MMGA Announces Chapter Formation Guidelines

Montana Medical Growers Association
Chapter Development Process
March 2010

The MMGA was created to represent all growers of medical marijuana in Montana. This includes all caregivers and patients in the State.

Our Mission is to:

§ Insure patients receive superior patient care
§ Provide a voice for Montana medical cultivators
§ Promote lawful and ethical conduct of our members

The MMGA was formed by a core group of caregivers in November 2009 and is located in Bozeman. The MMGA is a registered 501c5 Non-profit Trade Organization. The By-Laws of the MMGA permit the organization of local Chapters around the State. Currently, there are six chapters planned. As the industry expands so may the need for more Chapters. Exact city locations for the Chapters have not yet been determined but will represent the following general geographic regions: South Eastern Montana, South Central Montana, South Western Montana, North Eastern Montana, North Central Montanan North Western Montana. Additional Chapters will be added as determined by the MMGA Board of Directors.

The purpose of the County MMGA Chapters is to bring to the MMGA the issues, concerns, recommendations, and ideas needed for moving this industry forward. It is critical that local concerns and ideas be brought to the attention of the MMGA so that the Association can be truly representative of the community.

Each Chapter will elect Chapter Officers who will have the responsibility of conducting meetings, organizing fund raising events, and providing information exchange to and from the Chapter Members. The Chapter Director will be the primary spokesperson for each Chapter and will have a seat on the MMGA Board of Directors ensuring that the local membership is fully represented.

It should be noted that this industry is growing rapidly and there are many views in terms of the direction that should or should not be taken. The goal of the MMGA is to not represent a single view, but rather to attempt to represent the diverse views in a comprehensive, cohesive manner. Regulation is happening across the State with regard to community zoning. The MMGA is working with local jurisdictions around the State to insure that this new medical community is represented appropriately. We are also educating city officials on how this industry is operating currently.

It is imperative that a uniform front be shown by this new industry. Protecting the needs of the patient and the caregiver are our primary concern and we require a systematic approach to addressing these matters. We ask Chapter Directors to not act unilaterally with the media. Any media interview should be arranged through the MMGA. This insures that well thought out and consistent information will be presented to prevent consumer confusion.

Process for Creating an MMGA Chapter

§ An initial General Open Forum will be conducted by MMGA Board Members
§ Volunteers at the meeting will establish a steering committee and set up follow up meetings
§ Preliminary election of an Interim Chapter Director by those in attendance
§ Volunteers will promote a general meeting to wide audience of existing MMGA members and potential members

General Chapter Formation Meeting (GCFM)

Once a steering committee has been formed and an Interim Chapter Director elected, it is the responsibility of the Interim Chapter Director to seek out any and all interested individuals to participate in the local MMGA Chapter. It is the goal to have EVERYONE involved in this industry participating in the MMGA. We expect different opinions and views of how to move this industry forward. It is essential though that a uniform front is brought forward to the public.

The MMGA Board will vote on specific positions for the Association. No Chapter Director or individual Chapter member may vary from those positions. Each Chapter Director sits on the MMGA Board of Directors for the purpose of bringing the local Chapter issues to the MMGA for policy decisions. The local Chapter MAY NOT make unilateral decisions that may affect or contradict the overall position of the MMGA. All input is welcome. Individual members voting for Chapter Officers must be registered members of the Association. Affiliate and free patient members may not vote in Chapter elections.

The Chapter Formation Meeting must be posted with a minimum 10 days of notice. Postings may be online, via email or by other methods of communication. Ideally, it will be listed on various Events Calendars in the area. Following the official organization meeting and election of local officers, the Chapter will submit its membership roles to the MMGA for certification. The Chapter is not officially part of the MMGA until such time as the Chapter is certified.

All MMGA meetings are held under Roberts Rules of Order. If the Interim Chapter Director is unfamiliar with RROO, they should appoint someone in the group to act as Parliamentarian.

Prior to the GCFM, the Interim Chapter Director should consult with the Executive Director of the MMGA for guidance on running the meeting and setting the objectives.

For example, as a presentation to the group:

§ Mission
§ Goals & History of MMGA
§ Responsibilities of an MMGA Chapter
§ Definition of Local Officers
§ Elect Chapter Officers
§ Discussion of concerns, ideas, or issues etc.

Chapter Director

The Chapter Director represents the local Chapter on the MMGA as a Board Member. Chapter Directors are elected for 2 year terms. The individual should be well spoken, be able to manage highly diverse meetings with extensive discussion and potential disagreement. He or she should be able to present the MMGA is the best position and can adequately represent the views of the MMGA. The Chapter Director will set the agenda for Chapter Meetings with the assistance of the MMGA Executive Director. The Chapter Director may be involved with the Press as a spokesperson for the Chapter, following the guidelines approved by the MMGA Board of Directors.

Chapter Assistant Director

The Assistant Chapter Director will initially serve for a one year term. Subsequent elections will be for a two-year terms. The ACD will assume the Chapter Director position as Interim Chapter Director should the elected Chapter Director resign or be removed from office by the MMGA Board of Directors.

Chapter Secretary

The Chapter Secretary will take notes at all meetings and will submit to the MMGA Board of Directors written minutes following each meeting. Chapter minutes will be available on the MMGA website under the Chapter’s portion of the website.

Chapter Treasurer

The Chapter Treasurer will handle all funds for the local Chapter. All funds collected by the Chapter will be submitted to the MMGA Treasurer. The MMGA Treasurer will keep on account a percentage of the Chapters revenue for use by the local Chapter. In time, we will establish local Chapter Bank Accounts. The MMGA has yet to determine the percent each Chapter will keep on account.


Questions about Chapter Development should be addressed to jim@montanamedicalgrowers.org.