Our story about how Homegroup.Online (HGOL) came to be.
Just elected, Debbie became the new group treasurer. She felt trusted, humbled even, so she aimed to do a great job. She knew the potential consequences and what was at stake.
Debbie asked, “What do I need to do? Does the group have a bank account?”
Karen, the Chairperson, elated to find someone willing, replied, “Yes, the bank needs an individual who is responsible for the account!”
Doubts stirred, and Debbie asked, “Using my social security number?”
Karen’s reply was confidant, “Yes, it’s always been done that way. Matt, our outgoing treasurer, will authorize the bank to swap his tax id with yours.”
Though concerned, Debbie recalled her sponsor’s advice, “I suggest you get a service commitment, and try not to say no.” She knew the importance of following those who came before her. Thus, the question remained unspoken, “What does this mean for me personally?”
Karen concluded, “Don’t worry, this is how all the other groups handle it, and we’ve never encountered any issues.”
While the names are fictional, this scenario is based on my own treasury experience. I asked other groups and the local office if there was a better way, only to confirm this was just how things were done. Though I was nervous, I finished my term as treasurer without any problems.
But that feeling of uncertainty didn’t go away. I figured other treasurers must feel the same, and that’s what kicked off my search for a better solution.
Once I rotated out of that role, I was elected to a series of positions within the General Service Structure. These trusted commitments took me all over the US, attending assemblies and regional forums.
The turning point was the 2016 Regional Forum in Hawaii, where I connected with others who shared my frustration. They were just as lost as I was. After attending meeting after meeting and talking to countless program members, one thing became painfully clear: no one had a solution. continued below…
“ 10 years as an elected servant in General Service, I traveled across the country. The treasurers I spoke to worried about their personal tax exposure. I’ve been blessed to have created a solution that transforms the treasury service commitment into one that’s protected and user-friendly.”
Aaron B. – HGOL Designer
Listen to my personal experience, strength, and hope during an episode of the AA Grapevine Podcast. -Aaron B.
Our homegroup ran into a common problem: money. We didn’t handle a lot, but it was enough to need a bank account. That led to a bigger question: how could we protect our treasurers? To open an account, you need a person or an entity with a tax ID, and we weren’t comfortable asking a member to put their personal information on the line every time the position rotated. It also didn’t feel right in the spirit of self-support. We decided the only sustainable answer was to create a formal organizational entity for the group.
With the treasurer’s tax information now safe, we started thinking about how to make the job easier—collecting money electronically, paying bills, and transitioning to the next treasurer. I was already managing our group’s website, and a lightbulb went on. What if we added a simple e-commerce feature? The group’s name, the website, and the payment tool could all be bundled under the new entity we’d created.
The result would be a simple, secure way to collect 7th Tradition contributions, and a simple password reset to rotate treasurers. That was the moment the idea for Homegroup.Online was born.
The response from my group was incredible. Members loved having the choice to contribute through Zelle, Venmo, or their debit cards. More importantly, our current and future treasurers could manage the finances without ever worrying about their personal tax IDs being exposed.
While building out the site, I realized the system we created for our small group could easily work for many others. I went back to my homegroup and asked a big question: what if we made this service available to any group that needed it? The vote was unanimous. With their blessing, Homegroup.Online officially launched in 2018 as a National Central Office, ready to serve groups and treasurers across the country.
This journey has been a powerful reminder of how small acts of service can grow into something beautiful. The best part is hearing from treasurers from coast to coast who are serving members all over the world. They tell us how grateful they are to have the tax burden lifted, freeing them up to focus on what really matters—welcoming the newcomer.
And we’re just getting started. Protecting treasurers was the first step, but we’re already planning new ways to provide resources and support, making Homegroup.Online a true central hub for groups everywhere.
Homegroup.Online is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. HGOL Financial Clearinghouse, Nonprofit is the parent corporation encompasing Homegroup.Online, LLC and all DBA’s. Learn more