MBAIAA Newsletter – January 2024

Published on January 24, 2024

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 turn out to be firm bedrock upon which happy and purposeful lives may be built.”

Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions – Page 21

What’s Happening Locally

Monthly Intergroup Birthday Meeting – Saturday, January 27th @ 7:00PM

This month’s host will be The Sunrise Group, held at St James Church every morning at 6:45AM. This group also has a separate Zoom meeting at the same time. Thad S. will be our speaker.

Time: Saturday, January 27th at 7:00PM
Place: Monterey High School Cafeteria – 101 Herrmann Dr. Monterey CA 93940

Please come and support the fellowship! You’re encouraged you to celebrate in whatever way makes you comfortable – wear a mask, don’t wear a mask, hug, don’t hug. No judging of others who may or may not do things the way you would like them to. Kindness, love and celebration will be the order of the day. Wear a costume if you’d like! We will have cake & coffee and there will be much to celebrate – TOGETHER!

The monthly birthday meeting is 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 – 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 8:30pm. Coffee is typically ready no later than 6:30pm. Arrive early for good parking, fellowship, and a great seat!

Monthly MBAR Planning meetings

Monterey Bay Area Roundup is a conference held at the conference center in Monterey in September. Get Involved in the planning- fun, and fellowship! The meetings are on the 2^nd Saturday of every month at 10:00 am on Zoom.

ID 831 4306 2293
Password 2024

Be sure to join them as they plan the big MBAR event for September 2024! Be sure to attend a fundraising event for MBAR on January 26th at the Moose Lodge in Del Rey Oaks at 6:00 pm. There will be a speaker and then there will be Bingo! (With Prizes!). There will be hot dogs and beverages as well.

News From General Service

District 01 General Service is busy preparing General Service Representatives to conduct an informed group conscious (Tradition 2) with their group on the Agenda Topics for the 74th General Service Conference in New York City. Groups are the top of AA’s service structure and groups can participate by electing a GSR to represent them to AA as a whole.

The Plain Language Big Book, The Journey So Far
In 2016 at the 66th General Service Conference, there was a discussion of the need for plain language recovery literature, to make the life saving message of AA more accessible to more
alcoholics, including people with learning disabilities, brain injuries, people in jails and prisons, or people with low reading skills. The reason for the plain language book is not to change the Big Book, but to make the life saving message of recovery able to reach more people.

In 2021 there was a draft made up that was accessible and relatable to as wide of an audience as possible and that was brought to the 2022 General Service Conference Literature Committee. In July, 2021, the Trustees literature committee met with AAWS Publishing Department to look for someone who could write the book. They told the prospective writers that it should be accessible to 5th grade readers and must capture the welcoming and inclusive spirit of AA and inspire a sense of belonging and hope in the alcoholic seeking help. They chose six vendors who were hired to translate chapter 5. The trustees and AAWS members read the translations and a writer was chosen. The contract was signed in May 2022 and the writer of the book is completely anonymous. All conference members were able to read early samples of the book. Our Area Delegate, Eric L. was able to read chapters of the book and give feedback.

To learn more about General Service, please attend one of the General Service meetings on the second Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. at the Mc Gowen House on the corner of Franklin and High streets in Monterey or, the third Tuesday of every month at 7:00 pm at Bethlehem Lutheran Church – 800 Cass Street in Monterey.

“I am responsible, when anyone, anywhere reaches out for help, I want the hand of A.A. always to be there, and for that, I am responsible.”
Responsibility Statement

IGR Minutes & MBAIAA Proposed 2024 Budget

A Note From Central Office

Hello All –

After an incredibly busy Holiday Season, we are now settled in our new home. Our New Office is open for business at 546 Hartnell Street Suite E. in Monterey. We are directly across Hartnell street from Carl’s Alley which goes down to the Fellowship Hall. Come by and see our new digs! We were at our previous location for 35 years, so the fresh space is delightful! N0w that I have spent a few weeks here, I feel very comfortable and at home.

We are looking for people to be of service on the Steering Committee and also at the IGR level. Go to our website and check out the “About MBAIAA” page to read our bylaws & see what the responsibilities are. Try to be of service to your group and the fellowship as a whole.

While you are on the website, be sure to read through the proposed budget for 2024. You will be asked to approve this budget, which is quite similar to last year’s budget. We are blessed here in this fellowship with people who support us financially and also in many other important ways. Linked above you will find information regarding our financial status which is solid and allows us to do our important work – As always to reach the alcoholic who still suffers.

Let’s all look forward to the New Year with our sobriety in tact. We will come into 2024 together and excited.

Jana

Look after and support each other and remember that we can’t stay sober alone. Share with others what was so freely given to you.

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