July 25 - 31 2010. Tradition 7.

Good afternoon. Amazed there is no post yet. I think the importance of this tradition, and every experience and debate that went into forming it, are invaluable. I think without the wisdom of "keeping it clean" on the money issue there would be no AA as we know it. And if AA were any different than it is, I doubt that I would have kept coming back to find, maintain, and continue to enjoy sobriety. The traditions are the backbone and lifeblood of this fellowship...and the 7th tradition is one of the most essential, for our very survival as a fellowship of one alcoholic helping another so we can both stay sober.

"Whomever pays the piper picks the tune." Since the early fellowship had decided Anarchy (benign) was to be our form of government, (how could a true Democracy actually grow in a Republic?) they also decided that a posture of Corporate Poverty was preferred. First, because it was the end of the First Great Depression and everybody's favorite tune was: "Brother Can You Spare A Dime" and for a few other reasons as well.

A.A. got help from the big players, (Rockefeller Foundation) and in loans putting the Big Book together, and still gets donations now and then from Estates of deceased members, as well as anonymous contributors.

There are limits, I think, ($10,000???) but we have all seen what happens when a large sum of money accumulates in the Group's Treasury: a) some drunk pilfers and relapses b) the members bicker for power in deciding where it goes c) that bickering destroys the focus of primary purpose and the group forfeits its unity and fragments.

Now, let me make sure everyone knows I speak only for myself.

BUT,.....if you think for a second that GSO and its "trusted servants" haven't taken care of their present selves and their long term needs, check out the financial statement. The jobs and subsequent benefits including retirement are coveted high 5 and low 6 figures.

In fact, our friend Bill took them out of that realm in Tradition VIII, establishing their being a service center - employing special workers, not a part of the fellowship per se.....General Service Office - get it? He died a wealthy man, never worked another day in his life and let's see if you can figure out why?

At the fundamental "On The Street" Group level, each group must pay its rent and buy its supplies i.e. coffee and literature. The Oxford Group, our inspiration, most often had its meetings at members homes for they had no churches. Keeps the overhead down :-). It seems as long as we stay poor, we have a better chance of staying pure, which oddly enough is one of the Absolute Pillars of the Oxford Group.

So for all the reasons and stories above, at our level, the twelfth-steppin' primary purpose arena, where the real carrying of the message goes on, one step above poverty suits us best.      

Edited by Jay M. - 25 Jul 2010 at 10:22pm

Ah Traditions: What if I needed a meeting and there was none to be found or no one showed up. (shutter!)
I agree with Paul only I think all the tradtions can be applied to my home life in away.
Tradition 7 says alot about the dignity of AA. Sink or swim we'll do it on our own. Like Jay says it will keep our focus clear, nobody but AA's will determine the direction our fellowship goes. Our only bottom line is and should be the recovery of suffering alcoholics.
One more thing if I spent as much money on the 7th tradtion as I spent on booze AA could be a fortune 500 company now.(smile)

Trust God Clean House Help Others

Edited by GordonM357 - 26 Jul 2010 at 5:11pm

The Traditions are for preserving the fellowship of AA. I never thought about applying them to myself... kind of surprising considering this selfish drunk is always thinking about me me me. Being personally self-supporting is a great idea, one that I live by. I was sick to death of having to live up to my bosses' expectations. Instead of continuing to sell away the hours of my life to people who couldn't care less about my well being, I quit my job and my career and moved to a community self-supported by worker-owned businesses. No more bosses, no more people who pay the piper and get to call the tune. I am truly self-supporting now.

Now, back to the real subject of Tradition Seven and how it is important to AA. Jay said it short & sweet: "Whomever pays the piper picks the tune." Since the members & groups pay, they are at the top of the AA hierarchy and get to pick the tune. I wouldn't want it any other way. I wouldn't want outside interests making AA dependent on their contributions and then controlling GSO decision-making by threatening to lessen or stop their contributions.

AA service center depends on member & group contributions, so we're the ones they have to satisfy. If GSO made some very bad or very controversial decisions, the money would quickly dry up until things were rectified.

Traditions good. Tradition 7 good.

Scott

I like the that it has tuaght me that I should and will not rely upon another for me.
Thank God I have learned that if I want something I shall work for it. If I need something it seems to be taken care of when I do the footwork and stay out of the results.