Monterey Bay Area Roundup (MBAR)
MBAR has always been about more than a conference. It is about bringing people together.
Over the weekend, we shared powerful speaker meetings, panels, workshops, marathon meetings, fellowship activities, and countless conversations that continued long after the scheduled events ended.
We laughed together.
We listened together.
We supported one another.
And we celebrated recovery together.
Thank You to Our Speakers
A special thank-you to our A.A. speakers:
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Theresa F. (Van Nuys)
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Darren P. (Santa Barbara)
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Madison B. (British Columbia)
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Danny D. (Southern California)
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Michael S. (Carmel)
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Tina A. (Hollister)
And to all of the Al-Anon speakers, panelists, workshop leaders, volunteers, and trusted servants who contributed their time and energy to the weekend.
Your willingness to share is what makes gatherings like this possible.
To Everyone Who Attended
We hope you leave MBAR with more than memories.
We hope you leave with a renewed connection to the fellowship, a little more hope, a few new friends, and perhaps a reminder that none of us has to walk this journey alone.
The stories we heard this weekend remind us where we've been, how far we've come, and why we keep showing up.
Keep the Spirit of MBAR Going
The weekend may be over, but the fellowship continues.
Stay connected. Attend a meeting.
Reach out to someone.
Volunteer.
Share your experience, strength, and hope.
And when the time comes for the next Monterey Bay Area Roundup, we hope you'll join us again.
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
Listen to MBAR 2026 Speakers Now
Three Things To Explain: MBAR, A.A. and Al-Anon
What is Monterey Bay Area Roundup (MBAR)?
MBAR is a conference that happens every other year in Monterey, California for members of Alcoholics Anonymous and members of Al-Anon Family Groups. It brings in speakers from around the country and provides 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.
