The Spirit of Concept Nine: Good service leaders, together with sound and appropriate methods of choosing them are at all levels indispensable for our future functioning and safety.
The Archive Committee
Tradition Nine: C.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
An Ideal Archive Committee ought to be comprised of:
- ARCHIVE CHAIR – Elected by the District or Area Service Committee
- ARCHIVE VICE-CHAIR – Elected by the Archive Committee — Ideally, this position is groomed for the Archive Chair’s position when they rotate out.
- ARCHIVE SECRETARY – Elected by the Archive Committee
- COMMITTEE MEMBERS – C.A. Members who wish to participate in a C.A. Service Committee.
- ARCHIVIST – Elected or Appointed by the Archive Committee or by the District or Area Service Committee.
The Role of the Archive Committee
Concept Ten: Every service responsibility should be matched by an equal service authority — the scope of such authority to be always well defined whether by tradition, by resolution, by specific job description or by appropriate charters and bylaws.
- To Liaise with the fellowship
- Establish working relationships with the District or Area Committee Chairs and Secretaries
- To make the Archive Accessible to the fellowship
- A C.A. Analog & Virtual Museum
- A C.A. Documents Library
- Rotating Positions
- Be C.A. Elder Statespeople
The Archive Committee ought to maintain responsibility and authority, as suggested in Concept Ten, for the uses of the archives, as well as all other matters of policy through its group conscience.
The Role of the Archivist
- Be a C.A. Elder Statesperson
- Liaises with the Archive Committee
- Collects, Preserves, Catalogues and Curates the collection.
- Be a Guardian of the Repository
- Be a Voting Member of the Archive Committee
Who Should Be Selected for the Role of Archivist?
A C.A. Member WHO IS TO SERVE as a focal person for the collection/repository. Responsible for collecting, preserving, and cataloguing the Archival collection.
From shared experience we know that it takes a considerable amount of time to become familiar with a collection of historical information. Therefore, it is recommended that the archivist NOT rotate frequently.* (A.A. Archives Workbook, 2001)
*Note: In compliance with Tradition Eight, the A.A. Archives at the G.S.O. is under the direction of a professional archivist. – (The A.A. Service Manual 2014-2015 Edition p. S80)
Tradition Eight: Cocaine Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centres may employ special workers.
Recruiting an Archive Committee
Seek out previous and current District and Area Service Committee Chairs & Secretaries. They understand the value and importance of minutes, documents, records and they have C.A. Committee experience. Attract potential committee members at Area Events with Archival Displays. Generate a “buzz” about C.A.’s history. Give Archive Committee Reports & Updates at your District & Area Service Committee Meetings.
Educating and Training Your Cocaine Anonymous Archive Committee
Guidelines & Manuals
2026-WSC-Archives-Committee-Guidelines-2023-WSC-Approved
Online Tutorials:
https://historyofca.org/tutorials/tools-tutorials/
C.A. Historical Time
https://historyofca.org/ca-chronological-history/
And meet regularly as an Archive Committee for camaraderie and support.