2. How long have you been a member of OA?

3. Do you work with a sponsor?

7. Have you ever left OA for a reason OTHER THAN RELAPSE?

28. (BONUS QUESTION) What does CMI stand for?

central midlands intergroup

Strong attendance, People in recovery, Sponsors available, Focus on steps and traditions, Committed members, People willing to do service, Good format, Atmosphere: friendly, accepting, supportive, Intimate, Anonymity practiced, Opportunity to share

No idea. I've never seen that acronym.

Central Midlands Intergroup

Central Midlands Intergroup

Central Midlands Intergroup

Provide training/explain responsibilities for service positions, such as treasurer, program chair, secretary, etc., Speaker’s bureau, Send people in recovery from Intergroup to speak, Organize more Intergroup activities, Increase the number of sponsors, including temporary, Help train sponsors, Special events aimed at newcomers, Help us increase attendance, More communications from Intergroup, Newsletter publicity featuring individual meetings

Central midlands Intergroup

Central Midlands Intergroup

Strong attendance, People in recovery, Sponsors available, Focus on steps and traditions, Committed members, People willing to do service, Good format, Atmosphere: friendly, accepting, supportive, Anonymity practiced, Opportunity to share

Central Midlands Intergroup

Low attendance, Lack of recovery, Sharing not focused on recovery, Disorganized, Monday meeting reviews daily inventory that should really be done between sponsor and sponsee, perhaps change Monday to a less intense (inventory) theme as we are starting our work week and it's early in the day, perhaps do a daily reader and discussion and move Monday format to another day, also be careful with the topics of step 4 (again first thing in the morning for us in EST) some subject matter is very disturbing , one meeting 's readings from OA 12/12 was talking about anger/ violence and animal abuse. It was very alarming .

Host/ cohost to remind (keep an eye on ) late arrivals what page we are on, posting in the chat exactly what is being discussed, being proactive so that newcomers or late comers are not chatting to everyone asking where are we etc. Sharing the screen for readings -is very helpful for visual learners or people who may not be quick to get their books.
Allowing for uncomfortable silence , time to ponder questions. Less announcements , post it in the chat and direct the people to read it for themselves or email rather than interrupting a good discussion especially if announcement is not critical.

Central Midlands Intergroup

Central Midlands Intergroup

It's true there is not much rotation, but no one has made it their meeting. My one issue is people sharing more than once - so annoying. But that is the way in my other fellowship. I am being mean and it should not matter. If anything, the kindness of not calling that out is keeping newcomers coming back.

Central Midlands Intergroup - LOL. That's funny.

central midlands intergroup

Strong attendance, People in recovery, Sponsors available, Focus on steps and traditions, Committed members, People willing to do service, Good format, Atmosphere: friendly, accepting, supportive, Intimate, Anonymity practiced, Opportunity to share

Fellowship; love; support; acceptance, Hope; people who have what I want, OA works if I work it, Found new way of living (sanity, peace), 12 Steps as a way of life, Nowhere else to go, Fear of relapse, Opportunity to be useful, Higher Power, abstinence, helps me connect to my Higher Power, best company with whom to work the steps

Relapse: physical, emotional, spiritual, Needed the OA Fellowship, Nothing else works, Maturity/willingness

Central Midlands Intergrooup

2 times that were noticeable but both after medical issues.

Central Midlands Intergroup

Hard to define? Sloppy program vs on fire???

Central midland intergroup.

Plans of Eating, Using the Tools, Working Steps 1-3, Working Steps 4-7, Working Steps 10-12, Big Book Study, Attracting and Retaining Newcomers, Member Retention, The Value of Slogans, Quick Steps studies, 4th Step workshops, Body Image, Abstinence

Nurturing newcomers, Characteristics of a great sponsor, Characteristics of a great meeting, Getting started: first things first, Group conscience: what it is, Fourth step options, What each of us can do to keep OA strong

Provide training/explain responsibilities for service positions, such as treasurer, program chair, secretary, etc., Speaker’s bureau, Organize more Intergroup activities, Increase the number of sponsors, including temporary, Help train sponsors, Sponsor bank, Special events aimed at newcomers, Help us increase attendance, Newsletter publicity featuring individual meetings

Central Midlands Intergroup

I want to know more about Twelfth Step Within programs. Too often OA members drop away without explanation and we never hear from them again. I myself when struggling or in relapse drop away and wonder why no one comes after me or makes contact.

Central Midlands Intergroup

Relapse: physical, emotional, spiritual, Needed the OA Fellowship, Nothing else works, Maturity/willingness

Strong attendance, People in recovery, Sponsors available, Focus on steps and traditions, Committed members, People willing to do service, Good format, Atmosphere: friendly, accepting, supportive, Anonymity practiced, Opportunity to share

Provide training/explain responsibilities for service positions, such as treasurer, program chair, secretary, etc., Speaker’s bureau, Organize more Intergroup activities, Increase the number of sponsors, including temporary, Help train sponsors, Sponsor bank, Special events aimed at newcomers, Help us increase attendance, More communications from Intergroup

I think having training on sponsorship (regular and newcomer/temporary) would be great. I am glad to help with specific tasks/projects. I already am very active in my intergroup (CCI) in Ohio, so most of my service work is there. Thanks! Shana

Central Midlands Intergroup (Do I get dessert now? lol)

Strong attendance, People in recovery, Sponsors available, Focus on steps and traditions, Committed members, People willing to do service, Good format, Atmosphere: friendly, accepting, supportive, Intimate, Anonymity practiced, Opportunity to share

Central Midlands Intergroup

Central Midlands Intergroup

Assisting your meeting in publicizing itself, Organizing Step Studies, Organizing or promoting more OA traditional marathons throughout the year, Organizing weekend retreats, Training workshops

Central Midlands Intergroup

central midlands intergroup

Strong attendance, People in recovery, Sponsors available, Focus on steps and traditions, People willing to do service, Good format, Atmosphere: friendly, accepting, supportive, Anonymity practiced, Opportunity to share

Plans of Eating, Using the Tools, Working Steps 1-3, Working Steps 4-7, Working Steps 8-9, Working Steps 10-12, Big Book Study, Relapse Recovery and Prevention, 4th Step workshops, Body Image, Conscious Contact, Abstinence

Central Midlands Intergroup

Central Midlands Intergroup!

1 - started in January but stopped within 1 week

Central Midlands Intergroup

Strong attendance, People in recovery, Sponsors available, Focus on steps and traditions, Committed members, People willing to do service, Good format, Atmosphere: friendly, accepting, supportive, Intimate, Anonymity practiced, Opportunity to share

People in recovery, Sponsors available, Focus on steps and traditions, Committed members, People willing to do service, Good format, Atmosphere: friendly, accepting, supportive, Intimate, Anonymity practiced, Opportunity to share

Relapse: physical, emotional, spiritual, Needed the OA Fellowship, Nothing else works, Maturity/willingness

Strong attendance, People in recovery, Sponsors available, Focus on steps and traditions, Committed members, People willing to do service, Good format, Atmosphere: friendly, accepting, supportive, Intimate, Anonymity practiced, Opportunity to share

Years back I sporadically went to in person meetings. I never got comfortable and don’t even consider myself having really been doing program at any of those times. About 2 1/2 years ago, I really began my 0A journey and that was via zoom. I know part of the reason why it worked for me 2 1/2 years ago, versus sooner, is because that is when I was ready. However, I also feel that the zoom element was a key factor in me continuing to “keep coming back”; as I was able to find the meetings I connected with. I know many people are happy to see many in person meetings return. I completely understand and respect that. However, I think it is important that it is kept in mind that there are many people that prefer a zoom option. This is both for logistical/traveling reasons as well as just finding meetings that suit them best. It is so amazing to be able to go to different meetings nationally and internationally. That is why, in my opinion, having both options is key to continuing to grow interest in OA. Having the zoom option has already opened up OA to many people it would not have reached otherwise. Also, having attendees from all over the world has really enriched the meetings as well.

think it would be great for wording to be added to the meeting format to read when there is a newcomer present. Newcomers are always warmly encouraged to ask any questions they have. However, since sometimes “we don’t know what we don’t know” a newcomer may not know what to ask. Additionally, they may be more comfortable just listening. I know there is wording already in scripts advising people to get a sponsor and food plan. However, I think a couple of more descriptive sentences about what these are would be helpful to newcomers. I’ve been in a meeting where if there is a newcomer present, they will read the OA 15 questions.

So I thought this was a trick question, And I googled what CMI stands for in Overeaters Anonymous. Of course, that’s when I realized it was Central Midlands Intergroup, lol.