The business of keeping an organization as large, widely distributed, and volunteer-fueled as Overeaters Anonymous running smoothly is a function of the efforts put forth by the volunteers who serve on local Intergroups, as Regional Representatives and as delegates to the World Service Business Conference (WSBC).
On this page you’ll find links to the results of the various proceedings that direct and guide the business of OA. Please contact your local Intergroup representative for more information and to inquire how you might contribute at these levels.
- 2011 World Service Business Conference WRAP-UP REPORT-This brief summary contains only the voting results from the 2011 WSBC in Albuquerque, NM. The motions are printed in their final format as amended. A Final Conference Report was made available in August 2011.
- WSBC 2012 Strategic Plan – 2011. This is a pretty important document. It’s the 2012 Strategic Plan Goals and Objectives with the 2011 Delegate Ideas for Service Bodies. This is the document that provides the foundation for taking OA’s vision forward.
- WSBC Ask It Basket 2011 – Have questions? OA has answers. Look at the Ask-It basket questions below and click the links to read the answers provided by OA Trustees.
For access to a complete list of currently available conference documents see the World Service Business Conference page at OA.org.
Ask It Basket Questions
Here is a list of questions from the 2011 WSBC. For the answers, click to access the complete PDF document. Questions are listed in the order they appear:
Q. Do OA HOW groups cut themselves off from hearing virtual services trustees speak at their OA HOW meetings?
Q. There is discussion in our intergroup regarding whether or not a person who attends multiple meetings should vote at the group conscience meeting for any group other than his or her home group. Does the BOT have a position on this issue?
Q. In my city a state-funded drug and alcohol treatment center offers 12 step groups free rooms for meetings. Is it against the Seventh Tradition to accept free room rental?
Q. Regarding the entertainment skits/plays offered at WS Conventions, is this reviewed/ approved by anyone on the board regarding content and suitability?
Q. Is there an abstinence requirement for delegates to WSBC, or is that an intergroup decision?
Q. What is the best way to handle a visitor at a business meeting who refuses to sit in the visitor section?
Q. Small intergroup with difficulty filling position, much less rotation of service. Recently group conscious okayed treasurer to stay in position with loss of abstinence. With understanding abstinence must be regained in time period, were we right in that decision?
Q. What is OA’s standing on meeting formats (HOW) that have changed Chapter 3 and Chapter 5 from alcohol/alcoholism to overeater/compulsive overeating?
Q. Our meeting rents its meeting room from the local government and rent has doubled in two years. It is struggling to find cheaper rooms. The local government said that nonprofit organizations can apply for grants from the local government. The meeting declined due to concern about Tradition Seven. Was this correct or could OA apply for a grant to help pay rent and/or get reduced rent?
Q. What do you recommend if someone exhibits disruptive behavior during a meeting, and doing a group conscience about it has not helped?
Q. What are the WSO’s thoughts on the wording: “We are recovering compulsive overeaters vs. recovered?”
Q. Our intergroup struggles to find money to send delegates to WSBC. If we spend time and effort doing fundraising activities (not by using OA program activities) is this contrary to the Traditions (particularly Tradition Five)? That is, should we only do OA program activities?
Q: Can we, OA meetings, still use “Our Invitation to You” in our format since some of it comes from the Big Book? We aren’t sure because of one of the motions at Conference 2011.
Q. Can you explain which literature goes to different bodies for approval and why (which goes to WSBC, Board of Trustees, any other)?
Q. Is there an official name for the statement/prayer that starts “I put my hand in yours” and ends with “we find love and understanding beyond our wildest dreams?”
Q. Is it a good idea to increase length of a service position (i.e. decrease rotation in order to keep positions at any board level)?
Q. Does O-ANON still exist? Could we revive it?
