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Marijuana Anonymous Open Volunteer Positions

Below are current open volunteer positions. Please contact [email protected] if you have questions or are interested in serving as a volunteer

MA 800 Helpline Volunteer

Helpline Volunteers

Title: Helpline Volunteers

Reports to: Communications Manager ([email protected]) with support from the General Manager ([email protected])

The Helpline Volunteers are primarily responsible for responding to incoming inquiries and requests for support on the MA 800 phone number QUO app (VOIP online answering service). Working as a team with the Communications Manager and other volunteer members of the Communications Subcommittee, they agree to monitor the QUO app for a designated 4 hour period of time. The ideal candidate is well versed with the MA 12 Step program of recovery, works well in groups, and has excellent communication and organizational skills. 

Duties: 

  • Serve as a first point of contact based on a scheduled timeframe for anyone reaching out to MA World Services by phone or text in the QUO app
    • Support the MA World Services’ goal of 24 hour response time to inquiries by checking incoming communications every 30 minutes
    • Use the QUO app to respond to incoming helpline requests through text messages and occasional phone calls
    • Attend at least one training session before being scheduled to volunteer
    • Coordinate with the Communications Manager to select which shifts you agree to be responsible for monitoring the QUO app using the volunteer schedule. 4 hour shifts are available every day of the week:
      • Pacific 5 – 9 am / Eastern 8 am – 12 pm
      • Pacific 9 am – 1 pm / Eastern 12 – 5 pm
      • Pacific 1 pm – 5 pm / Eastern 4 – 9 pm
      • Pacific 5 – 9 pm / Eastern 8 pm – 12 am
      • Requests received between Pacific 9 pm – 5 am / Eastern 12 – 8 am will be supported by volunteers of the following shift 
    • Proactively communicate with the Communications Manager about availability by confirming the volunteer schedule on a weekly basis, providing advance notice of any upcoming unavailability with at least 24 hours notice if no longer able to fulfill the commitment for a scheduled shift
  • Respond directly to inquiries from newcomers using the Support Request Response Guide and approved communication templates
  • Forward to the relevant parties when the request falls under the specific purviews:
    • Refer the loved ones of marijuana addicts, family, or friends to Mar-Anon
    • Refer other requests to the Communications Manager including complaints, sensitive matters, or escalated concerns 
    • Notify the Communications Manager if you have any questions or are unable to respond to any incoming communications within your scope of supporting the newcomer, remember we don’t do this alone
  • Serve as a representative and ambassador of Marijuana Anonymous World Services by placing principles before personalities, setting aside personal opinions, and being guided by the Twelve Steps, Traditions, and Concepts for Service
    • Welcome newcomers with kindness, empathy, patience, compassion, and respect for others
    • Maintain anonymity, confidentiality, boundaries, and respect the privacy of everyone contacting Marijuana Anonymous, do not gossip or criticize
    • Never provide detox or medical advice of any kind, including recommending facilities
    • Offer encouragement to utilize MA World Services’ suggested tools of recovery without judgment, criticism, or personal opinions
  • Stay in regular communication with the Communications Manager and seek guidance whenever needed, if the Communications Manager is unavailable during an urgent matter, contact the General Manager
  • Attend the Communications Subcommittee and/or Newcomer Support Committee monthly general meetings

Qualifications:

  • Sincere desire to help others seeking recovery from cannabis addiction
  • Good listening skills with clear written and verbal communication
  • Ability to learn the QUO app and Google Workspace, with at minimum a basic familiarity using text messaging, telephone systems, and navigating MA’s online resources
  • Collaborative team member with the ability to practice discernment regarding when to respond to requests themselves, when to refer support requests to others, and when to ask for support from the Communications Manager
  • Self-sufficient, reliable, and capable of operating efficiently without on-site supervision
  • Working knowledge of the Marijuana Anonymous Twelve Step program
  • Minimum of 6 months of sobriety from marijuana, alcohol, and all other mind-altering substances (unless those other substances are taken as prescribed by a healthcare provider)