MBAIAA Newsletter – August 2026

Step 8: “Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.”

“We attempt to sweep away the debris which has accumulated out of our effort to live on self-will and run the show ourselves.”
– Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 76

Step 8 turns our attention toward the people who have been affected by our actions.  With the honesty we have developed through the earlier Steps, we take responsibility for the harm we have caused and become willing to set things right.  We are not yet making amends or deciding how they should be made. For now, the work is simply to make the list and cultivate willingness.

This Step asks us to put aside resentment, fear, and pride so that we can begin repairing our relationships with others.  In doing so, we prepare ourselves for the freedom that comes from cleaning up the past and living differently going forward.

What’s Happening Locally

Monthly Birthday Meeting

This month’s Birthday Meeting will be hosted by the Noon Groups.  They meet at noon daily at the Monterey Fellowship Hall.

Time:  Saturday, August 29th at 7:00pm
Place:  Monterey High School Cafeteria – 101 Herrmann Dr. Monterey CA 93940
Speaker: Phillip E.

Come celebrate sobriety milestones with us! We’ll share cake, coffee, and fellowship as we honor members receiving birthday medallions. The evening includes:

• Birthday Celebrations – Medallions for annual A.A. anniversaries (all are welcome to participate)
• Speaker Meeting – An inspiring share for 40–45 minutes
• Fellowship Time – Coffee is ready by 6:30pm; arrive early for a good seat and good company

This open meeting is held the last Saturday of each month (except December, when it’s combined with our holiday banquet).

September 4-6, 2026 | Monterey Convention Center

The Monterey Bay Area Roundup is just around the corner! Join the AA, Al-Anon, Ala-Teen, and Spanish-speaking communities for an incredible weekend of recovery, fellowship, unity, and service.

REGISTER FOR MBAR TODAY!

Please register before you arrive! Pre-registration helps our onsite team prepare and makes check-in easier for everyone.

REGISTER HERE: MontereyBayAreaRoundup.org

Bring a friend, sponsor, sponsee, or newcomer – and please share the registration link!

VIEW THE FULL 2026 SCHEDULE: 2026 MBAR Schedule

IMPORTANT – PRE-REGISTER FOR THE SPEAKER DINNER!

Planning to attend our Meet the Speakers Dinner catered by the Marriott? You MUST purchase your dinner in advance to ensure your seat.

Already registered for MBAR but forgot to add dinner? No problem! Dinner can be purchased a la carte right now on our website.

RESERVE YOUR DINNER: MontereyBayAreaRoundup.org

Please help us spread the word – the dinner requires advance registration!

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!

MBAR happens because people show up and serve – and we still need helping hands onsite!

Volunteer opportunities include Setup, Registration, Hospitality, Onsite Events, Welcoming Attendees, Teardown, etc.

PLEASE SIGN UP BEFORE YOU ARRIVE to better help our team know when and where we can use your help.

VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP: Online Volunteer Form

WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS

Inspirational speakers • AA, Al-Anon & Spanish Marathon Meetings • Ala-Teen • Recovery, Unity & Service Panels • Meet the Speakers Dinner • Folklorico & Aztec Dancers • Sound Bath • Firepit & Letting Go • Ice Cream Social • Breakfast Bingo • Saturday Night Dance • Line Dancing • Raffles • Whale Watching & more!

HELPING HANDS & FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Helping Hands is available for attendees who may need additional assistance navigating the weekend.

Learn more: Helping Hands

If you or someone you know needs financial assistance to attend MBAR, please email mbar2026service@gmail.com. We do not want financial hardship to keep someone from experiencing this weekend.

HELP US SPREAD THE WORD!

We are in the final stretch! Please help by REGISTERING • PRE-REGISTERING FOR DINNER • VOLUNTEERING • SHARING MBAR WITH OTHERS.

Tell your meetings. Send the website and schedule to friends. Bring a sponsor, sponsee, newcomer, family member, or friend.

MontereyBayAreaRoundup.org

Instagram: @mbar2026  |  Facebook: Monterey Bay Area Roundup

LET’S CARRY THIS ENERGY ALL THE WAY TO MBAR!

COME EARLY • STAY LATE • SHARE IN FELLOWSHIP WITH US – WE HAVE GOOD NEWS TO SHARE!

KEEP IT SIMPLE – ONE DAY AT A TIME

🗞️ General Service News

👋 Hello, everyone!

My name is Elena B., and I am your District Committee Member Chair (DCMC). 🤝

Welcome to our General Service News! This column is here to keep you informed about upcoming events, General Service announcements, service opportunities, and ways to stay connected with what’s happening in our District, our Area, and throughout Alcoholics Anonymous.

Thank you for allowing me to be of service. ❤️ I look forward to staying connected with all of you as we continue carrying the message of hope and recovery—together, one day at a time. 🌟

🎉 Sponsorship Workshop – Save the Date!

Our District 01 Sponsorship Workshop will be held on Saturday, October 3, from 12:00–1:30 p.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

Join us for inspiring speakers, fellowship, great food, and fun as we explore the vital role sponsorship plays in carrying the A.A. message.

📎 Please see the attached flyer for more information.

🗳️ District Elections Are Coming!

We are approaching our District elections in November, and this is a wonderful opportunity to become involved in General Service and help keep our District strong and active.

The following District service positions will be available:

• DCMC – District Committee Member Chair
• Alternate DCMC
• DCM – District Committee Member
• Recording Secretary
• Registrar
• Treasurer
• Archives Chair
• Bridging the Gap (BTG) Chair
• Hospitals & Institutions  (H&I) Chair
• Intergroup Liaison
• Literature & Grapevine Chair
• Public Information/Cooperation with the Professional Community (PI/CPC) Chair

💙 Please consider joining the District and being of service. There are many different ways to participate, and every position plays an important part in helping us carry the A.A. message.

If you are interested in any of these positions—or simply want to learn more about what they involve—please contact me for job descriptions and additional information.

💡 Our District is active and growing today, but there have been times when the District became very quiet and the light of service grew dim. Let’s not let that light go out again.

It takes all of us—our time, ideas, enthusiasm, and willingness—to keep General Service strong. Even a small commitment can make a big difference.

Come join us, get involved, and help keep the District 01 light shining! 🌟🤝

News from H&I (Hospitals & Institutions)

Service Opportunities

Intergroup Representatives-at-Large (IGRs-at-Large)

IGRs-at-Large serve on the Steering Committee and help support the work of Central Office and the unity of our fellowship.

Responsibilities include:

• Attending Intergroup and Steering Committee meetings
• Having voice and vote at those meetings
• Informing groups about Intergroup services and opportunities
• Serving on the annual Audit Committee
• Participating in ad hoc committees such as Unity Day and the Holiday Banquet

Qualifications:

• Minimum one year of continuous sobriety
• Prior service experience within the AA service structure
• Familiarity with the purpose and function of MBAIAA

Public Information committee

What is Public Information work and Why Should A.A.s Do It?

In all public relations, A.A.’s sole objective is to help the still suffering alcoholic.

Public Information (PI) in Alcoholics Anonymous means carrying the message of recovery to the still-suffering alcoholic by informing the general public about the A.A. program. We carry the message by getting in touch with and responding to the media, schools, industry, and other organizations which can report on the nature and purpose of A.A. and what it can do for alcoholics.

Those undertaking PI work for the first time, whether it be at the area, district, group, or intergroup/central office level, are encouraged to read and take guidance from the information contained here. It is suggested that members taking part in PI work should have several years of continuous sobriet

Public Information takes many forms; here are some areas being considered:

• Send PSA’s to radio and TV station (supplied by AA General Service )
• Supply information pamphlets to drug court
• Contact DUI attorneys
• Put relative pamphlets (or our business cards) in hotels, police departments and community centers.
• Supply information pamphlets to NPS, DLI

Those members interested in joining our committee need to be able to contact people outside of AA, be able to distribute literature, and/or be comfortable speaking to outside groups. Reading PI workbook (M-27i) and AA guidelines for this service are extremely useful.

Intergroup Meeting Minutes & Financial Reports – August 2026

A Note From Central Office

Meeting Updates

–  Big Sur Sunday:  Due to the ongoing fires, the Big Sur meeting has temporarily moved to Carmel River Beach (26478 Carmelo St., Carmel) until further notice.  Please refer to the online meeting guide for the latest information.

News from the General Service Office

–  Monthly A.A.W.S. Self-Support Letter:  This month’s AAWS Self-Support letter features reflections from two former General Service Conference delegates on the Seventh Tradition and what self-support means in practice.  They remind us that our contributions do more than pay for rent, coffee, literature, and services.  They help ensure that A.A. remains independent, available, and ready to welcome the next alcoholic who reaches out for help.

In Love and Service,

Oliver

Info/Events & Service Opportunities

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