This was the fourth year that I had the privilege to serve as a WSO delegate from Triangle IG.  Each time the adventure and blessings that I receive more than compensate for the vacation days spent, time change, lack of sleep, and emotional challenges.  This year was my best trip yet.  Although each year I have consistently followed my daily spiritual practices while in Albuquerque, this year I really enjoyed the fruits of my daily work.  I was able to be present, serene and joyful throughout.  In this spirit, I will share a bit about what happened (although I am very tempted to simply write "What happens in Albuquerque, stays in Albuquerque." :-D)

You may remember that Triangle IG submitted a motion to change the OA Preamble.  Because there were three motions presented to change the Preamble, all three were sent to the Reference Subcommittee (which is a subset of the Bylaws Committee).  The Reference Subcommittee chose to recommend one of the other two proposals, which was adopted by the body.  Our new Preamble:

Overeaters Anonymous is a Fellowship of individuals who, through shared experience, strength and hope, are recovering from compulsive overeating. We welcome everyone who wants to stop eating compulsively. There are no dues or fees for members; we are self- supporting through our own contributions, neither soliciting nor accepting outside donations. OA is not affiliated with any public or private organization, political movement, ideology or religious doctrine; we take no position on outside issues. Our primary purpose is to abstain from compulsive overeating and to carry this the message of recovery through the Twelve Steps of OA to those who still suffer.

We are asked to use the new language when reading the OA Preamble.  There was no change to the Twelve Concepts and the motion to require intergroups’ compliance with all OA policies was defeated.  A full listing of the results of all votes will be in the 2013 Final Conference Report.    

For the past three years, while serving on the Conference Literature Committee, I had the honor of working on OA3 (which will be called Overeaters Anonymous, Third Edition if published).  The product - 40 powerful stories of experience, strength and hope - is nearing completion.  I will no longer be working on OA3.  Instead I was blessed to be selected to serve on the ad hoc committee to review and possible revise the OA 12 & 12 (The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous).  Only in recovery can I realize my dream of becoming a writer because I used to eat out of and throw up into garbage cans.  If you are interested in being considered for this committee, please apply:

http://www.oa.org/pdfs/12&12_committee_application_final.pdf.      

We have new literature: the For Today e-Workbook is now Conference Approved.  Abstinence, Second Edition was also recently published and is available for sale at www.oa.org and possibly at your local meetings.  The presented Unity with Diversity Inventory was not approved.  Delegates were invited to submit comments on changes they perceive are needed for that piece.  

Our intergroup once again decided to purchase CDs of some of the workshops.  We will use three for our triannual Lunch & Learn series.  I hope that you will join us for the following:

12th Step: What Message Are We Carrying? - June 15, 2013

Shining the Light on Sponsorship - October 19, 2013

Self Supporting Through Our Own Contributions? - February 15, 2014

One share on the Seventh Tradition was so powerful that I decided to take action.  After years of attending OA telephone meetings and ignoring the suggestion to “give double at your next face-to-face” meeting, I signed up to make an automatic recurring contribution to World Service.  It was very easy.  I first learned about OA through our website.  I want to do my part to ensure that the website is available for the next still-suffering compulsive eater.  I challenge you to do the same by going to www.oa.org and clicking on contribute at the top of the page.  As a reminder, individual members may contribute up to $5,000 per year to the general fund, up to $5,000 per year to any special fund and up to $5,000 per year to honor the memory of a deceased member.  Further, any member may bequest an unlimited amount to OA in their will.  

As of January 2013, the number of Lifeline subscriptions was 20 percent higher than in January 2012, however it is still not fully self-supporting.  If you do not yet have a subscription, please purchase one today.  Also, please be sure to renew before your subscription expires.  http://www.oa.org/lifeline-magazine/

In August I plan to attend the Convention, which only takes place every three years.  During the Convention in 2010, I got to meet our founder, Rozanne S.  This year’s Convention is in Cleveland, Ohio, August 29 - September 1st.  1,300 members from around the world are expected to attend workshops, enjoy entertainment and share experience, strength and hope.  You can register and get more information here: http://www.oa.org/world-service-events/world-service-convention/.  I hope to see you there! 

Finally 2013 is the Year of Abstinence Awareness.  Are you Abstinent?  Are you staying Abstinent?  What can you do to help yourself and others enjoy the gift of Abstinence?    

Thank you for allowing me to serve in this manner.  Love, peace & blessings to all!