World Service Business Conference 2026
| Please DO NOT return this summary. This summary is for tallying your members’ responses. Your intergroup or service board should complete the Agenda Questionnaire online survey available at oa.org. Agenda Questionnaires are due by February 19, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time. Please review each New Business Motion and Bylaw Amendment in its entirety. This is a summarized version. |
| Proposal A | |
| Submitted By OA Sunlight IG, VR Sharlotte G. Contact WSO for maker’s contact information. | Bring to WSBC? Yes/No |
| Motion Move to amend WSBC Policy 1980d by striking and inserting as follows: It was adopted that: A Conference committee member can petition the Board of Trustees to consider by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Trustees to remove a non-functioning chair of a specific Conference committee. The vice chair will then assume the position of chair | Intent: To remove the gendered language. Rationale: Overeaters Anonymous serves a diverse fellowship, and the use of gender-neutral language aligns with OA’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility. Removing gendered titles such as “chairman” ensures that OA literature and communications reflect the experiences of all members, fostering a more welcoming and supportive atmosphere. This change affirms the core OA principle that all who suffer from compulsive eating are welcome, regardless of gender identity. It also places OA in step with contemporary best practices in respectful and inclusive language, ensuring that every member feels equally valued and seen within the recovery community. |
| Proposal B | |
| Submitted By Orange County IG, R2 Kalea M. Contact WSO for maker’s contact information. | Bring to WSBC? Yes/No |
| Motion Move to amend WSBC Policy 2010a by inserting as follows: The following policy statement was adopted: Statement on Approved Literature In accordance with our Traditions, we suggest that OA groups maintain unity and honor our Traditions by using, selling, and displaying only approved books and pamphlets at their meetings. This includes OA Conference- and board-approved literature; AA Conference-approved books, booklets, and all future editions thereof, with original edition copyright 2010 or earlier, and the Plain Language Big Book; and locally produced OA literature. Although groups may choose to focus on only one piece of OA-approved literature, individuals and groups are encouraged to use any and all OA-approved literature. Locally produced literature must be developed according to the OA Guidelines for Locally Produced Literature, and should be used with the greatest discretion. Local literature should be considered temporary and discontinued when OA literature approved for general use is available to cover the topic. | Intent: To allow OA meetings, if they choose, to use the Plain Language Big Book as OA-approved literature. Rationale: The meeting that I am the intergroup representative for is a literature meeting. We voted on which OA-approved book to read next within our meeting and the Plain Language Big Book was voted on to read next. We were originally under the impression that the Plain Language Big Book was OA approved, however, later we discovered that it was not approved. |
| Proposal C | |
| Submitted By Region Nine Loudovika P. Contact WSO for maker’s contact information. | Bring to WSBC? Yes/No |
| Motion Move to combine WSBC Policies 1979c and 1986b by striking and inserting as follows: WSBC Policy 1979c It was adopted that: | Intent: To combine Conference Policies 1979c and 1986b into a single, clearly worded policy so that all financial reporting materials (the budget and the treasurer’s report) appear together for simplicity, consistency, and ease of use. Rationale: At present, members must review two separate financial documents that often repeat or overlap. Merging the budget and treasurer’s report into one unified financial report reduces confusion, saves time, and presents a clearer picture of our financial position. This simple change improves transparency, consistency, and efficiency for everyone involved. |
| Proposal D | |
| Submitted By Conference-Approved Literature Committee Cindy C. Contact WSO for maker’s contact information. | Bring to WSBC? Yes/No |
| Motion Move to amend WSBC Policy 2011b by striking and inserting as follows: It was adopted to: Include the Tools of recovery of OA in the Business Conference Policy Manual. The following are the Tools of recovery of OA: A Plan of Eating, Sponsorship, Meetings, | Intent: To update the name of the Telephone Tool to align with the various methods of one-to-one communication between members outside of meeting times. Rationale: After much discussion, the CLC Tool Pamphlet Revision Subcommittee felt the Tool name “Telephone” implies only one form of communication, yet the true value of this Tool in our recovery can be realized in many forms. In addition to telephone calls, one-to-one connections are made through the mail, text messages, email, and social media applications—all are common practices today. The Tools of recovery should reflect actual practice by the Fellowship. “Outreach” encompasses the methods members use to make one-to-one personal connections for fellowship and support outside of meeting times, and “Outreach” is a less limiting and more comprehensive word. |
| Proposal E | |
| Submitted By Anorexic/Bulimic SFSB, VR Ethyl M. Contact WSO for maker’s contact information. | Bring to WSBC? Yes/No |
| Motion Move to amend WSBC Policy 1984a by striking as follows: Upon the recommendation of the Literature Committee, a preamble for Overeaters Anonymous was adopted to read: Overeaters Anonymous is a Fellowship of individuals who, through shared experience, strength, and hope, are recovering from compulsive | Intent: To welcome all people with compulsive eating disorders. Rationale: OA serves a much broader membership than just those who suffer from compulsive overeating. Anorexics and bulimics are a significant part of the Fellowship of OA. Our Third Tradition states that the only requirement for membership is a desire to stop eating compulsively. This change would make our Preamble internally consistent, and consistent with the Third Tradition. |
| Proposal F | |
| Submitted By Board Website Review Committee Cyndy L. Contact WSO for maker’s contact information. | Bring to WSBC? Yes/No |
| Motion Move to amend WSBC Policy 2010e by inserting as follows: It was adopted to: Require all groups and service bodies wishing to register with the World Service Office to provide at least one email address and name when submitting their registration request. The required email address is for use within the OA organization and will not be published unless the contact has given permission. | Intent: To allow the contact person (OA member) to choose email as a way of communicating with those who are interested in attending the meeting they represent. Rationale: Newcomers are often intimidated by having to make direct contact with a stranger. Email is only one of the methods of communication used on the website; telephone and text are also available. Allowing the meeting contact to grant permission to be contacted through email increases the chance they will reach out and ask for help. |
| Proposal G | |
| Submitted By WSBC Bylaws Committee Cyndy L. Diane D. Contact WSO for maker’s contact information. | Bring to WSBC? Yes/No |
| Motion Move to amend WSBC Policy 1979e by striking and inserting as follows: It was adopted to: Ensure personal anonymity | Intent: To make it easier for delegates and trustees to collaborate during Conference. Rationale: Delegates can be more effective servants when they can work together. |
| Proposal H | |
| Submitted By Conference-Approved Literature Committee Melanie B. Contact WSO for maker’s contact information. | Bring to WSBC? Yes/No |
| Motion Move to amend WSBC Policy 1993a by striking and inserting as follows: It was adopted that: We, the | Intent: To bring the policy into alignment with the current practice. Rationale: This motion was submitted after seeing the confinement of using the suggestions only at the close of meetings and events. To keep the Policy clear and concise on suggestions for meetings and events, we felt it was time to omit that confinement within the Policy since current practices are not reflective within the Policy. Cleaning up the Policy promotes the clarity we all need when doing service in meetings and events, no matter at what level we serve. |
| Proposal I | |
| Submitted By Conference-Approved Literature Committee Claire H. Cindy C. Contact WSO for maker’s contact information. | Bring to WSBC? Yes/No |
| Motion Move to amend WSBC Policy 1993a by striking and inserting as follows: It was adopted that: We, the | Intent: To bring the Policy into alignment with the current practice by adding a secular option for meetings and events. Rationale: OA members who are part of the secular, atheist, agnostic, freethinker, and/or nontraditional belief community struggle to translate religious language into something that makes sense to them. To have the Serenity Statement approved as an option to use in meetings and at events would help a lot. The Serenity Statement is already currently being practiced in some meetings. |
| Proposal J | |
| Submitted By Virtual Region Cee Z. Contact WSO for maker’s contact information. | Bring to WSBC? Yes/No |
| Motion Move that the World Service Business Conference direct the Board of Trustees to create a specific focus category titled, “Ethnically Jewish.” | Intent: To formally recognize and support the cultural diversity within Overeaters Anonymous by establishing “Ethnically Jewish” as a valid and distinct specific focus category. Rationale: OA has successfully created specific focus categories for other ethnic communities, such as “Asian Pacific Islander Desi” and “Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.” There remains no category specifically acknowledging members who identify as ethnically Jewish. This identity is not about religious belief or practice; it is a shared cultural, historical, and ethnic experience. Many individuals identify as ethnically Jewish without participating in Jewish religious observance. They may be secular, cultural, interfaith, or even nonbelieving Jews who nonetheless share a background, family history, and relationship with food shaped by Jewish ethnicity. These experiences often include intergenerational trauma, communal food customs, cultural norms surrounding body image, and family expectations—all of which can deeply influence patterns of compulsive eating and recovery. |
| Proposal K | |
| Submitted By Virtual Region Cee Z. Contact WSO for maker’s contact information. | Bring to WSBC? Yes/No |
| Motion Move to amend WSBC Policy 1984b by striking and inserting as follows: It was adopted that: Every two years Overeaters Anonymous will hold a virtual retreat, which all members are encouraged to attend. | Intent: To establish a recurring virtual retreat every two years, building upon the proven success of virtual events within several regions of OA, including the Virtual Region. By creating a consistent, global gathering, this retreat will provide a space for members from all countries and languages to connect; share their experience, strength, and hope; and deepen their recovery beyond the region level. Rationale: By creating a worldwide virtual world service retreat, OA reinforces its commitment to inclusivity and accessibility. This motion ensures that the message of recovery continues to reach members worldwide, providing a vital space for connection and growth that aligns with OA’s core mission. A regular retreat will not only support existing members but also create opportunities to welcome newcomers, broadening OA’s impact on a global scale. |
| Proposal L | |
| Submitted By Virtual Region Cee Z. | |
| This motion has been ruled out of order by the chair. Refer to the motion for specific details. |
| Proposal M | |
| Submitted By Milwaukee Area IG, R5 Joy M. Contact WSO for maker’s contact information. | Bring to WSBC? Yes/No |
| Motion Move to amend WSBC Policy 2010a by striking and inserting as follows: The following policy statement was adopted: Statement on Approved Literature In accordance with our Traditions, we suggest that OA groups maintain unity and honor our Traditions by using, selling, and displaying only approved books and pamphlets at their meetings. This includes OA Conference- and board-approved literature; AA Conference-approved books, booklets, and all future editions thereof | Intent: To include the Plain Language Big Book (approved by Alcoholics Anonymous General Service Conference in April 2024) in OA-approved literature, repair punctuation error (comma after “thereof” because it changes the meaning of the statement), and update the date of the Policy. Rationale: The Plain Language Big Book is a new piece of AA-approved literature (April 2024) that simplifies the AA Big Book without changing the meaning of the original text. Its purpose is to be a companion to and enhance understanding of the Big Book. This makes it easier to understand. Antiquated and gender-specific terms have been removed from the Alcoholics Anonymous (Big Book) original text and replaced with simple and modern language making it more accessible to diverse populations. We feel the inclusion of the Plain Language Big Book would help to support our message of recovery in these current times. This literature was approved after 2010, which is the date of our current policy on literature. Our current policy is more than fifteen years old and needs to be updated. The original punctuation (the comma to remove) makes the statement incorrect. |
| Proposal 1 | |
| Submitted By NSB OA of Greece Amodini K. Contact WSO for maker’s contact information. | Bring to WSBC? Yes/No |
| Motion Move to amend OA, Inc. Bylaws, Subpart B, Article VI – Service Bodies, paragraph before Section 1 by striking and inserting as follows: Service bodies are formed to support the groups in matters the group cannot accomplish on their own. There shall be five types of service bodies to provide services beyond the group level. Service bodies provide support and representation of the groups and intergroups from which they are formed and act as guardians of the Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, and Twelve Concepts of OA Service. Service Bodies a) Intergroups b) National Service c) Language Service d) Specific Focus Service e) Regions | Intent: To ensure consistency and transparency in the terminology used within our service structure. All five OA service bodies are composed of elected representatives from the groups or service bodies they serve, and all five service bodies have a smaller board of officers elected by their representatives at their assemblies. It is strange to call some of the service bodies service boards. Rationale: The reason for this motion is to lead to more OA growth, reducing confusion and making our service structure easier to understand. OA has 5,813 groups service by 313 service bodies. Among them the twenty-one service boards (sixteen national service boards, four language service boards, and one specific focus service board) are less known than the 282 intergroups and ten regions but have a crucial role for OA growth in particular non-English-speaking countries. |
| Proposal 2 | |
| Submitted By WSBC Unity with Diversity Committee Marsha L. Contact WSO for maker’s contact information. | Bring to WSBC? Yes/No |
| Motion Move to amend OA, Inc. Bylaws, Subpart B, Article I – Twelve Steps and Article II – Twelve Traditions by inserting as follows: Article I – Twelve Steps 12) Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to compulsive overeaters and to practice these principles in all our affairs. Permission to use the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous for adaptation granted by AA World Services, Inc. Member groups of Overeaters Anonymous may change the words God, Him, His, and Himself when reading these Steps, provided they preface the reading with this disclaimer: “The Conference-approved Twelve Steps can be found on oa.org and in Overeaters Anonymous literature. What you are about to hear is modified by group conscience.” The Steps may not be modified or altered when printed or published in any format. Article II – Twelve Traditions 12) Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all these Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities. Permission to use the Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous for adaptation granted by AA World Services, Inc. Member groups of Overeaters Anonymous may change the words God, Him, His, and Himself when reading these Traditions, provided they preface the reading with this disclaimer: “The Conference-approved Twelve Traditions can be found on oa.org and in Overeaters Anonymous literature. What you are about to hear is modified by group conscience.” The Traditions may not be modified or altered when printed or published in any format. | Intent: To allow groups to change the words God, He, Him, His, and Himself as they see appropriate, which also allows them to endorse the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of OA without reservation. Rationale: By putting the word choice in the hands of the groups, we hope to relieve the World Service Business Conference of the task of finding a set of words the entire Fellowship approves. We acknowledge that the Fellowship is too diverse for that. We are not proposing alternative words here, as that would open the door to debating the alternative words. The groups are the decision-making unit of OA and are in the best position to understand the needs of their membership. This approach to the problem also avoids reprinting the Steps and Traditions. |
| Proposal 3 | |
| Submitted By Anorexic/Bulimic SFSB, VR Ethyl M. Contact WSO for maker’s contact information. | Bring to WSBC? Yes/No |
| Motion Move to amend OA, Inc. Bylaws, Subpart B, Article I – Twelve Traditions, Tradition Five by striking as follows: 5) Each group has but one primary purpose—to carry its message to the compulsive | Intent: To bring the wording of the Fifth Tradition in line with the Third Tradition and the OA Preamble to include all who suffer from our disease. Rationale: OA serves a much broader membership than just those who suffer from compulsive overeating. Our Third Tradition states that the only requirement for membership is a desire to stop eating compulsively. This change would make our Traditions internally consistent. |
| Proposal 4 | |
| Submitted By Anorexic/Bulimic SFSB, VR Ethyl M. Contact WSO for maker’s contact information. | Bring to WSBC? Yes/No |
| Motion Move to amend OA, Inc. Bylaws, Subpart B, Article I – Twelve Steps, Step Twelve by striking as follows: 12) Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to compulsive | Intent: To bring the wording of the Twelve Steps in line with the Third Tradition and with the OA Preamble. Rationale: OA serves a much broader membership than just those who suffer from compulsive overeating. Our Third Tradition states that the only requirement for membership is a desire to stop eating compulsively. This change would make our Steps consistent with our Traditions. |
| Proposal 5 | |
| Submitted By Anorexic/Bulimic SFSB, VR Ethyl M. Contact WSO for maker’s contact information. | Bring to WSBC? Yes/No |
| Motion Move to amend OA, Inc. Bylaws, Subpart B, Article XII – Bylaw Amendments, Section 1 – Procedure by striking and inserting as follows: Subpart B of these Bylaws may be amended as follows: d) In order for an amendment proposed to be submitted to the World Service Business Conference, these proposals will need to be approved by 50 percent of all intergroups and service boards responding. The Agenda Questionnaire must be returned to the World Service Business Conference by sixty days prior to the Conference. f) Amendments to Article I (Twelve Steps) and Article II (Twelve Traditions) of Subpart B of these Bylaws may only be adopted if, in addition to d) above, they are ratified by three-fourths of the registered Overeaters Anonymous | Intent: To make the requirement for changing the Steps or Traditions more workable given the long-standing difficulties of direct communication between groups and world service. Rationale: In order for the membership to be represented, there needs to be a way for anything about the program that the Fellowship wants to change to be changeable. Though we do not think this was the intention, the effect of the current Bylaws for changing the Steps or Traditions makes it virtually impossible. A change that is wanted by 100 percent of the groups that have up-to-date contact information with the World Service Office could not be implemented because there are so many meetings on the books that no longer exist or cannot be contacted. Groups interact with world service through their service boards. That is the natural place for groups to express their opinion on any change to OA. It makes good sense for there to be a higher bar for changing the Steps or Traditions, but having it be virtually impossible makes OA unresponsive to the members of today. |
| Proposal 6 | |
| Submitted By WSBC Bylaws Committee Cyndy L. Diane D. Contact WSO for maker’s contact information. | Bring to WSBC? Yes/No |
| Motion Move to amend OA, Inc. Bylaws, Subpart B, Article IX – Conference Committees, Section 2 – Bylaws Committee by striking and inserting as follows: Section 2 – a) The Reference 1) A representative of the Board of Trustees. 2) Up to two delegates from each region, selected by a method determined practical to the region. c) The Reference d) The Reference Committee shall meet: 1) At times designated on the Conference schedule or agenda. 2) At other times as required by the Conference, the committee trustee cochair, or the chair of the Board of Trustees. e) The Reference Committee shall operate in accordance with guidelines developed by the Reference Committee and approved by the Board of Trustees. f) The Reference Committee is a standing committee of the Conference. g) Members of this committee may be asked to serve on another Conference committee. h) Five delegates of the Reference Committee will be elected by the committee to serve on the committee throughout the year. The elected members will be exempt from Item g above. This committee, along with the trustee and delegate cochairs, will be available to: 1) Assist or review motions when requested by any service body or the Board of Trustees. 2) Review OA, Inc. Bylaws, Subpart B and the Business Conference Policy Manual every three years beginning in 2028. i) The Reference Committee is exempt from Section 6, Items b and d, of this Article. | Intent: To eliminate the Bylaws Committee as a regular Conference committee. The Reference Subcommittee is recognized as a special committee of the Conference with a defined scope of work and will be renamed Reference Committee. Rationale: Historically, the Bylaws Committee and Reference Subcommittee functions have been connected, which can mean that members who may wish to serve on the Reference Subcommittee but not wish to serve on the Bylaws Committee were left with no choice. This motion establishes the Reference Committee as a standing committee with a focused and limited mandate, allowing delegates to serve on other committees as well. |
| Proposal 7 | |
| Submitted By Virtual Region Cee Z. Contact WSO for maker’s contact information. | Bring to WSBC? Yes/No |
| Motion Move to amend OA, Inc. Bylaws, Subpart B, Article IX – Conference Committees, Section 3 – Region Chairs Committee by striking and inserting as follows: a) The Region Chairs Committee shall act as a channel of communication between the Board of Trustees and the members of the Fellowship in their respective regions, for the purpose of sharing resources and solutions. b) The Region Chairs Committee shall be composed of the current region chairs only. c) A region chair may designate an alternate | Intent: To give the region chairs flexibility when they cannot attend a committee meeting. Rationale: The current wording can imply that only the vice chair can serve as the alternate. That can be limiting if the vice chair is busy or unavailable. By opening the options to other trusted and experienced servants—like a past region chair, a current board officer, or a committee chair—we make it easier to keep the work moving forward. This ensures continuity, shared responsibility, and stronger support for the Fellowship. |