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Welcome …Welcome …Please press Please press spacebarspacebar to move through the show … to move through the show …

You are about to view a You are about to view a computer presentation computer presentation which attempts to describe which attempts to describe one aspect of one aspect of online online AA.AA.

This presentation hopes to This presentation hopes to give you some knowledge of give you some knowledge of the aims and functions of:the aims and functions of:

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The The O.I.A.A.O.I.A.A.

The Online The Online Intergroup of Intergroup of Alcoholics Alcoholics AnonymousAnonymous

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What is the O.I.A.A. ?What is the O.I.A.A. ?

The Online Intergroup of Alcoholics The Online Intergroup of Alcoholics AnonymousAnonymous

An online facility equivalent to Area An online facility equivalent to Area Assemblies and some Intergroups in the Assemblies and some Intergroups in the usual land-based world-wide Fellowship usual land-based world-wide Fellowship structure.structure.

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What is the What is the OIAAOIAA

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The Online Intergroup is a service entity establishedThe Online Intergroup is a service entity establishedpursuant to the 9pursuant to the 9thth Tradition of Alcoholics Tradition of Alcoholics

Anonymous ("AA") to operate on behalf of theAnonymous ("AA") to operate on behalf of theparticipating groups of AA on the internet inparticipating groups of AA on the internet in

accordance with the Twelve Traditions and Twelveaccordance with the Twelve Traditions and TwelveConcepts of Alcoholics Anonymous.  The IntergroupConcepts of Alcoholics Anonymous.  The Intergroup

exists to assist the groups in their common purpose ofexists to assist the groups in their common purpose ofcarrying the AA message to the alcoholic who stillcarrying the AA message to the alcoholic who still

suffers.suffers.

The principal responsibilities of the Intergroup areThe principal responsibilities of the Intergroup areto promote the unity of online AA groups in accordanceto promote the unity of online AA groups in accordance

with AA's First Tradition; to use the internet towith AA's First Tradition; to use the internet tocarry the message of AA in accordance with AA's 5carry the message of AA in accordance with AA's 5thth

Tradition; to respond to the needs of the online AATradition; to respond to the needs of the online AAgroups in accordance with AA's 9groups in accordance with AA's 9thth Tradition; and to Tradition; and toprovide a central source of information about onlineprovide a central source of information about onlineAA through a website, directory, and the activities ofAA through a website, directory, and the activities ofits members, in accordance with AA's 11its members, in accordance with AA's 11thth Tradition. Tradition.

The primary purpose of all Alcoholics Anonymous The primary purpose of all Alcoholics Anonymous groupsgroups

is to carry its message to the alcoholic who stillis to carry its message to the alcoholic who stillsuffers. For that purpose, the OIAA has committedsuffers. For that purpose, the OIAA has committeditself to assisting member groups in several ways,itself to assisting member groups in several ways,

most of which are related specifically to the mediummost of which are related specifically to the mediumof cyberspace. Because personal recovery depends of cyberspace. Because personal recovery depends

uponuponA.A. unity, we at the Online Iintergroup of AA are A.A. unity, we at the Online Iintergroup of AA are

dedicated to assisting and facilitating the best possible dedicated to assisting and facilitating the best possible unity of service to andunity of service to and

for A.A. in cyberspace. Communication and informationfor A.A. in cyberspace. Communication and informationare two essential ingredients for establishing andare two essential ingredients for establishing and

maintaining unity; therefore, the OIAA is obliged tomaintaining unity; therefore, the OIAA is obliged toprovide a central forum for the dissemination ofprovide a central forum for the dissemination of

information about and for the online community of A.A.information about and for the online community of A.A.and A.A. as a whole.and A.A. as a whole.

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What is What is the OIAAthe OIAA

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Online AA is the collective term for meetings held onOnline AA is the collective term for meetings held onthe Internet, via a computer equipped to access thisthe Internet, via a computer equipped to access this

medium of communicationmedium of communication

"Therefore nothing can matter more to the future"Therefore nothing can matter more to the futurewelfare of AA than the manner in which we use thiswelfare of AA than the manner in which we use this

colossus of communication."colossus of communication."Bill_W Bill_W Language of the HeartLanguage of the Heart pg. 320 pg. 320

Many AA members use the online medium to supplementMany AA members use the online medium to supplementtheir regular f2f meetings.  Indeed, Online AA as atheir regular f2f meetings.  Indeed, Online AA as a

whole strongly suggests that newcomers attend regularwhole strongly suggests that newcomers attend regularAA meetings when possible. There are many, however,AA meetings when possible. There are many, however,

who cannot attend regular AA meetings:  who cannot attend regular AA meetings: 

Those with a disability such as hearing loss, orThose with a disability such as hearing loss, ormobility impairmentmobility impairment

Geographically-isolated members, or those living in aGeographically-isolated members, or those living in aforeign country where AA either doesn’t exist or where foreign country where AA either doesn’t exist or where

distance presents attendance difficultiesdistance presents attendance difficultiesAA members in the military or merchant navy at seaAA members in the military or merchant navy at sea

There are those, too, who find the online AA mediumThere are those, too, who find the online AA mediumprovides a means of working their program whenprovides a means of working their program whentraditional meetings are not always available ortraditional meetings are not always available or

accessible to them. For others, online AA provides a accessible to them. For others, online AA provides a supplement to their face-to-face meetings.supplement to their face-to-face meetings.

There are also friends who wish to broaden theirThere are also friends who wish to broaden theirunderstanding of AA by exchanging experience, strength understanding of AA by exchanging experience, strength and hope with different groups or nationalities; they too and hope with different groups or nationalities; they too

may attend online AA groups.may attend online AA groups.

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What is the What is the OIAAOIAA

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We hope to have give you enough information We hope to have give you enough information about the OIAA, our purpose, the AA groups and about the OIAA, our purpose, the AA groups and AA members we serve, over the course of this AA members we serve, over the course of this

presentation but please feel free to contact us for presentation but please feel free to contact us for further information.further information.

In service and fellowship,In service and fellowship,Jan_BBJan_BB, Historian, Historian

Ewart_FEwart_F, Unity , Unity OIAA OIAA

The AA Responsibility Pledge:The AA Responsibility Pledge:

" I am responsible … " I am responsible … ……When anyone, anywhere,When anyone, anywhere,

Reaches out for help,Reaches out for help,I want the hand of AA I want the hand of AA

always to be there-always to be there-And, for that, I am responsible.“And, for that, I am responsible.“

The online link for the OIAA: The online link for the OIAA: http://www.aa-intergroup.org/

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Online Intergroup of Alcoholics Online Intergroup of Alcoholics AnonymousAnonymous

http://www.aa-intergroup.org Purpose, Operation, and MembershipPurpose, Operation, and Membership

The Online Intergroup of Alcoholics Anonymous (OIAA) is a The Online Intergroup of Alcoholics Anonymous (OIAA) is a service entity operating on behalf of online AA groups. It is self-service entity operating on behalf of online AA groups. It is self-supporting through contributions of AA groups and members. supporting through contributions of AA groups and members. OIAA assists online groups in their primary purpose of carrying OIAA assists online groups in their primary purpose of carrying the message to the alcoholic who still suffers. OIAA is a non-the message to the alcoholic who still suffers. OIAA is a non-profit corporation, formed on February 24, 1996, organized and profit corporation, formed on February 24, 1996, organized and existing under the laws of the state of New Jersey.existing under the laws of the state of New Jersey.

The OIAA Assembly meets continuously by email. Any AA The OIAA Assembly meets continuously by email. Any AA member may join OIAA and participate in discussions. member may join OIAA and participate in discussions. However, voting on OIAA business items is limited to registered However, voting on OIAA business items is limited to registered online AA groups, acting through their representatives, and online AA groups, acting through their representatives, and current officers and standing committee chairs, who are current officers and standing committee chairs, who are elected by the Assembly.elected by the Assembly.

OIAA also maintains "The Open Forum" for informal OIAA also maintains "The Open Forum" for informal discussions.discussions.

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Activities and ServicesActivities and Services12th Step Committee12th Step Committee

The OIAA 12th Step Committee (Steppers) The OIAA 12th Step Committee (Steppers) responds directly, by email, to those searching responds directly, by email, to those searching for help with a drinking problem. Fluent in for help with a drinking problem. Fluent in many languages, scores of AA members from many languages, scores of AA members from around the world provide 24-hour assistance. around the world provide 24-hour assistance. Maximum response time is usually less than 10 Maximum response time is usually less than 10 minutes.minutes.

Email links to the Steppers committee can be Email links to the Steppers committee can be found on the OIAA web site as well as on an found on the OIAA web site as well as on an increasing number of AA sites around the increasing number of AA sites around the Internet. Inquiries by AA entities, including Internet. Inquiries by AA entities, including intergroups, districts, and areas, wishing to intergroups, districts, and areas, wishing to utilize this service are encouraged.utilize this service are encouraged.

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Activities and ServicesActivities and ServicesReal-time and Email Meeting Real-time and Email Meeting

DirectoriesDirectories

OIAA maintains directories of real-time (text, audio, and OIAA maintains directories of real-time (text, audio, and video) and email meetings on its web site. At this time, video) and email meetings on its web site. At this time, OIAA does not maintain lists of face-to-face meetings nor OIAA does not maintain lists of face-to-face meetings nor does it provide hyperlinks to web sites other than AAWS does it provide hyperlinks to web sites other than AAWS and The Grapevine.and The Grapevine.

In addition to English-language meetings, there are In addition to English-language meetings, there are currently listings for online meetings in numerous other currently listings for online meetings in numerous other languages, including Danish, Finnish, French, German, languages, including Danish, Finnish, French, German, Hungarian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Hungarian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Swedish.Swedish.

Men's, women's, gay/lesbian, blind, and deaf/hard-of-Men's, women's, gay/lesbian, blind, and deaf/hard-of-hearing meetings are also available.hearing meetings are also available.

Groups or meetings need not be OIAA members to be listed Groups or meetings need not be OIAA members to be listed in the directories. Nevertheless, in accordance with AA's in the directories. Nevertheless, in accordance with AA's pinciple of non-affiliation, listings are only accepted for pinciple of non-affiliation, listings are only accepted for Alcoholics Anonymous meetiAlcoholics Anonymous meetinnggss/groups/groups

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Activities and ServicesActivities and ServicesUnity CommitteeUnity Committee

An important communication vehicle is the OIAA An important communication vehicle is the OIAA Unity Committee, which is charged with Unity Committee, which is charged with communication with other AA service entities, communication with other AA service entities, such as Intergroups, districts, areas, regions, such as Intergroups, districts, areas, regions, The The Grapevine Grapevine and AAWS, and with other AA entities and AAWS, and with other AA entities world-wide.world-wide.

This presentation is made under the auspices of This presentation is made under the auspices of the OIAA Unity Committee.the OIAA Unity Committee.

It is hoped that it may prove a small step towards It is hoped that it may prove a small step towards encouraging greater AA Unity.encouraging greater AA Unity.

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Activities and ServicesActivities and Services Public Information and Cooperation with the Public Information and Cooperation with the

Professional Community Committees (PI & Professional Community Committees (PI & CPC)CPC)

The OIAA PI Committee answers requests for The OIAA PI Committee answers requests for general information about AA. It also handles many general information about AA. It also handles many requests each month from AA members looking for requests each month from AA members looking for meetings (both online and face-to-face). The meetings (both online and face-to-face). The Literature Committee is a sub-committee of PI.Literature Committee is a sub-committee of PI.

The CPC Committee responds to inquiries from The CPC Committee responds to inquiries from educators and professionals.educators and professionals.

Both committees maintain sections on the OIAA web Both committees maintain sections on the OIAA web site that include basic AA information; links to site that include basic AA information; links to pamphlets on the AAWS, Inc. web site; and online pamphlets on the AAWS, Inc. web site; and online information request forms.information request forms.

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Activities and ServicesActivities and ServicesConvention CommitteeConvention Committee

The Convention Committee plans The Convention Committee plans OIAA participation at International OIAA participation at International Conventions and, as finances permit, Conventions and, as finances permit, at local conferences, round-ups, and at local conferences, round-ups, and other events.other events.

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Activities and ServicesActivities and Services Other Operating Other Operating

CommitteesCommittees

Additional OIAA committees include Additional OIAA committees include the Policy & Admissions Committee, the Policy & Admissions Committee, the Finance Committee, and the the Finance Committee, and the WWW Committee.WWW Committee.

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Activities and ServicesActivities and Services OIAA Publications OIAA Publications

OIAA has developed several informational pieces, available OIAA has developed several informational pieces, available in Adobe PDF or PowerPoint formats, that provide an in Adobe PDF or PowerPoint formats, that provide an overview of OIAA, online AA, and how to start an online AA overview of OIAA, online AA, and how to start an online AA group. (OIAA does not publish or distribute publications to group. (OIAA does not publish or distribute publications to which others hold the copyrights, including materials which others hold the copyrights, including materials copyrighted by AA World Services, Inc.)copyrighted by AA World Services, Inc.)

The OIAA will co-operate with The OIAA will co-operate with anyany other AA entity to assist other AA entity to assist with any problem, or need discovered, that may be either with any problem, or need discovered, that may be either onlineonline or simple or simple computer usecomputer use related: related: The committee recently produced two (2) PowerPoint The committee recently produced two (2) PowerPoint

presentations for AA_India relating to their Hospitals & presentations for AA_India relating to their Hospitals & Institutions needs throughout that country.Institutions needs throughout that country.

These presentations may be available ‘here’ on request.These presentations may be available ‘here’ on request.

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Activities and ServicesActivities and ServicesContact OIAAContact OIAA

The OIAA web site is located at:The OIAA web site is located at: http://www.aa-intergroup.org

Email links for all OIAA officers and Email links for all OIAA officers and committees can be found on the web committees can be found on the web site. If you have immediate questions, site. If you have immediate questions, please write to the OIAA Chair at:please write to the OIAA Chair at:

oiaa_chair@aa-intergroup.orgoiaa_chair@aa-intergroup.org

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A Brief History of OIAAA Brief History of OIAA The Living Cyber Committee (LCC) was formed in March 1994 to coordinate the The Living Cyber Committee (LCC) was formed in March 1994 to coordinate the

hosting of a hospitality suite at the 1995 International Convention in San Diego. hosting of a hospitality suite at the 1995 International Convention in San Diego. Alcoholics from all corners of the online community Alcoholics from all corners of the online community ―― bulletin boards, commercial bulletin boards, commercial online services, and the Internet online services, and the Internet ―― joined in the effort. joined in the effort.

Prior to the convention, the LCC endeavoured to communicate its existence, purpose, Prior to the convention, the LCC endeavoured to communicate its existence, purpose, and activities to all known online AA groups through a web page. Flyers providing and activities to all known online AA groups through a web page. Flyers providing information on how to find and contact AA online were developed, printed, and information on how to find and contact AA online were developed, printed, and distributed at the convention. The LCC expanded its efforts to include a link to the distributed at the convention. The LCC expanded its efforts to include a link to the online fellowship for those who could not attend the convention in person. Three online fellowship for those who could not attend the convention in person. Three computers were set up in the hospitality suite. Throughout the convention, the computers were set up in the hospitality suite. Throughout the convention, the computers remained connected to the Internet and to alcoholics around the world.computers remained connected to the Internet and to alcoholics around the world.

The Living Cyber Suite provided a gathering place for members of online groups to The Living Cyber Suite provided a gathering place for members of online groups to meet each other in person, often for the first time. Visitors to the suite had an meet each other in person, often for the first time. Visitors to the suite had an opportunity to connect to the online Fellowship. Those unable to travel to San Diego opportunity to connect to the online Fellowship. Those unable to travel to San Diego were effectively able to "virtually" attend the convention through the suite. Two were effectively able to "virtually" attend the convention through the suite. Two major email AA groups, several AA groups from the major online service providers, major email AA groups, several AA groups from the major online service providers, and an AA group that met on an Internet Relay Chat channel participated in uniting and an AA group that met on an Internet Relay Chat channel participated in uniting those alcoholics from all over the world with the visitors in the suite.those alcoholics from all over the world with the visitors in the suite.

Following the convention, the LCC was to be dissolved. However, the participants, Following the convention, the LCC was to be dissolved. However, the participants, now fully aware of the tremendous potential of a unifying service structure, invited all now fully aware of the tremendous potential of a unifying service structure, invited all online AA groups to send a representative to the committee. Togetheronline AA groups to send a representative to the committee. Together1, they decided , they decided to form an Intergroup that would continue to serve the online AA groups. The Online to form an Intergroup that would continue to serve the online AA groups. The Online Intergroup of Alcoholics Anonymous was established in February 1996, and it now Intergroup of Alcoholics Anonymous was established in February 1996, and it now serves scores of online groups with a combined membership numbering many serves scores of online groups with a combined membership numbering many thousands.thousands.

1 Less than a dozen people were involved and the decision to form the OIAA was reached by consensus of those present. Less than a dozen people were involved and the decision to form the OIAA was reached by consensus of those present. The OIAA was subsequently incorporated in New JerseyThe OIAA was subsequently incorporated in New Jersey..

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Who Can Access AA Who Can Access AA Online?Online?

Anyone with a computer, a modem, and an Anyone with a computer, a modem, and an Internet connection now has easy access to AA. Internet connection now has easy access to AA. Many thousands of members use online AA to Many thousands of members use online AA to supplement their face-to-face meetings, service, supplement their face-to-face meetings, service, and fellowship (or vice versa). The Internet also is and fellowship (or vice versa). The Internet also is proving invaluable to people living in remote proving invaluable to people living in remote communities or foreign countries; people who communities or foreign countries; people who cannot easily access regular meetings, such the cannot easily access regular meetings, such the deaf, deafened, hard-of-hearing, or blind; people deaf, deafened, hard-of-hearing, or blind; people who are homebound; members of the military who are homebound; members of the military serving overseas or at sea; shift workers; and serving overseas or at sea; shift workers; and parents with small children. For such individuals, parents with small children. For such individuals, and others who have made an active choice in and others who have made an active choice in favour of online-AA, AA on the Internet may be favour of online-AA, AA on the Internet may be their main contact with the world-wide Fellowship.their main contact with the world-wide Fellowship.

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International Events International Events CalendarCalendar

OIAA maintains an online calendar of OIAA maintains an online calendar of AA conventions and General Service AA conventions and General Service Area and Intergroup events around Area and Intergroup events around the world (for both online and face-the world (for both online and face-to-face AA events). to-face AA events). An online submission form is available An online submission form is available

on the OIAA web site.on the OIAA web site.

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Frequently Asked Frequently Asked QuestionsQuestions

The OIAA web site includes a Frequently The OIAA web site includes a Frequently Asked Questions page for general Asked Questions page for general information about Alcoholics Anonymous information about Alcoholics Anonymous online. Topics include:online. Topics include:

What is online AA? What is online AA? What is an email group and how do I join? What is an email group and how do I join? How do I join an AA real-time group? How do I join an AA real-time group? How do I know my anonymity will be How do I know my anonymity will be

safeguarded online? safeguarded online? What is What is NetiquetteNetiquette? ?

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Thank YouThank You for taking time to for taking time to get to know more about online get to know more about online AAAA

It’s always good to meet new It’s always good to meet new friendsfriends

Further information – or to Further information – or to answer your answer your extra questions – extra questions – is available through our Pages is available through our Pages http://www.aa-intergroup.org ……or from the members who or from the members who

brought this information here; brought this information here; we’ll be happy to answer your we’ll be happy to answer your questions.questions.