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

Description of a District and District Service Committee

PREFACE The primary level of organization of Cocaine Anonymous consists of the individual meetings/Groups.

DISTRICT

A District is a geographical unit within an Area containing a number of groups within a close proximity, which find it necessary to unify. A District has the primary function of the unification of its groups by keeping in frequent contact with them, learning their problems and sharing ways to contribute to their growth and well being. It is suggested that ten (10) or more groups comprise a District and that each ten (10) groups elect a District Service Representative to sit on the Area Service Committee. When districting or re-districting, approval of the groups within each current or proposed District is essential. The proposed districting or re-districting should be approved by the Area Service Committee. As the number of groups within a District increases, the District should either split into two Districts or elect more District Service Representatives from such groups to the Area Service Committee.

A DISTRICT SERVICE COMMITTEE (DSC) is a group made up of the Group Service Representatives from the individual groups in the District, the District Service Representatives and the DSC officers. The DSC meets on a monthly basis to handle the business needs of the District. The DSC may create committees to service such needs as Telephone (Helpline), Public Information, CPC (Cooperation with the Professional Community), Hospitals and Institutions, Literature and Chips, and Special Events.

The most important function is to serve the needs of the local meetings. If a meeting has a situation it cannot handle, it can come to the District Service Committee. The active participation of each GSR is essential for a successful DSC.

Whatever endeavor or extracurricular activity is taken on by the District, they should at all times try to use or take advantage of Area resources, in order not to duplicate efforts or expenses already incurred by the Area.

OFFICERS OF THE DSC
The District should elect officers yearly, which include:

There should be one Group Service Representative (GSR) elected from each group. The DSC officers should be elected from among the active GSR. Upon election, the DSC officers shall no longer serve as GSR. Those groups, which they represented, must elect new GSR.

The District Service Representative (DSR) is the essential link between the groups' GSR and the Area's Delegates to the World Service Conference. As a member of the District Service Committee, the DSR is exposed to the group conscience of that District. As a member of the Area Service Committee, the DSR passes on the Group's tenets to the Area's Delegates and the Area Service Committee.

DISTRICT SERVICE OFFICERS
DUTIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

CHAIRPERSON

VICE CHAIRPERSON

SECRETARY

TREASURER

DISTRICT SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

ALTERNATE DISTRICT SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
Some Districts find it appropriate to elect an Alternate DSR. The Alternate should possess the same qualifications as the DSR.

AREA AND DISTRICT COMMITTEES

It is suggested that the following Committees exist at both the District and Area levels. When appropriate, Committees may be combined or added.

TELEPHONE (HELPLINE): Responsible for the provision of information and assistance to individuals seeking aid by phone, and with the communication of messages received for other committees.

HOSPITALS AND INSTITUTIONS: Responsible for the coordination of and active participation in Twelve Step work within hospitals and institutions.

PUBLIC INFORMATION: Responsible for the distribution of literature and information to the public.

ARCHIVES: Responsible for the storage of documents and memorabilia.

CHIPS AND LITERATURE: Responsible for the distribution of literature and chips to C.A. Districts, Groups, members and interested institutions.

FINANCE: Responsible for all matters relating to records, finances and expenditures. The committee makes recommendations on all matters pertaining to the administration and operation of finances and expenditures. The Finance Committee shall implement and oversee controls necessary to safeguard the assets of the Fellowship, including employment of a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) to make periodic audits.

CONVENTION: Responsible for the coordination of conventions to carry the message of recovery, unity and service to members of Cocaine Anonymous.

COOPERATION WITH THE PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY (CPC): Responsible for a unique brand of 12-Step work by carrying the message of recovery to professionals, who in their line of work, may have some sort of supervisory capacity over or direct contact with individuals who may have a cocaine problem. The committee informs the professional community about C.A.: what we are, where we are and what we can and
cannot do to help the addict who still suffers. The committee attempts to establish communication between C.A. members and the professional community to find productive methods of cooperation, not affiliation, within the C.A. traditions.

C.A. UNITY COMMITTEE: Responsible for the communication and outreach among the diverse elements within the Fellowship at all levels, in the interest of carrying the C.A. message. It is also suggested that these committees sponsor annual workshops and other forums to promote C.A. unity.

INTERNET COMMITTEE: Responsible for matters relating to the creation, update and maintenance of Area and/or District websites, in accordance with the World Service Conference Internet Committee Workbook Guidelines.

C.A.'s First Tradition

"Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon C.A. unity."