BYLAWS OF THE MID-CONTINENT INTERGROUP (2024)

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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:  

  1. We admitted we were powerless over food – that our lives had become unmanageable.  2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.  
  2. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we  understood Him.  
  3. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.  
  4. Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our  wrongs.  
  5. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.  7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.  
  6. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to  them all.  
  7. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would  injure them or others.  
  8. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.  
  9. 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. 
  10. 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:  

  1. Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon OA unity.  
  2. 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.  
  3. The only requirement for OA membership is a desire to stop eating compulsively.  
  4. Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or OA as a  whole.  
  5. Each group has but one primary purpose – to carry its message to the compulsive  overeater who still suffers.  
  6. 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.  
  7. Every OA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.  
  8. Overeaters Anonymous should remain forever non-professional, but our service centers  may employ special workers.  
  9. OA, as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or  committees directly responsible to those they serve.  
  10. Overeaters Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the OA name  ought never be drawn into public controversy.  
  11. 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.  
  12. 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:  

  1. The ultimate responsibility and authority for OA world services reside in the  collective conscience of our whole Fellowship. 

Mid-Continent Intergroup Bylaws – Amended January 13, 2026  Page 2 of 12 

  1. 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.  
  2. The right of decision, based on trust, makes effective leadership possible.  
  3. The right of participation ensures equality of opportunity for all in the decision making process.  
  4. Individuals have the right of appeal and petition in order to ensure that their opinions  and personal grievances will be carefully considered.  
  5. The World Service Business Conference has entrusted the Board of Trustees with the  primary responsibility for the administration of Overeaters Anonymous.  
  6. 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.  
  7. The Board of Trustees has delegated to its Executive Committee the responsibility to  administer the OA World Service Office.  
  8. Able, trusted servants, together with sound and appropriate methods of choosing  them, are indispensable for effective functioning at all service levels.  
  9. Service responsibility is balanced by carefully defined service authority; therefore,  duplication of efforts is avoided.  
  10. Trustee administration of the World Service Office should always be assisted by the  best standing committees, executives, staffs and consultants.  
  11. The spiritual foundation for OA service ensures that:  
  12. a) no OA committee or service body shall ever become the seat of perilous  wealth or power;  
  13. b) sufficient operating funds, plus an ample reserve, shall be OA’s prudent  financial principle;  
  14. c) no OA member shall ever be placed in a position of unqualified authority;  
  15. d) all important decisions shall be reached by discussion, vote and whenever  possible, by substantial unanimity;  
  16. e) no service action shall ever be personally punitive or an incitement to public  controversy; and  
  17. 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. 

Mid-Continent Intergroup Bylaws – Amended January 13, 2026  Page 3 of 12 

Article III – Members  

Section 1 – Membership of the Intergroup shall consist of the following:  A. The Intergroup Board.  

  1. Intergroup Representatives, which shall consist of up to two voting Representatives from  each group.  
  2. 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  

  1. Those groups within 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. 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).  
  3. 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.  
  4. Each group shall be entitled to vote through its elected Intergroup Representatives.  C. No group may be registered with more than one Intergroup.  

Section 3 – Intergroup Representatives  

  1. 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. 

Mid-Continent Intergroup Bylaws – Amended January 13, 2026  Page 4 of 12 

  1. 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  

  1. Working the Twelve Steps of the OA recovery program.  
  1. Familiarity with the Twelve Traditions.  
  2. Regular attendance of an active group for a period of one (1) year.  
  3. 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  

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

Mid-Continent Intergroup Bylaws – Amended January 13, 2026  Page 5 of 12 

  1. To be eligible for election to the Board, a nominee must:  
  2. Meet all the qualifications as defined in Article IV, Section 3 (Qualifications for  the Intergroup Board).  
  3. Understand the responsibilities of the position as defined in Article IV, Section 6  (Responsibilities of the Intergroup Board).  
  4. 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  

  1. 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).  
  1. Board members shall serve no more than two (2) consecutive terms in the same position.    
  2. After an interval of one (1) year they may be eligible to be elected to their previous  position.  
  1. Upon election to the Board, members shall cease to be a rep of their group, and that group  may elect a new Intergroup Representative.  
  1. 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  

  1. Chair:  
  2. Shall preside at all regular and special meetings of this Intergroup.  
  3. 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. Shall be a signer of all bank accounts.  
  6. See Service Manual for additional guidelines.  
  7. Vice Chair:  
  8. Shall serve in the absence of the Chair.  
  9. Shall assist the Chair whenever needed.  
  10. May attend all standing committee meetings. 

Mid-Continent Intergroup Bylaws – Amended January 13, 2026  Page 6 of 12 

  1. Shall be the missionary liaison between the Intergroup and all OA groups within  the Intergroup.  
  2. Oversees special events and serves as special events treasurer.  
  3. Shall be a signer of the special event bank account.  
  4. Shall submit a written report of contributions and expenditures following a special  event.  
  5. See Service Manual for additional guidelines.  
  6. Secretary:  
  7. In the absence of both the Chair and Vice Chair, the Secretary shall call the  meeting to order and then hold an election of a Chair Pro-tem for that single  meeting. (this can be done for multiple meetings if necessary.)  
  8. Shall see that minutes are kept of all Intergroup meetings.  
  9. Shall post board approved minutes of each meeting to the website where they will  be kept for a minimum of 10 years.  
  10. See Service Manual for additional guidelines.  
  11. Treasurer:  
  12. Shall maintain a checking and savings account, if necessary, for dispersal of  Intergroup funds.  
  13. Shall be one of the signers of the checking and savings bank accounts.  3. Shall submit a report of contributions and expenditures at monthly Intergroup  business meetings.  
  14. See Service Manual for additional guidelines.  
  15. Parliamentarian:  
  16. 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.  
  17. See Service Manual for additional guidelines.  
  18. Literature Chair:  
  19. 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.  
  20. See Service Manual for additional guidelines.  
  21. Public Outreach Chair:  
  22. Shall oversee public and professional outreach activities.  
  23. See Service Manual for additional guidelines. 

Mid-Continent Intergroup Bylaws – Amended January 13, 2026  Page 7 of 12 

  1. Intergroup Communications Chair:  
  2. Shall oversee the monthly newsletter and any other services under the  Communications Chair.  
  3. See Service Manual for additional guidelines.  
  4. World Service Business Conference (WSBC) Delegate(s):  
  5. Shall attend the WSBC of OA, finances permitting.  
  6. In all areas, the WSBC Delegate shall meet qualifications and requirements as  outlined and defined in the OA, Inc. Bylaws Subpart B.  
  7. Shall have one (1) year of current abstinence and two (2) years of service beyond  the group level.  
  8. Shall serve OA and the WSBC until the following conference.  
  9. 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.  
  10. May attend all standing committee meetings. 8. See Service Manual for  additional guidelines.  
  11. Region Representative(s):  
  12. Shall attend all region assembly meetings, finances permitting.  
  13. In all areas the Region Representative shall meet all qualifications and  requirements as outlined in the Region Bylaws.  
  14. Shall have one (1) year of current abstinence and one (1) year of service beyond  the group level as required by the Region Bylaws.  
  15. 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.  
  16. Shall report region assembly business to the Intergroup and any subsequent  Region information.  
  17. May attend all standing committee meetings. 8. See Service Manual for  additional guidelines.  

Section 7 – Vacancies and Resignations  

  1. 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.  
  1. Any board member may resign at any time for any reason by giving the Chair of this  Intergroup written notice. 

Mid-Continent Intergroup Bylaws – Amended January 13, 2026  Page 8 of 12 

  1. 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.  
  2. 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).  
  3. 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 day, 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  

  1. Notices shall be distributed to each group contact and/or Intergroup Representative(s) ten  (10) days prior to the date of the meeting.  
  2. See Service Manual for Additional Guidelines.  

Section 5—Quorum   

  1. A simple majority (>50%) of filled Intergroup Board officers present at any Intergroup  meeting shall constitute a quorum.  
  2. If quorum is not met, an Intergroup meeting can take place, but no motions can be  presented nor votes taken. 

Mid-Continent Intergroup Bylaws – Amended January 13, 2026  Page 9 of 12 

Article VI—Ad Hoc Committees  

Section 1— Ad Hoc Committee Appointments  

  1. The Chair shall appoint such ad hoc committees as deemed necessary.  B. See Service Manual for additional guidelines.  

Section 2—Ad Hoc Committee Procedure and Responsibilities  

  1. Each ad hoc 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.  
  2. Each ad hoc 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.  
  3. Past Ad Hoc Committee Chairs may serve in an ex-officio capacity in their respective  committees.  
  4. Should a vacancy, resignation or removal of a Committee Chair occur in any ad hoc  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—Ad Hoc Committee Bank Account  

  1. If it is deemed necessary by the Board that an ad hoc committee shall open a bank  account, the Committee Chair and the Intergroup Chair and/or designee shall be signers  on the account.  
  2. See Service Manual for additional guidelines.  

Article VII—Source of Funds  

Section 1—Source of Funds    

  1. Voluntary contributions of the member groups shall be the primary source of funds.    
  2. Secondary source of income may be such occasional projects or activities as may be  authorized by the Intergroup according to Tradition Six.  

Mid-Continent Intergroup Bylaws – Amended January 13, 2026  Page 10 of 12 

  1. The Intergroup may only accept donations from OA members, conforming with the  general practice of OA. 
  1. The maximum allowable annual donation to the Intergroup by OA members is to be  limited to five thousand dollars ($5,000).  
  1. The acceptance of bequests or donations from outside sources is prohibited.    
  2. 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 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, Twelve Traditions, or Twelve  concepts except as per OA, Inc. Bylaws, Subpart B. 

Mid-Continent Intergroup Bylaws – Amended January 13, 2026  Page 11 of 12 

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  

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.

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