Section
02 The Group Conscience Process
Representation
Chart: Structure of CoDA
The Process of Determining a Group Conscience
Safety, Boundaries, and Respect in the Group Conscience Process
Disagreement, Mediation, and Resolution in Our Group Conscience Process
Empowerment to Serve
Section
04 Attracting Members
Community Outreach Package Introduction
Press Release
Welcoming Newcomers
Flyer for Bulletin Boards
Section
05 Commonly Asked Questions
What constitutes a CoDA Group?
How does our Group register with CoDA, Inc.?
What is a "Home Group," and why might I want one?
How can I let people know about our meeting?
Where do we get funds?
What is a "prudent reserve," and what do we do with excess
moneys collected?
Is there a limit to the amount an individual may donate to CoDA?
Can our group use the CoDA, Inc. Tax ID Number?
Does CoDA Inc. have an "umbrella" insurance policy that would
cover our meeting?
What should we do if the group disbands?
Section
07 The Community Service Structure
The Community Service Group or "Inter-Group"
Service Participation at the Community Service Group
Community Service Member
The Community Service Representative (CSR)
Alternate Community Service Representative
Section
08 Voting Entity Service
Voting Entity Service Structure
Voting Entity Structure Guidelines
Voting Entity Committees
Voting Entity Delegates
Alternate Delegates
Delegate Expenses
Voting Entity Delegate Term of Service
Section
09 CoDA, Inc. Service Structure
CoDA Service Structure
The CoDA Service Conference
Service Responsibility
CoDA Service Boards and Trustees
CoDA, Inc. Board Of Trustees Position Description
Application for Board of Trustees of Co-Dependents Anonymous, Inc.
CoDA Service Committees
List of the Board-Overseen Service Functions and Standing CoDA Committees
Committee Accountability
Incorporated CoDA Service Entities
Section
10 CoDA Committees and Board-Overseen Service Functions: Descriptions
and Roles
Board Overseen Service Functions
CoDA Website
Fellowship Services
CoDA Committees
CoDA Conference Committee
Convention Committee
Finance Committee
Issues Mediation Committee
CoDA Teen Committee
Hospitals and Institutions Committee
CoDA Literature Committee
Outreach Committee
Service Structure Committee
Translation Management Committee
Section
12 Guidelines for CoDA Communications
Communications Within All of CoDA
List of Affirmative Communication Actions
Communications From the Board: CoDA Quarterly Service Report (QSR) Guidelines
Guidelines For Developing An Area CoDA Website
Section
13 Conference Procedures
Guidelines for Business Meetings
Procedures
Conference Procedures (Revised 7/2000)
Conference Procedures Adopted In 1994
Guidelines for The Community Interactive Method
Community Problem Solving Method Of Decision Making: Sequence For Bringing
A Motion To Vote
Brainstorming and Formulating Recommendations
Speaking At Microphones
History of The Community Problem Solving or Interactive Decision Making
Method
Guidelines for Hosting a CoDA Service Conference
Guidelines for Hosting a CoDA Convention
Section
15 Forms
Group Registration Form
Contribution Form
Combination Meeting Changes/7th Tradition Contribution Form
About the Meeting's Phone List
Meeting Funds Record
Literature Order Form (instructions on how to order from CoRe.)
The Fellowship Service
Manual of Co-Dependents Anonymous Conference Approved August 2005
Section 01 Introduction
Purpose of this Manual
The purpose of this document is to provide a comprehensive description
of our service structure and to furnish spiritual guidelines for applying
the Twelve Traditions to our service work. It also provides an overview
and examples of the group conscience process.
Vision of the Fellowship
Tradition Five: Each group has but one primary purpose:
to carry its message to other codependents who still suffer.
CoDA is a Twelve Step program. The basis of our program
is the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Co-Dependents, Anonymous,
Inc. What all CoDA members share in common are these Twelve Steps and
Twelve Traditions. As a whole, CoDA has no opinion on outside books,
treatment programs, or therapies related to codependency. Some individuals
have found other things that assist in recovery, and each person is
free to explore as they chose. However, as a Fellowship, working the
Twelve Steps has worked for us, and this is what we do in CoDA. Our
common experience is that the Steps and Traditions have restored us
to sanity and healthy relationships. The vision of our Fellowship is
to develop and make available the recovery resources known as Co-Dependents
Anonymous. Through this effort, we provide support to the individual
seeking help, and continue to improve the quality of the recovery resources
we offer.
CoDA's Twelfth Step reads: "Having had a spiritual
awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message
to other codependents and to practice these principles in all our affairs".
As we begin to see the positive results of our participation
in CoDA, we feel a sense of serenity and gratitude for the gifts we
have received through our program. Our own recovery and growth become
examples of what our program has to offer. Through our outreach to the
codependent who still suffers, we give back to our program. CoDA was
there when we needed it, and, through our service, it will continue.
Our willingness to "carry the message" of experience, strength,
and hope helps the program of Co-Dependents Anonymous to continue on
and to grow in its ability to improve our lives and the lives of those
around us. Let us gratefully demonstrate what CoDA has to offer…through
our service.
We admitted we were powerless over others, that
our lives had become unmanageable.
Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves
could restore us to sanity.
Made a decision to turn our will and our lives
over to the care of God, as we understood God.
Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of
ourselves.
Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human
being the exact nature of our wrongs.
Were entirely ready to have God remove all these
defects of character.
Humbly asked God to remove our shortcomings.
Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became
willing to make amends to them all.
Made direct amends to such people wherever possible
except when to do so would injure them or others.
Continued to take personal inventory and, when
we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
Sought through prayer and meditation to improve
our conscious contact with God, as we understood God, praying only
for knowledge of God's will for us and the power to carry that out.
Having had a spiritual awakening as the result
of these steps, we tried to carry this message to other codependents
and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
"The Twelve Steps are reprinted and adapted with
permission of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. Permission to
reprint and adapt this material does not mean that AA has reviewed or
approved the content of this publication, nor that AA agrees with the
views expressed herein. AA is a program of recovery from alcoholism
only - use of the Twelve Steps in connection with programs and activities
which are patterned after AA, but which address other problems, does
not imply otherwise."
The 12 Steps of AA:
We admitted we were powerless over alcohol - that
our lives had become unmanageable.
Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves
could restore us to sanity.
Made a decision to turn our will and our lives
over to the care of God, as we understood Him.
Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of
ourselves.
Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human
being the exact nature of our wrongs.
Were entirely ready to have God remove all these
defects of character.
Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became
willing to make amends to them all.
Made direct amends to such people wherever possible,
except when to do so would injure them or others.
Continued to take personal inventory and when we
were wrong promptly admitted it.
Sought through prayer and meditation to improve
our conscious contact with God, as we understood Him, praying only
for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
Having had a spiritual awakening as the result
of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and to
practice these principles in all our affairs.
Our common welfare should come first; personal
recovery depends upon CoDA unity.
For our group purpose there is but one ultimate
authority: a loving Higher Power as expressed to our group conscience.
Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
The only requirement for membership in CoDA is
a desire for healthy and loving relationships.
Each group should remain autonomous except in matters
affecting other groups or CoDA as a whole.
Each group has but one primary purpose: to carry
its message to other codependents who still suffer.
A CoDA group ought never endorse, finance, or lend
the CoDA name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest
problems of money, property, and prestige divert us from our primary
spiritual aim.
Every CoDA group ought to be fully self-supporting,
declining outside contributions.
Co-Dependents Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional,
but our service centers may employ special workers.
CoDA, as such, ought never be organized; but we
may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those
they serve.
CoDA has no opinion on outside issues; hence, the
CoDA name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
Our public relations policy is based on attraction
rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity
at the level of press, radio, and films.
Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our
traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.
*The Twelve Traditions are reprinted and adapted with
permission of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. Permission to
reprint and adapt this material does not mean that AA has reviewed or
approved the content of this publication, nor that AA agrees with the
views expressed herein. AA is a program of recovery from alcoholism
only - use of the Twelve Traditions in connection with programs and
activities which are patterned after AA, but which address other problems,
does not imply otherwise.
The 12 Traditions of AA
Our common welfare should come first; personal
recovery depends upon A.A. unity.
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 only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire
to stop drinking.
Each group should be autonomous except in matters
affecting other groups of A.A. as a whole.
Each group has but one primary purpose--to carry
its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
An A.A. group ought never endorse, finance, or
lend the A.A. name to any related facility or outside enterprise,
lest problems of money, property, and prestige divert us from our
primary purpose.
Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting,
declining outside contributions.
Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional,
but our service centers may employ special workers.
AA, as such, ought never be organized; but we may
create service boards or committees directly responsible to those
they serve.
Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside
issues; hence, the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
Our public relations policy is based on attraction
rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity
at the level of press, radio, and films.
Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our
traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.
Twelve Service Concepts of Co-Dependents Anonymous
The members of the Fellowship of Co-Dependents
Anonymous, in carrying out the will of a loving Higher Power, advance
their individual recoveries, work to insure the continuance of their
groups and their program, and carry the message to codependents who
still suffer. They may also collectively authorize and establish service
boards or committees and empower trusted servants to perform service
work.
The Fellowship of CoDA has the responsibility of
determining, through its group conscience, the service work to be
performed, and the best manner to perform such work. This authority
is expressed through our group conscience. Authority carries responsibility;
thus, CoDA groups conscientiously provide adequate funding and support
for the service work they authorize.
Decisions about service work in the Fellowship
and all CoDA affairs are made through the group conscience decision
making process. For this spiritual democratic process to work, every
member of the group is encouraged to participate, consider all the
facts and options concerning the issue, listen respectfully to all
opinions expressed, then reflect and meditate to find a loving Higher
Power's will. Finally, we deliberate honestly and respectfully to
determine the proper course of action. Unanimity in the group is the
desired outcome; a majority vote is a group conscience.
All those who volunteer to do service work for
CoDA by serving on committees, boards, or corporations are trusted
servants, not authority figures. Ideally, trusted servants volunteer
out of a desire to follow their Higher Power's will, out of gratitude
for the gifts they have received from CoDA, out of a desire to grow
in their ability to create and keep healthy relationships, and to
contribute what they can of themselves to CoDA. The Fellowship recognizes
the need to select the most qualified people willing to serve as trusted
servants. At times, trusted servants may hire individuals outside
of the Fellowship for commercial services.
Trusted servants are directly responsible to those
they serve and are bound to honor the group conscience decision making
process and uphold those decisions concerning their service work.
The Fellowship also recognizes the need and right for members to honor
their own experience, strength, and hope and their Higher Power's
will as expressed to them. When the group conscience violates an individual's
own truth and makes participation impossible, the individual may relinquish
the service position.
The Fellowship guarantees trusted servants the
right and authority to freely make decisions commensurate with their
responsibilities and the right to participate in group conscience
decisions affecting their responsibilities. Each CoDA member is also
guaranteed the right to respectfully dissent during the group conscience
decision making process. A member may freely and safely express any
personal grievances as long as no particular person or group is unexpectedly
singled out as the subject of the grievance. Members are encouraged
to honor their own integrity as well as the integrity of others.
Trusted servants do practice the Twelve Steps and
Twelve Traditions in their service work and in all of their affairs.
Trusted servants do not seek power, prestige, wealth, status, or acclaim;
do not govern, coerce, or attempt to control others; and do not push
a personal agenda, promote controversy, or advance outside issues
at CoDA's expense. Since issues over authority, will, money, property,
and prestige can and do arise in service work, trusted servants need
to practice emotional sobriety, including anonymity, humility, tolerance,
gratitude, making amends, and forgiveness.
The CoDA Service Conference (Conference), through
its group conscience decision making process, guides the Fellowship
in making policy decisions and in following the Twelve Steps and Twelve
Traditions. The Conference, though providing guidelines, holds no
authority over the decision making process of individual groups. The
group conscience process is our decision making process. Failure to
honor this process may violate Traditions One and Four and a sanction
may be imposed. The harshest sanction Conference can impose on an
individual or group is to no longer recognize it as belonging to CoDA;
this sanction may only be imposed on those who consistently violate
the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, as determined by guidelines
accepted by Conference.
By tradition, the CoDA Service Conference gives
responsibilities to working committees composed of Conference Delegates
and other CoDA volunteers or to separate service boards or corporations.
All are directly responsible to the Conference. The scope of the work
a committee does is determined by the Conference group conscience.
The chairperson of each committee assumes the responsibility to ensure
the work assigned to the committee is completed in a timely manner.
When the CoDA Service Conference is in session,
the CoDA Board of Trustees is directly responsible to the Conference.
When not in session, the Conference assigns its decision-making authority
on material matters to the Trustees. The Board of Trustees is authorized
to monitor the work of Conference-appointed service committees and
may provide assistance or guidelines when necessary. The Trustees
serve as the board of directors of CoDA, Inc., the non-profit corporation,
are assigned custodial control of all money and property held in trust
for the Fellowship, and are responsible for prudent management of
its finances.
The powers of the CoDA Service Conference derive
from the pre-eminent authority of the group conscience decision-making
process. Arizona State law gives the Board of Trustees legal rights
and responsibilities to act for the Fellowship in certain situations.
CoDA, Inc.'s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws are legal documents
enumerating these Board rights and responsibilities.
The Fellowship strives to practice and encourage
spiritual principles in all its material, financial, and business
affairs, including fairness, equality, and respect for individual
rights. Every member within CoDA has a voice and is encouraged to
use it. Every member has the right to know what is happening within
our organization. To honor this right, and in the spirit of CoDA unity,
our CoDA, Inc. organization publishes and distributes group conscience
decisions, such as minutes of our service boards and motions from
our CoDA Service Conferences, in the most inclusive and timely manner
possible.
The Fellowship Service
Manual of Co-Dependents Anonymous Conference Approved August 2005
Section 02
The Group Conscience Process
Representation
The spiritual structure of CoDA is based on Tradition Two: "For
our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority: a loving Higher
Power as expressed to our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted
servants; they do not govern." By polling our group conscience,
we seek guidance from our Higher Power and make decisions affecting
our groups, our service boards, and our committees.
We call this "group conscience decision making.”
This is sometimes new to people entering the program, and some have
difficulty understanding and adapting to this process because of its
"non-governing" style. It can be a lengthy process requiring
patience.
Many of us are more familiar with "hierarchies.”
Imagine a hierarchy as a pyramid. The people at the top of the pyramid
have power, and it flows down from them through various levels. By the
time power reaches those at the bottom of the pyramid, it is so diluted
that the people at the bottom have little power at all. CoDA is about
self-empowerment, so a hierarchical system cannot adhere to our Steps,
Traditions, and spiritual principles.
CoDA structure is an inverted pyramid. The broad pyramid
top represents the members of CoDA, and authority, power, and direction
resides with them. Members of groups may exercise power through the
group conscience. Authority and power flow down to and thru a groups
trusted servants and area Intergroup (or community service groups),
then on to the Voting Entity’s (VE) Intergroup and the VE's delegates
and eventually to the bottom of the pyramid. At the bottom, we find
our CoDA, Inc. boards, committees and service corporations.
The group conscience process is used to make decisions
at all levels of CoDA. The home group typically has a monthly business
meeting to discuss issues affecting the group such as how to address
crosstalk, what literature to buy, how to welcome newcomers, etc. A
group conscience may also be asked for during a regular meeting, if
a decision is needed right away and can’t wait for the regular
business meeting. Anyone may ask for a group conscience at anytime during
a CoDA meeting, if and when immediate attention is needed to ensure
the safety of an individual or the group, or to uphold the CoDA Traditions.
The group conscience process is also used to make
decisions that affect CoDA as a whole and to elect trusted servants
to carry out those decisions. The process of electing trusted servants
begins with the group meeting. Each home group meeting may select a
group service representative (GSR) to represent that group at Intergroup.
The Intergroup (community, area, country, state, regional) elects delegates
to represent them at CoDA, Inc. meetings. The GSR carries the group
conscience of the home group meeting to Intergroup. Intergroup holds
a group conscience and decides whether the item will proceed to CoDA,
Inc., or the next level.
At the Country, State and Regional or other Voting
Entity levels, group and community representatives select trusted servants
to serve the members of that Voting Entity. Group representatives also
select Delegates to represent them and carry their group conscience
to the CoDA Service Conference, which is held annually. Each Voting
Entity may send two Delegates to this Conference, which is the annual
business meeting of CoDA. At the CoDA Service Conference, Delegates
carry the group conscience of those they represent. Delegates also work
together to make decisions dealing with CoDA Inc., and select trusted
servants who will serve our Fellowship.
Chart: Structure of CoDA
The Process of Determining a Group Conscience
Decisions at all levels of CoDA are made with the
guidance of our Higher Power as expressed through the Twelve Traditions.
Particularly useful are Tradition One: "Our common welfare should
come first. Personal recovery depends upon CoDA Unity." and Tradition
Two: "For our group purpose there is but one authority—a loving
Higher Power as expressed to our group conscience. Our leaders are but
trusted servants; they do not govern.” Thus as with all our recovery,
group conscience is about putting aside the "self" and looking
to Higher Power for guidance
To begin the group conscience process, members present
raise issues or items of business. Our goal is to reach agreement on
the items presented. The meeting is opened to discussion by the chair/facilitator.
When discussion ends, we determine the group conscience by taking a
vote. A majority determines the group conscience.
Using a group conscience process is similar to "consensus-based
decision making.” The primary difference is that in CoDA, people
who participate share their strength, hope, and experience with one
another in an effort to determine what is best for everyone in the Fellowship
as a whole. We consciously invite our Higher Power to guide and direct
us, individually and collectively. We grow in our recovery by putting
aside the need to be right while making a decision for the good of CoDA
in a spiritual process.
We seek to avoid campaigning in order to gain a win
for "our" solution. A group conscience decision grows out
of the combined wisdom invested in the whole group. With the help of
our Higher Power, we open our minds to all view points presented and
then vote for the one we see as best for CoDA. We work to keep “personalities
and prestige” from becoming involved. For instance, the voice and
wisdom of someone with six months of experience is of as much weight
and value as that of someone with ten years of recovery. Finally, be
warned that an individual's need for acceptance and approval may circumvent
the spiritual process. It isn't Higher Power's will that we go along
to get along.
In CoDA, everyone is encouraged to share experience,
strength, and hope with each other. We may engage in assertive presentation
of our point of view, but we draw a boundary against aggressive persuasion,
name-calling, or arm-twisting of people to vote a certain way. If a
position is that of our Higher Power, it will naturally attract others.
Sometimes a person may invoke the "Right of Dissenting
Opinion." This means that even a minority of one, favoring or opposing
an issue, has a right to be heard. Only individual(s) who actively participated
in the decision making without circumventing the process can offer a
dissenting opinion. At a meeting, it means a person has the right to
express a dissenting opinion before the members vote. In the CoDA Fellowship,
it means that a member, group of members, or a committee may request
the distribution of a dissenting opinion in writing in order to be "heard"
by the Fellowship.
In conclusion, while every person has the right to
express opinions, the group conscience determines a particular course
of action. We demonstrate our openness to the will of Higher Power by
accepting that decision even when we may disagree with it.
Safety, Boundaries, and Respect in the Group Conscience
Process
During the group conscience process, it is important that we all practice
our program by balancing patience with assertion. We respect the boundaries
of others and expect the same consideration. We assume responsibility
for our behavior and accept accountability for our actions.
A time limit on speaking is an example of an appropriate
boundary when made by group decision. The group may place a time limit
on how long a person may speak to an issue, limit the number of times
a one may speak on the issue, and determine how to seek clarification
from members. If a member would like additional speaking time, that
member may request it, and all members take a group conscience poll
for resolution.
Before a group conscience is started in a home group
meeting or service committee, it may be helpful to allow each member
time to speak. Each member shares his or her name, an explanation of
what the member hopes the group will accomplish, and the member's willingness
to accept group conscience decision. Members may also choose to tell
of a personal experience that pertains to the subject under discussion.
This builds safety and trust within the group and reinforces CoDA’s
spiritual principles.
Sometimes there may be a real or perceived conflict
of interest regarding a member's participation on a particular subject.
To be respectful of a member's integrity and boundaries, the member
should have an opportunity to abstain from voting.
We are all at different places in our program, and
many in CoDA service work are still working the CoDA Steps and Traditions
to understand themselves. Some members may unconsciously act out, responding
with anger and hostility. By practicing loving tolerance of each other’s
opinions, we may receive the ultimate reward of our program: spiritual
growth.
Disagreement, Mediation, and Resolution in Our
Group Conscience Process
When we disagree, we express ourselves in non-personal, non-shaming
ways. We do not attack an individual's point of view. Instead, we accept
what the person says as true for them. In turn, we respectfully express
our differing point of view. In this manner, we can share our experiences
in a constructive way.
During the group conscience process, we reveal our
commitment to CoDA by assuming responsibility for our behavior and accepting
accountability for our actions. If we slip back into codependent attitudes
and behaviors during this process, we admit it and make amends to those
we have harmed. Thus, we gain a greater understanding of our Twelve
Steps, Twelve Traditions, and CoDA’s spiritual principles.
Occasionally, a member may engage in unsafe behavior
by not respecting the boundaries of others, or someone may perceive
that to happen. In such a situation, any member may call for a "time
out" or "thirty seconds." During a time out or thirty
seconds, everyone ceases talking and spends time seeking guidance from
Higher Power. At the end of the thirty seconds, someone calls "time,”
and members may choose to end the silence with the Serenity Prayer.
If a time out does not eliminate the contentious behavior,
it may be appropriate to ask for a group conscience decision on whether
a person's behavior is threatening and offensive. If the group decides
that the person is engaging in detrimental or disruptive behavior, it
can hold that person accountable by requesting that such behavior stop.
Persons so cited are encouraged to work Steps Four and Ten, and act
according to personal truth. Then, another group conscience may be requested
to re-establish safety and CoDA unity.
If the contentious behavior does not stop, then mediation
may be in order. Two or more people (to avoid allegations of impropriety,
one person can be of the same gender as the member) may meet privately
with the offending member. They will explain why the attitude and/or
behavior is unacceptable in CoDA.
If mediation fails to resolve the problem, and an
individual continues to behave in an offensive manner, the group can
decide (through a group conscience decision), to suspend that individual's
speaking privileges or even voting privileges. In extreme cases, the
group may ask the individual to leave the meeting. Each person's right
to attend meetings is guaranteed by Traditions Three, Five, and Twelve.
Violations of the rights and boundaries of a meeting dishonors Tradition
One that says, “Our common welfare should come first; personal
recovery depends upon CoDA unity.” An individual may lose the rights
and privileges accorded to them by that group for committing such violations.
Occasionally, a situation arises where a trusted servant
in a position of responsibility acts irresponsibly in performance of
their duties or acts in a manner contrary to our program's principles.
If so, the appropriate group, state, community, or regional Assembly
may call for a group conscience decision to replace that individual.
In such cases, the individual(s) affected should be notified of the
meeting and allowed to participate in the process. A record of all actions
should be maintained by the appropriate secretary and should be made
available to any CoDA member upon written request.
Groups, community committees, and state or regional
Assemblies do not establish CoDA policy. This is the responsibility
of the CoDA Service Conference. When a conflict is referred to the group,
community, state, or regional committee, they may help the conflicting
members to explore the guidance offered by our Twelve Traditions.
In summary, the first step in resolving a conflict
is for the individuals involved to attempt resolution between themselves.
If this is not possible, the next step is for them to ask their home
group for guidance or mediation. If this proves unsuccessful, the next
step is to seek guidance from the local community service group. Beyond
this, the state or regional Assembly may be contacted for assistance.
As a final step, and only when necessary, members may seek guidance
from our CoDA service structure by requesting assistance from the Issues
Mediation Committee (see Section 10). It is recommended that individuals
contact their state Delegates for assistance in forwarding the request
to this CoDA Service Committee.
By seeking resolution in this sequence, we respect
our Traditions and allow our program to work.
The Limits of Autonomy: When a Group Conscience Decision
Affects Other Groups or CoDA as a Whole
Our Fourth Tradition reminds us that “Each group
should remain autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or
CoDA as a whole.” The decision making process of each group, including
meeting groups and service groups, is independent and self-directed.
However, if their group conscience decision affects other groups or
CoDA as a whole, then that effect needs to be considered. The Steps,
Traditions or will of the Fellowship as expressed by decisions made
at CoDA Service Conference cannot simply be suspended by group conscience
decision in the meeting or service group.
If a group does not agree with the interpretation
of a Step or Tradition or the application of a CSC decision, they may
want to present their concerns to their Intergroup assembly in order
to formulate an Intergroup’s issue, or they may want to discuss
their concerns with the Board of Trustees. In some cases, if direct
resolution proves difficult, it may be useful to consult the Issues
Mediation Committee.
Sometimes a CoDA member or group may perceive that
their group or CoDA as a whole is being adversely affected by the group
conscience decision of another group (meeting or service). The methods
described in the section “Disagreement, Mediation, and Resolution
in Our Group Conscience Process” (see above) can be applied to
groups as well as individuals. First talk to the group and try to resolve
the problem directly. If unsuccessful, seek guidance as described above.
Empowerment to Serve
Trusted servants at any level of service are empowered to serve their
group or committee through the process of group conscience. Those who
volunteer to serve are invested with the responsibility to act for the
group or committee through this process, remembering that the ultimate
authority is “a loving Higher Power as expressed to our group conscience.”
The Fellowship Service
Manual of Co-Dependents Anonymous Conference Approved August 2005
Section 03
The CoDA Group
CoDA Meetings
The sense of community and belonging, which
are the gifts of our program, begin at the group meeting level. The
CoDA community uses the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, which are
the foundation for our program, and are guides to our personal behavior
and attitudes. They teach us to be respectful and honorable with one
another.
A CoDA meeting is much more than a place to
sit and tell your troubles, it is a place to meet people like yourself
and to learn from those who are different from you; a place to interact
with people focused on learning to have healthy and loving relationships.
A CoDA meeting is a group of people who come
together around their shared desire for healthy and loving relationships.
The meeting uses the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Co-Dependents
Anonymous as the basis for working toward recovery. It is a place to
find sponsorship and fellowship as well as the sharing of experience,
strength, and hope. A strong sense of acceptance and community makes
a meeting attractive both to the newcomer and old timer.
CoDA meetings remain strong and have the ongoing
participation of long-term members when they demonstrate the qualities
of acceptance and community. Members are encouraged to carry on fellowship
outside of the meeting by going to coffee afterwards or working with
a community committee to plan community events such as picnics, potlucks,
campouts, or other events.
Some Different Types of CoDA Meetings
Speaker Meeting: This type of meeting features a personal story of recovery
shared by one individual. Speakers share their personal experience,
strength, and hope in the program. The meeting may or may not include
open sharing after the speaker, depending on the length of story shared.
Open Share Meeting: This type of meeting often
has no topic or individual speaker, giving members an opportunity to
share their experience, strength, and hope on their recovery as they
wish.
Topic Share Meeting: This type of meeting opens
with the facilitator or a member of the group suggesting a specific
topic, i.e., the Steps, setting boundaries, sponsorship, etc. The facilitator
will usually begin the sharing.
Step or Tradition Study Meeting: In this style
of meeting, the group uses our Conference Endorsed CoDA literature and/or
the CoDA Book as a foundation for study, discussion, or sharing related
to CoDA's Steps and /or Traditions. For example: the group may elect
to read a portion of this material out loud and then have an open sharing
session.
“Open” and “Closed” Meetings
A CoDA meeting may be "open.” This means that anyone can attend.
“Anyone” means codependents, non-codependents, students, or
representatives of other organizations (including the media), etc. (It
is expected, and may be specifically asked, that all such visitors agree
to respect our need for anonymity and confidentiality.)
A “closed” group, however, is a group
attended only by people who are codependent or think they may be codependent.
Newcomers who think they may be codependent can attend a closed meeting.
A closed group may be “restricted.”
For example, a meeting may be listed as “closed - women.”
In this example, only women who are codependent (or believe they may
be codependent) may attend this meeting.
However, in respecting the spirit of Traditions
One, Three, and Five, we honor one exception. No member of our Fellowship
shall be turned away from even a closed or restricted meeting, if there
is no other meeting available to this person.
Crosstalk
In our meetings, we speak about our own experience, and we listen without
comment to what others share. We work toward taking responsibility for
our own lives, rather than giving advice to others. This is why crosstalk
is strongly discouraged during our meetings. Crosstalk guidelines help
keep our meetings a safe place. For more information, please refer to
the Newcomer’s Handbook. Examples of crosstalk may include, but
are not limited to:
Giving unsolicited feedback
Advising
Answering
Making "you" and "we"
statements
Interrogating
Debating
Criticizing
Controlling
Dominating
Minimizing another person’s feeling
or experiences
Physical contact / touch
Body movements such as nodding one’s
head or other gestures
Thinking about starting a new CoDA meeting?
Consider the following.
Where
Meetings can be held almost anywhere. Try area
churches, synagogues, counseling centers, hospitals, or places where
other groups hold meetings.
When
Based on a time that's best for you to serve,
choose the day and time of the week you want to hold the new meeting.
Rent
It's important that rent (no matter how small)
be paid for the meeting place. In this way, we honor our Seventh Tradition:
Every CoDA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside
contributions.
Since you won't know how large a meeting will
be at the start, try to keep rent to a minimum. Rent may be a percentage
of the meeting's collection, a monthly or quarterly fee, or anything
to which you and your landlord agree. Some places let you use the space
more as a courtesy than as a revenue source, so don't be afraid to negotiate.
At the same time, don’t abuse their generosity.
Help
Ask for help, especially in the beginning. Invite
people from other meetings to help you get the new meeting going. It
helps to have several people present when newcomers show up. And be
sure to post a sign at the new meeting location each week so that people
can find your room easily.
Announce
Let people know about the new meeting. Visit
other meetings with the necessary information (e.g., date, time, directions
and/or a map). Place announcements in counseling centers and hospitals.
Some local newspapers publish meeting notices at no charge. Just remember
the Eleventh Tradition: Our public relations policy is based on attraction
rather than promotion. As people see the announcements and hear about
the meeting, they will come.
Format
After a few initial meetings, take a group conscience
to choose a meeting format. Several different types of meeting formats
exist:
Speakers Meeting: A speaker meeting features
one individual's story of recovery. Speakers share their experience,
strength, and hope with the group. Depending on the length of the individual's
story, the meeting may or may not include open sharing after the speaker
has shared.
Open Share Meeting: The open share meeting often
has no topic or individual speaker. This gives group members an opportunity
to share their experience, strength, and hope on any subject of their
recovery.
Topic Share Meeting: The topic share meeting
opens with a facilitator or group member suggesting a specific topic
(e.g., the Steps, setting boundaries, sponsorship, etc.). The facilitator
usually begins the sharing.
Step Meeting: The Step meeting makes use of
our CoDA conference approved literature or the CoDA Book. The group
may elect to read a portion of the material out loud before open sharing.
Structure
After the first meeting or two, it's best to
reach a consensus on the structure of the new meeting. Note that this
can always be changed at a future business meeting. Some questions may
include: What guidelines will be used for sharing? How might the meeting
deal with crosstalk? How will newcomers, literature, and other issues
be handled? When will regular business meetings take place? The New
Meeting Starter Packet (below) provides information and guidelines.
New Meeting Starter Packet
CoDA has a New Meeting Starter Packet, which includes a meeting format that can be adapted to individual meeting needs. CoDA recommends that every meeting have a copy of this packet. It contains the basic documents that support CoDA unity and can be downloaded for free from the CoDA website, www.coda.org. The CoDA Literature Order Form, also available on CoDA's web site, can be used to order the Meeting Starter Packet as well. The charge is $7.00. The contact information for ordering CoDA literature is:
Once you receive the New Meeting Starter Packet,
you will need to register to become a CoDA meeting. In addition to a
suggested meeting format, the packet contains all the forms you will
need to apply for a registration number. Once you have an official number,
the meeting will be listed in the CoDA Meeting Directory. If you have
a Voting Entity organization or Intergroup, tell them about your new
meeting so that it can be added to that community’s meeting lists
as well.
CoDA Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions
Just as the Twelve Steps offer guidance for
maintaining healthy relationships, our Twelve Traditions offer guidance
for maintaining healthy meetings. The CoDA Book contains commentary
on all the Steps and Traditions. Also, a helpful Fellowship Service
Manual is available. Rely on the wisdom embodied in the Steps and Traditions.
Keep in mind that trusted servants take direction from the Fellowship.
A group conscience can be a powerful tool.
Jobs
Define what tasks must be done, such as:
Key Holder: The key holder lets people in and
locks up after the meeting.
Chair/Meeting Leader: The chair/meeting leader
runs the meeting.
Treasurer: The treasurer holds all Seventh
Tradition donations, pays rent, and sends excess funds beyond a prudent
reserve to the local Intergroup, Voting Entity and/or CoDA, Inc.
Secretary: The secretary takes notes at business
meetings and keeps records.
Literature Person: The literature person orders
and keeps track of the group's CoDA literature.
Phone Contact Person: The phone contact person
responds to inquiries from people asking about the group.
Group Service Representative (GSR): The GSR
is elected by the group to represent the meeting's group conscience
to Intergroup, Voting Entity and CoDA Service Conference. Since GSRs
act as liaisons to CoDA as a whole, they are also known as contact persons
Growth
In the beginning, people may be called to do
service work in more than one job. This is okay on a temporary basis,
but may cause "burn out" or resentments over the long term.
Jobs in CoDA are usually rotated to prevent "burn out." Job
rotation also supports the concept that each meeting depends on all
who attend. Let different volunteers perform each task, rotate positions
regularly, and limit terms of service. More information about trusted
servants can be found in the Bylaws and the Fellowship Service Manual.
New Meeting Starter Packet.
If at any time the group wants help or support
(or has questions), call your local Intergroup, Voting Entity, or email
Outreach Committee at outreach@coda.org. Our Higher Power will surely
make available a member experienced in service, with whom you may consult
Higher Power is present at all Fellowship meetings.
The Fellowship Service
Manual of Co-Dependents Anonymous Conference Approved August 2005
Section 04
Attracting Members
Our Eleventh Tradition reminds us that our public
relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion. We do
not advertise in the traditional sense in that we do not push for everyone
to join CoDA. We do not pay celebrity sponsors to speak on our behalf.
We do not tell people why they should join up. Instead, we let the program
speak for itself. We let people know we are here and then we let them
decide for themselves if they want to participate.
The Community Outreach Package Introduction provides
an overview of the principles and the process of how to let the community
know about your CoDA meeting.
The Press Release is a form consisting of two press
releases that can be used to announce your meeting in your local newspaper.
Attending one’s first meeting can be scary. In
order to help address those fears and encourage the newcomer to keep
coming back, Welcoming Newcomers offers a list of suggestions for communicating
to the newcomer that they are welcome and included.
The Flyer for Bulletin Boards can be individualized
with your meeting and contact person information and posted to announce
your meeting.
Community Outreach Package Introduction
TO: CoDA Members
FROM: National Service Conference
RE: Community Outreach Package - to help increase
membership in your area
The Objective:
The goal is to "carry the message". This
Twelfth Step work means, in part, to get information about CoDA and
CoDA meetings out into your community, so the information is available
to other codependents who still suffer. When your meeting is listed
in your local newspaper, and area mental health professionals know about
CoDA, more people can learn about CoDA.
Suggested Actions:
1) Newspaper Announcement Form - Fill this out and
send it to your local paper to have your meeting listed.
2) Mail the following information to therapists,
hospitals, help-lines, libraries, community centers, and colleges etc,
within a 5-10 minute radius of your meeting. Check your phone book for
possible nearby locations.
“What is CoDA?” pamphlet.
Subscription form for a complimentary copy
of a local CoDA newsletter. Offer to mail complimentary quarterly
mailings to all professionals. A quarterly mailing might include the
local CoDA newsletter, updated meeting lists, and flyers about upcoming
events.
CoDA flyer with meeting information “tear-aways.”
3) Hang the CoDA flyer with meeting information “tear-aways”
in your community. Some suggestions for locations: churches, supermarkets,
community bulletin boards, libraries, doctor’s offices. Remember
to ask permission first.
Any Questions:
Please call a member of the CoDA Board of Trustees,
a State Delegate, or the Outreach Committee.
Call (602) 277-7991, or email board@coda.org or outreach@coda.org
Community outreach is a way to implement our Twelfth
Step and Fifth Tradition, that a CoDA group "has but one primary
purpose - to carry its message to other Co-Dependents who still suffer.”
These suggestions are within the guidelines of Tradition Eleven, which
states, “Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather
than promotion….”
Press Release
To CoDA members,
This announcement form is in keeping with our 11th
Tradition, which states, "our public relations policy is based
upon attraction rather than promotion." You may use this form to
notify newspapers about your meeting.
Press Release:
Co-Dependents Anonymous (CoDA) Meeting Information
Co-Dependents Anonymous (CoDA) is a Twelve Step Fellowship
of men and women whose common purpose is recovery from codependence
and the development and maintenance of healthy relationships.
The CoDA meeting in the area meets:
On_____________________________ at __________am/pm
(Day and Time)
At _______________________________________________________
(Location and Address)
For further information contact: _____________________________________
at (____) _____ - ________________________
CoDA is a non-profit organization
supported by the voluntary contributions of attending members.
Welcoming Newcomers In CoDA Meetings
Put up a sign in the building that indicates where
the meeting is.
Welcome newcomers. Include a statement in the format
about when they can ask questions (after the meeting? during a break?)
Give each newcomer a Newcomer's Handbook or "Welcome"
chip or What is CoDA? pamphlet.
Explain the "no crosstalk" custom as
part of your meeting format every week.
Suggest that newcomers try several meetings before
deciding if CoDA is right for them.
Make an effort to say something to a newcomer.
If your meeting's members go out after the meeting
for coffee or a meal, announce at the end of the meeting that everybody
is welcome.
Have meeting lists and phone lists available.
Phone contact for meeting returns calls promptly.
Each group has but one primary purpose - to carry
its message to other codependents who still suffer.
~Tradition Five
The Twelve Traditions are reprinted and adapted with
permission of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. Permission to
reprint and adapt this material does not mean that AA has reviewed or
approved the content of this publication, nor that AA agrees with the
views expressed herein. AA is a program of recovery from alcoholism
only - the use of the Twelve Traditions in connection with programs
and activities which are patterned after AA, but which address other
problems, does not imply otherwise.
Co-Dependents Anonymous
(CoDA)
A Twelve Step self-help
program for Co-Dependents
Characteristics of Codependence
Co-Dependents typically:
Assume responsibility for other people's feelings
Are not aware of how they feel and cannot identify
their feelings
Tend to minimize, alter, or even deny the truth
about how they feel
Tend to fear or worry about how others may respond
to their feelings
Bolster their self-esteem by trying to solve other
people's problems
Look to other people to determine what to do, say
or feel
Focus their attention on pleasing another person
Have difficulty acknowledging good things about
themselves
Tend to judge everything they say or do harshly,
by someone else's standards
Have difficulty in forming and/or maintaining close
relationships with others
Have to feel needed in order to have a relationship
with others
Do not know or believe that asking for help
is both OK and normal
The Fellowship Service
Manual of Co-Dependents Anonymous Conference Approved August 2005
Section 05
Commonly Asked Questions
What constitutes a CoDA Group?
A CoDA group is composed of two or more individuals
whose purpose in meeting is a desire for healthy relationships. A group
applies the principles of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, as
adapted for our purpose from Alcoholics Anonymous. A CoDA group reads
CoDA's Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, and the copyrighted “Welcome”
and “Preamble” as they are written. These readings, along
with the availability of CoDA Service Conference Endorsed literature
at your meeting, help to support a sense of CoDA unity as called for
in CoDA's First Tradition. In addition, CoDA groups register with CoDA,
Inc., in order to stay in contact with CoDA as a whole. With respect
to other questions about group organization (date, time, type of meeting),
each group is autonomous except in matters affecting CoDA as a whole.
Because the Twelve Steps are the basis of our recovery, we strongly
suggest that each meeting set aside at least one meeting per month for
Step Study.
As Tradition Four states, (“each group should
remain autonomous, except in matters affecting other groups or CoDA
as a whole”), it is important that a CoDA meeting present familiar
aspects that communicate, “This is CoDA.” While it is rare,
some meetings have chosen to adopt a format that varies significantly
from CoDA guidelines. This presents confusion, particularly to the newcomer,
regarding the nature of our program. If a community service group feels
it necessary, a meeting may be informed specifically how it does not
appear to be following the unifying principles of CoDA Tradition. If
the meeting decides, by group conscience, not to change, they need to
understand that they may no longer be recognized as, nor call themselves,
a CoDA meeting and will be removed from Intergroups, and CoDA listings.
The community service group can, by group conscience
decision, remove a meeting from their meeting list if it is determined
that that meeting is not following the principles of CoDA and does not
choose to change.
The community service group can then recommend that
the meeting be removed from the Intergroup meeting lists.
The Intergroup can decide by group conscience whether
or not to remove that meeting from their meeting list.
If the Intergroup or regional assembly decides to
remove that meeting from their list, they can recommend to the CoDA
Board of Trustees that that meeting be removed from the CoDA, Inc. meeting
list.
The Board may decide by group conscience whether or
not to remove that meeting from the CoDA, Inc. meeting list.
How does our Group register with CoDA, Inc.?
Fill out the GROUP REGISTRATION/CHANGES FORM, found in the Meeting Starter
Packet, and return it to CoDA, Inc. Your group will be assigned a number
and placed in our directory. If any changes in your group information
occur, use the same form and return it the CoDA, Inc. address, so that
our records remain current. Please use your assigned group number on
all correspondence with CoDA, Inc. The above forms, as well as Internet
based registration alternatives and information, can be found on our
website (see note below).
Note: If you do not have contact information for your
CoDA community service group, Voting Entity, or do not have copies of
the above mentioned forms, you may write to Co-Dependents Anonymous,
P.O. Box 33577, Phoenix, AZ 85067-3577, or visit the CoDA web site at
www.coda.org for free downloads.
What is a “Home Group,” and why might
I want one?
While having a “home group” does not afford us any special
rights or privileges at the meeting, many of us find that having a particular
meeting where we focus our participation and service work is helpful
to our recovery. CoDA is about building and maintaining healthy relationships
and those relationships can develop most easily among people we see
frequently. CoDA is a community, and this is most evident at the meeting
level. Because of this, many of us choose to identify a home group,
which we attend regularly.
How can we let people know about our meeting?
Contact your CoDA community representative or Voting Entity Delegate
to have your meeting listed in the local Intergroup or Voting Entity
CoDA meeting schedule. This is the best avenue for gaining exposure
and support. CoDA groups can be announced in local papers or on community
bulletin boards. There is also a community outreach packet available
for your use. This packet is available from CoRe, is included in this
document in the “Attracting Members” Section, inside the starter
packet, or from the CoDA website. Frequently, librarians allow groups
to post notices or leave free material, such as "What Is Codependence?”
which can include a group’s meeting information. According to Tradition
Eleven: "Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather
than promotion." We suggest simply stating "[Your Group name]
CoDA Meeting" with the time, date, and location. Note that we do
not use a meeting facility name as a group name, in accordance with
Tradition Six. If a group called itself the Johnson Center CoDA Group,
for example, this could be considered endorsement of an outside enterprise.
Instead, the Hometown Tuesday Night CoDA group can post flyers saying
that they meet in the Johnson Center.
Where do we get funds?
CoDA groups usually "pass a basket" during the meeting, reminding
those attending about our Seventh Tradition, which states that each
group is fully self-supporting and declines outside contributions. Occasionally,
a group may pass the basket a second time if contributions are needed
for rent, literature, or some other legitimate expense.
What is a “prudent reserve,” and what
do we do with excess moneys collected?
A “prudent reserve” consists of two or three months' worth
of group expenses. Group expenses include items such as rent, supplies,
coffee, and Conference Endorsed literature. The prudent reserve is to
cover expenses in the event that the group has unusually low attendance
or donations. For excess funds left after the reserve amount is satisfied,
a group normally makes a Seventh Tradition donation according to the
following guideline:
· 60% to your local community service group
(Intergroup)
· 30% to CoDA, Inc.
· 10% to your Voting Entity
Is there a limit to the amount an individual may
donate to CoDA?
Seventh Tradition cash donations are anonymous, and are not monitored
or regulated in any way. The amount given by any individual in a meeting
is personal and confidential.
Gifts of cash, goods (such as computers or books),
or donations of services of value (such as auditing financial records
or website maintenance) are subject to limitations on an annual basis.
For optimal spiritual health, CoDA groups and service bodies adhere
to our Seventh Tradition, which states that we remain self-supporting.
Even though people donate with the best intentions, we are warned that
problems of “money, property, and prestige” may “divert
us from our primary, spiritual aim.” If the group relies too heavily
on one individual or a small group of donors, autonomy is compromised,
and group unity may suffer. Therefore, limits are placed on individual
contributions, and these limits vary according to the size of the body
receiving the gift.
For individual groups, Intergroups, and Voting Entities
Service bodies, the value for donated cash, goods, or professional services
rendered is recommended not to exceed $1000 (one thousand dollars) per
year. That limit is raised to $2000 (two thousand dollars) per year
for CoDA, Inc., in accordance with the larger scale of operation. All
gifts are to be receipted, and for service bodies that are incorporated
nonprofit organizations, gifts may be tax deductible for the donor.
For the spiritual health of CoDA, all donations shall be anonymous,
to the extent permitted by the gift documentation process.
Can our group use the CoDA, Inc. Tax ID Number?
No. The CoDA, Inc.Tax ID Number, also known as the
Employer Identification Number (EIN) is not for use by any other level
of CoDA except the corporate level. See www.coda.org FAQ section
Does CoDA Inc. have an “umbrella” insurance
policy that would cover our meeting?
No, CoDA does not have an umbrella insurance policy
that covers individual meetings. Intergroups or meetings may organize
and purchase their own insurance.
What should we do if the group disbands?
In the unfortunate case of a group disbanding, the
treasurer must ensure that current debts are satisfied. If possible,
negotiate a reduction or forgiveness of rent due. Remaining funds and/or
literature may be given to other local CoDA meetings or to the Intergroup,
Voting Entity, or CoDA, Inc. If there is no other group close enough
to easily give literature to, contact a Delegate or other CoDA, Inc.
representative for guidance, or donate literature to area libraries,
hospitals or institutions
The Fellowship Service
Manual of Co-Dependents Anonymous Conference Approved August 2005
Section 06
The Trusted Servants of CoDA
A CoDA group cannot function without the efforts of
our trusted servants. Service work starts at the group level. Service
positions can be as simple as a month-long commitment to set up the
refreshment table or literature table at each meeting, to a two-year
commitment to represent the group each month at the local community
service group meetings. This section contains some detailed descriptions
of the tasks and responsibilities involved with service positions. These
are guidelines and each group may decide to add, delete, or combine
responsibilities as necessary.
Typical service positions of a CoDA Group are:
Chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Literature person
Refreshment person(s)
Phone list person
Group Service Representative
General Responsibilities of Trusted Servants
Preserving continuity: Outgoing officers are expected
to work with the next person holding the position to insure that procedures,
knowledge, and records are passed along.
Responsibility of office:
When officers cannot attend a meeting or other service
commitment, they find a substitute to handle the job. In the event a
commitment is not fulfilled, the officer should be given a chance to
explain to the group. If desired, a group conscience may then be taken
to determine if the group wishes the meeting officer to continue or
wishes to seek another volunteer to take over the position.
Desirable qualities of Group Service Officers
Welcome and acknowledge newcomers
Encourage Twelve Step attitudes.
Promote adherence to CoDA’s Twelve Traditions
and principles.
Conduct group conscience on new matters or to resolve
disputes.
Support CoDA’s program of spirituality in
the tone and style of the meeting.
Promote principles before personalities.
Guidelines for CoDA Group service positions
These are recommendations. Each group may decide how
to distribute responsibilities among the trusted servants of the group,
combining or expanding positions as needed.
Chairperson/coordinator/facilitator takes a
leadership role for the duration of the meeting itself (this position
rotates with each meeting or at time intervals, i.e., monthly or biannually):
Assumes overall responsibility for meeting format:
Invites speakers or finds a volunteer to handle
speaker invitations.
Guides the meeting according to CoDA-endorsed guidelines.
[Members may volunteer to rotate as meeting leader.]
Secretary is the business representative for
the group and acts as liaison to the meeting facility. (Suggested term
of office - 6 months)
Obtains and maintains a meeting room.
Plans and conducts "business meetings"
regularly (agenda items may include: elections, meeting format, procedures,
etc.) and keeps records of group conscience decisions.
Provides the community service group with the full
name, address, and phone number of all officers. * Changes in the
location, time, or day of the group meeting, or contact person should
be updated. This may be done through a 'Changes in Group Information’
form sent to CoDA, Inc. or through the CoDA web site at www.coda.org.
*Note: This personal data is used at the Intergroup,
Voting Entity, and CoDA, Inc. level only for communication purposes
and is held in confidence.
Group Service Representative (GSR) is the link
between the CoDA group and CoDA as a whole. Ideally, a GSR is an established
member of the group, with experience, knowledge, and understanding of
CoDA’s Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions… (Usual term 2 years):
Attends the local CoDA Intergroup or Voting Entity
service meetings.
Carries the group conscience to the local CoDA
Intergroup, Voting Entity service meeting; and then reports to the
group on the outcomes.
Notifies the group of any local or CoDA, Inc. updates,
announcements, and flyers.
Treasurer:
Keeps accurate financial records of the group,
and regularly reports to the group regarding income, expenses, and
prudent reserve. (Note: A prudent reserve is determined by the group
conscience of the meeting, usually two or three month’s worth
of group expenses).
Pays rent to the meeting facility for use of the
meeting room.
Disburses Seventh Tradition funds in accordance
with group conscience. A suggested guideline is offered in the Welcome
Letter from the Board of Trustees in the Starter Packet (see Section
15).
Turns over records and funds to new treasurer
Refreshment/set-up Person (Note: This is a group
discretionary social function.)
Sets out refreshments, coffee, etc., only using
your own group's supplies.
Checks supplies and obtain restocking funds from
the Treasurer.
Cleans up the refreshment area and take care of
the trash.
Literature Person:
Puts CoDA Endorsed literature out at the meeting.
Keeps track of group literature supplies and re-order
as needed.
Obtains funds from the group treasurer to restock
literature.
Refers newcomers and CoDA members to available
CoDA literature.
Phone Contact Person:
Makes first name and phone number available on
local and CoDA, Inc. meeting lists.
Is available to receive phone calls in order to
give directions to the meeting
The Fellowship Service
Manual of Co-Dependents Anonymous Conference Approved August 2005
Section 07
Intergroup or Community Service
The Intergroup (Community Service Group)
A strong CoDA Intergroup (community service group)
(CSG) is the key to the success of CoDA in general. This CoDA community
group may also be called an Intergroup (community service committee)
a sense of community at the local level leads to success in attracting
and sustaining the involvement of members of the fellowship in service
work and in community building activities. The Intergroup (CSG) is made
up of Group Service Representatives (GSRs) from area meetings and CoDA
members from the local Fellowship. The Twelve Service Concepts of CoDA
offer guidance in establishing service boards.
Service Participation at the Intergroup (Community
Service Group).
All members of the Fellowship are welcome to attend
and participate in their Intergroup (CSG). All CoDA groups are encouraged
to send a Group Service Representative to Intergroup (CSG) meetings.
Commonly, input is welcome from all in attendance, but Group Service
Representatives are usually the only participants who vote.
Intergroup Members (GSRs)
An Intergroup (CSG) service member belongs to a CoDA
group and has an interest in doing local service work. There are no
"job requirements" for service to CoDA, although 6 months
of meeting attendance is helpful before beginning service work. Some
consider it a way of practicing and demonstrating responsibility and
accountability to self and to others, while working a program of recovery
and remaining open to Higher Power’s will.
The Group Service Representative (GSR)
A GSR is a person the Intergroup (community Service
Group) selects/ elects to act as a trusted servant and attend Voting
Entity meetings. An alternate GSR can be selected/ elected as well.
The GSR is a link between group representatives and
the Delegates. The GSR is very valuable to the meeting because they
carry the "grassroots" group conscience to the Voting Entity.
GSRs may help select/ elect Delegates who represent the Group Conscience
of that Voting Entity at the CoDA Service Conference.
Alternate Group Service Representative
The Alternate Group Service Representative acts on
behalf of the community if the GSR cannot serve. The selection/election
process is the same as that for the GSR. The alternate GSR normally
accompanies the Group Service Representative to meetings as a member
in training, asks questions, and learns procedures.
The Fellowship Service
Manual of Co-Dependents Anonymous Conference Approved August 2005
Section 08
Voting Entity Service
Voting Entity Service Structure
Voting Entity definition: Each State and Territory
of the United States of America and each Country is automatically entitled
to send two (2) Delegates.
Sometimes two or more Voting Entities may choose to
join together in order to combine resources and better serve the needs
of their meetings and Intergroups. A Voting Entity may also choose to
divide into two or more Voting entities. Each separate Voting Entity
may then effectively serve the meetings and Intergroups in its area.
Acceptance of the new structure will be granted through IMC.
In any organization, levels of management are necessary
to connect and coordinate localized activities with broader levels of
planning, information distribution, and organization. The Voting Entity
organization provides a bridge between Intergroups (community service
groups), and CoDA, Inc. Every CoDA member is welcomed and encouraged
to attend all CoDA service meetings.
Voting Entity Structure Guidelines
Hold regular, well-announced business meetings.
Quarterly meetings are recommended.
Adopt and maintain a working set of bylaws; conduct
business accordingly.
Vote one's conscience when no group conscience
is available, keeping in mind the group and the health and welfare
of the Fellowship. Allow presentation of minority opinions.
Make your best effort that Voting Entity reflects
the will of the Fellowship. Assure that the Voting Entity’s agenda
is not in conflict with the will of a majority of the represented
Fellowship (i.e., publish and distribute meeting and decision summaries).
Place a high priority on continued communication
with CoDA, Inc. and local Intergroups
Voting Entity Committees
Voting Entity committees are organized along the same
structural lines as meetings and Intergroups (groups and community service
groups). Voting Entity Committees function through the group conscience
decision making process as they carry out service work. Priorities for
this work usually come from meetings and Intergroups.
Voting Entity Delegates
The Voting Entity Delegate is a service volunteer
who is selected/ elected at the Voting Entity or by other means determined
by the group conscience of the Voting Entity members. The Voting Entity
Delegate is that Voting Entity's representative to the CoDA Service
Conference.
The primary function of the Voting Entity Delegate
is to facilitate communication between the Voting Entity and CoDA, Inc.
This includes attending CoDA's Service Conference to vote, on behalf
of the Voting Entity, on Conference motions affecting CoDA as a whole.
Ideally, a Voting Entity Delegate has worked the Twelve Steps with a
CoDA sponsor or “Step study” group and has a practical and
spiritual knowledge of the Twelve Traditions. The job is rewarding,
gratifying, and spiritually uplifting, providing exposure to the enormous
experience of the group conscience at the CoDA, Inc. level.
Delegate Characteristics: While many characteristics
define a Delegate, familiarity and practice of CoDA's Twelve Steps and
Traditions are the most important part of acting on behalf of the Voting
Entity Fellowship. These spiritual principles lay the foundation of
the CoDA service role. In addition, an effective Delegate is able to
build personal relationships and communicate effectively, understands
organizational structure, and is familiar with service functions and
the activities of CoDA. For background, see CoDA's organization chart
in the group conscience section of this manual (Section 2). To learn
more about Delegate service, participate as either an alternate Delegate
or Observer at the CoDA Service Conference or speak with former Delegates.
A Delegate is not, politically speaking, a "senator"
of a Voting Entity, but is a servant of CoDA as a whole. The Delegate’s
responsibility is to follow our Steps and Traditions and use these principles
to carry our spiritual message to those who still suffer, in and out
of CoDA.
Voting Entity Delegate Activities:
Participate in the annual CoDA Service Conference.
Send Voting Entity issues to the Board of Trustees
sixty (60) days before Conference.
Read the Delegate Conference packet before Conference
and consult with the other Voting Entity Delegate, or regional officers,
and community members for input on issues.
Communicate and publish, for the Voting Entity
or regional CoDA groups, the motions passed at the CoDA Service Conference,
and any changes made.
Convey the CoDA Service Conference experience to
the Voting Entity or Intergroup Fellowship, providing a greater picture
of CoDA as a whole.
Attend the Voting Entity meetings to inform members
about Conference events.
Report on the spiritual, financial, and material
aspects of CoDA, Inc. and its boards.
Stress the importance of Seventh Tradition funds
for CoDA, Inc.'s, continued existence.
Pass reports, records, policies, and procedures
to incoming Delegates to ease transition.
Inform Voting Entity officers and Intergroup representatives
of Conference approved literature, and encourage contributions of
material for new literature.
Emphasize to the Voting Entity secretary, Intergroup
officers, and group representatives the importance of sending current
directory information to CoDA, Inc. as changes occur.
Act as a liaison for the Voting Entity and CoDA
Board of Trustees
Keep the alternate Delegate informed and engaged
with all activities, correspondence, and events to build the alternate's
expertise in Intergroup, Voting Entity, and CoDA matters.
Alternate Delegates
The Alternate Delegate has the same responsibilities
and accountability as a Delegate, without the Conference "voting"
privilege, unless the Delegate leaves the Conference floor, which is
called "passing-the-badge" for voting eligibility. In the
event a Delegate cannot serve, resigns, or falls ill, an alternate Delegate
fills the position of Delegate in accordance with the Voting Entity
or region’s procedures. When funds are available, Voting Entities
may send more than one alternate Delegate to initiate and educate them
in CoDA, Inc. procedures and protocols. Alternate Delegates registered
with the CoDA Board secretary will receive the same informational mailings
as the primary Delegate.
Delegate Expenses
The Voting Entity’s treasury pays expenses ahead
of time, or reimburses the Delegate after Conference, as funds allow.
Delegate expenses may include travel, hotel, and meals, as well as telephone,
facsimiles, mailings, postage, and other sundry expenses. It is the
Delegate's responsibility to account for expenses and to present a report
to the Voting Entity. The primary Delegate may choose to write a report
for Voting Entity distribution explaining the expenditure of Seventh
Tradition funds. Delegates' expenses are paid as Voting Entity or regional
budgets permit. To encourage participation, a Voting Entity may pay
some part of an alternate Delegate's expenses.
Voting Entity, Intergroups may contribute to Conference
and other related expenses, or may contribute towards a “Conference
Fund” to allow any individual the financial ability to serve CoDA
at large, without regard for personal financial resources. CoDA guidelines
suggest limiting individual contributions to no more than $1000/year.
Voting Entity Delegate Term of Service
The Voting Entity Delegate's term of office is often
two years, the Alternate Delegate’s, one. CoDA encourages rotation
of leadership positions among members. This practice broadens the base
of service experience and prevents the domination of personality and
pursuit of prestige in service roles. Every CoDA member has the opportunity
to serve at any level of CoDA: Intergroup, Voting Entity or CoDA, Inc.
committee, or Board of Trustees.
Every member is recognized as having an equal voice
in a CoDA service role, so any Voting Entity member may serve in any
service position,. A Delegate does not serve a meeting or Intergroup.
The Delegate service role is on behalf of the Voting Entity, and the
CoDA Fellowship as a whole. Voting Entity Delegates may come from any
part of that Voting Entity. CoDA emphasizes inclusiveness, not exclusiveness,
no matter who or where one is in recovery.
The Fellowship Service
Manual of Co-Dependents Anonymous Conference Approved August 2005
Section 09
CoDA Service Structure
CoDA Service Structure
The CoDA service structure is comprised of members
from the Fellowship who have stepped forth from their local organizations
to serve and participate in the process of translating the will of the
greater CoDA Fellowship into action at the CoDA Fellowship level.
The CoDA Service Conference (CSC)
A CoDA Service Conference (CSC) is held each year
in order to transact the business of CoDA by group conscience. This
is CoDA’s annual business meeting. The location varies from year
to year. Delegates to CSC elect trusted servants, review budgets and
expenditures, authorize literature, and develop goals for our organization
and plans to reach those goals. While voting privileges are restricted,
all CoDA members are welcome to attend the Conference and work on a
CoDA committee.
Service Responsibility
Each member honors each entity, individual, and
group in the process of service work. To insure effective implementation,
we entrust each servant with the right of decision.
Service responsibilities are guided by the Steps
and Traditions and determined by CoDA bylaws and CoDA Service Conference
decisions.
Our trusted servants use the group conscience process
to implement their duties.
Because the CSC entrusts our servants with responsibilities,
they are supported financially and morally…this is the essence
of right of decision.
Ideally, CoDA recovery is built on the principle
of mutual trust. We trust Higher Power, we trust CoDA, we trust ourselves,
and we trust one another.
CoDA Service Boards and Trustees
To provide continuity of CoDA's work between Conferences,
Delegates at the CoDA Service Conference (CSC) elect members to serve
on two service boards [Co-Dependents Anonymous, Inc. (CoDA, Inc.), and
CoDA Resource Publishing, Inc. (CoRe)]. Within each board, members elect
their own officers.
Participation on either board excludes participation
on the other. Trustees serve as volunteers and are not paid. The term
of office is three years. Trustees are responsible for the legal and
business needs of CoDA or CoRe. Each board has but one purpose: to serve
the Fellowship. Trustees are elected by the will and through the consent
of the Fellowship as expressed through the group conscience of the conference.
Each CoDA trustee has a vote at the CSC; the CoRe Publications Board
has two voting members at CSC.
Board Liaison to Standing CoDA Committees
Description: The Board assigns a member to serve as
liaison, to provide a communication link between each standing conference
committee, the Board, and the Fellowship
Responsibilities:
Liaisons communicate pertinent information to their
assigned committee, including: dates of Board meetings, CoDA Quarterly
Service Report (QSR) publication deadlines, and any information related
to the committee’s goals or commitments to the Fellowship.
Liaisons may serve in a consulting capacity between
committees, providing guidance in such areas as financial management
of committee budgets.
Liaisons communicate changes in CoDA’s overall
financial status to committee chairs as soon as possible in order
to allow for any expenditure adjustments.
Liaisons provide guidance in adherence to the Twelve
Traditions in all activities.
Liaisons report on committee activities to the
Board at the quarterly Board meeting, if no committee chair or representative
attends. Liaisons submit written copies of standing committee reports
to the Board before or at each scheduled Board meeting.
Liaisons review committee reports prior to presentation
to the Board and Fellowship, and prior to publication in the QSR.
Liaisons may suggest changes to any report.
Conflicts
If conflict arises within a committee, the liaison
may assist the committee in the resolution of this conflict, relying
on CoDA’s Twelve Steps and Traditions for guidance.
Conflict resolution may involve the Issues Mediation
Committee (IMC); (see Section 10) if the committee chair and liaison
feel this is desirable.
If conflict arises between the liaison and the
committee, the committee chair or liaison may request IMC assistance
in resolution of the conflict.
If a liaison/committee conflict seems irresolvable,
the IMC will advise the CoDA Board. This is recommended because the
IMC represents an impartial perspective on the conflict, and may provide
the Board with a clear understanding of the issues involved.
In the case of irresolvable conflict, the Board
may choose to assign a new liaison to the committee. This change will
be reported in the subsequent Quarterly Service Report.
CODA, Inc. BOARD OF TRUSTEES POSITION DESCRIPTION
Trustees adhere to the principles of our program while
conducting service work. Specifically, they use Step Ten for guidance
and insight, and adhere to Tradition Two as they honor the validity
of the group conscience process. This service position is demanding,
and therefore the potential for reward through recovery is also great.
CoDA Board service is great and rewarding Twelfth Step work.
QUALIFICATIONS: Trustees are elected by the
CSC, with consideration of the candidates' capabilities and experience
in the following:
1) Working knowledge of the Twelve Steps and Twelve
Traditions of Co-Dependents Anonymous.
2) Willingness and availability to serve the Fellowship
through major service projects.
3) Demonstration of skills and abilities while doing
CoDA Service for two or more years.
4) Understanding and experience of the group conscience
process.
5) Courage to express oneself and the ability to listen
and communicate effectively with others.
6) Dedication and commitment to the health of CoDA.
7) Desire to carry the message to the still suffering
codependent.
A TRUSTEE IS EXPECTED TO:
1) Commit to his/her own personal growth and to the
integrity of the self and of our Program.
2) Have worked, and continue to work, each of the
Twelve Steps of CoDA.
3) Have a practical working knowledge of the sponsor/sponsee
relationship.
4) Commit to the spiritual health of CoDA as a whole.
5) Have a working knowledge of the CoDA organization
structure and documents used to guide the business and spiritual elements
of CoDA.
6) Agree to function in a responsible manner, which
includes:
a) Consistently attend and participate in the group
conscience process during Board meetings and at Service Conferences.
b) Prepare reports agreed upon and present them in a timely manner.
c) Meet deadlines as set forth by the Board.
d) Recognize his/her time limitations and notify the Board promptly
of any time conflicts.
7) Undertake liaison responsibilities for one or more
CoDA Committees.
8) Resign other currently held offices at Intergroup
and Voting Entity level to allow others the opportunity to give service
and to create time to devote to Board work.
9) Resign the position of Trustee if he/she is unable
to meet his/her commitment.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:
Trustees may be required to travel to Board meetings,
CoDA finances permitting. Expenses for transportation, hotel, meals
and incidentals are reimbursed according to current guidelines. Trustees
may also travel as liaison to a CoDA Committee meeting. Each new Board
will set places and times for meetings during the year. Most often,
meetings begin on a Friday or Saturday and end on Sunday. The CoDA Service
Conference is usually held in late summer or early fall of every year,
with Board responsibilities from Tuesday through Sunday of the week.
LENGTH OF TERM:
A Trustee is elected to a three-year term. A maximum
of two terms may be served with a lapse of at least two years between
terms.
LEGAL COMMITMENT:
As a Trustee of the CoDA Board, each person shall
comply with and be bound by all terms and provisions of the By-laws
of Co-Dependents Anonymous, Inc., and all public laws, such as those
of the State of Arizona, which affect CoDA's nonprofit status and corporation.
Trustees are expected to exercise the powers vested in them in a manner
consistent with the faith that guide the Fellowship of CoDA, guided
and inspired by the Twelve Steps and in keeping with the Twelve Traditions.
Note: Applicants will be asked about any previous felony convictions.
A conviction will not automatically disqualify an applicant, but must
be disclosed.
TIME COMMITMENT:
Trustees may work 20 or more hours per week during
critical times, such as preparation for Conference, and depending upon
particular projects and responsibilities. Release time from personal
employment must be arranged for travel needed by CoDA.
Co-Dependents Anonymous
PO BOX 33577, Phoenix, AZ 85067-3577
APPLICATION FOR BOARD OF TRUSTEES
OF CO-DEPENDENTS ANONYMOUS, INC.
DIRECTIONS: Answer each item below as fully as possible
on separate paper. Please type or word-process for legibility. Do not
attach a resume.
1) Describe your current working knowledge of the
Twelve Steps and Traditions, and the CoDA foundational documents, such
as the Fellowship Services Manual, By-laws, etc.
4) Describe any personal or professional background
that you think would benefit the health of CoDA, such as experience
negotiating contracts, general business management, or any other relevant
skills.
5) Share your:
A) Experience with the group conscience process.
B) Courage to express yourself, ability to listen, and ability to communicate
effectively.
C) Ability to manage interpersonal differences and accomplish goals
as a group member.
Please send your application to the above address.
Refer to "Conference Election Procedures" for details regarding
the Election of Trustee at the CoDA Service Conference.
Revised 2002
CoDA Committees
Delegates, alternates, and members at large who participate
in CoDA service have the opportunity to volunteer for committee work,
which focuses on specific areas of concern to the Fellowship. The focus
and priority of these efforts is determined by group conscience at the
CoDA Service Conference. These standing committees, at and between Conferences,
plan and implement specific efforts. Any CoDA member may join and serve
on a Conference committee.
The Standing CoDA Committees and
Board-Overseen Service Functions
Board Overseen Service Functions
CoDA Website
Fellowship Services (formerly CoDA Service Office)
Standing CoDA Committees
Co-NNections
CoDA Service Conference Committee
CoDA Convention Committee
Finance Committee
Issues Mediation Committee (Elected by the CoDA
Service Conference)
CoDA Teen
Hospitals and Institutions
CoDA Literature Committee
Outreach Committee
Service Structure Committee
Translation Management Committee
Committee Accountability
Each committee reports to the CSC their progress on
the previous year’s Conference motions and assigned Fellowship
Issues. In addition, before leaving Conference, each committee provides
the CoDA Board with a one-page list of committee goals for the coming
year. This list is distributed along with the printed Conference motions
and is made available before the next Conference.
The Fellowship Service
Manual of Co-Dependents Anonymous Conference Approved August 2005
Section 10
CoDA Committees and Board Overseen Service Functions: Descriptions and
Roles
Board Overseen Service Functions
CoDA Web Site (Web Team)
Overview: The CoDA Web Site workers manage the public
presence of CoDA on the Internet. A large part of this work involves
structuring CoDA’s web-presence so that it is easy to understand,
intuitively formatted, attractive, and ultimately useful both to current
CoDA members and to those just discovering our Fellowship. The CoDA
Board of Trustees is responsible for the execution and oversight of
these services.
This effort involves, but is not limited to,
Keeping information and mail links current.
Receiving and updating information submissions
in a timely fashion.
Generally adding and improving the features and
ease of use of our web site.
Fellowship Services
Fellowship Services workers provide baseline support
services. This includes a mail and telephone point of contact for the
members, maintenance of the organization’s meeting and contact
lists, and the delivery of other services required by the organization.
The CoDA Board of Trustees is responsible for the execution and oversight
of these services.
Included Services
CoDA Telephone Point of Contact: A voice contact for
all calls made to the CoDA, Inc. telephone number.
A Commercial answering service receives all calls
and refers any calls that cannot be answered by the service to the
appropriate board member, CoDA committee chairperson.
When possible, the answering service provides meeting
information as available in the CoDA meeting database.
CoDA Mail: Response to all written requests for information
regarding CoDA or Co-Dependents Anonymous sent to the Phoenix mailing
address.
A Contractor, who is supervised directly by a current
CoDA Board Trustee, handles most requests for information.
Program information is sent to those requesting
such information.
Orders received and requests for information for
CoDA Books and CoDA literature are forwarded to the appropriate CoDA
entity for fulfillment.
Requests for CoDA organization and program information
the Contractor is unable to answer are forwarded to the Outreach Committee.
Co-Dependents Anonymous Meeting and Contact Database:
The Board of Trustees, via Fellowship Services, is charged with the
collection and maintenance of all meeting, Intergroup, Voting Entity
and CoDA, Inc. contact data and will oversee the distribution of any
part of the database for internal use within the Fellowship.
The Board of Trustees, by its appointed board liaison(s),
supervises the selection of Contractors who maintain the master meeting
database and its timely updates on the CoDA website.
Board Liaison to Fellowship Services
Fellowship Services is a Board-administered function
of the Fellowship. The services required by the Fellowship are complex;
so two Board members handle various contact functions of Fellowship
Services. Because of the variety and importance of the functions included
in Fellowship Services, a third Board member may serve as a secondary
or back up Board liaison.
Review of Services
Liaisons are responsible for reviewing all services
provided by Fellowship Services Contractor. The Board liaisons may make
recommendations to the Board to implement changes to streamline and
increase efficiency in the processing of members’ needs.
CoDA Committees
CoDA Service Conference Committee
Definition:
The function of the CoDA Service Conference Committee
(CSC) is to develop plans and coordinate activities necessary to provide
for CoDA’s annual CoDA Service Conference meeting. The committee
is formed by members of the local groups of the host city and has as
a minimum the following service leaders: Chairperson; Co-Chairperson(s),
Treasurer, Secretary, and sufficient other members to accomplish all
work required.
CoDA Conference Committee Purpose:
Present the CoDA Service Conference with a suggested
meeting date and location for the following year’s CoDA Service
Conference.
Accept and review all bids for the upcoming CoDA
Service Conference. Bids are due 12-18 months prior to the CoDA Service
Conference.
Assist the host committee with their planning and
in any other way needed.
Communicate regularly with committee members, any
sub-committee leaders, and the CoDA Board liaison.
Maintain and adhere to the Twelve Steps, Twelve
Traditions, and Twelve Service Concepts in the course of all activities.
Report to the Fellowship in each CoDA Quarterly
Service Report.
CoDA Service Conference Committee Members: Role
and Duties
Attend Committee and Subcommittee meetings and/or
conference calls and/or attend to e-mail required to conduct business
concerning Service Conference details.
Participate in the group conscience decision making
process, keeping in mind the principles of the Twelve Steps, Twelve
Traditions, and Twelve Service Concepts.
Conduct business and manage workload in a timely,
effective, and efficient manner.
Maintain appropriate personal and professional
boundaries with self and others.
Keep an accurate record of all expenses incurred
doing committee service.
CoDA Service Conference Committee Chair: Role and
Duties
Define focus and goals of committee work, disseminate
work, and develop schedules to accomplish that work. Set agenda and
schedule work-in-progress.
Negotiate a contract (using CSC approved budget)
with the hotel, and sign it for the CoDA Service Conference.
Maintain consistent, timely communications with
the committee members, CoDA Board liaison, and others needed.
Monitor the accomplishment of goals on a regular
basis.
Request group conscience poll and/or communication
for recommended solutions, guidelines, bids, and other committee matters
with the committee.
Assure that the Committee/Conference treasurer
establishes a bank account for the CoDA Service Conference, maintains
accurate records of all receipts and disbursements, and maintains
ongoing communication with the Finance Committee Chair. The Treasurer
of the CoDA Board of Trustees will be an authorized signer on any
bank accounts
Obtain money in the amount established by Conference
Motion, and have such funds deposited in the appropriate bank checking
account.
Assure all required expenditures have either been
approved by the Fellowship through an approved Conference motion,
or have been approved by the Board prior to making the expenditure(s).
Assure all bills are fully paid, including return
of seed money, and that any excess funds are forwarded to CoDA. Assure
that there are no outstanding obligations prior to closing the checking
account at the end of the Conference.
CoDA Convention Committee
Definition: The Convention Committee serves the Fellowship by facilitating
the planning and execution of each CoDA Convention. Conventions are
primarily spiritual in nature, similar to workshops and retreats. The
Convention Committee’s goal is to provide the Fellowship with a
Convention every two years.
CoDA Convention Committee Purpose:
Arrange for the timely announcement of a request
for bids, followed by a review of all bids and selection of a site.
Bids are due 12-18 months prior to the CoDA Convention.
Present the CoDA Service Conference with a suggested
meeting date and location for the next CoDA Convention.
Assist the local planning committee in whatever
way possible, serve as a liaison to the CoDA Board and Fellowship,
and provide continuity from one host committee to the next.
Develop a planning manual with examples of key
documents, (i.e., budgets, registration flyers, etc.) from previous
Conventions to assist planning.
Develop in conjunction with the CoDA Finance Committee
a standard guideline for tracking convention finances.
Communicate regularly with committee members, any
sub-committee leaders, the CoDA Board liaison, and the chair or co-chair
and attend one Board meeting, if possible.
Maintain and adhere to the Steps, Traditions, and
Service Concepts in all activities.
Report to the Fellowship in each CoDA Quarterly
Service Report.
CoDA Convention Committee Members: Role and Duties
Attend Committee and Subcommittee meetings and/or
conference calls and/or attend to e-mail required to conduct business
concerning convention details.
Participate in the group conscience decision making
process, keeping in mind the principles of the Twelve Steps, Twelve
Traditions, and Twelve Service Concepts.
Conduct business and manage workload in a timely,
effective, and efficient manner.
Maintain appropriate personal and professional
boundaries for self and with others.
Keep an accurate record of all expenses incurred
doing committee service.
CoDA Convention Committee Chair: Role and Duties
Define focus and goals of committee work, disseminate
work, and develop schedules to accomplish that work. Set agenda and
schedule work-in-progress.
Negotiate a contract, with Board liaison, with
the hotel, and sign it for the Convention.
Maintain consistent, timely communications with
the committee members, CoDA Board liaison, and others needed.
Monitor the accomplishment of goals on a regular
basis.
Request group conscience poll and/or communication
for recommended solutions, guidelines, bids, and other committee matters
with the committee.
Assure that the Committee/Convention treasurer
establishes a bank account for the Convention, maintains accurate
records of all receipts and disbursements, and maintains ongoing communication
with the CoDA Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair.
Obtain money in the amount established by Conference
Motion and have such funds deposited in the appropriate bank checking
account. Receive the seed money. Large dollar items may be paid directly
by the CoDA treasurer from CoDA funds. Convention Treasurer pays the
final bill when necessary at the close of the event after reviewing
the bill with the event contract present.
Assure all required expenditures have either been
approved by the Fellowship through a Conference motion, or are approved
by the Board, prior to making the expenditure(s).
Assure all bills are fully paid, return any seed
money provided by CoDA, and reimburse CoDA for any items paid directly.
Assure that there are no outstanding obligations prior to closing
the checking account at the end of the Convention. All of the above
to be accounted for before any split of profit between the Hosting
community and CoDA.
Finance Committee
Overview: The CoDA Finance Committee provides financial
oversight, analysis, tracking, and advice to the Board of Trustees and
Fellowship of CoDA with respect to cash flow, prudent budgeting, financial
stability, and monetary resources of the CoDA Fellowship.
Committee Functions:
Review the proposed budgets of standing committees
and the CoDA Board prior to submission for CSC vote, advising changes
or outlining options, as prudence requires.
Provide input to the NSC related to financial implications
of proposals under discussion.
Non-Conference Responsibilities: Track CoDA’s
cash-flow and appraise the CoDA Board or committee chairs of financial
concerns or circumstances which may require budgetary adjustments
between CoDA Service Conferences.
Issues Mediation Committee
The Service Conference elects members of the Issues
Mediation Committee (IMC) according to guidelines established by the
Conference. Voting Entity Delegates and alternates are eligible to serve
on the IMC.
Background: The former Delegate Relations Committee
has evolved into the Issues Mediation Committee (IMC). This name reflects
Higher Power’s guidance and a trust in the process. This committee
is available to a broad base of members. We trust the guidance of our
Higher Power as expressed in our group conscience. Resolutions are possible.
IMC Mission: IMC facilitates dispute mediation for
Voting Entities, Intergroups, and other CoDA entities as needed, using
the Twelfth Tradition as their guide.
Procedures: We use the Disagreement, Mediation, and
Resolution section of the Fellowship Service Manual (Section 2) as our
first resource for guidance in dispute mediation.
Conflict within a committee:
If a conflict arises within a Committee, the Board
liaison to that Committee may assist in finding a resolution.
If the Board liaison is unable to assist in resolving
the conflict, a Committee member or the Board liaison may request
assistance from the IMC to mediate the conflict.
If IMC mediation does not resolve the conflict,
the IMC will refer the issue to the full Board of Trustees for assistance.
Conflict with a Liaison:
If a conflict arises between a Committee and its
assigned liaison, the committee chair and the liaison may request
the IMC to assist in mediation.
If the conflict cannot be resolved through mediation,
the IMC will advise the chair of the CoDA Board of Trustees regarding
the issues involved in the conflict.
The Board of Trustees may choose one of the following
actions:
Assign a new board liaison to the committee.
Refer the issue back to IMC for further suggestions.
Take appropriate action, as the Board of Trustees
deems necessary.
If the second attempt at resolution is not successful,
the conflict will be referred back to the Board of Trustees with a
non-binding group conscience opinion.
CoDA Teen Committee
CoDA Teen serves to carry the message of recovery
to teenagers.
Hospitals and Institutions Committee
Hospitals and Institutions (H&I) serves to carry
the message of recovery to codependents confined in hospitals, jails,
and other institutional facilities.
CoDA Literature Committee (CLC)
Descriptions: The CoDA Literature Committee's function is to encourage
and facilitate the creation of new literature written by and for the
Fellowship of Co-Dependents Anonymous.
Writing for CoDA is a wonderful way to "carry
the message," as expressed in Step Twelve. The CLC welcomes participation
from all CoDA members. We invite submissions from individuals and from
teams.
For information on current projects, to find out how
to participate, and to offer suggestions for new literature, please
contact:
CoDA Literature Committee
P.O. Box 33577, Phoenix, AZ 85067
At the 1997 National Service Conference, the NLC wrote
the following mission statement:
“NLC Mission…Keeping in mind the National
Service Conference 1997/98 goals of Outreach to Meetings, Communication,
and Literature:
We pledge to review and respectfully consider material
submitted by the Fellowship to the NLC for release as CoDA/Conference
Endorsed literature.
We pledge to maintain communication and cooperation
between the NLC and all CoDA National committees, boards, organizations,
and the Fellowship.
We pledge that this process will be carried out in
a timely and prudent manner.
The NLC asks writers to sign a contributor's agreement,
which gives CoDA the legal right to edit, adapt, publish, and sell contributions
as CoDA literature. This is part of the group conscience process as
expressed through the National Literature Committee. The final product
becomes the property of the Fellowship, not of any individual author.
After the piece goes through the CLC's group conscience, the work is
made available to CoDA Delegates for review.”
Outreach Committee
The CoDA Outreach Committee (Outreach) is a group
of actively recovering codependents that serve as the ‘customer
service’ branch of CoDA. Through Outreach service work, we are
fulfilling Step 12.
Our service work involves educating people about the
CoDA Fellowship and connecting codependents with meetings worldwide.
We provide information about face-to-face (f2f) and online CoDA meetings.
We answer both general and specific questions about CoDA, and share
our experience, strength, and hope (ESH). When appropriate, we refer
others to specific CoDA committees.
Outreach assists in updating domestic, regional, and
international contact information and meeting lists by forwarding information
to the Fellowship Service Office. Where we can, we connect different
people in the same region who want to start meetings. One of our goals
is to be proactive in reaching out to and connecting other codependents.
In 2004, we developed a Spanish Outreach subcommittee
to assist Spanish-speaking codependents worldwide.
Most of Outreach's service work takes place online
through email; therefore, Outreach members ought to have an affinity
and ability to communicate effectively over email. People interested
in serving on the CoDA Outreach committee should have at least one year
of active CoDA recovery.
Service Structure Committee
Description: The Service Structure Committee’s
function is to serve the will of the Fellowship, as expressed through
the Conference, in keeping with the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions.
Purpose:
Serve in an advisory capacity to the CoDA Service
Conference, Board of Trustees, and the Fellowship through the group
conscience decision making process.
Determine the implications of motions to modify,
alter, or amend the CoDA Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, Conference
Protocols, CoDA Fellowship Service Manual, Twelve Steps, and Twelve
Traditions, Twelve Service Concepts, or other foundation documents.
To support, maintain, and create CoDA fundamental
structural documents, including the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws,
Fellowship Service Manual, Twelve Concepts, and other documents, as
directed by the CoDA Service Conference.
Present Service Manual content to the CoDA Service
Conference for acceptance and approval. Produce annual updates and
revised editions in a timely fashion.
Communicate regularly with Board members, Committee
chairs, Voting Entity Delegates, and other CoDA members or groups,
offering relevant information and insight as needed.
Service Structure Committee Members: Role and Duties
Attend committee meetings or act as an advisory
member. Write, edit, and recommend resolutions, ideas, and directions.
Participate in the group conscience process.
Consider any proposed changes to CoDA's service
structure and procedures, diligently considering compliance with the
Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions.
Refer to the Steps and Traditions when formulating
opinions; cite as needed for clarity.
Keep confidential all matters as required; provide
full disclosure for all other matters.
Service Structure Chair: Role and Duties
Define focus and goals of committee work, disseminate
work, and develop time schedules to accomplish it. Set agenda and
schedule work-in-progress priorities.
Maintain consistent, timely communications with
committee members, the CoDA Board, CoDA Board liaison, Committee chairs,
and others as necessary.
Monitor the time lines and schedules of individuals,
subcommittees, and groups to insure accomplishment of goals.
Provide reports to the Fellowship in a combined
report called, “The CoDA Quarterly Service Report,” in keeping
with the group conscience decision making process.
Manage budgets, sign and keep recorded reports
and minutes of committee, keep spending forms, receipts, and expenses
for the committee and the Fellowship, and remind members to maintain
expense records: telephone, travel, faxes, and mailings.
Maintain the official copy of the CoDA Fellowship
Service Manual and related correspondence and documents--current and
historical--and turn over records to CoDA for archives.
Disclose legal and spiritual problems, conflicts,
and all committee goals to committee members. Request group conscience
poll for solutions with all committee members.
Communicate with members amiably and discuss problems
directly if personal problems arise, before bringing matters to all
members' attention for resolution. Relate dissenting opinions to committee
members, Conference and Fellowship when required for the greater good
of CoDA. If necessary, advise the IMC, too.
Follow the Steps and Traditions in all dealings,
and aid the committee in following these principles in their communications
and work.
Refer financial matters to Board liaison and Finance
Committee
The Fellowship Service
Manual of Co-Dependents Anonymous Conference Approved August 2005
Section 11
CoDA Corporate Entities
Co-Dependents Anonymous, Inc.
CoDA, Inc. is a non-profit corporation
created by the Fellowship of CoDA to serve its business and legal needs.
As such, CoDA, Inc., provides a center of on-going support, outreach,
and information for the spiritual program of Co-Dependents Anonymous.
Contact Information:
Written correspondence to CoDA may be directed to:
CoDA, Fellowship Services Office, PO Box 33577,
Phoenix, AZ 85067-3577
Telephone number: (answering service only) (602) 277-7991
E-mail meeting updates to: meeting@coda.org
Our web site is: www.coda.org Address e-mail to:
outreach@coda.org
CoDA Resources Publishing, Inc.
(CoRe)
CoDA Resources Publishing, Inc. is a non-profit corporation,
established by the CoDA Service Conference, to perform specific duties
related to the publication and distribution of literature for our program.
This avoids problems of money, property, and prestige, allowing the
CoDA membership to avoid disruptions to our program's primary spiritual
purpose. The voting members at the CoDA Service Conference elect CoRe's
Board of Directors. CoRe is a completely separate corporation from CoDA,
Inc., but the CoDA trustees and the CoRe Board of directors are elected
by the same voting members at Conference and are responsible to the
same people, the Fellowship of CoDA.
CoRe’s primary mission is to ensure that CoDA
literature be produced in a timely and cost efficient manner.
Contact Information:
Written correspondence to CoRe may be directed to:
The Fellowship Service
Manual of Co-Dependents Anonymous Conference Approved August 2005
Section 12
Guidelines for CoDA Communications
Communications within all of CoDA
Informative and timely communications are necessary for the growth and
maintenance of any service organization. Lack of communication among
our members can cause unnecessary conflict. CoDA members have requested
guidance in applying our Steps and Traditions to new forms of communication,
specifically electronic mail (e-mail). The principles of effective communication
may be applied to all forms of communication among members, committees,
and service boards of CoDA.
E-mail is best used as a supplement to, not
replacement of, hard copy. Because e-mail is less expensive and more
efficient than Postal Service deliveries, its use is encouraged, provided
boundaries are maintained. These boundaries include maintaining anonymity.
Use caution when forwarding or copying e-mail
to protect others’ anonymity. For example: Personal e-mail address
books may contain the full name of addressees. These may be disclosed
when a message is forwarded.
Anyone in the CoDA Fellowship can request his/her
Internet address be placed on the CoDA mailing list in association with
an active meeting. Because e-mail copies involve no additional cost,
broad distribution of general information is enhanced. Communication
is enhanced when at least two members in each Voting Entity have e-mail
addresses and are willing to disseminate information received via e-mail.
To protect our copyrights, CoDA, Inc. does not
distribute any literature sold by CoDA, Inc. or CoRe via e-mail. Any
other communication may be sent via e-mail. (The Starter Packet and
other Service items are available in electronic format via the CoDA
website. These Service items are copyrighted and sold by CoDA, Inc.,
or CoRe.)
The following documents are usually mailed to
Delegates first, then distributed via e-mail: CoDA committee memos and
reports. Board minutes and reports, financial statements, By Laws, and
similar documents are not distributed via e-mail until hard copy is
mailed. There is no reason to restrict e-mail distribution lists, as
cost is not an issue with e-mail.
All e-mail/Internet and postal addresses are
confidential and are for CoDA business use only.
These guidelines were developed with insight
gained from the following Steps and Traditions:
Step Ten: Continued to take personal
inventory, and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it. If I fail to
follow our guidelines, I admit my shortcomings and make amends wherever
and as soon as possible. If I wronged a person in private, I make amends
in private; if I wronged a person in front of others, I make amends
in front of others.
Tradition One: Our common welfare should
come first; personal recovery depends upon CoDA unity. I ask myself,
"Does this message promote CoDA unity, foster fellowship or promote
recovery? Could it be interpreted as disruptive or divisive?" If
I receive a message that I consider disruptive or divisive, I share
that feeling with the author before seeking other remedies. I ask permission
before copying an e-mail message or other communication to others. I
review my responses for adherence to our Steps, Traditions, and principles.
Tradition Two: For our group purpose
there is but one ultimate authority: a loving Higher Power as expressed
to our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they
do not govern. CoDA has procedures in place to determine the group conscience
of a meeting, Intergroup, Voting Entity and even our CoDA structure.
We determine our collective group conscience by selecting/electing representatives
to serve the Fellowship. Our Higher Power gives us guidance in this
way. Sometimes people may circumvent our process by claiming to be interpreters
of our group conscience. To avoid future confusion, when I participate
in a group conscience decision, I make written notes of the people who
were notified and/or participated, identify the subject we discussed,
and include the results of the decision.
Tradition Three: The only requirement
for membership in CoDA is a desire for healthy and loving relationships.
We need to be aware that not everyone in CoDA has access to telephones,
computers, e-mail, or the Internet. CoDA is based on inclusion, not
exclusion. Access to technology of any kind is not a requirement for
participation in our program, so we rely on the Postal Service as our
primary method of distribution of information to the Fellowship. I make
a sincere attempt to include all interested members in our discussions,
whether by telephone, fax, e-mail, the Internet, Postal Service, or
other means.
Tradition Nine: CoDA, as such, ought
never to be organized; but we may create service boards or committees
directly responsible to those they serve. As a member of CoDA, and when
working as a trusted servant in any way, I am respectful to the members
I serve and the members I associate with during my service. I communicate
with others on matters that affect other groups or CoDA as a whole.
I communicate with my Voting Entity Delegates when seeking information.
Tradition Ten: CoDA has no opinion on
outside issues; hence, the CoDA name ought never be drawn into public
controversy. As a member of CoDA and when working as a trusted servant,
I respect the careful use of Postal Service, telephone, fax, and e-mail.
I do not use personal correspondence of any kind to draw Co-Dependents
Anonymous, any of its service boards, or any CoDA member into public
controversy on any matter.
Tradition Eleven: Our public relations
policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always
maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films.
The Internet is not a private form of communication. It is a public
medium. Publishing items to news groups is comparable to publishing
in a newspaper. For this reason, we encourage members to seek anonymity
in screen names, e-mail addresses, and postal mail addresses.
Tradition Twelve: Anonymity is the spiritual
foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles
before personalities. I respect the anonymity of others and myself.
I consider the point of view of any writer or speaker. Is anyone cloaking
personal opinions or concerns in our Steps and Traditions? Are we all
respecting group conscience procedures? Is there a possibility of miscommunication?
Could I be making erroneous assumptions? Does it feel right? If not,
it probably isn't. When in doubt, check it out.
List of Affirmative Communication
Actions
I respect the anonymity of others by not using
a member's last name in the text of a message.
If a member's last name appears in an e-mail
address, or if the member is identifiable in any way, I will remove
that address in any carbon copies unless I have the member's permission
to send it as is.
I obtain permission before faxing CoDA identified
materials to a member.
I respect the personal integrity, anonymity,
and privacy of each member, and I expect and deserve the same.
I maintain civility and decorum in my communications
to members of CoDA, as I practice developing and maintaining healthy
relationships. I continue to practice healthy interpersonal behavior
in communications via telephone, fax, e-mail, and the Internet.
When in doubt about the content or intent of
a letter, telephone call, e-mail, or other communication, I first request
clarification from the author before discussing its content.
When I participate in a group discussion (in
person or by Postal Service, telephone, fax or e-mail), I maintain focus
on the subject at hand. My attention and focus is a gift I offer other
members.
Recovery is a process; I respect each member
for where that member is in recovery. I practice my program by sharing
my experience, strength, and hope with others, not by pointing out faults
and flaws in others.
The text of any forwarded message is transmitted
verbatim. I do not edit it. (For the purposes of committee work where
editing work is in process, I clearly mark a previous, unedited version
and include it with my suggested revisions.) Generally, emails are not
forwarded to people not addressed by the original sender.
I encourage others in their recovery, and do
not "flame" them. Flaming is a written attack on a person,
a person's opinions, or a person's point of view, distributed to multiple
addresses, usually via e-mail. When my opinions differ from another,
I share my experiences with that person, explaining how they are different
or similar.
When sending email to a list of addresses,
I send the message to myself and use BCC (Blind Carbon Copy) for the
list of intended recipients in order to protect the anonymity of the
members.
Communications from the Board:
CoDA Quarterly Service Report
(QSR) Guidelines
All QSR submissions are made through the appropriate
board liaison, i.e.: The Finance committee report is submitted through
the Finance Committee Board liaison.
All submissions to the QSR editor are made
through the QSR Board liaison.
There are no additions by the editor.
The final draft of the QSR is made available
for review by all Board members, and must be reviewed by at least two
members.
The editor makes no changes to the QSR after
final approval by the Board.
Guidelines for Developing
a CoDA Meeting, Intergroup or Voting Entity Website
Guidelines for CoDA service committees, Meetings,
Intergroups, or Voting Entities desiring to establish a web presence
with a web site to carry the message of Co-Dependents Anonymous.
A CoDA group may decide what information they
want to provide and the level of complexity they wish to maintain on
a web site.
A typical web site might include the following:
Home page – general information about
the group and CoDA.
The possibilities to “carry the message”
are endless. There are potential problems to be avoided. These can fall
into two general categories: those concerning the Twelve Traditions
and those concerning technology.
How Do the Traditions Affect What We Put
on a Web Site?
The Twelve Traditions of Co-Dependents Anonymous
are the guiding spiritual principles our Fellowship. (For additional
information about the appropriateness of applying our Traditions, please
refer to the CoDA pamphlet, “Using the Twelve Traditions.”)
No matter how modest the web site, it is available
to a large, diverse and growing audience. If a web site is linked to
the CoDA, Inc. site (www.coda.org), that link represents an endorsement
by CoDA. Possible Tradition issues are:
Unity - deciding what goes into a web site
Our primary purpose - carrying the CoDA message of recovery from codependency
Endorsement - avoiding endorsement of related facilities or outside
enterprises.
Outside issues - avoiding opinions on outside issues
Self-support - costs of development and maintenance
Autonomy - responsibility for web site content and copyright acknowledgements
Anonymity - the Internet as an extension of press, radio and films.
Unity - Deciding What Goes in a Web Site
It is important to remember that “our common
welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon CoDA unity”
(Tradition One). Keeping the information presented general allows us
to reach as many codependents as possible, many of whom will be newcomers
who know little about Co-Dependents Anonymous. Please be clear that
information regarding any special focus meetings on your pages are a
small part of CoDA.
A group conscience of the sponsoring group is
the basis for deciding what goes into the website. Before putting up
a website, the content should be thoroughly reviewed by the membership
of the group sponsoring the site.
Placing information about the site’s sponsoring
group, on each page of the site, makes the message clear to the reader.
As a design consideration, having a consistent “look and feel”
on each page makes reading the material easier for the user.
Our primary purpose - carrying the CoDA message
of recovery from codependency
The purpose for the web site should be to carry
the CoDA message. Our Step 12 reads, “Having had a spiritual awakening
as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to other
co-dependents, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.”
A website can be a great tool in carrying the message of recovery to
codependents who still suffer, by employing modern technology to implement
our primary spiritual aim. Our websites rely on attraction, not promotion.
Avoiding endorsement - avoiding endorsement
of related facilities or outside enterprises as stated in Tradition
6.
A link to another web site, is saying, “This
is a site that we think well of. It is an unspoken but very real endorsement
of the linked-to site. Some web sites are hosted by facilities such
as hospitals or rehabilitation centers. These facilities may provide
CoDA meetings on-premises and include CoDA information on their web
site as a service. This is fine. Although we may not endorse a related
facility or outside enterprise, a facility or outside enterprise may
endorse us. Their sites may provide information about CoDA and/or link
to CoDA developed/maintained sites.
An exception to this policy is when a CoDA event
(Convention, Conference, retreat) is held at a location that has a web
site. A reference to the facility web site may be included in the announcement
of the event. It is appropriate for the CoDA Fellowship to obtain information
about the place were the event will be held.
It is impossible to know which web sites have
linked to your site. If asked, it would be acceptable for a site to
link to a CoDA sponsored site. However, in order to maintain the spirit
of the Traditions, it is a good practice to request that the linking
site makes it clear that they are linking to your site for information
purposes and not as an affiliation.
Linking to sites that have been developed and
sponsored by CoDA service bodies or communities is the safest choice.
The CoDA, Inc. web site does not link to web sites outside of CoDA.
Many web sites that include CoDA information may also include information
and links that have nothing to do with codependency. CoDA linked sites
should not endorse, link or reference related facilities or outside
enterprises. CoDA does not endorse sites developed and maintained by
non-CoDA organizations, so we don’t link to sites that are not
affiliated with a CoDA group.
Outside issues - avoiding opinions on outside
issues
The Tenth Tradition says “CoDA has no opinion
on outside issues.” We need to consider the good of CoDA as a whole,
which may be affected if a CoDA web site links to a site that has opinions
on outside issues
Another problem that may be encountered on a
web site is provider-included advertising. If a small flashing picture
appears saying “If you’d like to see more about this, press
here - it’s an ad. These advertisers pay site providers to place
their ads that allow you link to sites to download free software. Providing
information like this violates both Traditions Six and Ten. (“A
CoDA group ought never endorse, finance or lend the CoDA name to any
related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property
and prestige divert us from our primary spiritual aim.” And, “CoDA
has no opinions on outside issues; hence, the CoDA name should never
be drawn into public controversy.”)
Some Internet providers insert their own addresses
at the bottom of a web page to encourage viewers to contact them. Closely
associated with this problem is that some of the code generators insert
messages such as, “This web site was developed using XYZ Tool.”
These, are also advertisements and break CoDA’s Tradition of non-endorsement.
Use of credit card or financial trademarks is
acceptable in the normal course of financial transactions.
Self-Support
Setting up a site on the Internet has recurring
costs. Many Internet Service Providers (ISP’s) make space available
for clients as part of their monthly fees for a “personal”
web site. A member may want to donate their personal web site space
as a service to the sponsoring service body. But what happens if the
individual decides to change ISP’s? What if they move? What if
they decide that CoDA isn’t for them anymore?
Tradition Seven says “every CoDA group
ought to be fully self-supporting.” So it’s best that the
group provide its own Internet presence. The important issue is that
the group be responsible for the site, not an individual.
Responsibility for Page Content
No one may publish CoDA copyrighted material
without the express written permission of CoDA, Inc. Copyright infringement
is one of the most common problems that have occurred with the explosion
of the Internet. Using copyrighted material without permission has the
potential of deeply affecting CoDA as a whole. The only CoDA materials
that may be reproduced on a web site are those items on the CoDA, Inc.
web site and the appropriate Copyright notice must be included. Excerpted
material must also be acknowledged.
CoDA Service Items/Literature
CoDA's service items include the Meeting Starter
Packet, the Fellowship Service Manual, the Steps, Promises, Traditions,
& meeting format. All service items appear on the www.coda.org website.
They may be photo-copied for use in CoDA meetings or posted on CoDA
community websites.
CoDA Inc. does not allow quotations from our
literature on any website, nor does CoDA Inc. allow photo-copying of
literature. Literature includes but is not limited to: The CoDA Book,
the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions Workbook, the Newcomer's Handbook and
other items which we sell through CoRe. Although text of CoDA's literature
is not posted on the CoDA.org website, short descriptions of literature
(blurbs) and ordering information are available online.
We, as a Fellowship, own the literature, develop
it, approve it and maintain it. We have entrusted the Board of Trustees
of Co-Dependents Anonymous the legal responsibility to protect our property.
That includes rigorous protection of our copyrights from use without
permission. If copyright infringement is found to exist, the following
steps should be taken:
Bring it to the attention of the Board of
Trustees.
The Board of Trustees will take appropriate
action to preserve CoDA, Inc. rights and resolve the violation, up
to and including notification of the Internet Service Provider, and
legal action.
An Extension of Press, Radio and Films
Tradition Eleven, which calls for maintaining
“personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, film,” also
applies to the Internet.
Technical Issues
Technical issues may arise during the development
of web sites. Detailed questions about coding, page structure, and other
issues cannot be covered in this general overview. Your Internet Service
Provider may be able to provide you with technical assistance. Trustees
or committee chairs may be contacted via e-mail, the CoDA, Inc. web
site, http://www.coda.org or by postal mail. (PO Box 33577, Phoenix,
AZ 85067
Summary
The general things you need to remember are:
Design the site with newcomers in mind.
Do not use CoDA copyrighted material.
Take a careful look at any site that you
consider linking to for Traditions related problems. It is strongly
suggested that you only link to sites sponsored by other Co-Dependents
Anonymous service bodies, including the CoDA, Inc. web site, http://www.coda.org.
Create a Web Site Maintenance Committee within
the service body or community to make ongoing revisions to your web
site.
Sponsoring service bodies must be advised
of and approve all revisions to their sponsored web site.
Have fun considering the possibilities of
the information that you can disseminate and the creative ways there
are to do that.
A web site is an incredible tool to help
spread information to people who suffer from codependency. It just
takes a little thought and effort to maintain our adherence to the
principles that we have learned to incorporate into our everyday lives.
Remember, the Internet is a way to facilitate
bringing more hands and hearts into our Fellowship
The Fellowship Service
Manual of Co-Dependents Anonymous Conference Approved August 2005
Section 13
Conference Procedures and the Community Problem Solving Method of Decision
Making
Background
During the 1994 Service Conference, the Fellowship allowed
the Board to conduct the Conference in a different manner than using Robert’s
Rules of Order. This manner of conducting business was called the Community
Problem Solving Method or Interactive Decision Making Method. Unlike the
more rigid structure of Robert’s Rules, this method is relatively
simple to learn and lacks the legal and potentially antagonistic tone
of standard parliamentary procedure. It is a friendlier and more cooperative
method of decision making where motions are made only after information
around the problem has been gathered and solutions brainstormed.
At the end of the 1994 Conference, many comments were
made as to how smoothly the Conference went in comparison to the years
before. For the first time in CoDA’s history, all of the agenda items
were completed by adjournment. Much of the success of this Conference
was attributed to the new method of conducting the business meeting. One
of the last actions of the Conference was when the Conference Committee
made a motion # 94079 “That we recommend the 1995 Service Conference
use the Community Interactive Method for its Conference.” This motion
passed unanimously. As a result of this motion, this is the method the
Board used to conduct business at the 1995 Service Conference. It has
been used ever since.
Introduction to the Community Problem Solving Method
The Community Problem Solving Method follows a basic
four-stage process:
1. Identifying an issue or problem—gathering information
2. Brainstorming—formulating solutions or recommendations
3. Crafting a motion from the suggested solutions or
recommendations
4. Voting on the motion (No second or amendments are
needed.)
Because everyone has a chance to be heard during each
stage of the process, the motions formulated tend to strongly reflect
the combined conscience of all the members present. Compromise (finding
middle ground) is often reached without extra effort, and minority opinions
find a place in the final motion. Thus, unanimous votes are common; bitterness
and antagonism are reduced.
Within this friendlier structure of the Community Problem
Solving Method, it is still possible to adhere to scheduled timelines
and conduct official business, including formulating and passing motions
that are binding according to the Charter and By-laws of CoDA, Inc.
Within the existing structure of the CoDA Service Conference
(CSC), each committee usually does the initial groundwork of brainstorming
issues and giving possible solutions in the form of preliminary motions.
Preliminary motions are presented to the CSC during committee reports.
The CSC then has the opportunity to give more input and feedback if necessary.
The final motions are then crafted on the floor and the vote taken. There
may be some brief time lapse while motions are crafted, but in actuality,
time is saved since there are no seconds to be made and no amendments
or amendments to the amendments to be dealt with.
Delegates, committee members, and Trustees of CoDA developed
the "Community Problem Solving Method" for use at the annual
CoDA Service Conference. Although these guidelines apply specifically
to the CSC, they may be adapted to conduct business at any level of CoDA.
This method allows people to express their thoughts
and opinions in a structured process, and through that process motions
are crafted which express the group conscience of the participants.
CoDA Service Conference (CSC) Guidelines/Procedures
1. Use of the Community Problem Solving Method as
our Method of Group Conscience Decision Making
The Community Problem Solving Method will be the guidelines
used to achieve group conscience and to facilitate the business of the
CSC. Time limits and procedures for the Community Problem Solving Method
are outlined in the subsection titled “Community Problem Solving
Method of Decision Making: Sequence for Bringing a Motion to Vote.”
2. Preparation and Adoption of the CSC Agenda
It is the responsibility of the Conference Committee,
consulting with the Board of Trustees to assure that all business matters
are presented to the Fellowship. To this end, the Conference Committee
prepares the initial agenda for the CSC. This agenda is adopted (or modified
and then adopted) by a group conscience decision at the beginning of the
CSC.
3. To Modify the CSC Agenda
Committees may reschedule their appointed report times
on the CSC agenda by a group conscience decision of the CSC. Committees
are encouraged to request changes as far in advance as possible. Requests
for rescheduling should be made no later than immediately prior to the
committee report which directly precedes the originally scheduled time
slot for the committee requesting a change. (If a committee is not ready
to report and has not requested a change to the agenda, the committee's
report will be listed as “unfinished business” at the end of
the agenda.)
4. Role of the Chair/Facilitator
Conference time management is essential to accomplish
our work. The Conference Chairperson is responsible for promoting the
smooth and orderly flow of business. The Chairperson may be assisted by
a Facilitator.
The Chairperson/Facilitator is charged with maintaining
order at the microphone and in the conference room. Therefore, when the
Chairperson/Facilitator strikes the gavel or calls for “thirty seconds”
of silence, all speaking and discussion will cease. Each period of silence
will be followed by the Serenity Prayer.
There may be times when the Chairperson/Facilitator
may need to interrupt a speaker to ask for clarification, correct a procedural
error or maintain time limits adopted by group conscience.
The Chairperson/Facilitator may call for a group conscience
at any time in order to reach a quick consensus to complete business.
5. Microphones and time limits for speaking
People addressing the CSC do so at the microphone. This
is to assure that attendees can hear CSC business clearly and that all
CSC business is correctly recorded.
One person speaks at a time.
At appropriate times when conducting business, for discussion
of the issues and to make recommendations, there may be one microphone
set up for those in favor of a motion and one set up for those opposing
a motion. A third microphone is set up in the middle for people who need
clarification or may offer clarification.
Speakers must line up at the appropriate microphone
and wait to be recognized by the Chairperson/Facilitator. The Chairperson/Facilitator
will alternate microphones and will recognize the speakers at each mike
before they speak. Those speaking at the center microphone will be recognized
over those speakers at the other two microphones. After being recognized
by the Chairperson/Facilitator, the speakers identify themselves by stating
their first name and the Voting Entity they are representing. Speakers
may then address the CSC.
When speaking, express feelings, give opinions, share
experience, show reservations and concerns, offer realistic criticism,
assess possible flaws, and offer possible alternative solutions and options.
Whenever possible, after you share a feeling, RECOMMEND AN ACTION OR
SOLUTION WHICH THAT FEELING SUPPORTS. The CSC is not a place just
to vent or complain.
At the CoDA Service Conference, persons who address
the CSC may speak to an issue only once for 1 minute each. Time limits
may be changed by group conscience. Persons using the middle microphone
for clarification or to make a request for information may speak more
than once.
6. Speaking privileges and voting privileges
Generally, speaking privileges (also known as “voice”
privileges) are restricted to people who have voting privileges. Conference
may grant voice and/or vote as they determine appropriate. During committee
reports, however, all participants in the development of that report may
speak regardless of voting rights.
Each CoDA Trustee has a vote at the CSC; the CoRe Board
has two voting members. (“CoDA Fellowship Service Manual: Section
09-CoDA Service Structure,” and “Co-Dependents Anonymous, Inc.
Bylaws: Article IV- Membership and Voting.”) Voting Entity Delegates
have voting privileges (CoDA Fellowship Service Manual, Section 08, Voting
Entity Service, and “Co-Dependents Anonymous, Inc. Bylaws: Article
IV- Membership and Voting.”)
While voting privileges are restricted, all CoDA members
are welcome to attend the CSC and work on a CoDA committee.
According to Tradition Two and our Group Conscience
Process, a group conscience decision grows out of the combined wisdom
of the whole group guided by our Higher Power. However, time simply does
not permit every person to speak on every issue at CSC. Non-voting members
who want to have their opinions shared with the CSC may apply an adaptation
of the process used to bring a group conscience opinion to a service board
via the Group Representative:
a) Speak with your Voting Entity Delegate and give that
person a written summary of the opinion you want expressed.
b) If you have no Voting Entity Delegate, you may request
“voice” privileges (see below).
“The CSC may extend voice and/or vote privileges
at CSC to any member that it deems appropriate or necessary. Voice and/or
vote may be granted for the entire CSC, or on individual issues. This
flexibility is sometimes needed to gain the valuable input and services
of members who are not specifically included in the above paragraphs.”
(“Co-Dependents Anonymous, Inc. Bylaws: Article IV- Membership and
Voting.”)
7. Addressing disruptive behavior
Due to the nature of our Twelve Step recovery program,
it is especially important that members feel safe (emotionally and physically)
when participating in business service meetings. Group conscience may
call for the elimination of speaking privileges or removal from the meeting
of a person who attempts to consistently disrupt, interrupt, or otherwise
impede the progress of the meeting. (Please refer to the CoDA Fellowship
Service Manual, Section 2, The Group Conscience Process, Disagreement,
Mediation, and Resolution in Our Group Conscience Process, for additional
information regarding conflict resolution.)
8. Calling for Thirty Seconds or for a Group Conscience
At any time during the CSC, any CSC participant may
call for “thirty seconds” of silence to ask for Higher Power
guidance on a particular issue. Thirty seconds may also be called when
gratitude for Higher Power guidance is appropriate. Each period of silence
will be followed by the Serenity Prayer.
Any voting member may also request a group conscience
if it is needed to help the overall efficiency of conducting business.
9. Presence During the Group Conscience Process and
Passing the Badge
It is the responsibility of each voting member to be
prompt for meetings and to be present during the entire period of time
an item of business is discussed. Whenever possible, it is recommended
that all voting members be present during all business presented on the
CSC floor, including the introduction and discussion of all business and
preliminary motions.
Voting members must be present during the entire community
problem solving method for a motion (presentation of the issue or preliminary
motion, discussion and brainstorming, crafting a motion from the suggested
solutions) in order to vote on that motion.
If a voting Delegate has to leave the room during CSC
business, an Alternate Delegate may vote in the absence of the Delegate
by exchanging badges. Voting Alternate Delegates, who have been passed
the badge, must be present during the entire problem solving method for
a motion in order to vote on that motion.
If a motion or preliminary motion is on the floor, a
badge may not be exchanged until discussion and voting on that motion
is completed.
When a Delegate or Alternate uses a badge to address
the CSC concerning a motion, he or she may not pass that badge until the
discussion and the vote on that motion have been completed.
A volunteer may be asked to hold badges of any voting
member that needs to leave the room during this process. These badges
will not be returned until the vote has been taken. “A group conscience
decision grows out of the combined wisdom invested in the whole group.”
(CoDA Fellowship Service Manual, Section 2). It is important that voting
members be present and open to all view points presented to be able to
vote for the one they see as best for CoDA.
It is also important for voting members to stay for
the entire CSC whenever possible. When too many voting members leave early,
there is no quorum to conduct business.
10. Fifteen-Minute Breaks Between Committee Reports
Other than breaks for meals, a fifteen-minute break
occurs between committee reports unless group conscience determines otherwise.
It is highly recommended that committees utilize the fifteen-minute break
time to hand out copies of their reports and preliminary motions prior
to their verbal reports. This provides the CSC an opportunity to consider
key points and prepare for any discussion. The fifteen-minute break is
in place for this information to be distributed.
11. Distribution of Information
All information distributed to the CSC must be information
that either reflects a committee's group conscience or is board-approved
CSC material. A group conscience vote from the CSC is required before
any other materials may be distributed.
12. Committee Report Times
Committee members must be present and ready to report
when the allotted time occurs for their committee business. By group conscience
vote of the CSC, committees may reschedule their appointed report times
on the CSC agenda. Committees are encouraged to request changes as far
in advance as possible. If a committee is not ready to report and has
not requested a change to the agenda, the committee's report will be listed
as “unfinished business” at the end of the agenda, unless otherwise
decided by group conscience.
13. Time Limit for Committee Reports
At CSC, Committee reports are usually scheduled for
a maximum of one hour each but may be adjusted otherwise by Conference
group conscience. If the time expires, and a Committee is not finished,
their time may be extended or the remaining business for that committee
may be submitted at the end of the CSC agenda under “unfinished business.”
Committee business not discussed or resolved at CSC will be referred to
the Board of Trustees for resolution. Ratification of Board decisions
may or may not be necessary at the next CSC.
14. Avoiding Committee Work on the CSC Floor
Because CSC and Committee report time is limited, it
is recommended that Committee work (reviewing issues, gathering information,
brainstorming, forming recommendations) not be conducted on the CSC floor.
New issues should be referred to a Committee before
that Committee's report whenever possible. If CSC participants have comments
about Committee handouts received in the Delegate packet before CSC, they
may send those comments to the Committee any time before that Committee’s
report.
If a new issue arises during a Committee report, it
is recommended that the issue be sent back to Committee for discussion.
The Committee may then present a report on that issue during the “new
business” section of the CSC agenda. New issues may be discussed
during a Committee report if the group conscience vote of the CSC chooses
to discuss the issue. If a committee motion is tabled, it falls into the
“unfinished business” or “old business” section of
the CSC agenda.
After a Committee gives its report and questions have
been addressed, the Facilitator can ask if the CSC accepts the report.
If the CSC accepts the report, that means it approves the Committee’s
plans for the coming year and supports funding those plans. APPROVAL OF
THE ACTUAL CoDA BUDGET, INCLUDING ALL COMMITTEE BUDGETS, ONLY OCCURS DURING
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT. If members of the CSC choose not to accept
the report in its entirety, motions may be needed on each of the committee’s
plans individually.
15. Motions
Before presentation, preliminary motions are legibly
written on the supplied motion forms and those forms are handed to the
person responsible for recording motions. Next, a preliminary motion is
read into a microphone. At that time, voting members may discuss the preliminary
motion at the microphones.
COMMUNITY PROBLEM SOLVING METHOD OF DECISION MAKING:
SEQUENCE FOR BRINGING A MOTION TO VOTE
The following is a possible way for placing limits on
the discussion of a motion. This process is designed to allow approximately
20 minutes per motion. Naturally, some motions will take more or less
time and will not necessarily be stopped mid-process if the allotted time
per motion runs out before completion. Group conscience and trusting in
a Higher Power will help balance the imperfect allocation of time needed
for voting on motions.
The process is not designed to handle formal amendments,
"motions to table", "points of order" or other such
traditional business terms and situations. During the period of time at
the beginning of the CSC when CSC procedures are put in place, this timeline
or a comparative one may be put in place. By group conscience, everything
is flexible in this method, especially time and speaker limitations.
2 min.
1. Committee Chair puts a preliminary motion on the floor and presents
the basic reasoning in favor of passing the preliminary motion. Comments
may be made as to why the particular solution reflected in the preliminary
motion was the final committee recommendation.
5 min.
2. The Facilitator asks for questions and information pertaining to
the preliminary motion
6-12 min.
3. Statements in favor of and in opposition to
the preliminary motion are given:
Alternating microphones, Up to 3 people can speak
for and up to 3 people can speak against the preliminary motion,
for 1 minute each. An even number of speakers is not required and
either pro or con may start.
If more than 3 people want to speak pro or con, they may briefly
confer among themselves to decide which three people will speak
for the group. The speakers will try to include the non-speakers'
main points. It is recommended that speakers not repeat the points
another speaker has already addressed.
Recorders note main points for and against the preliminary motion.
If a Committee feels a motion needs more time for discussion within
the Committee's allocated time, by a group conscience of the assembly,
more time can be used for questions and answers, and twice as many
statements pro and con may be heard. Of course, group conscience
can also just put a time limit on this input with as many speakers
speaking alternatively as possible within the time limit. Conferring
so as points aren't repeated is still advised
5 min
4. Changes are
made to the preliminary motion per group conscience. When finalized,
the motion is read back to make certain it is in its final form.
1 min.
5. The Facilitator calls for a vote: Those
in favor; Those opposed; Abstentions.
a. Motions that receive 2/3 or more votes are
binding on the Board of Trustees unless that motion is later deemed
in conflict with the law or the CoDA Bylaws.
b. Motions with 2/3 vote for Committee work only
require support from
the Board; the Board does not do Committee work.
1 min.
6. One additional speaker on the minority opinion maybe heard at this
time.
30 sec.
7. Any participant may call for "30
seconds of silence" at any time in order to remind the assembly
of Higher Power's guiding presence and/or to slow down an escalating
debate. Each period of silence will be followed by the Serenity Prayer.
COMMITTEE GUIDELINES FOR CRAFTING
PRELIMINARY MOTIONS
The Community Problem Solving Method can be used by
Committees working to examine issues and put their recommendations together
into preliminary motions for the CSC.
The Community Problem Solving Method is similar to the
process often known as “Brainstorming.” It involves members
calling out their ideas as someone writes the ideas down. Members do not
criticize or comment on the ideas offered--all ideas are treated equally
and are just written down. Keeping a self-check on body language such
as rolling of the eyes is important. The idea is to release inhibitions
of our critical thinking and get out as many ideas as possible in a short
period of time. The group can agree to a time limit on each phase of the
process.
A. What is the issue? [5 Minutes]
During the first phase of the process, members call
out their ideas focused on an issue. "What is the problem if any?"
may be a question for focus. The brainstorming might possibly fall easily
into a Pro and Con issue and can be divided accordingly. The members then
may see the need to eliminate items that don't seem to fit or apply. The
next step of this phase may be to prioritize issues that need immediate
attention, while leaving the rest for later to consider. This process
can repeat itself for individual issues if needed.
B. Brainstorm the important elements of the issue. (Pros
and Cons) [5 Minutes]
Let ideas flow freely. Every idea is valid.
C. What information is needed to reach a solution? What
sources need to be checked? Who will follow up with gathering the information?
The next step of the process involves gathering information pertinent
to the problem. Some people may have immediate information that can be
gathered by the brainstorming technique, but other information may involve
asking resource people their side of the issue, gathering statistics,
gathering facts and such. A plan that designates who will do what by when
can then be set. When the next step of the process is ready to be undertaken,
the information is reviewed and pros and cons if necessary.
D. Brainstorm possible solutions to the problem. [10
Minutes]
Brainstorming possible solutions to a situation is next,
with the same brainstorming guidelines in effect as in the first step.
Solutions that don't seem possible are eliminated in the next step, and
prioritizing may once again be appropriate.
E. Prioritize solutions and if needed list pros and
cons of the solutions. [10-15 Minutes]
F. Craft a preliminary motion [10 Minutes]
Formulate the ideas and possible solutions into a recommendation
that can be offered to the CSC as a preliminary motion. Details as whose
responsibility it would be to carry out the motion in what frame may also
be appropriate. The crafting of the preliminary motion follows. People
who are good with language syntax may be in charge of the crafting.
G. To prepare your preliminary motion for consideration
at the CSC, fill out the appropriate motion form including the intent
of the motion for future reference (there are no other “minutes”
of the CSC). Prior to your report, give the completed motion forms to
the person recording motions. Any changes can be made as needed during
discussion of the motion.
GUIDELINE FOR BOARD AND COMMITTEE
REPORTS
AT CoDA SERVICE CONFERENCE (CSC)
It is helpful to include the following in reports to
the CSC:
The status of all Fellowship issues received in the
past year from Voting Entities.
The Fellowship issues received at the current CSC
Committee responses to Fellowship issues.
A summary of the progress you have made on other
projects you have been working on and plans for any new projects.
A summary of your financial plan including goals
and budget for the coming year.
Responses to Fellowship issues may include:
Determination that the Fellowship issue has already
been addressed; therefore, the recommendation is not needed. Include
references to CoDA guidelines already in place that address the issue
Determination that the Fellowship issue recommendation/s
cannot be implemented due to Step or Tradition violations.
Acceptance of the Fellowship issue recommendation
to resolve issue; present preliminary motions based on that recommendation.
Decision to table the Fellowship issue for further
discussion. Offer an estimated timeframe for making a decision on the
issue.
GUIDELINE FOR PRESENTING FELLOWSHIP
ISSUES TO THE CoDA SERVICE CONFERENCE (CSC)
The Voting Entity discusses an issue and forms a
recommendation by group conscience process.
The Voting Entity sends their issue and recommendation
to the Board of Trustees.
The Board may respond to the issue or they may send
the issue to an appropriate committee.
If a Committee receives a Fellowship issue, they
examine the issue and determine a response by group conscience.
Board or Committee responses to Fellowship issues
are presented at the CoDA Service Conference during Board or committee
reports. Responses may also be published in the Quarterly Service Report
(QSR) between CSC’s.
The Delegate is responsible for following up on the
status of their Voting Entity issues and reporting back to their membership.
Guidelines for Hosting a CoDA Service
Conference
Pre-Bid Guidelines for Host Committee
The community needs experience
hosting events of 100 or more people.
Submit proposals 12-18 months prior to the
CoDA Service Conference that you intend to host. Include the “proposal
to sponsor CoDA event” form.
The local committee and potential
project leader need experience participating in CoDA Service Conference.
A community of committed members
must be willing to do the work needed for an effective and successful
CoDA Service Conference.
In hotel selection, consider
room rates (single, double, triple, quad), conference and breakout rooms,
rates for hospitality suite, meals included or package deals, and banquet
possibilities.
Ensure the location is accessible
to a major airport, ground transportation, and shuttle.
Facilities need the ability
to accommodate large numbers of people for the purpose of multiple meetings,
workshops, and breakout rooms. Handicap accessibility is required.
Access to local eateries and
entertainment is helpful
Complete the application checklist
and submit with proposal to CoDA Conference Committee chairperson to
be reviewed by committee and Board liaison.
Familiarize committee with
guidelines for hosting International events.
Guidelines for CoDA Service Conference
Projected budget is submitted upon acceptance of
bid.
Select site and review contract with CoDA Conference
Committee Chair and Board liaison.
Room rates (single, double, triple, quad) and hospitality
suite, if used, are included. Meal packages are considered and included
here.
Two weeks prior to each Board meeting, income/expense
report are submitted by the CoDA Conference Committee chair to the Board
Liaison.
The host committee Treasurer sets up operating bank
account in a local bank.
Only CoDA approved literature and service items are
sold at the CoDA Service Conference. Non-approved literature is considered
a violation of our Traditions. No promotional literature of any nature
may be given out or sold at Conferences.
Recordings of the CoDA Service Conference are the
express property of CoDA, Inc., and may be sold only by CoDA-approved
representatives.
The committee chair reviews all flyers and other
materials sent to the Fellowship. The chair presents these to the Board
liaison before printing and distribution.
Conference goals and objectives adhere to the basic
principles of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Co-Dependents
Anonymous.
The Committee works with CoRe to ensure that CoDA
literature is available for viewing, and order forms are provided for
orders to be placed at the Conference.
The Conference chair, with input from the Board liaison,
is responsible for developing a schedule of events for the Service Conference.
Although the CoDA Board is not responsible for the Service Conference,
the Board is well informed of happenings in CoDA and can serve as a
valuable resource to the Conference chair. The first item of conference
business is to accept the agenda with any needed revisions.
All documentation is accomplished in a widely compatible
computer database-type program; currently this is Microsoft Access 95/98
(NSC 1999).
Develop a system for registration, and obtain names
and addresses from prior Service Conferences. Registration materials
include dates of the Service Conference, possible price/cost per person
as established by the host committee, the board liaison, and the Finance
Committee, and the registration deadline and late fees. Set up a specific
mailing address for registration. All registration forms are sent to
the Service Conference host committee for processing and accountability.
Last names collected for the Service Conference are
kept in strict confidence.
CoDA provides seed monies for the CSC, in the amount
set by the previous CSC.
A treasurer is appointed/ elected by the local host
community. The treasurer maintains accurate records of all monies and
communicates with the Committee Chair and the Board liaison as to the
status of monies on a regular basis.
The treasurer is responsible for opening a checking
account. Signatories include the treasurer, committee chair, CoDA Treasurer,
and one other committee member; but only one of the signatures is required
for each check written.
Develop communication with local CoDA communities
to enlist services: schedule local activities, maintain the hospitality
suite, host local CoDA meeting(s) on site, and provide for opportunities
to meet attendees of the CoDA Service Conference.
The host committee is responsible for identifying,
in concert with the Board liaison, facilitators (two or more are recommended)
who are familiar with the “Community Problem Solving Method.”
The CoDA Board is advised of the selection.
Post Conference – Final Report
Distribute Service Conference evaluation forms
to attendees. The host committee will review these, together with
the Board liaison, at the end of the Service Conference.
Finalize a budget review by the host committee
chair, host committee treasurer, Finance Committee chair, and Board
liaison.
Close out all accounts, summarize the Conference
evaluations, prepare a report of actual vs. budgeted income and expense
reports, and report the final number of registrants, within two months
of the close of the Service Conference.
Provide a mailing list of registrants for future
CoDA Service Conferences and other CoDA functions on a database, including
address, registration fees utilized for each category of participant,
and available meal packages used for the conference.
Maintain accurate records and documentation to
be made available for use by local host committees for future Service
Conferences.
Guidelines for Hosting a CoDA Convention
Pre-Bid Guidelines- CoDA Convention
The community needs experience hosting events of
100 or more people, including social events and fundraisers.
Submit bids two weeks prior to the CSC, two calendar
years before the event. (Bids may be accepted as little as 12 months
ahead, but preference will be given to bids received sooner.) Include
the “Proposal To Sponsor CoDA Event” form.
The local committee and project leader need experience
in a CoDA Convention.
A community of committed members must be willing
to do the work needed for an effective and successful CoDA Convention.
Consider weather in planning events (spring and
summer events are most common).
In hotel selection, consider room rates (single,
double, triple, quad), conference and breakout rooms, rates for hospitality
suite, meals included or package deals, and banquet possibilities.
Ensure the location is accessible to a major airport,
ground transportation, and shuttle.
Facilities need the ability to accommodate large
numbers of people for the purpose of multiple meetings, workshops,
and breakout rooms. Handicap accessibility is required.
Access to local eateries and entertainment is helpful.
Complete application checklist and submit with
proposal to CoDA Events committee chairperson to be reviewed by committee
and Board liaison.
Read the CoDA guidelines and post-convention guidelines
so the roles are clear for the local committee project leader, CoDA
Convention Committee, and the Board of Trustees.
Familiarize committee with guidelines for hosting
international events.
Guidelines for CoDA Convention
Projected budget is submitted upon acceptance of
bid.
Select site and review contract with CoDA Conference
Chair and Board liaison. Allow four to six weeks for review and signatures
of Board of Trustees.
Room rates (single, double, triple, quad) and hospitality
suite, if used, are included. Meal packages are considered and included
here.
Two weeks prior to each Board meeting, income/expense
report are submitted by the committee chair to the Board Liaison.
The host committee Treasurer sets up operating
cash bank account in a local bank.
Only CoDA approved literature and service items
are sold at the CoDA Convention. Non-approved literature is considered
a violation of our Traditions.
No named featured speakers may be used. Seminar,
panel, or workshop leaders may solicit the Fellowship for services.
Recordings of the CoDA Convention are the express
property of CoDA, Inc., and may be sold only by CoDA-approved representatives.
All recordings are done with a signed release form, signed by the
presenter prior to the recording.
The committee chairperson reviews all flyers and
other materials sent to the Fellowship. The chair presents these to
the Board liaison before printing and distribution. The Board liaison
has 15 days to review and respond prior to the mailing.
Convention goals and objectives adhere to the principles
of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Co-Dependents Anonymous.
Additionally, all topics, workshops, and seminars adhere to the principles
of the Steps and Traditions.
The Committee works with CoRe to stock a full complement
of CoDA Endorsed literature for sale. A literature chairperson may
be assigned in the local community to facilitate this. If a local
committee is unable to meet this obligation, the CoDA Convention chair
will be notified four months prior to the event in order to delegate
this task.
Create a skeleton format for the Convention, and
present it in writing to the Convention chairperson within 60 days
of bid acceptance. Include theme, entertainment, possible speakers,
and possible topics.
Develop a system for registration, and obtain names
and addresses from prior Conventions. Registration materials include
dates of the Convention, possible price/cost per person as established
by the host committee, the board liaison, and the Finance Committee,
and registration deadline and late fees. Set up a specific mailing
address for registration receipt. All registration forms are sent
to the Convention host committee for processing and accountability,
and funds and a copy of registration information are forwarded to
Fellowship Services on a weekly basis.
Last names collected for the Convention are kept
in strict confidence.
All event documentation is prepared and/or saved
on disk in a widely used word processing format, such Microsoft Word
version 5.0 or 6.0, Simple Text, or WordPad. Whenever possible, avoid
using the latest version of any software to prevent format incompatibilities.
CoDA provides seed monies for the Convention, in
the amount set by the previous CSC.
Local communities divide any Convention profits
beyond expenses and seed monies at a 60/40 split. The breakdown of
60% goes to the local community, and 40% is sent to CoDA, Inc. Profit
includes income from sales of T-shirts, mugs, and other such items.
A treasurer is appointed/ elected by the local
host community. The treasurer maintains accurate records of all monies
and communicates with the Committee Chair and the Board liaison as
to the status of monies on a regular basis.
The treasurer is responsible for opening a checking
account. Signatories include the treasurer, committee chair, CoDA
Treasurer, and one other committee member; but only one of the signatures
is required for each check written.
Convention speakers are not paid, as CoDA believes
this is a violation of our Traditions. Payments for transportation,
meals, and/or accommodations are acceptable.
CoDA-sponsored Conventions do not use professional
speakers. The experience, strength, and hope of CoDA members are the
core of our growth, our Fellowship, and honor the Twelve Steps and
the Twelve Traditions. The primary goal of a CoDA Convention is to
carry the message to other codependents. Tradition Six states “a
CoDA group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the CoDA name to
any related facility, lest problems of money, property, and prestige
divert us from our primary spiritual aim.”
Convention Guidelines – Final Report
Distribute Convention evaluation forms to attendees.
The host committee and the Board liaison review these at the end of
the Convention.
Finalize a budget review by the host committee
chair, host committee treasurer, Finance Committee chair, and Board
liaison.
Close out all accounts, summarize Convention evaluations,
prepare a report of actual vs. budgeted income and expense reports,
and report the final number of registrants, within two months of the
close of the Service Conference.
Provide a mailing list of registrants for future
events on a database, including address, first name, and last initial.
Also, provide aggregate data on meal packages purchased. This facilitates
planning for future services to attendees.
Maintain accurate records and documentation to
be made available for use by local host committees for future Convention
Co-Dependents Anonymous is a fellowship of men and
women whose common purpose is to develop healthy relationships. The
only requirement for membership is a desire for healthy and loving relationships.
We gather together to support and share with each other in a journey
of self-discovery — learning to love the self. Living the program
allows each of us to become increasingly honest with ourselves about
our personal histories and our own codependent behaviors.
We rely upon the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions
for knowledge and wisdom. These are the principles of our program and
guides to developing honest and fulfilling relationships with others
and ourselves. In CoDA, we each learn to build a bridge to a Higher
Power of our own understanding, and we allow others the same privilege.
This renewal process is a gift of healing for us.
By actively working the program of Co-Dependents Anonymous, we can each
realize a new joy, acceptance, and serenity in our lives.
We welcome you to Co-Dependents Anonymous - a program
of recovery from codependence, where each of us may share our experience,
strength, and hope in our efforts to find freedom where there has been
bondage, and peace where there has been turmoil in our relationships
with others and ourselves.
Most of us have been searching for ways to overcome
the dilemmas of the conflicts in our relationships and our childhood.
Many of us were raised in families where addictions existed - some of
us were not. In either case, we have found in each of our lives that
codependence is a most deeply-rooted, compulsive behavior, and that
it is born out of our sometimes moderately, sometimes extremely dysfunctional
family systems.
We have each experienced in our own ways the painful
trauma of the emptiness of our childhood and relationships throughout
our lives. We attempted to use others - our mates, our friends, and
even our children, as our sole source of identity, value, and well being
and as a way of trying to restore within us the emotional losses from
our childhoods. Our histories may include other powerful addictions,
which at times we have used to cope with our codependency.
We have all learned to survive life, but in CoDA,
we are learning to live life. Through applying the Twelve Steps and
principles found in CoDA to our daily life and relationships, both present
and past, we can experience a new freedom from our self-defeating lifestyles.
It is an individual growth process. Each of us is growing at our own
pace and will continue to do so as we remain open to God’s will
for us on a daily basis. Our sharing is our way of identification and
helps us to free the emotional bonds of our past and the compulsive
control of our present.
No matter how traumatic your past or despairing your
present may seem, there is hope for a new day in the program of Co-Dependents
Anonymous. No longer do you need to rely on others as a power greater
than yourself. May you instead find here a new strength within to be
that which God intended - Precious and Free.
I can expect a miraculous change in my life by working
the program of Co-Dependents Anonymous. As I make an honest effort to
work the Twelve Steps and follow the Twelve Traditions...
I know a new sense of belonging. The feelings
of emptiness and loneliness will disappear.
I am no longer controlled by my fears. I overcome
my fears and act with courage, integrity, and dignity.
I know a new freedom.
I release myself from worry, guilt, and regret
about my past and present. I am aware enough not to repeat it.
I know a new love and acceptance of others and
myself. I feel genuinely lovable, loving, and loved.
I learn to see myself as equal to others. My
new and renewed relationships are all with equal partners.
I am capable of developing and maintaining healthy
and loving relationships. The need to control and manipulate others
will disappear as I learn to trust those who are trustworthy.
I learn that it is possible for me to mend…
to become more loving, intimate, and supportive. I have the choice
of communicating with my family in a way which is safe for me and
respectful of them.
I acknowledge that I am a unique and precious
creation.
I no longer need to rely solely on others to
provide my sense of worth.
I trust the guidance I receive from my Higher
Power and come to believe in my own capabilities.
I gradually experience serenity, strength, and
spiritual growth in my daily life.
Revision date: 02-21-94
“The Journey Continues” on page 79 in the
CoDA Book is an option to the above reading, or may be read in addition
to the above reading.
Basic Meeting Format
This meeting format is included as a guideline. The style of program
your meeting wishes to use (whether Speaker, Sharing, Topic or Step)
can be a group conscience decision made by the members of your group.
Bold sections are for the chair or meeting leader to read aloud; plain
text sections are optional extras.
Opening Section
1. “Good evening (morning, afternoon) and
welcome to the meeting of Co-Dependents Anonymous. My name is and I
am a codependent. I am your meeting leader tonight (today). CoDA asks
those with cell phones and pagers to please turn them off or to silent
ringing for the duration of the meeting, so we can keep our focus on
the meeting without interruptions. Please help me open this meeting
with a moment of silence followed by the (This is the meeting leader
or group's prayer of choice: the Serenity Prayer or the CoDA Opening
Prayer).
2. The group meeting leader reads the CoDA “Preamble”
as written.
3. "We welcome any newcomers who are attending
their first, second or third meeting of Co-Dependents Anonymous, and
ask that you raise your hand and introduce yourself by your first name
only... "
Optional-newcomers can be welcomed by clapping after
each or all have introduced themselves. If your meeting gives out welcome
chips and/or newcomer packets, you may distribute those.
4. "So that we can get to know each other
better, let’s take this time to introduce ourselves by first name
only.” (Meeting leader introduces self and then introductions
continue around the room.)
5. The group meeting leader reads the CoDA “Welcome”
as written.
6. "CoDA's Twelve Steps are the spiritual
guidelines for our individual recovery. Will the person with the Twelve
Steps please read them?" Optional-some groups prefer to pass
the Twelve Steps around and share the reading of them.
7. "CoDA's Twelve Traditions are the guiding
spiritual principles of our meetings. Will the person with the Twelve
Traditions please read them?" Optional-some groups prefer to
pass the Twelve Traditions around and share the reading of them.
8. Optional-"Will the person with the
Patterns of Codependence please read them?” *
Announcements Section
9. "There are meeting schedules and phone
lists on the literature table."
10. a) "Our literature person is . Do you
have any announcements?"
b) "Our treasurer is . Do you have any announcements?"
c) "Our Group Representative is . Do you
have any announcements?"
Note: If you do not have trusted servants for the
above positions, or elect as a group not to speak items 10. Continuing
from 11 may be sufficient.
11. "Restrooms are located ." Announce
any meeting facility issues (smoking policy, etc.)
12. "Are there any CoDA announcements?"
Group announcements (any member)
GSR or secretary shares Intergroup, Voting Entity,
or CoDA, Inc. announcements.
13. Optional- "We give chips at this meeting.
Are there any CoDA birthdays today-30 days, 60 days, 90 days, 6 months,
9 months, 1 year, 2 years, etc.?"
Note: If your meeting gives chips or medallions,
give them here. Ask the person celebrating if they would like to share
a few words of recovery. Generally, for birthdays of 30 days to 9 months
the group claps after each birthday is recognized; for 1 year or more
the group sings “Happy Birthday”, ending with “keep coming
back”.
14. "If you would like to celebrate your birthday,
please let the secretary know at least one week ahead of time."
Program Section
Begin your meeting program here. If your meeting has
a speaker or reads from CoDA literature, this usually lasts 10 to 15
minutes. To enhance the power of our recovery program, CoDA recommends
at least one meeting per month be devoted to Step study.
16. Optional, strongly recommended- Read the
CoDA Guide to Sharing, What is Crosstalk? or both. These may also be
read by passing them person-to-person, reading one or more item as it
goes around the room.
CoDA Guide to Sharing
As we pursue our recovery, it is important for each
of us to speak, as we are able. Many of us find speaking among others,
especially strangers, a very difficult task. We encourage people to
begin slowly and carefully. It is the intention of every CoDA member
and group not to ridicule or embarrass anyone. Nothing that is shared
is unimportant or stupid. The sharing of our experiences is best done
with “I” statements. “Crosstalk” and “feedback”
are discouraged.
What is “Crosstalk”?
Crosstalk can be: giving unsolicited feedback, advice-giving,
answering, making you and we statements, interrogating, debating, criticizing,
controlling or dominating. It may also include: minimizing another person’s
feeling or experiences, physical contact or touch, body movements, such
as nodding one’s head, calling another person present by name,
or verbal sounds and noises."
"In our meetings we speak about our own experience,
and we listen without comment to what others share. We work toward taking
responsibility in our own lives, rather than giving advice to others.
Crosstalk guidelines help keep our meeting a safe place."
"The meeting is now open for individual sharing…"
Optional- "Would each of you please limit
your sharing to 3-5 minutes to allow for everyone to share?” Group
conscience can determine how to indicate when time is up, i.e. a timer,
tapping on something, or a gentle reminder by chairperson.
Closing Section
17. "Our Seventh Tradition reminds us that
we are self-supporting through our own contributions. We ask that you
donate as you can. Seventh Traditions donations are used to support
meeting expenses and literature, and to support CoDA at the all levels.”
Optional-some meetings choose to ask for Seventh Tradition donations
at the beginning of the meeting, during the announcements section.
18. "As we bring this meeting to a close,
I would like to remind you that CoDA is an anonymous program. We ask
that you respect the anonymity and confidentiality of each person in
this meeting. We ask that what you see here, what is said here, when
you leave here, let it stay here."
19. Optional- "Will the person with the
Twelve Promises of Co-Dependents Anonymous please read them?"
20. "Thanks to our speaker ." (If this is
a speaker meeting)
21. "Thanks to those who read and who do service
at this meeting."
Optional-Affirmations: Starting with the leader
or a volunteer each person in turn gives a positive affirmation such
as: “I know a new freedom” or they may pass.
The group leader requests everyone to join in a circle
for the closing prayer of choice.
The Fellowship Service
Manual of Co-Dependents Anonymous Conference Approved August 2005
Section 15
Forms
Enclosed are some of the forms that you may find helpful.
Make as many copies as you want or you can print additional copies from
the CoDA website.
When you mail in your Group Registration Form to
CoDA, Inc., your meeting will be listed on the CoDA website for people
searching for a meeting in your area. You will also receive a Group
Number and a copy of the Fellowship Service Manual.
Please use the Contribution Form when you send
in 7th Tradition donations to CoDA, Inc. It helps us keep track of
the source of money and lets us know where to send an acknowledgement.
You may want to use the combination form, Changes
in Group Information and Seventh Tradition Contribution if you don’t
want to make copies of two forms. All the information is combined
onto one sheet of paper. You may also find it handy if you have changes
in your meeting information such as a new location, a new contact
person, etc., and you have a contribution to make at the same time.
About the Meeting’s Phone List provides information
concerning the purpose of the phone list and a reminder about healthy
boundaries, as well as a format for communicating helpful information
such as best time to call and sponsorship availability.
The CoDA Meeting Funds Record is a way of helping
the meeting’s Treasurer keep track of money coming in and going
out. A written record also provides a means of financial accountability
to the group.
You can use the Literature Order Form to order
literature, tapes, medallions, and other items for your meeting. Individuals
can also make a copy of the form and place private orders. Or, if
several people want to place individual orders at the same time, one
person could put all the orders on one form.
CoDA Group Registration Form
CoDA Group Registration
Form
The completion and return of this form to CoDA will register
your meeting. Your meeting will be assigned a number and be
registered in our CoDA meeting directory.
Group
Name:________________________________
Group
Meeting Place:___________________________
Street
Address:_________________________________________________________________________________
City:_______________________________________
County:______________________________________
State:______________________________
Zip:_______
Country:_______________________________
Meeting
Type:_______________________
Day:______
Time:_________________________________
The Steps and
Traditions support a diverse and inclusive membership within
our Fellowship as well as freedom to every group to define
itself: who attends descriptions, focus, logistics,
timing, etc. i.e.: open, closed, smoking, type
of meetings, etc.
Group
Conscience Comments:___________________________________________________________________
Phone Contact Person
Mail Contact Person
Name
:_______________________________________
Name
:_______________________________________
Address:_____________________________________
Address:_____________________________________
City:________________________________________
City:________________________________________
State:__________________________ Zip: __________
State:__________________________ Zip: __________
Phone:(_______) ______________________________
Phone:(_______) ______________________________
E-Mail:
______________________________________
E-Mail:
______________________________________
I
give my permission to list my name, phone number and e-mail
address in the CoDA Contact Directory.
Signatures___________________________________
Signatures___________________________________
Note: As the PHONE contact for your meeting,
your first name, last initial, telephone number, and e-mail
address will be appearing in the CoDA Contact Directory available
on the CoDA web site. By your signature above, you are giving
permission to have your first name, last initial, telephone
number, and e-mail address given out to those needing a CoDA
contact for your meeting. As the MAIL contact, you are agreeing
to receive written communication for your meeting from within
the CoDA organization. Please do not give your signature if
you do not wish to have your name, phone number, and e-mail
address available for those requesting meeting information.
Please complete one form per meeting Day and Time and return
to:
Co-Dependents Anonymous, Inc.
P.O. Pox 33577 Phoenix. AZ 85067-3577 http://www.coda.org/
NOTE: As the PHONE contact for your meeting, your first name, lastinitial, phone number, and e-mail address will be appearing in
the CoDAContact Directory available
on the CoDA web site. By your signature above, you are giving
permission to have your first name, last initial, phone number,
and e-mail address given out to those needing a CoDA contact
for your meeting. As the MAIL contact, you are agreeing to
receive written communication for your meeting from within
the CoDA organization.
rev 09/2003
About the Meeting’s Phone List
Date of List: ________ Meeting Day: _______ Time:
_______
This meeting makes use of a voluntary phone list which
can be used as a valuable tool in recovery.
We urge you to make use of it, and to keep in mind
the following:
Each person whose name appears on this list
has agreed to be available by phone to listen to others in need. By
placing our names on this list, we make a statement about our own recovery,
our willingness to share with others, and our willingness to offer support
and information to those in need.
Sometimes when we get a phone call, we are unable to focus our full
attention on it, or do not feel like talking with others that day. At
these times, it is important for the caller and the person receiving
the call to recognize that it may be necessary to postpone or limit
the conversation. Members reserve the right to take a message and call
back later, or even to say “I am not able to talk right now. Please
try another person." By respecting the private life of the members,
both the caller and the receiver learn to practice healthy boundaries.
Name (first name and last initial)
Phone #
OK to leave message?
Best time to call?
Avail as temp sponsor?
Rev. 12/2001
CoDA Meeting Funds Record
Date
Transaction Description
Amount Received
Amount Paid Out
Balance
Rev 12/2001
Literature Order Form
The Literature order form is updated regularly. To obtain
the most current copy, write to:
CoRe Publications
P.O. Box 670861
Dallas, TX 75367-0867.
Fax number: (214) 340-6066. The e-mail address for CoRe
orders is: coreorders@coda.org
Or you can print a copy from the CoDA website, www.coda.org
The Fellowship Service
Manual of Co-Dependents Anonymous Conference Approved August 2005
Section 17
Use of CoDA Seals & Symbols
TM
This is the CoDA Seal. Permission to use this
seal must be granted by CoDA, Inc.
This logo is only used on Conference Endorsed
literature.
No other permission is granted for its use.
This symbol was chosen at the 1989 Service Conference
as the newsletter symbol. The name Co-NNECTIONS was also chosen
at the 1989 Conference.
This symbol was also used by
Co-NNECTIONS.
CoDA groups may use the following seals on their letterheads,
newsletters, journals, flyers, and other publications. They can be customized
with the name of the CoDA organization outside the seals below.
This symbol may be displayed outside of a CoDA
meeting place to symbolically identify it as CoDA without using
the CoDA name and without using the word codependents or codependence.
The CoDA World Fellowship
TM
©