MBAIAA Newsletter – July 2025

Published on July 22, 2025

Step 7 – “Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.”

“As long as we placed self-reliance first, a genuine reliance upon a Higher Power was out of the question.  A basic ingredient of all humility, a basic desire to do God’s will, was missing.”
— Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 72

Step 7 invites us into a new relationship with ourselves and with our Higher Power.  It is not about becoming perfect, but about becoming willing.  In the previous steps, we identified the patterns and behaviors that no longer serve us.  Now, with humility, we ask for help in letting them go.

Humility, in this context, is not self-deprecation, but rather it is honesty.  It’s the quiet strength that comes from knowing we don’t have to fix ourselves alone.  In asking for our shortcomings to be removed, we open ourselves to change, one day at a time.  This step is not about instant transformation, but about the gradual unfolding of grace as we become more of the people we were meant to be.

As the Twelve and Twelve reminds us, “A whole life geared to self-centeredness cannot be changed overnight.”  But the willingness to ask is enough to begin.

What’s Happening Locally

Monthly Intergroup Birthday Meeting

This month’s host is the Carmel Valley Reflections group.  They meet Wednesday evenings from 6:30-7:30pm in St. Phillips Lutheran Church, at 8065 Carmel Valley Rd. in Carmel Valley.

Time:  Saturday, July 26th at 7:00pm
Place:  Monterey High School Cafeteria – 101 Herrmann Dr. Monterey CA 93940
Speaker: Micah C.

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!

Marina National Night Out

The MBAIAA PI/CPC Committee will be participating at an informational table at the Marina National Night Out.   This is a public event on TUESDAY AUGUST 5TH 4:30 pm till 8 PM.  We will meet at the Marina Public Safety building at 208 Palm Ave., Marina.  Contact Maggie W. or the Central Office for info.

PI/CPC Open Discussion and Training

News From General Service

Gratitude, Growth, and the Spirit of Service

Hello everyone! This is Elena B., your District Committee Member Chair.

As summer approaches, we’re excited for one of the most beloved events of the year:
🌞 Summer General Service Assembly – “The Fun Assembly!”
Saturday, August 2nd, 2025
📍 San Jose Scottish Rite
2455 Masonic Drive, San Jose, CA 95125
💻 Hybrid Format – Zoom ID: 632 553 607 | Password: 1935

This Assembly is a beautiful time of shared wisdom, solution-seeking, and transformation—where we gather as one voice to grow together in love and service, whether in person or online.

And remember: Every group deserves a voice. If your group doesn’t have a GSR (General Service Representative) yet, now is the perfect time to elect one. Without a GSR, your group may be missing the chance to help shape the future of AA.

Our next District Meeting is August 19th at 7:00 pm at Bethlehem Lutheran Church (800 Cass Street). Come join us—your voice matters, your presence matters, you matter.

With love and gratitude,
Your General Service Family 💛

News from H&I (Hospitals & Institutions)

Monterey Bay Area Roundup (MBAR) 2026 Update

What is MBAR?

Monterey Bay Area Roundup (MBAR) is a biennial conference in Monterey, California. It brings together 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

Anyone interested in service on the MBAR Planning Committee? We encourage you to join us!

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:

• August 9
• September 13
• October 11
• November 8
• December 13

Volunteer with Us! We are so thankful that 28 of 33 chair positions for MBAR have been filled! It is a blessing to have so much enthusiasm and such passionate folks on the committees. Several MBAR 2025–2026 Committee Positions Are Still Available!

Make an impact and help shape the next roundup! Open roles include:

– Panel Speaker Chair

– Registration Chair

– Dinner Chair

–  Literature Chair

– Social Media Co-Chair

– Marathon Meetings Chair

– Welcome Chair

MBAR BINGO NIGHT!

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2025

Hosted at the Moose Lodge in Del Rey Oaks

A fun night featuring recovery-themed bingo and fellowship.

Play phrases like “One day at a time,” “There is a solution,” “Powerless,” and “Easy does it” will likely be echoed throughout the event.

Great vibes and great prizes—don’t miss it!

Stay in touch, get involved, and help us make MBAR 2026 – Keep It Simple…unforgettable. If you have any questions, ideas or information to share with us, please reach out to Jenn at mbarchair2026@gmail.com.

There’s a solution—and it starts with us, together.

Intergroup Meeting Minutes & Financial Reports – July 2025

A Note From Central Office

Warm greetings to our recovery community!

🎉 New at Central Office!
We’re now carrying AA Grapevine greeting cards!!  There are four unique and humorous designs that are perfect for sobriety anniversaries, thank-you notes, or just a thoughtful hello.  Cards are available individually for $2.50 each, or grab a pack of all four for just $8.  Stop by and check them out!

🏦 Now Accepting Venmo and Zelle
You can now use Venmo or Zelle for purchases and contributions at the Central Office! Simply scan the QR code posted at the front desk with your Venmo or Chase app and you’ll be taken directly to our payment page.

Meeting Updates

We’ve had some recent changes to our local AA meeting schedule—please help spread the word!

Printed Meeting Schedules

The one-page printed meeting guides have been updated!  The new format is designed to be easier to read (and easier to update!).  Zoom meetings now also include the meeting ID information.  Two formats are available, by City and by Time.  Both can be found in one PDF on our website.

In addition to our regular one-page meeting guide, we now offer a booklet-style version that includes all of our in-person meetings in an easy-to-read format. It’s a great option for those who prefer a more spacious layout or have a harder time reading the smaller print. Stop by Central Office and pick one up!

Women’s Common Welfare: A Traditions Meeting

We’re happy to welcome a new closed meeting for women, starting August 5th!  Women’s Common Welfare: A Traditions Meeting will be held on the first Tuesday of each month (starting August 5th) at 6:00 PM at St. James Church (381 High St., Monterey).  Each month, the group will read from the AA Grapevine publication Our Twelve Traditions, focusing on the Tradition that corresponds with the month.  A discussion will follow the reading.
Note: This meeting meets only once a month, so mark your calendars!

In Love and Service,

Oliver

Local Events & Service Opportunities

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