Cocaine Anonymous - C.A. Regions

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From the C.A. World Service Manual (Revised March 2007).

Atlantic North Region	Atlantic South Region
Canadian Maritimes New Brunswick, Newfoundland Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island Connecticut Maine Massachusetts New York Eastern Pennsylvania / New Jersey / Delaware Quebec Rhode Island Southern Ontario Maryland* New Hampshire* Washington, D.C. Vermont*	Alabama Arkansas Florida Georgia Louisiana North Carolina South Carolina Tennessee Virginia Mississippi*
Midwest Region	Pacific North Region
Illinois Indiana Kentucky Manitoba, Canada Michigan Minnesota Missouri Nebraska Western Pennsylvania/Ohio Wisconsin Iowa* North Dakota* South Dakota* West Virginia*	Alaska Alberta British Columbia Idaho Northern Alberta Northern California Northern Nevada Oregon and Southwest Washington Utah Washington Montana* Wyoming*
Pacific South Region	Southwest Region
Hawaii Nevada On-Line Area Southern California (Fresno, South) includes: Central California Area Inland Empire Area Los Angeles Area Orange County Area San Diego Area San Fernando Valley Area San Gabriel/Pomona Valley Area West Inland Empire	Arizona Colorado Kansas New Mexico Oklahoma North Texas Texas South Central Texas Valley Area of Texas
European Region
Germany Area Holland Area Hong Kong Area Scotland Area South Africa Area Spain Sweden United Kingdom	Belgium* France* Israel*
* States/Areas which have not yet sought recognition as an Area with the WSC.

DESCRIPTION OF A REGION
AND REGIONAL SERVICE ASSEMBLY

A Region is defined as a loosely structured geographic division of areas, from which a Regional Trustee comes to the World Service Board of Trustees. A Region's purpose is inter-Area communication, selection of CAWS Regional, At-Large, and Non-addict Trustee candidate nominees (and World Service Trustee for the Pacific South Region only). The regions currently recognized by the WSC are designated by the chart located above.

An Area requesting a change of Region must be approved by the WSC and must submit a completed "Petition to Change Region." An Area or a group of Areas seeking recognition as a new Region must be approved as such by the WSC and must submit a completed "Petition to Become a Region."

REQUIREMENTS TO CHANGE REGION OR BECOME A REGION

Two-Thirds approval in person or in writing of all GSR from the Area(s).
Two-Thirds approval in person or in writing of all World Service Delegates from the Area(s).
Submission of a Petition not later than one hundred and twenty days prior to the World Service Conference and approval thereof.
A change of Region or recognition of a new Region will become effective at the end of the World Service Conference at which it was approved.

REGIONAL SERVICE ASSEMBLY

A Region should hold a Service Assembly at least once per year, preferably five months prior to the annual World Service Conference. The Regional Service Assembly should be hosted by one Area. Attendance is open to all C.A. members; however, voting is exclusive to those members representing the Region: Trustees residing in the Region, WSC Delegates, and Area Chairpersons. WSC Delegates may carry no more than two votes at the Regional Assembly (one proxy pursuant to WSC voting procedures). Voting agenda should include only the selection of Trustee Candidates pursuant to the procedures outlined herein and proposed locations for future Regional Assemblies. It is suggested that the Regional Assembly adopt the C.A. Manual to govern its proceeding and voting process. The Regional Assembly can then make appropriate modifications.

Possible topics of discussion may consist of:

Area and District structure.
Finance.
Various Committees (see Area/District Committees).
Tradition breaks.
How to carry the message.

Regional Service Assemblies should be presided over by a Chairperson (voting member) elected at the beginning of the Assembly and who shall preside for that Assembly only. Delegates' and Area Chairpersons' expenses to the Regional Assembly should be provided exclusively by their local Areas.

It is suggested that the Region, or Regional Service Assembly, not maintain bank accounts or corporate structure; nor should it sponsor social events. It is however, acceptable for one or more Areas within a Region to present social events.

REGIONAL CAUCUS

During the WSC, the WS Convention, or at other times necessary to conduct the business of the Region, the Region may hold a Regional Caucus. The Caucus may determine the appropriate voting procedures. During the WSC, each Region shall hold at least one Regional Caucus. It shall be attended by all WSC Delegates, Alternate Delegates, Conference & Committee Officers, and Trustees within the Region. The first order of business is to establish voting qualifications. Those persons who have a vote at the WSC should make this determination. It is suggested that voting shall be open to all of the participants. Another order of business shall be the election of the Delegate to represent the Region in the Trustee Election Committee.

ELECTION OF TRUSTEE CANDIDATES BY REGIONAL ASSEMBLY

The Pacific South Region shall annually elect up to six but not less than four candidates to fill Trustee positions as needed. The remaining five regions shall annually elect up to four but not less than two candidates to fill Trustee positions as needed. Candidates from each Regional Slate shall be submitted to WSC for ratification by two-thirds vote of the WSC. The full Regional Slate shall be considered as nominees for Regional Trustee for that Region. The full Regional Slate from the Pacific South Region shall also be considered as nominees for World Service Trustee. The two Regional nominees receiving the highest number of votes at the Regional Assembly shall be considered the Region's nominees for Trustee-At-Large.

Where possible the Region should also elect first and second alternate candidates.

The Trustee from the Region shall maintain continuous contact with the Areas during the election process and monitor the status of candidates in order to act accordingly if a candidate becomes “unqualified” or withdraws from candidacy. If a nominee candidate is not present at the Regional assembly the candidate shall be contacted and his or her candidacy confirmed within 7 days of the Assembly. The Regional Trustee must submit names of the candidates to the Trustee Election Committee within 15 days after the Regional Assembly.

Regional Assemblies should consider adopting minimum qualifications for trustee candidates and consider references for service work done for entities outside Cocaine Anonymous.

ELECTION PROCEDURES FOR
REGIONAL TRUSTEE CANDIDATES BY REGIONAL ASSEMBLY

Each Area may submit one or more candidates for consideration to the Region. Each candidate must satisfy existing Trustee qualifications (see: Trustee qualifications, the WSBT service structure) and submit a completed service resume and statement of willingness to serve at the Regional Assembly in order to be considered.
The Regional Assembly will consider the candidates submitted by each Area for nomination as Trustee. The Regional Assembly should insure that all candidates submitted are qualified to serve as a Trustee as outlined herein.
The Pacific South Region shall annually elect up to six but not less than four candidates to fill Trustee positions as needed. The remaining five regions shall annually elect up to four but not less than two candidates to the World Service Conference (these candidates need not be present in order to be nominated or elected).
The slate of qualified candidates submitted shall be considered by the voting members of the Assembly.

A. MAXIMUM NUMBER OF CANDIDATES OR LESS (6 CANIDATES IN THE PACIFIC SOUTH AND FOUR CANIDATES IN OTHER REGIONS):

All candidates will be immediately submitted for two-thirds ratification of the voting members present by secret ballot.
If the required minimum number of candidates (4 in Pacific South, 2 in other Regions) receive a two-thirds affirmative vote, then those candidates receiving a two-thirds affirmative vote shall be submitted by the Region as nominees for Trustee, subject to paragraph 5 below, and the Regional election process is completed.
If only one candidate receives a two-thirds affirmative vote, then that candidate and the number of candidates receiving the next highest vote as needed to fill the minimum slate of candidates (4 in Pacific South, 2 in other Regions) shall be submitted by the Region as nominees for Trustee, subject to paragraph 5 below, and the Regional election process is completed.
If none of the candidates receive a two-thirds affirmative vote, then the candidates receiving the highest affirmative votes as needed to fill the minimum slate of candidates (4 in Pacific South, 2 in other Regions) shall be submitted by the Region as nominees for Trustee, subject to paragraph 5 below, and the Regional election process is completed. If there is a tie amongst the candidates needed to fill the minimum slate, then both of the tied candidates shall be submitted by the Region as nominees for Trustee, subject to paragraph 5 below, and the Regional election process is completed.
The two candidates receiving the highest number of votes pursuant to the above election process shall be designated as that Region's candidates for Trustee-At-Large. The two nominees receiving the next highest affirmative votes will be considered as the first and second alternate Trustee-at-Large candidates, and in that order, will replace any Trusteeat- Large candidate who is unwilling or unable to be considered during the term of his/her nomination.

B. MORE THAN THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF CANDIDATES (MORE THAN 6 CANDIDATES IN PACIFIC SOUTH, MORE THAN 4 CANDIDATES IN OTHER REGIONS):

First Ballot:
Each voting member of the Regional Assembly shall vote by secret ballot for up to the maximum number of candidates allowed on the Region’s slate (6 in Pacific South, 4 in other regions).

In all Regions but the Pacific South, the four candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall then be considered in the Second Ballot. If the candidates receiving the fourth and fifth highest votes are tied, then the five candidates receiving the highest vote will be considered in the Second Ballot.

In the Pacific South, the six candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall then be considered in the Second Ballot. If the candidates receiving the sixth and seventh highest votes are tied, then the seven candidates receiving the highest vote will be considered in the Second Ballot.

Second Ballot:
All remaining candidates will be immediately submitted for two-thirds ratification of the voting members present. If number of candidates being considered is equal to or less than the maximum number of candidates allowed on the Region’s slate (6 in Pacific South, 4 in other Regions), then the selection process follows the procedures in subsection “A” above. If more than the maximum number of candidates are being considered, and all candidates receive two-thirds affirmative vote, then vote again for all candidates. If all candidates again receive two-thirds affirmative vote then draw the maximum number of names from a hat and leave the choice to a Higher Power.

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