Standing rules are a set of meeting-specific guidelines that a service body may use to expand upon or limit the rules of order. Standing rules can, for example, limit debate or ask delegates not to wear perfumes, etc. They are adopted at the beginning of a meeting by majority vote and are in effect for the period of the meeting in question. They only concern agreed-upon processes for conducting a specific meeting and are separate from a service body’s bylaws and the policies and procedures.

This template is designed to help service bodies develop or update their standing rules as needed.

Standing Rules for [Meeting Type] Meetings of the [Service Body Name] [Latest revision date]

Introduction

Thank you for attending this meeting and for your service to OA through the [service body name]. Our meetings emphasize group conscience deliberations and follow simplified parliamentary Robert’s Rules of Order. Those rules provide fair and efficient guidelines to ensure everyone is heard and respected.

General Guidelines

  1. No personal audio recorders are to be used at [service body name] meetings. The meeting may be audio-recorded ONLY for the purpose of clarity in transcribing the minutes.
  2. Cell phones and other electronic devices are to be used ONLY for [service body name] purposes during business sessions and should be muted or turned off when possible.
  3. When attending virtually:
    • If you are hosting the videoconference meeting, arrange the gallery so that all participants with their video enabled will be shown first, followed by any audio-only participants.
    • Enter the meeting with your video on for easy identification and ensure that your screen name includes your first name and last initial.
    • Turn your video off if you need to get up or move around; if you are smoking, eating, or chewing (including gum); and/or if your pets or family could be a distraction to others.
    • Turn your video on when voting (unless prior permission has been given to leave your video off).
    • When speaking, make sure that your video is on (unless you have received permission to leave it off) and that your microphone is unmuted.
    • Mute your microphone when you are finished speaking.
    • Stay muted unless you are asked to speak.
    • Click on the “raise hand” or equivalent icon under “Reactions” to let the leader know you want to speak; then, wait to be called on to speak.
    • Click on the “lower hand” icon under “Reactions” when finished speaking.
    • Private chats are considered conversation during a meeting and should be avoided.
    • Use headphones if possible.
  4. When attending face-to-face:
    • There is no smoking, eating, or chewing gum during the [service body name] business meeting.
    • Avoid perfumes, fragrances, and other strong scents in meeting rooms as a courtesy to those with fragrance sensitivities.
    • The only animals that may be present in the [service body name] business meeting room are service animals as defined by law assisting people with impairments.
    • Raise your hand and wait to be recognized by the chair before speaking.
    • All private conversations will be conducted outside of the meeting room.
    • Abide by government and facility guidelines.
  5. Once recognized to speak at a meeting, state your name and position. Address your comment or question to the chair (or the person designated by the chair).
  6. To receive minutes and other [service body name] communications, ensure your name and email address are on the service body’s list. This will also help keep your OA meeting or group informed if you are a [service body name] representative.
  7. OA members are welcome as visitors. Visitors have a voice, but not a vote; they may speak if recognized by the chair.

Motions

  1. Debate:
    • Each motion shall have a maximum of three pro and three con speakers.
    • Each amendment to the motion shall have a maximum of two pro and two con speakers.
    • Each speaker has a maximum of three minutes.
    • Following debate, pertinent discussion and questions and answers shall be a maximum of [time limit] minutes. The time can vary depending on whether the meeting is hybrid, virtual, or face-to-face.
  2. Amendments: Amendments to motions are generally made in writing and presented to the recording secretary.

Group Conscience

  1. We strive for consensus, fairness, and an informed group conscience within the spirit of the Traditions and Concepts. Majority rule is not the same as group conscience. Although OA arrives at a group conscience through the voting process, it is spiritually more than a simple majority vote: rather, the term “group conscience” is the collective will of a specific OA group (perhaps take by a simple majority vote). The term “group conscience” comes from the Second Tradition: “For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority—a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.” Each individual member of OA, each group, and each service body becomes a part of the collective group conscience of OA as a whole.
  2. The group conscience follows the OA Spiritual Principles found in the Steps, Traditions, and Concepts.
  3. THE SPIRIT OF WORKING TOGETHER: Every person attending is a volunteer and is doing their best to adhere to the guidelines while serving OA. Anyone recognized by the chair may ask questions or request the attendees to pause to say the Serenity Prayer. Unless nonadherence to a guideline is causing major disruption, please wait until after the meeting and address the issue with the chair or parliamentarian.
  4. When the group conscience is reached, let there be unity.

OA Responsibility Pledge

Always to extend the hand and heart of OA
to all who share my compulsion;
for this I am responsible.

OA Board-approved.
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