Why I Give Service in Region III

It has been a privilege and a gift to serve at the Region III level off and on since 1998, and I am filled with gratitude.  I had been in program four years when I became the region rep/delegate for Pikes Peak Serenity Intergroup.

I can still clearly remember that first assembly as a green dot, and being in awe of how efficiently and gracefully business was conducted, with love, kindness, patience and adherence to the 12 Traditions.  It was amazing to be a part of that process, and I was hooked!  As happens so often in our program, someone approached me and asked that I consider running for a steering committee position.  My self talk told me there’s no way, I couldn’t possibly do that!  But I learned that if I was willing, HP would equip me with the skills and abilities needed, and He did.  I served as Region III Vice Chair from 2007 through 2011 and again in 2015, and as Region III Chair from 2011-2014.

My favorite part about Region III service has been the fellows I’ve met while on this shared journey of recovery, including my longtime sponsor, as well as several sponsees.  I will continue to give service whenever and wherever needed, because I need to give back all that I’ve been given, but my heart remains with Region III service.  Region III is definitely the place to be!

Andrea M, acting Region III Vice Chair

Me Serve??  I’m not ready!….. I don’t have enough recovery for that service! … HP disagreed!  

I remember my first Assembly, I came as a guest with our local Region Rep to see if it was something I was interested in.

It was a bit daunting initially, until I let go of “what I thought I knew about myself and others in ‘Authority’.”  I was able to see a presentation on the new Virtual Region, saw two people get elected to the Steering Committee and watched the business of OA unfold before me.    The whole time, I saw recovery in action, people working together, in committees, coming up with new ideas and ways to help OA grow.   I thought maybe one day I could be on the Steering Committee; but I was only two years abstinent at that time, so I figured it would be a LONGGG time before I could qualify.

I got really active in my intergroup, signed up as a Region Rep, and got involved in Ways, Means, and Finance (“WMF”) I met people from all over the seven states and formed relationships, grew my recovery circle and learned so much from other compulsive overeaters.   What a blessing to get to know many new people.

When our Region Treasurer had to move out of Region III, leaving an opening earlier than expected, she called on me to consider the treasurer position.  But was I ready? – Doubts flooded my mind, and I had to look at my schedule and my recovery.   My sponsor and I decided it was good to let HP decide, so I did the next indicated thing, put in my application and prayed the “Block it or Bless it” prayer,  knowing that all I can do is show up with my skills and willingness and the rest is up to HP.

And so that is what happened in the fall of this year, I was elected to Region III Treasurer role.   I just turned four in OA and I’m helping on Region III.

And here’s the cool thing,  those on the Steering Committee, they are just like me,  we all have strengths, weaknesses, fears, and growing to do.  How cool that we get to do this together, my recovery circle just got bigger because I was willing to say yes!

What I know today is, the limitations and judgments I have about myself, don’t necessarily line up with my Higher Power’s opinion.  If I’m willing, teachable, and honest, HP can provide what I need to do any service position.  And the benefits I receive are life changing.  Stretch yourself to reach to the next level of service, whether at the group, intergroup, region or world service level, you will be blessed beyond measure.

Beth M. – Region III Treasurer

While serving as Region III Rep from Houston, I was always attracted to the role of Recording Secretary.  I didn’t really understand the entirety of what the Steering Committee (SC) did, except that they sat in front of the room on an elevated platform called a dais and seemed to conduct Region III business effortlessly and confidently at the assemblies.

Between assemblies I heard most often from the Recording Secretary, who with those updates and ‘FYI’ communications, seemed to bridge the gap between me and the rest of the SC.  It brought be comfort in a way, and I felt a part of because I was informed even though I didn’t always understand the purpose.

One of the things I enjoy most as the current Recording Secretary is connecting with all the Reps and IG Chairs, often times electronically, but there’s nothing like a phone call – that personal touch!

My intention is to provide a reliable and easy way for the Reps to get information and ask questions about the Assembly or of Region III itself, to be a conduit really. And from my Region III Rep experience, I didn’t always feel prepared or informed attending my first assemblies, which often caused me to feel afraid and incompetent.  My intention is to walk others through those same uncertainties and perhaps provide an environment of learning, sharing and excitement where we can all thrive in Region III and take our recovery journeys to the next level!

Sue H .- Region III  Recording Secretary

Service in my recovery program began early.

Within the first couple of months, I volunteered to help make copies and put together folders for a local retreat. From there I served on the Workshops and Retreats committee for my local intergroup. I also served as Vice Chair and several years later, I was elected Intergroup Chair.

The primary reason I continue service is it keeps me coming back to the rooms. I build relationships with other members outside the meetings, and these relationships fill my life beyond what I could have imagined. I don’t want to think about where I’d be without program fellows. The second reason I give service is closely related. When I first began OA in 2011, I met people who had been in the fellowship for 10, 15, 20, 30+ years. These individuals had lives filled with sanity and serenity. Mine was not. What every one of them had in common was service beyond the group level. I learned that if I wanted what they had, I should follow their suggestions and examples. And finally, I give service to get out of myself and focus on helping someone else. It takes humility to step up into positions I haven’t done before. But it’s worth the risk of making mistakes to have the opportunity to share recovery with others.

Rachel S. Digital Content Coordinator

The Gifts of Service

I am currently serving both OA as a whole and OA Region 3 as Region III Trustee.  I did not set out to serve OA at this level.  For me, the process was a steady progression.  Beginning with my choice of sponsors…  Early in recovery I observed that members who seemed to have good long-term recovery, both physical and spiritual, were people who did service on a regular basis.  It did not seem to matter whether they did small jobs – arriving early and setting up the chairs, greeting newcomers, being the group literature person – or the “bigger”, more intimidating jobs – group treasurer, intergroup secretary, or (gasp) regional trustee – they had what I wanted.  They were abstinent, had a good spiritual base, and were happy.  So, I started out by asking one of them to sponsor me.  I figured out pretty quickly that she wasn’t a guru, a genius, or a goddess.  She was just like me – a compulsive eater trying to recover.  When she suggested it, I began to take the smaller service positions – making coffee, literature person, meeting leader, key holder.  She also let me know when I was ready to be a sponsor, and I have done that continuously throughout my recovery since then.

Then, out of curiosity, I visited our intergroup.  Then, became the intergroup rep for my group, then intergroup secretary, then intergroup chair.  I tried NOT to, but when someone asked directly, I had to say “yes.”  My sponsor suggested that if I wanted what she had, then I needed to do what she did – at least so far as recovery was concerned.  Eventually, I became the region representative and World Service Delegate for my intergroup.  I served on Conference Committees and worked on projects with other delegates from around the world.

It was soon after a major loss in my life that I was asked to step up and be the Region 3 Recording Secretary, which I did for 2 years.  After that, I went back to Intergroup and group service for a while.

When the opportunity to step up and become regional trustee presented itself, I applied. Honestly, I was hoping that someone else more qualified would also apply.  But, that didn’t happen.  I love this service.  I get to work the Steps, and practice and study the Traditions and the Twelve Concepts of Service in my life.  I have the privilege of helping members learn how to use the Traditions to solve problems in their groups.  I work with other trustees on Board committees.  It is teaching me so much about OA, about recovery, about myself and how my Higher Power works in my life.  I could not do it alone.

If you are serious about your recovery, never stop being of service.  It is the foundation of a life “beyond our wildest dreams.”  If someone asks, or you feel your HP nudging you, and you are qualified, please say “yes” and step up to the challenge.  It will bring you more gifts than you can ever imagine.

Neva A – Region III Trustee