The Twelve Concepts Spiritual principles for all who

The Twelve Concepts

Spiritual principles for all who serve ØSteps support personal recovery (keep us from committing suicide) ØTraditions maintain unity (keep us from committing

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.

Voting members participate: ØGroups ØIntergroups ØService Boards ØRegion ØWorld Service To make the best decisions they can for Overeaters Anonymous as a whole.

Concept Two Conscience 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 ce n e i sc n o C p u rk o o Gr w at is best, what is best for OA as a whole? Representational democracy is the best method for serving OA.

I took the cotton out of my ears and stuck it in my mouth! Principles before personalities 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 Guess this ain’t where I get it my way Our leaders are but trusted servants. They do not govern.

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.

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.

OA members who are placed in these decision-making positions are generally members who have served in other roles; r i a h C n o i g Re WSBC e t a g e l e D Those voting trust that, based on past performance, these members will make the best choices for the group as a whole

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 Missio n: 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 s g n i eet. B m Assemblies OT SB V / B IG/S WSBC Me eti ng s This direct & delegated participation ensures the democratic foundation of OA

Concept Five Consideration My right of appeal ITION D A R T O T A SALUTE Individuals have the right of appeal and petition in order to assure that their opinions and personal grievances will be

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

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

The best method of appeal is to write a detailed account of the concern and present it to the appropriate service body for reconsideration e s a d i e s l P on c ! r e

Concept Six Responsibility 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. ?

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

Concept Seven Balance 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 ta k Righ es the t Co mbi nat ion OA Bylaws

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

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. Next year, at WSBC, we’re wearing matching sweatshirts like Region 8!

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

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!

Concept Eight Delegation The Board of Trustees has delegated to its Executive Committee the responsibility to administer the World Service Office k a M ! n e p p a H t i e

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? I need an expense voucher What’s the cost of the new pamphlet? The office needs new carpeting! Can we hire a translator?

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.

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. I wonder if I’ll have time to get to the OA meeting during lunch?

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!”

The WSO staff refers issues related to personal recovery, Tradition questions I bet the Region 2 Trustee can handle this!

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

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 done more service than you I got more abstinence than you

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 7 th 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.

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

Concept Eleven acknowledges that service work may require assistance from people outside OA who have professional skills and talents not available within our groups. form n a n c tees a m t r hai ommi in C BOT -hoc c cified art B. ad pe subp s s , a aws l y B OA professional audit for service body’s financial records and tax returns. con tr bac oller h acc kgrou as a oun nd tin g

Concept Twelve Guidelines Working Together to Make Things Better Selflessness (a) 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. The spiritual foundation for OA service ensures … Oh, I thought you said, “provide us some power! Ha, ha!”

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. rity: cience. o h t u a ns t one group co u b s i here self in our T. A O e” of xpress Him g r a h c e is “in s He may e n o a No God g n i v a lo

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.

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.

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!