MBAIAA Newsletter – January 2019

Published on January 22, 2019

Step 1 – “We admitted that we were powerless over alcohol -that our lives had become unmanageable.”

“But upon entering A.A. we soon take quite another view of this absolute humiliation, We perceive that only through utter defeat are we able to take our first steps toward liberation and strength. Our admissions of personal powerlessness finally turned out to be firm bedrock upon happy and purposeful lives may be built.

We know that little good can come to any alcoholic who joins A.A. unless he has first accepted his devastating weakness and all it’s consequences. Until he so humbles himself, his sobriety – if any – will be precarious. Of real happiness he will find none at all. Proved beyond doubt by an immense experience, this is one of the facts of A.A. life.

The principle that we shall find no enduring strength until we first admit complete defeat is the main taproot from which our whole Society has sprung and flowered.”

Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions pages 21 and 22

Alcoholics Anonymous Events To Plan For

Visit our events calendar for a complete list of events

Monterey Intergroup Birthday / Speaker Meeting
Saturday, January 26 @ 7:30 pm

Hosted this month by the Sunrise meeting that meets everyday at 6:45 AM at St. James Church located at Franklin and High in Monterey. The speaker is Danny T.

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

News From General Service

There are two important pieces of new literature that are available at our local Central Office.

“The God Word” is a new pamphlet addressing Agnostic and Atheist members in A.A. It was originally published in Great Britain and has recently been adopted as A.A. General Services Conferences-approved literature.

To quote the introduction of this important pamphlet

“A.A. is not a religious organization. Alcoholics Anonymous has only one requirement for membership, and that is a desire to stop drinking. There is room in A.A. for people of all shades of belief and non-belief.”

The second piece of literature is a new book from Grapevine Publications. “One Big Tent” is a compilation of stories from The Grapevine also regarding the topic of atheism and agnosticism.

Also, our  DCMC. District Committee Member Chair, Susan G. just sent this quick note concerning a General Service conference coming up in Southern California

The purpose of PRAASA is to develop greater unity among the members of the Pacific Region as designated in the A.A. Service Manual. The location rotates each year. Workshops and Panel discussions start at noon on Friday and end about 3:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. The schedule is fairly intense, with events ending at midnight and starting again at 8:00 a.m. This year it will be held in Irvine, Ca. marking our 52nd year. Last year about 2000 attended from as far away as Alaska and Hawaii. We discussed Traditions and Social Media, Young People in General Service, Will A Service Sponsor Help You Grow, Do We Need To Work On Inclusivity, Does My Home Group Communicate All Three Legacies, Our Anonymity, Safety In Our Groups, and Future Leaders, just to name a few.

One of the highlights of last year is when a woman from the Navajo Nation read the Traditions at the microphone in her native language and gave the background of the 14 CD audiobook, which took over twenty years to translate. Here’s the article from P.O. BOX 459. It’s one of the most moving things I’ve ever read.

I am thrilled that two of our second year GSR’s will be attending. It is truly an investment in our future.

Thank you for reaching out.

P.S. Don’t forget that our local General Service Representatives (GSRs) meet at 7:00pm at Bethlehem Church on the third Tuesday of each month. Step up in service!

To see current IGR minutes and financial reports CLICK HERE

A Note From Jana

Happy New Year to all!  I have included the year end Financial Reports for 2018 We had an exceptionally good year and The Steering Committee and I thank you for your continuing support. We were fortunate to have received two rather large bequests in 2018 which have traditionally been quite rare. We were able to put them into our Prudent Reserve as is shown on the balance sheet. We put $9,658.00 into the Prudent reserve, $1408.00 of which was a reimbursement for expenses to upgrade our website. The results of that upgrade have been very impressive. We have had an increase of 88% in unique users visiting the site. This means that we are reaching alcoholics who still suffer. It will never replace one alcoholic talking to another alcoholic, but it just might encourage someone to reach out for help.

Again, thank you for your support

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!

Also, we need more names (men and women) to be on what we call the ‘Twelfth Step List’.

MBAIAA calls are received by an answering service during non-business hours. They, in turn, call the people on this list and put them in touch with those who still suffer. Your personal phone number is never given out. By putting your name on the Twelfth Step List, you agree to return calls to people who are urgently in need of your experience, strength and hope. Please call the office if you are willing to be on this list.

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.