Concept Four: Throughout our Conference structure, we ought to maintain at all responsible levels a traditional “Right of Participation”, taking care that each classification or group of our world servants shall be allowed a voting representation in reasonable proportion to the responsibility that each must discharge.
Suggested Readings:
CA NewsGram, July-August, 1988, Vol. II No. 1 “Fourth Concept: The Right of Participation”
The Fourth Concept is the heart of our democratic process. It threads together three parts of our world service structure (WS Delegates, WSO, WSBT), and lays out a pattern that protects the “Right of Participation.” Concept Four is an opportunity to guide us through mistakes of anarchy and tyranny of self will. We can all relate to the unbridled compulsion to control events or manipulate others. Concept Four short circuts these tendencies because it is based upon the democratic principle that allows all classification of world servants to participate. C.A.’s growth depends upon the richness of our diversity. Concept Four allows a vital part of our fellowship to provide valuable input. This concept is not so much a reward system for trusted servants, but as a means for them to share their experience, strength and hope durning the conference. This alone ensures a broad spectrum of views being constantly introduced. Concept Four is the closest principle in C.A. that explains who may participate at the conference level. At the same time, it demonstrates how far C.A. has come and how far it has to go. Since the conference represents the closest thing we have to a governing body, who may participate becomes crucial. Prior to the adoption of the concepts, the WSC was conducted under little more than a rough interpretation of Roberts Rules of Order. Concept Four presents us with an opportunity to grow as a fellowship. It lays the ground work for the “Right of Participation” base upon the discharge of responsibilities as a trusted servant. Delegates, WSO Board of Directors, and WSBT are given not only a voice but a vote. This does not suggest that their discharge of responsibilities is supremely more important and therefore warrants special privileges; rather, it represents a beginning.
Clarifying Questions and Answers:
Q: What is the “Right of Participation”? A: The democratic principle that allows all classification of world servants to participate.
Q: Is there a spiritual reason underlying this Right? A: An opportunity to guide us through mistakes of anarchy and tyranny of self will. It ensures a broad spectrum of views being constantly introduced.
Q: Who may participate? A: The Right of Participation is based upon the discharge of responsibilities as a trusted servant. At the Conference level, Delegates, WSO Board of Directors, and WSBT are given not only a voice but a vote.
Q: Does this “Right of Participation” extended to C.A. Groups, Districts and Areas? A: Yes it does.
Discussion Questions:
- What is the “Right of Participation”? Is there a spiritual reason underlying this Right? What does “…in reasonable proportion…” mean?
- Do I expect that, because I’m a C.A. member, I should be allowed to vote in election at any group, even if I am not an active member of that group?
- Do I attend my home group’s business meetings regularly as a participant rather than an onlooker?