Literature, Chips & Format Committee 2010 Conference Opening Report
The LCF Committee helps the fellowship of C.A. reach out to the still suffering addict, through its literature. We share our hope, faith and courage through our pamphlets and books. We educate and inform anyone with an interest or a desire to live a life free from the pain of active addiction. Consider joining the Literature, Chips and Format Committee and help us express our Fellowship’s Hope, Faith and Courage. Our Committee is a raucous, hard working, passionate group of addicts who have found their niche in service, helping to write and edit literature for the fellowship. It is rewarding each time you go to a meeting and see the pamphlets or books on the group literature table to know you were instrumental in creating or updating that literature. It is truly a feeling of satisfaction knowing that you have helped touch another addict’s life. We encourage you to join us.
Here’s what we worked on this past year:
LCF submitted the following pieces in this year’s SR14 mailing for review and feedback:
- LCF Guidelines: The suggested revisions are an attempt to expedite the movement of literature through the Pamphlet Approval Process and the Pamphlet Publication Process and into the hands of our fellowship.
- Self-Test for Cocaine Anonymous: This is a revision to the existing piece based on various referrals and feedback received over the last several
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years. Attached are both a ‘clean copy’ of the new piece and a redline version showing all changes made from the original as it currently appears in Hope, Faith & Courage, Volume II.
- We Can Recover: This is a revision to the existing piece based on various referrals and feedback received over the last several years. We have done our best to improve the wording so that it more clearly conveys the message of C.A. and is easier to read aloud. Attached are both a ‘clean copy’ of the new piece and a redline version showing all changes made from the original as it currently appears in the meeting format.
- A. Book Approval Process: Our current pamphlet processes are not sufficient for the arduous task of publishing books. We present to you for consideration and approval this new process, based on our experience with HFC II and the meditation book. If approved by the Conference, it will be added to the LCF Guidelines. We look forward to discussing the Fellowship’s feedback and hope to bring these draft pamphlets to the floor for approval. Please let us know during breakout any feedback you received from your area.
In addition, we would also like to give notice, pursuant to Standing Rule 14, of our intent to bring the following motion at this year’s Conference:
MOTION: To add the following Conference-approved literature to future printings of Hope, Faith & Courage Volume II:
- A. is also for the GLBT Addict
- Yes, You Can Start a C.A. Meeting
Committee Introductions:
Chair: Jeannette J
Vice Chair: Kellie F
Co-Secretaries: Julie P and Jason L
Meditation Book Chair: Jeannette J in conjunction with the WSO
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Trustee: Trevor S
WSOB Liaison: Tom P and Elizabeth S
Members:
Audz J.
Cynthia C.
Cynthia S.
Ernest M.
Julie S.
James P.
Keith F.
Kurt L.
Mike S.
Simone T.
Siobhan A.
Susan D.
Yves W.
Post Conference Referrals:
- Referral #6320 – Any time we use language that describes cocaine, alcohol, or any other language that describes something we might have used to get loaded (Not our Name!!!). We use OUR!!! Language “cocaine and all other mind-altering substances.” That is who we are! I understand that sometimes this might make our literature, “incorrect” (grammatically sorry), but this is the foundation of our fellowship and our literature (i.e. steps, traditions). It can unite our literature, and a vast majority of people don’t have to agree about the word cocaine.
- Referral #6334 – To amend the “Who Is a C.A. Member?” Revise the first paragraph as follows: Please remove “those who casually referred to themselves as drunks,” the reason being having removed the line, “calling ourselves stoners, tweakers, junkies or just plain dope fiends” it would be
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logical to remove those who called themselves drunks. Why is it ok to call yourselves drunks but not stoners, etc. I believe this piece needs to be consistent and removing the line in question doesn’t change the intent of the reading.
- Referral #6338 – Please include the usage of the words stoner, tweakers, spotting, dodgy, addict in the reading Who Is A C.A. Member. As I have been informed that these words reflect the International status of Cocaine Anonymous.
- Referral #6204 – Is “How It Works” still a C.A. approved piece of literature.
Overview of Pending Projects and Progress Made During 2009-2010
Pieces in Approval Process:
These projects are pamphlets unless otherwise indicated:
| Project | Category | Point in Process | where it Appears | |
| 12 Principles | Pamphlet | Approval Point 5 | New | |
| 12 Step Workbook | Workbook | Approval Point 5 | New | |
| 12 Steps & 12 Traditions book | Book | Approval Point 5 | New | |
| Anonymity | Pamphlet | Approval Point 5 | New | |
| Book Approval Process | Process | Approval Point 10 | New | |
| Crank/Methamphetamines | Pamphlet | Approval Point 5 | New | |
| LCF Guideline | Guidelines | Approval Point | New | |
| Meditation Book | Book | Approval Point 5 | New | |
| Recovery for the Disabled | Pamphlet | Approval Point 5 | New |
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| Self-Test for Cocaine Addiction | Pamphlet | Approval Point 10 | Pamphlet, ca.org, HFC I & II | ||
| Suggestions for Relapse Prevention & | Pamphlet | Approval Point 5 | HFC I | ||
| The 7th Tradition | Pamphlet | Approval Point 5 | Pamphlet, ca.org | ||
| The First 30 Days | Pamphlet | Approval Point 5 | Pamphlet, ca.org, HFC I & II | ||
| Tips for Staying Clean & Sober | Pamphlet | Approval Point 5 | Pamphlet, ca.org, HFC I & II | ||
| To the Newcomer | Pamphlet | Approval Point 5 | Pamphlet, ca.org, HFC I & II | ||
| We Can Recover | Format | Approval Point 10 | Hard copy, HFC I | ||
| Young People in Recovery | Pamphlet | Approval Point 5 | New | ||
| Meeting in a Pocket | Card | Approval Point 5 | Revision | ||
Status of Progress on the Meditation Book:
The Meditation Book subcommittee has met throughout the year both by telephone conference call and online. We have received approximately 250 submissions to-date. Thank you to those of you who have announced and distributed our flier to solicit writings and to those who have written and submitted meditations. We are currently reviewing the meditation submissions and beginning the editing process. We are considering other sources of C.A. material that can be used in our process as each meditation should comprise the three parts to meet the book format, title, thought for the day and meditation. In order to produce a quality meditation book that will both represent our Fellowship and provide inspirational readings, the subcommittee will laboriously continue our work as expeditiously as is efficiently possible. Please continue to distribute the
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flier, announce our need for submissions and write and submit meditations. Submissions are preferably accepted online at ca.org; click the “want to help make the new meditation book” link to submit your meditation.
Pieces in Publication Process:
LCF has been working with the WSO to help ensure that all material previously approved by the Conference makes it through the publication process and into the hands of the Fellowship. We’ve created an ad hoc Publications Liaison position within LCF to work directly with WSO to expedite the publication process and get the literature on the table.
| Project | Year of Last Conference Action | |
| Choosing Your Sponsor | 2008 | |
| C.A. is also for the GLBT Addict | 2009 | |
| Dos and Don’ts of 12 Step Calls | 2008 | |
| I Am Responsible Card | 2009 | |
| Tips for Staying Clean & Sober | 2004 | |
| Yes, You Can Start A C.A. Meeting | 2007 |
Closing Comments:
The World Service Conference Literature, Chips, and Format (“LCF”) Committee reviews, edits, and submits literature to the WSC for approval. It is our function to facilitate the expression of our Fellowship’s Hope, Faith and Courage through the writing of material for distribution. Our projects chart holds concepts approved by this body and LCF welcomes you to join us to edit and produce that material – a 12 Step Workbook, a 12 Steps and 12 Traditions Book, a Meditation Book, and pamphlets – Young People in Recovery, Crank/Methamphetamines, and Anonymity to name a few. Which piece of literature are you passionate about!
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We welcome you to join the LCF Committee. We know there are those of you who couldn’t wait to get to conference this year to join LCF! Welcome! We’ll be meeting in the Hollywood Room. If you are not able to participate in main Committee but feel strongly about a specific concept on our projects chart, please let us know. We welcome your input. Please share your phone number and email address with one of our Committee members; we will reach out to you. We welcome the names and phone numbers of those in your area who may be interested in working on the Committee but do not attend conference. Also, if you’re concerned about writing, spelling or grammar skills, no need to worry. We have a few members who have taken the position to assure our material reads well before distribution. To the new delegate and to the new non-delegate who would like to bring a fresh perspective to our Committee and our literature, we welcome you. Or, if you’ve been around conference and would like to take your service work in a different direction, we welcome you, too. Won’t you strongly consider joining us?
Kevin Murphy: Any questions of LCF Committee?
Randy Groen: In your Opening Report, you gave notice about putting information into the HFC.
Jeannette Johnson: Everything will be put forth as a motion in our report. These are pamphlets that have been previously approved, not a part of this year’s SR14, to include created pamphlets in HFC.
Kevin Murphy: In my opinion, SR14 does not go so far as to effect putting 2 pieces into the book.
Sonya Stevens: GLBT?
Jeannette Johnson: Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender
Rose Jones: We Can Recover, it says the proposed changes. When are you going to be talking about that?
Jeannette Johnson: Closing Report.
Ian Young: How completed is the Meditation Book?
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Jeannette Johnson: We have reviewed the majority of submissions received, we will begin formatting and editing and laying out the book. We don’t have enough submissions yet and that is why we are looking at other sources. Ian Young: There will be more information during Conference?
Jeannette Johnson: We are hoping to work on it when we break out into Committee.
Susan Bredau: any particular topics needed in the Meditation Book?
Jeannette Johnson: not necessarily, but we are looking for step work, Traditions, service work, Principles, sponsorship. If you could submit in the 3 forms that would be great.
Barbara Nelson: Is your target amount 365?
Jeanette Johnson: Yes but we will need more.
Kevin Murphy: Thank you LCF. Next up is H&I. I will take this moment to remind you that the Referral Bin will be closed when we break. Afterward, they will be accepted but not addressed at this Conference.
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