Teen Friendly Meetings How to make your meeting teen friendly or find a teen friendly meeting.

Although teens are welcome in OA meetings, we are now making a special focus to include teens into existing OA meetings. These meetings will be called "Teen Friendly Meetings." The term TF may show up on meeting lists to specify which meeting is Teen Friendly. It is up to each OA meeting in Suffolk County to decide to include a special focus for teens and youth to help them feel more comfortable.  

Here are a few requirements and suggestions to be discussed at meetings before making the commitment to become a teen friendly meeting:

The meeting  needs to be a healthy, stable meeting, already in existence.

Include in the format the phrase "Would everyone please keep in mind that we have young people in attendance and to keep your sharing age appropriate." It is important to acknowledge the young OA members who are present. If no teen members are present, this phrase can be skipped.

Offer the "Dignity Of Choice" pamphlet, keeping in mind OA does not endorse food plans, but does suggest the use of one.

Help make younger members feel comfortable, and explain although there may be an age difference, we are all the same. We have been there too.

Here are some suggestions from the Youth In OA Committee:

• have on hand the "To the Teen" Pamphlet and "15 Questions for the Teen"
• include parts of the "To the Teen Pamphlet" in the preliminary readings
• meeting format is changed to Step One (like a new comer meeting)
• at the very least make certain that the "regular members" very specifically focus their sharing on their compulsive eating experiences when they were teens.

There will also be questions from parents and concerned family members. Offer to arrive a few minutes before the meeting to answer questions for parents if your meeting  contact is called. This will help ease concerns. Meetings can also set up a specific "Questions and Answers for Youth" pre meeting with parents and family once a month to offer additional information. The pamphlet "To Parents And Concerned Adults" can be given out.

Please notify Suffolk County Intergroup and World Service if you make your meeting "Teen Friendly." This information will be added to the meeting lists.

Teen Friendly Meetings

Hauppauge: Saturday morning is now teen friendly.