MINUTES OF WSBT CONFERENCE CALL 10/14/2007
- The Call opened with a moment of silence, followed by the Serenity Prayer. The Chair suggested a one-person prayer, but most joined in anyway.
- Roll Call:
| Bobbie Harmon | Trustee At Large | Vice Chair |
| Kim Sherwan | Midwest Regional Trustee | |
| Carl Warlick | Pacific South Regional Trustee | Chair |
| Earl Henderson | World Service Office Trustee | |
| Hayward Hunt | World Service Trustee | |
| Bruce Watson | Atlantic North Regional Trustee | Secretary |
| Trevor Schieble | Pacific North Regional Trustee | |
| Lawrence Matlock | Atlantic South Regional Trustee | |
| Nicholas Lynn | European Regional Trustee | |
| Vacant Position | Southwest Regional Trustee |
All nine (9) Trustees present.
- Chair’s Opening Remarks: Carl W. shared his opening remarks with the other trustees.
OLD BUSINESS —
- CAWS Convention Updates:
- CAWS 2007 (Kim) – All set with reports from convention.
- CAWS 2008 (Trevor) – Planning, fund-raising and committee work proceeding well and looking forward to Salt Lake City Convention. Fliers are available. Events are finalized. Trevor will travel to meet with convention committee in late November. Overall, it’s going well.
- CAWS 2009 (Bobbie) – Treasurer had to resign. Committee is moving forward with replacement. Should the WSBT obtain copies of the Convention Committee’s minutes? Not sure of policy in this regard. Otherwise, Committee is doing fine.
- CAWS 2010 (Kim) – Starting fund-raiser. The Convention Committee will have a firm budget at the 2008 World Service Conference.
- Old Business from on-line agenda:
2007.05.09 Review of 12 Point literature process and publishing process (Trevor, Bruce). Nothing has been done since the World Service Conference, where Board members held frank discussions with LCF Chair about WSBT concerns. Treat this matter as pending, and committee members will address proposed changes at November Quarterly.
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- Conference Committee and WSBT Sub-committee Assignment:
2007.08.16 Conference Committee Assignments —
Archives (Lawrence)
Conference (Kim, Hayward)
Convention (Carl)
Finance (Earl)
Hospitals & Institutions (Nicholas)
IT (Trevor)
Literature, Chips & Format (Bruce)
Public Information (Nicholas)
Structure & Bylaws (Bobbie, Trevor)
Unity (Kim)
WSBT Sub-committee Assignments (lead trustee in bold) — Finance (Earl, Bobbie, Bruce, Carl, Hayward, Kim, Lawrence, Nicholas, Trevor)
International Structure & Development (Nicholas, Bruce, Carl, Hayward, Trevor)
NewsGram (Trevor, Bobbie, Carl, Hayward)
Orientation (Bobbie, Bruce, Carl, Earl, Hayward, Kim, Lawrence, Nicholas, Trevor)
TEC (Earl, Kim, Bobbie, Bruce, Carl, Hayward, Lawrence, Nicholas, Trevor)
World Service Conference (Kim, Trevor, Hayward)
Trustee Outreach (Lawrence, Bobbie, Carl, Trevor)
Legal (Bruce, Bobbie, Carl, Hayward, Nicholas)
LTP (Bobbie, Bruce, Carl, Earl, Hayward, Kim, Lawrence, Nicholas, Trevor)
- Online Items:
None pending.
- Outstanding Correspondence:
The WSBT will respond to the email message received from Iran in French by asking a member from CALA area or from Quebec area to translate so that we may understand the message.
- To be Completed by or Updated at November Quarterly:
None pending.
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- Referral Matters from the Conference for Action/Response by the WSBT:
Referral #3875
Suggestion regarding IT Committee undertaking legal decisions re: trademark wording on www websites; this should be the responsibility WSO who can receive expert advice from appropriate patent and trademark attorneys.
Response will be prepared by Earl, Hayward, Trevor.
Referral #4189
Please review websites stating “we are a fellowship of, for and by cocaine addicts.” This is an exclusive drug specific statement and does not truly state membership requirements. I would like to see CA honestly described.
Response will be prepared by Trevor.
Referral #4198
Please create a list of all newsletters and contacts for them. This would assist us in reaching our members with request for help with ideas; like PSAs. This would be complied by the Trustees (as they are aware of which Areas have such newsletters and current contacts) and kept at WSO. It should be accessible to committees within the CA service structure.
Response will be prepared by Carl, Lawrence, and Trevor.
Referral #4776 (referred by WSO)
Delegate report – provide delegates (especially new ones) with formats/guidelines for Area reports.
Response will be prepared by Bruce, Nicholas, and Trevor.
Referral #5036
How do concerned members request help of Trustees when most of the time the issues are to be handled by respective District/Areas and those District/Areas are the same people, same thoughts and same ideas.
Response will be prepared by Bobbie, Carl.
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Referral #5040
Change the formation of the first step to read: We admitted we were powerless over all other mind altering substances – that our lives had become unmanageable.
Response will be prepared by Bobbie, Carl, Kim, Lawrence, Nicholas, Trevor.
Referral #5070
Would like to see the word addicts when used in the context of describing what CA is on the website, changed to “persons with a desire to stop using Cocaine and all other mind altering substances.” The reason being a person who recognizes they may have a problem with drug usage may not be willing to identify as an addict (yet) and this may inadvertently dissuade someone needing or desiring help and/or information.
Response will be prepared by Bobbie, Carl, Kim, Lawrence, Nicholas, Trevor.
Referral # 5087
At last year’s conference it was decided to remove the last paragraph, page 4 of the financial guidelines covering: “Special Donations – Special Causes”
To respect Tradition 7 and Tradition 9
This action would suggest that CA as a whole no longer encourages the earmarking/ring fencing of funds or the raising of money for special causes. However, there is still a lack of clarity amongst the membership over these practices, not least Unity Days to raise money for delegate travel and passing of H&I Cans to raise money specifically for H&I.
It would suggest this fellowship is providing a mixed message and leaving the membership confused. If a guideline of such weight is removed surely it should be replaced by a process for raising funds specifically for delegate travel. If our guidelines are contradictory we run the risk of diminishing our collective responsibility as world service leaders to steer our global fellowship through the traditions with clarity and grace.
PROPOSAL: – This conference accepts that the practice of passing H&I cans and Unity Days (to raise money for delegate travel) promotes inequality and specialness in contradiction to the principles of Traditions 7 & 9, and fails to reflect the action of Conference 2006 in removing the last paragraph of Page 4 of the Financial Guidelines.
Response will be prepared by Bobbie, Earl, and Nicholas.
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Referral #5115
Can we have guidelines or a committee entitled “acc reditations” in the WS Manual? And WS Conference?
Response will be prepared by Bobbie, Carl, Hayward, Kim, Trevor.
Referral #5359
The Trustees have provided guidance that at the world level, funds will not be accepted if they are “earmarked” for a particular purpose. Can the Trustees please now provide guidance whether this principle applies at the Area or District level. I ask this question in order to have guidance on whether Areas or Districts should accept money which is stipulated must be spent on H&I. Although Groups, Districts, and Areas may act autonomously, I believe that it is important that guidance be provided on whether a different principle should apply at World and at an Area/District level.
Response will be prepared by Bobbie, Earl, and Nicholas.
Referral #5527
If somehow, someway it could become a law, trademark, something to not be able to take Cocaine out of the literature and that it only can be added.
Response will be prepared by Bobbie, Carl, Kim, Lawrence, Nicholas, Trevor.
- NEW BUSINESS —
2007.10.14 NADCP preparation for 2008 in St. Louis, MO (Bobbie): The timing of the NADCP is poor, because it occurs almost immediately after the World Service Convention, making it difficult for our attendees to obtain time off, travel, etc. Leave this item as a place marker as we go forward with arrangements.
2007.10.15 Concerns with Texas Valley area (Bobbie): Trustee expressed concern with Texas Valley Area of CA. No spirit of rotation practiced, traditions are being violated, when trusted servant approached on these issues, he threatened to or did alter a meeting format to another fellowship, NA. Trustee will approach these members in the spirit of love and tolerance, respect for the traditions, and unity of purpose.
2007.10.16 Contribution program (Earl): Banks cards are expiring, which complicates the office’s on-going implementation of this important 7th Tradition program. Only seventy-seven (77) CA members participate, which is a tiny fraction of the Fellowship. Trustee requested a NewsGram article highlighting this program and its role in carrying the message.
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2007.10.17 WSBT Financial/Spending/Transferring Funds/Guidelines (Earl): The current policy requires WSBT approval if more than $3000 is transferred in a 90-day period. This complicates the efficient operation of the office. Trustee proposed that he prepare a policy in writing for consideration at the November quarterly that better serves the two Boards and the Fellowship as a whole.
2007.10.18 Implementing the two director plan (Earl): Earl reported on the need for job descriptions for the two (2) directors which were authorized at the last World Service Conference. The WSOB has approved a job description for the Director of Resource Planning and Development (“DRPD”), and is working on a job description for the Director of Operations (“DOO”).
Earl moved, and his motion was seconded by Hayward, to change Patty Flanagan’s title to DRPD. A spirited discussion ensued about the process of selecting the DRPD, including the issue of whether posting and interviewing qualified candidates would be appropriate. Earl noted that it was virtually impossible to imagine any other candidates being as qualified as Ms. Flanagan, given her service to the Fellowship at the office, and the breadth and depth of her knowledge of the workings of the Fellowship. MOTION PASSED, 7 in favor (Bobbie, Bruce, Earl, Haywood, Kim, Nicholas, Trevor) and 2 not voting (Carl, Lawrence). Next, Earl reported that he had prepared an initial draft of interview questions for the candidates for the DOO, and indicated that he would be seeking input from all trustees on these questions.
2007.10.19 Brief office report (Earl): The office has been painted, and inventory is being taken. August and September financials indicate we’re in good shape. WSOB has met or spoke with Monica _______ and John Whittaker about the Translation Policy, and the WSOB is continuing to make improvements in that Policy. Earl moved, and his motion was seconded by Hayward, to allow the office manager to grant pay raises of up to six per cent (6%) to new employees. MOTION PASSED UNAMIMOUSLY. Earl moved, and his motion was seconded by Hayward, to close the UMB checking account, which was used for the Kansas City World Convention, and transfer the remaining balance of $2,093.22 to the Savings account. MOTION PASSED UNAMIMOUSLY. Earl moved, and his motion was seconded by Hayward, to transfer $67,260.26 from the odd-year convention account to the Savings account. MOTION PASSED UNAMIMOUSLY. Earl moved, and his motion was seconded by Hayward, to transfer $19,760.00 from the Savings account to the Operating account. MOTION PASSED UNAMIMOUSLY. In closing, Earl observed that the foregoing illustrated the need for an improved policy governing transfers of funds.
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2007.10.20 Status of European office inquiries (Nick): Nicholas reported on the research he has performed in determining where a European Office might best be located. The fundamental issue is that the cost of shipping items in small lots from North America to Europe is very high, inhibiting the growth of the Fellowship in Europe. In addition, a European Office would be significantly more accessible, geographically, linguestically and with respect to time zone compatability. Der Hag, in Holland appears to be the best long term location. Nicholas will report with more details as to funding and cost savings at the November quarterly.
2007.10.21 Need a article on Holiday Flier (Carl): Carl reported that the best approach might be to look in the AA archive and locate an appropriate article that addresses the concerns regarding inappropriate use of religious symbols in CA fliers.
2007.10.22 Relationship between Clubs and CA Groups (Bobbie): Bobbie reported that she was seeing some problems that were caused by relationships between Sober Clubs and CA Groups where the relationship was not well defined and trusted servents were involved in both entities. Bobbie recommended that the WSBT adopt guidelines on the relationships between Sober Clubs and CA groups. Response will be prepared by
Bobbie, Carl, Hayward, Lawrence, and Nicholas.
2007.10.23 Notary Requirement For Submissions to Meditation Book (Bruce): Bruce reported that the Notary requirement for submissions regarding the Meditation Book to LCF were expensive in some other countries, and thus might be hindering submissions from overseas, and that it did not serve a necessary purpose. This matter will be addresse at the November Quarterly meeting.
2007.10.24 DRPD Job Description (Hayward): Hayward moved, and Bobbie and Carl seconded, that we approve the Provisional Job Description for the DRPD prepared by WSOB. MOTION PASSED UNAMIMOUSLY.
Following some discussion of the logistics of the November Quarterly WSBT meeting, the October WSBT Conference Call closed with the Serenity Prayer.
Respectfully submitted,
Bruce Watson
WSBT Secretary
Atlantic North Regional Trustee
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