WORLD SERVICE BUSINESS CONFERENCE DELEGATE SJG

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

Through these service positions, I have gained experience in fellowship service, governance, parliamentary procedure, committee work, communication, workshop facilitation, and collaboration with OA members from a wide range of countries, cultures, and service structures

I would like to be a World Service Business Conference Delegate for the following reasons:

I would like to serve as a delegate to the Overeaters Anonymous World Service Buisness Confrence,
because I believe World Service plays an essential role in supporting unity, communication, and the long term health of the Fellowship worldwide. I value the opportunity for delegates from different regions, countries, and service bodies to come together in shared service to help guide OA in carrying the message to those who still suffer.

Through my service experience at group, intergroup, national, regional, and world service levels, I have developed a strong appreciation for the importance of informed discussion, respectful collaboration, and effective governance. I believe my experience in committee work, parliamentary procedure, bylaws, digital communication, and workshop facilitation would allow me to participate thoughtfully and responsibly in Conference discussions and decision-making.

I am particularly passionate about helping ensure that Region 9 members and service bodies feel
informed, connected, and represented within the wider Fellowship. As a delegate, I would aim to listen carefully, consider differing perspectives respectfully, and make decisions guided by OA principles, the Twelve Traditions, the Twelve Concepts of OA Service, and the best interests of the Fellowship as a whole.

Service has become an important part of my recovery, and I also see this role as an opportunity for
continued personal and spiritual growth. I do not believe any delegate has all the answers, but I believe I can bring willingness, reliability, openness to learning, and a genuine desire to serve the Fellowship to the role.

I still feel I have much to learn, both in recovery and in service, but I also feel more growth and recovery each day, and I would be grateful for the opportunity to continue that journey through service at World Service Business Conference

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

My recovery journey in Overeaters Anonymous has been one of ongoing growth physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Before coming into recovery, compulsive eating affected many areas of my life, including my emotional wellbeing, self-esteem, relationships, and my ability to live honestly and comfortably within myself.

Through attending meetings, working the Twelve Steps, engaging in fellowship, and participating in service, I have gradually begun developing healthier behaviours and a greater sense of balance and hope. Physically, recovery has helped me make progress towards healthier habits and improved self-care. Emotionally, it has helped me become more honest, accountable, and connected with others, while learning healthier ways to deal with difficult emotions and situations. Spiritually, I have developed a deeper understanding of surrender, humility, gratitude, 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 began addressing the 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 acceptance and support I found within OA helped create a foundation where I could grow both in recovery and in self-acceptance.

I still feel that I have a long way to go in my recovery journey, but I also feel more recovery each day. OA has taught me that recovery is about progress rather than perfection, and I continue to 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 gratitude for the Fellowship and my desire to give back to others what has been so freely given to me