The Club OSAT
What is the mission of OSAT? To provide
a clean and sober environment for members and friends of 12-step recovery
groups to participate in outdoor and social events in the spirit of
conservation, preservation, and ecology.
What is the legal status of OSAT? OSAT
was organized as a Washington non-profit corporation on August 16, 1995.
It was subsequently recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as exempt
from federal income tax as an organization described in section 501(c)(3)
effective on the incorporation date. OSAT's employer identification
number is 91-1689702.
Did OSAT just get started in 1995? No.
Although OSAT did not formally organize until 1994 (by-laws) and 1995
(incorporation and tex exempt status), OSAT actually began in essentially
its current form in April, 1991. Jimmy Hinkhouse, a recovering alcoholic,
founded OSAT as an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) group and an associated
outdoor and mountaineering club. The AA group distinguished itself from
the more traditional AA meetings in that it conducts AA meetings primarily
in wilderness settings.
Why was OSAT founded? Hinkhouse believed
that his interest in outdoor activities in general, and mountaineering
in particular, were important components to his recovery from alcoholism.
His goal was to establish a group of recovering alcoholics which could
provide the necessary training and experience in mountaineering to make
it an important aspect in the recovery of other individuals.
Why was OSAT an AA group and a separate club?
The OSAT club is separate and distinct from the OSAT AA group in respect
of AA Tradition Six, which states that "secondary aids to AA, such
as clubs which require property or administration, out to be incorporated
and so set apart that, if necessary, they can be freely discarded by
the groups." The club was organized because OSAT activities were
not limited to 12-step meetings, and involve some inherently dangerous
activity, such as mountain climbing, which therefore required a way
to insure that only qualified people were allowed to participate. This
goes beyond the "desire to stop drinking" membership requirement
for AA. The club also owns a small amount of equipment made available
to members, particularly those who are new to mountaineering and who
therefore do not have their own specialized equipment to participate
in technical activities.
What are OSAT's principal activities? OSAT
provides support and education to people with alcohol, other drug, and
other dependency problems. OSAT currently sponsors three weekly 12-step
Recovery Program meetings in wilderness settings in the greater Puget
Sound area. (During the Winter, one meeting moves indoors.) The club
organizes mountain climbs, trail work parties, and outdoor retreats
which involve teaching members the benefits of these activities as a
part of their recovery. Twenty to thirty such events are organized each
year. Most of these activities include 12-step meetings, education,
and recovery support. The organization relies on existing members, providing
their expertise on a voluntary basis, to teach new members the skills
and the linkage between sustaining physical well-being, drug- and alcohol-free
living, and the enjoyment of those activities. The foundation of the
education program is a mountaineering course conducted each spring for
20-40 new members. A monthly club meeting welcomes new members, includes
a short business meeting,and typically features a lecture, slide show,
or video about mountaineering. The club also organizes running activities,
kayak trips, cycling, and less strenuous hikes and camping trips.
How does OSAT qualify as a charity? Although
the OSAT club asks members to pay dues to support its newsletter, The
Yodel, its activities are not limited to dues-paying members. The
only requirement to participate in OSAT is agreement to abide by the
principles of anonymity and abstinence. The hotline and newsletter are
provided free-of-charge to non-members evaluating whether OSAT could
aid their recovery. Our activities are open to people who are not in
recovery, but those who are not are primarily spouses or health care
professionals. Our experience is that the few individuals who have participated
who are not either members or friends/spouses of members of 12-step
programs do not stay in the club for long due to the focus on recovery
in OSAT activities. Many club activities include 12-step meetings, and
a few professionals in the field of chemical dependency counseling who
are members provide informal counseling without charge within the context
of the club activities. In addition to outdoor activities, OSAT works
with treatment centers at their request to expose their clients to our
program within the context of their own treatment programs.
How many people participate in OSAT?
The active, dues-paying membership numbers approximately 150-200, but
two to three times that number participate in OSAT activities including
the weekly 12-step meetings.
How does OSAT fund its operations?
Membership dues cover about half of the annual expenses. The remainder
comes from donations and fund raising through sales of merchandise and
activities such as pancake breakfasts.
How are funds received by OSAT? Current
annual cash flow is approximately $4,000. About half of this is associated
with communications to existing and potential new members, primarily
through the newsletter, web site, and telephone hotline. The remainder
is used for meeting site rental, reproduction costs for training course
and club informational materials, postage, organizational costs, hosting
the web site, and the purchase of equipment owned by the club for loan
to members. The club also provides memberships free-of-charge to people
who are unemployed or otherwise in financial distress. Club funds are
NOT used to cover the direct costs of activities or trips, which are
paid for by the participants.
How is OSAT administered? A five-member
board is elected fro overlapping two-year terms to oversee the operation
of the club in accordance to oversee the well-being of the club, and
also serve as the corporate board of directors. Standing committees
administer the climbing course, communication with recovery centers,
publications, telephone hotline, finances, and equipment loaning.
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