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First Quarter 2008 |
Volume
18, Number 1
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IN THIS ISSUE
Attention Group Secretaries: Please
download the PDF
file of this issue and make copies to share with your
group members.
Note: You need Adobe Acrobat on your
computer to download PDF files. If you don't have it,
go to the Help page for
instructions on how to download this free tool.
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Public Awareness Campaign Update
Get Ready to Welcome Newcomers!
 The Public Awareness Campaign (PAC) approved by delegates at the 2007 World Service Business Conference is off to a great start. The World Service Office (WSO) has engaged a public relations firm, the Board of Trustees (BOT) has appointed a trustee oversight committee, and the BOT has delineated and approved the responsibilities of the PAC committee. The WSO has received $25,000 in seed money from individual OA members and service bodies.
The initial press release to over 150 media outlets has generated much interest in OA as we approach the holidays. A second holiday press release is in the approval process. Service bodies can request reprints of the press releases for adaptation and use in their areas. The PAC committee edits and approves all material distributed by our public relations firm to assure compliance with our Traditions. Our intent is to make the public aware of Overeaters Anonymous as a solution to the problem of compulsive eating.
Prudent management of our funds in 2007 has allowed the Board of Trustees to allocate over $40,000 to the PAC committee for use in 2008. Our public relations firm has suggested several innovative yet modestly priced ways to carry the message, such as heightening OA’s Internet presence, podcasting and creating a national public service announcement.
So, dear members, get ready to welcome newcomers to your meetings. Please ensure that each and every newcomer visits a strong meeting where he or she can hear the OA message loud and clear. For this, each of us is responsible.
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New Lifeline Subscription Rates
Lifeline Returns to Multiyear Discount Pricing
The Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees has approved the following subscription rates for Lifeline magazine, effective January 1, 2008.
| e-Lifeline: $13/year |
| Print Lifeline |
US |
Canada |
Outside US/Canada |
| 1 year (10 issues) |
$15 |
$21 |
$30 |
| 2 year (20 issues) |
$28 |
$40 |
$58 |
| 3 year (30 issues) |
$40
|
$58
|
$85
|
The changes are twofold. First, please note the return to multiyear discount pricing. Second, in July 2007, the US Postal Service made dramatic alterations to the delivery system for periodicals outside the US.
The US Postal Service no longer differentiates between international surface and air delivery. All subscriptions leaving the US will be delivered by priority air service. This creates a significant price difference for magazines going to Canada versus those going to all other countries outside the US. Canadian subscribers will keep the current surface rate. Subscription rates for other countries fall between the previous surface and airmail rates.
Fortunately, most of Lifeline’s subscription mail rates are either the same or less than they have been in the past. If you have questions about the new rates, please contact the World Service Office.
Dateminder
OA Birthday
January 19
Unity Day
February 23
Media Month
January 2008
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OA Board of Trustees Needs You!
 Eight positions on the OA Board of Trustees (BOT) are open for application in 2008. If you meet the qualifications listed below and are willing and able to serve OA at the world service level, please consider applying. Trustee Applications must arrive at the World Service Office no later than February 5, 2008. Delegates to the World Service Business Conference will elect the trustees at the Conference in May 2008.
The following positions are open:
Region Trustees
(act as liaisons between the BOT and the
regions)
Region One: Three-year term
Region Three: One-year term
Region Four: Three-year term
Region Seven: Three-year term
Region Nine: One-year term
General Service Trustees
(comprise the Executive Committee of the
BOT)
Three positions are open: two three-year
terms, one one-year term
Qualifications for trustees are outlined in OA, Inc. Bylaws, Subpart B, Article IX, Section 4 as follows:
a) Qualifications for trustee shall be:
- Seven years in the Fellowship;
- Five years of service above the
meeting level;
- Attendance as a delegate to at least
two World Service Business Conferences;
and
- Five years of continuous recovery in
Overeaters Anonymous as evidenced by:
(i) five years of continuous abstinence;
(ii) maintenance of a healthy body
weight for at least two years; and
(iii) emotional and spiritual growth as a
result of incorporating into their lives
the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions
as a new way of living.
b) Qualifications for trustee must be met at
the time application for trustee is submitted
to the WSO. Specifically, such trustee nominees must also have:
- Completed Step Five;
- Declared themselves as practicing the
Twelve Steps to the best of their ability;
- Declared themselves as committed to
the Twelve Traditions of Overeaters
Anonymous; and
- Affirmed these additional qualifications on their trustee application forms.
 It's time to
celebrate
OA's 48th
Birthday!
January 19, 2008
Happy
Birthday
OA! |
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Gearing Up for 2008 WSBC: Second Mailing Coming Soon
OA will hold its 2008 World Service Business Conference (WSBC) May 5–10, 2008, at the Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town, Albuquerque, New Mexico USA. This year’s theme, “The Road to Recovery — A Team Effort!” focuses on OA’s Strategic Plan. Workshops will center on strong meetings, public awareness, committed service bodies and financial health. Again this year, the WSBC will offer workshops on parliamentary procedure and “All About Conference.” The Green Dot Mentor Program will offer several opportunities for first-time delegates (green dots) and mentors to meet and discuss the procedures for Conference.
On January 10, 2008, the World Service Office (WSO) will distribute the second Conference mailing to all service bodies, region offices, region chairs, board members and 2008 registered delegates. This mailing includes the agenda questionnaire and motions and bylaw amendments submitted by the December 10 postmarked deadline. As of November 20, 2007, the WSO has received motions to transfer a service body to a different region, to revise a policy about discontinuing low-demand literature, to create public relations and media policies, to revise qualifications and election procedures for the Board of Trustees, and to approve revisions to the pamphlet Treatment and Beyond. Service bodies should review agenda questionnaires, vote on them and return them to the WSO by March 6, 2008. This is a postmarked-deadline date.
The mailing also includes tour registration forms, delegate registration forms, green-
dot-mentor registration forms, committee preference forms and hotel reservation cards. The complete second Conference mailing is also on the World Service Business Conference Page.
WSBC 2008
Important Deadlines
February 5, 2008
Trustee Nominee Applications
March 1, 2008
Committee Preference Forms
March 6, 2008
Agenda Questionnaires |
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What's New From WSO
2008 Literature Catalog
The new catalog for 2008 is now available on the Literature Catalog page. The January mailing to group secretaries will also include the catalog. Members may request print copies by contacting the WSO. Among the new or revised items for 2008 are the following:
 Seeking the Spiritual Path:
A Collection
From Lifeline
New book contains more than 70 stories of spiritual discovery. Explores such topics as the search for a Higher Power, spiritual experiences before and during the program, tools for spiritual growth, and the perspectives of agnostics and atheists.
Item #978 US$8.35 each, plus shipping;
Item #979 US$187.86 box of 25,
plus shipping
Black OA Members Share Their Experience, Strength and Hope
New pamphlet filled with hopeful stories by black OA members from around the world. Useful for outreach to prospective black OA members, for other OA members who want to understand the perspective of someone of a different culture coming into OA, and for anyone needing program inspiration.
Item #285 US$.75, plus shipping
A Guide for Sponsors
Revised pamphlet now includes “30 Questions to Ask Newcomers.” Provides valuable guidance for first-time or veteran sponsors.
Item #200 US$.75 each, plus shipping.
Also included in the Sponsorship Kit,
Item #210 US$2.25 each, plus shipping;
Item #211 US$20 pack of 10,
plus shipping
Suggested Step-Study
Meeting Format
New meeting format is structured to work through the Steps in a series of six meetings; includes suggested readings.
Item #516 US$.75 each, plus shipping
Also available for free download on OA’s Group Support page.
* US Shipping: $3 for orders up to $18. Orders $18.01 to $100, 17% of total. Above $100, 12% of order. Email for shipping charges outside the US.
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An Easier, Softer Way
The Member Services Department of the World Service Office (WSO) announces an easier, softer way to deliver information to new secretaries for OA groups.
In the past, the WSO sent packets of information to new secretaries. The packet contained 11 pieces; we averaged 125 packets per month. Now we will mail only two pieces: a cover letter confirming the new secretary’s contact information and a letter from the chairman of the OA Board of Trustees about the importance of the secretary’s position. The secretary can print documents in support of this service position by going to the Group Secretary Materials page.
This new procedure will save the WSO hundreds of dollars in postage, printing, collating and paper; and it will enable a new secretary to get this information more quickly, especially for those who reside outside the US.
Should a new secretary prefer to receive the documents through the mail, he or she can contact the WSO by emailing, by calling 1-505-891-2664 (USA) or by writing to Overeaters Anonymous, PO Box 44020, Rio Rancho, NM 87174-4020 USA.
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