Application For Chair

Board Service Position: Chair

Current Service Body

Virtual Intergroup, Virtual Region

Years in Overeaters Anonymous 4

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 recently celebrated 4 years of continuous abstinence (7/21/21). I came to OA in June of 2021 after three nearly three decades of sobriety in AA. I am tall and for many years had no negative consequences from excessive eating. This is likely because I sought ease and comfort in alcohol and drugs, then excessive coffee and a pack a day cigarette habit. However, in middle age I had a succession of major life changes and, with all those substitutes gone, the food became my drug of choice. From the age of 50-65 I lost and regained hundreds of pounds through dieting and excessive exercise. My top weight was in excess of 300 pounds.

 

I have achieved an 80 pound loss and am continuing to work towards a goal of a 130-pound loss. After ten years of sobriety I relapsed for 7 horrific years and know the agony of addiction relapse. I have a healthy fear of relapse so I work what I believe to be a solid program founded on spiritual and human connection. All those years of gaining and losing before I started working this program has convinced me that I am powerless over compulsive eating and will never live a full, abstinent life without the grace of God and the support of fellow travelers.

Summary of your OA Service

I came into OA by way of the 9PM 100-Pounder meetings. Because I knew the danger of isolation I got into service immediately. I moderated meetings, served as a speaker-getter, speaker-getter coordinator, and Dashboard monitor, 100-Pounder Meeting secretary, group representative to the VIG and Group Rep Coordinator. I’m active on a variety of meetings now and regularly serve as security, having been trained by the late Ellen.

 

In the Virtual Intergroup I served as secretary and briefly as Dash Coordinator. I am a member of the newly revived Workshop Committee, the Marathon Committee, and serve as needed in a variety of VIG activities.

 

On the Virtual Region I’ve served as Chair of the Twelfth Step Within/Workshop Committee, Secretary to the Finance Committee, member of the Convention and Assembly planning committees, and a variety of other roles as needed.

Skills and experience you can bring to the Role

*See above skills and experience I bring to the role.

 

More than any other qualities I believe my most relevant qualifications are: (1) I can get along with anyone. Every human soul is precious to God and I keep that fact ever before me, and (2) I’m an effective communicator (speaking, writing, and messaging).

 

What I’ve learned over the years is this – every voice matters, whether I agree or not, whether I ‘like’ them or not, and the outcomes are always superior when I work with others to achieve the objectives set by the organization, not my own preferences. I am most comfortable leading from the proverbial 30,000 foot level, casting a vision, testing it with the body, and allowing talented, smart people to make it happen. I don’t do all the work. I empower, equip, and enable others to. I don’t micromanage (because I don’t appreciate being treated that way). Building ‘dream teams’ is one of my favorite endeavors. 

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

OA has probably saved my life. I was on the trajectory of a pain-filled, slow decline into morbid obesity with all its co-morbidities. I desire to give back some of that life through service. Also, I’ve made wonderful friends in this region!

Chair Position Description

August 2025

Bylaws

ARTICLE 5 - THE VIRTUAL REGION BOARD

Section 2 – Qualification for the Virtual Region Board

Qualifications for the Virtual Region board are:

  1. Two years of service beyond the group level,
  2. Two years of continuous recovery in Overeaters Anonymous as evidenced by:
  1. Two years of current abstinence
  2. It shall be a requirement that the officer shall demonstrate continued recovery, including abstinence and working towards or maintaining a healthy body weight throughout the entire term(s) of office.
  3. Each person shall be the judge of their recovery,
  1. Having worked the Twelve Steps and having a working understanding of the Twelve Traditions and Twelve Concepts of OA Service.
  2. Have attended at least one prior Virtual Region assembly within the past 36 months as a voting member or service volunteer.
  3. When a board position cannot be filled in line with these qualifications the qualifications listed in paragraphs 1 through 3 above may be set aside by a two thirds majority of the Virtual Region Board or Assembly.

Section 5 – Election of the Virtual Region Board Members

  1. Nominees must be present for election.
  2. Elections will be held at the last assembly of the calendar year unless otherwise required by these bylaws.
  3. Each board member is elected for a two-year term.
  4. Chair, treasurer, and data coordinator are elected in odd years.
  5. Vice-Chair, secretary and digital coordinator are elected in even years.
  6. Nominees will have five minutes to address the assembly and five minutes for questions.
  7. When board elections coincide with that of the Virtual Region trustee, the trustee ballot shall be completed first.
  8. For election, the candidate must receive a majority of the ballots cast.
  9. If there are more than two nominees and no nominee receives a majority, the candidate receiving the lowest number of votes will be dropped from consideration and another vote will be taken.
  10. If there are two candidates and neither receives a majority, a second ballot will be taken.

Policies and Procedures

4. Duties of Board Members

  1. Serve as guardian of the Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, and Twelve Concepts of OA Service.
  2. Perform the duties of their offices in accordance with the Bylaws and this Virtual Region Policy and Procedure Manual.
  3. Serve as guardian of Virtual Region funds, including review of the annual financial audit.
  4. Provide a forum for the interchange of ideas and information among Virtual Region Service Bodies and Virtual Region committees.
  5. Attend all assemblies during term of office unless excused by the chair.
  6. Become familiar with and assume responsibility for adherence to: Virtual Region and World Service Office Bylaws and this Policy and Procedure Manual.
  7. Assists others in becoming familiar with the Twelve Traditions and Twelve Concepts of OA Service.
  8. Reports:
  1. Submit a written report to the virtual region at least 60 days prior to the next assembly.
  2. At the assembly, present an update to the written report for up to five minutes and then answer questions for an additional five minutes.
  1. Respond to all correspondence, phone calls, and questions in a timely manner.
  2. Maintain a consolidated record of all assets, including passwords for security protection as directed by the chair and the data coordinator.
  3. Administers the Virtual Region meeting platform.
  4. Upon completion of service term, provides the successor with any information and documents from their service period via either written or electronic media.
  5. Serve as board liaison to committees as determined by the chair.

5. Board Members Duties by Position

  1. Chair
  1. Is responsible for unity and group conscience of the Virtual Region.
  2. Establishes and maintains agendas for all board meetings and business sessions.
  3. Presides at all board meetings and business sessions.
  4. Is ex officio member of all committees.
  5. Appoint a parliamentarian for the assembly.
  6. Attends World Service Business Conference as the representative of all unaffiliated meetings and any Virtual Region service bodies that are not in attendance.
  7. Attends other meetings of the region chairs committee, virtually with the exception of the annual Region Chairs Committee meeting held at one region’s assembly.
  8. Is an authorized signer on all cash accounts.
  9. Other duties as required.