AA’s Tradition of Self-Support

Members celebrate sobriety by giving time, energy and money in support of carrying the A.A. message. Contributions support the group – and A.A. worldwide.

AA’s Responsibility Statement

I am Responsible. When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, I want the hand of AA always to be there. And for that: I am Responsible.

Our primary purpose is to carry AA’s lifesaving message to the alcoholic who still suffers — wherever they may be. This is the fundamental work of Alcoholics Anonymous. To ensure that the hand of AA will always remain outstretched, money and spirituality must mix. And for that, we are all responsible.

Supporting AA’s Vital Services

“Self-support begins with me, because I am part of us — the group. We pay our rent and utility bills, buy coffee, snacks and AA literature. We support our central office, our area committee, and our General Service Office. If it were not for those entities, many new people would never discover the miracles of AA.”

While contributions cover each group’s rent and other expenses, the Seventh Tradition is essential to all areas of A.A. service. It is both a privilege and a responsibility for groups and members to ensure that their group, their local district, the New Hampshire Area Assembly (Area 43), and our national headquarters all remain self-supporting.

The General Service Conference suggests that individual groups, through an informed group conscience, adopt a specific contribution plan tailored to meet the group’s financial situation. Once a group’s expenses have been taken care of, the group may decide to further support carrying the AA message by sending money to the following service entities:

Local Districts

Districts typically communicate directly with the groups in their given region and support service work at the local level within the cities and towns that reside in the district. Representatives from the district also provide the conscience of those groups at Area Assemblies and serve as the link between the Area Delegate and Groups Service Representatives (GSRs).

“The Area”

The Area Assembly (Area 43) coordinates essential AA services across New Hampshire, manages and routes Twelfth Step calls, represents the state at the General Service Conference, and holds assemblies for the fellowship’s needs. It also maintains the NHAA website and operates the NHAA Service Office, providing literature, chips, medallions, meeting lists, and group support.

GSO and AAWS

The General Service Office (GSO) and Alcoholics Anonymous World Services (AAWS) publish AA literature, function as a storehouse of AA information, communicate with members and groups around the world, and supplies information and experience to professionals and others interested in AA. Through the AA website, GSO is often the first point of contact for those seeking help.

Make a Contribution to NHAA Online

Talking about AA’s Tradition of Self-Support

Money has never been a requirement for AA membership, and to keep it that way all of AA’s trusted servants have an ongoing obligation to inform groups and members about the value of self-support and the need for voluntary contributions.

The resources listed below may be helpful when discussing money in AA. Also, the area delegate (delegate@nhaa.net) welcomes the opportunity to speak with groups and districts about the value of self-support.

Seventh Tradition
Fact Sheet

Learn More

Self-Support: Where
Money & Spirituality Mix

Learn More

Self-Support
Card

Learn More

A Note from One of AA’s Co-Founders:

“Now, where do A.A.’s services — worldwide, area, local — fit into our scheme of things?” asked Bill W. in an October 1967 article in the AA 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 not 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 everywhere function in full strength — and that, under our Tradition of self-support, we are all going to foot the bill.”

Copyright © October, 1967 AA Grapevine, Inc. Reprinted with permission Bill W.

Would you like to make a contribution to Area 43?

Checks payable to New Hampshire Area Assembly may be mailed to:

NHAA Service Office
1330 Hooksett Road
Hooksett, NH 03106

For Group contributions, please include the group name and GSO number.

Make a Contribution Online