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Finance

How the AA finances are structured and managed.

Tradition 7:

Every A.A. group ought to be self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
Copyright 1952,1981 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. All rights reserved

Concept X11: General Warranties of Conference: Warranty Two:

"Sufficient operating funds, plus an ample Reserve, should be its prudent financial principle."
Copyright 1962, Alcoholics Anonymous World Services Inc. All rights reserved.

AA Money

Most of AAs revenue in Great Britain consists of the voluntary contributions of members at Group meetings. The remainder comes (predominantly) from literature surpluses, from interest on investments and from convention surpluses. There has been, and still is, other money in the form of gifts, bequests and legacies. The annual value of this money was significant, and notwithstanding the second part of Tradition 7, the General Service Board was legally bound to accept them.

On 25 July 1986, therefore, a private Act of Parliament was obtained, known as the Alcoholics Anonymous (Dispositions) Act 1986, empowering the General Service Board to disclaim all, or part, of such donations. The Board has set an upper limit of 10,000 pounds per year direct personal contribution to the General Service Office and a 'one-off' contribution by way of a legacy to the amount of 10,000 pounds.

Money, whatever its source, is AA money and should be spent only to further our primary purpose of helping the still suffering alcoholic. All who are trusted with the responsibility of handling AA money at every level should remind themselves constantly of this simple traditional principle

(extract p 73 The AA Structure Handbook for Great Britain 2013)

Self-supporting through our own contributions

"It has taken many years for the Fellowship to start to support services through members' voluntary contribution, and the sale of approved literature.  Money flowing through the service structure varies year by year.  Gratitude Week in June give each member who can afford it, an opportunity to give a little extra in appreciation of their sobriety.  When we take on board the full reading of Tradition 7, we understand the essence of supporting ourselves is born out of the experience of the past - financial independence is our ideal.

The groups are the stakeholders in the overall service structure.  The flow of AA money through the service structure is essential.  The flow of AA money through the service structure is essential to further our primary purpose of helping the suffering alcoholic in accordance with the traditions of the Fellowship.

Experience has shown us that every level of AA work is important, and we neglect them at our peril.
All donations offered to the Fellowship by those who are not members are declined.

"Both these principles we understand, that A.A wants no charity, that we support our own service." Bill W. (Language of the Heart Page 350)
(extract from AA GB leaflet The Pot)
 

Gratitude Week

In 1985 Chiltern and Thames Intergroup suggested that members be invited to contribute what they would have spent on one day's drinking, but at today's prices.

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Development Fund

A description of what the development fund is and how it was established for the AA.

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Projects

A range of projects financed by the AA over time

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Literature

The primary purpose of Alcoholics Anonymous is that of passing the message of recovery from alcoholism - to professionals, to the public and most importantly to those who seek help. 

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Reserves Policy

Sufficient operating funds, plus an ample Reserve, should be its prudent financial principle.

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