Monterey Bay Area Roundup
MBAR 2026 on Labor Day Weekend!
Virtual Kick-Off Zoom Meeting: September 4th at 8:00pm PDT
This meeting is open to everyone, and we encourage you to join!
In-Person Meetings: September 5th and September 6th at the Monterey Conference Center.
Please Note: Registration is required for the in-person event!
This Is Why We Do It: Life will take on new meaning. To watch people recover, to see them help others, to watch loneliness vanish, to see a fellowship grow up about you, to have a host of friends - this is an experience you must not miss. We know you will not want to miss it. Frequent contact with newcomers and with each other is the bright spot of our lives. - Alcoholics Anonymous p89
UNITY|ˈyoōnətē|
noun ( pl. -ties)
The state of being united or joined as a whole
SERVICE |ˈsərvis|
noun
The action of helping or doing work for someone
RECOVERY |riˈkəvərē|
noun ( pl. -eries)
A return to a normal state of health, mind, or strength
UPCOMING EVENTS
01
LAWN OLYMPICS
Sunday, July 20th
Veterans Park
Lunch at 12pm
Games at 1pm
Meeting at 2:30pm
Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, and Veggie Burgers
Bake Sale, Lawn Games, Fellowship, and More!
Suggested Contribution $15
02
Committee Sign Up
Would you like to sign up for a Committee Chair? Share the QR code with a friend.
A.A. service is awesome because it's all about giving back and staying connected. It gives us purpose, builds friendships, a real way to live out the A.A. principles, and make this feel like home. It's simple: when we show up for others, we stay together. And that's what it's all about.
03
Earl Hightower: Saturday Night Speaker!
Earl H. is bringing the heat from SoCal this Labor Day weekend! As one of the most powerful and entertaining Alcoholics Anonymous speakers around, Earl can be both hilarious and deeply moving—always delivering a message packed with hope, experience, and truth. With years on the front lines of addiction recovery—speaking in rehabs, detox centers, and even to lawmakers—Earl’s message carries real depth and weight. He’s our Saturday Night Keynote at MBAR, and you won’t want to miss it. Save the date, spread the word, and grab the flyer!
Three Things To Explain: MBAR, A.A. and Al-Anon
What is Monterey Bay Area Roundup (MBAR)?
MBAR is a biennual conference in Monterey, California for members of Alcoholics Anonymous and members of Al-Anon Family Groups to bring in speakers from around the country and to provide a place for fellowship and unity. MBAR is the spirit and feeling behind it! As one member puts it, the best A.A. convention is “just a darned good A.A. meeting blown up big.” Just watch enthusiastic members at any A.A. convention and you’ll get what he means. The atmosphere alone is worth the trip. Here you’ll find fellowship, laughter, warmth, and understanding - “heaped up, pressed down, and running over.”
What is Alcoholics Anonymous?
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of people who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. A.A. is not allied with any sect denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.
What is Al-Anon?
Al-Anon Family Groups are a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength, and hope in order to solve their common problems. We believe alcoholism is a family illness and that changed attitudes can aid recovery. Al-Anon is not allied with any sect, denomination, political entity, organization, or institution; does not engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any cause. There are no dues for membership. Al-Anon is self-supporting through its own voluntary contributions. Al-Anon has but one purpose: to help families of alcoholics. We do this by practicing the Twelve Steps, by welcoming and giving comfort to families of alcoholics, and by giving understanding and encouragement to the alcoholic.
Our Statement of Responsibility
I am responsible.
When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, I want the hand of A.A. always to be there.
And for that I am responsible.
