MBAIAA Newsletter – March 2024

Published on March 26, 2024

Step 3 – “Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.”

“Practicing Step Three is like the opening of a door which to all appearances is closed and locked.  All we need is a key, and it is called willingness.  Once unlocked by willingness, the door opens almost of itself, and looking through it, we shall see a pathway beside which is an inscription.  It reads: “This is the way to a way to a faith that works.”  In the first two steps, we were engaged in reflection. We saw that we were powerless over alcohol, but we also perceived that faith of some kind, if only in A.A. itself, is possible for anyone. These conclusions did not require action; they required only acceptance.”

Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions – Page 34

What’s Happening Locally

Monthly Intergroup Birthday Meeting – Saturday, March 30th @ 7:00PM

This month’s host will be the Happy Hour Group, held at the Fellowship Hall every evening at 5:30PM.  Mark will be our speaker.

Time: Saturday, March 30th 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 2nd 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!

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 & Current Financial Reports

A Note From Central Office

Hi everyone!

I am happy to say that we have settled into the new office  – 546 Hartnell St Suite E.   It is directly across the street and up a short driveway from Carl’s Alley, next to the Fellowship Hall.  This new location is starting to feel like home –  please come by and see your new office.  We have come back from the pandemic and are on the right track to continue our fellowship well into the future. – Thank you all so much for your support!

We are all looking forward to our biggest annual event – Unity Day!  This year the event will be held on Sunday, June 9th at Toro Park.  For 35 years we have been celebrating the founding of our dear program with the Salinas Fellowship.  We have a huge picnic with lots of activities & music.  This year we’ll again return to our favorite spot –  the Buckeye Area in Toro Park.  We are looking for volunteers to help with this event.  Our first planning meeting is April 29 at 3:00PM at the Fellowship Hall in Monterey – Please join us!  You can also call Central Office if you would like more information.  Be sure to save the date!

We have so much to be grateful for, and to look forward to.  Please continue to support AA with service opportunities and financially, in any way that you are able.  We are looking for a couple of new members for our Steering Committee which meets once a month on Zoom (you are also obliged to one additional meeting per month- also on Zoom) – it is a terrific way to be of service.

Thank you!

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