Dear FA fellows,
This past weekend, over 1,500 food addicts from around the world gathered online for our annual Business Convention. More than 350 voting members representing meetings across the globe showed up to make their voices heard and decide the direction of Food Addicts In Recovery Anonymous moving forward. With the guiding concept of substantial unanimity, over two thirds of voting members decided that video conferencing and telephone conferencing will now be legitimate and supported additional platforms for FA meetings.
In addition to this historic decision by the conference, a number of other motions were passed and new World Service Board (WSB) members were elected. A full report will be forthcoming.
In the meantime, as we, members of the new Board, begin to get to work, we know there are many pressing questions about next steps for video and telephone meetings. Here are a couple of answers:
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Next week, we will be sending out draft meeting formats and supporting documents for both video and telephone meetings. Based on resources created by the Eastern Area Intergroup, they are meant to be used by current video and telephone gatherings. Over the next year, meeting groups will use these formats and provide feedback to the Vice Chair and his committee as they work to develop final versions that will be brought to the 2022 World Service Business Convention for approval. There may be interim versions released in the meantime.
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Even though video and telephone platforms can now be used for FA meetings, the FA office and the World Service Board will need time to finalize the process for registering these meetings and listing them on the website. In the meantime, please do NOT attempt to register your future video or telephone meeting. We kindly ask for your patience as we work out how meetings will register and re-register and get listed on the FA website.
Additionally, we wanted to take a moment to introduce ourselves to all of you! The new WSB, composed of four Executive Board members and nine committee chairs, includes:
As we move into a new era for Food Addicts In Recovery Anonymous, the WSB promises to ensure our organization is living up to its primary purpose to help the still-suffering food addict find recovery from this disease. We are committed to creating a more inclusive fellowship where anyone who wants to stop eating addictively can feel welcome at every corner of this program and find recovery regardless of race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, religion, or socioeconomic status. And, as your trusted servants, we are committed to upholding the Twelve Traditions, the Twelve Concepts, and the basic principles of FA. Our job as a Board is to serve you, the individual FA member, and we look forward to doing just that as we get to work.
Yours in service,
The World Service Board of Food Addicts In Recovery Anonymous
