CLOSING REPORT
C.A, WORLD SERVICE CONFERENCE 2007
PUBLIC INFORMATION REPORT
INTRODUCTION AND OPENING COMMENTS
In this age of international expansion, the PI Committee is dedicated to providing you with the best possible tools to reach the addict and the public ai! over the world. This year, a great PowerPoint template will be suggested for approval. In addition, the creative process has begun on a new Public Service Announcement (PSA), improvements to the PI Workbook are being undertaken. We encourage you to visit our page on the CA web site and we encourage you to download and use the tools available to you.
A tremendous amount of work was done throughout the year via the internet and conference calls. Everyone worked very hard during this conference to bring you more powerful public information tools to be used all over the world.
Gerald Collard -Chairperson- Quebec, Canada
Vinny Martin – Vice Chairperson – N, California
Ruby Lemoine – Secretary – Utah
Nicholas Lynn – Trustee – London, UK
Susan Bredau – Workbook Sub-Chair – S. Cal
Russell Sedman- Media Sub-Chair -London, UK
DeDe McKinney- Survey Sub-Chair- S. California
Marty Douglas – Utah
Tali Emerson – Idaho
Julia Carter – Florida
Ann Mosberglia – Wisconsin
Robert Bohman – Stockholm, Sweden
Ethel Thomas – S. California
Jenn Scheible – S. Alberta, Canada
Keith Ellis – Maryland
Chris Peterson – N. Nevada
Debra Virece – Louisiana
Karen Donovan – New Mexico
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The Survey Sub-committee worked very hard this year in a divide and conquer manner in order to compile the nearly 2}400 surveys we received. Thank you very much to Miss Patty & the WSO for providing us with the computers and the program we used and a HUGE thank you to the Pi committee members and additional volunteers who helped input the surveys. Because of their efforts this is the first time the PI Committee has ever been able to finish the survey compilation before the end of the Conference!
Yes, we do know the current survey is not without issues. Several referrals have been received to help us make improvements to the survey. While working with these surveys, we also found a number of other points that could be improved upon as well. No motions will be brought to the floor at this time, but ail referrals and suggestions will be taken into consideration during the creation of the next survey. If you have any suggestions to help improve the survey, please see DeDe or Tali.
Having said that . . . (run the PowerPoint)
The Media Sub-committee would like to show everyone a PowerPoint presentation created in the UK that we will be sending out under Standing Rule 14 for consideration next year, (please show Powerpoint)
COMMITTEE WORK THAT RESULTED IN MOTIONS
Ann Mosberglia – Motion: To be allowed to conduct the 2008-2009 Membership Census with a return due date of 05-31-08. (please see attachment).
Second.
Steve Edwards – Would you like to speak to your motion?
Ann Mosberglia – Not at this time.
Steve Edwards – Is there any debate? Seeing none. The motion carries unanimously.
Debra Virece – Motion: To add copies of the 2007 Posters (Dutch, English, French, Spanish, Swedish) and business cards approved at the 2006 Conference to Chapter 10 of the CAWS PI workbook, (please see attached documents).
Second.
Steve Edward – would you like to speak to your motion?
Debra Virece – not at this time.
Yves White – POI – how did you translate this? Was everything translated correctly?
Russell Sedman – we approved it last year. We went to the Dutch members, English member, French member etc.
Steve Edwards – the translations were approved by this Body?
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Russell Sedman – yes, they were.
John Whitaker – the Spanish is incorrect in our Spanish this is not the way we speak in our meeting. I would like to look at those.
Steve Edwards – are you speaking for or against the motion?
John Whitaker – I don’t know what process was approved by us without making sure they are correct because the ones we have are not correct.
Steve Edwards – If you wanted to use those in Southern California you can correct them yourself.
John Whitaker – I’m concerned as the banner that went out without being approved is embarrassing. This Body approved it, but did they have the knowledge about languages they don’t speak?
Roy Ricord – I speak in favor of the motion. Last year approved this. People are dying out there. So if there is one misspelling or one little thing at least there is something. They were approved last year so l speak in favor. Why sit around? Kelley Colvin – I want to thank you. It’s progress not perfection. If we had Swiss members there are probably 50 dialects. ! don’t understand some of the English. I’m excited we have something.
Rose Jones ~ I am in favor of this motion. ! remember we had pamphlets in Spanish and 1 did not hear complaints. I would love to have the business cards to help the addict.
Russell Sedman – the Spanish posters we used were brought forward by Spain Spanish members. We are happy to put one together to serve your local area. We have no problem.
Gerald Collard – There was a document that was produced by the WSO that was about the translation policy. The new realities we have to face will be directed to the WSO. Let’s approach translation lovingly in a spiritual way.
Jeffery Ushry -1 speak in favor of the motion. I learned the Castilian Spanish in school, so let’s not split a hair.
Trisha Villeneuve – POl – These business cards, the numbers on the back, is it just these numbers or do they have Canadian numbers?
Susan Bredau – We used the back as an example of what could be done. Just the front will go in Chapter 10.
Steve Edwards – Prepare to vote. The motion carries unanimously.
Keith Ellis – Motion: To add to the CAWS PI Workbook, Chapter 1, the following pieces taken directly from the CAWS ST Manual (see attachment.)
‘A Typical Area Site’
‘Requirements for CA Area/District Web Sites’
AND to add the following sentence:
“For further information, please consult the CAWS Information Technologies
Workbook.”
Second.
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Steve Edwards – Would you like to speak to your motion?
Keith Ellis – not at this time.
Steve Edwards – Any debate? Seeing none. The motion carries unanimously.
REFERRALS THAT RESULTED IN MOTIONS
Referral #4193
Re-design the PSA flyer, with a clear cut-off date, asking it be sent out with the 1st delegate mailout. This should be available online and included in the News Gram.
Chris Peterson – Motion: To accept the revamped PSA flier for distribution to the Fellowship, (please see attachment).
Second.
Steve Edwards – would you like to speak to your motion?
Chris Peterson – yes, we put up flyers asking for responses. We worked all year. We need your ideas for next year. Any idea, anything is better than nothing. Steve Edwards – Any debate? Seeing none. The motion carries unanimously.
Referral #5095
For the creation of updated PSAs that are not drug specific and put direct emphasis on “and all other mind altering substances” as a simple disclaimer is insufficient in helping the genera! public understand that CA is not drug specific.
Jenn Scheible – Motion: To approve the following revamped radio PSAs: (inserted words are underlined)
Announcement #5
Has the anxiety and depression associated with cocaine or other drug use finally gotten to you?
Do you want to quit and stay quit?
Cocaine Anonymous is a fellowship of people who want to stay free of all drugs.
We’re here and we’re free.
For information on local meetings, call (xxx) XXX-XXXX or the Cocaine Anonymous National Referral Line at 1-800-347-8998.
Or contact us on the world-wide web at www.ca.org
Announcement #6
Cocaine Drugs kill people every day. This could be your day. If you want to live without cocaine drugs, there is help.
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We’re here and we’re free.
Call Cocaine Anonymous at (xxx) XXX-XXXX or the Cocaine Anonymous National Referral Line at 1-800-347-8998.
Or contact us on the world-wide web at www.ca.org
Announcement #12
Is Cocaine, other drugs, or alcohol a problem in your life?
Cocaine Anonymous can help We’re here and we’re free.
For information on free meetings in your area call: at (xxx) XXX-XXXX or the Cocaine Anonymous National Referral Line at 1-800-347-8998.
Or contact us on the world-wide web at www.ca.org
Second.
Steve Edwards – Would you like to speak to your motion?
Jenn Scheible – Yes. We have 13 announcements and these are 3 we would iike to make non-drug specific. I think it is import we have PSA that list other drugs. It is only 3 we are asking.
Steve Edwards – Any debate?
Mona Ibrahim – I have a friendly amendment: Same as announcement 5, can we use Cocaine in there? I think we are crossing the line to NA. To leave Cocaine and include and drugs kill people every day. Then continue on to say, if you want to live without Cocaine or drugs.
Steve Edwards – does the committee accept?
Jenn Scheible – No, we do not.
Roy Ricord – how many PSA are there?
Jenn Scheible -13.
Roy Ricord – how many does that leave with the word cocaine?
Jenn Scheible -10.
Roy Ricord – So that leaves 10 with cocaine and 3 not?
Jenn Scheible – that’s correct.
Steve Edwards – actually, there is only 1 that doesn’t mention cocaine.
Ian Young – Why haven’t you taken cocaine out of them all?
Jenn Scheible – because we’re Cocaine Anonymous.
Russell Sedman – There are a number of options. They are just suggestions to plant seeds or ideas. They can chop it and change it as their group conscience wants it. We have stuff that Set’s you know.
Steve Edwards ~ once again suggestions. Any further debate? Seeing none. The motion carries with substantial unanimity.
Referral #4022
Please include recent book drive letters and flyers as examples in the CAWS PI workbook.
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Karen Donovan – Motion: To add the ‘Book Drive Letter’ and the ‘Sponsor a Book’ flier as templates into Chapter 10 of the CAWS Pi workbook, (please refer to the attached documents)
Second.
Steve – would you like to speak to your motion?
Karen Donovan – not at this time.
Steve Edwards – any debate?
Don Logan – I speak in favor of this motion. I work in a large hospital. It would be nice to see HFC be among the books they get Good work.
POI – Megan Kenny – this sponsor a book flyer says CAUK PI committee. Is there one for the US areas to receive? Or is this a sample?
Karen Donovan – right.
Steve Edwards – adding the CA logo or adding the book number 2 is housekeeping for areas or group conscience?
Karen Donovan – Yes.
Mona Ibrahim – POI – is this earmarking? Would that be considered earmarking? Vinny Martin – we are just trying to get the template approved.
Steve Edwards – for information, World Services is trying to avoid earmarking, Areas, Districts and groups are autonomous.
Dan Santa Maria – POO – I think there are elements trying to understand earmarking.
John Whitaker – POI – Is the “R” above the we’re here and we’re free the right mark?
Steve Edwards – it is the correct mark.
John Whitaker – on the website it’s tm.
Steve Edwards – they are both correct.
Roy Ricord -1 would like to speak in favor of the motion. Let’s get the job done, that’s what we’re here to do.
Steve Edwards- any further debate? Seeing none.
The motion passes with substantial unanimity with one member opposed.
Referral #5063
That the PI Committee edit, if necessary and reprint, the “Guidelines for Area Newsletters” document, as supplied by the WSBOT, for reprinting in the WS PI Workbook.
Ethel Thomas – Motion: To add the WSBT document ‘Guidelines for Review of Area Newsletters’ to Chapter 1 of the CAWS PI Workbook, (please refer to the attached document)
Second.
Steve Edwards – would you like to speak to your motion?
Ethel Thomas – not at this time.
Steve – any debate from the floor? The motion carries unanimously.
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Referral #5066
That the WS PI workbook includes a piece on “Putting Books in Libraries” per the 2005 PI Committee mandates,
Susan Bredau – Motion: To add the following piece to the CAWS PI Workbook, Chapter 1, section entitled “Your Local PI Committee,” under a new sub-title of ‘Libraries,’
Libraries
Our books are an effective way of getting our message out to the public. Many areas/districts have successfully placed HFC into public, university and high school libraries.
Most school districts have a Library Services Director responsible for reviewing books and communicating with libraries directly. When making contact, be prepared to send an advance copy to be reviewed for content.
High Schools have a method of distribution set up by the School District they are part of. Contact the district directly to facilitate the distribution. You can also include a letter with each book letting the school know that CA Members are available to speak at their school in classes or at an assembly.
The only contact information for Cocaine Anonymous in the books is the World Service Office, so it would be a good idea to rubber stamp or sticker books with local information, such as: “Donated by the (Area/District name) Public Information Committee, For more information call: (your local helpline number) or log onto (your local web address).” Do not stamp or sticker the inside front cover, as this is where most libraries place the book checkout information.
Some libraries may also be interested in a literature rack or have a general information board where a PI flier could be posted! Second
Steve Edwards – would you like to speak to your motion?
Susan Bredau – not at this time.
Steve Edwards – Any debate? Seeing none, the motion carries unanimously.
Referral #5107
That the WS PI Workbook includes information regarding CA literature translation policy. This could be as simple as a “heading” with a line referring an interested party to the appropriate section in the WS manual.
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Vinny Martin – Motion: To add the following blurb to the CAWS PI Workbook, Preface page:
Translation Policy: Please refer all inquiries regarding translations to the World Service Office.
Second.
Steve Edwards – would you like to speak to your motion?
Vinny Martin – no, thank you.
Steve “ any debate? No? The motion carries unanimously.
REFERRALS OR ITEMS TABLED UNTIL NEXT YEAR: AND ITEMS THE COMMITTEE WILL CONTINUE WORKING ON THROUGH THE YEAR
Referral #4191
Please consider developing a PowerPoint presentation as use by CAUK to be available for download from our website.
This referral will be looked at during the year and will come out in a delegate mailing under Standing Rule 14.
Referral #4672
To create the poster of the bars of cocaine with a silhouette of a man & woman removing the current pictures of real people. Reason: Not everybody will identify with the current Caucasian images.
This referral will be looked at during the year.
Referrals regarding the Survey will be taken into consideration when the next Survey is created.
Referral #4770
Re: Membership Survey. Suggestion to add more optional answers to question regarding language. Reason: present answers do not reflect situation in Europe. Choosing “other” is possible but will not give information. It may give international CA members the impression this survey is not about them or intended to serve the needs of their Area better. We will become better aware of local needs (i.e. For translation). People filling out the survey will experience they are part of an international fellowship, not just North American fellowship.
Referral #4771
Re: Membership Survey. Suggestion to add more optional answers to question regarding ethnicity. Reason: present answers do not reflect demographic
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situation in Europe (and maybe other continents). Choosing “other” is possible but does not give sufficient and needed demographic information. It may give international CA members the impression this survey is not about them or intended to serve the needs of their Area better, i have no suggestion at this time to improve just wanted the PI committee to consider this.
Referral #4772
Re: Membership survey. Point of consideration. The answers to the question regarding education exclusively reflects the educational system in the USA. That makes the questions difficult to translate, it may give the international CA members the impression this survey is not about them or intended to serve the needs of their Area better. I have no suggestion at this time to improve, just wanted the PI committee to consider this.
Referral# 4190
Please include Area/District PI committee suggestions/requirements; therefore, turning the workbook into a “PI Guidelines Workbook.”
This referral will be worked on during the year.
REFERRALS OR ITEMS REFERRED TO OTHER COMMITTEES: WORLD SERVICE OFFICE. OR BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The following referral was referred to the Structure & Bylaws Committee.
Referral # 5053
Public Information Group Representative Service Description &Suggested Guidelines
Suggested requirements:
- 6 months continuous sobriety
- Willingness to learn and put into practice the twelve traditions of cocaine anonymous.
- Suggested term: 12 months
Duties and responsibilities:
- To announce in their group meetings briefly what P.l. does and how we do this, thus raising awareness of the importance of P.l. to the group and the fellowship of Cocaine Anonymous as a whole.
For example;
The purpose of the Public information Committee is to carry the message of Cocaine Anonymous to the still suffering addict We achieve this by making our presence known to the person, community groups and interested parties affected
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by drug addiction. In this way we hope to carry the message everywhere, let people know Cocaine Anonymous exits and that We’re Here and We’re Free.”
- Request that group members pass any ideas of how and where we may be able to do this to the P.l. rep.
- Keep a record of their group’s ideas and pass this information on to the P.l. sub committee.
- Keep the group informed as to what the P.L sub committee is doing: workshops, poster blitzes, presentations etc.
- Invite and welcome ail C.A. members to attend next P.L meeting and inform when and where this is to be held.
This commitment carries a dual responsibility and accountability, to the group they serve and to the P.L subcommittee of district. The P.L rep is entitled to vote on matters arising in the P.L subcommittee on the second meeting attended and thereafter. The P.L rep should attend all group meetings and all P.L subcommittee meetings. Within this service commitment is the opportunity to get involved in all levels of P.L service. The P.l Rep should become well acquainted with the World Service P.l Workbook and should be aware of how they present themselves before the public, avoiding sensational clothing and the use of profanity.
REFERRALS THAT DID NOT RESULT IN MOTIONS
Referral #5084
That the PI Committee accept the Spanish language translation of the “CA is not a drug-specific fellowship” business card approved in English at the Conference last year. This translation was approved by our Area.
The maker of this referral has withdrawn the referral.
Referral #5041
Consider making CPC a subcommittee of PL There is not a lot of information and/or guidance.
Please refer to the CAWS PI Workbook, Chapter 4, Cooperation with the Professional Community (C.P.C.), Guidelines for C.P.C.
Referral #5064
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That the WS PI Committee create a piece on “How to be a PI Speaker” for inclusion in the WS PI Workbook, because speaking to the public is different from “sharing our stones.”
This is already addressed in the CAWS P! Workbook, Chapter 3.
Referral #5154
This spiral banner in the lobby with the different kinds of drugs has repeats ex. Marijuana (which is spelled wrong) weed, chronic -which are the same as Crystal Meth. What is wet and sherm?
No action taken. These banners were not developed by the Pi committee although we do recognize that these were created in the spirit of our non-drug specific message.
NEW COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AS OF THE END OF THIS CONFERENCE
Chair – Ruby Lemoine
Vice-Chair – Russell Sedman
Co-Secretaries – DeDe McKinney and Tali Emerson
CLOSING COMMENTS
As out going Committee Chairperson, l would like to thank everyone on the committee for allowing me to chair during these previous two years. I learned enormously from you.
We would like everybody on the floor to realize there are powerful tools available for you to use to reach out and we work very hard to improve them so they apply to our truly international fellowship.
Please download and use the PI tools available to you!
Respectfully Submitted:
Gerald Collard, (outgoing) Chairperson
Steve Edwards – Are there any questions?
Susan Doch – Wanted to ask about a housekeeping matter for grammatical error on 12?
Steve Edwards – Not from the floor.
John Whitaker – Is the language translations contact the WSO is that to help maintain the consistency and accuracy we are hoping for?
Vinny Martin – yes. I understand your passion, John, thank you.
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Roy Ricord – how soon will this be updated and available?
Vinny Martin – what are you talking about?
Roy Ricord – Ail the stuff we just passed.
Vinny Martin – we’i! have it ready tonight, but it will be avaiiabie in March.
Steve Edwards – after we get the transcripts. Thank the P! committee.
Let’s take a 10 minute break.
*****BREAK*****
Steve Edwards – 9:10 pm and we are resuming.
Jenn Scheible – I made a comment that! now understand was a racist comment and l feel really bad and l apologize for anyone that I offended. I did not intend it that way.er
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