7th Tradition

“In accordance with the seventh tradition: “Every AA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions. Please give if you can. If you can’t, keep coming back. We want you more than your money. ” 

“Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.” 

This means that only A.A. members contribute financially to A.A. – and even A.A. members are limited in the amount they can contribute. This keeps A.A. free of outside influences that might divert us from our primary purpose — to help the alcoholic who still suffers. The amount of the contribution is secondary to the spiritual connection that unites all groups worldwide.  While contributions cover the group’s expenses, the Seventh Tradition is more than simply paying for rent and other group expenses. It is both a privilege and a responsibility of individual groups and members to ensure that our organization, at every level, remains forever self-supporting and free of outside influences that might divert us from our primary purpose.