Board Application – Digital Officer

The Assembly will be start at 8am on Wednesday 30th of September, in order to feel refreshed we enourage members to arrive Tuesday 29th of September in the late afternoon or early evening. The assembly will finish around 4pm on Friday 2nd October 2026. Convention will then start on Friday 2nd October 2026 in the early evening and finish no later than 2pm on Sunday 4th October 2026.

Names, acronyms, and short forms have been removed or edited for consistency with OA Policy

Name:

SJG (Name removed due to GDPR)

Years in OA

Number of years of service beyond the group level

Date continuous abstinence began

Thursday, August 15, 2024

Have you attended at least one Assembly prior to the Assembly at which you would be elected?

Yes

Do you have at least one year of current abstinence?

Yes

Do you have at least two years of service beyond the group level

Yes

Summary of my OA service responsibilities

Group Level – Timekeeper, Sponsor, WhatsApp Monitor, Outreach Coordinator, Meeting Leader, Chat Monitor, Meeting Host, Literature Coordinator.

Intergroup Level – Group Service Representative (GSR), Webmaster & Technical Liaison, General Board Member, Chair of the National Assembly Organising Committee, Intergroup Chair, Secretary.

National Service Body Level – Parliamentarian, Literature Packer, Representative at the Annual Meeting.

Region Level – Workshop Committee Member, Workshop Committee Co-Chair, Convention Planning Committee Member, Workshop Committee Chair, Assembly Attendee, Bylaws Committee Member, Bylaws Committee Chair, Secretary, Acting General Officer, Acting Digital Officer, Parliamentarian.

World Service Level – World Service Business Conference Delegate, Conference Subcommittee Chair, Conference Committee Co-Chair, Reference Subcommittee Member

I can bring the following business, professional or other experience, and skill to the board

I bring a combination of OA service experience, digital and technical knowledge, governance experience, and organisational leadership skills to the board.

Within OA service, I have experience at group, intergroup, national, regional, and world service levels, including service in leadership, governance, digital, and parliamentary roles. These experiences have helped me develop strong skills in communication, collaboration, problem-solving, meeting management, and working with diverse groups of people across different cultures and time zones.

Professionally and technically, I have experience supporting websites, digital communications, online meetings, document management, and administrative systems. I have worked with platforms such as WordPress, Google Workspace, Google Drive, Jotform, Zoom/Google Meet, WhatsApp communities, and email distribution systems. I also have experience supporting large meetings and assemblies through document organisation, digital coordination, and technical troubleshooting.

I bring strong organisational and governance skills, including experience with bylaws, policies,
parliamentary procedure, committee coordination, agenda preparation, reporting, and board support. I believe in balancing structure and accountability with compassion, inclusion, and service.

I also bring a willingness to learn, collaborate, and support others. I work well both independently and as part of a team, and I value transparency, accessibility, and clear communication. I understand the importance of ensuring that digital services support OA’s primary purpose and help members feel informed, connected, and included.

As someone in recovery, I also understand the importance of humility, listening, and servant leadership. While I still continue to learn and grow, I hope to use my experience and skills in service to the Fellowship and the Region

I would like to be a member of the board for the following reasons:

I would like to serve as a member of the board of Overeaters Anonymous Region 9 because service has become an important part of my recovery, and I want to continue giving back to the Fellowship that has supported me both personally and spiritually.

I believe the Region plays an important role in connecting and supporting members, groups, and service bodies across a large and diverse geographical area, and I would like to help strengthen that connection through effective communication, accessible digital services, and collaborative service. I am particularly passionate about ensuring that members can easily access information, meetings, workshops, Assembly materials, and opportunities for service regardless of where they are located.

I would also like to help continue developing and modernising the Region’s digital systems and
communications while ensuring they remain reliable, accessible, inclusive, and aligned with OA principles and traditions. I believe digital service is not only about technology, but also about helping carry the message, supporting unity, and making service more accessible to members.

In addition, I bring experience in governance, committee work, parliamentary procedure, and cross
functional collaboration, which I believe would allow me to contribute positively to the work of the board as part of a team. I value transparency, accountability, kindness, and respectful communication, even when dealing with complex or challenging issues.

Most importantly, I see this role as an opportunity for continued growth in service and recovery. I do not believe any trusted servant has all the answers, but I believe I can bring dedication, willingness, reliability, and a genuine desire to serve the Fellowship to the role

Brief account of my OA recovery story – physical, emotional, and spiritual

My recovery journey in Overeaters Anonymous has been one of gradual transformation physically,
emotionally, and spiritually. Before coming into recovery, food and compulsive eating affected many areas of my life, including my self-esteem, emotional wellbeing, relationships, and sense of purpose. Through working the OA programme, attending meetings, engaging in service, and learning to live the Twelve Steps one day at a time, I have experienced significant personal growth and a much greater sense of balance, honesty, and hope.

Physically, recovery has helped me begin developing healthier and more consistent behaviours around food, self-care, and daily living. Emotionally, OA has helped me become more honest, accountable, and connected with others, while learning healthier ways to cope with stress, fear, and difficult emotions. Spiritually, I have developed a deeper understanding of surrender, service, humility, and reliance on a Higher Power of my understanding.

An important part of my recovery journey has also been learning to better understand and accept myself. As I worked through recovery and began addressing the underlying emotional aspects of my addiction, I also came to terms more fully with my gender identity. Recovery helped me develop greater honesty with myself and others, and gave me the courage to begin living more authentically. The support, acceptance, and principles I found within OA helped create a foundation where I could grow not only in recovery from compulsive eating, but also in self-acceptance and personal identity.

I still feel that I have a long way to go in my recovery journey, but I also feel that I experience more recovery each day. OA has taught me that recovery is a process of progress rather than perfection, and I continue to learn and grow through fellowship, sponsorship, service, and daily practice of the programme principles.

Service has become an essential part of my recovery and has strengthened both my commitment to the Fellowship and my gratitude for what OA has given me. I am grateful for the opportunity to give back to the Fellowship that has supported my recovery and personal growth