Table of Contents
Section 1: Welcome and About Assembly 4
Tentative Business Assembly Agenda, Saturday, May 30, 2026 5
Committee Meetings, Sunday, May 31, 2026 7
Section 2: Standing Rules, 2026 Virtual Region Assembly 8
Participation in a Virtual Region Assembly 9
Section 3: Prior Assembly Minutes (Redacted/Pending Approval) 12
Section 4: Adoption of Proposed Agenda 64
New Business Motion 1: Committee Descriptions (Consent Agenda) 66
Section 6: New Business Motions 68
New Business Motion 2: Board Handover Notes 68
New Business Motion 3: Committee Chair Handover Notes 69
Virtual Region Groups and Service Boards Counts as of April 2026 73
Includes the report of the Convention Planning Committee 74
Reference to the Financial Statement 76
Section 8: Committee Reports 83
Convention Planning Committee 84
Data Protection Committee and Tech Subcommittee 85
Digital Resources Committee 87
Intergroup Outreach Committee 91
Language Services Committee 92
Public Information Professional Outreach/Unity with Diversity Committee 94
Twelfth Step Within Workshop Committee 95
Section 9: Virtual Region 2026 Contacts 96
Section 10: Virtual Region Bylaws 97
Section 1 – The Twelve Steps 97
Section 2 – The Twelve Traditions 98
Section 3 – The Twelve Concepts of OA Service 99
Section 2 – Representative Qualifications 100
Section 3 – Group Definition 101
Section 4 – Service Body Definition 101
Section 5 – Affiliation/Participation 101
Section 6 – Virtual Region Representative Responsibilities 101
ARTICLE 4 – THE VIRTUAL REGION WORLD SERVICE BUSINESS CONFERENCE DELEGATES 102
ARTICLE 5 – THE VIRTUAL REGION BOARD 102
Section 2 – Qualification for the Virtual Region Board 103
Section 3 – Nominations to the Virtual Region Board 103
Section 4 – Election of the Virtual Region Board Members 103
Section 5 – Term of Office 104
Section 6 – Responsibilities of the Virtual Region Board Members 104
Section 7 – Board of Directors 104
Section 8 – Resignation or Removal of Region Board Members 105
Section 9 – Filling Vacancies 105
ARTICLE 6 – TRUSTEE LIAISON 105
Section 2 – Qualifications for Trustee Affirmation 106
Section 3 – Election to the Board of Trustees 106
Section 4 – Participation in the Virtual Region 106
ARTICLE 7 – BUSINESS MEETINGS 107
Section 2 – Virtual Conference Meetings 107
Section 3 – Method of Notification 107
ARTICLE 8 – PRUDENT RESERVE 108
ARTICLE 9 – PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE 108
Section 11: Virtual Region Policy and Procedure Manual 110
4. Duties of Board Members 112
5. Board Members Duties by Position 113
8. Zoom Account Guidelines and Usage Procedures 117
Zoom Policies and Procedures 117
Twelve Steps of Overeaters Anonymous 119
The Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous 120
The Twelve Concepts of OA Service 121
Dear Virtual Region and Virtual Region Friends:
On behalf of our board members, committee chairs, committees, and myself, we extend a heartfelt welcome to the Virtual Region’s Assembly 1, 2026. Collectively we represent thousands of members, hundreds of meetings, and myriad service bodies. Whether this is your first assembly or your fifth, we're glad you’re here.
Assemblies are a time of gathering to do the business of the region. Toward that end we will receive, debate, and act upon a number of proposals. Assemblies are also an opportunity for us to meet and to get to know each other, to offer and receive hope and support, and to make our region stronger and more effective in carrying the message.
One of the ways living in recovery has strengthened me as a human being is through the practice of our principles and traditions in all my affairs. I’m not exaggerating when I say that the notion (and practice) of group conscience transformed my life and my vocation. This deep, respectful sharing and listening is a model for the world in my opinion. Beyond the sharing and listening, however, is our commitment to honor what the body decides. Whether we agree with the final vote or not we believe that the Power that brought us together is in the outcome and we surrender to that. That’s revolutionary.
On the first day of Assembly we will participate in the sometimes messy process of achieving that group conscience. We remember that in our program literature we’re told, “Love and tolerance of others is our code.” However passionate may be our feelings about certain matters, let's be mindful of that. Also, we have boundaries such as timers, rules of order, and protocols to help us organize our proceedings while honoring our humanity. Thank you for cooperating with those, as well.
Together we will discern the conscience of our group. That conscience will yield thousands more reclaimed lives as we carry the message of hope and healing through Overeaters Anonymous. That is why we gather and I look forward to serving with you in this way.
10:00 a.m. Eastern Time (New York) (UTC -4)
Registered Participants, please check your email for a Zoom link and instructions.
Welcome to Assembly: Chair
Reading - The 12 Steps, the 12 Traditions, and the 12 Concepts of Overeaters Anonymous
Introductions: Board Members, Committee Chairs, Parliamentarian, Center Mic
Parliamentarian, Center Mic - explanation
Quorum Roll Call
Reading - For Today
Meditation
Standing Rules
Adopt Agenda
Minutes Approval Assembly 2 2025
Consent Agenda:
New Business Motion 1: Committee Descriptions (Consent Agenda)
Treasurer's Report
New Business Motions:
New Business Motion 2: Board Handover Notes
New Business Motion 3: Committee Chair Handover Notes
Chair Announcements and Sunday meetings.
Celebration of New Delegates
Committee Announcements
Closing
You are Invited to Get to Know the Virtual Region Board and Its Committees!
Track 1 meetings are 45-minutes long. Track 2 meetings are one hour long, unless otherwise noted
Track 1 | Track 2 | ||
8:30-9:30 a.m. ET | xxxxxxxx | 8:30-9:30 a.m. ET | Board |
10:00-10:45 a.m. ET | Bylaws Committee | 9:45-10:45 a.m. ET | Data-Tech Committee |
11:00-11:45 a.m. ET | Finance Committee | 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. ET | Digital Resources Committee |
12:00-12:45 p.m. ET | Languages Services Committee | 12:15-1:15 p.m. ET | |
1:00-1:45 p.m. ET | 12th Step Within Workshop Committee | 1:30-2:30 p.m. ET | Intergroup Outreach Committee |
2:00-2:45 p.m. ET | Convention Committee | 2:45-3:45 p.m. ET | |
3:00-3:45 p.m. ET | Public Information, Professional Outreach, and Unity With Diversity Committee | xxxxxxxx | xxxxxxxx |
4:00-5:00 p.m. ET | xxxxxxxx | 4:00-5:00 p.m. ET | Board |
These rules take precedence over Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised with which they may conflict. They may be suspended by a two-thirds vote using a Motion to Suspend the Rules.
The Standing Rules will be published 45 days in advance of any business meeting and may be amended at any time during a meeting through a motion from the floor; it requires the motion to be seconded, debated, and the majority vote. Proposed amendments may be submitted in advance and then voted on at the assembly.
Assembly 2 2025 Minutes, redacted, unapproved
Date: November 15, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM Eastern Time
Opening
The assembly opened with the Serenity Prayer, followed by the reading of opening materials and remarks by the Chair, after which the Chair introduced the Parliamentarian and Center Microphone Monitor.
Roll Call of voting members was taken by the Secretary and Data Officer, and announced as follows:
Intergroups/service bodies represented
26 Representatives
4 Board members (minus the chair)
9 Committee chairs
For a total of 39 voting members
Quorum
The Secretary and Data Officer confirmed the roll call results. The Quorum was announced, and the Chair declared a quorum present.
Trustee Read Letter from the Chair and the Board of Trustees of OA
Dear Members of the Virtual Region and the OA Fellowship,
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I want to thank you for your recent letter and for sharing the concerns that have arisen within the Virtual Region.
First and foremost, I want to affirm that the Board of Trustees takes seriously any expression of confusion, hurt, or concern among our members. Tradition One reminds us that our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon OA unity. When misunderstandings or rumors arise, it is important that we slow down, seek clarity, and place principles before personalities.
It saddens me that anyone may have felt their integrity or motives were questioned. That is never the Board’s intention. We are all trying—imperfectly at times—to serve the Fellowship with love. If conversations or misunderstandings have caused hurt, I am truly sorry. We remain committed to clearer communication, mutual trust, and always returning to loving principles when concerns arise.
Thank you for offering clarification about the translation license applications. We trust the good intentions behind your service and share your commitment to making OA literature accessible across languages and cultures.
As OA continues to grow and change, it is natural for questions about structure and purpose to arise. I want to reassure you that the Board of Trustees is not seeking to change the status of the Virtual Region. Any consideration of changes to regional structure would require careful thought, broad Fellowship input, and action through the World Service Business Conference (WSBC). WSBC, a body made up of delegates representing 300+ service bodies worldwide, truly is the voice of the fellowship.
Your service since the Virtual Region’s beginning has made a meaningful difference—through global outreach, multilingual support, welcoming newcomers, and continually finding new ways to carry the message. We have heard first-hand about your technology assistance to other region assemblies and events. These contributions are a gift to OA, and the Board is grateful for the dedication and creativity you bring to your work.
We are all learning as we go. Feelings run deep because we care deeply. Even when misunderstandings arise, our Fellowship is resilient. When we return to humility, compassion, and unity, we find our way forward. The Board of Trustees is committed to walking with you—and with every region, service board, and intergroup—as together we carry the message to those who still suffer.
Thank you for your service, your honesty, and your continued commitment to recovery.
With gratitude,
BL., Chair and the Board of Trustees of
Overeaters Anonymous, Inc.
Meditation and Reading
A passage from For Today was read, followed by a 3-minute meditation.
Appointment of Minutes Review Committee
A Minutes Review Committee was appointed: LJ and CL
Standing Rules
The Standing rules were presented upon which a Motion to Extend Option was introduced.
Passed with no objections.
Adoption of Agenda
The motion on the adoption of the Proposed Agenda was taken up. The proposed agenda was adopted without objection.
Adopted with no objections
Approval of 2025 Assembly 1 Minutes
The motion on the adoption of the 2025 Assembly 1 Minutes was taken up. The 2025 Assembly 1 Minutes were adopted without objection.
Consent Agenda
The motion on the Adoption of the Consent Agenda was taken up. New Business Motion 1 was removed from the Consent Agenda.
As per the Chair, the following were moved to Consent Agenda: New Business Motion 12,
Substitute New Business Motion 13, Substitute Bylaws Motion I.
Motion E was removed from Consent Agenda.
The Chair called for the vote on the motion to adopt the Consent Agenda.
The Consent Agenda was adopted without objection.
Vote: 35 yes; 0 no
BYLAWS AMENDMENT A - adopted on Consent
Move to amend OA Virtual Region Bylaws, Article 3 – Members, Section 1 – Membership, point 1.A by striking and inserting as follows:
CURRENT WORDING ARTICLE 3 – MEMBERS Section 1 – Membership
| PROPOSED WORDING ARTICLE 3 – MEMBERS Section 1 – Membership
|
SUBMITTED BY:
Virtual Region Bylaws Committee
INTENT: To clarify that the bylaw applies specifically to service bodies that are affiliated with the Virtual Region of Overeaters Anonymous, rather than virtual intergroups affiliated with other regions.
IMPLEMENTATION: Update the bylaws.
COST: $0, Time to update the Bylaws, post on the website and send it to the World Service Office.
PRIMARY PURPOSE: To ensure clarity and consistency in the bylaws, aligning with OA’s principle of group autonomy while maintaining clear communication and structure within the Virtual Region.
RATIONALE: There are virtual service bodies affiliated with regions other than the Virtual Region, and this distinction needs to be made clear. By specifying that the bylaw applies to service bodies affiliated with the Virtual Region, the motion avoids confusion. This also allows a geographic service body to choose to affiliate with the Virtual region. Simplifying the wording also improves readability and accessibility, making the material easier for members to understand and apply.
BYLAWS AMENDMENT B - adopted on Consent
Move to amend OA Virtual Region Bylaws, Article 5 – Board Members Duties by Position, Items 3-5 as follows:
CURRENT WORDING Article 5 – Board Members Duties by Position Section 5 – Election of the Virtual Region Board Members
| PROPOSED WORDING Article 5 – Board Members Duties by Position Section 5 – Election of the Virtual Region Board Members
|
Proviso: Upon adoption, this motion shall become effective immediately.
SUBMITTED BY:
OA Virtual Region Bylaws Committee
MAIN MOTION
INTENT: To formally establish when the newly created Board Officer position, Member at Large, shall be elected.
IMPLEMENTATION: Upon approval, the Member at Large will assume their position with duties as outlined in the Policy Manual.
PRIMARY PURPOSE: To provide clarity on when the member at large is elected.
RATIONALE: Defining the timing of when the elected Member at Large takes office eliminates ambiguity, ensures smoother handover, and allows the Board to fully benefit from the support and contributions of this new officer role.
Proviso
INTENT: To ensure that the provisions of this motion are enacted without delay, allowing the Member at Large role to be filled at this assembly.
IMPLEMENTATION: Once the motion is adopted, the new position and its associated responsibilities will take effect immediately, rather than being delayed until the next election cycle.
PRIMARY PURPOSE: To help the Board by enabling the new Member at Large to begin supporting Board Officers and engaging with members immediately.
RATIONALE: Delaying implementation could hinder Board efficiency and leave the new position vacant. This proviso ensures that the Region has a full Board.
BYLAWS AMENDMENT C - adopted on Consent
Move to amend OA Virtual Region Bylaws, Article 6 – Trustee Liaison, Section 4 – Participation in the Virtual Region, by striking and inserting as follows:
CURRENT WORDING Article 6 – Trustee Liaison Section 4 – Participation in the Virtual Region
| PROPOSED WORDING Article 6 – Trustee Liaison Section 4 – Participation in the Virtual Region
|
SUBMITTED BY:
Virtual Region Bylaws Committee
INTENT: To move the language from a mandate to a recommendation, allowing the Trustee Liaison greater flexibility in attending Virtual Region Board meetings and assemblies.
IMPLEMENTATION: Update the Bylaws.
COST: None
PRIMARY PURPOSE: To respect the time and availability of the Trustee Liaison while still encouraging their presence and participation in Board meetings and Assemblies. It reflects a spirit of collaboration rather than obligation.
RATIONALE: The original language mandates attendance, which may not always be feasible due to scheduling conflicts or other trustee responsibilities. By using “should” instead of “will,” the Virtual Region acknowledges the value of trustee participation while allowing for discretion and practicality. This adjustment maintains the connection and involvement of the Trustee Liaison without placing undue burden on their role.
BYLAWS AMENDMENT D - adopted on Consent
Move to amend OA Virtual Region Bylaws, Article 3 – Members, Section 6 – Virtual Region Representative Responsibilities, Point 3, by inserting as follows:
CURRENT WORDING ARTICLE 3 – MEMBERS Section 6–Virtual Region Representative Responsibilities
| PROPOSED WORDING ARTICLE 3 – MEMBERS Section 6–Virtual Region Representative Responsibilities
|
SUBMITTED BY:
OA Virtual Region Bylaws Committee
INTENT: To broaden the responsibility for transparency in communication, ensuring it includes both messages about and from the Virtual Region—especially in relation to interactions with the Virtual Region and the World Service Office.
IMPLEMENTATION: Amend the the Bylaws.
COST: None
PRIMARY PURPOSE: To make sure that trusted servants and committees chairs are informed about all relevant communications, whether the communication is from the World Service Office, the Region, other Regions, or Service Bodies of OA.
RATIONALE: Currently the focus is limited to communications about the Virtual Region. This addition makes it clear that messages from the Virtual Region—including those about other parts of OA—should also be shared with the appropriate service bodies, or committee. It supports OA’s values of transparency, accountability, and connection across all levels of service.
BYLAWS AMENDMENT F - adopted on Consent
Move to amend OA Virtual Region Bylaws Article 5 – The Virtual Region Board, Section 4 – Trustee Nominees, by striking as follows:
CURRENT WORDING Article 5 – The Virtual Region Board Section 4 – Trustee Nominees
The Virtual Region requires:
| PROPOSED WORDING Article 5 – The Virtual Region Board Section 4 – Trustee Nominees
The Virtual Region requires:
|
SUBMITTED BY:
Virtual Region Bylaws Committee
INTENT: To clearly distinguish the role of the Trustee from that of a Region Board Member in all relevant sections of the bylaws, thereby avoiding confusion about service positions and authority.
IMPLEMENTATION: All sections of the Bylaws and Policy & Procedure Manual and related documents where the Trustee is referenced alongside Board Members will be reviewed and revised. Language will be updated to state explicitly that the Trustee serves as a liaison and resource but is not a member of the Region Board.
PRIMARY PURPOSE: This motion supports OA’s primary purpose by ensuring that service roles are clearly defined, preventing misunderstandings about authority, responsibility, and accountability.
RATIONALE: At present, wording in some sections could lead members to assume that the Trustee is a Board Member. Since the Trustee’s role is defined differently in OA Bylaws, clarification is necessary. This protects the integrity of the Region, prevents conflicts of interest, and ensures that all participants understand the scope of the Trustee’s service.
BYLAWS AMENDMENT G - adopted on Consent
Move to amend OA Virtual Region Policy Manual, Section 4. Duties of Board Members, by inserting as follows:
CURRENT WORDING 4. Duties of Board Members
| PROPOSED WORDING 4. Duties of Board Members
|
SUBMITTED BY:
OA Virtual Region Bylaws Committee
INTENT: To shift the responsibility of working with the Data Coordinator from being solely within the Secretary’s role to becoming a shared duty of all Board Officers, ensuring collective accountability and stronger support for the Region’s data needs.
IMPLEMENTATION: The job description will be updated.
PRIMARY PURPOSE: This motion supports OA’s primary purpose by ensuring accurate and timely use of data that strengthens service work and communication within the Region. When all Board Officers are engaged in supporting the Data Coordinator, the Region’s goals are met more effectively.
RATIONALE: Previously, this responsibility rested with the Secretary alone, which limited collaboration and placed unnecessary burden on a single officer. Since the Data Coordinator’s work impacts the entire Region, it is appropriate that all Board Officers share responsibility for supporting this role. This change fosters cooperation, broadens accountability, and ensures that the Region benefits from collective oversight.
BYLAWS AMENDMENT H - adopted on Consent
Move to amend OA Virtual Region Policy Manual 4. Duties of Board Members, point 6, by striking and inserting as follows:
CURRENT WORDING 4. Duties of Board Members
| PROPOSED WORDING 4. Duties of Board Members
|
SUBMITTED BY:
OA Virtual Region Bylaws Committee
INTENT: To clarify that officers and committee members are expected to adhere to both the Virtual Region and World Service Office Bylaws, as well as the respective Policy and Procedure Manuals, by making the language inclusive and plural where appropriate.
IMPLEMENTATION: This change will be reflected in the documents by updating the phrasing from “this Policy and Procedure Manual” to “Policy and Procedure Manuals.”
PRIMARY PURPOSE: This motion supports OA’s primary purpose by reinforcing accountability and alignment with established documents. It strengthens the integrity of service work, enabling trusted servants to focus on carrying the OA message of recovery while operating within clear, consistent guidelines.
RATIONALE: The current wording may unintentionally suggest that only one manual is relevant, potentially creating confusion about the scope of responsibility. The revised language is more accurate and inclusive, eliminating ambiguity and ensuring that officers and committee members understand their responsibility to follow all applicable governing documents.
In addition, there are policies contained within the World Service Policy Manual that directly impact the Region. It is therefore important that board officers are aware of these policies, understand their content, and adhere to them in their service.
NEW BUSINESS MOTION 1 - adopted on Consent
Move to amend OA Virtual Region Policy Manual, Article 5 – Board Members Duties by Position, by creating a new section, Section 7 – Member at Large as follows:
CURRENT WORDING DOES NOT CURRENTLY EXIST | PROPOSED WORDING Article 5 – Board Members Duties by Position Section 7 – Member at Large
|
SUBMITTED BY:
Virtual Region Bylaws Committee
INTENT: To define the responsibilities of the Member at Large, a newly created Board Officer position, and include these roles in the Policy Manual.
IMPLEMENTATION: If approved, the above section will be added to Article 5 of the Policy Manual. The new Member at Large will begin serving in accordance with these responsibilities, in alignment with the separate motion establishing their election.
PRIMARY PURPOSE: To ensure clarity, consistency, and transparency by documenting the scope and expectations of the Member at Large position.
RATIONALE: The creation of the Member at Large position addresses the Board's need for additional support, flexibility, and continuity. The role enhances the Board’s ability to respond to members and adapt during transitions or absences.
NEW BUSINESS MOTION 2 - adopted on Consent
Move to amend OA Virtual Region Policy Manual 5. Board Members Duties by Position, point 6, by striking and inserting as follows:
CURRENT WORDING 5. Board Members Duties by Position
| PROPOSED WORDING 5. Board Members Duties by Position
|
SUBMITTED BY:
OA Virtual Region Finance Committee
INTENT: To bring the policy manual in line with current practice.
IMPLEMENTATION: Update the policy manual.
HOW DOES THIS MOTION SUPPORT OA’S PRIMARY PURPOSE? Updating the duties of the Treasurer ensures a smooth rotation of service and maintains the integrity of the corporation
RATIONALE: Having an outline of duties makes it easier to understand the role and complete all needed tasks.
NEW BUSINESS MOTION 3 - adopted on Consent
Move to amend OA Virtual Region Policy Manual 5. Board Members Duties by Position, point 3, by striking and inserting as follows:
CURRENT WORDING 5. Board Members Duties by Position
| PROPOSED WORDING 5. Board Members Duties by Position
|
SUBMITTED BY:
OA Virtual Region Bylaws Committee
INTENT: To revise the Secretary’s job description for clarity, remove duplicated language, and reflect current expectations.
IMPLEMENTATION: Once adopted, the revised duties will be inserted into the appropriate section(s) of the Policy Manual, replacing the existing version. This will be reflected in all documents and future communications.
PRIMARY PURPOSE: To ensure the Secretary’s responsibilities are clearly defined, concise, and aligned with the current needs of the Board and the region.
RATIONALE: The previous version of the Secretary’s duties included redundant or outdated tasks. A streamlined and updated description helps avoid confusion and improves efficiency. This revision supports the overall functionality of the Region Board.
NEW BUSINESS MOTION 4 - adopted on Consent
Move to amend OA Virtual Region Policy Manual 6. Virtual Region Trustee, by striking as follows:
CURRENT WORDING 6. Virtual Region Trustee
| PROPOSED WORDING 6. Virtual Region Trustee
|
SUBMITTED BY:
OA Virtual Region Bylaws Committee
INTENT: To streamline documents by removing wording that is already addressed in the Bylaws, preventing duplication and confusion.
IMPLEMENTATION: The section referencing clarification of the Trustee’s status will be deleted from the Policy & Procedure Manual, since the Bylaws already covers this.
PRIMARY PURPOSE: This motion supports OA’s primary purpose by keeping documents clear, concise, and consistent. Eliminating duplicated language ensures that members and officers can focus on service and recovery, without being distracted by redundant or conflicting statements.
RATIONALE: Because the Bylaws already establish the Trustee role, repeating it in other documents is unnecessary. Removing the extra section avoids redundancy, keeps the Policy & Procedure Manual aligned with the Bylaws, and protects against the risk of contradictory language in future revisions.
NEW BUSINESS MOTION 5 - adopted on Consent
Move to submit a motion for the 2026 World Service Business Conference.
SUBMITTED BY:
OA Virtual Region Bylaws Committee
INTENT: To submit the accompanying motion to the World Service Business Conference.
IMPLEMENTATION: Submit the following motion to the World Service Business Conference.
COST: No additional cost beyond what would be expected for processing a standard motion.
HOW DOES THIS MOTION SUPPORT OA’S PRIMARY PURPOSE?: It ensures representation at all levels of OA Service.
RATIONALE: Only World Service Business Conference has the ability to make the change needed.
PROPOSED OA NEW BUSINESS MOTION
MOTION: Move to amend OA, Inc. Bylaws, Subpart B, Article IX — Conference Committees, Section 3 – Region Chairs Committee, Part b by striking and inserting as follows:
CURRENT WORDING Article IX — Conference Committees Section 3 – Region Chairs Committee
| PROPOSED WORDING Article IX — Conference Committees Section 3 – Region Chairs Committee
|
SUBMITTED BY:
OA Virtual Region
INTENT: This motion is meant to give Region Chairs flexibility when they cannot attend a committee meeting.
IMPLEMENTATION: Update the Bylaws.
COST: There is no financial cost. It only requires an update to the Bylaws.
HOW DOES THIS MOTION SUPPORT OA’S PRIMARY PURPOSE?: Our primary purpose is to carry the message of recovery. Committees are one of the ways we make that possible. This motion helps make sure those committees keep running smoothly even if the Region Chair is not available.
RATIONALE: The current wording can imply that only the Vice Chair can serve as the alternate. That can be limiting if the Vice Chair is busy or unavailable. By opening the options to other trusted and experienced servants—like a past Region Chair, a current Board Officer, or a Committee Chair—we make it easier to keep the work moving forward. This ensures continuity, shared responsibility, and stronger support for the fellowship.
As submitted to World Service Post-Assembly:
Deleted: NEW BUSINESS MOTION
Added: PROPOSED OA BYLAW AMENDMENTS
PROPOSED OA BYLAW AMENDMENTS
MOTION: Move to amend OA, Inc. Bylaws, Subpart B, Article IX — Conference Committees, Section 3 – Region Chairs Committee, Part b by striking and inserting as follows:
CURRENT WORDING Article IX — Conference Committees Section 3 – Region Chairs Committee
| PROPOSED WORDING Article IX — Conference Committees Section 3 – Region Chairs Committee
|
SUBMITTED BY:
OA Virtual Region
Email Address: chair@oavirtualregion.org
INTENT: This motion is meant to give Region Chairs flexibility when they cannot attend a committee meeting.
IMPLEMENTATION: Update the Bylaws.
COST: There is no financial cost. It only requires an update to the Bylaws.
HOW DOES THIS MOTION SUPPORT OA’S PRIMARY PURPOSE? HOW DOES THIS MOTION SUPPORT OA’S PRIMARY PURPOSE?: Our primary purpose is to carry the message of recovery. Committees are one of the ways we make that possible. This motion helps make sure those committees keep running smoothly even if the Region Chair is not available.
RATIONALE: The current wording can imply that only the Vice Chair can serve as the alternate. That can be limiting if the Vice Chair is busy or unavailable. By opening the options to other trusted and experienced servants—like a past Region Chair, a current Board Officer, or a Committee Chair—we make it easier to keep the work moving forward. This ensures continuity, shared responsibility, and stronger support for the fellowship.
NEW BUSINESS MOTION 12 - adopted on Consent
Move to amend OA Virtual Region Policy Manual 7. Parliamentarian, by striking and inserting as follows:
CURRENT WORDING 7. Parliamentarian Duties of the parliamentarian are to assist the Virtual Region chair and the Virtual Region board in parliamentary procedures. | PROPOSED WORDING 7. Parliamentarian The Parliamentarian will be nominated by the Chair and approved by the Board annually. Duties of the parliamentarian are to assist the Virtual Region chair and the Virtual Region board assembly in parliamentary procedures. |
SUBMITTED BY:
Virtual Region Bylaws Committee
INTENT: To clarify the process of appointing the Parliamentarian and to update their duties so that their support extends to the Region Chair and the Assembly, not just the Board Officers.
IMPLEMENTATION: Update the Policy Manual
PRIMARY PURPOSE: This motion supports OA’s primary purpose by ensuring that business within the Assembly is conducted in an orderly, fair, and transparent manner.
RATIONALE: The current wording limits the Parliamentarian’s role to supporting the Chair and the Board Officers. In practice, the Parliamentarian serves the Assembly as a whole, ensuring that parliamentary procedure is followed during business sessions. Clarifying the appointment process (nomination by the Chair, approval by the Board, annually) adds transparency and consistency, while updating the role description reflects the actual scope of service.
NEW BUSINESS MOTION 13 - adopted on Consent
MOTION: Move to amend OA Virtual Region Policy Manual, Section 10. Amendments, by striking and inserting as follows:
CURRENT WORDING 10. Amendments
| PROPOSED WORDING 10. Amendments
|
SUBMITTED BY:
OA Virtual Region Bylaws Committee
INTENT: To update and clarify the process for handling amendments so that it is consistent, efficient, and fair for all participants.
IMPLEMENTATION: The motion will revise the current rules and procedures on amendments, providing clearer language on submission, and updating the documents after assembly.
PRIMARY PURPOSE: This supports OA’s primary purpose by ensuring that group conscience is expressed in an orderly way.
RATIONALE: At present, handling of adopted motions and the updating of the document can be unclear. Updating the rules creates transparency, reduces duplication, and enables members to participate more confidently in decision-making.
Treasurer’s report:
The Treasurer's report and budget were taken up. Questions were asked and answered.
An Amendment was introduced by the Data Coordinator regarding Find-a-Meeting – to send an additional $1,000 US from the 2025 Budget, and the same from the 2026 budget to World Service for the Find-a-Meeting project. Seconded.
The amendment passed with no objection.
The budget, as amended, was seconded, and approved.
Charts shared online
Announcements
Elections
Chair (application)
The applicant spoke, followed by a question-and-answer period.
Vote on the election of a new chair: 38 yes, 0 no.
Treasurer (nomination from the floor)
Nominations were taken from the floor. One nomination was accepted.
The nominee spoke, followed by a question-and-answer period.
Vote on the election of a new treasurer: 39 yes, 0 no.
Digital Coordinator (application)
The applicant spoke, followed by a question-and-answer period.
Vote on the election of a new digital coordinator: 34 yes, 4 no votes.
Data Coordinator (nomination from the floor)
Nominations were taken from the floor. One nomination was accepted.
The nominee spoke, followed by a question-and-answer period.
Vote on the election of a new data coordinator: 37 yes, 1 no.
Member-at-Large (application)
The applicant spoke, followed by a question-and-answer period.
Vote on the election of a member-at-large: 38 yes, 0 no.
Affirmation of current Trustee liaison (application)
The applicant spoke, followed by a question-and-answer period.
Vote on the affirmation of the trustee liaison: 37 yes, 1 no.
New Business Motions
New Business Motion 6 – substitute
Move that the World Service Business Conference direct the Board of Trustees to create a new Specific Focus category titled “Ethnically Jewish.”
New Business Motion 6 was taken up.
The motion was presented, followed by a period for questions and debate.
There is no objection to calling the vote.
Motion 6 was adopted.
As presented on the Virtual Region website:
Move to submit a substitute motion in place of the previously submitted motion for the 2026 World Service Business Conference, as outlined in Appendix A. The original motion, included for reference in Appendix B, will be withdrawn in favor of this substitute.
SUBMITTED BY:
Virtual Region Bylaws Committee and Virtual Region Board
INTENT: To replace the previously submitted motion with a revised version that is more specific, streamlined, and actionable.
IMPLEMENTATION: The substitute motion will stand in place of the original and follow the standard World Service Business Conference process for consideration.
COST: No additional cost beyond what would be expected for processing a standard motion.
HOW DOES THIS MOTION SUPPORT OA’S PRIMARY PURPOSE?: By ensuring clarity and focus in motions presented to the World Service Business Conference, it helps maintain effective communication that supports OA’s ability to carry the message.
RATIONALE: The substitute motion provides improved clarity and feasibility, making it more appropriate for World Service Business Conference consideration than the original.
Appendix A: Proposed Substitute Motion
PROPOSED OA NEW BUSINESS MOTION
MOTION: Move that the World Service Business Conference direct the Board of Trustees to create a new Specific Focus category titled “Ethnically Jewish.”
Further move that the Board of Trustees add the term “Ethnically Jewish” to the Specific Focus drop-down menu used on the OA.org website for the purpose of listing and identifying meetings.
SUBMITTED BY:
OA Virtual Region
chair@oavirtualregion.org
INTENT: To formally recognize and support the cultural diversity within Overeaters Anonymous by establishing “Ethnically Jewish” as a valid and distinct Specific Focus category.
IMPLEMENTATION: Add to the specific focus drop down menu on OA.org and other official sites.
Updates to literature will be made as part of the standard review process.
COST: Unknown
HOW DOES THIS MOTION SUPPORT OA’S PRIMARY PURPOSE?: OA’s primary purpose, as stated in Tradition Five, is to “carry its message to the compulsive overeater who still suffers.” This motion directly supports that purpose by improving the visibility and accessibility of meetings that may be particularly helpful to a segment of the OA population: those who identify as ethnically Jewish.
RATIONALE: OA has successfully created Specific Focus categories for other ethnic communities—such as “Asian Pacific Islander Desi” and “Black, Indigenous, and People of Color”—there remains no category specifically acknowledging members who identify as ethnically Jewish. This identity is not about religious belief or practice; it is a shared cultural, historical, and ethnic experience. Many individuals identify as ethnically Jewish without participating in Jewish religious observance. They may be secular, cultural, interfaith, or even non-believing Jews who nonetheless share a background, family history, and relationship with food shaped by Jewish ethnicity. These experiences often include intergenerational trauma, communal food customs, cultural norms surrounding body image, and family expectations—all of which can deeply influence patterns of compulsive eating and recovery.
This motion is not about promoting any faith tradition within OA, nor does it ask OA to make religious accommodations. Rather, it mirrors existing Specific Focus categories that reflect cultural and demographic experience without reference to belief systems. This category affirms the lived reality of ethnically Jewish members who may otherwise feel invisible or misunderstood within broader meetings.
Adding “Ethnically Jewish” as a Specific Focus category allows for greater visibility, empowerment, and outreach. It offers newcomers a clearer path to connection and helps current members find recovery spaces where they feel culturally safe and understood. It also empowers groups to self-identify in a way that aligns with their members’ experiences—while remaining fully compliant with OA’s Traditions, including the requirement that groups have no outside affiliations.
Inclusion of this category promotes OA’s values of unity in diversity. It signals to Jewish-identifying members who may have felt excluded or isolated that they are seen, welcomed, and supported in their recovery journey. It strengthens our Fellowship by ensuring that all compulsive eaters, regardless of their cultural background, can find a space where the message of recovery resonates with their lived experience. This is a simple, low-cost, and high-impact way to extend the hand and heart of OA to those who still suffer.
Appendix B: Original Motion
PROPOSED OA NEW BUSINESS MOTION
MOTION: Move to create Ethnically Jewish as a Specific Focus Category.
Further move to add “Ethnically Jewish” to the specific focus drop-down menu on OA.org
SUBMITTED BY:
NAME OF CHAIR
OA Virtual Region
chair@oavirtualregion.org
INTENT: To create a Jewish Ethnicity specific focus category for meetings
IMPLEMENTATION: Add to the specific focus drop down menu on OA.org and other official sites.
COST: Office Time
HOW DOES THIS MOTION SUPPORT OA’S PRIMARY PURPOSE?: To provide urgently-needed space to ethnically Jewish fellows, improving their recovery and rendering relevant fellows more resourced and available to support the OA fellowship as a whole.
RATIONALE: Due to shared DNA, intergenerational trauma, similar family systems and shared customs around eating, Jewish ethnicity fellows are uniquely positioned to share relevant experience, strength and hope with those of shared ethnicity. Due to the rise in antisemitism, many Jewish ethnicity fellows feel the need for space to let their guard down and not think about being politicized or otherwise judged for their ethnicity. Some no longer feel safe or invited to share honestly in ordinary meetings. Many are dealing with complex social and career issues as a result of ongoing antisemitism. These challenges can impact abstinence — and are thus potentially life-threatening– and require rooms of greater sensitivity to navigate though and recover.
The genetic testing companies like 23 and Me label Jewish as a distinct ethnic category. Given the ethnic nature of Jewishness, it is already covered by the Unity with Diversity Policy. Withholding permission would constitute a break in policy.
Jewish ethnicity fellows disagree on everything from politics to religion; what Jewish ethnicity fellows do indeed share is DNA, hence the ethnic status of this group.
The Young Person’s Ethnically Jewish meeting has been thriving since August 2024, providing refuge to those fellows who need it. Members of this meeting hope to see more such meetings, so other Jewish ethnicity fellows can touch the depth of safety and connection they have been blessed with.
Greater health in Jewish ethnicity recovery allows these fellows to be of greater service to OA as a whole. When cups are overflowing, relevant fellows can better benefit the overall beloved OA fellowship. Young People’s Intergroup can attest to the recovery benefits of having specific focus for all YPs, and are eager to see Jewish ethnicity fellows similarly benefit.
As submitted to World Service Post-Assembly:
No additional updates.
New Business Motion 7 – substitute
Move to create a Special Committee on the distribution of digital literature intended to replace the current Board of Trustees (BOT) ad hoc committee on literature.
New Business Motion 7 was taken up.
The substitution motion was presented, followed by a period for questions and debate.
There was a motion to extend time for questions. This was amended.
A motion to extend time for questions by five minutes.
Vote to extend time for questions by five minutes: 22 yes, 10 no.
Vote on New Business Motion 7 – substitute: Vote: 20 yes; 15 no.
As presented on the Virtual Region website:
NBM 7 Substitute Motion VR Board to WSBC reference literature
PROPOSED OA NEW BUSINESS MOTIONS
Move to create a Special Committee on the distribution of digital literature intended to replace the current Board of Trustees (BOT) ad hoc committee on literature.
This Special Committee shall be empowered by the Conference to develop a fully integrated, OA-branded membership e-reader platform. The platform will include literature sales, OA content delivery, opportunities for digital group literature tables, links for Seventh Tradition contributions, and access to general OA resources.
The committee shall be formed following the 2026 Conference and will report to the next Conference. The platform is to be launched by the end of 2027.
To carry out this work, the Special Committee is authorized to implement such changes as are necessary to fulfil the intent of this motion.
The committee shall consist of two trustees (selected by the Board of Trustees), two region chairs (selected by the Region Chairs Committee), and three additional voting members.
The committee may, by a two-thirds majority vote of its voting members, add other individuals to serve in an advisory capacity. Such advisory members shall have a voice but no vote.
The committee shall submit a budget line-item request for inclusion in the 2026 OA budget.
SUBMITTED BY:
Virtual Region Board
INTENT:
To create a committee that will implement an eReader platform.
IMPLEMENTATION:
The committee will review technologies previously presented to the Board by the Virtual Region Trustee and evaluate any new viable options. It will determine the content plan, design the site map, assess functionality needs, and develop a rollout plan for the platform.
The committee will prepare a request for proposal (RFP) outlining development and maintenance costs, incorporating input into the content plan as needed.
Following the review and selection of bids, the committee will collaborate with the Board of Trustees to finalize contract terms. In accordance with OA Bylaws, Subpart A, Article IX — Miscellaneous Provisions, Section 3 – Execution of Checks, Notes, Contracts, (a) the Executive Committee shall authorize the appropriate person(s) to enter into the contract on behalf of Overeaters Anonymous, Inc. Thereafter, the committee will oversee the rollout of the platform.
COST
Cost: a one time $15,000 to $20,000 plus $6,000 to $15,000 annually with the intent of costs to be recovered by a return on the investment from literature sales.
HOW DOES THIS MOTION SUPPORT OA’S PRIMARY PURPOSE?
It enables the Fellowship to reach members and newcomers directly where OA literature is accessed and purchased. By developing an OA-operated digital platform, the Fellowship can share recovery resources, encourage use of OA literature, and promote the Tool of Writing in a unified, recovery-centered environment.
This platform will strengthen connections, provide timely access to OA-approved materials, and support members in all stages of recovery — including newcomers and those returning from relapse — helping to carry the message of recovery more effectively to the compulsive eater who still suffers.
RATIONALE:
A large and ever growing percentage of OA meetings are now virtual. Every region includes virtual meetings, and three regions currently have virtual intergroups. However, the technologies used to distribute OA literature outside of oa.org are outdated and do not facilitate meaningful membership outreach or growth.
This motion responds to the need for OA to reach its virtual membership through a recovery-driven digital literature platform. The shared recovery experience once found at in-person literature tables or in one-on-one member exchanges is lost on commercial platforms such as Amazon and Apple, and even, in part, on oa.org. By developing an OA-operated platform, the Fellowship can carry the message more effectively to newcomers, returnees, and members in relapse, while also strengthening unity and accessibility.
The current Board of Trustees Ad Hoc Committee on e-commerce has produced limited and inequitable results, with limited recommendations that do not fully address the needs of OA’s global and virtual membership. A Special Committee empowered by the Conference can provide broader representation, ensure access across regions, and ensure a more forward-thinking, recovery-driven approach.
An OA-operated digital literature platform will:
This motion strengthens OA’s ability to carry the message by meeting members where they are—online—providing direct access to literature, workshops, and recovery materials; supporting newcomer retention; and fostering connections across the Fellowship. OA will manage its own digital presence and membership data, while generating additional resources to sustain the Fellowship’s growth and recovery.
As submitted to World Service Post-Assembly:
Edited the following sentencing, adding “fee of” and “cost of.”
COST: A one time fee of $15,000 to $20,000 plus costs of $6,000 to $15,000 annually with the intent of costs to be recovered by a return on the investment from literature sales.
PROPOSED OA NEW BUSINESS MOTIONS
MOTION: Move to create a Special Committee on the distribution of digital literature intended to replace the current Board of Trustees (BOT) ad hoc committee on literature.
This Special Committee shall be empowered by the Conference to develop a fully integrated, OA-branded membership e-reader platform. The platform will include literature sales, OA content delivery, opportunities for digital group literature tables, links for Seventh Tradition contributions, and access to general OA resources.
The committee shall be formed following the 2026 Conference and will report to the next Conference. The platform is to be launched by the end of 2027.
To carry out this work, the Special Committee is authorized to implement such changes as are necessary to fulfil the intent of this motion.
The committee shall consist of two trustees (selected by the Board of Trustees), two region chairs (selected by the Region Chairs Committee), and three additional voting members.
The committee may, by a two-thirds majority vote of its voting members, add other individuals to serve in an advisory capacity. Such advisory members shall have a voice but no vote.
The committee shall submit a budget line-item request for inclusion in the 2026 OA budget.
SUBMITTED BY:
OA Virtual Region
Email Address: chair@oavirtualregion.org
INTENT: To create a committee that will implement an eReader platform.
IMPLEMENTATION: The committee will review technologies previously presented to the Board by the Virtual Region Trustee and evaluate any new viable options. It will determine the content plan, design the site map, assess functionality needs, and develop a rollout plan for the platform.
The committee will prepare a request for proposal (RFP) outlining development and maintenance costs, incorporating input into the content plan as needed.
Following the review and selection of bids, the committee will collaborate with the Board of Trustees to finalize contract terms. In accordance with OA Bylaws, Subpart A, Article IX — Miscellaneous Provisions, Section 3 – Execution of Checks, Notes, Contracts, (a) the Executive Committee shall authorize the appropriate person(s) to enter into the contract on behalf of Overeaters Anonymous, Inc. Thereafter, the committee will oversee the rollout of the platform.
COST: A one time fee of $15,000 to $20,000 plus costs of $6,000 to $15,000 annually with the intent of costs to be recovered by a return on the investment from literature sales.
HOW DOES THIS MOTION SUPPORT OA’S PRIMARY PURPOSE?: It enables the Fellowship to reach members and newcomers directly where OA literature is accessed and purchased. By developing an OA-operated digital platform, the Fellowship can share recovery resources, encourage use of OA literature, and promote the Tool of Writing in a unified, recovery-centered environment.
This platform will strengthen connections, provide timely access to OA-approved materials, and support members in all stages of recovery — including newcomers and those returning from relapse — helping to carry the message of recovery more effectively to the compulsive eater who still suffers.
RATIONALE: A large and ever growing percentage of OA meetings are now virtual. Every region includes virtual meetings, and three regions currently have virtual intergroups. However, the technologies used to distribute OA literature outside of oa.org are outdated and do not facilitate meaningful membership outreach or growth.
This motion responds to the need for OA to reach its virtual membership through a recovery-driven digital literature platform. The shared recovery experience once found at in-person literature tables or in one-on-one member exchanges is lost on commercial platforms such as Amazon and Apple, and even, in part, on oa.org. By developing an OA-operated platform, the Fellowship can carry the message more effectively to newcomers, returnees, and members in relapse, while also strengthening unity and accessibility.
The current Board of Trustees Ad Hoc Committee on e-commerce has produced limited and inequitable results, with recommendations that do not fully address the needs of OA’s global and virtual membership. A Special Committee empowered by the Conference can provide broader representation, ensure access across regions, and ensure a more forward-thinking, recovery-driven approach.
An OA-operated digital literature platform will:
This motion strengthens OA’s ability to carry the message by meeting members where they are—online—providing direct access to literature, workshops, and recovery materials; supporting newcomer retention; and fostering connections across the Fellowship. OA will manage its own digital presence and membership data, while generating additional resources to sustain the Fellowship’s growth and recovery.
New Business Motion 8
Move that OA Virtual Region Submit the following motion to World Service Business Conference 2026.
An amendment was introduced and seconded, followed by debate.
The amendment, accepted as a substitute motion, was presented:
“Every two years the World Service will hold a Virtual retreat, which all members are encouraged to attend. Additionally, World Service Convention will be scheduled at a time and place determined by the board of Trustees.”
Vote to make the substitute motion the new motion: 27 yes, 11 no.
Debate continued, followed by questions.
Vote on New Business Motion 8 – substitute: 27 yes, 9 no.
As presented on the Virtual Region website:
NBM 8: Sunlight IG WSBC Conventions
NEW BUSINESS MOTION 8
Move that OA Virtual Region Submit the following motion to World Service Business Conference 2026.
SUBMITTED BY:
OA Sunlight Intergroup
INTENT: Please see the “intent” section in the motion that follows.
IMPLEMENTATION: Submit motion to World Service Office.
COST: $0
PRIMARY PURPOSE: Please see the “How Does This Motion Support OA’s Primary Purpose” section in the motion that follows.
RATIONALE: Please see the “Rationale” section in the motion that follows.
PROPOSED OA NEW BUSINESS MOTION
MOTION: Move to amend World Service Business Conference Policy 1984b by striking and inserting as follows:
CURRENT WORDING World Service Business Conference Policy 1984b It was adopted that: The World Service Convention will be held at a time and place to be determined by the Board of Trustees. | PROPOSED WORDING World Service Business Conference Policy 1984b It was adopted that: The World Service Convention will be held at a time and place to be determined by the Board of Trustees. Every two years the World Service will hold a Virtual retreat, which all members are encouraged to attend. Additionally. World Service Conventions will be scheduled at a time and place determined by the Board of Trustees. |
SUBMITTED BY:
OA Virtual Region
INTENT
This motion seeks to establish a recurring Virtual World Service Convention every two years, building upon the proven success of large-scale virtual events within several Regions of OA including the Virtual Region. By creating a consistent, global gathering, this convention will provide a space for members from all countries and languages to connect, share their experience, strength, and hope, and deepen their recovery beyond the Region level.
IMPLEMENTATION
An assigned Region will oversee the planning and execution of the convention, forming a dedicated committee responsible for logistics, programming, and multilingual accessibility. Utilizing proven virtual event platforms, the committee will ensure seamless participation across time zones and languages, providing live translations (as far as practicable), recordings, and interactive engagement tools to maximize inclusivity.
COST
Costs will primarily cover platform hosting, technical support, translation services, and promotional efforts. These expenses will be offset by voluntary contributions, possible registration fees, and potential fundraising initiatives, ensuring financial sustainability while keeping the convention accessible to all members.
HOW DOES THIS MOTION SUPPORT OA’S PRIMARY PURPOSE?
This motion directly supports OA’s primary purpose by creating a unique opportunity for members worldwide to engage in fellowship, strengthen their recovery, and carry the message to those who still suffer. By offering an accessible and inclusive space for connection and service, this convention fosters unity and extends the reach of OA beyond local and regional levels.
RATIONALE
As submitted to World Service Post-Assembly:
OVER-ALL: Replaced “Convention” with “retreat” where appropriate.
INTENT: Deleted “large scale” from “the large-scale virtual event…”
IMPLEMENTATION: Replaced “An assigned Committee Region will oversee the planning and execution of the convention…” with “The Board of Trustees will assign a Committee which will oversee the planning and execution of the retreat…”
Overcoming Barriers to Participation: Replaced “conventions” with “events.”
Strengthening Recovery and Service: Deleted “Workshops, speaker panels, and interactive.”
Enhancing OA’s Reach and Impact: Replaced “recurring” with “regular.”
PROPOSED OA NEW BUSINESS MOTIONS
MOTION: Move to amend World Service Business Conference Policy 1984b by striking and inserting as follows:
CURRENT WORDING World Service Business Conference Policy 1984b It was adopted that: The World Service Convention will be held at a time and place to be determined by the Board of Trustees. | PROPOSED WORDING World Service Business Conference Policy 1984b It was adopted that: Every two years the World Service will hold a Virtual retreat, which all members are encouraged to attend. The Additionally World Service Conventions will be held scheduled at a time and place determined by the Board of Trustees. |
SUBMITTED BY:
OA Virtual Region
Email Address: chair@oavirtualregion.org
INTENT: This motion seeks to establish a recurring Virtual retreat every two years, building upon the proven success of virtual events within several Regions of OA including the Virtual Region. By creating a consistent, global gathering, this retreat will provide a space for members from all countries and languages to connect, share their experience, strength, and hope, and deepen their recovery beyond the Region level.
IMPLEMENTATION: The Board of Trustees will assign a Committee which will oversee the planning and execution of the retreat, forming a dedicated committee responsible for logistics, programming, and multilingual accessibility. Utilizing proven virtual event platforms, the committee will ensure seamless participation across time zones and languages, providing live translations (as far as practicable), recordings, and interactive engagement tools to maximize inclusivity.
COST: Costs will primarily cover platform hosting, technical support, translation services, and promotional efforts. These expenses will be offset by voluntary contributions, possible registration fees, and potential fundraising initiatives, ensuring financial sustainability while keeping the retreat accessible to all members.
HOW DOES THIS MOTION SUPPORT OA’S PRIMARY PURPOSE?
This motion directly supports OA’s primary purpose by creating a unique opportunity for members worldwide to engage in fellowship, strengthen their recovery, and carry the message to those who still suffer. By offering an accessible and inclusive space for connection and service, this retreat fosters unity and extends the reach of OA beyond local and regional levels.
RATIONALE:
Expanding Global Fellowship: Overeaters Anonymous is a worldwide fellowship, yet many members, especially those in remote or underrepresented areas, lack opportunities for large-scale engagement. A Virtual World Service retreat held every two years provides a consistent and structured space where members from diverse backgrounds can connect, share their journeys, and find support beyond their immediate communities. This event fosters a greater sense of unity and belonging within OA as a whole.
Proven Success of Virtual Events: The Virtual Region amongst others has demonstrated that virtual gatherings can be effectively executed and highly beneficial for members. Previous virtual conventions and workshops have successfully brought together hundreds of participants, proving that technology can bridge distances and create meaningful connections. This motion builds on that success, ensuring that a well-organized and engaging event becomes a regular part of OA’s global offering.
Overcoming Barriers to Participation: Traditional in-person events often present financial and logistical challenges, including travel, lodging, and accessibility concerns. A virtual format eliminates these barriers, making it easier for members with financial constraints, disabilities, or caregiving responsibilities to participate. Additionally, multilingual support will ensure that more members can engage fully, regardless of their primary language.
Strengthening Recovery and Service: A global World Service retreat offers members opportunities for deeper learning, recovery, and service. Sessions will provide fresh perspectives on OA principles, strengthening individual recovery and inspiring greater participation in service roles. The event will also serve as a platform to train and encourage future trusted servants within the fellowship.
Enhancing OA’s Reach and Impact: By creating a World Wide Virtual World Service retreat, OA reinforces its commitment to inclusivity and accessibility. This motion ensures that the message of recovery continues to reach members worldwide, providing a vital space for connection and growth that aligns with OA’s core mission. A regular retreat will not only support existing members but also create opportunities to welcome newcomers, broadening OA’s impact on a global scale.
Bylaws Amendment E
Move to amend OA Virtual Region Bylaws, Article 5, Section 8 – Board of Directors
Bylaws Amendment E was taken up.
The Bylaws Amendment was presented, followed by a period for questions and debate.
Vote 30 yes; 5 no.
As presented on the Virtual Region website:
BLA E Board quorum
MOTION: Move to amend OA Virtual Region Bylaws, Article 5, Section 8 – Board of Directors, by inserting as follows:
CURRENT WORDING Article 5 – The Virtual Region Board Section 8 – Board of Directors The officers of the Virtual Region shall be the directors of the corporation.
| PROPOSED WORDING Article 5 – The Virtual Region Board Section 8 – Board of Directors The officers of the Virtual Region shall be the directors of the corporation.
|
Green Dot Ceremony
A reading from the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous (Step 12) followed by recitations of the Responsibility Pledge.
Announcements from Committee Chairs
Closing
The assembly was adjourned with the Serenity Prayer at 4:00 PM Eastern Time
The Chair will accept a motion on the adoption of the Proposed Agenda (See page 5, 6) or any amendments to the agenda may be made at this time.
There will be a Consent Agenda consisting of routine or non-controversial matters. The Chair will determine the matters that will be placed on the Consent Agenda. Any voting member may request that an item from the Consent Agenda be considered separately. The Consent Agenda shall require a two-thirds vote for adoption.
The Chair has determined that the following item is on the Consent Agenda for the Virtual Region Assembly 1 2026:
MOTION: Move to amend OA Virtual Region Policy and Procedure Manual Section 7.F.7 Committees, requiring committee chairs to send the Virtual Region Secretary updated committee descriptions annually by January fifteenth.
CURRENT WORDING F. Committee Chairs Duties:
| PROPOSED WORDING
|
SUBMITTED BY:
Virtual Region Board
For the motion maker’s contact details, please email secretary@oavirtualregion.org
INTENT:
To keep committee descriptions current on the Virtual Region website.
IMPLEMENTATION:
Update the committee descriptions on the website
COST:
Not applicable
PRIMARY PURPOSE:
Provide accurate and up to date information on the Virtual Region website for OA members looking to serve on our committees.
RATIONALE:
Much of the committee description data is outdated and at least three years old.
MOTION: Move to amend OA Virtual Region Policy and Procedure Manual Section 4 Duties of Board Members, to include utilization of handover notes.
CURRENT WORDING 4. Duties of Board Members M. Upon completion of service term, provides the successor with any information and documents from their service period via either written or electronic media. | PROPOSED WORDING 4. Duties of Board Members M. Upon completion of service term, provides the successor with any information and documents from their service period via either written or electronic media, including handover notes developed during their term to support their successors. |
SUBMITTED BY:
Virtual Region Board
For the motion maker’s contact details, please email secretary@oavirtualregion.org
INTENT:
Include importance of using handover notes in fulfilling service positions.
IMPLEMENTATION:
By adding it to the Policies and Procedures, #4 Duties of Board Members, M, it would underscore the necessity of using handover notes.
COST:
No cost
PRIMARY PURPOSE:
Board members benefit from outgoing board members' experience in their service.
RATIONALE: Handover notes have been a new and vital practice that needs to be emphasized for adherence, not just as optional documents.
MOTION: Move to amend OA Virtual Region Policy and Procedure Manual Section 7 Committee Chairs Duties, to include utilization of handover notes.
CURRENT WORDING 7. Committees
| PROPOSED WORDING 7. Committees
|
SUBMITTED BY:
Virtual Region Board
For the motion maker’s contact details, please email secretary@oavirtualregion.org
INTENT:
Include importance of using handover notes in fulfilling service positions.
IMPLEMENTATION:
By adding it to the Policies and Procedures, #7 Committees, F. Committee Chairs Duties, c, it would underscore the importance of using handover notes.
COST:
None
PRIMARY PURPOSE:
Committee members benefit from outgoing committee members' experience in their service.
RATIONALE: Handover notes have been a new and vital practice that needs to be emphasized for adherence, not just as optional documents.
Dear Virtual Region and Virtual Region Friends:
Assembly 2 of 2025, held in November, was a time of significant transition. With the election of officers we saw our beloved Region Chair of 4 years transition to a new role on the Board, one for which she is immensely qualified, and we gave thanks as well for our indomitable Treasurer who served tirelessly for an appointed year, then two full 2-year elected terms. Behind all those hours, months and years of service were two things - love for our members and this program, and appreciation for the fullness of life that recovery makes possible. Service is always about giving back but oh, how it benefits us and our individual recovery in the process. It is for that reason that we encourage, cajole, and nudge as many members as possible into service. Service benefits the one and the many.
In addition to considering motions, passing a budget, and hearing from our Board and committees, we also affirmed our OA Board Trustee to run for another term. Through election we welcomed a new treasurer, new chair, and a new position - Member-at-Large. All of the newly elected board members have hit the ground running, undergirded by the selfless tutelage of those who’ve come before. It is an honor to serve this amazing region and we are humbled by your trust in us.
After the November Assembly we immediately set our eyes toward our Virtual Region Convention in February. Preparing for that event is a herculean task and, while all was not as smooth as we would have hoped, the outcome was nothing short of phenomenal. We carried the message with love, enthusiasm, and a vibrant witness to the power of recovery to rebuild and reclaim lives. Thank you to everyone who made that happen.
When the last song was played, the last prayer said, and virtual lights went out on convention we immediately pivoted to preparation for this Assembly. There are many reports in this binder and they are the record of what has happened since we last met. Please read every one of them. Our committees work hard month after month to help make this region the dynamic force for good that it has become. Let’s keep that going.
That means we need more of our members to serve. If your ear is to the virtual ground you’re constantly hearing calls for service. This service is the lifeblood of our region. Without it we can’t help suffering people find hope and live. In the four short months I’ve occupied this chair I’ve spoken repeatedly about two ‘C’ words - capacity and culture. Our capacity to carry the message in all the ways we want to is totally dependent on having people in service at every level - meetings, service bodies, and region. Everyone can do something.
That brings me to the second ‘c’ - culture. We are fortunate to have a design for living by way of this 12-Step spiritual program of recovery. When we practice the principles in all our affairs, while working those transformative steps, we create a culture of ‘We’ that is unstoppable. I’m known to ask those who serve to bring their best recovering selves to the service of saving lives. When we do that there’s power available to us that transcends anything that might want to thwart our objectives.
Dear friends, it’s been an invigorating first few months and I look forward to the months ahead as I get to know you, serve this region with you, and carry the message of hope and healing to every corner of the globe.
Total number of affiliated virtual groups: | 707 |
Total number of unaffiliated virtual groups: | 323 |
Total number of affiliated virtual groups with land-based IGs: | 1,913 |
Total number of affiliated virtual groups with unaffiliated LSBs: | 0 |
2,943 | |
Total number of intergroups in Virtual Region: | 23 |
Specific Focus service boards in Virtual Region: | 3 |
Co-Chair and Board Liaison of the Convention Committee:
The 2026 Convention is successfully behind us. Amidst the myriad of confusion, conflicts, and chronic missed deadlines, the committee, board, and service members came together, with the catalyst of God’s grace, and miraculously made it happen!! With rough estimates, awaiting a full report from the VR Treasurer, it appears we surpassed the amount of money we received in contributions this year over last year’s.
We had a Debriefing meeting March seventh, 2026, and a Convention Committee Solutions Meeting on April fourth, 2026, forging the way for a simpler, organized, and more efficient planning for convention 2027.
What do you or your committee want to accomplish before the next assembly? We plan to be ahead of the curve, with the foundation of our convention firmly in place early Fall and with full registration able to open up a minimum of two months pre-convention.
Board Liaison to the PIPO/UWD Committee: The PIPO/UWD Committee has been chaired and successfully run by a hardworking, caring, and competent OA member who gently and lovingly procured service through the committee and in outreach to service bodies to lead approximately two dozen newcomer meetings during the February 2026 convention. The committee also graciously accommodated four multi-speaker sessions within their Track 4 leg of the convention and assisted all who came through the doors of the Newcomer Welcome Center with warm greetings and assistance with meeting placements.
July/August 2026 will most likely be the time frame during which the committee will host another Newcomer Open House, reaching out to all VR service bodies and giving them the opportunity to lead newcomer meetings during the event, helping the region carry the message of recovery and allowing service bodies a forum with which to introduce their groups. February 2027 will be when the region has its next convention, and the PIPO/UWD Committee will again be an integral part of the event, hosting and welcoming newcomers and those already within the fellowship or returning to the fellowship.
12th Step Within Committee: Subject to the VR Board’s approval on 4/4/2026, the committee plans on launching work for an in-person retreat scheduled for June 17-22, 2027, for a cruise from NYC to Nova Scotia. Two days at sea north and two days at sea south will be filled with retreat activities, including meetings, workshops, entertainment, and meditation. The two days in port will be dedicated to on shore sightseeing and free time.
Syndesis Intergroup Liaison: Encouraging involvement in VR events and assisting with procuring interpreters for Greek speaking members to enjoy VR events, has been the main theme.
I have completed the two 2025 Assemblies as the Virtual Region's Secretary and am now preparing to take on more responsibilities for 2026 Assembly 1.
What I have accomplished since the last assembly:
In addition to my regular duties such as responding to emails from the public and compiling Board meeting minutes, I have:
What I want to accomplish before the next assembly:
Preplan webpage, registration, eBlasts, and training for future Assemblies.
Update the handover notes to assist in onboarding a future Secretary.
Since being elected treasurer at Assembly II 2025, of the Virtual Region of OA, I have been working with the former treasurer to learn the duties and responsibilities of the position.
As I explained when I was elected, I am not familiar with the software that the VR uses in doing many of the functions of creating financial reports for the Region.
A bookkeeper has been hired to assist with this function, and with the former treasurer, we are working to get him on board with what his job entails. At the time this report is due, I am unable to provide you with as complete a report as the members of the region have come to expect, but would like to share what I can.
As I continue to learn and grow in my role, one of the main goals of the next quarter is to restart the Treasurers Forums on an ongoing basis.
And of course to be able to prepare complete, accurate financial reports for the members of the Virtual Region.
Looking forward to continuing to Serve the Virtual Region
The Financial Statement will be password protected and made available to voting representatives.
What I have accomplished since the last assembly
- Completed basic training as new Data Coordinator
- Met regularly with the Data Committee and the Tech subcommittee, and working teams.
- Worked with the Convention and Assembly Support Team.
- Stayed current with tasks in the Data Coordinator “todo” document.
- Have taken over Data onboarding new officers and new VR email holders.
- Conducted exit interviews with those leaving VR service positions.
- Backed up the Virtual Region Google drive to an external drive.
- Maintained the Constant Contact listing.
- Assumed responsibility for sending E-Blasts
- Maintained the google drives, auditing as needed.
- Consulted with Digital Chair on policies and procedures relating to Webmaster handover.
What I want to accomplish before the next assembly
- Train additional committee members.
- Help other committees and VR intergroups to see Data Protection as a continuation of the 11th tradition (anonymity) into the 21st century of data overload.
I serve as Digital Coordinator and, and in that capacity I begin this report by noting we have had numerous members rotate through this position with complexity of problem so first like to restate with the position is responsible for per our region policy and procedures.
Digital Coordinator
Over the past four months, the Digital Resources Committee has maintained the website, including convention and Assembly pages, the Events page, Intergroup Renewal content, and working with Digital Coordinator teams of the region’s social media platforms on Facebook and Instagram. Update styles and layouts have been used that improve the graphic delivery and style on the website.
There are several positive developments:
The effective operation of the Digital Resources Committee is essential to the operation of both the website and supporting the region’s committees and service bodies. Based on this, the following are key considerations:
The committee continues to face challenges in service participation and service continuity, particularly among incoming members who bring strong skill, experience, and creativity but do not remain in service. Participation is limited, resulting in a small number of members carrying a large service load.
This creates a narrow scope of decision-making, which can impact the region’s ability to reflect the full diversity of the fellowship, including languages, cultures, and membership groups we are trying to reach. It is not always clear whether content is effectively translated, whether digital resources are usable across service bodies, or whether outreach is reaching diverse populations.
Increasing membership participation in the committee across diverse skill sets, backgrounds, and languages is essential. We invite members to join us in service. If you have served in the past, please consider joining us again. If you previously served and experienced some of these challenges, we also invite you to return and help strengthen the committee going forward.
There are important digital assets that require additional training and shared service. New members are stepping forward and will be integrated into the committee to support this work.
The way the Digital Coordinator and the Digital Resources Committee interact with other committees is not clearly defined. This has been creating confusion, duplication of effort, and misalignment with the practical needs of the website service work. Clarifying these relationships promptly is of paramount importance and necessary for facilitating coordination. We need to improve methodologies for the intake of events, translation of documents, proper copyright procedures, and other necessary information for uploading on the website
There is a need to sustain consistent content delivery, expand and diversify social media platforms, and make outreach assets available in multiple languages.
There is currently a backlog in editing and publishing recordings. Yet we have several members with the ability, time and willingness to edit recordings. A priority is to model and to welcome and train service members to support ongoing content production. Our members deserve these fabulous recovery resources– and it is our responsibility to provide them. I hope to support the committee in doing this until new members can join coordinated efforts with the data committee to clean up this backlog.
Efforts are underway to strengthen collaboration with the Public Information Professional Outreach, and Unity with Diversity Committee (PIPO/UWD).Work has begun to assemble internal outreach databases to support outreach to medical professionals and to specific focus groups.
Ongoing efforts include expanding the use of existing resources from oa.org and the OA Virtual Region, ensuring materials are accessible and available in multiple languages. In addition, language translation needs to be addressed overall, and there will need to be a collaborative effort between Digital Resources, Data Tech and Language Services in examining what the best method is in order to accomplish this.
Key priorities moving forward include:
The overall goal is to support a more sustainable, participatory, and effective digital structure that serves the region’s primary purpose.
12 Step Within Committee Liaison
As liaison to the 12th Step Within Committee I have actively participated in workshops hosted by the committee and have also worked on updating its online assets. With a new committee chair, I look forward to supporting the committee, to the increasing participation of members on the committee service team, and to participating in Step studies and the training of service bodies to conduct studies. This is one of the committees I began service on in the region– and I have seen first hand the miracles its workshops and training have brought to our membership.
What have you accomplished since your last report?
Data handover: Finished working with the new Data Coordinator and the Admin assistant to complete data onboarding training and VR email assigning training. Completed other aspects of Data coordinator training such as Constant Contact, Google Drive and audits, committee and distribution lists, and duties for assembly preparation. We continue to meet for any ongoing issues and support. Assisted with annual clean up of committee listings.
Language Services Committee: Pending feedback on how captions and transcriptions worked at the convention, along with readers. Several meetings with the Footsteps Arabic translations team to get started on License 1 translations. The good news is that they have one book already translated, and only need to do updates on the 12 & 12 from 1st to 2nd edition which they have started now. We will follow up on questions pending details of the new License 2 details.
IGOR Committee: We will re-evaluate our phone outreach to unaffiliated meetings after the new “find-a-meeting’ launch to see how that affects our unaffiliated meetings numbers. We are working on updating the contact list for IG/SB Chairs. We are discussing having a meeting with all IG/SB Chairs to trade experience, strength, and hope regarding their service bodies.
Assembly Support Team: Trained the incoming Data Coordinator on the data protection requirements and documents for assembly. Support the AST as needed in other tasks.
What do you or your committee want to accomplish before the next assembly?
Member at Large: Continuing to see where I can assist in communications. Cover the new Data Coordinator as needed.
LSC: Assist the Chair in meeting with members to prioritise upcoming tasks. Evaluate the new ‘reader’ system and determine how we can best serve members with interpretations and translations. Follow progress on License 1 translations in Arabic and normative Spanish.
IGOR: Assist the CoChairs in meeting with members to set new goals.Assist with new projects as determined by the committee members.
Both the Intergroup Outreach Committee and the Language Service Committee are looking for additional members to help with their goals and tasks.
This report is included in the report of the Vice Chair.
Policies & Procedures (P&P) and Documentation Considerable progress has been made on the committee’s Policies and Procedures documents. The document has been restructured and organised with a table of contents and separately extractable “tabs”. It has been reviewed by the Board. Six or seven new policies were prepared, sent to the Board for review, and are ready to be added. The team has shifted focus to organizing a set of "How-to" documents.
Training and Onboarding Training initiatives have been a major focus, described as a "lifetime project" that is being addressed iteratively.
Automation There has been continued development of automation around the registration processes for Assembly, Volunteer agreements and Convention. The convention registration process was fully implemented using the free Google technologies of the not-for-profit account we hold.
Data Security, Privacy, and Audits
Service Openings: To help fill open service positions, a "committee carnival" (also referred to as a "service carnival") is scheduled for May. The committee webpage was rewritten in March to reflect the urgent need for volunteers with IT, cloud management, and data protection skills. You do not need to be an expert - training will be provided. We have working group sessions where you can learn, hands on, every two weeks.
Convention Follow-up: In February 2026, Patricia followed up on unregistered donations and speaker deadlines, and by late March, these convention matters were moved to the archive.
Speaker Releases: A member managed speaker release collection for the convention keynote speakers. Also tracking down missing phone numbers and obtaining speaker releases for the recent IGOR workshop recordings.
Creative Material release: A member adapted the Creative Material release from the World Service Office for our specific region use. It was endorsed by the committee.
Constant Contact: Our main list of email contacts is managed by this committee.
Translation Services: The committee is planning to evaluate alternatives to gtranslate - website translation software that we use.
Over the past six months, our committee has stayed closely involved in Virtual Region activities while onboarding new technical volunteers and refining our internal processes. We’ve placed special focus on improving how we work, supporting major Region events, and strengthening the systems that keep everything running smoothly.
What we’ve done |
🎉 Convention Support
Convention is a massive undertaking, and this year was no exception. Our team:
Going forward, we would like to improve the communication between Convention leadership and our committee to ensure that we are doing the right thing at the right time.
🗂️ Assembly Preparation
To support Assembly, we:
Going forward, we will work with Region leadership to receive and post Assembly material without needing to edit it on the webpage.
📝 Committee Requests
With Convention behind us, we anticipate new requests from committees—such as Step Study, Intergroup Outreach, and Carry the Message—for support with their upcoming projects. We are building a calendar to plan out our efforts, enabling us to do as much advance preparation as possible.
We need to establish communication lines between committees and committee members, perhaps including joint working sessions for content development. The start is a new submission form that enables Virtual Region service workers to deliver information and materials to us in an organised and predictable manner.
📅 Event Posting
We continue to post events both within and outside the Region, using submissions received through the Event Submission Form.
We are also investigating alternative language translation services to speed up translations.
WHO’S BEEN DOING IT |
We’ve also provided in-house training on tools such as eblasts and WPForms to help our volunteers work confidently and effectively. This committee is truly a place to grow your technical skillset and your résumé.
How we’ve been doing it |
Improved processes! This is the area we would like to focus on for the next six months.
We receive a steady flow of new requests, along with large volumes of information for major projects like Assembly and Convention. We also foresee requests from committees when these larger events are behind us. These requests involve both the structure (two web pages with specific links) and the content (words, images, and font sizes). The goal is to ensure that we work with accurate information from the correct source. In short, we need to develop communication lines between our service workers and other committees.
Since the last Virtual Region Assembly, the Finance Committee has completed the first Annual Appeal video, which we encourage groups to share in their meetings: https://oavirtualregion.org/annual-appeal-2-2025-2/
The Virtual Region Assembly voted in a new Treasurer, who has been working with the former treasurer, to learn the position.
The region has hired a bookkeeper to assist the Finance Committee and VR Treasurer.
Prior to the Fall 2026 Assembly, we plan to produce an enhanced, Annual Appeal video to include suggestions from the board.
We will work with the treasurer to restart the Treasurer's Forum quarterly.
The Committee will work with the treasurer to prepare the 2027 Budget.
What we have accomplished since the last assembly:
What we want to accomplish before the next assembly:
Our committee meetings are twice monthly, 11:30am Thursday mornings Eastern Time.
Doing the best we can one day at a time!
With love, mutual respect and understanding,
The Intergroup Outreach Committee
https://oavirtualregion.org/igor-committee/
Accomplishments Since Last Assembly
Since the election of a new Chair in December 2025, the LSC has focused on expanding accessibility across the Region through technology and teamwork.
Goals Before Next Assembly
Help Us Build the Bridge
The LSC is where technology meets the heart of service. Through Zoom AI, live interpretation, and literature translation, we ensure that the message of recovery knows no borders.
We need your help! Currently, we have very few hands for a great deal of work. With more volunteers, we can be far more effective in closing the language gap across the Region. We need core team members—not just interpreters—to help us shape the committee's future.
Join us! Meetings are the third Friday of every month at 10:30 am ET. Whether you speak one language or many, if you want to help carry the message across borders, there is a place for you here.
During this reporting period, the committee focused on maintaining service continuity while continuing to assess opportunities for outreach and connection within the Virtual Region.
Since the last Assembly
Before the next Assembly
Challenges
Limited volunteer participation during the convention at the Welcome Center, along with recent leadership transitions, also highlighted the need for additional service support to sustain outreach and newcomer-focused efforts over time.
What have you or your committee accomplished since your last report?
What do you or your committee want to accomplish before the next report?
Planned Projects:
Chair | |
Trustee | |
Vice Chair | |
Secretary | |
Treasurer | |
Data Coordinator | |
Digital Content Coordinator | |
Member at Large | |
Bylaws Committee Chair | |
Convention Committee Chairs | |
Data Committee Chair | |
Digital Committee Chair | |
Finance Committee Chair | |
Intergroup Outreach (Renewal) Committee Co-Chairs | IGORCoChair@oavirtualregion.org |
Language Services Committee Chair | |
Public Information Professional Outreach/Unity With Diversity Committee Chair | |
Twelfth Step Within/Workshop Committee Chair |
Revised 15th November 2025
The name of this organization shall be the Virtual Region of Overeaters Anonymous, Inc., herein referred to as the Virtual Region or Virtual Region. The Virtual Region is nongeographic and is primarily composed of virtual groups and virtual service bodies.
The Virtual Region is organized and incorporated under the laws of the State of New Mexico to operate as an exempt organization within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (or similar provision of any future revenue law) (the “Code”) without profit to any officer or director. The specific and primary purpose of the Corporation is to aid those with the problem of compulsive eating to overcome that problem through a Twelve Step program of recovery. This is accomplished through the practice of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous, guided by the Twelve Concepts of OA Service; and to serve and represent member groups and service bodies. The general purpose and power is to promote public health, and to work with and furnish charitable and cultural assistance to those with problems of compulsive eating and to conduct such other activities as are appropriate to these objectives.
The Twelve Steps suggested for recovery in the Fellowship of Overeaters Anonymous are as follows:
The Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous are:
The Twelve Concepts of OA Service are:
The membership of the Virtual Region business assembly shall consist of the following:
The Virtual Region endorses the definition of an Overeaters Anonymous group in OA Inc., Bylaws, Subpart B, Article V, Section 1 – Definition, and as it may be amended by a future World Service Business Conference.
The Virtual Region endorses the definitions of an Overeaters Anonymous service body in OA, Inc., Bylaws, Subpart B, Article VI and as it may be amended by a future World Service Business Conference.
1. The Virtual Region board shall consist of the following officers:
2. In the event the chair of the board should be unable to attend any meeting of the board or a business meeting, the succession to serve as chair for that meeting shall be as follows:
Qualifications for the Virtual Region board are:
a. Chair, treasurer, data coordinator, and member at large are elected in odd years.
b. Vice-Chair, secretary and digital coordinator are elected in even years.
For details about the Virtual Region board member responsibilities, refer to Item 5 in the Virtual Region Policy and Procedure Manual.
The officers of the Virtual Region shall be the directors of the corporation.
The Board of Trustees is elected at the World Service Business Conference.
Nominees can be affirmed to stand for election to the Board of Trustees from members of Overeaters Anonymous within the Virtual Region who meet the requirements of the Virtual Region Assembly and the OA Inc., Bylaws Subpart B. Consult the OA Bylaws for current qualifications.
For more information about meetings, reference the Virtual Region Assembly Standing Rules.
For more information about meetings, see the Virtual Region Assembly Standing Rules.
Notification of regular or special Virtual Region business assemblies shall consist of electronic notice to each registered Virtual Region service body and representative, committee chair, board member, and the trustee at least 45 days prior to the assembly.
At the Virtual Region business assembly attendance of one-quarter of those who are entitled to participate and have registered to vote in the assembly with the Secretary (as listed in these Bylaws Article III, Section 1) will be necessary to hold an assembly.
The Virtual Region shall maintain a prudent reserve of not less than four (4) months expenses.
Refer to the Virtual Region Policy and Procedure Manual 3, Financial Policies for additional information.
All meetings of the Virtual Region representatives shall be conducted in accordance with the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, where not in conflict with the law, Articles of Incorporation, these bylaws or any standing rules that the Assembly may adopt.
Note: All documents (such as vouchers, registration for assembly, applications, these Bylaws, Articles of Incorporation, Virtual Region policy and procedures, etc.) will be found on the Virtual Region website, (oavirtualregion.org) under documents. The OA Inc., Bylaws Subpart B are located on oa.org/world-service-business-conference.
Adopted 15th November 2025
Revised Assembly 2, 11-15-2025
This Virtual Region Policy and Procedure Manual guides the business practices of the Virtual Region.
All documents (such as expense reports, registration for assembly, applications, bylaws, this policy and procedure manual, the standing rules, etc.) will be found on the Virtual Region website. The OA Inc., Bylaws Subpart B are located on oa.org/world-service-business-conference/.
c. Assembly duties:
The Parliamentarian will be nominated by the Chair and approved by the Board annually.
Duties of the parliamentarian are to assist the Virtual Region chair and the Virtual Region board in parliamentary procedures.
a. Update the Policy Manual to reflect any changes adopted at the Assembly.
b. Send the updated Policy Manual to the Secretary for Approval.
c. Once approved the secretary will:
Adopted 11-15-2025
https://oa.org/documents/oa-business-glossary/
