The OA service structure is based on an inverted pyramid model with group conscience flowing from the groups. This document includes key resources that explain the relationships and responsibilities of OA groups, intergroups, service boards, regions, the World Service Office (WSO), the World Service Business Conference (WSBC), and the Board of Trustees (BOT).
OA Overall Service Structure (PDF): https://media.oa.org/app/uploads/2021/12/26113558/oa-overall-service-structure.pdf
OA Handbook for Members, Groups, and Service Bodies: OA Handbook for Members, Groups and Service Bodies: Everything You Need to Know About OA’s Structure
Service Bodies Overview: https://oa.org/service-bodies/
Intergroups and Service Boards – FAQs: https://oa.org/faqs/categories/intergroups-and-service-boards/
What is a Service Board?: https://oa.org/faqs/what-is-a-service-board/
Twelve Concepts of OA Service: https://oa.org/service-bodies/twelve-concepts/
How to be effective trusted servant: https://oa.org/documents/how-to-be-an-effective-trusted-servant/
Affiliation-and- participation-flow chart: https://media.oa.org/app/uploads/2021/12/26133426/affiliation-and-participation-flow-chart.pdf, https://oa.org/service-bodies/affiliation-and-participation-flow-chart/
Communications
OA Glossary: https://oa.org/documents/oa-business-glossary/
What Does a Meeting Secretary Do?: https://oa.org/faqs/what-does-a-meetings-secretary-do/
Secretaries maintain the connection: https://oa.org/group-resources-list/secretaries-maintain-the-connection/
Some news to take back from the World Service Business Conference: https://oa.org/news/agenda-completed-with-time-to-spare-world-service-business-conference-2025-results/?news-category=0&page=0
Additional Links for Virtual Region
Their responsibilities include:
Attendance at the annual World Service Business Conference (WSBC)
Participation in WSBC committees during and beyond the Conference
Voting on motions, trustee elections, and bylaw amendments
Communicating updates and decisions to their service body
Reporting back with summaries and insights
Serving as a liaison between the World Service Office and their service body
At least one year of current abstinence
A minimum of two years of service beyond the group level
Reference: OA Bylaws, Subpart B, Article X, Section 3c.1
Service bodies are essential to ensuring OA’s democratic processes. Their responsibilities include:
Sending delegates to World Service Business Conference and ensuring they meet OA qualifications
Participating in the Agenda Questionnaire to help shape the WSBC agenda
Reviewing and aligning local bylaws with any amendments made to OA Bylaws Subpart B
Regions Affirm Trustee nominations and put forward the trustees to stand for election at the World Service Business Conference.
Carrying forward any new business motions and supporting the initiative of the World Service Business Conference.
References:
Bylaws, Subpart B – Article X: https://oa.org/oa-bylaws-and-policies/bylaws-subpart-b/
FAQ on service body bylaw responsibility: https://oa.org/faqs/what-is-the-responsibility-of-service-bodies-when-oa-inc-bylaws-subpart-b-are-amended-through-the-voting-process-by-delegates-at-wsbc/
OA Bylaws outline the process by which trustees are nominated, affirmed, and elected at WSBC:
Trustee applications are submitted 120 days before WSBC
Regional bodies affirm nominees 90 days prior
Applications are sent to WSBC delegates 45 days before the Conference
Trustee Qualifications:
Seven years in OA
Five years of service beyond the group level
Two WSBC attendances as delegate
Five years of continuous recovery, abstinence, and healthy body weight
Worked all Twelve Steps and committed to the Twelve Traditions
Trustee Election Process:
Nominees present and participate in Q&A at World Service Business Conference
No nominations are accepted from the floor
Bylaws Source: https://oa.org/oa-bylaws-and-policies/bylaws-subpart-b/
In May 2025, OA announced a trustee vacancy and invited qualified members to apply.
Submissions go to info@oa.org or by mail to the World Service Office
Full Announcement: https://oa.org/documents/2025-trustee-vacancy-announcement-and-call-for-applications/
Concept Two:
The OA groups have delegated to the World Service Business Conference the active maintenance of our world services; thus, the WSBC is the voice, authority, and effective conscience of OA as a whole.
Concept Six:
The World Service Business Conference has entrusted the Board of Trustees with the primary responsibility for the administration of Overeaters Anonymous.
Suggestions: Service Bodies are encouraged to review their responsibilities to regions . Region Representatives to the region assembly and beyond.
Meetings to their intergroups and/or national service boards.
All to their participation and support Specific Focus Service Boards.
Treasurer Guidelines: https://oa.org/guidelines-meetings/treasurer/
What Does a Group Treasurer Do?: https://oa.org/faqs/what-does-a-group-treasurer-do/
Budget Guidelines for Service Bodies: https://oa.org/service-bodies/budget-guidelines/
Fundraising and Prudent Reserve Guidelines: https://oa.org/service-bodies/fundraising-and-prudent-reserve-guidelines/
Seventh Tradition of OA Pamphlet: https://oa.org/documents/seventh-tradition-of-oa/
Contribution FAQs: https://oa.org/faqs/categories/seventh-tradition/
OA Contribution Page: https://oa.org/contribute/
Suggested Seventh Tradition Split Change: https://oa.org/news/suggested-seventh-tradition-split-for-groups-will-change-to-50-10-40-in-2025/
Financial FAQs: https://oa.org/faq-category/financial/
2024 Audited Financial Report: https://oa.org/news/2024-audit-results-for-oa-inc-published/
2025 Annual Appeal Letter: https://oa.org/documents/2025-annual-appeal-letter-from-your-world-service-office/
Financial Questions: https://oa.org/faqs/categories/financial/
Translation Funding: https://oa.org/service-bodies/translation-of-oa-literature-and-materials/
Seventh Tradition Guidelines: https://oa.org/documents/seventh-tradition-of-oa/?print=true
POLICY PROCEDURE MANUEL
15.1984e Amended 2014.
After a presentation/discussion, a statement on the sale of merchandise was adopted:
It is the will of the Business Conference that sale of merchandise, per se, is not prohibited by the Traditions. With regard to sale of merchandise, “Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or OA as a whole.” If you choose to sell merchandise, the following guidelines are suggested:
16. In accordance with our Traditions, each group and OA service body may choose to sell or not to sell merchandise as they determine. Overeaters Anonymous must be ever mindful of our Traditions, which warn against endorsement of outside enterprise.
17. Contribution Limit: 2013 Amended 2023.
The following policy statement was adopted:
Statement on Individual Member Donations to the OA World Service Office
18. Delegate Support Fund: Look for delegate support first from your service body (intergroup, service board, and region): https://oa.org/world-service-business-conference/
19. Convention: https://oa.org/world-service-convention/
20. Annual Appeal Letter: https://oa.org/documents/2025-annual-appeal-letter-from-your-world-service-office/
21. Contribution page: https://oa.org/contribute/
Please include your meeting or service body Identification number on all contributions. If you do not know it, include your intergroup or service board’s identification number. If you do not know that, include your region’s identification number. If you do not know it, you can search Find a Meeting or ask your treasurer, meeting leader, or service body chair.
OA Sponsorship
Overview of Sponsorship: https://oa.org/working-the-program/sponsorship/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Sponsorship Success Podcasts: https://oa.org/podcasts/sponsorship-success/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Temporary Sponsors: Newcomers’ First Twelve Days: https://oa.org/group-resources-list/temporary-sponsors-newcomers-first-twelve-days/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
A Sponsor’s Toolbox (PDF): https://media.oa.org/app/uploads/2021/08/22222212/a-sponsors-toolbox.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Sponsorship Kit: Please note the 2-25 world service business conference has approved new sponsorship materials but this can be used now. https://bookstore.oa.org/pamphlets/sponsorship-kit-210.asp?utm_source=chatgpt.com
A Guide for Sponsors: https://bookstore.oa.org/pamphlets/a-guide-for-sponsors-why-when-and-how-to-be-an-oa-sponsor-200.asp?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Sponsorship Page: https://oa.org/working-the-program/sponsorship/
OA Member Retention
Guidelines for Membership Retention: https://oa.org/guidelines-meetings/membership-retention/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Call Five and Keep ‘Em Alive: https://media.oa.org/app/uploads/2021/08/18152318/call-five-and-keep-em-alive-membership-retention.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Together We Can… Keep Coming Back!: https://media.oa.org/app/uploads/2021/08/22222209/together-we-can-keep-coming-back-membership-retention-100.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Focus on Giving Service: https://media.oa.org/app/uploads/2024/09/03134840/focus-on-giving-service.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Working with a Sponsor
How Do I Find a Sponsor?: https://oa.org/faqs/how-do-i-find-a-sponsor/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Focus on Sponsoring: https://media.oa.org/app/uploads/2024/09/03143847/focus-on-sponsoring.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Planning a Sponsorship Workshop: https://media.oa.org/app/uploads/2021/09/10184442/planning-a-sponsorship-workshop.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Working the program: https://oa.org/working-the-program/
Primary Purpose Recording English: https://oa.org/podcasts/primary-purpose/
Step one: Please also see the sample of Lifeline links below– consider using Lifeline for meeting topics, workshop, step work and more: https://lifeline.oa.org/step-one-the-importance-of-working-all-twelve-steps-podcast-series/
Twelve Concepts of OA Service
Twelve Concepts of OA Service: https://oa.org/service-bodies/twelve-concepts/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
The Twelve Concepts of OA Service (PDF): https://media.oa.org/app/uploads/2022/10/22222112/the-twelve-concepts-of-oa-service.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Twelve Concepts of OA Service Workshop: https://media.oa.org/app/uploads/2024/01/09143707/twelve-concepts-of-oa-service-workshop.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Service, Traditions, and Concepts Workshop Manual: https://media.oa.org/app/uploads/2023/03/28103610/service-traditions-and-concepts-workshop-manual.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Podcasts – Working the Twelve Steps
Introduction / “Step Zero”: https://lifeline.oa.org/introduction-step-zero-the-importance-of-working-all-twelve-steps-podcast-series/
Step One: https://lifeline.oa.org/step-one-the-importance-of-working-all-twelve-steps-podcast-series/
Step Two: https://lifeline.oa.org/step-two-the-importance-of-working-all-twelve-steps-podcast-series/
Step Three: https://lifeline.oa.org/step-three-the-importance-of-working-all-twelve-steps-podcast-series/
Step Four: https://lifeline.oa.org/step-four-the-importance-of-working-all-twelve-steps-podcast-series/
Step Five: https://lifeline.oa.org/step-five-the-importance-of-working-all-twelve-steps-podcast-series/
Step Eight: https://lifeline.oa.org/step-eight-the-importance-of-working-all-twelve-steps-podcast-series/
Step Nine: https://lifeline.oa.org/step-nine-the-importance-of-working-all-twelve-steps-podcast-series/
Step Ten: https://lifeline.oa.org/step-ten-the-importance-of-working-all-twelve-steps-podcast-series/
Step Eleven: https://lifeline.oa.org/step-eleven-the-importance-of-working-all-twelve-steps-podcast-series/
General OA Podcasts
Sound Bites from Overeaters Anonymous: https://oa.org/podcasts/sound-bites-from-overeaters-anonymous-a-12-step-solution-to-compulsive-eating-and-compulsive-food-behaviors/
Inside OA Podcast Series: https://oa.org/podcasts/
Lifeline Articles – Relapse and Recovery
Breaking Out of Relapse: https://lifeline.oa.org/breaking-out-of-relapse/
Been Slipping and Sliding?: https://oa.org/documents/been-slipping-and-sliding-a-reading-and-writing-tool/
Lifeline Articles – Abstinence & Recovery
10 Questions About Abstinence: https://lifeline.oa.org/10-questions-about-abstinence-with-a-member-of-overeaters-anonymous-commitment-a-higher-power-making-changes/
I Was So Overwhelmed by Binge Eating: https://lifeline.oa.org/i-was-so-overwhelmed-by-binge-eating-that-i-even-lost-my-job-but-one-day-abstinence-came/
The Twelve Steps Transformed My Anger: https://lifeline.oa.org/the-twelve-steps-transformed-my-anger-resentment-and-fear-into-serenity/
Lifeline Articles – Working the Steps
A Child of War, A Joyful Recovery: https://lifeline.oa.org/a-child-of-war-a-joyful-recovery-from-compulsive-overeating/
Writing Opens the Door: https://lifeline.oa.org/writing-opens-the-door/
Lifeline Articles – Using OA Tools
Practicing Love and Tolerance: https://lifeline.oa.org/practicing-love-and-tolerance/
You Might Like the Thrill: https://lifeline.oa.org/you-might-like-the-thrill/
Relapse Prevention
Working the Program: https://oa.org/working-the-program/relapse-prevention/
rom-slip-or-relapse-to-recover: https://oa.org/app/uploads/2021/08/from-slip-or-relapse-to-recovery.pdf
Breaking out of relapse: https://vimeo.com/391023802
Abstinence: https://oa.org/app/uploads/2021/08/abstinence-presentation.pdf
Strong abstinence checklist: https://oa.org/app/uploads/2021/08/strong-abstinence-checklist-and-writing-exercise.pdf
Twelve Stepping a Problem: https://oa.org/app/uploads/2021/08/twelve-stepping-a-problem.pdf
Additional Resources
This document provides a comprehensive and categorized index of Overeaters Anonymous (OA) resources related to Public Information (PI), Professional Outreach (PO), and carrying the message. These materials are designed to support service bodies and individual members in sharing OA’s message with the public, professionals, and still-suffering compulsive eaters. All links are clickable, and users are encouraged to use the OA.org translation features to access content in multiple languages where available.
Please add resources from your Region, Service Board or Intergroup
Multi Region Carry the Message Workshop: https://welcome.oavirtualregion.org/carry-resources/
How to Start a New Meeting: https://oa.org/how-to-start-a-meeting/
Find a Meeting: https://oa.org/find-a-meeting/
Suggestions for Starting an Intergroup/Service Board: https://oa.org/service-bodies/suggestions-for-starting-an-intergroup-service-board/
Intergroups and Service Boards – FAQs: https://oa.org/faqs/categories/intergroups-and-service-boards/
OA Bylaws and Policies: https://oa.org/document-library/oa-bylaws-and-policies/
Secretaries Maintain the Connection: https://oa.org/group-resources-list/secretaries-maintain-the-connection/
Guidelines for a Group Conscience Meeting: https://oa.org/guidelines-meetings/guidelines-for-a-group-conscience-meeting/
Website Development Guidelines: https://oa.org/guidelines/website-development/
Service, Traditions, and Concepts Workshop Manual: https://media.oa.org/app/uploads/2023/03/28103610/service-traditions-and-concepts-workshop-manual.pdf
Anonymity in the Digital World: https://oa.org/guidelines/anonymity-in-the-digital-world/
Social Media Guidelines: https://oa.org/social-media/
Website Development Guidelines: https://oa.org/guidelines/website-development/
Protecting Anonymity in Email Communications: https://oa.org/documents/protecting-anonymity-in-email-communications/
Conflict Resolution & Appeals
Conflict Resolution Worksheet (PDF): https://media.oa.org/app/uploads/2022/06/23162221/conflict-resolution-worksheet.pdf
Guidelines for Addressing Disruptive Behavior: https://oa.org/guidelines-meetings/guidelines-for-addressing-disruptive-behavior
What Can We Do When Members Display Disruptive Behavior? : https://oa.org/faqs/what-can-we-do-when-members-display-disruptive-behavior-and-upset-the-group
When Is It Appropriate to Contact a Member of the Board of Trustees? : https://oa.org/faqs/when-is-it-appropriate-to-contact-a-member-of-the-board-of-trustees
Inventories & Evaluation Tools
OA Group Inventory: https://oa.org/group-resources-list/oa-group-inventory/
Strong Meeting Checklist (PDF): https://media.oa.org/app/uploads/2023/03/07091915/strong-meeting-checklist.pdf
OA Region Inventory (PDF): https://media.oa.org/app/uploads/2023/03/07102349/oa-region-inventory.pdf
Board Inventory Guidelines (PDF): https://media.oa.org/app/uploads/2022/11/28142330/board-inventory-guidelines.pdf
Guidelines for a Group Conscience Meeting: https://oa.org/guidelines-meetings/guidelines-for-a-group-conscience-meeting
Guidelines for Membership Retention: https://oa.org/guidelines-meetings/membership-retention/
Unity with Diversity Checklist: https://oa.org/group-resources-list/unity-with-diversity-checklist-2
OA Region 6 – Intergroup Renewal
Intergroup Renewal Publication (PDF): https://oaregion6.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Intergroup-Renewal-Pub-08_29_2020.pdf
Intergroup Renewal Process Guide (PDF): https://oaregion6.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2022-7-24-Intergroup-Renewal-Process.pdf
Intergroup Renewal Workshop Manual (PDF): https://oaregion6.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2022-7-24-IG-Renewal-Workshop-Manual-FINAL9-1-R6.pdf
OA Region 1 – Intergroup Renewal
Region 1 Intergroup Renewal Guide (PDF): https://www.oaregion1.org/uploads/1/4/0/4/14047174/r1_intergroup_renewal_for_website.pdf
Thanks to your 7th Tradition contributions,
we can spread the message of recovery. Contribute Online
Responsibility Pledge
“Always to extend the hand and heart of OA
to all who share my compulsion;
for this I am responsible.”