MBAIAA Newsletter – December 2025

Published on December 18, 2025

Step Twelve:  “Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.”

December is a season of connection, gratitude, and generosity, and Step Twelve reminds us that the greatest gift we can share is our recovery.  Through Alcoholics Anonymous, we learn that service is not something extra, it is central to staying sober.  Whether we are answering a phone, welcoming a newcomer, sponsoring, or quietly helping behind the scenes, every act of service helps carry the message to the alcoholic who still suffers.

The holidays can bring both joy and challenges, and practicing these principles in all our affairs allows us to show up with compassion and care.  The Monterey Bay Area Intergroup would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all our members and groups for the love, support, and service you have given throughout this past year.  Your generosity of time, energy, and resources keeps AA available in our community and reminds us that none of us does this alone.

What’s Happening Locally

2025 Christmas and New Year Alcathons

Please join us at the Monterey Fellowship Hall (519 Hartnell St, Monterey) for the 2025 Holiday Alcathons!  Please see the flyer below for more information.

Holiday Banquet and Birthday Meeting

This month the Intergroup will host our Monthly Birthday Meeting, which will be combined with a Holiday Potluck Dinner! We invite everyone to join us for an evening of food, fellowship, and celebration as we gather together sober for the holidays.

Saturday, December 27th
Location: Monterey High School Cafeteria, 101 Herrmann Drive, Monterey
Doors open: 5:00 PM (4:30 pm for setup)
Dinner: 5:30 pm
Meeting: 7:00 pm
Speaker: Sabrina

Please bring a side dish or dessert to share if you are able. Entrees and a variety of drinks will be provided by the Intergroup. If you are unsure what to bring, you may choose based on your first initial:  A – M, side dish or salad; N – Z, dessert

The Birthday Meeting will follow dinner and will include birthday medallions for annual AA anniversaries, a speaker share, and fellowship with coffee and cake.

Come celebrate the holidays with sober friends and help us close out the year with gratitude and connection!  Thank you to all our groups and members for your continued love and support throughout the year. We look forward to celebrating together.

(See flyer below for full details.)

News from General Service

• Planning is underway for a District Workshop in July 2026 — more details will be shared as they become available.
• General Service District 01 will host a Birthday Meeting on March 28, 2026 🎂. Please join us as we come together in celebration of sobriety, service, and fellowship.

💛 GSO Contributions

The General Service Office continues to request additional Seventh Tradition contributions due to rising costs and increased demand for services. Contributions support A.A. literature development and translation, public information and outreach, and essential services that help carry the message worldwide.

📝 Call for Stories – New A.A. Literature

The GSO Literature Committee is seeking personal recovery stories for two upcoming pamphlets:

• • 🌏 “A.A. for the Asian and Asian-American Alcoholic” — stories from members of Asian and Asian-American backgrounds
  • 🏳️‍⚧️ “A.A. for the Transgender Alcoholic” — stories from transgender, non-binary, gender-nonconforming, Two-Spirit, and gender-expansive members

📎 Submission guidelines and details are available on aa.org. Please search:

• • Submit a story – Asian and Asian-American Alcoholic
  • Submit a story – A.A. for the Transgender Alcoholic

Thank you for your continued service and support in helping carry the message 💙

Elena B., DCMC

General Service District 01 CNCA06

News from H&I (Hospitals & Institutions)

Monterey Bay Area Roundup (MBAR) 2026 Update

What is MBAR?

The Monterey Bay Area Roundup (MBAR) is a biennial conference held in beautiful Monterey, California. It brings together the AA, Al-Anon, Ala-Teen, and Spanish-speaking communities for a powerful weekend of shared experience, encouragement, and growth.

Conference Dates: September 4–6, 2026

Visit: montereybayarearoundup.org

Join the Planning Committee

Do you feel called to service? We invite you to join us in shaping MBAR 2026! This event is made possible through the enthusiasm and dedication of volunteers like you.

Monthly Business Meetings

Held the 2nd Saturday of each month at 10:00 AM (PST)

On Zoom

– Zoom ID: 330 100 7207

– Password: 2026

Upcoming Meetings:

• January 11

Volunteer With Us

We are deeply grateful that most of our committee chair positions have already been filled—it’s a blessing to see so much passion and willingness to serve. A few important opportunities remain, and we’d love your help:

– Dinner Chair

– Facilities Chair

– Social Media Co-Chair

If you’re interested, please reach out to Jenn at mbarchair2026@gmail.com. Your service can truly help shape the success of MBAR 2026.

MBAR Fundraising News

MBAR recently hosted a BINGO fundraiser at the Monterey Moose Lodge—and what a joy it was! More than 100 participants from across the Monterey Bay Area joined us, and our speaker, Jesus, graciously shared his experience, strength, and hope.

The Moose Lodge went above and beyond, generously providing the space, support, and resources to make the evening a wonderful success. We are profoundly grateful for their partnership and for the spirit of fellowship that filled the room.

We’ll be announcing more fundraisers soon, and we hope you’ll join us. What a gift it is to have this much fun together in sobriety!

Why MBAR Has Fundraisers

Every contribution helps us create an unforgettable MBAR experience. Your support goes directly toward covering essential costs such as venues, supplies, and outstanding speakers.

As we prepare for MBAR 2026—bigger and better than ever—we are also facing rising expenses. Fundraising allows us to keep registration fees and activities affordable for everyone, with special outreach to the newcomer. This ensures MBAR remains accessible to all who wish to be part of this incredible weekend.

If you’d like to make a contribution to support MBAR, you can do so by scanning the QR code below or visiting our website:

montereybayarearoundup.org

Together, we can make MBAR 2026 a celebration to remember!

Stay Connected

Instagram: @mbar2026

Facebook: Monterey Bay Area Roundup

Email: mbarchair2026@gmail.com

Website: montereybayarearoundup.org

Keep It Simple—One Day at a Time.

Intergroup Meeting Minutes & Financial Reports – December 2025

A Note From Central Office

Holiday Banquet

The Intergroup warmly invites everyone to our Holiday Banquet and Birthday Meeting this month.  This is a wonderful opportunity to come together in sobriety, share good food and fellowship, and celebrate the birthdays of those marking another year of recovery.  The Intergroup will provide the main dishes, and all are welcome to bring a side, dessert, or simply yourself.   We hope you will join us as we celebrate the season together and enjoy the gift of being sober for the holidays.

A.A. Book Drive for Little Free Libraries

Our PI/CPC Committee continues to host the district-wide A.A. Book Drive to help share recovery, hope, and experience throughout our community. We are still collecting Big Books, Twelve and Twelves, and A.A. Grapevines to stock the Little Free Libraries across Monterey County. Your group’s contribution helps carry the message to people who may not know where to find it.

If you or your group would like to donate books, please bring them to Central Office or contact Mary Jane (flyer below).

Meeting Updates

The Friday evening Rebellion Dogs meeting has reached its end.  The group will continue to meet on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday evenings at 5:00 pm on Zoom.

A new women’s group, Friday Night Women’s BYOBB, has begun meeting at 6:00 pm on Friday nights at St. Mary’s in Pacific Grove.  The meeting is held in the Clay Hall, Choir Room. Please bring your own Big Book!

As always, please be sure to check the online and printed meeting guides for the latest meeting information.

In Love and Service,

Oliver

Events & Service Opportunities

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