EAI 2026 Motion - Silver Spring 60m Meeting - Pilot Format

PROPOSED 60–MINUTE FORMAT: 

ALL EDITS ARE SUBJECT TO A PILOT PERIOD, AND ARE NOT FINAL

We have 3-4 opportunities for newcomers to read the format and actively participate in the meeting, while reducing the overall number of volunteer readings, to better streamline the required readings and provide more time to hear the individual miracles of recovery.

1. The following items have been removed entirely:

   1. “How many food addicts are here besides me? [Pause.] Welcome, everyone.”

   2. How it Works

   3. “What an Order!”

   4. Descriptions of PI Reps and Connection Reps

2. The proposed format includes the items in the list below. 

   1. Welcome and Serenity Prayer

   2. Preamble

   3. Definition of Food Addiction

   4. Meeting Guidelines- MODIFIED BELOW 

   5. Twelve Steps

   6. Twelve Traditions- MODIFIED BELOW 

   7. Newcomer Visitor Welcome; Greeter; Call for Sponsors; Literature

   8. Seventh Tradition- MODIFIED BELOW

   9. Break

   10. Tools - MODIFIED BELOW IN NUMBER 

   11. Sharing

   12. Promises

   13. Serenity Prayer

   14. Requirement of 90 days to share and vote

3. The following items have been modified, however, wordsmithing is permitted during the pilot.

   1. Reduced recommended times for qualifications from 35 to 20 minutes

   2. Reduced recommended time for sharing from 40 to 30 minutes

   3. MEETING GUIDELINES: eliminated items 3. No eating, drinking, or chewing gum and 4. We ask that you not bring infants and children to the meeting. However, anyone who identifies as having a problem with food is welcome.

   4. TRADITIONS: 
      Deleted “The Fifth Tradition reminds us that we are all responsible for carrying the message. Everyone is encouraged to welcome newcomers.” 
      

   5. SEVENTH TRADITION: We will now collect the Seventh Tradition donation. FA relies exclusively on member contributions per the Seventh Tradition. We neither solicit nor accept outside donations. Your contribution supports this meeting, your intergroup, and the FA World Service office. Please contribute generously to the Seventh Tradition.

   6. TOOLS: Welcome back! FA includes many Tools of Recovery, daily practices FA members use to attain and maintain continuous, contented abstinence from addictive eating one day at a time. These Tools include abstinence, sponsorship, meetings, connecting with fellows over the phone, literature, writing, quiet time, and service. We practice Gratitude as an action. We also keep membership anonymous. A sponsor can help explain and begin each Tool with you. There is also a pamphlet on the literature table which will explain the Tools in more depth.

We will now read the TOOLS OF RECOVERY, daily practices FA members use to attain and maintain continuous, contented abstinence from addictive eating one day at a time. Members with more than 90 days, please refrain from reading unless there are no volunteers. Would someone please start with the tool of ABSTINENCE? (etc.)

LITERATURE:  On the literature table there are free newcomer packets, phone lists, and other FA Conference-approved materials at the literature table, including the Connection magazine, and a phone list to which you can add your name, if you wish. There are also reports and announcements from the Intergroup and World Service. You can download audio qualifications from the FA website or listen to podcasts on streaming platforms. There are many opportunities for you to do service, and services available for you, including IT assistance. The literature representative will be available to answer questions and offer help. Someone will be at the table to assist you during the break and after the meeting. Literature Representative, would you please identify yourself?

Please view the full pilot format starting on page 6 at this link.