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FA WSI Standing Rules of Order (SRO)

Note: On December 4, 2022, the WSB voted to change the title of this document from Continuing Effect Motions Manual (CEMM) to Standing Rules of Order (SRO).

INDEX

Note: The index is arranged alphabetically. The motions are arranged chronologically in the order of the date they were passed.

Topic	Month	Year
Anonymity, Electronic Communication, and Use of FA Intellectual Property	May	2009
AWOL	March	2000
Back Page Language change for literature	June	2019
Bylaw changes	June	2021
Bylaw changes (AWOL, change 12 steps, WSB qualifications)	June	2022
Bylaw changes (Articles V and VIII)	June	2023
Bylaw changes (“Plain Language”)	June	2024
Chapter Support Committee Policies and Procedures	June	2006
Conference Approval for FA/WSI Policies and Procedures	May	2008
connection Magazine	May	2009
FA Book available	June	2014
FA Conference-Approved Literature	May	2009
FA Conference-Approved Literature (revised from 2009)	June	2011
FA Meeting Formats (revision of 2022 versions)	June	2024
Fellowship Convention	June	2012
“Food Addiction and the FA Solution” pamphlet	June	2019
Intellectual Property enable permission to an entity	June	2021
Intergroup Bylaw registration and review	February	2001
Intergroup startup money	May	2001
“Just for Today” card remove Lincoln reference	June	2021
Literature Approval	March	1999
Literature Approval Process Policy	May	2009
Literature: Capitalization of God, Higher Power, etc.	June	2017
Literature Donation to new meetings	August	2000
Literature: Teens/Twenties pamphlet revision	June	2023
Literature: “Food Addiction: Undereating? Underweight? Purging?” revision	June	2024
"Living Abstinently” booklet	June	2016
"Living Abstinently” booklet update	June	2022
Meeting format approval by Conference	June	2012
Meeting Requirements	June	2011
Meeting Requirements (add secretary, treasurer as required positions)	June	2024
“Meetings” Tool Modified to Include “in person”	June	2017
Membership Description	September	2000
New Standing Committee and New FA Terminology	June	2005
Numeric Value for Substantial Unanimity	June	2023
“Overweight? Obese? Overeating? There is a Solution” pamphlet	June	2021
Pamphlet Rack donation	October	2000
Procedures to Help FA Meetings Abide by Meeting Requirements and Standards	June	2012
Public-Facing or Fellowship-wide Activities	May	2003
Sample FA Meeting Format approval	June	2012
Sample FA Meeting Format (updated in 2017)	June	2017
Sample FA Meeting Format	June	2018
Sample FA Meeting Format	June	2019
Sample FA Meeting Format	June	2022
Secretary to the Board	March	2001
Self-certification	June	2023
Statement on Sponsorship	June	2010
Supplying of pamphlets to professionals	October	2001
connection Magazine	May	2009
Travel Scholarship	October	2000
Twelve Concepts	June	2006
Two Brochures	April	2004
Virtual meeting format and document drafts	June	2021
Voting Delegates	May	2002
WSB Mission Statement	June	2010
WSC Mission Statement	June	2011

FA/WSI STANDING RULES OF ORDER (SRO)

1999 March: It was adopted that all literature (defined as any pieces of writing intended for publication and distribution to the general public or FA members) bearing the FA logo or in any way pertaining to Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous be approved by the FA/WSI literature committee. See Policy and procedure Literature Committee.

2000 March: The following motion, proposed by the World Service Board, was adopted by a unanimous vote of the World Service Conference:

AWOL meetings are not FA meetings. Individual food addicts may be FA members without joining an AWOL group.
AWOL meetings are not intended to fulfill the same functions as FA meetings. AWOL meetings have leaders, requirements and, after an initial joining period, are closed to new members.
AWOLs have led to the founding of FA. AWOL meetings must be recognized and supported in order for FA to survive.
In keeping with the Twelve Traditions, individual FA groups, in their autonomy, may make a decision as to how to announce the times and locations of AWOL meetings; contributions from AWOL groups to FA will not be accepted unless sent anonymously.

2000 August: It was adopted that FA/WSO will provide any meeting which is starting and registered with WSI with the following: one Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book, one Twenty Four Hours A Day book, and 20 of each of the following; "Just for Today” cards, FA pamphlets, “The Twenty Questions,” and six qualification tapes. Included in the packet to the new meeting will be one of each of the following: literature order form, tape order form, meeting registration/change form, meeting set up practices and format, email list, long distance sponsor list, flier, resource list, five meeting directories.

2000 September: The following motion, proposed by the World Service Board, was adopted by a unanimous vote of the World Service Conference: Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous offers a Twelve-Step program of recovery from all forms of food addiction: obesity, bulimia, anorexia, obsession with diet and weight control, for all those who desire to recover.

2000 October: It was adopted that WSI will donate 50 “Are You Having Trouble Controlling the Way You Eat” to any group wishing to stock a pamphlet rack. The group will be responsible for purchasing the rack and any subsequent filler pamphlets.

2000 October: It was adopted that WSI will budget $2,000 a fiscal year to a Travel Scholarship to send speakers to areas of minimal FA resources. This fund will be administered by the Twelve Step Committee.

2001 February: It was adopted that at the time of registration and every two years thereafter, each Intergroup will submit their Bylaws to the WSI Bylaw Committee for review unless there are no changes to their Bylaws.

2001 March: It was adopted that a Secretary may be appointed to take minutes at the WSB meetings.

2001 May: It was adopted that upon request FA/WSI shall supply any Intergroup, which has a demonstrable need, with money for startup. Procedure shall be as follows: an application shall be obtained from the WSO, the application will ask need and purpose, the WSI treasurer shall review the application, render a decision and issue a check or statement of denial with reason attached within thirty days.

2001 October: It was adopted that WSI will supply any professional office (PO) or employee assistance plan (EAP) with 50 of the pamphlet “Are You Having Trouble Controlling the Way You Eat?” The request will be honored if it comes through the PO or EAP. A member may make the request for the PO or EAP provided they have consulted the PO or EAP and the PO or EAP is desirous of the information. To monitor further need the FA office will contact the PO or EAP every two months.

2002 May: It was adopted that each FA Group will be entitled to one vote at the World Service Convention which may be exercised in person by their elected delegate. The voting delegate must have two years of continuous abstinence.

2003 May: It was adopted that:

All public-facing or fellowship-wide activities, such as FA Information Sessions or topic discussion meetings, shall be conducted using formats either created or approved in advance of the activity by the WSB.
In order to avoid the appearance of any single FA member or group of members as an authority figure or figures, i.e., to follow the Second Tradition, there shall be no FA workshops on topics relating to how to live the FA way of life (e.g., topics such as “Abstinence” or “Sponsorship”). Such workshops violate the Second Tradition because they present individual FA members as authority figures, and inherently discount the collective voice of experience of the many other FA members who may have alternative perspectives on the workshop topics. Leaders of such workshops also run the risk of taking on the role of “FA guru,” which is dangerous for their own humility and mental, physical, and spiritual sobriety. WSI policy recommends, therefore, to instead hold discussion meetings on specific topics relating to the FA way of life, known as “topic-discussion meetings,” using formats either created or approved in advance by the WSB.
Workshops on organizational or administrative matters (e.g., how to start an intergroup or chapter) shall be conducted as needed at the chapter, intergroup, or WSB levels, respectively, using formats either created or approved in advance by the WSB.
A Friendly amendment was accepted to format language: The opinions expressed here reflect the experience of the speaker only and do not necessarily reflect the views of FA as a whole.

2004 April: It was adopted by a unanimous vote that two new brochures, “Starting Recovery Early: Stories of Recovery from Food Addicts in Their Teens and Twenties” and “To Our Families and Friends,” be added to the FA approved literature available for sale through the World Service Office.

2005 June: It was adopted by a unanimous vote of the World Service Conference that the Ad Hoc Committee (Chapter Support) would become a standing committee, and the Chair was elected in accordance with Article III, section 5 of the WSI Bylaws.

2005 June: It was adopted that FA would change its terminology to read as follows:

World Service Office (WSO): the central FA Office, in Malden, Massachusetts.
World Service Board (WSB): the Board of Trustees of FA.
World Service, Inc. (WSI): FA’s central operating organization.
World Service Conference (the FA Conference): the voting members of FA, the “voice of FA”.
Annual World Service Convention (the FA Convention): the annual business meeting of FA.

2006 June: Policies and Procedures of the Chapter Support WSI committee were adopted.

2006 June: The Twelve Concepts of FA both the short and long forms were adopted.

2008 May (as amended in 2009): It was adopted that the approval of the Conference of WSI shall be sought for those policies that are to be administered by the board and that affect FA or WSI as a whole. These are to be designated “Conference-adopted policies,” and they are to be adopted and amended as motions in accordance with the Conference’s usual procedures. In case of dispute, the Conference shall determine whether a policy adopted by the board affects FA or WSI as a whole.

2009 May: It was adopted that the World Service Board moves that the Conference recognize connection Magazine as the international journal of Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous.

2009 May: It was adopted that:

No materials may be offered for sale or distribution at an FA meeting, except as follows:
1. Conference-approved literature (as listed below in subsection 2)
2. Conference-recognized literature
3. WSB-approved literature
4. Materials distributed by the boards or committees of WSI, FA intergroups, or FA chapters
5. Telephone lists (of registered FA meetings)
6. Meeting directories (of registered FA meetings)
7. FA Information Session notices

FA Conference-Approved Literature includes:
1. Twenty-Four Hours A Day (Hazelden)
2. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
3. The Little Red Book (Hazelden)
4. The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions (AA)
5. All FA pamphlets and books that have been approved by the World Service Conference, including those translated into other languages.

2009 May: It was adopted that Conference-approved FA literature consists of works intended for the entire FA fellowship and made available to the public at large. Such literature shall be written or revised by or under the direct supervision of the Literature Committee. The process for the writing, revision, and approval of such literature is described below:

Requests for Literature

Meetings, chapters, and intergroups (or their boards) may submit to the Literature Committee chair a written request for the writing or revision of a piece of literature. If approved by the Literature Committee, the request shall be taken to the World Service Board.
Requests approved by the WSB are given to the Literature Committee for their direct action.
Should it see the need, the WSB may directly ask the Literature Committee to create or revise a piece of literature.

Writing and Revision

The Literature Committee or its subcommittees shall submit the completed draft of its work to the WSB to receive the board’s feedback and input. The draft shall then be returned to the committee for revision.
This revised work shall be submitted to the board for its approval. Once approved, it will be deemed ready to submit to the fellowship for feedback.
The final revision process will begin with a minimum of thirty days posting on the WSI website to allow for review and submission of comments by members of the FA fellowship.
Within the next sixty days, the Literature Committee shall thoughtfully consider all feedback, further edit the draft as it deems necessary, receive comments from the WSB, and submit a final revision of the draft to the WSB for its approval.
The final, WSB-approved draft of the proposed literature shall be posted thirty days prior to the World Service Business Convention, where it shall be presented as a motion for adoption by the World Service Conference.

Conference Approval

At the World Service Business Convention, work approved by the WSB and proposed for Conference approval shall be discussed, approved as is, or sent back to the committee for further revision and presentation at the Business Convention the following year.
Revisions shall be done in accordance with the timeline and process described above.
Once approved by the World Service Conference, literature shall be formally deemed “Conference approved.”

2009 May: It was adopted that registered FA meetings, intergroups, and chapters may freely use WSI materials owned or controlled by FA in registered FA meetings. Some examples of these materials are meeting formats, definition of a food addict, FA tools, and Meeting Guidelines. Use of such materials and any FA intellectual property is otherwise restricted. The World Service Conference directs that permission be obtained from the World Service Board by anyone wishing to use the FA logo, WSI materials, or other intellectual property on the internet or in any other medium of public communication.

2010 June: Statement on Sponsorship was adopted:

In FA, each sponsor is autonomous, as is each FA meeting. The World Service Board, World Service Inc., and the World Service Conference have never had, nor will these entities ever have, power or authority over the actions of individual sponsors. Our practice in FA is to encourage all sponsors to turn to their Higher Powers for guidance in every aspect of their sponsoring and to seek out the wisdom of their own sponsors and other members with long-term recovery.

We urge all members of the FA fellowship to remember that as sponsors we are called upon to share our hope, strength, and experience of FA recovery with our sponsees. This often includes conversations about the many ways we experience improved physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

The key to our program is following the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions to attain recovery from food addiction. It is not the sponsor’s role to give medical advice.

Sponsees should be urged to seek guidance from healthcare professionals regarding medications and medical matters.

2010 June: FA World Service Board Mission Statement

In accordance with Concept 7, the World Service Board is charged with serving the FA fellowship as the principal planners and administrators of WSI policy, finance, and day- to-day operations. Our mission is to:

Support strong, clear FA recovery from food addiction at all levels of our organization through the World Service Office and the development of systems, structures, web and written materials;
Seek our collective understanding of our Higher Power’s will in every aspect of our work, recognizing that we are asked to serve our fellowship worldwide in its growth and development, in accordance with the World Service Bylaws and the Twelve Concepts of FA.

Guiding Principles:

We value in our individual recoveries and seek to encourage in FA as a whole

Honesty, humility, and reliance on a Higher Power
A focus on the needs of newcomers
Generosity of service

2011 June: WSC Mission Statement

In accordance with Concept One, the voting body at the annual FA World Service Business Convention, also known as the “Conference,” serves as the active voice and collective conscience of the FA fellowship.

In accordance with the Twelve Traditions and the Twelve Concepts of FA, our mission is to:

Carry forward the world services of FA, in an effort to reach the food addict who still suffers.
Vote in accordance with the dictates of our individual consciences, in conjunction with what will best serve FA as a whole.
Rely upon our trusted servants (the World Service Board) to act freely and effectively in our absence.
Ensure our future effectiveness by supporting rotation of leadership at all service levels.

Guiding Principles:

In carrying out this mission, we are committed to the six core principles defined in Concept Twelve:

We shall never become the seat of perilous wealth or power.
Sufficient operating funds plus an ample reserve shall be our prudent financial principle.
No member should ever be placed in a position of unqualified authority over another.
All important decisions shall be reached by discussion, vote, and, whenever possible, by substantial unanimity.
Our actions shall never be personally punitive nor incite public controversy.
We will never perform any acts of government and will always remain democratic in thought and action.

[The above statement articulates a vision of the central purpose and guiding principles of the work of the World Service Conference. It is intended to help clarify for all in our fellowship the role and function of the conference, and it will help the conference remember the central purpose that should guide its decision making.]

NOTE dated August 2023: Item 1 of the following 2011 standing rule of order defining meeting requirements has been superseded by an amendment to Article IV Section 1(a) of the WSI Bylaws passed by the FA World Service Conference in 2021. This amendment added videoconferencing technology and telephone conferencing to the definition of FA meeting groups. Therefore, FA meeting groups are no longer required to meet “in person” as stated below in item 1. However, FA meetings groups are still required to meet for 90 minutes, and in-person meetings are still required to meet in public facilities. Item 2 below applies only to in-person meetings. In addition, the name for the service position “web and directory contact,” mentioned in item 5(b), has been changed to “meeting contact.”

2011 June: Meeting Requirement Details (as adopted by the WSC);

In addition to the description of FA Meeting Groups found in Article IV Section 1 of the WSI Bylaws, registration as an FA meeting group requires that:

an FA meeting group meet in person for 90 minutes in a public facility.
the chairs be arranged theater style, in rows facing the speaker.
no food plans be distributed at a meeting as an approved meeting document; but food plans may be offered between a sponsor and a sponsee as a component of the complete FA program of recovery.
no materials be offered for sale or distribution or read at an FA meeting, except as follows:
1. FA Conference-approved literature.
2. FA Conference-recognized material.
3. WSI board-approved material.
4. Material distributed by the boards or committees of WSI, FA intergroups, or FA chapters.
5. Telephone lists (of registered FA meetings).
6. Meeting directories (of registered FA meetings).
7. FA Information Session notices.
an FA Meeting Group elect the following required service positions:
1. WSI Contact-to maintain communication with World Service.
2. Web & Directory Contact-to be listed as a contact person in FA meeting directories and to manage meeting information for the website.
3. Intergroup Contact-to maintain communication with the local Intergroup.
4. Chapter Contact-(only for a meeting that is registered with a Chapter) to maintain communication with the local Chapter.
in addition to the items listed in Article IV Section I (d)(3) of the WSI Bylaws, the format for the meeting shall include the following:
1. The FA Preamble.
2. The Big Book readings of “How it Works” and “The Promises.”
3. The FA Tools of Recovery.
4. Announcements welcoming the newcomer and identifying available sponsors.
5. A break approximately midway through the meeting for greeting newcomers.
6. The announcement of the Seventh Tradition.
Items noted above in (6) and in Article IV Section I (d)(3) of the WSI Bylaws may not be altered in any way from the Sample FA Meeting Format in the Meeting Guidelines posted on the FA website (currently Document 4). Other portions of the format (e.g. disciplines or placement of announcements) may be adjusted by group conscience.

Any group of people that chooses not to adhere to the registration requirements above and in Article IV Section 1 or does not register with FA as a meeting will not be recognized as a registered FA meeting group. The group will not appear on the FA website or be listed in any FA meeting directories, may not use the FA name or format, and may not have their meetings promoted at FA group meetings, intergroups or chapters.

2011 June: FA Conference-Approved Literature (revised from CEM 2009).

FA Conference Approved Literature includes only the following:
1. Twenty-Four Hours A Day (Hazelden).
2. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
3. The Little Red Book (Hazelden).
4. The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions (AA).
5. All FA Pamphlets and books that have been approved by the World Service Conference, including both those in English and those translated into languages other than English.

2012 June: Procedures to Help FA Meetings Abide by Meeting Requirements and Standards

A. Registration of New Meetings

New meetings that wish to affiliate with FA are required to register using the online registration form. The form obligates the new meeting to agree to abide by the FA-WSI meeting requirements and standards as stated in the June 2011 continuing effects motion. Submission of the registration form indicates the meeting’s agreement. Once registered, the meeting is added to the meeting lists of FA-WSI and the associated intergroup or chapter. It may then be included in printed meeting lists and on the FA website.

B. Renewal of Registration for Existing Meetings

All meetings in existence before October 1, 2012, will have ninety days from that date to renew their registration. This will assure that existing FA meetings are in alignment with the meeting requirements and standards established pursuant to FA Bylaws Art. IV, 1(f).

The Renewal of Registration form requires meetings to abide by the meeting requirements and standards. Any meeting that fails to renew within ninety days will be given notice that it has an additional thirty days to do so. Failing that, it will receive a phone call from a member of a Board-designated committee to discuss its reasons for not re-registering. In this discussion, the committee member will offer guidance, support, and education to help the meeting with its final decision. The Board-designated committee will collaborate with the WSB in writing a letter to send to any group that does not renew or does not agree to the standards and requirements. The letter from the WSB will state that the meeting will be withdrawn from publicized meeting lists and the FA website.

C. Periodic Renewal of Registration

The Board shall require all existing FA meetings to renew their registration every three years. If FA meeting standards are changed, renewal of registration will be requested in the year following the change. The Board may shorten the interval between renewals for other reasons, if it deems it necessary.

D. Procedures When a Meeting’s Practices Are in Question

Meeting practices should always be addressed first at the meeting level. If an FA member attends a meeting that is not operating in accordance with the agreed-upon FA-WSI requirements and standards, the issue should be discussed face-to-face with the meeting’s WSI Contact in a supportive, respectful manner. The member should remind the WSI Contact of the requirements and standards that a meeting must accept in order to be considered an FA meeting. They will attempt to help the meeting better understand the registration process; the principles underlying our requirements and standards; and why the FA Conference, acting for the fellowship as a whole, does not support meetings that fail to abide by these standards.

If the meeting does not wish to abide by the agreed-upon standards and the member believes that the meeting’s practices could harm newcomers or FA as a whole, the member may approach the Board for support and guidance. The Board will designate a committee to respond to this concern (most likely the Inquiry Response Committee [IRC]).

The Board-designated committee will work with the concerned member regarding next steps. The committee will assess whether or not one of its own members should communicate directly with the meeting’s WSI Contact. The committee’s role is to provide support, guidance, and education both to the concerned member and the meeting.

A Meeting Becomes Willing to Abide by Meeting Standards

After further conversations, if understanding is reached and the meeting agrees to the standards, it remains registered.

A Meeting Does Not Agree to Abide by Meeting Standards

Through its group conscience, an FA meeting may decide to persist in practices that conflict with FA-WSI meeting requirements and standards. After thoughtful evaluation of the situation, the WSB, in consultation with the Board-designated committee, may conclude that the meeting’s practices pose a significant threat to newcomers or FA as a whole because the meeting identifies itself as an FA meeting. Essentially it is choosing to be something other than an FA meeting.

If the meeting is notified of the Board’s decision and still chooses to assert its identity as an FA meeting, the Board-designated committee will communicate with the meeting’s WSI Contact and again attempt to clarify the principles underlying the FA-WSI requirements and standards.

If the Board-designated committee determines that the meeting still rejects FA-WSI meeting requirements and standards, it will prepare a report for the Board recommending cancellation of the meeting’s registration. The Board will send the meeting a copy of the report and give the meeting thirty days to respond.

After the Board receives a response or sixty days following the meeting’s receipt of the report, the Board will decide by majority vote whether or not to continue to recognize the meeting as an FA meeting. If the Board decides against continued recognition, the WSI secretary will notify the meeting and instruct the World Service Office to remove the meeting from the FA website, the associated intergroup or chapter directory, and any other FA documents.

E. Procedure When a Meeting’s Practices Are in Question and the Meeting Wants to Remove Itself from the FA Meeting Directories

If a meeting decides through its group conscience not to abide by the FA-WSI meeting requirements and standards, it must send a meeting cancellation notice to its intergroup or chapter.

F. Procedure for WSB to Report Back to WSI Conference When and Why Meeting(s) Have Been Removed

When meetings are removed by the WSB from meeting lists, FA directories, and documents for reasons of non-compliance, for the purpose of educating the fellowship as a whole, the WSB will verbally report to the Conference at the next WSBC the reasons why each meeting, if any, was removed.

2012 June: The WSB moves that the Conference adopt the concept that a Sample FA Meeting Format be approved at the Conference level.

The rationale for this motion was that the board was responsible for revising the document, but given that the meeting format is a very important document that identifies an FA meeting, the board decided that changes ought to come before the body (not just the board).

Effect of this motion: Any changes to the meeting format have to be conference approved.

2012 June: The WSB moves that the Conference approve the Sample FA Meeting Format which is now posted on our website and has been sent to WSB contacts.

Below are the sections that changed in the format:

Literature announcement

Free newcomer packets and phone lists are available at the literature table. In addition, books, pamphlets, CDs of individual stories, and copies of the connection magazine are for sale there as well. We also have trifolds to post in the community and letters to take to health care providers and/or faith community leaders. Someone will be at the table to assist you during the break and after the meeting. Would the literature person please stand and identify him or herself?

connection announcement

connection is a magazine of experience, strength and hope created by food addicts for food addicts. Subscribe at foodaddicts.org or purchase an individual copy at this meeting. You can also submit art and articles. Would the connection rep please identify him or herself?

Proposed wording: The Disciplines of the Meeting

No smoking, food, or drinks please.
We encourage people to arrive early to help set up the room and greet newcomers.
Please refrain from texting, doing handicrafts, or engaging in any activity that might distract others.
We do not mention food by name or describe it in detail, as this may make some of our members uncomfortable.

The Tool of Service

We do service by staying abstinent, giving us the freedom from compulsion and obsession with food to allow us to be available to others. Any service that will help reach a fellow sufferer adds to the quality of our own recovery. Sharing at meetings, talking to newcomers, answering the phone, putting away chairs, doing whatever needs to be done for FA, including supporting your intergroup or chapter and attending business meetings, are ways we give back what we have so generously been given. Do what you can when you can. “A life of sane and happy usefulness” is what we are promised as a result of working the Twelve Steps. Service fulfills that promise.

Meeting Format Must Contain:

The meeting format must contain the following:

The FA Preamble, “How it Works”, the Promises of the Program, the FA Tools of Recovery, announcements of the 7th tradition collection, welcoming the newcomer and identifying available sponsors, and a break approximately midway through for greeting newcomers.

All portions must be identical (unaltered) to those found in the Sample FA Meeting Format of the Meeting Guidelines.

Things That Can Be Changed:

Additions to the disciplines such as

Perfume announcement.
No gum chewing.
Where to park.
Placement of announcements.
Collecting 7th tradition after qualification if you have a lot of latecomers.

2012 June: The WSB moves that the WSC recommend that the Board continue to organize and hold a Fellowship Convention.

2014 June: The WSB moves the Conference adopt the Book Committee’s recommendation to: 1) make the FA Book available to the public solely through the FA website at this time, and 2) delegate future distribution decisions to the World Service Board.

2016 June: “Living Abstinently” booklet.

It was adopted that the “Living Abstinently” booklet is FA Conference-approved literature for distribution to the fellowship and, specifically, to place it on the literature table at meetings for sale as well as for use in “Tools” meetings.

2017 June: Literature: Capitalization of God, Higher Power, etc.

It was adopted that the words God, Higher Power, and any other references to God or Higher Power be capitalized in all FA literature.

2017 June: “Meetings” Tool Modified to Include “in person”

It was adopted that the wording of the “Meetings” tool be amended in the Sample FA Meeting Format (Document 4) and in the “Living Abstinently” booklet by inserting the words “in person” after the word “meetings” so that it reads: “MEETINGS: We attend meetings in person, sharing our experience, strength, and hope with each other. We have found that unless we give to newcomers what we have received from the program, we cannot keep it for ourselves.”

2017 June: Sample FA Meeting Format (updated in 2017)

It was adopted that the Sample FA Meeting Format (Document 4) be updated. The primary changes were updating the tools of recovery. This included adding the phrase “in person” to the “Meetings” tool, adding the two new tools of “Gratitude” and “Quiet Time,” and changing the wording of the tools of recovery in the meeting format to match the wording of the tools in the “Living Abstinently” booklet.

2018 June: Change to the Sample FA Meeting Format Language

It was adopted that the definition of a food addict in the Sample FA Meeting Format (Document 4) be updated to replace the previous word of “creates” with the wording “sets up” in order to conform to the FA WSI Bylaws Article II Fundamental Principles, Section 3(a) Terminology. The definition of a food addict in the FA Meeting Format now reads: “Food addicts have an allergy to flour, sugar, and quantities that sets up an uncontrollable craving. The problem can be arrested a day at a time by the action of our weighing and measuring our food and abstaining completely from all flour and sugar.”

2019 June: Change to the Sample FA Meeting Format Language

A revised sample meeting format was adopted (Meeting Guidelines Document 4: Sample FA Meeting Format).

Multiple modifications were made to streamline the format. Changes of note:

Simplifying and moving the instruction about clapping.
Indicating this is optional: “Is there anyone who is visiting or has recently reached 90 days, who is working with an FA sponsor, who would like to share first?”
Changing “Definition of a Food Addict” to “Definition of “Food Addiction.”
Shortening “The Promises of the Program” to the “The Promises”

2019 June: “Food Addiction and the FA Solution” pamphlet

It was adopted that the “Food Addiction and the FA Solution” pamphlet is FA Conference-approved literature for distribution to the fellowship and, specifically, to place it on the literature table as FA Conference-approved literature.

2019 June: Change Back Page Language of literature

It was adopted that the back-page language developed for “Food Addiction and the FA Solution” be used for all existing pamphlets.

2021 June: Create virtual meeting format and documents

It was adopted that the 2021 World Service Conference direct the World Service Board and its committees to draft virtual meeting requirements and a model virtual meeting format to be submitted for approval at the 2022 WSBC.

2021 June: Modify the intellectual property policy to address entities

It was adopted that registered FA meetings, intergroups, and chapters may freely use WSI materials owned or controlled by FA for purposes related to registered FA meetings. Some examples of these materials are meeting formats, the FA logo, the definition of food addiction, the FA tools, and the Meeting Guideline documents. Use of such materials and any other FA intellectual property is otherwise restricted. The World Service Conference directs that permission be obtained from the World Service Board by an individual or entity wishing to use any of these materials on the internet or in any other medium of public communication.

2021 June: Approve “Overweight? Obese? Overeating? There is a Solution” pamphlet

Adopt the new pamphlet “Overweight? Obese? Overeating? There is a Solution”
Remove the 1999 pamphlet “Food Addiction: There is a Solution”, no longer needed since the conference approved “Food Addiction and the FA Solution” in 2019.

2021 June: Modify “Just for Today” card

It was adopted that the reference to Abraham Lincoln be removed from the “Just for Today” card.

2021 June: Changes to the bylaws:

Article IV. Section 1(a): The definition of FA meeting group was modified to include virtual settings.

Article VIII. Section 6: Multiple changes for special meetings.

Article VIII. Section 2: Give WSC authority to withdraw literature.

Article IV. Section 1(c): All meetings must register with an intergroup. Meetings may continue to register with a chapter in addition to an intergroup.

2022 June: Change to the bylaws regarding AWOL

The WSC agreed to delete the definition of AWOL. In addition, all references to AWOL in the bylaws were replaced by language describing a study of the Twelve Steps. Service requirements that had previously included “AWOL” were changed to “an in-depth study of the Twelve Steps in sequence using a method focused on food addiction and requiring abstinence throughout each Step.” This change applies to members of the WSB, the WSC, intergroup boards, and the Traditions Review committee.

2022 June: Change to the bylaws regarding changing the Twelve Steps, the Twelve Traditions, and the Twelve Concepts

Article XIII was changed to include the requirement of receiving written permission from AA before trying to change the Steps, Traditions, or Concepts (since they own the copyright to these documents) and to correct the language about voting to “The change must also be accepted by seventy-five percent of WSC members present at the WSBC and casting a vote.”

2022 June: Change to Article V Section 3(a) WSB Qualifications

The WSC agreed to replace “maintain credible body size” with “demonstrate recovery.”

2022 June: Modify “Living Abstinently”

The booklet “Living Abstinently” was modified to reflect changes that occurred at the 2021 WSBC regarding the addition of virtual meetings as valid FA meetings.

2022 June: FA Meeting Formats

The in-person meeting format was modified to reflect the modified tool of meetings, along with other minor changes. Two additional meeting formats were added: one for videoconferences and one for telephone conferences. In addition, a separate meeting format that contains only the readings for participants was created. This partial format will be used by videoconferences that prefer not to screen-share the readings done by meeting leaders.

2023 June: Change to the bylaws regarding gender-related pronouns

Article V, Sections 4(a) and 6(a) were re-worded so as to eliminate the use of the pronouns “his” and “her.”

2023 June: Change to the bylaws regarding voting on main motions

Article VIII, Section 3 was revised by the addition of a new subsection g, which states “Main motions require a vote of substantial unanimity to pass.”

2023 June: Literature: Teens/Twenties pamphlet revision

The WSC adopted the literature committee’s revision of the pamphlet “Food Addiction: Teens and Twenties in Recovery.”

2023 June: Numeric value for substantial unanimity

The WSC adopted the following language to define “substantial unanimity” as used in the June 2023 addition to Article VIII of the bylaws: “Unless the WSC votes otherwise before debate begins on a main motion, substantial unanimity for purposes of the vote on a main motion shall be set at two-thirds.”

2023 June: Self-certification

The WSC adopted the following language: “Officers and trustees of WSI, WSC members, and all others seeking to fill service positions defined in the FA WSI Bylaws shall self-certify that they meet the requirements stated in the FA WSI Bylaws for those service positions. Self-certification does not require the signing of any documentation aside from any application form routinely required for a given position.”

2024 June: Meeting Requirements

An FA meeting group is an association of two or more food addicts who regularly meet to share experience, strength, and hope about recovery from food addiction through the Twelve Steps of FA. The requirements for registration as an FA meeting group are stated below. The provisions marked with an asterisk (*) come from Article IV, Section 1 of the WSI Bylaws and can only be amended by following the process for amending the Bylaws.

Meet in person, by videoconference (including telephone access), or by telephone*
Meet for 90 minutes
If it is an in-person meeting, meet in a facility that is open to the public and arrange chairs in theater style, in rows facing the speaker
Have as its primary purpose carrying the FA message of recovery to food addicts who still suffer*
Register with an FA intergroup and comply with its bylaws*
Comply with the WSI bylaws*
Welcome all who have a desire to stop eating addictively*
Adhere to the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of FA*
Offer for sale or distribution or for reading during a meeting only the following:
1. FA Conference-approved literature
2. FA Conference-recognized literature
3. WSI board-approved material
4. material distributed by the boards or committees of WSI, FA intergroup, or FA chapters
5. telephone lists of registered FA meetings
6. meeting directories of registered FA meetings
7. FA Information Session notices
Refrain from distributing food plans as approved meeting documents. However, food plans may be shared between sponsors and sponsees as a component of the complete FA program of recovery.
Elect the following required service positions:
1. WSI contact
2. meeting contact
3. intergroup contact
4. chapter contact (if registered with an FA chapter as well as an FA intergroup)
5. secretary
6. treasurer
Use the appropriate FA Meeting Format found on the FA website, which includes these required items:
1. the FA Preamble
2. the Twelve Steps as adapted by FA*
3. the Twelve Traditions as adapted by FA*
4. the definition of food addiction*
5. the definition of abstinence*
6. “How It Works” and “The Promises” from A.A.’s Big Book
7. the FA tools of recovery
8. a break approximately midway through the meeting for greeting newcomers and visitors^
9. the statement that only persons with 90 days or more of continuous abstinence in FA who are working with an FA sponsor will be invited to share*
10. the statement that only persons with 90 days or more of continuous abstinence in FA who are working with an FA sponsor and who regularly attend the meeting will have a voice and a vote at the meeting group’s business meetings*
11. announcements welcoming newcomers and visitors, identifying available sponsors, and explaining how to donate as per the Seventh Tradition

Items 12(a)-(g), (i), and (j) may not be altered from the wording in the FA Meeting Formats found on the FA website.

Suggested wording for the announcements listed in item 12(k) and for a section on guidelines or rules of meeting etiquette are provided in the FA Meeting Formats on the FA website, but these may be changed to suit individual meetings.

Any group of people that chooses not to adhere to the registration requirements above will not be recognized as a registered FA meeting group. The group will not appear on the FA website or be listed in any FA meeting directories, may not use the FA name or format, and may not have its meetings announced at FA group meetings, intergroup meetings, or chapter meetings.

___________________________________________________

^ The WSB acknowledges that at present it is difficult for large telephone meetings to have a break during their meetings, as is required by item 12(h) above. The WSB encourages those meetings to seek technological options, such as the equivalent of videoconference break-out rooms, with the goal of meeting this requirement in the future.

2024 June: FA Meeting Formats

The in-person, videoconference, and telephone meeting formats were revised to use more welcoming language; to improve brevity, clarity, and flow; and to rearrange the sequence of readings (moving the FA tools to after the break) so newcomers will hear sharing earlier in a meeting. In addition, the homebound meeting format was retired, the in-person Thank-a-Thon format was revised, and a new videoconference Thank-a-Thon format was adopted.

2024 June: Literature: “Food Addiction: Undereating? Underweight? Purging?” revision

The WSC adopted the literature committee’s revision of the pamphlet previously titled “Bulimic? Undereating? Underweight?” The purpose of the revision is to clearly define food addiction without using medical terms and to better reflect in the stories the diversity of the FA fellowship.

2024 June: Bylaws Changes (“Plain Language”)

Numerous sections throughout the WSI bylaws were revised to eliminate unnecessary duplication of numerals; to delete references to outdated modes of communication; to re-alphabetize the names of the WSI committees (reflecting the change of several years ago from “Chapter and Intergroup Support Committee” to “Service Group Support Committee”); and to consolidate already-existing provisions where appropriate.

Revised 2024 0620

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FA WSI Standing Rules of Order (SRO)

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Year

FA/WSI STANDING RULES OF ORDER (SRO)