was this conveyed to PI Committee?

Hospitals & Institutions (Wade/Kerry)

• Question regarding the proposed statement not being a change to manual but a communication reaching out to the fellowship by means of distribution in the WSBT report
  • Will be asked to take proposal out and leave as statement to fellowship.

Literature, Chips & Formats (Clay/Jason)

• A page of “A Quiet Piece” was changed. How did this happen in the translation process and will it be addressed by IS&D?
• Still looking for a title for the short story book, do they have a working title, and is about the founding of C.A.

Structure & Bylaws (Jason, Sarah)

• Have created subcommittee to deal with regional and area maps, but there are a large number of gaps.
  • May have a cost for map software.
• Definition of a group will be bringing an SR-14.
• Have received 25 referrals this year alone.
• Groups.io account has been set up and have established a referrals secretary
• Have transferred referrals to WSBT regarding CAWS Inc. Bylaws.

Convention (Sarah/George)

• WSOB looking at going ahead with a virtual convention but local area (Austin) may and will need to propose to WSO if it is to be a World Event
• Chairs of all three upcoming conventions are attending WSOB meetings
• Director of Conferences and Conventions would like feedback on Convention Bid Vetting Proposal and CAWS forecast calculator

Archive (Tom/Wade)

• Recruiting district and area chairs
• Founders talking with conflicting stories but Archives are compiling a central archive on foundation.
• LTP making referral to Archives on file naming format
• Can a board member request access to archives?
  • Yes should contact Archive Chair

Unity (Tom/Kerry)

• Sharing of audio and Zoom recordings (12 Concepts and 12 Traditions Workshop) is an issue of being an anonymity break.

Page 10 of 237

• Referral passed to WSO regarding
• This is being done without regards to anonymity issues
• Is it just going to archives or being made publicly available which is against the IT Guidelines, which are out of date
• Not going with guidelines and promoting in report could be a dis-unifying issue -WSBT should look at this issue.
  • Informing fellowship of 11^th Tradition may be of particular importance.
• Should WSBT look at translating Celebrate Around the World Artwork?
  • Should be developed and approved in English and then provided to local Areas for translation.

Finance (Kerry/Jason)

Information Technologies (Kevin/George)

• Committee looking at outsourcing development of app.
• Working with PI on a website template
  • needs a bit of support possibly
• Want to have local meeting databases to hook into World meeting database.

Motion: to approve Conference Committee Reports made and seconded passed unanimously

CAWS Convention Updates (see Attachment E)

• CAWS 2022 (Kerry)

1. • Steering team meeting on March 27, 2021 to recruit to fill positions that have opened up
   • Will begin regular meetings in  May or June of 2021

1. • Chair has submitted Trustee resume and understand will need to step down as Chair if selected

x  CAWS 2023 (George)

1. • Meeting March 17, 2021 and need to set up and be more active participants in planning.
   • Good contract and city should be a draw for fellowship.

1. • By next WSOB meeting tracker should be updated and being used thereafter.

• CAWS 2024 (Jason)

• Hotel Liaison trying to get confirmation on some items of contract. AV issues in contract and room assigned to COANON was removed.
• Not enough staff rooms in contract. WSBT meeting room expensive and room booked for entire convention and not needed for entire convention.
  • There was clarification that Trustee budgets pay for rooms at conventions.
• Committee has decided Hotel is what can be afforded and may cost more than Hotel in Amsterdam
• Question about attendance and number of rooms available at hotel. Could possibly take over whole hotel which places C.A. in a better negotiating position.

Page 11 of 237

Motion: to accept the CAWS Convention update reports, moved and seconded; passed unanimously.

PLACE MARKER – BUSINESS ITEMS

Copyright and trademark protection (Tom & Kevin)

Matter No.	Country	Mark	Renewal Due:
59628-0001	Canada	WE’RE HERE AND WE’RE FREE	September 30, 2027
59628-0002	U.S.	COCAINE ANONYMOUS	September 4, 2030?
59628-0003	Canada	COCAINE ANONYMOUS	December 13, 2021
59628-0004	U.S.	CA	December 20, 2028
59628-0005	Canada	CA	June 12, 2022
59628-0006	U.S.	CA HOPE FAITH COURAGE (logo)	April 24, 2020
59628-0007	Canada	CA HOPE FAITH COURAGE (logo)	August 9, 2021
59628-0008	U.S.	WE’RE HERE AND WE’RE FREE	April 2, 2026
59628-0009	Europe	COCAINE ANONYMOUS	April 1, 2026
59628-0010	Europe	CA HOPE FAITH COURAGE (logo)	July 26, 2026
59628-0011	Europe	CA	November 15, 2021
59628-0012	South Africa	COCAINE ANONYMOUS	?
59628-0013	South Africa	CA	June 30, 2027
59628-0014	South Africa	CA HOPE FAITH COURAGE (logo)	June 30, 2027

NOTE: U.S. 59628-0002 was renewed for 10 years.

1. Canada‟s three markers will be done at the same time by attorney, so there will be reduced legal fees.
2. Of the 3 items for Europe, will the United Kingdom need to be done separately? This question to be put to our Attorney.
3. It was clarified that CAWS Inc. owns the copyrights & trademarks.
4. Has CAWS Inc. given CAWSO Inc. licensing and permissions for Literature copyrights and trademarks? The Legal Subcommittee to create an action item to investigate and report on this. (Tom/Kevin)
5. The Board should have a file copy of everything CAWS Inc. has a copyright to / trademark for.
6. What do we do about emerging Areas? a. WST will discuss with attorney
7. Will have to renew in UK separately from EU
8. Licensing to CAWSO on WSOB agenda

MARKER –Signature of annual corporate documents (George)

• Election of Board of Directors of CAWS Inc. To be carried out at winter (4^th) Quarterly 2021.

MARKER – LONG TERM PLANNING – (Jason)

• Reports due in advance of main committee meeting, beginning of April.

MARKER – Status of WSO – (Kevin)

Page 12 of 237

• Transition is complete and new members are working well together

• Installing new internet service, gigabit up and down for $60

• Replacing phone system with new more up to date system

• A lot of “finding things” going on to make office more organized

• Updating server hardware and backup to cloud

• Translations attitude has changed to make it a priority

• Looking for other printing companies

1. • Extra books were added to order and DOO is going to try and have removed or cost removed.

• Current Chair of WSOB and DOO seem to work very well together

MARKER – TEC – (Wade/Sarah)

• All delegates confirmed, missing a few alternate

• Have sent out initial contact letter to delegates

• Spoke with DOO and WSOB Chair about delegates contacting them

• TEC Delegates will arrive Sunday night (or earlier) for a Monday morning start.

• Potential of hubs being looked at if no in person Conference

• Need a few Trustee Slate Candidates‟ resumes still from upcoming assemblies

• WSOB must bring more than 1 name or no slate exists according to WSM

• If virtual, candidates will not be required to travel

MARKER – FINANCIAL OVERVIEW – (Kerry)

• Canceling of Conventions requires reallocation of funds.

• Trustee travel budgets reduced to make cuts for a savings of $22,385 taken to $10660.

• WSOB travel expenses reduced to $10,000

• Next looked at was NADCP and discussion ensued as to the importance of the fellowship participating in the event.

Motion to lower WSC PI Committee budget by $2500 ($1000 travel and workshops and summits $1500) made and seconded passed unanimously.

MARKER-

Have we received copies of the Directors and Officers Insurance? (George) Documents now signed via ‘DocuSign’ as facilitated by the DOO and held by the WSO. A copy of the signed documents is also to be held on the WSBT Groups.io. (George)

• Do we have Directors and Officers insurance?

• • Will be added to WSOB agenda and then copies will be added to groups.io

MARKER- Referrals Tracker (Kerry)

• 14 open on tracker from Conference Committee

Page 13 of 237

OLD BUSINESS

1. Fulfillment Center (Kevin/Sarah)

1. WSOB Subcommittee doing extensive work and will be submitting a report at next WSOB meeting
2. WSOB has begun a search for new printers both in US and internationally
3. Local printing currently best option while working towards a royalty agreement.
   1. Certain Countries more expensive than others to print
   2. Should be finished and rolled out in the next couple of months
4. Royalty Agreement per book is also an issue
5. More likely a Digital Print Facility than a Fulfillment center now
6. WSO needs to decide on best way to deliver

2. Review of outstanding responses (inquiries) (Kerry)

1. Open one- attempted to communicate with the inquirer but unable to get what was wanted provided ca.org website then no further communication.

3. Update Conference Committee Progress (Kevin/Tom)

1. Sub-committee virtual/or physical conference
2. Go/no go time line for either will be May Quarterly and Conference Committee will be notified of this by lead Trustee and then a communication to the fellowship will be prepared
   1. Regional Trustees should also notify delegates of this.
3. Delegate Mailing Ad-hoc Subcommittee. (Chair required) From January Conference call: Motion that a meeting of the WSBT Delegate mailing Ad-hoc Committee be set up to meet with Conference Committee Delegate Mailing Ad-hoc Subcommittee, made and seconded, passed unanimously.

Motion to rescind the motion that a meeting be setup between the WSBT’s Adhoc Committee and the Conference Committees Adhoc Committee made and seconded passed unanimously.

4. CAWS Inc. By-laws referrals (Jason)

1. Conference Committee has sent to S&B and S&B will be transferring it to the WSBT. We will then need to form an Adhoc committee and liaise with attorney in regards to this matter.

Page 14 of 237

b. Potentially need to put CAWSO Inc. Bylaws in the WSM as well

Motion to make a referral to S&B to include CAWSO Inc. Bylaws within the WSM, with a friendly amendment to ask WSOB if they have any objections first, made and seconded, passed unanimously.

5. Update on 12 Step Companion Guide (Clay)

a. Comments due by April 15, 2021

6. Review of Financial Guidelines (Kerry)

1. Should be reviewed by WSBT at Q2 and at next WSOB meeting.
2. Comments due by April 15, 2021

NEW BUSINESS

1. WSOB decision to hold deposit check for NADCP (George) a. Dealt with under financial marker.

2. Documents from attorney for review and approval. (Tom)

1. Assignment of rights from members.
2. Assignment of rights from vendors.

Motion to approve Assignment of Rights document made and seconded passed unanimously.

• Will be provided to WSOB to make available to fellowship in delegate mailing.

3. Review of WSOB Tracking Document (Kevin/George)

1. Chart developed and projects being worked on
2. Have terminated relationship with old CPA and a new one is currently being looked for
   1. May need to make malpractice claim against old CPA
3. License agreement to replace Royalty agreement
   1. Document approved for use with one change and should be coming out soon
   2. First year will be prorated
   3. Should a payment be made on already printed stock
      1. Will need to negotiate this with office
   4. WSO should set up a way to distinguish payment

Page 15 of 237

1. 1. 1. Office will be sending a bill with a tracking number to distinguish payments

d. Looking for new vendors for translations, Areas not happy with quality of proofreading

e. Intellectual Property being collected for storage in office

f. MS Teams being set up for Board and transfer from groups.io and drop box will be needed, and MS Office 365 account will be required

g. Using QuickBooks for Conference and Conventions has been started not currently set up for online access

h. New phone and internet service to be completed by end of March 2021 which will decrease costs significantly to about half of old costs

i. Members to start receiving a confirmation email when making donations

i. Working on always having an email or physical address when receiving donations

j. Servers being replaced

i. Backup procedure in question and disaster recovery is essential

ii. Can we suggest that a Data Security company that specializes in backup of computer systems be looked at?

k. WSOB to be looking at Conference Referrals

i. Referrals tracker in office

ii. Check request form being created for Committee spending

l. Communication to be done about open WSOB positions

i. Know when positions are becoming open unless a resignation takes place

ii. Not currently any open positions but process being developed to inform fellowship of openings

iii. Too much of a delay to just be placed in NewsGram

m. Office needs to look at things being sent to bank accounts saying Cocaine Anonymous, should say CAWSO instead

n. Are we comfortable with DOO sending out PayPal payments without a second of Board Chair or another seconder?

o. Cost of postage system being used vendor is too high

p. Office expenses to be going down over the next few months

The WSBT is very thankful about the document provided by the WSOB Chair on projects in WSO.

4. Update on TEC (Wade/Sarah/All)

a. Covered previously under marker

Page 16 of 237

5. Signatories for contracts. (Jason)

a. In Convention Committee Guidelines WST and WSOB Chair are supposed to sign contracts. Is WST signing on behalf of WSBT or member of CAWSO INC.?

i. WST signs as member of CAWSO Inc.

ii. Board could decide that Director of Conferences and Conventions could replace WSOB Chair

6. Motions for Conference by WSBT or others. (Jason)

a. Increase in donations threshold should come from Finance Committee.

Motion that we send a referral to WSC Finance Committee that the personal annual donation limit is $10,000 and a bequest is $20,000, made and seconded passed unanimously.

b. Petitions for Indonesia & Wales Areas.

i.   Trustee and member of Area to bring forward as a privileged motion.

c. Petition by WSBT to include English speaking Caribbean in ASR to be sent to S&B.

7. Branding Guidelines

a. Will come from WSBT with Jason to pen motion

8. Royalty Tracker

a. When member made agreement with WSO to give anything above cost to make they have found it is sustainable

b. Office currently working on what dollar amount should be for Licensing and Royalty Agreements

i. What cost to Area should be considered as well as least possible profit to office for selling stock

c. Areas not competing with WSO and want to pay royalty

d. Cost to all should be the same across the board

e. Possibly also need a fair use policy for literature

f. Areas are translating and printing and are interested in growing their fellowships

g. Local printing is a step towards fulfillment center

h. Equitable royalty payments under discussion in the WSO

Page 17 of 237

9. LCF Legal Question(will be tracked as enquiry to board)

a. Question regarding whether a recording of Johnny S. from a World Service Convention in Arizona can be used in a book being developed

i. Permission given because C.A. had contract with recorder and permission was given to be recorded at Convention

ii. Already property of CAWSO Inc. so it should not be an issue will be confirmed first that document exists.

10. Conference Committee Liaison

a. Conference Committee starting to or attempting to manage other Committees is being questioned

b. Should not direct other Committees

c. Email sent out requesting that Committees provided materials for delegate mailing or Conference Committee will provide for them

d. The Liaison position is not part of their guidelines

e. Is too much of a bureaucratic mindset being put into place than our fellowship needs

CORRESPONDENCE/RESPONSES FROM/TO THE FELLOWSHIP

Inquiries and Responses

Pending

Pending Responses:

(For assignment or approval)

From: “ca.org” <web servant@…>

Sent: Wednesday, September 23, 2020 5:44pm

to: wst@…

Subject: Board of Trustees Request

Name John D XXXX

^Email john.d.XXXX@…

Address

City Benton Harbor

Page 18 of 237

State // Province Area or Region

Subject

Your Message

MI

Benton Harbor, Michigan

Work shop related to obtaining employment with a past criminal history after currently earning a Master’s Degree

I have a drug charge past 18 years and have earned a master’s Degree in social work. I have gaps in my employment history due to caring for my deceased father and elderly mother for over 12 years. This has strengthened me from a personal and professional perspective. I have applied at recovery centers and have not been able to get any hits. It would be great to empower recovering individuals with workshops. “Now that I am clean and sober, what now”. Thank you

Assigned to Tom

Approved Responses:

(Since last posted minutes)

---

Inquiry:

03/11 2020/9/10

—–Original Message—–

From: “Steve XXXXXX” <watnoneleft@yahoo.co.uk>

Sent: Saturday, December 12, 2020 3:05pm

To: wsbt@ca.org

Subject: WSOB roles

Hi, firstly I would like to thank you all for your service during what has been a difficult period. I‟ve just attended the European regional caucus which was an enjoyable experience but unfortunately one discussion that took place has left a sour taste in my mouth, as well as other members I have spoken to. The discussion was around how the DAL roles are “advertised” to the fellowship and how the roles are filled.

I understand that 2 years ago this subject was brought to conference and it was decided that the roles should be advertised or put out to the fellowship, and that this should be done by way of the

Page 19 of 237

Newsgram. This was discussed back then to show transparency on how these roles are filled and to try to get away from the idea that “World” or the “Office” roles are in some way filled by way of “Jobs for the boys” basis.

I am shocked to find out that 2 years later this process still does not appear to be being followed; the roles do not appear to be sent out to the fellowship in any format.

I have checked this year‟s editions of the Newsgram and have been unable to find any mention. If I‟ve missed it I apologise.

This was highlighted today and the answer was “We are half way through the process now so it would be unfair on the members who are due to be interviewed if we stopped the process now” I disagree, the right thing to do when it‟s shown a process Is flawed or incomplete is to halt the process, fix it & start again.

If we as a fellowship wish to be accountable & transparent in everything we do then this is a chance to show it by offering these roles out to the entire fellowship through the Delegate mailing list and not just via the Newsgram.

Thank you for reading this email & I look forward to a response

Steve W

CAUK Delegate

Approved response:

Q4.04.04.2020.12.01

Dear Steve,

Thank you for your recent inquiry. We have reviewed the dailies from the WSC closing report from 2018 and cannot see where this matter advertising WSO positions were decided. The only reference we have found is the below referral.

Referral S&B 2018-05:

In the interest of Concept 9 I propose the following referral submitted under SR14 re ‘Notice of Vacancies in WSOB’ to Structure & Bylaws WS Conference Committee.

Motion: that at all times when there exist vacancies for Directors, in any capacity, on the CAWSO Board, a one-page

flyer is distributed with each quarterly delegate mailing and also displayed prominently on the website. The flyer should detail:

• Number of Director vacancies
• Description of each vacant position
• Information regarding WSM location of qualifications and responsibilities of CAWSO Board members
• Length of term and qualifications
• Information how, where and when to submit expressions of interest, resumes and documentation.

Page 20 of 237

In Structure and Bylaws closing report to the 2018 Conference, this was their response.

We elect to take no action. We feel this would result in micromanagement of the WSOB. It is the delegate responsibility to pass on notice of vacancies to the fellowship.

In our search we have found the WSOB minutes of March 2020 does state that the World Service Office Chair would be stepping down from his position, leaving it vacant. These minutes were then sent out to the fellowship in a delegate mailing.

Because the WSM requires that any prospective WSO Board members must audit several of the monthly WSOB meetings (this can be done virtually) before submitting a resume. In practice, positions are filled when they come open from those who have fulfilled the 2-meeting requirement and then submitted a resume.

If you believe the current process is inadequate, we suggest you make a referral with your ideas for change and why to the WSOB. We as a fellowship are not perfect and are always willing to take on new suggestions and really do appreciate members who voice and write to us.

For that, we are truly grateful for your service.

Warm regards,

WSBT

---

Enquiry:

Q3.10 2020.8.14

From: Clare  (xxxxxxxxx)

Sent: Wednesday, August 12, 2020 7:55 AM

To: cawso@ca.org

Subject:

Hi

My name is Clare XXXXX and I am a final year student at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland (UK) studying Mindfulness MSc.

As a result of my personal experience of the negative effects of my sons’ cocaine addiction had on me (recovering now, thankfully), and benefits having a Mindfulness practice gave me. My dissertation and research project will be looking at – the effectiveness of a Mindfulness-based intervention for the well-being of parents of substance abusers

I wondered if you were aware of any research that I should be aware of that has been used in your organization or could point me to any other organization which you think may be useful?

Kind wishes

Page 21 of 237

Clare

Approved Response:

Q3.10 2020.8.14

Dear Clare,

Thank you for your enquiry regarding mindfulness and please do accept our apology for the time taken to respond. We are very pleased to hear that you son has found recovery and hope that he has continued to go from strength to strength.

As you are no doubt aware the practice of meditation is suggested as part of the practice described in the eleventh step of our twelve- step programme. Mindfulness is certainly incorporated by many of our members, as is attested to by their personal shares. However, as a fellowship we have not carried out any empirical or ethnographic research on our members experience. We do not have any information that we can share with you.

Our fellowship‟s guiding documents include the „Twelve Traditions‟ and we endeavour to adhere to these. These Traditions were developed out of hard-won experience.

Tradition Six guides us not to lend the C.A. name to any related facility or endorse any outside enterprise, Tradition Ten that we should have no opinion on outside issues. It may be helpful for you to view the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Cocaine Anonymous, please follow the link below.

https://ca.org/service/12and12/

We are therefore not able to suggest any outside organisation that may be able to provide you with information on the subject of mindfulness.

Once again, please accept our apologies for the delay in responding to your enquiry.

Yours sincerely,

Cocaine Anonymous

World Service Board of Trustees

---

Enquiry:

Q4.01.2020.10.12

From: XXXXXXXXX, Lindsay [mailto:lmcmahon@…]

Sent: Monday, October 12, 2020 1:17 PM

To: cawso@…

Subject: Permission to Attend Meeting

Hello!

Page 22 of 237

I am a graduate student taking a course on Addiction. One of our assignments is to attend an addiction and/or self-help meeting to gain a broader perspective of treatment.

I wanted to see if it was possible that I attend a CA meeting if they are being held via Zoom, and if so, how to do so respectfully.

Please let me know at your earliest convenience!

Sincerely,

Lindsay Mc.

Adler University

M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling

M.S. Sport & Human Performance

Approved Response:

Q4.01.2020.10.12

Dear Lindsay,

Thank you for your enquiry. Please accept our apology for the delayed response. As your question was related to course work, we hope that this is still relevant.

You would be most welcome to attend a Cocaine Anonymous (C.A.) meeting, most of which are considered „open‟ and can be assumed to be so unless otherwise stated on our meeting schedule information. Please see the excerpt below is taken from our Public Information Committee Handbook.

Open Meetings:

As the term suggests, meetings of this type are open to anyone: addicts, their families, friends, or anyone else interested in solving a personal drug problem, helping someone else to solve such a problem, or just wanting to understand the disease of addiction.

Although most of our meetings are „open‟ please be aware that actual participation is normally restricted to those sharing their own experience with addiction / alcoholism and how they have sought recovery.

As a Twelve Step fellowship Cocaine Anonymous is always keen to assist members of the professional community in understanding our purpose. As a graduate student studying addiction at the Adler University, we would be very happy to provide you with whatever assistance we can. Our Public Information Committee (PI) can be contacted via the link below and will be able to guide you.

https://ca.org/service/world-service-conference/wsc-public-information-pi-committee/

The excerpt below is also taken from our Public Information Committee Handbook.

Cooperation with the Professional Community Committee:

”Professional Community” refers to any corporation, small business, professional person or company interested in information about C.A. This doesn’t cover someone looking for a meeting

Page 23 of 237

for themselves or a family member, but PI will want to become involved if someone wants a meeting for their employees at their place of business. They might also handle setting up a PI presence at health fairs and clinics, etc.

As our name suggests, we are an anonymous fellowship, and we would therefore ask that you observe the right of our members to preserve their personal anonymity. Some of our newer members may be a little skittish if they feel they are being observed and therefore it may be advisable that you do contact our Public Information Committee and one of their members may act as a guide and attend a meeting with you.

We note that Adler University is based in Chicago and have therefore placed the link to the Illinois Area of Cocaine Anonymous website below along with the link to our World website.

https://illinoisareaca.org/ https://ca.org/

We hope that this information proves helpful and that you enjoy attending a Cocaine Anonymous meeting.

Yours sincerely

Cocaine Anonymous

---

WSBT REFERRALS

WSBT 2019-2 Referral forwarded from S&B – S&B number is 2017-15

Referral Subject (summarize please): To develop a process to change Article 10 of Conference Charter, one of the 12 Steps or 12 Traditions 15 (Jason/Kevin)

WSBT 2019-3 Referral forwarded from S&B – S&B number is 2018-13Referral Subject (summarize please): To develop a process to change Article 10 of Conference Charter, one of the 12 Steps or 12 Traditions and clarification of ¾ of the groups. (Jason/Kevin)

Dates and Times for Conference Calls and Quarterlies. (George)

(All dates and times to be discussed and agreed)

Page 24 of 237

WSBT Conference Call: Saturday, April 24^th 8am – 12pm PDT

WSBT Q2 2021: Now to be via Zoom, as CAWS 2021 cancelled.

• Friday, May 28^st 7am – 3pm PDT
• Saturday, May 29^nd 7am – 3pm PDT
• Sunday, May 30^rd 7am – 3pm PDT

WSBT Conference Call:  Saturday, July 31^st 8am – 12pm PDT

WSBT Q3 2021:

• Thursday, Aug 26^th 1pm for lunch
• Thursday, Aug 26^th 2pm – 10pm
• Friday, Aug 27^th 8am – 10pm
• Saturday,  Aug 28^th 8am-10pm
• Sunday, Aug 29^th 8am – 12pm

TEC 2021: Trustee Election Committee Convenes.

• Monday, Aug 30^th 8am – 10pm
• Tuesday, Aug 31^st 8am – 10pm
• Wednesday, Sept 1^st 8am – 12pm

Conference 2021:

• Wednesday,  Sept 1^st 1pm Delegate Orientation
• Wednesday,  Sept 1^st 7pm-10pm
• Thursday, Sept 2^nd 8am – 12pm
• Thursday, Sept 2^nd 1pm Regional Caucus & Breakout
• Friday, Sept 3^rd 8am – 12pm Breakout
• Friday, Sept 3^rd 1pm – 10pm Return to Conf floor
• Saturday, Sept 4^th 8am – 10pm
• Sunday, Sept 5^th 8am – 1pm Conference Close

WSBT Orientation Call: Saturday Sept 25^th 8am – 1pm PDT

Dates and times to be agreed by next Board.

WSBT Conference Call: Saturday, Oct 30^th 8am – 12pm PDT

WSBT Q4 2021: Face to face to accommodate large intake of Trustees.

• Friday, Dec 3^rd 1pm for lunch
• Friday, Dec 3^rd 2pm – 10pm
• Saturday,  Dec 4^th 8am – 10pm
• Sunday, Dec 5^th 8am – 1pm

WSBT Conference Call:  Saturday, Oct 30^th 8am – 12pm PDT

WSBT Group Inventory – Tradition 3