Concept Ten: Every service responsibility should be matched by an equal service authority — the scope of such authority to be always well defined whether by tradition, by resolution, by specific job description or by appropriate charters and bylaws.
CA NewsGram, Fourth Quarter 2004, Vol. 20 No. 4 “Service: Responsibility and Authority“
This is one of the most powerful Concepts. It speaks to the power of the conference and the ultimate authority of the group conscience that sits at the conference. It speaks to the necessity to allow our WSBT to manage the affairs of C.A., defend the principles and name of C.A., and keep in touch will all levels of C.A. to verify that they are all working on the business of C.A.. It gives the World Service Office the ability to work on a day to day basis on the needs of the fellowship as a whole. It is the Concept that insists that the WSBT use their legal right to actively administer the affairs of C.A. as a whole. It allows the WSBT to place trusted servants into positions as needed.
All of this said, it is extremely important that the Fellowship of C.A. be extremely mindful and conscious of putting the best possible candidates into the positions of WSBT, Conference Officers and Delegates. We are only as strong as our trusted servants we choose for these positions. I challenge the members of C.A. in Area Service Positions to find the best possible candidates for their delegates. The delegates are the people who could potentially be brought up in the service levels to the level of Trustee. When you choose a candidate for delegate ask yourselves, “Are they reliable”, Are they the best representative that we have for our Area?”, “Is this person able to keep the welfare of C.A. as a whole as their primary purpose during their term as a delegate?” “Is this person going to be able to carry the message of the Conference back to the Area as well as bring the Area’s needs to the Conference?” “Is this person honest, dependable, and without a personal agenda?” “Is this individual going to return from the conference, and support ALL decisions made at the conference? AS IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY, even if they may have disagreed with the decision at the time of the vote.”
There has been a great deal of comment recently as to what the WSBT can and should do. In addition, to being “Guardians of the Traditions,” the WSBT must also look out for the financial welfare of our fellowship. The WSBT must take into consideration all possible threats to C.A. in legal areas as well as the welfare of the fellowship. We have entrusted the WSBT to make difficult decisions, although not necessarily popular decisions, because they are our trusted servants.
On the same note, the WSBT has put into place the WSOB to handle the day-to-day business of C.A. as a whole. The WSOB answers to the WSBT, the World Service Conference and to the fellowship. It is important that we as a fellowship support the decisions of the WSOB and defend them and financially support them. The WSBT places the WSOB into position, then they stand back and allow the office to do its work. The WSBT is responsible to the fellowship of C.A. to verify and oversee that the WSOB is performing its responsibilities to the best of its abilities. Again, the WSBT is charged with finding the best possible candidates to serve on this board and work for our fellowship.
We as a fellowship, have chosen our WSBT, our delegates, our conference officers, and our conference chair people. We trust that they are doing their best for us and we trust that they are making sound decisions based on the information that they have. We are the members of C.A. that put our Trusted Servants into the positions that they hold now and we need to trust that they will look out for the best interest of C.A.
CA NewsGram, Second Quarter 2003, Vol. 19 No. 2 “Concept Ten, responsibility and authority“
In short this means that we have tried to make sure that at the group, conference and Trustee levels, authority is equal to responsibility. We have then tried to relate these levels to each other in such a way that this principle is maintained throughout.
This principle of ultimate authority runs through our entire structure. It is required because all our service affairs and activities have to look up to somewhere for final responsibility. Let us always make sure that there is an abundance of final or ultimate authority to correct or to reorganize. Let us be equally sure that all of our trusted servants at all levels have a clearly defined and adequate authority to do their daily work and discharge their clear responsibility. For more information on the concepts read the Twelve Concepts for World Service.
Clarifying Questions and Answers: and Answers:
Q: What is the first point Concept Ten speak about? A: The power of the conference and the ultimate authority of the group conscience that sits at the conference.
Q: What is the second point Concept Ten speak about? A: The necessity to allow our WSBT to manage the affairs of C.A., defend the principles and name of C.A., and keep in touch will all levels of C.A. to verify that they are all working on the business of C.A.
Q: What is the third point Concept Ten speak about? A: It gives the World Service Office the ability to work on a day to day basis on the needs of the fellowship as a whole.
Q: What is the fourth point Concept Ten speak about? A: Insists that the WSBT use their legal right to actively administer the affairs of C.A. as a whole. It allows the WSBT to place trusted servants into positions as needed.
Q: What does C.A. as a whole need be mindful and conscious about? A: Putting the best possible candidates into the positions of WSBT, Conference Officers and Delegates.
Q: What must we ensure in all C.A. leaders? A: That all of our trusted servants at all levels have a clearly defined and adequate authority to do their daily work and discharge their clear responsibility.
Discussion Questions:
- Describe the authority delegated to the Conference.
- At my home group, does this Concept mean that the chair may bar “undesirables” form attending meetings?
- Define “authority” and “responsibility” as they relate to this Concept, regarding my G.S.R., D.S.R., and Area Delegate.
- Why is delegation of authority so important in the overall effectiveness of C.A.?