MBAIAA Newsletter – December 2018

Published on December 23, 2018

Step 12 – “Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and to practice these principles in all our affairs.”

“Life will take on new meaning. To watch people recover, to see them help others, to watch loneliness vanish, to see a fellowship grow about you, to have a host of friends – this is an experience you must not miss. We know you will not want to miss it. Frequent contact with newcomers and with each other is the bright spot of our lives.”
Alcoholics Anonymous, page 89

Alcoholics Anonymous Events To Plan For

Visit our events calendar for a complete list of events

Holiday Potluck and Birthday Meeting
Saturday, December 29th at Monterey High School

Hosted annually by your MBAIAA Steering Committee. The speaker will be Nick K. The doors will open at 5. The dinner starts around 6. There is a suggested donation of $5.00 and please bring a side dish to share. We will provide ham and turkey and beverages. The meeting starts at about 7 (as always, the meeting is free). 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. The birthdays are followed by our speaker , Nick K. who shares for 40 to 45 minutes and the meeting ends about 9pm. Coffee will be ready no later than 5:30pm. Arrive early for good parking, fellowship and a great seat! The Steering Committee and the IGRs have voted to increase the price of the raffle tickets at the monthly birthday meeting from $1.00 to $2.00 or 3 for $5.00. So come prepared! See you there…

Monterey High School Cafeteria
Herman Drive at Larkin, Monterey CA 93940

Holiday Alcathons

Hosted by the various daily meetings (6:45 am, Noon and 5:30 pm) at the Fellowship Hall in Monterey. For further information, see the Calendar page on our website.
In a nutshell, there will be meetings every hour on the hour from 6:45am til at least 11:00pm on December 24th, 25th and 26th and December 30th, 31st and January 1st. There are many service opportunities available. Any questions? Email inquiries to alcathonmfh@gmail.com

News From General Service

A new issue of Box 459 has just arrived here at Central Office. Box 459 is a quarterly publication from the General Service Office of A.A.
The feature article this quarter is about inclusion. Tradition 3 states that “the only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.”
“When anyone, anywhere reaches out for help, I want the hand of AA always to be there…” The Responsibility Statement is one of the cornerstones of our Fellowship, but it is critical to remember how different the hand that reaches out may be from the one that reaches back. Although special meetings do serve their purpose in making members feel more comfortable, it is each member’s responsibility to make every meeting as open and welcoming as possible.”
The article goes on to say that A.A. has published four new pamphlets:
“Women in A.A.”
LGBT Alcoholics in A.A.
A.A. for Alcoholics with Mental Health Issues…and Their Sponsors
The ‘God’ Word

If you would like to read further please go to Box 4-5-9 at A.A. World Services.

To see current IGR minutes and financial reports CLICK HERE

A Note From Jana

The end of the year is quite near. Always a good time to reflect on the year gone by.
First I would specifically like to thank our office volunteers. Walter is our Volunteer Coordinator. He makes sure that every weekday there is someone here to be the voice of AA. Many people have stepped up to be that voice in the past year including Jeannie, Tim, Mary, Catherine, Christina, Diane, Michelle, Megan, Carrie, Jessica, Joy, Phil, Caroline, (please forgive me if I have omitted anyone).

When the office is closed, we have an answering service that has a list of Twelfth Step volunteers who have provided their phone numbers to be available to reach out to the alcoholic who still suffers. Please consider being of service in this way. Give us the times that you are willing to take a 12th step call, and we will add your name to the list. Let me know here at Central Office – 373-3713 (the very same phone number for over 50 years!). So, many thanks to the folks who work at the answering service and all of you take those oh so important calls.

I’d also like to thank the members of our web team. Mike, Alex and Joe work together to make our very successful and user friendly web site. They have more than doubled the number of website visits in the past year! In this day of technology, it is the most common way that people seek information and help.
They have also enabled us to utilize digital contributions – much more about this in the new year. We have successfully done a test run and are ready to launch digital contributions for our local groups or individual that wishes to participate in 2019.

Thanks also to the Steering Committee and IGRs. They are the trusted servants that make MBAIAA function. A special thank you to Flossie who is the outgoing Chairperson of the Steering Committee. Much has been accomplished in her 2 years of service at this important position. WE helped get all of these things done: Kept Steering Committee positions filled and increased IGR participation; did Informal Audits of 2016 and 2017 financials; completed an Office Administrator assessment; held 50th Anniversary Event; Unity Day 2018; Launched YIPPEE Committee ideas including Step Workshop Series in May and increasing raffle ticket price to $2; continued to promote MORE than $1 in basket; held Secretary’s Training Workshop; Website significantly updated; Digital Contributions concept launched; revised our Prudent Reserve policy; continued a good working relationship with Beacon House; supported an active and growing MONYPAA group; Raised more than $2K with Hawaii Raffle; continued our tradition of coordinating a Holiday Event; launched Grapevine support ideas; and passed 2019 Budget on time! Most important to me, I think, is that we expanded enthusiasm in our local organization!

Most importantly, I want to thank you. It is an honor to be your designated “special worker”.

Happiest of holiday seasons to you and your loved ones.

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 a while. 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.