I never realized how powerful and meaningful this tradition was until preparing this post.  Until now I thought of this tradition simply as the basket going around the room.  However it is much more.   Tradition seven represents a profound change that S.A.A. has brought about in me and probably in a lot of us.  As an addict I used to say that there was nothing that money could not fix.  I was always dependent on others, and it was usually for money.  I allowed other people to take care of me and to manage the necessities of my life.  As with most addicts in recovery, since coming to S.A.A  I have learned to be accountable for myself and for my recovery.  I am no longer dependent on other people to manage my life.  I am responsible. 

Translate this to the group level and this means that as recovering members of the group we can accept responsibility for the maintenance of our group and not have to accept any outside help.  And by declining outside help we are free to carry the S.A.A. message.

In the beginning we tried to run the fellowships with as little or no money as possible because we thought we had to separate the spiritual from the material.  However, we soon recognized that the fellowship had to function.  We had to pay rent, buy literature and meeting schedules, install phones, pay for secretaries, etc…  If we did not the newcomer walking in the door would not have a place to go.  These simple things required small sums of money that we could pay ourselves in support of our sobriety and the newcomers.  So we soon realized that there was a place where spirituality and money can mix: in the basket.

However, Tradition seven goes beyond collecting money.  This tradition states that each group ought to be fully self supporting.  Being self supporting is more than just paying bills; it is chairing meetings, sponsoring newcomers, any service commitments, and the basic functions of the group.  And to be “fully” self supporting means that all members are participating, that all members are rotating through the basic functions.   This is critical to being self supporting because a group cannot be dependent on a handful of people.  The group will survive when all members are part of the management and responsibilities of the group. 

I have been in recovery for several years and for the 1^st couple years did no service commitments at all.  However in the past year and a half I have been treasurer of one of my home groups and I have chaired meetings as I am able.  I never knew that this was part of Tradition seven, but I did know that it was part of supporting the group so that we could continue to carry the message.  It has and continues to be a great experience and I recommend it to anyone.