The Twelfth-Step-Within Committee was created to reach out to those in the Fellowship who still suffer and to address the relapse and recovery of our members. The committee’s purpose is to strengthen Overeaters Anonymous by sharing information and ideas that generate recovery within the Fellowship. Those who give Twelfth-Step-Within service encourage existing OA members to become or remain abstinent, to work the Twelve Steps and to give service to the best of their ability. Doing this service increases the quantity and quality of recovery in our Fellowship, thereby assisting our own spiritual journey. Twelfth Step Within does not focus on attracting new members; it explicitly supports the ones we already have. Anyone who is abstinent and working his or her own recovery can do this service. No special qualifications are necessary; only willingness is needed.  We can all help carry the message of recovery through abstinence and working the Steps by (1) being well ourselves; (2) giving service, sponsorship and friendship; (3) encouraging membership retention; and (4) attending meetings and OA events.  If you need help or encouragement to implement the following suggestions, please contact your intergroup/service board or region.

The following is an overview of what you and your group can do to be available to members in relapse. Please refer to the Twelfth-Step-Within Handbook for more information and ideas, workshop formats, etc.

1. Hold workshops, marathons and retreats
2. Sponsor personally or by mail/email
3. Focus on membership retention
4. Provide literature that addresses Twelfth-Step-Within concerns, such as:

• Members in Relapse
• Recovery Checklist
• Recovery From Relapse Meeting Format
• Welcome Back
• A New Beginning: Stories of Recovery from Relapse

See the updated Twelfth-Step-Within Handbook for more information. Included in its many new features is Been Slipping and Sliding - A Reading and Writing Tool, which includes 30 questions for use in daily writing and discussion with a sponsor, and the Recovery Insurance Policy — a pledge between two OA members to support and be accountable to one another — and suggestions for Planning a Sponsorship Workshop. The handbook is available for purchase in the OA Literature Catalog. Check out the handbook if you want information about starting a Twelfth-Step-Within committee in your area.

Twelfth-Step-Within Ideas

The Twelfth-Step-Within Committee would like your help in providing some of the best ideas for preventing relapse, keeping members interested in recovery and sharing the message that recovery from compulsive eating and behaviors is possible. Please download the TSW flyer and distribute to your groups.

During the 2012 World Service Business Conference (WSBC), the Membership Retention Subcommittee of the Twelfth-Step-Within (TSW) Committee created a brief survey that was distributed to delegates during WSBC. The survey requested that WSBC attendees share their experience, strength, and hope by answering two survey questions related to membership retention. Please check out the overview of the findings and share with your group.

Twelfth-Step-Within Ideas That Work

The TSW ideas template is provided to aid service bodies planning Twelfth-Step-Within projects in their area.

1. Abstinence
• Twelve Steps to a Slip
• Best Service
• Focus on Solution
• Food School

2. Communication
• OA Radio Ad Media Blitz
• Speaker through Skype; Greetings from Around the World
• Phone Tree
• Conference Calls

3. Fellowship/Humor
• OA Bingo
• The Price is Right, OA Style
• Mad Libs
• Trivia
• Rule 62/Boogoloo Committee/Our Lunches

4. Newcomers
• Newcomer Welcome Coin
• Welcoming Newcomers

5. Service/Special Events
• Candle Lighting Ceremony
• Traveling Hopefuls
• Thanksgiving Gratitude
• OA Holiday Workshop

6. Recovery/Carrying the Message
• Working the Steps
• Learning How to Meditate (Step Eleven)
• Preventing Relapse

7. Twelfth-Step-Within Day
• Portland’s Twelfth-Step-Within Day
• Keep It Simple . . . Ideas for Twelfth-Step-Within Day
• Sacramento Twelfth-Step-Within Day

8. Membership Retention
• We Care Box
• At Meetings and Between Meetings
• Call Five and Keep ‘Em Alive

Speakers List

To support members’ recovery, the Twelfth Step Within Committee has compiled a list of speakers, including addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, distance willing to travel and special focus. We encourage you to use this list to strengthen recovery at your meetings, special events or retreats. Or if you’d like to participate on the list, please download the Twelfth Step Within Speakers Sign Up Form, include the appropriate signatures, and fax, mail , scan or email it to the WSO.

Please email your request for the speakers list or write to Sandy Hickox at World Service Office, 6075 Zenith Court NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124-6424 USA