- UPCOMING EVENTS
(For events further afield, see the OA "Datebook" at oa.org - contains information and announcements about retreats, conventions and other special events submitted to the OA website from registered OA groups and service bodies around the country. Updated continuously).
Email additional events to events@oabatonrouge.org or use the form to the left
FEBRUARY 25, 2012 11:30 PST (1:30 CST) - UNITY DAY This day recognizes the strength of the Fellowship worldwide. On the last Saturday in February, at 11:30 a.m. pacific standard time, OA members pause to reaffirm the strength inherent in OA’s unity.
POTLUCK LUNCH at Aleta's from 12:30 to 1:30
MARCH 9-11 2012: REGION 8 Assembly: Raleigh, NC
APRIL 30 - May 5, 2012 — World Service Business Conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico USA
MAY 19 2012 - BRIG 1 day RETREAT, Solomon Conference Center, Robert LA
JULY 13-15, 2012 - Region 8 Assembly, Miami FL - more information TBA
AUGUST 29-SEPTEMBER 1, 2013 -----World Service Convention, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Unity Day 2012
- LOCAL/BRIG/REGION 8 NEWS
NEW MEETING FORMAT: The Friday 7:00 pm meeting at Trinity Episcopal Church has a new format! This meeting will now be a Twelfth-Step-Within meeting which follows a particular format and is geared towards bringing people back from relapse or the brink of relapse.
INTERGROUP: The next BRIG meeting will be held on OCTOBER 15TH, (not October 8th,) at 11:45 at Jefferson United Methodist Church. We will be discussing a motion we plan to submit to the Region 8 board in March as well as a number of other important topics. OA has no leaders, only group conscience, and EVERYONE's presence is welcomed at the monthly Intergroup meetings. There are many opportunities for service. BRIG ordinarily meets the second Saturday of each month.
NEW MEETING: A new Baton Rouge meeting has been registered with WSO. The meeting will be on Saturday mornings at 10:30. The listed address is 1824 Hood Ave., BR 70802 but the location will vary so please call the contact, Madeline, at 225-336-9871 to confirm the location before you attend. This is a Big Book focused meeting.
CHATAWA RETREAT COMING UP FAST! November 4th-6th - "Surrender to Win" COLA retreat! Don't miss out on a beautiful weekend at what is certainly one of the most beautiful locations in the area, St. Mary of the Pines retreat center in Chatawa, MS. Retreat goes from Friday evening through Sunday morning. Download flyer here
CHATAWA FUNDRAISING BOUTIQUE - DONATIONS REQUESTED!
Before you throw those nice clothes out, please consider contributing them to the Fall Retreat Clothes Boutique. Lightly worn and pre-washed clothes are welcome, and donors will receive "I CAN" coupons, redeemable at the 2011 Boutique.
Men and Women's shirts, blouses, pants, jeans, suits, jewelry, and other accessories are welcome.
No shoes, please. Please bring pre-‐washed.If possible, bring accessories in small clear baggies.
No storage is available on-‐site pre-‐Conference, but we can take your clothes donations when you arrive.All items will be reasonably-‐low priced.
For more information, or to assist with the Boutique, please contact Alisha at (504)564-5845 or alisha2709@gmail.com.
- WSO/GENERAL OA ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
SHARE YOUR RECOVERY STORY!The WSBC Conference Literature Committee is soliciting stories of recovery from OA members for the proposed revision of Overeaters Anonymous, Second Edition.
The committee is looking for stories that emphasize members’ experience, strength and hope achieved through working and using the Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, Twelve Concepts of Service and nine tools of the Overeaters Anonymous program. The committee is interested in stories that focus on how members have achieved and maintained long-term physical, emotional and spiritual recovery.
We are seeking stories written from the perspectives reflected in our membership today. For example, we welcome recovery stories that reflect the diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds as well as age and gender differences in our Fellowship. We are also looking for stories that show various ways the disease of compulsive eating manifests itself (for example, obesity, bulimia, anorexia, etc.) Your story may include physical, medical and mental health challenges that are part of your recovery. In addition, stories can incorporate experiences of recovery in non-English speaking countries.
For questions, contact Barb G., Conference Literature Committee chair: barb72874@aol.com.Word length: 750–1200.
Please email submissions to info@oa.org on or before January 31, 2012. Please put “OA2 Submission” in the subject line. Submitted materials will not be returned.Special Focus of “Health Issues” Added to Group Registration
For OA groups that wish to register as special focus meetings, the category of “Health Issues” is now available. The OA board of trustees voted to add this new category to the group registration form to better enable OA to carry the message and be of service to (1) chronically ill and disabled members; (2) members with health issues who are struggling to maintain their abstinence and work the program; and (3) those who could be helped by OA but might shy away from attending a meeting for fear that their special needs might not be met.To register a new group, or to change the registration of an existing group, go to https://www.oa.org/meetings/change-form.phpLITERATURE
-A full index to the OA 12x12 is now available as a free download and will be included with future printings
-New OA conference approved pamphlet available for purchase and distribution - "A Common Solution - Diversity and Recovery"
-New updated and revised versions of the Tools of Recovery pamphlet and Professional Outreach Manual have also been released
-A 9th tool has been added to the "Tools of Recovery" pamphlet - "Action Plan" - read more about it!
-OA Podcast #23 has been released and discusses the tools of recovery
-The definition of "Abstinence" has been revised to include the italicized words at the end of the first sentence: “Abstinence in Overeaters Anonymous 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 the Overeaters Anonymous Twelve-Step program.”