What is the Intergroup?

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 New York City, NYCMA is the Intergroup.

What does the Intergroup do?

NYCMA does things that any one group really can’t do effectively on its own:

• Generates meeting lists for all of New York City
• Creates CMA literature such as a newsletter and pamphlets
• Maintains the hotline
• Operates the NYCMA Website
• Keeps a clearinghouse of recovery literature and chips
• Provides information to hospitals and institutions
• Represents NYCMA at the CMA General Service Organization, the worldwide Intergroup

What does the Intergroup not do?

Going along with the Fourth Tradition, NYCMA does not make decisions for individual meetings, which are autonomous.

Why have an Intergroup?

• 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
• o provide services such as the Web site, the literature clearinghouse, and the meeting list
• To provide groups with resources such as pamphlets, newsletters, and chips
• To represent New York City CMA at the General Service Organization

Who can attend an NYCMA meeting?

All CMA members are welcome at NYCMA meetings. Only officers and GSRs may vote on business matters.

Who are the NYCMA officers?

NYCMA has a Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. There are also other officers, including committee Chairs and Cochairs, a Public Information Officer, a General Service Representative, a GSR Coordinator, and a Literature Clearinghouse Coordinator. These officers are elected by the voting body of NYCMA and serve for one year. Any NYCMA member meeting the sobriety requirement can be an officer.

What happens at the monthly NYCMA 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 NYCMA committees?

There are four committees: Structure and Finance, Literature, Public Information, and Hospitals and Institutions.

Basic Structure of the Intergroup

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 New York City Intergroup (NYCMA). There are two main responsibilities of a GSR:

1. Represent your group and its group conscience at the monthly NYCMA meeting.
2. After NYCMA meetings, report back to your group about NYCMA and the CMA General Service Organization.

What does a GSR do at the NYCMA meetings?

Listens, participates in discussions, and votes on business.

How does a GSR report back to a group?

GSRs give updates about NYCMA at a group’s business meetings. They may also make brief announcements about NYCMA 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 six months of sobriety can vote at NYCMA. It is recommended that GSRs serve for one year in order to provide continuity within NYCMA.

What’s an alternate GSR?

Some groups have an alternate GSR. If the GSR cannot attend the NYCMA meeting or a business meeting, the alternate can represent. Alternates are encouraged to attend NYCMA meetings, but each group only gets one vote at NYCMA. If an alter- nate 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 NYCMA 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 NYCMA. 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 to NYCMA.