Service
What is Service?
Volunteering your time, talents, and efforts to OSPA is one of the ways you can carry the message of hope and recovery. We call this “giving service,” or “being of service.”
We welcome all members to be of service for OSPA in both individual meeting groups and our fellowship as a whole.
How to Be of Service
You may be of service in a meeting or group by reading, timing, or doing anything that keeps the meeting going. Service positions may be filled on the day of the meeting or ongoing for several weeks or months in a row. For service at individual meetings or groups, ask for more information during their scheduled announcements or after the meeting.
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Members may also be of service for the OSPA fellowship as a whole, also known as World Service. Details about the OSPA's World Service Organization (WSO) positions and when they are elected can be found on the WSO's Positions & Elections page. For more information about WSO, when it meets, and to view upcoming agendas and past minutes, please visit the World Service Organization page.
What is a Trusted Servant?
“For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority—a loving God as He may express himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants, they do not govern.”
—OSPA Tradition Two
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For some, OSPA meetings are their very first exposure to OSPA and/or a 12-Step program. Trusted servants are representatives for OSPA. Their attitudes and actions reflect the supportive fellowship as mentioned in the OSPA Welcome.
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Trusted servants are members who have been given trust by the group to perform certain duties for a certain period of time. They do not have ultimate authority or power over the group. If issues arise, the trusted servant defers to the group conscience to determine if any action is needed.
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The Twelve Traditions of OSPA take effect whenever two or more OSPA members are gathered for a common purpose. When serving in a meeting or World Service position, the trusted servant honors the Twelve Traditions to the best of their understanding and ability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some frequently asked questions about service. If you have a question you do not see answered below or believe would be helpful to add, please Contact us.
- Is there an abstinence requirement to be of service?
Abstinence requirements for service positions are determined at each meeting or group.
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- How long does the service term last?
For group meetings, the length of service for each position is decided at each individual meeting. For the OSPA's WSO, the service terms are listed on the WSO's Positions & Elections page.
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- Can I hold more than one service position at a time?
The number of service commitments each member can hold are determined at each individual meeting or group.
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- How do I become an elected trusted servant in an Intergroup position?
Visit the World Service Organization page and the WSO's Positions & Elections page for more information. You must be present at the time of the elections to be nominated to a position.