E157: AA- Self-Supporting by Our Own Contributions
12/12/23 • 31 min
In this compelling episode, Matt and Steve delve deep into a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of Alcoholics Anonymous—its financial landscape. Together, they unravel the intricate threads of financial operations within AA, shedding light on the challenges, traditions, and potential transformations faced by the organization.
The conversation kicks off by addressing the significant deficit plaguing the General Service Organization (GSO) of AA. With a staggering $1 million deficit, the hosts dissect the implications of this shortfall, emphasizing the reliance on literature sales as a primary source of revenue rather than donations.
Venturing into the heart of the matter, they dissect the AA Seventh Tradition, exploring the intersection of spirituality and financial support within the program. They probe the importance of donations, the rewards they offer, and the need for potential shifts in the revenue-generating structure.
Matt and Steve pivot to examine the hesitance towards change within AA's established business model, a structure rooted in the traditions of the past. Reflecting on the difficulty of implementing changes in a slow-moving, consensus-driven organization, they highlight the challenges of adapting a business model crafted nearly a century ago to fit the contemporary landscape.
The discussion widens to consider digital advancements and the potential role they could play in AA's financial sustainability. Drawing parallels to modern media and subscription-based models, they underscore the significance of a digital presence and revenue stream, juxtaposing it against AA's current digital outreach strategies.
The hosts contemplate the complexities of AA's strict policies on external contributions, referencing the poignant story of Jim Irsay's donation offer of the original AA manuscript and its rejection due to financial limitations and tradition. They further examine the limitations on individual contributions capped at $5,000 and the reliance on group contributions.
Matt and Steve dissect the financial implications for attendees, highlighting how the collective impact of small donations can accumulate, mirroring the price of attending meetings. They discuss the varied financial capacities of different meetings, illustrating how some may be more financially stable than others.
Tune in to this thought-provoking discussion shedding light on the intricate financial intricacies within Alcoholics Anonymous, offering insights into the delicate balance between tradition and adaptability in the realm of recovery.
The Living in Clarity Podcast, with Fish & CoachDo you want to live an awesome life and to also inspire others? Fish is a world...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
📫 Get more honest conversations about sobriety delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to The Sober Friends Dispatch, our weekly newsletter where we go beyond the podcast to share real strategies for alcohol-free living. Join our community by clicking here.
In this compelling episode, Matt and Steve delve deep into a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of Alcoholics Anonymous—its financial landscape. Together, they unravel the intricate threads of financial operations within AA, shedding light on the challenges, traditions, and potential transformations faced by the organization.
The conversation kicks off by addressing the significant deficit plaguing the General Service Organization (GSO) of AA. With a staggering $1 million deficit, the hosts dissect the implications of this shortfall, emphasizing the reliance on literature sales as a primary source of revenue rather than donations.
Venturing into the heart of the matter, they dissect the AA Seventh Tradition, exploring the intersection of spirituality and financial support within the program. They probe the importance of donations, the rewards they offer, and the need for potential shifts in the revenue-generating structure.
Matt and Steve pivot to examine the hesitance towards change within AA's established business model, a structure rooted in the traditions of the past. Reflecting on the difficulty of implementing changes in a slow-moving, consensus-driven organization, they highlight the challenges of adapting a business model crafted nearly a century ago to fit the contemporary landscape.
The discussion widens to consider digital advancements and the potential role they could play in AA's financial sustainability. Drawing parallels to modern media and subscription-based models, they underscore the significance of a digital presence and revenue stream, juxtaposing it against AA's current digital outreach strategies.
The hosts contemplate the complexities of AA's strict policies on external contributions, referencing the poignant story of Jim Irsay's donation offer of the original AA manuscript and its rejection due to financial limitations and tradition. They further examine the limitations on individual contributions capped at $5,000 and the reliance on group contributions.
Matt and Steve dissect the financial implications for attendees, highlighting how the collective impact of small donations can accumulate, mirroring the price of attending meetings. They discuss the varied financial capacities of different meetings, illustrating how some may be more financially stable than others.
Tune in to this thought-provoking discussion shedding light on the intricate financial intricacies within Alcoholics Anonymous, offering insights into the delicate balance between tradition and adaptability in the realm of recovery.
The Living in Clarity Podcast, with Fish & CoachDo you want to live an awesome life and to also inspire others? Fish is a world...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
📫 Get more honest conversations about sobriety delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to The Sober Friends Dispatch, our weekly newsletter where we go beyond the podcast to share real strategies for alcohol-free living. Join our community by clicking here.
Previous Episode
Decoding the Big Book - To Wives
Decoding the Big Book, is sourced from "Writing the Big Book, by William Schaberg. We highly recommend this book. Click here to purchase the book on Amazon.
Discover the intriguing story behind the creation of "Two Wives," attributed to Bill Wilson despite common misconceptions. Understand the tensions between Bill and his wife, Lois Wilson, regarding the chapter's content and its portrayal of women supporting their husbands through recovery. Explore Bill's rationale for maintaining a consistent writing style and his insistence on an alcoholic author's perspective in defining the condition.
Uncover the subtleties in Bill's depiction of alcoholism's impact on families, particularly spouses, and the nuances of emotional stability in the early stages of recovery. Examine the evolution in defining alcoholism, shifting from drinker types to the pivotal emphasis on willingness to stop—a cornerstone in the AA recovery program, reiterated in the appendix's essentiality of willingness for recovery.
Despite the dated tone and perceived gender roles in "Two Wives," unpack the two significant points that emerged—Bill's defining of alcoholism and the focus on willingness as central to recovery. Understand the belief that the book, Alcoholics Anonymous, remained the sole solution for those afflicted and their partners in the absence of other options in 1938. Join us as we explore the intricate layers of history and biases within the foundation of Alcoholics Anonymous in this enlightening episode.
The Living in Clarity Podcast, with Fish & CoachDo you want to live an awesome life and to also inspire others? Fish is a world...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
📫 Get more honest conversations about sobriety delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to The Sober Friends Dispatch, our weekly newsletter where we go beyond the podcast to share real strategies for alcohol-free living. Join our community by clicking here.
Next Episode
Decoding the Big Book - The Family Afterward
Decoding the Big Book, is sourced from "Writing the Big Book, by William Schaberg. We highly recommend this book. Click here to purchase the book on Amazon.
The episode delves into the myths and realities surrounding the authorship of the renowned "Big Book" of Alcoholics Anonymous. Contrary to popular belief, it wasn't collectively written by the first 100 members; rather, Bill Wilson was the sole author, except for minimal input provided by Hank Parker.
Bill, despite frustration at the lack of feedback, perpetuated the myth of collective authorship to highlight the solution as a result of shared experiences rather than one person's journey. He also aimed to downplay his leadership role to prevent ego inflation and possibly called the movement the "BW movement" once.
The discussion then shifts to the Family afterward chapter, where Bill discusses the family's role in a recovering alcoholic's life. He highlights the importance of family members meeting with tolerance, understanding, and love, warning against the demand for concessions.
Furthermore, the chapter addresses challenges the family might face, including dealing with past escapades, handling economic concerns, and the newfound religious faith of the recovering alcoholic. Bill advocates for patience, understanding, and acceptance within the family while cautioning against potential pitfalls.
The chapter concludes with a story emphasizing the importance of prioritizing a recovering person's sobriety, suggesting that failure to do so may lead to unfortunate consequences, even relapse.
Overall, the episode explores the dynamics between recovery, family roles, and the challenges faced by both the recovering individual and their family members.
The Living in Clarity Podcast, with Fish & CoachDo you want to live an awesome life and to also inspire others? Fish is a world...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
📫 Get more honest conversations about sobriety delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to The Sober Friends Dispatch, our weekly newsletter where we go beyond the podcast to share real strategies for alcohol-free living. Join our community by clicking here.
Sober Friends - E157: AA- Self-Supporting by Our Own Contributions
Transcript
Today's Sober Friends podcast is brought to you by Bill, who bought us five coffees. And Bill left this message for us. He said, Hi, I'm Bill. I'm an alcoholic. I really enjoy your podcast and the guests that you have. I've been alcohol free since March of 2019, but I had a slip with some pot cookies in 2022. And with the help of my therapist and AA, my sobriety is better than ever and I'm learning how to live one day at a time. When I can't get to a
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