Welcome to the August 2026 issue of the Coastal Bender, the monthly newsletter of the Coastal Bend Intergroup Association.
Recovery and the Real You
Written by: Anonymous
One of the greatest gifts of sobriety is the opportunity to discover who we truly are. For many of us, alcohol became a way to escape fear, pain, insecurity, or disappointment. Over time, drinking can blur our identity until we lose sight of our values, goals, and authentic selves. Sobriety removes that barrier and allows us to see ourselves more clearly.
As we stay sober, we begin to uncover strengths, talents, and qualities that may have been hidden for years. We learn what genuinely brings us joy, what matters most to us, and what kind of person we want to become. Recovery gives us the chance to grow emotionally, spiritually, and mentally rather than remaining stuck in the patterns that once held us back.
Finding our true self is not a single moment but an ongoing journey. Through honest self reflection, fellowship, and spiritual growth, we gain a deeper understanding of who we are and who we were created to be. We become more comfortable in our own skin and less dependent on outside influences for happiness or acceptance.
Sobriety is about far more than putting down a drink. It is about reclaiming our lives and becoming the person we were always meant to be. When we remain sober, we gain the freedom to live authentically, pursue our purpose, and experience the peace that comes from being true to ourselves.
CBIA Appreciates and Needs Your Ongoing Support
A big “thank you” to the New Phoenix Prom Committee! The event was held on Saturday, July 25th at the New Phoenix Group. It was a wonderful evening with great food, music and fellowship. Their hard work and effort raised $3,010.02 to donate to CBIA. Thank you again for this generous donation!
It is easy to go to the website and make your contribution. No envelope or stamp is needed. Look for the Contribute button at the top of the page. There is a button for PayPal, and a button for contributions on Square. Clicking on Square opens up many ways that people can donate including Cash App, Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc. Check it out and see how easy it can be to contribute to your local Intergroup Office. Maximum amount that can be contributed per year is $7,500.00.
Thanks to the many who do the Birthday Club where they donate a dollar or more per year of sobriety. Please join them and get your name and sobriety birthday in the Bender! The office is here in your community answering phone calls and selling literature, chips, birthday cards and medallions; but more importantly, we maintain the meeting schedules with all your updates and new meetings happening in our area, as well as maintaining the 24-hour Helpline supported by many volunteers in this area. This newsletter is generated by the office to help get out new information to everyone who subscribes, but as always, we need your support to do all these things.
Where Are We Now? (Actual through July 2026)
| Checking Amount | $8,496.92 |
| Prudent Reserve | $12,675.24 |
| IRS Penalty Refund | $3,120.41 |
| Contributions | $16,121.29 |
| Jamboree Contribution | $5,587.36 |
| Gross Sales | $7,689.31 |
| Cost of Goods Sold | -$4,958.13 |
| Gross Gain | $27,656.51 |
| Total Expenses | $23,722.75 |
| Net Gain | $3,940.01 |
Group Contributions: Some groups have asked how to make distributions. The pamphlet Where Money and Spirituality Mix is good to review before your group conscience decides. See the suggested distribution and addresses.
Group Contributions — July 2026 and Year to Date
| Group Name | July 2026 | YTD 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Anonymous/Individual Contributions | 71.00 | 4,645.89 |
| Aransas Pass Group | 31.00 | 31.00 |
| CC – A Day Of AA In CC | 300.00 | |
| CC – 5th Tradition Group | 181.00 | |
| CC – Calallen Group | 50.00 | |
| CC – Cullen Mall Group | 100.50 | |
| CC – Flour Bluff Unity Group | 13.00 | |
| CC – Hilltoppers Group | 341.60 | |
| CC – New Life Group | 100.00 | 550.00 |
| CC – New Phoenix Group | 298.92 | 1,410.82 |
| New Phoenix Prom Night | 2,880.91 | 3,012.02 |
| CC – New Women’s Group | 432.95 | |
| CC – Saratoga Group | 200.00 | |
| CC – Sunset 7 Group (N Padre Island) | 197.80 | 197.80 |
| CC – Turning Point Face-2-Face Grp | 75.00 | |
| CC – Weber Road Nooners Group | 444.00 | |
| Goliad Open Arms Group | 15.00 | |
| Hallettsville Group | 158.25 | |
| Kingsville AL-K Group | 150.00 | |
| Mathis Crossroads Group | 50.00 | 175.00 |
| Moulton Group | 64.19 | 64.19 |
| Portland Noon Meeting | 251.00 | |
| Portland Nueces Bay Group | 1,000.00 | |
| Rivera-SASTO Group | 402.00 | |
| Rockport Hope In Recovery Group | 500.00 | |
| Rockport Fellowship Group | 750.00 | |
| Victoria Back to Basics Group | 127.80 | 323.89 |
| Victoria For Sinners Only Group | 50.00 | |
| Victoria Main Stream Group | 200.00 | |
| Victoria Unity Group | 96.38 | |
| TOTAL | $3,821.62 | $16,121.29 |
Intergroup Meetings
- CBIA Board of Trustees Monthly Meeting will be held on Monday, Aug 10th, 2026, at 6:00 PM on Zoom.
- CBIA Quarterly Association Meeting will be held on Monday, Oct 26th, 2026, at 6PM on Zoom.
Group Announcements
- New Phoenix Group — Group Conscience: 1st Sunday of each month at 1:15 PM. Birthday Night: 1st Saturday of each month at 8:00 PM. Location: 5433 S. Staples, Suite H in the Boardwalk Shopping Center; park in back lot behind shopping center off Bonner St.
- Hilltoppers Group — Group Conscience is quarterly after the noon meeting. Location: First United Methodist Church @ 900 S Shoreline Dr, Room 210.
- Weber Road Nooners Group — Group Conscience: designated Saturday of each quarter (Jan/Apr/Jul/Oct) following the 10:00 AM meeting. Birthdays: 1st Monday of each month at noon. Location: Travis Baptist Church @ 5802 Weber Road at Schanen St; park in lot behind church; meeting upstairs.
- Calallen Group — Group Conscience: 3rd Wednesday of each month following the 6:30 PM meeting. Birthday Night: 1st Saturday of each month with a potluck supper at 6:30 PM & the birthday meeting at 8:00 PM. Location: The Pass it on Club @ 11425 Leopard St.
- Flour Bluff Unity Group — Group Conscience: 2nd Sunday of each month at 12:00 noon. Birthday Night: 1st Saturday of each month with a potluck supper at 7:00 PM & the birthday meeting at 8:00 PM. Location: The Anchor Club @ 320 Anchor St.
Upcoming Speakers & Events
Minutes: CBIA Board of Trustees Meeting, May 11th, 2026
Read the minutes
I. Opening: Carolyn opened with a Moment of Silence followed by the Serenity Prayer at 6:02PM. Frank read the CBIA Mission Statement, Nancy read the General Warranties, and John read the 12 Traditions.
II. Attendance: Carolyn C. (Chair), Billy E. (Vice Chair & Financial), Nancy B. (Trustee), Frank W. (Trustee), John K. (Trustee), Brian R. (Trustee), Jim L. (Jamboree Chairperson), Rita S. (Office Manager), Terry M. (Assist. Office Mgr.). Bob M. (Trustee) not present.
III. Minutes and Financials: Both were emailed. April Treasurer Report — Balance Sheet (April 2026): Petty Cash $50.00; Checking $6,099.20; Prudent Reserve $12,672.08; Jamboree Account $952.00; Total $19,773.28. Year-to-Date (Jan–Apr 2026): Contributions (Group & Individual) $9,150.15; Jamboree Contribution $5,587.36; Sales Profit $1,529.96; Total $16,363.74; YTD Expenses $14,518.80; YTD Net Income $1,848.06. Profit & Loss (April 2026): Contributions (Group & Individual) $3,026.08; Gross Sales $509.83; Gross Profit $3,632.18; Total Expenses $4,874.37; April Net Income -$1,242.19. Frank made a motion to approve the Minutes. Nancy seconded. Approved. There was a question about the Rent Adjustment entry and the .50 cent donation from Cullen Mall. John made a motion to accept the Financials. Frank seconded. Approved.
IV. Service Areas: 12th Step: Bob M. — not present. Archives: Frank W. — nothing. Jamboree: John K. — nothing. Social: Nancy B. talked about Founder’s Day. It will be at Alanos Group on 18th St from 1PM–4PM. Hotdogs, potato salad, chips and cake. Talk about a pie walk and Bookmarks will do AA trivia. Nancy and John both said they would bring a pie for the pie walk. Will check with others to donate pies. Coastal Bender: John K. will be meeting with Nathan and Glenn about the website and if they can use the website to send out the Bender newsletter. Corrections/Treatment Facilities: Brian R. said the Cenikor has moved to 801 Cantwell. They hope to be able to go back for the meetings on May 17th. Keith is looking for more volunteers to go to jail on Fridays for meetings. Public Information/Cooperation with Professional Community: Brian R. — nothing currently. Nominations: nothing currently. Bilingual: open.
V. Office Report: Rita said not much to report, bills are getting paid, but she will let everyone know if she must transfer money from Prudent Reserve in the future. Also, the New Phoenix Group has voted to do a fundraiser with all proceeds to benefit the CBIA office. It will be Prom Night on July 25th from 6PM–10PM with food and raffles. Tickets are $15.
VI. Old Business: Rita gave a report on the information that Marie and she had gotten from their conversation with Vanessa at the Omni about making changes to the 2027 contract. Billy, Frank, and John had met, and all said based on their conversation about the Bylaws and Standing Rules, the Chair of the Jamboree Committee, Jim L., would be the one to meet with his committee and they would decide on how to move forward with those ideas. Rita had emailed out that information to Jim L. who had already sent that out to some committee members and was waiting for feedback from them. Rita asked if they could possibly get back with Vanessa by the end of the month; he is going to try to get that done.
VII. New Business: None.
VIII. Next Meeting and Closing: Next CBIA Board of Trustees meeting is Monday, June 8th, 2026, at 6:00 PM on Zoom. Next CBIA Quarterly Association meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 27th, 2026, on Zoom. Billy motioned to adjourn the meeting, Frank seconded. Approved. Carolyn closed the meeting with the Our Father at 6:53PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Rita Standish (Office Manager)
2026 Birthday Club
The Birthday Club is for members who wish to contribute to CBIA on their AA birthday: $1 per year is suggested for each year of sobriety. Donations can be made by PayPal under the Contribute option on our website, or by cash or check to CBIA @ 3833 S Staples Suite S-212, Corpus Christi, TX 78411. Please indicate your Home Group or City and Sobriety Date. Let us know if you do not want your birthday listed in the Bender.
See the 2026 Birthday Club
| Name | Home Group | Since | Years in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gail B. | Victoria Golden Slippers Grp | 01/01/2011 | 15 |
| Terry K. | CC Sunset 7 Group | 01/01/2000 | 26 |
| Sheila S. | CC New Phoenix Group | 01/07/2007 | 19 |
| Charlie B. | Victoria Golden Slippers Grp | 01/09/2006 | 20 |
| Ladara C. | CC New Phoenix Group | 01/09/1995 | 31 |
| Ceil Mc K. | CC Hilltoppers Group | 01/10/1982 | 44 |
| Sandra E. | CC Weber Rd Nooners Group | 01/20/2011 | 15 |
| Pat L. | CC Hilltoppers Group | 01/20/2001 | 25 |
| Rae T. | CC Happy Hour Group | 01/23/2006 | 20 |
| Ernest J. | CC Flour Bluff Unity Group | 02/15/2004 | 22 |
| Rob M. | CC Zoom Turning Point Group | 02/24/1985 | 41 |
| Janeen H. | CC Turning Point Group | 03/08/2017 | 9 |
| Chris N. | CC Oso Group | 03/09/2009 | 17 |
| Rita S. | CC Weber Nooners Group | 03/13/1977 | 49 |
| Mary C. | CC Turning Point Group | 03/22/1992 | 34 |
| Bruce R. | CC New Phoenix Group | 03/27/1985 | 41 |
| Phyllis H. | Portland Noon Meeting | 04/01/2004 | 22 |
| Marlive F. | Corpus Christi | 04/08/1987 | 39 |
| Kelly K. | Corpus Christi | 04/18/1986 | 40 |
| Lisa D. | Austin, TX (18th St) | 04/21/1987 | 39 |
| Fred C. | New Phoenix Group | 05/13/1987 | 39 |
| Carol D. | CC Happy Hour Group | 05/24/2016 | 10 |
| Mary H. | CC Happy Hour Group | 05/24/1995 | 31 |
| Jackie C. | Pleasanton, TX | 06/05/2014 | 12 |
| Pete M. | Portland Nueces Bay Group | 06/06/2025 | 1 |
| Gary L. | CC New Phoenix Group | 06/07/2009 | 17 |
| James M. | Portland Nueces Bay Group | 06/13/1993 | 33 |
| Terry M. | CC New Women’s Group | 06/18/1992 | 34 |
| Marie A. | CC Alanos Group | 06/21/1991 | 35 |
| Robin P. | CC Hilltoppers Group | 06/22/1986 | 40 |
| Annette C. | Bookmarks Group | 06/24/2012 | 14 |
| Bob Mc G. | Goliad Open Arms Group | 07/04/1979 | 47 |
| Bill Drews | Rockport Happy Hour Group | 07/16/1981 | 45 |
| Libby A. | CC New Women’s Group | 07/12/1987 | 39 |
| Tammy B. | CC Weber Rd Nooners Group | 08/11/1989 | 37 |
| April K. | Corpus Christi, TX | 08/20/1984 | 42 |
| Scott Mc G. | CC Hilltoppers Group | 08/22/2002 | 24 |
| Pat E. | CC New Women’s Group | 08/23/1987 | 39 |
| Butch R. | CC Weber Rd Nooners Group | 08/26/2006 | 20 |
| Mike Q. | CC Weber Rd Nooners Group | 08/28/2000 | 26 |
| Ramona S. | CC Weber Rd Nooners Zoom | 08/28/2021 | 5 |
| Fred B. | Aransas Pass Group | 09/01/2002 | 24 |
| Hank S. | CC Cullen Mall Group | 09/07/1993 | 33 |
| Barb C-S | CC New Women’s Group | 09/09/1985 | 41 |
| Valerie B. | CC New Phoenix Group | 09/13/2017 | 9 |
| Heather D. | CC Weber Rd Nooners Group | 09/23/2009 | 17 |
| Dave D. | Rockport Fellowship Group | 10/04/1985 | 41 |
| Brandelyn M. | CC New Phoenix Group | 10/09/2009 | 17 |
| Patrick R. | CC New Phoenix Group | 10/09/2009 | 17 |
| Harold B. | CC Weber Rd Nooners Group | 10/18/2007 | 19 |
| Tim R. | CC New Phoenix Group | 10/21/2011 | 15 |
| Betsy H. | CC Hilltopper’s Group | 10/22/2010 | 16 |
| Kruger D. | CC New Phoenix Group | 10/23/2009 | 17 |
| Eddie M. | CC Weber Rd Nooners Group | 10/28/2005 | 21 |
| Debbie B. | CC Weber Rd Nooners Group | 10/31/2000 | 26 |
| Keith S. | CC New Attitude Group | 11/04/2020 | 6 |
| Loralei D. | CC New Women’s Group | 11/06/1984 | 42 |
| Joanie J. | San Antonio, TX | 11/28/2015 | 11 |
| Larry H. | Rockport Fellowship Group | 12/04/1990 | 36 |
| Jimmy M. | Port Lavaca Group | 12/14/1987 | 39 |
| Joe Mc M. | CC Hilltoppers Group | 12/21/1980 | 46 |
| Tony P. | CC Hilltoppers Group | 12/23/1978 | 48 |
| Ron S. | China, TX | 12/24/2009 | 17 |
| John K. | CC Cullen Mall Group | 12/25/1995 | 31 |
| Lois H. | CC New Women’s Group | 12/29/2007 | 19 |
Memorial Contributions
Memorial Donations can be made by any AA member in memory of another AA member who passed away during the current calendar year. Continuous attendance at meetings is not required as long as they died sober. Suggested donation of $1 per year of sobriety or a minimum of $5. They will be listed in each Bender from the month after the donation for a year. Please indicate their Home Group or City and the date of their death.
| Name | Home Group | Departed |
|---|---|---|
| Arthur A. | Nova Scotia, Canada | 10/03/2025 |
| Bud L. | Mountain Toppers | 01/07/2026 |
| Joe D. | Mission, TX | 01/16/2026 |
| Marcia L. | Oso Group | 05/15/2026 |
Have You Heard It Through the Grapevine Yet?
AA Grapevine has gone social! It has its own podcast! Each week, longtime AA members Don and Sam interview different members about their experience, strength and hope. The half-hour podcast is a casual “meeting after the meeting” with jokes, fun and the typical AA banter. Listening to a few episodes is a reminder that alcoholics are not a glum lot!
New episodes are available in English each Monday at 9:00am EST. The hosts interview their guests on getting sober, service, Steps, sponsorship and more. To listen to new or past episodes, visit aagrapevine.org/podcast (or wherever you get podcasts). By going to the website, members are able to email, call or leave voice recordings with comments, suggestions, jokes or recovery related questions for the Ask-It-Basket. Our Tradition of anonymity will be respected with all submissions on the show.
Helpline Help Needed!
More people are needed for “The Helpline”. The Helpline is staffed by volunteers who make sure the hand of AA is available 24 hours a day by answering the intergroup calls overnight (5 PM to 7:45 AM) and on weekends (8 AM Saturday to 8 AM Sunday or 8 AM Sunday to 7:45 AM Monday). This is a once-per-month commitment. A minimum of 3 months’ sobriety is required to answer calls after office hours. If you are available to do this vital volunteer work, please contact CBIA as soon as possible to add your name.
Calls taken during the month of July by volunteers: 38 calls for meeting information · 1 Twelve Step call · 7 office referral/other calls.
- 12 Step List — If a caller needs help beyond meeting information, the helpline volunteer passes them to someone on the 12-Step List for a longer conversation on how to get sober and stay sober. A minimum of two years’ sobriety is required. If interested, please call Terry or Rita at the CBIA office (361) 992-8911 between 8:30–11:30 AM or 2–5 PM Monday through Friday.
- Jamboree Committee will start meeting again in July. Next meeting is Aug 8th at 9:00am at New Phoenix Group.
- Local Stories Wanted for the Coastal BENDER — Consider writing a short recovery story of an event in your sobriety for publication in this newsletter. Submit your short article to cbia@grandecom.net in a Word document or similar format.
- District 8D Corrections Committee could use your help to carry the AA message to the incarcerated alcoholic. There are 12 Step opportunities at the Nueces County Jail, McKinzie Jail Annex, SATF, and TDCJ State Prisons. (Volunteers must pass a background check.) You can also consider becoming an AA contact for newly released alcoholics; both men and women are needed. Please donate your used Grapevines to the collection box at New Phoenix Group or CBIA. To volunteer or for more information contact Keith S. (361) 226-9343 or Karen S. (362) 980-7412.
From the CBIA Office
CBIA Phone Number: (361) 992-8911. Calls are answered by staff during business hours Monday–Friday and by helpline volunteers at lunch, after-hours and on weekends and holidays. Office Hours (except on holidays): Monday–Friday 8:30am–11:30am & 2:00pm–5:00pm. We will continue to work 30-hour weeks during 2026 to keep costs down. If you would like, you can call ahead with your order and we can have it ready to pick up. CBIA Holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving (2 days), Christmas Day.