Greater Erie, PA Area Intergroup of Overeaters Anonymous

The Recovery Page - Newsletter of the GEAIG
Fall 1996

Mtg at Cambridge Spgs Prison | History of Girard OA Group | Press Release Faxes
Speakers Needed | Region 7 Speaks | Power Tool
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NEW OA BOOK PUBLISHED
Beyond Our Wildest Dreams

The First Edition copy of Beyond Our Wildest Dreams is now available. "Walk the path taken by the earliest OA members. Experience their triumphs and troubles, their struggles and sharing, their courage and commitment."

The price is $10.99 plus a minimum $1.50 for shipping and handling. See the last page for an order form.

SERVING THOSE STILL SUFFERING

A few months ago our Intergroup received a request from the Cambridge Springs Correctional Institution that we initiate and support an OA meetings for the inmates of that facility.

Thanks largely to the efforts of Addie M., plans are well underway to begin this meeting. Several members of our fellowship will travel in pairs to Cambridge Springs on Saturday mornings to lead this new meeting.

If you are interested in helping with this effort, please call Addie M at (814) 833-2782.

GIRARD OA,
Who We Are and How We Got Here

After meeting for 10 1/2 years on Monday nights at Girard Methodist Church, we decided to move to Christian Missionary Alliance Church in Girard. This was necessary because we were told we had to move our meeting nights to Wednesday. During our housecleaning, we decided to discard 10 years of written minutes and replace them with a condensed history of our OA group. Because I’ve been a regular member from the first meeting, I inserted my own recollections where information was sketchy. Marie G., July 1996

1985—Our first Girard Monday Night OA meeting was held July 15, 1985. Many people were at the first meeting (no official count) but this writer remembers about 30 people. The next week’s meeting was about 2/3 smaller (probably because we saw acquaintances and neighbors there!). Speakers had to be abstinent for two months in 1985, by whose rules we don’t know. We had no pre-printed secretary’s minutes pages; we wrote the minutes out fully. Some were quite short. A new OA meeting started in Conneaut in September 1985. Dave L. (Ohio) gave us his lead September 30, and Joy (Ashtabula) gave hers November 4. An Edinboro OA meeting started in November. On December 2, there was a blizzard on our meeting night. The only member attending wrote that she felt very virtuous, read the Big Book, talked to Rev. Rudy and said a prayer for all those sane members who stayed home. From very little data, the average number of members per meeting was almost 15 in 1985.

1986—In 1986, we gained new members practically every week, but since some people dropped out, membership remained stable. An OA meeting started in Meadville early in the year. An OA Unity Day was held in Erie on February 15. Since there were many discussions on the meaning of anonymity, it seems as though members’ anonymity was being compromised. Dave L. (Ohio) gave a lead in March. We belonged to the Butler Intergroup and they held a retreat in Grove City. One of our members attended and gave a report. There was an all-day picnic at Conneaut Lake Park. The day included an Alateen panel, an Al-Anon speaker and an AA lead. Bonnie (Ashtabula) gave us a lead in June and Jane gave a lead shortly thereafter. We celebrated our first anniversary in July. There was a Big Book weekend in Greensburg in October and one of our members attended and gave a report. The Conneaut OA group folded toward the end of the year and gave us all their literature. We had an average of 11 people per meeting in 1986.

1987—A new OA meeting opened in Andover, Ohio in March. In July, Dave L. (Ohio) gave his lead, there was a Butler Day of Sharing and we observed our second anniversary. We ran a newspaper ad in the personal column for new members. The OA picnic was held in Erie in August. One of our members who attended the WSO convention in Boston shared her thoughts and feelings on the experience. There was a Fall retreat in Butler on October 24. Due to the noise coming from the Fellowship Hall, we moved our meetings from the kitchen to an upstairs room in the church. The Edinboro meeting folded. A new meeting started in Crossingville in November. A Christmas party for our group was held in a member’s home in Lake City. A good time was had by all. We decided to join the fledgling Erie Intergroup. We had an average of 9-1/2 people per meeting in 1987.

1988—We donated the Lifeline magazine to Wilcox Library. Marie (Girard) gave her lead in February. There was a Mini-Marathon "Walking the Walk" in Erie in March. The third anniversary for the Girard OA group was recognized in July. A picnic was held for all Erie area members at the Shriners in August. Diane gave us her lead in May and Ralph made a trip from Cleveland to give us his lead in November. There was an OA Christmas party at Ricardo’s in Erie. Our own Christmas party was held at a member’s home in Fairview. We had an average of 8-1/3 members per meeting in 1988.

1989—The Crossingville OA group folded at the beginning of the year and they donated their literature to us. We planned a Day of Sharing for March 11. It was a great success, with people from Cleveland leading. We donated a Brown Book to both the Wilcox and Lake City libraries. We had some good leads in April and May. Ronnie (Girard), Sue (Girard), Anna Marie (Ashtabula) and Dick (Erie) shared their recovery stories with us. We started giving a free program book once a month in a drawing to a member present at the meeting. Our group was four years old in July. Cindy (Girard), Ronnie (Girard) and Mary (Erie) gave us their leads in the summer. A Day of Thanksgiving was held in Ashtabula before Thanksgiving Day on November 11. Some of our members went and shared their inspirations. Loretta and Ruth gave us their leads in December. On Christmas Day, Marlene was the only person at the meeting. The minutes say that H. P. read the readings. She read from Lifeline and prayed for us. We had an average of 13 members per meeting in 1989.

1990—Unity Day was held in Erie on February 17. Annette (Meadville) gave us her lead in February. There were 25 members present at this lead and due to this large number, we had to move into the Fellowship Hall. Mary (Erie) gave us her lead in March. She was so grateful for her recovery that she brought each of us a fresh flower. We hosted a Day of Sharing on June 9, with speakers from Cleveland providing wonderful leads as the centerpiece of the day. We celebrated our fifth anniversary in July. The WSO Convention was held in August. Also in August, there was an OA picnic and a very successful Intergroup garage sale. An Erie Intergroup Day of Sharing was held at Washington Center on October 27. An OA Christmas party was celebrated at the Mannechor Club. We had an average of over 10 members per meeting in 1990.

1991—An OA Unity Day was held in Erie on February 16. The long awaited 12 Steps of Overeaters Anonymous Book became available for sale in February. Our very successful Day of Sharing was held March 16 with six Cleveland speakers graciously giving us their recovery stories. Our OA group was started six years ago in July. A new OA meeting was started in Edinboro. An OA Intergroup picnic was celebrated on Presque Isle in August. There was an Intergroup Day of sharing at Washington Center in Erie on November 9. The OA Christmas party was held at the Hearth Restaurant in December. We had an average of 8 members per meeting in 1991.

1992—An OA Unity Day was held in Erie on February 15. A Region 7 Marathon was held at Holiday Inn South in Erie on March 28. Some of us attended and heard the leads of people in good recovery, which were constantly presented all day long. This writer was greatly motivated by these stories. We shared our notes with our home group. We held our local Day of Sharing on May 2 with the very generous people from Cleveland again providing fine leads. We provided all the money needed for this day. The WSO Convention was held on July 12 and we acknowledged our seventh anniversary. The Erie Intergroup Picnic was held August 16. A Fall Marathon was sponsored by the Intergroup on October 24. The Christmas party was held at Little Bit of Country on December 16. We had an average of almost 9 members in 1992.

1993—An OA Day of Unity was held at Mount St. Benedict on February 20. On April 17, we held our annual Day of Sharing at the Methodist Fellowship Hall with speakers from Cleveland providing the leads. Again we provided all the funds for this Day. The Erie Intergroup held a Marathon on May 22. The area picnic was held August 8 in North East. The Region 7 Newsletter was canceled, as well as the OA 800# for lack of funds. We were eight years old in July. A Day of Sharing was held at Washington Center on September 25. There was a Fall retreat held at Camp Judson in North Springfield in October. Its title was "Serenity Through the Holidays." WSO raised its prices on literature. We decided by group conscience vote to discontinue giving a free program book each month. We decided the money could go to support the Intergroup or WSO instead. The Intergroup Christmas party was held at the Carriage House Restaurant on December 15. We had an average of 8-1/2 members in 1993.

1994—WSO moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico from Torrance, California in order to save money. WSO was having financial problems and we were urged to give more donations. A Marathon was held at Washington Center by the Intergroup on May 14. Some of our members were able to attend and brought their notes back to our group. Our ninth anniversary was observed in July. The Erie OA picnic was held on August 23. A Summer Serenity Day was given by the Meadville group in August. Our new program book called Abstinence became available for purchase. Our annual Day of Sharing in Girard was held in the Fellowship Hall on October 22. Speakers from Cleveland provided the leads. It was a wonderful sharing day. A Christmas party was held at Ricardo’s Restaurant in December. We had an average of almost 7 members in 1994.

1995—An OA Marathon was held at Elmwood Presbyterian Church in Erie on May 20. The speakers were from State College. Our group was ten years old in July. The WSO Convention was held in Minneapolis. A three-day retreat at Camp Judson was held on September 15, 16 and 17. We depleted our library of non-program literature by selling it at nominal cost to members. We decided not to have our annual Day of Sharing this year. We celebrated our tenth anniversary with a tureen dinner at one of our member’s homes in September. An International Day for Experiencing Abstinence was held in Erie in November. There was a Christmas party at Ricardo’s Restaurant in December. We had an average of almost 5 members in 1995.

PLEASE SUBMIT AN ARTICLE!

Your OA fellowship needs your articles, articles that share information about the workings of this wonderful program. All original writings from OA members are welcomed by the Newletter Editor. Articles based on your experience, strength and hope can help to enrich the recovery of others along with your own recovery.

Send the articles to:

E-mail: Vi A.

Vivian Adkins
5960 Pinecrest Dr.,
Erie, PA 16509

(814) 866-0574

NO RESPONSE YET

As I wrote in the previous Recovery Page issue, press releases are faxed to many local newspapers, radio and TV stations in our area every week or so.

The content of these faxed press releases needs to be broadened. I need help in generating new ideas for these short articles. Please ask your OA group to discuss what characteristics of your meeting make it interesting and unique. For example, the Friday night OA meeting might want to highlight the fact that free baby-sitting is offered at the meeting,. The Thursday night meeting could write an article describing their meeting format (lead meeting) and how sharing our stories helps others (and our-selves) to recover from this illness.

These are just a few examples of ways to increase public awareness about OA through faxed press releases. I am asking all of the OA groups to write a short article (one or two paragraphs is fine) that I can fax to the local media. Please call me at:

E-mail: Vi A.

Vi A. (814) 866-0574

SUBSCRIBE TO LIFELINE

Lifeline features articles of OA member’s success. Lifeline is published monthly.

Call (505) 891-2664 to subscribe.

WANTED:
RECOVERING SPEAKERS!

Our OA fellowship is developing a Speakers List. What’s a Speakers List you ask? Well, it’s a list of qualified recovering members of our fellowship who would like to speak before local groups, on the radio, at other OA meetings/marathons outside of our area, etc. This is another terrific way to be of service and to enhance your own recovery.

If you want to be listed on the Speakers List please call: Addie M. (814) 833-2782

POWER TOOL

When fear, doubts, confusion, and difficult problems block my path to serenity, when my tools just aren’t enough, I turn to my Power Tool–PRAYER.

As I get closer to my Higher Power, I can cut down the barriers that are blocking my path and let go and let God.

Jean

REGION 7 SPEAKS TO OA MEMBERS

July 17, 1996

Region 7 Intergroups

Hi!

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer, abstinately, of course.

I was re-elected at the WSBC in May and am happy to serve you as Trustee for another three years. I am available by phone (609-424-3339) or by mail to answer any question or try to solve any problems that you might be having at Intergroup or Group level. Funds are limited but I am available on a first come, first serve basis to do Service and Tradition workshops. If I am not available, or if the Region 7 Board is geographically closer, one of them can do the service.

I received a call from a member in Maryland this past week. She asked me about a rumor which she had heard that OA, Inc. was being sued by someone who had followed a food plan that she had received at an OA meeting. I called our Director, Jorge Sever, and was told that we are not (and never have been) being sued by anyone. I pass this information on to you because I know how rumors can spread and I want you to know just in case it gets to you.

The Southern California HOW Intergroup has been dropped by WSO since they did not consent to conform to the requests made by the Board of Trustees regarding the tradition breaks. This was effective as of July 1, 1996. A new HOW Intergroup was formed by members who wish to comply and several groups have re-registered.

One of the main issues on the WSO strategic plan is Unity. If you are having problems in your group or Intergroup with various ways of working the OA program, please contact me. I will try to help with any difficulties you might be having. I know that members work the program differently but I have seen first hand that with love and understanding we can all grow, learn and be in recovery. One of the key reasons 12 Step programs are so successful is that we practice "principles" before "personalities." I have learned through my many years of giving service that we can disagree (sometimes vehemently!) and still respect each other’s opinion. Many times at group, intergroup, region and the Board of Trustees level I have seen heated discussions on opposite sides of an issue and after group conscience prevails the participants hug and walk arm in arm out of the rooms. Our Higher Power and our program tell us that it’s OK to disagree. We need to be accepting of each other’s program and know that what works for one may not necessarily work for another. "Acceptance" is the key to all our living problems today.

I would also like to thank the region, intergroups and groups that have been so generous with their donations to WSO at their time of dire need for contributions. It seems that many service bodies have an excess of funds for which they have no immediate need and have been listening to our plea for help. Funds are still way below what they should be. Literature sales continue to be very low, so please be as generous as you can. OA needs to remain self-support-ing through our own contributions.

Thanks again!

Region 7 is sponsoring a raffle as our major fund-raiser this year. Since we don’t meet again until October 1, I would like to take this opportunity to let you all know that the tickets are available. You can obtain them from me or the treasurer (Elaine Gaynor 609-983-6847) to sell in your area. The prize is a room for three nights at the Marriot Marquis in New York City - July 3, 4 and 5, 1997. The hotel is in the heart of Manhattan and the fireworks on the 4th will be spectacular! This is during the World Service Convention and is a great prize. It is up to us to sell these tickets.

I am proud to be a part of Re-gion 7 and happy to serve.

Love in service,

Carol Parent,
Region 7 Trustee
46 Bridle Court
Cherry Hill NJ 08003-5154

OA INFORMATION

Subscription Information:

For a year’s subscription to the Recovery Page (published quarterly), please send $1.50 to P. O. Box 28, Erie, PA 16512.

The opinions expressed herein are not to be attributed to the Greater Erie Intergroup or to OA as a whole, nor does publication of any article imply endorsement. The editor welcomes contributions and reserves the right to edit all articles with the intent of preserving the 12 Steps & 12 Traditions.

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