DESCRIPTION: The World Services Board of Trustees (WSBT) has the broadest scope of any branch of our service structure. The responsibility of this Board is to help deal with anything that affects C.A. as a whole, either internally or externally. All things that may endanger the existence of our Fellowship or limit our growth are of concern to WSBT. The WSBT does NOT govern. Its nature is that of custodian only, providing guidance. The WSBT may consist of both addicts and non-addicts as may be needed for professional areas of expertise and to broaden our perspective. Its members are known as Trustees. The only interest of the Trustees is to serve the best interest of our Fellowship. They are given such authority by and through the World Service Conference. The WSBT, like the World Service Office, functions as an entity apart from the program. All actions by the WSBT are guided by the Traditions. The World Service Office is responsible to the WSBT. In order to perform their various functions, the WSBT utilizes a subcommittee system. The World Service Trustee is the primary signatory of all contracts negotiated by the Trustee Negotiation Committee.
C.A. World Service Manual 2020 Edition p. 53
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE WSBT SUBCOMMITTEES
These committees are composed of Trustees, Fellowship members, and if needed, a nonaddict. Members are selected on a “what they have to offer” basis. Internal structure of the WSBT is different from the rest of the service branches. The Trustees do not represent; they serve.
1. FINANCE
Participates in the review and oversight of all WSO financial matters; ensures compliance with existing guidelines and budgets of C.A. World Services.
2. LEGAL
On an ‘as needed’ basis, this committee investigates the legal implications of any business of C.A. World Services. This includes, but is not exclusive, to copyright, royalty and vendor licenses agreements. It is suggested that at least one member of this committee have some knowledge of legal matters.
3. WORLD SERVICE CONFERENCE
This committee, working with the WSO and the World Service Conference Committee, researches future venues for holding the World Service Conference. Also is responsible for bids and contract negotiations in collaboration with the Trustee Negotiating Committee. It is suggested that the World Service Trustee and the Pacific South Trustee sit on this committee. Note: this committee is only active every two years.
4. TRUSTEE NEGOTIATION
To assist the World Service Trustee by serving as a group conscience in the review of all contracts negotiated on behalf of Cocaine Anonymous, involving the amount of $500 USD or greater prior to engagement on the part of Cocaine Anonymous. A contract is defined as any signed document between Cocaine Anonymous and any other person(s) or business (es), that indicates a commitment of services or goods between the two defined entities.
5. TRUSTEE ELECTION
This committee coordinates and oversees the Trustee Election process. See Trustee Election Committee Guidelines for addition information.
6. LONG TERM PLANNING
To plan and guide the future of Cocaine Anonymous to insure that the addict that still suffers can receive the message of recovery. This committee is not limited in participation by current WSBT members and it is suggested that former Trustees be included in this committee.
7. ORIENTATION
To assist new members of the World Service Board of Trustees regarding the current matters being worked on by the WSBT, review the roles, responsibilities and guidelines for spending and subcommittee projects, board participation and meeting preparation and to serve as a point of contact for any questions regarding their new role as a member of the WSBT.
8. NEWSGRAM
To review all articles of the NewsGram for tradition violations prior to publication and distribution to the C.A. Fellowship. Work with the WSO, NewsGram Editor, Regional Trustees and designated NewsGram coordinators within the regions to generate articles, poems, anecdotes, etc. for the NewsGram. Topics should include those about; Steps, Traditions, and Concepts, C.A. Finances, Long Term Planning objectives, etc. It is suggested that the WSBT provide one article per quarter for submission to the NewsGram in addition to the Trustee Corner.
9. OUTREACH
To work with past members of the WSBT to elicit, on an as-needed basis, their assistance and experience, strength and hope on any of a variety of issues affecting C.A., including, without limitation, soliciting input from the fellowship as a whole on surveys, literature projects, fellowship growth, etc.
10. INTERNATIONAL STRUCTURE AND DEVELOPMENT
To examine structure trademarks, expansion, development, language issues across our fellowship internationally. The Officers of the WSBT are: Chairperson Vice-Chairperson Secretary
C.A. World Service Manual 2020 Edition 54-55
THE WORLD SERVICE BOARD OF TRUSTEES SERVICE STRUCTURE
PURPOSE: To ensure the continuation and growth of C.A.
FUNCTIONS:
a. To deal with matters, both inside and outside the Fellowship, which affect the continuation of C.A. growth.
b. The guardians of the Twelve Traditions.
c. To actively seek and encourage ways of carrying the message of recovery to the addict who still suffers.
MEMBERSHIP: All Trustees serve the fellowship as a whole. The number of Trustees serving at any time is limited to a maximum of 12 active Trustees serving the World Service Conference. At least three-quarters are to be addict Trustees. There are five types of Trustees: (1) World Service Trustee; (2) Regional Trustee; (3) World Service Office Trustee; (4) Trustee-at-Large; and (5) Non-Addict Trustee. Regional Trustee: Regional Trustees are from the various designated regions. While no Trustee can be said to represent a geographical section of the country or world, Regional Trustees bring an invaluable regional point of view to the WSBT. World Service Trustee: World Service Trustees are from an area within 125 miles of the World Service Office in California. World Service Office Trustee: The WSO Trustee is an active volunteer director, who is not already a Trustee, on the WSO Board of Directors. Non-Addict Trustee: Non-Addict Trustees are from the various designated Regions. Trustee-atLarge: The Trustee will be chosen from the eight regions of Cocaine Anonymous. Trustees at Large are chosen for their special experience, talents or background. They should: have the ability to be versatile, fill in positions where needed on various committees, attend regional caucuses/conventions, and be, in the purest sense, a servant to the entire Fellowship.
The WSBT may consist of the following:
- Regional Trustee 8
- World Service Trustee 1
- World Service Office Trustee 1
- Trustee-at-Large 2
- Non-Addict Trustee 1
QUALIFICATIONS of Addict Trustees:
1. Willingness to serve.
2. A commitment to service as shown by experience; working as a member of other C.A. service committees; and contributions to the continuation and growth of the Fellowship.
3. The time and resources necessary for active trusteeship.
4. A minimum of eight years of continuous abstinence from cocaine and all other mind-altering substances at the time of the election to the Regional slate.
5. A good working knowledge of the Twelve Traditions.
6. Has to have served as a voting member or committee chair at a prior WSC.
7. A working knowledge of the 12 Concepts and the Conference Charter.
Qualifications of Non-Addict Trustees:
1. Willingness to serve.
2. The time and resources necessary for active Trusteeship.
3. A knowledge of the Twelve Traditions.
4. A good understanding of the disease of addiction and the Twelve Step Program of Recovery.
WSBT MEETINGS
1. The Trustees shall hold regular meetings up to four times per year at the discretion of the WSBT.
2. Additional special meetings are held upon 60 percent of WSBT approval, whenever needed. Trustees will be notified by the Chairperson.
3. Attendance of at least 60 percent of the Trustees constitutes a quorum.
4. Each Trustee is expected to attend three out of four regular meetings. A Trustee who is unable to attend may be asked to resign.
5. Minutes are kept of all meetings.
6. A copy of the minutes is sent to:
a. Each Trustee;
b. The World Service Office;
c. Each Delegate and Area central office;
d. All Conference committee chairpersons;
e. All Conference officers.
The WSBT is an advisory board rather than a directive board. It is their responsibility to offer guidance to members, Groups, and service committees in matters concerning the Traditions or matters, which affect C.A. as a whole.
The Trustees do not have the authority to control C.A. or to change the nature of the Fellowship. Our Second Concept ensures that major policy decisions can only be made by the group conscience of the World Service Conference.
C.A. World Service Manual 2020 Edition 56-57