MBAIAA Newsletter – September 2018

Published on September 25, 2018

Step 9 – “ Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.”

For the readiness to take the full consequences of our past acts, and to take responsibility for the well-being of others at the same time, is the very spirit of Step Nine.
In recovery, and through the help of Alcoholics Anonymous, I learn that the very thing I fear is my freedom. It comes from my tendency to recoil from taking responsibility for anything: I deny, I ignore, I blame, I avoid. Then one day, I look, I admit, I accept. The freedom, the healing, and the recovery I experience is in the looking, admitting and the accepting. I learn to say, “Yes, I am responsible.” When I can speak those words with honesty and sincerity, then I am free.”
Daily Reflections, September 12

Local Alcoholics Anonymous Events To Plan For

There are opportunities for fellowship and fun in the coming weeks. All events are listed on our calendar page.

Monterey Intergroup Birthday / Speaker Meeting
Saturday, September 29 @7:30 pm

Hosted this month by Mighty Muffins – a daily meeting that meets at the Activity Room/Little House of the Carmel Valley Community Center at 7am on weekdays and in the Community Center itself at 8am on Saturday and Sunday- 29 Ford Rd. the speaker will be Jane D. 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! 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

“Raised from the Dead” Costume Party and Dance
October 6 @6:00 pm
The meeting starts at 6:00 pm followed by a dance and food from 7:30 to 9:30 at Bethlehem Church at 800 Cass St in Monterey. Tickets are $20.00 prior to the event and $25.00 at the door. As always the meeting itself is free. Dress in costume and come out and support the young people!

News From General Service

The sixty eighth annual meeting of the General Service Conference of Alcoholics Anonymous was held in New York, April 22nd – 28th. Comprised of 93 delegates, 26 trustees and corporate directors from A.A.W.S. and Grapevine, along with 17 General Service Office, Grapevine and La Viñ a staff members, the 68th General Service Conference extended from Sunday, April 22 to Saturday, April 28, 2018. The theme of the Conference was “A.A. — A Solution for All Generations.”
The keynote address was given by Richard B., Eastern Canada regional trustee. Noting the Conference theme, Richard offered “In these few minutes, I would like to talk about some of the principles that will make way for the 68th General Service Conference to … ensure that A.A. remains a solution for the alcoholic who still suffers. “I believe that we will achieve this if we remain focused on our primary purpose,” continued Richard, “if we remain humble and aware of our beginnings, if in everything we do we work for the preservation of Alcoholics Anonymous, and if we extend to one another mutual respect and practice tolerance. “We are the 68th General Service Conference. Each of us here today has the trust of a group conscience, to be its eyes and ears and to ensure that the A.A. message will be where it needs to be heard. This year, perhaps more than ever, we will have to be unified in our commitment to ensure that A.A. is and always will be there for all generations.”
The hard copy of the final report of this important conference will be available by the end of the month.

To see current IGR minutes and financial reports CLICK HERE

A Note From Jana

Here we are in the last days of Summer. Time surely does fly – even one day at a time.
I am leaving this week for Montreal – the location this year of the 33rd Annual Central Office/Intergroup/AAWS/AAGV Seminar. The seminar will be held at Hotel Gouverneurs in the heart of the Latin Quartier September 21, 22 and 23rd, 2018. Our theme for this year is Inclusion not Exclusion.
The Seminar is a weekend of sharing and learning about problems and solutions common to most Central Offices/Intergroups. This is a wonderful opportunity to benefit from the experience, strength and hope of those who serve in similar positions throughout the United States and Canada. The General Service Office in New York will have AA World Services and Grapevine staff available during the weekend so that you can get acquainted and share information.
This will be the second time that I will be attending this seminar, and I am grateful for the opportunity to learn how to better serve our primary purpose as your “special worker”. I will be representing you as members of MBAIAA.I am confident I will return with plenty of information to share and increased enthusiasm for what we do here at 1015 Cass Street.

“There is a time in the last few days of summer

when the ripeness of autumn fills the air.”

-Rudolfo Anaya

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 who 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.