What is Alano and why do we need it ?
Since the early days of AA, members have sought a place to go for coffee and conversation; a place where we can gather socially that is alcohol free; a place that provides the comfort of a less formal atmosphere than a traditional AA meeting. In addition, we meet, dine, and engage in other activities for sponsorship or fun and fellowship.
This helps us lose our fear of interacting with others as we learn to participate in small talk and group activities.
This is what the Alano Society provides for AA members.
The Alano Society of Kansas City is a registered non-profit corporation in the state of Missouri. It owns and maintains the building for the sole purpose of providing a safe space for Alcoholics Anonymous, other recovery groups and AA service entities.
Some are used to calling the building at 311 West 80th Terrace, “The Club.” Since “The Club” is owned by an entity made up entirely of AA members, we can engage in fellowship activities that are unavailable to those groups who do not own their own meeting places.
As a corporate entity, the Alano Society takes care of the business of maintaining a building (utilities, taxes, internet access, etc.) and providing supplies such as coffee and toilet paper. This does not make any one individual responsible for those bills and allows the AA groups to focus on their primary purpose of recovery and carrying the message of AA.
The Alano Society, like AA, does not accept “outside” contributions. Each of the groups meeting in the building pay rent, the same as they would if they were meeting in a church, office building or other space. Each group pays 90% of the basket collections for rent, allowing each group to be self-supporting even in those months when their attendance, and collections, may temporarily drop. It is also a balanced way to set an amount for the different size groups. Larger groups that meet more often pay more than smaller groups.
However, since the rent is based on a percentage, sometimes the rent collected from the groups does not cover all the expenses owning and maintaining a building. This is where Alano members come in.
I Just Want to Stop Drinking!
Isn’t AA Enough?
How does joining Alano help?
The Alano Society is made up of AA members who wish to contribute a little extra to make sure AA always has a place to meet in Kansas City. The Covid shutdown is a perfect example of this. While many groups lost their meeting spaces, AA groups meeting at “The Club” were still able to meet in person (following local health regulations).
The dues that each Alano member pays make up the difference between the collected rents and actual expenses for the building. This keeps both the groups and the Alano society self-supporting.
Alano Members make a commitment to pay dues, either monthly, quarterly or annually. The members set their own amount as long as it is at least $5 a month, $15 a quarter, or $60 a year. In today’s world that is less than a drink at a bar or a cup of coffee.
Also, as a dues paying member of Alano, you have a voice in Alano operations. You have the opportunity to vote for, or run for, Alano's Board of Directors. The Board is responsible for making decisions concerning the "business" side of “The Club”.
Do I have to become a member to contribute to Alano?
Alano accepts contributions from any AA member. You can make contributions either by cash or check in the office or online at kcalano.org.
With just a little effort from each of us in time, money, commitment and enthusiasm, we will continue to fulfill our primary purpose of maintaining our home away from home so that we can recover and continue to carry the message of hope to those who still suffer.
Please do what you can to support the Alano Society and “The Club”. Every contribution is important and appreciated.
The Alano Board
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Problems of money, property, and authority may easily divert us from our primary spiritual aim. We think, therefore, that any considerable property of genuine use to A.A., should be separately incorporated and managed, thus dividing the material from the spiritual. An A.A. group, as such should never go into business.
Secondary aids to A.A., such as clubs or hospitals which require much property or administration, ought to be incorporated and so set apart that, if necessary, they can be freely discarded by the groups. Hence such facilities ought not to use the A.A. name. Their management should be the sole responsibility of those people who financially support them. For clubs, A.A. managers are usually preferred.
But hospitals, as well as other places of recuperation, ought to be well outside A.A. - and medically supervised. While an A.A. group may cooperate with anyone, such cooperation ought never to go so far as affiliation or endorsement, actual or implied. An A.A. group can bind itself to no one.
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