Passing the hat. One of the most common aspects of all AA meetings, no matter how different the other aspects and formats of a meeting may be. Why do we pass the hat? Because it takes cash to make the rent, buy the coffee, buy books and literature.

      I suppose we could meet in a park, lose the amenities memorize the tenets of the program and keep our costs at or near zero, thereby negating the need for money. Methinks membership would suffer a bit - especially in those winter months where the park has several feet of snow to contend with. 

     Doesn't work that way, so we need a certain amout of operating capital to at least provide those amenities that the members of our group expect. How much do we need? Depends on the size of the group, the cost of meetings and what the members want for services. Just renting a place and providing coffee and a couple of books comes in on the low end and fairly cheap. Then there is the other side of the coin. Large group, many meetings and committees, H&I outreach service, General Services Rep., local AA hotline  - this all costs a considerable amout of money.

    Self supporting - this means that we stay within the budget that we have - detemrnined by the contributions of the people going to the meeting. Our outgo has to meet our income. We don't operate on credit. If we don't have money to pay the rent - we don't have a meeting. Scary thought? Show up for your meeting one day and the doors are locked - and nowhere else to go. That can and does happen.

    There's no shame in letting the basket slide by. You ain't got the dollar to drop in it, there isn't anyone going to say a word. We give within our means. What I ended up doing was looking at how much I used to spend on booze in a week (for a ll intents and purposes, "found money" today) and proportional amout is spread throughout the meetings and committments I attend and serve on.

    Contributions. Self supporting. Hmmm. Our wandering mens stag meeting meets in a different member's home every week. Donating the use of my home for an hour or so every 2-3 months is a form of self support for the group - reducing need for rent money. We supply coffee - no expenses there. Where does our member contributions go? We send some off to the local GSR, area coordinators and New York, providing needed services for other drunks. Some we spent recently in support of a startup Back-to-Basics meeting for newcomers - which has rapidly become self supporting through it's own contributions. We now give our time in support of the newcomers at the meeting.

    The seventh tradition insures that we are living within our means.We are responsible for what we do and how we do it. No credit cards or blank checks here my friends. No government funding - or government interference. We are free to do and think as big as we want - and can afford...

Nuff Said,

Dennis

TANSTAAFL - "There ain't no such thing as a free lunch" - R. A. Heinlein, "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress"