Concept One: Unity
The ultimate responsibility and authority for OA world services reside in the collective conscience of our whole Fellowship.
Concept Two: Conscience
The OA groups have delegated to the World Service Business Conference the active maintenance of our world services; thus, the World Service Business Conference is the voice, authority and effective conscience of OA as a whole.
Concept Three: Trust
The right of decision, based on trust, makes effective leadership possible.
Concept Four: Equality
The right of participation ensures equality of opportunity for all in the decision-making process.
Concept Five: Consideration
Individuals have the right of appeal and petition in order to ensure that their opinions and personal grievances will be carefully considered.
Concept Six: Responsibility
The World Service Business Conference has entrusted the Board of Trustees with the primary responsibility for the administration of Overeaters Anonymous.
Concept Seven: Balance
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.
Concept Eight: Delegation
The Board of Trustees has delegated to its Executive Committee the responsibility to administer the OA World Service Office.
Concept Nine: Ability
Able, trusted servants, together with sound and appropriate methods of choosing them, are indispensable for effective functioning at all service levels.
Concept Ten: Clarity
Service responsibility is balanced by carefully defined service authority; therefore, duplication of efforts is avoided.
Concept Eleven: Humility
Trustee administration of the World Service Office should always be assisted by the best standing committees, executives, staffs and consultants.
Concept Twelve: Guidelines: The spiritual foundation for OA service ensures that:
Selflessness
(a) No OA committee or service body shall ever become the seat of perilous wealth or power;
Realism
(b) Sufficient operating funds, plus an ample reserve, shall be OA’s prudent financial principle;
Representation
(c) No OA member shall ever be placed in a position of unqualified authority;
Dialogue
(d) All important decisions shall be reached by discussion, vote and, whenever possible, by substantial unanimity;
Compassion
(e) No service action shall ever be personally punitive or an incitement to public controversy; and
Respect
(f) No OA service committee or service board shall ever perform acts of government, and each shall always remain democratic in thought and action.