Tradition Seven Checklist
July 11, 2008 by Mark
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
Always worthy of consideration, any day, any time, imho.
Tradition Seven: Every AA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
- Honestly now, do I do all I can to help AA (my group, my central office, my GSO) remain self-supporting? Could I put a little more into the basket on behalf of the new guy who can’t afford it yet? How generous was I when tanked in a barroom?
- Should the Grapevine sell advertising space to book publishers and drug companies, so it could make a big profit and become a bigger magazine, in full color, at a cheaper price per copy?
- If GSO runs short of funds some year, wouldn’t it be okay to let the government subsidize AA groups in hospitals and prisons?
- Is it more important to get a big AA collection from a few people, or a smaller collection in which more members participate?
- Is a group treasurer’s report unimportant AA business? How does the treasurer feel about it?
- How important in my recovery is the feeling of self-respect, rather than the feeling of being always under obligation for charity received?
The 7th tradition is awesome. I know that self-support is an important part of the NA way of life.
While using I was overly dependent on everyone. My only responsibilty was my addiction. My dependency robbed me of my self-respect. Sel-support restores my personal dignity and freedom according to my dearly departed sponsor. In the end the 7th tradition is the paradox of my NA recovery. In giving to others we help ourself. Supporting NA and putting money in the basket is a privilege and my resonsibility. Ultimately supporting the fellowship becomes and expression of NA unity.
Perfectly on point my friend