03/11/2024
You have to admit that there have been questions raised by many concerned members over the years as to why our Basic Text costs $2.35 to print, and is sold for a 492% profit at $11.55, while there are areas that are struggling and can't afford to buy literature, and don't get a decent price break from the corporation...
We now realize that it is to fund the huge overhead expenses at NAW$.... Addicts are pretty smart, and when we feel as if we're being dope-fiended, we get upset, and we take action.
According to the last tax return, the NAW$' CEO's annual salary was $247,848.
Total salaries including taxes and benefits were $2,947,000 for 50 employees.
Annual rent was $750,000 in the 2nd highest real estate market in the country.
Office expenses were $202,000
"Informational Technology" was $279,000
"Other" expenses (not defined) were $278,000
Travel expenses to conventions and conferences were $1,376,000
And the list goes on to the tune of $10,164,000 in total expenses for the year.. $10 million dollars!!!
Yet Fellowship Development was only $176,000.
We can't help but think that if the overhead expenses weren't so outrageous, we would be able to reduce the price of our literature to every struggling area. After all, what is our primary purpose?
Our program is written in our literature... The more of it that's available and affordable, the more suffering addicts can get our message.
NA was never meant to be a publishing house...
We didn't build our Fellowship by globe-trotting around the world to promote NA. It's about attraction. Many of our members believe that our Traditions are being stepped on by continuing these practices.
We addicts built NA. We started every meeting on this planet, many with just a Little White Book and a few IP's....and we struggled, but we did it. NAW$ never started one NA meeting ...ever.
We have realized that if our Groups print our own literature, (and all editions are being printed now...not just the Baby Blues), and give it away freely, as allowed in the FIPT, our cost is nominal... usually $2.00 or under per book. Why would we opt to purchase books from NAW$ at $11.55 and continue to fund a cash cow? It makes no sense.
I really hope that this better explains a little more clearly as to why our Fellowship is up in arms about all of this. Just know that we love and appreciate you, and we thank you for your decades of selfless service. Hugs...."
