Announcements Updated 2-28-23
• Meetings Monday - Friday at 3pm, Sundays at 7pm, the 1st Wednesday at 7pm, and Saturdays at 9am Eastern Time
• Dial In #: 1-267-807-9601
• To get the access code, please call the MA Women in Recovery Hotline at 443-347-3934, 15 or more minutes before the meeting starts.
Chairperson:
1. Review WIR Chairperson Guidelines prior to chairing meeting
2. Call into the conference 5 minutes early
3. Enter meeting access code followed by #sign
4. You will then be asked to hit * if you are the host
5. Enter the host pin number followed by the # sign
Meeting Format (all times are Eastern):
Monday - Friday 3pm
Mon, Wed, Fri - Topic is the reading of either the "Just For Today "(NA) meditation or "Living Every Day With Hope" draft Marijuana Anonymous daily reader.
Tues, Thurs - Step Study, Literature, Pamphlets, ("A Woman's Way Through the Twelve Steps" for Thursday meeting only)
2nd Monday of the month is milestone celebration followed by JFT reading
Sunday 7pm Step Study Sessions
Week 1 – "Life with Hope"
Week 2 – "Life with Hope Workbook"
Week 3 -- Traditions
Week 4 – "A Woman’s Way Through the Twelve Steps"
Week 5 – Open topic, review of steps
Wednesday 7pm
Week 1 - Speaker meeting on a Step
Saturday 9am
reading from "A New Leaf" newsletter, one Saturday will be a speaker, if available
Phone Line Commands:
HOST ONLY
*11 Start Q&A mode
*12 Advance queue (only when Q&A mode is active)
*13 End Q&A mode
*14 Mute last caller in Q&A mode
*51 Mutes the lines and callers can unmute themselves with *6
*52 Mute all (callers cannot unmute themselves)
*53 Unmuted (all callers are unmuted and can mute with *6)
ANYONE
*2 Participant count
*6 Mute and unmute when not in Q&A mode
*6-1 Enter or remove yourself from Queue in Q&A mode
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Say: Hello everyone. My name is ______________________ and I am powerless over marijuana (or introduce yourself in a manner that speaks your truth).
Welcome to the Women in Recovery phone meeting of Marijuana Anonymous.
If you would like to join me in the Serenity Prayer, please un-mute your phone now.
We start with God,
and that is the higher power of your own understanding…
God….
Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change…
The courage to change the things I can…
And the wisdom to know the difference.
I am now putting our call in Q&A mode. To actively participate, press *6-1. When the system tells you, “You may now ask your question,” that means it’s time for you to speak. Make sure to unmute your phone before speaking.
[Chair: Put meeting into Q&A mode for the entire meeting until the closing Serenity Prayer by pressing *11.
Please be sure to mute when someone else is speaking and un-mute when you talk.]
If you would like to be of service, we need volunteers to read the The 12 Steps (How It Works) and another of the Twelves. Please prepare those materials now, enter the queue by pressing *6-1, and I’ll ask for you in a few moments. (Note: all of the above can be found at ma-phone.org on Readings & Resources tab under Meeting Readings.)
Preamble
Marijuana Anonymous is a fellowship of people who share our experience, strength, and hope with each other that we may solve our common problem and help others to recover from marijuana addiction.
The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using marijuana. This is to adhere to the singleness of purpose concept, but many of us have found that the only way that we can keep our sobriety is to abstain from all mind and mood altering chemicals, including alcohol.
There are no dues or fees for membership. We are self-supporting through our own contributions. MA is not affiliated with any religious or secular institution or organization and has no opinion on any outside controversies or causes. Our primary purpose is to stay free of marijuana and to help the marijuana addict who still suffers achieve the same freedom.
I will now check the queue for volunteers to read one of the Twelves . . . .
[Chair: Press *12 to check for volunteers.]
Hi, what would you like to read?
[Chair: MUTE YOUR PHONE WHILE THEY READ; UNMUTE WHEN THEY FINISH.]
Thank you ______ for your service.
[Chair: Press *12 to check for 2nd reader. If no one is in the queue, skip second reading. Allow only two readings.]
Hi, what would you like to read?
[Chair: MUTE YOUR PHONE WHILE THEY READ; UNMUTE WHEN THEY FINISH.]
Thank you ______ for your service.
[Chair: After final reading, press *14 to mute the last caller.]
What happens at an MA meeting? People discuss their problems with marijuana, what they did to recover, and what life is like now. We have found that, as a group, we can achieve for ourselves results which, as individuals, we failed repeatedly.
MARIJUANA ANONYMOUS uses the 12 Steps of Recovery founded by Alcoholics Anonymous, because it has been proven to work!
INTRODUCTIONS
Before we begin sharing, let’s all introduce ourselves, starting with our newcomers. Welcome newcomers. We’re glad you are here. Tell us your first name, and if you like, your location and day count, so we can welcome you.
We will allow newcomers time to press *6-1 to join the queue.
[Chair: Pause for 5-10 seconds, then press *12 to check for newcomers and welcome them individually. Continue pressing *12 until the system says "there are no more callers".]
[If necessary when a non-addict introduces themselves: “I’m going to stop you. We appreciate your interest in marijuana addiction, but this meeting is only for people with a desire to stop using. This is in keeping with our third tradition. There are other places you can go to get the information you need. Check marijuana-anonymous.org for a list of open meetings. We request that you leave the meeting. Thank you.”]
(Optional: Read the 12 Questions if newcomers introduce themselves)
(Required reading per GC whether newcomers identify or not 2-2-22)
You can read the "Detoxing from Marijuana" pamphlet and find other literature at marijuana-anonymous.org or on the Marijuana Anonymous app. It is suggested that you attend at least six meetings so you have time to identify with the speakers, begin to absorb the MA concepts, and learn more about the program.
Who else is on the call today? Press *6-1 to enter the queue to introduce yourself. I’m _____________ from __________________.
[Chair: Pause for 5-10 seconds, then press *12 to allow members to introduce themselves. Continue pressing *12 until the system says "there are no more callers".]
A very warm welcome to all. There will be a phone number exchange at the end of the meeting so you can make outreach calls. I will be staying on the line after the meeting to respond to questions and further welcome newcomers. (Note to chair: if you cannot stay after the meeting to be a newcomer greeter then ask for a volunteer with 30 days or more clean time to stay for fellowship).
MEETING NORMS:
Tradition Two states: For our group purpose, there is but one ultimate authority – a loving God as is expressed in our group conscience. To maintain the serenity of the meeting, here are some guidelines:
• We ask that you stay focused on the topic of recovery from marijuana addiction and share your own experience, strength, and hope by using “I” statements. Please keep your share to 4 minutes. Please confirm my one minute notice. There’s no need to stop abruptly; just wind down your share.
• To provide a safe environment, we do not use excessive profanity or engage in crosstalk, which we define as giving someone advice, mentioning their name, or referring to their share. You can speak to others and ask questions after the meeting. I will follow these guidelines as well.
• This is a closed meeting for women only. If you are using a speaker-phone, please be mindful of your surroundings. Only women should be listening in on our meetings.
The topic for today/tonight is (Mon-Wed-Fri 3pm and Sat 9am meetings, see script below) _________________. You are also welcome to share anything related to your recovery today.
Read on SUNDAY EVENING ONLY:
We have but one request before you begin our step study. Please do this work with the guidance of a sponsor or spiritual advisor. The same as recovery, this work is not intended to be done alone. Success depends upon us sharing the process (LwH workbook, pg. 1, May 2008).
TOPIC INTRODUCTION FOR Mon, Wed, Fri 3pm meetings where chair can choose either reading:
Today's topic comes from the draft of the Marijuana Anonymous daily reader, "Living Every Day with Hope", available through the ma-phone.org website under Readings and Resources, Meeting Readings.
OR
Today’s topic comes from the Narcotics Anonymous daily reader, “Just for Today”, available at jftna.org.
[Saturday 9am meeting: read this disclaimer before "A New Leaf Newsletter" article:
“These stories were written by recovering marijuana addicts within the fellowship of Marijuana Anonymous, and represent their individual experiences and viewpoints. Marijuana Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues including opinions expressed, language used, or experiences related by its individual members.” "Life with Hope", 3rd edition, page 89]
To share, press *6-1. The system will say, "You can now ask your question," which means it's your turn to share.
[Chair: Advance to next caller, *12, “It’s your turn to share…”]
REMINDERS
• After shares, thank speaker by name, and then invite others to share.
• Do not cross talk by commenting on people’s shares.
• Reiterate the meeting focus if needed and remind participants they can share on anything related to their recovery between every few shares.
• 3pm meetings: When/if there are long pauses in sharing, please RE-READ the JFTNA.org reading or other MA approved literature. Also, 2nd shares may be invited if no one sharing towards end of meeting.
ALL meetings: During long pauses in shares, chairperson or another person can read from “Life with Hope”, “Life with Hope Workbook” or MA pamphlets, preferably related to topic.
At about 50 minutes past the hour:
That’s all the time we have for sharing. Stick around to claim your seat after the 7th tradition announcement.
Our 7th Tradition states that MA has no dues or fees. We are self-supporting through our own contributions. For information on how to contribute to MA World Services, please go to Meetings & Contacts, Tradition Seven on the ma-phone.org website.
Please give what you can and keep coming back.
CLAIM SEATS:
It's now time to claim seats. If there is anyone who has not shared that would like to claim their seat, please get in the queue by pressing *6-1. This helps us all know that we are not alone in our recovery process.
[Chair: press *12 to check the queue for seat-claimers.]
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
If you have an MA-related announcement, please press *6-1 to join the queue and I’ll ask for those in a minute.
• When you have 60 days free from marijuana and all its derivatives including CBD and THC as well as 30 days of attending MA phone meetings, please consider doing service by chairing a meeting. The 3rd Sunday at 7PM and every other Thursday at 3PM need chairpersons. Contact Chairperson Coordinator, Lily, at 415-225-5520 for more information.
• Women in Recovery has a step study speaker meeting on the first Wednesday of the month and Step Study meetings every Sunday at 7 pm Eastern time. Future speakers will be announced soon. To nominate a speaker, please e-mail wir@ma-phone.org or come to the monthly Group Conscience meeting.
• The Women in Recovery Group Conscience meeting is held on the first Wednesday of the month at 8 PM Eastern, following the speaker meeting. All members are invited to attend. The next meeting is April 5. To submit an agenda item, please email: wir@ma-phone.org.
• Important Announcement: Voting is now open for MA’s fellowship-wide vote on whether or not to change the language in the Twelve Steps to replace the word “God” with “Higher Power.” To request your ballot, email wirvote@gmail.com. You will receive an auto-response with instructions on how to vote. Voting will close at midnight EST on March 31st 2023. Ballots received after that time will not be counted. Please visit marijuana-anonymous.org/vote for more information and contact Carol with questions at 972.567.1145.
• There are many other Marijuana Anonymous phone meetings daily. Check ma-phone.org and/or marijuana-anonymous.org for schedules and phone numbers.
• Additional announcements can be found on ma-phone.org under Readings & Resources: MAWPM Announcements.
I’ll check the queue to see if there are additional announcements.
[Chair: Check the queue with *12.]
In closing, the opinions expressed here today are strictly those of the individuals who gave them. The things you have heard here are spoken in confidence and should be treated as confidential. We do not take outside the meeting who we hear inside the meeting. Talk with each other, reason things out, but let there be no gossip or criticism of one another; only Love, Understanding and Fellowship.
I’d like to thank everyone for participating in our meeting, especially those who provided service and people who shared. (optionally by name).
(Leaving out the names of people will gain back time if the meeting is running late.)
If anyone has any questions that went unanswered, or if you want to share more, please introduce yourself after the meeting.
We will now have a moment of silence; then I will take us out of Q&A mode for the Serenity Prayer. OPTIONAL PRAYER (if you choose) can be found at ma-phone.org under Readings & Resources: Prayers.
[Chair: Pause for 10-30 seconds-moment of silence]
[Chair: Press *13 to end Q&A.]
Thank you.
[Chair: Use *5 to mute, if needed. Remember the "light switch" aspect to get to"all participants are muted and they can unmute themselves". If you mute all, let everyone know they need to use *6 to unmute themselves.]
We say the Serenity Prayer all together.
GOD…..
Grant us the serenity
To accept the things we cannot change,
The courage to change the things we can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.
“Keep coming back. It works if you work it, and you’re worth it.” (optional)
THANK YOU, EVERYONE! The meeting is concluded.
MEETING AFTER THE MEETING
We are responsible for our own recovery. We encourage members to develop a support network by getting phone numbers. We work recovery for ourselves, not by ourselves. Everyone is welcome to share their number. Mention your willingness to be a sponsor or temporary sponsor. Sponsorship enhances recovery through one-on-one guidance on working the Twelve Steps and applying them in your life. We suggest you listen for those who “have what you want.”
If an outreach call makes you feel uncomfortable, consider ending contact with that person and refer to the Safety Support page on our website where Safety Support Team contacts are listed. Who would like to share their number?
Thank each person that gives their phone number. When finished with phone number exchange:
Are there any questions?
Thanks again. Please keep fellowship safe by following spiritual principles.
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If someone actively talks about committing suicide, you may offer the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline information. Dial 988 for help. (This is permitted per chairperson guidelines.)
For meeting attendance verification, attendee must e-mail date & time of meeting with chairperson's name and topic discussed to attendance@ma-phone.org within 48 hours of meeting. If multiple verifications are needed, they will be sent weekly.
The email address for chairperson interest, sharing story on speaker night and agenda items is wir@ma-phone.org.
If someone wants info about sponsorship:
We highly recommend you work the 12 steps with a sponsor, if someone in this meeting or another meeting has said something you can relate to please step out of your comfort zone and contact them. If you are having trouble finding a sponsor on your own or if you are willing to sponsor someone who may not live near you and is looking for support please review the About Sponsorship pages on the Marijuana Anonymous World Services website under the How it Works tab. https://marijuana-anonymous.org/how-it-works/about-sponsorship/getting-a-sponsor/
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