An Intergroup carries the message of DRA to the extent its resources allow. It is strongly advised that an Intergroup not incur debt even if it’s a loan from one of the founding members.
Nor is it wise for members to substantially contribute funds out of proportion with the rest of the members and groups involved. When local area groups can afford to invest in an Intergroup and are willing, that may be the best time to undertake such an endeavour.
Carrying the message of DRA at the level of an Intergroup does cost money. Intergroups are guided by the 12 Traditions and Group Conscience in matters of finance. They are also guided by local, state, and federal tax and business laws.
There are several ways an Intergroup may generate revenue, however, it is not a commercial profit-seeking enterprise. The goal is to be self-supporting through the contributions and service work of area members and groups, for the single purpose of carrying the message of Dual Recovery Anonymous.
Area groups may decide, after they have met their needs through the Seventh Tradition and having established a prudent reserve as defined by their individual Group’s Conscience, to divide and send their extra monies on up the DRA Service Network to help support their local Area Intergroup and World Network Central Office. This is entirely voluntary and on an as able basis.
Intergroups may sell books and supplies to Groups within their service boundaries at a modest profit to help sustain their services and usefulness.
Intergroups may coordinate special functions such as pot-lucks, picnics, or dances with a secondary agreed upon purpose of utilizing any extra monies generated by the event to support the activities of the Intergroup.The primary purpose of all such events is always to carry the message of DRA. DRA meetings including speakers meetings are never to be charged for.
DRA meetings that are incorporated into a paid event should ultimately meet the requirements for membership and attendance as suggested by our Twelve Traditions.
For Example, a person may attend a meeting without being required to pay an entrance or ticket fee to a dance. This does not mean they can stay for the dance for free, only attend the meeting.
Intergroups are independent entities guided by the principles of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions just like Groups.
They may hold business meetings and pass the basket according to the Seventh Tradition just like any other DRA meeting. Intergroups may hold Group Conscience meetings to decide such things as what is their “prudent reserve” and what percentage of revenues, if any, to send on up the DRA Service Network.
Intergroups may elect Group Treasurers who maintain the Intergroup’s bank account and keep records.
Intergroups should keep meticulous records, keeping all receipts and accounting for how they handle the resources that the local Fellowship entrusts them with. Good bookkeeping is an important tool to keep disputes over money from destroying the usefulness of the Intergroup.
Groups develop skills to coordinate their service work activities and manage their Group’s finances. They expand their efforts to carry the message and offer contributions as they are able. Some local DRA Groups may not pass extra funds up the ladder to an Intergroup.
In these cases, the spirit of voluntary service remains. When Groups can’t or won’t help share the costs of running and maintaining a local Intergroup, they should not be denied its services.
Perhaps when the Group grows and over time, they will then decide to help support the Intergroup and or become more involved in its service work committees.
Donations and contributions that come with any strings attached are best avoided. Intergroups may utilize office spaces donated by Institutions such as local service providers or advocacy agencies while maintaining a boundary appropriate relationship.
There must always be a clear boundary separating the work of DRA from the work of chemical dependency and mental health professionals.
An Intergroup should never incorporate an institution’s or service provider’s name within its own. It must keep up an obvious appearance of being a separate entity.
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