At a recent OA business meeting, our discussion revolved around member retention: how can we keep newcomers and other members coming back? After the meeting, a person near me said, “What if . . . what if everyone here took on one more sponsee?”
What if? What if? This churned in my mind for over a week as I thought of my beloved Overeaters Anonymous. How could I, how could we, best help the still suffering compulsive eater? What if:
- each of us recommitted to obtaining and maintaining abstinence?
- each sponsor took on just one more sponsee?
- everyone who could sponsor did sponsor?
- each sponsee became a sponsor and took on a sponsee when possible?
- each member did just a little more service?
- each person made one more phone call each day, especially to someone new or struggling?
- everyone attended one additional meeting?
- each member put just a little more into their Seventh Tradition contribution each time?
- each person shared with others his or her strength, hope, and recovery?
- everyone acted on the OA Responsibility Pledge: “Always to extend the hand and heart of OA to all who share my compulsion; for this I am responsible.”
What if everyone in Overeaters Anonymous committed to some or all of the suggestions above? We would be developing a Fellowship and program beyond our wildest dreams! I’m committing now. Will you join me?
— Tina, Massachusetts USA
