48th Annual World Service Business Conference
May 4-9, 2009
Albuquerque, New Mexico USA
I PUT MY HAND IN YOURS
Janice Sullivan, COLA Delegate
I will summarize a few points, because it is impossible to capture the magnitude of this experience. For a fuller review the Wrap-Up Report is on the COLA web site www.OA-neworleans.org as well as the OA web site www.oa.org .
I was one of 189 delegates and trustees in attendance.
After much debate and going back to the reference committee three times a substitute motion to change our abstinence definition came to the conference floor. This substitute motion was adopted.
It reads as follows:
‘Abstinence is the action of refraining from compulsive eating and compulsive food behaviors.
Spiritual, emotional and physical recovery is the result of living the OA 12 Step program.”
A big part of conference was about translations about how to best meet the needs of our non-English speaking community.
The new OA Web site is up an running. There are many new features and it is very user friendly. The WSO will continue improving the functionally of the new site, particularly focusing on the shopping cart, the meeting finder, meeting registration functions, and raising our site’s profile on the Internet. There are plans to begin having parts of the site translated into Spanish later in the year.
Podcasts. When you go to the OA Web site, you will find links to a number of Podcasts. You can subscribe to the series and be notified of new additions. One of the Podcasts features an OA meeting recorded at a joint meeting of the Board of Trustees and region chairs.
The Managing Director reported that despite the economic downturn OA has achieved some significant accomplishments. The Fellowship’s general contributions to the WSO in 2008 were outstanding. It was about 12 percent higher than anticipated and a noteworthy accomplishment by the Fellowship. This amount was 24 percent over 2006. She said, it tells them that OA members strongly support their organization and are recognizing the program’s value in their lives by ensuring OA’s continued financial health so we can more effectively carry the message to those who still suffer, even when the economy is in serious condition.
In 2008, the number of OA meetings worldwide averaged around 6,574; these meetings take place in seventy-four countries. Telephone meeting’s nearly doubled last year, from twenty-three to forty-one.
The board will continue its public awareness campaign efforts throughout 2009, including productions of a video public service announcement; more Podcasts, including some languages other than English; and continue regular press releases and follow-up with the media. Watch for updates in our quarterly newsletter,
A Step Ahead.
There was a Professional Exhibit for the American Diabetes Association held in New Orleans June 5-9, 2009. There was an expected attendance of 14,000. There were five COLA members that helped man this booth along with two WSO staff members. Thank you so much COLA members for stepping up to this service. I really do appreciate you.
“RETURN AGAIN IN 2010: WE ARE FAMILY” WORLD SERVICE CONVENTION 2010. Remember to mark your calendars for the next World Service Convention, to be held in Los Angeles, California, August 26-29, 2010, at the Hilton Los Angeles Airport. Plan on joining to celebrate OA’s 50th anniversary.
The board reelected, Kayla Weingarten as Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Dodie Hawkins, as Treasurer. Bob Fisher as 1st Vice Chairman and Vicki Wilcox as 2nd Vice Chairman.
Wanda Stayton, was reelected as Region 3 Trustee. Mary Rose Dallal, was elected as Region 6 Trustee. Esti Ordan as Region 9 Trustee. The two General Service Trustees elected are: Cheryle Touchton and Joe Lawson.
A final note: As always it is my heartfelt gratitude to serve The Central Office of Louisiana Intergroup. Thank you for your vote of confidence in me and my recover. It is deep and meaningful. It is God, abstinence, family and OA service for me. All of this makes my life go round, giving me a life of sane and happy usefulness.
God Bless,
Janice Sullivan,
Compulsive Overeater, recovered from that seemingly hopeless state of mind and body.