Newcomers’ First 12 Days

Developed in 2016 by an OA member in Sydney, Australia, “The First Twelve Days of OA” was adopted by Region 10 as locally-approved literature. Region 1 subsequently adopted it as locally-approved literature, and then, in 2020, the World Service Business Conference adapted it for use as OA Board-approved literature.

What is the purpose of First Twelve Days?

• To help newcomers, returning members, and others connect to the OA recovery program – and learn how OA might help them to stop hurting themselves with food – by using a personal, short-term introduction to OA.
• To give members who may be ready to sponsor a chance to experience what it might be like to sponsor someone.

The First Twelve Days process is designed for use by two people together; it is not intended for use by one person alone. It uses a highly structured curriculum, a series of 12 calls or Zoom meetings, and the pamphlet Where Do I Start?

The Where Do I Start? pamphlet is available at many OA meetings and from oa.org. An electronic version is available from Amazon and Apple Books.

You can also download Where Do I Start? for free here.

How Does First Twelve Days Help the Newcomer?

• Some people come to OA and immediately know that they’ve finally found “home”. The First Twelve Days provides a way for them quickly and easily connect to someone who can help them get started on their recovery.
• Others come to OA unsure whether OA is for them. The First Twelve Days provides a structured opportunity for them to get a deeper understanding of their problem, and the approach that OA offers.
• It provides immediate, temporary sponsorship, giving a newcomer time to consider who they might want to ask to be their “permanent” sponsor.

How Does First Twelve Days Encourage New Sponsors?

• It makes it less daunting to try out being a sponsor, by providing a simple structure to follow and an easy-to-make offer of “I can be your 12 day sponsor if you’d like”.
• It breaks down the barriers to becoming a sponsor; the short-term commitment deprives the “I’m too busy” excuse of much of its power.
• Members can get a sense of what it might be like to sponsor early in their recovery. Even if the member hasn’t completed the Steps, they can still help the newcomer through the First Twelve Days Process. It may even motivate them to work their Steps harder so they can sponsor someone through the Steps.