MBAIAA Newsletter – January 2018

Published on January 25, 2018

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

“The fact is that most alcoholics for reasons yet obscure, have lost the power of choice in drink. Our so-called will power becomes practically nonexistent. We are unable, at certain times, to bring into our consciousness with sufficient force the memory of the suffering and humiliation of even a week or a month ago. We are without defense against the first drink.”
– Alcoholics Anonymous, pg 24

Website Update

The BIG news this month is that we have updated our website! Here are some of the updates:

  • New Meeting Directory
  • New Meeting Pages
  • Expanded list of meeting types (Step Meeting, As Bill Sees It, Birthday, Meditation, etc.)
  • Enhanced Next Meetings Widget
  • New Events Calendar
  • Young People’s Page
  • Significantly Improved Web Site Speeds & Security

Be sure to check it out and give us your feedback.

We would like the website to be the place to go for all events and communications, so be sure to sign up for our Newsletter & Events so that you can stay in touch with what’s going on. You’ll find the sign up form is at the bottom of every page on the website.

Alcoholics Anonymous Events To Plan For

(For a full list of events see the new Events Calendar on our updated website)

Monterey Intergroup Birthday / Speaker Meeting
Saturday, January 27 @7:30 pm

Hosted this month by the Sunrise Group that meets daily@ 6:45 AM @ St James Church at Franklin and High in Monterey. The speaker is Steve.
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

SANTA CRUZ BIRTHDAY / SPEAKER MEETING
February 3 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

The Santa Cruz Intergroup Birthday Speaker Meeting is held in Capitola. It is an open chip meeting (year chips) on the FIRST SATURDAY of each Month beginning at 7:00PM. Refreshments and opportunity drawing are available. Arrive early for good parking and a great seat!

News From General Service

In the past, we have mostly featured information from General Service in New York. This month we will feature our local General Service group – Northern California Coastal Area 06. Here is a link to their website.

As stated in the GSR Preamble: “…As trusted servants, our job is to bring information to our groups in order that they can reach an informed group conscience, we are helping to maintain the unity and strength so vital to our fellowship. Let us therefore have the patience and tolerance to listen while others share, the courage to speak when we have something to share, and the wisdom to do what is right for our groups as a whole.”

We strongly encourage each group in our local fellowship to elect a General Service Representative. It is a vital link between the local area and General Service at the national level.

To see current IGR minutes and financial reports CLICK HERE >>

A Note From Jana

2018! Time flies whether you are having fun or not, so I suggest you follow the Big Book’s advice: “So we think cheerfulness and laughter make for usefulness.”(page 132)

As you can see from the IGR minutes, we would like our focus to be increased participation in the fellowship at all levels in 2018. The only way to achieve that is for each of us to step up and be heard.

Ideally, every group would send someone to the IGR meetings so that information can be readily available to all. This past year, it has been very exciting to see the increased participation at the IGR level, and we hope to fill up the room on the first Tuesday of each month this year.

Having commitments is a great way to stay sober. There are many service commitments at every meeting. Step up! If you have any questions about the responsibilities of those positions, don’t hesitate to ask. If you are holding one of those positions currently, and it is time for rotation, be sure to take the time to inform the person that is replacing you about the responsibilities of that position. The saying goes “pass it on, don’t just drop it off”.

Be sure to check out the Service Opportunities page on our website.

In closing, I wish you good health and serenity in 2018. We are blessed to have been given a new way of living. Being active in the fellowship is the best way I know to reap the benefits of program.

We need society,
and we need solitude also
as we need summer and winter,
day and night, exercise and rest.
Philip Gilbert Hamerton

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) one 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.