Bylaws of FA-EAI, Inc, Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous

PREAMBLE

Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous is a fellowship of individuals who, through shared experience and mutual support, are recovering from food addiction. We welcome anyone who wants to stop eating addictively. There are no dues or fees for members; we are self supporting through our own contributions, neither soliciting nor accepting outside donations. FA is not affiliated with any public or private organization, political movement, ideology, or religious doctrine. We take no position on outside issues. Our primary purpose is to abstain from addictive eating and to carry this message of recovery to those who still suffer.

ARTICLE I

NAME AND PURPOSE

SECTION 1: The legal name of this organization is FA-EAI, Inc. It may also be referred to as Eastern Area Intergroup of Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous, or FA-EAI.

SECTION 2: Mission:

The mission of FA-EAI is:

1. To assist individuals in the recovery process from food addiction through adherence of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous;
2. to maintain a communication center for all FA Meeting Groups and Chapters affiliated with FA-EAI;
3. to provide unity for all FA Meeting Groups and Chapters affiliated with FA- EAI;
4. to educate the public about the FA program.

SECTION 3: Neither EAI, nor its board, nor any of its officers has any authority over, or has any means of controlling, the recommendations that FA sponsors make to those they sponsor. This includes but is not limited to recommendations on methods of sponsoring or medical issues such as the use of medications

ARTICLE II

FA-EAI AFFILIATES

SECTION 1: Individual Members

1. FA members who are committed to a Meeting affiliated with FA-EAI or its Chapters who have two (2) years of continuous abstinence will have a voice and a vote concerning FA-EAI Bylaws, Standing Rules of Order (SROs, formerly known as Continuing Effects Motions or CEMs), and FA-EAI Officer Elections at FA-EAI Body Meetings.
2. Members with ninety (90) days of continuous abstinence may participate in all other business and discussion.

SECTION 2: Meeting Groups: An FA-EAI-affiliated Group must meet the following requirements:

1. Adherence to the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of FA.
2. Inclusion of the following definition of abstinence in the meeting format: "weighed and measured meals with nothing in between; no flour, no sugar and avoidance of any individual binge foods.” This is the meaning assigned to the word abstinence wherever used in these bylaws.
3. Invitation to speak in the meeting format is only addressed to FA members with ninety (90) days of continuous abstinence and who have an FA sponsor.
4. Registration with FA-WSO and FA-EAI, which includes an agreement to comply with these Bylaws, and any requirements stated on the FA-EAI registration form.

SECTION 3: Chapters:

1. No entity can serve and represent multiple FA groups, or function as an FA-EAI chapter, without registering with FA-EAI, and agreeing to abide by the FA-EAI Bylaws and its Executive Board’s Financial Procedures.
2. Bylaw provisions specifically affecting chapters can be found at Article IV relating to officers, Article VI regarding committees, and Article VII regarding financial structure and requirements.

ARTICLE III

FA-EAI MEETINGS AND QUORUM

SECTION 1: Meetings

1. A business meeting of FA-EAI will be regularly scheduled and conducted once each month, except in August. The meeting at which elections are held will be designated the Annual Meeting.
2. Notice of the date, time, place and electronic means of the next regularly scheduled business meeting of FA-EAI will be announced at the previous FA-EAI meeting and by electronic notification.
3. A special FA-EAI meeting, outside of regularly scheduled meetings, may be called by a majority vote of the FA-EAI officers, or by a petition signed by twelve (12) individual voting FA members of FA- EAI directed to the Board.
4. The special meeting may only take place after written notification of the meeting has been sent to all FA-EAI Chapters and Meeting Groups by electronic notification. The notice is to be sent electronically, not less than fourteen (14) days prior to the special meeting, with the request that the announcement be made to the group. The notice is to contain the date, time, place, and agenda of the special meeting.
5. FA-EAI may conduct all regular or special meetings through the use of any means of communication by which all members participating may simultaneously hear each other during the meeting, make motions, participate in debate, and vote. A member participating in a meeting by this means is considered to be present at the FA-EAI meeting.
6. The Board is empowered to designate any means of electronic or telephonic participation in meetings, provided that all participants may communicate simultaneously.
7. The FA-EAI Board may cancel a business meeting in case of an emergency with notice of the cancellation sent electronically.

SECTION 2: Quorums

1. At any FA-EAI meeting, held after proper notice, any number of individual FA members present shall constitute a quorum.
2. A majority of all members present and voting will govern for all voting purposes, except when a two thirds (2/3) majority of all those present and voting is required by these bylaws.
3. No member may attend or participate in a meeting by proxy.

ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS; REQUIREMENTS; DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

SECTION 1. Requirements: An officer of FA-EAI and the affiliated Chapters shall demonstrate faithful adherence to the Twelve Steps and the Twelve Traditions of FA through his or her physical, mental, and spiritual recovery.

1. Officers of FA-EAI, must be members of the fellowship with at least five (5) years of continuous abstinence in FA, as defined in Article II, Section 2 of these bylaws, and must demonstrate recovery.
2. Officers of chapters affiliated with FA-EAI, must be members of the fellowship with at least two (2) years of continuous abstinence in FA, as defined in Article II, Section 2 of these bylaws and must demonstrate recovery.
3. Officers of FA-EAI and affiliated chapters must regularly attend FA Meetings;
4. Officers of FA-EAI and affiliated chapters must have completed at least one in-depth study of the Twelve Steps in sequence, using a method focused on food addiction and requiring abstinence throughout each Step, within the current term of abstinence, uninterrupted by a break in abstinence, and must continue to be actively involved in the same type of Twelve-Step study during their term of office.

SECTION 2: Special provisions:

1. Officers shall serve a term of two years or until their successors are elected and qualified, commencing at the beginning of the fiscal year, following their election.
2. Officers may not serve more than two (2) consecutive, two-year terms.
3. Officers may not hold more than one office at the same time.
4. Relapse into food addiction is equivalent to resignation from office.
5. The Vice Chair automatically succeeds the chair in the event of the latter’s resignation, incapacity, death, or removal from office.

SECTION 3: Duties and Responsibilities:

1. The President of FA-EAI (hereinafter referred to as Chair) shall:
   1. Preside at all meetings of FA-EAI.
   2. Be authorized to sign checks of FA-EAI to the extent authorized by the Board and according to written policy.
   3. Make all financial filings as required by any government agency.
2. The Vice-President of FA-EAI (hereinafter referred to as Vice-Chair) shall:
   1. Perform all duties of the Chair, in his or her absence.
3. The Clerk of FA-EAI (hereinafter referred to as Secretary) shall:
   1. Maintain the official minutes and records of FA-EAI Meetings;
   2. Maintain all other official FA-EAI records;
   3. File the Annual Report to the Commonwealth yearly in October.
4. The Treasurer of FA-EAI shall ensure that FA-EAI complies with its own financial procedures and:
   1. Maintain the FA-EAI checking account,
   2. Keep accurate records of all financial transactions;
   3. Submit a written report at each FA-EAI regular meeting with regard to contributions and expenditures;
   4. Be authorized to sign checks of FA-EAI to the extent authorized by the Board and according to written policy.
5. All officers are authorized to perform the duties prescribed by the parliamentary authority adopted by the By Laws, and such other duties as may be determined by the Board.
6. The Board may adopt a binding conflict of interest policy, which may provide that interested directors, officers, or committee members abstain from voting on or participating in any action or decision as to which such director or officer has a Conflict of Interest.

SECTION 4: Board

1. The Board of FA-EAI and of each affiliated Chapter shall be comprised of the entity’s Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer.

ARTICLE V

NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS

SECTION 1: Nominations may be made from the floor of the January FA-EAI meeting by any member with a vote and a voice, according to these Bylaws.

1. Nominees who wish to be candidates must accept the nomination before the name can be submitted to the membership; the procedure for acceptance will be announced by the Chair at that time.
2. Notice of the slate of candidates shall be made to the membership by publication in the FA-EAI monthly report.

SECTION 2: Elections of officers will occur at the February FA-EAI meeting. Candidates must be present at the time of their election.

1. Elections which are uncontested may be conducted by any method designated by the chair. Contested elections may be conducted by paper ballot, by a show of hands, or by electronic voting by those eligible members who are present at the meeting and voting.
2. The candidate must receive a simple majority of those eligible members who are present at the meeting and voting.
3. A vacancy in an FA-EAI office shall be filled by an appointment of the Executive Board, until the next regularly scheduled election for that position.
4. The officers’ term of office will begin on March 1.

ARTICLE VI

COMMITTEES

SECTION 1: The Board shall establish such committees as, in its judgment, are necessary to carry out the purpose of FA-EAI.

1. Each committee shall establish its own Policies and Procedures, subject to the approval of the Executive Board.
2. Each Committee shall meet monthly, and make a monthly oral and written report to the membership of FA-EAI during its business meetings.

SECTION 2: The Board may appoint a chair of each committee, subject to the following:

1. Committee chairpersons of FA-EAI must have, prior to appointment, at least five (5) consecutive years of FA abstinence, as defined in Article II, section 2 of these Bylaws, have completed at least one in-depth study of the Twelve Steps in sequence, using a method focused on food addiction and requiring abstinence throughout each
   Step, within the current term of abstinence, uninterrupted by a break in abstinence, and must continue to be actively involved in the same type of Twelve-Step study during their term of office, and demonstrate recovery.
   Committee chairpersons of affiliated Chapters must have at least two (2) consecutive years of FA abstinence, as defined in Article II, section 2 of these bylaws, have completed at least one in-depth study of the Twelve Steps in sequence, using a method focused on food addiction and requiring abstinence throughout each Step, within the current term of abstinence, uninterrupted by a break in abstinence, and must continue to be actively involved in the same type of Twelve-Step study during their term of office, and demonstrate recovery.
2. A committee chairperson shall attend all Board, committee, and regularly scheduled meetings of FA-EAI or the chapter, or designate a person to serve as temporary chair. Failure to attend two regularly-scheduled and consecutive FA-EAI or chapter meetings may be grounds for removal from office, at the discretion of the Board.
3. Relapse into food addiction shall be equivalent to resignation.
4. Committee chairs are appointed for a term of two years, which term begins and ends with the term of the Chair of FA-EAI or the affiliated chapter. A chair may be re-appointed for one (1) additional term.
5. A mid-term vacancy in a Committee Chair will be filled by an appointment of the Board to fill out that term. If the term is vacated with six months or less remaining, the newly-appointed chair is eligible for two (2) additional terms.

ARTICLE VII

FINANCIAL STRUCTURE

SECTION 1. The activities of FA-EAI and its affiliated Chapters shall be financed primarily by the contributions of its members, and subject to the following:

1. The activities of EAI and its affiliated Chapters will be funded primarily through contributions of its constituent groups and members of the fellowship.
2. Individual members of the fellowship may donate or bequeath directly to EAI and its affiliated Chapters no more than $2000 in a single fiscal year.
3. The identity of individual donors may be disclosed only to the treasurer or such designees of the treasurer as may be approved by the Executive Board. The treasurer and such designees shall keep such information confidential.
4. The acceptance of bequests or donations from non-members, outside organizations, and anonymous donors is prohibited, but anonymous donations from FA members are permitted. Donations restricted to a particular use are prohibited.
5. EAI and its affiliated Chapters may authorize other sources of income from projects or activities consistent with the Twelve Traditions and Twelve Concepts of FA. FA-EAI and its affiliated Chapters shall not accept responsibility for, trusteeship of, or enter into the distribution or allocation of funds set up outside FA-EAI.
6. Upon winding up and dissolution of this association, and after paying or adequately providing for the debt and obligations of this association, the remaining assets shall be distributed to another FA Intergroup or Chapter.
7. No part of the net earnings of this association shall ever inure to or for the benefit of or be distributed to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the association shall be empowered to pay compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the exempt purposes for which it was formed.
8. Notwithstanding any other provisions of these articles, the association shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried out by an association exempt from Federal Income Tax under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

SECTION 2. The Executive Boards of FA-EAI and of the affiliated Chapters must comply with the following Financial Procedures. These may be amended from time to time according the procedure described in Article VIII.

1. All income, expenditures and funds received and held by the Intergroup or Chapter must be recorded in writing by the Treasurer of the group. Oral reports of such records are to be made to the Executive Board and the Membership on a monthly basis.
2. The Treasurer is authorized to exercise his or her sole discretion to sign checks or make other disbursements up to and including the amount of $100. Disbursements over the amount of $100 require the approval and-or the signature of the Chair, or Vice Chair, if the Chair is unavailable for any reason.
3. Checks or other disbursements over the amount of $200 require a majority vote of the Executive Board.
4. After consultation with the committee chairs before the start of the fiscal year, budget allocations are to be established, and may thereafter be amended, by a majority vote of the Executive Board and committee chairs.
5. The Treasurer cannot hold any other Office or Committee Chair position within the Intergroup or Chapter.
6. After providing for the operating expenses, the Committee budget allocations, and a prudent reserve, the Executive Board is to donate remaining funds to FA-EAI and/or FA-WSO.

ARTICLE VIII

AMENDMENTS TO THESE BYLAWS

SECTION I: These Bylaws represent our Table of Organization, and may only be amended as follows:

1. An amendment requires a two-thirds (2-3) vote of those eligible to vote according to Article II, Section 1, and present at any regular or special meeting of FA-EAI.
2. Such an amendment may be voted only if written notification of the amendment has been made by U.S. mail or by any electronic process, i.e., email or facsimile, to the EAI contact person at the Chapters and Meeting Groups.
3. Such written notice is to be transmitted or sent, not less than fourteen (14) days prior to the meeting at which the vote is taken, with the request that the amendment be announced to the group.

ARTICLE IX

In all matters not covered by these bylaws and the standing rules, FA-EAI shall be governed by the current edition of the American Institute of Parliamentarians Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure. 

JUNE 2004 REVISED VERSION

Updated July 2006

Updated July 2008

Updated June 2010

Updated August 2013

Updated April 2016

Updated July 2020

Updated May 2021

Updated December 11, 2022