MBAIAA Newsletter – September 2017

Published on January 2, 2018

Step 9 – “Made direct amends to such people wherever possible except when to do so would injure them or others”

“Learning how to live in the greatest peace, partnership, and brotherhood with all men and women, of whatever description, is a moving and fascinating adventure.

But every A.A. has found that he can make little headway in this new adventure of living until he first backtracks and really makes an accurate and unsparing survey of the human wreckage he has left in his wake.”

Alcoholics Anonymous Events To Plan For

Monterey Intergroup Birthday / Speaker Meeting
Saturday, September 30th @ 7:30 Hosted by Carmel Valley’s own Mighty Muffins They meet every weekday at 7am and weekends at 8am at the Community Center on Ford Rd in Carmel Valley. The speaker is Tom E. 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 )

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

News From General Service

I have had some calls recently inquiring about how we can help those of our members who have suffered such tremendous losses in Texas and Florida.
I have received a communication from General Service regarding this issue which can be read in it’s entirety.

Some of the cogent questions follow:
Q. Can I send money to G.S.O. and specify that it be used for disaster relief activities, such as replacement of literature?

A. Every A.A. dollar received at G.S.O. is used on a priority basis to carry A.A.’s message when a need is expressed. This includes responding to literature needs after disasters. G.S.O. does not accept A.A. funds that are earmarked for disaster relief or any other specific project, since G.S.O. needs to be able to respond whenever and wherever there is an expressed need.

Q. So what can I do to help?

A. Many A.A. members choose to support non-A.A. relief organizations in the wake of a disaster as private citizens and individuals. Members may feel compelled to reach out and assist with efforts to bring food, water, shelter and medicine into affected areas. Our experience suggests that many A.A. members in the past have helped as private citizens through relief organizations in just this way. In keeping with A.A.’s Traditions, these members do not give donations under the A.A. name or credit A.A. in any way. Due to the challenges mentioned above, in most cases this office would not be able to list specific ways to help an A.A. community affected by a disaster. G.S.O. handles direct requests for literature from those affected. If a situation arose where the expressed need could not be met by G.S.O.’s resources alone, we would contact local A.A. groups and ask for additional help. This has not occurred to date.”

The article closes with these words
“A.A.’s shared experience suggests that after a disaster, local A.A. offices and groups require very few contributions of money or complimentary literature. In many cases, local A.A. members are happy to work together to replace lost literature or office supplies before asking for help outside their local A.A. community. Local groups often make whatever repairs are necessary to their meeting places. Regardless of your personal or group response, it is important to keep in mind that many of the affected areas may not have mail delivery, electricity, or available storage space after a disaster.”

So in the spirit of autonomy, our best advice comes from the traditions and our trusted servants who have been through this before.
If there are specific requests for help from the affected areas, I will be sure to pass them along in this newsletter and also through the IGRs at group level.

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

A Note From Jana

We had delightful time at our first ever Labor Day Barbeque. Despite the heat, it seemed that everyone had a nice day. A special shout out to Gary B. who had the brilliant idea to bring the sprinkler from his yard. You really haven’t lived until you’ve seen a bunch of grown adult alcoholics running through a sprinkler fully clothed! Seriously, we all know that events like that do not put themselves together.

Our Steering Committee came together to organize the event in record time. Special thanks go to Chris T. for doing a fantastic job as Chairperson and especially to Whalen R. and Chuck E. for planning, shopping for, and cooking all of that delicious barbequed food. They were not in any way daunted by the 100 degree weather and we are deeply grateful for their efforts.

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. Currently, I need 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!

We Are Always In Need Of People To Be Of Service
Service opportunities available

That 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 (1015 Cass St #4, Monterey). 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.