Update Living Abstinently Booklet - 2022 WSBC Motion
MOTION:
The World Service Board moves that the 2022 World Service Conference adopt the changes made to the booklet Living Abstinently.
If this motion proposes a change in an already established bylaw, policy, or Continuing Effect Motion, please indicate the current wording:
This motion is not a change to any motion or bylaw.
What do you hope to accomplish through this motion, and how will it strengthen the effectiveness of WSI/FA service?
Parts of the Meeting and Service sections should be updated to reflect that FA now has three platforms for meetings: in-person, virtual, and telephone.
Please note:
- The original tool of Meetings in the Living Abstinently booklet passed by the 2016 World Service Conference and first published in 2017, did not include the words “in person.” The 2017 World Service Conference added the words “in person” to the tool of Meetings. Therefore, the first edition of the Living Abstinently booklet does not include the words “in person.”
- If this motion passes, it will be reflected in the meeting format motion coming up later in the Convention agenda.
CURRENT WORDING:
MEETINGS
We attend meetings in person, where we share 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.
- Committed Meetings. With abstinence as our priority, the meetings that help us sustain our abstinence become a priority too. We choose specific meetings, commit to them, and schedule everything else around them. The deeper our commitment, the stronger our recovery; when necessary, many of us willingly drive an hour or more to our meetings. Open AA meetings are a good alternative if there are no FA meetings in our area.
- Meetings as Medicine. Addictive eating was once our most common reaction to life. Now we attend FA meetings. Meetings focus us on abstinence, gratitude, service, and hope. We remember where our food addiction took us. Try visiting an FA meeting in another area if you're traveling, and you'll likely enjoy your trip even more.
- Ending Isolation. As food addicts, we have a strong tendency to isolate. In-person meetings give us opportunities to get to know people and to let them know us. To feel part of a meeting, we need to be part of the meeting, so we plan to arrive early and raise our hands to read or share. We make an effort to talk with others—especially newcomers or those who are alone—before and after the meeting and during the break.
- Sharing Experience. Each person's story of addiction and recovery is unique. We do service at our meetings when we share our own story. What did food do to us? How did we hit rock bottom? What helps us stay abstinent today? If we are being honest and trying to be helpful, what we say and how we speak are enough. Reminding ourselves that we are not performing or advising, we speak from the heart without notes. Sincerity and honesty count more than cleverness and charisma.
- Strength from Fellowship. "Just being with men and women who have found the way out gives you a feeling of security. You listen to the speakers, you talk with other members, and you absorb the atmosphere of confidence and hope that you find in the place." (Twenty-Four Hours a Day. Center City, MN: Hazelden Foundation, 1992, March 23)
SERVICE
- Service at Meetings. We provide vital FA service by doing all we can to welcome everyone to our meetings. Before the meeting, during breaks, and after the meeting we stay especially aware of newcomers and those returning to FA. We greet them, answer any questions, and ensure they know how to connect with available sponsors and access the meeting’s phone list. If they offer their phone numbers, we reach out later with encouragement and hope.
PROPOSED WORDING:
MEETINGS
We attend meetings where we share 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.
- Committed Meetings. With abstinence as our priority, meetings become a priority, too. We choose specific meetings, commit to them, and schedule everything else around them. The deeper our commitment, the stronger our recovery.
- Meetings as Medicine. Many of us used food to feel better. Now we attend FA meetings to learn about food addiction and be reminded of the seriousness of the disease. Hearing stories of recovery gives us gratitude and hope and reminds us that addictive eating no longer needs to be our first reaction to life.
- Ending Isolation. As food addicts, we have a strong tendency to isolate. At meetings, we make contact and get to know people. To feel part of a meeting, we need to be part of the meeting, so we arrive early and participate by reading and/or sharing. We make an effort to talk with others — especially newcomers — before and after the meeting and during the break.
- Sharing Experience. Each person’s story of addiction and recovery is unique. We give service at our meetings when we share our own story. What did food do to us? How did we hit rock bottom? What helps us stay abstinent today? If we are being honest and trying to be helpful, what we say and how we speak are enough. Reminding ourselves that we are not performing or advising, we speak from the heart without notes. Sincerity and honesty count more than cleverness and charisma.
- Being Present. We are fortunate to have in-person, video, and telephone meetings. Participating without distractions allows us to be fully present and enjoy a respite from outside worries.
- Strength from Fellowship. “Just being with [others] who have found the way out gives you a feeling of security. You listen to the speakers, you talk with other members, and you absorb the atmosphere of confidence and hope that you find in the place.” (Twenty-Four Hours a Day. Center City, MN: Hazelden Foundation, 1992, March 23)
SERVICE
- Service at Meetings. We provide vital FA service by doing all we can to welcome everyone to our meetings, particularly newcomers and those returning. During breaks, we encourage them to ask questions and we share our own experience of recovery. We make sure everyone has access to available sponsors as well as the meeting’s phone list.