[Businessmtg] Beginner Packet Discussion

[Jerry H.]

Biz-Pals,


I have a big problem with committing to expenses without having first assured funding. The Beginner Packet program initially was envisioned to be much like at a f2f meeting: every newcomer gets a Beginner Packet at their 1st Step meeting as a gift.


There were a number of things going on in 2008 which made it appear as if ASP could support this program - at least for long enough to see if the response was positive. Our treasury was well over our $1301.00 Prudent Reserve and we hadn't resolved what we were going to do with our excess funds. In short we had money to spare.


Today that is not the case. Looking at our Tradition 7 records since we finally resolved to send all funds in excess of our Prudent Reserve to the WSO at the end of every fiscal Quarter - and once we caught up with sending them the funds we said we would, but hadn't - it looks very much like we are operating with balances below that $1301.00 PR amount. We simply don't have the money.


I should mention that the 2017 Tradition 7 records, as I read them, shows no trend of increased member donations. The time to add programs which bring with them additional costs is, according to my personal principles and the Traditions related to being personally responsible, is AFTER a commitment to increase receipts and proof that the commitment is showing positive results. I fully understand the concept of miracles and stepping off the cliff in faith without assurance, but our past history suggests we ought not step off that particular cliff twice.


!!!!HOWEVER!!!!


With a slight redirection in how the program would work I can see a way to move ahead:


Rather than supplying Beginner Packets free of charge as originally intended (but not specified in the motion which authorized the program) were we to set up some sort of "at cost" program where any member, newcomer or not, could send in [$2.00???] for a packet then the program would support itself as would the newcomer be doing, too.


It's worth noting that this duplicates what a newcomer could do on their own by ordering directly from the WSO or a local CDC, but are they in any state to go website hopping?, and wouldn't it be a lot easier if they could just order one up from us? Plus they get the personal touch from ASP.


Summary:

~ I am against committing to a program which adds open-ended expenses without first locking in open ended funding. Perhaps a special appeal to the ASP membership for donations to create a separate Beginner Packet Fund could solve this. Perhaps an individual could choose to support the related expenses for a startup period.

~ I am in favor of creating a self-supporting Beginner Packet program.

~ I feel that, while supporting our group is our first priority, supporting the WSO is also one of our responsibilities. Spending up to or in excess of current donation levels eliminates our ability to continue supporting the WSO.


I should mention here in all fairness that ASP has donated a considerable amount to the WSO in the time since we got our donating act together - far in excess of what any f2f group I know donates. We could conceivable create funds for this packet program or other causes by rewording our current Group Conscience on WSO donations from requiring all funds in excess of our PR go to the WSO quarterly to sending them some set amount reserving enough to cover the packet program.


In any case, though, we would have to find a way to encourage the ASP membership to dig a little deeper because the money just isn't there. Just saying that hurts - those who currently donate aren't the "problem". We have many members who have never donated a dime. Getting folks involved in being self-supporting with even small donations to ASP would likely result in enough money to make this Beginner Packet program an easy choice.


Money first; expenses last.


Hugs,

Jerry

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