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Tuesday, Jan. 3: Mini Workshop sponsored by Ocean & Bay Intergroup, 6-7 p.m. Topic: HONESTY: IDENTIFY YOUR TRIGGERS AND TRANSFORM YOUR FOOD PLAN
St. Patrick Catholic Church, 2068 Cranston St., Cranston, RI
All welcome to attend Intergroup meeting that follows.
Tuesday, Jan. 3:
OCEAN AND BAY INTERGROUP MEETING
6 p.m.: MINI WORKSHOP: HONESTY: Identify Your Triggers and Transform Your Food Plan
7 p.m.: Literature Sales & Fellowship
7:30 p.m.: Meeting
St. Patrick Church,
2068 Cranston Street, Cranston, RI.
Saturday, Jan. 7:
WMI OA MARATHON
8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., St. David's Church, Agawam, MA
Saturday, Jan. 7: Speaker Meeting with guest speaker from Southwestern CT Intergroup at 10 a.m., St. Luke's Church, Clark Lane off 1830 Route 12, Gales Ferry, CT
Flyer
Friday, Jan. 13: Source of Hope Meeting Anniversary (candlelight meeting), 6-7pm, Southwick Congregational Church, Southwick, MA
Saturday, Jan. 21: OA's Birthday (third Saturday in January)
Tuesday, Feb. 7:
Mini Workshop sponsored by Ocean & Bay Intergroup, 6-7 p.m. Topic: Easy Does It, But Do It!
St. Patrick Catholic Church, 2068 Cranston St., Cranston, RI
All welcome to attend Intergroup meeting that follows.
Tuesday, Feb. 7: Ocean and Bay Intergroup Meeting
6 p.m.: Mini Workshop
7 p.m.: Literature Sales & Fellowship
7:30 p.m.: Meeting
St. Patrick's Church,
2068 Cranston Street, Cranston, RI.
February 10-12: 2017 NH Intergroup Annual Retreat "Practicing these Principles in all our Affairs" at Barbara C. Harris Camp & Conference Center, Greenfield, NH. Info 603-748-3609 or
nhiretreats@oanewhampshire.org.
Saturday, Feb. 25: UNITY Day at 2:30 pm (ET). This day recognizes the strength of the Fellowship worldwide. On the last Saturday in February at 2:30 p.m (ET), OA members pause to reaffirm the strength inherent in OA's unity.
Saturday, Feb. 25: UNITY DAY, Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital, Plymouth, MA, sponsored by Cape Cod and South Coastal Intergroups
Tuesday, March 7: Mini Workshop - Tools: Reorganize Your Tool Box
Tuesday, March 7: Ocean and Bay Intergroup Meeting
Tuesday, April 4: Mini Workshop - Body Image: Learning to Love Myself
Tuesday, April 4: Ocean and Bay Intergroup Meeting
Saturday, April 8: Region 6 Spring Assembly, Radisson Hotel Albany, Albany, NY
Saturday, April 29: 12 Steps in 5 Hours led by speakers from Boston, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., St. David's Episcopal Church, corner of Rt. 12 and 214, Gales Ferry, CT For info:
kathyw19@gmail.com
Tuesday, May 2: Mini Workshop - 12-Stepping A Problem: Use the New OA Pocket Guide on Any Situation
Tuesday, May 2: Ocean and Bay Intergroup Meeting
May 1-6:World Service Business Conference - Growing OA Unity Worldwide (OBI will send a delegate)
June 2-4: WMI OA Retreat: A Weekend Walk Th
rough the Steps at Genesis Spiritual Center.
Tuesday, June 6: Sponsorship: I'm not Ready But My Sponsor Thinks I Am
Tuesday, June 6: Ocean and Bay Intergroup Meeting
October 20-22: 2017 Region 6 Convention, Sheraton Parkway Toronto North, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada
www.oaregion6.org/2017/
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PHONE SUPPORT AVAILABLE ON MAJOR HOLIDAYS
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DECEMBER 31
New Year's Eve
JANUARY 1
New Year's Day
JANUARY 16
Martin Luther King Day
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MARATHON PHONE MEETINGS ARE HELD ON
ALL MAJOR HOLIDAYS EVERY HOUR ON THE HOUR BEGINNING AT 8 A.M. AROUND REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETINGS. EACH MARATHON HAS A TOPIC FOR THE DAY.
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Seventh Tradition
The Seventh Tradition states OA is fully self-supporting, accepting contributions only from OA members. Groups may send either monthly or periodic donations (via mail or in person) to Intergroup. Thank you for your donation, which helps us to spread the word of recovery. Intergroup treasurer reports are always available to members -- just ask.
In December, seven groups donated $486.69.
To send donations (payable to Ocean & Bay Intergroup) via mail:
Ocean and Bay Intergroup
Attn: Treasurer
P.O. Box 41273
Providence, RI 02940.
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LIFELINE DEADLINE
MAY/JUNE 2017
Deadline: 1/15/16
TOPIC #1
Finding Support, Giving Support
Have you had success finding a sponsor or being a sponsor? Share what has worked and what you've learned. Are you an OA buddy to someone or is someone your buddy? How do you give support to or get support from your group? What does a good support network look like?
Great Ways to Use Virtual Services
Phone meetings, online chat meetings, email loops, videoconferencing, podcasts, and now social media-how do these options strengthen your recovery either as a complement to face-to-face meetings or independently? How do virtual options fit into your program?
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Intergroup Board
CONTACT US
Corresponding Secretary - Lea
Other Service Positions:
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Mission & Vision
Ocean & Bay Intergroup is dedicated to supporting individuals in need of recovery from compulsive eating (e.g.: overeating, bulimia, anorexia) through carrying the OA message and empowering all meetings within the Intergroup.
1. Help members strengthen their personal recovery
2. Increase the number of sponsors
3. Increase the number of newcomers
4. Increase the retention of newcomers
5. Help those in relapse
6. Inspire people to give more service
7. Increase outreach activities, including outreach to members and healthcare professionals
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__________________________
Meeting List
last updated June 2016
Meeting List
* Please call ahead to verify meetings are taking place, especially during holidays.
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Ocean & Bay Website!
oceanandbay.org
includes events, meeting list, info for newcomers, and more!
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_____________________________
LINKS
New England Intergroups
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__________________________________________
Please note that every effort has been made to adhere to OA's policy for newsletter publications.
Opinions and experiences expressed within are those of the individual writer and not OA as a whole.
REMINDER: This is your newsletter, so please feel free to submit your writing contributions to: oceanandbayoa@yahoo.com.
You are also invited to be one of the members who provides answers for a Q&A. Again, just send us a note to: oceanandbayoa@yahoo.com.
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Dear Fellow OA Member:
On the path of recovery
While I was considering images for the newsletter header, I came across this winter scene with two people snowshoeing at the top of a beautiful mountain on a bright sunny day. One in front of the other, they are trudging a path through the snow that clearly has been traveled by others. The similarity to program is what really got my attention. It is easier to travel the road of recovery with someone in front showing me the way and it is definitely easier when I stay on the same path that others with experience have prepared. Staying on the path makes travel a whole lot easier than getting off and trying to get back on or trying to find my own way in the wilderness. This is true for all of us, whether we have a couple days of abstinence or many years. If you are on the path -- stay on! If you are off the path and want to get back on -- ask someone with experience to guide you.
Speaking of others with experience, in 2017 Ocean & Bay Intergroup is sponsoring a new series of Mini Workshops featuring members sharing their experience on a special topic. These one-hour workshops will be held on the first Tuesday of each month prior to the monthly Intergroup meeting. Each month a different topic will be featured led by an experienced OA member.
The first workshop is "HONESTY: IDENTIFY YOUR TRIGGERS AND TRANSFORM YOUR FOOD PLAN." How perfect is this topic to kick off the new year! It will be held on
Tuesday, January 3rd at 6 a.m. at St. Patrick Church, 2068 Cranston Street, Cranston, RI. Members are welcome to attend the workshop and if so inclined, stay after for fellowship and the Intergroup meeting.
My hand in yours,
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Ocean & Bay Intergroup News
All OA members are welcome to attend Ocean & Bay Intergroup (OBI) meetings held the first Tuesday of the month at St. Patrick Church, 2068 Cranston Street, Cranston, RI. The next meeting is TUESDAY, JANUARY 3rd at 7:30 p.m., with literature sales at 7 p.m.
PRIOR TO THE MEETING -- A NEW MINI WORKSHOP, "Honesty: Identify Your Triggers and Transform Your Food Plan," will start at 6 p.m.
See article for more details.
NEW MINI WORKSHOPS: In December, Intergroup approved a yearlong series of mini workshops beginning in January. The one-hour workshops will be held at
6 p.m. prior to the regular monthly Intergroup meeting on the first Tuesday of the month. Six workshop topics have been planned for the first half of 2017. The other topics will be announced. Refer to article and flyer for more info.
WORLD SERVICE BUSINESS CONFERENCE: Kara M., OBI World Service Delegate, will represent OBI at the World Service Business Conference in New Mexico in May.
POSSIBLE OBI SPEAKER LIST: Intergroup will be discussing the possibility of maintaining a Speaker List for groups to access for guest speakers.
WEBMASTER VOLUNTEER SOUGHT: OBI needs someone who is willing to update the Ocean & Bay Intergroup website on a monthly basis (post events, newsletter, flyers, etc.). Website experience not required, but basic computer skills are helpful. This position does not require attending Intergroup meetings so long as person communicates effectively via email.
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR
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OCEAN & BAY INTERGROUP
presents
MONTHLY MINI WORKSHOPS
(Before the monthly Intergroup meeting)
TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017
at 6 p.m.
HONESTY: Identify Your Triggers and
Transform Your Food Plan
St. Patrick Catholic Church
2068 Cranston Street
Cranston, RI 02920
Please join us after
7 p.m. Fellowship & literature sales
7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Intergroup meeting
DOWNLOAD FLYER
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On the third Saturday in January (this year, Jan. 21st), Overeaters Anonymous celebrates its BIRTHDAY!
OA was founded in Los Angeles, CA, on January 19,1960 by Rozanne S.
and two friends. Today, OA has some 54,000 members attending 7,000 meetings in 80 countries.
Thank you Rozanne!
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Tools of Recovery
"In working Overeaters Anonymous' Twelve-Step program of recovery from compulsive overeating, we have found that a number of tools are available to assist us. We use these tools ... on a regular basis, to help us achieve and maintain abstinence and recover from our disease."
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The Tools of Recovery p.1
TOOL OF THE MONTH
A PLAN OF EATING
A plan of eating helps us abstain from compulsive eating.
(See the pamphlet Dignity of Choice.)
This tool helps us deal with the physical aspects of our disease and achieve physical recovery.
Why is the difference between Abstinence and A Plan of Eating important?
The definition of Abstinence is the same for all members but the details of the Plan of Eating for each member may differ depending on what compulsive food behaviors we engaged in while practicing our disease, such as overeating, under-eating, and purging. A Plan of Eating is a Tool to help the OA member to maintain abstinence, i.e., to refrain from compulsive eating and compulsive food behaviors and to work toward or maintain a healthy body weight. There are as many "plans of eating" in OA as there are members and a plan may change over time for each member. Dignity of Choice has samples of some of the many plans of eating OA member's use.
- OA's Difference Between Abstinence and A Plan of Eating Handout.
Although individual plans of eating are as varied as our members, most OA members agree that some plan - no matter how flexible or structured - is necessary.
- The Tools of Recovery, Overeaters Anonymous pamphlet #160
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CONNECTICUT
SPEAKER MEETINGS
Sponsored by Southeastern Connecticut Intergroup
Come Hear Personal Stories of Recovery & Abstinence!
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Saturday, Jan. 7 at 10 a.m.: St. Luke's Church, Clark Lane off Route 12, Gales Ferry, CT
Other upcoming dates at various meetings (see flyer for details):
Monday, March 6;
Monday, May 22;
Tuesday, July 11;
Wednesday, Sept. 13; and
Friday, Nov. 3.
SPEAKERS NEEDED!
Southeastern Connecticut Intergroup continues to seek speakers for these special meetings. If you have long-term abstinence and are interested in being a speaker, please contact Eileen at SECISpeakerSeeker@gmail.com.
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Little gems and pearls of wisdom from meetings
and literature.
If you can't find your Higher Power --
WHO MOVED?
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Step,
Tradition,
and Concept
of the Month
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STEP 1 - We admitted we were powerless over food -- that our lives had become unmanageable.
TRADITION 1 - Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon OA unity.
CONCEPT 1- The ultimate responsibility and authority for OA world services reside in the collective conscience of our whole Fellowship.
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EXPERIENCE
STRENGTH
HOPE
A Glimpse Into
Plans of Eating of
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CHOICES + CHANGES = FREEDOM
BY JEANNE D.
A Plan of Eating is just one of the many tools available to me in my OA recovery tool kit. The tool is available each day and I have the freedom of choice to utilize it or not. No one is forcing my hand to compulsively overeat or restrict. However, the more I utilize this tool, the freer I actually am as a food addict and child of God.
There is a beginning and an end to each meal. I choose to cook most of my meals from scratch, weighing and measuring out portions most days. I can either plan to be abstinent today or plan to binge/purge/restrict (however I act out). Either way I make a choice--I can be in the problem or the solution.
I plan my meal choices, times and where I eat. My food choices and plan have changed over the years. I have hypoglycemia and many years ago switched from eating 3 times a day to 5-6. My plan of eating easily accommodates a medical condition such as mine. A plan of eating has many facets, however structure of some type is at the core it all. As someone who never knew when to stop eating, I now have a plan that frees me to live life one day at
a time, the way God intended this sober, abstinent woman to be. Thank you OA for the tool of A Plan of Eating.
MINDFUL EATING Q&A WITH PAT D.
Do you have a well-defined food plan? I do.
Who helped you define your food plan? We had a suggested food plan in those days (1978) called Blue Sheet (it was on blue paper). I found balance in that plan and a guide to follow for this defiant compulsive overeater. As time passed the amounts changed slightly and I found this plan became a way of life for me. I so enjoy my food/meals.
Are there foods you abstain from or include? Yes. I do not eat sugar or white flour products, that includes certain foods such as pizza (wheat crust or not), peanut butter is out as well. They set me up to want only that food. As for those I include - balance is what I need. Protein, cooked vegetable, fruit, salad, and my cooked oat bran for a good carb are all in my food plan.
Do you weigh and measure? I weigh and measure when I am at home - it is a freedom for me. I use my mind's eye when I go out to eat, keeping in mind my 6 oz. or more, can pass for 4-1/2 oz. if I am not attentive to it.
How do you handle eating out? The most difficult for me can be buffets or pot lucks. God is my source and He is my guide. I pray and ask for help. This is a Program of Living for me and the blessings of this Program have led me to all types of eating out situations, some more smoothly handled than others.
What food behaviors do you refrain from? No seconds. No bread except if whole wheat is available. No eating off others plates and God help them if they eat off mine unless I offer. No eating standing up.
Are there specific things you do or times you eat? Given my lifestyle and my husband's work schedule I often dine alone. I set a place for myself at the table even when I am dining alone at home. As for the times for my meals -- I like to have my breakfast no later than 8 a.m. (earlier is preferable); lunch no later than 1 p.m. (11:30 a.m./noon is preferable); and dinner no later than 6 p.m. (5 or 5:30 p.m. works best). I've found eating my evening meal much later (say 8 p.m. or later) can cause me to go "bad" as my blood sugar dips and it is not pretty and the "uglies" surface. Occasionally when I am home alone, I will bring my meal into the living room and eat with my favorite show on TV for company.
Please be mindful that the experience shared herewith by these gracious members
is their own, does not represent OA as a whole,
and should not be compared with another person's individual path of recovery, food plan or otherwise.
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