Excerpts from the pamphlet Seventh Tradition of OA, #802
Our Seventh Tradition states that OA is fully self-supporting, accepting contributions only from OA members. While no fees or dues will ever be required for membership, OA needs help to keep its rooms open, provide opportunities for fellowship and spread its message to still-suffering compulsive overeaters.
Here are several strategies members use to make their contributions:
Member A gives an average of US$3 or more each time the basket is passed in a meeting.
Member B gives at meetings and sends a monthly contribution to WSO equivalent to the amount once spent on a binge.
Member C gives at meetings and sends an annual contribution for each year in program. (Individual members may contribute up to US$5,000 per year.) Money orders in US dollars can usually be purchased at a post office.
Member D gives at meetings and contributes to the intergroup in memory of a deceased OA member.
Member E contributes to a virtual group via check, money order or electronic funds transfer.
Member F makes certain that his or her group makes regular contributions to intergroup, service board, region and WSO.
What does OA do with your contributions?
Groups:
Provide places to meet and share recovery
Purchase supplies to run meetings
Buy literature and media from WSO
Support their intergroup, service board, region and WSO
Intergroups or Service Boards:
Offer local outreach to professional communities, hospitals, schools and libraries
Hold recovery events
Maintain Web sites
Keep updated meeting lists
Provide telephone information/answering services
Publish newsletters
Send representatives to region assemblies and delegates to the World Service Business Conference to vote on your behalf, and to contribute to the group conscience of OA as a whole concerning policies and services
Translate literature
Regions:
Hold assemblies and recovery events
Support community and media outreach
Maintain Web sites
Publish newsletters
Keep lists of speakers
Support officers’ expenses
Maintain reference and media libraries
Offer support to intergroups and unaffiliated groups
World Service Office:
Produces and distributes OA-approved literature, media and specialty items
Offers worldwide meeting location contacts and information on virtual groups through the Web site, as well as a telephone referral service and service by mail
Publishes Lifeline magazine
Produces A Step Ahead newsletter
Sends starter kits for new groups
Registers intergroups and groups, including virtual groups (online and telephone)
Holds the annual World Service Business Conference
Puts on World Service Conventions
Handles OA’s media and public relations contacts
Reaches out to professionals
DC Area OA Intergroup's Recommendation For 7th Tradition Language For Meetings
We have no dues or fees but we have expenses such as rent, literature and donations to World Service, Region Seven and Intergroup. We are self-supporting through our own contributions, neither soliciting nor accepting outside donations. The suggested donation is $3 or whatever you can afford.
