What do ANLP Liaisons do?

ANLP Liaisons (formerly called “bureau chiefs”) are a vital connection between MA’s publishing department, ANLP, and the fellowship. The primary responsibility of ANLP liaisons is to communicate between ANLP and members of the fellowship. 

Anyone who is willing to make ANLP-related announcements in their meetings or district, can be an ANLP Liaison. While it may be a district role, it can also be “self-proclaimed” (like being a “Service Ambassador”) and there may be more than one Liaison in a meeting or district. Districts and meetings are also free to set their own requirements for the Liaison role. (for more info see ANLP Charter in SM, Appendix I: Foundation Docs.) 

More specifically, ANLP Liaisons:

• Anyone can be a Liaison by sharing announcements, service opportunities and more from ANLP’s Monthly “Pitch Points” at ANLP12.org/pitchpoints. Email the Liaison Coordinator to be added to the email list to receive news and notifications when the pitch points are updated.
• explain the purpose of A New Leaf to fellow members and how to subscribe at MA12.org/new-leaf; 
  • A New Leaf is MA’s free monthly, email publication celebrating the creativity of MA members featuring content submitted by MA members reflecting the message of hope, recovery, and service, and that unifies us in our shared experiences as recovering marijuana / cannabis addicts.
• encourage members to subscribe to the Daily Dose (ANLP12.org/daily-dose) featuring each day’s reflection from Living Every Day with Hope, 
• encourage members to subscribe to Carry the Message at (MA12.org/CTM) MA’s monthly newsletter with World Services’ news, and events;
• encourage members to submit their sobriety birthdays/anniversaries so we can celebrate them in A New Leaf at ANLP12.org/birthday (or collect and submit them themselves for their meeting and/or district)
• encourage members to create and submit a variety of creative content (in addition to stories) to A New Leaf at ANLP12.org/content 
  • A New Leaf accepts a wide range of artistic and creative submissions, including: poetry, stories, “break-up” letters (see  ANLP12.org/break-up-letter), prayers (see ANLP12.org/prayerwriting), other writing, crosswords, puzzles, drawings, comics, paintings, photography, other artwork, songs, lyrics, music, “heard in a meeting” quotes, and photos or videos of physical art such as ceramics, sculpture, or even dance, or any other content reflecting the message of hope, recovery, and service, and unifies us in our shared experiences as recovering marijuana addicts.
• Liaisons also share information with members about purchasing MA literature at ANLP12.org/books such as like Living Every Day with Hope, or the discount offered t when buying Life with Hope and/or the Life with Hope 12-Step Workbook from ANLP in bulk (10+) using the ANLP Bulk Order Form (ANLP12.org/bulk)
• share ANLP news and announcements with members, such as available service opportunities and ANLP events, like the monthly Writing Workshop, ANLP12.org/workshop and the addition of Life with Hope and the Life with Hope 12-Step Workbook to ANLP’s Store
• collect and share member feedback to help improve how ANLP carries the message of recovery through the publication of MA literature (and share feedback with the Liaison Coordinator, [email protected] and/or Chair, [email protected])
• share how to download MA Service Literature from the ANLP webpage and/or MA Resource Library such as pamphlets, the Service Manual, New Meeting Starter Kit, and other meeting resources, like format, readings, safety statement, and much more at MA12.org/library 
• share archived issues of A New Leaf at anlp12.org/new-leaf/archive;
  • Don’t miss out! Sign-up for emails and be one of the first to know what’s happening at ANLP, and help your fellows get their creative works published and recovery anniversaries/birthdays celebrated in A New Leaf!!
  • Liaisons are not expected to attend any ANLP meetings (but are invited to attend ANLP’s twice-monthly Steering Committee meetings, email [email protected] for more information on these meetings! Liaisons’ primary responsibiity is to communicate between ANLP and members of their meeting(s) and/or district and ensure members know how to submit and subscribe to ANLP’s publications and purchase Literture from ANLP’s online store!
  • The ANLP Charter suggests if an ANLP Liaison is a District-level service commitment, that member(s) selected for the role have at least six (6) months clean and sober from marijuana, alcohol, and all other mind-altering substances (unless those other substances are taken as prescribed by a healthcare provider). However, this is just a suggestion – districts and meetings are autonomous and free to set their own requirements for the role (if any).Tradition 4.
• Liaisons also suggest members use ANLP prompts, and specific monthly topic prompts to spark their creativity, general recovery prompts are collected at MA12.org/prompts and the more unique member stories the stories subcommittee is collecting at MA12.org/stories (which can be submitted to both A New Leaf and the MA Stories Book and Pamphlets projects) 
  • These prompts at (MA12.org/monthly-prompts) also include monthly specific topic suggestions, like content related to an:
    • The Step, Tradition, Concept from the 12 Concepts for Service, or Question from MA’s 12 Questions that corresponds with that month, e.g. Step 1, Tradition 1, Concept 1 & Question 1 in January and so on (you can always submit content about any Step, Tradition, Service Concept, or Question any month!)
    • Event, Holiday, Awareness, or Heritage Day/Month or Date of Personal Significance, and ANL encourages members to submit content relating to events, holidays, or awareness months that occur in particular months; specifically, this includes:
      • MA Events: For example, the Conference is in May/June , the Convention in August/Sept, and the Soberthon is on 4/20, so stories related to these events are encouraged for those month’s issues;
      • Holidays, or Heritage or Awareness Months, Weeks, or Days: If you have experience in sobriety with a condition, illness, or disease that has an awareness month/week, or you are of a heritage, identity or ethnicity with an awareness month,  you may want to submit your story for that month; Or, if you have a story aboutFatherhood, Graduation, or Pride month for June, or about the intersection of disability and sobriety in July for Disability Awareness month, or about sobriety during the holidays in November & December, etc., you may want to submit a story about that in those months; 
      • Or if another date of personal significance falls on a specific month, such as a birthday, sobriety anniversary, holiday, graduation, or other significant date to you personally, submit related content ahead of that month.
• Let Us Share Your Story of Marijuana Addiction Recovery
• A New Leaf, MA’s Literature Committee and MA’s Stories Subcommittee seek to shed light on stories of recovery that may not always be told in MA’s monthly publication, new pamphlets, and a future book of member stories!. To submit to the MA Stories Book or Pamphlets, MA12.org/stories and to submit to A New Leaf: ANLP12.org/content
  • When writing your story for any MA Publication, whether it be for a book of member stories, a member stories pamphlet, or A New Leaf, we ask that you consider a ratio to your writing; 1/3 what it was like, 1/3 what happened, and 1/3 what it is like now. This structure sets a framework that begins with your addiction, what led you to finding recovery, and how recovery is changing your life. 
  • Remember, your story can be a powerful way to carry the message of recovery to members in need, especially new members who may identify with your story and so they keep coming back to MA! Focus on sharing a message of hope and recovery that members can identify with. More guidance on writing is available at: ANLP12.org/writing-guidance
• What is the difference between submitting to A New Leaf & the MA Member Stories Project? 
  • The MA Stories Subcommittee seeks stories for a future book of member stories and new pamphlets of member stories. Members may submit content to both A New Leaf and either of the two MA Stories Projects if appropriate.
  • A New Leaf is MA’s creative publication, and it seeks submissions of the creative content of MA members that helps carry the message for its monthly creative publication, including visual art, poetry, “heard in a meeting” quotes, break up letters, member stories and more.
  • The MA Member Stories Book Project seeks stories for a future book of stories to be published in the future, so will take longer to be published than content submitted to A New Leaf, or the Member Stories Pamphlets project. 
• The MA Member Stories Pamphlets Project also seeks stories for new and revised pamphletsfeaturing member stories (like the new CHS-Stories pamphlet).
  • The Stories Pamphlet Project seeks short (100-300 word) stories about members’ experiences with CIP (Cannabinoid-induced psychosis; or being LGBTQ+ or a BIPOC  in recovery; Submit at: MA12.org/stories
• Content submitted to A New Leaf includes a wider range of content, like visual art, poetry, music, etc.. Content submitted to A New Leaf is also often published 2 months after being submitted, depending on the number of submissions. A New Leaf content should be shorter than for the Stories Book Project, but longer than for Pamphlets, typically 1,400 words or less.
• The Stories Subcommittee seeks to shed light on recovery stories that may not be heard as often, such as these suggestions for a future book of MA Member Stories. These stories will not be published as soon as content submitted to A New Leaf or Pamphlets.
  • stories about being in a hospital, institution or rehab facility; 
  • psychosis, CHS and/or detoxing from marijuana/cannabis;
  • intersection of sobriety & identity i.e., religious, sexual, or gender identity);
  • recovery while living with mental health issues or chronic illness/pain; 
  • cross-addiction; support from other 12-Step fellowships
  • sobriety during different stages of life; 
  • long-term sobriety; or any less common story .
• If you know any members with a story like these, please encourage them to submit to all 3 methods of submitting stories, A New Leaf ANLP12.org/content and new MA Pamphlets, and/or a future MA Member Stories Book, both at: MA12.org/stories.
• What is the word limit for the MA Stories Book, MA Stories Pamphlets, or A New Leaf? The suggested length of your story is dependent on the project you would like it to be used for. You can submit multiple versions if you’d like:
  • for A New Leaf we suggest up to 1,500 words, or less (depending on the nature of the submission, poetry, lyrics, letter, story, etc.) Occasionally we do publish longer pieces. If your piece is longer, please still submit it! 
  • for the member stories book we suggest between 500-4,000 words 
  • for the member stories pamphlets we suggest between 100-300 words 
  • All of these lengths are suggestions only. If you wish to submit shorter or longer content, it may still be considered, so submit it anyways and someone will reach out if it needs to be edited in any way for length.. 
• Do I have to choose only one to submit to? Can I submit to all?
  • Members may submit to all 3 story submission projects, including A New Leaf. the MA Stories Book, and MA Stories for Pamphlets project. It is recommended that you simply edit your story and adjust the length for each of the three projects you want your story to be considered for publication.

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What Information Can ANLP Liaisons Share about ANLP, and the Publication and Sale of MA Literature?

ANLP News and Information to Share

Whether you’re a district or group elected ANLP LIaison, or a self-selected ANLP Liaison, a Service Ambassador, or an interested member, here is some useful information and links anyone can announce or share with other members, meetings/groups and their districts about ANLP!: 

General Information and FAQ:

• To be the first to receive ANLP news & updates email [email protected] 
• Explain the purpose of A New Leaf to fellow members and how to subscribe at MA12.org/new-leaf;
  • A New Leaf is MA’s free monthly, email publication celebrating the creativity of MA members featuring content submitted by MA members reflecting the message of hope, recovery, and service, and that unifies us in our shared experiences as recovering marijuana / cannabis addicts.
• Encourage member to subscribe to the Daily Dose (ANLP12.org/daily-dose) featuring each day’s reflection from Living Every Day with Hope
• Encourage members to subscribe to Carry the Message MA World Services’ monthly newsletter with news, events, and other helpful information at MA12.org/CTM) 
• encourage members to create and submit a variety of creative content (in addition to stories) to A New Leaf at ANLP12.org/content
  • A New Leaf accepts a wide range of artistic and creative submissions, including  poetry, stories, break-up letters, prayers, other writing, crosswords, puzzles, drawings, comics, paintings, photography, other artwork, songs, lyrics, or any other content reflecting the message of hope, recovery, and service, and unifies us in our shared experiences as recovering marijuana addicts.
• Suggest members use the general recovery prompts, and specific monthly topic prompts collected atMA12.org/prompts and the more unique member stories the stories subcommittee is collecting at MA12.org/stories(which can be submitted to ANL and the Stories project.) 
  • Each issue features a Step, Tradition, Concept from the 12 Concepts for Service, or Question from MA’s 12 Questions that corresponds with that month, e.g. Step 1, Tradition 1, Concept 1 & Question 1 in January and so on (you can always submit content about any Step, Tradition, Service Concept, or Question during any month!)
• The listed prompts (MA12.org/prompts) also include monthly specific topic suggestions, like content related to”
  • An Event, Holiday, Awareness, or Heritage Day/Month or Date of Personal Significance, and ANL encourages members to submit content relating to events, holidays, or awareness months that occur in particular months; specifically, this includes:
  • MA Events: For example, the Conference is in May/June , the Convention in August/Sept, and the Soberthon is on 4/20, so stories related to these events are encouraged for those month’s issues;\
  • Holidays, or Heritage or Awareness Months, Weeks, or Days: If you have experience in sobriety with a condition, illness, or disease that has an awareness month/week, or you are of a heritage, identity or ethnicity with an awareness month,  you may want to submit your story for that month; Or, if you have a story aboutFatherhood, Graduation, or Pride month for June, or about the intersection of disability and sobriety in July for Disability Awareness month, or about sobriety during the holidays in November & December, etc., you may want to submit a story about that in those months; 
  • Or if another date of personal significance falls on a specific month, such as a birthday, sobriety anniversary, holiday, graduation, or other significant date to you personally, submit related content ahead of that month
• encourage members to submit their sobriety anniversaries so we can celebrate them in A New Leaf at ANLP12.org/birthday (or collect and submit them themselves for their meeting and/or district)
• share ANLP news and announcements with members, such as available service opportunities, ANLP events, like the monthly Writing Workshop, (ANLP12.org/workshop) and ANLP’s new website and store, currently being redesigned;
• share information with members about purchasing MA literature at ANLP12.org/books such as Living Every Day with Hope, or the discount offered to members, meetings and districts when buying Life with Hope and/or the Life with Hope Workbook when purchasing directly from Hazelden.
• collect and share member feedback to help improve how ANLP carries the message of recovery through the publication of MA literature
• share information with members about purchasing MA literature at ANLP12.org/books such as like Living Every Day with Hope, or the discount offered to members, meetings and districts when buying Life with Hope and/or the Life with Hope 12-Step Workbook directly from Hazelden;
• share how to download MA Service Literature from the ANLP webpage and/or MA Resource Library such as pamphlets, the Service Manual, New Meeting Starter Kit, and other meeting resources, at MA12.org/library 
• Share about being a Service Ambassador marijuana-anonymous.org/service/ambassadors 
• Share about MA Literature at MA12.org/literature and the Literature Committee, which is responsible for drafting and recommending MA literature for Conference approval of Marijuana Anonymous literature. After Literature receives Conference approval, it is handed off to to ANLP who is then responsible for the formatting, publication and sale of MA Literature
• Share archived issues of A New Leaf at anewleafpublications.org/new-leaf/archive
• Learn more about ANLP at ANLP12.org/about; read the ANLP Charter in Service Manual, Appendix I: Foundation Docs at MA12.org/SM; or the Charter directly at ANLP12.org/charter

Living Every Day with Hope is now available to purchase in paperback or eBook! Purchase info is at ANLP12.org/books  We will add other retailers at that link as soon as they’re available! Living Every Day with Hope will continue to be available for free on the MA website and through the Daily Dose email. Please continue to share this purchase info, and the below flyer, in your groups and meetings.

ANLP will regularly update this page, so keep checking back for updates in addition to those emailed by the Content Editor to the Liaison Google Group (joined by emailing [email protected]