From the 12th Step Lists Chairperson
Earlier articles in this series have talked about
some issues related to the above topic. In March,
Please remember to update the 12th Step List
for instance, we discussed the prudent reserve; in
for your home group – it may be of vital
April, contributions to the service structure to avoid
importance to an alcoholic reaching out for help.
amassing excess funds; in June, resources
Stop by the Intergroup office to pick up forms, if
(sources of information and support); in July, how
you need them.
we actually hold and manage our funds; and in
12th Step Chairperson
August, the long form of
“Tradition 7.” (All back
12thstep@nassauny-aa(dot)org
articles are available either on request or on our
From the Treasurer:
will examine record-keeping and reports.
When a Treasurer Runs Off With the Money
Hope this is helpful.
If you stick around AA long enough, eventually
Feel free to contact me with questions.
you will hear a story about a group or service
In service,
group treasurer, probably under some personal
Treasurer
financial stress, succumbing to the temptation and
treasurer@nassauny-aa(dot)org
walking off with the group’s money. What to do?
The group of course can take legal action
From the Newsletter Editor
against the member, although that is not the usual
Submissions welcome
course. On this, we are reminded that “Concept
Nassau Intergroup AA News is open to
XII” — from Twelve Concepts for World Service,
submissions from AA members on topics consistent
Bill W.’s series of essays suggesting guidelines for
with the AA Steps, Traditions, and Concepts. If you
our service activities — recommends we avoid
would like your article to be considered for publication,
actions which may be “personally punitive or an
please email it to newsletter@nassauny-aa(dot)org or
incitement to public controversy.” There is often
send a query first. Submissions also may be sent by
compassion for the erring member. Experience
regular mail to the Intergroup office at 361 Hempstead
suggests, too, that the purloining member often
Turnpike, West Hempstead, NY 11552.
will seek to later return the funds, to make
From Ed, the Literature Guy
restitution of sorts. Whether or not that happens,
how might the group begin to recover from this
We have a small selection of Large Print books for
sale at Nassau Intergroup, including The Big Book,
experience?
The 12 & 12, Daily Reflections, and a few others.
The most useful approach may be to hold a
Please have the exact amount ready when you
group conscience meeting. The group conscience
purchase books, since the phone reps do not carry
meeting invites an outside member to come in to
change for literature sales.
moderate a group listening session. (Trusted
Nassau Intergroup does not take phone orders.
servants from both Intergroup and General Service
The office is open 9am-4:30pm for the sale of books.
are available for this.) Each group member takes a
turn saying what is on his or her mind, hopefully
Sharing the Message:
offering some positive suggestions about how the
Thank You
group may move forward. In the session, the
When my wife died in July after fighting breast
group may want to consider: how officers are
cancer for 15½ years, I did not pick up a drink. I
selected; how the treasurer is supported by other
picked up the phone and called my sponsor. He
group members; what shared experience already
picked me up and brought me to the hospital to
may be out there to guide the group and its
see her one last time. Within the hour, three other
treasurer; whether the group is holding its
AA’s were with us in the parking lot of the hospital,
treasurer accountable to regular and full reports,
where we had one of those informal “meetings”
and providing member access to treasury records;
that, in my humble opinion, are the heart of the
and whether the group has been holding on to
program.
excess funds. No decisions are made, and there is
When I take a speaking commitment,
no actual discussion, just listening in these
especially at a beginner’s meeting, I always
sessions. The fruits of the meeting may be picked
explain what I believe AA to be by telling them to
up at later business meetings, where the group
read the first phrase of our Preamble: “AA is a
conscience may then be formed on the group’s
fellowship of men and women...” and to stop there.
future financial practices.
That, to me, is the essence of AA. Without the
