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What is the Area Group?
The Fourth Tradition says each group should be autonomous, except in matters affecting Crystal Meth Anonymous as a whole. That is where our Intergroup comes in. In Oregon, OregonCMA is the Area Group.
What does the Oregon Area Group do?
OregonCMA does things that any one group really can’t do effectively on its own:
- Generates and updates meeting lists for all of Oregon/S.W. Washington
- Creates CMA literature such as a newsletter and pamphlets
- Maintains the hot-line (503)895-1311
- Operates the OregonCMA Website
- Keeps a clearinghouse of recovery literature and chips
- Provides information to Hospitals and Institutions
- Represents OregonCMA at the CMA General Service Organization, the worldwide Intergroup
- Creates fun filled activities and generates funds for them, so that recovery is exciting
What does the Area Group not do?
Going along with the Fourth Tradition, OregonCMA does not make decisions for individual meetings, which are autonomous.
Why have an Area Group?
- To carry the message to the addict who still suffers through public information and hospitals and institutions
- To help groups with any questions and problems relating to the Twelve Traditions
- To avoid duplication of services
- To provide services such as the Web site, the literature, and the meeting list
- To provide groups with resources such as pamphlets, newsletters, and chips
- To represent Oregon CMA at the General Service Organization
- To organize activities for our fellowship in our area
Who can attend an Oregoncma meeting?
All CMA members are welcome at OregonCMA meetings. Only officers and GSRs may vote on business matters.
Who are the OregonCMA officers?
OregonCMA has a Chair, co-chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. There are also other officers, including committee Chairs and Cochairs, a Public Information Officer, a Hospitals and Institutions Coordinator, a GSO Delegate, a GSR Coordinator, a Activities Coordinator, a Webmaster, and a Literature Coordinator. These officers are elected by the voting body of OregonCMA and serve for one year. Any OregonCMA member meeting the sobriety requirement can be an officer.
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What happens at the monthly OregonCMA meeting?
The Secretary calls the roll to see if there is a quorum. The Treasurer reports on our finances. The members hear old business. The committee chairs give their reports. The group discusses any new business.
What are the OregonCMA sub-committees?
There are four committees: Literature, Public Information, Structure and Finance and Hospitals and Institutions.
Basic Structure of the Area Group
We must have a quorum at our meetings in order to conduct business. That means fifty percent of currently held voting positions must be present. Motions require a two-thirds majority to pass.
What is a GSR?
GSR stands for “Group Service Representative.” A GSR is the link between a CMA group, or meeting, and the Oregon Area Group(OregonCMA). There are two main responsibilities of a GSR:
- Represent your group and its group conscience at the monthly OregonCMA meeting.
- After OregonCMA meetings, report back to your group about OregonCMA and the CMA General Service Organization.
What does a GSR do at the OregonCMA meetings?
Listens, participates in discussions, and votes on business.
How does a GSR report back to a group?
GSRs give updates about OregonCMA at a group’s business meetings. They may also make brief announcements about OregonCMA activities and resources during the “any CMA-related announcements” part of a regular meeting.
Are there any requirements to be a GSR?
The requirements are decided by each group, but only members with two months of sobriety can vote at OregonCMA. It is recommended that GSRs serve for one year in order to provide continuity within OregonCMA.
What’s an alternate GSR?
Some groups have an alternate GSR. If the GSR cannot attend the OregonCMA meeting or a business meeting, the alternate can represent. Alternates are encouraged to attend OregonCMA meetings, but each group only gets one vote at OregonCMA. If an alternate and the “first-string” rep are there, only the first-string rep votes.
How can I know what my group’s conscience is?
GSRs are not expected to consult their groups on every single matter. For most OregonCMA issues, the rep should consider himself or herself entrusted to vote his or her individual conscience. For example, a matter such as “Should we approve $200 in expenses for newsletter duplication?” need not be taken back to a group’s business meeting. It would make group business meetings cumbersome and dull, and nothing would ever get done in OregonCMA. If a matter does require groups’ consciences, a GSR may be requested to ask his or her group about it. Examples of this would be decisions such as “Should we establish a CMA clubhouse?” or “Is there interest in a CMA conference?” GSRs can ask for a group’s conscience at the group’s business meeting and then bring the decision or opinion back
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