Group Support

Resources for OA Groups

Suggested Meeting Formats

OA’s Suggested Meeting Format is designed for meetings of all sizes. The format highlights abstinent sponsors, Seventh-Tradition contributions and Lifeline subscriptions. The meeting format now includes the Abridged Tools of Recovery, which makes it fast and easy to review all nine tools. And as always, the format contains Our Invitation to You and the list of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions.

Another format your group might consider is the Lifeline Meeting Format, which gives a structure for a meeting that uses material from Lifeline magazine. The Suggested Step Study Meeting Format offers a suggested format for working through the Twelve Steps in six sessions. If you would like to hold meetings for newcomers, you can use the Newcomer Meeting Guidelines and Format.

Group Conscience Guidelines

Many groups meet to determine how best to conduct meetings, spend funds, organize special events and deal with issues that affect the group or OA as a whole. These business meetings are conducted by group conscience, which is about the special ways (unique to Twelve-Step Fellowships) in which the individuals in the meetings are inspired to enable the meeting to agree on the best decisions for OA. For guidance in conducting group conscience meetings, please download the PDF file Guidelines for a Group Conscience Meeting/Suggested Group Meeting Format.

Seventh Tradition of OA Pamphlet

Pamphlet detailing the vital recovery services supported by the Seventh Tradition at all levels and how the groups carry the message through their contributions.

Seventh Tradition of OA Pamphlet (Translatable)

Seventh Tradition of OA (translatable version) is a shorter version of the pamphlet, designed for ease of translation into languages other than English.

Seventh-Tradition Skits

Fun with a purpose: Seventh-Tradition Skits are designed to help OA groups and service bodies foster greater understanding of OA’s Seventh Tradition. “What’s It Worth?” focuses on how much OA members spent on binge foods before coming to OA. “Wheel of Misfortune” addresses what program would be like without the services provided by member contributions. “A Typical Day” follows an OA member from morning to evening. All skits can be adapted to local situations. By having fun and using humor, your group or service body can help members understand the direct benefits their contributions provide to the Fellowship.

Rotation-of-Service Skit

The Rotation-of-Service Skit skit explores the importance of rotating service positions, using a lighthearted approach designed to engage and amuse OA members.

Start a New Group

Would you like to start a new group, but you don’t know where to begin? Read How to Start a Meeting for more information. For suggestions on publicizing your new meeting, read Let People Know About Your Meeting. For more information about starting a new group and retaining members, read this Excerpt From The OA Handbook. Order the New Group Starter Kit from the online catalog, and you will have everything you need to get started.

Strong Meeting Checklist

The Strong Meeting Checklist will help you assess your meetings to see areas for improvement. Contains 13 items, including everything from starting and ending times to avoiding cross talk and advice-giving.

Flyers for Groups and Service Bodies

Designated Downloader Flyer. Through this service opportunity, you can help members of the Fellowship who do not have access to computers. Download this flyer for more information and a flyer to post or distribute.

Recommended Literature

Unity Day

This day recognizes the strength of the Fellowship worldwide. On the last Saturday in February, at 11:30 a.m. pacific standard time, OA members pause to reaffirm the strength inherent in OA’s unity.

IDEA Day

International Day Experiencing Abstinence (IDEA), celebrated the third Saturday in November, encourages OA members worldwide to begin or reaffirm their abstinence from compulsive overeating.

Group Inventory

The Group Meeting Inventory can help a group and its members assess their effectiveness.

Group Autonomy: Tradition Four Issues

Tradition Four: “Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or OA as a whole.” A workshop at World Service Business Conference 2006 investigated the many facets of this Tradition, and participants shared their experiences and insights. To learn more, download the workshop report, Border Guards: Tradition Four Issues. To read the article referred to in the workshop, “The Balanced Application of Tradition Four,” click here.