BYLAWS OF THE MID-CONTINENT INTERGROUP (2024)

Click on the link to return to the Intergroup Page: https://oawichita.org/intergroup/

BYLAWS OF THE

MID-CONTINENT INTERGROUP, INC. # 016-09153

OF OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS

Article I – Name

The name of this organization shall be the Mid-Continent Intergroup, Inc., hereinafter known as Intergroup.

Article II – Purpose

Section 1 – The specific purpose of this organization is to aid those with the problem of compulsive overeating to overcome that problem. The general purpose and power is to promote the public health, and to work with and furnish charitable and cultural assistance to those with the problem of compulsive eating. The purpose of this Intergroup is to service and represent the groups of which it is composed and to act as the guardian of the Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions and Twelve Concepts of OA Service.

Section 2 – The Twelve Steps

The Twelve Steps suggested for recovery in the Fellowship of Overeaters Anonymous are as follows:

We admitted we were powerless over food – that our lives had become unmanageable.
Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to compulsive overeaters and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

Section 3 – The Twelve Traditions

The Twelve Traditions are:

Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon OA unity.
For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority – a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
The only requirement for OA membership is a desire to stop eating compulsively.
Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or OA as a whole.
Each group has but one primary purpose – to carry its message to the compulsive overeater who still suffers.
An OA group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the OA name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property, and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
Every OA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
Overeaters Anonymous should remain forever non-professional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
OA, as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
Overeaters Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the OA name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, films, television, and other public media of communication.
Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all these Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.

Section 4 – The Twelve Concepts of Service

The Twelve Concepts of OA Service are:

The ultimate responsibility and authority for OA world services reside in the collective conscience of our whole Fellowship.
The OA groups have delegated to World Service Business Conference the active maintenance of our world services; thus, World Service Business Conference is the voice, authority and effective conscience of OA as a whole.
The right of decision, based on trust, makes effective leadership possible.
The right of participation ensures equality of opportunity for all in the decision-making process.
Individuals have the right of appeal and petition in order to ensure that their opinions and personal grievances will be carefully considered.
The World Service Business Conference has entrusted the Board of Trustees with the primary responsibility for the administration of Overeaters Anonymous.
The Board of Trustees has legal rights and responsibilities accorded to them by OA Bylaws, Subpart A; the rights and responsibilities of the World Service Business Conference are accorded to it by Tradition and by OA Bylaws, Subpart B.
The Board of Trustees has delegated to its Executive Committee the responsibility to administer the OA World Service Office.
Able, trusted servants, together with sound and appropriate methods of choosing them, are indispensable for effective functioning at all service levels.
Service responsibility is balanced by carefully defined service authority; therefore, duplication of efforts is avoided.
Trustee administration of the World Service Office should always be assisted by the best standing committees, executives, staffs and consultants.
The spiritual foundation for OA service ensures that:

a) no OA committee or service body shall ever become the seat of perilous wealth or power;

b) sufficient operating funds, plus an ample reserve, shall be OA’s prudent financial principle;

c) no OA member shall ever be placed in a position of unqualified authority;

d) all important decisions shall be reached by discussion, vote and whenever possible, by substantial unanimity;

3) no service action shall ever be personally punitive or an incitement to public controversy; and

f) no OA service committee or service board shall ever perform any acts of government, and each shall always remain democratic in thought and action.

Article III – Members

Section 1 – Membership of the Intergroup shall consist of the following:

A. The Intergroup Board.

B. Intergroup Representatives, which shall consist of up to two voting Representatives from each group within the geographic area. Geographic area shall be defined as including any OA group registered with the World Service Office and within access to the Intergroup meeting.

C. Group Members not acting as Intergroup Representatives but elected or appointed to carry out specific duties, e.g. Public Information Chair.

Section 2 – Qualifications or Eligibility for Membership in the Intergroup

A. Those groups within the geographic definition of Intergroup that have formally registered with the World Service Office and indicated their intention to belong to Intergroup may be considered members. The Intergroup endorses the definition of an OA group in Overeaters Anonymous, Inc. Bylaws Subpart B, Article V, Section 1, as written and as it may be amended by a future World Service Business Conference.

An OA group is defined as the following:

1. 1. As a group, they meet to practice the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous, guided by the Twelve Concepts of OA Service.
  2. All who have a desire to stop eating compulsively are welcome in the group.
  3. No member is required to practice any actions in order to remain a member or to have a voice (share at a meeting).
  4. As a group, they have no affiliation other than Overeaters Anonymous.
  5. It has affiliated as an Overeaters Anonymous group by registering with the World Service Office.

B. Each group shall be entitled to vote through its elected Intergroup Representatives.

C. No group may be registered with another Intergroup.

Section 3 – Intergroup Representatives

A. Intergroup Representatives shall be selected by the group conscience of the group they represent. Each Intergroup Representative shall be selected by any method deemed appropriate by their group. These Intergroup Representatives shall serve for a period designated by their group.

B. The primary responsibility of the Intergroup Representative, or Alternate, is to represent their group at all meetings of the Intergroup, to act as a liaison between this Intergroup and their groups, to see that all communications pertaining to Intergroup are made available and, where requested, read aloud to the group. In absence of an Intergroup Representative, the Intergroup will pass information through the group contact.

Section 4 – Membership with voice and no vote may be:

Any member of the Fellowship who is not a duly elected Representative or Alternate.

Article IV – The Intergroup Board

Section 1 – Intergroup Board

The Intergroup Board consists of the following: Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Parliamentarian, Literature Chair, Public Outreach Chair, Intergroup Communications Chair, World Service Business Conference (WSBC) Delegate(s), and Region Representative(s). The WSBC Delegate(s) and Region Representative(s) may also hold other offices of the Board. The immediate past Chair may serve as an ex-officio member of the Intergroup Board for one year.

Section 2 – Nominations to the Intergroup Board

Nominations to the Intergroup Board may be made from the floor at the time of election, with permission of the candidate. A nominating committee may also be formed at the discretion of the Intergroup.

Section 3 – Qualifications for the Intergroup Board

A. Working the Twelve Steps of the OA recovery program.

B. Familiarity with the Twelve Traditions.

C. Regular attendance of an active group for a period of one (1) year.

D. World Service Business Conference (WSBC) Delegates and Region Representatives have additional qualifications and requirements. See Article IV, Section 6, I (WSBC Delegates) and J (Region Representatives).

Section 4 – Method of Election

A. Elections shall be held annually at a meeting specified for that purpose. See Article V, Section 2 (Annual Meetings) for more information.

B. To be eligible for election to the Board, a nominee must:

1. Meet all the qualifications as defined in Article IV, Section 3 (Qualifications for the Intergroup Board).
2. Understand the responsibilities of the position as defined in Article IV, Section 6 (Responsibilities of the Intergroup Board).

C. In order to be elected to membership in the Intergroup Board, a nominee must receive a majority vote (>50%). If the nominee is unable to attend the election meeting but has declared their willingness to serve in writing or by electronic communication, they may be considered for election.

Section 5 – Term of office

A. Board members shall be elected to serve for a term of two (2) years. Service year is October 1 through September 30th of the following year. Any special election held to fill a vacancy fills the unexpired term. See Article IV, Section 7 (Vacancies and Resignations).

B. Board members shall serve no more than two (2) consecutive terms in the same position.

C. After an interval of one (1) year they may be eligible to be elected to their previous position.

D. Upon election to the Board, members shall cease to be a rep of their group, and that group may elect a new Intergroup Representative.

E. Members may be removed after two (2) consecutive unexcused absences from meetings of this Intergroup. See Article IV, Section 7 (Vacancies and Resignations).

Section 6 – Responsibilities of the Intergroup Board

A. Chair:

1. Shall preside at all regular and special meetings of this Intergroup.
2. Shall be responsible for establishing the agenda for all Intergroup meetings.
3. May cast the deciding vote to make or break a tie.
4. Shall serve as ad hoc member of all standing committee meetings.
5. See Service Manual for additional guidelines.

B. Vice Chair:

1. Shall serve in the absence of the Chair.
2. Shall assist the Chair whenever needed.
3. May attend all standing committee meetings.
4. Shall be the missionary liaison between the Intergroup and all OA groups within the Intergroup geographical boundaries.
5. Oversees special events and serves as special events treasurer.
6. Shall be a signer of the special event bank account.
7. Shall submit a written report of contributions and expenditures following a special event.
8. See Service Manual for additional guidelines.

C. Secretary:

1. Shall see that minutes are kept of all Intergroup meetings.
2. Shall post board approved minutes of each meeting to the website where they will be kept for a minimum of 10 years.
3. See Service Manual for additional guidelines.

D. Treasurer:

1. Shall maintain a checking and savings account, if necessary, for dispersal of Intergroup funds.
2. Shall be one of the signers of the bank accounts.
3. Shall submit a report of contributions and expenditures at monthly Intergroup business meetings.
4. See Service Manual for additional guidelines.

E. Parliamentarian:

1. Shall be familiar with the Bylaws, OA Traditions and OA Concepts of Service and policies of Intergroup and shall be able to interpret them for understanding and clarification. Any subject not covered by these Bylaws shall be governed by Roberts Rules of Order.
2. See Service Manual for additional guidelines.

F. Literature Chair:

1. Shall be responsible for the sale of literature and for order fulfillment to member groups; for maintaining adequate literature inventory and is one of the signers of the literature bank account.
2. See Service Manual for additional guidelines.

G. Public Outreach Chair

1. Shall oversee public and professional outreach activities.
2. See Service Manual for additional guidelines.

H. Intergroup Communications Chair:

1. Shall oversee the monthly newsletter and any other services under the Communications Chair.
2. See Service Manual for additional guidelines.

I. World Service Business Conference (WSBC) Delegate(s):

1. Shall attend the WSBC of OA, finances permitting.
2. In all areas, the WSBC Delegate shall meet qualifications and requirements as outlined and defined in the OA, Inc. Bylaws Subpart B.
3. Shall have one (1) year of current abstinence and two (2) years of service beyond the group level.
4. Shall serve OA and the WSBC until the following conference.
5. Shall serve no more than four (4) consecutive years, except for reasons to be decided by the group conscience of the Intergroup with respect to the Delegate.
6. Shall be willing to report, whether orally or in writing, as designated by the Intergroup, the actions of the conference to all groups the Intergroup represents; to keep the Intergroup and represented groups aware of WSBC information; to communicate important information to the area.
7. May attend all standing committee meetings.
8. See Service Manual for additional guidelines.

J. Region Representative(s):

1. Shall attend all region assembly meetings, finances permitting.
2. In all areas the Region Representative shall meet all qualifications and requirements as outlined in the Region Bylaws.
3. Shall have one (1) year of current abstinence as required by the Region Bylaws.
4. Shall serve OA and Region for the full term as designated by the Region Bylaws.
5. Shall serve no more than four (4) consecutive years, except for reasons to be decided by the group conscience of the Intergroup with respect to the Region Representative.
6. Shall report region assembly business to the Intergroup and any subsequent Region information.
7. May attend all standing committee meetings.
8. See Service Manual for additional guidelines.

Section 7 – Vacancies and Resignations

A. If a member of this Intergroup Board fails to attend two (2) consecutive meetings without prior notice, his/her office may be declared vacant by a majority (>50%) of those members present and voting.

B. Any board member may resign at any time for any reason by giving the Chair of this Intergroup written notice.

C. Any board member may be removed from office by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the voting members present at a special meeting announced for that purpose.

D. A vacancy in an Intergroup Board position, either by resignation or expulsion, can be filled for the unexpired term, providing at least ten days’ notice has been given to each group in Intergroup. Nominees shall be presented and voted upon at the next regular meeting of Intergroup or a special meeting announced for that purpose. Vacancies can be filled by a majority vote (>50%) at the meeting. The unexpired term does not count towards the maximum term of office. See Article IV, Section 5 (Terms of Office).

E. A person chosen to fill any vacancy on the Board shall meet the qualifications as defined in Article IV, Section 3 (Qualifications for the Intergroup Board) and be aware of all responsibilities of that position as described and defined in Article IV, Section 6 (Responsibilities of the Intergroup Board).

Article V—Meetings

Section 1—Regular Meetings

The Intergroup shall meet the second Tuesday of every month, January through November, or at a time and place designated by a majority of the voting members.

Section 2—Annual Meetings

An annual meeting shall be held in the month of August for the election of officers.

Section 3—Special Meetings

A special meeting may be called at any time by a majority vote of the Intergroup Board by giving notice as described in Article V, Section 4 (Method of Notification for Annual and Special Meetings).

Section 4—Method of Notification for Annual and Special Meetings

A. Notices shall be distributed to each group contact and/or Intergroup Representative(s) ten (10) days prior to the date of the meeting.

B. See Service Manual for Additional Guidelines.

Section 5—Quorum

A. A simple majority (>50%) of filled Intergroup Board officers present at any Intergroup meeting shall constitute a quorum.

B. If quorum is not met, an Intergroup meeting can take place, but no motions can be presented nor votes taken.

Article VI—Committees

Section 1— Committee Appointments

A. The Chair shall appoint such committees as deemed necessary.

B. See Service Manual for additional guidelines.

Section 2—Committee Procedure and Responsibilities

A. Each committee may prescribe its own rules for calling and holding meetings and its method of procedures, subject to the guidelines of the Twelve Traditions of OA.

B. Each committee shall provide a written or verbal report to the Intergroup at regular intervals and at the end of any specific event coordinated by the committee. If any monies are expended, a detailed and itemized report shall be included with the report. If any monies are involved, the committee shall submit a written report detailing receipts and expenditures.

C. Past Committee Chairs may serve in an ex-officio capacity in their respective committees.

D. Should a vacancy, resignation or removal of a Committee Chair occur in any committee, all pertinent information shall be turned over to the Intergroup Chair. The Chair shall then appoint a new Committee Chair to serve the remainder of the unexpired term.

Section 3—Committee Bank Account

A. If it is deemed necessary by the Board that a committee shall open a bank account, the Committee Chair and the Intergroup Chair and/or designee shall be signers on the account.

B. See Service Manual for additional guidelines.

Article VII—Source of Funds

Section 1—Source of Funds

A. Voluntary contributions of the member groups shall be the primary source of funds.

B. Secondary source of income may be such occasional projects or activities as may be authorized by the Intergroup according to Tradition Six.

C. The Intergroup may only accept donations from OA members, conforming with the general practice of OA.

D. The maximum allowable annual donation to the Intergroup by OA members is to be limited to five thousand dollars ($5,000).

E. The acceptance of bequests or donations from outside sources is prohibited.

F. The Intergroup shall not accept the responsibility for trusteeship over, or enter into the distribution or allocation of funds set up outside Overeaters Anonymous.

Section 2 – Expenditure Procedure(s)

Other than recurring items, no purchase will be made by an individual for Intergroup purposes before a obtaining the consent of a majority of Intergroup voting members.

Section 3 – Excess Funds

There shall be no accumulation of funds beyond current necessities, with retention of only a prudent reserve for contingencies. Funds in excess will be donated to Region and the World Service Office on a regular basis as directed by the Intergroup.

Section 4 – Use of Net Earnings

No part of the net earnings of this association shall ever be used for the benefit of, or be distributed to, its members, trustees, officers or other private persons, except to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered.

Article VIII– Parliamentary Authority

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern this Intergroup in all cases to which they are applicable and consistent with these bylaws, the Overeaters Anonymous, Inc. Bylaws, Subpart B, the Twelve Traditions and any special rules of order the Intergroup adopts.

Article IX—Amendments to These Bylaws

These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Intergroup voting members present at any regular or special meeting of the Intergroup, after a copy of the proposed amendment(s) has been submitted in writing or digitally to each group affiliated with the Intergroup at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting in which action is to be taken on the amendment(s). No amendments may be made to the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions except as per OA, Inc. Bylaws, Subpart B.

Article X—Major Policy Matters

Matters which affect this Intergroup and/or groups within its service area shall be referred to the Board of this Intergroup. Matters which relate to Overeaters Anonymous as a whole shall be referred to the World Service Board of Trustees.

Article XII – Dissolution

Section 1—Deregistration

In order to deregister, the Intergroup must submit a written notice to the World Service Office, Region Chair and Region Trustee.

Section 2—Assets

Upon dissolution of this association, after paying or adequately providing for the debts and obligations of the association, the remaining assets shall be distributed to the World Service Office of Overeaters Anonymous, and/or to Region.

Section 3—Use of Net Earnings

Click on the link to return to the Intergroup Page: https://oawichita.org/intergroup/

BYLAWS OF THE MID-CONTINENT INTERGROUP (2024)

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