FAQ Category: General Service

A group conscience is often agreed upon before any purchases are made.

As treasurer of your group, you will be responsible to either purchase literature or reimburse members who do purchase literature for your group.

In most groups, the treasurer position is elected for a stated period of time. Many groups have found it best to select a treasurer who is actively working the Twelve Steps, is abstaining, and has other group service experience. The main duties of the treasurer is to collect the weekly contributions and then pay the … Continued

In most groups, the secretary is the principal service volunteer for a stated period of time. Many groups have found it best to select a secretary who is actively working the Twelve Steps, is abstaining, and has other group service experience. Here is a summary of the typical duties of a group’s secretary: The secretary … Continued

Yes. There are some service positions that require certain lengths of abstinence. Many established groups have abstinence requirements for the service positions of chair, treasurer, and secretary, because group members rely on leaders living in the sanity of recovery rather than the insanity of the disease. Every group benefits from the participation of all members, … Continued

This varies and is up to the group.

No. Giving service is a key tool for all OA members and helps strengthen our individual recovery. Attending meetings, calling and taking calls from other members, and setting up chairs at meetings are all important types of service and do not require abstinence.

You can give service right away. Carrying the message to the compulsive eater who still suffers is the basic purpose of our Fellowship; therefore, it is the most fundamental form of service. Any form of service—no matter how small—which helps reach a fellow sufferer adds to the quality of our own recovery. Getting to meetings, … Continued