MBAIAA Newsletter – August 2020

Published on August 9, 2020

Step 8 – “Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.”

“When I approached the Eighth Step, I wondered how I could list all the things that I have done to other people since there were so many people, and some of them weren’t alive anymore.  Some of the hurts I inflicted weren’t bad, but they really bothered me.  The main thing to see in this Step was to become willing to do whatever I had to do to make these amends to the best of my ability at that particular time.  Where there is a will, there is a way, so if I want to feel better, I need to unload the guilt feelings I have.  A peaceful mind has no room for feelings of guilt. With the help of my Higher Power, if I am honest with myself, I can cleanse my mind of those feelings.”

Daily Reflections  Page 229

What’s Happening Locally

Unfortunately during this time of ‘Shelter in Place’, we cannot gather together in celebration as we usually do.  No events will be scheduled for the foreseeable future.  That said,  Monterey Bay Area Roundup 2021 is in the planning stages – a logo contest happening now! . There are also Zoom meetings happening as well. CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON THE LOGO CONTEST

Remote Meetings

We now have a temporary page on the website listing all of our Remote Meetings. The page now lists 37 virtual meetings and 8 of those meet daily. And the Remote Meetings page also lists information on protecting our anonymity at virtual meetings. Read it carefully and join us online. We need each other to continue our sobriety.

Digital Contributions At Online Meetings 1

Online meeting spaces make it difficult to “pass the basket.” Some groups have set up digital contribution accounts with services like Venmo, PayPal, Google Pay, etc. to deal with this problem. Now might be a good time to review an essential piece of AA literature, “Self-Support: Where Money and Spirituality Mix.”

Each group is autonomous and might consider taking a group conscience on whether digital contributions are an option, and which platform (or mix of platforms) best suits their groups’ needs.

Why collect 7th Tradition for an online meeting?

Our regular meeting locations still have operating expenses

  • Our meetings facilities may rely on contributions to pay their rent and utilities
  • Meeting supplies will still be needed when our meetings reopen – coffee, paper products, literature, refreshments. And after an extended closure, we may experience a large influx of people who are motivated to re-join the fellowship in person.

Central Office and the General Service Office still have operating expenses

  • Websites – which we may now  rely on more than ever!
  • Phone lines, rent and insurance on office space
  • Utility and other ongoing expenses
  • Paid Special Workers who deserve our continued support. Their compensation is crucial to their ability to serve us.

Our Districts and Areas and H&I still have expenses

  • Regular expenses to support the work of committees and events that will take place when the crisis has passed are still there.
  • Web services support for groups
  • Expenses for venues for events that have been cancelled may still need to be met, since any income from the event won’t be there to support the pre-payment of reservations, cancellation fees, etc. The expense of re-arranging for venues to reschedule events is very real.

News From A.A. World Services

Here are the Committee Considerations from May’s 70th General Service Conference.

Current IGR Minutes and Financial Reports

A Note From Jana

Hello Fellow Alcoholics,

Here we are, 5 months into this pandemic, 5 months into the Shelter in Place regulations, and 5 months into this new way of gathering together called Zoom.  I am enormously pleased at how we have been able to respond so quickly to this tremendous change and continue to carry the message in new ways.

There is a great deal of information on our website that should answer any questions your groups might have about the best ways to conduct meetings and to keep them protected.  Each group is autonomous, and so can proceed in whatever fashion they deem best for their group.  There are a select few of meetings that have chosen to meet outdoors and you can access the information about those meetings, also on our website.

As the Pandemic continues, we will all make decisions about our own physical safety and meetings will move into hybrid meetings (Zoom and physical) and other variations that some of us haven’t even thought of yet.  Please check the website often to see what changes have come about. It is very informative and the only way we have to communicate with each other

On that note, I am sending out a plea once again for increased IGR participation. It is more important than ever for us to be informed.  The IGR meeting continues to be the 2nd Tuesday of each month. If your group wants representation, elect an IGR (intergroup representative) and have them contact me.

I am pleased to tell you that MBAIAA is in a healthy financial situation with a good strong prudent reserve to see us through this difficult time.  This is a storm we can weather, but it is nearing the time to dip into that reserve so that we can meet our obligations.  Any personal contributions are welcome.  Please remember to support your individual groups.  All of the entities of AA need your support.  Our web page indicates the various ways to support AA.  Along with those, we’ll be adding a Paypal button to our website this week.  Remember too that you can always go old school and mail a check to MBAIAA 1015 Cass St #4 Monterey CA 93940.  Better yet, go really old school and drop a cash contribution in the mailslot at the office.  I go to the office to check the mail frequently and I also am happy to meet you there if you need literature too.  Just email me via Central Office.

Once again I must stress the importance of unity.  Protect yourself and your loved ones and, together in fellowship, we will get through this.

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

1 This information is from the AA Intergroup of SF & Marin Online Contributions page.