WORLD SERVICE BOARD OF TRUSTEES REPORT
INTRODUCTION AND OPENING COMMENTS Terri Knight , Insert statement , see handout.
Opening Comments
First, we wish to thank the Conference and entire fellowship for the chance to serve you all this year. Two members of our current Board are rotating out; Teri K. Atlantic South Trustee and our current Board Chair, and John B. the World Service Trustee. Their
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dedication and commitment to the CA Fellowship are profound. We also thank them for their passion and love for Cocaine Anonymous. We wish to thank them for their service also. They surely will be missed.
Between our quarterly meetings and conference calls, the WSBT has continued to work on many of the matters of business by e-mail. In our ongoing efforts to communicate with the Fellowship we are now providing records of all motions which are passed as a result of our online business.
We, the WSBT, will continue to be of service and to do what we believe is best for Cocaine Anonymous as dictated by a loving God that guides us through our group conscience and it is our great pleasure to be of service to the CA Fellowship.
Committee Introductions
Teri Knight, Atlantic South Regional Trustee & WSBT Chair
Cynthia Cronkhite, Pacific North Regional Trustee & WSBT Vice Chair
Jay Finesilver, Southwest Regional Trustee & WSBT Secretary
Jackie Schickler, Atlantic North Regional Trustee
Tony Drake, Midwest Regional Trustee
Bobbie Harmon, Trustee at Large
John Bodkin, World Service Trustee
Earl Henderson, World Service Office Trustee
Carl Warlick, Pacific South Regional Trustee
COMMITTEE WORK THAT RESULTED IN MOTIONS
None.
REFERRALS THAT RESULTED IN MOTIONS None:
REFERRALS OR ITEMS TABLED UNTIL NEXT YEAR; AND ITEMS THE COMMITTEE WILL CONTINUE WORKING ON THROUGH THE YEAR
We received several referrals during the WSC 2005, we will respond to these during the forthcoming year.
REFERRALS OR ITEMS REFERRED TO OTHER COMMITTEES, WORLD SERVICE OFFICE, OR BOARD OF TRUSTEES
#3726 – Develop guidelines that address the issue of streaming audio links’ of CA speakers on area websites I am the webmaster of our area s website (casandiego.org). We have added a page to our website that allows one to click on a
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link and listen to CA speaker tapes. I believe we need guidelines on this issue so as to assure that we stay within the 12 traditions of CA.
Referred to Internet Committee.
#4157 – Make it a point to visit each committee chair to remind them that there is a 12 point and a 7 point approval process for literature and media. My concern is that committees are not adhering to this process by presenting items to the floor without going through these processes.
Referral to CAWS Conference Committee with suggestions that they consider the creation of an education segment for Conference committee chairs (both new and returning) that would outline the roles/responsibilities of each committee chair both at the conference and throughout the year and would include instructions related to the 12 point approval process for any literature to be considered for conference approval. At this time, there is no 7 point or other approval process in place regarding media for Cocaine Anonymous.
Referred to Conference Committee.
REFERRALS THAT DID NOT RESULT IN MOTIONS
#3945 (from WSC 2003): Review the Area Structure in Pacific South with reference to several very small Areas. Consider whether in the interests of CA Unity, and in the interest of creating more viable areas, several PS Areas should be combined. Particularly, merging Orange County and San Diego together and incorporating Cen Cal into SF Valley.
We are of the view that the current area structure is proper at this time and should not be amended.
#2701 – I would like the conference to vote on: If an audio committee has been created operating under the 9th tradition, with ’the sole purpose of fundraising, and creating unity through the fellowship, shouldn t we be able to propose to tape any CA event as long as each party has an agreement or contract that is acceptable to each party involved. The Trustee’ Board suggested that A.C.A.D. tape only in their own district. So that is why I m sending this referral. Can an Audio Committee function throughout our fellowship meeting, district, area, region, etc.
The MWRT spoke with maker of this referral and informed the maker of how to bring this referral to WSC.
#3562 –– With the Adoption of Holland, Sweden, Hong Kong & Scotland as new areas Should we now consider adopting a NEW REGION to include the U.K. area; Holland Area; Sweden Area; Hong Kong Area & Scotland Area as well as other European areas that became independent areas in the future? As it stands,
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the Atlantic North Region contains 18 areas with 5 of those abroad making Regional Trustee travel a financial burden to the Fellowship.
The Conference passed the Petition to form the European Region earlier this week.
#3899 – Please” refer to attached regarding disaccreditation of “the truth, the light and the way. Meeting was disaccredited; can this be overturned? If so, by whom?
Combine with #4057
#4057 – When a group has lost sight of the primary purpose, as well as the 12 Traditions, has no respect for the District or Area, this was the resulting action taken.
Combined Response of #3899 and #4057
The actions referenced in these two related referrals are very unfortunate. Members of the WSBT have had the chance to look into these matters in depth. We are mindful of the materials from the CA World Service Manual related to groups:
THE C.A. GROUP
The basic unit in C.A. is the local Group, which is autonomous except in matters affecting other Groups or C.A. as a whole. The Group has but one primary purpose, which is to help others to recover through the Twelve suggested Steps. Each Group is self-supporting through its own contributions. As the Twelve Steps are our guide to recovery, the Twelve Traditions are our guide to Group unity, growth and discipline. Its members maintain their personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, television and films. The importance of the Group, what it constitutes and its functions cannot be stressed enough. Maintenance of our recovery depends on the sharing of our experiences, strength and hope with each other, thus helping us to identify and understand the nature of our disease. Most addicts in C.A. achieve and sustain their recovery as a result of their participation in the activities of the Group. The Group is the heart of Cocaine Anonymous and it is vital to the new member. It is equally important to those who have achieved recovery as a result of the program. They may continue to participate and receive assistance from the Group
The“ Group’s total responsibility is perhaps best expressed by the First Tradition: “Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon C.A. unity.”
In this instance, the meeting referenced was found to not be following this framework with the result being dis-accreditation. The meeting itself and its individual members possess rights of appeal under Concept 5. To exercise these rights, please contact the appropriate district or area.
To respond to the question of who can overturn such a decision, it would be the same service body that disaccredited the meeting in the first place.
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#3945 – Review the Area Structure in Pacific South with reference to several very small Areas. Consider whether in the interests of CA Unity, and in the interest of creating more viable areas, several PS Areas should be combined. Particularly, merging Orange County and San Diego together and incorporating Central California into SF Valley.
Response: Thanks for bringing this matter to the attention of the WSBT. The PSRT has discussed the matter with the Central California Area and SGPVCA and both areas declined to combine. San Diego and Orange County are still considering the matter.
The areas within CA, once made, are for the most part, autonomous and it is our understanding that the WSC should not attempt to or actually restructure any area without a compelling need, which we do not see here.
#4005 – Grant authority to WSBT to allow spending not granted on WSC approved budget. This allows for conservative budgeting and guidelines while giving authority to complete projects, slated but not budgeted in the current year.
We decline to request such authority. We are of the view that the processes in place along with the Concepts are adequate in their current state.
#4007 – Allow tapes of CA events be sold across the board/world at other CA events.
We have no name of a maker for this referral and accordingly our response: CA tapes are already sold all over the world at other CA events; therefore no other action is required.
#4084 – Re-work Trustee ratification process on pg. 6.7 WSM Paragraph 1. Require at least a 30-day notice of any ratification vote taking place.
The maker of this referral did not want someone to claim that they were removed without notice, so he was asking for a shield against such action. Upon reviewing the process in place, we believe it to have sufficient protections in place in its current state to prevent such problems; hence we decline to re-work the ratification process in this regard, this amendment is accepted.
#4101 – Request that there be two (2) Trustees to represent the Atlantic North Region due to the vast scope and size of the region. This would permit one Trustee to cover the North American sector and another to cover the European sector. This would represent an opportunity to save dramatically on travel expenses within the region.
The Conference passed the Petition to form the European Region earlier this week.
#4114 – Does the word (Addict) on a T-shirt with the CA logo, a violation of any kind.
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and combined with
#4122 – Is this a violation when put on a t-shirt? Our ideas did not work. Truth; a). That we were addicts and our lives were unmanageable, The Light; b). That probably no human power could relieve our addiction, The Way c). That God could and would if He were sought. But the God idea did.
Response to 4114 and 4122:
In these two referrals, we are guided by the principle of anonymity as set forth in the WSM at pg. 1.6 as follows:
THE IMPORTANCE OF “ANONYMITY”
Traditionally, C.A. members have always taken care to preserve their anonymity at the public level: press, radio, television and films: We know from experience that many people with drug problems might hesitate to turn to C.A. for help if they thought their problems might be discussed publicly, even inadvertently, by others. Newcomers should be able to seek help with complete assurance that their identities will not be disclosed to anyone outside the Fellowship. We believe that the concept of personal anonymity has a spiritual significance for us: it discourages the drives for personal recognition, power, prestige, or profit that have caused difficulties in some societies. Much of our relative effectiveness in working with addicts might be impaired if we sought or accepted public recognition. While each member of C.A. is free to make his or her own interpretation of C.A. Tradition, no individual is ever recognized as a spokesperson for the Fellowship locally, nationally or internationally. Each member speaks only for themselves. While some people might find these shirts‘ to be offensive,” there is no apparent tradition violation. As to a modification of How It Works on the one shirt, such a design is violative of the agreement by and with AA for CA to NOT modify the AA Big Book without AA permission.
#4204 – With the emergency and power of the electronic media and/or worldwide“ internet”phenomena, how can we amend the 11th Tradition, ending with and the internet when read at our meetings?
The issue of changing any of CA’s Steps or Traditions is covered by the Cocaine Anonymous World Service Conference Charter, Section 3, which states in pertinent part as follows, “But no change in Article 10 of the Charter or in the Twelve Traditions of C.A., or in the Twelve Steps of C.A”. may be made with less than the written consent of three-quarters of the C.A. Groups. To our knowledge, since the Steps and Traditions were adopted, they have not been modified nor has anyone requested such action.
#4217 – To explore the process, structure, timeline and financial implications of creating and supporting European region: to be created at WSC 2006.
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The Conference passed the Petition to form the European Region earlier this week. The process, structure and timeline are already covered by the WSM 2.14
#4218 – Suggest CAWSC (CA World Service Conference) initiates and/or establishes a separate committee for memorabilia and/or CA Approved materials not covered by Literature, Chips and Format (LCF)
The suggestion to create a subcommittee has been evaluated and declined for the matter of memorabilia and other items not covered by LCF, this may already be sufficiently addressed by way of the conference convention committee guidelines or their body of work.
#4226 – What happens to the copyright if and when the logo is translated into foreign language?
It is the intention to have our materials protected World wide and the costs are being investigated and the finance committee will be looking into this in forthcoming budgets
#4302 – Review the AA “12 Concepts Illustrated” booklet and determine whether CA groups and service workers may use this booklet, or whether the LCF Committee needs to re-invent it.
The WSBT believes the CA fellowship could benefit from having a ‘Concepts Illustrated’ type piece available, and that ultimately it would be preferable to have such a piece written specifically for CA, by CA members. However, being aware of the large number of projects LCF is currently working on, we solicit the LCF committee’s input as to whether it would be best to present an advisory opinion authorizing the use of the AA piece now, or present a new concept for a CA piece to the Conference for approval.
#4375 – On page 4 of the“ newly approved ”“Financial Guidelines for Groups“” etc., under ”the sub-heading Special Donations, does one group donating to a Special Cause aiding another group violate Tradition 7?
The “Financial Guidelines for Groups” on page 4 assumes all these groups are CA groups or CA members. It does not violate Tradition 7 for a group to assist another group. We, as a fellowship, are self-supporting through our own contributions.
#4397 – There is a treatment center in Las Vegas named EOB Treatment that requires CA members to breath into a breathalyzer to enter its facility for an open CA meeting. This goes against our traditions personal rights of privacy.
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As stated in the WSC Hospitals and Institutions Committee Guidelines and Information, “There is a distinct difference between H&I meetings and regular C.A. Meetings…
Certain facilities may require H & I participants to be subject to sobriety requirements, dress and conduct codes.” We would encourage local H&I committees to always be mindful of any additional requirements when announcing events at such facilities. With regard to this particular incident, we spoke with the director of EOB and he stated that CA members were not singled out. The facility’s policy is that all persons entering the center are to be tested. Please be mindful that in locked down facilities, their standing rule is to search all persons entering. We also spoke with the gentleman who helped put on the event,’ and he stated in the future he would find a facility that is better suited for everyone s needs.
#4689 – Does a Director or Trustee member of a Service Board, such as the WSBT or WSOB, have the right to proxy a vote?
The WSBT has considered the issue of proxies and whether such use might be proper for Trustees and WSOB members who cannot attend a day or longer of the WSC. Proxies are allowed by and among delegates as set forth in Standing Rule 5(c), see page 3.6 of the WSM. Proxies are also provided for under Roberts Rules of Order unless prohibited by the State where the Corporation is in existence. There is no such prohibition in California.
Under the Concept of the right of participation, it is fair and appropriate that these members of the WSC also have the right to have their votes counted if they cannot attend. A proxy to another member of the same service board would achieve this end. Accordingly, the following motion is brought forward for consideration by S&B:
MOTION RE PROXIES
To add a new section to WSM Standing Rule 5(d):
To read as follows:
A Trustee may proxy his/her one vote to another Trustee, and a member of the WSOB may also proxy his/her one vote to another member of the WSOB. Proxies in this instance shall be applicable for the day or days when the Trustee or WSOB member will not be in attendance at the WSC. It is the intention that the WST and the WSOT be deemed a member of the WSBT for purposes of this motion.
#4718 – To add to the WSM, “page 3.5, under WSC Committee Chairperson (duties and responsibilities) item (j) work to insure wherever possible that the vice-chair or another delegate committee member is ”willing and able to assume the chair position the current chair term is completed. This member feels that when a large committee of say 15-25 members feels the necessity to elect a non-delegate chair, then that committee and chair is doing something wrong.
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While we appreciate the spirit of this referral, we think it not proper to limit’ people who can and should serve the respective committees“ as chairperson. Bill W. s discussion in the Ninth Concept provides in part: So when we talk about A.A. leadership, we only declare that” we ought to select that leadership on the basis of obtaining the best talent we can find. However, we do think it appropriate to require the chairperson as one of his/her duties to perhaps focus on a successor such that we will ask that Structure and Bylaws consider inclusion in the WSM (page 3.5 under WSC Committee Chairperson (duties and responsibilities)) the following new language:
(i) work to insure continued viable leadership of the committee after the chairperson’s term is complete
#4729 – Please“ investigate the legalities” of using the Public Information poster on a postcard. Federal Postal Law.
We have investigated this matter but have no clarity on its application. On its face and in our review of the postal regulations we can find no prohibition. In our initial research we did find some post offices that would refuse delivery which is of concern. Perhaps a way to ensure delivery is to take the card and put it in an envelope after all.
NEW WSBT STRUCTURE AS OF THIS CONFERENCE
WSBT Officers:
Chair: Cynthia Cronkhite Pacific North Regional Trustee
Vice-Chair: Jackie Schickler, Atlantic North Regional Trustee
Secretary: Bobbie Harmon, Trustee at Large
CAWS, Inc. Corporate Officers:
President: Tony Drake, Midwest Regional Trustee
Vice President: Jay Finesilver, Southwest Regional Trustee
Secretary: Carl Warlick, Pacific South Regional Trustee
Treasurer: Earl Henderson, World Service Office Trustee
CLOSING COMMENTS
We thank you for allowing us to be of service.
Respectfully Submitted:
World Service Board of Trustees
If you have questions or comments on these referrals, or any matter, please contact us at WSBT@ca.org.
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Leslie Williams- Thank you very much. I was wondering perhaps instead of saying we received several, could you attach them .
Chair of WSC – The Conference Committee will provide them.
Thank you we love you
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