Concept Eleven: While the Trustees hold final responsibility for C.A.’s world service administration, they should always have the assistance of the best possible standing committees and service boards, staffs and consultants. Therefore the composition of these underlying committees and service boards, the personal qualifications of their members, the manner of their induction into service, the system of their rotation, the way in which they are related to each other, the special rights and duties of our staffs and consultants, together with a proper basis for the financial compensation of these special workers will always be matters for serious care and concern.
Suggested Reading:
CA NewsGram, Third Quarter 2003, Vol. 19 No. 3 “Concept Eleven—Best possible ‘members’“
A few years ago Amy B. visited the UK and spoke to me about the World Service Conference and asking if the UK Area was sending a delegate that year. My response at that time was probably not, as “World” seemed so far away and that we didn’t really need “World”. Her response was that maybe “World” needed us. That was a turning point and I came to understand that we all needed to work together for the cogs to turn. This reminds me of the underlying message behind Concept Eleven, which is of co-operation and harmony with all the different service structures within our fellowship. We need each other for the continual growth and harmony of Cocaine Anonymous.
So, as with all the entire service structure, it goes back to the members and the groups to not only support but share world leadership and it is the responsibility of the members to put themselves up for service positions where they can help and bring their talents forward. How can members and groups do this?
To assist these members in getting to the conference and making up the committees that will bring forward plans for our growth in the coming years. This Concept speaks of getting the best qualified people for the positions not the most popular or who is left. This requires that available positions should be announced to the fellowship as a whole to maximize the process and help bring forward those who can serve the fellowship, always bearing in mind that ultimately God is in charge. In the Eleventh concept we are reminded of the need to have diverse skills that work together in the various service structures and to have the best qualified people working together. When I joined the World Service Board of Trustees, it seemed that I had so many questions as to what the role involved and fortunately they had a buddy system that I could go to, to get the answers and get properly inducted.
One of the items the WSBT has been actively compiling is Trustee Guidelines. This will hopefully help future Trustees and also those who may consider having their name on the slate for the TEC and knowing what will be expected of them.
We are so fortunate to have so many talented and committed members in our fellowship and part of our responsibility is in nurturing and helping them into service.
The conference is the heart-beat of Cocaine Anonymous and therefore it is essential that the delegates get to serve on committees that will get the maximum benefit from each person’s contribution. Equally it is important that the World Service Office Board has the same special skills and that office workers are compensated appropriately. If we want to retain the highest standards we must be prepared to pay our paid workers a fair and equitable salary — we need to be fully self supporting in all our affairs.
Finally, this concept speaks of the spirit of rotation — the more responsible the assignment the longer the term of service must be if we are to have effectiveness. Bill Wilson writes that for a trustee to be of any use whatever they must serve four years. Just like in the group, district or area level the spirit of rotation needs to be observed for the health of the groups, we have no leaders, it is equally so on the conference level. The health and well being of Cocaine Anonymous will also rest with bringing in new members who can bring their special skills so we can all work together.
Clarifying Questions and Answers:
Q: Who holds final responsibility for C.A.’s world service administration? A: The Trustees.
Q: How can the Trustees be best assisted in accomplishing this responsibility? A: They should always have the assistance of the best possible standing committees and service boards, staffs and consultants.
Q: Why is it essential for delegates to serve on WSC Committees? A: Those committees will get the maximum benefit from each person’s contribution.
Q: What is equally important for the World Service Office Board? A: People with special skills and that office workers are compensated appropriately.
Q: How does the spirit of rotation work at this level of service? A: The more responsible the assignment the longer the term of service must be if we are to have effectiveness.
Discussion Questions:
- What is the status of paid executives within C.A. and the NewGram? Who are the paid workers? How are they compensated?
- I their rotation among paid workers? If so, how does it work?
- Are paid workers permitted the “Right of Participation”? If so, why?