Colorado In-Person Meetings Treasury Information
There is never a charge to attend LifeRing meetings. Financial support, however, is necessary to continue LifeRing’s mission to help as many people as possible to find and benefit from recovery.
Donations make this possible!
Each LifeRing meeting is financially independent and makes its own decisions on how to spend its money. LifeRing meeting charter
The donations from individual meetings can be used to pay any rent for meeting spaces, pay for literature and other expenses such as refreshments, special events etc.
Surplus meeting donations can be given or sent to the Colorado treasurer – Joseph Franklin <lrcotreasurer@gmail.com> to fund the literature, website expenses, special events, and other necessary expenses.
LifeRing Colorado sends surplus funds to the national organization to fund the literature printing, website expenses, special events, meeting promotions, community outreach, and other necessary expenses.
Collection of Money
Traditionally, donations are made when “passing the basket” at each meeting.
(The exception to this would be at locations where meeting participants are not able to donate. This may include prisons, psychiatric facilities and some inpatient treatment programs or similar places.)
You can mention other ways to give back to LIfeRing such as helping to get the word out. Ways to do this include giving the Empower Your Sober Self pamphlet to doctors, community groups, judges, lawyers, recovery groups, DUI classes and sober living housing. LifeRing posters or fliers can be put on public bulletin boards.
The container you use to collect donations can be a basket, or any other container you choose. Some have used a bag, box, envelope etc.
Choosing when to start passing the basket is up to the convenor. (You may want to experiment with the timing.) Keep in mind that if you pass the basket at the beginning of the meeting, any latecomers may miss the opportunity to donate. If you wait until just before closing the meeting, those who need to leave early may not get the opportunity to donate. Some choose to pass the basket at the midway point in the meeting, between personal shares.
Whenever you choose to pass the basket, it is helpful to establish and hold to a regular pattern so that it becomes part of the custom of every meeting. It is also helpful to make an announcement reminding meeting attendees of the value of their donations and thank those who are able to contribute.
Some convenors place a labeled donation container on a literature table and make an announcement reminding meeting attendees of the value of their donations and a word of thanks to those who can donate. This works best if the table is near where the attendees enter/exit so that it serves as a visual reminder of the opportunity to donate.
Other convenors place the donation container in the middle of the circle either on the floor or on the table if one is being used.
It may also be useful to provide a variety of money denominations so people can make change. Some people may also contribute larger amounts less frequently than at every meeting. It is up to each individual to contribute however much and however often they choose.
In addition to the above methods, the convenor may also remind those in the meeting that personal donations can be made directly to LifeRing through the website.
Choosing the Treasurer
As the convenor, you may choose to be the treasurer or someone else in the group may fill that role. When selecting a treasurer, it is wise to choose someone who is financially responsible and stable in their recovery.
The meeting convenor may choose to consult the meeting attendees before making this decision. Once a treasurer is selected, it is important that they review this document and then either the convenor or new Treasurer can communicate to the group which appropriate methods will be used to handle the meeting monies.
The Treasury
Once donation money has been collected, there is the matter of how to handle the treasury records, how to store the money and how to donate any money to the LifeRing organization.
The Records:
When the meeting is over, the Treasurer counts the contributions. Depending on the dollar amount, you may want to have a second person verify the amount.
There are 2 types of records: Donation records and full accounting records that include income and expenses. (The Account Book)
Donation records can be as informal as the back of an envelope or as formal as a computer spreadsheet. Whatever type of record you use, it is advisable to keep the donation account record in 2 places in the event that one record is misplaced or lost. One record can stay in the meeting supply box and the second stays with the Treasurer as part of the Account Book.
The meeting Treasurer’s Account Book is where all donations and expenses are recorded. Expenses may include rent, literature purchases and incidental expenses such as refreshments, special events etc.
Where to Keep the Money:
Treasurers may decide where to keep the meeting money.
Method 1: The “Shoebox System” This means having a dedicated place for the meeting monies that is separate from the treasurer’s personal money. This can be a shoebox, money pouch (available free at anyone’s personal bank upon request) or any other kind of container of choice.
The cash container should not be kept at the meeting location.
When it comes time to pay the rent, other expenses or donate to LifeRing, they take the money out of the shoebox and arrange a convenient method of payment. Some treasurers will pay out cash directly and some take out the cash and then use their personal Credit Card, checks or other method of payment.
Method 2: Commingling with Personal Money. Some Treasurers put the donation monies into their personal accounts after making careful and accurate records in the Account Book and secondary record kept with the meeting supplies. Bills are then paid by a convenient means such as personal check or credit card. (Money kept this way are usually in small enough sums so as not to affect the treasurer’s personal income tax returns.)
Method 3: Business Account. If the meeting has larger sums of money or the Treasurer changes frequently, setting up a business account with checking and or credit/debit card access may be easiest. Meetings that choose this method may find it helpful to consult with the LifeRing Treasurer through the Service Center.
It is also a good policy to keep the meeting cash reserves to a minimum to avoid the accumulation of large surpluses. Each Treasurer will need to determine this amount based on the method of keeping money and the expenses of the group.
In summary, the financial support through donations plays a crucial role in sustaining LifeRing’s efforts to provide a safe and supportive space for individuals on their recovery journey. We appreciate all the individual efforts of convenors and Treasurers that enable LifeRing to continue its mission of providing non-judgmental support to those seeking sobriety.