What is an Overeaters Anonymous intergroup?

When several groups have formed in an area, they soon realize that they can better perform certain functions together rather than separately. So the groups may form an intergroup that is directly responsible to the groups it serves.  Intergroups spring from a need to provide service for a number of local groups and better information about OA in a community. (Adapted from “OA Handbook for Members, Groups, Intergroups”)

An intergroup is a service board for meeting groups and not a governing body. However, each Intergroup has its own Bylaws, as well as Policies and Procedures, by which it operates. If you have questions regarding Milwaukee Area Intergroup, email us at:  info@oamilwaukee.org or call 414-259-0640.

The Milwaukee Area Intergroup (MAI) of Overeaters Anonymous

MAI’s service area includes the Milwaukee Metropolitan Area and all of eastern Wisconsin from Green Bay and beyond in the north, to the state line in the south and as far west as Watertown and Wautoma. 

MAI holds regular business meetings on the third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. The voting attendees are representatives from the meetings that are affiliated with MAI.  From that group, officers are elected and committee chairs appointed, for a one-year term. All OA members are welcome to attend any MAI meeting.

MAI is one of three intergroups in the state of Wisconsin, along with Madison Intergroup and Rock River Intergroup.

Region 5 and World Service Organization (WSO)

MAI is part of Region 5, a geographical area of OA.

Region 5 includes Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and parts of Ontario and Illinois. The OA Region 5 service body provides service to and information for all the meetings and intergroups in these geographical areas. 

Regions around the world make up the worldwide organization (WSO) of Overeaters Anonymous, which has its office in Albuquerque, NM.

MAI elects representatives to attend Region 5 Assemblies and a delegate to attend the World Service Business Conference. These members represent MAI for a two-year term.

The Business of OA Milwaukee Area Intergroup

If you are a local member, you may review the business activity of the organization by checking the Monthly Meeting Minutes. Contact your local MAI Representative for the password.

Services: Fellowship and Recovery Events 


OAMAI hosts several regular events throughout the year. Learn more about the following regular events at local meetings, by reading the monthly MAI Bulletin, the monthly MAI Emailblast or the online Event Calendar.

Marathons: MAI sponsors special area-wide events that are held on holidays and often called “marathons” indicating that there are multiple meetings held back-to-back.  Open to all members of the area, these are sponsored by MAI and hosted by an OA meeting group.

OA Worldwide Days: MAI sponsors area-wide events to observe OA Worldwide days: Unity Day, Sponsorship Day, I.D.E.A. Day (International Day of Experiencing Abstinence), and Twelfth Step Within Day. Open to all members of the area, these are sponsored by MAI and hosted by an OA meeting group. 

MAI Conventions and MAI Retreats: Weekend-long events held annually by MAI.  

Services: Publications

MAI “News You Can Use” Enewsletter

MAI’s “News You Can Use” is a monthly email newsletter about events, activities, meeting updates and general MAI news. It includes links to printable copies of the MAI Bulletin, “Out of the Cocoon” newsletter, meeting lists, and event flyers, among others. The regular issue is emailed on or around the 4th Monday of each month. Occasional special issues are sent to convey important time-sensitive information.

MAI Bulletin

The MAI Bulletin is our monthly print publication about events, activities, meeting updates and other news. These are distributed at the monthly MAI business meeting and may be printed via the link within the Fellowship eNews.

“Out of the Cocoon” Newsletter

“Out of the Cocoon,” or simply “The Cocoon,” is MAI’s quarterly journal of recovery articles, poetry, and artwork. Members submit their materials to the Cocoon Editor by email to cocooneditor@oamilwaukee.org.

The newsletter is distributed once per quarter at a monthly MAI business meeting and may be printed via the following link or via the link within MAI’s “News You Can Use” Enewsletter.

Meeting Lists

MAI maintains a list of all affiliated meeting groups. There are 40-50 meetings from which to choose, with several every day of the week. For details of eastern Wisconsin meetings, click the online MAI Meeting Calendar link below.

Printed MAI Meeting Lists are distributed quarterly at the monthly MAI business meeting and may be printed via the link within MAI’s “News You Can Use” Enewsletter or at the link below for “Printable Documents.”

To find a meeting outside eastern Wisconsin use the WSO website oa.org.  You may search the area where you live or where you will be traveling. Click the WSO Find-A-Meeting Page below.

Telephone and online meetings are also listed at oa.org. Click the WSO listing below.

Literature  

MAI and all OA groups use Overeaters Anonymous (OA) and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) literature. For a complete listing of OA literature, see the Overeaters Anonymous Bookstore.

There are several ways to purchase OA literature:

• At the Overeaters Anonymous Online Bookstore.
• At OA meetings. Some literature is available at most meetings. 
• At special MAI events throughout the year.  
• After MAI business meetings, the newcomer pamphlets “Where Do I Start?” are sold. If you need to make other arrangements to buy these, please call 414-259-0640.
• At the Milwaukee General Service Office of Alcoholics Anonymous: 7429 W Greenfield, West Allis; phone 414-771-9119. Books available there include “Overeaters Anonymous Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions,” “Overeaters Anonymous” 3rd Edition, “Voices of Recovery,” “For Today,” “For Today Workbook,” and all Alcoholics Anonymous literature. 
• By mail. Get an order form at an MAI business meeting or event, from the MAI Representative at any meeting, or at the Overeaters Anonymous Online Bookstore.