The History of Cocaine Anonymous Group
Curated by the Historians, Archivists and Members of Cocaine Anonymous
The WSC is the nerve center and voice of our Fellowship. The WSC is the one time each year when all our service branches come together. Unlike all other branches of C.A. service, the WSC is not an entity, it is an event.
At the WSC, the Delegates, the World Service Board of Trustees, and the managers and Directors of the World Service Office meet to discuss ideas and direction for the Fellowship of C.A. as a whole. The WSC can last up to a week; however, the planning and implementation associated with the WSC is a year-round proposition.
History of World Services Conference
1. February 8, 9, 1986, 1st World Services Conference, San Diego, California
2. July 2, 3, 1986, 2nd World Services Conference, San Diego, California.
3. March 21, 22, 1987, 3rd World Services Conference, Woodland Hills, California
4. November 13, 14, 15, 1987, 4th World Services Conference, Marina Del Ray, California
5. August 11, 12, 13, 14, 1988, 5th World Service Conference.
6. August 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 1989, 6th World Service Conference.
7. August 29 to September 2, 1990, 7th World Services Conference, San Diego, California
8. August 28, 29, 30, 31, September 1, 1991, 8th World Services Conference
9. September 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 1992, 9th World Services Conference.
10. September 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1993, 10th World Services Conference.
11. August 31, September 1, 2, 3, 4, 1994, 11th World Services Conference
12. August 30, 31, September 1, 2, 3, 1995, 12th World Services Conference.
13. August 28, 29, 30, 31, 1996, 13th World Services Conference.
14. August 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 1997, 14th World Services Conference: Theme: “Carrying the Message in the Spirit of Love”
15. September 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 1998, 15th World Service Conference.
16. September 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1999, 16th World Service Conference. Theme: “Together We Can!”
17. August 30, 31, September 1, 2, 3, 2000, 17th World Service Conference. Theme: “Diversity – A Source of Strength.”
18. August 29, 30, 31, September 1, 2, 2001, 18th World Service Conference. Theme: “Unity Has No Borders.”
19. August 28, 29, 30, 31, 2002, 19th World Service Conference.
20. August 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 2003, 20th World Service Conference. Theme: ”6 Days of Love and Tolerance.”
21. September 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 2004, 21st World Service Conference. Theme: “United In Love and Service.”
22. August 30, 31, September 1, 2, 3, 4, 2005, 22nd World Service Conference. Theme: “Opening the doors to the world.”
23. August 29, 30, 31, September 1, 2, 3, 2006, 23rd World Service Conference. Theme: “Open Arms, Open Hearts, Open Minds.”
24. August 28, 29, 30, 31, September 1, 2, 2007, 24th World Service Convention. Theme: “Each One, Reach One, Teach One.”
25. August 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 2008, 25th World Service Convention. Theme: Hope, Faith & Courage…the next 25!
26. September 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 2009, 26th World Service Convention. Theme: “Unity – Celebration of Life 2009.”
27. August 31, September 1, 2, 3, 4, 2010, 27th World Service Conference. Theme: “Our Common Welfare Should Come First.”
28. August 30, 31, September 1, 2, 3, 2011, 28th World Service Conference. Theme: “Big Book – $8, HFC – $10, Unity – Priceless!”
29. August 28, 29, 30, 31, 2012, 29th World Service Conference. Theme: “Though we are different, we are the same.”
30. August 28, 29, 30, 31, 2013, 30th World Service Conference. Theme: “United We Stand – Divided We Fall.”
31. August 27, 28, 29, 30, 2014, 31st World Service Conference. Theme: “Unity + Diversity = Strength.”
32. September 2, 3, 4, 5, 2015, 32nd World Service Conference. Theme: “Working Together, Never Alone.”
33. August 31, September 1, 2, 3, 2016, 33rd World Service Conference. Theme: “Unity Strengthens Our Community.”
34. August 30, 31, September 1, 2, 2017, 34th World Service Conference. Theme: “12 Steps, One Solution.”
35. August 29, 30, 31, September 1, 2, 2018, 35th World Service Conference. Theme: “Service Work is Gratitude in Action.”
36. August 28, 29, 30, 31, September 1, 2019. The 36th World Service ConferenceTheme: “Many voices, One Sound.”
37. September 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 2021. The 37th World Service Conference – Hybrid Conference, both in-person (Los Angeles, CA) and by virtual-online attendance.
38. August 31, September 1, 2, 3, 4, 2022. The 38th World Service Conference in Fort Worth, Dallas TX. (First time the Conference has been held out side Los Angeles, California).
39. August 30, September 1, 2, 3, 2023. The 39th World Service Conference in Fort Worth, Dallas TX.
40. August 28, 29, 30, 31, September 1, 2024. The 40th World Service Conference in Fort Worth, Dallas TX. Theme: “Principles Before Personalities.”
Per Maya B., who was the CAWS Finance Committee Chairperson in 2018 — These were a very loose mock-up of the ‘birthday shirts’ we were looking into making as a fundraiser. I think we made 12-15 shirts and all but one went to Finance Committee members. Private Collection, Rose J
Peach shaped stress ball give out by the Georgia Area World Convention Bid Committee at both the 2017 and 2018 Conference. The convention was voted to go to Georgia at the 2018 Conference. Private Collection, Ruby C
Design created to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Cocaine Anonymous. This shirt was sold by the WSO at the 2007 WS Conference. Private collection, Ruby C.
Undated shirt that premiered at the 2019 CAWS Conference. Private Collection, Ruby C.
72 Shirts made as a give-away at the 2019 CAWS Conference to people who signed up for re-occurring contributions to the CAWSO. This is the beginning of the process to re-branding the World Service Contribution Program that was rolled out in 2007. It was recommended on Day 5 of the 2019 CAWS Conference that the … Read more
CAWS Conference Committee Fundraising Shirt 12 Steps One Solution, August 30 – September 3, 2017, Sheraton Gateway, Los Angeles, CA Private Collection, Ruby C
August 31, September 1, 2, 3, 2016, 33rd World Service Conference. Theme: “Unity Strengthens Our Community.” From the Private collection, Rose J., Idaho
August 31, September 1, 2, 3, 2016, 33rd World Service Conference. Theme: “Unity Strengthens Our Community.” Limited run for the Archive Committee. (created by Cameron F., WS Archive Committee Chair)
