Introduction to the Sample Service Body Bylaws

The Sample Intergroup/Service Board Bylaws are intended as a guide to help new service bodies develop bylaws or to assist existing service bodies in the revision of their bylaws.

OA, Inc. Bylaws Subpart B, Article VI, Section 2 – Registration

1. Each service body shall be duly registered with the World Service Office of Overeaters Anonymous by submitting:
   1. a completed registration form;
   2. bylaws and/or a summary of its purpose and operating procedures, neither of which shall be in conflict with OA, Inc. Bylaws. At a minimum, such bylaws or summary of purpose shall include a statement indicating that its primary purpose is to aid those having problems with compulsive eating through the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous, guided by the Twelve Concepts of OA Service, and to serve and represent the OA groups from which it is formed; and
   3. complete registration information on:
      1. intergroups – each affiliated group;
      2. national service boards – each affiliated intergroup and group;
      3. language service boards – each participating group, intergroup, and national service board; and
      4. specific focus service boards – each participating group and intergroup.
2. Each service body shall submit a copy of its bylaws and/or summary of purpose to the World Service Office whenever either is updated or revised.
3. Each service body shall evaluate its bylaws upon receipt of notification from the World Service Office of amendments to OA, Inc. Bylaws adopted at the World Service Business Conference to ensure that their bylaws do not conflict with OA, Inc. Bylaws. Notices shall be deemed to have been given if sent by electronic transmission to the registered contact for each service body. Any updated bylaws shall be submitted to the World Service Office pursuant to OA, Inc. Bylaws, Subpart B, Article VI, Section 2a) 2 above.

As guardians of the Twelve Traditions and Twelve Concepts, trustees review bylaws. This affirms Tradition One, that our personal recovery depends upon OA unity. Review is required as per the article above: Section 2a. Each service body shall submit a copy of its bylaws and/or summary of purpose to the World Service Office whenever either is updated or revised.

Region trustee liaisons may use the following questions to determine whether or not service body bylaws are in conflict with OA, Inc. Bylaws, Subpart B. They are included here to further assist service bodies:

1. Are the registration requirements of Article VI, Section 2a met?
2. Are the Twelve Steps included or referred to as in OA, Inc. Bylaws, Subpart B?
3. Are the Twelve Traditions included or referred to as in OA, Inc. Bylaws, Subpart B?
4. Are the Twelve Concepts included or referred to as in OA, Inc. Bylaws, Subpart B?
5. Is the definition of a group the same as referenced in OA, Inc. Bylaws, Subpart B, Article V, Section 1? (Note the definition must be accurately and completely included, or referenced as per OA, Inc. Bylaws, Subpart B, Article V, or both.)
6. Does the article on amendments to the bylaws acknowledge that service bodies may not make amendments to the Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, and Twelve Concepts except as per OA, Inc. Bylaws, Subpart B, Article XII, Section 1?
7. Does mention of qualifications of delegates to World Service Business Conference meet the minimum requirements of OA, Inc. Bylaws, Subpart B, Article VIII, Section 3c 1?