Meeting Definitions

Open Meeting: Open to OA members and non-OA visitors. All meetings are considered open unless otherwise indicated.

Closed Meeting: Open to anyone with a desire to stop eating compulsively or anyone who thinks they may have a problem with compulsive overeating, this includes newcomers.

Special Focus Meetings: (gay and lesbian, women’s, 100-pounders, maintainers, anorexic/bulimic, etc.) are composed of individuals who feel they can more readily identify with fellow OAers with similar attributes.

Special Topic Meetings: (Big Book Study, Lifeline, Speaker, Newcomer, etc.) have a defined topic of discussion.

NOTE: Not all meetings have a Special Focus or Special Topic.

According to the Traditions, bylaws and policies of OA, the only requirement for OA membership is the desire to stop eating compulsively. We ask each person attending to respect the meeting’s group conscience. All registered meetings welcome and give a voice to any person who has the desire to stop eating compulsively.