In Memoriam Rozanne S., Founder. Overeaters Anonymous July 15, 1929–January 16, 2014 “A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.”(For Today, p. 311) With one step into a 1958 Gamblers Anonymous meeting, Rozanne S., the founder of Overeaters Anonymous, set foot on her worldwide journey to bring help and hope to … Continued
Imagine this: You are still suffering from compulsive eating or compulsive food behaviors and you’re desperately searching online for a solution. How great would it be if an OA story of recovery popped up as your first search result?
This is the inspiration behind Lifeline: Stories of Recovery at lifeline.oa.org, where we can broadcast our experience, strength, and hope—both to attract newcomers to the Fellowship and inspire OA members as they work their programs of recovery. By giving service to Lifeline, you will not only provide your share to OA members but also improve OA’s ability to attract newcomers online.
Our Requirements
Are you an OA member who is abstinent and working your program?
Are you willing to give service by creating an original work focused on your personal recovery through the Twelve Steps of OA?
Are you willing to release the rights of your original work to OA so that we may edit your story, make it anonymous, and share it on the internet?
If you said yes, then we’d love for you to send us your story!
What We Publish
Put simply, we accept any work that demonstrates personal recovery and abstinence from compulsive eating and compulsive food behaviors as the result of working the Twelve Steps of OA. Your work can be:
Writing, including poetry
Recorded audio or video
Photography, illustration, or animation
For written works that are not poetry, we prefer at least three hundred words. Works that are 1,500 to 2,000 words is ideal, and even longer pieces are welcome. For audio and video, three to seven minutes is a good rule of thumb, but your piece is welcome regardless of length.
If you submit a photograph or illustration, we recommend you include some written or recorded commentary to better relate the image to your OA recovery.
Our primary purpose is to carry the message, no matter the language, but just as we do with English-language submissions, we must ensure the OA message is clear and correct in every language. Therefore, all non-English submissions must first be reviewed and approved by a registered OA service body, such as a national or language service board, that can support a Traditions review and edit your submission for grammar and style in your language. If your Lifeline work is not in English, we encourage you to contact the primary service body for your language and ask for a Lifeline review. If no review committee exists, maybe you can help get one started!
Suggestions for Creating Your Share
If you like, include your first name at the beginning of your piece. “My name is ____.” Don’t include any other personally identifying information or identifiable pictures of yourself or other members (especially considering facial recognition technology). Share how long you’ve been abstinent and whether you are maintaining or working toward a healthy body weight.
As you create your share for Lifeline, think about someone who is still suffering and, today, is just like you were before you found OA. What parts of your story are important for them to hear? If that person were searching online for a solution to their problem, what words or phrases might they use that are also a part of your story? There will be plenty of space to focus on the solution, so be sure to include enough of the problem in your share so that this newcomer might find your story online and identify. Include descriptions of your physical, emotional, and spiritual states before you found OA.
Describe what happened after you found OA. What important or memorable things do you want to say about your journey of working the Twelve Steps of OA to find abstinence and recovery? What was it like to change physically, emotionally, and spiritually?
How has OA changed your life? What is it like now to be abstinent and living in recovery? Share your joys!
Sharing as Service
Lifeline also welcomes shares that give service to the Fellowship—for example, by examining or celebrating aspects of your personal journey through the Twelve Steps and how you have experienced your gifts of abstinence and recovery. You can give service to OA members in any of these suggested ways:
Observations about how these aspects of program have related to your recovery:
Shares that give your Twelfth Step Within, providing hope to those in our Fellowship who are still suffering
Relating your positive OA experiences in a lively, colorful, or humorous way
Addressing your difficult OA experiences in a constructive, nonjudgmental, and nonpreaching manner
Describing how your OA program has helped you resolve a conflict, improved your self-esteem, or made your life manageable
Sharing your experience and questions as a newcomer
Giving a positive history or account of OA in your service area
There are many ways to give service through sharing. For more ideas, see the More Suggested Topics list below.
Maintaining Our Traditions
Lifeline: Stories of Recovery is committed to upholding the Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous. Before you submit your share, we suggest you, your sponsor, and/or OA friend review your work for Tradition issues. OA world service will also edit your work if possible or may reject your work if Tradition issues are found.
More about Online Anonymity
Carrying the message online means upholding a higher standard for anonymity. We are sharing our recovery via public media, and the risks of breaking anonymity on the internet are different. For example, voice recognition technology could be used to expose an OA speaker’s identity if that member also has a prominent online presence outside of the rooms.
In your share, you should do your best to obscure personal details that could give away who you are, what you do outside of the rooms, and where you live or visit. This also applies to anyone you reference in your share, such as a family member. This is especially important if you record audio or video because it won’t be as easy for the World Service Office (WSO) to make editorial changes.
Anonymity and File Metadata
Be advised that the software we use for text, images, audio, and video will almost always add metadata to a file to describe who, what, where, when, and how the file was created. Your software may be configured to add your full name and GPS coordinates (latitude and longitude) to the file you create. If it is not deleted, that metadata will be accessible to anyone who views the file.
To protect your anonymity, WSO staff will review your file and delete personally identifying metadata before your work is circulated internally for editing and review.
After You Submit Your Work
After you submit your work using the online form, WSO staff will file your submission. When it is selected for publication, WSO staff will edit your work, as needed, to meet our publication standards and will add the attribution (your name/initials, state/province, country or “Anonymous”) you have selected in the online form. Additionally, your work may be enhanced. For example, if you send a written share, your work may also be used to create an audio recording or a video. Enhancements will be created by WSO staff or by a WSO-led team of OA members giving service through their talents with digital arts. If you are interested in joining this team, contact the World Service Office.
You will receive notification from the WSO when your work is published.
More Suggested Topics
We invite you to write first from your heart. You may also find inspiration among these suggested topics. We recommend you write directly to the topic you have chosen and relate this topic to your personal recovery from compulsive eating and compulsive food behaviors through working the Twelve Steps of OA.
Overeaters Anonymous, Inc. World Service Office Location: 6075 Zenith Court NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87144, USA Mailing address: PO Box 44727, Rio Rancho, NM 87174-4727, USA Telephone: +1 505-891-2664
Board of Trustees Adopts Consensus Process At a Board of Trustees (BOT) meeting in mid-2004, board members passed a resolution to explore a decision-making process based on consensus rather than on the formal parliamentary process. It took this initiative for two main reasons: First, Concept Twelve suggests making all decisions on the basis of substantial … Continued
The Simplicity Project is a simple idea to help YOU stay abstinent! Got program? Got an index card and a pen? Brought to you by the World Service Business Conference Twelfth Step Within Committee. Download The Simplicity Project (PDF slides) in English.
OA is not a diet club Many people come to OA expecting diets, weigh-ins, and lectures on food and weight. To their surprise (and often relief), they find that OA offers none of these things. Why? Because food and weight are only symptoms of our problem. We use food as the alcoholic uses alcohol and … Continued
Use this presentation to facilitate an in-depth review the definition of abstinence in OA and how it applies to your OA program. Learn how the OA Tools of Recovery, including a plan of eating, sponsorship, meetings support your abstinence. Examine other aspects of the OA program, such as your Higher Power, body image and weight, … Continued
The following literature is specifically helpful for obtaining and maintaining abstinence. Use literature every day to support you in keeping your abstinence and share the list with newcomers and sponsees to help them understand and find abstinence. You may also use the list to create meeting and workshop topics. English-language literature can be purchased on … Continued
Purpose of the Professional Outreach Committee
Preparing and developing a Professional Outreach Committee
Making contact with professionals
Follow-through
Why OA attends professional conferences
Purpose
The purpose of the Professional Outreach Committee is to coordinate the efforts of OA groups interested in carrying the message of recovery to hospitals, treatment centers, correctional facilities, religious organizations, schools, libraries, corporations, and civilian and military professional communities.
Be mindful of the difference between attraction and promotion.
OA has no opinion on the methodologies or policies of the institutions—these are outside issues.
Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of the Fellowship. Emphasize the importance of respecting it both within your committee and in dealing with staff and OA members at hospitals and institutions.
Preparing and developing a Professional Outreach Committee
Create Professional Outreach Committees at the service body and region levels. In smaller service bodies, it may be necessary to combine with an existing Public Information or Twelfth Step Within Committee. Establish liaisons between your service body and region to build effective communication.
Enlist committed volunteers to serve on the committee.
Hold meetings to determine goals and develop strategies specifically for your community. Periodically reexamine the committee goals and prioritize them.
Compile a list of professional resources, including individual physicians, treatment centers, local professional conferences, community health fairs, hospitals, schools, libraries, correctional facilities, religious organizations, corporations, and military bases. Libraries, telephone directories, professional associations, and convention bureaus can provide information to assist you in compiling this list.
Compile a list of volunteers who would be available for one or more of the following: (a) panel presentations; (b) health fairs; (c) professional trade shows; and (d) temporary sponsors or mail sponsors. OA is best represented by members who are in recovery and have a working knowledge of the Steps, Traditions, OA service structure, and OA literature.
Making contact with professionals
When possible, make initial contact by phone, or write a letter and make a follow-up phone call. Always inquire whether the professional is familiar with OA.
Ask for an appointment to explain OA’s program of recovery to the interested professional; share only from your personal experience, and remember that OA is nonprofessional.
Encourage the professional to attend an OA meeting, or offer to take them to an open OA meeting.
Always follow any visit or lengthy phone conversation with a letter of appreciation for the professional’s time and attention.
Maintain current address records of all professionals, and note when they were last contacted.
Make as many of your resources as possible available to hospitals and institutions (e.g. audio recordings, DVDs, literature).
Continue to invite professionals to attend open OA meetings and/or special events sponsored by the Professional Outreach or Public Information Committees.
Stress OA’s willingness to serve as a community resource to help the still-suffering compulsive eater.
If appropriate, offer to put up a display about OA.
Use intergroup or region display booths for professional conference trade shows, if available.
Keep going back!
Why OA attends professional conferences
A professional conference brings together professionals who are either employed in the same field or who have common interests. Most conferences have an exhibition area which consists of booths occupied by companies, treatment centers and Twelve Step programs. By exhibiting at professional conferences, Overeaters Anonymous has the opportunity to educate a large number of professionals at one time and to speak to them directly when they visit the OA booth. Remember, we do not present ourselves as professionals, nor do we affiliate ourselves with the sponsors of the conference or other exhibits.
OA Responsibility Pledge
Always to extend the hand and heart of OA to all who share my compulsion; for this I am responsible
Overeaters Anonymous, Inc. World Service Office Location: 6075 Zenith Court NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87144, USA Mailing address: PO Box 44727, Rio Rancho, NM 87174-4727, USA Telephone: +1 505-891-2664
Introduction: the Importance of Translation
Translating OA literature and materials helps:
Carry the OA message of recovery from compulsive eating.
OA encourages literature translations to help carry our message around the world. This is an important service to our fellow compulsive eaters. OA grows in countries where compulsive eaters can read program literature in their own language.
If you have questions or need additional support, contact others who have experience with the process of translating OA literature and recovery materials. You will find a list of suggested contacts at the end of these Guidelines.
Check with the World Service Office (WSO) to see if the literature you want to translate has already been or is being translated into your language.
Ask the WSO if the literature is scheduled for major revisions soon.
Check with your region board, your region trustee liaison, or the WSO to see if financial assistance is available.
Consider the use of widely available translation tools. Translation software is being continually developed and may assist you. Many materials at oa.org are available as downloadable PDFs and as web pages that can be easily/automatically translated using online translation tools and without the licensing process
Remember to use OA-approved literature: Check the OA-Approved Literature List. Go to oa.org/document-library under “Literature.”
Accurately Carrying the Message of Recovery through the Twelve Steps of Overeaters Anonymous
As a service body that translates literature, you are trusted by OA members to translate accurately. This means your translation will meet these guidelines:
Nothing in the original text is left out.
Nothing is added to the original text.
As closely as a different language allows, the translation has the same meaning and implication as the original text.
An inaccurate translation may damage a fellow compulsive eater’s chance of recovery. For ideas about making and testing accurate translations, refer to the Suggestions for Translation Committees section below.
The Translation Process
Review OA Literature Translations Licensing Requirements
OA has a two-step licensing process for translation approval:
License 1 gives permission to translate a particular piece of literature and to circulate the translation for the purpose of validating its accuracy.
License 2 gives permission to publish and distribute the approved translation.
These licenses are formal, legal agreements between your service body and OA, Inc. They state exactly what OA and your service body have agreed to do. These licenses make it clear that you have permission to translate OA’s copyrighted literature. If you translate and distribute the literature without permission, you are breaking copyright law. Copyright permission requirements are covered in more detail below.
All registered OA groups and service bodies have permission to translate and reprint any OA print material currently on the OA website (downloadable PDF files or text) without written permission. This does not include permission to reprint photographs on the OA website. The translated manuscript must include the following in the language of the translation:
Groups and service bodies who translate any OA material are also required to provide a digital copy of the published translated literature to the WSO. The digital copy can be in PDF or text format and should include the English-language name of the translated publication, the language of translation, and the group or service body name and registration number.
Create a Translation Committee
In the beginning, it is common for one or more committed OA members to carry out the service of translating literature. However, the earlier you can form a translation committee with a capable chair, the better. This will avoid overdependence on specific members and will form a structure that allows the process to develop and continue smoothly.
Establish Priorities for the Translation Work
One of the first things your committee will do is establish priorities for the translation work. The committee also needs to decide whether it has bilingual members who can do the translation or whether to hire a professional translator.
Suggested Order of Translations
Which literature ought to be translated first? You may begin anywhere you choose, but it would be better to start with the OA Glossary’s specific program words or terms. A list has been compiled in English to assist you; find the OA Glossary at oa.org/document-library under “Translation.”
These words and terms appear often in OA literature and need to be translated the same each time they appear. If possible, compile the translated glossary with your translation committee or group members so your translator or translation professional or service can begin with a consensus.
English allows the use of they/their/them as singular but genderless pronouns. Many other languages do not. Whenever possible, please avoid she/her/he/him. If your language rules require the use of feminine or masculine pronouns or adjectives or verbs, use what makes sense in the sentence or phrase. Use your best judgement. The key is to keep as close as possible to the original text. The pronouns in the Steps and Traditions should not be changed.
Translate the Lists of Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, and the Twelve Concepts of Service of Overeaters Anonymous
These lists occur frequently in the literature, and if you translate them at the outset you will not need to translate them each time you translate a new piece of literature.
In 1993, the World Service Business Conference decided that only OA-approved literature and AA Conference-approved literature be displayed and sold at OA meetings and events. This is important to keep in mind when your service body reviews the copyright and licenses details below and your selling arrangements.
Copyright and Licenses
OA owns the copyright for all OA literature and spends considerable time and money to develop the literature.
OA’s licenses are formal agreements permitting you to translate, duplicate, and distribute OA’s copyrighted literature. The OA WSO processes licenses quickly. The licensing process is a necessary logistic. The licenses tell the world that your service body has permission to use, translate, print, and distribute OA texts, which are all copyright protected. If you do not have OA’s permission, you are breaking copyright law. This is called copyright infringement.
OA owns the text of the OA literature and materials we as a Fellowship create and in whatever language it is translated. Because OA holds these licenses, it is easier to prevent people and organizations outside OA from misusing our literature, for example, distorting our message or making profits for themselves.
When a service body prints an OA book, the physical book belongs to the service body, as the service body has paid the printer and can now sell the book. However, the text belongs to OA. Revenues from literature sales in English make up a large portion of OA’s income that is used to pay for costs such as development of new literature, salaries, warehousing, and more. Royalties payable by service bodies from the surplus of their sales of OA literature is comparable to the surplus that is created when purchases are made from the OA bookstore.
You can download the appropriate license agreements at oa.org/document-library under “Translation.” After a license agreement is completed, it must be signed on behalf of your service body or group . Your group or service body must then email or mail the license to the WSO. The managing director will sign on behalf of OA, Inc. and the WSO will keep a copy on file. The signed license agreement is returned to you, and you may then begin translating and validating, or printing, distributing, and selling the literature.
License 1: Agreement to Translate and Distribute for Validation Overeaters Anonymous Literature
OA literature that is not downloadable requires License 1. Your group or service body may not start translating any literature until you complete License 1 that grants your group or service body these rights:
to translate a part or the whole of the copyrighted literature named in the license, with a period of up to eighteen months to complete the translation
to circulate copies of a translation draft among all members who might be able to help test and validate the translation, with up to six months to complete the validation
After License 1 is signed by both parties, the World Service Office (WSO) can send you electronic copies of the current version of the literature to be translated.
Testing and Validation: Why and How to Do It
Your goal is to help OA members who speak your language get exactly the same message from the translation as that given in the English text. When you translate, be careful not to change the meaning of the original text. This text has been approved by the worldwide Fellowship of Overeaters Anonymous, through the service structure that we as a Fellowship have agreed on.
During the testing period, you will be actively soliciting feedback on the clarity and accuracy of the translation. The purpose is to allow interested OA members who are working the program in the language of the translation to comment on the translation. This process may require tough face-to-face discussions about the exact meanings of words. Such discussions can lead to a better translation and a deeper understanding of the program. You are free to organize the testing period in whatever way works in your area.
At the end of the testing period, all comments and suggestions are to be given to the person or committee that made the translation. It is important to rely on the judgment of our trusted servants—the translator or translating committee. They will prepare the final draft with the increased understanding they have gained from members’ comments and suggestions. We recommend that you make sure all drafts are returned and destroyed. People need to use the final approved version, not the drafts. Having different drafts causes confusion and controversy.
As soon as the final draft is finished, you need to complete License 2.
License 2: Agreement to Publish and Distribute Overeaters Anonymous Literature
This is the final license, giving your service body permission to print and distribute the final draft of the translated text. License 2 grants full permission to print and distribute the translation in the way that works best in your area.
At this stage you need to obtain permission to use a customized OA logo on your printing of the translation. The OA logo is a registered trademark and may not be used without permission. When you fill in License 2, be sure to complete and sign the final pages. These pages are your application for permission to use a customized version of the OA logo.
When you sign License 2, you agree to abide by these terms:
to make certain that the printed final copy has the exact form of the OA logo as agreed
to send one digital copy and/or one printed copy of the final, published, translated OA publication to the WSO
to send revenues from sales of the literature to the WSO at the royalty rate agreed upon in the license
to make certain that the remainder of all surplus funds from sales of the translation will be used for OA purposes
As soon as you have printed your translation, send a digital file to the WSO. The WSO staff labels these copies with the English title of the work, date of the translation, date of the English version that was translated, and translating service body information.
The WSO staff also adds your translation to the master list of approved translations. When someone asks the World Service Office (WSO) for literature in languages other than English, the WSO can provide the inquirer with a list of approved literature in that language, along with the service body contact information.
Suggestions for Translation Committees
Choosing Translators
There are pros and cons to using OA members or professional translators for translation of OA material and literature.
OA members working on a translation committee generally understand our literature well. They will put love and effort into the task of translation. On the other hand, an OA member may start a translation but not finish it. Nevertheless, OA members are usually the best choice. No professional translator, as good as the person might be, will understand our literature as well as an OA member (unless they are also an OA member). If OA members are doing the translation, it is suggested that teams be formed with one person translating the literature and another checking it. A piece of literature can be broken down into manageable parts. Before the beginning of translation, and when needed, it is suggested that the whole team discuss and make decisions about critical choices of grammar, syntax, and vocabulary. This ensures better cohesion within the translation and coherence within this language’s translated literature and materials. When the text is translated, two members can review the work.
It is recommended that the committee documents the reasoning for its challenging and critical translation choices. It is also recommended that the committee update its OA Glossary as new translations are decided upon.
Professional translators who are employed to do the work tend to get the job done in a timely manner. If you work with a professional translator, we suggest giving the person your glossary of OA terms, along with any notes or explanations. Ask them to translate a small piece of literature. If you like the result, you can build on that relationship, but if you’re not satisfied, you can find another translator. If the translator doesn’t want to use your glossary, it may be better to find a different translator.
We suggest that your group or service body use a signed contract with the translator right from the start. This makes certain both parties fully understand what is being asked of them. Also, you will be protected from any attempt by the translator to put their name on the document or include additional text from an outside source.
Some service bodies have found it helpful to do some translation work themselves and employ professionals for other parts of the work.
Testing and Validating Translations: Important Points
The purpose of testing a translation is to highlight lack of clarity and show areas where the translator’s understanding of the text varies from the general understanding. Here are some ways you may test a translation:
Use the draft in meetings. A group may read a few paragraphs in each meeting and then discuss the clarity of the message.
Small groups or committees may meet to discuss the translation.
Sponsors may use the draft in their conversations with sponsees.
Suggestions:
If you must use electronic copies, it is safest to create a PDF file and ask for comments on a separate sheet.
Number the lines of text. This can make it easier to relate a comment to the draft.
Make certain everyone knows how to submit their comments.
General Comments
Use of former translations as a reference can be very helpful, especially when you find quotes from other pieces of literature. (This includes Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). However, there is a need to be objective as their translation choices are not necessarily the best ones.)
Always keep communication lines between translating members open. If possible, promote the translation committee meetings and encourage attendance from visitors. Discuss problematic points in committee meetings.
Printing and Selling Translations
Before printing, consider accuracy and quality, print quantity, costs, and pricing.
Starting to Print
Check carefully for typographical errors before printing. Some errors can be overlooked even though the text has been circulated and validated.
In addition to including the copyright notice and the address of the World Service Office (WSO), be sure to include the contact information for OA in your country.
Where possible, the WSO asks that you make your final product match the overall appearance of the original in layout, graphics, color, and style of binding. When your version matches the WSO version, the WSO can send you a digital file of the cover in most cases. This may enable you to print at a slightly lower cost.
In a country where OA is just starting and has little money, it may not be possible to match the WSO versions exactly. The most important point is to make accurate translations available. The text, not the appearance, enables members to recover. You can print from your computer or make photocopies as people wish to buy literature.
When you do use a professional printer, consider ways to keep costs down.
Work toward producing better-quality items as soon as possible. It’s important that, as much as possible, our OA literature and materials look professional. When you progress to printing books, you need to use a professional printer. In whatever form you produce your first printing of the literature, send the WSO one digital copy of that version. And as you are able to improve the quality of the printing, you need to send the WSO one digital and one printed copy of your updated versions.
Selling Prices and Royalties
Your service body needs to make a surplus on sales of literature, so you can establish a prudent reserve that will enable you to translate and print more literature. This means charging more for books and pamphlets than it costs to print them. The cost of printing is not the only cost involved in producing and distributing literature. For example, you may make several visits and phone calls to the printer, or you may need to pay for storage space of your stock. As your sales of literature increase, the quantity you need to order from the printer will increase.
You need to set up a line item in your budget and accounts to allow for paying royalties to the World Service Office (WSO) on the literature you sell. You need to build up a cash reserve for printing literature.
We suggest selling the literature at a price that produces a surplus you can use for OA service in your country. To help calculate what your service body should charge for literature, we suggest that you set prices to realize a gross profit of 60 percent of sales. The recommended formula to achieve this is to multiply production costs by 2.5 and divide that figure by the number of books or pamphlets printed.
For example, your service body is about to organize the printing of 500 books at a cost of US$1,500: $1,500 x 2.5 = $3,750 / 500 = $7.50. This is the recommended price you charge for each copy.
As soon as a small prudent reserve for literature service has been established, your service body must send royalties to the WSO annually. Royalties must be set at the rate established in License 2 as a percentage of net income from sales. This small amount helps OA continue to serve the Fellowship worldwide. Please remember that the WSO can incur high international bank charges, so it is best to send a few large sums instead of frequent small ones.
Suggestions for Overcoming Difficulties
Two Service Bodies Want to Translate the Same Literature
If your service body discovers that the text you want to translate has already been translated into your language, you can work with the service body that has the translated text.
If the text has been translated and drafts are being circulated, perhaps you could circulate drafts in your area also. This can be particularly useful if language usage is slightly different in the two areas.
If the translation has already been validated, you can agree on the best way to share the translation:
Ask the WSO to send you an electronic file you can print from. When you receive the file and License 2 granting permission, you can print the literature with the contact information for your country.
Remember:
If you print the translation without changing the text, you need to obtain the License 2.2 from the WSO so your service body has permission to print and distribute the literature.
If you change the text to reflect differences in language, you need to obtain the License 2.3 from the WSO.
When OA Revises or Updates Literature You Already Have Translated
If you’ve already translated a piece of OA literature and still have copies in stock, but find that OA has updated the item, we recommend that you insert a correction sheet to reflect the changes. If the changes are substantial, it is recommended that you update the literature before the next printing
Finally . . .
The process of translating copyrighted literature may seem complicated, but it is actually quite simple and straightforward. To help you keep on track, here is an explanatory flowchart.
Click or tap for translatable text or an English-language PDF
Remember, you can download the following documents at oa.org/document-library under “Translation”:
You may find more translation files on your region website.
For more assistance with translations, use this list of contacts:
region translations committee
region board
trustee assigned as liaison to your region
trustee representative from the International Publications/Translations Committee
World Service Office (WSO)
If you have any questions, please contact the WSO at info@oa.org. The WSO and the International Publications/Translations Committee will do their best to help you. Together we can!
OA Responsibility Pledge
Always to extend the hand and heart of OA to all who share my compulsion; for this I am responsible.
Overeaters Anonymous, Inc. World Service Office Location: 6075 Zenith Court NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87144, USA Mailing address: PO Box 44727, Rio Rancho, NM 87174-4727, USA Telephone: +1 505-891-2664
What is the purpose of the First Twelve Days in OA?
To help newcomers, returning OA members, and other members learn about the OA Twelve Step recovery program by using this personal, short-term introduction to Overeaters Anonymous.
To help sponsees learn how the OA recovery program might help them to stop hurting themselves with food.
To help members who may be ready to sponsor but are reluctant to do so. This is an opportunity for a member to help a newcomer in a very structured way and to experience what it might be like to be a regular sponsor.
This program takes place during twelve sessions, which may or may not occur in twelve consecutive days. For instance, you may want to schedule calls on weekdays only. You also may want to look ahead at the sessions, and if you are uncertain about how to discuss any of the topics with the sponsee, you may want to ask your sponsor or another OA member for ideas.
During your calls, share the experience, strength, and hope you have because of the solution offered by working the Twelve Steps of OA. Without dominating the conversation and without judging the sponsee, share just enough to draw them out, answer their questions, and encourage their unique process of discovery and recovery.
Books that are not OA-approved, as well as diets and other programs, are outside issues.
Remember, it is not your responsibility to force someone to be abstinent (nor is it possible). The journey of the sponsee is between that person and their Higher Power. A sponsor is there for support.
Newcomers’ First Twelve Days: Instructions
The readings for this program are from the pamphlet Where Do I Start? Everything a Newcomer Needs to Know (#705 pamphlet or web page at oa.org/start). Both the sponsor and the sponsee should have a copy of this pamphlet. Page numbers in the table below refer to the #705 pamphlet.
Day
Subject and Reading for Sponsee
Discussion Question(s)
1
Fifteen Questions Read “Dear Newcomer” through “You Are Not Alone,” on pages 1–3.
Ask and Discuss: Review the Fifteen Questions on pages 1–2. Ask your sponsee to circle the questions they relate to. Discuss their responses. Stress to your sponsee the importance of working the Steps as a vital part of a lasting recovery.
2
Requirements Read “What are the requirements for OA membership?” on page 23. Next, read pages 24–25, starting with “Who runs OA?” through “What are the Twelve Traditions?”
Ask and Discuss: What led your sponsee to OA? What does/do “eating compulsively” and/or “compulsive food behaviors” mean to the sponsee? Does your sponsee have a desire to stop? Discuss. Listen to your sponsee’s concerns about OA. Discuss.
3
Symptoms Read “Many Symptoms, One Solution” on pages 4–5, then “Welcome Home” on pages 28–30.
Ask and Discuss: Ask your sponsee to write about symptoms they have experienced. How early did these symptoms start? Discuss.
4
Abstinence Read “Abstinence—Our Primary Purpose,”1, 2 “The Tools of Recovery,” and “A Plan of Eating” on page 5.
Ask and Discuss: Ask your sponsee to write about which compulsive eating or compulsive food behaviors concern them the most. Discuss.
5
Meetings Read “Meetings” on page 6, then “How much does OA membership cost?” and “How does OA support itself?” on pages 23–24.
Ask and Discuss: Suggest that your sponsee make a plan to attend six meetings. This can include face-to-face, phone, or online meetings.
6
OA Fellowship Read “Can I stop eating compulsively on my own just through reading OA literature?” on pages 22–23.
Ask and Discuss: Ask your sponsee to write about their feelings concerning receiving help from other members in OA. Discuss. Suggest that they start contacting members listed on the Where Do I Start? pamphlet provided or their meeting’s contact list.
7
Action Plan and Other Tools Read “Telephone,” “Writing,” “Literature,” and “Action Plan” on page 6.
Ask and Discuss: Help your sponsee draft an action plan for the next several days that will help support their recovery. Discuss.
8
Draft a Food Plan Read “Disclaimer” on pages 30–31 and “Please Note” on pages 12–13, then pages 7–18, starting with “Further Information: A Plan of Eating” through “Structure and Sanity.”
Ask and Discuss: Suggest to your sponsee that, together, you draft an initial food plan that will support them. Discuss, and be sure to tell your sponsee that no sponsor is acting in the capacity of a health care professional.
9
Anonymity Read “Anonymity” on pages 6–7, then “Why does OA place such emphasis upon ‘anonymity’?” on page 26.
Ask and Discuss: Discuss the concept of “anonymity.” Discuss the meaning of “humility.”
10
Are You Convinced? Read “What is compulsive eating?” through “Can’t a compulsive overeater just use willpower to stop excessive eating?” on pages 19–21.
Ask and Discuss: Now that your sponsee has been introduced to the OA program and has taken some actions, does your sponsee now consider themself to be a compulsive eater? Ask them to write their thoughts and feelings on this subject. Discuss.
11
Higher Power Read “What is meant by ‘a Power greater than ourselves’?” through “Is OA a religious society?” on pages 21–22. Then, read “Structure and Sanity” on page 18.
Ask and Discuss: Ask your sponsee to write about their understanding of a Higher Power. If they struggle with the concept of a Higher Power, are they open to the idea that a Higher Power can simply be the OA meeting group? Has their food history been characterized by their own willpower going out of control? Might the concept of connecting with a Power greater than oneself help their recovery? Discuss.
12
What’s Next? Read “Service” on page 7, then “Sponsorship” on page 5. Lastly, read “Conclusion” on pages 18–19.
Ask and Discuss: Ask your sponsee to write about their experience of their first twelve days in OA and discuss. Review their action plan for how they will move forward.3
1 Overeaters Anonymous accepts the following definitions of abstinence and recovery: Abstinence is the action of refraining from compulsive eating and compulsive food behaviors while working towards or maintaining a healthy body weight. Spiritual, emotional, and physical recovery is the result of living and working the Overeaters Anonymous Twelve Step program on a daily basis.
2 In the context of OA members’ individual abstinences, “Our Primary Purpose” references the primary purpose of each OA member, which is found in the OA Preamble: “Our primary purpose is to abstain from compulsive eating and compulsive food behaviors and to carry the message of recovery through the Twelve Steps of OA to those who still suffer.” In contrast, Tradition Five is about an OA group’s primary purpose and states: “Each group has but one primary purpose—to carry its message to the compulsive overeater who still suffers.”
3 Upon the conclusion of the twelfth session, you will want to offer either to continue as the individual’s regular sponsor or assist this person in finding such a sponsor.
Remember
In Overeaters Anonymous, there is hope and help. Together we can recover! If you have questions, comments, or suggestions, please email info@oa.org.
Find and download Temporary Sponsors: Newcomers’ First Twelve Days in the Document Library at oa.org.
OA Promise
I put my hand in yours . . . and together we can do what we could never do alone! No longer is there a sense of hopelessness, no longer must we each depend upon our own unsteady willpower. We are all together now, reaching out our hands for power and strength greater than ours, and as we join hands, we find love and understanding beyond our wildest dreams.
Overeaters Anonymous, Inc. World Service Office Location: 6075 Zenith Court NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87144, USA Mailing address: PO Box 44727, Rio Rancho, NM 87174-4727, USA Telephone: +1 505-891-2664
