Tradition 07

(short) Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
(long) 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.

1. Primary principle(s): self support, participation, ownership, responsibility
2. Other principles: financial prudence, generosity, good nature, grace, helpfulness, humility, integrity, kindness, moderation, self-sacrifice, trust, willingness, right of participation

Readings:

• 12 Steps & 12 Traditions - pp. 160-165
• The Twelve Traditions Illustrated - AAWS Pamphlet
• AA Comes of Age - pp. 107-109
• “The Portals Of Service”, September 2006 AA Grapevine
• “Tradition Seven: Contributions: One Member’s Perspective”, July 2006 AA Grapevine
• “After Katrina: A Home Group Rebuilds”, April 2006 AA Grapevine
• “A Buck In The Basket?”, February 2006 AA Grapevine

Probably the best “pitch man” I’ve ever heard around AA’s Seventh Tradition was our area Treasurer a number of years ago. While, on balance, I think he was probably not our best treasurer (he had a hard time understanding the differences between the “books” of AA and other businesses or enterprises), when he talked about the nature and principles of our Seventh tradition, he seldom talked about money.

To him, this tradition was all about the privilege and opportunity of sacrifice, about truly “belonging” to something and, about choosing to participate.

When I first sobered up, I was counseled in the first few days that I was attending meetings that most people put a dollar in the basket but, if I didn’t have a dollar, I could put in 50 cents.  If I didn’t have 50 cents, I could put in a quarter, a dime, a nickel - but, whatever I felt I could spare, that it would be appreciated and included to help “keep our doors open”.  They taught me that part of my “right” to be here was that I could participate at whatever level I could afford.

Further, whether I would or chose to contribute financially or not, I could always clean, help with dishes, make coffee or otherwise make myself generally useful at our meeting place.

I look with sadness at my home group’s largest meeting with over a 100 people in attendance and the basket often is passed 2 full rows without someone feeling enough ownership to contribute anything.  I’m not sad for our meeting, we have a great deal on rent and we always seem to have plenty of money - at least for now.  I’m sad for what seems to be a whole lot of our fellowship who don’t choose to participate.

I try to think of this in all of my life.  For much of my life, I was blessed with a good income where I could always “throw money” rather than show up and participate.  Don’t get me wrong, my whole family enjoyed the vacations, gifts (sometimes extravagant) and my slight-of-hand where I would always pick up the check for our outings. But, for now, that time is gone.

I’ve had to learn the same thing those deadbeats (I’m joking…) at my meeting need to learn.  That, to participate and belong to something is one of the richest gifts life offers.

I think “self support” has everything to do with choosing to fully participate and the greater the sacrifice, the greater the blessings.  Sometimes not blessings I would have sought out but always way bigger and grander than my little plans and designs.

That’s been my experience…

Grapevine traditions checklist:

1. Honestly now, do I do all I can to help AA (my group, my central office, my GSO) remain self-supporting? Could I put a little more into the basket on behalf of the new guy who can’t afford it yet? How generous was I when tanked in a barroom?
   • Principles:
2. Should the Grapevine sell advertising space to book publishers and drug companies, so it could make a big profit and become a bigger magazine, in full color, at a cheaper price per copy?
   • Principles:
3. If GSO runs short of funds some year, wouldn’t it be okay to let the government subsidize AA groups in hospitals and prisons?
   • Principles:
4. Is it more important to get a big AA collection from a few people, or a smaller collection in which more members participate?
   • Principles:
5. Is a group treasurer’s report unimportant AA business? How does the treasurer feel about it?
   • Principles:
6. How important in my recovery is the feeling of self-respect, rather than the feeling of being always under obligation for charity received?
   • Principles: