With 2022 and the ongoing global health emergency, OA’s Board of Trustees see that many OA groups continue to meet virtually and seek ways to carry the message to newcomers and fellows electronically. Since last fall, we have received many requests to reconsider our guidelines on how OA-owned material may be shared electronically. Hearing you, we have reviewed and updated the guidelines.

OA-owned materials are held in trust for OA’s Fellowship as a whole. In review, our purpose has been to honor the Concepts of OA Service Five and Six and Tradition Four, always remembering OA’s primary purpose.

Here are the updated guidelines for sharing OA material electronically during meetings:

Videoconferencing

(e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams, GoToMeetings, Skype)

On a videoconferencing platform, registered OA groups may screen share or audio share OA-copyright material without written permission. To screen or audio share in a videoconference means one party can view the desktop or hear another party without being able to make any changes.

The screen- or audio-share must:

  • Be temporary. Temporary means the material is removed from the shared videoconference at the end of the meeting.
  • Be limited. Limited means the shared material is only a small portion of the overall content of the videoconference. This includes but is not limited to OA’s daily readers For Today and Voices of Recovery.
  • Not be copied or distributed electronically, in print, as a recording, or otherwise.
  • Be accompanied by the citation “[Source of material], Copyright Overeaters Anonymous, Inc. All rights reserved.”
  • Comply with the videoconferencing company’s terms and conditions.

In no case should OA-approved material be amended or modified.

Mobile Messaging App

(e.g., WhatsApp, Telegram Messenger, Snapchat, Twitter)

Written permission to screen- or audio-share OA-copyright material on a mobile app must be obtained from OA, Inc. by submitting a request to the World Service Office.

OA, Inc. does not issue licenses to reproduce entire publications and material on mobile messaging apps. This includes but is not limited to OA’s daily readers For Today and Voices of Recovery.

For permission to share OA-copyright material on mobile messaging apps:

  • Use the Reprint Request Form at oa.org/document-library under the category “Copyright.”
  • Material should be limited and should represent only a small portion of the overall content of the material on the app.
  • Include the citation “[Source of material], Copyright Overeaters Anonymous, Inc. All rights reserved.”
  • Comply with the mobile messaging app’s terms and conditions.

In no case should OA-approved material be amended or modified.

Social Media

(e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Discord)

See the guidelines for mobile messaging apps for how to request permission to use OA-copyright material on social media platforms.

Websites, Apps, and Blogs

See the guidelines for mobile messaging apps for how to request permission to use OA-copyright material on websites, apps, and blogs.

Materials that Don’t Require Written Permission

(e.g., print material currently on oa.org)

OA, Inc. has made certain materials available on the oa.org website for free download to registered OA groups to be shared during a group meeting.

  • When sharing OA’s free, downloadable materials, include the citation “[Source of material], Copyright Overeaters Anonymous, Inc. All rights reserved.”
  • For information and a list of what may be shared without written permission, see “OA Copyright Requests” at oa.org/document-library under the category “Copyright.”

OA materials are held in trust for the OA Fellowship as a whole. The act of screen- or audio-sharing purchased OA-owned material without permission affects OA as a whole.

Tradition Four: “Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or OA as a whole.”

In managing the business of OA, OA’s Board of Trustees is entrusted to act in accordance with the Twelve Concepts of OA Service, always remembering OA’s primary purpose.

Concept Five: “Individuals have the right of appeal and petition in order to ensure that their opinions and personal grievances will be carefully considered.”

Concept Six: “The World Service Business Conference has entrusted the Board of Trustees with the primary responsibility for the administration of Overeaters Anonymous.”

From the Preamble: “Our primary purpose is to abstain from compulsive eating and compulsive food behaviors and to carry the message of recovery through the Twelve Steps of OA to those who still suffer.”

Please contact your Region Chair or Trustee if you have any questions.

Thank you fro your cooperation,

OA Board of Trustees

6075 Zenith Court NE • Rio Rancho, New Mexico 87144-6424 USA
Mail address: P.O. Box 44727 • Rio Rancho, NM 87174-4727 USA
Tel: (505) 891-2664 • Email: info@oa.org
Website: oa.org