Defines abstinence and recovery and introduces OA’s nine Tools of Recovery with suggestions for daily practice.

Explains each of OA’s nine tools including sponsorship, meetings, writing, literature, and service.

Lists OA’s Twelve Steps, providing the spiritual foundation for recovery.

Presents OA’s Twelve Traditions that govern group unity and remind us that personal recovery depends on OA unity.

Describes the principles like honesty, faith, and humility tied to each Step, Tradition, and Concept.

Defines sponsorship, offers guidance for sponsees and sponsors, and emphasizes daily contact and honesty.

Lists warning signs of relapse and recommends actions such as continuous abstinence, service, and meetings.

Encourages gratitude and connection through readings, podcasts, and fellowship support.

OA's main hub of pamphlets, group resources, service guidelines, and forms for meetings and fellows.

Hub for OA podcasts, workshops, and video content offering member stories and service training.

Online magazine and blog featuring personal stories and archival articles from the OA community.

Global calendar listing OA workshops, retreats, conventions, and special events for all members.

Annual OA business meeting where delegates vote on policies and elect board members.

Official OA bookstore offering OA‑approved literature and audio materials for personal and group use.

Explains the 7th Tradition and provides options to make financial contributions to support OA services.

A Board of Trustees letter reminds OA members that sponsors do not speak for OA; they should share their personal experience rather than dictate or offer medical advice, and each member chooses their own eating plan and Higher Power.

Script for a typical OA meeting; includes readings (Our Invitation to You, Twelve Steps, Traditions, Concepts), defines abstinence and recovery, lists OA Tools and explains their use, identifies sponsors, gives guidelines for Seventh Tradition contributions (recommended donation), suggests meeting types (Step, Topic, Literature) and discourages cross talk with a closing prayer or OA Promise.

Adapted meeting format for virtual meetings; includes instructions for virtual hand‑raising, using chat for contact information and contributions, recognises sponsors, reviews abstinence definitions and OA Tools, provides guidelines for Seventh Tradition donations and cross talk, and concludes with a prayer or OA Promise.

Meeting script that alternates reading OA literature and writing sessions; begins with serenity prayer and OA preamble, provides time for reading and writing about OA literature, encourages sharing without cross talk, reviews Tools and abstinence, and collects Seventh Tradition contributions.

Format designed to support members who are slipping or have relapsed; includes readings from the ‘Welcome Back’ pamphlet, emphasises abstinence and working the Twelve Steps, offers options for the main message (speaker or literature), reminds participants of the Tools and sponsors, and suggests Seventh Tradition donations.

Step study meeting outline with opening prayer, introduction, OA preamble, reading of Steps and Traditions, Seventh Tradition contribution time, and focused study and sharing on a specific Step using OA literature; encourages group conscience decisions and emphasises abstinence, sponsors and Tools.

Format for telephone meetings; includes instructions for muting/unmuting and introducing oneself, emphasises sponsor identification and availability, reviews abstinence, Tools and meeting types, appoints a timekeeper, discourages cross talk, and covers Seventh Tradition contributions and closing prayers.

Script tailored for secular OA meetings; opens with the OA Promise instead of a prayer, welcomes people of all belief systems, highlights the Unity with Diversity Policy, reviews abstinence and the Tools, identifies sponsors, suggests contributions to the Secular Service Board and WSO, and offers various meeting formats while discouraging cross talk.

Meeting format based on OA’s Lifeline magazine; encourages reading and discussion of Lifeline articles, offers optional writing exercises and topics, reminds participants of the Tools and the Responsibility Pledge, gathers Seventh Tradition contributions, and closes with the OA Promise or a prayer.

Format designed for meetings aimed at young members (under thirty) but open to all; includes opening prayer, OA preamble, readings describing compulsive eating (‘What brought us here’ and ‘Why we stay’), reviews Tools and sponsors, allows short timed shares to prevent cross talk, collects Seventh Tradition contributions, and offers a choice of closing prayers or the OA Promise.

An inventory tool to assess a meeting’s strengths and weaknesses; Part A asks questions about group practices (starting on time, welcoming newcomers, focusing on recovery, contributing financially, offering sponsorship, practicing anonymity, using meeting formats, OA literature, holding group conscience meetings, filling service positions, and avoiding cross talk), while Part B invites individuals to examine their own behaviour within the group.

Checklist of questions to help groups maintain strong meetings; asks whether meetings start and end on time, greet newcomers, focus on OA recovery through the Steps and Traditions, identify sponsors, contribute financially, practice anonymity, follow a meeting format, use OA literature, hold regular group conscience meetings, rotate service positions, keep meeting details updated, and avoid cross talk.

Guidelines emphasizing that meeting quality is not determined by size; encourages small groups to welcome newcomers, make OA literature available, provide service opportunities, focus on abstinence and recovery, and use technology and OA events to connect with the wider fellowship; offers solutions to challenges such as lack of long‑term abstinent members.

Guidance on handling disruptive, threatening or inappropriate behaviour in meetings; advises groups to rely on OA literature and the Traditions, use group conscience, and focus on unity; recommends addressing problems privately, having clear guidelines in the meeting format, and if necessary asking the person to leave to protect the group while still offering OA membership.

Instructions for conducting a group conscience meeting; suggests opening with Serenity Prayer and readings, establishing ground rules, reviewing minutes and agendas, discussing business items with respect, making decisions by substantial unanimity, and remembering that group conscience is guided by a loving Higher Power and the primary purpose of carrying the message.

Guidelines for holding a separate informational meeting for newcomers; leaders open the meeting, explain its purpose, provide meeting lists and the ‘Where Do I Start?’ pamphlet, share their experience, and cover topics such as the Twelve Step program, abstinence, sponsorship, anonymity, and what to expect at regular meetings; concludes with a Serenity Prayer and the OA Responsibility Pledge.

Outlines best practices for protecting anonymity in digital communications; advises members to avoid using full names or business email addresses in OA correspondence, use BCC when sending group emails, be cautious on social media and blogs, protect anonymity in virtual meetings, and remember that anonymity is the spiritual foundation of the fellowship (Traditions 11 and 12).

Offers numerous suggestions to keep members engaged: study the Twelve Steps and Traditions, focus meetings on recovery, maintain anonymity, warmly welcome returning members, perform group inventories and use the Strong Meeting Checklist, send strong speakers to meetings with low attendance, play recorded speakers, stock OA literature, hold step‑study and relapse meetings, hold group conscience meetings regularly, sponsor workshops, start meetings on time, reach out to absent members, provide service opportunities, rotate service positions, and encourage Seventh Tradition contributions.

Advises groups on moving meetings online; recommends using the Twelve Traditions and group conscience to guide decisions, reading the Group Conscience Meeting and Telephone Meeting format guidelines, appointing a moderator to manage the virtual platform, protecting anonymity online, addressing disruptive behaviour, and ensuring the Seventh Tradition is still practiced (encouraging members to set aside money or make recurring contributions).

Provides steps for starting a new OA meeting: order the ‘Starter Kit’ (with meeting format, newcomer pamphlets and literature), purchase the OA Handbook, find a meeting space, ensure the group is self‑supporting, submit a New Group Registration form to the World Service Office, affiliate with an intergroup or national service board, visit other meetings, and use Public Information resources to promote the meeting.

Answers common questions about managing meeting finances: explains that groups may need a bank account if they collect checks, describes obtaining tax IDs, discourages using personal bank accounts, recommends keeping a prudent reserve (about three months of expenses), outlines the 50/40/10 distribution of excess funds (50% to intergroup, 40% to WSO, 10% to region), and offers suggestions to increase contributions in accordance with the Seventh Tradition.

Provides ideas for fundraising events (anniversary celebrations, holiday parties, auctions, talent shows, gratitude pledges, etc.), explains the importance of being self‑supporting through the Seventh Tradition, describes what a prudent reserve is (money set aside for three months of operating expenses), and encourages groups to establish their own prudent reserve policy while adhering to OA Traditions.

Explains why OA is self‑supporting: there are no dues or fees, but members are responsible for contributing financially; suggests a recommended donation of US$5 per meeting, offers ways to contribute (at meetings, monthly or quarterly, recurring contributions), describes how donations flow from members to groups to intergroups/regions/WSO, and suggests a 50/10/40 distribution of group funds (50% to intergroup, 10% to region, 40% to WSO).

States that OA does not endorse allowing minors at face‑to‑face, online or phone meetings; any decision to allow minors is made locally and groups should obtain legal advice (laws vary by jurisdiction); references Tradition Four (group autonomy) and reminds groups to consult legal counsel before establishing policies.

Explains that the group secretary serves as the communication link between the World Service Office and the group; responsibilities include registering and updating meeting information using the Group Registration/Change form, ensuring accurate information is provided (including intergroup affiliation), distributing information from OA News and service bodies, and referring to the OA Handbook for details on presiding at meetings and maintaining the meeting space.

Checklist encouraging groups to examine how well they welcome diversity; asks questions about welcoming people regardless of race, ethnicity, culture, religion, gender identity or other attributes; providing access to those with disabilities; welcoming anorexics, bulimics and members in relapse; using the Unity with Diversity statement in the meeting format; avoiding assumptions about members’ food issues; representing diverse voices in service positions; and carrying the OA message to under‑represented groups.

OA policy statements affirming acceptance and inclusivity: all are welcome regardless of race, creed, nationality, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation or other attributes; recognising that members may follow different approaches to recovery while being united by a common purpose; encouraging groups to respect each member’s rights to work the program according to their understanding and to welcome anyone with a desire to stop eating compulsively; includes a diverse voices policy for OA literature.

Outlines eight guidelines for service beyond the group level. It urges trusted servants to focus on the agenda, come prepared, listen to all viewpoints, speak up and vote their conscience, support group conscience decisions, avoid rehashing issues, and maintain high standards of equality and respect.

Provides a structured inventory for evaluating meetings. Part A (Strong Meeting Checklist) asks whether meetings start and end on time, welcome newcomers, focus on OA recovery through Steps and Traditions, contribute financially, offer sponsors, practice anonymity, follow a meeting format, use OA-approved literature, hold group conscience meetings, fill service roles, update meeting details, and discourage cross talk Part B prompts individuals to reflect on behaviors such as welcoming new members, interrupting or giving advice, cross talk, using the telephone to help others and sponsoring.

Describes how service bodies can prepare and monitor budgets. It explains that budgets help plan fundraising and expenditures to carry the message, emphasizes group consensus and review, and defines a prudent reserve as emergency funds to cover operating expenses. These guidelines align with Tradition Seven and Concept Twelve and note that budgets strengthen service bodiesmedia.oa.org/app/uploads/2021/09/04195351/budget-guidelines-for-service-bodies.pdf.

Outlines the responsibilities of treasurers: collecting contributions, recording finances, budgeting, reporting, distributing excess funds and ensuring compliance with regulations. It recommends qualifications (one year of abstinence, completion of the Steps and sponsorship), explains how to handle cash, checks and electronic payments, maintain records, create budgets, report finances, distribute surplus funds to intergroups/regions/WSO, and set up digital accounts and bank procedures. The guidelines stress honesty, rotation of service, and the concept of trusted servants.

Lists the Twelve Concepts of OA Service, which provide a framework for how OA operates at service levels. The concepts address the rights of decision, participation and appeal; responsibilities of groups, delegates and the Board of Trustees; delegation of authority; the need for able, trusted servants; balancing authority with responsibility; and the spiritual foundation that ensures prudent finances, prevents power concentration and requires democratic actionmedia.oa.org/app/uploads/2022/10/22222112/the-twelve-concepts-of-oa-service.pdf#:~:text=The%20Twelve%20Concepts%20of%20OA,Service.

Offers guidance to protect members’ anonymity when using digital communication. It urges caution with email and social media—avoid using full names or business addresses, use blind‑copy (bcc) for service correspondence, and never publicly identify OA membership on social media. It also advises protecting anonymity in virtual meetings and highlights that anonymity is the spiritual foundation of OA.

Answers common financial questions for treasurers, including the need for bank accounts when collecting checks, obtaining tax‑ID numbers, issuing receipts for donations, avoiding personal bank accounts, length of service terms, purchasing literature, establishing prudent reserves, and distributing excess funds using a 50/40/10 formula (intergroup/WSO/region). It suggests ways to encourage contributions through Seventh Tradition skits and fundraising events and refers to Budget and Fundraising guidelines for more detail.

Defines cross talk as giving advice or speaking directly to another person instead of sharing with the group, or questioning or interrupting the person speaking. The FAQ clarifies that cross talk is discouraged so members can share openly without interruption.