Frequently Asked Questions
The Chisholm Trail Convention is registered with the IRS as "Non-profit Public Charity Organization", does this make them an "outside entity"?
(GSO) - Many parts of our Fellowship have organized or incorporated separately for the purposes of bookkeeping and tax reporting. Doing so, in and of itself, does not make an entity or event“outside” of A.A. Each local committee gets to decide what they believe to be an appropriate level of cooperation. The A.A. Guidelines on Conventions and on the relationship between AA and Al-anon, reflect the sharing your G.S.O has received from many.
(GSO) - Our A.A. Guidelines are not meant to be the final word on any issue. As Tradition Two says, “For our group purposes there is but one ultimate authority—a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience.” The shared experience in service material such as the A.A. Guidelines are intended to help inform a group conscience, not direct or decide it.
In the greater Austin area and District 22, we have many voices with many perspectives on the issues at hand.
(GSO) - A.A. experience has revealed that such dialogue is vital to arriving at what is often called the “informed group conscience.” This idea is described on pages 28-29 of the pamphlet “The A.A. Group – Where it All Begins.”
(GSO) - Our A.A. Guidelines are not meant to be the final word on any issue. As Tradition Two says, “For our group purposes there is but one ultimate authority—a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience.” The shared experience in service material such as the A.A. Guidelines are intended to help inform a group conscience, not direct or decide it.
In the greater Austin area and District 22, we have many voices with many perspectives on the issues at hand.
(GSO) - A.A. experience has revealed that such dialogue is vital to arriving at what is often called the “informed group conscience.” This idea is described on pages 28-29 of the pamphlet “The A.A. Group – Where it All Begins.”
The Chisholm Trail Convention allows donations from outside of AA members and groups. Doesn't this violate Tradition 7?
(GSO) - The issue of raffles is also one that it usually decided at the local level. Some of our members believe the practice to be okay, while others feel it is contrary to the principle of “voluntary contributions” described in our Seventh Tradition. Your General Service Office does not have an opinion or position on such matters.
Based on the long version of the 7th Tradition (below), the relevant issues centers around the use of the name or implying association with "Alcoholics Anonymous" in soliciting funds or accepting contributions which cary any obligations. The Chisholm Trail Convention does not use the name of Alcoholics Anonymous with the world outside of A. A. groups themselves. We describe ourselves as a "Non-Profit public charity organization whos goal is to help those and their families who suffer from alcoholism" as is noted in our official letter of request for donation, always avoiding any use or mention of "Alcoholics Anonymous".
(7th Tradition - Long Version)
The A.A. groups themselves ought to be fully supported by the voluntary contributions of their own members.
We think that each group should soon achieve this ideal; that any public solicitation of funds using the name of Alcoholics Anonymous is highly dangerous, whether by groups, clubs, hospitals, or other outside agencies; that acceptance of large gifts from any source, or of contributions carrying any obligation whatever, is unwise.
Then, too, we view with much concern those A.A. treasuries which continue, beyond prudent reserves, to accumulate funds for no stated A.A. purpose. Experience has often warned us that nothing can so surely destroy our spiritual heritage as futile disputes over property, money, and authority.
Based on the long version of the 7th Tradition (below), the relevant issues centers around the use of the name or implying association with "Alcoholics Anonymous" in soliciting funds or accepting contributions which cary any obligations. The Chisholm Trail Convention does not use the name of Alcoholics Anonymous with the world outside of A. A. groups themselves. We describe ourselves as a "Non-Profit public charity organization whos goal is to help those and their families who suffer from alcoholism" as is noted in our official letter of request for donation, always avoiding any use or mention of "Alcoholics Anonymous".
(7th Tradition - Long Version)
The A.A. groups themselves ought to be fully supported by the voluntary contributions of their own members.
We think that each group should soon achieve this ideal; that any public solicitation of funds using the name of Alcoholics Anonymous is highly dangerous, whether by groups, clubs, hospitals, or other outside agencies; that acceptance of large gifts from any source, or of contributions carrying any obligation whatever, is unwise.
Then, too, we view with much concern those A.A. treasuries which continue, beyond prudent reserves, to accumulate funds for no stated A.A. purpose. Experience has often warned us that nothing can so surely destroy our spiritual heritage as futile disputes over property, money, and authority.
The Chisholm Trail Convention allows Al-Anon Family Group participation; does this mean this is not an "AA" convention?
(GSO)- There is a bit of shared experience regarding this often-asked question in the A.A. Guidelines on the Relationship Between A.A. and Al-Anon, and a bit more in the A.A. Guidelines on Conferences, Conventions and Round-Ups. In the first of these you will read:
QUESTION: When Al-Anon participates in an A.A. convention, what is the financial relationship between the two Fellowships?
ANSWER: The relationship and the financial arrangements usually follow one of two patterns:
1. When an A.A. convention committee invites Al-Anon to participate with its own program, A.A. may pay all expenses (for meeting rooms, coffee, etc.) and keep all income from registrations, etc., in a single fund used to pay all convention bills, after which any excess income reverts back to A.A.
2. Alternatively, Al-Anon may have a separate registration and pay its own direct expenses, plus a proportionate share of common expenses of the convention. Al-Anon, in this case, receives its own share of the registration income and also shares in any losses that may be incurred.
In the second mentioned Guidelines on Conferences, etc., you will read:
QUESTION: How may A.A. and AI-Anon cooperate in area and regional Conventions and get-togethers?
ANSWER: In accordance with the Twelve Traditions, a convention would be either A.A. or Al-Anon—not both. However, most A.A. convention committees invite Al-Anon to participate and plan their own program, and the committee arranges for facilities for the Al-Anon meetings.
QUESTION: Should an A.A. convention committee make a contribution to Al-Anon from the financial profits of the
convention?
ANSWER: In accordance with the self-support Traditions of both Fellowships and to abide by the concept of “cooperation but not affiliation,” it is suggested that A.A. should not make gifts or contributions to AI-Anon. By the same token, A.A. should not accept contributions from AI-Anon. If separate registrations have been kept for both A.A. and AI-Anon,
however, income may be easily assigned.
QUESTION: When Al-Anon participates in an A.A. convention, what is the financial relationship between the two Fellowships?
ANSWER: The relationship and the financial arrangements usually follow one of two patterns:
1. When an A.A. convention committee invites Al-Anon to participate with its own program, A.A. may pay all expenses (for meeting rooms, coffee, etc.) and keep all income from registrations, etc., in a single fund used to pay all convention bills, after which any excess income reverts back to A.A.
2. Alternatively, Al-Anon may have a separate registration and pay its own direct expenses, plus a proportionate share of common expenses of the convention. Al-Anon, in this case, receives its own share of the registration income and also shares in any losses that may be incurred.
In the second mentioned Guidelines on Conferences, etc., you will read:
QUESTION: How may A.A. and AI-Anon cooperate in area and regional Conventions and get-togethers?
ANSWER: In accordance with the Twelve Traditions, a convention would be either A.A. or Al-Anon—not both. However, most A.A. convention committees invite Al-Anon to participate and plan their own program, and the committee arranges for facilities for the Al-Anon meetings.
QUESTION: Should an A.A. convention committee make a contribution to Al-Anon from the financial profits of the
convention?
ANSWER: In accordance with the self-support Traditions of both Fellowships and to abide by the concept of “cooperation but not affiliation,” it is suggested that A.A. should not make gifts or contributions to AI-Anon. By the same token, A.A. should not accept contributions from AI-Anon. If separate registrations have been kept for both A.A. and AI-Anon,
however, income may be easily assigned.