Statement of Unity
Houston OA-HOW Intergroup and Houston Metro Intergroup
of Overeaters Anonymous
May 16, 2010

I.    Introduction

The Houston OA-HOW Intergroup (“OA-HOW”) and Houston Metro Intergroup (“HMI”) of Overeaters Anonymous have formed a First Tradition Committee in order to foster understanding and mutual respect, cultivate an atmosphere of cooperation, and provide an open environment of communication between the two intergroups.  OA-HOW and HMI both recognize that each is an independent intergroup organized under the umbrella of Overeaters Anonymous World Service Office, and that, as stated in Tradition Two, the authority of each intergroup derives from a Higher Power as expressed in the group conscience of that intergroup and its member groups.  OA-HOW and HMI each respects the decisions of the other intergroup as a reflection of that authority of a Higher Power.  Furthermore, it is the belief and commitment of both intergroups that unity, as stated in Tradition One, should and will be the guiding principle in communications and cooperation between OA-HOW and HMI as each serves their member groups and carries the message in and around the Houston community that there is a solution to the compulsive overeater who still suffers.

II.    Statement

OA-HOW and HMI join to make the following statement of their commitment to unity:

Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon OA unity.

Unity is vital to the recovery of the compulsive overeater.  If compulsive overeaters did not come together in groups and form intergroups to help spread the message, it would be very difficult for the suffering compulsive overeater to find recovery, or for the recovering overeater to maintain abstinence.  Unity recognizes that we share a common problem and share a common solution in the Twelve Steps of Overeaters Anonymous. Thus, while the symptoms of each member’s disease and daily activities necessary for his or her recovery may vary, at our hearts we are all alike.  Along with Tradition One, the Twelfth Step informs each of us that, to maintain and protect our own abstinence, we must support the recovery of other compulsive overeaters.  The Fourth Tradition reminds us that each group is autonomous and therefore the format and suggested tools of different meetings may vary.  In unity, we respect our differences, while supporting and cooperating with each other in those ways in which our programs and recoveries are the same.

Unity includes:

  • Offering a common source for all those seeking information in the Houston area about the full range of possible meetings and methods for working the OA program, and
  • Refraining from gossip or criticism of how other members or groups structure their meetings and choose to practice the Twelve Steps, and
  • Maintaining regular communication between each intergroup to discuss matters of common concern.