Introduction
This manual has been created to educate members about how OA’s Traditions and Concepts of Service
unify and strengthen the Fellowship. The ideas and recommendations have been drawn from members’
service experiences worldwide. They are offered as suggestions to help all members understand the
wisdom and purpose of service through the Traditions and Concepts.
This manual concentrates on how to conduct Service, Traditions, and Concepts Workshops. Depending
on the needs of the workshop participants, you can offer a workshop on one, two, or all three of the topics.
We suggest that leaders and participants read and have a good understanding of The Twelve Steps and
Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous, Second Edition, The Twelve Traditions of Overeaters
Anonymous pamphlet (available at oa.org), and The Twelve Concepts of OA Service pamphlet. We
suggest that these be available at your workshops.
The manual is divided into five sections, followed by appendices.
Section I: Holding Service, Traditions, and Concepts Workshops—An overview on arranging
and conducting workshops. Includes time considerations, topics, and guidelines for the
workshop facilitator(s).
Section II: OA Service Structure—How OA’s service structure works, the role of the volunteer, and
how service benefits individual and group recovery.
Section III: Traditions—How the Traditions affect group survival and individual recovery.
Section IV: Concepts—How the Concepts provide guidance and Spiritual Principles for all levels of
service. Includes tips on communicating the value of the Concepts.
Section V: Sample Exercises—Problem-solving exercises are included.
Appendices: Visual Aids and References—Includes a glossary, the region map, group inventories,
and suggested workshop presentation aids.
By adhering to the simplicity of our program of Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, and Twelve Concepts,
we nurture our recovery. “Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon OA
unity” (Tradition One).
OA Responsibility Pledge
Always to extend the hand and heart of OA
to all who share my compulsion;
for this I am responsible.
3Holding Service, Traditions, and Concepts Workshops
Section I: Holding Service, Traditions, and Concepts Workshops
Why Hold a Workshop?
“I put my hand in yours, and together we can do what we could never do alone.” So says our OA
Promise. However, it may be hard for many of us to understand how giving service and practicing the
Twelve Traditions and Concepts are meaningful in our daily program of recovery. The purpose of these
workshops is to relate that information to OA members.
Study of our Traditions and Concepts is a procedure done regularly by healthy OA groups and service
bodies. You do not have to wait until you are experiencing difficulties to sponsor or attend a workshop.
Sharing your experience, strength, and hope and how your group maintains unity is helpful to other
members of the Fellowship. It is also helpful to be able to express how you achieved success so that it
can be repeated.
If your meeting, intergroup, service board, or region is having difficulties due to unresolved issues or
questions concerning service, Traditions, and Concepts, consider sponsoring a workshop to address these
issues.
Workshops are facilitated by experienced OA members who share their personal recovery and have
served OA in different capacities within our service structure. Often, the workshops are facilitated by
current or past members of OA’s Board of Trustees and members of region boards. Having a neutral
person facilitate a workshop encourages people to share without concern of judgment or bias, especially
if a service body is trying to deal with specific problems.
If you decide to hold a workshop, the following section can help you prepare and decide what format the
workshop will take. Contact the trustee assigned as liaison to your region or a region board member to
assist you in arranging a workshop