Trevor S. – Please take your seats. Session opens at 8:04am.
Session comes to order, Sunday Sept 1, we are back in session.
Trevor S. – Ask for the three people I get to sit up here with on the DAIS a big round of applause. All three of them worked hard to post the minutes this morning.
Also a very special happy birthday to Russell, we are so glad he is here to celebrate this 15 years. The chair has made the opinion to have no input as to your claiming of votes. But we will probably be moving into Lunch. Late check out is 1pm, if you need to extend that, please do whatever you have to do. Clickers must be signed back in. If you do have a later flight, conference committee will have plenty to do after the close of session and would appreciate the assistance, if you can. Russell needs Conference Summary of Motions / End of Conference report. It is very simple. It will be sent in one pkg and so if a committee is dragging it will affect everyone.
Clayton P. reads “Reaching Out”.
Serenity Prayer.
ROLL CALL.
Vote count 154. Quorum of 102.
Just a reminder, I know most of us were up pretty late, but once again, mutual respect is mandatory. be kind to one another. Paul S. presents –
CLOSING REPORT
C.A. WORLD SERVICE CONFERENCE 2019
FINANCE COMMITTEEREPORT
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INTRODUCTION AND OPENING COMMENTS
Opening Comments:
We started our committee breakouts with some new Delegates (and even one non-Delegate) joining us! This is always exciting to see Delegates getting involved and wanting to know more about how we delicately balance spirituality and money. We jumped right in by reviewing the Budget line items (to give an overview to our new members), explaining what duties we are tasked with fulfilling for the fellowship (budgets, financial guidelines, and fundraising), and continuing to make progress on the Consolidated (US and International) Financial Guidelines.
We visited the ‘Scoop’ this year, armed with laptops, to sign up as many of you as possible for the new Freedom Fund (rebranded World Contribution Program) and your enthusiasm and willingness blew us away. We signed up at least 60 new donors and if we average a $15 monthly donation for 60 people it adds an additional $10,800 of income each year. We have also spoken with C.A.’s Webmaster and requested he update the website to make it easier to navigate the Donation option. This will simplify the process and make the steps more straightforward. More to be revealed soon!
Committee Introductions:
- Chair Maya B
- Vice Chair Jim G
- Secretary Gareth L
- Trustee Kerry W
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- CAWSO Chair Randy M
- CAWSO DOO Linda F
- CAWSO Treasurer Michael T
- Member Robert B
- Member Jane B
- Member Jonathon H
- Member Pierre K (Absent)
- Member Rick K
- Member Stephanie K
- Member Paul S
- Member Michael S
- Member Bert S (Absent)
COMMITTEE WORK THAT RESULTED IN MOTIONS
- MOTION:To approve the Proposed Amended 2019 Budget
Jeannette J. – question on PI budget. There is a $6,500 proposed amended budget. Travel and workshops shows $5,000, I would like to know what I am approving.
Maya B. – The original NADCP office was in another committee budget, but PI is attending. My understanding is that they are taking knowledge to areas that do not have to areas in need.
Kevin M. – this is about the reimbursement policy. Board of Trustees asked to bring this. This also regards the per diem of non delegates, and similar positions. The $40 per day per diem has not been changed in more than a decade. these trusted servants can provide for themselves, but we should be fully self supporting. I feel that the people who are asked to serve, or choose, should not have to be from a class of people who can afford it. The committee raises by 25%, but the inflation has
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been 50%, since it was 17 years since the last increase, I have little expectation as to a quickness in adjustment. How do you feel about that?
Maya B. – On page 2, referrals that do not result in motions, we agreed to a per diem increase from $40 to $50 to be able to absorb in one year. This goes into effect January 2020.
David C. – Thank you for the work on the freedom fund. we’ve done some work on getting this going, when finance wanted to get involved, I wondered if there would be stepping on one another’s toes. Removing our dependence on the World convention for finance, is a great step towards. Acknowledgement we thought was important, we appreciate what you are doing, to thank our donating members.
Point of Order
Tom P. – I love the sentiment, I am concerned we may not be able to take care of business.
Maya B. – We have stickers! and the shirts are cool too.
Jeannette J. – I see travel and workshops and I don’t know what that is. is this non-conference approved? What are we travelling for?
Claudia W. – Call the question.
Seconded.
Vote #1
for 101 / 37 against,
Motion Passes. Reaches ⅔ required.
Motion to approve amended budget.
Vote #2
for 124 / 19 against
Motion Passes.
Jason L. – 5th concept:
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The figures for the PI budget from last year are incorrect, there is some misallocation of funds in there, it is not a big deal, this is fine off of record. The Finance record is aware, the WSBT and WSO it was $1,500 last year, it is a misallocation. The PI committee did not overspend their budget last year.
Sarah T. – Motion to reconsider. Voted prevailing side.
Trevor S. – As motion was debatable, this one is also.
Sarah T. – I do not believe that this floor has taken due time to reflect this increase from last year.
Rose J. – My understanding is that the office had the European version of drug court, speaking in favor of debate for more information.
Stu E. – I speak in favor of motion, none of the final budgets were delivered in my mailbox until this morning. This entire thing is about financial responsibility. There was not enough time to cover this.
Lucas S. – speak in favor, we have been talking about costs all week, why rush this.
Maya B. – I speak in favor Tom P. – this is about an already approved 2019 budget, the 2020 budget is the real one to talk about.
Sarah T. – After having heard Tom, I will withdraw my motion as my queries were about the 2020 budget.
Trevor S. – There is no opposition. Motion to reconsider withdrawn.
- MOTION:To approve the Proposed Draft 2020 Budget
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Seconded.
Tom P. – I speak in favor of motion, one issue that seems to be relevant to concern is the account. The convention items are achievable and that is in the budget. there is talk about the increase in 7th tradition, which I think is absolutely achievable. increase in sales of materials, especially with new book sales.
Kevin M. – I speak in favour. Tom said there were some committee expenses last year which were placed in the WSOB, but were not visible. We have moved them to the proper committee so they look like increases, but they are not. they are actually decreases. They have been properly allocated to the proper committees.
Sarah T. – question – because we got these so late in the day, I am comparing 2019 to 2020 $519,850 to $669,750. Can you tell me where these changes are coming from?
Maya B. – The biggest changes come from convention budgets, which i do not have control over. This impacts our budget quite a bit. If you want more time to review, I am ok with that. We have to give up our Friday night to be on the floor and took away from committee time on these numbers. The office rent increases in November, which makes a difference. We also added a trustee to the budget. Per diem increases also affect our annual budget. I hope this answered the question.
Stu E. – question – regarding expenses under conference committee regarding travel, last year was $6,150 and the proposed budget is $8,003. How much of this is non-delegate travel expenses?
Maya B. – There are certain positions that cannot be delegates, and there are other positions where it is not fair to the area for us to pay for the expenses on these matters. Jay, can you answer?
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Jay F. – question first – Stu, great question, that budget includes the dais, coordinators and co-coordinators, the new positions that were created last year, and 1 non-delegate person which was approved.
Claudia W. – You entered the Mainland European trustee in your budget. You entered the same budgeted amount as for the European trustee. Correct?
Maya B. – Yes
Claudia W. – Travel expenses will only incur once we have that person in chair, which will not happen until next year.
Dawn M. – Claudia’s point was mine too, you budgeted for a full year for the Mainland trustee as well, but we do not have that position filled yet. Are you doubling the travel expenses for the TAL at this time?
Kerry W. – No we are not.
Heidi J. – question – can you tell me, yesterday we approved an 11th office board member. Is that included in the budget?
Maya B. – yes it is under the WSOB budget
Jason L. – question – what Claudia stated is correct. The only budget needed for the Mainland European trustee is for the last quarter next year, after conference. I am covering until then.
Rose J. – question – just because you have a budget, do you have to spend it?
Maya B. – absolutely not.
Stuart J. – Regarding the TAL1 budget – it seems to me that it is a double budget. The current budget for the TAL will be taking on the duties of the Mainland European trustee. Also, the PI budget doesn’t seem to be
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what we asked for. It seems this budget allows for space for an overspend on a trustee expenditure.
Ryan R. – On the budget, the non-delegate on PI chair is not indicated. Is that something you are going to do?
Maya B. – PI had multiple breakups for their budget. I can tell you that LCF and S&B had non-delegate travel expenses listed separately, but PI did not. I can do so for PI, if you wish. I believe this is a housekeeping item. Is that right, Mr. Chair?
Trevor S. – I have no idea, I am not an accountant.
Nathan H. – I speak against this motion – I am not an accountant but I have not had enough time to go over this to make an informed decision.
Cynthia C. – Point of Information – Why do we not have a change in budget for travel and meals for a trustee under this budget? It seems this should be increased at this time.
Maya B. – Noted. It was overlooked, thank you.
Lucas S. – Due to trustee elections, are you aware that the S&B no longer meets its budget?
Tom P. – I speak in favour of this motion – this material was sent out in SR14. There are only minor changes since then. There is an increase in there translation budget, which is new and wonderful. Let’s spend what’s there in translating our books. The WSOB takes care of reviewing these numbers and the assumption that the finance committee is making here is accurate. We are not new to this. This year the numbers are more than reasonable.
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Henry A. – I speak in favour of this motion because I don’t understand enough to know about finances to have a real opinion on this. Is there anyone against this motion? I would like to hear about that.
Dawn M. – I would like to make a motion to take a look at the disparity regarding the Mainland European trustee as it should not be allocated in this budget. I hear about oversights and I have fierce disparity regarding a budget for a position that has not been filled yet.
Trevor S. – I can recognize you to get back in line if you want to make a Friendly Amendment.
Wade S. – I speak in support of the motion – there are some adjustments that need to be made. The WSOB has reviewed the budget and the mainland trustee position will be covered by the TAL budget, but we wanted to be transparent with the fellowship on this. The TAL may need to utilize some of this budget to assist with their duties to cover the position over the next year. The convention budgets as well may need to be adjusted and they will be balanced as needed.
Susan B. – Motion call the question
seconded
Vote #3
for 133/ 5 against
passes with substantial unanimity
Vote #4 (on main motion)
for 122/ 8 against
passes with substantial unanimity
Bart VDP – I see that we are lower than our original votes, do we meet quorum?
Trevor S. – Yes, quorum is votes present, not votes cast.
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REFERRALS THAT RESULTED IN MOTIONS
None
REFERRALS OR ITEMS TABLED UNTIL NEXT YEAR; AND ITEMS THE COMMITTEE WILL CONTINUE WORKING ON THROUGH THE YEAR
None
REFERRALS OR ITEMS REFERRED TO OTHER COMMITTEES; WORLD SERVICE OFFICE, OR BOARD OF TRUSTEES
- Referral Finance 2019-1from Parthi T.(Pre-Conference)
Why doesn’t CAWS provide its members with financial reports? I think CAWS should provide its members through its delegates detailed financial reports.
Answer:This request falls under the responsibility of the World Service Office as the Finance Committee does not have access to this information. We will forward this referral on to the WSO.
2.Referral Finance 2019-3 from Dawn M. CAUK(In-Conference) Hi, at conference this year (2019) it was announced that logistics had made it impossible to create a ‘sobriety coin t-shirt’. This is sad to me as I know that many members, I spoke to about this possible merchandise for sale were interested. Would we consider developing an ‘iron on transfer’ of each coin for each year that could be
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purchased and then attached to a t-shirt of choice, thus reducing logistics costs and allowing members to create their own t-shirt 🙂 Thank you for consideration (always full of good ideas) Dawn
Answer:Thank you for this fantastic idea Dawn! What a great way to revive an idea our committee was also excited about and make it feasible! Since this would be fulfilled through the World Service Office, we will forward this referral on to them.
REFERRALS THAT DID NOT RESULT IN MOTIONS
- Referral Finance 2019-2 from Kevin M. WSOT on behalf of WSBT(In-Conference)
Increase the meeting per diem for Trustees and other WS-reimbursed Trusted Servants from $40/day to $60/day. It was last raised to $40 in 2002. This is within the US federal IRS. This is the result of a motion by the WSBT (8/17)
Answer:Finance Committee has agreed for a daily per diem increase to $50 starting January 2020. This has been reflected in the 2020 Proposed Draft Budget.
NEW COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AS OF THIS CONFERENCE
Chair – Jonathon H
Vice Chair – Jim G
Secretary- Jane B
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CLOSING COMMENTS
Wow! The last seven years have been quite the education! It truly has been a humbling experience to serve the fellowship that helped save my life. As grateful as I am for a break, I will miss this. Yes, I am that sick and twisted!
As always, the Finance Committee worked through meal breaks and late into the night to complete the Proposed Budgets. With half of our current Committee rotating out at the conclusion of this Conference, the remaining members will need lots of support and guidance from other Delegates, Trustees, and service junkies. We feel blessed being allowed to be of service with so many of our hard-working fellows.
And always remember – No Money, No Party; but, Mo Money, Mo Party! Party on!
Respectfully Submitted:
Maya B.
Trevor S. – Questions for committee?
Jami D. – This Freedom Funds, the logo has wings that are touching, how is this approved?
Randy M. – there is a solid, similar color ring around the logo, there is no contact, the background is the same color as the border of the logo.
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Heidi J. – Can we get a copy of the office finance report, the closing CPA report.
Maya B. – Check the box.
Audz C. – Final numbers for Montreal please?
Maya B. – In delegate mailing and also in the font. It is in the consolidated financial statements.
Josh J. – Can we specify at the donation page that this freedom fund was created with focus on the freedom from the convention being the WSO’s primary financial support, not saying that their donation will be pennance to become free from drug addiction. Such as a disclaimer.
Jonathan H – This is a concept for simplicity, we will define more in production and consider something like a disclaimer.
Wade S. – Thank you, can you please repeat the projection with respect the freedom fund donations, so that I can take that back to my consciousness.
Paul S. – 1000 members at 5 dollars per month would garner the fellowship 60k/year. This would allow for recurring, castable income for the WSO. this becomes budgetable, allocated income. these are forecasted numbers, if we can have these scheduled, we would move past the shell game of a forecasted income. we could have real, budgetable income to compare against our spendings.
Russell S. – Please limit your words, we have a lot to cover.
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Cynthia C. – I would like to urge to reconsider the name Freedom Fund, I submitted a referral, which succumbed to technical difficulties. In the US the term freedom fund sounds a little political. When searching the terms, the results may create an affiliation of potential controversy. A title such as the contribution basket would be less affiliating.
Maya B. – This is a WSOB committee agenda item, as this is their project.
Claudia W. – Would it be optional to create a gathered membership donations from the group level in this manner to refrain from having the transaction cost for every individual.
Maya B. – We welcome payments in any format.
Susan B. – Please submit a Newsgram flyer by Oct 10.
Maya B. – Absolutely.
Henry A. – This logo does look like it is touching, there is endless confusion in my area to fighting this policy. Can you rectify this?
Maya B. – The WSOB is listening to this and this is their committee’s logo.
Stuart J. – A paypal method would avoid charges.
Russell S. – Thank you Finance committee
15 MINUTE BREAK – come back by 10 AM to resume.
Conference session resumes at 10:04AM
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Trevor S. – Next is Conference Committee
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