OA Service Structure – Central Iowa Intergroup of Overeaters Anonymous

Graphic showing the organizational structure of service in Overeaters Anonymous

OA has a different organizational structure than commonly used—one of service. Officers and boards only do service. “Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.” Learn more by reading Tradition Two.

1. Groups

A group consists of two or more people. Each group practices the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of OA. The terms Groups and Meetings are often used interchangeably. Meetings in Central Iowa can be found here.

2. Intergroups and Service Boards

Intergroups consist of two or more groups (meetings). Central Iowa Intergroup (CII) was formed in 1983. It covers meetings in the central section of Iowa, Minnesota to the Missouri border. CII is a not-for-profit organization, 501(c)3. Groups each send a representative to Intergroup meetings (called Group Reps).

3. Regions

OA has 10 regions worldwide that maintain direct communication with and support Intergroups. Regions sponsor local conventions and assemblies. We are in Region 4. Central Iowa Intergroup sends one or two Region Reps to represent us.

4. World Service Business Conference

The World Service Business Conference (WSBC), attended by delegates from around the world, meets annually each May to conduct the business of OA and to elect the 17-member Board of Trustees. This is the group that makes decisions about “OA- approved literature” among other things. Intergroups, including our own Central Iowa, send delegate(s) to the conference so their local groups are represented in decisions that affect OA as a whole.

5 & 6. Board of Trustees (BOT), World Service Office (WSO) and Executive Committee (EC)

The Trustees acts on behalf of all members of the OA Fellowship. The World Service Office (WSO) works with the Board to provide quality support and services to the entire OA Fellowship (manages oa.org website; tracks all meetings, Intergroups, service boards and regions; prints OA literature; etc.). The Board of Trustees has delegated to its Executive Committee (EC) the responsibility to administer the OA World Service Office (WSO).

To learn more about the concept of service and service opportunities in our area, click here.