Central Service Offices

What is a Central Service Office?

A Central Service Office (CSO) is an AA service office that involve partnership among Groups in a community, just as AA Groups themselves are partnerships of individuals. It is established to do certain functions common to all the Groups, functions which are best handle by a centralised office, and it is usually maintained, supervised and supported by these Groups in their own general interest. It exists to aid the Groups in their common primary purpose of carrying the AA message to the alcoholic who still suffers.

The Functions of a CSO

AA's experience has clearly demonstrated that central offices are essential particularly in populous areas, and there are close to 500 of them functioning around the world, performing vital AA services. Needless to say, these constitute a network of service outlets and AA contacts for which we should be very grateful. Sometimes, however, CSO ventures have bogged down in disputes over money, authority and like matters and have thus become less effective in carrying the AA message. It is not always clear why these troubles have arisen, but often it has been because the proper functions of a CSO were not clearly explained or understood, or because there was some disregard of the principles inherent in AA's Twelve Traditions.

Financing

Suggested methods of financing, a central office:

1. The Pledge System: each Group agrees to contribute a fixed amount, paid periodically, for the support of the office. This assures the CSO of a regular income and help it to plan the best means of meeting its own obligations. But occasionally there are Groups that refuse t support a central office. In these cases, the spirit of contributing voluntarily that prevails throughout AA should also characterise the raising of funds for the office. If Groups can't or won't pay their share of the costs, they shouldn't be denied the services of the office.

2. Sale of Literature: many CSOs publish their own meeting lists, ethers produce introductory pamphlets explaining AA; these can be sold at a profit to help defray office expenses. It is also possible to buy books from GSO at the Group price for resale at the retail price, he profit going to support the office; there are also discounts on pamphlets ordered in quantities of 100 or more.

3. Group Collections: AA Groups participating in the financial support of the CSO may choose to make their contributions by setting aside fixed sums from their regular collections.

4. Special Collections: some Groups provide a special collection b x or basket in a convenient place during meeting times, inviting members to contribute. In that same vein, AA members can make individual contributions on a pledge or voluntary basis directly to the CSO, keeping in mind, however, that such contributions should not exceed $500 in anyone year.

5. Drives and Events: some service offices conduct periodic drives for funds. Others hold yearly banquets, conventions and similar events, using the "profits" for support of the office. For help in financial planning, the 1977 General Service Conference recommended that "a suggested prudent reserve preferably be one to 12 months operating expense, depending on local needs. committees.