The Twelve Concepts

Spiritual principles for all who serve Steps support personal recovery (keep us from committing suicide) Traditions maintain unity (keep us from committing homicide) Concepts apply the steps and the traditions to our service work

God, (as we understand Him) is expressed in the decisions made Concept One ~ Unity The ultimate responsibility and authority for OA world services reside in the collective conscience of our whole Fellowship. O.A. is founded on the belief that God, (as we understand Him) is expressed in the decisions made by the representative group conscience of our membership as a whole. I put my hand in yours, and together we can do what we could never do alone.

To make the best decisions they can for Overeaters Anonymous Voting members participate: Groups Intergroups Service Boards Region World Service To make the best decisions they can for Overeaters Anonymous as a whole.

Conscience Group Conscience at work Concept Two The OA groups have delegated to World Service Business Conference the active maintenance of our world services; thus, World Service Business Conference is the voice, authority and effective conscience of OA as a whole. It doesn’t matter what I think is best, what is best for OA as a whole? Group Conscience at work Representational democracy is the best method for serving OA.

service boards worldwide region chairpersons & the Board of Trustees I took the cotton out of my ears and stuck it in my mouth! What’s best for OA as a whole? Delegates From Intergroups, service boards worldwide region chairpersons & the Board of Trustees set policy & guide world service Principles before personalities Guess this ain’t where I get it my way Our leaders are but trusted servants. They do not govern.

Your trusted servants … Concept Three Trust The right decision, based on trust, makes effective leadership possible The third concept gives OA groups the right to bestow upon a trusted individual or group, the authority to make decisions on behalf of the group when needed. We provide peace of mind Your trusted servants … We work for you!

Service with a smile A Working within their job descriptions, trusted servants have the right to decide how to do their jobs. We trust them to act and lead responsibly.

Together we can do what we could never do alone! Recovery from compulsive overeating first helps us to learn to trust ourselves Together we can do what we could never do alone! and later to trust others.

WSBC Delegate Committee Region Chair Chair OA members who are placed in these decision-making positions are generally members who have served in other roles; WSBC Delegate Committee Chair Region Chair Those voting trust that, based on past performance, these members will make the best choices for the group as a whole

Our Mission: Success Equality Concept Four Equality The right of participation ensures equality of opportunity for all in the decision-making process. Every OA member has the right and responsibility to participate in the decision-making process (group conscience) at business meetings of Overeaters Anonymous. Our Mission: Success

This participation may be direct, via discussion and voting at the local level;

or it may be indirect, via entrusting an elected delegate or trustee to participate in other service body meetings, Region Assemblies IG/SB/VSB meetings BOT Meetings WSBC This direct & delegated participation ensures the democratic foundation of OA

Concept Five Consideration Individuals have the right of appeal and petition in order to assure that their opinions and personal grievances will be carefully considered. My right of appeal A salute to Tradition

What do you mean, Punitive? As trusted servants, despite our best efforts, we sometimes make decisions that other OA members believe may conflict with our Twelve Traditions and Concepts.

You think that their actions were punitive? When this happens, members have the right to appeal the decision to another level within the structure.

Please reconsider! The best method of appeal is to write a detailed account of the concern and present it to the appropriate service body for reconsideration Please reconsider!

Responsibility Concept Six I’m con I’m pro I’m Undecided… The World Service Business Conference has entrusted the Board of Trustees with the primary responsibility for the administration of Overeaters Anonymous I’m con I’m pro I’m Undecided…

Trustees answer directly to the World Service Business Conference delegates and are responsible for carrying out the directives they receive from that service body. I’m for More P.I. I’m for less P.I. What is P.I.?

a smaller group, able to meet frequently, This is to ensure that business flows smoothly & that issues are addressed in a timely manner. Delegates understand that a smaller group, able to meet frequently, is the most effective way to oversee world services

Balance It takes the Right Combination Concept Seven The Board of Trustees has legal rights and responsibilities accorded to them by OA Bylaws, Subpart A; the rights and responsibilities of the WSBC are accorded to it by traditions & by OA Bylaws, Subpart B. It takes the Right Combination OA Bylaws

of the Board of Trustees as directors Hey, my job is right here! in subpart A! Subpart A governs the organization of the WSO and describes the responsibilities of the 16 members of the Board of Trustees as directors

Next year, at WSBC, we’re wearing matching sweatshirts like Region 8! Subpart B, which is approved by WSBC delegates, defines OA membership, the basic structure of OA service bodies, and specific procedures relating to the functioning of the Fellowship.

The Bylaws in Subpart B can only be changed Dignity of Choice ? We need Food plans! I’m so Confused! Dignity of Choice ? NO Food plans! We need Food plans! NO Food plans! The Bylaws in Subpart B can only be changed through the group conscience process at WSBC.

Guess we’re gonna publish a new brochure Because OA is committed to the group conscience process, the Board of Trustees willingly accepts the responsibility to carry out the decisions made by the WSBC Guess we’re gonna publish a new brochure Yeah, the Dignity of Choice!

and the delegates of the WSBC willingly place their trust in the Board of Trustees Yeah, the BOT is gonna have that Dignity of Choice Pamphlet In just a few weeks!

Make it Happen! Delegation Concept Eight The Board of Trustees has delegated to its Executive Committee the responsibility to administer the World Service Office Make it Happen!

The authority to oversee administrative issues, such as managing finances, pricing goods and managing human resources, is delegated to the Executive Committee, a subgroup of the Board of Trustees. What are we buying Sandy for a wedding present? Who’s got the budget? Where’s the coffee? What’s the cost of the new pamphlet? I need an expense voucher The office needs new carpeting! Can we hire a translator?

Please translate this into Chinese. The day-to-day management of the World Service Office is assigned to a skilled and experienced professional – the managing director. Please translate this into Chinese. The managing director does not vote on matters before the Board of Trustees.

I wonder if I’ll have time to get to the OA meeting during lunch? Employees of Overeaters Anonymous (“special workers”) including the managing director, are not required to be members of the Fellowship, but they must be well versed on the principles of the OA program.

The trustees advise the Managing Director on projects, who then organizes the management & staffing of the WSO to accomplish those projects. “Together we can do what we could never do alone!”

I bet the Region 2 Trustee can handle this! The WSO staff refers issues related to personal recovery, Tradition questions or group problems to the appropriate trustee.

Yourself! Ability Challenge Concept Nine Able, trusted servants, together with sound and appropriate methods of choosing them, are indispensable for effective functioning at all service levels. Challenge Yourself!

particular trusted servant positions. To avoid conflict, it’s suggested that IG bylaws & policies have clear guidelines for abilities, past service & abstinence requirements for particular trusted servant positions. I got more abstinence than you I done more service than you

I can order literature if you will send the 7th tradition donation Concept Ten Clarity Service Responsibility is balanced by carefully defined service authority; therefore duplication of efforts is avoided. I can order literature if you will send the 7th tradition donation to WSO.

sticky notes don’t cut it? Clearly defined job responsibilities assure that tasks are accomplished without conflict. Groups avoid problems from misunderstood job responsibilities & multiple people doing the same or similar tasks.

Help ! Humility Concept Eleven Trustee administration of the World Service Office should always be assisted by the best standing committees, executives, staffs and consultants Help !

Concept Eleven acknowledges that service work may require assistance from people outside OA who have professional skills and talents not available within our groups. professional audit for service body’s financial records and tax returns. BOT Chairman can form ad-hoc committees as specified in OA Bylaws, subpart B. controller has a background accounting

The spiritual foundation for OA service ensures … Concept Twelve Guidelines Working Together to Make Things Better The spiritual foundation for OA service ensures … Oh, I thought you said, “provide us some power! Ha, ha, ha!” Selflessness No OA committee or service body ever becomes the seat of perilous wealth or power. OA service bodies are formed to provide services to groups. Term limits help avoid power struggles through planned and regular rotation of trusted servants.

Realism (b) Sufficient operating funds, plus an ample reserve, shall be OA’s prudent financial principle. Financial prudence is especially necessary in a Fellowship that imposes no mandatory dues or fees upon its members.

Representation (c) No OA member shall ever be placed in a position of unqualified authority. No one is “in charge” of OA. There is but one authority: a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience.

It’s good we had unanimity at the group conscience Dialogue (d) All important decisions shall be reached by discussion, vote and, whenever possible, by substantial unanimity. It’s good we had unanimity at the group conscience Important decisions in Overeaters Anonymous are based on discussion and debate. OA groups are best served when they diligently listen to the minority and do not decide on matters by a close vote.

But Sire, there are no kings Compassion (e) No service action shall ever be personally punitive or an incitement to public controversy. But Sire, there are no kings in OA! Sometimes a member may act inappropriately or be unable to fulfill the duties of an elected service position. As a Fellowship and individually, we make every attempt to act with compassion.

But Sir, there are no judges Respect (f) No OA service committee or service board shall ever perform any acts of government, and each shall always remain democratic in thought and action. But Sir, there are no judges in OA! Service bodies are composed of OA members who serve the groups they represent.

Thank you!