There are suggested formats for face-to-face, newcomer, telephone, Step Study, young people, and Lifeline meetings. Details on formats may be found on the OA.org documents page. We recommend attending six different meetings to decide which one works for you.
The designation of open and closed meetings have to do with the level of anonymity the group has chosen. If you think you have issues with food and are interested in exploring OA, you are welcome at any meeting—open or closed. If you are interested in OA for another reason, like you are studying to … Continued
Special topic meetings are open to any OA member but feature a focus on different aspects of the program or life that people feel impacts their program. It is still an OA meeting and it still means we use the Twelve Steps to recover from compulsive eating and compulsive food behaviors.
Within the OA fellowship there are many diverse ways of working the program. Special topics indicate what you will share about in these meetings; the literature that will be read, what a speaker will talk about, if the members have a specific way of working their program. Each member—and subsequently each group—may adopt whatever method … Continued
Within the OA fellowship, there are members who have discovered they are more comfortable meeting with other members who share similar experiences. The list of special focus meetings include: 100 Pounders; Anorexic/Bulimic; Asian Pacific Islanders; Atheist/Agnostic/Secular; Bariatric Surgery; Black, Indigenous, and People of Color; Health Issues; LGBTQ+; Men; Women; Young People.
Cross talk during an OA meeting is giving advice to others who have already shared, speaking directly to another person rather than to the group, and questioning or interrupting the person speaking at the time.
OA has no specific guideline about mentioning food at meetings. Tradition Four gives each group the freedom to decide this issue for itself. If you or others in your group are concerned about this, ask the group to discuss the issue during a group conscience meeting.
Contact your local service body to find out what is available in your area. Virtual meetings may be useful if there are limited options for assistance.
Yes. There are no requirements for sharing at any OA meeting—face-to-face or virtual.
No. We will only ask you to share your first name so we may welcome you.