Previous Gatherings
2008 WGC Gathering Report
February 19 – 23, 2008
Vallecito Campground, San Diego County, California
This was our first year at Vallecito campground. The County Park Rangers were very friendly and cooperative. Our camp host, Ed, was great. He helped us out in many ways and made us feel welcome and supported. A big change from Tamarisk Grove! Consensus was that we would love to come back in 2010.
We were able to have our sweat lodge and hold four ceremonies. Kudos to Dirk and Will for keeping the lodge. We had an awesome 20th anniversary Costume Party on Friday night. (Hurray for amplification!!) Mel did a great job DJ’ing for the party. Costume prizes were awarded to: Jessica for Best Animal Spirit. Shane for Most Humorous. Susanna for Most Beautiful. Moriah for Most Original. We danced until the dome blew in and smacked someone on the noggin…
Our big challenge this year came from the high winds (50 mph+) that blew through camp. The big dome took a beating, and only constant hard work by Kap and the dome crew kept it standing. The kitchen crews also fought the wind and managed to deliver many a tasty meal despite it. We met the many challenges as a community in a joyful way.
Many people donated wonderful items for an auction to raise scholarships funds for the 4th International Gathering. What was originally a silent auction morphed into a wild and crazy live auction emceed by Angelo Lazenka. $2300 was raised to help guides from other nations with their travel costs.
All in all, a great Gathering. We missed those who weren’t there. We hope to see ALL of you next year at the 4th International Wilderness Guides Gathering – April 14-20, 2009 near Portal, Arizona in the Coronado National Forest. That's going to be a once in a lifetime event!
Besides being a chance to talk shop and hang with old friends and new, the Gathering is our annual business meeting. Scout chose to step down from being Netkeeper a year early, and we needed to select a new Netkeeper. What follows are the notes from all the business councils.
Wednesday, February 20
Business Meeting (Morning)
Netkeeper Report
Scout: Reflected on how she knew to step forward 4 years ago. A few weeks ago, the idea was presented that she may be done. She protested mightily! Talked more with the Advisory Council and friends and Anne Stine…what is true is that she has served to the best she can ( with a brain injury). She is moving on, letting go with grace and power, stepping into guiding, working with past netkeepers, more freedom.
Advisory Council Report
Mel, Petra, Fran, Scout, Munro
Budget a priority, also understanding the requirements and setting up systems for easier data sharing and bookkeeping.
Membership categories and dues levels needed clarification.
By-laws are unclear about certain roles and processes. Their needs to be a working group selected.
Netkeeper selection process moved forward due to Scout’s resignation, AC spent lots of time crafting the Netkeeper selection.
The AC tackled some difficult issues this year. This was an important time for the AC, as they stepped into a more active role on behalf of the WGC.
Ranger’s Council Report
Tom, Miguel, Lorindra, Kent, Tony
Rangers maintain site bank for walk-in base camps – WIB’s.
Renewal fast uses this model.
12 went on last renewal fast. Offering 2008 Renewal fast September 20-27.
Assist new guides w/ recon/ site location/maintain info on how often sites are used.
To be a ranger, must have done own fast/have trained to guide/have taken at least one person out as a guide. Idea is to form regional Ranger Posses.
Bundle Council
Farion, Mel, Miguel, , Jessica, Julie
Bundle ceremony was held in beauty once again with participants dressed in their "finest". The bundle was opened, prayers were renewed, and will be held through the coming year by Farion, Miguel and Jessica.
Webkeeper Report
Munro. Things are stable, not much changed. New site and Circles in the works.
International Gathering Council Report
Corinna, Scout, Farion ( for Kent), Mahoney, Lorindra
Submitted awesome typed report. Filed for 501c(3) as Global Rites of Passage
Report on campgrounds, and work done to date.
We will need various volunteers for the IWGG.
Budget Review and Approval - Petra and Scout presented.
New system needed for budget spreadsheets.
Issues: can we approve the proposed budget if we don’t yet know about Circles on the Mountain and the International Gathering’s effect on a regular WGC gathering?
Question about employment taxes answered: Netkeeper a “contract” position, where the contractor pays own taxes.
Issues upcoming: dome, stipends.
Proposal: to empower the new netkeeper and Advisory Council to work on a proposed budget, to include new items, and to let us know if they get in trouble!
Try to keep reserve above $3500 if possible.
We will switch to Quickbooks Online for accounting.
Circles on the Mountain Discussion
This past year, was web-based for the first time and it didn’t happen because the Stan was unable to fill the editor role.
Print copy could be available thru website if PDF is good enough.
Farion: We have a machine already that makes the bound copies.
Could we publish past archives on a CD for sale? (Munro says we can make them downloadable.)
Agreement to add $300 to budget for Circle this year
Thursday Morning Council
February 21, 2008
Discussion of Gathering options for next year. The decision was made to hold our Gathering just before the 4th International Wilderness Guides Gathering (IWGG) in April of 2009. The WGC will meet Sunday night, do business Monday morning, then expand our circle to host the IWGG. Our goal to support IWGG with all of the jobs.
New Gathering Council will interface w/ IWGG to coordinate the two events.
Friday Morning Council
February 22, 2008
Netkeeper Selection Council
Shane reads opening poem
Facilitated by Fran Weinbaum and Linda Sartor
Candidates: Munro Sickafoose, Mel Vandergrif
Discussion on process: Consensus, voting. Group decides that voting is appropriate.
Discussion of whether candidates should be present: Candidates stay.
Discussion of process: Decision to have a Fishbowl Council of those who have worked with the 2 men, then vote.
Secret ballot, votes counted by Scout.
Munro Sickafoose chosen as NetKeeper
Mel Vandergriff steps forward as Alternate Netkeeper
Council Self-Selections
Advisory Council
Staying : Mel Vandergriff, Fran Weinbaum
New: Darcy Ottey, Carol Wilburn, Ian Bruce, Bette Lu Krause, Shane Sater (Youth Representative)
Gathering Council
Outgoing was Hannah Rothlin, Ian Bruce, Jessica Ifshin , Munro Sickafoose
09 Gathering Council: Jessica Ifshin, Noel Hernandez, Anna Coffman, Tony Robichaud
Munro will liaison w/ IWGG as NK
By-Laws Working Council
Mel will head a group to work on them.
Corinna available by phone but doesn’t want to be on the committee
Trebbe will sleep on it - not a good choice as a committee member.
Put the word out by e-mail to ask Dave Talamo, Mike Bodkin, John Davis to contribute
Circles on the Mountain Council
Discussion about web, print or both. Both were chosen.
Julie Batz will construct physical booklets, Fran Weinbaum will be AC liaison (point person), Noah Crowe will help edit. Andy Gardner will help with layout. Trebbe Johnson as elder advisor/copy editor. Amy Katz available for advice. Angelo Lazenka nominated Meredith Little as a possible advisor. (He will contact her.)
They will define a global, international theme for the issue.
Kitchen Crew
Not needed next year for WGC Gathering.
Those who drive to offer a meal, or stove – sharing with those who fly…a “buddy” system.
We will need volunteers for the IWGG – kitchen, drivers, etc..
WGC Gathering February 22–25, 2007
Location: Tamarisk Grove (same as 2006)
Minutes of the North Shield Council, Friday AM, 23 Feb
(aka... Notes of the WGC business meeting on 2/23/07)
Susan Maida and Mike Bodkin facilitating. Mike gave a short overview of consensus and its tools.
Netkeeper Report
The current Netkeeper of the WGC is the only paid administrator for our non-profit. She is Kathy Scout Tomyris, Santa Rosa , CA. 2007 Was the second year of Scout's 4-year term as Netkeper. At the Gathering in 2008, our 20th anniversary Gathering, we will be selecting the next Netkeeper. Either Scout will choose to continue for one more term or another person will step forward. If that is the case, this person and whoever is selected as The Alternate Netkeeper. If you are an member and you would like to consider being Netkeeper or Alternate then please email the Netkeeper and declare you interest at any point prior to the Gathering so that your calling may be communicated to the community.
The Netkeeper has been asking for support from the Advisory Council. The main body of work was the revision of the Bylaws and the requested modifications of the Community Guidelines.
It was asked if she had any needs (physical aspect or tools) to do the job. She may need to buy Quick Books for more efficient bookkeeping.
Mike Bodkin offered support with doing the taxes.
Advisory Council Report:
Besides many conference calls, they met in December at the home of Scout Tomyris. Munroe, Christi and Paul were in attendance. In the revision of the Bylaws, the main intent was to clarify the language. The function of the AC is equivalent to a Board of Directors and the Netkeeper is the Executive Director. They have the duty of care for and loyalty to the organization.
The question of diversity came up and it was decided to work on wording of the Mission Statement to express our desire our diversity.
Due to the low buffer, there are financial concerns and they discussed possible ways to increase revenues.
Next year is the selection of the Netkeeper. The structure of this meeting was discussed.
Fran began to look into professional insurance with the WGC as the umbrella. In order to better be able to continue, she asked for people to fill out the questionnaire and send it back to her or Scout.
Webkeeper Report:
He had conversations with Scout about changes to the web site.
It was decided to put “Circles on the Mountain” online (http://www.circlesonthemountain.org) and not print it anymore. Currently there is no direct link from the WGC web site, it will be made. Since most members are now online, “Circles” can become an outreach tool and have continuous submissions.
The intent is to have parts of the site to be only accessible by members and to create forums, bulletin boards etc. Currently, the conversation is possible through the existing yahoo group which is by invitation only for those who opt in.
Community remarks:
- Have pictures with people, people sitting in council which will make the site more appealing to the public.
- Will there be archives of the older issues? (Reply: In the long run. It takes a lot of time and work to scan in all the old issues)
- Does “Circles” have a counter?
Bundle Council Report:
The Bundle is alive and well. Miguel held it for some time and then passed it on to Tony when he had a healing lodge. Tony brought it to the Gathering.
International Gathering in the UK, October 06:
Keith and Anni, Farion and Kent, Marilyn and John, Jim Mahony and Liz, James Shipman and Beau Leonhard, Meredith and Scott, Scout, Lorindra, Ruth and Corinna had attended.
John wrote short article in the forthcoming issue of the International Journal of Wilderness on the International Gathering .He will make it available to Munro for the web site.
German Speaking Network Gathering:
Corinna reported that their main agenda item was the Ethics Statement which was passed. She is willing to translate it is there is interest in re-looking our statement.
Community Guidelines:
Last year, the Conflict Resolution section of the Community Guidelines was separated out as a document in itself with suggestions for re-wording. These were incorporated and both documents were presented for approval. Both were approved with Mel standing aside for the Conflict Resolution document due to some wording in it. He will submit his reservations in writing to the Netkeeper.
Budget:
The Budget was presented. The main change was a proposed increase in the Netkeeper stipend.
Several people voiced their concerns about the tight calculations. The full use of the allotted committee travel budget would have gotten us broke. Currently, it seems that those paying for the meals are supporting other parts of the general expenses which was felt to be inappropriate.
It was suggested to remove the expense for “Circles” since it is online and does not cost extra. This was approved.
Discussion of the cost of PayPal. Though convenient, it is expensive for the WGC as well as the individual using it. Thomas Carver offered an alternate way to pay with credit cards. More information is available at http://www.professionalcharges.com.
It was asked if there is an openness to reduces or eliminate the netkeeper stipend increase if needed. The sense was yes, there would be flexibility.
It was asked if committee volunteers would donate the travel expenses. It turns out that those who can afford already do so.
It was suggested that surplus from meal fees goes into purchasing material for the kitchen and stays with the kitchen.
Another suggestion was to have lower meal prices in 08 which reflect the actual costs and instead raise the gathering fee to raise funds. This was approved as a philosophical directive.
The Advisory Council and the Netkeeper were asked to track the expenses throughout the year. The possibility to raise membership fees might be a subject for next year.
It was suggested to have the budget be a collaboration between the AC and the Netkeeper. This is already the practice.
It was proposed that the AC look into to making the membership more attractive so people might pay higher fees. Munro requested that people feed their ideas to the AC.
It was suggested to make differences in income and expenses like with the meals more transparent.
The proposed budget was approved with Angelo (not sustainable and not enough practical knowledge to suggest any changes) and Larry (not sustainable and the fact the meal fees are supporting general costs) standing aside.
Bylaws – Revision:
Munro gave an overview of the reasoning behind the changes:
- Membership: expanded definition to be more flexible
- AC: language about responsibility, formalized last year’s decision to trust council with the work being done
- Clarified language around consensus and Netkeeper
It was suggested to find a way to have youth membership, may be using sponsorship of an adult. The issue of legal liability of minors as members was raised. Dave and Hannah will be point persons to discuss how to bring youth into the WGC.
Consensus: the change in numbers for standing aside was decided upon for more empowerment and the way it is used in consensus communities.
A suggestion to add to the Goals:
To encourage and support sound land stewardship by all our organizations.
This could be thought through in the coming year. John Hendee will be the contact person for this conversation.
Clarification: Article V, Section I, 4 There will be no alternate Netkeeper until next year when the selection of the Netkeeper takes place.
Change of wording: Article V, Section II,
8. designate a member of the Advisory Council or one of the Alternates as a
representative in case of the Netkeepers or Alternate Netkeepers inability to attend a
meeting.
Change Article V, Section I, 1 The new part now reads:
This Gathering shall be ……… for the selection process. It is preferable that members considering candidacy declare their interest to the Netkeeper at any point prior to the Gathering so that the interest may be communicated to the community.
Core criteria for the process are:
1. The selection councils will be facilitated by at least two experienced consensus or council facilitators.
2. The current Netkeeper shall not be a facilitator of the process.
Change Article V, Section I, 4
4. and in the event that the Netkeeper cannot continue in the position, the Alternate Netkeeper
shall assume these duties and the associated benefits until a new Netkeeper can be chosen
at the next Gathering.
The above changes were approved individually without anyone standing aside.
The full, revised document was approved without anyone standing aside.
Compiled by Corinna Stoeffl from notes taken by her and Liz Smith-Oettinger
  
Invitation...
An Invitation from the WGC Gathering Council
January 8, 2006
Dearest Colleagues and Friends,
Come join us February 22-25, 2007 in the creation of a village of Wilderness Guides among the sheltering trees of Tamarisk Grove, in stark, beautiful Anza Borrego State Park in southern California.
For those who may be new to us, Tamarisk Grove is a small campground with 25 sites about 8 miles south of Borrego Springs. We have made reservations for all 25 sites for Thursday night through Saturday night, and a few sites for Wednesday and Sunday nights. We have restrooms, showers, water, and ramadas. We can park 2 cars per site, which should allow us to have all cars in the campground.
In 2007, we continue our movement into the North. In community, we support each other in the ongoing work of bringing Rites of Passage from the Source, the Wilderness, into the larger culture.
This year, we are asking each of you to spend time on the land before you come, and humbly ask your ancestors and the ancestors on that land to come to the Gathering with you - to sit with us, to bring their wisdom to us, and to support us as we move ahead with the work. With those who have gone before by our sides, we will look ahead to those to come.
We have tried to craft a spacious agenda that leaves plenty of time for reflection, discussion, and playtime, and we will again be graced by a number of presentations from members of our community highlighting the immense skill, knowledge, and experience we have to offer and share with one another. Yet there are changes for this year, as well:
- The Gathering is beginning slightly earlier than last year, with a number of opportunities on Thursday afternoon.
- We are requesting that all newcomers attend a WGC orientation, as well as introductions to Council and Consensus, on Thursday afternoon. These sessions will provide a basic background that helps ground us all in an understanding and appreciation for the history, traditions, communication structures, and ground rules of the WGC.
- Our main business meeting will be Friday morning, with a much shorter council on Saturday morning to select new Advisory and Gathering Council members. (This is so that new council members can have time to begin meeting during the Gathering.)
- Saturday evening we’re trying something new, with a (No!) Talent Show! Please help us make this a fun and memorable evening by bringing your talents—or lack thereof—with enthusiasm! Costumes optional but welcome!
- Many Horses Café rides again! We’ll have meals from Thursday lunch through Sunday breakfast (leftovers for lunch). Please plan on volunteering to help out in the Café sometime during the Gathering – it will be most appreciated.
For the first time, we have had to raise the Gathering fee to reflect rising costs. The fee will be $95 for those who pre-register. Registrations are accepted through February 13th. All registrations after this time will take place on-site, for an additional $25 charge.
We would be remiss if we did not mention that any extra contribution that you choose to make to the WGC when you register will be gratefully accepted.
Food costs have gone up as well, to a charge of $60 for the weekend (still less than $7 a meal for GREAT food!) Meal registration needs to be in by 2/13 to give our cooks time to plan. For those of you who are uncertain about enjoying the on-site prepared food, there will be provisions available for 10 additional folks who sign-up on a first-come/first serve basis; however, there will be an additional $15 charge for onsite registration for the meal plan.
The additional late registration charges reflect the planning difficulties for the Gathering Council, Scout, and all our kitchen volunteers when our number counts are inaccurate. Please register promptly!
With this letter, you will also find 2007 Information as well as the Gathering Overview. Hopefully, this will answer any critical questions you have; as always, feel free to contact Scout or any of the Gathering Council members for more information.
We are looking forward with great anticipation to seeing you in just a few weeks. It can be so challenging to figure out how to carve time out of the busy hustle and bustle to spend 4 days in the desert, sleeping under the stars, spending days in community, and yet these truly are the blessed moments of our lives. We hope to see you soon.
Blessings,
Bette Lu, Carol, Darcy, Jonathan, Munro, and Shane
Next, the proposed agenda...
Gathering Overview (Subject to change)
Wednesday, February 21st
- Registration begins; ongoing throughout the weekend
- Advisory Council meets in the evening at 7pm.
- Campsites available for early arrivals
Thursday, February 22nd
The afternoon will be filled with opportunities for newcomers to the Gathering as well as those that have been around awhile. These include:
- Newcomer orientation at 11 am**
- Introduction to Council with Susanna Maida at 1pm** (open to all who want to attend)
- Introduction to Consensus with Mike Bodkin at 3pm** (open to all who want to attend)
- Drum Creationshop with Mike Beck ($125-140 additional charge for materials)
- Collaging your Totem/Medicine Pole with Jessica Ifshin & Mel Vandergriff ($5 additional charge for materials)
- Elderhood Conversation with Corinna and Lorindra (2-4pm)
- Opening Ceremony - after dinner at 7 pm.
**requested for all first-time Gathering participants
Friday, February 23rd
- Time on the Land
- North Shield Council for WGC business.
- Raccoon Council hosted by the Rangers with juicy guide stuff!
- Bundle Ceremony
- Open Air Market
- Open Sharing Council and latecomer welcoming after dinner
- Night Awareness Walk with Jonathan Kabat, Shane Sater, and Emmanuel.
Saturday, February 24th
- 2007/08 Council Selections
Youth and Rites of Passage with Stan Crow
Storytelling with Andy Axtell
Interacting in the Web of Life: Communication in Nature with Tom McGee
Balancing the Individual, the Community, and the Environment with Mike Bodkin and Rites of Passage Staff
Developing Programs and Relationships with Schools with the Ojai Foundation
- Coyote Night: (No!) Talent show. Please start preparing your skits, songs, stories, and light-hearted human tricks now, for an evening of fun-filled, community-created entertainment. Costumes are welcome! Song and Dance to follow. BYOB.
Sunday, February 25th
- Our final morning will include a circle, reflecting on this year’s Gathering and looking forward to next year’s.
- Our Closing Ceremony will begin at 11, and we will be done by 12 noon.
- The new & old Gathering & Advisory councils will meet briefly in the afternoon at 1pm.
Phil Baum will be leading mediation and Qi Gong every morning.
The sweat lodge will be up and running if the local rangers allow it again. Their new rules bugged us. No sweatlodge in 2007.
As promised, additional information...
INFORMATION:
Location: Tamarisk Grove Campground is located in Anza-Borrego Desert Sate Park, CA near the junction of Route 78 and S-3 south of Borrego Springs. The drive is about 2 hours from San Diego airport and 2.5 hours from LAX airport. Tamarisk Grove is about 8 miles from the town of Borrego Springs via Yaqui Pass on S-3.
Camping: The campground can accommodate tents and small RVs (no hook-ups). Plan on parking outside the campground after dropping off your gear. Campsites are first come, first serve. Pets must be leashed at all times.
Motel Lodging is at your option and expense. Contact the Borrego Springs Chamber of Commerce 800-559-5524
Tarps: Anyone who can bring very large tarps and poles for them, please do so. We may need them to cover the ramadas and set up extra shelter if the weather gets rainy.
Showers: There are showers and running water. The timers require quarters. Bring your own. Marked faucets dispense non-potable water (high mineral content). Bring drinking water if you are concerned. Most water there is potable.
Food: We invite you to eat at the Many Horses Café, open beginning with Thursday lunch. The cost is $60 for all meals through Sunday breakfast (lunch consists of the leftovers). Everyone is invited for a free soup and salad dinner at 5:30pm on Thursday and the hosted community banquet is Saturday evening. The nearest store is in Borrego Springs, about 8 miles, so it would be a good idea to coordinate runs for ice. There are a few café’s there also.
Marketplace: The marketplace will be open again during the days with a special time set aside on Friday evening. We ask those who come with cars to bring a small table for their items. We will provide table space for those who fly in. Please contact Bette Lu Krause at 360-665-6153 or lupe@reachone.com , if you plan on participating and if you will need table space.
Via the web: A plethora of sites have maps, directions, pictures and other information. Enter “Anza-Borrego” into any search engine and then have a look. There are too many to list here.
Carpooling: Please carpool if you can. If you would like to ride-share a rental or find or offer a carpool, contact Jonathan Kabat at 415-317-3300 or jonathankabat@sbcglobal.net.
Rideshare website: (password: WGCride) www.erideshare.com/travel.php?group=WGC.
Parking: We are allowed to park in the campground, but in order to create a tent village there, we are requesting that you park on the side of the highway adjacent to the campground. Each campsite includes parking for one car. A second car parked at a campsite will cost you $6.00 a day. By parking as many cars as possible outside Tamarisk Grove, we will be able to avoid this extra fee.
WHAT TO BRING:
A sacred object for our Bundle: A tradition in the WGC is the keeping of the Bundle. If you have never placed an item into the WGC Bundle, please bring something very small and lightweight that will permanently represent you.
Give-away symbol: Everyone is invited to bring an item you are willing to give away. We will place these items on the altar during the Opening Ceremony and then choose one to take with us during the Closing Ceremony.
Clothing: Bring clothes that allow you to layer yourself for all conditions (wind, rain, bright sun). The daytime average temperature is in the 60s and it drops into the 40s at night. Rain is not uncommon this time of year. A flashlight or headlamp will also come in handy. Don’t forget your costumes or fancy duds!
Utensils: Bring your own non-breakable plates, bowls, utensils and beverage containers. There will be a dishwashing station at the Café. You are responsible for cleaning and keeping track of your own dishes.
Chair: Something compact and well padded to sit on is a good idea. We will meet in the dome and outside in the shade of the trees.
Musical instruments: Bring your drums, rattles or any other instruments. There will be opportunities to make music.
BYOB: The WGC will provide soft drinks and water for the giveaway meals. If you want alcoholic beverages, you need to bring your own.
Wood: If you would like to have a campfire, please bring your own wood.
Light: We are in need of lanterns around the Many Horses Café and the Marketplace. If you have any extra, battery or propane, please bring them and please mark them with your name. It would be greatly appreciated.
If you have room in your vehicle, please bring tables and extra chairs for the Many Horses Café.
Thanks so much.
Finally, 2 pre-Gathering programs that required pre-Registration...
Drum Creationshop with Grandfather Drums (Mike Beck)
Thursday, February 21, 2007
11 A.M to 5 P.M.
Create your own hand drum in community
$50 deposit due by Feb 2 - payable directly to Mike: Gfdrums@bellsouth.net
or...
PRE-GATHERING PLAYSHOP
THURSDAY 21 FEBRUARY 2007
1:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.
IN THESE 4 HOURS YOU WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY
TO CREATE YOUR OWN “TOTEM” OR MEDICINE POLE
$5.00 MATERIAL FEE
PLEASE REGISTER BY 2ND FEBRUARY 2007
WITH JESSICA AT: thebellagirl@hotmail.com
WGC Gathering February 23 – 26, 2006
Tamarisk Grove Campground, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Borrego Springs, CA
 In Tamarisk Grove Campground, we were blessed to be watched over by an extended family of long-earred owls. Here is a young one posing for the camera up in a tamarisk tree on the south side of the campground.
The following notes were taken on Friday morning as we took on Joy in the North, AKA business, inside the dome. A quarum of members were present and many asked great questions.
Wilderness Guides Council Business meeting: Feb 24, 2006
The meeting was facilitated by Mike Bodkin and Christi Strickland.
Netkeeper report:
Scout presented an overview of her work this past year:
- correspondence
- filing of the taxes
- successful use of the community guidelines which are scheduled for approval
- the Ranger sponsored renewal fast in Death Valley was a highlight
- met with Gathering Council at Tamarisk Grove campground to prepare for this meeting and worked with them during the year
- the membership numbers have been declining as well as the amount paid on the sliding scale
- began communication with the Advisory Council about outreach and expansion. The question was raised to whom to reach out. It was felt important to stay focused on members being guides. Also, marketing that we exist as an organization was mentioned. The Advisory Council was empowered to act on behalf of the membership.
- Anne Stine created a draft document about points of knowledge / skills for Vision Quest guides. It was approved to create a group to work on this over the coming year and to present at next year’s meeting.
Mike Bodkin reminded all present about the ideals of consensus. It i s a process of trusting the group, a voice which has been brought in does not need to be restated, the Council guidelines are valid, consensus is unity not unanimity.
There was no additional agenda from the membership.
Report from the Advisory Council:
Current members: Mike Bodkin, Christi Strickland, Kap Young, Paul Andrade, Larry Hobbs and Jill Murray. Presented by Christi Strickland
- some fine-tuning on the Community Guidelines
- began to talk about researching the possibility for group insurance for members
- began exploring outreach possibilities. Before they really address it, they would like to hear the questions the community has. For efficiency e-mail is preferred. It was suggested that we all would make an effort to reach out to other guides who are not yet members.
- A suggestion was made to put a note into the invitation and handout to remind people about the business meeting and to invite them to write a letter if unable to attend. You snooze, you loose.
The members of the Advisory Council for the coming year are: Larry Hobbs, Christi Strickland and Paul Andrade, returning, plus new members Munro Sickafoose and Fran Weinbaum with Petra Lentz as alternate.
Report from the Bundle Council
Current members: Liz Oettinger (Bundle Keeper), Lorindra Frances, Miguel Batz , Julie Batz, Farion Pearce, Jessica Ifshin, and Mel Vandergriff. Presented by Liz Oettinger.
- Most people present had read the document The Bundle Way. Only one person responded with input to the e-mail they sent out.
- She honored the way in which the Bundle Way was brought forth and stated that they are open to her input from any member of the community.
- After pointing out the difference between rule and guideline, the Bundle Way was adopted as a guideline.
- It was requested, if the document was printed, to add an explanatory paragraph about the origin of the Bundle and the meaning of the guidelines. It was accepted that the origin and a short history of the Bundle would be part of the printed document.
The members of the Bundle Council for the coming year are: Miguel Batz (Bundle Keeper), Julie Batz, Farion Pearce, Jessica Ifshin, Liz Oettinger, Mel Vandergriff, and new member Stephen Vodantis.
Mike Bodkin gave a short explanation of the hand signals and the meaning of ‘being with it’, ‘standing aside’, and ‘standing in the way’ as well as the responsibility that came with the last one.
Budget:
- Explanation of the differences in proposed and actual figures of 2005, as well as basisi for the proposed figures for 2006
- The gathering pays for itself. In order to cover the other expenses, the membership income needs to grow.
- The fees for the Gathering are set by the Gathering Council in consultation with the Netkeeper
- Discussion of higher gathering fees and / or higher membership fees. A Concern was voiced that those who come consistently are already stretching their budget and would have to lower the membership contribution if the gathering would become more expensive.
- A suggestion of the Advisory Council to have an additional tier for the Gathering fee was shared. If registering in Fall, there would be a rebate in the fee, the regular fee would apply in January, and, as introduced this year, a higher fee for those registering after a cut off date and on site. This would also allow for spreading the costs for members and refilling the account earlier.
The actual budget for 2005 and the proposed budget for 2006 were approved.
Community Guidelines:
Feedback to the document as a whole was requested by Mike Bodkin.
It was felt that the document...
- reflected the heart of the community
- was respectful to the voices brought forth
- contained input from living communities
- has procedures which is important
Items I – III represent who we are dreaming to become. Therefore, was it possible to separate it into two documents.
It was pointed out that we have self-responsibility as members and if there is a problem with that, the person needs to ask for help.
It was agreed to deal with it as 2 documents, items I – III and then the procedures separately.
It was requested to flesh out the procedures in regards to mediation.
There was a discussion on the formation of the mediation teams.
The term “energy of the group” is too fluid, too changeable. It was asked to find something more defined serving the highest intention or purpose.
It was suggested to replace “energy” with purpose and intention in I A.
It was offered that resolution of conflict could be more looking for reconciliation and forgiveness instead of mediation in III.
|
