0#3rcaadmin2012-05-08 09:54Page 1 of 11 May 4, 2012 Notice to the RCA Fellowship: Topics to be Considered at the 2012 Annual Business Meeting on Friday, August 3, 2012, in Memphis, Tennessee Contents Item Page I. Introduction…1 II. Five Proposals for the 2012 Annual Business Meeting…2 Topic 1: Adding a special-rule-of-order requiring a two-thirds majority for Fellowship approval of significant, substantive policies…2 Rationale…2 Vote required for passage…3 Topic 2: Establishing an RCA-WSO meeting-posting policy…3 Topic 2A: Proposal from the Structure Committee…3 Rationale…4 Topic 2B: Proposal from the Board’s Focus Group…4 Rationale…5 Voting procedures for Topic 2…5 Tallying the votes and the vote required for passage…5 Topic 3: Stipend for WSO Board couples…6 Rationale…6 Vote required for passage…6 Topic 4: Adoption of RCA-WSO literature policies and procedures…6 Rationale…10 Vote required for passage…11 I. Introduction 1. Notice of annual-business-meeting topics: Notice is hereby provided to the RCA Fellowship of matters that will be considered at the RCA WSO annual business meeting on August 3, 2012. This notice of the topics to be considered is provided in order to meet the 90-day notice requirement of the bylaws so that by-mail voting will be permitted as to these topics. 2. Exact wording of each proposal to be provided later: The RCA WSO is incorporated as a non-profit corporation in the state of Missouri. Applicable Missouri law requires that notice of proposed bylaw changes be provided to the Fellowship within a window of 30 to 60 days prior to the annual business meeting. To comply with the notice requirements of the applicable Missouri law: not before June 4, 2012, but not later than July 4, 2012, notice will be provided to the Fellowship of the final, specific wording of each proposal to be considered at the business meeting. After this second notice, ballots will be provided to those RCA member groups whose delegate couples can not attend the business meeting and who wish to submit by-mail votes on the matters to be considered. Page 2 of 11 3. Request that each group review the topics: Each member group is asked to review the topics that are listed in this notice and to begin the process of determining the position, if any, that your group may wish to take on these matters. The primary purpose of the bylaw amendments adopted at the 2006 convention in Boston was to ensure that decisions made at the annual business meeting would be more reflective of the collective group conscience of the entire Fellowship, and not just be based on the views of those RCA members in attendance at the business meeting. 4. The burden imposed on member groups: While it is recognized that there are many demands on the time of RCA members and that priority must be given to continued individual and couple recovery, each member group is requested, if you are at all able, to review these topics and to begin the process of determining the position your group wishes to take with respect to each matter listed in this notice. Thereby you will help ensure that actions taken at the annual business meeting will truly reflect the collective group conscience of the Fellowship. 5. Organization details: It is recognized that some of these matters involve organizational details that may be of little interest to many RCA members and groups whose primary focus is appropriately on individual and couple recovery. But these details are often important to the efficient and effective operation of the RCA WSO as it attempts to provide necessary support to the Fellowship. If your group is uncertain as to the meaning and significance of any of the topics listed in this notice, your group might consider seeking advice from long-time and trusted members of RCA as to their views on the merits of the various topics listed in this notice. 6. Five Proposals for 2012. The January 13, 2012, edition of the RCA e-News provided notice to the Fellowship of the deadline for the submission of topics for the 2012 annual business meeting. The details of the submission process were posted on the website as of that date. By the March 6th deadline, seven proposals were submitted to the Structure Committee, five from the Board of Trustees, one from the Structure Committee, and one from an RCA member. The Board has since withdrawn two of its proposals so that there will be five topics on the agenda for the business meeting. Topics 2A and 2B address the same issue. II. The Five Topics for the 2012 Annual Business Meeting Topic 1: The Proposed Addition of a Special-Rule-of-Order Requiring a Two-Thirds Majority for the Adoption of Significant, Substantive Fellowship Policies. An RCA member has submitted the following proposal. Move to add Special-Rule-of-Order Two to the RCA-WSO Special Rules of Orders as follows: “Rule 2: Vote Required for a Policy that is Designated as a ‘Fellowship Approved Policy’. To designate a significant, substantive policy as a ‘Fellowship Approved Policy,’ approval shall require a two-thirds majority of the delegate couples of RCA member groups voting. Proviso: This special rule shall be effective on the date of its passage. This special rule of order is not applicable to those types of procedural policies that are ordinarily included in the RCA-WSO Policies and Procedures Manual.” Rationale: 1. Substitute for substantial unanimity: Under basic concepts of 12-step recovery, substantial unanimity should be sought by a 12-step Fellowship when it makes an important decision. To Page 3 of 11 ensure that there is broad acceptance of a significant, substantive Fellowship policy, a simple majority should not be sufficient; instead a two-thirds majority should be required. Under this proposal the Fellowship would enact a “special rule of order” requiring a two-thirds majority to designate a policy as a “Fellowship Approval Policy.” Special Rule of Order 2 would correspond to Special Rule of Order 1 which requires a two-thirds majority to designate literature as “Fellowship Approved Literature.” 2. Why a “special rule of order?” The RCA-WSO bylaws incorporate Robert’s Rules of Order as the authority on parliamentary law (see section 6.1 of the bylaws). Under Robert’s Rules the vote required for approval of a substantive matter is usually a simple majority. “Special rules of order” are rules that modify the standard parliamentary provisions set forth in Robert’s Rules. Only the Fellowship can establish a “special rule of order.” 3. Advantage of a Special Rule: The adoption of a “special rule of order” will require a two-thirds majority. Subsequent modification of a “special rule of order” also requires a two-thirds majority. Thus, a “special rule of order” is both easier to enact and easier to modify than an amendment to the bylaws. Amendments to the RCA bylaws require a 75% majority for approval. If approved by the Fellowship, this will be the second “special rule of order” enacted for the RCA WSO with the first being enacted at the 2007 annual business meeting. Vote Required for Passage: Approval of this proposal will require a two-thirds majority of the elegate couples voting either for or against it at the annual business meeting including those elegate couples submitting their votes on the by-mail ballot. dd Topic 2: The Proposed Adoption a Significant, Substantive Fellowship-Approved Policy Establishing an RCA-WSO Meeting-Posting Policy. Introduction to Topic 2: At the 2011 annual business meeting a motion was passed to “Instruct the board and the structure committee to create a policy that will be brought to the fellowship in 2012 regarding definitions and policies concerning special focus, and opened and closed meetings.” After the 2011 annual business meeting, the Board established a focus group to develop a proposed policy. In parallel the Structure Committee has been developing a proposal in response to the motion. The Structure Committee and the Board have been unable to agree on a single proposed policy to submit to the Fellowship. Therefore two proposals are being submitted to the Fellowship so that it can decide which, if either, of the policies it may decide to adopt. Topic 2A: The Structure Committee's Proposal for an RCA Meeting-Posting Policy. The Structure Committee submits the following proposal. Move the adopting of the following RCA-WSO Meeting-Posting Policy: “RCA-WSO Meeting-Posting Policy. 1. Definitions. The following definitions apply to this policy: The term Open Meeting means: A meeting where any individual may choose to attend. There are no limitations on who may attend or participate. For example, an individual may be a member of the clergy or mental health professional seeking additional information about Recovering Couples Anonymous. The term Closed Meeting means: A meeting where attendance or participation is Page 4 of 11 limited to couples only. The term Special-Focus Meeting means: A closed meeting that chooses to focus on a special issue or need of the group. Historically these have included “addiction only,” “Step Study,” and “S groups only” to name just a few. 2. Background. RCA has a long history of promoting diversity: RCA is open to all adult couples regardless of age, sexual orientation, gender identification, religious background, culture, race, class, national origin, physical or mental challenge, or political affiliation. Additionally, in accordance with our Fourth Tradition, all RCA groups are autonomous. Our history has demonstrated that special-focus meetings have not negatively affected RCA as a whole as long as their attendance requisites did not discriminate so as to conflict with our fundamental diversity principles. 3. Policy. RCA promotes diversity and an open door policy in all its affairs, especially with regard to age, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, gender identification, culture, class, and mental or physical challenge. Thus we strongly encourage each RCA group to allow any couple desiring to remain in a committed relationship to attend its meetings. But, at the same time, in accordance with the Fourth Tradition, we recognize that an RCA group may decide that it is important to limit itself to a particular focus. In the spirit of recovery, we encourage groups considering a special focus to keep their attendance requisites 12-step focused. RCA groups with special needs shall be allowed to hold “special-focus meetings.” And further, any such group shall be listed in all meeting directories except when the group’s attendance requisites would affect RCA as a whole by conflicting with our fundamental diversity principles. 4. RCA Group Listings. Each RCA group may decide on the wording of its directory listing. In its listing, the group should indicate whether its meetings are open, or closed, or special-focus meetings. A group may include additional attendance information in its listing: for example, a group might indicate the following: Closed meeting for couples only: RCA couples or members visiting from out-of-town are welcome to attend. In its directory listing, a “special-focus meeting” may choose to provide its specific attendance requisites, or it may simply provide a point of contact from whom the attendance requisites may be obtained.” Rationale Questions have arisen from time to time as to the validity of “special-focus meetings.” In the past the meeting-posting policy has wavered based on the personal opinions of those individual RCA members serving on the Board at the time. It is important that there be a consistent, Fellowship-approved policy that honors our fundamental diversity principles and at the same time recognizes the long-standing need for some RCA groups to hold “special-focus meetings.” In the spirit of 12-Step recovery, it is vital that our Fellowship meets both of these needs. The Structure Committee is of the opinion that the policy that we have proposed strikes a proper balance consistent with core 12-Step and 12-Traditions principles. Topic 2B: Proposal of the Board’s Focus Group for an RCA Meeting-Posting Policy. The Board’s Focus Group submits the following proposal. Move the adopting of the following RCA-WSO Meeting-Posting Policy: Page 5 of 11 “RCA Meeting-Posting Policy The term Open Meeting means: A meeting where any individual may choose to attend. Not restricted in who may attend or participate. For example, an individual may be a member of the clergy or mental health professional seeking additional information about Recovering Couples Anonymous (RCA) The term Closed Meeting means: A meeting where attendance or participation is restricted to a certain class of participants, typically couples only The term Special Focus Meeting means: A closed or open meeting, i.e. couples seeking to remain committed, which choses to focus on a special issue or need. Historically these have included “addiction only”, “Step Study” and “S groups only” to name just a few. RCA meetings may be open or closed. If posting a closed meeting, please list restrictions. In the spirit of recovery we encourage groups considering restrictions to keep them 12- step focused. We encourage that meetings be open to all persons from traditional relationships, non-traditional relationships and all addictions. In the wealth of experiences from a wide variety of relationships and addictions we find insight, strength, and hope. We also find that all of us in committed relationships who have known any addiction have many dysfunctional characteristics in common. The following statement will be a prominent part of any future directories: “Information provided reflects the informed group conscious of the RCA fellowship as expressed at the 2012 Annual Open Business Meeting. This information is not an endorsement of any group by the World Service Organization.” Rationale: Although the posting of meeting information on the web site has sometime been under the guidance of the Board of Trustees, we are asking that the fellowship approve the above wording to maintain the integrity of our policy regardless of the opinions held by any serving board. In the past the policy has wavered every couple of years from inclusive to exclusive and back again. Much has depended on the personal interpretations of the Traditions. To maintain continuity and to have one approved policy to maintain, we request this vote. Voting Procedures for Topic 2: Each group will vote separately on proposals 2A and 2B. Each group can vote in favor of one or both of the proposals and can vote against one or both of the proposals. Each group can also abstain for voting on one or both of the proposals. If a group favors proposal 2A and opposes 2B, the group can vote in favor of 2A and against 2B. Or if a group favors 2B and opposed 2A, the group can vote in favor of 2B and against 2A. If a group finds both proposals acceptable, it can vote in favor of both. If a group finds both proposals unacceptable, it can vote against both. Tallying the Votes and the Vote Required for Passage: The approval majority required to pass these proposals will depend on the outcome of the vote on Topic 1. If the proposal covered by Topic 1 is adopted, approval will require a two-thirds majority. If the proposal covered by Topic 1 is not adopted, approval will require a simple majority. If proposals 2A and 2B both meet the required approval majority, the proposal adopted will be the alternative receiving the highest percentage of favorable votes based on the total number of for and against votes for each proposal. In the unlikely event that both alternatives are approved with identical percentages of favorable votes, the delegate couples in attendance at the annual business meeting will vote to select the alternative that will go into effect. Page 6 of 11 Topic 3: Proposal for a Provision Covering the Payment of Stipends to WSO Board Couples to be Added to the Board’s Policies and Procedures Manual. A member of the Board of Trustees who is retiring has submitted the following proposal. Move to add the following provision to the Board of Trustees Policies and Procedures Manual: “Stipends for Board Couples: The World Service Organization shall offer a $300 stipend to trustee couples serving the fellowship at the annual convention. This would be a reimbursement of expenses for attending and participating in the annual business meeting. A serving couple could choose to request it or could donate it back to the fellowship. Proviso: In the year that a couple is elected at the end of the convention, they would not be eligible for this stipend as they would not have been on the Board at the time of the business meeting. The first convention that this provision will be in effect is 2013.” Rationale: The current structure of the RCA fellowship is not large enough to support paying full expenses to trustees. The fellowship is now on a solid financial footing and in the position to begin working toward a goal of being fully self supporting, as per our traditions. Service on the board requires a commitment to attend and participate at the annual business meeting. Although $300 is not a lot, and most probably not the full amount of expenses, it does offer something to mitigate the costs. By doing this we expand the pool of possible board members to those who may be limited by expenses. Vote Required for Passage: Approval of this proposal will require a simple majority of the delegate couples voting either for or against it at the annual business meeting including those delegate couples submitting their votes on the by-mail ballot. Topic 4: Proposal for the Addition of Provisions Covering RCA Literature to the Board’s Policies and Procedures Manual. A proposal submitted by the Board of Trustees. Move that the following be added to the Board of Trustees Policies and Procedures Manual: “Policies and Procedures for RCA Literature 1.0 Summary of Literature Policies and Procedures. 1. Two levels of approval are provided: Board Approval; or Fellowship Approval (see paragraphs 2.3 and 3.1). 2. The designation “Fellowship approved” rather than “Conference approved” is used for two reasons: (a) The RCA-WSO bylaws do not define the term “conference” (term only appears once in the bylaws in which the terms “annual convention” and “annual business meeting” are generally used). (b) When the term “Conference Approved” was used for the second and third editions of our basic text, Recovering Couples Anonymous: A Twelve-Step Program for Couples, it meant that the approval was by the Board. Thus the prior RCA use of the “Conference Approved” designation is not entirely consistent with the use by other 12-step fellowships. 3. Ordinarily approval will be at the Board level (see paragraph 3.2). Page 7 of 11 4. Fellowship approval will be sought only in special circumstances (see paragraph 3.3). 5. Fellowship approval will not be sought unless the “process for a specific item of literature” is approved by the delegate couples at an annual business meeting (see paragraphs 3.3.1 and 3.3.1.1 through 3.3.13). 6. Specific provisions are included for the following: the RCA Basic Text, Recovering Couples Anonymous (see section 4.1); RCA Pamphlets and Brochures (see section 4.2); and Legacy Literature (see section 4.3). 7. Specific provisions are made for those cases when an RCA member offers literature to the RCA-WSO (see section 5.0). 8. Specific provisions are made for assignments to the Literature Committee and to special and ad hoc committees (see section 6.0). 2.0 Background Regarding RCA Literature Policies. 2.1 Authority of the Board of Trustees for Approving and Publishing RCA Literature. Under the bylaws the Board of Trustees is authorized to approve and publish RCA literature. 1 The bylaws state: “The services provided by W.S.O. shall include but shall not be limited to:” “Approving and publishing R.C.A. literature, including the book entitled, Recovering Couples Anonymous and various pamphlets.”2 Moreover, the bylaws make it clear that this authority rests in the Board: “The administration of W.S.O. shall be vested in the Board Trustees . . . .”3 2.2 Pre-2007 Designation of Approved RCA Literature. Prior to the 2007 Annual Business Meeting in St. Louis,4 approval of RCA Literature was indicated by the designation: “RCA Conference Approved Literature.”5 This designation was used to indicate approval by the Board of Trustees. 2.3 Designation of the Approval Status of RCA Literature. Since 2007 the approval status of RCA Literature has been indicated by two distinct designations: (1) “RCA-WSO Board of Trustees Approved Literature;” and (2) “Fellowship Approved Literature.”6 3.0 Policy for Approval of RCA Literature. 3.1 Designations Used to Indicate Approval Status of RCA Literature. There are two designations used to indicate the approval status of RCA literature: (1) “RCA-WSO Board of Trustees Approved Literature;” and (2) “Fellowship Approved Literature.” 3.2 Policies with Respect to Board Approved Literature. The ordinary level of approval for RCA literature is approval by the Board of Trustees. Only in special circumstances will RCA literature be required to go through the process of approval by the Fellowship (see the requirements specified in paragraph 3.3 below). While the Board should always strive for consensus when approving RCA literature, the bylaws require that all board decisions, including the Board approval of RCA literature, be made on the bases of a majority vote. 3.3 Policies with Respect to Fellowship Approved Literature. The use of the process to obtain Fellowship approval must be limited to special circumstances. This limitation is based on the following considerations: Page 8 of 11 (1) The process may impose a significant burden on the member groups to review items of literature that some groups may not have been using. (2) The process may be time consuming since sufficient time must be provided so that each group can make a meaningful assessment of the proposed literature. (3) The process may be costly because copies of the proposed literature must be made available to each group.7 3.3.1 Pre-Approval by the Fellowship of the Submission of Any Literature for Fellowship Approval. Before a proposed item of literature is sent to the Fellowship for its approval, the Fellowship must approve, at an annual business meeting, the requirement for Fellowship approval and the process by which the approval will be obtained. The Fellowship should not be burdened with the approval process unless the Fellowship agrees to it beforehand. 3.3.1.1 Special Need. The special need requiring fellowship approval for a specific item of literature should be identified at the time approval of the Fellowship is sought under paragraph 3.3.1. 3.3.1.2 Seeking Fellowship Approval of Board Approved Literature. The requirements of paragraphs 3.3.1 and 3.3.1.1 must be complied with in all cases in which Fellowship approval is sought for RCA literature that has previously been approved by the Board of Trustees. Additionally, the status of the item of literature in the event that the item fails to gain Fellowship approval must be addressed when approval to use the process is sought under paragraph 3.3.1 (i.e., will it continue to be available as Board approved literature or will it no longer be available). 3.3.1.3 Motion for Initiation of the Fellowship-Approval Process. A request for initiation of Fellowship-Approval process may be made by a motion for consideration at the annual business meeting. Any such motion must be submitted to the Structure Committee at least 150-days prior to the annual business meeting as is the case for all motions that will appear on the agenda for the annual business meeting. Such motions may be submitted by the Board of Trustees, or by any RCA-WSO committee, or by any RCA member 3.3.2 Application of RCA-WSO Special Rule of Order 1. Special Rule of Order 1 requires that: “The vote to designate any RCA literature as ‘Fellowship Approved Literature’ shall require the approval of two-thirds of the delegate couples of RCA member groups voting.” Special Rule of Order 1 was adopted by the delegate couples attending the 2007 annual business meeting. 3.4 Changes to Literature that Has Previously Been Approved. No substantive changes shall be made to any RCA literature that has been previously approved unless the following requirements are met. (1) Board approved literature: All substantive changes shall require approval of the Board of Trustees. Page 9 of 11 (2) Fellowship approved literature: All substantive changes shall require approval of the Fellowship. If such approval is sought, the proposed changes must be submitted to the Fellowship for approval. 3.4.1 Non-Substantive Changes Made on Re-Printing. Factual corrections shall not require Fellowship approval: such as phone numbers, addresses both postal and e-mail. Additionally the correction of spelling and grammatical errors shall not require such approval. The Board of Trustees shall be notified of all such non-substantives changes before they are included during the re-printing process. 4.0 Policies with Respect to: the RCA Basic Text: Recovering Couples Anonymous: A Twelve-Step Program for Couples; RCA Pamphlets and Brochures; and Legacy Literature. 4.1 Our Basic Text. The fourth edition of our basic text, Recovering Couples Anonymous: A Twelve-Step Program for Couples, is the only item of RCA literature that has been Fellowship Approved. If substantive changes are to be made to the fourth edition in the future, the proposed changes must be submitted to the Fellowship for approval. 4.2 RCA Pamphlets and Brochures. Updated RCA pamphlets and brochures shall be consistent with the text of the Fellowship approved fourth edition of our basic text. This policy shall not preclude the Board from authorizing the publication of legacy pamphlets and brochures (see paragraph 4.3 below). 4.3 Legacy Literature. The Board may approve the publication of legacy literature. 4.3.1 The Third Edition of the RCA Basic Text. At the 2011 annual business meeting, the Fellowship voted to maintain and make available, as a legacy document, the third edition of our basic text in electronic form. 4.3.2 Other Legacy Literature. The Board of Trustees shall determine the need of any additional legacy literature including legacy pamphlets and brochures. The publication of any additional legacy literature shall be subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees. 5.0 Policies with Respect to Proposed Literature Submitted by Individual RCA Members for Use by the Fellowship. 5.1 Proposed Literature Submitted or Offered by RCA Members. If an RCA member offers to submit or prepare literature for use by RCA, the Board of Trustees shall make an initial determination of the potential value of any such literature. If the Board decides to consider any such offers, the Board should enter into a written agreement with the author. The agreement must address the following. (1) assignment of copyright to the RCA-WSO; (2) the editing process; and (3) the party that will have final approval of proposed editing. Any such agreement must provide that the Board of Trustees shall have final authority as to whether the RCA-WSO will publish the final edited version. 6.0 Policies with Respect to the Literature Committee. 6.1 Assignments to the Literature Committee. Ordinarily the Board of Trustees shall assign literature projects to the RCA-WSO Literature Committee. But, when required, the Board may make assignments to special or ad hoc committees for particular items of literature. The workload of the Literature Committee will Page 10 of 11 be one factor in determining whether the assignment will be made to a special or ad hoc committee. 6.2 Process for Developing RCA Literature. For all efforts within the WSO and its committees that involve the development of RCA literature, the Board of Trustees shall specify the following: (1) the relative priorities in the case of multiple assignments to a committee; (2) assignments to special or ad hoc committees when necessary; (3) the details of and any limitations on the desired editing process; and (4) status reporting requirements. Literature developed within the WSO and its committees, that is presented to the Board for its review and approval, shall be developed in accordance with the Board’s specified process. 6.2.1 Comments from the Literature Committee. When the Board makes a literature assignment to a special or an ad hoc committee, the Board shall have the option of requesting review by the literature committee prior to Board approval. If such a request is made, the Board shall specify the scope of the review requested (see paragraph 6.2 above). End Notes for Policies and Procedures for RCA Literature 1. Historic Note: The fact that this authority is vested in the Board was reaffirmed at the 2009 Annual Business Meeting in Ft. Lauderdale when a proposed amendment to the bylaws requiring that all RCA literature be “Fellowship Approved” was defeated. For approval that proposed change to the bylaws required a 75% vote in favor. The proposal failed to carry a simple majority: the vote was 18 in favor and 22 opposed. 2. See Bylaws, paragraphs 1.2.1 and 1.2.1.1. 3. See Bylaws, paragraph 4.1. 4. The 2007 annual business meeting was the first time the delegate-couple voting-procedures applied. 5. In the second edition (1992) of the Blue Book, Recovering Couple Anonymous, the designation read “This Book is R.C.A. Conference Approved Literature.” In the third edition, the designation read “RCA Conference Approved Literature.” 6. When “Step-Up to Love” was published in 2009, it was approved by the Board of Trustees and designated as “RCA-WSO Board of Trustees Approved Literature.” When the 4th edition of our basic text, Recovering Couples Anonymous: A Twelve-Step Program for Couples, was published in 2011, it had been through a review and approval process involving the entire Fellowship and was designated as “RCA Fellowship Approved Literature.” The submission to the member groups was pursuant to a motion , Topic 7, passed at the 2007 annual business meeting that required this process. Also at the 2007 annual business meeting, the RCA-WSO Special Rule of Order One was adopted to set the requirement for a two-thirds favorable majority in order to designate literature as “RCA Fellowship Approved.” 7. For documents of more than a few pages in length, the cost of printing will be borne either by the WSO if paper copies are made available to each group, or by each RCA group if the item of literature is made available electronically.” Rationale for this proposal: 1. The RCA-WSO has operated for a long time without specific, written policies and procedures covering the publishing of RCA literature. Thus, detailed policies and procedures to guide the decisions of the Board of Trustees are long overdue. While the Board of Trustees has the authority to adopt these policies and procedures, they cover matters so fundamental to RCA Page 11 of 11 that the Board feels that it is important that they be approved by the Fellowship at the annual business meeting. 2. A key feature of these policies and procedures is the requirement that the Fellowship will decide if Fellowship approval is needed for any specific item of literature. The general consensus is that there is vital need for additional RCA literature. Ordinarily, approval of new literature by the Board of Trustees will be sufficient, as it has been for the life of RCA. Reliance on Board approval entails less delay in making additional RCA literature available to the Fellowship. 3. A request for initiation of the Fellowship-Approval process may be made by a motion for consideration at the annual business meeting. Any such motion must be submitted to the Structure Committee at least 150 days prior to the annual business meeting, as is the case for all motions that will appear on the agenda for the business meeting. Such a motion may be submitted by the Board of Trustees, or by any RCA-WSO committee, or by any RCA member. (See section 3.3.1.3 of the proposed policies and procedures.) Vote Required for Passage: Approval of this proposal will require a simple majority of the delegate couples voting either for or against it at the annual business meeting including those delegate couples submitting their votes on the by-mail ballot.Quote
0#2satstepstudy2012-02-14 12:39Thought I would just put an idea out there to move the meeting along. In our fellowship, at business meetings, each attendee is allowed to speak once on any motion, including the presenter of the motion. This avoids certain yacky doodles from dominating a discuss to the exclusion of the quieter ones. Just a thoughtQuote
0#1Matt IRW Tami2012-02-12 14:57Group restrictions being listed on the RCA Website. The purpose of 12 step meetings is to facilitate the working of the 12th step. Passing the message of recovery by having a forum to share our experience strength and hope. If any one is attending or facilitating a meeting with any agenda other than working the 12th step or allowing the 12th step to work on them, they are missing the point. Any thing listed on the RCA website effects RCA as a whole. The purpose of the Board is to use our group concience to improve the fellowship's ability to facilitate groups to work the 12th step and allow the 12th step to work on all couples who suffer and want recovery.
Anyone attending any RCA meeting will make many judgements on whether or not they "Feel" the meeting is right for them. If our website AKA "RCA as a whole" tells them they are not welcome where does their couple recovery begin and how do we continue to work the 12th step as a fellowship.Quote
Comments
May 4, 2012
Notice to the RCA Fellowship:
Topics to be Considered at the 2012 Annual Business Meeting
on Friday, August 3, 2012, in Memphis, Tennessee
Contents
Item Page
I. Introduction…1
II. Five Proposals for the 2012 Annual Business Meeting…2
Topic 1: Adding a special-rule-of-order requiring a two-thirds majority for Fellowship approval of significant, substantive policies…2
Rationale…2
Vote required for passage…3
Topic 2: Establishing an RCA-WSO meeting-posting policy…3
Topic 2A: Proposal from the Structure Committee…3
Rationale…4
Topic 2B: Proposal from the Board’s Focus Group…4
Rationale…5
Voting procedures for Topic 2…5
Tallying the votes and the vote required for passage…5
Topic 3: Stipend for WSO Board couples…6
Rationale…6
Vote required for passage…6
Topic 4: Adoption of RCA-WSO literature policies and procedures…6
Rationale…10
Vote required for passage…11
I. Introduction
1. Notice of annual-business-meeting topics: Notice is hereby provided to the RCA Fellowship of matters that will be considered at the RCA WSO annual business meeting on August 3, 2012. This notice of the topics to be considered is provided in order to meet the 90-day notice requirement of the bylaws so that by-mail voting will be permitted as to these topics.
2. Exact wording of each proposal to be provided later: The RCA WSO is incorporated as a non-profit corporation in the state of Missouri. Applicable Missouri law requires that notice of proposed bylaw changes be provided to the Fellowship within a window of 30 to 60 days prior to the annual business meeting.
To comply with the notice requirements of the applicable Missouri law: not before June 4, 2012, but not later than July 4, 2012, notice will be provided to the Fellowship of the final, specific wording of each proposal to be considered at the business meeting. After this second notice, ballots will be provided to those RCA member groups whose delegate couples can not attend the business meeting and who wish to submit by-mail votes on the matters to be considered.
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3. Request that each group review the topics: Each member group is asked to review the topics that are listed in this notice and to begin the process of determining the position, if any, that your group may wish to take on these matters. The primary purpose of the bylaw amendments adopted at the 2006 convention in Boston was to ensure that decisions made at the annual business meeting would be more reflective of the collective group conscience of the entire Fellowship, and not just be based on the views of those RCA members in attendance at the business meeting.
4. The burden imposed on member groups: While it is recognized that there are many demands on the time of RCA members and that priority must be given to continued individual and couple recovery, each member group is requested, if you are at all able, to review these topics and to begin the process of determining the position your group wishes to take with respect to each matter listed in this notice. Thereby you will help ensure that actions taken at the annual business meeting will truly reflect the collective group conscience of the Fellowship.
5. Organization details: It is recognized that some of these matters involve organizational details that may be of little interest to many RCA members and groups whose primary focus is appropriately on individual and couple recovery. But these details are often important to the efficient and effective operation of the RCA WSO as it attempts to provide necessary support to the Fellowship.
If your group is uncertain as to the meaning and significance of any of the topics listed in this notice, your group might consider seeking advice from long-time and trusted members of RCA as to their views on the merits of the various topics listed in this notice.
6. Five Proposals for 2012. The January 13, 2012, edition of the RCA e-News provided notice to the Fellowship of the deadline for the submission of topics for the 2012 annual business meeting. The details of the submission process were posted on the website as of that date. By the March 6th deadline, seven proposals were submitted to the Structure Committee, five from the Board of Trustees, one from the Structure Committee, and one from an RCA member. The Board has since withdrawn two of its proposals so that there will be five topics on the agenda for the business meeting. Topics 2A and 2B address the same issue.
II. The Five Topics for the 2012 Annual Business Meeting
Topic 1: The Proposed Addition of a Special-Rule-of-Order Requiring a Two-Thirds Majority for the Adoption of Significant, Substantive Fellowship Policies.
An RCA member has submitted the following proposal. Move to add Special-Rule-of-Order Two to the RCA-WSO Special Rules of Orders as follows:
“Rule 2: Vote Required for a Policy that is Designated as a ‘Fellowship Approved Policy’. To designate a significant, substantive policy as a ‘Fellowship Approved Policy,’ approval shall require a two-thirds majority of the delegate couples of RCA member groups voting. Proviso: This special rule shall be effective on the date of its passage. This special rule of order is not applicable to those types of procedural policies that are ordinarily included in the RCA-WSO Policies and Procedures Manual.”
Rationale:
1. Substitute for substantial unanimity: Under basic concepts of 12-step recovery, substantial unanimity should be sought by a 12-step Fellowship when it makes an important decision. To
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ensure that there is broad acceptance of a significant, substantive Fellowship policy, a simple majority should not be sufficient; instead a two-thirds majority should be required. Under this proposal the Fellowship would enact a “special rule of order” requiring a two-thirds majority to designate a policy as a “Fellowship Approval Policy.” Special Rule of Order 2 would correspond to Special Rule of Order 1 which requires a two-thirds majority to designate literature as “Fellowship Approved Literature.”
2. Why a “special rule of order?” The RCA-WSO bylaws incorporate Robert’s Rules of Order as the authority on parliamentary law (see section 6.1 of the bylaws). Under Robert’s Rules the vote required for approval of a substantive matter is usually a simple majority. “Special rules of order” are rules that modify the standard parliamentary provisions set forth in Robert’s Rules. Only the Fellowship can establish a “special rule of order.”
3. Advantage of a Special Rule: The adoption of a “special rule of order” will require a two-thirds majority. Subsequent modification of a “special rule of order” also requires a two-thirds majority. Thus, a “special rule of order” is both easier to enact and easier to modify than an amendment to the bylaws. Amendments to the RCA bylaws require a 75% majority for approval. If approved by the Fellowship, this will be the second “special rule of order” enacted for the RCA WSO with the first being enacted at the 2007 annual business meeting.
Vote Required for Passage: Approval of this proposal will require a two-thirds majority of the elegate couples voting either for or against it at the annual business meeting including those elegate couples submitting their votes on the by-mail ballot.
dd
Topic 2: The Proposed Adoption a Significant, Substantive Fellowship-Approved Policy Establishing an RCA-WSO Meeting-Posting Policy.
Introduction to Topic 2:
At the 2011 annual business meeting a motion was passed to “Instruct the board and the structure committee to create a policy that will be brought to the fellowship in 2012 regarding definitions and policies concerning special focus, and opened and closed meetings.”
After the 2011 annual business meeting, the Board established a focus group to develop a proposed policy. In parallel the Structure Committee has been developing a proposal in response to the motion. The Structure Committee and the Board have been unable to agree on a single proposed policy to submit to the Fellowship. Therefore two proposals are being submitted to the Fellowship so that it can decide which, if either, of the policies it may decide to adopt.
Topic 2A: The Structure Committee's Proposal for an RCA Meeting-Posting Policy.
The Structure Committee submits the following proposal. Move the adopting of the following RCA-WSO Meeting-Posting Policy:
“RCA-WSO Meeting-Posting Policy.
1. Definitions. The following definitions apply to this policy:
The term Open Meeting means: A meeting where any individual may choose to attend. There are no limitations on who may attend or participate. For example, an individual may be a member of the clergy or mental health professional seeking additional information about Recovering Couples Anonymous.
The term Closed Meeting means: A meeting where attendance or participation is
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limited to couples only.
The term Special-Focus Meeting means: A closed meeting that chooses to focus on a special issue or need of the group. Historically these have included “addiction only,” “Step Study,” and “S groups only” to name just a few.
2. Background. RCA has a long history of promoting diversity: RCA is open to all adult couples regardless of age, sexual orientation, gender identification, religious background, culture, race, class, national origin, physical or mental challenge, or political affiliation. Additionally, in accordance with our Fourth Tradition, all RCA groups are autonomous. Our history has demonstrated that special-focus meetings have not negatively affected RCA as a whole as long as their attendance requisites did not discriminate so as to conflict with our fundamental diversity principles.
3. Policy. RCA promotes diversity and an open door policy in all its affairs, especially with regard to age, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, gender identification, culture, class, and mental or physical challenge. Thus we strongly encourage each RCA group to allow any couple desiring to remain in a committed relationship to attend its meetings. But, at the same time, in accordance with the Fourth Tradition, we recognize that an RCA group may decide that it is important to limit itself to a particular focus. In the spirit of recovery, we encourage groups considering a special focus to keep their attendance requisites 12-step focused.
RCA groups with special needs shall be allowed to hold “special-focus meetings.” And further, any such group shall be listed in all meeting directories except when the group’s attendance requisites would affect RCA as a whole by conflicting with our fundamental diversity principles.
4. RCA Group Listings. Each RCA group may decide on the wording of its directory listing. In its listing, the group should indicate whether its meetings are open, or closed, or special-focus meetings. A group may include additional attendance information in its listing: for example, a group might indicate the following: Closed meeting for couples only: RCA couples or members visiting from out-of-town are welcome to attend. In its directory listing, a “special-focus meeting” may choose to provide its specific attendance requisites, or it may simply provide a point of contact from whom the attendance requisites may be obtained.”
Rationale
Questions have arisen from time to time as to the validity of “special-focus meetings.” In the past the meeting-posting policy has wavered based on the personal opinions of those individual RCA members serving on the Board at the time. It is important that there be a consistent, Fellowship-approved policy that honors our fundamental diversity principles and at the same time recognizes the long-standing need for some RCA groups to hold “special-focus meetings.” In the spirit of 12-Step recovery, it is vital that our Fellowship meets both of these needs. The Structure Committee is of the opinion that the policy that we have proposed strikes a proper balance consistent with core 12-Step and 12-Traditions principles.
Topic 2B: Proposal of the Board’s Focus Group for an RCA Meeting-Posting Policy.
The Board’s Focus Group submits the following proposal. Move the adopting of the following RCA-WSO Meeting-Posting Policy:
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“RCA Meeting-Posting Policy
The term Open Meeting means: A meeting where any individual may choose to attend. Not restricted in who may attend or participate. For example, an individual may be a member of the clergy or mental health professional seeking additional information about Recovering Couples Anonymous (RCA)
The term Closed Meeting means: A meeting where attendance or participation is restricted to a certain class of participants, typically couples only
The term Special Focus Meeting means: A closed or open meeting, i.e. couples seeking to remain committed, which choses to focus on a special issue or need. Historically these have included “addiction only”, “Step Study” and “S groups only” to name just a few.
RCA meetings may be open or closed. If posting a closed meeting, please list restrictions. In the spirit of recovery we encourage groups considering restrictions to keep them 12- step focused. We encourage that meetings be open to all persons from traditional relationships, non-traditional relationships and all addictions. In the wealth of experiences from a wide variety of relationships and addictions we find insight, strength, and hope. We also find that all of us in committed relationships who have known any addiction have many dysfunctional characteristics in common.
The following statement will be a prominent part of any future directories: “Information provided reflects the informed group conscious of the RCA fellowship as expressed at the 2012 Annual Open Business Meeting. This information is not an endorsement of any group by the World Service Organization.”
Rationale: Although the posting of meeting information on the web site has sometime been under the guidance of the Board of Trustees, we are asking that the fellowship approve the above wording to maintain the integrity of our policy regardless of the opinions held by any serving board. In the past the policy has wavered every couple of years from inclusive to exclusive and back again. Much has depended on the personal interpretations of the Traditions. To maintain continuity and to have one approved policy to maintain, we request this vote.
Voting Procedures for Topic 2: Each group will vote separately on proposals 2A and 2B. Each group can vote in favor of one or both of the proposals and can vote against one or both of the proposals. Each group can also abstain for voting on one or both of the proposals. If a group favors proposal 2A and opposes 2B, the group can vote in favor of 2A and against 2B. Or if a group favors 2B and opposed 2A, the group can vote in favor of 2B and against 2A. If a group finds both proposals acceptable, it can vote in favor of both. If a group finds both proposals unacceptable, it can vote against both.
Tallying the Votes and the Vote Required for Passage: The approval majority required to pass these proposals will depend on the outcome of the vote on Topic 1. If the proposal covered by Topic 1 is adopted, approval will require a two-thirds majority. If the proposal covered by Topic 1 is not adopted, approval will require a simple majority.
If proposals 2A and 2B both meet the required approval majority, the proposal adopted will be the alternative receiving the highest percentage of favorable votes based on the total number of for and against votes for each proposal. In the unlikely event that both alternatives are approved with identical percentages of favorable votes, the delegate couples in attendance at the annual business meeting will vote to select the alternative that will go into effect.
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Topic 3: Proposal for a Provision Covering the Payment of Stipends to WSO Board Couples to be Added to the Board’s Policies and Procedures Manual.
A member of the Board of Trustees who is retiring has submitted the following proposal. Move to add the following provision to the Board of Trustees Policies and Procedures Manual:
“Stipends for Board Couples: The World Service Organization shall offer a $300 stipend to trustee couples serving the fellowship at the annual convention. This would be a reimbursement of expenses for attending and participating in the annual business meeting. A serving couple could choose to request it or could donate it back to the fellowship. Proviso: In the year that a couple is elected at the end of the convention, they would not be eligible for this stipend as they would not have been on the Board at the time of the business meeting. The first convention that this provision will be in effect is 2013.”
Rationale: The current structure of the RCA fellowship is not large enough to support paying full expenses to trustees. The fellowship is now on a solid financial footing and in the position to begin working toward a goal of being fully self supporting, as per our traditions. Service on the board requires a commitment to attend and participate at the annual business meeting. Although $300 is not a lot, and most probably not the full amount of expenses, it does offer something to mitigate the costs. By doing this we expand the pool of possible board members to those who may be limited by expenses.
Vote Required for Passage: Approval of this proposal will require a simple majority of the delegate couples voting either for or against it at the annual business meeting including those delegate couples submitting their votes on the by-mail ballot.
Topic 4: Proposal for the Addition of Provisions Covering RCA Literature to the Board’s Policies and Procedures Manual.
A proposal submitted by the Board of Trustees. Move that the following be added to the Board of Trustees Policies and Procedures Manual:
“Policies and Procedures for RCA Literature
1.0 Summary of Literature Policies and Procedures.
1. Two levels of approval are provided: Board Approval; or Fellowship Approval (see paragraphs 2.3 and 3.1).
2. The designation “Fellowship approved” rather than “Conference approved” is used for two reasons:
(a) The RCA-WSO bylaws do not define the term “conference” (term only appears once in the bylaws in which the terms “annual convention” and “annual business meeting” are generally used).
(b) When the term “Conference Approved” was used for the second and third editions of our basic text, Recovering Couples Anonymous: A Twelve-Step Program for Couples, it meant that the approval was by the Board. Thus the prior RCA use of the “Conference Approved” designation is not entirely consistent with the use by other 12-step fellowships.
3. Ordinarily approval will be at the Board level (see paragraph 3.2).
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4. Fellowship approval will be sought only in special circumstances (see paragraph 3.3).
5. Fellowship approval will not be sought unless the “process for a specific item of literature” is approved by the delegate couples at an annual business meeting (see paragraphs 3.3.1 and 3.3.1.1 through 3.3.13).
6. Specific provisions are included for the following: the RCA Basic Text, Recovering Couples Anonymous (see section 4.1); RCA Pamphlets and Brochures (see section 4.2); and Legacy Literature (see section 4.3).
7. Specific provisions are made for those cases when an RCA member offers literature to the RCA-WSO (see section 5.0).
8. Specific provisions are made for assignments to the Literature Committee and to special and ad hoc committees (see section 6.0).
2.0 Background Regarding RCA Literature Policies.
2.1 Authority of the Board of Trustees for Approving and Publishing RCA Literature. Under the bylaws the Board of Trustees is authorized to approve and publish RCA literature. 1 The bylaws state: “The services provided by W.S.O. shall include but shall not be limited to:” “Approving and publishing R.C.A. literature, including the book entitled, Recovering Couples Anonymous and various pamphlets.”2 Moreover, the bylaws make it clear that this authority rests in the Board: “The administration of W.S.O. shall be vested in the Board Trustees . . . .”3
2.2 Pre-2007 Designation of Approved RCA Literature. Prior to the 2007 Annual Business Meeting in St. Louis,4 approval of RCA Literature was indicated by the designation: “RCA Conference Approved Literature.”5 This designation was used to indicate approval by the Board of Trustees.
2.3 Designation of the Approval Status of RCA Literature. Since 2007 the approval status of RCA Literature has been indicated by two distinct designations: (1) “RCA-WSO Board of Trustees Approved Literature;” and (2) “Fellowship Approved Literature.”6
3.0 Policy for Approval of RCA Literature.
3.1 Designations Used to Indicate Approval Status of RCA Literature. There are two designations used to indicate the approval status of RCA literature: (1) “RCA-WSO Board of Trustees Approved Literature;” and (2) “Fellowship Approved Literature.”
3.2 Policies with Respect to Board Approved Literature. The ordinary level of approval for RCA literature is approval by the Board of Trustees. Only in special circumstances will RCA literature be required to go through the process of approval by the Fellowship (see the requirements specified in paragraph 3.3 below). While the Board should always strive for consensus when approving RCA literature, the bylaws require that all board decisions, including the Board approval of RCA literature, be made on the bases of a majority vote.
3.3 Policies with Respect to Fellowship Approved Literature. The use of the process to obtain Fellowship approval must be limited to special circumstances. This limitation is based on the following considerations:
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(1) The process may impose a significant burden on the member groups to review items of literature that some groups may not have been using.
(2) The process may be time consuming since sufficient time must be provided so that each group can make a meaningful assessment of the proposed literature.
(3) The process may be costly because copies of the proposed literature must be made available to each group.7
3.3.1 Pre-Approval by the Fellowship of the Submission of Any Literature for Fellowship Approval. Before a proposed item of literature is sent to the Fellowship for its approval, the Fellowship must approve, at an annual business meeting, the requirement for Fellowship approval and the process by which the approval will be obtained. The Fellowship should not be burdened with the approval process unless the Fellowship agrees to it beforehand.
3.3.1.1 Special Need. The special need requiring fellowship approval for a specific item of literature should be identified at the time approval of the Fellowship is sought under paragraph 3.3.1.
3.3.1.2 Seeking Fellowship Approval of Board Approved Literature. The requirements of paragraphs 3.3.1 and 3.3.1.1 must be complied with in all cases in which Fellowship approval is sought for RCA literature that has previously been approved by the Board of Trustees. Additionally, the status of the item of literature in the event that the item fails to gain Fellowship approval must be addressed when approval to use the process is sought under paragraph 3.3.1 (i.e., will it continue to be available as Board approved literature or will it no longer be available).
3.3.1.3 Motion for Initiation of the Fellowship-Approval Process. A request for initiation of Fellowship-Approval process may be made by a motion for consideration at the annual business meeting. Any such motion must be submitted to the Structure Committee at least 150-days prior to the annual business meeting as is the case for all motions that will appear on the agenda for the annual business meeting. Such motions may be submitted by the Board of Trustees, or by any RCA-WSO committee, or by any RCA member
3.3.2 Application of RCA-WSO Special Rule of Order 1. Special Rule of Order 1 requires that: “The vote to designate any RCA literature as ‘Fellowship Approved Literature’ shall require the approval of two-thirds of the delegate couples of RCA member groups voting.” Special Rule of Order 1 was adopted by the delegate couples attending the 2007 annual business meeting.
3.4 Changes to Literature that Has Previously Been Approved. No substantive changes shall be made to any RCA literature that has been previously approved unless the following requirements are met.
(1) Board approved literature: All substantive changes shall require approval of the Board of Trustees.
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(2) Fellowship approved literature: All substantive changes shall require approval of the Fellowship. If such approval is sought, the proposed changes must be submitted to the Fellowship for approval.
3.4.1 Non-Substantive Changes Made on Re-Printing. Factual corrections shall not require Fellowship approval: such as phone numbers, addresses both postal and e-mail. Additionally the correction of spelling and grammatical errors shall not require such approval. The Board of Trustees shall be notified of all such non-substantives changes before they are included during the re-printing process.
4.0 Policies with Respect to: the RCA Basic Text: Recovering Couples Anonymous: A Twelve-Step Program for Couples; RCA Pamphlets and Brochures; and Legacy Literature.
4.1 Our Basic Text. The fourth edition of our basic text, Recovering Couples Anonymous: A Twelve-Step Program for Couples, is the only item of RCA literature that has been Fellowship Approved. If substantive changes are to be made to the fourth edition in the future, the proposed changes must be submitted to the Fellowship for approval.
4.2 RCA Pamphlets and Brochures. Updated RCA pamphlets and brochures shall be consistent with the text of the Fellowship approved fourth edition of our basic text. This policy shall not preclude the Board from authorizing the publication of legacy pamphlets and brochures (see paragraph 4.3 below).
4.3 Legacy Literature. The Board may approve the publication of legacy literature.
4.3.1 The Third Edition of the RCA Basic Text. At the 2011 annual business meeting, the Fellowship voted to maintain and make available, as a legacy document, the third edition of our basic text in electronic form.
4.3.2 Other Legacy Literature. The Board of Trustees shall determine the need of any additional legacy literature including legacy pamphlets and brochures. The publication of any additional legacy literature shall be subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees.
5.0 Policies with Respect to Proposed Literature Submitted by Individual RCA Members for Use by the Fellowship.
5.1 Proposed Literature Submitted or Offered by RCA Members. If an RCA member offers to submit or prepare literature for use by RCA, the Board of Trustees shall make an initial determination of the potential value of any such literature. If the Board decides to consider any such offers, the Board should enter into a written agreement with the author. The agreement must address the following. (1) assignment of copyright to the RCA-WSO; (2) the editing process; and (3) the party that will have final approval of proposed editing. Any such agreement must provide that the Board of Trustees shall have final authority as to whether the RCA-WSO will publish the final edited version.
6.0 Policies with Respect to the Literature Committee.
6.1 Assignments to the Literature Committee. Ordinarily the Board of Trustees shall assign literature projects to the RCA-WSO Literature Committee. But, when required, the Board may make assignments to special or ad hoc committees for particular items of literature. The workload of the Literature Committee will
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be one factor in determining whether the assignment will be made to a special or ad hoc committee.
6.2 Process for Developing RCA Literature. For all efforts within the WSO and its committees that involve the development of RCA literature, the Board of Trustees shall specify the following: (1) the relative priorities in the case of multiple assignments to a committee; (2) assignments to special or ad hoc committees when necessary; (3) the details of and any limitations on the desired editing process; and (4) status reporting requirements. Literature developed within the WSO and its committees, that is presented to the Board for its review and approval, shall be developed in accordance with the Board’s specified process.
6.2.1 Comments from the Literature Committee. When the Board makes a literature assignment to a special or an ad hoc committee, the Board shall have the option of requesting review by the literature committee prior to Board approval. If such a request is made, the Board shall specify the scope of the review requested (see paragraph 6.2 above).
End Notes for Policies and Procedures for RCA Literature
1. Historic Note: The fact that this authority is vested in the Board was reaffirmed at the 2009 Annual Business Meeting in Ft. Lauderdale when a proposed amendment to the bylaws requiring that all RCA literature be “Fellowship Approved” was defeated. For approval that proposed change to the bylaws required a 75% vote in favor. The proposal failed to carry a simple majority: the vote was 18 in favor and 22 opposed.
2. See Bylaws, paragraphs 1.2.1 and 1.2.1.1.
3. See Bylaws, paragraph 4.1.
4. The 2007 annual business meeting was the first time the delegate-couple voting-procedures applied.
5. In the second edition (1992) of the Blue Book, Recovering Couple Anonymous, the designation read “This Book is R.C.A. Conference Approved Literature.” In the third edition, the designation read “RCA Conference Approved Literature.”
6. When “Step-Up to Love” was published in 2009, it was approved by the Board of Trustees and designated as “RCA-WSO Board of Trustees Approved Literature.” When the 4th edition of our basic text, Recovering Couples Anonymous: A Twelve-Step Program for Couples, was published in 2011, it had been through a review and approval process involving the entire Fellowship and was designated as “RCA Fellowship Approved Literature.” The submission to the member groups was pursuant to a motion , Topic 7, passed at the 2007 annual business meeting that required this process. Also at the 2007 annual business meeting, the RCA-WSO Special Rule of Order One was adopted to set the requirement for a two-thirds favorable majority in order to designate literature as “RCA Fellowship Approved.”
7. For documents of more than a few pages in length, the cost of printing will be borne either by the WSO if paper copies are made available to each group, or by each RCA group if the item of literature is made available electronically.”
Rationale for this proposal:
1. The RCA-WSO has operated for a long time without specific, written policies and procedures covering the publishing of RCA literature. Thus, detailed policies and procedures to guide the decisions of the Board of Trustees are long overdue. While the Board of Trustees has the authority to adopt these policies and procedures, they cover matters so fundamental to RCA
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that the Board feels that it is important that they be approved by the Fellowship at the annual business meeting.
2. A key feature of these policies and procedures is the requirement that the Fellowship will decide if Fellowship approval is needed for any specific item of literature. The general consensus is that there is vital need for additional RCA literature. Ordinarily, approval of new literature by the Board of Trustees will be sufficient, as it has been for the life of RCA. Reliance on Board approval entails less delay in making additional RCA literature available to the Fellowship.
3. A request for initiation of the Fellowship-Approval process may be made by a motion for consideration at the annual business meeting. Any such motion must be submitted to the Structure Committee at least 150 days prior to the annual business meeting, as is the case for all motions that will appear on the agenda for the business meeting. Such a motion may be submitted by the Board of Trustees, or by any RCA-WSO committee, or by any RCA member. (See section 3.3.1.3 of the proposed policies and procedures.)
Vote Required for Passage: Approval of this proposal will require a simple majority of the delegate couples voting either for or against it at the annual business meeting including those delegate couples submitting their votes on the by-mail ballot. Quote
In our fellowship, at business meetings, each attendee is allowed to speak once on any motion, including the presenter of the motion. This avoids certain yacky doodles from dominating a discuss to the exclusion of the quieter ones. Just a thought Quote
The purpose of 12 step meetings is to facilitate the working of the 12th step. Passing the message of recovery by having a forum to share our experience strength and hope. If any one is attending or facilitating a meeting with any agenda other than working the 12th step or allowing the 12th step to work on them, they are missing the point. Any thing listed on the RCA website effects RCA as a whole. The purpose of the Board is to use our group concience to improve the fellowship's ability to facilitate groups to work the 12th step and allow the 12th step to work on all couples who suffer and want recovery.
Anyone attending any RCA meeting will make many judgements on whether or not they "Feel" the meeting is right for them. If our website AKA "RCA as a whole" tells them they are not welcome where does their couple recovery begin and how do we continue to work the 12th step as a fellowship. Quote
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