Concept Twelve: General Warranties of the Conference: (One) In all its proceedings, the World Service Conference shall observe the spirit of the C.A. Tradition, taking great care that the Conference never becomes the seat of perilous wealth or power; (Two) that the sufficient operating funds, plus an ample reserve, be its prudent financial principle; (Three) that none of the Conference members shall ever be placed in a position of unqualified authority over any of the others; (Four) that all important decisions be reached by discussion, vote, and whenever possible, by substantial unanimity; (Five) that no Conference action ever be personally punitive or an incitement to public controversy; (Six) that though the Conference may act for the service of Cocaine Anonymous, it shall never perform any acts of government; and that, like the Fellowship of Cocaine Anonymous which it serves, the Conference itself will always remain democratic in thought and action.
Suggested Readings:
The Twelve Concepts for World Service Illustrated p. 24
This Concept consists of the General Warranties of the General Service Conference. It is cast in stone; that is, although the door is open for alterations and changes in the other Concepts and points out that the rest of the Conference Charter “can be readily amended,” these General Warranties — like the Twelve Steps and the Twelve Traditions — be changed only by “written consent of three- quarters of all C.A. groups” in the world! These Warranties indicate the qualities of prudence and spirituality which the Conference should always possess…These are the permanent bonds that hold the Conference fast to the movement it serves.” The Warranties also express spiritual principles which apply to all other C.A. entities as well.
Clarifying Questions and Answers:
Q: Can the General Warranties, Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions and Twelve Concepts be changed or amended? A: Yes, but only by “written consent of three- quarters of all C.A. groups” in the world!
Q: What does the First General Warranty of the Conference ensure? A: Observe the spirit of the C.A. Tradition and that the Conference never becomes the seat of perilous wealth or power.
Q: What does the Second General Warranty of the Conference ensure? A: That the sufficient operating funds, plus an ample reserve, be its prudent financial principle.
Q: What does the Third General Warranty of the Conference ensure? A: Conference members shall ever be placed in a position of unqualified authority over any of the others.
Q: What does the Fourth General Warranty of the Conference ensure? A: All important decisions be reached by discussion, vote, and whenever possible, by substantial unanimity.
Q: What does the Fifth General Warranty of the Conference ensure? A: no Conference action ever be personally punitive or an incitement to public controversy.
Q: What does the Sixth General Warranty of the Conference ensure? A: Conference shall never perform any acts of government and the Conference itself will always remain democratic in thought and action.
Discussion Questions:
- How do we guard against becoming a “seat of perilous wealth or power?”
- How do we practice prudent use of our Seventh Tradition contributions and literature revenue?
- Do we insure the spiritual liberties of all C.A. members by not placing any member in the position of absolute authority over others?
- Do we try to reach important decisions by thorough discussion, vote and, where possible, substantial unanimity?
- As guardians of C.A.’s traditions, are we ever justified in being personally punitive?
- Are we careful to avoid public controversy?
- Do we always try to treat each other with mutual respect and love?