Service Bodies

This service structure chart shows how the various levels provide support for the level above it.

A chart showing how OA’s service structure is represented by an inverted pyramid.
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Individuals form groups.

Groups provide support for individual OA members. Together we get better, and we don’t have to do it alone.

  1. Groups form Service Bodies. Affiliated Groups get support from the following service bodies:
    Intergroups (IGs) are usually formed of meetings with a common bond. An intergroup may affiliate with one national service board if it exists, shall be affiliated with one region, and may participate in one or more language service boards. An IG may send one delegate to WSBC for every fifteen affiliated meetings or fraction thereof.
  2. National service boards (NSBs) provide support for groups and/or intergroups within one country that are not otherwise served within the existing service structure. A NSB is affiliated with the region where its nation exists and may participate in one or more language service boards. An NSB may send one delegate to WSBC for every fifteen affiliated meetings or fraction thereof.
  3. Language service boards (LSBs) serve groups, intergroups and/or national service boards, usually in different countries, that share a common language. Special-focus service boards (SFSBs) serve the common needs of groups and intergroups with the same specific focus, regardless of geographic proximity. LSBs and SFSBs may or may not affiliate with a region. Each LSB and SFSB may send only one delegate to WSBC.

Regions provide support for service boards, intergroups, and unaffiliated groups.

The World Service Business Conference is comprised of delegates from intergroups, service boards, regions, and the trustees. WSBC delegates make decisions for the common welfare of OA as a whole.

The Board of Trustees consists of seventeen trustees. The board carries out the decisions of the WSBC.

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Related Links

If you are interested in starting an intergroup or service board, read Suggestions for Starting an Intergroup/Service Board for more information or the OA Handbook for Members, Groups, and Service Bodies: Recovery Opportunities.

For OA’s official definitions of groups, intergroups, service boards, and regions, see OA Bylaws, Subpart B.

Literature Titles
Automatically translated literature titles appearing on this page are for reference only and may not exactly match the official titles approved by OA, Inc. and A.A. World Services, Inc.

Translation Permission
All registered OA groups and service bodies have permission to translate and reprint any OA document or text currently on the OA website. Permission includes the right to distribute automatically translated material and the right to correct errors in automatic translations. Translation corrections should be as close as possible to the meaning of the original English text, with nothing added or omitted. Translated materials must include this statement in the language of the translation: This is a translation of OA-approved literature. © Overeaters Anonymous, Inc. All rights reserved.

To translate OA documents with significant graphic design, see Free Licensed Images, Translation, and Graphic Design Platform for Intergroups and Service Boards Registered as Nonprofits/Charities.

To obtain OA-approved literature in your language, contact your service body or see the Digital Files in Translation list and Guidelines for Translation of OA literature.

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