When we take on the responsibility of service beyond the group level, there are principles that will enhance the service experience which are connected with both the Traditions and the Concepts. Our service bodies do have conduct each time they meet. Understanding and practicing these spiritual principles make service bodies more effective and benefits all members of OA.
| 1 | Focus/Stay on Topic Respect everyone’s time. Have an agenda and stick to it. Don’t spend time discussing outside or personal issues. Everyone at the meeting has a life and is giving their time voluntarily. Wait until the chair gets to what you want to discuss. | Concept 5: Consideration Concept 12f: Respect Tradition 5: Purpose |
| 2 | Inform If you are leading a discussion or a committee, come prepared with the information you want or need to share that is important for members to hear when making a decision. Group conscience is our guide. To keep relevant information from the members is not acting in the group’s best interest. | Concept 9: Ability Concept 10: Clarity Concept 12b: Realism Tradition 2: Trust (group conscience) |
| 3 | Be Considerate Listen carefully and consider all points of view. Group conscience is about hearing and evaluating the ideas of all members. Don’t be in a rush to persuade everyone that your way is the best or only way. | Concept 5: Consideration Concept 11: Humility Concept 12e: Compassion Concept 12f: Respect Tradition 12: Spirituality |
| 4 | Voice Opinions Speak up. If you have a concern or an idea, put it before the body. Don’t be afraid of what others might think or say. It is your responsibility as a member to contribute and occasionally defend an idea in order to make a difference. | Concept 4: Equality Concept 6: Responsibility Concept 12c: Representation Concept 12d: Dialogue Tradition 1: Unity (not conformity) |
| 5 | Vote Your Conscience Vote for what you believe to be right, even if it is the unpopular or minority view. Sometimes voting ‘no’ is the correct thing to do. There are times in discussion that it may seem as if the rest of the members are in agreement with something, when, in fact, they haven’t fully formed an opinion. It is not necessary to agree with everyone else. Your difference of opinion may be the spark for a totally new idea. | Concept 6: Responsibility Concept 12c: Representation Concept 8: Delegation Tradition 2: Trust (group conscience) |
| 6 | Support the Group Conscience After a group conscience decision is made, show support for that decision when speaking as a member of the service body. If you personally still disagree with a decision, make sure it is clear that this is your opinion, but that you support the group conscience because it is what was decided. You can always bring the item up for further discussion after a time if you feel the decision needs to be revisited. | Concept 1: Unity Concept 6: Responsibility Concept 12a: Selflessness Tradition 1: Unity Tradition 6: Solidarity |
| 7 | Avoid Rehashes Once a decision is made, give it the chance to succeed. Commit to work in a manner that will accomplish whatever was decided. If later on there is a need to revisit a decision, bring it forward with whatever new evidence or concerns you may have, but bring it forward with an open mind for the service body to review. | Concept 11: Humility Concept12a: Selflessness Concept 12f: Respect Tradition 10: Neutrality |
| 8 | Practice High Standards Build the organization by example. Practice the Principles. Treating everyone with equality and respect strengthens the service body as well as each individual who gives service. | Concept 3: Trust Concept 5: Consideration Concept 12: Guidelines Concept 12c: Representation Tradition 5: Purpose Tradtion 9: Structure |
- Presume innocence and the good intention of all parties.
- Make each other look good; speak well of fellow members.
- Build on each other’s work
Hold to the vision rather than on ways that serve only personal agendas, thus forgetting our primary purpose. Spend your time working to carry the message of recovery to those who still suffer.