FAQ
1. WHO OWNS COMMON GROUND?
Common Ground is owned by the Eastern Shore Recovery Foundation.
2. WHAT EXACTLY IS ESRF?
ESRF was created by several local individuals exclusively for the purpose of providing a meeting place for recognized 12-step recovery programs. ESRF is a not for profit charitable foundation similar to other charitable foundations such as hospital foundations. ESRF built Common Ground in 1991 and a new building in 2005. The sole purpose of ESRF is to maintain the facilities and insure that it is used only for the intended purpose. A Board of Directors elected by ESRF members insures the operation of Common Ground. They receive no salary or privileges.
3. WHAT DOES ESRF DO WITH ALL OF THE MONEY COLLECTED FROM MEMBERS AND THE GROUPS WHO MEET AT COMMON GROUND?
The money is used only to maintain the facilities. This includes regular expenses like utilities, a/c maintenance, insurance, as well as unplanned expenses such as roof repair, carpet replacement, or any other unexpected expense. As we all know, expenses each year such as utilities and insurance are constantly on the rise.
4. WHY DOES ESRF CHARGE THE GROUPS SO MUCH TO MEET AT COMMON GROUND?
ESRF has always kept the "rent" to the absolute minimum needed to maintain the facilities.
5. I HAVE HEARD THE ESRF TAKES IN MUCH MORE MONEY THAN IS NEEDED AND ACTUALLY HAS A LARGE SURPLUS.
In 2010 ESRF received $30,000 in rent from groups that meet at Common Ground yet had about $33,000 in expenses to maintain the facilities. The shortfall of $2,600 had to be made up from ESRF members and benefactors. In addition, ESRF tries to maintain a prudent reserve to take care of emergency expenses and long term upgrades to the facilities such as carpet replacement, increase in insurance premiums, and other unexpected expenses.
6. COULDN'T MY GROUP FIND ANOTHER PLACE TO MEET SUCH AS A CHURCH THAT WOULDN'T MAKE US PAY TO MEET THERE?
In general, recognized 12-step groups interpret the 7th Tradition. "Every group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions," to mean that "free rent" is an outside contribution.
7. SO WHY SHOULD I BECOME A MEMBER OF ESRF?
Your membership goes a long way to help keep the "rent" paid by recovery groups as low as possible while at the same time keeping the facilities at Common Ground in good shape. All membership donations benefit individuals in recovery regardless of their ability to pay and are tax deductible. Several thousand outpatient 12 step recovery meetings are held annually making ESRF the largest not for profit charitable provider of outpatient recovery on the Eastern Shore, in Baldwin County and the greater South Alabama area. ESRF members can also help by voiting for or becoming ESRF Board Members and can help with various volunteer projects. Probably the greatest reason to join is to help insure that in the future anyone in need of a recovery group will have a place to meet.
8. WHO ACTUALLY MANAGES ESRF?
ESRF is managed by a board selected by the members of ESRF. The current board members are on a list that is taped in the window next to the front door of the main building.
9. OK, IM CONVINCED! HOW DO I JOIN ESRF?
To join click on the BUY NOW link on the home page under your desired membership and submit your payment.* Or you can mail your NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER, and PAYMENT FOR MEMBERSHIP to ESRF and we will contact you upon receipt.
* Refund policy: All refunds must be approved by the Board of Directors. Please contact Larry Turner at 251-947-1065 with any problems.