Meeting Formats
General Meeting
General Suggested OA Meeting Format
Reading and Writing Meeting
Reading and Writing Meeting Format
Group Conscience Meeting
Group Conscience Meeting Format
Lifeline Meeting
Lifeline Meeting Format
Telephone Meeting
Telephone Meeting Format
Online Meeting
Online Meeting Format
Newcomers Informational Meeting
Guidelines for Newcomers Informational Meeting
Newcomer Meetings: A Leader’s Kit
Newcomer Meetings: A Leader’s Kit
Atheist/Agnostic/Secular Meeting
Atheist/Agnostic/Secular Meeting Format
Recovery From Relapse Meeting
Recovery From Relapse Meeting Format
Step-Study Meeting
Step-Study Meeting Format
Meeting Documents
Zoom Security Documents:
12 Steps
The Twelve Steps of Overeaters Anonymous.
12 Traditions
The Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous:
12 Concepts of OA Service
The Twelve Concepts of Overeaters Anonymous Service
Our Invitation To You
We of Overeaters Anonymous have made a discovery. At the very first meeting we attended, we learned that we were in the clutches of a dangerous illness, and that willpower, emotional health and self-confidence, which some of us had once possessed, were no defense against it.
We have learned that the reasons for the illness are unimportant. What deserves the attention of the still-suffering compulsive overeater is this: there is a proven, workable method by which we can arrest our illness.
How it Works
Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path. Those who do not recover are people who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple program, usually men and women who are constitutionally incapable of being honest with
themselves. There are such unfortunates. They are not at fault; they seem to have been born that way. They are naturally incapable of grasping and developing a manner of living which demands rigorous honesty. Their chances are less than average. There are those, too, who suffer from grave emotional and mental disorders, but many of them do recover if they have the capacity to be honest.
OA Preamble
Overeaters Anonymous is a Fellowship of individuals who, through shared experience, strength, and hope, are recovering from compulsive eating.
OA Promises
If we are painstaking about working our program, these are the amazing promises that will come true for us.
Guidelines for sharing OA Literature Virtually
Guidelines for Sharing OA-Copyright Material Electronically
A Vision for You
Reading from Alcoholics Anonymous, page 164.
Spiritual Principles
The Overeaters Anonymous Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, and Twelve Concepts of OA Service have Principles related to them. They are listed here.
List of OA approved literature
“In accordance with our Traditions, we suggest that OA groups maintain unity and honor our Traditions by using, selling, and displaying only approved books and pamphlets at their meetings. This includes OA Conference- and board-approved literature; AA Conference-approved books, booklets, and all future editions thereof, with an original edition copyright of 2010 or earlier; and the Plain Language Big Book; and locally produced OA literature. Although groups may choose to focus on only one piece of OA-approved literature, individuals and groups are encouraged to use any and all OA-approved literature. Locally produced literature must be developed according to OA Guidelines for Locally Produced Literature and should be used with the greatest discretion. Local literature should be considered temporary and discontinued when OA literature approved for general use is available to cover the topic.”
Strong Meeting Checklist
The Strong Meeting Checklist was part of OA’s 2008-2013 Strategic Plan. It is not enough to make the public aware that OA exists and can be a solution to compulsive eating; meetings have to be strong and must function effectively for people to “stay for the miracle” and for OA to continue to grow and be there for those who need it in the future. Consider doing an inventory of your OA meeting using this checklist.
OA Group Inventory
This inventory is divided into two parts. Part A is an inventory of the group as a whole; Part B is a personal inventory of a member’s behavior in the group.
Use an entire meeting for an honest and fearless discussion of the group’s weaknesses and strengths.
Unity With Diversity Checklist
The following checklist for OA groups and service bodies is offered in the spirit of Overeaters Anonymous’ Third Tradition and the OA Unity with Diversity Policy Statement. This checklist is not meant to be exhaustive, nor can it be. As we continue to grow, so does our understanding of diversity. These questions are only a starting point for reflection and discussion. We hope that newcomers who are used to “closed doors” can find not only a welcome in OA, but also a home if they wish. As OA’s Responsibility Pledge states: “Always to extend the hand and heart of OA to all who share my compulsion; for this, I am responsible.”
CCI Zoom Training Best Practices Document
Included in this document are materials from a 2023 Zoom Training, Region 5, OA Foot Steps Virtual Intergroup, The Office of Diversity & Inclusion at Tufts University and the Office of Diversity & Inclusion at the University of Maryland.
Zoom Intruder Action Plan
An action plan with specific direction on what to do if your meeting has a Zoom bombing.
Zoom Security Recommendations from Saturday Big Book Meeting
This is a listing of Zoom Security Recommendations from the Saturday Big Book Meeting
World Service Security Training Document
In November 2021, the Board of Trustees created the Zoom Bombing Ad Hoc Committee to address growing concerns about disrupters/intruders at OA meetings. This document was created by the ad hoc committee and references the Zoom videoconferencing platform and Zoom-specific functions. These suggestions may provide guidance on using other videoconferencing platforms as well. This is not an endorsement of the Zoom platform, only a reference tool.
World Service Conference Suggested Readings
For Sponsors
Click Here to View (online version, copyright 2026)
Click Here to View (PDF version, copyright 2022)
Workshop Formats
Twelve Step Within (TSW) Format for “Ideas that Work”
Click Here to View
STRONGER TOGETHER: Including Everyone In Meetings
Click Here to View
Been Slipping and Sliding? A Reading and Writing Tool
Click Here to View
Good Hiking Etiquette, Along the OA Journey
Click Here to View
Happy, Healthy Holiday Gift: Tips & Tricks to dash abstinently through
the holidays
Click Here to View
‘Growing Recovery Worldwide’ Forum Workshop
Click Here to View
How do you add more togetherness to a program?
Unity on the OA Journey
Click Here to View