Here are voices from Central Indiana Intergroup (CII) in Region 5 expressing the benefits they’ve received due to being involved at the intergroup level.
Intergroup has been a pivotal part of my recovery. It keeps me connected and engaged in my program. It strengthens the camaraderie I have with others. It helps teach me how to handle different personalities and be respectful of other people’s opinions. It also helps me to handle situations in a healthy way when decisions don’t go my way. Decisions benefit OA as a whole and not just me. CII also shows me the inner workings of the program. Without the upper levels of service, OA would not thrive, and I must have OA to thrive in my life.
— Kelly D.
Serving in an Intergroup has nurtured all three legs of my recovery stool. It feels good to be involved outside of my normal meetings because I am able to think about the solution more regularly. Serving on the board allows me to practice these principles in new and creative ways, and I am able to take that experience, strength and hope to my meetings, my sponsees and my day-to-day life. Being of service in this manner also reminds me of my favorite OA lesson, together we can do what we can never do alone!
— Christine M.
I’ve been attending Intergroup meetings for over 7 years. I was encouraged by my first sponsor to attend after I had been in program for a little over a month. I did it to please her, but it has really helped me understand how important service is in my own recovery. I have served as a committee member, a group representative and in multiple board positions. Service at this level has helped me grow by feeling heard, a safe space to share, seeing others have conflicting viewpoints but still being friends afterwards (traditions and concepts in motion) accepting myself more and growing out of the old attitude that I am not enough. It also helps me to give back to a program that has given me so much. So very thankful!
— Lara C.
I am new to Intergroup and just finding my way. I would say that my participation has given me a sense of purpose regarding my service. I am able to see how OA works on a new level to support my abstinence and the abstinence of others. I am grateful to be part of an organization that has given me so much by giving to others and spreading the message of OA. I have a deep interest in sharing our message with diverse groups and enjoy the challenge of spreading the message to newcomers and old timers alike. I have participated in CII activities in the past and have felt a renewed sense of purpose to my recovery. I am so grateful to be working with so many other committed friends and fellow travelers here.
— John P.
This is only my second intergroup meeting, so I don’t have a lot of experience with Intergroup. But, I am learning the intricacies of OA and more about my fellows. So, CII has given me knowledge.
— Emily P.
Service with Intergroup has given me countless opportunities to practice the principles of our program. I am regularly in awe of the power of the group conscious and that we have but one authority, a higher power of our own understanding. Intergroup is unlike any other organization, leadership team or board that I’ve served on. It allows me to trust in and grow with the group. It gives me the space to be wrong and the safety of forgiveness when I act according to my defects (and try to push my will on the group). My voice is heard and yet I am not the only voice. I am learning true humility through service in CII. Teamwork, belonging, safety, understanding and continued abstinence are all gifts of serving with CII.
— Anonymous.
Being a part of Intergroup has helped me connect more to my program. It has given me fellowship with more than just people in my local meetings. It has given me opportunities to learn new skills and use them to serve. It has helped to build my confidence in the rooms, because I have more knowledge when I’m asked questions. CII Intergroup has strengthened my recovery through connection, service and accountability.
— Missy F.
I’ve only been an intergroup representative since the beginning of the year, but it’s been an amazing experience. I have always felt connected to OA and through the last two years I’ve stayed connected on Zoom meetings and doing a lot more service in those meetings. But intergroup allows me to give back even more by listening to my fellows and giving my opinion on matters that affect my groups. Intergroup allows me to learn more about the inner workings of OA, and I appreciate how we come to consensus through group conscious. I can’t begin to say how much OA has done for me in my recovery – physically, spiritually and emotionally – and by being a member of intergroup I feel like I’m able to repay, in a small way all that this program and these wonderful men and women have given me.
— Anni Y.
Being a member of Intergroup has given me a reason to keep coming back. I have to stay abstinent for my health, my sanity and for my kid. I have to stay abstinent because I’m living a life beyond my wildest dreams. However, I also have to stay abstinent to do service. They say service is slimming but service helps my recovery. It keeps me sane. It allows me to give back what I have been given. I have to pay attention. It has also taught me valuable skills that I can transfer to the workforce. Service gives me purpose.
— Melissa M.
Intergroup has given me stronger abstinence and recovery. I get to be one among many, working to carry the message to the still suffering overeater. The fellowship and deeper relationships that result from being a part of intergroup have been a blessing.
— Carol L.
I have enjoyed being an intergroup Rep for my meeting. This service has helped me to stay abstinent. I have been able to meet members from all over my area. central Indiana. By being a member of CII, I have learned more about region and world activities and opportunities at those levels. Intergroup has helped me stay connected to the primary purpose of carrying the message to other compulsive overeaters. It has allowed me to see that others have maintained their abstinence in challenging times, so maybe I can too. There have been times when I didn’t pick up the food because I had a service commitment that required me to be abstinent. The joy and fellowship that I have experienced has improved my life. Together we get better. Intergroup has brought me information and fellowship and a way to work my program that is beyond my wildest dream. Service is slimming and it keeps me abstinent to be with other members who want to serve and share our fellowship with others and carry the message.
— Patty K.
I’m fairly new to Intergroup. I represent a small face-to-face group. I like being a Rep. I feel more involved. Being in CII does strengthen my program. I like contributing where I can. There are many service opportunities that I can participate in.
— Kathy L.
Intergroup has given me an appreciation for ‘behind the scenes’ efforts to keep OA as an organization alive. I have met fellows from other groups in our area and have been introduced to what the traditions mean for functioning in my program and in daily life. It has been enlightening to experience a group where everyone has a voice. Everyone matters. It is the only way to keep recovery alive for future compulsive overeaters who are looking for a better way to live. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve my intergroup and Region 5.
— Pat K.
Being a member of Intergroup has given me a better understanding of how OA works as a whole. It has also helped me through meeting and being in fellowship with other compulsive overeaters on a much larger scale than just by attending my local OA meetings. I have also been made aware of more tools available to me that I wasn’t aware of prior to intergroup : websites, events, specialized meetings for men, youth, etc. Being a member has allowed me to work my program by giving back as well.
— Larry H.
Being involved in intergroup helps me feel ‘a part of’ rather than ‘apart from’. My tendency to isolate is held in check, partly, by my service commitments. I was told from the beginning that giving back what I’d been given was an integral part of recovery and intergroup gives me another way to do that. I find it invigorating to be among others with a common purpose and an enthusiasm for recovery and helping others find it. It gives me opportunities to be creative and brainstorm and put plans into action. It also gives me great purpose to be surrounded by people willing to work toward our common goal of carrying the message of OA. Watching the traditions at work amazes me. And, of course, it helps keep me abstinent and growing spiritually.
— Pam L.
Serving on Intergroup has given me a sense of belonging to something bigger than my local groups and meetings, which are small. We belong to a worldwide support group, which is amazing and reassuring. As part of Intergroup, I give a voice to my local members, and I appreciate that our voices are heard in this large organization. I also get to serve on committees at Intergroup, which is good for my recovery and has helped me to grow spiritually, physically, and emotionally. It is my responsibility to convey information to my home group and this builds my integrity. As part of Intergroup, I am able to practice the program principles in meetings and to carry these principles to all areas of my life.
— Peggy H.