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Region 9 Bylaws

Last updated at Annual Assembly 2025

ARTICLE I – NAME

The name of this organisation shall be Region 9 of Overeaters Anonymous also known as OA Region 9 or Region 9.

ARTICLE II – COMPOSITION AND PURPOSE

Region 9 is a geographic region of Overeaters Anonymous that includes countries and territories in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Western Asia (including all of Russia) (OA Inc, Bylaws, Subpart B, Article VI, Section 1, e, 9). It is composed of all unaffiliated groups and service bodies within its boundaries, as well as any virtual meeting or service body that chooses to affiliate with it.

Region 9’s primary purpose, is to carry the OA message to still-suffering compulsive overeaters—wherever they live and in whatever language they speak—by fostering the practice of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous, guided by the Twelve Concepts of OA Service, and by serving and representing its member groups and Service Bodies. In doing so, it strives for worldwide OA unity, seeks to establish common policies among all countries, and upholds love and tolerance as OA’s guiding principles—recognising that together we can do what we could never do alone.

To fulfill this purpose, Region 9:

  1. Coordinates OA activities common to the various members, groups and Service Bodies that comprise its membership.
  2. Promote and facilitate face to face activity and engagement for fellows across Region 9 countries to connect with the OA worldwide fellowship.
  3. Maintains various methods including, but not limited to digital methods to facilitate communication with its members, groups and Service Bodies, OA worldwide, and the World Service Office.
  4. Promotes OA unity within the diverse cultures and languages found in Region 9.
  5. Furthers the OA program in accordance with the Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, and Twelve Concepts of Overeaters Anonymous, Inc. (Subpart B, Article I, II, and III).

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP OF REGION 9

Section 1 – Membership

The membership of the Region 9 assembly shall consist of the following:

  1. Representatives or alternates from each affiliated service body and unaffiliated groups acting as service bodies
  2. Board members
  3. Committee chairs

For the qualification of representatives see the Region 9 Policy Manual.

Section 2 – Group Definition

Region 9 endorses the definition of an Overeaters Anonymous group in OA Inc., Bylaws, Subpart B, Article V, Section 1 – Definition, and as it may be amended by a future World Service Business Conference.

Section 3 – Service Body Definition

Region 9 endorses the definitions of an Overeaters Anonymous service body in OA, Inc., Bylaws, Subpart B, Article VI and as it may be amended by a future World Service Business Conference.

Section 4 – Affiliation/Participation

Region 9 endorses the definitions of Affiliation and Participation in OA, Inc., Bylaws, Subpart B and as it may be amended by a future World Service Business Conference.

ARTICLE IV – REGION 9 WORLD SERVICE BUSINESS CONFERENCE DELEGATES

  1. If Region 9 is represented by less than 40 percent of its service bodies at the prior year’s World Service Business Conference, it may send up to five additional delegates to World Service Business Conference. (OA Inc, Bylaws, Subpart B, Article VIII, Section 3, a, 6)
  2. Preference shall be given to nominees selected from service bodies which would not otherwise be represented.
  3. The World Service Business Conference delegate(s) will have full responsibility of attending on the behalf of Region 9. They will participate in all World Service Business Conference activities and submit a report to the Assembly following the World Service Business Conference.

ARTICLE V – REGION 9 BOARD

Section 1 – Composition

The Region 9 Board shall consist of a Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and Digital Officer. For the duties and responsibilities of board officers, refer to the Region 9 Policy Manual.

In the event the chair of the board should be unable to attend any meeting of the board or assembly, the succession to serve as chair for that meeting shall be as follows: Vice-Chair, Digital Officer, Treasurer, Secretary.

The assigned Region Trustee Liaison will be invited to attend all board meetings, they will have a voice but no vote. A Parliamentarian may be invited to attend board meetings, they will have a voice but no vote.

Section 2 – Elections

  1. Elections for Region 9 Board members will take place annually at the Region 9 Assembly.
  2. All candidates must attend the assembly.
  3. Chair and Vice Chair candidates must have been a representative at a previous Region 9 Assembly.
  4. Successful candidates require a majority vote for election.
  5. Each candidate must have at least one year of current abstinence and two years of service beyond the group level for election.
  6. Board members serve a two-year term, with a maximum of two consecutive terms in the same position.
  7. After eight consecutive years, a member can stand for re-election following a two-year interval.
  8. Nominations for the Region 9 Board are open for submissions from the floor and candidates will present their qualifications.
  9. Vacancies are filled by appointment until the next Region 9 Assembly.
  10. Once elected the officers will hold no other voting position beyond Group level, excluding Region 9 World Service Business Conference delegate.
  11. Persons chosen as delegates for the World Service Business Conference must adhere to OA Inc. Bylaws, requiring one year of abstinence and two years of service beyond the group level.

Section 3 – Removal of Officers

  1. Any Officer may be removed for due cause through a two-thirds vote at the Region 9 Assembly or at a board meeting called for that purpose.
  2. Reasons for removal include failure to fulfil duties outlined in Region 9 Bylaws and Policy Manual.
  3. Twenty one days before the meeting, the Chair will notify the officer about the motion to remove them.
  4. The officer has 14 days to respond and explain their position.
  5. The removal vote shall be implemented immediately.
  6. In an emergency situation, a two-thirds majority of board members can suspend an officer, and an emergency Region 9 assembly will be called.

Section 4 – Decision-Making Process

  1. The presence of at least fifty percent of the Region 9 Board is required to execute decisions deemed necessary for Region 9 as a whole with the approval of a simple majority.
  2. Any decision in contravention of the bylaws deemed necessary by the board must be passed by full board approval.
  3. Notification of such a decision shall be sent within 45 days to all registered Groups, intergroups and National/Language Service Boards within Region 9.

ARTICLE VI – TRUSTEE(S) AFFIRMATION

Section 1 – Nomination and Selection

  1. Trustees are elected at the World Service Business Conference.
  2. Nominees should submit their applications to the Region 9 Annual Assembly for affirmation, in accordance with the World Service Business Conference Bylaws, Subpart B, Article VII – Board Of Trustees, Section 5 – Nomination of Trustees.

Section 2 – Affirmation Procedure

  1. The Assembly may affirm up to three (3) Trustee Nominees.
  2. Nominees must submit their World Service Trustee Application Forms to the Region 9 Chair at least 50 days before the Assembly.
  3. Each nominee must attend the Region 9 Assembly (in person or virtually).
  4. At the Assembly, each nominee will:
    1. Address the Assembly for five minutes.
    2. Answer questions from the floor for ten minutes.
  5. A ballot will be taken at the Region 9 Assembly.
  6. The three nominees receiving the highest votes will:
    1. Have their applications affirmed.
    2. Have their applications submitted to the World Service Office within 14 days.
  7. Funding of Nominees:
    1. The Region 9 Assembly may consider funding affirmed nominees as Region 9 delegates to the World Service Business Conference.
    2. Nominees who are not attending the World Service Business Conference in another capacity may receive reimbursement for their expenses.

Section 3 – Selection of Trustee Nominees When a Vacancy Occurs Mid-Term

If Trustee nominations are due, and the application deadline falls before the next Region 9 Assembly, the following steps shall apply:

  1. The Region 9 Board will solicit applications from Region 9 Service Bodies.
  2. The Region 9 Board will consider only those applicants who meet all requirements for Trustee as stated in the Overeaters Anonymous, Inc. Bylaws, Subpart B, Article IX.
  3. A majority vote of the Region 9 Board will constitute affirmation of the applicant(s).
  4. The Region 9 Board shall notify Region 9 Service Bodies, the Board of Trustees, and the World Service Office of the outcome of the vote.

ARTICLE VII – MEETINGS

Section 1 – Meetings

  1. Region 9 will meet at least annually at a time and place designated by the Region 9 Board.
  2. An annual meeting shall be held for the election of officers.
  3. A special meeting may be called by a majority of the Board or by 25 percent of the previous assembly’s representatives.

Section 2 – Virtual or Hybrid Assembly

  1. Members of Region 9 may participate in a meeting through use of electronic means, so long as all members participating in such a meeting can hear one another and have a way to participate in any voting.
  2. Materials presented during the meeting shall be made available to those participating virtually.
  3. Participation by Region 9 members in a meeting in the manner provided in this Section constitutes presence in person at such meeting.

Section 3- Method of Notification

Notification of regular or special Region 9 business assemblies shall consist of electronic notice to each registered Region 9 service body and representative, committee chair, board members, the Charitable Incorporated Officer(s)(CIO) and the Trustee Liaison.

Section 4– Quorum

At a Region 9 Assembly, representatives from at least five countries shall constitute a quorum.

Please refer to Article 1 of the OA Region 9 Policy Manual for further information.

ARTICLE VIII – AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS

Section 1 – Amendments

  1. These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds majority of the voting body at the annual Region 9 Assembly.
  2. Proposed amendments must be submitted to the Region 9 Bylaws Committee at least ninety (90) days before the Region 9 Assembly.
  3. The Bylaws Committee shall submit these proposed amendments, in writing, to the Region 9 Chair at least seventy-five (75) days before the Region 9 Assembly.
  4. Amendments can be submitted by: The Region 9 Board, a Region 9 Service Body, or a Region 9 Committee.

Section 2 – Changes in OA, Inc. Bylaws

Upon receipt of notification from the World Service Office of amendments to the OA, Inc. Bylaws adopted at the World Service Business Conference, the Region 9 Board will evaluate the Region 9 Bylaws to ensure no conflict exists.

  1. Unanimous Board Agreement: If the Board unanimously agrees that an amendment is necessary, the Board may make such updates directly. Notification of these updates must be sent to all Region 9 Service Bodies within 30 days of the update.
  2. Non-Unanimous Board Agreement: If there is not unanimous agreement by the Board, the proposed update shall be brought before the Region 9 Assembly for consideration and vote.

Section 3 – Emergency Business

All Emergency Bylaw Amendments will be ruled out of order by the Chair.

Section 4 – Amendments to The Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, and Twelve Concepts of Service

Amendments to the Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, and Twelve Concepts of Service of OA may only be made in accordance with OA, Inc. Bylaws, Subpart B, Article XIV, Section I.

ARTICLE IX – LEGAL DISCLAIMERS

Section 1 – Dissolution of Region 9

  1. No individual shall be entitled to share in the distribution of any assets upon the dissolution of Region 9.
  2. Upon dissolution of Region 9, whether voluntarily or involuntarily and after all debts have been paid, any remaining assets held by the Board shall be sent to the World Service Office (WSO) to be used for the purposes of Overeaters Anonymous by Region 9 CIO.

Section 2 – Compensation

  1. No member of Region 9, nor any member of a group or Service Body of Region 9, nor any other individual connected with Region 9, shall receive any earnings or pecuniary profit from the operations of the Assembly.
  2. This does not prevent the payment of reasonable compensation for services rendered to, or on behalf of, Region 9 in pursuit of its purposes.
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