“OA, as such, ought never be organized: but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.” – OA Tradition 9
In recently serving as an Intergroup Delegate at the World Service Business Conference (WSBC), I learned so much about Tradition 9.
I often hear people using Tradition 9 to say, “we don’t have to be organized because that’s what Tradition 9 says”.
Yes, it’s true that each group is autonomous (Tradition 4) and can decide with a group conscience exactly how they want some things run within their group. The only exception is, that a group needs to follow the 12 Steps, 12 Traditions and 12 Concepts of Service.
So, can a group go around all willy nilly and do whatever they wish, with no structure at all? No.
We are definitely not organized. Organized, meaning that someone is in charge running the show and ruling over others. That is definitely not OA. If it is, the group is definitely not following the 12 Steps, 12 Traditions nor 12 Concepts of Service, for as it states in Tradition 2, no one governs. But if there is no one person in charge, how do things get done? Well, that’s where the service structure is needed.
In doing service above the group level, you soon begin to see why a service structure is needed, especially in doing business. The higher up the group level, when numbers increase, the more the structure is seen and needed.
When you get 188 Compulsive Overeaters in one room with different personalities, languages, and different ideas and opinions, oh boy, do you ever need a structure to do business!
The flow of communication, the way each group rotates service, then does service above the group level sending Intergroup reps.
Then within the intergroup, rotation of service and forming committees to do the work continues. Sending service reps to region for Assemblies.
Doing service for the Region through committees to get work done for the whole., which leads to the next level of service as world service business conference delegates.
Then doing business as a delegate at WSBC for a week and being on a committee for a term to get business for the whole of OA done, fulfilling our primary purpose. Seeing so many members working together, even under times when emotions where quite high, in keeping with the structure and living our 12 Steps 12 Traditions and 12 Concepts, it was very much a spiritual experience to see in action.
Even then, a member with all the prerequisites can apply to be a Trustee. A member with much experience can become a Trustee who may be assigned to regions or serve on the executive board, helping in overseeing the operations of the World Service Office and the Staff whom they hire to do what is needed for our primary purpose; the publication and selling of literature, digital message through the oa website etc etc.
In having such a structure, everyone has the opportunity to have a voice and be heard. Business gets done. HP is seen working many things that really amazing to see. By living in the Steps, we can do business above the group level and serving a way to help the still suffering Compulsive overeater. Being an organization that is self supporting by our own contributions (Tradition 7) and doing service above the group level one can see how such a business can survive and I can use those same ideals in my own life and it really works!
We may not be organized but having a structure can make all the difference!
Submitted: by Melanie B.
©2024 Experience Strength & Hope Newsletter,
All rights reserved. Proudly sponsored by OA Foot Steps VIG #09670.
Overeaters Anonymous most definitely has a structure. The image above shows the overall service structure for OA. In the inverted triangle you can easily see the structure that helps OA function.
OA members are supported by:
3,643 face to face meetings in 79 Countries
2,482 online, telephone, hybrid, online/telephone and non-real-time meetings.
AND a service structure that includes:
297 Intergroups
15 National Service Boards
10 Regions
3 Language Service Boards
2 Specific Focus Service Boards
Members: Any person who has the desire to stop eating compulsively. (Tradition 3)
Groups: It takes 2 members to be able to register a meeting at Overeaters Anonymous.
Intergroups are formed when two or more groups in an area get together. An Intergroup is a service board that helps groups in their area or online that realize they can perform better together rather than separately. Intergroups are responsible to the groups they serve.
National Service Boards: 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 intergroupsand groups established within a single country. Currently, there are 15 NSB’s: Israel, England, Brazil, Italy, Spain, Iceland, France, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Greece, Venezuela, Islamic Republic of Iran, Lativa, Russian Federation.
Regions: Regions are composed of groups, intergroups, and service boards within specified geographic boundaries and the virtual community. Currently there are 10 Regions; Region 1, Region 2, Region 3, Region 5, Region 6, Region 7, Region 8, Region 9, Region 10, Virtual Region.
Language Service Boards: Language service boards are composed of groups, intergroups, and national service boards to serve the common needs of a language group, regardless of geographic proximity. Currently, there are three LSB’s: Deutschsprachiger Dienst Der OA (Germany), Japan LSB and Junta de Servicio del Idioma Espanol (United States)
Specific Focus Service Boards: Specific-focus service boards are composed of two or more groups of intergroups to serve the common needs of groups and intergroups with the same specific focus, regardless of geographic proximity. Currently, there are two SFSB’s: Secular and Rainbow (LGBTQ+).
Information from oa.org: see “Service Bodies” (https://oa.org/service-bodies), “What is a Service Board” (https://oa.org/service-bodies/regions/) and “Regions” (https://oa.org/service-bodies/regions/).
Source: oa.org
©2024 Overeaters Anonymous, Inc. All rights reserved
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