Contribution Hyperbole

Do AAs exaggerate about the need for contributions?

I sometimes wonder whether everything an AA member says in a meeting is to be taken literally.  Having told one’s story once or twice, a person gets a feel for what parts get the best reaction or seem to be the most helpful to others. It’s simple human nature to want to repeat the successful anecdotes and perhaps eliminate those that seem to have little impact.  We can sometimes sound like broken records.

The same holds true for meetings in general.  Alcoholics Anonymous has no dues or fees and makes no demand for individual contributions.  But passing the Tradition basket is just as much a ritual at meetings as is reading the Steps.

So why all this talk about self-support? What are the facts about the state of the financial health of the Cleveland District Office of Alcoholics Anonymous?

I was at an Operating Committee meeting a few weeks ago.  This particular committee has the task of overseeing the property and affairs of the Cleveland District Office.

As usual, the meeting included a report by the secretary/treasurer, who observed that there has been a decline in donations since 2013 at a rate of roughly five percent.  Even though Cleveland AA is experiencing relative financial security, the trend of fewer donations concerns the secretary/treasurer and perhaps indicates that our fellowship is less linked today than it used to be to its downtown office.

“Is this something that can be mentioned at groups?” one member of the committee asked.  “Or will it just make people think that all we do is ask for money?”

“The rate of decrease in contributions is pretty consistent throughout the fellowship,”  a second chimed in, “including the General Service Office in New York.”  One possible cause is the lack of awareness of what the AA offices do, especially due to an influx of young people and newcomers who have less financial security than older members. Overall membership is up based on the latest survey from the General Service Office.  This committee member also observed that the Fund Drive originally was held in November, which came to be known as “Gratitude Month.”

“A lot of the groups in my area are much smaller than they have been,” stated another member, “and a lot of them are hard-pressed to even pay the rent.” A chorus of “yeses” was then heard around the table. Even if the first thing they have to cut out is donations to AA service entities, “they still don’t forget their donuts!”

“The demographics have changed from ‘Alcoholic’ to ‘Alcoholic/Addict’” observed another member, who suggested further that the decline is due to a lack of emphasis at individual meetings that “this is Alcoholics Anonymous!”

“Everybody has a cell phone.” said another. “People are less dependent on the office for the information.” And meetings seem to focus on their autonomy rather than paying attention to what might be for the good of other groups or AA as a whole. Donations to service organizations are once-a-year discussions rather than part of the fabric of weekly consciousness. “That may not be a bad thing, that’s just the way it is!”

“Cleveland Central Office isn’t going to go away,” asserted another committee member.  “People need to be reminded in a gentle way.”

“No,” said another. “We as members of the Operating Committee are at fault. We don’t put enough emphasis on fundraising.” We need to improve communication and remind our members of the needs of the Cleveland District Office. “I take the blame for the decrease.”

“Yes, but people don’t walk around slamming chairs and making strong statements, like the old timers did. The message of our history has gone away because we are so afraid to scare people off.” Are we too politically correct?

As with most discussions in AA, no one had the final say. But the Operating Committee formed a consensus on four central issues:

• that we must be respectful when we ask for money from members of the fellowship.
• that we should place our primary focus not on the decrease in contributions, but on the need for a stronger link between AA Cleveland and its fellowship.
• that we have an obligation to make an announcement in the November Central Bulletin that revenues are down.
• that we are well advised to make a “Gratitude Month” plea for donations to ensure that we are able keep services at the current level.

Hyperbole? You decide.

By Bill C.