Frequently Asked Questions: Fellowship-wide Vote

What is the “God” or “Higher Power” vote about?

At the 2021 MA World Services annual business Conference, District 12 presented an Agenda Item that there be a fellowship-wide vote on whether or not to change the language within the Twelve Steps to replace the word “God” with the words “Higher Power.” A formal amendment was passed at that time to include the Twelve Traditions as well. Since the 2021 Conference, MA World Services has been creating voting functions and updating the directory of groups/meetings. Our goal is to implement this fellowship-wide vote in a manner which represents the group conscience of all MA groups/meetings. 

Learn more about why District 12 chose to bring forth the motion for a fellowship-wide vote in the motion contextual statement: Marijuana-Anonymous.org/Vote

Why does this motion require a fellowship-wide vote rather than a vote of the Conference body made up of the delegates like most motions?

The Marijuana Anonymous Service Manual is the guidebook that helps MA function and serve our primary purpose. The Service Manual explains the, “Procedure for Approval of Changes in the Language of the Steps, Traditions, and/or General Warranties.” This can be found in Service Manual version 7.1 on page 62:

“Should a conference motion pass which seeks to change the text of the Steps, Traditions, and/or General Warranties, the written consent of three-quarters of all groups, as required by the Conference Charter, shall be obtained as follows: The proposed change shall be sent to all meetings registered with World Services and, after no less than 6 months, those ballots returned shall be counted. A yes vote of three-quarters of the returned ballots shall be sufficient to meet the requirement of the Conference Charter to implement the proposed change(s).”

In other words, significant changes to the core of the MA program and literature, such as proposed changes to the text of the Steps and Traditions, it was decided that a fellowship-wide group conscience must be taken.

What happens if the service term has ended for the group/meeting’s secretary/chair/GSR and they were the designated vote facilitator for the group/meeting?

MA World Services is aware there may be changes in service members for groups/meetings prior to submitting a vote. If service positions or role merely changed, but the designated vote facilitator continues to attend the meeting, that person could still facilitate the vote. If that person is no longer able to attend through the end of the voting period (May 23, 2023) ideally they will help to delegate the duties and share the voting information including the meeting’s unique ballot ID with another service member of the meeting.

There is no need to notify MA World Services of change in service roles. This includes if the next service member has the electronic ballot information and is able to facilitate the voting process for the group/meeting.

What exactly would be changed if this motion passes?

Should the Motion brought by District 12 and as amended by the 2021 Conference body pass, it would only replace the word “God” with the words “Higher Power” within the numbered versions of what is sometimes referred to as the “short form” of the Twelve Steps and the Twelve Traditions, wherever those two documents appear, as well as anywhere where these numbered versions of what is sometimes referred to as the “short form” of the Twelve Steps or Twelve Traditions are quoted in whole or in part within other MA literature, including where each of the Steps and Traditions are quoted at the beginning of each chapter in Life with Hope

If it passes, the Motion would NOT change the word “God” to the words “Higher Power” everywhere that the word “God” appears throughout MA literature. 

If the motion passes, would “God” change to “Higher Power” in every place the word “God” is mentioned within the MA literature?

No, there are very specific changes outlined in the Motion. Should the Motion pass, it would only change the words God” to “Higher Power” within the numbered versions of the Twelve Steps and the Twelve Traditions and anywhere where the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions are directly quoted within other MA literature, including where each of the Twelve Steps is quoted at the beginning of each chapter in Life with Hope, as well as wherever the Steps and Traditions are quoted within the Life with Hope 12 Step Workbook, and MA pamphlets.

How do we know the proposed change only applies to the word “God” within the numbered versions of the Twelve Steps and the Twelve Traditions, and wherever they are quoted, not everywhere the word “God” appears within MA literature?

When any changes to MA literature are proposed at the MA World Services annual business Conference, every detail is outlined, including the page numbers where each and every change is to be made within MA’s literature, including Life with Hope, the Life with Hope 12 Step Workbook, the Service Manual, MA pamphlet(s), and/or the MA World Services’ website. These proposed changes are no different. If the Motion intended to make changes throughout all of the MA literature, the motion makers would have needed to list every single instance where they proposed to make changes.

The 2021 Conference Motion did not specify each instance where “God,” appears. The Motion language proposes changes only be made to the numbered versions or what is sometimes referred to as the “short form” of the Twelve Steps, and the Twelve Traditions and subsequently where those two documents appear. 

Marijuana-Anonymous.org/Vote outlines the exact proposed changes and lists where the numbered versions of the Twelve Steps and the Twelve Traditions appear. There is also additional contextual material there that was submitted by the original Motion makers explaining District 12’s rationale behind submitting this Motion to the Conference for a fellowship-wide vote.

Would there be any financial loss to the fellowship if the motion passes?

No, there is no cost associated with altering the digital versions of all documents. 

The potential changes would be made to future versions of printed Life with Hope, the Life with Hope 12 Step Workbook, and MA pamphlets.

What is the fellowship-wide voting process?

First, Conference approval would occur that there be a fellowship-wide vote on the Motion. 

  • This motion was approved at the 2021 Conference

Next, voting ballots with proposed changes are sent to all registered groups/meetings. 

  • Expect to receive ballots by email on November 9, 2022.

For six months, groups/meetings have the opportunity to consider the proposed changes, determine the meeting/group’s conscience, and submit a vote.

  • Votes must be received (following the instructions received with the emailed ballot) no later than May 23, 2023.

Once six months have passed and votes have been submitted, the ballots will be counted. 

  • If for some reason more than one ballot has been submitted by a group/meeting, the last submitted vote will be used. 

For the Motion to pass, 3/4 or 75% of the returned ballots must be “Yes” votes, or in favor in order for the proposed change to become effective.

  • In other words, returned ballots will make the determination. Any non-returned ballots will be null and will not affect the outcome. 

Results will be announced on the first day of the 2023 Conference.

Who will receive our group/meeting’s ballot and how?

MA World Services has been collecting groups/meetings contacts primarily via meeting finder updates. In September 2022 many emails were sent contacting districts and the group/meeting contacts to confirm if they are the correct member responsible for receiving the ballot and facilitating the group/meeting’s voting process. 

If your group/meeting has not been contacted please email [email protected]

The ballots information will be distributed by email, ideally directly to the member responsible for facilitating the group/meeting’s vote. That member will submit the group conscience with a unique voting link on the MA website. The voting page looks very similar to Marijuana-Anonymous.org/Vote however it has an additional section at the bottom of the page to submit the group conscience of Yes or No. 

What happens to our group/meeting’s ballot if the designated member is no longer able to facilitate our group/meeting’s vote?

Ideally, the designated member who received the ballot from MA World Services will forward another service member of the group/meeting the electronic ballot and other necessary information to submit your group/meeting’s group conscience. If they haven’t, please do your best to contact them in order to request they forward the electronic ballot information prior to contacting MA World Services. 

However, MA World Services is aware there may be extenuating circumstances where the electronic ballot cannot be obtained from the designated member such as, they are no longer attending the meeting and cease communicating, returning emails or phone calls from anyone in the group/meeting 

Contact [email protected] to explain the situation and provide an email address for the new member designated to facilitate the group/meeting’s voting process. MA World Services will void the previous ballot and the new service member will receive a new unique voting ID and ballot. 

What does a “Yes” or “No” vote mean?

Voting YES, means that you agree with the proposed changes, that you want to change the word God to Higher Power within the Twelve Steps and the Twelve Traditions

Voting NO, means you do not agree with the proposed changes, you want to keep the word “God” within the Twelve Steps and the Twelve Traditions. 

What date are votes/ballot responses due? By what time? In which time zone?

May 24, 2023, which is 6 months after the ballots are emailed to the designated meeting contacts, as required in the Service Manual version 7.1 on page 62:

“Should a conference motion pass which seeks to change the text of the Steps, Traditions, and/or General Warranties, the written consent of three-quarters of all groups, as required by the Conference Charter, shall be obtained as follows: The proposed change shall be sent to all meetings registered with World Services and, after no less than 6 months, those ballots returned shall be counted. A yes vote of three-quarters of the returned ballots shall be sufficient to meet the requirement of the Conference Charter to implement the proposed change(s).”

And the ballots with your group/meetings’ group conscience must be returned using the unique meeting ID provided to you on May 24, 2023 by 11:59 p.m. in the latest possible time zone where it is still 11:59 PM on May 24th 2023 (GMT-12) to allow the most possible time to submit your group/meetings’ vote on these proposed changes.

Note: Ballot responses were originally due by May 9, 2023.

As you see in the quoted section above, from SM v 7.1 pg 62, all meetings shall have no less than 6 months to return ballots. When originally planning the facilitation of this fellowship-wide vote, MA World Services was unsure of exactly how much work would need to be done to guarantee ballots have been accounted for properly and the exact time that process would take. As such, the deadline was set allowing just over 2 weeks prior to the Conference result announcement. Due diligence continued during the 6 month voting period, and the originally anticipated processing time decreased. As May 9 approached, there were still a number of groups/meetings which have not submitted responses. In an effort to ensure as many groups/meetings as possible could submit a group conscience, MA World Services extended the submission deadline.

How was the 6 month deadline to submit our groups/meetings’ votes decided?

  1. Why is it 6 months? 

  2. Why do we have so long to submit our groups/meetings’ votes/ballot responses?

The response is same for the 2 questions above:

The process for the fellowship-wide vote is based on MA’s Service Manual, the guidebook that helps MA function and serve our primary purpose. The Service Manual explains the, “Procedure for Approval of Changes in the Language of the Steps, Traditions, and/or General Warranties.” This can be found in Service Manual version 7.1 on page 62:

“Should a conference motion pass which seeks to change the text of the Steps, Traditions, and/or General Warranties, the written consent of three-quarters of all groups, as required by the Conference Charter, shall be obtained as follows: The proposed change shall be sent to all meetings registered with World Services and, after no less than 6 months, those ballots returned shall be counted. A yes vote of three-quarters of the returned ballots shall be sufficient to meet the requirement of the Conference Charter to implement the proposed change(s).”

In other words, with changes significant to the core of the MA program and literature, such as these proposed changes to the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, it was decided that a fellowship-wide group conscience must be taken, and that groups should have no less than six months to return their ballots with their group/meetings’ group conscience vote. 

When will the outcome of the vote be announced?

The outcome of the vote will be announced on the first day of the 2023 annual business Conference which occurs over Memorial Day weekend in May 2023, and will begin on Friday, May 26, 2023.

Why do we have to wait so long to hear the results?

The process for the fellowship-wide vote is based on MA’s Service Manual, the guidebook that helps MA function and serve our primary purpose. The Service Manual explains the, “Procedure for Approval of Changes in the Language of the Steps, Traditions, and/or General Warranties.” This can be found in Service Manual version 7.1 on page 62:

“Should a conference motion pass which seeks to change the text of the Steps, Traditions, and/or General Warranties, the written consent of three-quarters of all groups, as required by the Conference Charter, shall be obtained as follows: The proposed change shall be sent to all meetings registered with World Services and, after no less than 6 months, those ballots returned shall be counted. A yes vote of three-quarters of the returned ballots shall be sufficient to meet the requirement of the Conference Charter to implement the proposed change(s).”

In other words, with changes significant to the core of the MA program and literature, such as these proposed changes to the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, it was decided that a fellowship-wide group conscience must be taken, and that groups should have no less than six months to return their ballots with their group/meetings’ group conscience vote. As a result, results cannot be announced any sooner than 6 months plus a period of time for World Services to calculate whether or not three-quarters of the returned ballots are in favor of the proposed changes.

If the motion passes, when would the change take place?

Any digital locations would be amended as soon as possible, such as the MA website and phone application(s), and anywhere else the Twelve Steps and the Twelve Traditions appear. The changes may take longer for printed content, but would occur in the next editions of the Life with Hope book and Life with Hope 12 Step Workbook

What is a group conscience and how does it work?

The term group conscience comes from the Second Tradition, which currently states:

“For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority, a loving God whose expression may come through in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.”

Note: The Second Tradition is one of the places this motion proposes to change “God” to “Higher Power”

An informed group conscience is possible when a group of members discuss all known information about a subject while upholding the MA Traditions and Principles. For a group conscience to be fully informed, group members should review all the pertinent information with a willing and open mind to listen to minority opinions, or why any members disagree with the motion. Each member has an opportunity to share their individual viewpoints on the matter. The trusted servant(s) will then hold a vote to determine the majority opinion (also known as the group conscience) on the subject. 

A meeting’s voice or group conscience is heard when a well-informed meeting or group arrives at a decision after this type of a discussion was had in which all viewpoints have been heard, everyone who wanted to felt free to share their opinions, and there was no rush to vote on the issue before the meeting was ready to do so. 

However, there is no one right way to obtain a group conscience, other than to be guided by MA’s traditions and principles. MA meetings/groups are autonomous, and so are free to develop their own ways of obtaining a group conscience. MA World Services does not govern, and merely exists as a resource. In their autonomy, MA’s meetings/groups have developed a wide variety of unique ways of holding business meetings, voting, discussing proposed motions, and reaching a group conscience.

How do we gather a group conscience for this vote?

To answer this question we look for guidance from the Fourth Tradition. (Life with Hope 3rd edt. pg 71-72)

“Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or MA as a whole.”

Tradition Four is a specific application of the general principles outlined in Traditions One and Two. Tradition Four states that every group has the right of self- government undertaken without outside control. Every group can manage itself exactly as it pleases, except where MA as a whole is affected. This means that MA has the courage and faith to allow each group to make its own decisions. In essence, each group is its own individual entity, relying on the group conscience as guided by a loving God to direct its actions.

Groups have a right to make their own mistakes. There are only two boundaries that any group must not cross: 1) A group must not do anything that would affect other groups or MA as a whole; and 2) A group cannot affiliate itself with anything or anybody else. In all other respects the groups have complete autonomy.

The group may make any decisions or adopt any format it likes. No district service committee should challenge this privilege even though a group may act in complete opposition to the district’s desires. In other words, every group has the right to set its own course.

Healthy trial and error, guided by spiritual principles, often results in a newer and better way to do things. In many cases, allowing groups liberty and freedom helps keep MA from being stuck in the rut of practices and customs that have become obsolete.

A group should consult with other groups, the district service committee, or World Services if there is any question that their actions may affect another group or MA as a whole. Each group should take special care that its actions fall within the bounds of our traditions, and that they do not dictate or force anything upon other groups. The purpose of autonomy is to give each group the freedom to establish an atmosphere of recovery that will best serve its members, and to fulfill the primary purpose stated in Tradition Five.

A group should consult with other groups, the district service committee, or World Services if there is any question that their actions may affect another group or MA as a whole.” – Fourth Tradition

If your group/meeting would like suggestions for how to gather a group conscience you may choose to seek support from members with long-time sobriety, a district, or MA World Services. 

This is a general outline for calling a business meeting to gather the group conscience:

Selecting a Chairperson:

Any member of the group/meeting can request to hold a business meeting. The group/meeting may want to determine a designated member to facilitate this vote, that could be the Group Service Representative, Chairperson, Secretary, or any member of the group/meeting. 

For the purpose of this vote, the group/meeting may have selected a trusted servant to facilitate the voting process; this person is responsible for managing the conversation and/or debate in a fair, organized, orderly manner. They will also be responsible for submitting the vote of the meeting/group’s conscience to MA World Services electronically using the meeting’s unique ID voting. “Our leaders are but trusted servants, they do not govern.” Please ensure that the person responsible for facilitating the voting process will accurately record the group/meetings’ vote with MA World Services. 

Schedule and provide notice of the business meeting to discuss and vote on the motion:

Schedule the business meeting in advance, giving notice at least 2 weeks prior. The business meeting should take place when the majority of the group/meeting’s members can attend to discuss the proposed changes, and potentially vote if a group conscience is reached during the meeting. The business meeting may be held before, after, or at a separate time from the regular meeting. 

Whomever has been designated by the group/meeting to facilitate this vote will give notice of the business meeting to vote on this motion. When providing notice of the business meeting, inform the members of the business meeting’s subject including all of the relevant materials provided. This will allow members sufficient time to review the motion language and accompanying materials prior to attending the business meeting. 

The link Marijuana-Anonymous.org/Vote and this page of frequently asked questions Marijuana-Anonymous.org/Vote/FAQ should be distributed as soon as possible. The length of the business meeting may be reduced by allowing everyone an opportunity to review and consider the proposed changes beforehand.

Holding the business meeting

Ideally the meeting begins with someone reading the motion language and proposed changes out loud. For meetings held over the phone or chat, please provide the link Marijuana-Anonymous.org/Vote. For in-person meetings consider having printed copies of the voting material available for members to read along.

Discussion

The member facilitating the business meeting will be responsible for calling on any members who wish to share their thoughts on the motion. During discussion, it is important that all voices are heard, and that respect is maintained, regardless of the member’s outlook, and that no one talks out of turn.

Should discussion become overly passionate, it is important to remember why the group/meeting is having the discussion that has some members so passionate in the first place – to determine how best to fufill MA’s primary purpose and carry the message to the addict who is still suffering! This is also where it’s important to try and hear any minority views, not just the loudest voices, and to have the willingness and open mind to listen to all viewpoints.

During the annual MA World Services business Conference, if tensions are rising any member can raise both hands to stop the meeting and say the “Serenity Prayer.” When anyone sees hands raised, they raise theirs, until everyone in the room has raised their hands. At this point, discussion pauses and whomever initiated raising hands leads the group in the “Serenity Prayer,” usually the “We” version. Often, this helps calm the tension and pause to remember why we are all so passionate about the discussion.

Pause, when agitated or doubtful, and ask for the right thought or action.” – AA Big Book pg 87 

We can all benefit from this quote – particularly during potentially heated discussions. If members are feeling agitated or doubtful as a group during these discussions, take a pause to seek guidance for the next indicated right thought or action. 

There is no need to rush in reaching a group conscience, groups/meetings have until May 9, 2023 to return their votes. If a group conscience cannot be reached in one business meeting, it can be tabled, to be continued during another business meeting when everyone is feeling rested and refreshed physically and spiritually to continue the discussion in a productive manner.

Ending Discussion

If everyone in a meeting seems to be in agreement, or if the group/meeting is smaller, meeting discussion may conclude quickly, needing only one business meeting. Moving to a vote could be an easy transition. 

If discussion has become over-extended, occurring over multiple business meetings, the group conscience seems divided, there may be too many opposing opinions, or discussion is going in circles, it may be the time to vote on whether or not to end discussion. If the vote to end discussion does not pass, then discussion resumes as it was before until the group conscience decides to vote. 

It is possible that those with a minority opinion will never sway their thoughts, or come to an understanding with the rest of the group’s opinions. We always hope that everyone can agree within the group conscience but that may not be possible. Please see the following question about what percentage of a meeting’s group conscience votes that must be in favor of the proposed change to pass the motion. 

Voting on the Motion

Voting YES, means that you agree with the proposed changes. 

Voting NO, means you do not agree with the proposed changes.

When the meeting has decided it is time to vote on the proposed changes, voting can also occur in a variety of ways: 

  • For discrete voting, you may consider a secret paper ballot for in person meetings. Or, for discrete voting in virtual meetings, you can consider sending a direct message in the chat to the trusted servant    
  • Or perhaps vote by raising hands (either using virtual or “physical hands”) or, audibly stating yes or no. 
  • Meetings are autonomous and so it’s entirely up to the meeting how voting will occur, and what percentage of the meeting/group must be in favor of a proposed change/motion in order for it to pass/take effect.

 

All of the above are simply suggestions for holding a business meeting. Autonomous groups/meetings are free to decide whether or not there are any such requirements for the group/meeting, including how to obtain a group conscience for the fellowship-wide vote on the proposed changes.

How many members of a meeting must be present to vote in order to obtain a group conscience for purposes of this motion?

Autonomous groups/meetings are free to decide whether or not there are any such requirements for the group/meeting, including how to obtain a group conscience for the fellowship-wide vote on the proposed changes.

Every group has the right of self-government undertaken without outside control. Every group can manage itself exactly as it pleases . .  [and] may make any decisions or adopt any format it likes.” -Tradition Four, Life with Hope 3rd edition pg 71-72

Some groups/meetings may have existing requirements about how many members must be present at a business meeting to vote on a motion in order to obtain a group conscience (sometimes called a “quorum”) but other groups/meetings may not have any such requirements at all. It is entirely up to your meeting whether or not a minimum number of members must be present at a business meeting to vote on this or any other motion.

There are no requirements from MA World Services regarding how many members must participate in a group/meeting vote in order to obtain a “valid” group conscience. MA World Services has no rules or requirements about how to obtain a group conscience, MA World Services only exists as a resource, and does not govern. 

Is there a certain percentage of a meeting’s group conscience votes that must be in favor of the proposed change, such as, a simple majority, two-thirds (2/3), or three-fourths (3/4), in order for it to pass?

Every group has the right of self-government undertaken without outside control. Every group can manage itself exactly as it pleases . .  [and] may make any decisions or adopt any format it likes.” -Tradition Four, Life with Hope 3rd edt. pg 71-72

MA World Services has no rules or requirements about how to obtain a group conscience, and does not govern. This includes determining the percentage of votes needed to pass a motion. If a meeting has an established way of obtaining its group conscience, including eligibility requirements, the group/meeting may continue to use any process that functions for the group conscience.

Autonomous meetings are free to decide whether or not there are any such requirements for the group/meeting, including how to obtain a group conscience for the fellowship-wide vote on the proposed changes.  Some groups/meetings choose to pass a vote with 2/3 of the members in agreement, others use 3/4 and others use a simple majority. 

Group Conscience Examples

Group conscience of simple majority or 51%:

(# of members voting) x 0.51 = # of votes to pass the motion. 

Example: 10 members x 0.51 = 5.1 members

  • We normally round up to the next whole number with any decimal
  • 6 members would have to vote yes to pass the motion. 
    • If 5 or more members vote No, then the motion fails. 

 

Group conscience of ⅔ or 66%:

(# of members voting) x 0.66 = # of votes to pass the motion. 

Example: 10 members x 0.66 = 6.6 members

  • We normally round up to the next whole number with any decimal
  • 7 members would have to vote yes to pass the motion. 
    • If 4 or more members vote No, then the motion fails. 

 

Group conscience of ¾ of 75%:

(# of members voting) x 0.75 = # of votes to pass the motion. 

Example: 10 members x 0.75 = 7.5 members

  • We normally round up to the next whole number with any decimal
  • 8 members would have to vote yes to pass the motion. 
    • If 3 or more members vote No, then the motion fails.

Groups/Meetings are free to determine what percentage of votes are required for this motion and all others, including Conference motions, and other group/meeting business.

What if we cannot come to a group conscience in one discussion session meeting?

The traditions caution against hasty decision making – a group conscience is obtained with patience. So more than one business meeting may be needed in order to hear all viewpoints and reach an informed decision. MA’s founders were wise enough to provide meetings with 6 months to discuss, reach an informed group conscience, and return their vote on matters of importance such as proposed changes to the MA Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, so that decision making would not need to be rushed. 

If there is no sense that a collective view has been reached by the group, or that everyone with an opinion (especially minority opinions) has been able to speak about their viewpoint, the issue can be dealt with over the course of multiple business meetings to allow all voices to be heard, and all the relevant information to be reviewed before the meeting votes. In obtaining a group conscience, members should remain wary of dominant opinions and be reminded by MA traditions to place principles before personalities. 

What about the minority opinion?

When having conversations about controversial, sensitive and/or highly contested issues, an informed group conscience is often best reached by working slowly, rather than rushing to reach a hasty decision, and when the meeting avoids reaching a final decision until all opinions have been heard and a clear sense of the meeting’s collective opinion emerges. The result rests on more than a “yes” or “no” count—precisely because it is the spiritual expression of the group conscience. 

Put another way, a group conscience is more than just a yes or no vote. It involves willingness, an open-mind, and patience to ensure that all viewpoints in the room are heard – especially minority views. We are always cautioned by MA traditions to place principles before personalities to ensure that the issues at hand remain the focus, and that the minority viewpoint can be heard and considered when seeking a group conscience – not just the loudest voice in the room.

We ask that you remember Tradition Five, “each group has but one primary purpose, to carry its message to the marijuana addict who still suffers.” The newcomer is often the most important person in the room. 

Who is eligible to vote?

Does a person need to have a minimum amount of time clean and/or sober in order to be eligible to vote?

According to Tradition Four, groups/meetings are autonomous and free to determine how to obtain a group conscience for the fellowship-wide vote on the proposed changes. 

“The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using marijuana.” – MA Third Tradition

MA World Services has no rules or requirements about how to obtain a group conscience, and does not govern. This includes determining member sobriety requirements for voter eligibility, including length of time sober, and/or time attending MA meetings. If a meeting has an established way of obtaining its group conscience, including eligibility requirements, the group/meeting may continue to use any process that functions for the group conscience. 

We ask that you remember Tradition Five, “each group has but one primary purpose, to carry its message to the marijuana addict who still suffers.” The newcomer is often the most important person in the room. 

Can a member vote more than once?

There are no rules about this from the perspective of MA World Services. Unless the group conscience of the group/meeting says otherwise, members are free to vote at any and all meetings that they attend. 

The goal of MA World Services is to represent every member’s voice within the fellowship. It is understandable that members may want to vote at all the meetings they usually attend, if they have multiple “home groups,” groups/meetings within the same district, or groups/meetings with multiple occurrences per week. 

When the annual Conference motions are presented for groups/meetings to vote, nothing prohibits members from voting at more than one meeting as far as MA World Services is concerned, and in many districts, members do traditionally vote at every meeting they attend.

Autonomous meetings are free to decide whether or not there are any such requirements for the group/meeting, including how to obtain a group conscience for the fellowship-wide vote on the proposed changes. Some groups/meetings may uphold a group conscience regarding if a member has already voted at another meeting. While other times a member themselves may personally carry a belief about how many times they would like to vote, even though there is no group-wide requirement in place limiting the number of times they can vote.

Every group has the right of self-government undertaken without outside control. Every group can manage itself exactly as it pleases . .  [and] may make any decisions or adopt any format it likes.” -Tradition Four, Life with Hope 3rd edition. pg 71-72

MA World Services does not have limitations regarding a member’s participation in one or more group conscience business meetings.

Can a person vote if it is their first time attending the meeting for purposes of obtaining the group conscience on this motion?

“The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using marijuana.” – MA Third Tradition

Learn more about why District 12 chose to bring forth the motion for a fellowship-wide vote in the motion contextual statement: Marijuana-Anonymous.org/Vote

The MA Service Manual explains the, “Procedure for Approval of Changes in the Language of the Steps, Traditions, and/or General Warranties.” 

“Should a conference motion pass which seeks to change the text of the Steps, Traditions, and/or General Warranties, the written consent of three-quarters of all groups, as required by the Conference Charter, shall be obtained as follows: The proposed change shall be sent to all meetings registered with World Services and, after no less than 6 months, those ballots returned shall be counted. A yes vote of three-quarters of the returned ballots shall be sufficient to meet the requirement of the Conference Charter to implement the proposed change(s).” – Service Manual version 7.1 page 62

This section of the Service Manual does not have any further information regarding voter requirements. Based upon the Third Tradition, any person with a desire to quit marijuana is a member of MA. 

According to the MA Fourth Tradition, meetings are autonomous. If a meeting has an established way of obtaining its group conscience, including eligibility requirements, the group/meeting may continue to use any process that functions for the group conscience. 

Whether they’re a newcomer who is attending that meeting for the first time, or they are not a regular attendee of that meeting and attending as a visitor, the group should consider that this individual is an equal member of the fellowship and it is important to hear from all of our member’s voices. We ask that you remember Tradition Five, “each group has but one primary purpose, to carry its message to the marijuana addict who still suffers.”

The newcomer is often the most important person in the room.

Can an individual submit a ballot response?

No, only groups/meetings can submit a ballot response. However, individual members can submit their vote by voting in the group conscience business meetings about this motion for the groups/meetings they attend. So while individuals cannot submit a ballot vote, there are many opportunities for individual members to vote in the different meetings/groups that they attend. 

What if an individual member misses the group conscience business meeting during which this motion is voted on for their meeting/group, and so does not get a chance to be part of the vote? Can they then request to submit their own ballot vote?

No, only groups/meetings can submit a ballot response. However, individual members can submit their vote by voting in the group conscience business meetings about this motion for the groups/meetings they attend. So while individuals cannot submit a ballot vote, there are many opportunities for individual members to vote in the different meetings/groups that they attend.

This demonstrates the importance of providing sufficient notice to the meeting/group of when the group conscience business meeting when the motion will be discussed and voted on is scheduled. While a minimum of two weeks notice is typical, since there are six months for voting to take place, it is possible to provide even more than two weeks notice if there is any doubt that some members may not have been adequately notified of when the meeting/group’s business meeting, discussion and group conscience vote will occur. 

However they decide to proceed within their autonomy provided by the Fourth Tradition, meetings and groups should ensure that their group conscience business meetings do not happen on a whim so that all members who wish to have an opportunity to participate in the discussion and voting process.

Questions about meetings/groups that meet multiple days each week

  1. If our meeting/group is one that meets more than one day each week, how many ballots will our meeting receive?

  2. How will voting work for groups/meetings that meet more than one day each week but still consider themselves to be one meeting?

  3. Our group/meeting takes place more than one time per week, but we still consider ourselves one meeting: we have one set of service positions, share a name and meeting ID & link, and we share business meetings and typically vote on things such as annual business Conference motions together. So why are we receiving separate ballots?

The response is same for all 3 questions above:

The process for the fellowship-wide vote is based on MA’s Service Manual, the guidebook that helps MA function and serve our primary purpose. The Service Manual explains the, “Procedure for Approval of Changes in the Language of the Steps, Traditions, and/or General Warranties.” This can be found in Service Manual version 7.1 on page 62:

“Should a conference motion pass which seeks to change the text of the Steps, Traditions, and/or General Warranties, the written consent of three-quarters of all groups, as required by the Conference Charter, shall be obtained as follows: The proposed change shall be sent to all meetings registered with World Services and, after no less than 6 months, those ballots returned shall be counted. A yes vote of three-quarters of the returned ballots shall be sufficient to meet the requirement of the Conference Charter to implement the proposed change(s).”

For purposes of this fellowship-wide vote, each “occurrence” of a meeting (meaning each separate day a group/meeting that meets multiple days a week meets) is considered a separate group/meeting (even if the 3 occurrences consider themselves to be one group/meeting for all other purposes) that is required to receive a ballot according to this procedure. The same set of documents sets forth that groups/meetings for the purposes of this motion means each occurrence, for purposes of a meeting/group that meets multiple times every week. And so according to the Service Manual, each occurrence of a meeting/group must receive its own ballot for purposes of this vote.

So, if your meeting/group meets multiple days each week, you will receive multiple separate ballots – one for each “occurrence” of your group/meeting. It is then up to your meeting/group what to do with those ballots. Meetings/groups are autonomous and so they are free to decide for themselves how to handle the ballots that are being provided to them for each “occurrence” of their group/meeting according to the process set out in the MA Service Manual, so long as they adhere to MA Traditions and Principles, and do not affect other groups or MA as a whole.

If we’re a meeting/group that meets multiple days each week, but consider ourselves to be one meeting/group (and so we receive multiple ballots – one for each “occurance” of our meeting/group) what happens if we choose to only return one ballot and not the others we were sent to us?

The results of the vote will be based on whether or not “3/4 of the returned ballots” are in favor or not of the proposed change, so the results are determined based only on a count of the returned ballots. After all votes are returned, MA World Services will count the returned votes, and calculate how many “yes” votes were received. According to the process set out in the  Service Manual version 7.1, only if 3/4 or more of the returned votes are “yes” votes in favor of the proposed changes, will the proposed changes take effect. So while every single vote counts, and goes towards or against creating (or not creating) 3/4 in favor needed to make the proposed change, ballots that are not returned will be null, and not be counted.

However, each and every occurrence of a meeting is provided a vote, and so received a ballot, so it’s up to your group/meeting(s) whether or not to vote and return every ballot allotted to it according to the MA Service Manual, or to only return some of the ballots your meeting/groups received. 

Questions about submitting a ballot response

  1. What happens if my meeting/group submits its group conscience/vote using the ballot sent to it more than once?

  2. What happens if a meeting submits multiple votes?

  3. What if my meeting votes more than once in one day?

  4. What if my meeting submits one vote in November shortly after it receives the ballot, and then 4+ months later, the meeting’s group conscience shifts so that it submits another vote in May?

The response is same for all 4 questions above:

Every group/meeting receives an electronic ballot with a unique voting ID and link to submit a vote. It is possible to submit a vote response more than once, however MA World Services will only use the last vote submitted for that unique voting ID as the official group conscience vote of that group/meeting. 

This includes if a group/meeting submits a vote more than one time in one day by accident or on purpose.

Additionally, or one vote when the meeting first gets its ballot and another vote nearly 6 months later, or any other combination of votes, whichever vote was entered last as of 11:59 PM on May 24, 2023, is the vote and group conscience that will be used by MA World Services as the official group conscience vote of that group/meeting. 

Can I, as an individual, submit a vote?

No, only groups/meetings can submit a ballot response. However, individual members can submit their vote by voting in the group conscience business meetings about this motion for the groups/meetings they attend. So while individuals cannot submit a ballot vote, there are many opportunities for individual members to vote in the different meetings/groups that they attend.

FAQ about changing a meeting/group’s vote after it has already been submitted

  1. Can a group/meeting change its vote? 

  2. How does a group/meeting change its vote?

  3. What if a group/meeting submits its vote using the unique ID it was provided, and either discusses the issue and proposed changes further, or the composition of the meeting attendees changes, such that the group conscience shifts, and for these or any other reason, the group/meeting wants to change its vote after it has been submitted? 

The response is same for all 3 questions above:

Each and every meeting/group has been provided with a ballot by email with its own unique voting ID, and MA World Services will only count the last vote a meeting/group submits using that group/meeting’s unique voting ID as that meeting/group’s conscience/vote. So, regardless of how many votes a meeting submits, whichever vote was entered last and recorded as of 11:59 PM on May 24, 2023, is the vote/group conscience that will be recorded for that meeting. So if a meeting/group entered one vote when it received the ballot, but for whatever reason wants to enter a different vote – so long as it is still before the deadline to submit votes of May 24, 2023, the meeting can simply use the same unique voting ID sent to it and use that same ID information to enter the new vote/group conscience it wants to change to, and that will get recorded as the last vote. The last vote entered before or on the May 24, 2023 deadline is the one that will be counted. Any previously entered votes from that group/meeting will be disregarded as null and void by the later subsequent vote.

Final Recommendations

Tradition Four States that Meetings/Groups are Autonomous and so these FAQ are Only Suggestions and Should Not Interfere with What Your Meeting/Group Already Does to Obtain a Group Conscience

“Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or MA as a whole.” Tradition Four

MA World Service does not wish to interfere with the way that any group or meeting has been going about obtaining its group conscience, if the way it is doing so functions for the group/meeting. Tradition Four states that “every group has the right of self-government undertaken without outside control. . . [and] may adopt any format it likes.” (Life with Hope 3rd edt. pg 71-72)

This means that “MA has the courage and faith to allow each group to make its own decisions” and this faith translates into having trust in MA meetings to uphold its Traditions and not make decisions which would be detrimental to other MA groups or MA as a whole. (Life with Hope 3rd edt. pg 71-72).

So rather than providing specific requirements or rules for voting or obtaining a group conscience, the information in these FAQ is offered as a resource and to provide examples of how we have heard that other groups/meetings obtain a group conscience for groups/meetings that are seeking suggestions. However, listing all of the many ways we have heard of groups/meetings obtaining a group conscience would be impossible. Just because the way your group/meeting obtains its group conscience isn’t mentioned here doesn’t mean that the way your group/meeting does it is “incorrect.” Your group or meeting is encouraged to continue obtaining its group conscience, voting and otherwise operating the way it has been if it is functioning for your group/meeting because it is this diversity in how meetings/groups choose to operate and decision to run groups/meetings in different ways that helps our fellowship grow and learn.

“Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or MA as a whole.”

Tradition Four is a specific application of the general principles outlined in Traditions One and Two. Tradition Four states that every group has the right of self- government undertaken without outside control. Every group can manage itself exactly as it pleases, except where MA as a whole is affected. This means that MA has the courage and faith to allow each group to make its own decisions. In essence, each group is its own individual entity, relying on the group conscience as guided by a loving God to direct its actions.

Groups have a right to make their own mistakes. There are only two boundaries that any group must not cross: 1) A group must not do anything that would affect other groups or MA as a whole; and 2) A group cannot affiliate itself with anything or anybody else. In all other respects the groups have complete autonomy.

The group may make any decisions or adopt any format it likes. No district service committee should challenge this privilege even though a group may act in complete opposition to the district’s desires. In other words, every group has the right to set its own course.

Healthy trial and error, guided by spiritual principles, often results in a newer and better way to do things. In many cases, allowing groups liberty and freedom helps keep MA from being stuck in the rut of practices and customs that have become obsolete.

A group should consult with other groups, the district service committee, or World Services if there is any question that their actions may affect another group or MA as a whole. Each group should take special care that its actions fall within the bounds of our traditions, and that they do not dictate or force anything upon other groups. The purpose of autonomy is to give each group the freedom to establish an atmosphere of recovery that will best serve its members, and to fulfill the primary purpose stated in Tradition Five.

Getting Additional Support from a “Service Sponsor,” Trusted Servant or another more Experienced Fellow

If you or your group/meeting is still feeling unsure about how to obtain a group conscience or run a business meeting, we encourage you to reach out first to other trusted servants and groups/meetings in your district, region, or another district for support, or to your district to see if they can assist you with finding someone who can serve as a “service sponsor” to guide you and your group/meeting through this process.

This “Service Sponsor” might be someone with some experience attending or facilitating business meetings who can answer some questions you may still have after reading these FAQ, can provide more specific examples of how other groups/meetings in your district or other districts run their group conscience business meetings, and explain anything else that they have personally learned from their own experiences in holding and/or attending business meetings for groups/meetings in your district specifically, since every district and every meeting/group has its own unique characteristics that you may find helpful to learn about in the context of holding a business meeting and seeking a group conscience.

A Service Sponsor with more experience holding business meetings can even step in and assist your group/meeting with holding or facilitating the actual business meeting if the trusted servants in your group/meeting are less familiar or comfortable with business meetings. Or you might sit in on another meeting/group in your district’s business meeting to learn how they operate before you help facilitate your meeting/group’s business meeting, if you’re aware of a meeting that has trusted servants knowledgeable about business meeting etiquette and protocol. 

Regardless of what you might see in other meetings/groups, or hear from your district or read hear from MA World Services, the MA Fourth Tradition states that meetings are autonomous, which means that ultimately it is MA meetings and groups who get to decide how they want to function. So MA World Services does not want anything that is written in these FAQ to change how your meetings/groups already obtain a group conscience and hold business meetings if it is working well already for your group(s)!

These are suggestions being offered to those meetings/groups seeking suggestions, or asking questions, or who may not even know where to begin. If you and/or your meeting/group still have questions after reading these FAQ, and after hopefully seeking support from other meetings/groups and other trusted servants in your district (or in another district, if your meeting is not part of a district) MA World Services remains available as a resource and to answer any questions that you may have about holding a business meeting, how to obtain a group conscience, what this Motion or vote is about, or anything else. We are here to help! [email protected]

As Your Groups/Meetings Begin the Process of Discussing and Voting on this Motion, Remember the Following:

Remember Groups/Meetings Have Six Months to Submit their Ballot Responses, so Discussion and Voting Should Not Be Rushed and Can Occur Over Multiple Business Meetings if Needed

Unlike many issues we are faced with voting on, our founders had the wisdom to provide MA groups/meetings with six months to consider and come to a group conscience on these types of changes. Which means that groups and meetings do not need to make any decisions overnight, and do not need to be hasty. Meetings/groups can discuss these issues in a business meeting, and if a consensus is not reached, or not all voices are heard, table further discussion for a future business meeting. This can be discussed over multiple business meetings to allow everyone to have a voice, especially minority opinions. This time also allows everyone ample opportunity to read the material and think about the proposed changes as well.

Remember the Concepts of Open-Mindedness and Willingness to Listen to All Voices, Especially the Minority View, in Your Group/Meetings’ Discussions

Much as the concepts of open-mindedness and willingness are key to working our own programs and getting and staying sober from marijuana, so too are these same concepts key to holding an effective group conscience business meeting. To reach an informed group conscience involves being open minded and having a willingness to be mindful of hearing all opinions, especially minority opinions, and not just the loudest voices in the room.

Remember to “pause, when agitated or doubtful…” and Take Breaks in the Discussion or Voting If Your Meeting/Group Needs It

As the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous cautions on page 87 to, “pause, when agitated or doubtful, and ask for the right thought or action”. us marijuana addicts too can benefit from this advice, particularly in these potentially heated discussions over whether or not to make these proposed changes. 

We can remember to pause if the business meeting is causing members to become agitated, whether it be for a minute to all raise our hands to recite “The Serenity Prayer” together to remember why we’re debating this issue in the first place (to help us determine how to best fulfill our primary purpose and carry the message to the addict who still suffers), or a 5-10 minute break to pray, meditate, get up to stretch our legs or grab a drink of water, or a week long break to table the business meeting until the following week so members can calm down, sleep, and think on the points raised during the discussion. If anyone’s minds are going to change, they’ll be more likely to do so if given the time to step away, reflect on the discussion, and let any emotions cool, and not while still swept up in the heat of the moment. 

 Decisions made when members of the group/meeting are feeling “agitated or doubtful” are not as likely to be grounded in spirituality, nor are they as likely to be a product of members’ best thinking, or that next “right thought or action” so many of us in recovery are working towards. If members are feeling “agitated or doubtful” as a group during these discussions, then it is wise for all to “pause” and “seek the next indicated right thought or action” as the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous suggests. p. 87. Better decision making can usually then occur after allowing everyone in the meeting some time to pause and do whatever each member needs to do in order to reset.

Remember, if Discussions Become Heated it is Usually due to a Shared Passion for Helping Carry the Message to the Fellow Marijuana Addict with Differences in Opinion Over How to Best Fulfill MA’s Primary Purpose, and Whether or Not the Motion Would Do That if it Passed

Usually if we are in a heated debate amongst fellow MA members about issues such as whether or not to make these proposed changes, it’s because we disagree about how to best carry the message to the marijuana addict who still suffers. But the common ground that is shared between MA members is that common desire to help the marijuana addict who still suffers, by determining how to best fulfill the MA primary purpose and carry the message to our fellow marijuana addicts. We just do not always agree on specifically what is the best way to fulfill the MA primary purpose and help our fellow addicts, and accomplish what are typically shared goals of helping newcomers find MA, keep coming back to MA, and work the Twelve Steps of MA, so that they can get and stay sober from marijuana. So, when in a heated discussion with our fellows over issues such as the proposed changes in this Motion, it can help to remember that the passion we share for helping our fellow marijuana addicts is far greater than the differences in opinion we may have over how to best accomplish this, and whether or not these proposed changes to the Steps and Traditions are in furtherance of our primary purpose and the MA Fifth Tradition. 

When the group/meeting takes a break, whether for 5-10 minutes or for one or more weeks, the actual process of voting to obtain the group conscience can then occur after everyone has had a chance to think, pray, meditate, sleep, or do whatever else it is that the group/meeting’s members find supportive for their serenity, both as individuals and as a meeting/group. If in doubt, turn to and be guided by our Twelve Traditions, and remember to place principles before personalities. And not to forget to work together – this is a “we” program!

 

If you still have questions contact [email protected]