Local Service Group Guidelines and Recommendations
Introduction
In 2021, the FA World Service Conference voted to include videoconference and phone meetings as recognized and supported FA meetings. This fundamental change calls for a review of how service groups organize themselves.
The structure and composition of Local Service Groups (LSGs) is emerging. The term “local” has taken on new meaning, more broadly defining the LSG’s reach and service area. LSGs may comprise a portion of a state, several provinces, an entire island, or a small country.
Guidelines
These guidelines address frequently asked questions and explain the current structure, purpose, and goals of LSGs.
1. What is a Local Service Group (LSG)?
An LSG is an informal group consisting of two or more FA members from more than one FA meeting group who combine resources to do service for FA (FA Bylaws: Article IX, Section 2b).
2. What is the purpose of an LSG?
An LSG is a service body, not a governing body. LSGs perform functions and provide resources that are helpful to individual members or meetings. An LSG’s purpose is to:
-
Carry the message of recovery to the still-suffering food addict and others, such as family, medical professionals, faith community leaders, and employers
-
Create opportunities for connection with other FA members
-
Facilitate communication across meetings
-
Promote unity and recovery through service
3. Are LSGs different from FA World Service and Intergroup Committees?
Yes. An LSG consists of FA members who come together to coordinate and collaborate on service projects for targeted geographical areas. LSGs utilize the resources and guidelines provided by existing FA World Service and Intergroup Committees such as Connection, Office, Public Information, and Twelfth Step. Refer to Section 12: What resources are available?
4. Is an LSG like a chapter?
-
No. LSGs are different from a chapter. Organizationally, LSGs are informal. The benefit of this informal structure is that it encourages more FA members to accept short-term service opportunities associated with a particular event. LSGs may have the same person or different people lead their meetings or events.
-
Determining tasks and roles is typically an informal process of asking for and accepting volunteers. Decisions are made using group conscience. LSG members with 90 days of abstinence have a voice and a vote.
-
In contrast, chapters have a formal structure defined by the intergroup with which they are affiliated. Chapters must elect officers (chair, vice-chair, secretary, treasurer). Officers appoint committee chairs. Officer and committee chair positions rotate according to intergroup bylaws and have clearly defined abstinence requirements, responsibilities, and terms of service.
-
LSGs may be a precursor to a chapter.
5. If there are no registered FA meetings in my area, why have an LSG?
-
Prior to 2021, LSGs were defined as “two or more members from more than one FA meeting group who combine to do service.” Now that registered FA meetings occur in-person, as well as virtually and by telephone, an LSG may be formed by two or more FA members from the same meeting.
-
FA exists in many worldwide areas that do not have a registered meeting. Where there is one FA member, FA exists! Through our telephone and video conferencing platforms, every FA member has access to the resources of the entire fellowship to help carry the message of FA and grow FA in any area. Refer to Section 9: How do we form an LSG?
6. How does an LSG operate financially?
Similar to FA meetings, LSG’s are self-supporting, can choose a treasurer and collect Seventh Tradition donations from FA fellows to cover expenses (e.g., meeting space, outreach, fellowship support efforts, etc). Reminders:
-
Using a meeting space without paying is akin to accepting gifts from outside donations enterprises. The Seventh Tradition suggests making a donation to the meeting’s facility. Refer to: Your FA Seventh Tradition.
-
Only keep enough money for expenses related to upcoming events, room rentals, or video/teleconferencing fees
-
All additional monies should follow the recommended donation split between the LSG’s intergroup (or chapter) and World Service Inc. (WSI)
-
A treasury consists of money held in cash by the treasurer or a bank account in the name of the treasurer (or multiple treasurers)
-
Having a bank account in the name of an individual treasurer poses the same risks as an FA meeting when electing its treasurer, but with a larger pool of money. For this reason, it is recommended that an LSG treasurer using a bank account have a minimum of 5 years of continuous abstinence and completion of at least one Twelve-Step study focused on food addiction in the current term of abstinence.
-
An LSG cannot use the name Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous to open a bank account, establish video conferencing accounts, or enter into any business transaction, such as room rental or liability insurance for meetings or events
-
These actions are done in the names of the individual fellows performing the service. For this reason, LSGs are advised to find alternatives to any high-risk legal agreements.
-
Established LSGs have found that opening a separate bank account with a debit card is beneficial for easy record keeping, establishing video conferencing accounts, and using money collection apps (PayPal, Zelle, Venmo, Cashapp, e-transfers, etc.). All of these are tied to the debit card held by the treasurer and keeps money for the LSG separate from the treasurer’s personal bank accounts and finances.
-
LSGs are not required to submit annual financial reports to their intergroup
-
7. How do smaller and new LSG groups fund their efforts?
-
Each LSG is self-supporting and collects Seventh Tradition funds. However, financial resources are available through the intergroups to assist with initial expenses. These funds support local efforts to carry the message of FA or sponsor events for the area’s fellowship.
-
Contact your intergroup’s Service Group Support Committee (SGSC) for an application and guidelines regarding the types of events and activities supported
8. How do we form an LSG?
-
Reach out to your intergroup’s Service Group Support Committee. Refer to Section 12: What resources are available?
-
Schedule a fellowship gathering in person or virtually to discuss hosting an event in your area. If virtual, consider using an existing meeting’s video or teleconferencing account per the Traditions Committee Inquiry Response (Search TRC Index by Keywords: LSG, Treasury)
-
Plan a small service event or project, for example:
-
Sponsor three to five trifold racks in the community. The Public Information Committee (PI) offers funding to print area trifolds and purchase the racks.
-
Bring a copy of Food Addicts In Recovery Anonymous to your local library to add to their collection .
-
Sponsor an FA booth at a health fair. (Contact the LSG’s intergroup’s PI Committee for banners and pamphlets.)
-
-
List your monthly meeting day and time on your intergroup’s SGSC web page once the LSG has formed.
9. How does an LSG maintain momentum?
-
Plan an event! Asking FA members to support a specific project is more effective than requesting fellows to attend a meeting with nothing planned. FA members love to support their recovery through service.
-
Keep it simple. Select manageable and achievable activities to help your group feel it is reaching and supporting other food addicts. Invite everyone who attends to contribute in some way. All service adds to the quality of our recovery.
-
Access the Public Information tab on the FA website for service project ideas and review them as a group. This is a great opportunity to invite PI reps to attend the LSG meeting. When planning a PI event, the LSG adheres to the abstinence guidelines outlined on the PI Resources page.
-
Send an agenda at least a week before the meeting
-
Encourage sponsees to participate in LSGs in their area
-
Announce the LSG meetings and current projects at your regular FA meetings and/or monthly business meetings
-
Plan periodic events such as Fellowship Days, Connection writing workshops, FA information sessions, and ongoing activities such as maintenance and/or distribution of trifolds and racks
-
Be willing to try new ideas and share your experiences and outcomes at the SGSC quarterly meeting!
10. When is it beneficial for an area to have more than one Local Service Group?
The purpose of an LSG is to pool resources to do service and “spread the word” efficiently and effectively. However, in larger metropolitan areas, more than one LSG may be needed. If so, it is recommended that these groups and members communicate with each other and define clear geographical boundaries so as not to duplicate or overlap efforts.
Resources
-
Service Group Support Committee. This committee is specifically in place to help support LSGs, chapters, and intergroups.
-
connection Committee (Format for connection Writing Session)
-
Office Committee (Area Meeting Trifolds)
-
Public Information (PI) Committee
-
Public Information (PI)