OIAA History Timeline

A Promising Start…

In 1994, the online members of the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous began to look forward to participating in the International Convention in San Diego, held in June 1995. Many in our community felt it would be a great opportunity to meet some of our fellow alcoholics face to face, further bonding the close friendships we had made in our online groups.

OIAA Website Evolution

March 1, 1994

Creation of the Living Cyber Committee

The Living Cyber Committee was formed in March 1994 to coordinate the hosting of a hospitality suite at the convention. Participation ― or membership ― in the LCC was open to all recovering alcoholics who wished to join. Alcoholics from all corners of the online community ― bulletin boards, commercial online services, and the Internet ― joined in the effort.Prior to the convention, the LCC endeavored to communicate its existence, purpose, and activities to all known online A.A. groups. A Web page was set up. Flyers containing information on how to contact the Fellowship online and how to find online A.A. resources were compiled, printed, and distributed at the convention.
Our plans evolved to include a link to the online fellowship ― to those who could not attend the convention in person. Three computers were set up in the suite and stayed online continuously with alcoholics around the world.

June 1, 1995

Living Cyber Suite at the International Convention in San Diego

The Living Cyber Suite was a resounding success, providing a gathering place for members of online groups to meet each other in person, usually for the first time. Visitors were given an opportunity to log on to the actual online Fellowship. Those unable to travel to San Diego were able to “virtually” attend the convention through the suite.

Two major email groups, several groups from the major online services, and an Internet Relay Chat channel participated in uniting alcoholics from all over the world with the online members and visitors in the suite.

February 1, 1996

OIAA was born!

Following the convention, it was decided to dissolve the existing committee and reform. All online A.A. groups were invited to send a representative to the committee. We decided that we should serve as an Intergroup, serving the A.A. groups online.

OIAA was born! The Online Intergroup of Alcoholics Anonymous now represents scores of online groups with a combined membership numbering many thousands.

January 1, 1995

Original Purpose and Objectives Statement

—- Written in the mid-1990s —-

The phenomena of the new technology of computers, modems, World Wide Web, and Internet communication gave birth to a new medium of exchange through which alcoholics could interact with other alcoholics. Over the last several years, many new online meetings have sprung up which, having no geographical boundaries, were not able to fit the service structures of the usual face to face (f2f) meetings of A.A.. Out of this grew a recognition on the part of many online groups that some form of service group was necessary to assist and facilitate communication and coordination of the cyberspace A.A.
Read more…

January 1, 2000

Governing Body of the Intergroup and Membership

—- Written in the early 2000s —-

The governing body and the membership of OIAA was further defined in the early 2000s.

June 29, 2000

Suite at the International Convention in Minneapolis

Once again OIAA hosted a suite at the 65th Anniversary International Convention in Minneapolis, MN.

June 30, 2005

Suite at the International Convention in Toronto

OIAA hosted a suite at the 70th Anniversary International Convention in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

July 1, 2010

Suite at the International Convention in San Antonio

OIAA hosted a suite at the 75th Anniversary International Convention in San Antonio, TX.

July 2, 2015

Suite at the International Convention in Atlanta

OIAA hosted a suite at the 75th Anniversary International Convention in Atlanta, GA.

January 1, 2022

OIAA Registered as a non-profit organization

In 2022 OIAA registered as a non-profit organization in the state of New Jersey.

October 25, 2024

1st OIAA International Online Convention

The first annual Online OIAA International Convention was held October 25-27, 2024.Over 7,000 AA members attended from around the world.
Learn more…

OIAA Today

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