District / Region Level Service
A District/Region is a service body containing a number of groups. Generally limited by some type of boundaries, districts can be geographical, virtual, or otherwise self-defined. Each District/Region and each meeting is a part of MA as a whole. The main difference between a District and Region is that “Districts” have been officially recognized (inducted) by the MA World Service Conference Body. Before becoming an official District, these collections of groups operate as a “Region.” Throughout this webpage, we will refer simply to Districts, although all of the work explained here can be done by a Region as well.
Visit the District Directory to find a District near you.
The Role of Districts
Marijuana Anonymous has an inverted (upside-down) pyramid structure with three levels. The largest and most important level of the pyramid contains the members, meetings, and groups. Districts fulfill an important role in communication between the levels of the inverted pyramid by connecting meetings to each other (e.g. mutual support) and to the fellowship at large (e.g. representation at the World level).
The primary way a district serves its meetings and groups is by uniting them. Districts provide assistance to meetings in need of support and as a result, the groups are healthier. With this strengthened community, there are more service opportunities for local members and ultimately it creates the fellowship we crave in connecting with other addicts.
Additional services that Districts typically offer:
- Bringing awareness to the local community (through Public Information and Hospitals & Institutions efforts)
- Hosting a website with resources, local information, and meeting schedules
- Ordering bulk supplies of meeting materials including books, chips/tokens, printed pamphlets, and meeting schedules
- Coordinating District-wide events, workshops, and social gatherings
- Supporting new meetings in the area by providing guidance
- Offering a shared virtual meeting account
- Announcing open meeting-level service positions and new meetings
The District Service Committee Meeting
Districts meet periodically, usually once a month. This meeting is called the District Service Committee (DSC) and is open to all MA members. At the forefront of each of these DSC meetings is our primary purpose: to carry the message to the addict who still suffers.
The DSC meeting is where most of the business of the district takes place. Subcommittee reports are given with updates on projects and initiatives are discussed. It is vital that all Group Service Representatives (GSRs) be present at these DSC meetings to report about the health of the meeting and if needed to receive support for any issues that the group may be experiencing.
District Level Service Positions
A number of officers and subcommittee chairpersons are elected at the DSC meeting to carry out business. District Service Committee Officers are entrusted with the responsibility of administering the general business of the district. Great care should be taken in selecting the people who serve in the capacity of Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer. Our leaders are but trusted servants, they do not govern, and should demonstrate the ability to serve as an example to others.
A general explanation of each position is provided below and can be expanded upon by clicking the + symbol. For specific responsibilities for these positions, please refer to the Service Manual.
Group Service Representative (GSR)
The GSR serves as the voice of the group/meeting, sharing its ideas and concerns at District Service Committee (DSC) meetings while bringing back updates to the group. To be effective, the GSR should be a trusted, attentive listener who represents the group’s conscience within the wider MA community. They connect the group with the local District and the broader organization. GSRs typically serve for one year, with at least six months of clean and sober time recommended before taking on the role.
Chairperson
The Chairperson’s primary responsibility is conducting the Service Committee (DSC/RSC) Meeting. They keep the meeting rolling and make sure everyone is speaking in turn and respecting one another. The “Suggested Service Committee Meeting Format” in Chapter 10 and “Rules of Order as Adapted for Marijuana Anonymous” in Appendix II of the Service Manual are helpful resources to guide DSC/RSC Chairs in effectively managing meetings.
Vice Chairperson
The Vice Chairperson assists the Chairperson and conducts the DSC/RSC meeting if they can’t make it. They also often help out with business outside the regularly scheduled DSC/RSC meeting by connecting with subcommittee chairs and GSRs (or their group’s secretaries). They make sure that the groups are all represented and are up to date on District/Region and World Services business.
Treasurer
The Treasurer’s job is to handle the District/Region’s money. They should be someone who is financially secure. Experience in business, bookkeeping, banking, or accounting is also helpful, but not required. A minimum of one year clean and sober is strongly recommended for this position. It’s also suggested that the Treasurer not be the only person with access to District/Region funds as a precaution. Please see the Service Manual for more details and suggestions for how to manage a District/Region’s funds.
Secretary
The Secretary’s main responsibility is recording DSC/RSC meeting minutes. They also keep track of new motions that are passed in a motions log. The meeting minutes and motions log should be made available to all DSC/RSC members as soon as possible. To make sure these documents are accurate, the Secretary should feel comfortable speaking up in the DSC/RSC meeting to get clarification as needed.
Delegates
Delegates are a channel of communication between Districts and World Services. They attend the World Service Conference sessions and act as liaisons throughout the year, allowing each DSC to have a say in how World Services conducts the business of MA. World Services can also provide support and resources through the Districts’ Delegates. The Conference cycle runs from May–May. There may be a few Conference sessions throughout the year which require Delegate attendance. Visit the MA Conference website for more information about the year-long responsibilities of Delegates. Regions are welcome to send representatives to the Conference, but do not have voting privileges until ratified by the Conference and become eligible to vote that session.
Each district elects two Delegates and an alternate(s) using the Third Legacy Procedure, which can be found in the Service Manual. Alternates attend the entire Conference and act as substitutes for Delegates who are unable to serve as voting members.
Literature
The Literature subcommittee maintains a stock of MA literature that is distributed to the meetings at the DSC/RSC meeting. This subcommittee also creates new literature to be presented to DSC/RSC meetings for approval. Literature can also be submitted to the MA World Services Literature Committee for review, and ultimately for submission to the annual Conference body for approval.
ANLP Liaison
ANLP Liaisons are a vital connection between MA’s publishing department, ANLP, and the fellowship. The primary responsibility of ANLP Liaisons is to communicate between ANLP and members of the fellowship.
In general, the position brings ANLP pitch points to District meetings such as explaining how to subscribe to various publications like A New Leaf, the Daily Dose, and Carry the Message. Liaisons also encourage members to submit their sobriety birthdays/anniversaries and creative content to ANLP.For more information: ANLP12.org/liaison/
Chips /Tokens
The responsibility of this person is to maintain an accurate inventory of chips possessed by the District as well as to distribute chips to the meetings. The Chips person must remember to order chips so that the District will always have a sufficient supply for its meetings. For a list of authorized chip vendors, visit MA12.org/tokens
District Subcommittees
Whenever committees exist at the District-level, it is a very valuable asset to have the chairperson of that committee or another representative of the District join the respective World Services Committees so that we may all support each other as our fellowship grows. For more information: MA12.org/Committees
Events
Hosting district events creates a unique opportunity to build a greater sense of belonging among MA members, as well as provide an additional source of fundraising for the District. Recovery based events are designed to enhance MA’s primary purpose of carrying the message to the marijuana addict who still suffers. Social gatherings are a space to experience the gifts of recovery outside of meetings. These events can be hosted online or in person, to meet the needs of your District.
MA World Services does have some policies regarding how we publicize events. Gatherings that are purely social in nature may not use the MA name or logo, so it is recommended that some recovery element is included in events. For more information regarding events and fundraising, refer to the Service Manual.
Hospitals and Institutions
The Hospitals and Institutions (H&I) subcommittee hosts panels and meetings, bringing MA to marijuana addicts who have no other way of hearing our message. H&I responsibilities overlap those of the Public Information (PI) subcommittee, and these committees cooperate together. Considering the shared primary purpose of MA at all levels, ‘to carry its message to the marijuana addict who still suffers,’ membership in the H&I/PI Committees prove particularly valuable.
The spiritual experience of sharing our stories with people in the earliest days of their recovery is incredibly impactful. Panels are a pivotal moment for both those speaking and those in attendance. Members are encouraged to join and share their experience, strength, and hope. Often, all that is needed to join, is a willingness to share your story, and a suggested 90 days of sobriety. The H&I Handbook explains how to conduct panels, interact with facility administrators, and organize subcommittee work.
Newcomer Support
The Newcomer Support subcommittee maintains the District phone line, PO Box, email account, and other communications from addicts and the community at large. Members who are enthusiastic about this work will often be the first point of contact the outside world has with MA, making it an integral part of the newcomers journey into recovery. Sometimes individual Districts will call this a Correspondence Committee. All that is needed to join, is general knowledge about the program, and a suggested 90 days of sobriety.
The Newcomer Support Response Guide provides general information about how to respond to support requests, including template responses, as well as guidance on how to coordinate this type of service work. It can be downloaded on the Service Manual/Handbooks webpage.
Public Information
The Public Information (PI) subcommittee informs your local community about the MA program of recovery. Sharing our information can take various forms, such as pamphlets, flyers, business cards, stickers or other materials that introduce the program of MA. These resources are often distributed at information booths, festivals, sobriety markets, and local gatherings of recovery groups.
Members are encouraged to join this work to ensure the public knows our program exists and that there is a solution to cannabis addiction. All that is needed to join, is general knowledge about the program, and a suggested 90 days of sobriety. The PI Handbook provides guidance about how to coordinate this type of service work, and can be downloaded on the Service Manual/Handbooks webpage.