Q: I am a woman, and a man asked me to help him with his food. I told him to try to find a man’s help, but he said his neighborhood only has women’s meetings. I have been in program 37 years, and I don’t understand the different meetings, such as anorexic/bulimic, men’s and so on. Is having a women’s meeting permissible?

A: The gentleman’s statement may pertain to a women’s special-focus group or to his own personal observations.

Special-focus meetings (a women’s special-focus group, for example) fit within OA’s primary purpose of carrying the message to the still-suffering compulsive overeater. These meetings may register as Overeaters Anonymous groups. The qualifications and definition of a group are listed in OA Bylaws, Subpart B:

Section 2 – Qualifications
Any person may become a member of Overeaters Anonymous who has a desire to stop eating compulsively.
Article V – Overeaters Anonymous Groups Section 1 – Definition
a) These points shall define an Overeaters Anonymous group:
1) As a group, they meet to practice the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous, guided by the Twelve Concepts of OA Service.
2) All who have the desire to stop eating compulsively are welcome in the group.
3) No member is required to practice any actions in order to remain a member or to have a voice (share at a meeting).
4) As a group they have no affiliation other than Overeaters Anonymous.
5) It has affiliated as an Overeaters Anonymous group by registering with the World Service Office.

Otherwise the gentleman might just live in an area where the members attending the local meetings are predominantly women. Some members travel outside of their local area in order to find a group that better meets their diverse recovery needs/wants. Attending special OA events, such as conventions, retreats and marathons, often provides an opportunity to meet members from different areas.

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