Cocaine Anonymous - World Service Conference Charter

From the C.A. World Service Manual (Revised July 20, 2003); May not reflect changes made at 2003 World Service Conference.

Purpose: The World Service Conference of Cocaine Anonymous is the guardian of the world services and of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Cocaine Anonymous. The Conference shall be a service body only, never a government for Cocaine Anonymous.
Composition of World Service Conference: The World Service Conference shall be composed of Area Delegates, the World Service Board of Trustees, Directors of the World Service Office, staff members of the World Service Office, and any other members of the Fellowship who wish to attend.
Conference Relation to C.A.: The Conference will act for C.A. in the perpetuation and guidance of its world services, and it will also be the vehicle by which the C.A. movement can express its view upon all matters of vital C.A. policy and all hazardous deviations from C.A. Tradition. Delegates should be free to vote as their conscience dictates; they should also be free to decide what questions should be taken to the Group level, whether for information, discussion, or their own direct instruction.

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.
Conference Relation to the World Service Board of Trustees and its Corporate Services: It will be understood, as a matter of tradition, that a two-thirds vote of a Conference quorum shall be considered binding upon the World Service Board of Trustees and its related corporate services. A quorum shall consist of two-thirds of all the voting Conference members registered and present.

But no such vote ought to impair the legal rights of the World Service Board of Trustees and the service corporation to conduct routine business and make ordinary contracts relating thereto.

It will be further understood, regardless of the legal prerogatives of the World Service Board of Trustees, as a matter of tradition, that a three-quarters vote of all the voting Conference members registered and present may bring about a reorganization of the World Service Board of Trustees and the Directors and staff members of its corporate services, if or when such reorganization is deemed essential.

Under such a proceeding, the Conference may request resignations, may nominate new Trustees, and may make all other necessary arrangements regardless of the legal prerogatives of the World Service Board of Trustees.
Area Delegate Elections: Area Delegate elections are held by Area service committee meetings or assemblies composed of elected General Service Representatives of all C.A. Groups desiring to participate, District Officers, Area Officers, Service Committee Chairpersons, and other members who are involved in C.A. service. Area Delegate elections may be held as needed 120 days prior to the next World Service Conference.
Term of Office of Delegates: The Area Delegates are to be elected for a term of four (4) Conferences. It is suggested that the spirit of rotation be followed. (WSC Amendment, 1996)
Annual Meeting: The Conference will meet at least once a year within 50 miles of the World Service Office, unless otherwise agreed upon by voting Conference members. Special meetings may be called as necessary by voting Conference members. The Conference may also render advisory opinions at any time by mail or telephone poll in aid of the World Service Board of Trustees or its related services.
The World Service Board of Trustees: Composition, Jurisdiction and Responsibilities: The World Service Board of Trustees of Cocaine Anonymous shall be an incorporated trusteeship, composed of addicts and non-addicts who’s successors are elected by the Trustee Election Committee, these choices being subject, however, to the approval of the Conference. The World Service Board of Trustees is the chief service arm of the Conference and is essentially custodial in its character. (WSC Amendment, 1992)

Except for decisions upon matters of policy, finance, or C.A. Tradition, liable seriously to affect C.A. as a whole, the World Service Board of Trustees has entire freedom of action in the routine conduct of the policy and business affairs of the C.A. service corporations and may name suitable committees and elect Directors to its subsidiary corporate service entities in pursuance of this purpose.

Except in great emergency, neither the World Service Board of Trustees nor any of its related services ought ever to take any action liable greatly to affect C.A. as a whole without first consulting the Conference.
The World Service Conference: Its General Procedures: The Conference will hear the financial and policy reports of the World Service Board of Trustees and its related corporate services. The Conference will advise the Trustees, Directors, and staff members upon all matters presented as affecting C.A. as a whole, engage in debate, appoint necessary committees, and pass suitable resolutions by a two-thirds majority of voting members present for the advice or direction of the World Service Board of Trustees and its related services.

The World Service Conference Charter, the Bylaws of Cocaine Anonymous World Services, Inc., and the World Service Conference Standing Rules, or any amendments thereto, should always be subject to the approval of the World Service Conference by a two-thirds vote of all its voting Conference members present.

The Conference may also discuss and recommend appropriate action respecting serious deviations from C.A. Tradition or harmful misuse of the name "Cocaine Anonymous."

The Conference may draft any needed Bylaws and will name its own officers and committees by any method of its own choosing.

The Conference at the close of each yearly session will draft a report of its proceedings, to be supplied to all Delegates and committee members; and also a condensation thereof, which will be sent to C.A. Areas throughout the world.
General Warranties of the Conference: In all its proceedings, the World Service Conference shall observe the spirit of the C.A. Tradition, taking great care that the Conference never becomes the seat of perilous wealth or power; that sufficient operating funds, plus an ample reserve, be its prudent financial principle; that none of the Conference members shall ever be placed in a position of unqualified authority over any of the others; that all important decisions be reached by discussion, vote, and whenever possible, by substantial unanimity; that no Conference action ever be personally punitive or an incitement to public controversy; that though the Conference may act for the service of Cocaine Anonymous, it shall never perform any acts of government; and that, like the Fellowship of Cocaine Anonymous which it serves, the Conference itself will always remain democratic in thought and action.

(Effective November 15, 1987; Passed by the Fourth WSC)

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