District Delegates
For the Service Structure to work in a unified manner, the communication must continue to flow between Districts and World Services, through the representation of their elected Delegate(s) as liaisons. This vital work begins at the first session of the Conference in May and continues throughout the year. When you join the Conference Body as a Delegate, you become an important part of the Society of MA’s mission to fulfill our primary purpose of carrying the message of recovery to addicts worldwide.
All members of the District are eligible to be elected as Delegate, as long as they meet the World Services required minimum one-year of sobriety. Sobriety for this trusted servant position is defined as abstinence from marijuana, alcohol, and all other mind-altering substances (unless those other substances are taken as prescribed by a healthcare provider).
In preparation for a full year-long commitment with World Services, each District elects two Delegates and an Alternate Delegate. The Service Manual chapter on Conference Delegates indicates the term of office for Delegates is one year, and they may serve up to two consecutive terms. Some districts have a Senior Delegate and a Junior Delegate, only electing one new delegate each year. The Senior Delegate then service sponsors the Junior Delegate. Districts may also have additional service requirements. Delegates and Alternates should be elected at least 60 days prior to the first Conference session.
Responsibilities of Delegates
Delegates attend all sessions of the MA World Service Conference and serve as Voting Members in the 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation of Marijuana Anonymous World Services, Inc. Delegates thus participate in decisions that are necessary for carrying out the business and legal affairs of MA World Services. Prior to the Conference Delegates work together to submit a Delegate Report with census information about their District.
The Alternate Delegate becomes an official Voting Member if one of their District’s Delegates is unable to perform their duties. As such, Alternates should be prepared in the same way as the other District’s Delegates. It is helpful if Alternate Delegates attend the Conference in its entirety so they may be fully informed of how the Conference has proceeded. Should a Delegate be elected as a Trustee during the first Conference session, they are no longer eligible to represent their District as a Voting Member. At this point, the Alternate would be assigned the role of Delegate or the District would elect another Delegate.
Delegates should strive to place principles before personalities, adhering to the 12 Traditions and 12 Concepts for Service. MA operates using the “Standing Rules” which are an abbreviated and modified set of rules based on Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised. Delegates should read and understand these Standing Rules. We will help prepare you to follow them. The Standing Rules will be discussed in brief during the Conference training sessions. Feel free to ask any questions during the training and the Conference. If you have any direct questions about these Rules email [email protected].
Preparing for the Conference
The Conference Agenda Committee hopes that this suggested guide will be helpful to ensure all tasks are achievable and can be done with ease.
~ 60 Days Prior
- District holds Delegate Elections
- Once elected, Delegates register for the Conference and begin to familiarize themselves with the Agenda Packet
- Delegates and Service Sponsors meet to:
- Discuss the Delegate District Report, respond to requested questions, and take note of any matters that need to be brought to the attention of the District.
- Share the Agenda Packet for District meetings to gather group conscience on Agenda Items.
- Sign-up for Carry the Message to receive announcements: MA12.org/CTM
~ 45 Days Prior
- Each meeting within the District can use the Agenda Packet to read each agenda item, discuss, and vote.
- Depending on the number of Agenda Items, reviewing them may take more than one session. We suggest reviewing 2-3 Items per week. We also suggest that prior to Session I the Agenda Items for both Sessions be reviewed, in case any Agenda Items scheduled for Session II are moved up to Session I.
~ 30 Days Prior
- Present the Delegate District Report at the DSC for approval
- All Conference registrants are required to attend a Conference training session, unless they have previous experience attending the Conference virtually. (Training date(s) will be selected during registration.)
- Complete the Attendee “Getting to Know You” survey
- Optional, yet very helpful to reference during the Third Legacy Procedure
- Any active campaigning will be removed at the discretion of the Conference Agenda Committee.
Advice for During the Conference
Everyone who attends should be prepared to work in a cooperative and helpful manner. It is important to listen carefully, be open to fairness of debate, and respect differing opinions. For a group conscience to be fully informed, voting Members should review all the pertinent information and hear all viewpoints with a willing and open mind, listening to minority opinions, or why any members disagree with the motion. An informed group conscience is obtained by combining the knowledge gained during the Conference with information obtained during the District’s gathering of its group conscience.
District Delegates and Alternates are encouraged to communicate as a team throughout the year. During the Conference, keep each other informed of any times someone may not be able to attend. This helps the Alternate be prepared to step into the role of Voting Member, as needed.
Should you feel as though you may not have all the information you require in order to vote yes or no, please feel empowered to invoke a “request for information” — there are no bad questions. If you are feeling neutral, or ambivalent about the outcome of the action (motion), consider further why that is and share your thoughts during discussion. By choosing to cast an “abstain” vote, you are essentially adding to the “opposed” vote count, by preventing the action from reaching the required threshold to pass.
Regarding Trustee elections, anyone with the necessary sobriety requirement is eligible to be part of the Third Legacy Procedure and must be present when we establish the Third Legacy Eligibility List. Trustees and Alternate Trustees must have a minimum of two-years of sobriety, defined as abstinence from marijuana, alcohol, and all other mind-altering substances (unless those other substances are taken as prescribed by a healthcare provider). Interested and eligible members are strongly encouraged to participate in the Third Legacy, regardless of their service or professional experiences. Passion and willingness are the most important factors in being a great trustee.
This year during Session I, we will be hosting Committees Open House. All are encouraged to join the breakout rooms of their choice to learn more about how to become involved with the various World Services committees. Additionally, we are hosting the Conference Discussion Forum during Session I.
After the Conference and Throughout the Year
“…if there is no service, there is no program… It is our responsibility to do what we can to make sure that MA continues to be there for us, for the marijuana addict who still suffers, and for the addict who is not yet born.” – Step Twelve, Life with Hope
In order to ensure members are kept informed, Delegates should prepare a summary report on the Conference after it is completed to present at the DSC, which the District should make available to all members through their GSRs.
Being a Delegate is a year-long service commitment, vital to ensuring communication between MA World Services, Districts, and members. As liaison between MA World Services and the District, throughout the remainder of their one-year term Delegates are expected to:
- Participate regularly in at least one World Services Committee(s)
- Learn more about the Committees, including current projects: MA12.org/Committees
- Act as an ambassador for service: MA12.org/Ambassadors
- Join the Service Ambassadors WhatsApp chat to collaborate with other members in service and discuss any successes & challenges in their District: MA12.org/Ambassadors/WhatsApp
- Encourage others to participate: MA12.org/Service
- Attend the District Service Committee meetings and report on the following (all of which Carry the Message and the Service Ambassador WhatsApp):
- Summarize the Trustee Board Meeting Minutes
- Share the World Services quarterly financial report
- Announce Events, workshops, and the annual Convention: MA12.org/Events
- Summarize the Trustee Board Meeting Minutes
- Announce service opportunities & open Special Worker positions
- Keep World Services informed and up to date:
- Ensure the MA Meeting Finder has accurate listings for all District Meetings
- Maintain contact information for District officers and committee chairs using the spreadsheet: MA12.org/DSCmembers
- Should questions or concerns arise, email [email protected] or contact the appropriate Trustee.
Delegate District Reports
Each District is to prepare and submit a written report in advance of the Conference. Only one report is required per District.
Reports should include responses to the census type questions provided in the linked form, and with that a review of the preceding year’s efforts to carry the MA message, challenges, opportunities, and whatever else the members of the District feel that they want to share with the worldwide Fellowship.
Please submit reports prior to the Conference, ideally by May 20th, at the latest submit by the end of Session I. Email questions to: [email protected]
Those who have previously attended the Conference are strongly encouraged to act as Service Sponsors to incoming Delegates, and as ambassadors for service to their District bringing awareness to opportunities at MA World Services.
