Call for Submissions – Share Your Recovery Story!

The WSBC Conference Literature Committee is soliciting stories of recovery from OA members for the proposed revision of Overeaters Anonymous, Second Edition.

The committee is looking for stories that emphasize members’ experience, strength and hope achieved through working and using the Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, Twelve Concepts of Service and nine tools of the Overeaters Anonymous program. The committee is interested in stories that focus on how members have achieved and maintained long-term physical, emotional and spiritual recovery.

We are seeking stories written from the perspectives reflected in our membership today. For example, we welcome recovery stories that reflect the diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds as well as age and gender differences in our Fellowship. We are also looking for stories that show various ways the disease of compulsive eating manifests itself (for example, obesity, bulimia, anorexia, etc.) Your story may include physical, medical and mental health challenges that are part of your recovery. In addition, stories can incorporate experiences of recovery in non-English speaking countries.

For questions, contact Barb G., Conference Literature Committee chair: barb72874@aol.com.

Word length: 750–1200.

Please email submissions to info@oa.org on or before January 31, 2012. Please put “OA2 Submission” in the subject line. Submitted materials will not be returned.

Intergroup Election Results

CIIG held elections at the October 4th meeting (Tues 7:30pm at Carpinteria Community Church). The meeting and all service group positions are open to any OA member. Here are the election results:

Chair & Web – Natalie G.
Vice-Chair & Business Secretary – Stephanie J.
Treasurer – Barbara G.
Recording Secretary – Linda M.
Intervoice – Darren
Retreats and Marathons – Alex M.

A warm welcome to the new service members, and a thank you to the outgoing service members. Your assistance and service have been greatly appreciated!

Service Positions Available: Service in O.A. is one of the tools of our recovery. If you have the desire to serve and experience how doing so might strengthen your recovery, we have the following volunteer service positions open: public outreach for both Ventura and Santa Barbara, R2 Representative*, and WSO Representative*.

If you are interested in any of these service positions, please attend the monthly CIIG meeting, held on the first Tuesday of each month at Carpinteria Community Church.

Please note that the R2 and WSO Representative service positions require one year of current abstinence and two years of service above the group level.

Saturday 3pm Goleta meeting closed

Hi there,

The Saturday 3pm Goleta meeting has closed and is now longer active.

Thanks.

Intergroup Elections on October 4th

CIIG will hold elections at the October 4th meeting (Tues 7:30pm at Carpinteria Community Church). The meeting and all service group positions are open to any OA member. The election  is to elect service board members to fill the following service positions: Chair, Vice-Chair, Business Secretary, Treasurer, and Recording Secretary. We also have volunteer service positions for newsletter, public outreach, retreats and marathons, website, and meeting, R2, and WSO representatives.

Services and Traditions workshop Oct 1

The California Central Coast Intergroup is hosting a workshop on Saturday October 1 from 1-4pm in Santa Maria. The details and a map are attached. Thanks!

Services and Traditions workshop (Oct 1)

Event Map

24nd Annual Southern California OA Men’s Stag Retreat

Dozens of men have gotten abstinence at this retreat. Many others come every year to reenergize their program. This is the 24nd year of the retreat. Recovery happens here!

Friday, Saturday & Sunday, August 19, 20 & 21, 2011 at La Casa de Maria
(800 El Bosque Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93108).

For further information, please contact: Dave B. at (619) 224-4500 or email davebirge66@gmail.com; or Don B. at (619) 889-7893 or email debroudy@cox.net.

Visit the website for online registration: www.oamensretreat.org

Attached is the flyer (PDF)

ABSTINENCE Definition Expanded

“Abstinence in Overeaters Anonymous is the action of refraining from compulsive eating and compulsive food behaviors while working towards or maintaining a healthy body weight. Spiritual, emotional and physical recovery is the result of living the Overeaters Anonymous Twelve-Step program.”

Delegates at the 2011 World Service Business Conference (April 25-30) expanded The Statement on Abstinence and Recovery (WSBC Policy 1988b, Amended 2002, 2009 and 2011) to include the italicized words at the end of the first sentence.

Action Plan – 9th Tool Defined

Delegates at the 2011 World Service Business Conference (April 25-30) have defined Action Plan, the ninth tool.

• Click here to see the definition of Action Plan on the OA Web site.
• The definition will be added to The Tools of Recovery pamphlet when current stock is depleted.
• For Newcomer Packets, click here for an addendum page from World Service that you can insert in the packets.

Annual Channel Islands Womens Retreat on Sept 23-25, 2011

The Annual Channel Islands Womens Retreat is being revived and will be held Sept 23-25, 2011 at the St Mary’s Seminary in Santa Barbara, with sweeping views of the ocean, nicer housing and great program.

Visit our website: http://oawomensretreat.wordpress.com/. Details and registration info is on the website, and we also have a flyer.

Website updated

I’ve updated our website with a new theme that upgrades the organization of our content. We now have 5 main sections: About, Meetings & Events, Newsletter, Podcasts, and Literature. If you can’t find something, try the Search box or email me.