FAQs
What is a Service Board?
National, language, and special-focus service boards are a tier of the OA service structure.
National service boards (NSBs) are composed of groups and intergroups who share a common purpose; to deal with issues that require a combination of membership and financial resources of intergroups and groups established within a single country.
Language service boards (LSBs) are composed of groups, intergroups, and national service boards to serve the common needs of a language group, regardless of geographic proximity.
Special-focus service boards (SFSBs) are composed of two or more groups or intergroups to serve the common needs of groups/intergroups with the same special focus, regardless of geographic proximity.
What is an intergroup?
When several groups form in an area, they soon realize that they can better perform together rather than separately. Groups may form an intergroup that is directly responsible to the groups it serves. Intergroups spring from a need to provide service for a number of local groups and to provide better information about OA in a community (adapted from OA Handbook for Members, Groups, and Service Bodies). Typical services provided by an intergroup are:
- Providing a central telephone number for information about OA and the local meetings
- Publishing regular newsletters or bulletins to keep groups informed about each other and upcoming OA events
- Coordinating speakers, public information, and contact with the professional community
- Maintaining a supply of OA literature and OA and AA books
- Sending delegates to regional assemblies and the World Service Business Conference
Where can we get information to help improve our group, intergroup, or service board?
A group that is experiencing problems would begin with a group conscience meeting to address what is not working for the group members. If no resolution is possible, then contact the next level of service body available to the group. This would typically be the intergroup or service board, but an unaffiliated group would go directly to their region chair. If further assistance is required, you can contact your region trustee liaison by emailing the World Service Organization (WSO). We will forward your inquiry to the appropriate trustee. Overeaters Anonymous has several documents that may be helpful, including: The Strong Meeting Checklist, OA Group Inventory, the conflict resolution worksheet, and the pamphlet OA Handbook for Members, Groups, and Service Bodies: Recovery Opportunities.