Any member of MA may register to attend the Conference regardless of the length of their sobriety time. Participating Observers (Observers) help to expand the Conference Body, ensuring the inclusion of diverse voices from our fellowship that may otherwise go unheard. Throughout the year, they are encouraged to act as Service Ambassadors by sharing information, MA announcements, and service opportunities throughout the fellowship.

The Conference Body is composed of Participating Observers, Delegates, Trustees, Special Workers, and Volunteers. Each District elects up to 2 Delegates and there are currently 13 MA World Services Trustees  and 3 Designated Alternates.

Observers are non-voting members of the Conference with an interest in service and a desire to learn more about MA as a whole. They often serve as liaisons to their home group, especially when the group/meeting isn’t part of a District.

Attending the Conference as an Observer is recommended for members invested in particular agenda items and/or those only capable of attending a portion of the Conference. Anyone with an interest in experiencing and learning more about Marijuana Anonymous World Services is encouraged to attend as a Participating Observer.

Preparing for the Conference

Registration opens  at least 60 days before the first session of the Conference. Once the Agenda Packet and Schedule is made available, Service Ambassadors can review the Agenda Items and help to share this information with their home groups, as the matters being discussed at the Conference are those which affect MA as a whole. They may also encourage others to attend as Participating Observers; all who attend the Conference must register in advance.

All Conference registrants are required to attend one Conference training session, unless they have previous experience attending the Conference virtually. When preparing to attend the training session, you may want to review the proposed Conference Standing Rules so that you will be prepared to ask questions and gain clarity on anything during the training. The Standing Rules help maintain order and assist us to conduct Conference business in an orderly and fair way.

Advice During the Conference

Observers may not vote at the Conference, but are invited and welcome to participate in every other way. This includes:

• Consider motions made by individuals and committees for changes to our Bylaws, Literature, and Service Manual. Observers can move, second, and debate motions. (See Standing Rules)
• Share information during the Discussion Forum and bring attention to fellowship-wide concerns or issues so that the Conference Body and World Services may begin to address them.
• Observe during Trustee Reports, learn more about the World Services Committees and projects, and ask any relevant questions.
• Join the MA World Services Committee breakout sessions to help set goals for the upcoming year, planting seeds for the future as we chart our course for the fellowship.

Anyone who attends a substantial portion of the Conference and has the necessary sobriety requirement is eligible to be part of the Third Legacy elections to serve an initial term of two years on the Board of Trustees. Trustees and Alternate Trustees must have a minimum of two-years of sobriety, which means 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.

After the Conference and Throughout the Year

As Service Ambassador between MA World Services and the fellowship, Observers are invited and encouraged throughout the year to:

• Participate regularly in World Services Committee(s)
  • Anyone can join any number of committees they choose!
  • Learn more about the Committees, including current projects, and Trustee contact information to attend
• Stay informed on what’s happening throughout the fellowship
  • “Carry the Message” is our monthly newsletter containing World Services’ announcements, Board of Trustee Meeting Minutes, and quarterly financial reports. (Sign up at MA12.org/CTM.)
  • Events, workshops, and the annual Convention can be found at MA12.org/Events
• Act as an ambassador for service MA12.org/Ambassadors
  • Join the Service Ambassadors WhatsApp chat to collaborate with other members in service (MA12.org/ambassadors/whatsapp).
  • Encourage others to participate by sharing MA12.org/Service.
  • Make MA announcements in meetings about what’s happening throughout the fellowship.
• Act as an ANLP Liaison
  • Encourage members to subscribe, submit content and sobriety anniversaries to A New Leaf MA’s monthly creative publication.Share ANLP announcements, resources, and pitch points in meetings ANLP12.org/pitchpoints.
    

We are grateful for your service to the fellowship and society of MA.