The Twelve Concepts of OA Service help us apply the Steps and Traditions in our service work, which is an important part of the OA program. The Concepts define and guide the practices of the service structures that conduct the business of OA.
These Concepts depict the chain of delegated responsibility we use to provide service throughout the world. Although they focus on OA world services, the Concepts direct all OA’s trusted servants to well-considered actions for group participation, decision making, voting, and the expression of minority opinions. The Twelve Concepts support our primary purpose of carrying OA’s message of recovery to the still-suffering compulsive eater.
a. No OA committee or service body shall ever become the seat of perilous wealth or power;
b. Sufficient operating funds, plus an ample reserve, shall be OA’s prudent financial principle;
c. No OA member shall ever be placed in a position of unqualified authority;
d. All important decisions shall be reached by discussion, vote and, whenever possible, by substantial unanimity;
e. No service action shall ever be personally punitive or an incitement to public controversy; and
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.
A spiritual principle is associated with each of the Twelve Concepts.
For more information about the Twelve Concepts,
read the pamphlet The Twelve Concepts of OA Service,
available at bookstore.oa.org.
The Twelve Concept of OA Sevice © 1997–2026 Overeaters Anonymous, Inc. All Rights Reserved.