MBAIAA Newsletter – April 2025
Published on April 23, 2025
Step 4 – “Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.”
“Once we have a complete willingness to take inventory, and exert ourselves to do the job thoroughly, a wonderful light falls upon this foggy scene. As we persist, a brand-new kind of confidence is born, and the sense of relief at finally facing ourselves is indescribable. These are the first fruits of Step Four.”
Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions – Pages 49-50
What’s Happening Locally
Monthly Intergroup Birthday Meeting
This month’s host group is the Carmel-By-The-Sea Women’s Meeting. They meet Thursday evenings from 5:30-6:30 at the Church of the Wayfarer, on the corner of 7th and Lincoln in Carmel.
Time: Saturday, April 26th at 7:00PM
Place: Monterey High School Cafeteria – 101 Herrmann Dr. Monterey CA 93940
Speaker: Judith M
Please come and support the fellowship! We will have cake & coffee and there will be much to celebrate – TOGETHER!
The monthly birthday meeting is an Open 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 – all alcoholics 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!
Finalized 2025 MBAIAA Budget Available
The finalized budget for 2025 is now available, reflecting the collective input and thoughtful discussions we’ve had over the past few months. Your feedback and contributions were invaluable in shaping this important document, and we genuinely appreciate everyone’s engagement and support.
Thank you once again for your commitment and participation. If you have any questions or further input, please feel free to reach out.
You can view the 2025 budget online by following this link.
Unity Day Planning Meetings
There will be several plannning meetings leading up to Unity Day on June 8, 2025.
View the schedule of planning meetings on our Events Calendar >
All are encouraged to participate in planning and Hosting this celebration of AA’s 90th Birthday.
News From General Service
Hello from your DCMC, Elena B.
We had a very productive District Meeting on Tuesday, April 15. Thank you to all who participated!
Curious about what happened at the 2025 General Service Conference?
Mark your calendars! Our Delegate, Chitra, will share her Conference Report on
📅 Tuesday, May 20, Bethlehem Lutheran Church (800 Cass Street, Monterey).
🕕 Doors open at 6:15 PM | 🗣 Report begins at 7:00 PM
🍕 This will replace our regular district meeting for May and is typically treated like a pizza party with the Delegate—so bring a pizza, drink, or dessert to share.
📣 All are welcome—please invite your groups!
Looking Ahead: Unity Day
We are so excited to join you all for Unity Day on Saturday, June 8!
Our GSRs will be hosting the General Service Welcoming table/tent with literature and helpful resources. We’d love to see you there!
Area Highlights:
- On March 22, several GSRs, our DCM, Alt-DCMC, and I attended the Area Committee Meeting (ACM) in Petaluma. I had the opportunity to present on our District Finance Committee and the Travel Reimbursement Guidelines. Many other districts expressed interest in using our guidelines as a model—kudos to our Finance Committee for their excellent work!
- On April 5–6, we took part in the Pre-Conference Assembly in Santa Cruz, where we delivered your group conscience to Chitra before she left for New York.
Thank you all for your continued service and enthusiasm. See you in May!
— Elena B.
District Committee Member Chair
Learn More About General Service >
News from H&I (Hospitals & Institutions)
All kinds of service opportunities available!
- Men’s Jail
- Women’s Jail
- Natividad Mental Health
- CHOMP Mental Health Garden Pavillion
- Genesis House
- H&I Group Representative for your home group meeting
- Committee Positions available: Chairperson, Treasurer, Women’s Jail Coordinator
Orientation is on the 1st Thursday of every month via zoom.
Orientation: 6:30p Business Meeting: 7:00p
Meeting ID: 860 3303 7751 Passcode: 554781
OR contact Cindy A. 831-917-1804
MBAR 2026 Event and Committee News
MBAR 2026 Logo Contest – Submit Your Design!
Are you a creative thinker? Help shape the look of MBAR 2026 by designing our official logo!
How to Enter: Email your design to: mbarchair2026@gmail.com by May 5, 2025.
Design Guidelines:
- Theme: KEEP IT SIMPLE
- Must Include: The year 2026
- Requirements: Simple graphics, max 3 colors, and usable for a 2” x 2” logo
- Winner Announcement & Prize: The winning design will be revealed at the June Intergroup Birthday Meeting on June 28, 2025.
The winner will receive:
✔ Free entry to the 2026 MBAR Conference
✔ A free MBAR t-shirt
Let your creativity shine—submit your design today!
MBAR Business Meetings 2025 – Get Involved!
Want to be part of the MBAR 2026 planning process? Join our monthly business meetings for fun, fellowship, and a chance to contribute to this incredible event.
Meetings: 2nd Saturday of every month
Time: 10:00 AM (PST)
Location: Zoom
Zoom Details:
🔹 Meeting ID: 330 100 7207
🔹 Password: 2026
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be part of something special. Join us and help make MBAR 2026 unforgettable!
Intergroup Meeting Minutes & Financial Reports – April 2025
A Note From Central Office
Warm greetings to our recovery community!
Spring Book Sale!
We’re doing a bit of Spring cleaning here at the Central Office, and some of our books are looking for a new home. For a limited time, you can purchase the following titles at cost:
- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions (hardcover and gift edition)
- As Bill Sees It
- Living Sober
- Grapevine – Step by Step
Please drop by the office to pick up a few for yourself or your group!
Volunteer needed
Are you looking for a service position? The Central Office needs a volunteer to help share the Wednesday morning shift (11:30a- 1:30p). If you are interested, please give us a call or drop by!
Now Accepting Venmo
You can now use Venmo for purchases and contributions at the Central Office! Simply scan the QR code posted at the front desk with your Venmo app and you’ll be taken directly to our payment page.
Friendly Reminder to Group Treasurers
When making contributions by check, Venmo, Zelle, or any other method, please be sure to include your group name and GSO-assigned group number. This helps us track contributions accurately. Also, note that PayPal deducts a transaction fee, so we do not receive the full amount of any contribution made through that platform.
In Love and Service,
Oliver
Available Space for Meetings
The Carmel Youth Center (4th & Torres in Carmel, next to the police station) has offered their facilities for rent! They have some beautiful spaces that would be perfect for AA groups to host meetings or events. Please contact Keith, (831) 620-2216, if you are interested in renting a space.
This large room has a beautiful view
This room has its own private entrance
There’s also a room with a kitchen (kitchen not shown)
Celebrate AA’s 90th Anniversary!!
(click to enlarge)
