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SCPOAI POLICY MANUAL
The following are the Twelve Steps of Overeaters Anonymous. They may not be amended by SCPOAI.
1. We admitted we were powerless over food that our lives had become unmanageable. 2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. 3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God, as we understood Him. 4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. 5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. 6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. 7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. 8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all. 9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. 10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. 11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out. 12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to compulsive overeaters and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
Permission to use the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous for adaptation granted by AA World Services, Inc.
The following are the Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous. They may not be amended by SCPOAI. 1. Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon OA unity. 2. For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority - a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern. 3. The only requirement for OA membership is a desire to stop eating compulsively. 4. Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or OA as a whole. 5. Each group has but one primary purpose - to carry its message to the compulsive overeater who still suffers. 6. An OA group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the OA name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property, and prestige divert us from our primary purpose. 7. Every OA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions. 8. Overeaters Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers. 9. OA, as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve. 10. Overeaters Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the OA name ought never be drawn into public controversy. 11. Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, films, television, and other public media of communication. 12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all these Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.
Permission to use the Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous for adaptation granted by AA World Services, Inc.
The following are the Twelve Concepts of OA Service as adopted by the World Service Business conference in 1994. They may not be amended by SCPOAI. 1. The ultimate responsibility and authority for OA world service reside in the collective conscience of our whole Fellowship. 2. The OA groups have delegated to World Service Business Conference the active maintenance of our world services; thus, World Service Business Conference is the voice, authority and effective conscience of OA as a whole. 3. The right of decision, based on trust, makes effective leadership possible. 4. The right of participation ensures equality of opportunity for all in the decision-making process. 5. Individuals have the right of appeal and petition in order to ensure that their opinions and personal grievances will be carefully considered. 6. The World Service Business Conference has entrusted the Board of Trustees with the primary responsibility for the administration of Overeaters Anonymous. 7. The Board of Trustees has legal rights and responsibilities accorded to them by OA By-laws Subpart A; the rights and responsibilities of the World Service Business Conference are accorded to it by OA By-laws, Subpart B. 8. The Board of Trustees has delegated to its Executive Committee the responsibility to administer the OA World Service Office. 9. Able, trusted servants, together with sound and appropriate methods of choosing them, are indispensable for effective functioning at all service levels. 10. Service responsibility is balanced by carefully defined service authority; therefore, duplication of efforts is avoided. 11. Trustee administration of the World Service Office should always be assisted by the best standing committees, executives, staffs and consultants. 12. The spiritual foundation for OA service ensures that: a. no OA committee or service body shall ever become the seat of perilous wealth or power; b. sufficient operating funds, plus an ample reserve, shall be OA's prudent financial principle; c. no OA member shall ever be placed in a position of unqualified authority; d. all important decisions shall be reached by discussion, vote and, whenever possible, by substantial unanimity; e. no service action shall ever be personally punitive or an incitement to public controversy; and f. no OA service committee or service board shall ever perform any acts of government, and each shall always remain democratic in thought and action.
Duties and Responsibilities
Chairperson
1. Prepare agenda for each Intergroup meeting with enough copies available for each Intergroup Representative. 2. Conduct Intergroup meetings. 3. Maintain contact with committee chairpersons. 4. Contact groups to encourage participation at Intergroup meetings. 5. Prepare a brief monthly Intergroup report for inclusion in the Intergroup newsletter. 6. Appoint ad hoc committees as necessary. 7. Available for Twelfth Step travel within Intergroup area as requested by member groups. 8. Authorized to cancel Intergroup meetings, marathons, retreats, or any other Intergroup event due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstance. The Chair will consult with other Service Board members (Retreat or Marathon chairs if event is affected) before making any cancellations. 9. May have a key to current post office box and be available to collect and distribute mail if Treasurer is unavailable. 10. Is authorized signatory to checking account and may sign checks in the event the Treasurer and/or Assistant Treasurer is unavailable. 11. May arrange and authorize all logistics with local phone companies for the availability, use of, and payment for the OA hot line number(s) at the direction of SCPOAI. 12. Act as ex-officio member of Intergroup for one year upon expiration of term of office.
Vice Chairperson
1. Conduct Intergroup meetings in the absence of the Chairperson. 2. Assist the chairperson as necessary. 3. Act as "keeper" of the By-laws of Intergroup. 4. Maintain and distribute the Policy Manual of Intergroup. 5. Serve on committees as necessary. 6. Available for Twelfth Step travel within Intergroup area as requested by member groups. 7. Coordinate "Adopt A New Rep" efforts at Intergroup meetings. 8. May have a key to current post office box and be available to collect and distribute mail if Treasurer is unavailable. 9. At the direction of the SCPOAI Chair, may arrange and authorize all logistics with local phone companies for the availability, use of, and payment for the OA hot line number(s).
Recording Secretary
1. Take minutes of each SCPOAI meeting and forward a copy to Corresponding Secretary. 2. Maintain a file of SCPOAI minutes. 3. Take roll call and maintain attendance records of SCPOAI meetings. 4. Serve on committees as necessary. 5. Available for Twelfth Step travel within Intergroup area as requested by member groups.
Corresponding Secretary
1. Send newcomer information packet to anyone requesting it. 2. Forward other inquiries to appropriate Committee Chair. 3. Keep current the list of SCPOAI groups; including group secretary, group contact, and Intergroup Representative. 4. Assist groups in maintaining their WSO registration information. 5. Mail minutes of SCPOAI meetings, Callings, and Intergroup Group Attendance Sheet to: 6. Intergroup Representatives 7. Groups without Intergroup Representatives 8. Region 7 Trustee 9. Region 7 Archivist 10. Mail a copy of each Calling to any Intergroup that sends us their newsletter. 11. Available for Twelfth Step travel within Intergroup area as requested by member groups. 12. Serve on committees as necessary. 13. May have a key to current post office box and be available to collect and distribute mail if Treasurer is unavailable.
Treasurer
1. Keep a key to the current SCPOAI post office box, pick up mail from the post office box, and forward inquiries and other correspondence to the Corresponding Secretary. 2. Maintain a checking account in the name of South Central Pennsylvania Overeaters Anonymous Intergroup. 3. Deposit all contributions into bank account. 4. Acknowledge contributions made to SCPOAI if a request for acknowledgment is made. 5. Issue and sign all checks as necessary. 6. Prepare a written financial report for presentation at each SCPOAI meeting. Each report shall include: a. Beginning balance b. Income c. Expense d. Ending balance 7. Keep a separate ledger of donations by group and publish quarterly in the Calling and monthly in the treasurer’s report. 8. Keep a separate ledger of income and expenses for each retreat and marathon. 9. Shall have primary authority to arrange and authorize all logistics with local phone companies for the availability, use of , and payment for the OA hot line number(s). 10. Serve on committees as necessary. 11. Available for Twelfth Step travel within Intergroup area as requested by member groups.
Assistant Treasurer
1. Assist SCPOAI Treasurer and be prepared to take over Treasurer's duties if Treasurer is unable to perform such duties. 2. At the direction of the SCPOAI Chair, may arrange and authorize all logistics with local phone companies for the availability, use of, and payment for the OA hot line number(s). 3. Serve on committees as necessary. 4. Available for Twelfth Step travel within Intergroup area as requested by member groups. 5. May have a key to current post office box and be available to collect and distribute mail if Treasurer is unavailable. 6. Is authorized signatory to checking account and may sign checks in the event Treasurer is unavailable. 7. Apply for funding from Region 7 to assist in covering expenses for Region 7 Assemblies and World Service Business Conference.
Regional Representatives
1. Represent SCPOAI at Regional Assemblies. 2. Submit written report to SCPOAI on the actions taken at Regional Assemblies. 3. Serve on Region 7 committees as requested by SCPOAI. 4. Available to serve as World Service Conference Delegate. 5. Available for Twelfth Step travel within Intergroup area as requested by member groups.
Alternate Regional Representatives
1. Available to represent SCPOAI if a Regional Representative is unable to attend a Regional Assembly. 2. Available to assist Regional Representatives as needed.
World Service Conference Delegate
1. Represent SCPOAI at annual World Service Business Conference. 2. Submit written report to SCPOAI on the actions taken by the World Service Business Conference. 3. Serve on World Service Business Conference committees as assigned by WSO. 4. Available for Twelfth Step travel within Intergroup area as requested by member groups.
Standing Committees
Literature
1. Maintain an inventory of OA Conference approved literature. 2. Provide literature for sale at all SCPOAI marathons and retreats. 3. Provide answers to each group’s questions on their purchase of literature. 4. Keep detailed income and expense records for literature sold and provide this information to the Treasurer. 5. Provide Big Book (Alcoholics Anonymous), OA Twelve and Twelve, and New Group Packet to newly formed groups when they register their affiliation with SCPOAI. 6. The literature budget allowance shall not exceed $1,000.00 in inventory and cash available from general treasury funds to be used at the discretion of the Literature Chair. Funds from literature sales shall be turned over to the Treasurer and the Treasurer shall "reimburse" the Literature Chairperson to maintain the $1,000.00 inventory and cash available.
Lifeline
1. Encourage OA members to subscribe to Lifeline. 2. Encourage OA members to submit articles to Lifeline for publication. 3. Keep available Lifeline subscription forms at Intergroup meetings and SCPOAI events (may be included on Literature table). 4. Provide information for retreats and marathons for publication in Lifeline.
Twelfth Step
1. Act as greeter to new Intergroup Representatives, welcoming them to the meeting, showing them where to find information, and introducing them to one or two "old timers" at Intergroup meetings. 2. Reach out to groups with no Intergroup Representative, either by phone or by letter, encouraging their participation at Intergroup meetings and events.
Twelfth Step Within
1. Maintain and keep up-to-date the sponsor by phone list, sponsor by mail list, speakers list, night owl list, and organize the Holiday Phone Chain list. 2. Attempt to reach out to the compulsive overeater who is struggling. 3. Attempt to reach out to the compulsive overeater who has left the OA rooms.
Outreach
1. Act as liaison between members of the professional community and SCPOAI. The professional community includes doctors, psychologists, therapists, counselors, clergy, nurses, teachers, directors and administrators of rehabilitation centers, hospitals, and schools. 2. Act as liaison between hospitals and rehabilitation centers and OA members as requests for on-site OA meetings are fulfilled. Remind OA members bringing such meetings to hospitals and rehabilitation centers of the Twelve Traditions. 3. Coordinate speaking engagements with members of the professional community as requested. 4. Contact members of the professional community to provide them with information about Overeaters Anonymous and the Twelve Step program of recovery. 5. Represent SCPOAI by bringing awareness of OA to the general public 6. Contact local media outlets (print and broadcast) asking them to list local OA meetings in their "calendar of events" areas. 7. Handle press releases. 8. Arrange for public service announcements. 9. Conduct public service campaigns. 10. Arrange for booths at local fairs. 11. Seeks ways to heighten awareness of OA to military service members on military bases. 12. Develop methods of contacting local military bases. 13. Maintain contact with appropriate Region 7 committees (through SCPOAI Regional Representatives) sharing successes, failures, and seeking guidance on how best to proceed. 14. Remain cognizant of the Twelve Traditions when dealing with members of the media and public. 15. Seek methods of reaching out to young people to help them find OA. 16. Maintain contact with Region 7 Young People's Committee (through Regional Representatives) sharing successes, failures, and seeking guidance on how best to proceed.
Newsletter Editor
1. Compile our periodical newsletter "Calling". 2. Collect articles for publication from Service Board members, from groups within SCPOAI, from members of OA. 3. A full three double-sided (6 pages) issue of the newsletter will be printed each month. 4. Each full issue of the newsletter should include a Chairman's report on the efforts of SCPOAI to give service to member groups, name and phone numbers of Service Board members and Standing Committee Chairs, name and phone numbers of OA members willing to serve on the "night owl" list, articles of OA members sharing experience, strength, and hope for recovery from compulsive overeating. 5. Each issue of the Calling shall include a "Seventh Tradition" reminder that it is suggested each group donate excess funds after maintaining a prudent reserve (two month's expenses) as follows: 60% to Intergroup (with Treasurer's address), 30% to World Service (with WSO address) and 10% to Region 7 (with Region 7 address). 6. Newsletter is to be proofread by the previous Calling editor or a member of the SCPOAI Service Board before being printed and distributed. 7. Publish group donations to Intergroup quarterly.
Ways and Means
1. Plan fundraisers in conjunction with SCPOAI events. 2. Secure items for sale or drawing at SCPOAI events. These items may be book bags, book covers, bookmarks, tote bags, coffee mugs, or other small items. 3. Remain cognizant of our Section 501 (c) (3) status when securing vendors and suppliers of such items. 4. Keep detailed records of cost, sales, and inventory. 5. The budget allowance for salable items shall be $200.00. As items are sold or used in drawings, proceeds up to $200.00 shall be "reimbursed" to the Ways and Means Committee budget. 6. Thereafter, proceeds will be placed into general treasury funds.
Website Committee
1. The chairperson/webmaster will maintain the website. 2. Remain cognizant of the Twelve Traditions when creating website documents. 3. Track usage. 4. Communicate with Region 7, World Service, and other Intergroups to share information regarding events, and exchange links. 5. Provide forms for Twelfth Step Within sign up sheets and mailing lists. 6. Maintain/create email addresses. 7. Update meeting lists as needed. 8. Work with committee chairs to provide support for issues/events.
MARATHONS
1. SCPOAI will run a minimum of three marathon events each year: Unity Day, IDEA Day (International Day Experiencing Abstinence), and Butterflies Are Free. The dates for these events will coincide with those dates as set by World Service and Butterflies Are Free will b in the spring. 2. Individual Chairs for each event will be chosen from OA members attending regular Intergroup meetings. 3. In order to encourage service participation from the group level, Event Chairs will seek OA members from their home group and other groups to work on decorations, program, registration, refreshments, speaker selection, with backup available from Intergroup as needed. 4. So that each event may be planned in a timely fashion, the Chair for IDEA Day will be chosen by June for each year, the Chair for Unity Day will be chosen by August of each year, and the Chair for Butterflies Are Free will be chosen by December of each year. 5. Chairs for the marathons are to be aware of the workshop topic guidelines as follows: a. The topics of incest, rape and sexual abuse are not to be used. b. Workshops relating to other 12 Step programs are not to be used. c. Include a Step 1 Workshop. d. Send a copy of program in advance of event to Region 7 Trustee for review of adherence to Traditions. 6. Chair for each marathon is to be aware that speaker and workshop leaders shall have a thorough knowledge of the program and it is suggested they have three months current abstinence. 7. The names or title of speakers/leaders are not to be published in informational flyers or on programs for any event. 8. The financial guidelines for each event are as follows: a. Marathons help to financially support the work of SCPOAI. b. It is suggested that more than one site be evaluated in order to choose the most economical location. c. All income from events will be given to the Intergroup Treasurer. d. Since all expenses must be paid or reimbursed by the Intergroup Treasurer, keep bills and receipts to be presented. e. A SCPOAI income/expense form will be completed by the Event Chair and submitted to the Intergroup Treasurer. f. Event Chair must keep SCPOAI Chair apprised of all major decisions. g. Building use fees should not exceed $75.00 with Intergroup approval. If there is no charge for the use of the building, Intergroup will donate 10% of the amount received at the door.
RETREATS
1. SCPOAI may sponsor full weekend retreats. 2. These retreats will be scheduled by Intergroup. 3. The Chair for each retreat will be chosen from OA members attending regular Intergroup meetings. 4. In order to encourage service participation and increase attendance at retreat events, Chairs will seek OA members from the group level to help with decorations, program registration, and speaker selection with backup available from Intergroup as needed. 5. Chair for each retreat is to be aware of the workshop topic guidelines as follows: a. The topics of incest, rape and sexual abuse are not to be used. b. Workshops relating to other 12 Step programs are not to be used. c. Include Step 1 Workshop. d. Send a copy of program in advance of event to Region 7 Trustee for review of adherence to Traditions. 6. Chair for each retreat is to be aware that speaker and workshop leaders shall have a thorough knowledge of the program and it is suggested they have three months current abstinence. 7. The names or title of speakers/leaders are not to be published in informational flyers or on programs for any event. 8. The financial guidelines for each event are as follows: a. Retreats help to financially support the work of SCPOAI. b. Retreat Chair is responsible to keep expenses to a reasonable amount so proceeds will be available to support Intergroup. It is suggested that more than one site be evaluated in order to chose the most economical location. c. All income from events will be given to the Intergroup Treasurer. d. All expenses will be paid/reimbursed by the Intergroup Treasurer. Bills or receipts will be presented. e. A SCPOAI income/expense form will be completed by the Retreat Chair and submitted to the Intergroup Treasurer. f. Retreat Chair will keep SCPOAI Chair apprised of all Committee decisions.
Ad Hoc Committees
1. Committees formed to complete a particular task. These committees are not ongoing, but will disband when the task is completed to the satisfaction of SCPOAI. The Chairperson may form Ad Hoc Committees and appoint the Committee Chair.
The following are policy statements of SCPOAI (with dates) which were not incorporated into Duties and Standing Committees above:
April 1992
Members of the Service Board and Regional Representatives will be reimbursed the standard IRS mileage rate when traveling for Twelfth Step activities (volunteer rate). Groups not represented at regular Intergroup meetings are requested to reimburse SCPOAI the cost of postage for mailing minutes and newsletters.
September 1995
No group shall be listed on the SCPOAI meeting directory until a completed copy of the OA World Service registration form has been received by the SCPOAI Corresponding Secretary.
March 1996
Regular Intergroup meetings will be held on the first Saturday of the month.
January 1997
At the end of each month, 10% of SCPOAI general treasury funds shall be placed into the World Service Business Conference Delegate fund. These funds shall be used annually to send SCPOAI Delegates to the annual World Service Business Conference.
November 1997
In addition to reading the short form of a Tradition at the start of each Intergroup meeting, a five to seven minute discussion of the Tradition will take place.
December 1998
A $50.00 donation will be sent to Region 7 and a $100.00 donation will be sent to World Service on a quarterly basis.
August 1999
The regular Regional quarterly donation will be sent to World Service until the Region 7 prudent reserve is resolved.
November 1999
The Retreat Scholarship Fund will be abolished at the conclusion of Recovery By The Fireside.
April 2000
IG shall bear financial responsibility for Hotline phone numbers and telephone book listings.
SCPOAI POLICY MANUAL
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| Last Updated on Saturday, 07 November 2009 05:06 |