Jim S. — Read report
OPENING REPORT
C.A. WORLD SERVICE CONFERENCE 2016
IT COMMITTEE REPORT
INTRODUCTION AND OPENING COMMENTS:
WSCITC have been trialing the Citrix based video conferencing solution (Go To Meeting) for our monthly committee meetings and have been impressed by the low bandwidth needed for excellent connections of voice calls and note that the video part of the application seems to be much more stable than the equivalents offered by other platforms such as Skype or Google Hangouts. This could be in our opinion a very sustainable and viable resource for us to lead the way in promoting the growth of Cocaine Anonymous in the rapidly evolving digital world that we now live within. The opportunities this kind of technology present are far reaching and have the potential to carry the message of CA to parts of the World/society that would otherwise be unreachable to us with our current human and technological resources. The application of this resource is cost effective and fully transferable between aiding effective communication for the business of our fellowship and also providing a platform to carry out our primary purpose of carrying the message of CA to the world.
Last year the committee presented on the Conference floor a powerpoint presentation entitled ‘Social Media and our Guiding Traditions’ as per SR14 requirements and this year we plan to make a motion in our closing report that this presentation be a Conference approved resource to be made available to the fellowship to help educate our members around potential pitfalls of use of social digital media and provide a reference point for safe ways forwards in this exciting but potentially dangerous digital world.
Our small and dedicated committee has worked hard throughout the year considering how we may stay safe and within our Traditions whilst offering our members the best opportunities to use digital media as most people surely already love to do. We have been delighted to work with the Online Area to try and help address some hurdles they are trying to jump across and plan to continue to work with them throughout our breakout
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sessions and hope to be able to present some exciting new opportunities for the Conferences consideration.
Our task is huge, and our numbers as a committee are small, we would be delighted to see new delegates join us this year who would like to quietly get to work on thinking about how we can optimize our use of digital technology whilst staying safe within our Traditions. If you are thinking right now ‘I like the sound of this, but I am technologically challenged’ then if you have good working experience of our 12
Traditions, which we trust includes all members of this Conference, then you are exactly the kind of member we would like to welcome as you may well spot something that those of us that are a little more geeky, may have missed. If you are unsure of which committee you would like to join, come and say hello and see for yourselves what we are about with a no obligation money back guarantee :p
Our purpose has continued to be to serve as a resource to our Fellowship in areas of emerging technologies. We remain mindful, respecting the principles set forth in the Twelve Traditions whilst considering these new capabilities for connection and access.
COMMITTEE INTRODUCTIONS:
Jim S (Chairperson)
Daniel G (Vice Chairperson)
Pierre K(Secretary)
Committee members
Will B
Brent P
Bob W
Michelle D
Roger M
Dave I
Linda F (WSOB representative)
Yves W (Trustee)
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REFERRALS THAT WERE WORKED ON DURING THE YEAR: REFERRAL 2014IT-1
To remove paragraphs 2 and 3 from page 13, of IT Guidelines Chapter “Media”. Public Information may not have been savvy at the time to produce or address the issues surrounding Media but it is a Public Information subject matter as it relates to outreach. A new referral was submitted in 2013 expressly designed to incorporate social media and variety of other tools to assist in CA Public Information, these two paragraphs directly contradict the work product Public Information has produced.
Response:
Thank you for your referral – as digital technology rapidly develops we are aware that our guidelines have become dated, we plan to completely rewrite the guidelines and will continue to consider how best to utilize digital technologies safely with regards to our Traditions.
REFERRAL 2014IT-2
To add Groups to Chapters “CONCERNING WEBSERVANT AND/OR INTERNET COMMITTEES”,”A TYPICAL AREA WEB SITE “, “REQUIREMENTS FOR C.A. AREA/DISTRICT WEB SITES”. To Add both Districts and Groups to chapter “POLICIES FOR POSTING ON C.A. WEB PROPERTIES”, “LINKING, EMERGENCY DE-LINKING, & NON COMPLIANCE”. Groups under the 4th Tradition are autonomous and can elect through their own group conscience to create and manage their own website.
Response:
Thank you for your referral, we continue to your point in relation to the 12 Traditions as we rewrite the WSCITC workbook.
REFERRAL 2014IT-4
Please update the IT workbook to be fully inclusive of the worldwide fellowship rather than US specific eg: page 4 refers to costs in dollars, is it necessary to specify costs as these can vary considerably around the world.
Response:
Thank you for your referral, we will be sure to consider your point as we rewrite and update the WSCITC workbook.
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REFERRAL 2014IT-6
Please create a new section to the IT Workbook to illustrate best practice when creating meetings through digital media/technologies. Consult with the Online Area to inform this new documentation and make use of their experience and knowledge in this aspect of carrying the message. I foresee this as useful for Areas and Districts who may see the benefit of creating their own online meetings and also in facilitating VOIP meetings at special events etc. The purpose of this new documentation will be to support the digital outreach potential for Areas and Districts by sharing what works/what doesn’t and how to in a practical away and thus aid in safely utilizing digital technology to further carry the message of CA.
Response:
Thank you for your referral, we will certainly be happy to integrate useful information as you have outlined as we rewrite the WSCITC workbook.
CLOSING COMMENTS:
Please find within our Box folder a PDF copy of our powerpoint presentation aforementioned that we intend to present in closing and move to a motion on.
The World Service Conference Information Technology Committee would like to thank all members for their consideration and support throughout. We are very happy to welcome new delegates to this growing committee to help carry our workload which is both interesting and fulfilling.
In loving service,
WSCITC
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Tony D. – Any questions for the committee? None, thank you.
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