Concept One: The final responsibility and the ultimate authority for C.A. world services should always reside in the collective conscience of our whole Fellowship.
Suggested Reading:
CA NewsGram, First Quarter 2006, Vol. 23 No. 1 “Who is in charge”
C.A., like A.A., is run from the bottom up. Simply stated the final responsibility and ultimate authority resides with groups. It was, however, determined early on that a service board was needed to help reach the newcomer, be responsible for uniform publications and helping new groups get started. Concept One is rooted in Tradition Two: “For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority – a loving God as He may express himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.” The trusted servants selected to serve must always remember that they are entrusted with delegated responsibilities only. They should not work under their own personal agenda. This can be tricky at times, but if we pray for spiritual guidance and seek the trust of the groups we serve, there should be no issues. This is why it is important to choose trusted servants who will represent their groups and C.A. as a whole and not their own egos. Whatever service position in which we serve, there must be but one ultimate authority. Our collective conscience must be heard.
This also brings me to Tradition Twelve, which reminds me to place principles before personalities. Just because we are recovered and we strive for “progress not perfection”, we sometimes forget that our Higher Power is still the final word on all issues, especially in selection of trusted servants. We may want to “arrange” for someone to serve in a particular position because we like them or they are our friend. But, we must ask ourselves if they are the most qualified person to fill the position? Will their election serve the greater good of C.A. as a whole? Concept One prepares us for this decision.
This way of electing trusted servants allows us to walk hand-in-hand with our Higher Power and in this arena, we stand apart from other organizations.
Therefore, the responsibility of the groups is to ensure that their group conscience is being followed. This is best done by selecting trusted servants characterized by “enough enlightenment, enough responsibility, and enough love of others and of God to insure that our democracy of world service will work under all conditions.” We must trust in a God of our understanding, trust the process and trust our representatives.
CA NewsGram, First/Second Quarter 2005, Vol. 21 No. 1 “The Ultimate Authority”
Concept One ensures that the groups as a whole have a say in what goes on in C.A. Concept One goes right along with our Second Tradition. Everyone that is a member of a group has a say in what goes on in C.A. A collective conscience from every single C.A. member would of course take forever to be heard. C.A. has adopted A.A.’s world service structure, which makes millions of voices heard through you, its members. This happens every single year at the World Service Conference. Most Areas are represented there and all are welcome.
How do you get heard? First you should be a member of a group, and participate in your group conscience meetings. Your group should have a GSR, Group Service Representative, that attends the regular District and/or Area meetings. Your GSR takes reports to your group about the things happening in your District, Area, Region, and World Service. Your group should then vote on issues. Your GSR is now your groups voice and takes the group’s conscience back to the proper meeting and votes on the groups behalf. A collective conscience is then formed by your district or area.
Every area of C.A. has the right to send delegates to the World Service Conference. These delegates are elected in by group conscience …your groups. Delegates are now your voice at the World Service Conference. When a group conscience is taken at the district or area level, it is the responsibility of those delegates to take your group’s voice to the World Service Conference. A new group conscience is taken at the Conference and decisions are made on behalf of your area, district, and group by your delegate.
CA NewsGram, First Quarter 2004, Vol. 20 No. 1 “Cooperation through participation”
The heart of Concept One lies in the Fellowship of Cocaine Anonymous. It lies in the members that search out CA on a daily basis. In those who have a willingness to attend meetings, a desire to share their experience of the 12 Steps and the 12 Traditions. Passing on the wisdom and established experiences of the past and present, always mindful and open to the possibility of change and continuous education and progress through participation.
Concept One resides in the responsibility of the GSR. The GSR is accountable to the group, District and Area, acting as a trusted servant, reaffirming the group’s part in CA. It reveals itself through the group inventory being always mindful of how the group conscience is passed on and how it affects CA as a whole. It holds true in the representation of our Districts by DSR’s, and of our Areas by Delegates.
These trusted servants maintain responsible, respectable, and reliable efforts in serving. Their place in the ” upside-down pyramid” of service reflects the collective conscience of CA groups. Delegates and representatives of CA come together for the betterment of CA at the World Service Conference, voicing the concerns, needs and desires of the membership. Speaking on the behalf of the fellowship, each participating servant conducts CA business, acting with sincerity and honesty. The actions taken at the Conference perform services that the fellowship and or groups could not accomplish for themselves.
Bill W. calls it “…a spiritualized society characterized by enough enlightenment, enough responsibility, and enough love of others and God to insure that our democracy of world service will work…” A loving and caring God will reveal Himself through mutual trust and faith in one another.
Ultimately, with faith, God speaks through each and every member. With honesty, open mindedness and willingness, the true motives of each member is expressed with the desire to better CA as a whole for all. Together with God’s direction, we are trusted servants, we do not govern.
Clarifying Questions and Answers:
Q: Define the upside-down pyramid of C.A. How does it work? A: C.A., like A.A., is run from the bottom up. Simply stated the final responsibility and ultimate authority resides with groups.
Q: How does C.A. member’s voice get heard? A: First, you should be a member of a group, and participate in your group conscience meetings. Your group should then vote on the issues. Your GSR is now your group’s voice and takes the group’s conscience back to the proper meeting and votes on the groups behalf. A collective conscience is then formed by your district or area.
Q: Where does the the final authority and responsibility for C.A. reside? A: Concept One resides in the responsibility of the GSR. Your group should have a GSR, Group Service Representative, that attends the regular District and/or Area meetings. Your GSR takes reports to your group about the things happening in your District, Area, Region, and World Service.
Q: How is Concept One is rooted in Tradition Two? A: For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority – a loving God as He may express himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern—they are entrusted with delegated responsibilities only. They should not work under their own personal agenda. Whatever service position in which we serve, there must be but one ultimate authority. Our collective conscience must be heard.