Tradition Seven

Short form:

"Seven—Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions."

Long form:

"7.—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."

(our emphases)

Again a pretty straightforward piece of advice. (Firstly it might be useful to know what an AA group is as distinguished from an AA meeting. For some useful (conference approved) insights into this we recommend the following booklet called unsurprisingly enough: The AA Group. Click here (http://www.aa.org/pdf/products/p-16_theaagroup.pdf) for pdf download)). Essentially a self-supporting fellowship ensures its own autonomy, and of course this is consistent with our principle of non-affiliation. Most importantly we are not a “business” nor should we be unduly distracted by such concerns beyond those necessary to ensure that AA remains viable. In practice this means that ONLY AA members are responsible for the financing of our society. Therefore AA meetings at which non-AAs are present (eg. guests) should ensure that these are made aware of this (courteously and discreetly) and should not put any money in the pot. Similarly groups should pay the going rate for whatever accommodation they use for their meetings; they should not allow themselves to be subsidised in any way. So for example those meetings run on hospital premises where there may be no charge should still pay an appropriate market rent to ensure that they abide by this principle. Interestingly this tradition does raise a question with regard to the sale of AA literature to the general public. Effectively any monies derived from this source and subsequently used to subsidise AA mean that we are in fact taking money from “outside agencies”. This problem would be avoided of course if literature was sold simply at cost price with no profits made, the funds derived being used simply to finance the costs associated with production and distribution. The debate about whether AA should be partly financing itself in this fashion has been going on for some time now. Perhaps it is time we achieved this “ideal” and started abiding fully by this principle. Such a step would also avoid the current controversy of literature being bought from sources outside AA (online distributors for example). We should only be financing ourselves from our own members' “voluntary contributions” - AA is not in the book selling “business” - that is not our “primary purpose”.

Finally a “voluntary contribution” means precisely that. Whatever money is given is given ONLY according to the will of the donor including the time, place and amount, all of these specified by them and by them alone. Any AA event which seeks to impose a charge upon the attendees is clearly in breach of this Tradition and in our view ceases any more to be associated with Alcoholics Anonymous. Moreover any attempt to “suggest” an amount as a way of avoiding this guideline is in our view contrary to this principle especially where such “suggestions” are accompanied by any form of coercion or manipulation (It is entirely reasonable though for the treasurer of a group to ensure that its members – and any visitor to the group (in accordance with Tradition 4)– are kept fully informed of the group's financial position). This may have implications for AA conventions etc but the principle is pretty clearly stated. Therefore if AA members wish to organise such events and where these may include the provision of food (beyond the customary tea/coffee and biscuits), entertainment etc - and where there are inevitably costs associated with these - then the two activities should be clearly separated. Access to the AA meeting should be open to all AA members who wish to attend (and without charge) the remainder subject to the usual economic constraints. One is an AA activity, the other is not. Again AA is not in the “business” of running dances, discos, buffets, raffles, bingo and other assorted purely social occasions – these are “outside” issues.

In connection with the above the current “rash” of workshops and cult conventions organised by sundry individuals where a charge is made for attendance are NOT by definition AA events. They should not be promoted at AA meetings and newcomers especially should be made aware that these are NOT AA sponsored events. Moreover the organisers of such events should NOT use the name Alcoholics Anonymous nor use the AA logo and should explicitly (and in large lettering) make it plain to all and in understandable language that they are nothing to do with AA. After that a fool and his money are easily parted......

Cheerio

The Fellas