Board Service Position

Vice-Chair

Current Service Body

VR

Years in Overeaters Anonymous

6

Qualifications

I confirm that I meet all qualifications as listed above and defined in Virtual Region Bylaws, Article V – The Virtual Region Board.

Brief account of your OA story

I came into OA in September of 2018 after having had a near-death experience that paved the way for me to be divinely inspired to recover and to get on with the business of carrying out God’s work.

Summary of your OA Service

Current: Vice Chair of the VR; VR Board Liaison to PIPO/UWD and to VR Digital Resources Committee; Creator and Chair of a new VR project: The Interview, which entails a monthly, talk-show type of special event to spotlight various VR Service Bodies and Specific Focus Groups; VR Editor of the resurrected VR Newsletter with a publication due out on October first of 2024;

Chair of WUIG of Region 6, Chairing both the Special Events Committee and 12th Step Within Committee with Greater NY Metro IG of Region 6. Prevous OA Service: Editor of forth coming printing of OA’s For Today daily reader; Trustee of Greater New York Metro IG; Meeting IG Rep for NYC’s Daily 7:15am Meeting; Publications Chair for Greater NY Metro IG and for WUIG; WSBC Delegate; Region 6 Assembly Representative; WSBC PIPO Subcommittee Chair; VR Digital Resources Committee member; and Meeting IG Representative for several WUIG meetings.

Skills and experience you can bring to the Role

I know the position, since I’ve already been in it, and I’m looking forward to building on what I’ve taken on.

I have had successful experiences with following through with God’s direction for OA service, including designing and chairing an in-person retreat in December 2022 for WUIG, and creating and running several unique OA events. Writing, editing, and proofreading skills; experience in overseeing and creating unique, special events; PIPO/UWD Committee experience with having co-chaired the VR’s committee, and having served on the PIPO Committees with World Service and with Region 6.

Skills and experience you can bring to the Board

I tend to work and play well with others, having grown up in a large, extended family. Like our board members, each of my four siblings and both of my parents are/were brilliant, successful, and worked together as a team since day one. I thrive in environments where I can learn from others who inspire me. Having been a college professor, I am used to synthesizing information, from groups of people, and simply and efficiently helping put into action what is for the good of the group as a whole. God often graces me with innovative ways of accomplishing goals.

Why do you want to be a member of the Virtual Region Board?

I want to stay on as Vice Chair and to continue with helping build and unify the Virtual Region, as I believe the Virtual Region will become the largest and strongest region within OA, far surpassing other regions as well as absorbing groups of other regions. As a result, and as exemplified by how far the region has grown in a short amount of time since its inception, I want to be an integral beam of that board support, continuing to work for the greater good of OA. As our region continues to expand, it will be ever more vital that meetings, intergroups, specific focus groups, service boards, and service bodies not only know each another exist, but also have ample opportunity to help carry the message together.

Resurrecting the VR Newsletter and creating the new series of events, The Interview, are just a few of the projects that I believe God will assign me to create in forifying our region with the help and support of the VR Board.

I am also passionate about assisting the VR Chair and board members however I may serve.

United in recovery, growth, and service, we are the future of Overeaters Anonymous.

Date of Application

August 18, 2024

Board Service Position

Vice-Chair

Current Service Body

OA Foot Steps

Years in Overeaters Anonymous

3.8

Qualifications

I confirm that I meet all qualifications as listed above and defined in Virtual Region Bylaws, Article V – The Virtual Region Board.

Brief account of your OA story

I feel I have been a compulsive eater pretty much my whole life. It started as a young child, but it really veered out of control in the 10 years prior to coming to program. After a few halfhearted attempts of attending OA over the span of many years, I found myself once again feeling desperate over my weight and the state of my physical, spiritual and mental health. I wasn’t living. And I decided that I wanted to change that. I felt limited in every way & I didn’t know where to turn to for help. But my Higher Power knew where I needed to be and in November 2020 I attended my first OA zoom meeting and I immediately knew I was in the right place. I got a sponsor right away, developed a food plan that worked for me and in the process found physical, emotional and spiritual recovery. I still have a ways to go to achieve a “healthy” body weight, but I’ve managed to lose over 100 pounds, gain confidence, friendships and a sense of purpose in the process. The most important thing that I gained was recovery and serenity. I love this program and am so grateful for giving me my life back.

Summary of your OA Service

Having attended OA in the past and not being so successful, I knew I needed to do anything and everything possible to change that if I was going to find recovery. When I came back to the program in late November 2020, I started attending zoom meetings where I was introduced to the virtual region by way of OA Foot Steps. Because I knew I needed to do things completely different this time, I got a sponsor and I told her I was willing to do whatever it took. She recommended that I get involved with service somehow. So, despite my social anxiety and my incredible amount of self-doubt especially as a disabled person I have no idea if there was anything I could even do. But,I started serving as a newcomer greeter and security at a meeting within the first three weeks back. Not long after that I started giving service whenever and wherever I could. I quickly knew that service was the key for me. Service has been a game changer and I loved it so much. The following is a list of some of the service I have given:

Sponsor
Current Chair Of OA Foot Steps Virtual Intergroup
Previous OA Foot Steps Intergroup Secretary
Meeting Level Service- Leading, Speaking, Security, Screen Sharing, Anything needed at the meeting level I have done and am still doing
Intergroup Rep For OA Footsteps
OA Foot Steps Security Committee Member
OA Foot Steps 12th Step Within Committee Member
OA Foot Steps Bylaws Committee Member
Speaker At Convention/Workshops
Co-Facilitator of Several 15 Week Step Studies
Virtual Region Assembly Representative multiple times
Previous Chair Of PI/PO Virtual Region Committee
World Service Business Conference Delegate twice
Co-Chair Of World Service Business Conference Unity With Diversity Subcommittee
Region 2 Assembly Representative multiple times
Inland Empire Intergroup Meeting Representative
Region 2 Diversity Community Member
Member of Several Virtual Region, Region 2 and OA Foot Steps Committees

Skills and experience you can bring to the Role

Serving as Chair of an intergroup I have learned a lot about working with others, organization, time management and leading with my heart.

I work well with others

Strong communication skills

Willing to help wherever needed

Proficient with zoom

Strong working knowledge of Google Docs

I learn technology pretty easily

I also have a strong willingness to learn

Experience with creating agendas, and preparing Minutes

Experience with running Intergroup meetings

Skills and experience you can bring to the Board

The skills and experience that I bring to the board:

Over 3 years of experience on the OA Foot Steps Board

A year of experience as OA Foot Steps Intergroup secretary and working closely with the board.

Current Chair of OA Foot Steps, for about 2 years.

I work well with people. And easily prioritize principles over personalities.

Good at taking direction, and delegating tasks when needed.

The ability to recognize when I have made a mistake. And then I learned from those opportunities.

I have learned patience and acceptance and I am very open to others ideas.

Consistently studying the Steps, Traditions and Concepts.

I work the OA program in every aspect of my life every day, one day at a time to the very best of my ability.

Why do you want to be a member of the Virtual Region Board?

I feel as though in OA I grew up in the Virtual Region. I have served the Region in some form or fashion for over 3 years by either serving at an intergroup within the Region or on a Virtual Region committee. I served as an intergroup rep and then Secretary of my intergroup. For the past two years, I have had the privilege to serve as the Chair. Serving in that capacity my recovery was strengthened. Service is what was always missing from my life. Being a part of OA, and finding a home within the Virtual Region at OA Foot Steps has been one of the greatest joys of my life. Serving and helping people at this level, is just one small way that I can attempt to give back the gift that OA has given me… my life. And I feel serving on the board, would give me opportunities to do just that at a different level.

I would love to continue serving the Region by joining the Board and continue to grow the region as a diverse, welcoming space of recovery, service, fellowship, and learning by practicing the OA traditions and principles in all that we do.
Being a part of the board would offer such a learning experience and an opportunity to help others in a way that I dream of. What I have learned in the time that I have served in OA footsteps is priceless. And my hope is to bring that experience with me to the Virtual Region Board. Following guidelines and rules are important but leading with love and respect and understanding of others, in my humble opinion, is the most important guideline of all. I would love to serve as a board member of this amazing Region, if you all see fit.
Thank you for the opportunities that I have already been given. I am forever grateful.

Date of Application

September 16, 2024

Current Service Body

Virtual region

Years in Overeaters Anonymous

19

Qualifications

I confirm that I meet all qualifications as listed above and defined in Virtual Region Bylaws, Article V – The Virtual Region Board.

Brief account of your OA story

I joined overeaters anonymous in October 2004. I have been abstinent since the start. I have worked the steps.

I am currently down about 45 pounds from my top weight. I have sponsored people. I have a fellow traveler who I check in with. I mostly go to virtual meetings, tho I am still involved with my land-based Intergroup

Summary of your OA Service

I have served in my land-based Intergroup as recording secretary, treasurer, and Chair. I have been a Region 6 representative from my land based Intergroup. I have been digital coordinator of the virtual region for about a year now.

Skills and experience you can bring to the Role

I am mostly retired, intellectual property attorney. I have a double Ivy education. I’m familiar with a large number of software packages, including Microsoft office, various Google programs, various Adobe programs, Auto desk, Maya, various social media platform, Quickbooks,

Skills and experience you can bring to the Board

I am an excellent writer. I’m also an artist and actress.

I was at one time a professional computer programmer. I recently took a course in Java.

I did take a course in accounting when I was in law school.

I am a mother of special needs children. I managed a nursing home in my mother‘s home during her final illness, coordinating people from at least five different agencies.

I am Fluent in French. I have a working knowledge of Spanish. I did take Russian in college, though I do not consider myself fluent.

I have also been active in other 12 step fellowships

Why do you want to be a member of the Virtual Region Board?

Having been on the board for about a year, I feel that I am just starting to figure out what is going on. I would like to have more opportunity to grow in this position.

Date of Application

September 11, 2024