Online OA Meetings are now approved by
the OA World Service Conference
provided they meet the Traditions based guidelines
set forth by the World Service Conference.
Link
here for online meeting information
and
a list of registered OA online meetings
at
the OA WSO Website
The following web sites also provide information
about WSO registered meetings held on the
Starchat IRC Network.
Twelve Steps for Compulsive Overeaters
(Chat Room #12step4coes)
on
irc.starchat.net
Link here for Info and Meeting List at the 12steps4coes website.
Link here for access to Starchat's web based chat portal.
This is a web based software interface to Starchat's IRC Network.
Once you arrive on this page, type in a nick name in the "Nick Name"
space,
and then type in "12step4coes" (without the quotes) in the "Channel"
space,
and click on "connect".
You may also use a dedicated IRC (Internet Relay Chat) client software
to
access this chat room as well. See
the discussion on Starchat below for
further information.
Recovery Meetings
on
irc.starchat.net
(Chat Room #Recovery)
Link here for Info and Meeting List at the Recovery Group OA Website
Link here for access to Starchat's web based chat portal.
This is a web based software interface to Starchat's IRC Network.
Once you arrive on this page, type in a nick name in the "Nick Name"
space,
and then type in "recovery" (without the quotes) in the "Channel"
space,
and click on "connect".
You may also use a dedicated IRC (Internet Relay Chat) client software
to
access this chat room as well. See
the discussion on Starchat below for
further information.
Starchat is one of several IRC (Internet Relay Chat) Networks. IRC networks are a separate part of the Internet from the World Wide Web. However, various portals exist that allow access to the IRC networks from the Web. Links to appropriate portals have been included in the previous information on accessing online meetings.
The online meetings on the Starchat IRC Network ("12steps4coes" and "Recovery") are "chat rooms" may also be accessed by using a dedicated chat program. There are a number of dedicated chat programs available for download on the Web, with Mirc and Perch being the two of the most popular. They may be found on the Web by using your favorite search engine.
Dedicated IRC chat programs provide far greater flexibility, power, and speed than the web portals noted above. Using a dedicated IRC chat program does require, however, the computer skills necessary to download, install, configure, and operate an unfamiliar program. Casual computer users may wish to enlist the aid of a more experienced computer user to get started with a dedicated chat program.
Individuals new to IRC (and other chat venues) should also be aware that while there are many wholesome and positive chat rooms and chat networks, there are also many sexually oriented forums as well, many of which are very graphic and explicit. Parents with minor children may wish to restrict or carefully monitor their childrens' access to chat programs. It is also advised than any offers of file transfers via IRC be declined to guard against potential computer virus infections.
OA Houston (HMI) is unable to provide technical assistance in accessing
online meetings.