MBAIAA Newsletter – October 2025

Published on October 21, 2025

Step Ten: “Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.”

“When a drunk has a terrific hangover because he drank heavily yesterday, he cannot live well today. But there is another kind of hangover which we all experience whether we are drinking or not. That is the emotional hangover, the direct result of yesterday’s and sometimes today’s excesses of negative emotion—anger, fear, jealousy, and the like.” (Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 88)

Step Ten is about staying spiritually fit. Having made our amends in Step Nine, we now begin the daily practice of self-examination and honesty.  This Step invites us to maintain progress, not perfection, to pause, reflect, and correct our course when we fall short.  It is a way of keeping our side of the street clean so that old habits of resentment, fear, or pride do not creep back in.

By practicing Step Ten regularly, we learn to take responsibility for our words and actions in real time.  Instead of waiting for things to pile up, we make small, steady corrections that help us build humility, peace of mind, and emotional balance.  By recognizing and promptly admitting our wrongs, we can live each day with a clearer conscience and a lighter heart.

Your Group’s Voice Matters!

Out of more than 70 AA groups in our area, fewer than 20 are currently represented at our monthly Intergroup meetings.  That means most groups are missing the chance to have a say in how our Central Office and Intergroup serve the fellowship.  Every AA group is encouraged to elect an Intergroup Representative (IGR) as your group’s direct voice in the local AA community.

What do IGRs do?

IGRs serve as the link between local AA groups and the Monterey Bay Area Intergroup.  They keep their groups up to date with local information, service opportunities, and special events.  IGRs also vote on matters that affect our fellowship at the local level, such as Central Office operations, literature and website updates, events, finances, and changes to our bylaws and guidelines.

MBAIAA provides essential services for local 12th Step work, including operating the Central Office, maintaining our meeting schedule and website, coordinating phone line coverage, stocking AA literature, and organizing events such as Unity Day and monthly Birthday Meetings.  Your group’s IGR helps ensure these efforts reflect the conscience and needs of the fellowship as a whole.

Encourage your group to elect an IGR and make sure your group’s experience, wisdom, and perspective are part of the conversation. Together, we keep AA strong and connected throughout Monterey County.

Intergroup meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM on Zoom.

What’s Happening Locally

Monthly Intergroup Birthday Meeting

This month’s host is Seniors in Sobriety! They meet at 10:00am on Tuesdays in the Oldemeyer Center in Seaside.

Time:  Saturday, October 25th at 7:00pm
Place:  Monterey High School Cafeteria – 101 Herrmann Dr. Monterey CA 93940
Speaker: Cheri

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).

Notice of Proposed Bylaws Revisions

The MBAIAA Steering Committee has completed a thorough review of our By-Laws. A proposed set of amended By-Laws is now available for review.  We encourage all groups to:

• Read the draft (copy provided to your IGR; also available online here -> Revised By-Laws)
• Discuss the revisions in your home group
• Share feedback with your Intergroup Representative (IGR)

The Amended By-Laws will be voted on at the December IGR Meeting.  Please click here for more information.

News from General Service

Hello everyone! 🌟
This is Elena B., DCMC, District 01. I have some important highlights to share with you this month!

📱 The General Service App is now live!
You can download it from the Apple Store or Google Play. This app will keep you updated on all the latest news from our District, Area, and GSO, and even show what’s happening across all 93 Areas in the U.S. and Canada 🇺🇸🇨🇦.
Fun fact: the app was created by the same folks who built the Meeting Guide App — and they’re right from our own Area CNCA 06! 🙌

📅 Area Inventory Assembly — Napa, November 1st
We’ll be taking a look at how well we’re doing as an Area and reflecting on several key questions, including:
1️⃣ How well are we fulfilling our responsibilities as an Area?
2️⃣ How do we help more A.A. members participate in the Conference process?
3️⃣ How can we better support our trusted servants to feel equipped and inspired in their service?
4️⃣ How can we build trust and improve communication in our Area?
5️⃣ How can the Area innovate to adapt to new challenges?
6️⃣ How can we best use our time, energy, and financial resources to address the issues that matter most to our fellowship?

Everyone is welcome to attend! Please see the flyer attached. 📄✨

🤝 District Inventory — November 18th at 7:00 PM
📍 Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 800 Cass Street
Let’s come together to see how we can better serve our District and strengthen our unity and purpose. 💙

Grateful to serve,
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. 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:

• October 11
• November 8
• December 13

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 – October 2025

A Note From Central Office

Warm greetings to our recovery community!

Please see below for communications from the General Service Office in New York:

1.  The A.A. Grapevine is struggling financially and could use your help -> Grapevine Letter
2.  The 2025 General Service Conference Final Report is now available to view and download->  2025 Final Report (online)
3.  There’s also a print version of the 2025 GSC Final Report available for purchase->  2025 Final Report (printed)
4.  The AA Meeting Guide App has been updated to version 5.0.  ->  Meeting Guide 5.0
5.  A new, expanded edition of Markings on the Journey, an “AA history lesson” in video, is now available in three different formats ->  Markings on the Journey
6. General Service is seeking stories of personal recovery for the new “A.A. for the Transgender Alcoholic” pamphlet -> Call for Stories
7. GSO is also looking for a new Director of Publishing ->  DoP Wanted

Events & Service Opportunities

(click to enlarge)