MBAIAA Newsletter – February 2024

Published on February 22, 2024

Step 2 – “Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.”

“The moment they read Step Two, most A.A. newcomers are confronted with a dilemma, a serious one.  How often have we heard them cry out, “Look what you people have done to us! Y ou have convinced us that we are alcoholics and that our lives are unmanageable.  Having reduced us to a state of absolute helplessness, you now declare that none but a Higher Power can remove our obsession.  Some of us won’t believe in God, others can’t, and still others who do believe that God exists have no faith whatever He will perform this miracle.  Yes, you’ve got us over the barrel, all right- but where do we go from here?”

Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions – Page 25

What’s Happening Locally

Monthly Intergroup Birthday Meeting – Saturday, February 24th @ 7:00PM

This month’s host will be Good Morning Carmel, held at Church Of the Wayfarer every weekday morning at 7:00AM and on Saturdays & Sundays at 8:00AM.  This group also has a separate Zoom meeting at the same time (see our website).  Rob H. will be our speaker.

Time: Saturday, February 24th 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.  Wear a costume if you’d like!  We will have cake & coffee and there will be much to celebrate – TOGETHER!

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!  Be sure to attend a fundraising event for MBAR on January 26th at the Moose Lodge in Del Rey Oaks at 6:00 pm.  There will be a speaker and then there will be Bingo! (With Prizes!).  There will be hot dogs and beverages as well.

News From General Service

District 01 General Service is busy preparing General Service Representatives to conduct an informed group conscious (Tradition 2) with their group on the Agenda Topics for the 74th General Service Conference in New York City.  Groups are the top of AA’s service structure and groups can participate by electing a GSR to represent them to AA as a whole.

The Plain Language Big Book, The Journey So Far
In 2016 at the 66th General Service Conference, there was a discussion of the need for plain language recovery literature, to make the life saving message of AA more accessible to more
alcoholics, including people with learning disabilities, brain injuries, people in jails and prisons, or people with low reading skills.  The reason for the plain language book is not to change the Big Book, but to make the life saving message of recovery able to reach more people.

In 2021 there was a draft made up that was accessible and relatable to as wide of an audience as possible and that was brought to the 2022 General Service Conference Literature Committee.  In July, 2021, the Trustees literature committee met with AAWS Publishing Department to look for someone who could write the book.  They told the prospective writers that it should be accessible to 5th grade readers and must capture the welcoming and inclusive spirit of AA and inspire a sense of belonging and hope in the alcoholic seeking help.  They chose six vendors who were hired to translate chapter 5.  The trustees and AAWS members read the translations and a writer was chosen.  The contract was signed in May 2022 and the writer of the book is completely anonymous.  All conference members were able to read early samples of the book. Our Area Delegate, Eric L. was able to read chapters of the book and give feedback.

To learn more about General Service, please attend one of the General Service meetings on the second Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. at the Mc Gowen House on the corner of Franklin and High streets in Monterey or, the third Tuesday of every month at 7:00 pm at Bethlehem Lutheran Church – 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

Hi everyone!

I am happy to say that we have settled into the new office (546 Hartnell St Suite E).  It is starting to feel like home for me as well.  I recently ordered a bunch of literature that we needed, so come by and see us here at the office  – It feels all sparkly and new!  It is feeling that we have come back and are on the right track to continue our fellowship well into the future.  Thank you all so much for your support!

Be sure to check out the next event to raise funds for MBAR – There will be a St. Patrick’s Day Dinner to celebrate.  Check back with us on the website for details & updates.

Jana

Look after and support each other and remember that we can’t stay sober alone. Share with others what was so freely given to you.

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