Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Ask It Basket - Prudent Reserve
My thanks to Barry W, Past Delegate who kindly supplied the answers to the following questions.
Why do we have a prudent reserve?
This is an amount of money set aside to be used in cases of financial emergency, to carry us through periods when income (contributions) are less than expenses, or for winding up the Area's financial obligations should it ever decide to cease operation.
How did Area 83 determine it’s current prudent reserve of one year’s operating expense?
At some point in the past the Area Assembly, based on the analysis and recommendation of the Area Treasurer, decided to set the prudent reserve at it's current level. This level is subject to change by the Assembly at any time it deems fit.
How is it invested ? Who manages it ?
The reserve is managed by the Area Treasurer on behalf of Area 83. The guidelines are fairly flexible on how it is invested with the proviso that the Area must be able to access the cash quickly in case it is necessary - so no long term bonds, stocks, etc.. It is not the Area's intention to create an income flow from the reserve.
Barry W
Past Delegate Area 83 International
Panel #49 1999-2000
Monday, August 6, 2007
August Self Support Topic "Prudent Reserve"
Hi Friends, here is a topic that could make for a lively discussion at your groups business meeting as well as introduce your newcomers to spiritual principles around money.
In 1954 A.A.'s Board of Trustees established a reserve fund whose principal purpose is to provide the financial resources necessary to continue the essential services of G.S.O. and the Grapevine for up to one year in the event of an unexpected and substantial reduction in the normal revenues of the organization.
Area 83 has a prudent reserve of 1 year, this money is invested in an interest bearing account that has little or no penalty should we need to access it.
It is suggested that after meeting it's expenses, each group should have a prudent reserve. Funds in excess of the groups expenses and the prudent reserve can then be forwarded to support District/Intergroup/Area and General Service Office.
Here are some General Service Conference Approved pamplets that suggest and explain the need for a prudent reserve. You can order these from General Service office or veiw them online at www.aa.org
Self Support; Where money & spiritulaity Mix
Memo to an A.A. Group Treasurer
The A.A. Group....Where it all begins.
Prudent Reserve
General Service Office
In 1954 A.A.'s Board of Trustees established a reserve fund whose principal purpose is to provide the financial resources necessary to continue the essential services of G.S.O. and the Grapevine for up to one year in the event of an unexpected and substantial reduction in the normal revenues of the organization.
Area 83 International
Area 83 has a prudent reserve of 1 year, this money is invested in an interest bearing account that has little or no penalty should we need to access it.
Your Home Group
It is suggested that after meeting it's expenses, each group should have a prudent reserve. Funds in excess of the groups expenses and the prudent reserve can then be forwarded to support District/Intergroup/Area and General Service Office.
Here are some General Service Conference Approved pamplets that suggest and explain the need for a prudent reserve. You can order these from General Service office or veiw them online at www.aa.org
Self Support; Where money & spiritulaity Mix
Memo to an A.A. Group Treasurer
The A.A. Group....Where it all begins.
Monday, July 30, 2007
July Self Support Questionnaire
Hi Friends, below is a fun questionnaire I prepared for a presentation I did in Peterborough,sorry I have taken so long to post this summer, I have been enjoying
some down time and have participated in a couple of retreats that took
me away from anything electronic. Have some fun by trying to answer the questions, for the answers you can email me or check out the Blog in a couple of weeks.
Who is the current Delegate of Area 83 ?
What panel does she sit on?
According to the General Service Treasurer if all members gave __________ a month A.A. would be truly Self Supporting,
Who is our immediate Past Delegate ?
Contributions to GSO for 2007 have been budgeted at __________ . The total __________________for GSO ( 2007) is anticipated at $12,525,550.
Did you know that for 2007 the ___________ anticipates a loss of $81,300.
The ___________________ represents your group at the Area Assemblies.
How many Area Assemblies are held during the two year period of the Area Committee?
In what publication were the traditions first introduced?
What is the web address (url) for General Service Office?
DCM is the abbreviation for _________________________.
What does the DCM represent ?
Concept I: Final responsibility and ultimate authority for A.A. world services should always reside in the collective conscience of our whole______________________.
Alcoholics Anonymous just celebrated a birthday in June, what birthday was it?
some down time and have participated in a couple of retreats that took
me away from anything electronic. Have some fun by trying to answer the questions, for the answers you can email me or check out the Blog in a couple of weeks.
Self Support Quiz
July 2007
July 2007
Who is the current Delegate of Area 83 ?
What panel does she sit on?
According to the General Service Treasurer if all members gave __________ a month A.A. would be truly Self Supporting,
Who is our immediate Past Delegate ?
Contributions to GSO for 2007 have been budgeted at __________ . The total __________________for GSO ( 2007) is anticipated at $12,525,550.
Did you know that for 2007 the ___________ anticipates a loss of $81,300.
The ___________________ represents your group at the Area Assemblies.
How many Area Assemblies are held during the two year period of the Area Committee?
In what publication were the traditions first introduced?
What is the web address (url) for General Service Office?
DCM is the abbreviation for _________________________.
What does the DCM represent ?
Concept I: Final responsibility and ultimate authority for A.A. world services should always reside in the collective conscience of our whole______________________.
Alcoholics Anonymous just celebrated a birthday in June, what birthday was it?
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Has GSO ever been self-supporting through contributions?
Hi Friends, June's Self Support Topic has kindly been addressed by Roy R. one of our past Delegates. Please read the below and if you feel so inclined take the June Poll. My thanks to Roy for so cleverly addressing this tough question.
Has GSO ever been self-supporting through contributions?
Alcoholics Anonymous has had a philosophy of being self-supporting since the early years, when we were rebuffed by John D. Rockefeller, "I am afraid that money will spoil this thing." Through the interpretation and understanding of our Seventh Tradition, most groups have attained the self-supporting stage.
Over the years, our central offices have frequently been entities of a different colour. Rather than quietly operating under the ‘self-supporting umbrella’, the Fellowship frequently has imposed the apparent virtue of ‘corporate poverty’ on our service centres. GSO / ‘Head Office’ has been no exception.
In the very early years, both Bill and Dr. Bob were thrilled when the Trustees of the Alcoholic Foundation allotted each of them some of the monies coming in from sales of the Big Book.
“Two years ago the trustees set aside, out of AA book funds, a sum which enabled my wife and me to pay off the mortgage on our home and make some needed improvements. The Foundation also granted Dr Bob and me each a royalty of 10% on the book Alcoholics Anonymous, our only income from AA sources. We are both very comfortable and deeply grateful.” (Language of the Heart pages 62-66)
The decade following World War II saw much activity. Nell Wing, Bill’s secretary (and later the first GSO Archivist) wrote.
“The year I came to the foundation--in fact, that entire decade, 1945 to 1955--was an exciting and important time in AA history, probably the most productive period of growth and development we've seen to date.
What was happening? The Big Book was earning money, and had been since 1942. Old debts had been repaid. The trustees were passing resolutions about making AA self-supporting. By 1945, the groups were contributing to the support of the office.”
(Grapevine, September 1977)
Those must have been heady, exciting times. But I found no solid proof that the Fellowship has ever completely supported GSO through contributions. I asked a couple of staffers at GSO. Both thought not. I also asked Donald Meurer, the CFO of AAWS, Inc., whose ‘standard AA folklore’ answer was yes – once, a long time ago.
Bill W. wasn’t concerned that literature sales were made to outside entities. He felt that usually these copies would wind up in the hands of alcoholics. With Overeaters Anonymous and other 12-Step programs purchasing our literature, one might wonder if that is still the case today.
At the Special Forum held in Philadelphia in the fall of 2006, the topic arose during one of the Question and Answer sessions.
Question: Is A.A. self-supporting if we use revenue from the sale of literature to support services? What percentage of literature sales are sold to non-A.A. entities?
Response: Currently 17% of literature sales are to non-A.A. entities. In the 1980s, the number was 30%. Our co-founder Bill W. said that even books bought by outside entities usually end up in the hands of alcoholics.
The use of literature revenue to fund services was the case even in Bill W.’s and Dr. Bob’s time. If the Fellowship were to fund 100% of services through Seventh Tradition contributions, or if services were reduced, we may be able to lower the price of literature. Meanwhile, revenue from literature makes up for the shortfall of contributions.
One trustee, though, has shared that if we really want to control the destiny of G.S.O. and our Central Offices, we need to stop reliance on literature sales.
So there you go, a typical AA answer. Probably, but then again, maybe not. One thing is for sure – if each of us and each of our groups digs a little deeper and contributes a little more to our Intergroups and Districts and Area and GSO, we could become truly self-supporting through these contributions, for the first (or second) time.
Roy R.
Panel 53 Delegate,
Area 83 Eastern Ontario International
Has GSO ever been self-supporting through contributions?
Alcoholics Anonymous has had a philosophy of being self-supporting since the early years, when we were rebuffed by John D. Rockefeller, "I am afraid that money will spoil this thing." Through the interpretation and understanding of our Seventh Tradition, most groups have attained the self-supporting stage.
Over the years, our central offices have frequently been entities of a different colour. Rather than quietly operating under the ‘self-supporting umbrella’, the Fellowship frequently has imposed the apparent virtue of ‘corporate poverty’ on our service centres. GSO / ‘Head Office’ has been no exception.
In the very early years, both Bill and Dr. Bob were thrilled when the Trustees of the Alcoholic Foundation allotted each of them some of the monies coming in from sales of the Big Book.
“Two years ago the trustees set aside, out of AA book funds, a sum which enabled my wife and me to pay off the mortgage on our home and make some needed improvements. The Foundation also granted Dr Bob and me each a royalty of 10% on the book Alcoholics Anonymous, our only income from AA sources. We are both very comfortable and deeply grateful.” (Language of the Heart pages 62-66)
The decade following World War II saw much activity. Nell Wing, Bill’s secretary (and later the first GSO Archivist) wrote.
“The year I came to the foundation--in fact, that entire decade, 1945 to 1955--was an exciting and important time in AA history, probably the most productive period of growth and development we've seen to date.
What was happening? The Big Book was earning money, and had been since 1942. Old debts had been repaid. The trustees were passing resolutions about making AA self-supporting. By 1945, the groups were contributing to the support of the office.”
(Grapevine, September 1977)
Those must have been heady, exciting times. But I found no solid proof that the Fellowship has ever completely supported GSO through contributions. I asked a couple of staffers at GSO. Both thought not. I also asked Donald Meurer, the CFO of AAWS, Inc., whose ‘standard AA folklore’ answer was yes – once, a long time ago.
Bill W. wasn’t concerned that literature sales were made to outside entities. He felt that usually these copies would wind up in the hands of alcoholics. With Overeaters Anonymous and other 12-Step programs purchasing our literature, one might wonder if that is still the case today.
At the Special Forum held in Philadelphia in the fall of 2006, the topic arose during one of the Question and Answer sessions.
Question: Is A.A. self-supporting if we use revenue from the sale of literature to support services? What percentage of literature sales are sold to non-A.A. entities?
Response: Currently 17% of literature sales are to non-A.A. entities. In the 1980s, the number was 30%. Our co-founder Bill W. said that even books bought by outside entities usually end up in the hands of alcoholics.
The use of literature revenue to fund services was the case even in Bill W.’s and Dr. Bob’s time. If the Fellowship were to fund 100% of services through Seventh Tradition contributions, or if services were reduced, we may be able to lower the price of literature. Meanwhile, revenue from literature makes up for the shortfall of contributions.
One trustee, though, has shared that if we really want to control the destiny of G.S.O. and our Central Offices, we need to stop reliance on literature sales.
So there you go, a typical AA answer. Probably, but then again, maybe not. One thing is for sure – if each of us and each of our groups digs a little deeper and contributes a little more to our Intergroups and Districts and Area and GSO, we could become truly self-supporting through these contributions, for the first (or second) time.
Roy R.
Panel 53 Delegate,
Area 83 Eastern Ontario International
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Self Support Tidbits
GSC Agenda Item
A. Discuss a request to increase the maximum annual contribution (or a one time bequest) that the General Service Board can receive from an A.A. member from $2,000 to $3,000.
Results
A. This item was discussed and passed, therefore making the maximum annual contribution (or one time bequest) that the General Service Board can receive from an A.A. member is now $3,000.00.
The above figures are in American dollars.
Delegates Report
Yesterday I had the privilege of hearing our Delegates
(Dot D.) first report on the General Service Conference, Dot spoke enthusiastically about her experience. Area 83 was ably represented at the GSC.
Encourage others to hear her report by attending the Zone and District Services Days that are hosting her over the next couple of months. She is carrying the message from General Service Office to the Area/Districts and Groups. Let’s support her and our fellowship by attending Service Days.
A. Discuss a request to increase the maximum annual contribution (or a one time bequest) that the General Service Board can receive from an A.A. member from $2,000 to $3,000.
Results
A. This item was discussed and passed, therefore making the maximum annual contribution (or one time bequest) that the General Service Board can receive from an A.A. member is now $3,000.00.
The above figures are in American dollars.
Delegates Report
Yesterday I had the privilege of hearing our Delegates
(Dot D.) first report on the General Service Conference, Dot spoke enthusiastically about her experience. Area 83 was ably represented at the GSC.
Encourage others to hear her report by attending the Zone and District Services Days that are hosting her over the next couple of months. She is carrying the message from General Service Office to the Area/Districts and Groups. Let’s support her and our fellowship by attending Service Days.
2007 G.S.O. Budget*
*Condensed, for full budget please read the next Box 459 due to be mailed in 3 weeks.
Contributions for 2007 have been budgeted at $6,200,000 in total. (Contributions received for the year 2005 were 12% or $650,000 greater than in 2005.)
During 2006, contributions from groups and individuals of totaled $5,922,000 which was $517,000 or 10% greater than budget and $640,000 or 12% greater than 2005. Contributions received from World Service Meeting Countries toward the World Service Meeting International literature fund amounted to $145,000 approximately $20,000 more than 2005. In total, Contributions received for 2006 were just over $6,068,000. In addition to the work trusted servants are doing to carry the message of the necessity for voluntary contributions, historical evidence suggests that usually in the year following an International Convention, we enjoy a healthy increase in contributions.
Total Operating Revenue for 2007 is anticipated at $12,525,550, approximately even with the 2006 Budget and 1.5% less than the 2006 actual results.
Total Operating Expenses for 2007 have been budgeted at $12,525,550 approximately $231,000 or 2% more than 2006, and $242,000 or 2% more than the 2006 budget as well.
Grapevine Update
Did you know that for 2007 the Grapevine anticipates a loss of $81,300. This compares with the 2006 budgeted profit of $19,883 and an actual loss from operations of $48,857.
http://www.aagrapevine.org
June’s Blog Topic
Is A.A. really Self Supporting?
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Supporting Grapevine "our meeting in print".
May is Support Grapevine Month, following is some really interesting information on the Grapevine. Did you know that the traditions were first introduced in the Grapevine, so were other items that have become standard materials in our fellowship. The following information was kindly supplied by Jim S, our Area 83 Grapevine Chairperson
OUR GRAPEVINE
The Grapevine has been continuously published since 1944, and it preceded all AA literature except for the Big Book. Because of a problem with anonymity and a conflict with the FBI’s in-house magazine called “The Grapevine”, we changed our name to “The AA Grapevine.” The legal name is Box 1980 which appears on the shipping label as the return address. So you can see how it does protect a member’s anonymity.
Bill W used it to communicate with the Fellowship of AA. He used it to get new ideas out to the membership as a whole. For example the Twelve Traditions were first seen in The Grapevine in an article called “Twelve Suggested Points for AA Tradition.” A number of the stories in the back of the Big Book appeared in The Grapevine first. It is now considered “The Voice of the AA Fellowship.” The articles are written by the membership for the membership. In 1986 the General Service Conference issued a blanket approval for the magazine since each issue could not be approved in advance. So it is Conference approved.
The Grapevine has a history of dealing with many controversial issues within the Fellowship of AA. There have been articles covering the God thing, AA and other substances, Singleness of Purpose, Character Defects, Working with Others and many more. It also has books such as Language of the Heart, Best of Bill and the new one Emotional Sobriety. CD’s, pictures and other items concerning AA, such as the picture The Man on the Bed and the Serenity Prayer are also available from the Grapevine.
It is called the Meeting in Print because it has in it, The Preamble,( this is where The Preamble was first seen), The Steps, The Traditions and, it always has a meeting topic for Discussion Meetings.
It is a wonderful 12th Step Tool. It can be used both within and outside the Fellowship. Inside the Fellowship it can be used for members who cannot attend meetings regularly because of illness or location. Also it is a good tool for the hearing impaired Alcoholic. Gift subscriptions can be given to a sponsee, or given to the newcomer at his or her fist meeting, or even before. Gift subscriptions can be given to Treatment and Correctional Facilities. They can be loaned out for members to read.
Outside the Fellowship Older issues can be used in Correctional and Treatment Facilities, to be left there for the people to read. They can be left in Doctors and Hospital waiting rooms and in Police Stations. Of course approval should be received before leaving magazines in these places.
On The Grapevine Website www.aagrapevine.org you can do anything that can be done by phone or postal mail. You can subscribe to the Magazine, renew a subscription, purchase other Grapevine books or materials or submit an article. The Digital Archive lets you look at more than 60 years of experience, strength and hope. Also the audio version of the Magazine can be downloaded from here.
The Grapevine does not receive any funding or financial support from the GSO. It is totally self supporting through the sale of literature and the magazine. This is why we should try and support it in any way we can. Things like, having a personal subscription to the magazine, possibly purchasing items for gifts at medallions, gift subscriptions for sponsee’s , Correctional or Treatment Institutions. One of the ways we all can support it is in the purchase of a Pocket Planner and or Calendars. The ordering process is starting now.
In the DCM’s mail slots at the Area Committee Meeting in June will be an order form for each respective District. The price here will reflect the latest price from the Grapevine, the current exchange rate, GST and any discounts we may be entitled to. The Districts will compile their order over the summer months and the completed order forms along with the payment will be given back to the Area Grapevine Chair at the Area Committee Meeting in Sept. He or she will compile these into one order and send it off to the Grapevine. The DCM’s will pick up their Districts order at the Fall Assembly at Kingston in October. Most of us do buy a pocket calendar of some sort so why not support the Grapevine in this.
OUR GRAPEVINE
The Grapevine has been continuously published since 1944, and it preceded all AA literature except for the Big Book. Because of a problem with anonymity and a conflict with the FBI’s in-house magazine called “The Grapevine”, we changed our name to “The AA Grapevine.” The legal name is Box 1980 which appears on the shipping label as the return address. So you can see how it does protect a member’s anonymity.
Bill W used it to communicate with the Fellowship of AA. He used it to get new ideas out to the membership as a whole. For example the Twelve Traditions were first seen in The Grapevine in an article called “Twelve Suggested Points for AA Tradition.” A number of the stories in the back of the Big Book appeared in The Grapevine first. It is now considered “The Voice of the AA Fellowship.” The articles are written by the membership for the membership. In 1986 the General Service Conference issued a blanket approval for the magazine since each issue could not be approved in advance. So it is Conference approved.
The Grapevine has a history of dealing with many controversial issues within the Fellowship of AA. There have been articles covering the God thing, AA and other substances, Singleness of Purpose, Character Defects, Working with Others and many more. It also has books such as Language of the Heart, Best of Bill and the new one Emotional Sobriety. CD’s, pictures and other items concerning AA, such as the picture The Man on the Bed and the Serenity Prayer are also available from the Grapevine.
It is called the Meeting in Print because it has in it, The Preamble,( this is where The Preamble was first seen), The Steps, The Traditions and, it always has a meeting topic for Discussion Meetings.
It is a wonderful 12th Step Tool. It can be used both within and outside the Fellowship. Inside the Fellowship it can be used for members who cannot attend meetings regularly because of illness or location. Also it is a good tool for the hearing impaired Alcoholic. Gift subscriptions can be given to a sponsee, or given to the newcomer at his or her fist meeting, or even before. Gift subscriptions can be given to Treatment and Correctional Facilities. They can be loaned out for members to read.
Outside the Fellowship Older issues can be used in Correctional and Treatment Facilities, to be left there for the people to read. They can be left in Doctors and Hospital waiting rooms and in Police Stations. Of course approval should be received before leaving magazines in these places.
On The Grapevine Website www.aagrapevine.org you can do anything that can be done by phone or postal mail. You can subscribe to the Magazine, renew a subscription, purchase other Grapevine books or materials or submit an article. The Digital Archive lets you look at more than 60 years of experience, strength and hope. Also the audio version of the Magazine can be downloaded from here.
The Grapevine does not receive any funding or financial support from the GSO. It is totally self supporting through the sale of literature and the magazine. This is why we should try and support it in any way we can. Things like, having a personal subscription to the magazine, possibly purchasing items for gifts at medallions, gift subscriptions for sponsee’s , Correctional or Treatment Institutions. One of the ways we all can support it is in the purchase of a Pocket Planner and or Calendars. The ordering process is starting now.
In the DCM’s mail slots at the Area Committee Meeting in June will be an order form for each respective District. The price here will reflect the latest price from the Grapevine, the current exchange rate, GST and any discounts we may be entitled to. The Districts will compile their order over the summer months and the completed order forms along with the payment will be given back to the Area Grapevine Chair at the Area Committee Meeting in Sept. He or she will compile these into one order and send it off to the Grapevine. The DCM’s will pick up their Districts order at the Fall Assembly at Kingston in October. Most of us do buy a pocket calendar of some sort so why not support the Grapevine in this.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Self Support Update
Dear Self Support Chairs/Alternate DCM’s, I hope your presentations are going well and I look forward to hearing from you. Part of what I believe the Self Support Role should be, is, to encourage participation in all areas of service, one of the ways to do this is too support the many service days and information days held in our Area.
One that is important and may have wide interest is the Archives Workshop being held in Kingston. The information is below and you may want to mention this in your presentations, we can learn a lot by listening to the wisdom and experience of those that have come before us. Preserving our history is critical to our fellowship. I will post this on our Blog as well. The Area 83 Archivist has a new Blog that she will be updating periodically with interesting information; already on the Blog is information on how to do an Oral History. Here is the link http://area83archivist.blogspot.com/
Please also note that our Registrar has a helpful Blog with group information forms etc… this makes it easy for the groups in your districts, here is the link to his Blog http://area83registrar.blogspot.com/
We have all linked our Blogs together which makes it easy for Area 83 members to access information.
A call letter requesting resumes of those interested in being considered for the role of Area 83 Webmaster and Area 83 Alternate Webmaster has been sent out to the DCMs, please help spread the message. A copy of these call letters is available if you would like one, however because full names are used I won’t be posted it on the Blog.
I also have some interesting “Ask It Basket” topics coming up…… so keep coming back to the Blog for more information.
One that is important and may have wide interest is the Archives Workshop being held in Kingston. The information is below and you may want to mention this in your presentations, we can learn a lot by listening to the wisdom and experience of those that have come before us. Preserving our history is critical to our fellowship. I will post this on our Blog as well. The Area 83 Archivist has a new Blog that she will be updating periodically with interesting information; already on the Blog is information on how to do an Oral History. Here is the link http://area83archivist.blogspot.com/
Please also note that our Registrar has a helpful Blog with group information forms etc… this makes it easy for the groups in your districts, here is the link to his Blog http://area83registrar.blogspot.com/
We have all linked our Blogs together which makes it easy for Area 83 members to access information.
A call letter requesting resumes of those interested in being considered for the role of Area 83 Webmaster and Area 83 Alternate Webmaster has been sent out to the DCMs, please help spread the message. A copy of these call letters is available if you would like one, however because full names are used I won’t be posted it on the Blog.
I also have some interesting “Ask It Basket” topics coming up…… so keep coming back to the Blog for more information.
Monday, April 2, 2007
April Self Support
April 2, 2007
Dear Self Support Chair,
Thanks again for taking on this important role in your District; I enjoyed meeting many of you at the Area Assembly. If you were unable to attend feel free to contact me directly at area83iamresponsible@yahoo.ca if I can be of any help to you.
I have already posted an April Self Support Tidbit, that could be included in your presentations as well as a Concepts Checklist In my experience. The Concepts are rarely discussed at group or District level but you will see by the questions, they could provide an interesting and a valuable discussion topic for all levels of service.
I have contacted a few of the District Chairs to help me prepare for the Fall Assembly, at this time we will have an open forum workshop where we review and discuss guidelines that will help us present the Self Support Message. The following Guidelines are being worked on by District Chairs;
1) District Role in Self Support – Guidelines for District Self Support Chair
2) Presentation Guidelines
3) The Groups Role in Self Support
Yours in Love and Service,
Sheree
Area 83 International Self Support Chairperson
Dear Self Support Chair,
Thanks again for taking on this important role in your District; I enjoyed meeting many of you at the Area Assembly. If you were unable to attend feel free to contact me directly at area83iamresponsible@yahoo.ca if I can be of any help to you.
I have already posted an April Self Support Tidbit, that could be included in your presentations as well as a Concepts Checklist In my experience. The Concepts are rarely discussed at group or District level but you will see by the questions, they could provide an interesting and a valuable discussion topic for all levels of service.
I have contacted a few of the District Chairs to help me prepare for the Fall Assembly, at this time we will have an open forum workshop where we review and discuss guidelines that will help us present the Self Support Message. The following Guidelines are being worked on by District Chairs;
1) District Role in Self Support – Guidelines for District Self Support Chair
2) Presentation Guidelines
3) The Groups Role in Self Support
Yours in Love and Service,
Sheree
Area 83 International Self Support Chairperson
Monday, March 26, 2007
Self Support Tidbit
Information supplied by GSO's Treasurer
Cost to provide services in 2005 - $7,622,288
Group contributions coming from 43% of the registered groups of $5,417,046 covered 71% of the costs (literature costs cover the rest). According to his calculation if every member contributed 48 cents US monthly we would be fully self supporting,
Cost to provide services in 2005 - $7,622,288
Group contributions coming from 43% of the registered groups of $5,417,046 covered 71% of the costs (literature costs cover the rest). According to his calculation if every member contributed 48 cents US monthly we would be fully self supporting,
Concepts Checklist
Concepts Checklist
Service Material from the General Service Office
A service piece for home groups, districts, areas
Some of these discussion points were originally developed by an A.A. group and further developed by the trustees’ Literature Committee to be distributed by the General Service Office. While this checklist is intended as a starting point for discussion by groups, districts or areas, individual A.A. members may find it useful along with our co-founder Bill W.’s writings, a service sponsor if you have one and reflection on your own service experience. Additional information about the Concepts can be found in The A.A. Service Manual/Twelve Concepts for World Service and “The Twelve Concepts Illustrated” pamphlet. (The Concepts stated here are in the short form.)
Concept I: Final responsibility and ultimate authority for A.A. world services should always reside in the collective conscience of our whole Fellowship.
Does our group have a general service representative (G.S.R.)? Do we feel that our home group is part of A.A. as a whole and do our group’s decisions and actions reflect that?
Do we hold regular group conscience meetings encouraging everyone to participate? Do we pass that conscience on to the district, area, or the local intergroup meetings?
Is the “collective conscience” of Alcoholics Anonymous at work in my home group? In my area?
Where do we fit in the upside-down triangle of A.A.?
Are we willing to do what it takes to insure that our democracy of world service will work under all conditions?
Concept II: The General Service Conference of A.A. has become, for nearly every practical purpose, the active voice and the effective conscience of our whole Society in its world affairs.
Do we have an understanding of the history of the General Service Conference (the “Conference”)?
What is a Conference Advisory Action? Does our home group’s G.S.R., D.C.M., area delegate report back to the group on the highlights of the Conference and Conference Advisory Actions?
Is our group meeting its wider Seventh Tradition responsibilities?
Concept III: To insure effective leadership, we should endow each element of A.A. —the Conference, the General Service Board and its service corporations, staffs, committees, and executives—with a traditional “Right of Decision.”
Do we understand what is meant by the “Right of Decision”? Do we grant it at all levels of service or do we “instruct”?
Do we trust our trusted servants — G.S.R., D.C.M., area delegate, the Conference itself?
Concept IV: At all responsible levels, we ought to maintain a traditional “Right of Participation,” allowing a voting representation in reasonable proportion to the responsibility that each must discharge.
Do we understand the spiritual principles underlying the “Right of Participation”?
What does “in reasonable proportion” mean? Do we understand when it is appropriate for A.A. paid staff to have a vote at the General Service Conference or in our local service structure?
Do we expect that, because we are A.A. members, we should be allowed to vote at any group, even if we are not active members of that group?
Concept V: Throughout our structure, a traditional “Right of Appeal” ought to prevail, so that minority opinion will be heard and personal grievances receive careful consideration.
Do we encourage the minority opinion, the “Right of Appeal”, to be heard at our home group, district committee meetings, area assemblies and the Conference?
What does our group accept as “substantial unanimity”?
Has our group experienced the “tyranny of the majority” or the “tyranny of the minority”?
Does our group understand the importance of all points of view being heard before a vote is taken?
Concept Vl: The Conference recognizes that the chief initiative and active responsibility in most world service matters should be exercised by the trustee members of the Conference acting as the General Service Board.
Are we familiar with how our General Service Board (G.S.B.) Class A and Class B trustees serve A.A.? Are we familiar with how our other trusted servants serve A.A.?
Are we clear about the terms, “chief initiative” and “active responsibility”? Can we see a direct link to our home group?
Concept Vll: The Charter and Bylaws of the General Service Board are legal instruments, empowering the trustees to manage and conduct world service affairs. The Conference Charter is not a legal document; it relies upon tradition and the A.A. purse for final effectiveness.
Do we act responsibly regarding the “power of the purse?”
Do we realize that the practical and spiritual power of the Conference will nearly always be superior to the legal power of the G.S.B.?
Concept VIII: The trustees are the principal planners and administrators of overall policy and finance. They have custodial oversight of the separately incorporated and constantly active services, exercising this through their ability to elect all the directors of these entities.
Do we understand the relationship between the two corporate service entities (A.A. World Services, Inc., the A.A. Grapevine) and the General Service Board?
How can the business term “custodial oversight” apply to the trustees’ relationship to the two corporate service entities?
Does my home group subscribe to G.S.O.’s bimonthly newsletter Box 4-5-9? The A.A.Grapevine? Do I?
Concept IX: Good service leadership at all levels is indispensable for our future functioning and safety. Primary world service leadership, once exercised by the founders, must necessarily be assumed by the trustees.
Do we discuss how we can best strengthen the composition and leadership of our future trusted servants?
Do we recognize the need for group officers? What is our criteria for election? Do we sometimes give a position to someone “because it would be good for them?”
Do I set a positive leadership example?
Concept X: Every service responsibility should be matched by an equal service authority, with the scope of such authority well defined.
Do we understand “authority” and “responsibility” as they relate to group conscience decisions by G.S.R.s, D.C.M.s and our area delegates?
Why is delegation of “authority” so important to the overall effectiveness of A.A.? Do we use this concept to define the scope of “authority?”
Concept Xl: The trustees should always have the best possible committees, corporate service directors, executives, staffs, and consultants. Composition, qualifications, induction procedures, and rights and duties will always be matters of serious concern.
Do we understand how the roles of nontrustee directors and nontrustee appointed committee members help serve and strengthen the committee system?
How do we encourage our special paid workers to exercise their traditional “Right of Participation?”
Do we practice rotation in all our service positions?
Concept Xll: The Conference shall observe the spirit of A.A. tradition, taking care that it never becomes the seat of perilous wealth or power; that sufficient operating funds and reserve be its prudent financial principle; that it place none of its members in a position of unqualified authority over others; that it reach all important decisions by discussion, vote, and, whenever possible, by substantial unanimity; that its actions never be personally punitive nor an incitement to public controversy; that it never perform acts of government, and that, like the Society it serves, it will always remain democratic in thought and action.
How do we guard against becoming a “seat of perilous wealth or power?”
How do we practice prudent use of our Seventh Tradition contributions and literature revenue?
Do we insure the spiritual liberties of all A.A. members by not placing any member in the position of absolute authority over others?
Do we try to reach important decisions by thorough discussion, vote and, where possible, substantial unanimity?
As guardians of A.A.’s traditions, are we ever justified in being personally punitive?
Are we careful to avoid public controversy?
Do we always try to treat each other with mutual respect and love?
Rev.7/1/02
Service Material from the General Service Office
A service piece for home groups, districts, areas
Some of these discussion points were originally developed by an A.A. group and further developed by the trustees’ Literature Committee to be distributed by the General Service Office. While this checklist is intended as a starting point for discussion by groups, districts or areas, individual A.A. members may find it useful along with our co-founder Bill W.’s writings, a service sponsor if you have one and reflection on your own service experience. Additional information about the Concepts can be found in The A.A. Service Manual/Twelve Concepts for World Service and “The Twelve Concepts Illustrated” pamphlet. (The Concepts stated here are in the short form.)
Concept I: Final responsibility and ultimate authority for A.A. world services should always reside in the collective conscience of our whole Fellowship.
Does our group have a general service representative (G.S.R.)? Do we feel that our home group is part of A.A. as a whole and do our group’s decisions and actions reflect that?
Do we hold regular group conscience meetings encouraging everyone to participate? Do we pass that conscience on to the district, area, or the local intergroup meetings?
Is the “collective conscience” of Alcoholics Anonymous at work in my home group? In my area?
Where do we fit in the upside-down triangle of A.A.?
Are we willing to do what it takes to insure that our democracy of world service will work under all conditions?
Concept II: The General Service Conference of A.A. has become, for nearly every practical purpose, the active voice and the effective conscience of our whole Society in its world affairs.
Do we have an understanding of the history of the General Service Conference (the “Conference”)?
What is a Conference Advisory Action? Does our home group’s G.S.R., D.C.M., area delegate report back to the group on the highlights of the Conference and Conference Advisory Actions?
Is our group meeting its wider Seventh Tradition responsibilities?
Concept III: To insure effective leadership, we should endow each element of A.A. —the Conference, the General Service Board and its service corporations, staffs, committees, and executives—with a traditional “Right of Decision.”
Do we understand what is meant by the “Right of Decision”? Do we grant it at all levels of service or do we “instruct”?
Do we trust our trusted servants — G.S.R., D.C.M., area delegate, the Conference itself?
Concept IV: At all responsible levels, we ought to maintain a traditional “Right of Participation,” allowing a voting representation in reasonable proportion to the responsibility that each must discharge.
Do we understand the spiritual principles underlying the “Right of Participation”?
What does “in reasonable proportion” mean? Do we understand when it is appropriate for A.A. paid staff to have a vote at the General Service Conference or in our local service structure?
Do we expect that, because we are A.A. members, we should be allowed to vote at any group, even if we are not active members of that group?
Concept V: Throughout our structure, a traditional “Right of Appeal” ought to prevail, so that minority opinion will be heard and personal grievances receive careful consideration.
Do we encourage the minority opinion, the “Right of Appeal”, to be heard at our home group, district committee meetings, area assemblies and the Conference?
What does our group accept as “substantial unanimity”?
Has our group experienced the “tyranny of the majority” or the “tyranny of the minority”?
Does our group understand the importance of all points of view being heard before a vote is taken?
Concept Vl: The Conference recognizes that the chief initiative and active responsibility in most world service matters should be exercised by the trustee members of the Conference acting as the General Service Board.
Are we familiar with how our General Service Board (G.S.B.) Class A and Class B trustees serve A.A.? Are we familiar with how our other trusted servants serve A.A.?
Are we clear about the terms, “chief initiative” and “active responsibility”? Can we see a direct link to our home group?
Concept Vll: The Charter and Bylaws of the General Service Board are legal instruments, empowering the trustees to manage and conduct world service affairs. The Conference Charter is not a legal document; it relies upon tradition and the A.A. purse for final effectiveness.
Do we act responsibly regarding the “power of the purse?”
Do we realize that the practical and spiritual power of the Conference will nearly always be superior to the legal power of the G.S.B.?
Concept VIII: The trustees are the principal planners and administrators of overall policy and finance. They have custodial oversight of the separately incorporated and constantly active services, exercising this through their ability to elect all the directors of these entities.
Do we understand the relationship between the two corporate service entities (A.A. World Services, Inc., the A.A. Grapevine) and the General Service Board?
How can the business term “custodial oversight” apply to the trustees’ relationship to the two corporate service entities?
Does my home group subscribe to G.S.O.’s bimonthly newsletter Box 4-5-9? The A.A.Grapevine? Do I?
Concept IX: Good service leadership at all levels is indispensable for our future functioning and safety. Primary world service leadership, once exercised by the founders, must necessarily be assumed by the trustees.
Do we discuss how we can best strengthen the composition and leadership of our future trusted servants?
Do we recognize the need for group officers? What is our criteria for election? Do we sometimes give a position to someone “because it would be good for them?”
Do I set a positive leadership example?
Concept X: Every service responsibility should be matched by an equal service authority, with the scope of such authority well defined.
Do we understand “authority” and “responsibility” as they relate to group conscience decisions by G.S.R.s, D.C.M.s and our area delegates?
Why is delegation of “authority” so important to the overall effectiveness of A.A.? Do we use this concept to define the scope of “authority?”
Concept Xl: The trustees should always have the best possible committees, corporate service directors, executives, staffs, and consultants. Composition, qualifications, induction procedures, and rights and duties will always be matters of serious concern.
Do we understand how the roles of nontrustee directors and nontrustee appointed committee members help serve and strengthen the committee system?
How do we encourage our special paid workers to exercise their traditional “Right of Participation?”
Do we practice rotation in all our service positions?
Concept Xll: The Conference shall observe the spirit of A.A. tradition, taking care that it never becomes the seat of perilous wealth or power; that sufficient operating funds and reserve be its prudent financial principle; that it place none of its members in a position of unqualified authority over others; that it reach all important decisions by discussion, vote, and, whenever possible, by substantial unanimity; that its actions never be personally punitive nor an incitement to public controversy; that it never perform acts of government, and that, like the Society it serves, it will always remain democratic in thought and action.
How do we guard against becoming a “seat of perilous wealth or power?”
How do we practice prudent use of our Seventh Tradition contributions and literature revenue?
Do we insure the spiritual liberties of all A.A. members by not placing any member in the position of absolute authority over others?
Do we try to reach important decisions by thorough discussion, vote and, where possible, substantial unanimity?
As guardians of A.A.’s traditions, are we ever justified in being personally punitive?
Are we careful to avoid public controversy?
Do we always try to treat each other with mutual respect and love?
Rev.7/1/02
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Self Support Quiz
1. What year was A.A. founded.
1935
2. In what year was the General Service Conference Started?
The New York office had greatly expanded its activities, and these now consisted of public relations, advice to new groups, services to hospitals, prisons, Loners, and Internationalists, and cooperation with other agencies in the alcoholism field. The headquarters was also publishing "standard" A.A. books and pamphlets, and it supervised their translation into other tongues. Our international magazine, the A.A. Grapevine, had achieved a large circulation. These and many other activities had become indispensable for A.A. as a whole.
Nevertheless, these vital services were still in the hands of an isolated board of trustees, whose only link to the Fellowship had been Bill and Dr. Bob. As the co-founders had foreseen years earlier, it became absolutely necessary to link A.A.'s world trusteeship (now the General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous) with the Fellowship that it served. Delegates from all states and provinces of the U.S. and Canada were forthwith called in. Thus composed, this body for world service first met in 1951. Despite earlier misgivings, the gathering was a great success. For the first time, the remote trusteeship became directly accountable to A.A. as a whole. The A.A. General Service Conference had been created, and A.A.'s over-all functioning was thereby assured for the future.
3. When were the traditions introduced?
In 1946, in the Fellowship’s international journal, the A.A. Grapevine, these principles were reduced to writing by the founders and early members as the Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous. They were accepted and endorsed by the membership as a whole at the International Convention of A.A., at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1950.
4. When were the concepts introduced?
The Twelve Concepts for World Service were written by A.A.’s co-founder Bill W., and were adopted by the General Service Conference of Alcoholics Anonymous in 1962. The Concepts are an interpretation of A.A.’s world service structure as it emerged through A.A.’s early history and experience. The short form of the Concepts reads
5. What rich potential A.A. patron stated “I am afraid that money will spoil this thing,”.
John D. Rockeffer Jr.
6. Area 83 has prudent reserve, how many months operating expenses is this based on?
12 months
7. “Now, where do A.A.’s services – worldwide, area, local – fit into our scheme of things?” asks Bill W. in an October ___1967__article in the A.A. Grapevine. “Why should we provide these functions with money?” According to Bill, “The answer is simple enough. Every single A.A. service is designed to make more and better Twelfth Step work possible, whether it be a group meeting place, a central or intergroup office … or the world service Headquarters. (what year was this printed in the A.A. Grapevine, please fill in the blank.)
8. What is the limit on how much an individual can donate to G.S.O.?
2,000
9. The A.A. Birthday Plan suggest we contribute _$1.00_ for each year we have been sober. (fill in the blank)
10. What tradition speaks to groups being Self Supporting through their own contributions.
The 7th Tradition
11. Which legacy of A.A. do the concepts represent ?
Service
12. What month is the General Service Conference held ?
April
13. Who attends the General Service Conference representing Area 83?
The Delegate
14. When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help __I___ want the hand of A.A. always to be there. And for that: ___I___am responsible. (Fill in the blanks)
15. Who determines your group’s prudent reserve?
Each group is autonomous there for it is determined by group conscious usually at a business meeting.
16. What pamphlet gives suggestions on how to split contributions between district, group, area and GSO?
Self Support: Where Money and Spirituality Mix.
17. Self-Support: Where Money and __Spirituality_ Mix.
1. What year was A.A. founded.
1935
2. In what year was the General Service Conference Started?
The New York office had greatly expanded its activities, and these now consisted of public relations, advice to new groups, services to hospitals, prisons, Loners, and Internationalists, and cooperation with other agencies in the alcoholism field. The headquarters was also publishing "standard" A.A. books and pamphlets, and it supervised their translation into other tongues. Our international magazine, the A.A. Grapevine, had achieved a large circulation. These and many other activities had become indispensable for A.A. as a whole.
Nevertheless, these vital services were still in the hands of an isolated board of trustees, whose only link to the Fellowship had been Bill and Dr. Bob. As the co-founders had foreseen years earlier, it became absolutely necessary to link A.A.'s world trusteeship (now the General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous) with the Fellowship that it served. Delegates from all states and provinces of the U.S. and Canada were forthwith called in. Thus composed, this body for world service first met in 1951. Despite earlier misgivings, the gathering was a great success. For the first time, the remote trusteeship became directly accountable to A.A. as a whole. The A.A. General Service Conference had been created, and A.A.'s over-all functioning was thereby assured for the future.
3. When were the traditions introduced?
In 1946, in the Fellowship’s international journal, the A.A. Grapevine, these principles were reduced to writing by the founders and early members as the Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous. They were accepted and endorsed by the membership as a whole at the International Convention of A.A., at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1950.
4. When were the concepts introduced?
The Twelve Concepts for World Service were written by A.A.’s co-founder Bill W., and were adopted by the General Service Conference of Alcoholics Anonymous in 1962. The Concepts are an interpretation of A.A.’s world service structure as it emerged through A.A.’s early history and experience. The short form of the Concepts reads
5. What rich potential A.A. patron stated “I am afraid that money will spoil this thing,”.
John D. Rockeffer Jr.
6. Area 83 has prudent reserve, how many months operating expenses is this based on?
12 months
7. “Now, where do A.A.’s services – worldwide, area, local – fit into our scheme of things?” asks Bill W. in an October ___1967__article in the A.A. Grapevine. “Why should we provide these functions with money?” According to Bill, “The answer is simple enough. Every single A.A. service is designed to make more and better Twelfth Step work possible, whether it be a group meeting place, a central or intergroup office … or the world service Headquarters. (what year was this printed in the A.A. Grapevine, please fill in the blank.)
8. What is the limit on how much an individual can donate to G.S.O.?
2,000
9. The A.A. Birthday Plan suggest we contribute _$1.00_ for each year we have been sober. (fill in the blank)
10. What tradition speaks to groups being Self Supporting through their own contributions.
The 7th Tradition
11. Which legacy of A.A. do the concepts represent ?
Service
12. What month is the General Service Conference held ?
April
13. Who attends the General Service Conference representing Area 83?
The Delegate
14. When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help __I___ want the hand of A.A. always to be there. And for that: ___I___am responsible. (Fill in the blanks)
15. Who determines your group’s prudent reserve?
Each group is autonomous there for it is determined by group conscious usually at a business meeting.
16. What pamphlet gives suggestions on how to split contributions between district, group, area and GSO?
Self Support: Where Money and Spirituality Mix.
17. Self-Support: Where Money and __Spirituality_ Mix.
Self Support – Where Spirituality and Money Mix
Twelfth Step work is the lifeblood of Alcoholics Anonymous – carrying the message to the next suffering alcoholic. Without it, the Fellowship would wither and die. Yet even at its simplest level this vital contact between one alcoholic and another involves an investment of time and money.
“Let’s begin with my own sponsor, Ebby,” writes Bill W., in the book of Alcoholics
Anonymous Comes of Age. “When Ebby heard how serious my drinking was, he
resolved to visit me. He was in New York; I was in Brooklyn. His resolve was not
enough; he had to take action and he had to spend money.
“He called me on the phone and then got into the subway; total cost, ten cents. At
the level of the telephone booth and subway turnstiles, spirituality and money began to mix. One without the other would have amounted to nothing at all.” “Right then and there, Ebby established the principle that A.A. in action calls for the sacrifice of much time and a little money.”
Another important story is this Rockefeller Story; One potential A.A. patron, however, when approached by the pioneering members for money, instead helped to lay the groundwork for A.A.’s Tradition of self-support: “I am afraid that money will spoil this thing,” said John D. Rockefeller Jr., while at the same time endorsing the work of the fledgling Fellowship.
This marked a turning point in A.A. history and, as the reality of Mr. Rockefeller’s
statement sank in and A.A. members began to see the truth in the old cliché, “Who pays the piper calls the tune,” the seed of the Seventh Tradition took root.
With the realization that A.A. must steer clear of outside contributions. In order for A.A.’s survival contributions would have to come from individual A.A. members and groups. As Bill W. put it in1957, “Our spiritual way of life is safe for future if, as a Society, we resist the temptation to receive money from the outside world. But this leaves us with a responsibility – one that every member ought to understand. We cannot skimp when the treasurer of our group passes the hat. Our groups, our areas, and A.A. as a whole will not function unless our services are sufficient and their bills are paid.
“When we meet and defeat the temptation to take large gifts, we are only being
prudent. But when we are generous with the hat we give a token that we are grateful
for our blessings and evidence that we are eager to share what we have found with all
those who still suffer.” (The Language of the Heart, p.221)
“Now, where do A.A.’s services – worldwide, area, local – fit into our scheme of
things?” asks Bill W. in an October 1967 article in the A.A. Grapevine. “Why should
we provide these functions with money?” According to Bill, “The answer is simple enough. Every single A.A. service is designed to make more and better Twelfth Step work possible, whether it be a group meeting place, a central or intergroup office … or the world service Headquarters …
“Though costly, these service agencies are absolutely essential to our continued
expansion – to our survival as a Fellowship. Their costs are a collective obligation that rests squarely upon all of us. Our support of services actually amounts to a recognition on our part that A.A. must function in full strength – and that, under our Tradition of self-support, we all are going to foot the bill.
How can groups participate?
To help support A.A.’s essential services, the General Service Office suggests that
individual groups, through an informed group conscience, adopt a specific contribution plan tailored to meet the group’s financial situation.
Once the basic group expenses have been taken care of (rent, refreshments, A.A.
literature, local meeting lists), and a “prudent reserve” has been set aside to cover any emergency contingencies that might arise, the group may decide to further carry the message by sending money to the following A.A. service entities.
The local district, which communicates directly with the groups, providing the
district group conscience for the area assemblies, and serving as a link between the
area delegates and the G.S.Rs.
The area committee, which coordinates vital A.A. activities over a broad
geographic area; sends a delegate to the annual General Service Conference, holds
area assemblies to determine the needs of the Fellowship; and provides information
at all levels of service.
The local intergroup or central office, which may provide phone service for
Twelfth Step calls and other inquiries; coordination of group activities; A.A.
literature sales; institutions work; public information and cooperation with the
professional community activities.
A.A.’s General Service Office, which functions as a storehouse of A.A.
information, communicating with members and groups around the world; publishes
A.A.’s literature; and supplies information and experience to professionals and
others interested in A.A.
Twelfth Step work is the lifeblood of Alcoholics Anonymous – carrying the message to the next suffering alcoholic. Without it, the Fellowship would wither and die. Yet even at its simplest level this vital contact between one alcoholic and another involves an investment of time and money.
“Let’s begin with my own sponsor, Ebby,” writes Bill W., in the book of Alcoholics
Anonymous Comes of Age. “When Ebby heard how serious my drinking was, he
resolved to visit me. He was in New York; I was in Brooklyn. His resolve was not
enough; he had to take action and he had to spend money.
“He called me on the phone and then got into the subway; total cost, ten cents. At
the level of the telephone booth and subway turnstiles, spirituality and money began to mix. One without the other would have amounted to nothing at all.” “Right then and there, Ebby established the principle that A.A. in action calls for the sacrifice of much time and a little money.”
Another important story is this Rockefeller Story; One potential A.A. patron, however, when approached by the pioneering members for money, instead helped to lay the groundwork for A.A.’s Tradition of self-support: “I am afraid that money will spoil this thing,” said John D. Rockefeller Jr., while at the same time endorsing the work of the fledgling Fellowship.
This marked a turning point in A.A. history and, as the reality of Mr. Rockefeller’s
statement sank in and A.A. members began to see the truth in the old cliché, “Who pays the piper calls the tune,” the seed of the Seventh Tradition took root.
With the realization that A.A. must steer clear of outside contributions. In order for A.A.’s survival contributions would have to come from individual A.A. members and groups. As Bill W. put it in1957, “Our spiritual way of life is safe for future if, as a Society, we resist the temptation to receive money from the outside world. But this leaves us with a responsibility – one that every member ought to understand. We cannot skimp when the treasurer of our group passes the hat. Our groups, our areas, and A.A. as a whole will not function unless our services are sufficient and their bills are paid.
“When we meet and defeat the temptation to take large gifts, we are only being
prudent. But when we are generous with the hat we give a token that we are grateful
for our blessings and evidence that we are eager to share what we have found with all
those who still suffer.” (The Language of the Heart, p.221)
“Now, where do A.A.’s services – worldwide, area, local – fit into our scheme of
things?” asks Bill W. in an October 1967 article in the A.A. Grapevine. “Why should
we provide these functions with money?” According to Bill, “The answer is simple enough. Every single A.A. service is designed to make more and better Twelfth Step work possible, whether it be a group meeting place, a central or intergroup office … or the world service Headquarters …
“Though costly, these service agencies are absolutely essential to our continued
expansion – to our survival as a Fellowship. Their costs are a collective obligation that rests squarely upon all of us. Our support of services actually amounts to a recognition on our part that A.A. must function in full strength – and that, under our Tradition of self-support, we all are going to foot the bill.
How can groups participate?
To help support A.A.’s essential services, the General Service Office suggests that
individual groups, through an informed group conscience, adopt a specific contribution plan tailored to meet the group’s financial situation.
Once the basic group expenses have been taken care of (rent, refreshments, A.A.
literature, local meeting lists), and a “prudent reserve” has been set aside to cover any emergency contingencies that might arise, the group may decide to further carry the message by sending money to the following A.A. service entities.
The local district, which communicates directly with the groups, providing the
district group conscience for the area assemblies, and serving as a link between the
area delegates and the G.S.Rs.
The area committee, which coordinates vital A.A. activities over a broad
geographic area; sends a delegate to the annual General Service Conference, holds
area assemblies to determine the needs of the Fellowship; and provides information
at all levels of service.
The local intergroup or central office, which may provide phone service for
Twelfth Step calls and other inquiries; coordination of group activities; A.A.
literature sales; institutions work; public information and cooperation with the
professional community activities.
A.A.’s General Service Office, which functions as a storehouse of A.A.
information, communicating with members and groups around the world; publishes
A.A.’s literature; and supplies information and experience to professionals and
others interested in A.A.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
The Ask it Basket is a part of our Service Information Day, attendees during the day are asked to put their questions in a "basket". Then at our final workshop these questions are answered by someone on the Area Committee (Past or Present).
This will be an electronic version of that. Here is the first question, it is one that came to mind one weekend when I was working on this Blog. For years at Service functions I have been repeating the Declaration of Responsibility but where did it come from ???????
Question One Where,when and why was the Declaration of Responsibility introduced ? What is it's history ? Who wrote it ?
My thanks to Anne M, Past Delegate, who did a fabulous job of supplying me with the answer.
“Marking AA's thirtieth year we shall, in this month of July, 1965, hold our International Convention at Toronto. It is most fitting that the chosen keynote for this gala occasion will be ‘AA's Responsibility.’ There we shall review the three decades of AA life that are now history. Stirred by gratitude beyond expression, we shall give thanks to God whose Grace has made it possible for us to achieve the quality of responsibility, individual and collective, that has brought our Fellowship into its present state of well-being and worldwide reach….At Toronto, we shall therefore be asking ourselves, ‘What sort of heritage are we leaving, for the use of all those future generations that will people our Society? Is this heritage as good as we can make it? While there is yet time, what can we still do that may multiply our assets and decrease our liabilities?’”…
“Our first concern should be with those sufferers that we are still unable to reach. Let's first humbly realize that throughout the world of today there are 20,000,000 alcoholics, 5,000,000 of these being in the United States alone. Of course, these vast numbers are in all stages of sickness. Some cannot be reached because they are not hurt enough, others because they are hurt too much. Many sufferers have mental and emotional complications that seem to foreclose their chances. Yet it would be conservative to estimate that at any particular time there are 4,000,000 alcoholics in the world who are able, ready and willing to get well--if only they knew how! … When we remember that in the thirty years of AA's existence, we have reached less than ten per cent of those who might have been willing to approach us, we begin to get an idea of the immensity of our task, and of the responsibilities with which we will always be confronted.”…
“These facts point straight to our next responsibility: that of intelligently and lovingly sponsoring each man and woman who comes among us asking help. The care and concern with which we individually and collectively do this can make all the difference. Besides, this is the greatest expression of gratitude that we can give for what we ourselves have received. Without much doubt, a million alcoholics have approached AA during the last thirty years. We can soberly ask ourselves what became of the 600,000 who did not stay. How much and how often did we fail all these? …
In conclusion, it is only fair to say that we of AA have been able in most areas of our lives together to make substantial gains in both our willingness and our capability for the acceptance and discharge of responsibility, something that our great gathering in Toronto will symbolize and demonstrate.”
Bill’s essay is available from the Grapevine Archives.
This will be an electronic version of that. Here is the first question, it is one that came to mind one weekend when I was working on this Blog. For years at Service functions I have been repeating the Declaration of Responsibility but where did it come from ???????
Question One Where,when and why was the Declaration of Responsibility introduced ? What is it's history ? Who wrote it ?
My thanks to Anne M, Past Delegate, who did a fabulous job of supplying me with the answer.
“Marking AA's thirtieth year we shall, in this month of July, 1965, hold our International Convention at Toronto. It is most fitting that the chosen keynote for this gala occasion will be ‘AA's Responsibility.’ There we shall review the three decades of AA life that are now history. Stirred by gratitude beyond expression, we shall give thanks to God whose Grace has made it possible for us to achieve the quality of responsibility, individual and collective, that has brought our Fellowship into its present state of well-being and worldwide reach….At Toronto, we shall therefore be asking ourselves, ‘What sort of heritage are we leaving, for the use of all those future generations that will people our Society? Is this heritage as good as we can make it? While there is yet time, what can we still do that may multiply our assets and decrease our liabilities?’”…
“Our first concern should be with those sufferers that we are still unable to reach. Let's first humbly realize that throughout the world of today there are 20,000,000 alcoholics, 5,000,000 of these being in the United States alone. Of course, these vast numbers are in all stages of sickness. Some cannot be reached because they are not hurt enough, others because they are hurt too much. Many sufferers have mental and emotional complications that seem to foreclose their chances. Yet it would be conservative to estimate that at any particular time there are 4,000,000 alcoholics in the world who are able, ready and willing to get well--if only they knew how! … When we remember that in the thirty years of AA's existence, we have reached less than ten per cent of those who might have been willing to approach us, we begin to get an idea of the immensity of our task, and of the responsibilities with which we will always be confronted.”…
“These facts point straight to our next responsibility: that of intelligently and lovingly sponsoring each man and woman who comes among us asking help. The care and concern with which we individually and collectively do this can make all the difference. Besides, this is the greatest expression of gratitude that we can give for what we ourselves have received. Without much doubt, a million alcoholics have approached AA during the last thirty years. We can soberly ask ourselves what became of the 600,000 who did not stay. How much and how often did we fail all these? …
In conclusion, it is only fair to say that we of AA have been able in most areas of our lives together to make substantial gains in both our willingness and our capability for the acceptance and discharge of responsibility, something that our great gathering in Toronto will symbolize and demonstrate.”
Bill’s essay is available from the Grapevine Archives.
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Self Support Quiz
Hi Friends, in preparation for the Assembly I have created a fun Self Support quiz, some answers are a little hard, some are quite easy. Answers will be supplied at the Assembly as part of my presentation, as well, I will post them on-line at the end of March. Let me know how you do.Self Support Quiz
1. What year was A.A. founded.
2. In what year was the General Service Conference Started?
3. When were the traditions introduced?
4. When were the concepts introduced?
5. What rich potential A.A. patron stated “I am afraid that money will spoil this thing,”.
6. Area 83 has prudent reserve, how many months operating expenses is this based on?(Circle one)
a. 3 months
b. 6 months
c. 9 months
d. 12 months
7. “Now, where do A.A.’s services – worldwide, area, local – fit into our scheme of things?” asks Bill W. in an October ___________article in the A.A. Grapevine. “Why should we provide these functions with money?” According to Bill, “The answer is simple enough. Every single A.A. service is designed to make more and better Twelfth Step work possible, whether it be a group meeting place, a central or intergroup office … or the world service Headquarters. (what year was this printed in the A.A. Grapevine, please fill in the blank.)
8. What is the limit on how much an individual can donate to G.S.O.?
9. The A.A. Birthday Plan suggest we contribute ________ for each year we have been sober. (fill in the blank)
10. What tradtion speaks to groups being Self Supporting through their own contributions.
11. Which legacy of A.A. do the concepts represent ?(Circle one)
a. Service
b. Recovery
c. Unity.
12. What month is the General Service Conference held ?
13. Who attends the General Service Conference representing Area 83?
14. When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help _____ want the hand of A.A. always to be there. And for that: ______am responsible. (Fill in the blanks)
15. Who determines your group’s prudent reserve?
16. What pamphlet gives suggestions on how to split contributions between district, group, area and GSO ?
17. Self-Support:Where Money and ____________ Mix.
1. What year was A.A. founded.
2. In what year was the General Service Conference Started?
3. When were the traditions introduced?
4. When were the concepts introduced?
5. What rich potential A.A. patron stated “I am afraid that money will spoil this thing,”.
6. Area 83 has prudent reserve, how many months operating expenses is this based on?(Circle one)
a. 3 months
b. 6 months
c. 9 months
d. 12 months
7. “Now, where do A.A.’s services – worldwide, area, local – fit into our scheme of things?” asks Bill W. in an October ___________article in the A.A. Grapevine. “Why should we provide these functions with money?” According to Bill, “The answer is simple enough. Every single A.A. service is designed to make more and better Twelfth Step work possible, whether it be a group meeting place, a central or intergroup office … or the world service Headquarters. (what year was this printed in the A.A. Grapevine, please fill in the blank.)
8. What is the limit on how much an individual can donate to G.S.O.?
9. The A.A. Birthday Plan suggest we contribute ________ for each year we have been sober. (fill in the blank)
10. What tradtion speaks to groups being Self Supporting through their own contributions.
11. Which legacy of A.A. do the concepts represent ?(Circle one)
a. Service
b. Recovery
c. Unity.
12. What month is the General Service Conference held ?
13. Who attends the General Service Conference representing Area 83?
14. When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help _____ want the hand of A.A. always to be there. And for that: ______am responsible. (Fill in the blanks)
15. Who determines your group’s prudent reserve?
16. What pamphlet gives suggestions on how to split contributions between district, group, area and GSO ?
17. Self-Support:Where Money and ____________ Mix.
Monday, March 5, 2007
Concept 1
TWELVE CONCEPTS OF WORLD SERVICE
CONCEPT 1
The Twelve Concepts for World Service represent the third of the three legacies of Alcoholics Anonymous – the first legacy being Recovery, as represented by the Twelve Steps, the second being Unity represented in the Twelve Traditions. The Twelve Concepts were written by Bill W. in 1952 and adopted by the 12th Annual General Service Conference of AA in 1962.
What are the Concepts?
• they are an interpretation of AA’s world service structure
• they reveal how the service structure arrived in its present form
• they detail the experience and reasoning on which our operation stands today
• they record the “why” of our service structure so that the experience and lessons of the past are not forgotten or lost
What do the Concepts do?
• The Steps hold us together
• The Traditions hold the group together
• The Concepts hold A.A. together
Concept 1 reads:
The final responsibility and the ultimate authority for AA world services should always reside in the collective conscience of our whole Fellowship. This concept is illustrated in the inverted triangle with the groups at the top and the General Service Board at the bottom.
The groups assumed that responsibility and authority for AA service activity at the St. Louis International Convention in 1955 – when on behalf of Dr. Bob, the Trustees and AA’s old-time leaders, Bill made the transfer of world service responsibility to the entire fellowship.
The service structure was not always this way – how did this come about?
Our founders had established the original world service structure – creating The Alcoholic Foundation, later the General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous – to perform services for AA as a whole that could not be performed by single groups or areas – literature, public relations policy for AA as a whole, helping new groups get established, a regular magazine.
However, responsibility and accountability remained with the Trustees who in turn looked to the founders, the old timers for guidance – many believed it should remain such, that a representative conference to whom they would be accountable would not work – and the membership at large was more concerned with group life than world services.
When in 1948 Dr, Bob became ill, it became evident that AA could not forever remain dependent on the founders for direction, that a new broad based representative structure was required, to provide direction to the trustees and a link between the board and the many groups, to ensure the continuation of world services.
There was another reason for this shift of responsibility – Tradition Two which states – For our group purpose, there is but one ultimate authority – a loving God as he may express Himself in our group conscience. The main principles were clear – AA groups are to be the final authority and their leaders are to be entrusted with delegated authority only.
Tradition Two was written and published in 1945. The first experimental General Service Conference was held in 1951 to see if the Tradition could be successfully applied to AA as a whole including trustees and founders, whether the conference could and would assume ultimate responsibility for the world service organization. By 1955, even the skeptics were convinced that the General Service Conference representing the group conscience of AA world wide was going to work and work permanently. And so “final responsibility and ultimate authority” was transferred to the fellowship as a whole.
The Twelve Concepts were written by Bill to detail how this world service structure would work. That structure has survived the decades – today, still ultimate responsibility remains with the group – Concept 1. And our role, as General Service Representatives, is to serve as the link between our group and AA as a whole – carrying the message from and to the group from district, area, GSO.
CONCEPT 1
The Twelve Concepts for World Service represent the third of the three legacies of Alcoholics Anonymous – the first legacy being Recovery, as represented by the Twelve Steps, the second being Unity represented in the Twelve Traditions. The Twelve Concepts were written by Bill W. in 1952 and adopted by the 12th Annual General Service Conference of AA in 1962.
What are the Concepts?
• they are an interpretation of AA’s world service structure
• they reveal how the service structure arrived in its present form
• they detail the experience and reasoning on which our operation stands today
• they record the “why” of our service structure so that the experience and lessons of the past are not forgotten or lost
What do the Concepts do?
• The Steps hold us together
• The Traditions hold the group together
• The Concepts hold A.A. together
Concept 1 reads:
The final responsibility and the ultimate authority for AA world services should always reside in the collective conscience of our whole Fellowship. This concept is illustrated in the inverted triangle with the groups at the top and the General Service Board at the bottom.
The groups assumed that responsibility and authority for AA service activity at the St. Louis International Convention in 1955 – when on behalf of Dr. Bob, the Trustees and AA’s old-time leaders, Bill made the transfer of world service responsibility to the entire fellowship.
The service structure was not always this way – how did this come about?
Our founders had established the original world service structure – creating The Alcoholic Foundation, later the General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous – to perform services for AA as a whole that could not be performed by single groups or areas – literature, public relations policy for AA as a whole, helping new groups get established, a regular magazine.
However, responsibility and accountability remained with the Trustees who in turn looked to the founders, the old timers for guidance – many believed it should remain such, that a representative conference to whom they would be accountable would not work – and the membership at large was more concerned with group life than world services.
When in 1948 Dr, Bob became ill, it became evident that AA could not forever remain dependent on the founders for direction, that a new broad based representative structure was required, to provide direction to the trustees and a link between the board and the many groups, to ensure the continuation of world services.
There was another reason for this shift of responsibility – Tradition Two which states – For our group purpose, there is but one ultimate authority – a loving God as he may express Himself in our group conscience. The main principles were clear – AA groups are to be the final authority and their leaders are to be entrusted with delegated authority only.
Tradition Two was written and published in 1945. The first experimental General Service Conference was held in 1951 to see if the Tradition could be successfully applied to AA as a whole including trustees and founders, whether the conference could and would assume ultimate responsibility for the world service organization. By 1955, even the skeptics were convinced that the General Service Conference representing the group conscience of AA world wide was going to work and work permanently. And so “final responsibility and ultimate authority” was transferred to the fellowship as a whole.
The Twelve Concepts were written by Bill to detail how this world service structure would work. That structure has survived the decades – today, still ultimate responsibility remains with the group – Concept 1. And our role, as General Service Representatives, is to serve as the link between our group and AA as a whole – carrying the message from and to the group from district, area, GSO.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
March Self Support Tip
Hi Friends, March is an important month as we will be having our first Assembly for the new 2 year term. The Assembly is the business meeting for our Area and is very important. If you can attend plan to do so. Sunday is the Assembly, Saturday is the Service Information Day with an Agenda full of service workshops, that will help inform you and ultimately "carry the message to the alcoholic that still suffers".
While not all Districts can afford to send all their Chairs to the Assembly, there are ways to reduce costs, so if your District can't afford to send you here are some tips.
1) Come for one day only, share the mileage with a couple of program friends or chairs from your District.
2) Staying the night ? Share your room with a service sponsee or friend or a couple of friends, lots of rooms have two queen size or double beds in them.
3) Ask around see if anyone is willing to share their room with you.
4) Ask around see if anyone has a spare spot in their car.
5) Even if your District is sending you for the weekend, and paying your way, why not bring a newcomer or service sponsee to introduce them to the Assembly.
I hope to meet you all at the Assembly and look forward to hearing how Self Support is going in your District.
Yesterday I did my first presentation at a District 6 Service Day and enjoyed meeting their District GSR's I was given great ideas on how to better explain the self support message.
Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have ideas for our Blog or need any assistance.
Yours in Service,
Sheree
While not all Districts can afford to send all their Chairs to the Assembly, there are ways to reduce costs, so if your District can't afford to send you here are some tips.
1) Come for one day only, share the mileage with a couple of program friends or chairs from your District.
2) Staying the night ? Share your room with a service sponsee or friend or a couple of friends, lots of rooms have two queen size or double beds in them.
3) Ask around see if anyone is willing to share their room with you.
4) Ask around see if anyone has a spare spot in their car.
5) Even if your District is sending you for the weekend, and paying your way, why not bring a newcomer or service sponsee to introduce them to the Assembly.
I hope to meet you all at the Assembly and look forward to hearing how Self Support is going in your District.
Yesterday I did my first presentation at a District 6 Service Day and enjoyed meeting their District GSR's I was given great ideas on how to better explain the self support message.
Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have ideas for our Blog or need any assistance.
Yours in Service,
Sheree
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Thursday, February 1, 2007
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
February Self Support Tip - Is Your Presentation Ready ?
It is now a month into your new position as Self Support Chair, it is time to get your Self Support Presentation ready for action, (if you haven't done this already).
Once your presentation is ready ask the General Services Representative's (GSR's) if you visit their open and/or business meetings to talk about the importance and the history of AA being self supporting. You can also volunteer to set up a table at your District Service Day's, Round-ups, Birthdays and Conferences.
A self support presentation should focus on the need for money (dollars) and time
(service) and how without both of these our fellowship can not exist.
A presentation could include the history of Self Support, The Rockefeller Story, and information on how the Group, District and GSO spend the money forwarded on plus much more.
Keep your presentation brief (no more than 15 to 20 minutes), concise and practical, be ready to answer questions, remember questions are a sign of interest.
Add a little personal touch (not too much) something about how you came to be aware of the importance of being Self Supporting.
Read the comments section of Polls on our Blog, members have been kind enough to
leave behind their comments, read these comments they are importnat and may come up during or after your presentation. Remember to be mindful of the person who simply can't afford to dig a little deeper, respect this. Our goal is to educate our membership on our history and its current financial needs.
Some of the information you need is available on this Blog, more information can be obtained from a GSC approved pamphlet- Self Support - Where Money & Spirituality Mix, The Service Manual (starting at page S1). Visit the self support page on GSO's web site at www.aa.org
Have information available to leave behind such as flyers for their bulletin boards, addresses for our Area Treasurer, GSO and your local Intergroup. The pamphlet Self Support - Where money and spirituality mix is free, just call GSO and order some, while you’re calling, why not order Birthday envelopes for handing out as well.
I made up little kits that contain sample presentations. and other materials. If you haven't received your kit, email me your address and I will mail it to you. If you would like an electronic version of a Self Support presentation please email me, and....if you have an electronic version or your Self Support presentation please email it to me, to share with other Districts, as one of my goals is to create interaction between District Chairs, we all help each other.
My thanks to Debra, DCM, District 14 , she kindly scanned a bunch of flyers and articles for me, I now have electronic versions of the flyers which you can print off for your Districts, if you would like any of these please email me.
Remember to use the supplied presentations as examples, create your own, approve
it with your District Table and then enjoy your next 2 years as your District's Self Support Chairperson.
Already our Blog is becoming interactive between Area & District, so I thank you for taking the time to give me feedback and comments, it will help me as your Area Chairperson to know what you need and how I can support you in your role.
Keep coming back to the Blog as I am updating it all the time, as well, I have a new Poll coming up on the weekend, the final question supplied to me from our Delegate Dot.
At any time if I can be of assistance please don't hesitate to contact me.
In Love & Service,
Sheree
Area 83 Self Support Chairperson
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Sunday, January 7, 2007
January 6 2007 Area Committee Meeting - Report
My Name is Sheree, I am an alcoholic, and currently serving as your Self Support Chair (Area 83 International).
Thanks again for the opportunity to serve I am honored.
As the Area Self Support Chair I feel my role is to build awareness of the vital need for our fellowship to be self supporting, through money and time (service). To do this effectively I have decided to use one of my favorite forms of communication – The Internet. Information on the Internet can quickly shared, is easily accessible and I love using it.
url - http://www.area83selfsupport.blogspot.com/
I have created an Area 83 Self Support Blog. On it currently is an introduction to the Blog, How to use the Blog and information take from our service manual on the 3rd Legacy. I have included copies of the Blog with my report. The Blog includes an action tip for your Self Support Chair. If you don’t have a Self Support Chair please let me know and I will contact your Alternate DCM and ask them to fill this role.
Each month I will add a Self Support Tip or Idea, I have prepared 21 months of ideas already, I will then email the link out to the Area Committee , the District Self Support Chairs and anyone else who is interested.
For January I have introduced the Anniversary Plan, its history and how to send money to the General Service Office, I have also created a flyer that can be printed off and photocopied for the groups. The flyer can be obtained by emailing me at area83iamresponsible@yahoo.com, there are a few copies at the back and I have sent it to our Secretary to be included in the minutes. I hope that by doing this we can create conversation and action in the area of Self Support.
For Each District I have created a little package containing;
1. Welcome Letter
2. Copies of the Blog
3. Birthday Envelopes
4. Birthday Flyer
5. Pamphlet – Self Support – Where money and Spirituality Mix
6. Copies of Self Support Presentations from when I was District Chair (note these presentations where provided to me by other District Chairs and are meant to help you create your own presentation)
7. Guidelines Created by District 26 when I was Self Support Chair (these again are meant to help you create your own District Guidelines).
8. Misc. Flyers
I hope this information will be helpful in getting your Self Support Chair started. I can be reached for more information any time by emailing or calling me.
I am of course available for your service days, round-ups and conferences; I would be happy to attend or send my display for your local Self Support Chair to use.
And …send me your minutes I want to read what is happening in your Districts.
In Love of Service,
My Name is Sheree, I am an alcoholic, and currently serving as your Self Support Chair (Area 83 International).
Thanks again for the opportunity to serve I am honored.
As the Area Self Support Chair I feel my role is to build awareness of the vital need for our fellowship to be self supporting, through money and time (service). To do this effectively I have decided to use one of my favorite forms of communication – The Internet. Information on the Internet can quickly shared, is easily accessible and I love using it.
url - http://www.area83selfsupport.blogspot.com/
I have created an Area 83 Self Support Blog. On it currently is an introduction to the Blog, How to use the Blog and information take from our service manual on the 3rd Legacy. I have included copies of the Blog with my report. The Blog includes an action tip for your Self Support Chair. If you don’t have a Self Support Chair please let me know and I will contact your Alternate DCM and ask them to fill this role.
Each month I will add a Self Support Tip or Idea, I have prepared 21 months of ideas already, I will then email the link out to the Area Committee , the District Self Support Chairs and anyone else who is interested.
For January I have introduced the Anniversary Plan, its history and how to send money to the General Service Office, I have also created a flyer that can be printed off and photocopied for the groups. The flyer can be obtained by emailing me at area83iamresponsible@yahoo.com, there are a few copies at the back and I have sent it to our Secretary to be included in the minutes. I hope that by doing this we can create conversation and action in the area of Self Support.
For Each District I have created a little package containing;
1. Welcome Letter
2. Copies of the Blog
3. Birthday Envelopes
4. Birthday Flyer
5. Pamphlet – Self Support – Where money and Spirituality Mix
6. Copies of Self Support Presentations from when I was District Chair (note these presentations where provided to me by other District Chairs and are meant to help you create your own presentation)
7. Guidelines Created by District 26 when I was Self Support Chair (these again are meant to help you create your own District Guidelines).
8. Misc. Flyers
I hope this information will be helpful in getting your Self Support Chair started. I can be reached for more information any time by emailing or calling me.
I am of course available for your service days, round-ups and conferences; I would be happy to attend or send my display for your local Self Support Chair to use.
And …send me your minutes I want to read what is happening in your Districts.
In Love of Service,
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
January - Happy Birthday
As we start the new year, many of us will have the honour of celebrating another 365 days of sobriety.
Did you know ??????????
In 1956 the Conference approved a plan whereby older members would remind other members of their responsibility toward the General Service Office. It was named the Anniversary Fund Plan.
In 1961 The Finance Committee recommended the adoption or continued use of the so called Birthday Plan to provide "Supplementary" support of A.A.'s world services. Under the plan, individual members on their A.A. birthdays, can contribute one dollar for each year of sobriety. The plan went into effect immediately and A.A. members began contributing annually a sum equivalent to the number of years they had been sober.
In the same year, 1961, the desirability of an annual contribution of $3.00 per member was reaffirmed. In 1963 the conference again emphasized the $3.00 annual contribution, focusing on the nature of this contribution as an individual responsibility. And in 1973 the Conference recommended that the sum of $3.00 per year per member be changed to $3.65, thus making a sobriety contribution of a penny a day.
Members wishing to express gratitude for sobriety through individual contributions to their General Service Office might add to a base figure of $3.65, one dollar for each year they have enjoyed sobriety as a member of A.A.
Groups and Districts of course can celebrate in the same manner.
Please Make Cheques Payable to: General Service Board
(Please do not send cash, suggested Birthday Contribution; one dollar per year of sobriety. Some give more, but not to exceed $1,000.00 per year.)
Address: The General Service Office
Post Office Box 459
Grand Central Station
New York, N.Y. 10163-0459
Self Support Chairs - Tip
Order Birthday Envelopes for distribution to the GSR's. Photocopy the Happy Birthday Poster for Distribution to the groups. Talk about the Birthday Contribution.
Email me at area83iamresponsible@yahoo.ca for a copy of the Birthday Flyer, for your group or District.
Did you know ??????????
In 1956 the Conference approved a plan whereby older members would remind other members of their responsibility toward the General Service Office. It was named the Anniversary Fund Plan.
In 1961 The Finance Committee recommended the adoption or continued use of the so called Birthday Plan to provide "Supplementary" support of A.A.'s world services. Under the plan, individual members on their A.A. birthdays, can contribute one dollar for each year of sobriety. The plan went into effect immediately and A.A. members began contributing annually a sum equivalent to the number of years they had been sober.
In the same year, 1961, the desirability of an annual contribution of $3.00 per member was reaffirmed. In 1963 the conference again emphasized the $3.00 annual contribution, focusing on the nature of this contribution as an individual responsibility. And in 1973 the Conference recommended that the sum of $3.00 per year per member be changed to $3.65, thus making a sobriety contribution of a penny a day.
Members wishing to express gratitude for sobriety through individual contributions to their General Service Office might add to a base figure of $3.65, one dollar for each year they have enjoyed sobriety as a member of A.A.
Groups and Districts of course can celebrate in the same manner.
Please Make Cheques Payable to: General Service Board
(Please do not send cash, suggested Birthday Contribution; one dollar per year of sobriety. Some give more, but not to exceed $1,000.00 per year.)
Address: The General Service Office
Post Office Box 459
Grand Central Station
New York, N.Y. 10163-0459
Self Support Chairs - Tip
Order Birthday Envelopes for distribution to the GSR's. Photocopy the Happy Birthday Poster for Distribution to the groups. Talk about the Birthday Contribution.
Email me at area83iamresponsible@yahoo.ca for a copy of the Birthday Flyer, for your group or District.
Sunday, December 3, 2006
How to use this website and it's purpose
The 12 Months of Self Support
As your Area Self Support Chair I plan on communicating ideas each month that will help District Self Support Chairs generate awareness of Self Support. One of the ways I plan on doing this is by having a monthly Self Support idea/tip. These ideas will focus on service and or money and I hope they will generate conversation and your own ideas. Remember that I am your Self Support Chair, I welcome your ideas and feedback. I also intend to read the District Self Support reports and post ideas, challenges from your reports, so please send me your reports.
One of the things I look forward to is your comments, on the ideas, on how the ideas worked or didn't work and for your own ideas. I would like to build a community where we exchange ideas and tips.
Please bookmark this website and come back to it each month. I have prepared 2 years of ideas and each month will update it with a new idea.
We will meet in person at Assemblies and this will give us the chance to share even more.
A.A.'s Legacy of Service - By Bill W., Page S1 of the A.A., Service Manual
Our Twelfth Step - carrying the message - is the basic service that the A.A. Fellowship gives;
this is our principal aim and the main reason for our existence. Therefore, A.A., is more than a set of principles; it is a society of alcoholics in action. WE must carry the message, else we ourselves can wither and those who haven't been given the truth may die.
Hence, an A.A. service is anything whatever that helps us to reach a fellow sufferer - ranging all the way from the Twelveth Step itself to a ten-cent phone call and a cup of coffee, and to A.A.'s General Service Office for nation and international action. The sum total of all these services is our Third Legacy of Service. Service include meeting places, hospital cooperation, and intergroup offices; they mean pamplets books, and good publicity of almost every description. They call for committees, delegates, trustees, and conferences. And, not to be forgotten they need voluntary money contributions from within the Fellowship.
These services, whether performed by individuals, groups, areas, or A.A., as a whole, are utterly vital to our existence and growth. Nor can we make A.A. more simple by abolishing such services. We would only be asking for complication and confusion.
Concerning any given service, we therefore pose but one question: "Is this service really needed ?" If it is, then maintain it we most, or fail in our mission to those who need and seek A.A,............Continued on page S2, S3 of the A.A. Service Manual
As your Area Self Support Chair I plan on communicating ideas each month that will help District Self Support Chairs generate awareness of Self Support. One of the ways I plan on doing this is by having a monthly Self Support idea/tip. These ideas will focus on service and or money and I hope they will generate conversation and your own ideas. Remember that I am your Self Support Chair, I welcome your ideas and feedback. I also intend to read the District Self Support reports and post ideas, challenges from your reports, so please send me your reports.
One of the things I look forward to is your comments, on the ideas, on how the ideas worked or didn't work and for your own ideas. I would like to build a community where we exchange ideas and tips.
Please bookmark this website and come back to it each month. I have prepared 2 years of ideas and each month will update it with a new idea.
We will meet in person at Assemblies and this will give us the chance to share even more.
A.A.'s Legacy of Service - By Bill W., Page S1 of the A.A., Service Manual
Our Twelfth Step - carrying the message - is the basic service that the A.A. Fellowship gives;
this is our principal aim and the main reason for our existence. Therefore, A.A., is more than a set of principles; it is a society of alcoholics in action. WE must carry the message, else we ourselves can wither and those who haven't been given the truth may die.
Hence, an A.A. service is anything whatever that helps us to reach a fellow sufferer - ranging all the way from the Twelveth Step itself to a ten-cent phone call and a cup of coffee, and to A.A.'s General Service Office for nation and international action. The sum total of all these services is our Third Legacy of Service. Service include meeting places, hospital cooperation, and intergroup offices; they mean pamplets books, and good publicity of almost every description. They call for committees, delegates, trustees, and conferences. And, not to be forgotten they need voluntary money contributions from within the Fellowship.
These services, whether performed by individuals, groups, areas, or A.A., as a whole, are utterly vital to our existence and growth. Nor can we make A.A. more simple by abolishing such services. We would only be asking for complication and confusion.
Concerning any given service, we therefore pose but one question: "Is this service really needed ?" If it is, then maintain it we most, or fail in our mission to those who need and seek A.A,............Continued on page S2, S3 of the A.A. Service Manual
I am Responsible......
When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help I want the hand of A.A. always to be there. And for that: I am repsonsible.
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