7th Tradition Digital Basket
“Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.”
— AA's 7th Tradition7th Tradition Contribution:
Suffolk Intergroup Association (SIA) receives the majority of its funding from AA groups.
Individual AA members are also welcome to contribute directly to SIA.
Thank YOU for supporting Suffolk Intergroup as we continue to assist AA groups throughout Suffolk County in their common purpose of carrying the AA message to the still suffering alcoholic!
We only accept contributions from AA members and groups.
Click here to learn more about the 7th Tradition and Online Meetings.
Pamphlets, Guidance and other Resources
Online Contribution:
By clicking the ‘Contribute Today’ button you are acknowledging that you are an AA member or group.
You can make an Online Contribution by
- Credit Card
- Debit Card
- Paypal
Offline Contribution:
- Write a check payable to
Suffolk Intergroup Association - If this is a group contribution, write the group name as it appears on the meeting list on memo line of the check
- Please include your phone number on the memo line
- Mail your check to:
- P.O. Box 659
- Patchogue
- NY 11772
AA needs your support more than ever
Please consider continuing to practice our 7th Tradition and make contributions to the service entities that support your group
- your local Intergroup — Suffolk Intergroup Association
- your local General Services Office — Suffolk General Services
- your Area — Southeastern New York (SENY)
- and finally, the AA General Services Office.
| AA Entity | Contribute Online |
|---|---|
 |
Suffolk Intergroup Association |
 |
Suffolk General Service |
 |
Area 49 – SENY General Service |
 |
AA General Service |
Suggested distribution of funds to AA service entities
| Pct | AA Service entity | |
|---|---|---|
| 30% | to | AA General Service Office |
| 10% | to | Southeastern NY General Service |
| 10% | to | Suffolk General Service |
| 50% | to | Suffolk Intergroup Associatione |
Groups
Our groups’ regular meeting locations may still have operating expenses:
- Our valued meeting facilities may rely on our regular rent to help pay their rent, utilities, and employees
- Meeting supplies will still be needed when our meetings reopen – coffee, paper products, literature, refreshments. And after an extended closure, we may experience a large influx of people who are motivated to re-join the fellowship in person.
Intergroups and GSO
Intergroups and General Service Offices still have operating expenses:
- Websites – which we may now rely on more than ever!
- Phone lines, rent and insurance on office space
- Utility and other ongoing expenses
- Paid Special Workers who deserve our continued support. Their compensation is crucial to their ability to serve us.
Districts, Areas and CTFC
Our Districts and Areas and CTFC still have expenses:
- Regular expenses to support the work of committees and events that will take place when the crisis has passed are still there.
- Web services support for groups
- Expenses for venues for events that have been cancelled may still need to be met, since any income from the event won’t be there to support the pre-payment of reservations, cancellation fees, etc. The expense of re-arranging for venues to reschedule events is very real.
Why collect 7th Tradition contributions for online meetings?
Now might be a good time to review an essential piece of AA literature, “Self-Support: Where Money and Spirituality Mix.”
Each group is autonomous and might consider taking a group conscience on whether digital contributions are an option, and which platform (or mix of platforms) best suits their groups’ needs.
How can your Group collect 7th Tradition Contributions?
- Understand the role of treasurer – read The A.A. Group Treasurer to learn about the role of treasurer within the group. Here you will learn the importance of selecting a treasurer, how to safeguard and distribute group funds, what a “prudent reserve” is, and more!
- Group bank account vs Treasurer’s personal account – Your group likely has this sorted out already. For smaller groups, treasurers tend to use their personal bank account and account for group funds using a spreadsheet. A larger group might have a bank account established in the name of the group. For more information on how to set up a group bank account, see this Guide to Obtaining a Tax ID Number.
- Digital payment options – Venmo, PayPal, Zelle, Cash App, Google Pay, Stripe, and Apple Pay are all viable options.
- Take a group conscience – A group conscience is recommended as each member who wishes to contribute will need to open an account with the chosen service. Many members may already have a service they use and prefer.
- You can select one or multiple – A group can agree to use just one service, but larger groups may even want to consider multiple options for their members.
- Consider the costs and benefits of each platform – each service has varying fees for money transfers depending on the users’ chosen method of payment (debit, credit, checking account, etc.). Some may have a more user-friendly interface than others.
Group Contributions Acknowledgement Letter
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the groups for their generous contributions. We make it a priority to send thank you letters for every group contribution received by postal mail.
Unfortunately, some of these letters have been returned to us due to incorrect mailing addresses. Below, you’ll find a list of groups whose acknowledgment letters were returned.
If your group is listed, please ensure that the mailing address we have on file is accurate by contacting the treasurer or corresponding secretary. We want to make sure our gratitude reaches you!