MBAIAA Newsletter – February 2025
Published on February 22, 2025
Step 2 – “Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.”
“The moment they read Step Two, most A.A. newcomers are confronted with a dilemma, a serious one. How often have we heard them cry out, “Look what you people have done to us! You have convinced us that we are alcoholics and that our lives are unmanageable. Having reduced us to a state of absolute helplessness, you now declare that none but a Higher Power can remove our obsession. Some of us won’t believe in God, others can’t, and still others who do believe that God exists have no faith whatever He will perform this miracle. Yes, you’ve got us over the barrel, all right- but where do we go from here?”
Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions – Page 25
What’s Happening Locally
Monthly Intergroup Birthday Meeting – Saturday, Feb 22nd @ 7:00PM
This month’s host will be Good Morning Carmel, held at Church of the Wayfarer every weekday morning at 7:00AM and on Saturdays & Sundays at 8:00AM. This group also has a separate Zoom meeting at the same time (see our website). Georgia R. will be our speaker.
Time: Saturday, February 22nd at 7:00PM
Place: Monterey High School Cafeteria – 101 Herrmann Dr. Monterey CA 93940
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!
MBAR Business Meetings 2025 & St. Patrick’s Event
Monterey Bay Area Roundup is a conference held at the conference center in Monterey every other September. Get Involved in the planning- fun, and fellowship! The meetings are on the second Saturday of every month at 10:00 am on Zoom.
Zoom ID: 330 100 7207
Password: 2026
Be sure to join them as they plan the big MBAR event for 2026!
Also, save the date of Sunday, March 16, for the St. Patrick’s Potluck and Speaker Meeting! Come enjoy some corned beef and cabbage and fellowship in support of MBAR 2026. Please see Our Events Page for details.
IGR Minutes & Current Financial Reports
A Note From Central Office
Hello everyone,
My name is Oliver, and I am an alcoholic!
I’m truly honored to have been selected as your new Central Office Administrator. Thank you all for your support. I look forward to giving back to the program and the community that have truly saved my life.
For those who may not know, our office is located at 546 Hartnell, Suite E, across the street from Carl’s Alley and the Fellowship Hall. I’d love for you to stop by and say hello!
Just a quick reminder to the group treasurers, please be sure to indicate your group name and number on checks and any form of electronic payment (i.e. Venmo or Zelle). Also, please keep in mind that any contributions made via Paypal are subject to a fee and we do not receive your entire contribution.
We have a great birthday meeting lined up this month, but we still need some host groups for March, April, May, July and November. If your group is interested, please contact us at (831) 373-3713.
In Love and Service,
Oliver
Introducing the 2025 Steering Committee
Please congratulate and welcome our newly elected Steering Committee members for 2025! We are grateful for their service and dedication to supporting the Monterey Bay Area Intergroup of Alcoholics Anonymous.
2025 Steering Committee Members:
- Chairperson – Kate K.
- Treasurer – Chris L.
- Recording Secretary – Debbie B.
- IGRs at Large – Leslie F, Chuck D (We still need four additional volunteers. If you’re interested, please let us know!)
- Men’s 12-Step Phone Chair – Phillip E.
- Women’s 12-Step Phone Chair – Mary S.
- Budget Committee – Chris L., Oliver F., Leslie F., Kate K. and Jasmin R.
Thank you to all who have stepped forward to serve. Your commitment helps ensure the success and vitality of our fellowship!
Notes from the Intergroup Inventory Subcommittee
These are notes from the IGR inventory subcommittee meeting held on 1/8/25. Mark, Ashley, and Kathy were present.
A. We went through the list of inventory questions that we came up with at our 9/24/24 meeting. We reordered the questions and rephrased them.
- What is the basic purpose of our Intergroup? Are we fulfilling that purpose? Does Intergroup as a whole participate in AA’s three legacies: recovery, unity, and service? Is there anything Intergroup is doing that we shouldn’t be doing? Is there anything Intergroup isn’t doing that we should be doing?
- Is it time to update the bylaws of Intergroup? Are we following them as written?
- Do we have clear and concise job descriptions and expectations for the service commitments, ie. , standing committee, treasurer, and IGR at large?
- Is our Intergroup and Central Office mindful of the traditions?
- Do we treat Intergroup as an “us and them” situation, ie. Intergroup vs all AA, Intergroup vs GSR, or Intergroup vs Intragroup?
- How well are we carrying the message to alcoholics in our community? Are we reaching a cross-section of the community?
- How does your group feel about communication channels between your group and Central Office? What can be done to improve communication between Central Office and your group?
- How can we get more groups/meetings involved in Intergroup? What could we change in our Central Office or IGR meetings to increase participation, i.e. day of the week/time of day etc.?
- Is our group willing to go along with the group conscience of intergroup, even if as an individual we may not agree (minority opinion)?
- Is the AA Monterey Newsletter carrying our message? Is the newsletter accessible? Are we communicating with AA as a whole?
- Is our Intergroup self-supporting through contributions? Do we accept outside contributions from anyone except groups?
- Are there checks & balances such as an independent periodic review of Central Office money and how effectively we are spending? Are we spending money on the right things? Does Central Office have an appropriate prudent reserve?
B. We briefly discussed whether the inventory should be done as a hybrid (in person or via Zoom) versus just in person without Zoom. We are leaning toward just having it in person on a weekend in the earlier half of a Saturday.
News From General Service
Hello everyone,
We’ve had an exciting start to Panel 75 in General Service! I’m Elena, your newly elected District Committee Member Chair, and we’ve already held two District meetings with great turnout in 2025 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Our meetings are hybrid, and it’s crucial that every group has a General Service Representative (GSR) so that each voice can be heard and help shape decisions that impact AA as a whole.
Please be aware that GSRs will be collecting group conscience on Conference agenda items in early March. If your group doesn’t have a GSR yet, please elect one soon—otherwise, your group will be left out of discussions that guide the future of AA.
Join us at our next meeting on March 18th, 2025, at 7:00 pm, and help us bring fresh energy to the service work in our area.
A few exciting highlights from AA this month:
- Our Primary Purpose, the new podcast from Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, is now live and available on all major podcast platforms. Through engaging interviews with GSO staff and AA members, the podcast explores how we work together to serve the AA community and beyond. Be sure to check it out!
- The Military Veteran Interview Project has launched! This initiative invites A.A. members who are veterans of the U.S. or Canadian Armed Forces to share their experiences. It’s a unique opportunity to give voice to the important role veterans play in AA and to learn from their stories.
- The Plain Language Big Book is back in stock! Now available in its second printing, this edition presents the original Big Book’s core content in simpler language. It’s designed to help readers better understand the Twelve Step program and the spiritual principles behind it, making it a great tool for newcomers or anyone looking for a more accessible way to connect with the message of Alcoholics Anonymous.
- PRAASA 2025 is just around the corner! The Pacific Region Alcoholics Anonymous Service Assembly (PRAASA) will take place March 7-9, 2025, in Anchorage, Alaska. PRAASA is an annual assembly hosted by one of the 15 areas in the Pacific Region of Alcoholics Anonymous, and it rotates around the region each year. The purpose of PRAASA is to develop greater unity among the members, groups, and areas of the Pacific Region, encourage the exchange of ideas and experiences, and provide an opportunity for members to discuss pertinent aspects of AA. It’s a great way to experience the spirit of Recovery, Unity, and Service.
Let’s keep the service spirit alive in our area.
Elena