Understanding the Service Expense
Homegroup.Online should be considered an expense, similar to rent or coffee, as we provide a distinct professional service to your specific group or office. Local and national offices receive a percentage of funds only after expenses are met. For example, a contribution to a local or national office does not provide free books or literature.
Commensurate Support and Tradition Eight
We ask groups, events, and offices to contribute an amount commensurate with the financial services provided. Because groups vary in size and meeting frequency, Homegroup.Online does not set a fixed dollar amount. Instead, we rely on the honor system, self-support, and voluntary contributions.
Paying an amount commensurate with these services ensures that groups are upholding Tradition Eight, practicing ethical business standards, and ensuring they do not take unfair advantage of these unique resources.
“…we undertake to pay every cent of our own service expenses…”
— Bill W., November 1960
The Value of Professional Service
When considering your contribution, we invite you to calculate the cost of obtaining these same services through non-12-step professionals. Homegroup.Online provides significant tangible and intangible benefits:
- Fund Management: We manage electronic accounts, collect all contributions, and issue all payments on your behalf.
- Compliance: We stay current with tax laws, banking regulations, and nonprofit compliance, including filing IRS returns.
- Privacy Protection: We protect the treasurer’s Social Security number and the Tax IDs of all subsequent treasurers.
Next Step: Please discuss Tradition Eight in your next group conscience or business meeting. Providing a dollar amount commensurate with services received reflects the true spirit of Tradition Eight and of being “fully self-supporting.”
Homegroup.Online is currently working toward becoming fully self-supporting. In the meantime, dedicated volunteers provide these 12-step support services to you and your members. To help offset our operating shortfall, a nominal fee of 0.9%—which is less than one penny per dollar—is applied to contributions. Once we achieve full self-support, this fee will be discontinued.
Homegroup.Online as a Valued Service Entity
The distribution of 7th tradition, after expenses are met, sustains the operations of the offices that support our fellowship. If your group, office or event considers Homegroup.Online a valued service entity, your financial support, in addition to the standard expense, would be greatly appreciated.