REPORT REGION 9 LIAISON TRUSTEE

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

*Virtual meetings are included in the grand total count.

**National Service Body, Language Service Body, Specific Focus Service Body

REGION 9 OVERVIEW
Region 9 represents OA throughout Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Western Asia, encompassing the entire territory of Russia. This region is a diverse, multilingual area spanning over seventy million square kilometers—from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans and from the North Pole down to South Africa—covering approximately 120 countries.
OA has a presence in more than forty countries with active service bodies, meetings, and/or OA members speaking more than forty languages: Afrikaans, Arabic, Catalan, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, Flemish, French, Georgian, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Irish, Italian, Kazakh, Latvian, Lithuanian, Luxembourgish, North Macedonian, Norwegian, Maltese, Persian (Farsi), Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Scottish, Sepedi, Serbian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swahili, Swedish, Tamil, Turkish, Ukrainian, Yiddish, Welsh, and Zulu.
There are 13 National Service Bodies, 2 Language Service Bodies (German and Persian) and 53 Intergroups present in the following 28 countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Moravia, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russian Federation, Scotland, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, and Wales.
Numerous groups are recognizing the significance of affiliation and are actively pursuing connections with appropriate service bodies. Similarly, many service bodies are seeking to establish affiliations with groups that have yet to clarify their status, often due to oversight. These efforts enhance our collective ability to deliver support and outreach for individuals dealing with compulsive eating. Lack of affiliation can result in isolation, echoing previous challenges faced by members. Engagement in events such as the Region 9 Assembly and Convention, along with various workshops, fosters continued connection within the community.
Although the number of groups is steadily increasing, a notable fraction remains unaffiliated, despite a gradual decrease in this proportion. The underlying reasons for this trend are not yet fully understood; however, it is clear that these groups continue to be isolated.
Registered and unaffiliated meetings are in Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, India, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mauritius, Netherlands, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Scotland, Serbia, Spain, Sweden , United Arab Emirates, Wales. The list has been updated as of early June 2026. Please consult your service body to find out if you can reach out to unaffiliated meetings and encourage them to become affiliated. Additionally, we should work on creating service bodies in countries where they do not yet exist.
The project of creating an Intergroup in India hasn’t already taken place. We don’t know the reasons, but we will try again in the future. Unfortunately, the meeting in Malta doesn’t exist anymore. Because it was isolated.
We have two new Language Service Bodies

• The Persian Language Service Board
• IG Mityngow Internetowch Anonimowych Jedzenioholikow in Poland

The Region 9 Trustee Liaison and the Region 9 Chair are working also with members who are willing to create new service structures in their countries.

REGION 9 CONTACTS
I maintain regular communication with the Region 9 Board, particularly when there are updates or developments that may have implications for the fellowship and Region 9 as a whole. When matters of importance, urgency, or sensitivity arise, I initiate direct contact with the Region 9 Chair to address these concerns. We consistently collaborate to seek mutually agreeable solutions. Over the past year, several issues have been addressed, including duplication of efforts, group/service body autonomy, the expansion of Region 9 countries, and the License 2 review among other topics.

REGION 9 ACTIVITIES
Serving as the Trustee Liaison for Region 9 has been one of the greatest privileges of my service journey. Every interaction with the Fellows of Region 9 reminds me of the power of fellowship and the joy that comes from serving together. Whether we meet in person or virtually, I am always touched by the warmth, trust, and kindness with which I am welcomed. Knowing that members feel comfortable reaching out to me—whether they have a concern, need guidance, or simply want to ask a question—is both humbling and deeply rewarding.
Working alongside the Region 9 committees has been a true partnership in service. I am grateful for every opportunity to provide clarification on policies and procedures, but even more grateful to witness committee members grow in confidence, knowledge, and independence. One of the greatest gifts of service is not simply sharing what we know, but empowering others to serve with confidence and to carry that knowledge forward.
My calendar is often full, yet every meeting I attend reminds me why service is such a vital part of my recovery. I value the opportunity to work with the Region 9 Board, where thoughtful discussions and respectful dialogue demonstrate that unity does not require unanimity. Sometimes my perspective aligns with others, and sometimes it offers a different viewpoint, but every conversation allows me to be a witness to the collective ability to make informed decisions guided by our principles and our common purpose. And this strengthens my recovery.
One of the highlights of the year was leading The Power of We workshop during the Spring Assembly. Together, we explored the strength that emerges when we choose collaboration over isolation and service over self. Through presentations and meaningful discussions, participants reflected on how unity enriches recovery, enhances the effectiveness of our service, and creates an atmosphere of respect, inclusion, and belonging. It was inspiring to witness the shared commitment to carrying OA’s message, reaffirming that when we combine our experience, strength, and hope, we become far more effective than any of us could ever be alone.
This year has once again reminded me that service is far more than fulfilling responsibilities—it is an opportunity to build bridges, nurture trust, and strengthen the bonds that unite us. I remain deeply grateful for the privilege of serving Region 9 and for the many lessons in humility, cooperation, and love that this service continues to teach me.
My hope is that every OA member experiences what I have been privileged to witness in Region 9: that our diversity enriches us, our unity strengthens us, and together we can accomplish far more than any of us could alone.

TRUSTEE ACTIVITIES WITH R9 COUNTRIES
Throughout the year, I have been available to support any group or service body that reached out for guidance, and I remain engaged until the matter is resolved. I believe that service is not simply about answering questions—it is about walking alongside others, listening with compassion, and helping them find solutions grounded in OA’s principles.
Following the 2025 Region 9 Assembly, I responded to correspondence—whether sent directly to me or referred by the World Service Office—providing guidance and support to service bodies, groups, and individual members on a wide variety of service-related matters. These conversations included helping to resolve internal conflicts, facilitating discussions to move stalled initiatives forward, and offering guidance on service body Bylaws, the licensing process, copyright matters, service structure, and other general OA service questions. Whenever appropriate, I also helped members identify existing resources and encouraged solutions that reflected the spirit of OA’s Twelve Traditions, the Twelve Concepts of OA Service, and our established policies and procedures.
This year, the most significant topic was the pause of License 2 and the many questions and concerns that followed. I was grateful for the opportunity to help members better understand the situation, provide clarification whenever possible, and support service bodies as they navigated the uncertainty. Throughout these conversations, my goal has always been to promote transparency, encourage informed decision-making, and strengthen the trust that allows us to move forward together in unity and service.
Keeping Region 9 informed has also been an important part of my service. Whenever information of significance affects the Fellowship, I work with the Region 9 Digital Officer to ensure that timely and accurate updates are shared through the Region 9 Announcements.

2026 WORLD SERVICE BUSINESS CONFERENCE
The World Service Business Conference was held from April 23 to 25, 2026. The event included 162 voting delegates representing twenty countries and twelve languages. Region 9 was represented by 14 service bodies, as well as 21 delegates, including myself in the capacity of Trustee Liaison.

At the conclusion of the Conference, attendees acknowledged and appreciated the extensive diversity among the delegates, who collaborated thoughtfully to represent the group conscience of OA.
Delegates represented the following countries: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Costa Rica, Denmark, England, France, Greece, Holland, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Scotland, Spain, United States, and Wales.
The languages represented included: American Sign Language, Danish, Dutch, English, Farsi, French, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Polish, Spanish, and Welsh.

According to the motion passed at the November 2004 Board of Trustees meeting, “On the final morning of the Conference, a count of those represented intergroups and service boards shall be made.” Accordingly, the counts provided below reflect the attendance on the final morning (April 25, 2026) of the World Service Business Conference 2026.

According to OA, Inc. Bylaws, Subpart B, Article VIII, Section 3, Part a) 6: If a region was represented at the previous World Service Business Conference by fewer than forty percent of its intergroups and other eligible service bodies, that region may designate up to five additional delegates for the conference. Priority shall be given to delegates from intergroups and service bodies that would otherwise lack representation.
Consequently, Regions One, Five, Six, Eight, Nine, and Ten are authorized to appoint up to five additional delegates to the World Service Business Conference 2027.

The total of the Seventh Tradition was: US$7,428.86, $50 Canadian dollars, and 15 Euros.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES SERVICE
As a Trustee on the Board, my role is to serve as a liaison to our beloved Region 9. What matters most to me is helping the entire Board better understand the richness of Region 9’s cultural and linguistic diversity and its unwavering commitment to unity. I believe that embracing our differences while remaining united by our common purpose is one of OA’s greatest strengths.
Together, we Trustees are looking toward the future of OA, exploring strategies and taking actions that will strengthen our Fellowship for generations to come. Our discussions have focused on fostering sustainable growth, increasing the availability and distribution of OA literature, strengthening awareness of the Seventh Tradition and the importance of service, and ensuring that our decisions support OA’s long-term mission of carrying the message to those who still suffer.
A recurring theme throughout our work has been creating a more welcoming and inclusive Fellowship, where every member—regardless of language, culture, or geographic location—can truly feel that they belong.
After the 2026 World Service Business Conference, I was assigned to different committees:

• International Publications/Translations (Chair)
• Ad Hoc Ecommerce
• Website Review
• Trustee Liaison with Spanish Language Service Board

A PERSONAL NOTE
Although service can be demanding at times, and balancing my personal life with service commitments is not always easy, I have learned that every effort is worthwhile. Knowing that my service helps OA grow while also helping me grow spiritually makes every challenge an opportunity for recovery.
If I were to identify the guiding thread of this past year, it would be the principle of placing principles before personalities. This principle has shaped my interactions, guided difficult conversations, and reminded me that our common welfare must always come first. It has encouraged me to listen with an open mind, seek understanding before judgment, and trust that when we are guided by our shared spiritual principles rather than personal opinions, we strengthen not only our service but also our own recovery.
As I reflect on this year, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to serve. Every experience, every challenge, and every meaningful connection has reinforced my belief that service is one of the greatest gifts of the OA program. It continues to deepen my recovery, broaden my perspective, and remind me that together, through love, unity, and service, we truly become The Power of We.
Emilia I.,
Trustee Liaison to Region 9
July 25th, 2026