Remove Credible Body Size from Bylaws - 2022 WSBC Motion

MOTION:

The Western Area Intergroup moves that the conference remove the words "and must maintain a credible body size" from Article V, Section 3(a) of the world service bylaws.

CURRENT WORDING:

Officers and trustees must be members of the fellowship with at least seven years of continuous abstinence in FA, as defined in Article II, Section 3 of these bylaws, and must maintain credible body size. 

PROPOSED WORDING:

Officers and trustees must be members of the fellowship with at least seven years of continuous abstinence in FA, as defined in Article II, Section 3 of these bylaws. 

What is the purpose of this motion, and how will it strengthen the effectiveness of WSI/FA service?

Removal of the reference to credible body size will make our bylaws consistent with portions of our literature that stress that we have no weigh-ins and that our program frees us from the need to diet and from obsession with our body size. Removing the language will also be consistent with our focus in FA on the threefold nature of our disease instead of giving too much attention to physical appearance.

Furthermore, "credible body size" is subjective, judgmental, culturally insensitive, and emotionally charged language. Retention of this language in the bylaws may act as a barrier to service for well-qualified members.