WAI Main Motion Submissions Guide for 2023

Introduction

This guide explains the procedure by which a “main motion” is developed, sent to WAI, and, if receiving a “yes” vote by the WAI body, sent to FA World Service Board (WSB) to be heard at the Annual FA World Service Business Convention (WSBC). The timeline specified below is in accordance with WAI and WSI bylaws and continuing effect motions.

Also included is the full text of the WAI continuing effect motion (CEM) regarding main motions.

Procedure

• Any member with 90 days or more of abstinence who is working with an FA sponsor may present a motion to their FA meeting. Please note that the meeting must be formally registered with WAI.

• November 2023: The meeting discusses the potential motion at its business meeting. If a majority of members with a voice and a vote at the business meeting agree that the motion has merit, a member of the meeting group will complete the WAI Main Motion Submission Form.

• December 3, 2023: The WAI Main Motion Submission Form must be received by the WAI Bylaws Committee (waibylaws@foodaddicts.org) by December 3, 2023, which is one week prior to the December WAI Meeting. The WAI Bylaws Committee will contact and partner with the motion maker to make clarifications or modifications as needed.

• January 14, 2024: The motion maker or their designee is required to present the merits of the motion to the WAI body at the January 2024 FA-WAI meeting. A discussion will be had, including potential amendments.

• February 11, 2024: All members of WAI with at least two years of abstinence may vote upon the main motion. If two-thirds or more of the eligible voting members agree that the merits of the motion are substantial enough for WAI to move the motion on to the WSB, the WAI executive board or its designee will submit the motion to the WSB secretary. In addition, the WAI executive board may unilaterally submit a main motion to the WSB secretary.
  
  
• March to May 2024: The WSB convention planning committee, via the FA office, will send all proposed motions
  to all registered World Service Conference (WSC) members. Note that a WSC member is an FA member who has five years of continuous abstinence, has completed 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, and has been elected by their registered meeting to be a voting member at the convention. Officers and chairs of the WSB, intergroups, and chapters are also WSC members by position.
  
  
• Upon receiving a majority “yes” vote of the WSC members (meaning that the motion should be considered at the convention), the motion will be placed on the WSBC agenda for a vote at the convention as to whether or not the motion should be adopted.