MOTION: Move to amend Article 5, Section 8 of the Bylaws to create a quorum for meetings of the Board of Directors for the purpose of voting (Consent Agenda)
CURRENT WORDING Article 5, Section 8 Section 8 – Board of Directors The officers of the Virtual Region shall be the directors of the corporation.
| PROPOSED WORDING Article 5, Section 8 Section 8 – Board of Directors The officers of the Virtual Region shall be the directors of the corporation.
|
SUBMITTED BY:
Virtual Region Bylaws Committee
INTENT:
To establish a quorum for board meetings to ensure that a majority of board members are present when votes are taken.
IMPLEMENTATION:
The secretary will inform the chair if a majority of the Board of Directors is not present.
COST: None
PRIMARY PURPOSE:
Requiring a quorum for the Board of Directors to conduct business is aligned with the 3rd and 4th Concept: The right of decision, based on trust, makes effective leadership possible. The right of participation ensures equality of opportunity for all in the decision-making process.
RATIONALE: A majority of the Board of Directors should be present to conduct business, in keeping with the 4th Concept.
Note: Motions may be proposed by: any registered Virtual Region service body, the Virtual Region board, or a Virtual Region committee.
Contact: Secretary@oavirtualregion.org
MOTION: Move to add Jewish Ethnicity Specific Focus Category
CURRENT WORDING | PROPOSED WORDING Move to bring a motion to the 2026 WSBC to add “Jewish Ethnicity” category to the specific focus drop-down menu on OA.org |
SUBMITTED BY:
[OA Young People’s Intergroup] [Intergroup/Service Board 09677] [VR Committee]
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: 0
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.
Note: Motions may be proposed by: any registered Virtual Region service body, the Virtual Region board, or a Virtual Region committee.
Contact: Secretary@oavirtualregion.org
MOTION: Move to add additional wording to the Policy & Procedures Manual, Article X (Consent Agenda)
CURRENT WORDING 10. Amendments
| PROPOSED WORDING 10. Amendments
|
SUBMITTED BY:
Virtual Region Bylaws Committee
INTENT:
To make the intention of the wording more clear; to mirror language already in the Bylaws regarding the same subject.
IMPLEMENTATION:
Policy & Procedures manual will be updated to reflect the change.
COST:
None
PRIMARY PURPOSE:
RATIONALE: To provide a clarification of intent of the procedure, to mirror what is already in the Bylaws.
Note: Motions may be proposed by: any registered Virtual Region service body, the Virtual Region board, or a Virtual Region committee.
Contact: Secretary@oavirtualregion.org
MOTION: Move to amend Article 5 of the Policies & Procedures manual to create a list of duties for Member at Large of the Board of Directors of the Virtual Region (Consent Agenda)
CURRENT WORDING
| PROPOSED WORDING
ARTICLE 5 – Board Members Duties by Position Section 7 – Member at Large
1. Meet the qualifications required of all other board members. 2. Serve as a liaison to a committee within the region. 3. Support the Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary in communications with service bodies and members, including answering questions. 4. Act as a resource for members, service bodies, and representatives by providing information and monthly or quarterly updates about the region.
|
SUBMITTED BY:
Virtual Region Bylaws Committee
INTENT:
To create job duties for the new position of Member at Large on the Virtual Region Board of Directors.
IMPLEMENTATION:
Upon election, the Member at Large shall assume the job duties as approved by the Assembly.
COST: Unknown
PRIMARY PURPOSE:
RATIONALE:
As outlined in our Policy and Procedures manual, each board officer has a list of duties which they are to fulfil.
With the creation of a Member at Large of the Virtual Region Board of Directors, a similar list of job duties is hereby submitted for approval for the Member at Large.
Note: Motions may be proposed by: any registered Virtual Region service body, the Virtual Region board, or a Virtual Region committee.
Contact: Secretary@oavirtualregion.org
Move to create a third term for board members
CURRENT WORDING Section 6 – Term of Office
| PROPOSED WORDING Section 6 – Term of Office
|
SUBMITTED BY:
Convention Committee of the Virtual Region, service body # 09658
INTENT:
To allow Virtual Region Board members the option to run for a third, two-year term.
IMPLEMENTATION:
Bylaws Policies and Procedures would be updated to include changes. Board members will have the option of running for a third, two-year term of service.
COST: N/A
PRIMARY PURPOSE:
Our region has been growing exponentially and rapidly. There have been past and current board members steadily making ever greater contributions to the region, and OA to as a whole, when it is time to step down from their second term of office. Allowing a possibility of a third term of service may pave the way for even greater growth for the Virtual Region and for OA at large and allow time for board members to train and mentor service members, especially needed to aid the growth of the region.
RATIONALE: [List any other policies and/or bylaws impacted by this proposal]
The Virtual Region is often pioneering new and innovative recovery channels that the Virtual Region and other OA regions and service bodies have greatly benefited from in increasing our reach and effectiveness in helping to carry the message. Note that the WSO Board of Trustees may serve up to eight consecutive years.
Contact: Secretary@oavirtualregion.org
Move to amend Article 5 of the Bylaws to create a new member of the Board of Directors: Member at Large
CURRENT WORDING ARTICLE 5 – THE VIRTUAL REGION BOARD Section 1 – Composition
| PROPOSED WORDING ARTICLE 5 – THE VIRTUAL REGION BOARD Section 1 – Composition
|
SUBMITTED BY:
Virtual Region Bylaws Committee
INTENT:
To create a new position on the Virtual Region Board of Directors.
IMPLEMENTATION:
Following passage of this motion, The Virtual Region Assembly will additionally elect a Member at Large to the Board of Directors when electing other officers.
COST: Unknown
PRIMARY PURPOSE:
RATIONALE:
There are multiple reasons why an additional member of the board of directors is desirable:
Note: Motions may be proposed by: any registered Virtual Region service body, the Virtual Region board, or a Virtual Region committee.
Contact: Secretary@oavirtualregion.org
MOTION: Move to amend Bylaws Article 5, Section 5 to establish when the Member at Large is elected to the Virtual Region Board of Directors
CURRENT WORDING Section 5 – Election of the Virtual Region Board Members
| PROPOSED WORDING Section 5 – Election of the Virtual Region Board Members
|
SUBMITTED BY:
Virtual Region Bylaws Committee
INTENT:
To establish the timing of the election of the Member at Large to the Virtual Region Board.
IMPLEMENTATION:
When voting for other officers for the Virtual Region Board, the Assembly will now also vote for the newly created board officer, Member at Large.
COST: $ Amount (if known).
PRIMARY PURPOSE:
This motion aligns with the 9th Concept of Service: “Able, trusted servants, together with sound and appropriate methods of choosing them, are indispensable for effective functioning at all service levels.”
RATIONALE:
The Virtual Region Board of Directors is elected to two year terms. Three officers are elected each year, alternately. With the addition of a new office, we must determine when that officer shall be elected. As this board member will be elected for the first time in an odd year, the newly-created board officer shall be elected for two-year terms coinciding with other officers elected in the odd years.
Note: Motions may be proposed by: any registered Virtual Region service body, the Virtual Region board, or a Virtual Region committee.
Contact: Secretary@oavirtualregion.org
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