Start a Meeting

Overeaters Anonymous

Central and Northern Arizona

Suggestions on Starting a New Group

HELPFUL LINKS AND RESOURCES

Suggested Meeting Format

Let people know about your meeting

Thanks for being willing to start an OA meeting! Here are some suggestions for getting started:

(1) Purchase a New Group Starter Kit from the WSO. It contains many items you will find helpful:

A Suggested Meeting Format

The OA Handbook

Group registration form

Copy of Lifeline magazine

A Newcomer’s Packet

Double copies of more than two dozen pamphlets to read and sell at your meeting, which will help you raise funds for future literature purchases and meeting expenses

Information on how to publicize your meeting

(2) Complete and submit your new group registration form to the WSO. This informs the WSO about your meeting and allows it to be listed on the international directory. Please be sure to keep the WSO informed of any changes that occur regarding your meeting, like meeting location, day and time so that others who call the WSO can find your meeting. A contact name (first name only) and phone number is important for the newcomer or traveling member looking for a meeting in your area, and will be listed on the WSO Web site.

(3) Consider affiliating with our intergroup when you register. An intergroup is a service body that supports the groups, and may be helpful in supporting your meeting during this initial phase of your development. Our intergroup number os 09601. At some point your group will need an intergroup rep to get to the meetings and be a part of the OA community in your area.

If there are other established OA meetings in your town, you might want to consider taking a “field trip” with some of your other members to visit these meetings. It can be great fun and great for your recovery as well.

To find locations for your meeting, check out churches, community centers, schools, the library, or the local hospital. There may even be an “Alano Club” in your city. It is a fellowship club where AA meetings are held, and often Alanon, NA, OA and other Twelve-Step meetings are welcome to rent space. As each group ought to be selfsupporting, be sure that your group considers a donation, if the facility you choose does not charge you rent.

Answers to many of your questions about the OA program may be found at www.oa.org/faq.php or you can contact info@oa.org if you need additional support.

(4) Consider contacting the ASDI newsletter editor to have your new meeting announced in the newsletter. You can also contact the Communications Secretary to have the announcement sent through the ECare list. You can also have your new meeting announcement featured on the website for 60 days. Click here to submit your meeting.