A.A. accepts no money from outside sources. This helps us stay focused on our primary purpose: staying sober and helping others to achieve sobriety. There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership, no pledges or vows, no heirarchy and no orders to follow. Instead, each meeting is supported by the voluntary contributions of its own members. In a basket passed at each meeting, members contribute a few dollars or whatever they can afford.

• These proceeds cover operating expenses:
• Meetings require hourly room rental from a church, community center, or other facility. This rent also covers the use of their parking lot. Many facilities now require meetings to buy liability insurance as well.
• Meeting supplies include coffee and refreshments, paper products, and A.A. literature.
• The Oahu Intergroup serves all meeting groups on the island via a Central Office. There, volunteers answer a 24-hour helpline and sell A.A. literature to meeting groups and individuals. This requires office rent and insurance, phone lines and internet, a website, literature inventory in bulk, computer and software expenses, utilities, etc. A paid office manager handles administrative and accounting tasks, updates meeting listings and the events calendar online, and runs the office.
• Our Districts and Areas also have expenses…
• Contributions support the work of committees and the cost of venues and supplies for events. Additionally, elected Area delegates occasionally travel to the outer islands or the contiguous U.S. to exchange information with A.A.’s General Service Office and delegates from other states, and to participate in voting.

Online Meetings

Even though holding virtual meetings is inexpensive relative to the costs of physical ones, virtual venues require monthly payment, and online groups also contribute to A.A. service entities. To do so, they’ve set up digital contribution accounts with services like Venmo, PayPal, Google Pay, etc. In physical meetings, you’ll often see a QR code in the basket, because some people prefer to contribute digitally.

Remember, too, that service is part of self-support. A.A. members themselves serve as meeting secretaries, group treasurers, coffee makers, literature persons and greeters. This is the heart of A.A. unity. Helping each other stay sober is rewarding, meaningful, and life-affirming.

Groups whose participants refuse to share in the work and minimal expenses of running a meeting don’t last. There is nothing worse than craving the support of others only to find a locked, empty room.

 Individual members and Meeting Groups may contribute digitally to O`ahu Intergroup. Contributions to GSO can be made here.