Ask-It Basket and Archive
Q: Is it a break in Tradition to substitute “compulsive eater” for “compulsive overeater”?
A: Delegates from around the world meet annually during the World Service Business Conference to make decisions regarding the business of Overeaters Anonymous as a whole. The delegates discuss business motions and bylaw amendments that our intergroups and other eligible service bodies have presented. When approved by Conference, business motions become policy.
In 1991, Conference passed a motion that stated, “The terms ‘compulsive overeater, compulsive eater,’ and ‘compulsive eating, compulsive overeating’ be used interchangeably in OA
literature, as determined to be appropriate by the Literature Committee during the regular literature writing, editing and approval process” (Business Conference Policy Manual, 1991c). As you read Conference-approved literature, you will notice sometimes one expression is used and sometimes the other. Often, both terms will be used within one pamphlet or article.
Conference has never passed a motion regarding interchangeable use of the terms during sharing at meetings. It has become common practice to use either expression during sharing at meetings, no doubt based on reading both terms in our literature.
— Members of the Board of Trustees provide answers to these questions
WSBC 2007 Ask-It Basket Questions
Because of time constraints, BOT members were unable to answer all Ask-It Basket questions submitted by delegates. Click here to download a PDF file of the remaining questions and answers.
Ask-It Basket Archive
Click on the link below to see an archive of previous Ask-It Basket questions and answers. Remember that these answers are the opinions of individual members of the Board of Trustees and others may have different opinions. It’s a good idea to read other OA materials that address an issue and ask around in meetings for more opinions. Also keep in mind that circumstances change and opinions are refined over time.
