Minutes – FINAL
WSBT Trustee Orientation Meeting
September 14, 2008
10:00 A.M. PST
- Meeting began at 1003am, with a Moment of silence followed by the “We” version of Serenity Prayer.
- Roll call
Joy Hutcheson – PSRT
Willie Bailey – WSOT
Randy Groen – SWRT
Robert Lyle – ANRT
Richard Schafer – TAL
Nicholas Lynn – ERT
Trevor Scheible – PNRT
Kim Sherwan – MWRT/Secretary
Lawrence Matlock – ASRT/Vice Chair
Hayward Hunt – WST/Chair
- Trustee Orientation (Lawrence)
Lawrence reviewed the responsibilities of a trustee. Also, reflected on the documents that were distributed to the group (WSBT).
There was extensive discussion regarding reimbursements, one concern was 2009, and alternating the travel between Richard and Randy. That will be worked out with the cooperation of the WSOB. Question came up regarding “pre-approval” of travel , what would be reimbursed. Clarification is in the documents sent out, as well as further clarification can be directed to the WSBT chair, Hayward. Hayward requested that everyone craft articles for the Newsgram. They must be approved by the board before they are sent to the WSO.
- Date and Time for October Conference Call and November Quarterly Meeting (Hayward) October Conference Call: October 5, 10pst, this was previously voted on at the August Affirmed by current WSBT.
November Quarterly Meeting: November 7th–9 th, starting at 7pm, dinner at the Palm Grill at 5pm, this was previously voted on at the August Quarterly. Affirmed by current WSBT.
- Election of CAWS, Inc. Officers (Hayward)
– 2008.08.14 Election of CAWS, Inc. Officers – action taken at August Quarterly: Present officers will stay in place until orientation meeting to be setup by new Vice-Chair: Lawrence
- Motion to open the floor for nominations (Willie) Second (Richard) – motion affirmed. Question regarding who the current officers were, and how it is suggested that it should rotate.
Lawrence M. was nominated for President, accepted
Kim S. was nominated for Vice President, accepted
Joy H. was nominated for Secretary, accepted
Hayward H. was nominated for Treasurer, accepted
All were voted in unanimously
President: Lawrence L.
Vice-President: Kim S.
Secretary: Joy H.
Treasurer: Hayward H.
- 7th Tradition Response (Kim)
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*Motion to approve 7th Tradition response letter for distribution. (Kim) Seconded (Joy) Motion Passed
September 9, 2008
Dear Mike,
On behalf of the WSBT, thank you for expressing your concerns regarding Tradition 7 in your Area. I also appreciate you taking the time to chat with me by phone on Monday, September 8th, 2008. We would like to insure you that we do understand your concerns, and appreciate your efforts to further educate and inform your Area of the meaning of Tradition 7.
The WSBT trusts that we all agree about the meaning of this tradition, and yet we continue to see the misunderstanding of this tradition by several members of our fellowship. We also trust that each of us makes informed decisions regarding potential contributions, or donations and that we act in the best interest of the group, district, or area. Those decisions can only be reached through education. Each of us must remain diligent to the potential dangers that can present themselves when soliciting or accepting gifts from outside sources. Although CA is certainly on the top of “worthy-cause” lists, we must adhere to the warnings that this Tradition expresses in its writings. For example, from the Twelve and Twelve, “Now and then, grateful benefactors had endowed clu bhouses, and as a result there was sometimes outside interference in our affairs. We had been presented with a hospital, and almost immediately the donor’s son became its principal patient and would-be manager. One A.A. group was given five thousand dollars to do with what it would. The hassle over that chunk of money played havoc for years”.
We are aware of the costs involved in remaining available and effective to our members; we must broaden our horizons and find acceptable and creative means of maintaining our accessibility to the addict that still suffers. We must remain accountable. Let me put your mind at ease, the WSBT as a whole did not advise anyone that it was a practice or acceptable method of fundraising to solicit or accept donations from outside our fellowship, rather we might suggest; “ … please go heavier on the hat tonight, will you?” (from 12 and 12). As expressed to you, many members have found an acceptable means to be accountable to this Tradition. The writings of the Traditions have allowed for individual interpretation. Our program of recovery affords all members of our fellowship the opportunity via trial and error to behave responsibly in these types of situations, hence; From the Twelve by Twelve, “Over the years every conceivable deviation from our Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions has been tried. That was sure to be, since we are so largely a band of ego-driven individualists. Children of chaos, we have defiantly played with every brand of fire, only to emerge unharmed and, we think, wiser. These very deviations created a vast process of trial and error which, under the grace of God, has brought us to where we stand today”. With that grace of God, education, and an informed group conscience we pray that such decisions will be made in the best interest of our members, keeping in mind unfortunate mistakes may occur, yet the outcome will reveal spiritual growth.
Lastly, the true sense of being fully self supported is not reflected in your example of $100.00 worth of goods vs. a $5.00 donation. We do not accept donations from outside enterprises; we are accountable to our groups, districts, areas, and above all ourselves. We hope that this letter has clarified our position on Tradition 7. If you have any other concerns regarding CA as a whole, please feel free to contact us.
In love and service,
The World Service Board of Trustees
Below is the result of your feedback form. It was submitted by
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- () on Tuesday, September 2, 2008 at 10:03:06
- Name: Michael
- City: Omaha
- StateProvince: Nebraska
- AreaRegion: Midwest
- Subject: The traditions.
- Message: We are recently faced with some issues in our area regarding soliciting and receiving donations from companies and organizations outside the fellowship. Our area delegate having returned from the annual meeting indicates that trustees told him it was ok to accept such donations. One possible scenario presented by one or more trustees was to exchange some money or services; eg; a $100 donation of chicken from Tyson could be cleared up by paying Tyson $5.
This doesn’t seem to be consistent with anything I’ve ever been taught in the 22 years I’ve been in this program. In fact it clearly states on your website that we do not accept
- donations from those outside the fellowship. Some clarification would be
- greatly appreciated. By the way, this is my second email in as many weeks.
- I really would appreciate someone getting back to me. My phone is (XXX)
- XXX-XXXX and my email address is: XXXXXXX@aol.com. Your help is appreciated in advance.
Below is the result of your feedback form. It was submitted by
- () on Sunday, August 24, 2008 at 18:22:24
- Name: Michael
- City: Omaha
- StateProvince: Nebraska
- AreaRegion: Nebraska
- Subject: 7th Tradition
Message: When reading the 7th Tradition in the AA 12&12 my interpretation has been we are fully self supporting declining outside contributions.
- Apparently our area is accepting a lot of contributions from companys for various goods and services. I would appreciate clarification as to the policy of doing so. It doesn’t seem right to me. Your prompt reply is appreciated in advance.
- Mike
- Fundraiser (Lawrence)
- This is regarding a member in Arkansas; we discussed a bingo game with non-ca members participating. FYI) This member has a recovery center (clubhouse) and has bingo games under state law to raise funds for the center. He was suggesting having a bingo night for a fund raiser for the regional CA convention on one of his regular nights because those are the only nights he can operate by law and have his regular customer (non- ca members) participate. The previous board suggested that I recommend that the convention committee not precede with this a fund raiser.
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*Motion to move to online business for approval of written response on the October Conference Call. (Kim) Second (Joy) Motion passed.
Working on written response: Lawrence (lead), Nickolas, and Willie, Randy, Joy, and Richard.
Kim will send 30 day standard response to member.
- The CAWS 2009 Program Committee (Kim/Randy)
Randy talked to the member that sent email, and has contacted John W. regarding interest in helping. He has also requested a search of other participates that would like to work with the 2009 program committee on the workshop.
*Motion to move this to online business to craft written response, and further explore additional participates in the workshop. (Kim) seconded (Joy) Motion passed. Working on this Randy (lead) Nickolas, Joy, and Kim.
Name: The 2009 CAWS Program committee
City: Denver
State Province: Colorado
Area Region: Colorado Area Southwest Region
Subject: Looking for people interested in facilitating a Workshop
Message: On behalf of the 2009 Program committee we would like to extend an invitation to people who are planning to be at the 2009 convention and would like to facilitate a workshop. We would especially appreciate help with an international workshop about how CA started and has grown in Areas such as the UK, Canada, France, Hong Kong, Spain, Germany, South Africa and the Caribbean and any other Area’s I may be forgetting. We would greatly appreciate phone calls or e-mails from willing participants at XXX-XXX-XXXX or XXXXXXX@yahoo.com. Thanks for the help
ILAS
2009 Program
- Prison sponsors (Lawrence)
“Hey Lawrence, My thought was, that if a Trustee of a Region got a request say for Alabama, you would give the prisoners name and address to the Area Chair or Delegate. Then they would have an available list of men and women that volunteer to be pen-pal sponsors. This may be way out there, but some of these men want to stay sober and don’t have meetings coming into the prisons. I believe there is a need there. What can I do to be of service? Thank you Lawrence, Tim”
Lawrence has responded to the individual, but a further response is being considered.
*Motion to move to online business. (Nickolas) seconded (Joy) Motion passed. Working on this Lawrence (lead), Nickolas, Willie, Randy, Robert.
- LCF – Draft Literature for review (Trevor)
“Pursuant to Point 7 of the C.A. Pamphlet Approval process (see below), I’m forwarding drafts of the new “C.A. is for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual or Transgendered Addict” pamphlet and the revised “Self Test” pamphlet for review by the WSBT. I’ve included both a clean copy and a redline of the
“Self Test” showing where it has been changed from the original.”
*Motion to tabled until October Conference Call. (Joy) seconded (Willie) Motion passed
- Referrals – In conference referrals to Trustees
*Motion to assign referrals prior to the October Conference Call as that responses can be prepared for either the conference call or the November quarterly meeting
(Kim) Seconded (Joy) Motion passed.
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Hayward will organize assignments to the referrals.
Trustee Referrals
Referral #5632
Self Test for Addiction
Members have expressed concern regarding the cocaine specific nature of the ‘Self Test for Addiction’ questionnaire on the CAUK website. In line with being a non-drug specific fellowship we would like to remove the word ‘Cocaine’ and substitute with the w ord ‘Drug or Drugs’. Please see below for the questions concerned…
Are we able to make such changes at a local level and simply remove the ‘Approved Literature’ statement?
Self Test For Addiction Questions
- Do you ever use more cocaine than you planned?
- Has the use of cocaine interfered with your job?
- Is your cocaine use causing conflict with your spouse or family?
- Do you feel depressed, guilty, or remorseful after you use cocaine?
- Do you use whatever cocaine you have almost continuously until the supply is exhausted?
- Have you ever experienced sinus problems or nosebleeds due to cocaine use?
- Do you ever wish that you had never taken that first line, hit, or injection of cocaine?
- Have you experienced chest pains or rapid or irregular heartbeats when using cocaine?
- Do you have an obsession to get cocaine when you don’t have it?
- Are you experiencing financial difficulties due to your cocaine use?
- Do you experience an anticipation high just knowing you are about to use cocaine?
- After using cocaine, do you have difficulty sleeping without taking a drink or another drug?
- Are you absorbed with the thought of getting loaded even while interacting with a friend or loved one?
- Have you begun to use drugs or drink alone?
- Do you ever have feelings that people are talking about you or watching you?
- Do you use larger doses of drugs or alcohol to get the same high you once experienced?
- Have you tried to quit or cut down on your cocaine use only to find that you couldn’t?
- Have any of your friends or family suggested that you may have a problem?
- Have you ever lied to or misled those around you about how much or how often you use?
- Do you use drugs in your car, at work, in the bathroom, on airplanes or other public places?
- Do you spend time with people or in places you otherwise would not be around but for the availability of drugs?
- Have you ever stolen drugs or money from friends or family?
Referral #5778
To suggest to the WSBT that it acknowledge communications from non-Delegates or non-Area Chairs to ensure that the senders can confirm that the communication was received and what disposition has been taken.
Referral #5788
To clarify the use of CA trademarks on Group websites and the authorization process licensing their use.
Referral #5789
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To clarify or describe the procedure for enforcement or protection of CA trademarks.
Referral #5794 & 5821
Change the name of Cocaine Anonymous (CA) to Cocaine and All Other Mind Altering Substances, but still use the letters CA. To be known as Cocaine and all other mind altering substances (CA).
CLOSING Comments and Questions:
Nickolas: On line referrals, and when working on subcommittee stuff, work between each other on personal email, and post final response to yahoo group for consideration. Questions go to the appropriate people: Hayward WST/Chair WSBT and Willie WSOT…when in doubt go to your buddy for guidance. We are here to help each other~!
Hayward: has added everyone to the Archives groups, and he is available for questions. Randy: -Randy: Received a phone call, should he post this to yahoo group…respond directly, and post to yahoo group if additional direction of the WSBT is needed.
Richard: Received a phone call regarding a website, phone call, and answered via RS, not RS WSBT…we can always referring folks to committees, o r tell them that you will get back to them after talking with the WSBT…
Watch for the “shit starter”… Watch out for “the trustee said”
Randy: Attended a district meeting, resigned his local positions, and advised them he will not be attending unless needed…they were happy~! They app reciated the explanation as to why they wouldn’t see that much around at local business meetings and that he now would be acting on behalf of the WSBT.
Robert: Stepped down from his Area position, and made them aware of his availability.
Joy: Will be stepping down from her local positions this coming week.
Willie: It is hard to let go of local position, but we can still be a part of the “group” we are trust ed servants; God has a hand in it.
*Motion to adjourn. (Kim) seconded (Joy)
Meeting ended at 11:41am pst.
Respectfully submitted:
Kim S.,
MWRT,
WSBT Secretary
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