1992a (Amended 2013, 2021, 2023) The following policy statement was adopted:
“Unity with Diversity” Policy
THE FELLOWSHIP of Overeaters Anonymous encourages and promotes acceptance and inclusivity. All are welcome to join OA and are not excluded because of race, creed, nationality, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other attribute. We welcome all who share our compulsion. Everyone with the desire to stop eating compulsively is welcome in Overeaters Anonymous.
THE FELLOWSHIP recognizes the existence of individual approaches and different structured concepts to working our Twelve Step program of recovery; that the Fellowship is united by our disease and our common purpose; and that individual differences in approaches to recovery within our Fellowship need not divide us.
THE FELLOWSHIP respects the rights of members, groups, and service bodies to follow a particular concept of recovery within Overeaters Anonymous and encourages each member, group, and service body to respect those rights as they extend the hand of fellowship to those who still suffer.
THE FELLOWSHIP encourages each duly registered group and service body to affirm and maintain the Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous by allowing members to share their experience, strength, and hope in meetings regardless of the individual approach or specific concept that member may follow. Duly registered is defined as being in full compliance with Bylaws, Subpart B, Article V.
— OA Business Conference Policy Manual
1994b (Amended 2008, 2023) The following policy statement was adopted:
The Fellowship of Overeaters Anonymous recognizes the existence of specific-focus meetings (for a full list, see the oa.org Find a Meeting page) which have been formed of persons who can more readily identify with fellow members of Overeaters Anonymous with similar attributes. According to the Traditions, bylaws, and policies of OA, the only requirement for membership is the desire to stop eating compulsively; therefore, we ask each person attending a meeting to respect and consider the group conscience of the whole Fellowship and welcome and give a voice to any person who has the desire to stop eating compulsively.
— OA Business Conference Policy Manual
2021 (Amended 2023) The following policy statement was adopted:
Diverse Voices Policy
When developing new and updating existing literature published by Overeaters Anonymous World Service, the Literature committees will make a concerted effort to include stories and/or quotes from members of diverse populations that are underrepresented in OA.
— OA Business Conference Policy Manual
Introduction
“These Twelve Traditions are to the groups what the Twelve Steps are to the individual. They are suggested principles to ensure the survival and growth of the many groups that compose Overeaters Anonymous.”
—The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous
The Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous
- Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon OA unity.
- For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority — a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
- The only requirement for OA membership is a desire to stop eating compulsively.
- Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or OA as a whole.
- Each group has but one primary purpose — to carry its message to the compulsive overeater who still suffers.
- An OA group ought never endorse, finance or lend the OA name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
- Every OA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
- Overeaters Anonymous should remain forever non-professional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
- OA, as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
- Overeaters Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence, the OA name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
- Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, films, television and other public media of communication.
- Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all these Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.
Permission to use the Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous for adaptation granted by AA World Services, Inc.
Spiritual Principles in the Twelve Traditions
A spiritual principle is associated with each of the Twelve Traditions.
Enjoy these to learn more:
- Service and My Recovery Podcast Series
- Take a Walk Down the Traditions (videos)
For an in-depth study of the Twelve Traditions, read The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous, Second Edition available from our bookstore.
The Spiritual Principles of the OA Program
The Overeaters Anonymous Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, and Twelve Concepts of OA Service have Principles related to them. They are listed here:
The Principles in the Twelve Steps
(as listed in Step Twelve of The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous, Second Edition)
- Step One: Honesty
- Step Two: Hope
- Step Three: Faith
- Step Four: Courage
- Step Five: Integrity
- Step Six: Willingness
- Step Seven: Humility
- Step Eight: Self-discipline
- Step Nine: Love
- Step Ten: Perseverance
- Step Eleven: Spiritual Awareness
- Step Twelve: Service
The Principles in the Twelve Traditions
(as listed in the The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous, Second Edition)
- Tradition One: Unity
- Tradition Two: Trust
- Tradition Three: Identity
- Tradition Four: Autonomy
- Tradition Five: Purpose
- Tradition Six: Solidarity
- Tradition Seven: Responsibility
- Tradition Eight: Fellowship
- Tradition Nine: Structure
- Tradition Ten: Neutrality
- Tradition Eleven: Anonymity
- Tradition Twelve: Spirituality
The Principles in the Twelve Concepts of OA Service
(as listed in The Twelve Concepts of OA Service)
- Concept One: Unity
- Concept Two: Conscience
- Concept Three: Trust
- Concept Four: Equality
- Concept Five: Consideration
- Concept Six: Responsibility
- Concept Seven: Balance
- Concept Eight: Delegation
- Concept Nine: Ability
- Concept Ten: Clarity
- Concept Eleven: Humility
- Concept Twelve: Guidelines
- (a) Selflessness
- (b) Realism
- (c) Representation
- (d) Dialogue
- (e) Compassion
- (f) Respect
Blessed Beyond Anything
“Having worked the Twelve Steps, what did I learn about the Principles?
Honesty. I learned to look truthfully at ugly things that I am powerless over yet make my life unmanageable. It takes honest vision to fully understand there is a problem and that I have no way to solve it myself.
Hope. I came to believe I can have a relationship with a Higher Power who can do things for me that I can’t and that I can be restored to sanity. There is hope that the painful parts of my life can change and that HP has a better plan for me.
Continue reading
Faith. It was a leap of faith that something would sustain me when I stopped my way of doing things. But what I couldn’t imagine doing forever, I could do for one day. Those days added up to a miracle. Aligning my will with God’s and going through scary places in recovery is faith working in my life.
Courage and Integrity. Note the word “fearless” in “fearless moral inventory”; fear and faith don’t coexist. It takes courage and integrity to look back at unflattering moments and share them with another person. To overcome my fear, become vulnerable, and present my true self is the basis for real relationships and connection.
Willingness. It’s the whatever-it-takes clause in the contract with God and being ready, in God’s time, to let go not only of hurtful things we want to change but also defects we enjoy. That’s a scary concept. It’s also one filled with honesty, hope, faith, courage, and integrity – amazing how these Principles work together.
Humility. When I earnestly ask for help, God goes to work, but not necessarily in ways I expect. Humility is acceptance of who we really are and the need to live in harmony with God’s will to find serenity.
Self-discipline and love for others. Life is easier when I avoid doing things that make me owe amends and when I admit my part as soon as possible. The “my part” piece is a revelation – no matter what, I can act with a loving approach.
Perseverance. Even when God’s plan feels difficult, by saying “I can do it today” and doing the next right thing, the todays add up. If I turn back, I’ll never get to the destination.
Spiritual awareness. I came to understand that God is with us always. Spiritual awakening is having a living God in my life; I am taken care of and will get what I need. We are enough and are loved for who we are. I experience God in my connecting with God in others. Connection with God requires work and practice. To hear and understand God’s will, I need to clear my mind.
Service. I don’t only carry the message – I am the message. I don’t need to sell program. I just need to live these Principles. And to keep this recovery, I need to share my experience, strength, and hope with others.
I came to OA thinking I had a problem with food yet learned I had a problem with life. I’ve been blessed beyond anything I ever thought to wish for.”
Lifeline, April 2015
Podcasts you might enjoy
Principles of the Twelve Steps (Primary Purpose Series)
In All Our Affairs (Sound Bites Series)
