GSR is short for "General Service Representative," an important link in the structure of MA.

The GSR is a person elected by a meeting to represent that meeting at the District level by reporting on how the meeting is going, and getting chips or literature if needed, or any other support. Primarily this entails going to the District's monthly meeting (the "District Service Committee," also referred to as the DSC). The GSR job carries information in both directions -- so they also represent the District back to the meeting by bringing announcements and news from the District and Marijuana Anonymous World Services.

When are the DSC meetings? 

The District Service Committee (DSC) meetings for District 7 are hybrid and meet the second Wednesday of every month from 7:30 pm to 8:30 or 9 pm PST.

The in-person component meets at Stoner Park in West LA (1835 Stoner Ave, LA 90025). There is a parking lot off of Missouri Ave. We will meet in the Community Room next to the outdoor basketball courts, and we have pizza!

The Zoom link, which is the same every month, is here. 

Everyone is welcome to attend, whether you represent a meeting or not. People from other districts are also welcome. GSRs are important because we need to have a channel of communication open with your meeting, and GSRs serve this function. 

What is "District-level service?" 

If you attend as a GSR or meeting representative, that's great! If you also want to take on a District-level commitment, that's encouraged as well! You can find out more about District service at the monthly DSC meeting. 

As a new Chair, you'd get help to learn all you needed (which is called service sponsorship, where a fellow with experience in your new position trains you). Some of the District-level roles will sound familiar from the positions you can hold in an MA meeting, like Treasurer, Secretary, Literature, Chips, and Hospitals and Institutions Chair (H&I). These roles are a little different than their meeting-level counterparts because you're helping coordinate chips, donations, or literature, or H&I volunteers for or from other meetings in D7, on behalf of the District. Other District Chair roles include Events, Communications, Webmaster, and Public Information. Come to a meeting and ask about the service role that interests you. Even if it's currently filled, you'll get an idea of what you can bring to the table in the future, and get to know more fellows!

The most important and urgent roles that are currently open are two delegates to connect to Marijuana Anonymous World Services. We also have open Chair positions for Hospitals and Institutions and Public Information. Please come to the next District Meeting on the second Wed. of each month if you are interested.

How do I get on the email list and get monthly reminders about the meetings? 

GSRs and the District primarily communicate via our Google Group. Reach out to info.MADistrict7@gmail.com  and ask to be added

  UPCOMING M.A. CONFERENCE -- OUR DISTRICT NEEDS TWO DELEGATES and an ALTERNATE for the CONFERENCE ON ZOOM MAY 24-27th.

The Pitch Point: Our District needs two delegates and an alternate to represent us at the conference which is held on Zoom over Memorial day weekend (May 24-27) Delegates bring our District’s votes to the conference, and also vote their own conscience on the items that come up during the weekend where the business of the Marijuana Anonymous nonprofit corporation is conducted. 

Being a delegate is a one year position where you participate in world service by being on a committee, like Literature, Newcomer Support, Internet, or Finance. There is a one-year sobriety requirement. We need to get our delegates registered for the conference and oriented.

Delegates act as liaisons from world service back to us in Los Angeles, and come to our district meetings to report back-and-forth—You’re the missing link between the district and MA headquarters. If you want to learn more about this position, talk to your GSR or ask someone who has been a delegate or ask your sponsor. 

OK, there are more pitch points:

Next District Meeting is May 8th and at that meeting we will tally the results of your meeting’s votes on the Conference motions. If your meeting hasn’t voted on the motions, now is a good time to do that. Everyone is welcome to attend the District Meeting on May 8th in person in West L.A. and hybrid over Zoom. The District has open positions for a Hospitals and Institutions Chair and a Public Information Chair. See D 7 website for info.

Also check out our neighbors to the north (district 6) hosting a game night Thursday May 2 to celebrate one year of the North Hollywood Beginners Meeting. 

Hotel room booking is available for the Convention in San Francisco which is Labor Day weekend. https://mawsconvention.org/hotel-booking/ 

GSRs— this part is not to be read aloud, but if you want to learn more or people ask you and they want to learn more about the Conference or the Convention or the Game Night:

Memorial Day Conference on Zoom  and Delegate info   https://mawsconference.org/ 

https://mawsconference.org/participate/delegates/

What are the Motions we are voting on? Or where is that sheet to tally the votes?   

https://mawsconference.org/agenda/   Click on the Conference Agenda Packet   it’s in there 

M.A. World Service Committees   https://marijuana-anonymous.org/service/world-service/committees/ 

Labor Day Convention in SF   https://mawsconvention.org/

Game Night May 2   https://www.madistrict6.org/events/  

ONGOING EVENT

Join the Trailblazers, the hiking group for MA District 7, that meets every Sunday 

• Let's hit the trails and explore the stunning natural beauty of Los Angeles together. Our hikes are open to anyone seeking a sober and supportive community while enjoying the great outdoors. Clear your mind and connect with nature. Join us as we blaze new trails and make lasting friendships. Contact mad7trailblazers@gmail.com for more information.
  
  

PREPARE FOR 2025 BIG EVENT for the DISTRICT

• District 7 will be hosting the 2025 Convention, a weekend full of recovery and fellowship with marijuana addicts from all over the world. So, there will be opportunities to be of service in the future.

District News

Open positions on the District Service Committee

• There are several opportunities to be of service at the district level . We meet once a month on Wednesday night (in West LA and over Zoom). Suggestion 6 months/1 year of recovery. See your GSR for more information.

Open Positions:

• Public Information Chair -   The chair forms a subcommittee that informs addicts and others in the community about the MA program of recovery. Many PI projects primarily act to encourage people to write or call MA for more information about meetings. Dispersing information can take on various forms such as distributing flyers, mass mailings, announcements in self-help sections of local newspapers and radio PSAs, to name a few.

• Hospitals and Institutions Chair - Organize panels of speakers to go to hospitals, treatment centers, schools, and institutions in the criminal justice system. 

• Chip News  Here is lots of info about chips and a great document to learn from and consider options beyond the 12Step Store and distribution through the District. Since we’re not all meeting in person monthly, the distribution of chips is more complex than it used to be, not to mention the chip shortage of 2023-24.  

Meetings are autonomous, so any meeting could choose to buy chips in their own way from one of these authorized vendors using their treasury $.   Wood chips, pottery, take matters into your own hands. 

List of Authorized Vendors of M.A. Chips:    https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CXvF-lDSStz_AJFagRjy0b2JmPvg7yBQyOXLpq0j1Yw/edit  

• While MA World Services cannot advertise or endorse any "outside enterprise" - My12StepStore.com now has Newcomer up to 18 month plastic chips with the MA logo on them available for sale  You can check the free MA newsletter email Carry the Message this month for more details. Their plan is also to eventually have aluminum and metal coins for MA too, depending on how the sales of the plastic chips go.

• DONATE TO DISTRICT 7

• If your meeting has covered its monthly expenses, please consider donating to the District, which we will send money to MA World Services. These donations help MAWS run and also support other independent meetings to get started so we can carry the message to marijuana addicts all over the world. To donate to District 7, visit http://PayPal.me/MAdistrict7 OR log in to http://Paypal.com and contribute to info@MAdistrict7.org. In the notes, add your meeting name + "7th Tradition."

• For anyone interested, here is the District 7 Treasurer's Report
  
  

• FOR GSRs - if you miss three consecutive district meetings in a row, you will be taken off the District website. If you can't attend, please consider finding a replacement to come in your place.
  
  

MA World Service News:

• MAWS and ANLP are also seeking a Content Editor for “A New Leaf” newsletter, which is a volunteer role but a great opportunity to be of service and get involved with ANLP! Information about that role and how to apply is also available at that same link!

DISTRICT 7 LOS ANGELES Meeting News:

• New Online Meeting: There is a new online Women's Book Study Meeting on Mondays at 8pm. They'll be going through MA's Life with Hope.
  
  Meeting ID: 881 4466 7964 / Password: Hope11

Meetings that need support:

• Tuesday 7:30 pm "Higher Ground Online" Zoom meeting needs help filling commitments and needs support
  
  

• Wednesday 7:30 pm Dual-Diagnosis Zoom meeting needs support.This an important specialized meeting for people with addiction and mental health/emotional challenges.
  
  

• Wednesday 8:00 pm Dopeless Hope Fiends in-person meeting in Culver City needs support and needs help filling commitments
  
  

• Wednesday 7:30pm "High Hopes" in-person meeting
  Location: Thelma McMillan Center, 3333 Skypark Dr. Ste. 200, Room 8 (2nd floor through the door to the right of the elevator)
  
  The meeting includes free parking, sobriety chips, literature, refreshments, and hugs!

• Friday - 6:00 pm Chakra Healing Zoom Meeting

Come join us as we focus on the chakras to free the mind, honor the body, and unleash the spirit. Please be on time, as we may not be able to let you in while meditation is in progress. We like to say, "If you want to meditate, don't be late!"

Meeting information; https://madistrict7.org/

More info for each District 7 meeting can be found on our meetings page.

OTHER DISTRICT BITS

1. Update how your meeting listing is displayed on this website to make sure all is up to date! Has anything changed or does anything need to be clarified? The webmaster has a new email address: info.MADistrict7@gmail.com 

2. Life With Hope - the book and the workbook - are available from our Literature Chair at cost. Email mad7lit@gmail.com for more info.

3. The District Treasurer’s email is now mad7.treasurer@gmail.com

4. The Chip Chair's email is now mad7chips@gmail.com

5. GSRs - if you miss three consecutive district meetings in a row, your meeting will be taken off the District website. If you can't attend DSC meetings regularly, please consider finding a replacement to serve in your place.

Looking for more up-to-date pitch points to make sure your meeting stays in the know? Try this link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QX0uIAkfcA93kPuGHs3R10JU4WCp1lnUmQZ9P9ytfPs/edit

Thank you for your strength, your hope, and your service. 

mar-anon announcement

Info for friends and family members with a marijuana-addicted loved one from MAWS Correspondence Trustee, Nina:

There is a program for loved ones of Marijuana Addicts similar to Al-Anon and Nar-Anon.  It is Mar-Anon.  Check out their website at mar-anon.com.  They have an online meeting daily and recently two in-person meetings have opened up though neither are in the District 7 area. (One just opened in the San Diego area.)  Please pass on this information to interested folks.