At a minimum, bylaws or a summary/statement of purpose must include: That the service body’s primary purpose is to aid those with the problems of compulsive eating through the practice of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous, guided by the Twelve Concepts of OA Service, and That the service body should serve … Continued
If it is the only group in its country, state, or province. Source: OA Inc. Bylaws, Subpart B, Article VI, Section 1a through 1d
The following are the five conditions: Practice the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous, guided by the Twelve Concepts of OA Service. Welcome everyone with a desire to stop eating compulsively. Do not require members to do anything else to remain a member or share at a meeting. Have no affiliation except Overeaters … Continued
It is recommended that the bylaws be reviewed annually to ensure any necessary changes made at the World Service Business Conference are included. In addition, the review will make sure that changing local needs are reflected in the document. If bylaws need to be amended more frequently than once a year, this may be an … Continued
The service body’s responsibility is to examine their own bylaws to make sure there is nothing in them that conflicts with the newly revised OA Inc. Bylaws, Subpart B. Often, the changes involve adding some criteria to the service body’s bylaws. If there is no conflict, adding is all the service body needs to do. … Continued
Bylaws are more difficult to amend than a policies and procedures manual, as bylaws usually require a larger majority for approval. Policies and procedures manuals explain the “how” to implement the “what” that was identified in the bylaws. Any policies and procedures that are likely to change for practical reasons probably belong in the policies … Continued
A service body’s bylaws, approved by the trustee reviewing them, always include provisions for amending them. If a bylaw no longer works, it needs to be amended according to the service body’s agreed-upon policies and procedures. It is possible that such a change might be better included in a more easily amended policies and procedures … Continued
Robert’s Rules of Order, with some additional specifications, are the basis of the Conference Standing Rules for World Service Business Conference. They are suggested, but not required for service bodies. Robert’s Rules of Order provide one way to structure how meetings are conducted, and many members do not believe it is better to talk things … Continued
A formal tone suggests the organization is serious about its agreed-upon practices and may lend itself to more precise definitions. However, as long as bylaws meet the formal requirements and are approved by the trustee reviewing them, there is no requirement for formality. Source: OA member who has service experience
Yes. If a service body does not have bylaws, it must have a summary/statement of purpose and operating procedures. Both choices must conform with OA Inc. Bylaws, Subpart B, that they must say their purpose is to aid with the problem of compulsive overeating using the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, and that they are … Continued