“The gift of the weekend for me was the kind service of the speakers.” ~ Valerie B
Recovery soared the weekend of April 5-7, 2013, at the Spring 2013 Region 3 Assembly and Convention. With the theme “The Joy of Living at a Higher Altitude,” host Intergroup Houston OA HOW worked hard to carry the message of recovery. While Intergroup Representatives and Steering Committee members worked through the day on Saturday, considering a number of ways to serve the groups and Intergroups of Region 3 in spreading the word about OA, the Convention workshops and activities inspired participants in their own path toward serenity and joy.
Participant Valerie B shared her experience in several sessions:
JOURNALING – Your travel blog was a cornucopia of practical approaches to learn what is going on with you today from the daily discipline of three written pages or fifteen minutes of morning pages. It was an invitation for you to speak to yourself with a jumble of words or fragments, half thoughts or tumbled feelings. Or you could peruse the last week or last 24 hours with journaling on your experience in the most and least love given away or accepted; or you could write of gratitude occasions.
STEPS 4 & 5: SCAN YOURSELF – A how-to overview of practicing honesty. We were tickled with sly warnings — that if you don’t honestly know what is not working, for you change in your life cannot happen. Tried and true tidbits were offered: “Relationships put Miracle Grow on your defects of character” and “Check out the sayings in your life for clues about your problems.” Ask simple questions like, “What is your behavior costing you?”
In an day of dedicated service and hard work, Internet Representatives considered ways to carry the message in Region 3.
STEPS 6 & 7: LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD – We were encouraged to see the ways we act that hurts others are what we want removed. Patient improvement steadily directs us toward a positive attitude — brought to you by following the directional signposts to God.
STEPS 8 & 9 & 10: KEEPING THE AISLES CLEAR OF CLUTTER – Behavior can be seen and the consequence to others and ourselves revealed. Working these Steps we can see the pain caused and tenderly fan the spark of compassion within. We are helped by a sponsor — sometimes the only reflection of God seen. From the courage learned of suffering, we begin to let go of our isolation in our willingness to connect.
STEP 11: GUIDED MEDITATION – In gentle word and tones we are shown still another way to bypass our default self-centered thoughts to a joining of more than we are. We use words and images to seek a safe place to encourage our connection with that which is greater than I.
Activities of the Assembly
During the Convention workshops, Intergroup Representatives worked in the business session. The morning involved reports from the Steering Committee, consideration of several motions to amend bylaws and the policy manual, instructions on parliamentary procedure, and other business. At noon the Reps divided into committees to measure progress and plan for the future. The busy committees reported back in the afternoon:
Twelfth Step Within – Description of committee:
To strengthen OA by sharing information and ideas that generate recovery within the fellowship and to help members address relapse and recovery.
Activities:
Members had contacted all unaffiliated meetings in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. TSW monthly reminders are going out by email on the 11th of each month and can be used/forwarded by reps.
Public Informational / Professional Outreach – Description of committee:
To spread the message of OA to the still suffering compulsive overeater by working with the health care profession and news media.
Activities:
Committee members are considering making our own display board for professional conferences. The WSO display board is not always available; the committee will research costs, etc.
Communications /Technology – Description of committee:
To maintain and update the Region III website and to assist IGs in establishing and maintaining their own websites.
Activities:
We have recordings available from website. The Assembly report will be posted within a week. The committee worked out a clarification of wording on online donations for groups, clarifying the need for group or intergroup numbers. PayPal is an option in addition to checks. While it costs the region some, people may use it more. Committee reports can be posted on the website (can make it password protected if desired).
Ways, Means and Finance – Purpose of Committee:
To devise fund-raising ideas for Region III and IGs and to provide oversight of the Region’s finances.
Activities:
The audit report was done Friday night, including the PayPal account. The results were very clean; only a few minor errors. The Ways, Means and Finance committee talked of concluding the magnet fundraiser and looking at possibilities for others.
Bylaws – Description of committee:
To review and revise the Region III Bylaws and Policy Manual as needed.
Activities:
We have gotten items moved from the Policy Manual to Bylaws or vice versa. The committee is reviewing the Trustee Nominee procedures amendment. Bylaws and PM are being reformatted in a newer version of software allowing more ease in making revisions and updates.
Unity with Diversity – Description of committee:
To encourage and promote acceptance and inclusivity embracing OA’s tradition of unity with diversity.
Activities:
Plans were made to contact IGs and groups to make them more aware of existing literature on diversity. Other outreach will be by writing articles for newsletters, Lifeline, website, etc. They will ask the Steering Committee to include diversity issues in Traditions (STC) workshops.
All of Region 3 is deeply indebted to the Intergroup Representatives and others who work all day on the Region’s business. Thanks!
