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Our treasure may be stepping down for one of our meetings. My other meeting I'm already the designate to collect the money when the treasure is not there every other week.
What does it entail? Do you get checking account or do you just keep an envelope? What records do you keep?
Bob
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You are a perfect child of God and God and I love you just the way you are! (added by me...in that special alanon way)
Our meeting is quite laid back. Few members and just enough money to pay rent and buy literature. I think it is as structured as you all need/want it to be. When we have extra cash we donate it back to the service org who is always short. We keep the money in a plastic file and there is not much record keeping to my knowledge.
Most groups have a checking account to pay rent with and make donations to WSO, area conferences, and AIS offices. Plus whatever other expenses they may have. You will need to become a signer on the account, make a treasurer's report at business meetings and balance the checkbook.
Easy as pie Bump!!!
Later Dude,
SenoraBob
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Higher Power doesn't always wrap presents in pretty paper.
I would say it all depends on how your particular meeting is run.
If you are only acting in as a 'temporary' treasurer, I have seen where a member just counts the basket money and places it in an envelope for that week. If you have the Al-Anon Alateen Service Manual 2004-2006 on page 27 it explains the suggested duties of a Group Officer (in this case the treasurer position). Hope this helps,
At my meeting they announced a "election" for a new treasurer. They asked that the person have 2 years in the program at that location. That was the only "qualification" that I remembered and that may be just this group... FWIW
- r
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"Good judgement comes from experience... experience comes from bad judgement" - unknown
There have been several elections for treasurer at my local meetings. From what I have gathered the responsibilities include:
Paying the rent
Inventorying and ordering literature
Collecting the money at each meeting for group and WSO
Keeping updated records of incoming and outgoing monies.
Due to anonymity, many people who take on this service position in my area use money orders to pay the bills. They take out the cost of the money orders and stamps from the treasury, according to our seventh tradition.
It has also been quite strongly suggested that the person who takes on this service position not have active addiction in their home. I was a bit confused by this at first but then it was explained to me that people have left and not returned, embarassed by the fact that money had been taken by the active person. It was to protect the Al-anon from being in a position which may hinder his/her recovery.
It was also suggested that it be a good service position for someone who may not have a lot of experience in finances, as there would be people to help out, offer ESH in this area, a learning and growth experience for the person taking on the position. I thought that was a pretty cool way to look at it, especially since finances are often such a large part of what we struggle with.
I'm the treasurer for our group. We don't do election, but ask for volunteers which is usually discussed at our group conscience meeting. I use my checking account when paying out to World Service, District and local contributions. I do this quarterly. So I keep cash from the meeting in a bank bag, then pay myself when I write the check for the group, keep a copy of the check w/ my books. I do this for renewing the Forum, paying the rent, and other odds and ends that come up.
We have a lit. person who keeps up with what we need, goes and picks up whatever we need and brings back a receipt which I pay out with the cash in exchange for the reciept. If we take up special collections for say a conference we want to support (often they do raffles, blind auctions etc. which we contribute $$ to help purchase items) then we'll pass the basket a second time after announcing at 3 meetings that the basket will be passed twice on a particular day. That money is counted, listed separate from the general account and given to our GR to take to the conference or delivered early. (we also get a receipt for this)
Our group has found it helpful to have the basket and a coffee can. The can is for WSO, we had found we had gotten away from contributing to them regularly. This has worked out well, so I actually have that money listed separate as the WSO Can contributions.
For me the only draw back to not having a checking account is all the change lol...I wanted to shoot our last treasurer, I think she was initiating me, for several weeks in a row she brought rolls of nickles!!! --well at least they were rolled lol.
Another thing is that we don't want to have too much money, so it is our goal to contribute what we can without over extending ourselves. If there is ever too much money sitting idle, then we can find some place to put it, for example we've sponsored a teen at the summer al-ateen camp.
I love our group. I was worried about taking this position but found everyone very relaxed and glad for someone to step up and offer to serve. I'm not sure if it just works out this way or if the group actually has terms (maybe I should ask lol), but I do know the last two treasurers held this position for 2yrs. ea. Our group is very interested in having others share in the responsiblities, if one person holds a position for too long it prevents others the opportunity to serve.
Hope this helps some, looks like a lot, but it's easy.
I wanted to put up another point of view. Why now? I know I once got stuck carrying a meeting of another program. I was put in a secretary job when others just bailed out. I was really up to my eyes in it with the A and in tremendous denial. It was really the worst time for me to think of doing service. And all I could think about was that other's needed me. I have to be incredibly vigilant about what I take on, when I take it on and what else is going on in my life. At certain times in my life, like now. I have to actually pass on opportunities because I find it incredibly difficult to think of me rather than think of everyone else but me.
I have to also say that my taking on the task of being secretary to the meeting (the commitment was riduculous the expectations of others was also ridiculous)when I had so much on put me back a lot. I still have resentment towards the people who set me up. I have to work through my own part in it. Do I need that complication in an already complicated and overwhelmed life. I don't think so.
Hi bump. Like any service, Treasurer is about serving the group and enhancing your own recovery. You don't have to be a 'financial whizz', just willing. The duties are outlined in the Service Manual, your group should have a copy. In the UK on our Literature Request Form they list 'Guidelines' for the individual service positions, perhaps you/your group could order one for the Treasurer position. Our group ordered a complete set to assist those considering service. Its just a single sheet of A4 outlining each position in simple terms. Also, though the previous Treasurer may be stepping down they are usually willing to act as a 'Service Sponsor'. This means they sponsor you into the role, giving you their ESH of their time in that position and 'holding your hand while you find your feet'.
Unfortunately, I have misplaced all my Al-Anon files so I can't be specific as to the requirements. I believe there is a two year minimum membership requirement but I think it is acceptable to waive this in the absence of any other volunteers as 'rotation of leadership' is important for the health of the group and as long as the group doesn't feel such an action would contravene Tradition 4: Each group should be autonomous, except in matters affecting another group or Al-Anon or AA as a whole.
I can't recall the duration of the service but the person stepping down should be able to advise you of this. However, if you do take up the position and find for any reason you cannot continue until the 'term of office' has expired it is perfectly acceptable to step down, preferably giving your group some notice so they can put the position 'back on the table'.
The groups I attend have checking accounts, usually with two co-signatures as this protects the funds and the person serving. It also usually eliminates the risk of an addicted person in the home from being able to access the funds. However, I believe a checking account is optional and if you choose to keep cash at home you obviously need to consider your circumstances as sadly one of our members did experience an A 'running off with Al-Anon funds'. Fortunately, she felt secure enough to explain to the group what had occured and insisted on replacing the funds with her own income and neither her recovery or the groups welfare suffered unduly. The group was understanding and supportive.
The main duties are to collect weekly donations and pay the group expenses; rent, literature, refreshments, group subscriptions to the Forum etc. I believe records should be kept of all incoming and outgoing expenditure. You should get receipts for monies paid out. Where possible groups keep enough in reserve to ensure the self-supporting status but if there is surplus it can be donated to District, Area, Head Office and WSO (also request receipts). The group can choose to spend surplus funds on local P.I initiatives etc. In the UK (I'm not sure if there are differences in other countries but I assume Al-Anon principles are universal) the group pays the expenses for the Group Representative to travel to Distict and Area meetings etc. The GR should provide you with a petrol receipt or train/bus ticket. Occasionally, if the GR wishes to attend a Regional Service Seminar the group can pay the expenses or a contribution depending on its financial status.
Any costs you incur as Treasurer, ie: stationery and stamps should be met from group funds. Also, our group has a Literature Secretary who is responsible for inventorying and ordering the literature. They confer with the Treasurer what funds are available prior to ordering. They can either pay for the order themselves, provide a receipt and then be reimbursed from the treasury or can collect a check from the Treasurer to send with the order. Arrangements can be made amongst yourselves.
It sounds a little complicated but it isn't really. You'll soon get the hang of it and most groups are supportive and willing to help answer any questions that may arise. I strongly recommend service, it was a fantastic opportunity and helped me grow in recovery. Where there's Gods will, there's a way. I discovered personal capabilities I was unaware of and also found that when my circumstances changed and I had to step down from the position of District Secretary that was also a growing/learning experience.
I hope what I've shared you find useful. I tried making a few calls to confirm specifics but unfortunately was unsuccessful. Should you take on service I wish you well and hope you find it rewarding.
I am a group rep and also the treasurer for my group. I think if you can add and subtract you will be fine. I concur with all of the above, it is very easy, add in the donations made weekly and deduct the expenses as needed for the group, and each business meeting (ours is held every first Monday of the month), give a financial report. Its just that easy..............................................gardengal
