If your meeting has stopped retaining new members, we recommend the group conduct a Group Inventory and review the Strong Meeting Checklist. These can help you discover new ways to carry the message of recovery and uncover practices that may be unwelcoming.
An OA group as defined in Overeaters Anonymous, Inc. Bylaws, Subpart B is: two or more persons meeting together to practice the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous, guided by the Twelve Concepts of OA Service; all who have the desire to stop eating compulsively are welcome in the group; no member is … Continued
Your meeting is free to adjust the suggested format in anyway your group conscience decides. You may use as much or as little of the format as your group wants, although reading the Twelve Steps and the Twelve Traditions is encouraged as it lets newcomers know they are in an OA meeting. When reading the … Continued
No. According to Tradition Three, there is no requirement for membership in OA, and honoring that means there also shouldn’t be requirements to participate in a meeting. A meeting may, however, have suggestions for those who wish to share.
Unfortunately, this sort of situation crops up on occasion. Members don’t get well instantly. Although having a sponsor is very helpful in these situations, having a sponsor is not required for membership in OA. Tradition Three tells us, “Nobody is expelled from OA for not working the Steps, not getting a sponsor, not respecting the … Continued
There are two possible approaches. First, if it is a newcomer, allow for understanding and flexibility. Newcomers may not be familiar with the Traditions, so he or she may not know a Tradition was compromised. If a longtime member does not honor a Tradition, a friendly reminder or even a Traditions Workshop refresher could be … Continued
Traditions are the glue that holds us together. They address issues that allow OA to exist and work. “Developed through long and sometimes painful experience, the Twelve Traditions embody spiritual Principles for living” (The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous, Second Edition, p. 89). The Traditions are the principles of group recovery.
A set of principles that guide us in our interaction with our OA community and in the larger world.
You will need to consult your local government laws and regulations. Check with your OA region as they may have experience or can guide you to other Service Bodies who have gone through the process in your country.
The Internal Revenue Service is the proper source for official instructions on filing for tax-exempt status. IRS publication 557, “Tax-Exempt Status for Your Organization,” and the instructions which accompany the application, FORM 1023, provide information and assistance in applying for and maintaining your tax-exempt status. Note the time restrictions for filing the application. Your state … Continued