GOLD CAN FAQ

What is the Gold Can? 

The Gold Can is a permanent fund to provide certified professional ASL interpretation for Deaf alcoholics attending in-person A.A. meetings in the East Bay. “ASL fund cans” are specifically described as an effective way to raise contributions that are aligned with A.A.’s tradition in guidelines  produced by the General Service Office: A.A. Guidelines on Sharing the A.A. Message with the Alcoholic Who Is Deaf (MG-13) aa.org/aa-guidelines-sharing-aa-message-alcoholic-who-deaf 

What is the East Bay A.A. Deaf Access Committee (EBAADAC)?

In December 2023, East Bay Intergroup (EBI) approved a motion to form and fund a Deaf Access committee with a specific purpose: providing American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation so that Deaf alcoholics can attend in-person A.A. meetings in the East Bay. Our committee coordinates this vital service for Deaf members themselves, not for any specific group. Our goal is simple — that any Deaf alcoholic with a desire to stop drinking can find the hand of A.A. at an East Bay meeting, on par with what hearing people experience.

What is a Certified ASL Interpreter, and why are they important in A.A. meetings? Why not use volunteers or student interpreters?

A certified ASL interpreter has passed national or state exams proving they can accurately interpret between ASL and spoken English. ASL is not English shorthand — it is a completely separate language. Professional certification means Deaf members can fully understand what is shared and trust that their own words are accurately voiced.

Volunteer signers and student interpreters are discouraged due to unreliable availability and variable skill levels. When an interpreter doesn’t show up or signs inaccurately, Deaf members may feel excluded or isolated — undermining the recovery experience they came for.

Professional interpreters are also bound by confidentiality standards that volunteers and students cannot guarantee. Because the Deaf community is small, anonymity is easily broken. Certified interpreters give Deaf members the assurance that what they share stays in the room.

How to Contribute 

Donate through our virtual Gold Can at homegroup.online/asl. We also have a label, flier, and QR code you can share with your group. Physical Gold Can kits will also be available for pick-up at the EBI bookstore in March. 

For cash-collecting groups, your Treasurer can submit a group contribution via this link.

We also accept checks: Payable to: Homegroup.Online, LLC

Memo line: ASL — IMPORTANT: please write exactly ASL and nothing else, or we won’t be able to credit the contribution

Mail to: Homegroup.Online, P.O. Box 1001, West Chicago, IL 60186

Can I contribute on a monthly basis?

Yes! Individuals can set-up automatic contributions via PayPal. When you select PayPal as your payment method, you will be asked whether you want to contribute one time or on a monthly basis.

What is Homegroup.online?

Homegroup.Online, an online payment system started and run by A.A. members, which is widely used by online groups in our General Service Area 06 and virtual districts elsewhere to accept digital and check payments.  East Bay Intergroup currently has no process for earmarking contributions to specific committees to supplement their allocated budget. In consultation with the Operations Manager and EBI Board, the East Bay Deaf Access Committee decided to establish a separate committee-managed fund.  

How will you report how Gold Can funds are spent?

Like every East Bay Intergroup Committee, we report each month at the EBI Intergroup Business Meeting held on the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 7:00-8:30 pm. We will also publish a detailed quarterly Gold Can report of the YTD group and individual contributions and expenses.