In response to a recent blog post questioning the ethical implications of charging people to have friends, we’d like to shed light on Bee Sober’s perspective and the positive impact it has on the community.
The Value of Non-profit Sober Communities
Creating and maintaining a sober community is crucial for individuals on the path to sobriety. It provides a support system, a sense of belonging, and a safe environment to engage in alcohol-free activities, which are essential for cementing sobriety.
Investing Back Into the Community
Our organisation is committed to reinvesting the funds generated from membership fees back into the community. The money goes towards offering free counseling services to members, providing coaching, and supporting various initiatives that benefit the community. We love to be inclusive and welcome non-members to our events too and realise that monthly membership isn’t for everyone, so we ask for a small community contribution to allow us to do this.
Ambassadors and Safety Measures
All our ambassadors are subjected to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks and undergo extensive training to ensure the safety and well-being of the community members. Their primary role is to create inclusive and engaging events that promote sobriety and support. We need to fund this through our membership and event contributions.
Financial Allocation
To provide a transparent view of the financial aspect, here's a breakdown of how the funds are utilised:
Free Counseling Services: A portion of the funds is allocated to provide free counseling services to members who may require professional support on their journey to sobriety.
Coaching and Support: Financial resources are directed towards offering coaching and support services to empower members and help them navigate the challenges of sobriety.
Platform Development: The organisation channels funds into developing and maintaining platforms like the app, podcast, and website to disseminate valuable resources and information to the community.
Operational Costs: Money is also allocated to cover operational expenses such as Zoom meetings, website maintenance, app development, and artwork creation to ensure seamless functioning of the community platform.
Time and Resources: Additionally, funds are utilised to compensate individuals for their time and effort in organising and facilitating events, creating content, and providing essential services to the community.
We hope you have come to realise that we would never charge people for friendship. Our charges are for setting up these organised events that are safe and inclusive, catering to individuals on their journey to sobriety. Those who see the value in this often become lifelong members, eventually becoming ambassadors and benefiting from all the aforementioned support. Even those who choose not to become members are usually happy to contribute towards the development of this initiative. We are immensely proud of Bee Sober, and the connections formed at our events often evolve into lasting, meaningful friendships. Bee Sober changes lives, and we believe that the service it provides is truly priceless.
Lisa, Alex and The Bee Sober CIC Ambassador Team
