MBAIAA Newsletter – June 2026

Step 6: “Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.”

“We have emphasized willingess as being indispensable.  Are we now ready to let God remove from us all the things which we have admitted are objectionable?”  –Alcoholics Anonymous, pg. 76

After taking inventory and sharing it with another person, Step 6 asks us an important question: Am I truly willing to change?  Many of us discover that while some defects cause obvious pain, others are harder to let go of.  We may cling to old attitudes, fears, or behaviors because they have become familiar.

Step 6 is not about achieving perfection. It is about becoming willing.  As we grow in honesty and humility, we become ready to trust that a Higher Power can help remove the obstacles that stand between us and a more useful, peaceful life.  This willingness opens the door to the spiritual growth that follows in the remaining Steps.

What’s Happening Locally

Monthly Birthday Meeting

This month’s Birthday Meeting will be hosted by the Friday Night Men’s Stag meeting.  They meet at 8:00pm on Fridays at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Pacific Grove.

Time:  Saturday, June 27th at 7:00pm
Place:  Monterey High School Cafeteria – 101 Herrmann Dr. Monterey CA 93940
Speaker: Michael McC.

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).

Service Opportunities

Hosts for Pacific Group Bus Trip

The Pacific Group Bus Trip returns August 8-9, bringing A.A. members from Santa Monica to Monterey for a weekend of fellowship, meetings, dancing, and softball. Organizers are currently seeking local members willing to host visitors and help continue this long-standing tradition of hospitality and service. Several service opportunities are available, and all are welcome to attend the Saturday evening meeting at First Presbyterian Church of Monterey.  Please see the flyer below for more information.

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.

📢 General Service District 01 News & Updates

Hello everyone!

This is Elena B., your DCMC (District Committee Member Chair). 😊

We held our monthly District business meeting on June 16, 2026, and we have several exciting announcements to share!

🎉 Save the Date: District Workshop – October 3, 2026

We are excited to announce that District 01 is planning to host a workshop on October 3, 2026 in Bethlehem Lutheran Church at 800 Cass street. Time TBD!

🗣️ What topics would you like to see?
We are currently gathering ideas from groups and members about workshop topics that would be most helpful and interesting. Please share your suggestions with your GSR or bring them to our next District meeting on July 21 at 7 pm also in Bethlehem Lutheran Church at 800 Cass street.

Your input will help us create a workshop that is informative, engaging, and relevant to our local Fellowship.

💻 Technology Workshop – September 11–13, 2026

Interested in how technology can help carry the message?

“Circuits of Service: How Technology Helps Carry the Message”

Join trusted servants, tech helpers, and service members from throughout the Fellowship in person in the San Francisco Bay Area or online.

📅 September 11–13, 2026

Service entities can sponsor registrations for trusted servants and tech volunteers whose experience can benefit the Fellowship.

Co-hosted by:

• Area 06 Technology Committee
• San Francisco & Marin Intergroup

📎 Flyer attached.

☀️ Summer Assembly – August 8, 2026

Join us for the Area 06 Summer Assembly! In person or online.

📅 Saturday, August 8, 2026
📍 American Legion Post 105
651 El Camino Real
Redwood City, CA 94063

✨ Why attend?

• Participate in discussions affecting A.A. as a whole
• Meet trusted servants from across Northern California
• Learn more about General Service
• Connect with old friends and make new ones
• Experience the spirit of service and fellowship

Assemblies are informative, inspiring, and fun! We encourage everyone interested in service to attend.

📎 Flyer attached.

🙋‍♀️ Service Opportunities Available

Our District currently has several open service positions:

📚 Archives Chair – Vacant
🤝 Intergroup Liaison – Vacant
📖 Literature & Grapevine Chair – Vacant
🌉 MBAR Liaison – Vacant

Service is one of the best ways to deepen your recovery, connect with others, and help carry the message to the still-suffering alcoholic.

If you have ever considered getting involved, now is a great time! Please reach out to me or attend a District meeting to learn more.

💙 Come be of service—we need you!

Yours in service,
Elena B.
DCMC, District 01

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, bringing together the AA, Al-Anon, Ala-Teen, and Spanish-speaking communities for a powerful weekend of recovery, fellowship, unity, and service.

September 4–6, 2026
Monterey Convention Center

Website: montereybayarearoundup.org

REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

Registration for MBAR 2026 is officially open, and we encourage everyone to register early.

Register before July 1 and receive a $10 discount.

Early registration helps the committee plan more effectively and ensures we can create the best possible experience for all attendees.

OUTREACH MATTERS MORE THAN EVER

As we move into the final months before MBAR, outreach is one of the most important forms of service we can offer.

Many dedicated volunteers have spent countless hours planning and preparing a meaningful weekend of recovery, connection, and fellowship. We now need your help spreading the word so that as many people as possible have the opportunity to attend.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

• Inspirational speakers from throughout North America
• AA Marathon Meetings
• Al-Anon Marathon Meetings
• Spanish-Speaking Meetings
• Open Ala-Teen Meeting
• Recovery, Unity, and Service Panels
• Folklorico and Aztec Dancers
• Meet the Speakers Dinner
• Sound Bath Experience
• Firepit & Letting Go
• Ice Cream Social, Painting, and Games
• Breakfast Bingo
• Saturday Night Dance
• Line Dancing Lessons
• Prize Raffle and 50/50
• Private Whale Watching Excursion

HELPING HANDS

Helping Hands volunteers provide support, companionship, transportation assistance, guidance around the conference, and a warm welcome to attendees who may need a little extra help navigating the weekend.

Learn more at:
www.montereybayarearoundup.org/helping-hands

VOLUNTEER WITH US

We still need volunteers to help with:
• Setup
• Registration
• Hospitality
• Onsite Events
• Ticket Sales
• Helping Hands
• Teardown

JOIN THE PLANNING COMMITTEE

Upcoming Business Meetings (10:00 AM PST)

Zoom ID: 330 100 7207
Password: 2026

• July 11, 2026
• July 25, 2026
• August 1, 2026
• August 8, 2026
• August 15, 2026
• August 22, 2026
• August 29, 2026

Stay Connected

Instagram: @mbar2026
Facebook: Monterey Bay Area Roundup
Email: mbarchair2026@gmail.com
Website: montereybayarearoundup.org

WE CANNOT WAIT TO SEE YOU AT MBAR 2026! THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT ENCOURAGEMENT AND WILLINGNESS!

KEEP IT SIMPLE – ONE DAY AT A TIME

Intergroup Meeting Minutes & Financial Reports – June 2026

A Note From Central Office

Meeting Updates

St. James Church

Due to ongoing construction at St. James Church (Franklin and High Streets in Monterey), all meetings normally held in the McGowan House will be temporarily relocated to the church sanctuary until further notice.

Friday Attitude Adjustment

Beginning July 3, the Friday Attitude Adjustment meeting will temporarily change its start time to 11:30 a.m. due to construction at St. James Church. This change will remain in effect until further notice.

News from the General Service Office

Information on Self-Support

–  From the Self-Support & Finance Desk: GSO’s Self-Support & Finance desk has released a new update featuring Seventh Tradition resources, self-support tools, financial reporting information, and opportunities for members to share their experience with A.A. services. The full report in the link highlights how contributions support the work of carrying A.A.’s message throughout the Fellowship.

–  Monthly A.A.W.S. Self-Support Letter:  In this month’s A.A.W.S. Self-Support communication, Class B Trustee Carolyn W. shares her personal journey with the Seventh Tradition and reflects on how self-support, sacrifice, and gratitude have shaped her recovery and service experience. Drawing on lessons learned in her home group, professional life, and service at every level of A.A., she reminds us that our contributions are more than financial transactions. They are expressions of faith, responsibility, and commitment to carrying A.A.’s message to the alcoholic who still suffers. Click the link to read the full letter.

New Products

• The Plain Language Big Book is now available in Audiobook format -> Read Letter
• The Everything AA phone app has been aquired by AA World Services -> Read Letter
• A new book entitled “Gratitude” has been released by the AA Grapevine.  Copies are currently in stock at the Central Office.

Unity Day

With a grateful heart, I would like to thank everyone who helped make Unity Day 2026 such a wonderful celebration of fellowship and recovery.

To all who attended, thank you for being part of the day.  Your presence helped create the spirit of unity, friendship, and shared purpose that makes this event so special.  I am also deeply grateful to everyone who volunteered their time, energy, and talents behind the scenes to make the event a success.

A special thank you to Fr. Tom W. for sharing a heartfelt and inspiring message that touched many in attendance.

Unity Day is a reminder that when we come together in service and fellowship, great things happen.  Thanks to all of you, this year’s event was a tremendous success.  A report on funds raised will be forthcoming.

Thank you for strengthening our fellowship and for making Unity Day 2026 a day to remember!

To help us celebrate what went well, identify opportunities for improvement, and begin planning for next year, we will hold a Unity Day debrief meeting on Sunday, June 28, at 3:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.  All Unity Day volunteers, committee members, and anyone interested in sharing feedback are welcome to attend.  Your experience and suggestions will help make future Unity Days even better.

In Love and Service,

Oliver

Info/Events & Service Opportunities

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