Overeaters Anonymous

(This group originated in June of 2003 as a face-to-face meeting at the South Broadway Christian Church in Denver, CO. It transitioned to online at the beginning of the Covid 19 pandemic in March of 2020.)

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Saturday 9AM (MST) Online Meeting Format

(Group Conscience Confirmed 4/27/24)

Click here for a printable meeting script

Please review the script and connect to the meeting 5 minutes before the hour.

1. OPENING: Welcome to Overeaters Anonymous. My name is  ___________, I’m a compulsive eater and the leader for this meeting.
2. SERENITY PRAYER: After a moment of silence, will those who wish to do so please join me in saying the Serenity Prayer.
3. RESPONSIBILITY PLEDGE: Our Responsibility Pledge states: “Always to extend the hand and heart of OA to all who share my compulsion; for this I am responsible.” 
4. UNITY WITH DIVERSITY: Let us be mindful of OA’s Unity with Diversity Policy which respects our differences yet unites us in the solutions to our common problem. Whatever problem you may have with food, you are welcome at this meeting.
5. WELCOME: Are there any other compulsive eaters here besides me?
   Is there anyone here who is new or returning to Overeaters Anonymous? Please tell us your first name so we can welcome you. (No newcomers? Then go to Our Invitation to You)

(Read ONLY if there IS someone new or returning to OA)
There is a free download of the pamphlet “Where Do I Start?” available at oa.org. The link will be posted in the chat. If you would like a hard copy, put your name and mailing address to the chat and one will be mailed to you. Also, we encourage you to:
> Get a sponsor to help guide your recovery.
> Develop a plan of eating, and if you wish, write it down and report daily to your sponsor.
> Read OA-approved literature to develop a working knowledge of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions.
** Is there a volunteer who will share with us for two minutes about what they were like, what happened and what they are like now in relation to their recovery from compulsive eating?

6. OUR INVITATION TO YOU: Would someone please read OA’s “Our Invitation to You”?
7. TRADITION OF THE MONTH: Our Tradition of the month is Tradition ____ which states ________________________.
8. ABSTINENCE AND RECOVERY: The definitions of abstinence and recovery in Overeaters Anonymous are as follows:
   Abstinence is the action of refraining from compulsive eating and compulsive food behaviors while working towards or maintaining a healthy body weight.
   Spiritual, emotional, and physical recovery is the result of living and working the Overeaters Anonymous Twelve Step program on a daily basis.
9. TOOLS: Many of us have found that we cannot abstain from compulsive eating and compulsive food behaviors unless we use some or all of OA’s nine tools of recovery. The nine tools are: a plan of eating, sponsorship, meetings, telephone, writing, literature, an action plan, anonymity and service.

(Read ONLY if there are NO newcomers or returning members)
Is someone interested in sharing about one of the nine tools and how they have been using it in their program of recovery?

10. SPONSORS: Sponsorship is one of our keys to success. Sponsors are OA members committed to abstinence and to living the Steps and Traditions to the best of their ability. Sponsors share their program up to the level of their experience and strengthen their recovery through this service to others. To find a sponsor, look for someone who has what you want and ask how they are achieving it. If you are available as a full or temporary sponsor please indicate this in the chat. 
11. LITERATURE: We use only OA-approved literature for this meeting. Many members find that reading our literature on a daily basis further reinforces how to live the Twelve Steps. Literature is available at OA.org.
12. 7th TRADITION: Please consider sending a donation to Central Colorado Intergroup at OADENVER.org, Region 3 at OAREGION3.org and World Service Office at OA.org. Please indicate the meeting number 801286 on your contribution. We will place this number in the chat.
13.  REPORTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS: Are there any OA related reports or announcements at this time?
14. Our group conscience meeting, which is a business meeting, is held on the last Saturday of each month. (If it is the last Saturday, ask if there are any topics for discussion. If there is, end the meeting 10 minutes early so that all may attend.)
15. MILESTONES: Is anyone celebrating a milestone in OA?
16. USING THE CHAT: Please share your phone number, sponsor availability or if you need a sponsor, as well as any OA related event information. Outreach is an important part of recovery.
17. SHARING GUIDELINES: Please remember that cross talk is strongly discouraged here. Cross talk can be loosely defined as any comments, negative or positive, about another person’s share, experience or program, or naming another person directly during our share. Refraining from naming other persons directly, ensures safety, privacy and anonymity for us all.
18. OUR MEETING FORMAT: We will be reading from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. The leader will call on each person to speak. When your name is said, you may read, share or pass. Please remember to introduce yourself before speaking. When we stop reading from the Big Book around 9:45, the leader will continue to call on the next person until everyone has had a chance to share. In the final minutes, members can claim their seat or share a burning desire. 

Please weigh and measure your shares in consideration of others having time to speak.

• Continue to call on people to read or share.

18. At 9:55:  9th STEP PROMISES: Would someone please read the 9th Step Promises from page 83 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous for us?
19. CLOSING STATEMENT: It is now time to end our meeting. By following the Twelve Steps, attending meetings regularly, and using the OA tools, we are changing our lives. You will find hope and encouragement in Overeaters Anonymous. To the newcomer, we suggest attending at least six different meetings to learn the many ways OA can help you.
    The opinions expressed here today are those of individual OA members and do not represent OA as a whole. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities. Who you see here, what you hear here, when you leave here, let it stay here. Let us all reach out to each other. This is an important part of our recovery from compulsive eating.
20. SERVICE is also important to our recovery.  Who would like to lead next week? If you can read, you can lead. It’s easy!  The script is available and we can email it to you. 
    ENDING OF THE MEETING: Thank you for allowing me to be your leader.   Please feel free to stay and talk to others after the meeting. After a moment of silence for the still suffering compulsive eater, will all who care to please unmute and join me in the closing prayer which today is   __________  Leader’s choice:

~ Serenity Prayer ~ 3rd Step Prayer (AA Pg 63) ~ 7th Step Prayer (AA Pg 76) ~