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Second Quarter 2007 |
Volume
17, Number 2
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IN THIS ISSUE
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A
Full Schedule Awaits Delegates to WSBC 2007
 Motions, Elections, Workshops on the Agenda
“Living
the Twelfth Step” is the theme of this year’s World
Service Business Conference, scheduled for April 30 through May
5, 2007, in Albuquerque, New Mexico USA.
In addition to debating and voting on motions and electing new
trustees, delegates will have the opportunity to attend a myriad
of workshops to glean information and inspiration to bring back
to their intergroups and groups.
Workshops include the following topics:
- In ALL Our Affairs
- Embodying the Joy of Recovery
- The Twelve Steps: Are They the REAL Tools?
- Making Footprints: Guiding Sponsorees Through the Steps,
a Lifelong Journey of Spiritual Growth
- We Have Ceased Fighting
- We Are the Message: What Are YOU Carrying?
- Forum: Embracing Diversity in OA
- Living the Twelfth Step: What Does That Mean to You?
New delegates and delegates needing a refresher course can attend “All
About Conference” to increase their understanding of parliamentary
procedure and other aspects of the business sessions. First-time
delegates (called “green dots” because they have
a green dot on their name tags to indicate this Conference is
their first) may also participate in the mentor program. They
are matched with experienced delegates who support them during
Conference and are available to answer questions. This year the
agenda offers two opportunities for green dots and mentors to
meet and discuss the Conference.
Delegates will consider one new business proposal and nine amendment
proposals to OA Bylaws Subpart B:
New Business Proposal A: That Overeaters Anonymous, Inc. conduct
a public awareness campaign using the services of an outside
agency.
Bylaw Amendment Proposal 1: To amend Article
VII – Regions,
Section 1 – Composition by moving Outstates Intergroup
of Scottsbluff, NE and Torrington, WY from Region Four to Region
Three.
Bylaw Amendment Proposal 2: To amend Article
V – Overeaters
Anonymous Groups, Section 1 – Definition to include virtual
media groups (groups which replicate face-to-face meetings through
electronic media).
Bylaw Amendment Proposal 3: To amend Article
VI – Intergroups,
Section 1 – Composition to allow virtual media groups to
form intergroups.
Bylaw Amendment Proposal 4: To amend Article
VIII – National/Language
Service Boards to include virtual media service boards.
Bylaw Amendment Proposal 5: To amend Article
VII – Regions,
Section 1 – Composition to specify that virtual media groups,
intergroups and service boards which span more than one region
are not to be included in the regional structure.
Bylaw Amendment Proposal 6: To amend Article
X – Meetings
of Delegates, Section 3 – Delegates to revise the qualifications
of delegates so that virtual media groups may be represented
at Conference.
Bylaw Amendment Proposals 7 and 8: To amend Article
IV – Members,
Section 1 – Legal Status and Article IX – Board of
Trustees, Section 2 – Duties and Responsibilities by replacing
references to California corporation with New Mexico, to facilitate
moving the Overeaters Anonymous, Inc. corporate licensure from
California to New Mexico.
Bylaw Amendment Proposal 9: To amend Article
I – The Twelve
Steps, Steps 3, 7 and 11 to replace gender-specific pronouns
(Him, His) in the Twelve Steps with the word “God.”
 Delegates will vote on whether to give the Conference Seal of
Approval to a new manuscript titled Black OA Members Share
Their Experience, Strength and Hope, a pamphlet directed to black OA
members and prospective members around the world. In addition,
delegates will vote on a revision of the existing pamphlet A
Guide for Sponsors, which has been revised and expanded to include
30 questions for sponsors to use with their sponsorees.
This year, elections will be held to fill seven trustee positions.
Four region trustee and two general service trustee (GST) positions
are open for three-year terms; one general service trustee position
is open for a two-year term. Nominees are:
Region Two — Angela J.
Region Five — Craig R.
Region Eight — Charles A.
Region Ten — Di C.
GST — Dodie H.
GST — Vicki W.
GST — Cheryle T.
Delegates may download all WSBC
delegate mailings on the OA Web site. For Conference voting
results, check the World Service Business Conference Web page
after Conference and in the July issue of A Step Ahead.
Top
 Convention
2007 Overflows with Events
Make
Your Reservations Now for "Philly" Fun
Experience
the worldwide unity of Overeaters Anonymous at Convention 2007.
Its theme, “Ring in Recovery: Declare Your Freedom from Compulsive
Eating,” reflects the joy found in the physical, emotional and spiritual
journey to recovery in OA. Join members for fun and fellowship
at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
USA, August 30 through September 2, 2007. Go to the World Service Convention page for more information and
to register online.
 Full pre-registration before July 2, 2007, is US$79 and includes the
tote bag and commemorative pin. After July 2, full pre-registration and
onsite full registration is US$99. Please note that meals
are not included in the full registration fee or lodging fees. If you
wish to attend the Saturday-night banquet, you must purchase that separately. OA will be working with Loews to create OA-friendly buffet meals in the
restaurant at a set price for breakfast and lunch. Buffet prices will
be available closer to Convention.
You can register for the banquet and separate days and events (or purchase
a tote bag) as follows:
| Thursday only |
US$25 |
| Friday only |
US$35 |
| Saturday only |
US$45 |
| Sunday only |
US$25 |
| Banquet |
US$50 |
| Dance only |
US$10 |
| Tote bag |
US$5 |
The WSO does not make lodging reservations. To
reserve your room at Loews Philadelphia Hotel, contact Loews
reservations: 1-215-627-1200 (USA). Lodging cost for single – quadruple
occupancy is US$139.08 per night, per room (includes applicable
taxes).
The following is the schedule of events:
| Thursday, August 30 |
| 9:15 a.m. |
BOT meeting |
| 1:00 p.m. |
Registration opens |
| 6:00 p.m. |
Workshops/Marathon |
| |
|
| Friday, August 31 |
| 7:00 a.m. |
Marathon |
| 8:00 a.m. |
Registration continues |
| 8:00 a.m. |
Workshops |
| 1:00 p.m. |
General Session |
| 4:15 p.m. |
Workshops |
| 8:00 p.m. |
Grand Opening |
| |
|
| Saturday, September 1 |
| 7:00 a.m. |
Marathon |
| 8:00 a.m. |
Registration continues |
| 8:00 a.m. |
Workshops |
| 10:00 a.m. |
General Session |
| 12:15 p.m. |
Workshops |
| 7:00 p.m. |
Dinner |
| 8:00 p.m. |
Entertainment |
| 9:00 p.m. |
Dance |
| |
|
| Sunday, September 2 |
| 7:00 a.m. |
Marathon |
| 8:00 a.m. |
Registration continues |
| 8:00 a.m. |
Workshops |
| 10:00 a.m. |
Grand Closing |
Don’t miss this opportunity to strengthen your program and your
friendships.
A detailed schedule of events and
workshops is available on the World Service Convention page.
Top
2006
Lifeline Surveys Offer Insights
 In 2006, the Publications Department of the World Service Office conducted
three informal surveys: a survey of OA groups, a survey of the World Service
Business Conference delegates and a survey directed to individual OA members.
The purposes of the surveys were to gather information about how Lifeline subscribers and nonsubscribers perceive the magazine, why they subscribe
or don’t subscribe, whether they think Lifeline is a product or
a service, and whether they believe OA should accept the Lifeline operating
deficit (if Lifeline is a service).
In the group survey, 77 groups responded. In these groups, 396 members
read Lifeline. Of these, 249 members subscribe to the magazine. Among
the reasons for not subscribing, in descending order based on the number
of responses, are the following:
- Procrastination or failed to renew
- Get it free
- Too much to read
- Financial concerns
- Didn’t know it exists
- No particular reason
- Don’t have time to read it
- Find fault with story content
In the delegate survey, 175 delegates (112 subscribers, 63 nonsubscribers)
responded to questions about their perceptions of the contents of Lifeline.
Of these, 47 delegates offered 131 negative comments listed below in descending
order based on the number of responses:
- Stories sound the same
- Not gritty enough
- Too Pollyanna
- Content too restricted
- Want more recovery stories
- Doesn’t address my issues
- Not enough value for the cost
- Good for newcomers but not for me
- Doesn’t address my nonmainstream issues
- Not enough information on food plans
Nonsubscribers cited the following reasons why they don’t subscribe:
- Get it free from group
- No time to read
- Can’t afford it
Also in the delegate survey, 128 delegates offered unsolicited positive
comments about Lifeline.
In both the delegate survey and the individual member survey, which had
41 subscribers and 25 nonsubscribers, members responded to the question “Do
you believe Lifeline is a literature product or a service to the Fellowship?”
Combining the responses from the 241 respondents (153 subscribers, 88
nonsubscribers) in the two surveys, 34 members chose product, 74 chose
service, 104 chose both, and 29 did not answer the question.
When asked, “If it is a service and not a product, should we accept
the deficit as part of providing the service?” of the 241 respondents,
42 members chose not to accept the deficit, 140 chose to accept the deficit
and 59 did not answer.
Finally, in the group and individual surveys, respondents answered the
question “Why do you subscribe to Lifeline?” Their responses
were the following, in descending order based on the number of responses:
- I like the stories/content.
- It supports my recovery.
- It’s a meeting on the go, meeting between meetings.
- It travels well.
- I read it for help and information.
- I subscribe to support the Fellowship.
- It’s a valuable tool (service, writing, etc.).
- It’s good to pass on.
- I like the worldwide shares.
- I love it. It’s wonderful.
- I subscribe to support Lifeline.
- I/we use it for Lifeline meetings.
- I read it for fresh articles and ideas.
- It makes me feel connected to the Fellowship.
- I read it for hope, inspiration.
- I like Ask-It Basket.
- I use it for suggestions/help for sponsorees.
- My conscience tells me to subscribe.
- It keeps me focused.
- I received it as a gift.
- It’s an alternative to
compulsive eating.
- It saves my life when I least expect it; I find
just what I need.
- I like Datebook.
- I read it waiting in places.
- I use it to carry the message.
- I like For Discussion.
- My Higher Power speaks to me through it.
- It’s very affordable.
- I like the print version.
- It enriches my sense of belonging.
- It stimulates my thinking.
- I use it for outreach/public information.
- It’s a reminder
of program in case I drop OA.
- I like themed issues for specific problems.
- It’s a lifeline.
- It makes me grateful for program.
- It’s a monthly reminder.
- I use it to improve my English.
- As a Lifeline rep, I need to
know what I’m
selling.
- Thought I’d try it.
Top
Speakers,
Strengthen Your Message
If you are a speaker at OA events, you can strengthen your message of
recovery by calling attention to Lifeline magazine when you address
your audience. Lifeline is OA’s meeting on the go and brings
a wealth of experience, strength and hope to its readers.
You can even bring with you a small, portable Lifeline tabletop
display available for download from
the OA Web site, complete with instructions, subscription forms, and text
you can read to your audience.
 Lifeline also has a new page on the OA Web site titled Lifeline Through
the Years. Viewers will find stories, games, poems and graphics
from past issues of Lifeline and a 27-page PDF file with examples
from 1964 through 2006. Direct your audience to the page to experience
the wonderful recovery found in Lifeline magazine.
Many OA members don’t know that Lifeline exists. Let your
audiences know about this little gem that contributes to the recovery
of so many OA members.
Top
Continued on page 2
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