Finance Committee
Responsible for carrying AA’s 7th Tradition of self-support to groups in the Area by educating GSRs, DCMs and all A.A. members.
AAs 7th Tradition (short form)
Every AA group ought to be fully self- supporting, declining outside contributions.
AAs 7th Tradition (long form)
The A.A. groups themselves ought to be fully supported by the voluntary contributions of their own members. We think that each group should soon achieve this ideal; that any public solicitation of funds using the name of Alcoholics Anonymous is highly dangerous, whether by groups, clubs, hospitals, or other outside agencies; that acceptance of large gifts from any source, or of contributions carrying any obligation whatever, is unwise. Then too, we view with much concern those A.A. treasuries which continue, beyond prudent reserves, to accumulate funds for no stated A.A. purpose. Experience has often warned us that nothing can so surely destroy our spiritual heritage as futile disputes over property, money, and authority.
Suggested Donation Plan
Since we have active Central & Intergroup Offices in NE Ohio, we suggest that groups practice GSO’s suggested 50-30-10-10 plan. To use this plan: first pay your group bills and make sure you have literature on hand for the newcomer. Then subtract off your prudent reserve (for some groups this is nothing at all, they trust their membership to see them through, others hold back 2-3 months rent). The balance is sent to four (4) service entities.
Contribution Addresses
50% Central or Intergroup Office – check our latest listing here
30% General Service Office (GSO) – payable to General Service Board and mail to:
General Service Office
P.O. Box 459, Grand Central Station
New York, NY 10163
10% NE Ohio Area 54 – Payable to NE Ohio General Service and send to:
Area 54 Treasurer,
P.O. Box 91384
Cleveland, OH 44101-3384
7th Tradition service material and reprints:
1. How Much Does AA Mean to Me, and What Do I Give It in Return?
3. Finance can openers (cardstock)
4. Fellowship Sharing on Self Support
5. 7thTradition Forum Press 3 Column
6. Area 54 Self Support By Del Area 53 Andy
7. AA CONTRIBUTIONS – SELF SUPPORTING 2011 prices
8. Self Support Today – March 1996 AA Grapevine by permission
At the 56th General Service Conference, Class A trustee and treasurer of the General Service Board, Vincent Keefe stated:
IF WE KEEP DOING WHAT WE ARE DOING, WE WILL KEEP GETTING WHAT WE ARE GETTING.
In other words, as long as we have such a large part of the Fellowship not sending in any contributions, we will continue to rely on literature price increases to balance budgets or face the hard task of reducing services.
The simple fact is that we need to increase group contributions, especially from those groups who do not participate.
This is not so much a “money” issue as it is a responsibility issue. When we embrace Tradition Seven and decline outside contributions, we take on the individual responsibility to pay our bills from group and member contributions. This is a responsibility that every member of the Fellowship shares. Shared responsibility only works when every member shares.
Chair: Mae R.
E-mail: finance@area54.org