Concept Eleven
"NA funds are
to be used to further our primary purpose, and must be managed
responsibly."
The eleventh concept ties
together many of the previous concepts. It requires that all
financial resources be used to further the primary purpose,
whether it directly or indirectly affects the addict who still
suffers.
It is important to remember
that it is the work, not the resources, which is important.
Simply put: just because a committee has a lot of money, that
doesn't mean it should take on the largest project it can
imagine.
Responsible management of
resources, both financial and human, requires us to follow the
direction of the groups and our own collective consciences when
assigning priorities to service projects and tasks. Responsible
management also requires that we practice regular reporting to
ensure complete accountability for our financial resources.
Financial responsibility can be
a difficult subject. Funds should be managed by the committee
with periodic comprehensive review procedures, as well as
safeguards designed to protect the individual trusted servants.
Financial reports and written documentation should be kept and
available for others to review. Reports to the respective Area
Service Committee, Regional Service Committee, and World
Services should include detailed financial statements as
requested those committees.
The committee’s decisions
concerning how to spend the money allocated to it should always
keep in mind the necessarily limited nature of our financial
resources; it should also frequently monitor the effectiveness
of its expenditures in furthering the primary purpose. We have
found that making realistic budgets, and then living within
them, is a laudable enterprise, both within the NA Fellowship,
and in life in general. |
