Modem to Modem Recovery: Getting Clean on the Screen!
History of the Online Region
The Online Service Area (OSA) and China Area are the first online virtual Areas of Cocaine Anonymous to join the newly formed proposed Online Region of Cocaine Anonymous (2025). Approval of the Online Region is pending upon ratification at the 41st World Service Conference – August 27 – 31, 2025.
The C.A. Region
Description
A Region is defined as a loosely structured division of areas, from which a Regional Trustee comes to the World Service Board of Trustees. A Region’s purpose is inter-Area communication, and selection of CAWS Regional, At-Large, World Service and Non-Addict Trustee candidate nominees.
Regional Convention
Throughout the year, many Areas within our Fellowship’s Regions host a Regional Convention on a rotating basis. The region itself established the rotation of the hosting of these conventions and also how the net proceeds are distributed.
Regional Service Assembly
A Region should hold a Service Assembly at least once per year, preferably five months prior to the annual World Service Conference. The Regional Service Assembly should be hosted by one Area. Attendance is open to all C.A. members; however, voting is exclusive to those members representing the Region:
- Trustees residing in the Region,
- WSC Delegates
- Alternate Delegate
- Area Chairpersons
Any of these voting members may carry no more than two votes at the Regional Assembly (one proxy pursuant to WSC voting procedures). Voting agenda should include only the selection of Trustee Candidates pursuant to the procedures outlined herein and proposed locations for future Regional Assemblies. It is suggested that the Regional Assembly adopt the C.A. Manual to govern its proceeding and voting process. The Regional Assembly can then make appropriate modifications.
Possible topics of discussion may consist of:
- Area and District structures
- Finance – Collecting 7th via the web
- Various Committees
- Meeting Services
- IT – Zoom/Virtual Meeting Platforms, Websites, AI,
- Public Information
- Helplines
- Archives
- S&B
- H&I
- Tradition & Concepts
- Carrying the Message via Modem to Modem
Regional Service Assemblies should be presided over by a Chairperson elected from the voting members at the beginning of the Assembly. The Chairperson shall preside for that Assembly only. Voting Delegates’, Alternate Delegates’, and Area Chairpersons’ expenses to the Regional Assembly should be provided exclusively by their local Areas. It is suggested that the Region, or Regional Service Assembly, not maintain bank accounts or corporate structure; nor should it sponsor social events. It is however, acceptable for one or more Areas within a Region to present social events.
Election of Trustee Candidates by Regional Assembly
All regions shall annually elect up to four but not less than two candidates to fill Trustee positions as needed. Candidates from each Regional Slate shall be submitted to WSC for ratification by two-thirds vote of the WSC. The full Regional Slate shall be considered as nominees for Regional Trustee for that Region. The two Regional nominees receiving the highest number of Assembly shall be considered the Region’s nominees for Trustee-At- votes at the Regional Large.
Where possible the Region should also elect first and second alternate candidates.
The Trustee from the Region shall maintain continuous contact with the Areas during the election process and monitor the status of candidates in order to act accordingly if a candidate becomes “unqualified” or withdraws from candidacy. If a nominee candidate is not present at the Regional assembly, the candidate shall be contacted and their candidacy 35 World Service Manual 2025 confirmed within 7 days of the Assembly. The Regional Trustee must submit names of the candidates to the Trustee Election Committee within 15 days after the Regional Assembly. Regional Assemblies should consider adopting minimum qualifications for trustee candidates and consider references for service work done for entities outside Cocaine Anonymous.
Election Procedures For Regional Trustee Candidates by Regional Assembly
- Each Area may submit one or more candidates for consideration to the Region. Each candidate must satisfy existing Trustee qualifications (see: Trustee qualifications, the WSBT service structure) and submit a completed service resume and statement of willingness to serve at the Regional Assembly in order to be considered.
- The Regional Assembly will consider the candidates submitted by each Area for nomination as Trustee. The Regional Assembly should insure that all candidates submitted are qualified to serve as a Trustee as outlined herein.
- All regions shall annually elect up to four but not less than two candidates to the World Service Conference (these candidates need not be present in order to be nominated or elected).
- The slate of qualified candidates submitted shall be considered by the voting members of the Assembly.
A. Maximum Number of Candidates or Less
All candidates will be immediately submitted for two-thirds ratification of the voting members present by secret ballot.
If the required, minimum number of candidates (2 in all Regions) receives a two- thirds affirmative vote, then those candidates receiving a two-thirds affirmative vote shall be submitted by the Region as nominees for Trustee, subject to paragraph 5 below, and the Regional election process is completed.
If only one candidate receives a two-thirds affirmative vote, then that candidate and the number of candidates receiving the next highest vote as needed to fill the minimum slate of candidates (2 in all Regions) shall be submitted by the Region as nominees for Trustee, subject to paragraph 5 below, and the Regional election process is completed.
If none of the candidates receive a two-thirds affirmative vote, then the candidates receiving the highest affirmative votes as needed to fill the minimum slate of candidates (2 in all Regions) shall be submitted by the Region as nominees for Trustee, subject to paragraph 5 below, and the Regional election process is completed. If there is a tie amongst the candidates needed to fill the minimum slate, then both of the tied candidates shall be submitted by the Region as nominees for Trustee, subject to paragraph 5 below, and the Regional election process is completed. The two candidates receiving the highest number of votes pursuant to the above election process shall be designated as that Region’s candidates for Trustee-At- Large.
The two nominees receiving the next highest affirmative votes will be considered as the first and second alternate Trustee-at-Large candidates, and in that order, will replace any Trustee-at-Large candidate who is unwilling or unable to be considered during the term of their nomination.
B. More Than The Maximum Number of Candidates (More Than 6 Candidates in Pacific South, More Than 4 Candidates in Other Regions)
First Ballot:
Each voting member of the Regional Assembly shall vote by secret ballot for up to the maximum number of candidates allowed on the Region’s slate (6 in Pacific South, 4 in other regions).
In all Regions but the Pacific South, the four candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall then be considered in the Second Ballot. If the candidates receiving the fourth and fifth highest votes are tied, then the five candidates receiving the highest vote will be considered in the Second Ballot.
In the Pacific South, the six candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall then be considered in the Second Ballot. If the candidates receiving the sixth and seventh highest votes are tied, then the seven candidates receiving the highest vote will be considered in the Second Ballot.
Second Ballot:
All remaining candidates will be immediately submitted for two-thirds ratification of the voting members present. If number of candidates being considered is equal to or less than the maximum number of candidates allowed on the Region’s slate (6 in Pacific South, 4 in other Regions), then the selection process follows the procedures in subsection “A” above. If more than the maximum number of candidates are being considered, and all candidates receive two-thirds affirmative vote, then vote again for all candidates. If all candidates again receive two-thirds affirmative vote then draw the maximum number of names from a hat and leave the choice to a Higher Power.
Regional Caucus
The Region may hold a Regional Caucus during the WS Convention or at other times necessary to conduct the business of the Region. The Caucus may determine the appropriate voting procedures.
However, during the WSC, each Region shall hold at least one Regional Caucus. It shall be attended by all WSC Delegates, Alternate Delegates, Conference & Committee Officers, and Trustees within the Region. The first order of business is to establish voting qualifications. Those persons who have a vote at the Regional Service Assembly should make this determination. It is suggested that voting shall be open to all of the participants. Another order of business shall be the election of the Delegate to represent the Region in the Trustee Election Committee.