Role of the Self Support Committee at AA GTA Intergroup
The Self Support Subcommittee at AA Greater Toronto Area Intergroup is a standing service committee responsible for ensuring the self support initiatives and financial well-being of the Intergroup Office.
Key Role
SELF-SUPPORT COMMITTEE
Our Seventh Tradition states that “Every A.A. Group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions”. This means that only A.A. members contribute financially to A.A. – and even A.A. members are limited in the amount they can contribute. This keeps A.A. free of outside influences that might divert us from our primary purpose — to help the alcoholic who still suffers.
Contributions help cover the group’s expenses, but the Seventh Tradition is more than simply paying for rent and other group expenses. It is both a privilege and a responsibility of individual groups and members to ensure that our organization, at every level, remains forever self-supporting and free of outside influences that might divert us from our primary purpose. (Service Material from the General Service Office)
Alcoholics Anonymous is a Spiritual Program, but it costs money to operate, and it is through our contributions that makes it possible to carry the message to the still suffering alcoholic.
What we do:
- Raise awareness of Self-Support to the Eight Districts in the Greater Toronto Area
- Meet monthly to discuss Self-Support initiatives – the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. online
For Zoom coordinates or more information, please contact: self-support@aatoronto.org
Any A.A. Member with an interest in Self-Support is welcome to attend or join our Committee. We welcome ALL Intergroup Representatives to attend and learn so that they may take back this vital information to their home groups!
Where Money and Spirituality Mix – F-3 © A.A. World Services, Inc
Special Initiatives:
Implement programs such as the Coffee Can Initiative.
Greater Toronto Area Intergroup Self-Support Committee Self-Support Can Campaign explained: Use and Purpose The “coffee can program” dates back years and is tied to the Seventh Tradition. AA’s structure is built on the
principle of self-support, meaning that AA groups rely solely on contributions from their members to fund their operations, such as rent for meeting spaces, literature and other expenses.
Coffee Cans as Contribution Containers: do not replace the 7th Tradition
How Groups can use the Coffee Can:
• Generally the use of the “can” monies collected would be discussed by group members on how the contributions would be used; so it would be a group conscience
• Some groups put the “can” on the literature table and the contributions collected would be used for literature – pamphlets and big books or other literature for shelters, parole offices etc.
• Some groups use the contributions to purchase literature for Treatment facilities or Correctional facilities – oftentimes purchasing Grapevine subscriptions for Corrections. The main purpose of the “can” is to further “carry our message of hope” to other alcoholics.
Labels are available for download to print for your own “coffee can” initiative in English, French, and Spanish.
This does NOT replace the 7th tradition collection but can be used at the group’s discretion for supporting initiatives such as buying literature to take to service meetings.
How to make contributions to A.A. Toronto Intergroup
Make a Contribution now
A.A.’s Seventh Tradition states: “Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.” This means that only A.A. members contribute financially to A.A. – and even A.A. members are limited in the amount they can contribute. This keeps A.A. free of outside influences that might divert us from our primary purpose — to help the alcoholic who still suffers. The amount of the contribution is secondary to the spiritual connection that unites all groups around the world. Members can bequeath a maximum of $12,500 to Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) upon their death. A.A. limits these gifts to a one-time basis per person. They also only accept bequests from active A.A. members.
Procedures and Guidelines 1.7 states that – Yearly Donations to Intergroup are as follows:
▪ The maximum annual donation any individual may make to GTAI is $5000.00.
▪ Donations to GTAI are only accepted from A.A. members, as per A.A.’s Tradition 7.
“We cannot skimp”
With the realization that A.A. must steer clear of outside contributions in order to maintain its autonomy and independence came the understanding that the money necessary for A.A.’s survival would have to come from individual A.A. members and groups. As Bill W. put it in 1957, “Our spiritual way of life is safe for future generations 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