Self Support Cans - Novembers Self Support Topic

While several Districts within Area 83 use Self Support Cans, most do not use them. I am asked about them all the time.

I think the cans can be supportive for contributing to areas of need within A.A. but I want to stress that the cans do not represent the Self Support Committees role in Area 83, they are one of our tools.

Our role is to increase the awareness within our Area of the history and spiritual principles around our 7^th tradition. We need to talk about a “little bit of money and a whole lot of time”. So please use the cans if your Districts and groups wish, but be clear where the money is going.

When I was Self Support Chair in District 26 some of the groups in my District used the cans to purchase Big Books and 12 and 12’s, which we then couriered to a remote community.

The use of the Self Support Can is District/Group conscience, so if you are thinking about introducing them please approach your District Table First.

• Collect empty coffee tins
• Create a wrap round for the Cans, this wraparound should clearly state who is collecting the funds, what the funds are being collected and that this is not part of the 7^th tradition.
• Create and distribute information to the GSR’s to take back to their groups

What some of the districts are using them the money for.

• Literature for District Committees
• Literature for Police Stations
• Literature for Jails
• Big Books for Women’s shelters and halfway houses
• Remote Communities

Some Districts have been very successful using the Self Support Cans.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. Or to share with me what you are doing in your District for posting on the Blog. This will help other District Chairs.

Thanks,

Sheree N.

Area 83 Self Support Chair