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Fourth Quarter 2007 |
Volume
17, Number 4
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IN THIS ISSUE
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Recovery Rings True at 2007 World Service Convention
Participants look forward to 50th anniversary Convention in 2010
 From August 30 to September 3, in beautiful Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA, more than 1,200 OA members from around the world gathered to share their experience, strength and hope, as well as their love and enthusiasm for the program that has saved their lives.
The theme of the Convention, “Ring in Recovery: Declare Your Freedom from Compulsive Eating,” served as the backdrop for numerous workshops, such as “Truth Shall Set You Free: Stigma and Shame,” “The Road to Freedom: Working the Steps,” “Food Holding You Hostage? Step One,” and “Persevere Through the Storms: Step Ten.” Other workshops included topics on abstinence, bulimia and anorexia, 100-pounders, youth and teens, long-term recovery, men in OA, sexuality, body image, sponsorship and diversity.
Members also browsed the boutique room where local service bodies sold OA items such as T-shirts and mugs. A meditation room provided sanctuary to participants who needed a moment of quiet reflection, and a marathon meeting room ran OA meetings every hour. On Saturday evening, attendees enjoyed an abstinent banquet, as well as entertainment and dancing late into the night.
The event rang with success, and participants expressed excitement for the next World Service Convention by singing a rousing rendition of “We Are Family” at the Grand Closing on Sunday. The next Convention in 2010, when OA will celebrate its 50th anniversary, will convene August 26–29 in the city where OA began: Los Angeles, California USA.
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Board, Region Chairs Build Operations Plan for 2008
Future Plans Include Spanish Version of OA Web site
At their August meeting, the OA Board of Trustees (BOT) and region chairs, along with the World Service Office (WSO) managers, met to discuss and vote on a “to-do” list for 2008, also known as an Operations Plan. The planning meeting is critical to building the upcoming year’s budget, which the BOT creates in September and October.
Since February 2007, the trustees and region chairs have been discussing a five-year Strategic Plan for Overeaters Anonymous, focusing on public/professional awareness, strong meetings, committed service bodies and financial health. Included in the goals to achieve by 2013 are three-year and one-year goals for each focus.
 At the 2007 World Service Business Conference (WSBC) in May, delegates brainstormed ideas on how to achieve these goals. Their feedback became an integral part of the discussions in August.
Following are some of the items in the 2008 Operations Plan:
- Select and contract with a company to translate the OA Web site, www.oa.org, into Spanish
- Select and contract with a survey com-pany to assist in surveying the Fellowship to determine OA’s member base and other demographics
- Develop and promote the use of a Strong Meeting Checklist
- Hold a forum at WSBC and at region assemblies on how to attract members to do service
- Approve a revised Seventh-Tradition pamphlet and distribute it throughout the Fellowship
- Replace “It Takes Two” with a new catch phrase
The Operations Plan specifies tasks to accomplish objectives, determines assignment of tasks and sets completion dates. The BOT will review the plan at its quarterly board meetings. Members may view the goals on the OA Web site.
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Public Awareness Campaign Kicks Off at Convention
Have you ever opened a newspaper or magazine to find a favorable article about OA or about compulsive eating in which OA is mentioned as a valuable resource? Members often send such articles to the World Service Office (WSO), noting with pride their pleasure in seeing OA given such positive press. What if you saw articles like this every week in the media? What if other still-suffering compulsive eaters read those articles and started showing up at meetings?
With that exciting prospect in mind, the Board of Trustees gave participants at the 2007 World Service Convention the opportunity to view a presentation about the Public Awareness Campaign that delegates approved at the 2007 World Service Business Conference. The campaign will focus on educating and informing the public about Overeaters Anonymous. The Fellowship may view the slide presentation on the OA Web site.
A representative from the public relations firm that will work with OA came to Convention and explained the campaign’s approach. She distinguished between conventional advertising and public relations. The latter establishes two-way communication between an organization and its publics and focuses on educating, changing or reinforcing behaviors. The representative made clear the firm is committed to a campaign of attraction, not promotion.
The goal of the campaign is to educate the public on the core mission and successes of Overeaters Anonymous in helping compulsive eaters recover and reach healthy physical, emotional and spiritual states. By focusing on OA’s long history and proven successes, the public awareness effort will differentiate OA from other food-related Twelve–Step programs and commercial weight-loss programs.
 OA will conduct the campaign in two phases. The first phase will develop a comprehensive media relations tool kit, which will include general news releases; fact sheets; stories of recovery; philosophy of Twelve-Step programs; articles for local placement; and recommendations to intergroups on how to find, contact and develop relationships with local reporters to place stories. Health and human-interest media outlets and TV and radio talk shows will receive information about OA.
The second phase, in late 2008, will undertake large-scale placement of public-service announcements.
Delegates at WSBC in May passed a motion that OA conduct the campaign and that the campaign “be supported by member contributions to a special public awareness campaign fund established by the Board of Trustees.” The motion also authorized the use of “$20,000 of current reserves for ‘seed’ money to initiate the campaign. Such funds are to be reimbursed from the special fund established for this purpose.”
We encourage all members, groups and service bodies to help raise funds for this campaign by passing the basket an extra time. Make sure to specify the name of the fund on your donation. Currently the fund has collected $11,000.
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What a Gift!
How often do you get a true gift? I did last weekend at the 2007 World Service Convention. An astonishing number of compulsive overeaters attended the Convention in Philadelphia over Labor Day weekend. I never would have thought that over 1,200 people suffering from compulsive eating would come together from all over the world for a common solution. My area meetings tend to average approximately eight people. To multiply the experience, strength and hope that many times over, how could one NOT walk away with his or her abstinence renewed, or even with one’s first day of abstinence? What a gift!
 I loved the individual stories shared by our keynote speakers. It did not matter who they were, how many years of abstinence they had, where they came from or where they were going. Everyone came together to bond with others who had walked in our shoes before us and to learn what they did to overcome this terrible disease. I heard my story within their stories. Each abstinent person who shared his or her recovery made the same things clear: use the eight tools of the program and work the Steps with a sponsor to the best of your ability.
My most exhilarating experience was working the hospitality desk and serving others. To give back to this program what I have so freely been given is a blessing and the only way I can keep the miracle. Throughout the Convention I was able to connect with others in the new state to which I am moving and enjoy fellowship with newcomers as well as dear friends from the last six years. What a gift!
The gifts are there whenever we want what they have! Anytime you have the opportunity to go to a world-, region-, state- or intergroup-sponsored event, take advantage of it and GO! Do any type of service. Get a sponsor, do the Steps. Save yourself and save your recovery. It is the best gift you can give yourself. You are worth it!
— Michele M., Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania USA
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What's New From WSO
Seeking the Spiritual Path: A Collection From Lifeline
 New book contains more than 70 stories of spiritual discovery, written by OA members for OA members. Explores such topics as the search for a Higher Power, spiritual experiences before and during the program, tools for spiritual growth, and the perspective of agnostics and atheists.
Item #978 US$8.35 each, plus shipping*
Item #979 US$187.86 box of 25, plus shipping*
Black OA Members Share Their Experience, Strength and Hope
New pamphlet filled with hopeful stories by black OA members from around the world. Written to encourage black people struggling with overeating and weight, and helpful for others who want to understand how someone from a different culture may feel coming into OA.
Item #285 US$.75 each, plus shipping*
A Guide for Sponsors: Why, When and How to Be an OA Sponsor
Revised pamphlet now includes the often-requested “30 Questions to Ask Newcomers.” Whether you are sponsoring for the first time or the twentieth time, this pamphlet offers valuable guidance for the vital role you play.
Item #200 US$.75 each, plus shipping*
Public Information Service Manual
Revisions to the PI manual update it and create a more user-friendly format. Offers guidance on PI Committee functions and on reaching out to your community while adhering to OA’s Traditions.
Item #762 US$12 each, plus shipping*
*US Shipping: $3 for orders up to $18. Orders $18.01 to $100, 17% of total. Above $100, 12% of order. Email to info@oa.org for shipping charges outside the US.
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