[Businessmtg] Use of ASP's monies

[Steve Rankin]

Hi ASPers,

Frankly Jerry, I've never heard of "approved uses" for Al-Anon funds.  

If there is a list of such "approved uses" please provide us with the source.


My understanding is that an Al-Anon group may chose to spend its funds on ANYTHING that supports the meeting.  The list of common expenses are:

a.  Rent,
b.  Refreshments,
c.  Reimbursing trusted servants such as the Group Rep, Intergroup Rep, Information Service Rep for their travel expenses to Assemblies and meetings,
d.  Reimbursing speaker expenses for outside speakers
e.  Copying and postage expenses (fliers, schedules, mailings)
f.  Administrative fees, such as banking fees, charges for keys to the meeting facility,
g.  Telephone answering service expenses

Then, AFTER the Group has paid for ALL group expenses, the Group builds an AMPLE Prudent Reserve so that sufficient funds will be available to maintain all the normal group activities during times of financial stress or crisis.

Then, AFTER the Group has built up its AMPLE Prudent Reserve, the Group donates the excess funds to those Al-Anon service arms that support that group.  For f2f Groups, that includes the District, Intergroup, Information Service, Literature Depot, Area, ETC* and of course, WSO.  

What is ETC*?  Well, that could be any Al-Anon organization that supports the Group.  Perhaps there is a committee, such as a conference committee that works with a local AA conference committee that the Group may choose to support.  I know of at least two f2f Groups that do exactly that.

The point is that there is no list of "approved uses" for Al-Anon funds - only the requirement that the funds be spent for Al-Anon related purposes and that funds donated be donated to organizations within the Al-Anon fellowship.  For example, donating to a Battered Women's Shelter may be a noble cause, but that would be an inappropriate use of Al-Anon funds.

In conclusion, I'll note two things:

1.  Both OLAOC and the GSO's of other countries are Al-Anon organizations within the Al-Anon fellowship, and therefore both worthy and appropriate recipients of ASP excess funds.

2.  Both OLAOC and the GSO's of other countries provide service to the members of ASP; OLAOC provides a very regular and direct service to ASP, while the GSO's provide an indirect service much like WSO's service is indirect.


ASP made a unanimous decision - you voted for it too, so you are a part of the problem (if it's a problem) as much as anybody - "that no funds be disbursed to any Al-Anon entity until such time as the prudent reserve & disbursement of excess funds issues have been resolved by group conscience".  We are simply waiting until we have a group conscience on how to disburse our excess funds.  I suggested a compromise solution that I felt addressed the needs and wishes of almost everyone.  Certainly, it's not exactly what every member would like - that's the way compromises are.  At least two members that previously supported sending 100% to WSO have said that they are OK with my suggestion.  It's sounding to me like you are the only hold-out for WSO's exclusivity.


Hugs,
Steve



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