{"id":211086,"date":"2025-02-23T13:56:43","date_gmt":"2025-02-23T21:56:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/marijuana-anonymous.org\/?page_id=211086"},"modified":"2025-10-21T14:49:39","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T21:49:39","slug":"convention","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/marijuana-anonymous.org\/convention\/","title":{"rendered":"MA World Services Fellowship Convention"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

MA World Services Fellowship Convention<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The first MA Convention was held in 1995 in Santa Cruz, California, and since then the MA Convention has been held annually! During this fellowship-wide event, members from around the world to gather, celebrate recovery, make new friends, and reunite with old ones. The event supports our sobriety, serves our primary purpose, strengthens the fellowship, and is the largest fundraiser for Marijuana Anonymous World Services.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Convention traditionally occurs on a three-day weekend, commencing on Friday (<\/span>late afternoon or early evening<\/span><\/i>) and concluding on Sunday afternoon. Over these three days, members participate in activities such as workshops, panel discussions, and meetings. Together we celebrate sobriety, listen to speakers, share meals, and enjoy fellowship events. The fun and memorable experience of a Convention energizes members and boosts recovery and spiritual connection, which fosters unity within our fellowship at large. Conventions help us to connect addict to addict, and remind ourselves we are not a glum lot and sobriety is fun!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 2026 Convention is being hosted by District 23. We look forward to seeing you in Georgia! For further details visit mawsconvention.org<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Conventions help to bond and unite the Host District, they grow the fellowship, and inspire people to start new meetings. At the 1996 MA World Service Conference, a Motion was passed which states, \u201cThe MA Convention Host District(s) will be determined two calendar years in advance at the MA World Services Conference.\u201d The 2027 Convention is being hosted by District 22 New England. It is a gift to be of service helping to host and facilitate Conventions that celebrate fellowship and deepen our recovery. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Hosting Future Conventions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This information is provided by the MA World Services Conferences and Conventions (CoCo) Committee and will help to support discussion(s) within your meetings and District about serving as host for future Conventions.<\/em> For more information about the planning and waitlist process or any other additional questions you may have, contact the Conferences and Conventions Trustee: <\/span>CoCo@MA12.org<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Conferences and Conventions Committee has resources about hosting Conventions, including a step-by-step process for how to manage the many aspects that go into hosting a successful Convention. The CoCo Committee includes longtime members who have helped host previous Conventions. They are willing to Service Sponsor and be available to provide support and guidance for hosting a great and memorable Convention. Additionally, the CoCo Committee is in the process of developing a Convention Archive. This archive will serve as guidance for getting started, which includes examples from previous years Conventions regarding organizing a service board, selecting a theme, securing a location, fundraising and financial management, programming, merchandising, and more. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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During the 2024 Conference, there was a growth experience for the Conference Body when two districts offered to host the 2026 Convention. The Conferences & Conventions Committee had many discussions about a better way to facilitate this in a fair and succinct manner. A process was conceived so districts could join the \u201cWaitlist\u201d on a \u201cfirst come, first serve\u201d basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The waitlist is open, and the CoCo Committee is asking that your district consider hosting in 2028 (to be ratified at the 2026 Conference<\/em>). Districts may join this list at any point throughout the year. Again on a first come, first serve basis, should more than one district express willingness they will be added to the wait list to host in 2028 and possibly years after.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Deciding to join the Convention Host Waitlist does not bind a district into a commitment to host. Until the Conference Body has ratified the Host District two years in advance nothing is \u201cset in stone.\u201d This timeframe is primarily to secure and negotiate with a venue and\/or lodging, but also to have adequate time for fundraising, and to plan the various elements. The CoCo Trustee will remain in communication with districts to let them know where they are in the waitlist each year. If the district\u2019s group conscience has changed, then we would simply move to the next district on the list until the nomination is accepted to host and ratified two years in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joining the Convention Host Waitlist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A District\u2019s group conscience decision to host should come with a willingness to be of service from as many of the District\u2019s members as possible to ensure support during the various stages of the Convention process. The planning process can be supported by members from throughout the fellowship with virtual planning meetings but also require a small number of local members willing to fulfill the key roles and tasks that are required in-person, such as finding a venue. Additionally, many more of the members attending will readily volunteer to help with all types of tasks and duties including hosting workshops and meetings, and during the Convention working the check-in and merchandise areas, set-up and clean-up, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Trusted Servants involved in the detailed planning process should be at minimum 6. The following are important duties, each category could be done by one or two people or an entire subcommittee if desired: <\/p>\n\n\n\n