Voting Entity Issue Detail Status
for
Co-Dependents Anonymous, Inc. (CoDA)
| Detail of VEIs by Number | |
| Number | Discussion |
| SoCAL-10-01 | Issue: Modify the "Books for Inmates"
program to accommodate where the books are sent. Acquiring prerequisite
security clearance (s) is the responsibility of the requester. Intent: When a request for the program "Books for Inmates" is sent, it does not provide for a request to send the books to a specific address. We would like to be able to direct where the books are sent. We understand there are issues related to our request, one being volunteer staff, another being security related to the facility. If the footwork to accommodate the security issue (s) has already been alleviated then we'd like the opportunity to direct where the books are sent. Action: |
| FL-09-01 | Issue: The CoDAFL Assembly requests CSC
Committee to put a four-month scholarship request deadline in the
scholarship application prior to CSC. We also ask that CSC committee
responds with confirmation or denial within one month. Intent: The scholarship request process is currently vague. The Fellowship needs clear guidelines and deadlines in order to know how to apply for scholarship requests. CSC Committee needs to respond in a reasonable time frame, so that delegates can speak to their voting entities, make travel plans, and convey VE issues to their voting entities. Exception: Any delegates outside the United States who need extra time to apply for visas can apply for a scholarship prior to the four-month deadline. Action: Dec 09 Report from Events Committee: |
| TX-09-01 | Issue: Texas requests that the following
phrase (or something similar) be added to the wording in the Fellowship
Service manual (FSM) regarding reading the four Foundational documents
as written: "as written, with the exception of substituting Higher Power
for God." Intent: While many old timers are comfortable substituting Higher Power for God when reading the Foundational documents out loud at a meeting, newcomers and newer Codependents can be black and white in their thinking. Many states have few meetings and/or are unable to send delegates to Conference where they may gain insight and understanding of CoDA issues. “As written” was added about 8 years ago by a member who attended a meeting in Delaware and was dismayed to find that the Foundational documents had been altered and/or were not all read. To uphold CoDA unity (Tradition 1), a motion was made that all four Foundational documents be read as written. Some people have interpreted “as written” to mean that Higher Power cannot be substituted for God when reading the documents out loud during meetings. Adding a caveat to “as written” in the FSM helps a greater number of the Fellowship understand that it is the God of each person’s understanding. Adding this information in the FSM provides clear concise communication about an issue that comes up repeatedly and provides a more welcoming atmosphere to agnostics, atheists, and other religions that have a different name for God, as Higher Power is a generic term. At the 2008 CSC, the CoDA Board determined this Texas voting issue was not an issue as all groups are governed by the group conscious process and meetings may do anything as long as it does not affect CoDA as a whole. [08014] Now some members who perform service for CoDA World are interpreting the Board’s statement to mean that CoDA cannot force anyone to comply with the requirement of reading the four foundational documents as written but it is up to the Group to make this decision. If CoDA World has no power to enforce meetings to read the Foundational documents as written, there is no reason to have “as written” in the FSM or on the web page. Given the experience that generated the original motion, we think there is need for guidance about what is appropriate when reading the four Foundational documents. Some Texas members believe substituting Higher Power for God is a personal choice and not a decision to be made by the group. In addition, since there was no request to change the CoDA World Bylaws, Texas believes the Board was premature in making a decision about this VE issue. The appropriate process for changes to the FSM is for the issue to be sent to the Service Structure Committee for deliberation. Texas requests the proper procedure be followed. Action: 4th
QTR 2009 QSR: SSC has not discussed this item yet. Been busy with
other items. |
| TX-09-02 | Issue: Texas requests that CSC business/committee
meetings and Convention workshops not overlap if CSC and Conventions are
held together in the future. Intent: The members who volunteer to do service work at Conference are penalized when Convention workshops overlap with CSC business, because they are entrusted by their Voting Entity to represent them at the business meeting and cannot attend the workshops. At this time, there are only a few workshops offered at Conference and it is unfair to those who do service not to be able to attend all of the workshops. Texas believes overlapping the workshops and business meetings will reduce the number of people willing to volunteer as delegates and other service positions at Conference, as indicated by some of our active members.
Action: Dec 09 Report from Events Committee: |
| TX-09-03 | Issue: Texas is concerned that the CoDA World Board
members are losing sight of the Board’s duties. Per the Second
Tradition: “Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.”
In addition, Texans who have served as CoDA Board members or in other
service positions at past Conferences have reiterated the statement that
Board members do not perform committee work. Intent: Texas appreciates the service each member of the Board performs for CoDA, but over the last few years Texas has observed the Board members performing committee work and making decisions (e.g., making motions to change processes like the motion to combine the CSC and Convention without input from past Convention volunteers, a survey of the Fellowship, and/or research of the issues and problems associated with this change). Per the FSM: “Trustees are responsible for the legal and business needs of CoDA or CoRe. Each board has but one purpose: to serve the Fellowship. Action: 4th QTR 2009 QSR: Sent IMC decision (email) to Texas intergroup (Della B.) and copied CoDA, Inc. Board. It is the opinion of IMC that this is not a "dispute" and is not appropriate for IMC resolution. IMC believes the appropriate forum to begin a discussion of this issue is the Conference floor by, and with, the VE Delegates. COMPLETED |
| TX-09-04 | Issue: Remove CoDA Teen Committee from Sections 9 and 10
on page 6 (or any other place it may be referenced) of the Fellowship
Service Manual. Intent: CoDA Teen was disbanded at the 2007 CSC. CoDA documentation needs to reflect current information. Action:
4th Qtr 2009 QSR: |
| WA-09-01 | Issue: The process currently in place for submission of
Voting Entity issues for consideration at the annual CoDA Service
Conference has no requirement for those issues to be submitted by a
certain date. As a result, there is little opportunity for review of the
issues by the fellowship prior to a vote being required at the
conference. Several Voting Entities have requested that this process be
changed to allow a wider review of issues by the fellowship before the
conference. Process Steps: All Voting Entity issues must be submitted to the designated official gatherer of those issues (where this responsibility lies needs to be determined) no later than 120 days before the start of that year’s CSC Submitted VE issues will be posted on the coda.org website within a week and email notification of the posting will be sent to the VE’s, requesting feedback from intergroups and meetings It will be the responsibility of each VE to develop a process that allows review by intergroups and/or meetings in a timely enough fashion to prepare VE delegate(s) for a vote at the CSC Intent: Ensure that a process is in place for review and approval of Voting Entity issues that provides ample time for the gathering of fellowship input before a vote at the yearly CSC meeting. The process should allow for an override of the cutoff times for those procedural voting entity issues that are deemed “time critical” and must be decided at the current CSC. For all non critical voting entity issues not submitted before the 120 day window, voting will be postponed until the following years CSC. Other recommendations to support this process • Establish a permanent Conference Committee with members who continue from year to year and floating members that participate to facilitate a conference in their locale • Establish a position in this Conference Committee to oversee the handling of VE issues • Create a past conference committee chair position in addition to the regular committee chair position to facilitate information passing from year to year • Establish and publish on the website a calendar that shows the schedule for the handling of voting entity issues prior to the conference Action: Dec 09 Report from Events Committee: |
| AZ-08-01 | Issue: Arizona requests a thorough
evaluation/explanation of how CoRe structures its postage and handling
charges to CoDA groups. And, if possible, requests that CoRe reduce the
costs. Intent: So, CoDA groups can afford CoDA resources, and support CoRe, more easily. Action:
CSC08 Report(CSC08053): CoRe Motions: Shipping via web-store will be
actual shipping plus one dollar handling; shipping for all other order
methods will be a flat 10% shipping charge plus one dollar handling
charge for the continental US. UNANIMOUS. |
| AZ-08-02 | Issue: Arizona suggests that CoDA Inc.'s board and
CoRe's board begin discussion about coming together as one board. Intent: To promote unity, and to prevent duplication of efforts and expenses for attorneys and accountants. Action:
CSC09: |
| TX-08-01 | Issue: Texas requests that individuals be granted
permission to verbally substitute the term Higher Power for God, if desired, when reading the Preamble, Welcome, Steps, and Traditions out loud. Intent: This issue was submitted two years ago and there was a misunderstanding at CSC about what was being requested. We do not request the written documents be changed but the statement that the Foundational documents must be read “as written” be changed. Codependents can be black and white in their thinking; some people interpret “as written” to mean that Higher Power cannot be substituted for God when reading the document. Changing “as written” (e.g., as written except for the substitution of Higher Power for God) allows people the choice of saying Higher Power when the documents are read out loud. Since CoDA is a nondenominational organization, we would like to be congruent with the principles of the organization in using “Higher Power” and the God of our understanding in the reading of Foundational documents. Action:
CSC08: |
| TX-08-02 | Issue: Texas requests that when CoDA World translates
the CoDA Book into other languages, only the first 111 pages be
translated rather than the entire book. Translation is very expensive
and we think the recovery stories will not translate well linguistically
or culturally. Intent: We do not intend to eliminate the personal recovery stories but think the stories would be better if provided in the native language and culture—perhaps as a separate book. Translating the first 111 pages only would save CoDA money and provide important CoDA literature to other countries more quickly. Action: CSC(Motion 09049): TMC mentioned Board's decision in passing. |
| TX-08-03 | Issue: CoDA Texas suggests a change to the third
paragraph of the Welcome. It now reads: “We attempted to use others-- our mates, friends, and even our children as our sole source of identity…..” We would like to add “and jobs” and change the Welcome to: “We attempted to use others-- our mates, friends, and even our children and jobs, as our sole source of identity….. “ Intent: Some codependents don’t have mates, children, or even friends, but use their job as their sole source of identity. Adding this phrase to the Welcome identifies another area of our addiction. We suggest this change be implemented in the Meeting Starter packet and other web documents and then in the CoDA Book at the next printing.
Action: CSC08 Motion(CSC08070): |
| AZ-07-01 | Issue: Arizona requests a thorough
evaluation/explanation of how CoRe structures its postage and handling
charges to CoDA groups. And, if possible, requests that CoRe reduce the
costs. Intent: So, CoDA groups can afford CoDA resources, and support CoRe, more easily. Action: CSC08 Report(CSC08053):
|
| CO-07-01 | Issue: The following prayer to be CoDA approved: "God help me to accept -other people as they are -recognize my own feelings -meet my own needs -love myself just as I am." Intent: Action: CSC08 Report(CSC08086): |
| TX-07-01 | Issue: CoDA Texas request that 2006 Issue Number Four
that was tabled be brought back to the floor for resolution. If a state submits a state issue to the Service Conference, and that issue is assigned to a committee, and the state disagrees with that committee's response, the state may submit the issue to the floor of that or subsequent Service Conference for a group conscience vote of all the delegates. Intent: To insure that issues can be submitted to the group conscience of the entire service conference, allowing everyone's voice to be heard and thereby eliminating the possibility of a committee having too much power or control. Action:
CSC07 Report(CSC07033): |
| TX-07-02 | Issue: That reports of committees be divided into three
parts for approval: 1. Report of activities and goals 2. Budget 3. Committee's response to any VEI issues assigned to it to be voted on separately Intent: Numbers one and two could be voted on or separately; but by voting on number three separately the financial concerns are separated from the spiritual and all voting delegates have a chance to participate in the group conscience on the submitted VE issues. Action:
CSC07 Motion(CSC07039): |
| TX-07-03 | Issue: The "Welcome" be reviewed and streamlined to
create an optional shortened version to read at meeting (i.e., the
longer version would still be available). The "Preamble" was last
revised in 1994, and while it is an excellent document, it may also
benefit from the same process to increase sharing time at meetings. Intent: Streamlining the language so there is more time for sharing.
Action: 4th QTR 2009 QSR: |
| FL-06-01 | Issue: In Order to encourage greater attendance by
delegates to the CoDA Conferences, Florida CoDA requests consideration
that funds be allotted for scholarships to qualified North American
entities who are financially unable to support delegates to attend the
CoDA conferences. Comment: Not amended for CSC08, pointed out and then
amended. |
| FL-06-02 | Issue: In Order to encourage greater attendance by
delegates to the CoDA Conferences, Florida CoDA requests consideration
that unused funds from non North American Scholarships be made available
to qualified entities within North America who are financially unable to
support delegates to attend the CoDA conferences. Action: No Action to Report at this time. |
| FL-06-03 | Issue: Florida CoDA requests consideration of the
official adaptation of an alternate version of the Serenity Prayer, for
use at CoDA meetings. The prayer reads as follows: "God grant me the serenity, to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the person I can, and the wisdom to know that person is me!" Anonymous Action: No Action to Report at this time. |
| MO-06-01 | Issue: St. Louis CoDA Area CoDA Groups would like
to copy (in black & white or color) a large number of the single step
pamphlets that are no longer available. The tri/quad fold pamphlets are
selling at $10 for 50. That is 8 cents royalty per pamphlet. Could we be
granted permission to make a set quantity if we paid the 8 cent royalty
for each? Could we pay less royalty? A contract of sorts would be
agreeable. There are several meetings in the St. Louis area,, as well as
several other intergroups, that strongly prefer the single step
pamphlets.
Action: CSC06 Report(CSC06101) Board Apposes. |
| MO-06-02 | Issue: Reference the Newcomer's Handbook page 18,
paragraph "ATTENDING CLOSED MEETINGS", sentences: "in honoring our
Tradition Three and the guidance of the Conference there are only two
types of CoDA meetings that may purposely exclude others in order to
create a safety for its members. CoDA-Teen for teenage members and CoDA
groups for Gays and Lesbians are closed meetings." A St. Louis Area CoDA Community has a G&L meeting that has not been, is not, and does not want to be a "closed" or a "restricted" meeting. The wording above seems to dictate that they be a closed meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend their meeting. Since G&L related issues may be discussed, that information about the meeting is included in the listing so people may decide if they are comfortable with it. Additionally, the wording of the Newcomers Handbook appears to conflict with the FSM section 3. Section 3 talks about "closed" meetings and "restricted" meetings. It would also be helpful if clarification was included explaining what is necessary to attend a closed-restricted meeting. Contacting the meeting contact person and obtaining permission to attend or arriving early to request permission to attend. I think we may be sending the wrong message to may newcomers about what a "closed" meeting means. I think essentially what the intent of making a meeting "closed" was to require that newcomers to the meeting either affirm that they fit the meeting group "type" or be vouched for by a current member. I think a meeting group that does not admit newcomers is doomed to wither and die as people move on in their life. Action: 4th QTR 2009 QSR: No
action |
| MO-06-03 | Issue: Failure to use Blind Carbon Copy (BCC) when
sending QSR by e-mail. The fellowship service Manual, Section 12. Communication within all of CoDA. 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. The fellowship Service Manual, Section 12, Communications within all of CoDA, Communications fro 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 through the QSR Board lisaon. 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. Action:
4th QTR 2009 QSR: approved by Board-
insertion of wording pertaining to |
| TX-06-01 | Issue: Texas CoDA requests material in 1996 CoDA
Book, pages 102-110, be included in future Book printings. Intent: David Mc. Reports this issue is still pending. Action: No Action to Report at this time. |
| TX-06-02 | Issue: Texas CoDA requests the Service manual be
revised to reflect deeper understanding of Step Three which says: Made a
decision to turn our will and our lives over to God as we understood
God. Add a sentence: A home group may allow a member to substitute
Higher Power. Intent: Recognize a deeper understanding of Step Three, to acknowledge the autonomy of the home group, and be internationally inclusive. Action: No Action to Report at this time. |
| TX-06-03 | Issue: Texas CoDA requests the CoDA, Inc. set
aside all Convention profits in a special fund to pay for future
conventions rather than be returned to CoDA, Inc.'s General Fund. Intent: To enhance the growth of the CoDA fellowship and to insure financial support of future conventions. Action: CSC06 Report(CSC06101): No Action |
| TX-06-04 | Issue: If a state submits a state issue to the
service conference, and that issue is assigned to a committee, and the
state disagrees with that committee's response, the state may submit the
issue to the floor of that or a subsequent service conference for a
group conscience vote of all the delegates. Intent: The intent of this issue is to insure that issues can be submitted to the group conscience of the entire service conference, allowing everyone's voice to be heard. Action: No Action to Report at this time. |
| TX-06-05 | Issue: Texas requests that literature profits be
shared with state and regional entities to help grow our organization. Intent: Many state and regional entities can use additional funds to help carry our message to those who still suffer. State and regional entities may also use the assistance to send delegates to our national service conference. Action: No Action to report at this time. |
| AZ-05-01 | Issue: Change the 1st step to read: We are
powerless over codependency and our lives have become unmanageable. Intent: The core powerlessness resides within and also with others. See information provided by AZ. Action: CSC05 Report(CSC05115): It is not possible for SSC to change the wording of these items through this process. As they are in the By Laws, the process for changing them must be used. This requires submission at this conference to the Board for change next year. Arizona plans to re submit these issues as By Laws changes. Arizona does wish to point out that much of CoDA Literature fails to hit directly on the causes of codependency, and that the steps and traditions as they exist may be misleading to some members. |
| AZ-05-02 | Issue: Change to 3rd tradition to read: The only
requirement for membership in CoDA is the desire for healthy and loving
relationships with ourselves and then others. Intent: The intent is to focus on healthier relationships with ourselves and higher power first before a healthy earthly relationship can be obtained. See information provided by AZ. Action: CSC05 Report(CSC05116): It is not possible for SSC to change the wording of these items through this process. As they are in the By Laws, the process for changing them must be used. This requires submission at this conference to the Board for change next year. Arizona plans to re submit these issues as By Laws changes. Arizona does wish to point out that much of CoDA Literature fails to hit directly on the causes of codependency, and that the steps and traditions as they exist may be misleading to some members. |
| NES-05-01 | Issue: Adding text to conference committee
whereby treasurer must reconcile the accounts at the end of a
Conference, not delay transfer of funds to CoDA Inc. and other issues
with inadequate controls. Intent: Minimize situations where a signatory of the account fails to fulfill fiduciary obligations. Action:
CSC05 Report(MotionCSC05118):
Add to Fellowship Service Manual, Section 10, Conference Committee, the
following text: "The CoDA, Inc. Treasurer must be a signatory on the
Conference Committee bank accounts. The CoDA, Inc. Treasurer shall hold
several checks from the Conference account until all transactions are
completed. This assures that CoDA, Inc. can, if necessary, act on behalf
of the fellowship to protect our assets." Defeated. |
| NES-05-02 | Issue: Request report from CoDA Inc. Website
committee regarding status of website. intent: CoDA Inc. website is an important tool for the fellowship of CoDA. The website is difficult to navigate and dated in appearance. A website committee was established however no report has been rec'd since 1st Quarter 2004. Action:
CSC05 Report(CSC05124):
Web Task Force reported on their progress |
| NES-05-03 | Issue: The ability to purchase literature via the
CoDA, Inc. Website. Intent: Purchasing literature online is a vital way to provide service to the Fellowship, to increase sales of literature and to carry the message of recovery to codependents everywhere. Action: 4th QTR 2009 QSR: It is amazing how fast the web store is getting people registered. We are very excited to see orders from many who have never ordered before! Remember if your order is in on Monday by Noon Eastern time, it should ship on Tuesday. And also remember we have moved our order processing to North Carolina, so we have a new address and phone number. If you haven’t seen the new web store, please go to www.coda.org/estore/ and register. |
| NES-05-04 | Issue: Ask to review Affirmation Booklet to
include positive affirmations only and remove all the negative
affirmations. Intent: Want to generate a positive message. Action: CSC06 Motion(CSC06037): To endorse revised Affirmations Book. 2/3rd vote. CSC05 Report(CSC05050):
In progress |
| NES-05-05 | Issue: Remove the history of the Serenity Prayer
from CoDA Inc. website. Action:
CSC05 Motion(CSC05119):
To remove from the website the text entitled "A Brief History of the
Serenity Prayer," until a process can be established by the Board of
CoDA, Inc. to provide a group conscience regarding submissions and
postings to the website. Approved 2/3 vote |
| TX-05-01 | Issue: Add to CoDA soft book 3rd printing, 1996
pages 102-110 to be included in future printings of all editions of the
CoDA Book. Intent: The intent of this issue is to return material to the CoDA Book that we found helpful in our recovery. Action:
CSC07 Motion(CSC07019):
To accept the revised material for reinstatement in the CoDA Book, pages
102-110... 2/3rd vote. |
| TX-05-02 | Issue: CoDA literature available in other
languages as well as on Audio CDs and Audio tape. Action: 09:
New CoRe Estore has CD's available for purchase. CoRe continues to print
Spanish Literature. A new page was added to the website linking to other
Countries/Entities and other languages that CoDA Literature is available
from. |
| TX-05-03 | Issue: Permission to use Higher Power instead of
God when reading Preamble, Welcome, Steps & Traditions. Intent: Since CoDA is a nondenominational organization, we would like to be congruent with the principles of the organization in using "Higher Power" as the God of our understanding in the reading of Foundational documents. Action:
CSC05 Report(CSC05111): This cannot be granted, as the only
requirement for being a CoDA Meeting is that these documents are read as
written at each meeting. |
| TX-05-04 | Issue: Request optional text about 13th stepping
to be added to the "Suggested Meeting Format" Intent: TX has had many problems with 13th stepping. TX would like to see some text in the Suggested Meeting Format to deal with this subject. (suggested wordage was compiled) Action: CSC05 Report(CSC05112): Readings of this type are permitted. "Each group should remain autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or CoDA as a whole." SSC feels that the FSM currently has sufficient direction to members regarding meeting format. Placing a specific reading in this section may lead to the result that groups feel this is the only permitted reading, thus removing their autonomy. |
| WA-05-01 | Issue: Revision of Newcomers Handbook to allow use
of outside literature at meeting level. Intent: Would like revision to have consistency with other CoDA approved publication ie service manual, etc. Action:
CSC05 Motion(CSC05052):
To accept edits to the Newcomers Handbook re: the WA State Issue.
Approved 2/3 vote |