7th tradition?

[Lin]

I thought the 7th tradition was about recovery groups only accepting contributions from members. "declining outside contributions". I was reading an obituary today. In the place where it says to give donations it said the humane society of AA and gave the address of the local building. This is the 2nd time I have read that in the past few months. To me if they receive a contribution in the mail from somebody who knew him then they are going against the tradition. I can see where a friend in AA could put extra in the basket as it passes and that would be OK. But for somebody not in AA to send them money...I don't see that.

Does anybody know how this works?

LIN

[majestyjo]

Not too sure Lin, it has been a while, but it is my understanding, that people who are not members are asked not to contribute to the 7th tradition when the basket is passed at an open meeting. If someone wants to donate, it has to be under $5,000. I believe, perhaps $1,000. and if something is said, "In lieu of a donation, give to the Humane Society or another Charitable Organization, that is a personal thing, and an outside issue.

A member may belong to an AA group, but what that family does in memory of their loved one, does not represent or reflect on AA. The Traditions 11 & 12 are for press, radio, film, and TV. They are not written for individual members, at least not to my understanding. Each group and each fellowship is different, and I am not sure if it is different there in the United States from here in Canada.

[Lin]

Thanks Jo. I never heard of any limit being placed on a donation. That's good to know. I just found it curious it was in the paper to donate to AA.

LIN

[BW]

I never heard of any limit being placed on a donation.

Hi Lin

When I began or was voted in to be a trusted servant with group monies I had asked some of these same questions & it was suggested I do 2 things to find my answers..the first is pray...we have that essential element of OPEN MINDEDNESS that for me leads to OPEN HEARTEDNESS & I needed to allow God to help me develop those qualities.

The second suggestion was to do research...We retain things and come to a deeper understanding when we put some effort in to find our answers. I too was surprised to find limits on donations but today I do understand that principle after reading on page 164 of the 12 x 12 the insights gained when a woman passed and donated $10,000. It goes on to say they asked themselves some tuff questions..

"Where would that land us? Whoever pays the piper is apt to call the tune, and if the A.A. Foundation obtained money from outsides sources, its trustees might be tempted to run things without reference to the wishes of A.A. as a whole."

In the 12 by 12 are stories that tell us how our founders learned to lower their expectations regarding money. One of the studies I did talked about the 7th Tradition helping us to learn humility while we grow in integrity in order to decrease or prepare us to surrender more of our EGO.

In the Big Book is an address where you can send in your questions and requests for more detailed information which they will be happy to send you.

Hope this helps...And good to see you

[majestyjo]

Thanks for sharing BW, the who thing is based on spiritual principle. The principles are there so that our human nature doesn't get in the way of greed and what we feel is our need, forgetting that when we get needy, we get greedy. God does provide.

I know that in Al-Anon, we get an appeal letter from head office so members can donate quarterly. We are fully self-supporting.  It was my understanding that this principle applied to all 12 Step programs.

[Lin]

Thanks to both of you for the replies. We do get that quarterly appeal. In my group we keep it separate from the basket. We announce it three weeks in a row and then send in whatever is in that envelope. It's from members. Not outside contributions. So that why I was wondering how an obituary is asking for donations to AA. To me that would be an outside contribution.

Lin

[majestyjo]

Good to hear it is done world wide Lin. I think what you are talking about is someone wanting to donate out of grief and gratitude if someone passes or helps a loved one in a family. Someone who has money and want to give back and pay it forward, like they would donate to any charity, like the Cancer Society, only AA isn't like that, they are fully self-supporting through their own contributions.

[BW]

I don't think GSO would accept those kind of donations...because they are not members. They have been known to write very elegant letters but return all funds that are not members
How ever if a member puts it in their will...they will accept that but that's where they put a limit on the size of the donation

[sunny]

Hi Lin: See page 5 of the AA Guidelines on Finance - here's a link for you.
www.aa.org/assets/en_US/mg-15_finance.pdf

[BW]

Just to let you know Lin... Just found this out yeaterday

There is an agenda item to be voted on later this year ..RE: raising the limit of donation from $3,000. to $5,000

Will let you know after vote..It will be a little while