Article I. Name

Article II. Section 1. Purpose

Section 2. The Twelve Steps

1. We admitted we were powerless over food — that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. Humbly asked him to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
11. Sought though prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood him praying only for the knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. 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

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 expect 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 nonprofessional 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 lever of press, radio, films, television, and other public media or communication.
12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all these traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.

Section 4. The Twelve Concepts

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

Article III. Members

Section 1. Membership

1. The Intergroup Board
2. Intergroup Representatives (IRs) which shall consist of one (1) member for each member group.
3. Committee Chairs (Note: A Committee Chair, like every other IG member will have only one vote even if also serving as an IR.)

Section 2. Group Qualification

1. Those groups that have formally registered with the World Service (WS) Office and indicated their desire to belong to Intergroup may be considered members.
2. Each group shall be entitled to one (1) vote through its chosen IR.
3. No group may be registered with another Intergroup.
4. A group shall meet the definition of a group as given in OA, Inc. Bylaws, Subpart B, Article V, Section 1 as written and as it may be amended by a future World Service Business Conference.

Section 3. Intergroup Representatives

1. Each Intergroup Representative(IR) shall be selected by the group conscience of the group represented. Each IR shall be selected by any method deemed appropriate by the group represented. The IR shall serve for a period designated by the group represented, always subject to recall by the group represented. Each group shall be free to designate an alternate delegate when the necessity arises.
2. IRs should be selected on the basis of abstinence, attendance, length of time in program and desire and willingness to serve.
3. The primary responsibilities of the IR or alternate are to represent an OA group at all meetings of the Intergroup, to act as a liaison between this Intergroup and the represented group, to see that all communications pertaining to the Intergroup are made available and, where request, to read aloud to the group.
4. An IR may not represent, or vote on behalf of more than one group however, an individual intergroup member may communicate the results of a group conscience to the Intergroup meeting and carry information to a group not represented by the individual if no IR is present.
5. Each group shall be entitled to one(1) vote through its chosen IR.

Section 4. Membership with voice and no vote

1. Any employee
2. Any member of the fellowship who is not a board member, an Intergroup Representative, alternate, or committee chairperson.
3. Individuals requested to speak by the chair.

Article IV. Intergroup Board and Other Elected Positions

Section 1. Intergroup Board

Section 2. Nominations to the Intergroup Board and Other Elected Positions

Section 3. Qualifications for the Intergroup Board.

1. Working the Twelve Steps of the OA recovery program for at least one (1) year.
2. Studying the OA Twelve Traditions.
3. Familiarity with the Twelve Concepts of Service of OA.
4. Abstinence Requirements (periods of abstinence are current and continuous):
   • Chair — one (1) year
   • Vice Chair — one (1) year
   • Secretary — six (6) months
   • Treasurer — one (1) year
   • WS Conference Delegate — two (2) years
   • Regional Representative — one (1) year
   • Membership in OA for a period of one (1) year, regular attendance of an active member group for a period of six (6) months, and past service as an IR.
5. Additional Requirements for a WS Conference Delegate
   1. Delegate has been attending Triangle Intergroup meetings, including as a visitor, for the past six (6) months and has served at the group or intergroup level.
   2. In all areas, the WS Conference Delegate shall meet qualifications and requirements as outlined and defined in the Overeaters Anonymous, Inc. Bylaws, Part B, Article X, Section 3c.
6. Additional Requirements for Regional Representatives (RRs)
   1. The RRs shall meet all qualifications and requirements as outlined in the Region 8 Bylaws.

Section 4. Qualifications for Other Elected Positions

1. Membership in OA for six (6) months
2. Abstinence Requirements (periods of abstinence are current and continuous.)”
1. Retreat Chair — six (6) months
2. Retreat Registrar — six (6) months
3. Committee Chairs — thirty (30) days

Section 5. Method of Election

1. Elections shall be held annually at a meeting specified for that purpose.
2. To be eligible for election to the board, nominees must:
   1. Meet all qualifications
   2. Understand responsibilities of the position
3. In order to be elected to a position in the Intergroup, a nominee must be physically present during the election meeting and must receive a majority vote of the Intergroup members present.
4. Elections shall be determined by the Group Conscience of the Intergroup.

Section 6. Term of Office

1. Intergroup Board members and other elected members shall be elected to serve for a period of one (1) year, with the exception of the WS Conference Delegate(s) and the regional representative(s) RR who shall each be elected for a two (2) year term.
2. Terms begin on the date of the annual Intergroup election.
3. Board members and other elected members shall serve no more than two (2) consecutive terms in the same position except for reasons to be decided by the group conscience of the Intergroup. After an interval of one (1) year, any elected member may be again eligible for election to the currently held position.
4. Once elected, a board member may not serve also as a group representative at the Intergroup and must notify the group that a new IR is needed.
5. The assumption of duties begins immediately after the annual election. If the person elected fills a vacant position, the term begins immediately after the election. If the person elected replaces a person currently in the position, the term begins at the end of the election meeting. If a person is elected to a position at any other time than the yearly Intergroup elections, the term of service is from the time of election until the next yearly election for that position.

Section 7. Responsibilities of the Intergroup Board

1. All Board Members and all elected positions
1. Maintain current abstinence and apply the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions in their affairs.
2. Serve as guardians of the Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions and Twelve Concepts with respect to the functions of the intergroup.
3. Perform the duties of the service position in accordance with Intergroup policies and procedures.
4. Serve as guardians of Intergroup funds.
5. Provide a forum for the interchange of ideas and information among member groups.
6. Train the incoming board member at the expiration of term of service.
7. Notify the Intergroup in writing if a decision to resign before the end of the term is made.
8. Notify the Intergroup Chair if unable to attend a meeting.
9. Maintain a document of policy and procedures related to the position.
10. May attend all standing committee meetings.
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2. 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 break a tie.
4. Shall serve as a WSO delegate and a Regional Representative and may attend the World Service Conference of Overeaters Anonymous and all regional assembly meetings.
5. Shall designate a qualified member to serve as alternate WSO Delegate or Regional Representative.
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3. Vice-chair
1. Shall serve in the absence of the Chair.
2. Shall assist the Chair whenever needed.
3. Shall maintain the Intergroup Policies and Procedures documents.
4. Shall be the co-owner and an authorized signatory on the Intergroup bank accounts
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4. Secretary
1. Shall see that minutes are kept of all Intergroup and board meetings and that the minutes are made available to each Intergroup member I. As a cooperative gesture, the minutes may be available to the Regional Trustee and Chair of Region No. 8.
2. Shall maintain a file of all minutes of past meetings.
3. Shall direct correspondence to the appropriate officer or committee chair and maintain a file of outgoing correspondence.
4. Shall ensure notices of all meetings of the Intergroup are communicated as described in Article V.
5. Shall keep WSO informed of all changes of group information.
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5. Treasurer:
1. Shall maintain a checking and savings account, if necessary, for dispersal of Intergroup funds.
2. Shall submit financial reports each month at the Intergroup meetings.
3. Shall serve at chair of the Budget Committee (if such a committee exists.)
4. Shall prepare and present a year-end report to the Intergroup at the December Intergroup meeting.
5. Shall prepare and present an annual budget for the following year to the Intergroup at the November Intergroup meeting.
6. Shall be a signatory on all committee checking accounts except the Retreat committee.
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6. World Service Conference Delegate:
1. May attend the World Service Conference of Overeaters Anonymous.
2. Shall serve Overeater’s Anonymous and the World Service conference until the following Conference.
3. Shall report either orally or in writing as designated by the Intergroup, the actions of the conference to all member groups; to keep the Intergroup and represented groups aware of WSO information; to communicate important information to the area.
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7. Regional Representative(s) (RRs):
1. May attend all region assembly meetings.
2. Shall serve Overeaters Anonymous and Region No. 8 for the term designated by the region bylaws.
3. Shall report either orally or in writing as designated by the Intergroup, the actions of the region assembly to all member groups; keep the Intergroup and represented groups aware of region information; and communicate important information to the area.

Article V. Vacancies and Resignations

All Intergroup Members

1. Any intergroup member may resign at any time for any reason by giving the chair of the intergroup written notice.
2. If a member of the intergroup fails to attend two consecutive intergroup meetings without prior notice the position may be declared vacant.
3. Any intergroup member may be removed from a service position by a two-thirds(2/3) vote at an intergroup meeting provided that notice of such proposed action has been given at the immediately preceding intergroup meeting.

Section 2. Intergroup Representatives.

1. It is the responsibility of the group represented to declare their IR position vacant.
2. Vacancies are filled by the OA group represented according to the process adopted by the represented group.

Section 3. Intergroup Board Members and Other Elected Service Positions.

1. The office of Intergroup Board member or other elected service may be declared vacant by a majority of those members present and voting.
2. The vacancy shall be filled by a majority vote at that meeting in which the vacancy occurred, or at the next meeting or special meeting of the Intergroup. Such persons chosen to fill said vacancies shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.

Section 4. Retreat Committee Officer Positions

1. If an officer service position of the Retreat Committee becomes vacant, the remaining officer shall full the responsibilities of the other position until the position is filled.
2. If both service positions become vacant, the Intergroup Board shall fulfill the responsibilities of the Retreat Committee until the positions are filled

Article VI. Meetings

Section 1. Regular Meetings.

The Intergroup shall meet monthly 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 December for the election of the Intergroup Board positions whose terms have expired, committee chairs and the Retreat Registrar. Consideration shall be given to set such time of said meeting to be held at least 120 days prior to the WS Conference allowing adequate time for election of the WS Conference delegate(s). The treasurer will present the annual year-end report at the December meeting.

Section 3. Special Meetings

1. A special meeting may be called at any time by a majority vote of the Intergroup Board by giving notice as prescribed in Article VI, Section 4.
2. Although the Executive Board may call special meetings when needed, such meetings may also be called by a petition of any half or more of the member IRs.
3. In order to call such a meeting, copies of the signed petition shall be distributed to all Intergroup members, specifying the date and time.
4. Special meetings shall employ an abridged order of business:
   1. Agenda (limited to the topics for which the meeting was called).
   2. Committee Reports (only for those germane to the agenda).
   3. New Business (limited to motions germane to the agenda).

Section 4. Method of Notification

Notification of all meetings shall consist of notices prepared by the Intergroup secretary and distributed to each group secretary and/or IR at least ten (10) days prior to the date of the meeting. Notification may be made by placing an announcement in the Intergroup newsletter, if any, or by electronic communications, mail and by announcement at the prior intergroup meeting. Notification may also be made, by telephone.

Section 5. Quorum

Those voting members present at a meeting of the Intergroup shall constitute a quorum for all proceedings of the Intergroup.

Section 6. Operational Authority

1. Between Intergroup meetings all operational authority shall reside with the Executive Board.
2. All actions taken under this authority shall be reported to the next regular Intergroup meeting under old business.
3. Acceptance of such reports shall be deemed automatic unless specific objection is raised by an IR.
4. Motions to rescind or disavow such actions require a two-thirds (2/3) majority of IRs who are present to pass, unless they are determined to be in clear violation of the Twelve Traditions or the Bylaws, which may be determined by simple majority.

Section 7. Emergency Response

1. In any emergency requiring an immediate response from Triangle Intergroup, the Chair shall speak for the group. In the event that the Chair cannot be contacted, any two available Board members shall act together instead of the Chair.
2. If none of the above are available, any three IRs may act in consultation with each other.
3. Any emergency response, if not taken by the Chair, shall be reported to the Chair at the earliest opportunity.
4. The Chair may rescind or disavow such action if necessary.
5. The Chair may at his or her discretion, call an emergency meeting of the Triangle Intergroup to hear a report of such emergency actions, or may report to the next regular meeting.
6. Failing objection acceptance of such report is automatic.
7. A two-thirds (2/3) vote of IRs who are present is required to rescind or disavow emergency action of the Chair or his/her alternates.

Article VII. COMMITTEES

Section 1. Standing Committees

The Intergroup Board may establish committees as are needed for the welfare and operation of the Intergroup. Each committee is responsible to the Intergroup Board.

The Intergroup establishes a budget for the committee during the annual Intergroup budget or at the inception of the committee, whichever happens first. The committee determines the appropriate use of the Intergroup funds allocated to the committee to meet the function of the committee. The Intergroup Treasurer reimburses the committee chair after a receipt for a committee expense is provided or before an expense is incurred at the discretion of the Intergroup Treasurer.

Section 2. Committee Procedures

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

Section 3. Committee Responsibility

Each standing committee chair shall submit an oral or written report to the Intergroup, preferably monthly, but at least quarterly, and at the end of any specific event coordinated by that committee. If any monies are expended, a detailed and itemized report should be included with the report.

The committee chair should also

1. Maintain current abstinence and apply the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions in their affairs.
2. Perform the duties of the office in accordance with Intergroup policies and procedures.
3. Serve as guardians of Intergroup funds.
4. Train incoming committee positions at the expiration of term of service.
5. Notify the Intergroup if a decision to resign before the end of the term is made.
6. Notify the Intergroup Chair if unable to attend an Intergroup meeting.
7. Maintain or create a document of policy and procedures related to the committee.

Section 4. Ex-officio Members

Past committee chair may serve in an ex-officio capacity in their respective committees.

Section 5. Committee Bank Accounts

If it is deemed necessary by the board that a committee other than the Retreat Committee shall open a bank account, the following procedure shall be followed:

1. The committee chair and the treasurer of the Intergroup shall be co-signers on the account.
2. Two signatures shall be required on all checks.
3. The committee chair shall keep all financial records and shall present a detailed, itemized report of transactions to the Intergroup one (1) month following any event for which monies were expended.
4. The committee chair shall present the committee bank accounts to the Intergroup for audit upon request of the Intergroup.

Section 6. Retreat Committee

1. The Retreat Committee shall have two service positions elected by the Intergroup: Chair and Registrar.
2. The Retreat Committee will maintain a separate bank account from the Triangle Intergroup under the following guidelines:
1. The Retreat Committee Registrar shall be responsible for the Retreat Committee bank account and shall maintain a record of all transactions related to the account.
2. The Retreat Committee Registrar, with assistance from the Retreat Committee Chair, shall provide a detailed financial report to the Triangle Intergroup Treasurer within one month of the completion of any retreat.
3. The Retreat Committee Registrar shall provide, on demand from the Triangle Intergroup Treasurer, any necessary audit information.
4. The Triangle Intergroup, after consulting with the Retreat Committee, shall determine the minimum balance to be retained in the Retreat committee bank account for maintaining an operating budget to cover expenses for future retreats. Any balance in excess of this amount shall be donated to the Triangle Intergroup at the conclusion of any retreat.

Article VIII. Source of Funds

Section 1. Source of Funds

1. Voluntary contributions of the member groups shall be the primary source. Secondary sources of income may be such occasional projects or activities such as retreats, serenity days, workshops as may be authorized by the Intergroup according to Tradition Seven.
2. The Intergroup may accept donations from OA members, conforming with general practice of OA.
3. The maximum allowable annual donation to the Intergroup by an OA member is to be limited to one thousand dollars ($1000).
4. The acceptance of bequests or donations from any outside source is prohibited.
5. The Intergroup shall not accept the responsibility for trusteeship over, or enter into the distribution or allocation of funds set up outside of Overeaters Anonymous.

Section 2. Accumulation of Funds

Section 3. Checking Account Signature

Article IX. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

Section 1. Parliamentary Rules

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 Twelve Traditions, or any special rules of order this Intergroup may adopt.

Section 2. Multiple Office Holding

Triangle Intergroup shall permit the holding by one person of more than one board office, but no more than two at the same time. But no board member shall represent a group, and no IR shall represent more than one group. No person shall have more than one vote.

Article X. AMENDMENTS TO THESE BYLAWS

These bylaws, except for Article II, Sections 2, 3 and 4, may be amended at any time by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the IRs and board members present at any regular or special meeting of the Intergroup, provided a copy of the proposed amendment has been submitted in writing and received by each group affiliated with this intergroup made available at least twenty (20) days prior to the meeting in which action is to be taken on the amendment.

Article XI. DISSOLUTION

Section 1. De-registration

This intergroup shall submit a written notice of dissolution to the World Service Office Region Chair and Region No. 8 Chair and Region 8 Trustee.

Section 2. Disbursement of Remaining Funds

When this Intergroup ceases operation and all debts have been paid, all remaining funds shall be distributed to other Overeaters Anonymous service bodies of the World Service Office in accordance with Tradition Six.