Kevin Murphy calls the Conference to order.
Moment of Silence followed by the “We” version of the Serenity Prayer.
How It Works – Read by Michael Chiki
Roll Call
154 votes on the floor, quorum is 103
Kevin Murphy: Turn your cell phones off now. There was a petition yesterday regarding a district wanting to move areas that was tabled. When that does come off the table, members of the district should be here. It is my intention that motion will most likely be in order on Saturday afternoon. In the interest of the spiritual nature of the conference, it will be out of order without those members present.
Ian Young: 5th Concept Statement – I did not vote with the prevailing side. I sat on the TEC this year. The reason European Region didn’t present a slate is there wasn’t anyone qualified. I’m concerned one of the candidates did not have Area approval.
5th Concept Statement
I was upset and felt manipulated by the manner that the Trustees responded to questions from the floor regarding Trustees on the slate who had not been ratified by their Areas/Regions. This was exasperated by a member approaching 2 members of CAUK and telling us that the European Region had failed by not submitting anyone to the slate. The European Region did not bring anyone to the slate because we did not have a candidate we were comfortable with.
Sitting on the TEC, I am bound by confidentiality, however, the floor asked questions about whether there were candidates who had not been ratified by their Area. I knew this to be the truth but the Trustees chose not to reveal this to the floor.
This has left me uncomfortable and God suggested I speak the truth to the floor omitting personalities and running with principles. I would like to stress that both candidates were fabulous and I have not brought this to the floor to rub dirt on the candidates.
Kevin Murphy: I believe the trustees have something to add to their report.
Willie Bailey: Motion to suspend the rules in order to hear new business out of order.
Kevin Murphy: With noted opposition the motion passes.
Willie Bailey: Motion to rescind the motion from last year.
MOTION: To revise the fourth paragraph of “How It Works” as follows:
To revise the 4th paragraph of “How It Works”, as follows: “Remember that we deal with cocaine [insert new language]”and all other mind altering substances”
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[end new language] cunning, baffling and powerful. Without help, it is too much for us. But there is one who has all power, that one is God. May you find him now. Half measures availed us nothing. We stood at the turning point. We asked His protection and care with complete abandon.”
Kim Sherwan: Mr. Chair I wish to challenge your comment regarding advanced notice.
Kevin Murphy: The Chair’s announcement that it will take a 2/3 vote is now left to the body.
Tony Drake: An appeal, if you appeal, means it will only take a simple majority to rescind this motion and not 2/3 vote. Do not talk about the underlying motion. Kevin, would you like to debate?
Kevin Murphy: No.
Kim Sherwan: We did produce this document 2 nights ago and referenced this motion and we feel it was adequate time notice.
Cynthia Cronkhite: I speak in favor of the Chair’s ruling.
Glenn Tucker: I speak in favor of the motion of the appeal because they did say they will be bringing this motion up.
Hayward Hunt: It was brought it up last night and it was shared that we would do this in the morning.
Earnest Martin: I speak against the motion; this body should have received copies of that.
Susan Bredau: I support the Chair’s ruling.
Kim Sherwan: Last and final page of our report indicates this and it was distributed last night.
Kevin Murphy: After listening to everyone here, I will speak in favor of the appeal. The Trustees did notify us and we failed to notify the membership. It does mean the membership was not notified and I have problems with my decision.
Tony Drake: If you vote yes to the motion, means you agree with the decision and a 2/3 vote will be needed. Motion fails and the Chair’s decision is overturned.
Cynthia Cronkhite – Parliamentary Inquiry – I do now see the motion is stated on the report. Isn’t it true that motions are read aloud rather than being in the report? What is the precedent being set?
Kevin Murphy: The precedent being set is that it needs to be presented to the floor.
We’re now back to the motion to rescind. Do the trustees want to withdraw their motion?
Kim Sherwan: No, sir.
Motion: To revise the fourth paragraph of “How It Works” as follows:
To revise the 4th paragraph of “How It Works”, as follows: “Remember that we deal with cocaine [insert new language]”and all other mind altering substances” [end new language] cunning, baffling and powerful. Without help, it is too much for us. But there is one who has all power, that one is God. May you find him
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now. Half measures availed us nothing. We stood at the turning point. We asked His protection and care with complete abandon.”
Kevin Murphy: Any debate?
Randy Groen: May we speak to the motion?
Kevin Murphy: Yes.
Randy Groen: This motion was approved on the floor last year upon receipt that we had permission. We are asking the conference floor to rescind this motion with the correct information.
Cynthia Cronkhite: I speak against the motion. This motion expressed the wishes of the conference and should remain until we meet with AA. If they want us to go back to using the old version, that’s easy enough. At this point we are making a decision based on lack of information.
Susan Bredau: I speak against the motion. Cynthia summed it up. Ditto.
Patty Flanagan: I speak against the motion, it is not misinformation, in our letters, calls, etc, it does not appear they will allow the change.
Michael Chiki: I speak against the motion.
Earnest Martin: I speak against the motion. This body is here, do you have the power to change that anyway? Are we spinning our wheels? We are asking you to do the best job for us in going to New York, selecting the best people.
Kevin Murphy: Is that a question or debate?
Earnest Martin: It was debate. I will get back in line.
Gloria Bridget: I speak in favor of the motion.
Brain Schlenker: Are we saying we take this out of the reading? I don’t understand rescind?
Kevin Murphy: Are they are asking about rescinding to have it read at a local area or not published?
Kim Sherwan: Neither. The motion to rescind is to overturn the version back to what we have which is cocaine. We are not at liberty to change it at all.
Kevin Murphy: I haven’t recognized you. Next is Pearl Braboy.
Pearl Braboy: Call for the vote.
Kevin Murphy: Motion to close debate takes 2/3 majority and is not debatable. With minor opposition the motion passes.
MOTION: To revise the fourth paragraph of “How It Works” as follows:
To revise the 4th paragraph of “How It Works”, as follows: “Remember that we deal with cocaine [insert new language]”and all other mind altering substances” [end new language] cunning, baffling and powerful. Without help, it is too much for us. But there is one who has all power, that one is God. May you find him now. Half measures availed us nothing. We stood at the turning point. We asked His protection and care with complete abandon.”
Kevin Murphy: We need a count. I recall that it’s 2/3 vote. They overturned my decision. It only needs a simple majority. We need counters. It’s a close vote. The motion fails 76 – 71.
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Willie Bailey – 5th concept statement. I don’t believe we understand the impact of this. We are talking about an upcoming meeting with AA. And if AA tells us we can’t use this we have to wait until next year to put this book out.
Kevin Murphy: WSOB is next.
Susan Bredau: Point Of Information – is it not in order. Would it not be —
Kevin Murphy: There is no motion. That is out of order.
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