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Fourth Quarter 2004 |
Volume
14, Number 4
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IN THIS ISSUE
Attention Group Secretaries: Please
download the PDF
file of this issue and make copies to share with your
group members.
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 Dignity of Choice Selling Like … Veggies!
Hear from a Satisfied Member
The new Dignity of Choice pamphlet, approved at the last WSBC, has seen an unprecedented popularity since its publication in June. Nearly 20,000 copies were sold in the first three months.
Here is a letter from one satisfied member:
I recently read the newest OA pamphlet, Dignity of Choice: Sample Plans of Eating. At first I was hesitant to read it because upon glancing through it, I saw that it addressed issues such as trigger or binge foods. I must’ve thought about the salty and crunchy snacks I have consumed, and that’s why I didn’t want to read the pamphlet. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I sort of knew those foods were a problem for me, but I didn’t want to admit it or give them up. I had already given up sugary snacks!
Well, all I can say is that God knew it was time for me to “get off the fence.” As I was reading, I think I may have mumbled a prayer to God about “if you can make me willing, I’ll try.” Sure enough, God heard my prayer. Not long after, I heard myself say, “You know, all I really want is something crunchy with my lunch.”
Miracle of miracles, I started eating crunchy veggies with my lunch instead of the salty, crunchy snacks! I feel freer than I have in a long time. I can only explain it by saying that God orchestrated the whole thing from start to finish.
Thank you for the new pamphlet. Thank you, OA, and thank you, God.
— J.M.L., by email
Order your copy of Dignity of Choice from the WSO, item #140, $.75 each plus $2.25 shipping for US orders up to $15. For orders over $15 or outside the US, contact the WSO or go to
the Literature Catalog.
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Spanish Translations in the Works
Many Work to Make Service Possible
 A selection of OA literature translated into Spanish will be available for purchase from the WSO starting in January 2005. The translations will include the book The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous and 15 pamphlets: To the Newcomer, Dignity of Choice, Questions and Answers, Tools of Recovery, Maintaining a Healthy Weight, Suggested Meeting Format and others.
Watch for the new catalog in January 2005 for ordering information. In 2005 the WSO will continue preparing additional Spanish literature for purchase in the future. Many thanks to members from the intergroup in Spain, Comedores Compulsivos Anonimos en España, for their invaluable and tireless service providing translations and helping prepare them for printing.
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Bylaws Reminder
Deadline Looms
Delegates to the 2004 World Service Business Conference (WSBC) adopted a motion affirming that intergroups need to submit to the World Service Office (WSO) by January 1, 2005, intergroup bylaws that conform to OA Inc. Bylaws, Subpart B. To help intergroups meet this goal, region trustees are reviewing all intergroup bylaws on file at the WSO and will contact intergroups whose bylaws require revision. Intergroups must submit their revised, conforming bylaws by
January 1, 2005, to satisfy OA Inc. Bylaws, Subpart B, Article VI, Section 2, and to be able to seat delegates at the next WSBC.
Sample Intergroup Bylaws are available for download to help your intergroup ensure its bylaws are in order.
If you have questions regarding your intergroup’s bylaws, please contact Lee Redman, member services manager, at lredman@oa.org.
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Check Your 501(c)(3) Status
Groups and intergroups frequently contact the World Service Office to request the OA tax-exempt number for 501(c)(3) status. We cannot comply with this request because the Overeaters Anonymous, Inc. tax ID number is specifically for the corporation (which includes the Board of Trustees, the World Service Office and the World Service Business Conference). If another entity were to use the ID number, it would jeopardize OA and the other entity (the meeting group). When established, the corporation deliberately excluded the meeting groups and intergroups to protect group autonomy.
Some intergroups do have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and should determine if that status also applies to their affiliated meeting groups. The articles of incorporation for the intergroup contain that information. Many intergroups are unsure if they have current tax-exempt status. The IRS Web site has a special section for charities and nonprofits that includes a list of charitable organizations and downloadable files with information about exemption requirements for charitable organizations and about filing for 501(c)(3) status.
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Share the Effort, Reap the Rewards
Have you ever planned a birthday party for a family member or organized an event for several people? Each event needs planning and preparation and takes time and commitment from beginning to end to make it successful. Doing it alone can make the event seem overwhelming and unmanageable. If you ask others to help, the tasks become easier and more fun.
 Many intergroups and regions find working together valuable when sponsoring events in their areas. If one intergroup decides to host a workshop, its planning committee needs several members willing to help. If several intergroups work together, the responsibilities are distributed to each group instead of to individual members. This allows for more ideas, hands and support.
Region Five hosts a convention each year in a different city within the region. In 2003, the event took place in Chicago with the cooperation and support of five intergroups. Region representatives, intergroups and several individual groups met at each assembly to discuss the responsibilities and plans for the convention. They formed a convention committee, which met each month at the convention site.
Each intergroup took responsibility for a different portion of the event, such as hospitality, decorations, publicity, literature and speakers. Intergroups went to their groups and asked for support and participation. With each group or intergroup responsible for only a part of the convention, the participation level increased because people were willing to work together and make the event a success. Success became everyone’s responsibility, not just that of one group.
You’ve heard the sayings “the more the merrier” and “many hands make light work.” Working together made most convention tasks easier and more fun to do. For example, many members who worked on the decorations subcommittee discovered talents and skills they didn’t know they had. They got to know each other, learned a different way to do something, shared ideas (program related or not) and enjoyed laughter and good times together.
The Region Five Convention succeeded financially and spiritually. Those who participated in its planning and preparation walked away with a sense of fulfillment knowing they had played a necessary role in making the convention a great event for all. Many members initially expressed fears about assuming their duties, but felt grateful for the support and encouragement they received while performing them, citing feelings of unity, personal growth and renewed fellowship.
When planning your next event, don’t assume you have to do it yourself. Seek help from other groups within your area, and even some that are outside the area. The fellowship and unity experienced are too great to miss.
— P.G., Valparaiso, Indiana USA
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Delegate-Support-Fund Deadline
OA is once again offering financial support to intergroups which are unable to send delegates to the World Service Business Conference (WSBC) because of financial difficulties. The Delegate Support Fund is a special allotment donated by members of the Fellowship.
To be considered, please send your Delegate Support Fund Application for the WSBC 2005 by November 1, 2004. Intergroups and National Language Service Boards that have never sent a delegate to WSBC receive priority; those that haven't sent delegates recently receive consideration as well. The guidelines for fund allocation are included on the application form.
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First Conference Mailing Sent
The WSO mailed the first documents for World Service Business Conference (WSBC) 2005 on Monday, September 13, 2004. Except for the Final Conference Report, all documents in the first mailing are available on the World Service Business Conference page. The mailing included such materials as the 2004 Final Conference Report (distributed to 2004 WSBC delegates and only those service bodies that did not send a representative to WSBC), the delegate registration form and instructions, trustee application forms and instructions, and sample motion/amendment forms.
To purchase the 2004 Final Conference Report, call the WSO literature department at 505-891-2664 or order it online, item #800, $10 each plus $2.25 shipping for US orders up to $15. For orders over $15 or outside the US, see the Literature Catalog.
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Convention Dates Set
The Board of Trustees has approved the 2007 World Service Convention dates. Start planning now for the gala worldwide Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA, August 29–September 1, 2007.
For continuing updates on Convention plans, be sure to check the World Service Convention page.
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