FEBRUARY 18, 2024
Our Next BAIG Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, March 17 from 2-3:30. We encourage meeting reps from each local meeting to attend, so you can contribute to our fellowship across the region. Most BAIG meetings are virtual and use the general zoom link. Service is a way to support both your own recovery and that of others. Please join us – everyone is welcome
Why don’t you help plan an OA Special Event in 2024?
Baltimore Area Intergroup invites you to help organize and host one of our annual “12 Step Within” Activities. These are events to help support current OA members sustain their recovery or recover from relapse. We’ll provide you ideas and resources along the way. Here are some of the events we hold most years that we need volunteers to help plan.
- Sponsorship Day – an event celebrated the third full weekend (Friday included) of August, this is a day set aside to acknowledge the importance of sponsoring in our Fellowship.
- International Day Experiencing Abstinence (IDEA), celebrated the third full weekend (Friday included) in November, encourages OA members worldwide to begin or reaffirm their abstinence from compulsive overeating.
- Twelfth Step Within Day, recognized on December 12 (12/12) each year, is designated as OA’s International Twelfth Step Within Day. The purpose is to encourage OA service bodies, meetings, and individual members to reach out to those within the Fellowship who are still suffering from compulsive eating behaviors.
- Candlelight Promises. A BAIG event held during the weekend closest to December 12 to inspire OA fellows with the Promises of OA.
No experience needed. If you might want to take the lead on one of these or another event, contact Hans M. to discuss (Hansmeeder@gmail.com).
Make Your PayPal 7th Tradition contributions easier!
OA’s 7th Tradition states that “every OA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.” Together we make OA work. Did you know that PayPal allows you to set up a subscription for making payments? Just click on the box that says, “Make this a monthly donation.”
You can use this for your regular local meeting, and also to support the coordinating work of the Baltimore Area Intergroup (website management, zoom link subscriptions, participation in OA world conference, and support for local group starts-ups) Here’s the link to our website for Intergroup 7th Tradition contributions. https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=HV7RJ23WJ4HRW
Conventions – Plan Early to join us!
Region Seven hosts an annual convention. It is a face-to-face event and draws approximately 225 OA’ers from around our region. This year’s convention is scheduled for November 1-3 in Ocean City, Maryland. The convention committee is looking for folks who are interested in participating in, or leading committees to support the event. This includes programming of workshops, entertainment, hospitality – there are lots of opportunities to consider. For more information, please contact Karen B. at karen.beck@mac.com to discuss anything about this fun event.
In addition, it’s never too soon to consider attending the World Service Convention which will be held at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld® – August 21-23, 2025. More information will be made available in the next few months.
JANUARY 28, 2024
- Every meeting should contact BAIG to provide information regarding their intergroup representative and/or contact persons.
- Please make sure that literature made available at your meeting is the most recent version. Literature is the end-result of the group conscience of OA as a whole, and maintaining up-to-date versions is important. When a pamphlet is updated, please remove any older versions for clarity. If your meeting chooses to donate literature to a newer meeting, please make sure that the donation is of current literature.
- BAIG has approved reinstating a prior policy to support new (and re-forming) meetings to assist with the purchase of literature and payment of initial rentals. This will be limited to $50 per meeting. The meeting must be registered with the WSO as an affiliated meeting of BAIG.
- Unity Day is February 24. BAIG and Annapolis Area OA Intergroups will be co-sponsoring a workshop focused on our Unity of purpose – to abstain from compulsive eating and compulsive food behaviors through the 12 Steps, 12 Traditions of OA while supporting our differing approaches to recovery. The workshop will be held at the South Shore Recovery Club (1199 Generals Highway; Crownsville, MD) from 11am – 3 pm. A flyer will be posted as soon as it is available.
- We have agreed to meet in a hybrid fashion once each quarter. Specific locations will be reported as soon as they are known.
- Next BAIG Meeting: Sunday, February 18th, 2024 at 2-3:30pm
DECEMBER 17, 2023
- The January BAIG meeting will be held on Sunday January 28, 2024 at 2-3:30pm. Pleases designate a representative from your meeting to attend and share how things are going with your meeting, and provide your input to the intergroup about your meeting’s plans for the upcoming year.
- New in-person meetings are forming and need OA approved literature. If any groups have excess literature that you would be willing to share, please contact Hans M. @ hansmeeder@gmail.com
- Some groups have experienced negative impact from Zoom bombers/stalkers. Please take a look at a forthcoming message from Karen B that provides good advice about how to protect your personal security. Also look at the policy adopted by the Sunday morning meeting to not allow admission to anyone trying to log on to Zoom fifteen minutes after the meeting begins. See https://oabaltimore.org/meetings/
- The BAIG is pursuing a joint in-person Unity Day event to be held on February 24, 2024, in collaboration with the Annapolis Area Intergroup. Stay tuned for more information.
- Next BAIG Meeting: Sunday, January 28th, 2024 at 2-3:30pm
NOVEMBER 12, 2023
- Starting a Face-to-Face Meeting is within reach. https://oa.org/how-to-start-a-meeting/
Support:Mike B MikeB1Bear@yahoo.com
- Baltimore Area OA has a Facebook page! We are looking for someone who would like to become an administrator. Help us get out the OA message! Contact Hans M. 443-878-3503
- The Fall Steppingstone is out on our website. Thanks to everyone who has submitted stories, thoughts, and drawings. Please keep them coming! Winter submissions should go to the Steppingstone editor through the link on OABaltimore.org by December 5. Write some thoughts about getting through the Holidays!
- Upcoming Workshops on Zoom:
- IDEA Day held Sunday November 19th, 2-4 pm
Looking forward to international speakers on Zoom
- Candlelight Promises on Saturday December 16th, 5:30pm
- JOIN US! “Fridays with Fellowship” meeting of the Baltimore Area Intergroup is organizing a winter beach retreat. Our themes this year will be women’s experiences in OA and Steps Six and Seven. All OA members are welcome.
When: January 19-21, 2024
Where: Memorial House in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
See flyer on https://oabaltimore.org
- Next BAIG Meeting: Sunday, December 17th at 2-3:30pm
OCTOBER 15, 2023
- Region 7’s in-person Convention, Don’t miss the boat! SAIL INTO RECOVERY, will be held at the Princess Royale in Ocean City, MD November 3rd – 5th, 2023. Registration ends November 1st: https://oaregion7.org/events/2023-region-7-convention/
- Looking to fill many BAIG positions for 2024. Questions and Answer Session on Tuesday, November 7th @ 7pm on Zoom. Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Public Information/Professional Outreach (PI/PO), Steppingstone Editor, 12-Step Within Chair.
- Starting a Face-to-Face Meeting is within reach.
https://oa.org/how-to-start-a-meeting/
Support: Mike B MikeB1Bear@yahoo.com
- Baltimore Area OA has a Facebook page! We are looking for someone who would like to become an administrator! Help us get out the OA message! Contact Hans M. 443-878-3503
- The Fall Steppingstone is out on our website! Thanks to everyone who has submitted stories, thoughts, and drawings. Please keep them coming! Winter Submissions should go to the Steppingstone editor through the link on OABaltimore.org by December 5.
- BAIG attended the In-person Health Fair in September.
Huge success carrying the message to over 50 City Employees.
- Upcoming Workshops on Zoom:
- IDEA Day held Sunday November 19th 2-4pm (looking forward to international speakers on Zoom).
- Candlelight Promises on Saturday, December 16th, 5:30pm on Zoom.
- JOIN US! “Fridays With Fellowship” meeting of the Baltimore Area
Intergroup is organizing a winter beach retreat. Our themes this year will be women’s experiences in OA and Steps Six and Seven. All OA members are welcome.
When: January 21-23, 2024
Where: Memorial House in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
See Flyer on https://oabaltimore.org
- BAIG November Elections meeting: Sunday, November 12th at 2-3:30pm
SEPTEMBER 10, 2023
- Baltimore Area OA has a Facebook page! We are looking for someone who would like to become an administrator! Help us get out the OA message! Contact Hans M. 443-878-3503
- Thanks to everyone who has submitted stories, thoughts, and drawings to The Steppingtones. Please keep them coming! Submissions should go to the Steppingstone editor through the link on OABaltimore.org. Be on the look out for the latest edition.
- Region 7’s in-person convention, Don’t miss the boat! SAIL INTO RECOVERY, will be held at the Princess Royale in Ocean City, MD from November 3rd – 5th, 2023. Registration ends October 31. https://oaregion7.org/events/2023-region-7-convention/
- BAIG (Baltimore Area Intergroup) October meeting is Sunday, October 15 at 2-3:30pm on our zoom link.
AUGUST 20, 2023
- Baltimore Area OA has a Facebook page! We are looking for someone would like become the administrator! Help us get out the OA message! Contact Hans M. at 443-878-3503
- Thanks to everyone who has submitted stories, thoughts, and drawings to the Steppingstone. Please keep them coming! Submissions should go to the Steppingstone editor through the link on OABaltimore.org
- Join us for the virtual Sponsorship Workshop to be held on Saturday, September 9th from 2pm-4pm. This collaboration between 4 Intergroups promises to be inspirational. Please see details on the Events page on OABaltimore.org.
- Keep your eyes out for the results of the in-person meeting survey. Thanks to all who participated and helped provide directions and ideas about where to go next.
- Region 7’s in-person convention, SAIL INTO RECOVERY, will be held at the Princess Royale in Ocean City, MD from November 3rd – 5th, 2023. Registration is now open!
- Earlier this year, BAIG’s website was hacked. We are working on making changes to increase the security of our site. If anything on the website looks unusual, please let us know!!
JUNE 11, 2023
MAY 21, 2023
- Check your inbox for an email linked to our BAIG Survey headed up by Mike B. Please take a few minutes to complete this! We are trying to get input on meetings’ needs to understand how BAIG can support and strengthen recovery in our community. Your honesty is greatly appreciated!
- Join us on Saturday, June 3rd from 4pm – 6pm for an inspiring workshop: “Who’s Afraid of Service?” Hear about the crucial role that service has played in the recovery of 4 OA fellows and how it can support your own recovery. Find the link at oabaltimore.org under the Events tab.
- Don’t forget the next Newcomer meeting, to be held on Wed., June 7th at 7:00pm. It’s a great source of information to anyone new to or curious about OA. Find the Zoom link on the oabaltimore.org website in the “Find a Meeting” section.
- On Wednesday, September 13, Baltimore City will be hosting a wellness fair for city employees, and possibly for the general public. BAIG is looking for individuals to take a turn hosting our information table. Please contact Hans at HansMeeder@gmail.com if you are interested in helping, include time of day that works for you. Location and specific times for the event are forthcoming. The rain date for the event is September 20.
- Intergroup is still looking to fill the (PI/PO) Professional Information/Public Outreach position. This committee carries the OA message to the still suffering compulsive overeater via mass media, speaker’s programs for local organizations, and always in accordance with Tradition Eleven. Plenty of people are willing to help! Contact Janet M (206) 261-3124 for more information.
- Steppingstones, our quarterly newsletter, is collecting Stories, Shares and Phrases/Gems heard at meetings and accepting submissions for the Summer Issue. It’s a great way to help yourself and give service all at once! Consider writing an article on any of the following topics for April, May, and June:
- Recovery from relapse.
- How The Power of Gratitude helps your program.
- A Reflection on a former Steppingstone article.
- Steps 4, 5, and 6.
- Any other topic about OA recovery.
- Email your articles and Gems to
steppingstone@oabaltimore.org
APRIL 16, 2023
- Steppingstones, our quarterly newsletter, is collecting Stories, Shares and Phrases/Gems heard at meetings and accepting submissions for the Summer Issue. It’s a great way to help yourself and give service all at once! Consider writing an article on any of the following topics for April, May, and June:
- Recovery from relapse.
- How The Power of Gratitude helps your program.
- A Reflection on a former Steppingstone article.
- Steps 4, 5, and 6
- Any other topic about OA recovery.
- Email your articles and Gems to
steppingstone@oabaltimore.org
- Need a Face 2 Face meeting? We are looking for anyone who would like help with starting an OA meeting. Interested? Contact Janet M (206)261-3124
- Meeting Treasurers: When you send your meeting’s 7th Tradition through PayPal, write the day and time your meeting meets if you don’t know your meeting number. This will help the Intergroup Treasurer, Joanne, label your contribution and place it in the correct line item.
- Intergroup is still looking to fill the (PI/PO) Professional Information/Public Outreach position. This committee carries the OA message to the still suffering compulsive overeater via mass media, speaker’s programs for local organizations, and always in accordance with Tradition Eleven. Plenty of people are willing to help! Contact Janet M (206) 261-3124 for more information.
- Mark your Calendars: Saturday, June 3 Workshop on SERVICE. Watch for more details.
- We are looking forward to participating in the Baltimore City Health Fair this September (exact date TBD). Contact Hans M. (443)878.3503 if you are interested in helping!
- Next BAIG Intergroup is Sunday, May 21, @ 2-3:30 on Zoom.
MARCH 19, 2023
- We are looking for anyone who would like to help with developing a toolkit for starting OA meetings. Interested? Contact Janet M at 206-261-3124
- Calling all Meeting Treasurers: When you send your meeting’s 7th Tradition through PayPal, write the day and time your meeting meets if you don’t know your meeting number. This will help the Intergroup Treasurer, Joanne, label your contribution and place it in the correct line item.
- Intergroup is still looking for a PI/PO chair. Plenty of people are willing to help! Contact Janet M for more information.
- We are looking forward to participating in the Baltimore City Health Fair this September (exact date TBD). Contact Hans M. 443.878.3503 if you are interested in helping!
- We are still looking for someone who can help with BAIG Communications – looking at emails and making sure emails are going out to the BAIG email group. Time commitment: about 15 min. 2x/week
- Steppingstones, our quarterly newsletter, is collecting Stories, Shares and Phrases/Gems heard at meetings. Email your articles and Gems to steppingstone@oabaltimore.org
- Next BAIG Intergroup meeting is Sunday, April 16, @ 2-3:30 on Zoom.