MBAIAA Newsletter – July 2023

Published on July 25, 2023

Step 7 – “Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.”

“In all our strivings, so many of them well-intentioned, our crippling handicap had been our lack of humility, We had lacked the perspective to see that character-building and spiritual values had to come first, and that material satisfactions were not the purpose of living. Quite characteristically, we had gone all out in confusing the ends with the means, Instead of regarding the satisfaction of our material desires as the means by which we could live and function as human beings, we had taken these satisfactions to be the final end aim of life.”

Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions – Page 70

What’s Happening Locally

Monthly Intergroup Birthday Meeting – Saturday, July 29th @ 7:00PM

This month’s host group will be Young People.  This meeting is held in-person at the Fellowship Hall (519 Hartnell St.) in Monterey at 7:00PM on Saturdays.  Our speaker will be Aaron B.

Time: Saturday, July 29th at 7:00PM
Place:  Monterey High School Cafeteria – 101 Herrmann Dr. Monterey CA 93940

Please come and support the fellowship!  You’re encouraged you to celebrate in whatever way makes you comfortable – wear a mask, don’t wear a mask, hug, don’t hug.  No judging of others who may or may not do things the way you would like them to.  Kindness, love and celebration will be the order of the day.

The monthly birthday meeting is held on the last Saturday of each month (except for December when the meeting is held along with a holiday banquet ).  The first part of the meeting includes a presentation of birthday medallions for those celebrating annual A.A. anniversaries – all are invited to participate.  Birthdays are followed by an A.A. speaker who shares for 40 to 45 minutes and the meeting ends about 8:30pm.  Coffee is typically ready no later than 6:30pm.  Arrive early for good parking, fellowship, and a great seat!

Monthly MBAR Planning meetings

Monterey Bay Area Roundup is a conference held at the conference center in Monterey in September. Get Involved in the planning- fun, and fellowship! The meetings are on the 2nd Saturday of every month at 10:00 am on Zoom.

  • ID 831 4306 2293
  • Password 2024

Be sure to join them as they plan the big MBAR event for September 2024!

News From General Service

General Service Happenings…

  • General Service is thrilled to announce we now have a District Committee Member, Mary Jane!  Welcome!
  • Bridging the Gap continues to open up meetings in facilities.
  • A General Service Representative created a flier inspired by the Delegate’s report to inform and encourage group treasurers to contribute digitally.
  • General Service is hosting the Fall Assembly on November 4, 2023, at the Moose Lodge. We need volunteers to help us plan the Fall Assembly. The Assembly will bring 250 members from the Central Northern California Coastal Area. This will be a fantastic event so we hope to see you there.

To find out more please attend one of the General Service meetings on the second Tuesday of every month 7:00pm at the Mc Gowen House on Franklin and High in Monterey, or the third Tuesday of every month 7:00pm at Bethlehem Lutheran Church at 800 Cass Street in Monterey.

“I am responsible, when anyone, anywhere reaches out for help, I want the hand of A.A. always to be there, and for that, I am responsible.”
Responsibility Statement

IGR Minutes & Current Financial Reports

A Note From Central Office

Summer Greetings!

These long days of light seem to symbolize our recovery.  After living in the darkness of alcoholism, we have arrived now, in the sunlight of the spirit, to carry on with our lives in ways in which we can be useful and productive.  I feel that MBAIAA has now seen its way through the difficult road of a critical worldwide health crisis, and we seem to have landed on our feet, ready to face the coming years…TOGETHER!

Being of service is one of the legs of the AA triangle. We have many opportunities to be of service either in ways of ‘one alcoholic to another’ or serving our groups, our home groups, or the local fellowship.  Raise your hand!  When opportunities arise; RAISE YOUR HAND!

Things are going smoothly here at the office. We are currently looking for a volunteer at the office for 4 hours on Thursday afternoons (1:30-5:30).  Very light administrative tasks and a pleasant voice on the phone to help direct phone calls from still-suffering alcoholics is all that is required to fill this position. It is suggested that you have at least 6 months of sobriety. Please contact us here at the office (831 373 3713) if you are interested in being of service.

I was recently able to add $8,000.00 to our Prudent Reserve, due to a generous bequest from a deceased member of Alcoholics Anonymous and a successful Unity Day.

Be a part of what has been given freely to you!  Step up and volunteer to be a part of this terrific fellowship and together we can all take Alcoholics Anonymous into the future with a single mission – to help the alcoholic who still suffers.

We will be gathering soon to start planning another favorite event – The Annual Dog Show!   This fun event will be coming in mid-October, so get your dog ready  – teach it tricks, get it groomed (or not), teach it to parade, etc!

Please keep Central Office posted about any meeting changes or any special events that might be happening. This Intergroup is about one thing – FELLOWSHIP!  We need each other to continue to be happy, joyous and free.  Look after each other, support each other, and remember that we can’t stay sober alone.  Share with others what was so freely given to you.

Be well,

Jana

“Nothing is so bad that a drink won’t make it worse.”
The Best of the Grapevine volume 3