World Service Business Conference Report
World Service Business Conference report
World Service Business Conference Report to Greater Seattle Intergroup
Delegate #2 Cindy C.
May 23, 2017
A big thank you to Greater Seattle Intergroup for allowing me to represent you at my second WSBC May 2-6, 2017 in Albuquerque. What an honor and a privilege! This year’s theme, “Growing OA Worldwide”, was woven throughout the conference in workshops, the Forum and business meetings. The theme is linked to OA’s strategic plan to keep OA strong worldwide. A major concern seemed to pop up repeatedly: urgent need for faster translation of OA documents across the 40+ languages spoken within the worldwide fellowship.
Tuesday, May 2
Preparing for the Business Meetings
Region One met to discuss motions and bylaws amendments, and to be sure we all understood them. Alice B. from Oregon Intergroup, who has served as the delegate co-chair of the WSBC Bylaws committee, was most helpful. We determined that there were items we wanted removed from the Consent agenda, so I volunteered to speak at the center microphone asking that they be removed and others volunteered to introduce amendments to these items.
Workshop: Worldwide Unity through OA Literature
This workshop was led by David from Israel and Marilyn from Chicago. OA meetings should provide only OA-approved literature. Non-approved literature waters down the OA message. We are guardians of the traditions; if we see non-approved literature displayed at meetings we need to take action so that a consistent, worldwide message endures. When we travel, we want the meetings to resemble what we are used to.
It was suggested that the OA Handbook be used by all groups and service bodies; it is now available in several languages. Note that GSI includes this pamphlet in its new rep packets. A New Jersey delegate shared that each month members of her intergroup present a section of the Handbook.
As partners in recovery and sponsors, we can reinforce the value of using a variety of OA-approved literature in our individual programs. Both David and Marilyn shared from OA publications that had been especially helpful to their programs, among them “A Guide to Sponsors”, “If God Spoke to OA”, the “Just For Today” wallet card, and “Beyond Our Wildest Dreams”. OA literature binds us together across states/provinces/countries. The language of the heart is what truly unites us.
David also spoke about the need to simplify and accelerate the process required to translate OA literature (the application process to WSO, licenses, royalties). In Region 9 alone, there are 44 different countries represented and 34 languages. He also expressed concern about countries outside the US being unable to download materials from the OA website that are currently free to those within the US. The Board of Trustees is currently working on a solution.
Wednesday, May 3
Forum: “Amazing Recovery: Passport to Unity”
Conceived and organized by the Region Chairs, this two-hour kickoff session involved delegates with diverse OA recovery stories traveling to each round table of 10 delegates to share their stories and invite sharing about the diversity of recovery in the fellowship. My table was visited by a gay bulimic, male compulsive overeater, member from Israel and a chronic relapser.
Committee Meetings
All delegates agree to serve on one of ten committees for one year: Bylaws, Conference Approved Literature, Finance, Professional Outreach, Public Information, Twelfth Step Within, Unity With Diversity, Virtual Services, Web/Technology, Young Persons.
This is my second year on the Conference Approved Literature Committee (CALC). After being assigned to the CALC at the 2016 WSBC, I spent the last year working with fellow members of the Body Image, Relationships, and Sexuality Subcommittee.
The CLC reviewed and considered two proposals for new literature:
- Practical use of the Traditions and Concepts (failed)
- Stories from Sponsors about their sponsorship experience (passed)
Of note: a bariatric focus pamphlet approved by CALC last year was voted down by the Board of Trustees (BOT), citing Tradition 10, “OA has no opinion on outside issues”.
Following the review/vote on proposed new literature, we divided into sub-committees to work on several ongoing projects. I will continue this next year to serve on the Body Image, Sexuality and Relationships Subcommittee. Three new delegates joined our committee and we look forward to having the manuscript ready for BOT input this summer and final review by the WSBC in 2018. The manuscript contains 85 stories submitted from across the fellowship.
Literature Q&A
A two-hour evening meeting, the Literature Q&A provides an opportunity for delegates to ask questions ahead of time about the manuscripts up for vote during the business meetings: “Maintaining A Healthy Body Weight” (revision), “Twelve Concepts of OA Service” pocket guide, “The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous” (revision).
Thursday, May 4
Business meeting #1
Of note: each business meeting was opened with the Serenity prayer read in a language other than English followed by English. One hundred ninety delegates from 21 countries sat by region as the business portion of WSBC began. Introductions of all regions, virtual service boards, trustees, volunteers and staff made for a powerful moment! Housekeeping items were completed such as a formal adoption of the Standing Rules for WSBC, a review of procedures,
and introduction of makers of motions so that delegates could seek them out with questions before the vote. Bylaws 3, 5 & 6 were pulled from the consent agenda for amendments to be proposed and discussed.
Officer Reports followed: Chair/BOT, Treasurer, Managing Director and Region and Virtual Services. There were several questions from delegates about the implementation of Intergroup Renewal trainings. In Region 6, for example, 42 meetings closed in 2016, so that region chose to allocate $15,000 toward Intergroup Renewal efforts.
Afternoon Session:
WSBC Conference Committee reports were presented with time for questions. These committees work throughout the year for the fellowship and report back to WSBC the following year. The committees are Bylaws, Conference-Approved Literature, Finance, Professional Outreach, Public Information, Twelfth Step Within, Unity with Diversity, Virtual Services, Web/Technology and Young Persons. Of note: the next World Service Convention is August 20-22, 2020 in Orlando, FL. Delegates asked the Website Review Committee to continue to work to improve the “search” function on oa.org. Region and General Service Trustee nominees gave five-minute presentations followed by an opportunity for questions in advance of elections the following day.
New Business Motions (I’ve provided commentary below on those I believe to be of most interest to GSI)
Item A-a. The WSBC body granted the Conference Seal of Approval to the revised pamphlet Maintaining a Healthy Body Weight.
Friday, May 5
Election of Trustees – Region 4 & 7 trustees were elected. General Service Trustees (GST) elected were Lawrie C. from Winnipeg Manitoba, CN (two year term), Joanne MacDonald from Falcon, Colorado and Ron Pellerin from St. John’s NL, CN (both three-year terms). Lawrie previously served as GST from 2004-2007 and will fill the remaining two years of a three year term vacated earlier this year. Of note: neither Ron or Joanne had experience serving at the region level. This is not a requirement for GST, although some feel it’s a “rite of passage”. Region One’s affirmed candidate (Pat O. from Oregon) for the open Region One position vacated by Margie Garman at the end of her term, will be interviewed by the BOT in the next month.
Item A-b The Twelve Concepts Guide The body did not grant the Seal of Approval to the pocket guide, Twelve Concepts of OA Service Pocket Guide. It will be referred back to the CALC. Many delegates cited concerns with the bulleted questions added under each concept.
Item A-c The conference seal of approval was granted to the revised manuscript, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions.
New Business Motions:
Proposal item A: Rescind Policy 2014a. Now that email loops are included in the definition of a meeting, policy 2014a is no longer necessary. Motion passes.
Proposal item B: Statement of Copyright and Ownership of Creative Works. Motion fails.
Proposal item C: Move to add a tenth Tool: Mindfulness. Motion fails.
Proposal item D: consent agenda
Proposal item E: consent agenda
Proposal item F: motion withdrawn
Proposal item G: consent agenda
Proposal item H: Move to amend WSBC Policy 1992a. This is not the appropriate policy in
which to add the amendment. Motion fails.
Proposal item I: Motion withdrawn.
Proposal item J: Adding the following to the motion submission form: “an explanation of how this motion will help carry the message of recovery to those who still suffer.” Motion is adopted
Proposal item K: Motion to examine alternatives to the use of Robert’s Rules of Order at WSBC. Motion fails.
Motion M: Establish an ad hoc committee to consider implementation/registration of a Spanish Language service board. Motion adopted.
Saturday, May 6
Motion L: OA will establish a special fund (line item) to assist in translating OA literature. Motion adopted. A strong “pro” was that a line item/fund would allow members to make a direct donation.
Proposal item N: Move that WSBC create a Sponsorship Day to be held annually on the third Saturday in August. Motion adopted.
Bylaw Amendments
Proposal item 1: Amendments to Bylaws Subpart B, Article IX Board of Trustees. A candidate may not run for both region and general service trustee in the same year. Motion adopted.
Proposal item 2: Amend the definition of an OA meeting by adding meeting format language. Motion fails.
Proposal item 3: Remove the word “religious” from the list of organizations to which the BOT would dispose of assets of the OA corporation, upon dissolution of the corporation. Motion fails. A thought-provoking “con” provided: there are many religious organizations (churches for example) who have generously hosted scores of OA meetings over the years.
Proposal item 4: Board of trustee qualifications. Changing the qualifications for trustee to seven years in the program at the time of election instead of seven years in the program at the time of application. The motion fails.
We didn’t get to remaining bylaw amendments before mandatory close of business at noon.
The full WSBC report will be available on oa.org by August of 2017.
Again, thank you to GSI for sending me to Albuquerque again this year.
Cindy C.
Delegate #2
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