WSBC 2014
April 28-May 3
Lyn Casey, WSBC Delegate
OUR PRIMARY PURPOSE: ABSTAIN FROM COMPULSIVE EATING - PASS IT ON
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you again for this opportunity to do service at the bottom of the
pyramid! We were talking this week about how we could bring back to our service bodies the enthusiasm and
try to convince all of you to get excited to do service at this level and yet keep it to ourselves so we could all be
elected again to come back next year. How do I share with you the camaraderie? How do I get you to
experience the wonder of being in a room with over 1000 years of abstinence - at least! Something happens
inside when the cells just say “I WANT WHAT THEY HAVE AND I AM WILLING TO DO WHATEVER IT
TAKES!” Seriously. I have read the literature. I have heard the podcasts. But to see the people, to hug the
people, and have them look me in the eyes and hug me back and say, “You are doing it too”! How can I take
this for granted? How can I think this is a game to be thrown away on a whim? When I take step 3 I turn my
life over to God of my understanding and we enter into an agreement. From there on steps 4-12 are directed by
him and I gratefully concede that I will be abstinent and do my best to align my will with his. I do this every day
and so does everyone who was there. And so can you. What are you waiting for? There is NOTHING to be
afraid of. We are all here to help. All you have to do is ask.
WORKSHOPS / FORUM
There were 4 workshops on Monday and Tuesday: Sponsorship: It’s Role in Our Primary Purpose, Our
Primary Purpose: Abstinence First, Our Primary Purpose: Working All Twelve Steps, and Our Primary Purpose:
Carrying the Message. You may have noticed a theme. This year’s focus is Our Primary Purpose.
Sponsorship: I was intrigued by something the speaker said. She was from Greece, and in translating the
word “sponsor” to Greek there is no direct correlation. They use either “advisor” or “supporter.” But what she
said is that it lacks the meaning “trust” and “faith” that the word sponsor conveys in other languages. She went
on to say many important things she has learned as a sponsor and as a sponsee. Mostly, don’t expect your
sponsor (and I guess sponsee for that matter) to be what she/he isn’t.
Abstinence: “Do not peer into the wreckage of my future.” Read the story “Say Yes to Abstinence in the
Abstinence book (page 19).
12 Steps: working the 12 steps is like building a house. You have to clear ground; trust a contractor; lay a
foundation; look for termites and have them cleared away; check the material you are using; build the
framework; decorate; keep checking for termites and upkeep of the house.
Carrying the Message: I was asked to be one of the speakers for this workshop, which was a real honor
for me. My summary of the workshop is attached. The process of speaking at this level has been both humbling
and also made me aware of some “termites” that need clearing away.
Wednesday Morning the Region Chairs treated us to a Forum. On HPTV we watched Law and Take-Out
Order <clunk clunk> wherein a body was discovered in a food coma and it was tried in food court! OMG it
was hysterical! I would not be able to do it justice but we delegates were peeing in our pants from laughing so
hard. After that we played the game show “Who wants To Stay Abstinent? Play the Game and Stick with the
Winners!” (Who wants to be a millionaire style) some of those 40-50 year abstinent questions were hard! I sure
am glad my name wasn’t called to Come on Down!
COMMITTEE: Twelfth-Step Within
The rest of Wednesday was then spent in Committee meetings. I found out when I got there that I was
in 12 -Step Within. The committee broke into 4 subcommittees: Speakers List, Ideas that work, Online Survey
and my subcommittee is working on the “Simplicity Project.” As in Keep It Simple. With all the literature floating
around it can get confusing to figure out just what does work best for ME. So this project is designed to help
1
th
sponsors help the struggling individual figure out that simple plan for the day. That’s all I’ll say for now till we
have a chance to work on it. OR I get to practice on you…
BUSINESS MEETINGS / MOTIONS
Even before the Conference started and all throughout the week, we have the Mentor/Green dot
program. Last year my mentor and I hit it off and became great friends. This year I was the mentor and my
green dot was from Nova Scotia. Almost half of all the delegates were green dots. It was wonderful to see such
rotation of service happening. We are there to appear wise and be able to answer questions as they arise, but
mostly to point them in the right direction when we can’t answer the questions. But for me, I learned a lot from
them! During the business meetings I tried to sit between 2 green dots to help out when I could. So who
answered my questions? There are always people around to help.
7th Tradition collected was $4455.36. I learned this year that the 7th tradition is donated from the
delegate’s pockets, NOT intergroups as I had thought. So I brought the checks back for our treasurer to void.
197 voting members: 180 delegates, 17 trustees.
NEW TRUSTEES:
Regions 1, 4 and 7
Virtual Trustee
2 General Services Trustee
NEW LITERATURE: a new OA 3 to be out by October. All new stories with Rozanne’s Story. A new Unity
with Diversity Checklist is already available on the website soon for free download. (see attached) An OA
Promises Pamphlet did not pass and is going back for revision. We may see it again next year.
NEW BUSINESS MOTIONS: 18 of 21 passed. 13 went through on Consent Agenda - which means they didn’t
have to come to the floor. One was withdrawn, 2 defeated.
Motion A: The survey to change the name of OA went to Reference Subcommittee because it had at
least 3 amendments. When it came back to the floor it was modified so much that it was no longer “just a
survey”. It was, however, defeated.
Motion C: Loops. Also went to Reference subcommittee to become a Substitute Motion C: Overeaters
Anonymous email groups, commonly called loops, (groups that do not meet in real time), may list their group
on www.oa.org as a courtesy with the following criteria. It Passed.
Motion D: the proposal that the Seventh Tradition collected at WSBC be specifically directed for the
Delegate Support Fund failed once we learned that all the applicants in the last 3 years that were received in
time and correctly filled out received the funds they were looking for. And by restricting funds in a locked
source we might be shooting ourselves in the foot by not being able to help out where it is better served
elsewhere in the year.
BY LAW AMENDMENTS
6 of the 12 were adopted; 4 went through the consent agenda; four were withdrawn; two failed.
Motion 2: Increase qualification for Trustees. Failed. Raised by Region chairs. This would actually mean
that members who were sitting on the Board of Trustees would not be eligible to run again if this passed. This
motion failed.
Motion 6: Change the words of Steps and Traditions for gender neutrality. Failed.
I think it is important to note that even if the delegates had passed this (by 2/3), it would only be the
beginning of an arduous process. Per OA bylaws, “in addition to (2/3 vote of WSBC delegates), they are ratified
by three fourths of the registered OA groups responding within six months of notification, provided at least
55% of the registered groups have responded.”
Also, the question was answered, NO, AA has no say to what we do with our OA steps and traditions.
These are ours as ‘adapted’ from AA.
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OTHER HAPPENINGS AND LEARNINGS AT WSBC
LITERATURE Q&A
12 STEPS AND 12 TRADITIONS is currently being reviewed. Although all literature is reviewed every 7 years, to be
on this special ad hoc committee the willing service volunteer must have 1) Seven years in the Fellowship; 2)
Five years of service beyond the meeting level; 3) Attendance as a delegate to at least two World Service
Business Conferences; and 4) Five years of continuous recovery in Overeaters Anonymous as evidenced by: i)
five years of current continuous abstinence; ii) current maintenance of a healthy body weight for at least two
years; and iii) emotional and spiritual growth as a result of incorporating into their lives the Twelve Steps and
Twelve Traditions as a new way of living.
OA literature has been translated into 26 languages in 39 countries with Indonesia being the latest.
For Today and Voices of Recovery Workbooks are available in both softcover and .pdf format to help
strengthen recovery.
Board-Approved literature created or updated in the past year includes: Introducing OA to the Clergy,
OA Guidelines for a Group Conscience Meeting, Young Persons’ Meeting Format, and Strong Abstinence
Checklist. (attached)
PUBLIC INFORMATION
Facebook ads in June and July 2013 resulted in 5,300 new visitors to oa.org. More ads will run in 2014.
PLEASE do NOT click on the ads if you see them! We pay for them only when they are clicked on.
VIRTUAL MEETINGS AND DONATIONS IN GENERAL
It was mentioned that the average donation per attendee of virtual meeting is only $0.58 per year.
Granted, it is difficult to get an accurate measurement because some attendees put their 7th in the basket at faceto-face meetings. But the truth is, many virtual attendees do not feel they have to donate since no rent is being
paid. My suggestion to the Virtual Trustee is to mention a reminder the importance of donating to virtual
meetings in the Suggested Format of ALL meetings, not just the virtual ones.
OA.org has a recurring donation option. It looks like I can say what meetings I want it to register to too. So
even if others in the room may not think I am putting 3 bucks in the basket, I am still doing my share to support
WSO. We really need to update oawmass on this.
PERSONAL NOTE
Again, thank you for the opportunity to give and receive this service. I am available to speak and answer any
questions. I have the “secret” binder all delegates receive when we get to Albuquerque. Also, John and I
purchased a set of MP3 recordings of the week should anyone want to borrow a “speaker” for their meeting or
hear what the week is like. These recordings are also available for sale on the OA website www.oa.org.
Lyn Casey
WSBC Delegate 2013, 2014
413-454-8181
[email protected]
___________________________________________________________________________________________
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APRIL/MAY 2014
OUR PRIMARY PURPOSE: CARRYING THE MESSAGE
WORKSHOP SUMMARY
Leaders: Lyn C., Region 6
Mark J., Region 7
Purpose: To increase focus on the individual’s responsibility to carry the message of recovery through the
Twelve Steps of OA to those who still suffer
Questions: 1) What do you see as your personal responsibility in carrying the message?
2) How do you carry the message one-on-one, at the group level, at the intergroup/service board level, at the
region level?
3) What is the OA message of recovery that we carry?
LYN’S HIGHLIGHTS
1) My job is to deliver the message; what is received is up to God.
2) “It’s not what you say; it’s how you say it.”
3) If I am the message, I need to be aware of what message I am carrying. Am I walking the walk or just
talking the talk? Am I honest? Do I practice the principles in all my affairs?
4) At the group level, in the format at my home meeting we ask: “How did I use the tools and OA program
as a whole to not pick up this week?”
5) The OA message I try to carry is one of HOPE. There really is nothing to be afraid of - Not responsibility,
not even change.
6) Concepts in a nutshell: Bring God into everything I do; Know what I am doing; I now have a voice, make
sure everyone else does too; It is not only okay to make a mistake, it is expected; Try not to do too much;
Ask for help when I need it; Do not do something I asked someone else to do; Trust the process; Don’t
judge the judging; And, don’t think I am all that.
7) Excitement, Enthusiasm and Energy. Service is increased by attraction not promotion too.
MARK’S HIGHLIGHTS
Our Primary Purpose is to exhibit recovery on all three levels. We should always be welcoming, courteous and
abstinent.
Do we welcome Newcomers/ Or Re treads?
Do we offer to Sponsor, or do we rest on our own success and not share the program with others.
Do we speak up when there is a break in Traditions/ It is our responsibility to protect OA as a whole to speak
up. We can say what we need to say to the person, without saying it mean.
Do we offer service positions to new comers, no matter how small it may seem? Moving chairs, reading a
Reading?
Acceptance of All. We need to be accepting of all no matter what the circumstances are. Especially New comers,
and those who are returning. Coming back to OA after leaving is a big step. We need to Welcome all, and not
pass judgment. Our Message of Recovery can be presented, certainly physically by maintaining a Healthy body
weight, but also in our actions. Are we actually practicing these steps in all of our Affairs?
ATTENDEES’ HIGHLIGHTS
 Keep an open mind
 Inspired by my constantly changing and growing
 Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these twelve steps I can feel my feelings. I no longer have to
live in a prison and neither do you.
 To focus on my own recovery and not confuse anonymity with secrecy.
 Program of attraction. I cannot promote myself. Unless I give it away I cannot keep it.
 Sometimes the message isn’t pretty, but you can be sure someone else can relate to it.
 Listen to what others have to say, too.
The physical is not the only message. It is also in how we treat people.
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WSBC 2014 Strategic Planning Notes
During the World Service Business Conference, a Strategic Planning workshop was held, the
goal of which was to brainstorm and share ideas based on the 2014 BOT Strategic Plan. Here are
the top ideas from your delegates. Please feel free to share them with your groups.
What can we do (take home) to increase actions on abstinence?
Have a newcomer plan
www.oahelps.org
Difference between a plan of eating and abstinence education (this is more specific than an action plan
Service and all the tools
Qualifying literature-focused meetings
Sponsors identify themselves at break, talk to newcomers or maybe even have long-timers take them aside to talk to
them
Intergroups – add “how are we helping members?” on agenda every month, have Web materials available (e.g. Strong
Abstinence Checklist) for reps
Workshops on how plans of eating help abstinence
Strong Abstinence Checklist and talk about it at meetings – share ways to use it
Don’t make food the enemy. Do we have to have a group conscience to be able to mention specific foods?
Fellowship after the meetings
Qualify when we share
Need for more sponsor workshops
Encourage meetings be open so new ideas, if needed, do group inventory
In groups and meetings
Celebrate abstinent birthdays
Recovery coins
Step up sponsors at your meeting
Sponsorship training
Encourage people to identify as abstinent
Abstinence vs a plan of eating education
Meeting formats include definition of abstinence
Have sponsors qualify
Spotlight/encourage abstinence focus in meetings
Abstinence checklist
Intergroup workshop about abstinence
Day in OA workshop – focus on plans of eating
Sponsor contact list
Encourage about abstinence feels like
Temporary sponsors at meetings
At intergroup:
Abstinence workshops/conventions/marathons
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Abstinence individual action plan
Newsletters, flyers, hand outs
At World Service – interactive Q&A step-by-step guide to customize at your own abstinence; abstinence individual
action plan completed at a workshop
At meetings:
Give out recovery chips
Hold abstinence workshops
Strong Abstinence Checklist
Call each other struggling
Approach/greet newcomers
Updated meeting list at meetings
Work Steps/use tools
A new-to-me greeter
Specific abstinence-focused meetings
Phone lists – use them to call people you haven’t seen
Abstinent buddy match ups
Recovery OA insurance policy
Pamphlet meeting – Dignity of Choice, Plan of Eating, Abstinence
Q&A meetings, especially for newcomers
Abstinent Action Plan “on the spot” part of meeting format
Individuals:
“What’s my abstinence?
Struggle 1:1 work right away
Define food plan/follow it, written down and share with sponsor
Focus on the total package
List trigger foods and share with sponsor
Get actively working with sponsor
Food list (red, yellow, green) with sponsor
Accountability (report food, call/write it down)
Take a sponsee to the supermarket/restaurant
Use newcomer packet as foundation for starting to sponsor
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Unity With Diversity Checklist
The following checklist for OA groups and service bodies is offered in the spirit of Overeaters Anonymous’
Third Tradition and the OA Unity With Diversity Policy Statement. This checklist is not meant to be
exhaustive, nor can it be. As we continue to grow, so does our understanding of diversity. These questions are
only a starting point for reflection and discussion. We hope that newcomers who are used to “closed doors” can
find not only a welcome in OA, but also a home if they wish. As OA’s responsibility pledge states: “Always to
extend the hand and heart of OA to all who share my compulsion; for this, I am responsible.”
1) In what ways do we welcome all who share our compulsion, regardless of race, ethnicity, language, culture,
religion, gender identity, sexual orientation or any other attribute?
2) What measures do we take to provide meeting access to OA members who have challenges such as mental
or physical disabilities or illnesses, or those who have allergies? What about those who have small children or
those who rely on public transportation?
3) How do we welcome members such as anorexics, bulimics or those who have had weight-loss procedures?
Do we welcome OA members in relapse as authentically as we welcome newcomers or any other members?
4) Does our group meeting format use the Diversity Statement included in OA’s current Suggested Meeting
Format?
5) Do we avoid suggesting that all OA members have the same issues with food, such as addiction to specific
foods, a need to weigh and measure, and so on?
6) How do we communicate to newcomers—and reinforce to all members—that Higher Power means a God
of our individual understanding and is not specific to any particular religion, faith or concept?
7) Do we respect each member’s way of practicing the OA Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions in a manner
best suited to his or her own needs?
8) Do we emphasize all three aspects of recovery (spiritual, emotional and physical) equally, or do we focus
only on one or two?
9) Does our OA literature table stock items that highlight our common solution through diversity, such as:
• A Common Solution: Diversity and Recovery;
• Black OA Members Share Their Experience, Strength and Hope;
• Dignity of Choice;
• Focus on Anorexia and Bulimia Packet;
• Many Symptoms, One Solution;
• OA Members Come in All Sizes;
• To the Teen;
• To the Man Who Wants to Stop Compulsive Overeating, Welcome;
• Welcome Back, We Care! Packet; and
• Young Person’s Packet
10) How do we reflect diversity when we conduct business meetings, elect trusted servants or choose
speakers and workshop leaders?
11) In what ways do we carry the OA message to groups who are currently under-represented in the rooms?
Speakers? Workshops? Special focus meetings? Other methods of attraction?
12) Having completed this checklist, what other areas can we examine in order to better “extend the hand and
heart of OA” to all who share our compulsion?
For guidelines on how to hold a Group Conscience Meeting, go to www.oa.org/pdfs/groupconscience.pdf.
More information is also available in the OA Handbook for Members, Groups and Service Bodies in the OA Bookstore
(bookstore.oa.org).
Unity with Diversity Checklist © 2014 Overeaters Anonymous, Inc. World Service Office PO Box 44020 • Rio Rancho, New Mexico USA • 87174
(505) 891-2664 • www.oa.org• [email protected]
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Strong Abstinence
Checklist and Writing Exercise
Use this valuable tool every day to support you in keeping your abstinence strong
and intact. You may also use it as the focus for meetings and workshops.
CHECKLIST
1) Have I been abstinent today?
2) Did I pray and meditate today?
3) Am I maintaining or working towards a healthy body weight?
4) Did I rely on my Higher Power to get or stay abstinent today?
5) Is what I am currently doing working for me to remain abstinent?
6) If I am having problems have I asked someone else what they are doing?
7) Have I made an OA call today?
8) Did I have an attitude of gratitude today?
9) Did I plan my food today?
10) Have I helped someone else today?
11) Did I have an action plan in place to stay abstinent today?
12) Do I have a sponsor and am I working the Steps with that person?
WRITING EXERCISE
1) What is compulsive eating for me?
2) What are the foods and food behaviours that trigger me to eat compulsively?
3) Am I afraid to get abstinent and if yes, why?
4) Why do I think abstinence is important?
5) What do I do to stop eating compulsively?
6) What Steps do I take to remain abstinent in all circumstances?
7) What is the difference between abstinence and a plan of eating?
8) What actions do I take to maintain my abstinence and achieve or maintain a healthy body weight?
9) How do I begin my day in order to abstain from compulsive eating and compulsive food behaviors?
10) What tools do I regularly use?
11) How does remaining abstinent improve the quality of my life?
12) What place does food have in my life today?
© 2014 Overeaters Anonymous, Inc. Board-approved.
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