MBAIAA Newsletter – October 2017

Published on January 2, 2018

Step 10 – Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.”

“Continue to watch for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, and fear. When these crop up, we ask God at once to remove them. We discuss them with someone immediately and make amends quickly if we have harmed anyone. Then we resolutely turn our thoughts to someone we can help.”
-Big Book page 84-

Alcoholics Anonymous Events To Plan For

Monterey Intergroup Birthday / Speaker Meeting
Saturday, October 28th @ 7:30 PM

Hosted this month by the Living Sober meeting that meets every Friday @ 7:00 PM @ St Phillips Church on Carmel Valley Road. The speaker is Dean.

Wear a costume if you DARE – it is just a couple of days until Halloween!

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 PM
Arrive early for good parking and a great seat!

Emeline Building D1000 Emeline, Building D
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

News From General Service

In the latest issue of Box 459, there is a featured article called ‘ Intergroup / Central Office – Then and Now’. Most of the article revolves around how the availability of information on the internet affects the day-to-day operations of a Central Office.

To quote- “Matthew feels that there is a “certain comfort” about being able to explore the answers to questions individuals may have about their drinking without having to speak to someone, but there is also something that may be lost: “that one-on-one connection with another person. So, the website does encourage people to call, 24/7.” When they do call, miracles can occur. Like so many of the intergroup/central office workers, Matthew has war stories. Once, an alcoholic attempting to detox himself called VCCO, certain that he was having a heart attack. “He was in bad shape,” Matthew says, “and after a long conversation we convinced him to call EMS and get to an emergency room.” Several years later, that same alcoholic — sober now — walked into the office and thanked them.”

Having just returned from a seminar regarding this very issue, it is of great interest to me and to our Monterey Bay Area Intergroup. The bottom line is that our fellowship needs a heartbeat.
Yes, we can get books delivered to our doorstep or to our precious phones.
Yes, we can gather the information necessary to get ourselves to a meeting or even remotely “attend” an online meeting. But is our ‘humaness’ that ultimately brings us together in an effort to survive and thrive.
One alcoholic talking to another alcoholic- that is where we started, and that has proven to be our most effective tool.
So… support your local Central Office. Come in and say hello, purchase literature for yourself, your groups, and for those who are still suffering.
Make a gratitude contribution. Consider contributing on your AA anniversary. Think about being of service and volunteer to answer the phones and staff the office for a while.

The preamble of our Twelve Traditions states:
“To those now in it’s fold, Alcoholics Anonymous has made the difference between misery and sobriety, and often the difference between life and death. A.A. can, of course, mean just as much uncounted alcoholics not yet reached.
Therefore, no society of men and women ever had a more urgent need for continuous effectiveness and permanent unity. We alcoholics see that we must work together and hang together, else most of us will finally die alone.”

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

A Note From Jana

I have just returned from a national seminar for Central Office Administrators just outside of Washington DC. It was inspiring and informative. Learning about the ways in which Intergroups all across America and Canada accomplish the important tasks we are given was humbling and helpful. I am enthusiastic about implementing some of the ideas that were shared.

I would also like to acknowledge the passing of a long time volunteer here at the office. Craig C. was our Thursday morning voice for many years. He was articulate and kind, made a mean cup of coffee and often showed up bearing a plate of his own little treats he called ‘sconitas’. Our deepest condolences go out to his beloved family and his many, many friends in and out of our program.

As November approaches, it is a time when our thoughts traditionally turn to gratitude. As people in recovery, we have much to be grateful for. Thank you all for allowing me to be your ‘trusted servant’.

We Are Always In Need Of People To Be Of Service

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!

In closing, please feel free to stop by Central Office. 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.