Recovery
Brandywine Intergroup
July-August 2018 Newsletter

The Recovery newsletter is bi-monthly.
The Blast sends out a monthly report and any time-sensitive alerts.

The Steps, Traditions, and Concepts of OA

Step Seven: Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
The principle behind Step 7 is Humility.

Tradition Seven: Every OA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions. Principle: Responsibility

Concept Seven: 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. Principle: Balance

***

Step Eight: Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. The principle behind Step 8 is Self-Discipline.

Tradition Eight: Overeaters Anonymous should remain forever non-professional, but our service centers may employ special workers. Principle: Fellowship

Concept Eight: The Board of Trustees has delegated to its Executive Committee the responsibility to administer the OA World Service Office. Principle: Delegation

Brandywine Intergroup Website: www.brandywineintergroup.org

For submissions to Recovery, send by the 20th of the month prior if possible: brandywineintergroup@gmail.com
Please share your news, experience, strength, and hope.

From the Editor

This newsletter is for you, the members of our local BIG meetings, and you make it yours by sending in your own stories, thoughts, prayers, poems, favored readings that express your experience, strength, and hope. You may include your first name and last name initial, or leave anonymous.

Send to BrandywineIntergroup@gmail.com and I will get them in as soon as possible.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sponsorship Day
August 18, 8:30am-1:00pm
Christ Memorial Lutheran Church

89 Line Rd, Malvern, PA 19355
3 Speakers & a Skit
(more details to come)

I.D.E.A DAY
NOVEMBER 17
Overbrook Presbyterian Church
(more details to come)

Region 7 Convention, Nov. 2-4 (see below)

Chair's Corner

Congratulations to our new slate of officers! Thank you for your service.

A special note of thanks to Mary Frances for her excellent leadership as intergroup president.

Ex Officio: Mary Frances

Co-Chairs: Cathe S and Marilyn

Vice-Chair: Louisa

Treasurer: Laura W

Corresponding Secretary: Linda R

Recording Secretary: Irene

May Minutes
June Summary

Note change in BIG monthly meeting to the 2nd Saturday of each month.

Brandywine Intergroup Meeting – 2nd Saturday,10am-11:30am
Paoli Hospital Board Room
255 West Lancaster Avenue Board Room 206
Paoli, PA 19301
A speaker meeting follows the intergroup meeting from 11:45 am to 1:00 pm. All are welcome! (Bring a brown bag lunch.)

Do you or does your meeting have a voice? If no one from your group attends Intergroup meetings, you have no OA voice outside of your group. All are welcome to attend to check it out. Please consider being a representative for your group if no one is currently in that role.

Thank You!

The Board would like to thank the following meetings which made financial contributions in the past few months:

Monday - Overbrook
Wednesday - Devon
Sunday - West Chester
Saturday Downingtown

Note on donations: Donations are down at both our local intergroup and the national levels.
Automatic Recurring Contribution (ARC) is available for our World Service Office here.

Please give to keep our Fellowship thriving.

(https://www.oa.org/files/pdf/seventhtradition.pdf)

Important Meeting Notices

NOTE: THE BRANDYWINE INTERGROUP MONTHLY MEETING WILL NOW BE ON THE 2ND SATURDAY OF THE MONTH, SAME TIME AND LOCATION.

A Vision for You meeting on Sundays!

A Vision for You, Big Book meeting.
Sunday at 6:30, Grove Methodist Church in West Chester. Group Contact: Louisa ‭215-796-4323‬

New rubber stamps have been ordered for putting on our BIG information for Public Information/Public Outreach (PI/PO) and will include the website address.

Service is Slimming!

Want to give service? Consider leading the PI/PO Committee to get the word out to health fairs, college info days, and any place within our area where we might have a table.

Speaker's Bureau

Speakers sharing their experience, strength, and hope are a great benefit to members. If you would like to obtain a speaker for your regular OA meeting, please contact Carolyn M. Carolyn can be reached at 267-255-2639(call or text) or carolynmcgill@comcast.net.

I read Step Seven many times but missed this part: my shortcomings will be transformed into assets.

Overeaters Anonymous. Voices of Recovery

The turning point came at age 27 when my sister Twelve Stepped me into OA. I had witnessed her life of hopeless eating. Within days of starting in OA, she had a sponsor and a plan of eating. I watched her change before my eyes into a loving person who had life between meals. She went to OA meetings, helped newcomers, and was always talking on the phone. Her weight melted away, and a kind, productive individual emerged. For the first time I had hope.

(Overeaters Anonymous, Third Edition)

For me the essential element in
Step Eight is forgiveness. Until I learned how to forgive I could not even see where I was at fault.
OA Voices of Recovery

Tools of the OA:

Plan of eating, Sponsorship, Meetings, Telephone, Writing, Literature, Action Plan, Anonymity, Service

Men's Group Tele-Meeting

Men in OA will want to get acquainted with this special men's Tuesday evening telephone meeting.

https://files.acrobat.com/a/preview/b0e3232c-7316-4bf9-8e25-5b081f6d3d55

Take time to relax. You need it. You deserve it.

🦉🦉🦉 🦉 🦉

Members sharing Experience, Strength, and Hope

Attitude matters.

I have to wake up early for a meeting. I have to get to the gym today. I have to call my mother. I have to get dinner ready. I have to clean the garage. I have to get to Pat's game.
Now, imagine changing just this one word in the sentences above:

You don’t “have” to. You “get” to. (Anon)

I lied to my sponsor for a couple of months about the binges I was having, but the day I owned up to my behavior was the very day I got abstinent. (Overeaters Anonymous, Third Edition)

When I read this I knew that I could have said the same thing. I thought I had done Step One, but I had lied to myself about that, too. It took me a while to finally accept that I had been lying for a long time about nearly everything related to my weight, my food, my relationships. Not until I started being truthful with myself and God was I going to get recovery and finally be at peace with myself. (anon)

The Consent Prayer, also called the 3rd Step Prayer

God, I offer myself to You, to build with me and to do with me as You wish. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Your will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Your Power, Your Love, and Your Way of Life. May I do Your will always!

**Conduct a Group Inventory**
A Great Way to Strengthen Your Group

Do I make a point to welcome new members, talk with them, offer my phone number? Do I sponsor new members?
Do I interrupt speakers or other members who are sharing?
Do I give my full attention to the speakers, the secretary and other group members?
Do I ever repeat anything personal I have heard at meetings or from another member?
Do I put pressure on the group to accept my ideas because I have been in the Fellowship a long time?
Do I take part in meetings, or do I sit and listen?
Do I volunteer or willingly accept a group office (i.e., secretary, treasurer)? Do I offer to help set up, clean, etc.?
Do I criticize others in the group or gossip about them?
Do I try to give advice?
Is it difficult for me to realize that my point of view may not always be the group conscience?
Do I use the telephone to help myself and others, not just for complaints and gossip?
Do I make it a point to speak with newcomers who are having a difficult time in the program?
Do I monopolize the conversation and explain every tool, Tradition, etc.?
Do I feel no one can lead a meeting as well as I?
Do I go to meetings to learn instead of teach?
Do I cross-talk and cause meetings to go off on tangents?
Do I wait until announcement time to make proper OA announcements?
Do I have a topic so everyone can participate at meetings I chair?
Do I try to cause dissension?
Do I follow the meeting format completely?
Do I commit myself to the OA program?
Do I have a sponsor and work the Steps?
Do I give service to promote group growth and benefit my own growth as well?
Am I only interested in my own welfare, or am I concerned for my fellow OA members as well?

Speaker's Bureau

Don't forget - if you would like to obtain a speaker for your regular OA meeting (or for an OA event), please contact Carolyn M. to give her the day and time that you need someone. She will give you name(s) of individuals that are available and YOU call to make the arrangements. I hope that people are taking advantage of this important service. Carolyn can be reached at 267-255-2639 (call or text) or carolynmcgill@comcast.net.

Hi all, it's Maria G from Washington, DC. I am the Speaker Getter for November's Convention in Ocean City Maryland.

If you would like to speak at the convention, or know someone that wants to speak, please let me know. Abstinence requirement is six months.

Several of you already signed up at the past Fall Region Assembly, if you can please email, mtg7176@gmail.com call, or text me 201-314-1350 and let me know who signed up that would be fantastic!!! There were some technical difficulties with the original sign-up sheet.

Thanks so much, and please get the word out that we need speakers!

Flyer here.

The new “Amazing Recovery: Passport to Unity” Workshop is now posted on online and is available for free download.

Find it online at What’s New (oa.org/whats-new), at oa.org/documents; “Workshops and Skits,” or under Groups/Service Bodies on the Workshop Formats page under Resources. There are six files to download

Use this “Amazing Recovery: Passport to Unity” Workshop, created by the Region Chairs Committee for the 2017 WSBC Forum, to promote unity in your OA community. Inspired by OA’s 2017 Strategic Plan goal to Grow Unity Worldwide, this interactive workshop asks participants to hear and share about each other’s approaches to the OA program and to “identify the joy of recovery that unites us.” The presentation includes the “Amazing Recovery: Passport to Unity Workshop,” a slide presentation, a “passport” to guide participants through the experience (available as a Word document and PDF), and passport “stickers.”

The revised and redesigned New Prospect Card is now available in the OA bookstore.

Here is the direct link: http://bookstore.oa.org/pc_product_detail.asp?key=0B62ED3971ED4216B1DE486D99729F58

Use the New Prospect Card to Invite Potential Members to OA!
Reach out with OA’s redesigned New Prospect Card. The business-size card has OA’s web address, includes space for local meeting information, and carries the message: “OA. It Works!” Look for the New Prospect Card (#450K), available in packs of 30, in the OA bookstore.

Please share the news of this resource with members, groups, and service bodies.
Please share or reprint this announcement in your group and service body newsletters. Thank you.

Thank you,
DeDe DeMoss
Publications Manager
Overeaters Anonymous, Inc.
PO Box 44020
Rio Rancho, NM 87174-4020
Tel: (505) 891-2664 • Fax: (505) 891-4320
www.oa.org

http://www.oalifeline.org
Consider subscribing to Lifeline.
Many wonderful stories sharing experience, strength, and hope.

Free!

The new Twelve Step Within: Fun and Fellowship resource is now posted online and is available for free download.

Find it online at What’s New (oa.org/whats-new), at oa.org/documents, “Twelfth Step Within”; or on the Twelfth Step Within page in the Groups/ServiceBodies section on oa.org, under Resources,.

Here is the direct link: https://oa.org/files/pdf/Fun-and-Fellowship.pdf

New! Twelve Step Within: Fun and Fellowship
What does it mean to live happy, joyous, and free? Enhance your recovery and encourage membership retention by using this Fun and Fellowship download, created by the Twelve Step Within Committee.

2018 Phone Marathons

On many holidays during the year, The World Service Office of OA conducts phone marathons for those who need help during these times. The marathons run from 8:00 am - midnight eastern time.
Dial-in information here:

https://files.acrobat.com/a/preview/11390c72-e5d2-488c-a77b-7c58dbcfd225

A New Beginning: Stories of Recovery from Relapse is now available as a paperback book again. To order, go to Amazon.com, search “Overeaters Anonymous,” select A New Beginning, and click the “Paperback $9.99” button.

A single paperback edition of the book will be printed for your order and delivered to your address. There is a royalty share for all print-on-demand purchases from this online retailer.

To order, here is the link

BRAND NEW EDITION!

The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous, Second Edition

Please note: On March 17th, at the regular monthly meeting of the Brandywine InterGroup announced the new version of OA's "12 Steps & 12 Traditions" book is now available, The BIG purchased one copy for each of our meetings. The list price of the book is $15.00; but, if we purchase them in bulk the reduced cost is $13.50. If anyone or any group would like additional copies, please contact Literature Chair, Irene at irene.cabrelli@gmail.com or by phone at 610-639-5127.

"A Step Ahead"

Latest World Service Newsletter here
Recent newsletters here .

Looking for a way to do service and help your program??

Go to a Small but Strong meeting!!

Monday:
King of Prussia 7:00am
King of Prussia Church of Christ
590 W. Valley Forge Rd.

Monday:
Radnor 10:00am
Bolingbroke Mansion
424 King of Prussia Rd.

Friday:
North Coventry 7:00pm
Coventry Church of the Brethren
946 Keen Rd.

***See Meeting List for more information***

World Service Business Conference

New Public Information Poster

OA’s new Public Information Poster—the winner of OA’s first PI Poster Contest—is now available at bookstore.oa.org.
Packaged in sets of twenty, the professionally printed poster has easy-tear, perforated tabs, guiding newcomers to OA’s Fifteen Questions via oaquiz.org. There is also space to add your meeting’s location and contact details. Increase awareness of OA and attract newcomers to your meeting. Order posters for your intergroup or service board today.
Interested in translating and using the poster for outreach in your area? Contact the WSO at info@oa.org with subject “translate poster.”

June newsletter h ere .

Conference Wrap-up Report: https://oa.org/files/pdf/Wrap-Up-Report-18.pdf

Philadelphia Intergroup Newsletter Awake

OA Preamble

Overeaters Anonymous is a Fellowship of individuals who, through shared experience, strength, and hope, are recovering from compulsive overeating.
We welcome everyone who wants to stop eating compulsively. There are no dues or fees for members; we are self-supporting through our own contributions, neither soliciting nor accepting outside donations. OA is not affiliated with any public or private organization, political movement, ideology, or religious doctrine; we take no position on outside issues.
Our primary purpose is to abstain from compulsive eating and compulsive food behaviors and to carry the message of recovery through the Twelve Steps of OA to those who still suffer.

Service

Any form of service — no matter how small — that helps reach a fellow sufferer adds to the quality of our own recovery. The Tools of Recovery

This is the Recovery newsletter of the Brandywine Intergroup (BIG) of Overeaters Anonymous. Use of any content specific to BIG is prohibited without permission.

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Brandywine Intergroup of Overeaters Anonymous · PO Box 605 · Bryn Mawr, PA 19010-0605 · USA

Recovery Brandywine Intergroup July-August 2018 Newsletter