MBAIAA Newsletter – July 2017

Published on January 2, 2018

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

For many of us the key to this step is found in the first word. Humility allows us to accept that we are not in charge.
“Indeed, the attainment of greater humility is the foundation principle of each of A.A.’s Twelve Steps. For without some degree of humility, no alcoholic can stay sober at all. Nearly all A.A.’s have found, too, that unless they develop much more of this precious quality than may be required just for sobriety, they still haven’t much chance of becoming truly happy. Without it, they cannot live to much useful purpose, or in adversity, be able to summon the faith that can meet any emergency.”

-Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions page 70

Alcoholics Anonymous Events To Plan For

Wanna go to Hawaii?!?!?
MBAIAA is holding a raffle.
The winner will get airfare, accommodations for 5 days and 4 nights,
and registration at the 56th annual Hawaii Conference September 28 – October 1 2017. For 2 lucky people !
Buy a ticket and get a chance to win this wonderful trip and at the same time, help support your local Intergroup of Alcoholics Anonymous.
We have a limited number of tickets still available and only 400 tickets will be sold. Each ticket is $10.00. If you would like to purchase a ticket or two (or 3 or 4) contact Central office at 373 – 3713. There are still a few people out there selling them at meetings too.
The drawing will be held at the July birthday meeting – July 29th. You need not be present to win
Good luck everybody!

Monterey Intergroup Birthday / Speaker Meeting
Saturday, July 29th, 7:30pm
Hosted by LGBT meetings-Thursday, Friday and Saturday
The speaker will be announced
This is a monthly birthday meeting held on the last Saturday of each month (except for December when the meeting is held along with a holiday banquet earlier in the month.)
The first part of the meeting includes a presentation of birthday medallions for those celebrating annual A.A. anniversaries and 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 9pm.
Coffee is typically ready no later than 7pm. Arrive early for good parking, fellowship and a great seat!
Monterey High School Cafeteria
Herman Drive at Larkin, Monterey CA 93940

Santa Cruz Birthday / Speaker Meeting
The Birthday Speaker Meeting is an Open Yearly Chip meeting on the Fourth Sunday of each Month beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Arrive early for good parking and a great seat!
Emeline Building D1000 Emeline, Building D
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Barbeque hosted by the Monterey Bay Thumpers
Saturday, August 12th, 1:30- 5:30
Whispering Pines Park at Pacific and Viscaino in Monterey
$1.00 entrance fee Lunch at 1:30, Speaker meeting at 2:15
There will be a 50/50 raffle and CAKE!

Barbeque hosted by MBAIAA and Steering Committee
Whispering Pines Park at Pacific and Viscaino in Monterey
Saturday, September 2, 11- 4:00
We provide hot dogs, beverages, fun, fellowship, games, raffles.
You bring a dish to share, a chair or blanket, sunscreen, games and whatever else you
might think of.
There will be a meeting at 2:00

36th Annual Coastal Rally
August 18th, 19th and 20th
Spreckels Veterans Memorial Building
Schedule of events.

News from General Service

Regarding the importance of our Twelve Traditions:
Following a warm welcome by Terry Bedient, Class A (nonalcoholic) chairperson of the General Service Board, the official roll call by G.S.O.’s general manager Greg T., and a greeting from Bob M. of South Dakota, delegate chair of the Conference, the Conference Keynote address was given by Bill N., general service trustee. “The theme of this year’s Conference is ‘Supporting Our Future,’” said Bill, “and for me there is only one way we can support the future of Alcoholics Anonymous: that is by embracing our great Twelve Traditions. “I say ‘embrace,’” Bill continued, “because enforcement has never worked in Alcoholics Anonymous; it is only when newcomers see those who came before them embracing the Traditions that they will want to embrace them, too. And I am speaking of embracing all Twelve Traditions, not picking and choosing which ones are convenient… We don’t embrace them out of fear but rather out of love for Alcoholics Anonymous, the only thing that has worked to arrest our alcoholism.”

This brings me to some thoughts on meeting etiquette. Having the position of MBAIAA’s “special worker” people often come to me regarding member’s behavior at meetings.
Let me just say that while there are no hard and fast rules, the best guide we have is to adhere to the Traditions in any group situation.

First and foremost, of course, is honoring people’s anonymity. What is seen and heard at meetings is confidential. In most meetings, cross talk is discouraged. This allows people to share freely, without fear of judgment in meetings. Each meeting is autonomous, and can make decisions about format based on group conscience. It is often up to the secretary of the meeting to be sure that the traditions are upheld and that the group conscience is being followed.

We must always protect our ‘singleness of purpose’ – to help the alcoholic who still suffers. The announcements at meetings should be limited to AA related events only.
This includes information about meetings, information about recognized AA service positions, (i.e. H&I, PICPC, Intergroup, GSR).

Something our founders could never have taken into consideration is the world we live in today- full of devices that can be wildly distracting if we let them. In the spirit of the first Tradition – our common welfare should come first – the best thing we can do is to leave our devices in the car or to at least shut them off for the duration of the meeting.

One final word regarding social media. Our eleventh Tradition states “our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio and films.” It seems clear that social media would be included with these forms of communication.

To see current IGR minutes and financials reports CLICK HERE  >>

A Note From Jana

If you are interested in being a part of what we do here at Central Office, I am always looking for office volunteers . People to be on the other end of the phone when someone reaches out for help. It is generally a four hour commitment (either 9:30 – 1:30 or 1:30 – 5:30) 1 day per week. I can also use a few people to keep on a list of those that are willing to fill in for these positions once in awhile. Call or come by and let’s talk!

I have had the pleasure of being your Central Office Administrator for about six months now.
I must be feeling at home now, because I have been adding some personal touches to my office. I covered the large bulletin board above my desk with fabric that depicts a bee hive with many, many bees busily maintaining the hive. I have also placed a banner across the top that says ‘good orderly direction’.

For me, it is the perfect analogy for our program. It takes all of us, working together to maintain our own version of ‘good orderly direction’ – unity, recovery,service, and ultimately sobriety and serenity.

Have a wonderful summer everybody. To quote Ralph Waldo Emerson “Live in the sunshine. Swim in the sea. Drink in the wild air.”

We Are Always In Need Of People To Be Of Service

Here is the link to the service page.
This website is kept up to date by Mike V. and James K. who have designed an extremely workable source of information for local people and for those who are visiting our area. Check it out and thanks a million, Mike and James

In closing, please feel free to stop by. If you are one of the ‘Trusted Servants’ at a meeting (Secretary, Treasurer,etc,) and you have any questions about the responsibilities of that position, don’t hesitate to ask what those responsibilities might be. I am in the office Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30 -5:00.