CONTRIBUTION REPORT

This looks like an old thread but here is my two cents any way. I got volunteered to address the poor donation issue at my group especially for the coffee fund. So I was doing research and $2.00 seems to be a classic/historic/standard donation during the meetings. That being said and if this started in 1939 which I have heard read more than once. That being said I went to 5 web site inflation calculators. I got 5 different but pretty close numbers averaging two (2) 1939 dollars would equal about $30.78 a meeting. I haven't found anything on coffee yet. That seems like quite a disparity to me. I know 30 dollars ain't going to fly. I can already hear the arguments and agree with some of them.
Signed:
17 months of sobriety.

Well, last year the NYC area Intergroup told all AA groups in the city that during the 7th tradition break, "we suggest a donation of $2 or more as our rent is X amount every month. But if you can't give, don't worry, just keep coming back..." Apparently, NYC intergroup might have a different interpretation of the 7th tradition then other area Intergroups, I don't know, and I don't mind. I put in $2 because I am blessed to be working again (and that's seriously due to my sobriety and AA) so it's not a big deal for me. To some people, however, that could be a big deal, so they put in less if anything at all. Bottom line, IMO, the 7th Tradition is meant to let members gently know that rent, literature, coffee and cookies do cost money and are necessary to have a comfortable meeting, but "if you can't give, don't worry, just keep coming back. We need you more then we need your money." At the same time, the 7th Traditon also is very careful to let newcomers and people who might be unemployed or otherwise not be doing well with money know that it's okay if they can't give.

There is, however, a difference between not GIVING and not being ABLE to give to the organization that saved your life and you need to start reading those traditions again.