WMI Bylaws

BYLAWS
WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS INTERGROUP
of
OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS®


PREAMBLE:  General Warranties of Western Massachusetts Intergroup of Overeaters Anonymous®:

In all its proceedings, Western Massachusetts Intergroup of Overeaters Anonymous® shall observe the spirit of the Overeaters Anonymous® traditions, taking care that the Intergroup and its officers never become the seat of wealth or power.  None of its trusted servants shall ever be placed in a position of unqualified authority over any of the others.  All important decisions will be made by discussion, vote, and whenever possible, substantial unanimity.  Intergroup will not act in a punitive manner or engage in public controversy.  The Intergroup may act for the service of Overeaters Anonymous® groups within its membership, and will never perform any acts of government.  Like the fellowship of Overeaters Anonymous®, Intergroup and its officers will always remain democratic in thought and action, placing principles before personalities.

Name:  The name of this organization shall be WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS INTERGROUP (hereinafter referred to as “WMI”) of OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS® (hereinafter referred to as “OA”)

II           Purpose:  The purpose of WMI of OA shall be;

A.     to carry the message that OA offers recovery from compulsive overeating through the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous® (See Appendix I);

B.     to act as a network for Western Massachusetts OA groups and to maintain a communications center for WMI;

to maintain an answering service for the Western Massachusetts area;

to promote unity and cooperation between local OA groups in the WMI service area;

to provide updated meeting lists for the WMI service area;

to sponsor WMI marathons and other events to carry the OA message;

to act as guardians of  OA's Twelve Traditions within the WMI area;

to participate in Region 6 Assembly (hereinafter referred to as “R6A”) meetings;

to participate in Massachusetts Service Board Meetings (on a state level);

to participate in the World Service Business Conference (hereinafter referred to as “WSBC”). By sending at least one delegate to the WSBC annually.  When economically feasible, WMI may send more than one delegate;

to provide assistance to new meetings in Western Massachusetts in the form of a start-up donation of $50.00 in literature.

III.     Meetings of WMI:  WMI shall meet monthly (or as deemed necessary), and this meeting shall be at a place, date, and time voted on by WMI members.   Roberts Rules of Order (See Appendix II) shall prevail unless otherwise stated in the bylaws or the WMI Policy Statements.

IV.     Membership of WMI:  The membership of WMI shall consist of Intergroup representatives / alternates from each participating OA group in the WMI service area that has applied for registration as an OA group or has formally registered with the World Service Office (hereinafter referred to as “WSO”) of OA.  Membership will also include R6A representative(s)/alternate(s), WSBC delegate(s)/alternate(s), WMI officers, and appointed Committee chairpersons.

Voting body of WMI:  Any OA member attending any meeting of WMI has the right to be heard, at the discretion of the chairperson.

A simple majority of attending WMI members or alternates shall govern        for voting purposes unless otherwise specified within these bylaws.

Voting representation shall be as follows:

Intergroup representatives/alternates:  each OA group shall be entitled to only one vote through its group representative or alternate (in the absence of its group representative);

R6A representative(s)/alternate(s):  each shall be entitled to one vote;

WSBC delegate(s)/alternate(s):  each shall be entitled to one vote;

WMI officers except Chairperson:  each officer shall be entitled to one vote.

Appointed Chairs of standing Committees:  each chairperson shall be entitled to one vote.

WMI Chairperson:  shall be entitled to cast a vote in order to make or break a tie.  The Chairperson shall be entitled to a paper ballot, but shall not then cast a second vote in the event of a tie. (NOTE:  Each member of the WMI voting body shall be entitled to one vote.  WMI members holding more than one intergroup position shall be entitled to only one vote.)

Intergroup Representatives

Nomination and Election of Intergroup Representative(s)

The election of Intergroup Representative(s) (hereinafter referred to as “IR”) shall be determined by each group and such representative(s) shall be duly registered with the WMI Corresponding Secretary.

IR(s) shall serve for a period of time to be determined by their respective groups and shall be subject to recall by the groups which they represent.

Each group shall be entitled on one (1) IR and sufficient alternates as deemed appropriate by the group.

Duties and Responsibilities of IR(s)

IR(s) shall attend WMI meetings, and when not able, to send an alternate from their respective groups;

IR(s) shall make sure that all information goes back to their respective groups;

IR(s) shall carry to WMI any questions regarding Tradition violations (Note:  for guidance addressing possible Tradition violations, see the Overeaters Anonymous® Group Handbook and/or the Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous®).

IR(s) shall bring any group concerns or announcements to WMI.

WMI Officers

Nomination and Election of WMI Officers

The officers of WMI shall consist of a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, and Archivist.

Nomination and election of WMI officers as well as R6A representative(s)/alternate(s) and WSBC delegate(s) /alternate(s) shall be held yearly.  (See WMI Policy Statements for dates and procedures.

Following the adjournment of the election meeting, newly elected officers will assume and re-elected officers will continue their respective responsibilities.

Any vacant position on the Board of Officers of WMI, prior to the regular end of term of said office, shall require a special election with both nomination and election taking place at the same meeting.  If a current officer or WMI has three (3) consecutive unexcused absences from WMI meetings or returns to compulsive overeating, it is the option of WMI to elect a new officer to serve the unexpired portion of said term of office.  The individual officer shall be the sole judge of his or her commitment to abstinence.

Eligibility for an office in WMI shall be as follows:

Active participation in duly registered WMI groups;

Current service as an IR, R6A representative or WSBC delegate, WMI officer, or appointed Chair of Standing Committee.

Current and continuous commitment to abstinence for at least six(6) months (the individual shall be the sole judge of his or her abstinence);

Nominees must be present at the election meeting or have submitted in writing their desire to serve as an officer.

Term of Office

Officers shall be elected to serve for a term of one (1) year.

Officers shall serve no more than two (2) consecutive terms.

After a hiatus of one (1) year, they may again be eligible for election to the previously held office.

Upon election to the Board of Officers, the Chairperson shall cease to be a representative of his or her group, and that group shall elect a new Intergroup Representative.

Upon election to the Board of Officers, officers other than the Chairperson shall have the option to cease representing a group, and each affected group shall then have the option to elect a new Intergroup Representative.

Duties and Responsibilities of WMI Officers

Chairperson:  shall chair the meeting, set the agenda, and direct motions.  The Chairperson shall also have the authority to speak in the name of WMI in emergencies.

Vice-Chairperson:  shall assume the Chairperson's duties in the event of the Chairperson's absence.

Recording Secretary:  shall take the minutes of the meeting, present written copies of the previous meeting's minutes, and maintain a file of all minutes of past meetings.

Corresponding Secretary:  shall collect mail from WMI P.O. Box and route to the appropriate officer or committee chairperson, maintain a file of all outgoing correspondence, keep WSO informed of all changes in registered groups, keep dated copies of all such correspondence, and maintain a current file of all local group information and contact persons for WMI correspondence.

Treasurer:  shall account for all contributions and expenditures, maintain a checking account established in the name of WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS INTERGROUP, submit monthly reports of the WMI treasury, keep copies of the same, and, at the close of each election year, present the books for a third party audit. (See Policy Statement).

Archivist:  shall bather and receive any historical, recovery and/or general items related to Overeaters Anonymous® in Western Massachusetts or worldwide.  Archival material shall be inventoried, maintained, and kept safely for the good of groups of WMI or OA.  The Archivist shall serve as a member of any Archive Committee established by WMI to further the purposes of OA and the groups of WMI.

R6A Representative(s)/Alternate(s)

Nomination and Election of R6A Representative(s)/Alternate(s)

Nomination and election of R6A representative(s) / Alternate(s), WSBC delegate(s)/alternate(s), and WMI officers shall be held annually. (See WMI Policy Statements for dates and procedures).

Following the adjournment of the election meeting, newly elected R6A representative(s)/alternate(s) will assume and re-elected R7A representative(s)/alternate(s) will continue their responsibilities.

Any vacant positions for R6A representative(s)/alternate(s) prior to the end of term, shall require a special election with both nomination and election taking place at the same meeting.  If a current representative of WMI has three (3) consecutive unexcused absences from WNI meetings, or two (2) consecutive absences for the R7A meetings, or returns to compulsive overeating, it is the option of WMI to elect a new representative to serve the unexpired portion of said term of office. (Note:  An alternate may be removed from office if he or she returns to compulsive overeating.)  The Individual representative/alternate shall be the sole judge of his or her commitment to abstinence.

Eligibility for R6A representative(s)/alternate(s) shall be as follows:

A minimum of six (6) months of current or previous experience (whenever possible) as an IR;

Current and continuous commitment to abstinence for at least sic (6) months (the individual shall be the sole judge of his or her abstinence);

Nominees must be present at the election meeting or have submitted in writing their desire to serve as a representative.

Term of Office of R6A Representative(s)/Alternate(s)

Representative(s)/alternate(s) shall be elected to serve for a term of two (2) years.

Representatives(s)/alternate(s) shall serve no more than two (2) consecutive terms (i.e. four (4) consecutive years).

After a hiatus of at least one (1) year, they may again be eligible for election to the previously held position.

Upon becoming a R6A representative the individual shall have the option to cease representing a group, and each affected group shall then have the option to elect a new IR.

Duties and Responsibilities of R6A Representative(s)/Alternate(s)

R6A representative(s) shall represent WMI at R6A meetings biannually.

R6A alternate(s) will substitute for representatives who are unable to attend a R6A meeting.  NOTE:  WMI shall reimburse all necessary and reasonable expenses incurred by R6A representative(s)/alternate(s).  (See SMI Policy Statements.)

WSBC Delegate(s)/Alternate(s)

Nomination and Election of WSBC delegate(s)/alternate(s)

Nomination and election of WSBC delegate(s)/alternate(s), WMI officers, and R7A representative(s)/alternate(s) shall be held annually.  (See WMI Policy Statements for dates and procedures.)

Following the adjournment of the election meeting, newly elected WEBC delegate(s)/alternate(s) will assume and re-elected WSBC delegate(s)/alternate(s) will continue their responsibilities.  Outgoing WSBC delegate(s) will continue their responsibilities until the start of the next WSBC.

Any vacant positions for WSBC delegate(s)/alternate(s) prior to the end of term, shall require a special election with both nomination and election taking place at the same meeting.  If a current delegate of WMI has three (3) consecutive unexcused absences from WMI meetings, or returns to compulsive overeating, it is the option of WMI to elect a new delegate to serve the unexpired portion of said term of office.  (NOTE:  An alternate may be removed from office if he or she admittedly returns to compulsive overeating).  The individual delegate/alternate shall be the sole judge of his or her commitment to abstinence.

Eligibility for WEBC Delegate(s)/Alternate(s) shall be as follows:

In conformity with the Business Conference Policy Manual of Overeaters Anonymous®…  “Delegates should be selected for judgment, experience, stability, willingness, and for faithful adherence to living within the concepts of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous®.”

A minimum of two (2) years of current or previous experience as an IR;

Attendance at two (2) or more R6A meetings as a representative/alternate.

Current and continuous commitment to abstinence for at least one (1) year. (The individual shall be the sole judge of his or her abstinence.);

Nominees must be present at the election meeting or have submitted in writing their desire to serve as a delegate.

Term or Office of WSBC Delegate(s)/Alternate(s)

Delegate(s) shall be elected to serve for a term of two (2) years.

Delegate(s) shall serve no more than two (2) consecutive terms (i.e. four(4) consecutive years).

After a hiatus of at least one (1) year, they may again be eligible for election to the previously held position.

Upon becoming a WSBC delegate the individual shall have the option to cease representing a group, and each affected group shall then have the option to elect a new intergroup representative.

Duties and Responsibilities of WSBC Delegate(s)

WSBC delegate(s) shall represent WMI at the WSBC, annually.  (See WMI Policy Statements).

Prior to the WSBC, the WSBC delegate shall:

WSBC delegate(s) will serve on the WMI subcommittee responsible for reviewing and evaluating proposed new business motions and bylaw amendments for the upcoming conference.

Delegate(s) attending the conference will familiarize themselves with all materials disbursed by the WSO, invite feedback from OA members within the WMI region, and sign up to serve on a WSBC committee

At the WSBC, the WSBC delegate(s) shall:  Attend and participate in all sessions of the business assembly and all relevant committee meetings.

Upon returning from the WSBC, the WSBC delegate(s) shall:

Prepare and submit to WMI a written report detailing the events at the conference that affect WMI and OA as a whole;

Deliver said report to WMI and to all interested affiliates;

Make available the binder from the WSBC;

Serve as a liaison to WSO for WMI;

Serve on the WMIU subcommittee responsible for reviewing and evaluating proposed new business motions and bylaw amendments for the upcoming conference.  NOTE:  As an intergroup, we support all necessary and reasonable expenditures (as determined by WMI) incurred by WSBC delegate(s) from WMI.  Each delegate is responsible for securing their travel and lodging arrangements, and for maintaining receipts for all reimbursable expenses.

WMI Committees:

Committee membership is open to all OA members;

Each committee shall elect a chairperson from among the committee's members.

Active committees shall send a representative to all regularly scheduled WMI meetings.

WMI Financial Structure

The activities of WMI shall be financed primarily by the contributions of its member groups.  WMI may accept donations from individual OA members, and may not accept bequests or contributions from any outside sources in accordance with the Seventy Tradition of the Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous®.  (See Appendix III)

WMI may hold fundraising events in accordance with World Service guidelines. (See Appendix IV).

There shall be no accumulation of funds beyond current necessities, with retention of only a prudent reserve for contingencies.  Funds in excess shall be donated to R6A and the WSO.

Amendments to WMI Bylaws

Amendment changes may be proposed by any OA member at any time.

These bylaws representing our Table of Organization, bay be amended at any time by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the WMI members present at any regular or special meeting of WMI, provided a copy of the proposed amendment has been submitted in writing and mailed or hand delivered to each group affiliated with WMI at least twenty (20) days prior to the meeting in which action is to be taken on the proposed amendment.

The WMI Chairperson shall form and serve on a committee whose purpose will be to review the bylaws every two years on the even year.

WMI Dissolution:  Upon dissolution of this association, after paying or adequately providing for the debts and obligations of the association, the remaining assets shall be distributed to the WSO of OA, or, in the event that the WSO no longer exists, to a non-profit fund, association, foundation, or corporation, which is organized and operated exclusively for charitable or educational purposes and which has established its tax-exempt status under Section 501 © (3) of The Internal Revenue Code.

WMI Conformity with World Service

All matters pertaining to WMI which are not specifically accounted for in these bylaws will conform to the World Service Charter and the Bylaws of Overeaters Anonymous®
Matters which affect OA as a whole shall be referred to the OA World Service Board of Trustees.