WSBT Quarterly Meeting and CAWS 2013
Ft Lauderdale, Florida
May 20th through May 27th, 2013
Record of minutes.
Open at 10:12am
Personal sharing (no more than 10 minutes each)
Moment of silence and Serenity Prayer
Roll call
- Ira Land – WST
- Kathy Jo Rangno – WSOT
- Rob Wellhauser – TAL/WSBT Secretary
- Brian Tenenbaum – MWRT
- Kenny Williams – ASRT
- Duane Miller – PSRT
- Jay Parker – SWRT
- Yves White – ANRT/Ast Secretary
- Russell Sedman – ERT/WSBT Vice Chair
- Terry Marsden – PNRT/ WSBT Chair
All present
Reading of the 12 Traditions (Russell)
Read “long form” and discuss Tradition 11 – (Limit discussion) (Brian)
Read and discuss Concept 11 (Limit discussion) (Duane)
Chair’s opening remarks:
- Review of WSBT agenda
- Attention to recording background noise, please announce yourself to assist transcriber.
WSBT officer reports (discussion on reports previously submitted for review):
- Chair (Terry)
- Vice-Chair (Russell)
- Secretary (Rob)
Motion to approve by Russell seconded by Brian Approved
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)
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- Southwest Regional Trustee (Jay)
- European Regional Trustee (Russell)
- Trustee At Large (Rob)
- World Service Office Trustee Report (KJ)
- World Service Trustee Report (Ira)
Motion to approve by Russell seconded by Kenny Approved
- 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 (Russell)
- Trustee Election (Kenny)
- Trustee Negotiating (Ira, Terry, Russell, Brian)
- Trustee Outreach (Yves)
- World Service Conference (Brian)
Motion to approve by Rob seconded by KJ Approved
- Trustee Conference Committee reports (discussion on reports previously submitted for review): approved
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- Archives (Russell – Duane 2nd)
- Conference (Terry – Ira 2nd)
- Convention (Duane – Brian 2nd)
- CAWS 2013 (Kenny)
- CAWS 2014 (Duane)
- CAWS 2015 (Rob)
- CAWS 2016 (Brian)
- Finance (Brian – Jay 2nd)
- Hospitals & Institutions (Jay – 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)
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Motion to approve by Brian seconded by Ira Approved
1) CAWS Convention updates:
CAWS 2013 (Kenny) Motion to approve by Kenny seconded by Jay
Kenny read his report from 5-14-2013. Ready to go. Discussion of the AV contract.
Deposit given. Looking for a close out meeting time on Monday.
CAWS 2014 (Duane) Motion to approve by Duane seconded by jay
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Duane discussed the status of Long Beach. Will have registration forms, will have a presentation this year. Does the chair really need to go to the WSOB.
CAWS 2015 (Rob) Motion to approve by Rob seconded by Jay
Rob next site visit June 10th and 11th, Ira was willing to come out and help with the negotiation of the hotel contract.
CAWS 2016 (Brian) Motion to approve by Brian seconded by Duane
Looking for new chair moved time up.
CAWS 2017 (Status of bids SR-14) Quebec and Seattle
PLACE MARKER – BUSINESS ITEMS
MARKER 2006.02.20 All Copyright and trademark protection (Ira & Duane)
To remain on agenda for quarterly review. Next Review – Principle register – September 4, 2020
Service Marks | Where Protected
We’re Here and We’re Free, Cocaine Anonymous (name), CA Logo | USA and EU
C.A. | USA
The following marks have been registered in Canada
1. Trademark: WE’RE HERE AND WE’RE FREE – Renewal Date: September 30th, 2027
2. Trademark: CA HOPE FAITH COURAGE & Design – Renewal Date: August 9, 2021
3. Trademark: COCAINE ANONYMOUS – Renewal Date: December 13, 2021
4. Trademark: C.A. – Renewal Date: June 12, 2022
MARKER 2006.08.13 Signature of annual corporate documents (All)
To be completed at fall Quarterly
MARKER 2009.05.09 Financial status CAWS Inc. – (KJ & Ira) Overall status is ok, Wednesday at 2pm Berry will be in to answer questions and explain the P and L. Question on beget line items and movement of funds.
MARKER NADCP – (Rob) Discussion on TAL attendance at drug court. July 14 to 17th in Washington DC. Leave on agenda. What is the prudent use of C.A. money? Look at this on a yearly basis to determine what best suites the fellowship. What can we do at an international level?
MARKER TEC – (Kenny) No open slates at this time. Most regions have submitted the slate. Should we activate the 2nd Tal?
MARKER 2009.12.03 Review of On-Line Copyright Issues. 130 social media sites +. We address when brought to are attention. At one point what is going to be the cost a lot of money protecting are copyright. How long will we continue to protect copyright?
Motion: Move marker 2009.12.03 to a sub marker of 2006.02.20 Made by Russell second by Brian, passes unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
2011.03.01 – European fulfillment facility – (KJ) Office needs help in the financial side. What do they really need? Do we look at net or gross sales for the business plan?
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2012.11.05 www.ca.org new site (KJ) Bata site is up, LCF is having problems lodging on.
2011.12.01 – Minutes / Transcription / State Requirements and Responsibilities to the Fellowship (Rob/Yves)
Should we continue with transcribing quarterly minutes? Get December transcript by Wednesday. We need to find a new transcriber. If we paid the going rate it would be double the cost. This has not really worked. Need to look at changing this problem. Gather facts, costs and KJ will check with Pam to go forward with the transcript.
2013.05.01 LCF pamphlet approval (currently motioned to table until this meeting) Motion to remove from the table passes discussion on the pamphlet open.
Motion to approve the 12 principles pamphlet by Rob second by Brian.
Suggestion to remove (H.O.W) add
Motion passes
CORRESPONDENCE/ RESPONSES FROM/TO THE FELLOWSHIP:
Yves to update us on any incoming correspondence
IN-CONFERENCE REFFERRALS TO BE ADDRESSED:
Referral #5817
Our Area bylaws conflict with 12 Concepts and 12 Traditions. How can we as an Area conduct our business without violating 12 Concepts and 12 Traditions if our Area Service Board does not want to recognize this problem and continuously state our bylaws supersede the 12 Concepts and 12 Traditions. Some of us understand that any Area bylaws should be formed under 12 Concepts and 12 Traditions and bylaws should not conflict with such, as our ASB goes against this.
Thank you for submitting your referral.
The first tradition is the foundation of our fellowship. Here the tradition speaks to unity meaning of a common mind or purpose. In the interest of the foundational principle that our fellowship stands on is the consideration that while there is autonomy it is not practiced without regard to unity. The concepts and traditions were not created capriciously but on the experience of those who came before us. It would be wise and prudent to consider that what an area does or does not do can impact other groups and the entire fellowship. You are not specific in your description as to what concepts and traditions have been violated and there cannot be a specific answer to such a general query. That being said, an idea of unity would encourage all of us to follow what has
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been crafted on the experience of those who came before us. Hopefully an area service committee would agree with the principle of being unified in action and thought as much as is reasonably possible. The question is not “Can we do this” but should we do this”
In Love and Service,
WSBT
Motion made by Duane second by Ira
Motion Passes
Referral #6645
Can guidelines/questions be crafted for the Trustees to use at the Regional caucuses when filling the Regional slate? Example: Do you serve on your Committee throughout the year? Do you write quarterly reports to your Trustee? Do you meet all requirements?
RESPONSE:
Dear Member:
Thank you for submitting your referral. At this time, The view of the WSBT is that the area ratification, the regional ratification, and the Trustee Election Committee (TEC) all allow for the inquiring of candidates. Due process is currently in place for vetting trustee candidates. The area meetings and regional assemble both allow for appropriate questioning by members present. We will continue to review the trustee resume form for any improvements. Thanks again for your concerns.
In Love and Service,
WSBT
Motion made by Kenny second by brian
Motion passes
Referral # 6860
What is the reasoning behind C.A. policy of displaying, distributing or selling only WSC approved literature. Could a group use other A.A. literature?
Yves (lead) Duane, Brian
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RESPONSE
Dear member, thank you for submitting your referral.
WSBT has previously reviewed this type of request and developed a board view on this subject in the following Newsgram 2007 2nd Quarter article, which is still our view on this.
Thanks again for your concerns.
In Love and Service,
WSBT
his:
Conference Approved Literature
By the World Service Board of Trustees
Each month, the Board of Trustees is asked to respond to questions pertaining to the propriety of using literature which has not been approved by the C.A. World Service Conference. In response, we refer members of our Fellowship to our own C.A. World Service Manual, which sets forth the following on page 14 (2013 edition):
Cocaine Anonymous groups, meetings and service committees should only use, display, distribute or sell the following literature and materials: the WSC Approved Literature set forth in the Appendix, the books “ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS,” “TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS,” and “The A.A. Service Manual, combined with the 12 Concepts For World Service,” and Cocaine Anonymous World Service, Region, Area, District and group/meeting approved flyers, meeting directories and other materials …
Requests ask why groups or Fellowship members can’t use books at C.A. meetings such as The Little Red Book, any of the daily reflection/meditation books, speaker tapes from well-known speakers, even other A.A. or recovery-based materials. These requests present very powerful arguments, often referring to the “Big Book” of Alcoholics Anonymous, the 12 and 12 and even the AA Service Manual.
The World Service Conference passed the following Advisory Opinion on August 20,1989: “The books Alcoholics Anonymous and the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous are
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two of our most valuable tools of recovery, and as such, it is the opinion of Cocaine Anonymous that meetings should be allowed to have these books available to support members and their recovery.” On September 4, 2004, the World Service Conference passed the following Advisory Opinion: The book The A.A. Service Manual, Combined with the 12 Concepts for World Service is a valuable tool of recovery in service, and as such, it is the opinion of Cocaine Anonymous that meetings and service meetings within the Fellowship should be allowed to have this book available to support the members in their recovery.”
When we look at the propriety of using non- Conference-approved materials, we are guided by the Steps, Traditions and Concepts as well as the writings within the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. We also look to the Fourth Tradition, which provides that “Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or C.A. as a whole.” The inquiry becomes, therefore, whether the use of and reading from these non- Conference-approved materials in meetings or groups is appropriate, or whether such action(s) affect other groups, districts, areas or C.A. as a whole.
We are further guided by the long form of the Fourth Tradition, which provides in part: “And no group, regional committee, or individual should ever take any action that might greatly affect [C.A.] as a whole without conferring with the trustees … On such issues our common welfare is paramount.” Also, in the narrative text of the Fourth Tradition (page 147), the inquiry seems to turn to whether the action taken would “greatly” injure C.A. as a whole. In that same paragraph is the notion that the group’s sole objective has to be “sobriety,” and “In all other respects there was perfect freedom of will and action. Every group had the right to be wrong.”
So we begin this analysis by referencing the language cited from our World Service Manual on page 14 which sets forth specifically which items and writings “should” be used, displayed, distributed or sold by groups, meetings and service committees. Clearly, if the reading/writing that the group/meeting/committee wants to use is not on the Conference-approved list contained in the Manual’s Appendix, and there has been no advisory opinion to date authorizing its reference and use, the subject materials should not be used. The World Service Conference recently voted to insert the language on page 14 of the WSM using the word “should.” That language as cited, therefore, is the clear conscience of our entire Fellowship regardless of whether we, as a Board, or any member of the Fellowship or group argues or decides whether the word “should” is suggestive, as some members of the Fellowship argue, or directive, as others might argue. The intent and spirit of including that paragraph was and is to set a base level of appropriate materials and readings for ALL groups of C.A. throughout our world.
Having said that, though, the inquiry for our Board is whether the use by groups of non-Conference-approved literature affects other groups, districts, areas, or C.A. as a whole. Further, we must then ask whether that use might or did serve to “greatly” affect C.A. as a whole. This inquiry then relates to the first part of our First Tradition as to whether our common welfare is impacted.
So the challenge with such literature being used by groups is two-fold: first, it is not C.A. Conference approved; and second, its use might be construed to imply affiliation between C.A. and the non-approved materials or even other related materials. We are of the view that the use of non-Conference-approved literature by groups or meetings greatly affects C.A. as a whole and that our common welfare is impacted by use of these materials at C.A. meetings and events. We also are deeply concerned about the message of any group, meeting or service body at any level using non-Conference-approved materials.
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If any group, member of our Fellowship, or service body desires to seek approval of any non-Conference- approved literature for use within our C.A. Fellowship, please have them bring the matter to the World Service Conference for consideration.
Motion made by Yves second made by Brian
Motion passes
POST-CONFERENCE REFERRALS TO BE ADDRESSED:
Referral #7113
That the Trustees consider, in the full spirit of the right of rotation, implementing a rule that rotating out Trustee take one full year off from serving as a Conference Officer or WSC Committee Chair before being allowed to serve in those capacities.
Thank you for submitting your referral to the WSBT. There are principles to consider here – Concept 9 suggests we take great care in selecting our service leaders while Tradition 2 advises that God speaks through a group’s conscience. The WSBT believes that the World Service Conference has the right to choose their trusted servants. Additionally, our World Service Manual states, “The principal of consistent rotation of responsibility is followed by all C.A. service positions. The spirit of rotation is a vital principle within our service structure which allows for non- successive terms on all service positions. This enables more members to experience the true nature of service. Positions in the Service Structure are rotated according to a vote of the Service Structure.” The main theme of this principal is on the limitation of successive terms. We consider it imprudent to make a rule or guideline to support the suggestion in this referral. The WSBT fully recognizes that, after many years of service, trustees may be hindering the opportunity for members to fully participate in our World Service Structure by not taking a year or more off at the end of their term of service.
In love and Service
WSBT
Motion made by Rob, seconded by Brian
NEW BUSINESS
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Set Conference call. Sunday July 28th 10am pst
Quarterly start at Conference. Start Sunday 25th of August at 5pm
We Can Recover
Motion to approve We Can Recover made by Jay seconded by Rob.
Motion Passes
Discussion about posting speaker’s tapes to the Internet; Question from AZ about starting a web site with C.A. speakers from there area. Please do not use last name or anyone’s last name in the tap.
Discussion about Drug Courts at international level;
Consistency of verbiage on area reports that state their comments may be distributed to the whole fellowship;
Please use the Area Question report. Delegate Report Template.
Linda Francisco DOO one on one.
With Linda and Teresa two on one.
With Teresa one on one.
Changes for Travel pay for people on the WSOB,
Requests to serve on the board from any area in the world.
The possibility to serve on the WSOB from anywhere in the world.
Discussion brings people to the board via Skype. Put out a flyer to all delegates. Turn around time to approve to approve the web site. 30 Days
Activate the 2nd TAL position to the WSBT not at this time.
Posting to Social Media
WSBT Group Inventory
Close – Serenity Prayer
Already Finished this Year
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CORRESPONDENCE/ RESPONSES FROM/TO THE FELLOWSHIP:
6Below is the result of your feedback form. It was submitted by () on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at 02:01:42 ————————————————————————— City: Long Beach StateProvince: CA AreaRegion: Long Beach Compton Subject: East Side Early Birds Attitude Adjustment Meeting Message: It has been brought to the attention of the Long Beach Compton District Board in regards to the continued violations of the Twelve Traditions and Twelve Concepts of this meeting located at850 Atlantic Ave in Long Beach CA.This meeting is not following the CA format. They are in constant violation of Tradition 4. There is continuous cross talk and and numerous fist fights have broke out during the meeting. They are demonstrating a hostile environment and should be discredited as a CA group. I feel that it is time for the area to step into this matter and visit this meeting. They have done a group inventory but they still choose to run the meeting their way. Anonymous
Approved response (sent 19th Oct 2012)
Dear Member
Thank you for your email in which you shared your concerns regarding a CA group in your local District.
Our fellowships ‘World Service Manual’ page 14 clarifies the definition of a CA Group.
A meeting is when two or more people gather together to share their experience, strength and hope with each other.
A meeting may call itself a C.A. Group when:
- The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using cocaine and all other mind-altering substances.
- It is fully self-supporting.
- Its primary purpose is to help addicts recover through the Twelve Steps of C.A.
- It has no outside affiliations.
- It has no opinion on outside issues.
- Its public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion.
Based upon the information given to us on the reported Tradition Four violation, we would like to refer you to that very tradition whereas it states, every group “has the right to be wrong”…”except in matters affecting other groups or CA as a whole.”
Many groups around the world have adopted formats that work for that group and/or their locality, allowing healthy diversity and in keeping with our traditions.
In love and service
CA World Service Board of Trustees
Below is the result of your feedback form. It was submitted by () on Sunday, September 9, 2012
at 18:43:49 ————————————————————————— Name: Tracy Mathis
Email: tracy.mathis@sbcglobal.net City: los angeles StateProvince: CA AreaRegion: South
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Central District Subject: Dark Night Message: We have regular schedule meetings @ 3801 on Sat @ 7:30 am,10:00 am And 12 noon. The 10am book study is a new addition to the facility and a couple of Sats Ago, the 7am and 12 noon meeting was closed due to a 3rd step feast. being that each meeting is autonomous accept when affecting other meetings or CA why did 3801 INC give the facilitator permission to close 2 meetings for this non approved event. 3801 INC, has no right getting involved in CA business. I have no problem with change and the 3rd step feast is new to me. I have 11yrs and this is the first time I’ve seen such a event interrupt meetings. Im concerned that this will become a trend!!! And when does the facility have the power to dictate what and when CA meetings are being held and ran? Ive taken this to the District and the Chair and the facilitator of the book study still believes that this is ok. Can you clarify for me so that I know what the correct way to handle this Please.
Response approved (sent 28th October 2012)
Thank you for your question and concerns. While your group’s course of action will ultimately be determined by your group, following is some information that may help.
Please take a moment to read the attached NewsGram article* on page 5 titled “Clubhouses and Cocaine Anonymous.” This article will hopefully clear up the landlord tenant relationship. While clubhouses perform a necessary function for our fellowship, there is no affiliation with our fellowship. The relationship should be strictly tenant, landlord. As such, available meeting times should be negotiated between meetings and landlords. Please be mindful that the business (aka landlord) has no responsibly to C.A. as a whole but your meeting (aka tenant) does. When presenting concerns to your landlord, it may always be prudent to do so while practicing the principles of patience, kindliness, tolerance and love.
*Article is from NewsGram Vol 24, No 1 (First Quarter 2007), on page 5 which was a reprint from NewsGram Vol 13, No 3 (Third quarter 1999).
[Attachment]
(Clubhouses and Cocaine Anonymous) that was printed in the Newsgram Vol 24, No 1 (First Quarter 2007), on page 5 was a a reprint from Newsgram Vol 13, No 3 (Third quarter 1999), Clubhouses and Cocaine Anonymous
First printed in Volume 13, No. 3 (3rd quarter 1999):
By Walter J. Atlantic South Regional Trustee
All over the country (and in other countries now), Cocaine Anonymous meetings are held in a variety of places. Some meetings are held in community rooms at local parks, some are held in meeting rooms at churches, or in hospital cafeterias. Sometimes meetings are held at clubhouses that exist specifically to provide meeting space for Twelve Step groups, and to provide clean and sober people with a place to interact socially. At last year’s C.A. World Service Conference, several referrals from the floor requested guidance and clarification about how C.A. members and groups can be involved with such clubhouses without violating our Twelve Traditions. The World Service Board of Trustees has discussed the issue at length, and this article is an attempt to explain our understanding of the proper relationship between C.A. members and any such clubhouse.
Let’s start by clearly stating that the C.A. group is Cocaine Anonymous. The group has been and remains the most effective vehicle for carrying out our primary purpose – to carry the message of recovery to the still-suffering addict. It is in the group that we recover through
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working the 12 Steps, learn to coexist in unity by applying the 12 Traditions, and continue to grow spiritually through service employing the 12 Concepts. C.A. members the globe over protect the group as it is the very core of our recovery today, the place where we get sober and grow together, ever more clear-sighted of
Tradition One: “Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon C.A. unity.”
The group is the C.A. foundation, not only to its members, but to the outside community as well. So any other service entity that is created through a need to serve the C.A. group should handle its affairs in such a way (with respect to C.A.’s 12 Traditions) as to enhance the effectiveness of the group to carry its message, further allowing each member the opportunity for service that may come from any group activity. It is certainly understood that some C.A. members will have a desire to participate in activities outside the C.A. group, such as clubhouses. While there will be those of us that find the C.A. group sufficient to meet our needs, other members have a desire to extend their fellowship beyond group meetings; some in fact seek a C.A. social life. We think it wise for those C.A. members that choose to participate in those outside activities to take extra care to respect the integrity of the C.A. group, ever mindful of the fact that affiliation, whether real or implied, misleads the public, confuses the newcomer, and violates C.A.’s 12 Traditions. What this means is that a C.A. member who might be involved in any way with the operation of a clubhouse should take every opportunity to remind himself and everyone else that he is doing so as an individual, not as a representative of Cocaine Anonymous.
With all that being said, let it be clearly stated that Cocaine Anonymous does not have clubhouses, although members of C.A. are free to engage in whatever outside activity they choose. In accordance with our preamble, C.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution, and neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Nonetheless, when outside activity is engaged in which can easily be mistaken as C.A.-affiliated, such as clubhouses run by C.A. members, caution must be advised. Remember that not only the public, but more importantly, C.A. newcomers may get the misconception that these clubhouses are in fact owned or operated by C.A. Consequently, outside activities such as clubhouses should be designed for those individual members who wish to participate, while the C.A. group should remain unimpeded by the activities of these outside entities. Clearly stated, the C.A. group business should in no way be associated or affiliated with any outside entities, including the clubhouses in which its meetings may be held. The Sixth Tradition states, “A C.A. group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the C.A. name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.” The tenant/landlord relationship of the C.A. group to the clubhouse should not include the co- mingling of funds. Nor is it appropriate that the landlord dictate structural parameters for the C.A. group. An outside entity deciding operational procedures for a C.A. group or the group servants’ responsibilities would be an example of a serious Tradition violation. Of course, a landlord is free to negotiate rent with any group, or to insist that certain cleanup procedures or other restrictions be respected, but should have no input on how the meeting itself is run.
Remember that the public at large will already see C.A. members heading up these outside activities and may very well view them as C.A. clubhouses. Thus, those outside entities that are so led by and aligned with C.A. members should seriously consider being guided by the 12 Traditions as well, although it is clearly understood that C.A. has no authority to instruct them to do so.
If, after reading this article, you still have questions related to clubhouses or other similar outside
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entities or operations, I encourage you to contact your Regional Trustee to discuss the matter further, or to send your World Service Delegate to the Conference with your questions or concerns.
In love and service
CA World Service Board of Trustess
Below is the result of your feedback form. It was submitted by () on Wednesday, September 5,
2012 at 14:57:58 ————————————————————————— Name: richard
Email: lukehurst_1@hotmail.com City: Northampton StateProvince: Northamptonshire
AreaRegion: CAUK Subject: Tradition 8 Message: Dear Trustee There has been some controversy at my local DSC regarding a member of the fellowship who is hired to provide a service, that of recording shares at CAUK events. a few members have said that this is out of order and that he should not be able to record shares and make money out of CA events and specifically selling speaker CD’s. I am of the opinion that we do hire services as per tradition 8 and pay for them services when necessary. The grey area here seems to be that the service provider contnues to earn profit, albeit very little, after the event. My feelings on this hot subject is that he provides a service the fellowship benefits from and as a result the message is carried through the selling of the cd’s to many still suffering addicts. I know he earns very little and doesn’t charge for hire or labour, what he has earned has covered fuel etc. I spoke with hi this evening ad he informed me he actually loses money and still does it out of his love for CA. I was just keen to hear your views in fellowship Richard newly appointed Delegate
Response approved and sent 2nd November 2012 Dear Richard
Thank you for contacting your WSBT and sharing your comments and questions with us regarding this issue.
The hiring of an outside organisation to provide specific services to our fellowship is common and often misunderstood. Our fellowship sells t-shirts at conventions, fundraising events and unity day?s and therefore requires the services of a company to supply us with such merchandise, the principle is the same with recordings and CD sales with the exception that in this case the vendor continues to sell ?their? merchandise as a stock item in ?their? stock inventory without any accountability to CA.
This particular case would, in our opinion, require an agreement of such between the fellowship and the outside company. There is an issue of allowing an outside organisation to sell items and stock, for their own benefit, that carries the name of Cocaine Anonymous. We should always be mindful that our name belongs to our fellowship and should not be lent to an outside organisation for its own use unless a clear agreement has been reached between the parties involved and those asked to look after our intellectual property and copyrighted materials, in this case our name and our logo.
Our IP and Copyrighted materials are overseen by CAWSO Inc, the WSOB and the World Service Board of Trustees. Any outside organisation wanting to sell items of stock that carries our name and/or logo would need to seek permission from CAWSO by way of a ?Vendor
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License Agreement?.
At our World Service Conventions we engage the professional services of an outside organisation to record and sell CD?s of speakers and workshops and at our annual World Service Conference we also engage such services to record our conference business. This relationship is clearly defined in an agreement (contract) that allows Cocaine Anonymous to clarify the services required, the conditions of sales to our members, and also allows for us to agree to any requirements from the vendor.
There may also be an issue of affiliation (actual, implied or perceived), when dealing with an outside organisation and this could be magnified when a member is involved with the professional services of the outside organisation. Care should always be taken to separate membership service and professional services in instances like this.
Tradition 8 is more directed toward the fellowship directly employing or hiring members, not companies, to carry out work and getting paid by the Fellowship for the specific task at hand.
In love and service
CA World Service Board of Trustees
Referral #6880
Please address the provision of a statement of policy, with regard to “diversity” for our fellowship. This is the UK term for a policy of non-discrimination. This is not only for employees but a statement of intent/policy for our fellowship. Thank you.
Jay (lead), Russell
IN-CONFERENCE REFERRALS TO BE ADDRESSED:
- Referral #7065 DONE
- From Jean Marc Lemieux submitted by Valerie Cote Response re-sent at August Quarterly
- Referral # 7091 DONE • What is C.A’s policy regarding the use of youtube as a means of reaching other addicts?
Are there any issues regarding the use of youtube as a media to publish public service announcements on their own? If there are no issues are there any guideline? Can we use if locally?
Response to #7091
Non Approved Conference PSA (Public Service Announcement) or Any other type of Video
“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
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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
Thank you for your inquiry to the use of a PSA (Public Service Announcement) via the You Tube website.
The first distinction we should clarify , is the PSA you are referring to in the referral a conference approved PSA (Public Service Announcement) or a non conference approved?
Approved Conference PSA
The conference approved PSAs are designed and approved for Public distribution and viewing. The WSBOT see no challenges to uploading them to the You Tube website. Please take caution that the person uploading the video may be identified and precautions to ensure anonymity should be taken. There are no clear directions currently in the World Service Guidelines for the proper use of this medium. We will forward your referral to the Public Information Committee for future work.
Please refer to the paragraph below from the World Service IT Guidelines . This paragraph can be found on page 3. To summarize we suggest that members only use conference approved PSA.
“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.”
POST-CONFERENCE REFERRALS TO BE ADDRESSED:
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