OPENING REPORT
C.A. WORLD SERVICE CONFERENCE 2009
FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT
INTRODUCTION AND OPENING COMMENTS:
The Finance Committee met at the World Service Conference in Denver, and had email and phone conversations throughout the year. Many referrals were
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addressed and either worked on in committee or sent forward to other committees.
A sub-committee has been formed to re-address the Contribution Program and ways to improve revenue for CA as a whole. In these times of economic insecurity, this program and overall 7th Tradition revenues have been affected negatively. The need to educate the fellowship on fiscal responsibility and the need for increased 7th Tradition Donations must be a priority, so CA may realize its true and greater worldwide potential.
COMMITTEE INTRODUCTIONS:
Returning Idea People: Jay Parker, Jeffery Ushry, Elizabeth Saldebar, Carl Jenkins, Frank Howard, Lawrence McGee
Secretary: Jane Sisson
Vice Chair: Tom Svoboda
Chair: Tom Walsh
WSO Treasurer: Tom Phelan
WSO Director: Ms. Patty Flanagan
Trustee Representative: Joy Hutcheson
All around good guy: Brian Tenenbaum
REFERRALS THAT WERE WORKED UPON DURING THE YEAR:
Referral Number 5587
Please create a workbook for area/district treasurers, using the NA Workbook as an example.
The committee will procure a sample workbook and will review. This is being done.
Referral # 5588 and 5932
Please address discrepancies between the Finance Guidelines and what is stated in the WS Manual. Review what is in the manual and make changes, as necessary. Also, please ensure more clarity in the WSM with regards to Areas, and prudent reserves/donating monies to WSO.
In Denver a motion was passed by the committee to submit a referral to SR 14 as follows’: Replace World Service Manual, page 14, “Finances-General Guidelines”, numbers 1-14 with the following words:
Please refer to Finance Guidelines for groups districts and area’s for Cocaine Anonymous that can be found @ CAWSA Inc. or CA.org.
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Sent to S&B
Referral # 5782
That non-delegate committee chair expenses be capped at $900.
No Action.
Referral# 5768 and 5854
That a summary of motions for conference committee budget requests over 10% be provided to the floor and that it include a statement of need for the increase.
The need for Current year comparisons for future budget discussions was brought to the Treasurers attention and the committee agreed that bringing any additional finance work to the conference floor for vote was not in the best interest of the conference.
No Action.
WORK IN PROGRESS
The Finance Committee formed a new sub-committee addressing the CA Contribution Program. A letter was drafted and approved by the WSOB and Trustees addressing the current financial state of CA. We will be addressing the need for a document prepared for all delegates and Area chairs educating them on ways to increase donations.
The 2009-2010 budget needs to be revised and presented on the conference floor.
CLOSING COMMENTS:
The Finance Committee is looking forward to a productive WSC 2009. We welcome any “words of wisdom” and questions you might have. Just ask us. If you are so inclined, join our committee, we’re not just “Pencil Pushers”!
GO FINANCE!!!
Cynthia Cronkhite: On Referral #5782, I thought we weren’t able to respond “No Action” without saying why?
Tom Walsh: Can we get back to you on that?
Cynthia Cronkhite: Sure
Peter Olsen: $6.45 per person. What is the method of collection? How do we keep from incurring large amounts of fees?
Tom Walsh: we will take in any form that is easy for you.
Peter Olsen: It is very difficult to send from Hong Kong.
Tom Walsh: I send through my credit card and there is no charge.
Jason Laurence: Could you briefly explain difference between program services?
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Tom Phelan: program services is attributable to our mission and our non-profit status with the IRS. Not all of our costs fall under this guise under the IRS code. Some are strictly administrative costs.
Kellie Federici: please tell us what the processing fee is when you receive a Canadian check? When I process American check, there is a $10 fee no matter what the amount of the check.
Tom Walsh: we will be getting back to you on that question.
Tom Phelan: we have not had to deal with that so far.
Kevin Murphy: Time is up for this committee.
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