55 Annual WSO Convention May 2-8 Responsibility to Carry the Message

Transcription

1 55 Annual WSO Convention May 2-8 Responsibility to Carry the Message Each day we opened with the serenity prayer in a foreign language followed by the serenity prayer in English. Reports: Chair s Report given by Gerri H. Our comptroller resigned and Jim Clymer took over for her. Unveiling of our new WSO website February 29 th with and special focus on newcomers, service bodies, and existing members. In August the at the chairs meeting the idea of an eleventh region was discussed the new board will decide how to proceed with this expansive research and information. The board is still considering how to handle Lifeline magazine. They have tried many things to increase subscriptions and renewals but nothing has worked so far. They are thinking of having a special section for health care professionals in it. Treasurer s report- By Tina C Audit was done About 30% of our income comes from 7 th tradition the other comes from literature sales Budget passed by board of trustees $1,926, ARC(automatic reoccurring contributions) was at 126 but has risen to 254 now no amount is too small, members can go the website to sign up click on the contribute button. The reason the ARC was established is for those people going to virtual meetings, online podcasts, and events online Lifeline Please write and submit articles, renew your subscriptions or become a member of Lifeline, discuss lifeline with newcomers, have your group take out a subscription. That way we could give them to newcomers, share copies with your health care provider. Lifeline can be a meeting on the go. Managing Directors Report: By Margie G. Staffing changes at home office- At the end of the year managing director Nomi Lippel left and Jim Climer took her place in January. New changes at the main office include Jennifer Nail as our associate editor Jeanette Romero as member services assistant and Howie Sagrans as our accounting technician. The new Website coordinator is Adam Krajewski.

2 Financial This past year we were able to close the year in the black due to two bequeaths we exceeded our expenses by $41,500. The bequeaths totaled over $116, but out other revenue is down. Our contributions are down by 8% over last year. Strategic Planning- In 2015 the main goal was to increase the fellowship s focus on the necessity of working all the 12 steps. The board chairs collaborated on a number of projects including a workshop format on the Importance of working the steps for use by groups and service bodies. Twelve stepping a problem available as a pocket card in our bookstore, and a monthly virtual workshop/podcast covering one step each month. All these items are available on OA.org. A Newcomer Quick Step study is still in the works. The strategic planning goal for 2016 is to increase the Fellowship s focus on the individual s responsibility to carry the message by creatin a Carrying the Message Made Simple program. Things in the works are a Sponsorship Training workshop, promoting the responsibility pledge, tips for Carrying the Message, Service and My Recovery virtual workshop/podcasts, and service body building, All these projects are well under way, and the board and region chars have already started working on a strategic plan for Each of the regions gave their reports and I have copies if anyone would like a copy, Region 3 Information- June 2016 Annual Slumber Falls Retreat June 10 5:00 pm - June 12 11:00 am Slumber Falls Camp and Retreat Center, 3610 River Road New Braunfels, TX United States + Google Map Join the San Antonio and Heart of Texas Intergroups of Overeaters Anonymous for our 15th annual weekend of recovery in the serene surroundings of Slumber Falls Camp situated on the Guadalupe River near New Braunfels, Texas. Cost is $120 for the weekend, $55 for Saturday only. Registration deadline is June 1. Meals are provided for those who register for the entire weekend - Saturday breakfast, lunch and dinner, and breakfast September 2016 Keep Recovery Weird! September 9 - September 11

3 Wyndham Garden Hotel, 3401 South IH 35 Austin, TX United States Minor Outlying I Keep Recovery Weird! Region III Fall 2016 Assembly and Convention Hosted by the Heart of Texas Intergroup Committee reports- will share them next time when all information is available We Voted in new Trustees- Region 2 Hannah Schwamborn Region 5 Linda Jackson Region 8 Linda Hartmann Region 10 Letilia McLaughlia General Trustees-Gloria Lockridge and Steven Mayer were elected Proposed New Business Consent agenda Motions A, B, C, E and Bylaw Amendments 1, 2, 3, and 7 all passed, Proposal item A-A Motion Move to grant Conference Seal of Approval to the Twelve Traditions Pocket Guide, They tried to defer this but they were defeated and the motion passed Proposal Item A-B Motion was to move to grant Conference Seal of Approval to the quide Twelve Step Workshop Study Guide. Motion passed after a great deal of discussion Proposal Item A (consent agenda) was about establishing how personal contact information will be managed and distributed after the Conference This method was used after the 2015 Conference. Proposal Item B (Consent Agenda) Resended the policy1980a The purpose of each proposed amendment to the World Service bylaws be clearly verbalized by the proposing body. Proposal Item C (consent agenda) Amended Policy 1992c by striking and inserting the following: It was adopted that: AA literature sold by the OA World Service Office be available for purchase at all WSO Conventions. Proposal D motion passed

4 Moved to amend WSBC Policy 1996 and 1998 the motion was to change the date of Unity Day to the summer. This motion was defeated. Unity Day will still be on the last Saturday in February at 11:30 pacific standard time Proposal Item E (consent agenda) Motion to amend WSBC Policy 2005 a by striking and inserting the following: It was adopted that: Business Conference policies that have been completed or the purpose of which have been served and are no longer required or hall be presented by the Bylaws trustee co-chair to the Board of Trustees for consideration of removal at the next Business Conference. Motion passed Proposal Item F Motion to amend the WSBC Policy 2011a by striking and inserting the following: While Overeaters Anoymous has no option on outside issues, including social media, the delegates of the 2016 World Service Business Conference recommend any OA member, group, or service body using social media for OA public information and public awareness maintain the personal anonymity of OA members. Members of Overeaters Anonymous are anonymous. The fellowship is not, Members of Overeaters Anonymous using social media are responsible for maintaining their own personal anonymity, and resecting the anonymity of other OA members. This was adopted. Proposal Item G This proposal Is to establish an OA Virtual Service Conference Committee. Right now there are 350 virtual meetings 122 affiliates there are 7 V-SBs. The committee would focus on virtual groups and would assist in forming new virtual service boards, presenting virtual workshops, and other projects that support the virtual groups and virtual service boards (VSBs) this will help build infrastructure and support for VSBs and virtual groups (ever mindful to maintain and enhance connections and relationships with the regions and meeting that meet face to face) the underlined part was an added amendment to the motion and it failed. The motion passed as it was. Proposal H

5 Motion was to resend the WSBS Policy 1999 What happened was that OA ended up after much discussion redefining a virtual meeting by changing this policy on virtual meetings having to meet in real time. Because this passed it will make other type of virtual meeting possible. Proposal Item 1 (Consent agenda) Motion to amend OA, Inc. Bylaws /subpart B.,Article VI Section 1 is the newly added part Section 1 Definition An intergroup shall be a daily registered service body is defined as a service entity that provides services beyond the group level. Proposal Item 2 (consent agenda) Motion was to amend the OA Inc. Bylaws Subpart B, Article VII Regions by inserting and renumbering the article so that we can add the definition of a region. Section 1 Definition A region shall be a duly registered service body. For the purpose of this document a service body is defined as a service intity that provides services beyond the group level. Proposal 3 (consent agenda) Motion: To define what they mean by Service Boards Proposal 4 Motion to amend OA, Inc. Bylaws, Subpart B, Article XI Conference Committees, Section 4- Region Chairs Committee by inserting and striking information- (intent was to make sure that the chairs met only in North America due to funding, but funding comes from region and not WSO and is optional for chairs to attend) Failed by written ballot Proposal Item 5.1 Motion-To amend OA, Inc. Bylaws, Subpart B, article VII- Regions, Section Composition by striking and inserting ( would have intergroups notify the current region they wish to leave from of their intent to change regions due to a geographical convenience) passed Proposal Item 6 Motion was to redefine virtual groups so they don t have to meet during real time. Passed

6 Proposal Item 7 (consent agenda) Motion was to amend OA, Inc. Bylaws, Subpart B, Article XI- Conference Committee, Section 1- Conference Literature Committee by striking and inserting. The intent to clarify and bring the wording for the committee member selection process in the line with the current practice The co-chairs may appoint outgoing delegates to serve and extra year on the committee in an advisory capacity. The extra meetings that I attended: All about Conference-(explained what was going to happen and the procedures to follow) Forum-Carrying the Message this workshop had us do skits and practice how we would share in situations provided (this workshop will be available online on the website) Very helpful Strategic Planning: Carry the Message back home (ideas from this workshop will be shared on the website) Sponsorship Meeting discussion on ideas why people don t get sponsors and why people don t choose to sponsor Sunday I attended the last OA meeting on the daily reading from Voices of Recovery It was a privilege to serve and be a part of this conference I had not ever been to the WSO Business conference. It was an honor for me. You don t realize what an impact it is until you are there. Although I had served as a region rep in region 8, I was never able to attend the WSO BC due to the expenses and not being able to give up the week to go before. There is an +