Thank for becoming a dues-paying member of Club 12.
“Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.”
Monthly Donations:
Only 3 Simple Steps to complete this process:
1. Click on link above.
2. Enter credit card information or login.
3. Press continue.
“Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.”
A.A. Grapevine, June, 1948
“The A.A. Groups themselves ought to be fully supported by the voluntary contribution of their own members. We think that each group should soon achieve its 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 growth continuing, the combined income of Alcoholics Anonymous members will soon reach the astounding total of $250,000,000, a quarter of billion dollars yearly. This is the direct result of A.A. membership. Sober we now have it, drunk we would not.
By contrast, our overall A.A. expenses are trifling.
For instance, the A.A. General Office now costs us $1.50 per member a year. As a fact, the New York office asks the groups for this sum twice a year because not all of them contribute. Even so, the sum per member is exceedingly small. If an A.A. happens to live in a large metropolitan center where an intergroup office is absolutely essential to handle heavy inquiries and hospital arrangements he contributes (or probably should contribute) about $5.00 annually. To pay the rent of his own group meeting place, and maybe coffee and doughnuts, he might drop $25.00 a year in the hat. Or, if he belongs to a club it could be $50.00. In case he takes The A.A. Grapevine he squanders an extra $2.50!
So, the A.A. member who really meets his group responsibilities finds himself liable for about $5.00 a month on the average. Yet his own personal income may be anywhere between $200. and $2,000. a month — the direct result of not drinking.
“But”, some will contend, “our friends want to give us money to furnish that new club house. We are a new small group. Most of us are still pretty broke. What then”?
I am sure that myriads of the A.A. voices would now answer the new group saying, “Yes, we know just how you feel. We once solicited money ourselves. We even solicited publicly. We thought we could do a lot of good with other peoples’ money. But we found that kind of money too hot to handle. It aroused unbelievable controversy. It simply wasn’t worth it. Besides, it set a precedent which has tempted many people to use the valuable name of Alcoholics Anonymous for other than A.A. purposes. While there may be little harm in a small friendly loan which your group really means to repay, we really beg you to think hard before you ask the most willing friend to make a large donation. You can, and you soon will, pay your own way. For each of you these overhead expenses will never amount to more than the price of one bottle of good whiskey a month. You will be everlastingly thankful if you pay this small obligation yourselves.
When reflecting on these things, why should not each of us tell himself, “Yes, we A.A.s were once a burden on everybody. We were ‘takers.’ Now that we are sober, and by the Grace of God have become responsible citizens of the world, why shouldn’t we now about face and become ‘thankful givers’! Yes, it is high time we did!”.
Bill W.
The AA Grapevine, June, 1948