Gathering of Circles 2003 Planning Meeting

Gathering Of Circles
2003
Updated 04/09/2003

Call for the Ninth Planning Meeting
Planning Meeting Recap
Schedule of Tasks to Complete

This is my second attempt at writing an invitation to the GOC Planning Meeting for this year. My first one consisted of nothing more than a map and a list of positions that needed to be filled for this year. I printed 300+ copies and realized I forgot to include the exact date. Then after that, they sat on my front table and I never got around to folding them and mailing them. Something was wrong and I didn't know what. Well, this week I found out what was wrong.

A man whom I didn't remember came up to me while I was having my car washed (he worked at the car wash) and told me he had a drum. He had received it at the GOC Give-a-way seven years ago. He asked me to take it this year and give it to someone who would appreciate it. He said no one would ever know just how much that drum has meant to him. I forget sometimes, and I expect you have the same problem, just how much influence that we (and the Spirit of the GOC) have on those around us. Often, just a word or an action that to us seems insignificant means everything to one who is ready for "hearing." And, there is no time limit on Spirit. Sometimes, its years later before we are aware of the impact of something we did or said or made or sung meant to someone else.

The significance of being entrusted with the drum to me is that I realized my job is to "beat the drum". By that I don't mean just beat it physically but to beat it spiritually. I can't make the GOC Planning Meeting happen by myself. Or make the GOC itself happen either. All I can do is beat the drum, (which I have not been doing very well lately) and allow Spirit to work. Therefore, this is a call, a drumbeat, urging you to contribute to the energy not only of the Planning Meeting but to the energy of the GOC itself. You know, the outcome of the whole year is begun as a small growth, a seedling that grows and matures into what we know as the Gathering Of Circles. So, if you can't be there in the physical body, please be with us in spirit and contribute your energy, your input, your suggestions, your art, and your love.

I am encouraged and excited by the efforts of some of our folks who are putting their love and talent into action. Larry Walker has made a new CD featuring his flute music (he is a medical doctor by profession), which may be available by March 29^th. The title of the album is: "A Gathering of Circles." Larry is graciously sharing the proceeds with the GOC for all orders that come through us. I am accepting orders now! Each CD is $15.00. His effort and talent comes from the heart. Samples of the pieces are already on his web site at: www.eaglecrow.com. He also wants us to rekindle one of our events that we have let slip in the last few years. We used to have a "Before Father's Day Weekend" in June for men only. Is the energy out there for us to do it this year? Men… let me know!

Connie Williams is working on a project close to her heart. It is the Forrest Fest 2003, a poetry festival. The only poetry festival in West Texas (Lamesa). Forrest Fest is an annual event featuring local, area, and international poets and musicians. Her web site is www.forrestfest.com. Perhaps some of you who write poetry would like to enter the contest. Cash prizes go to the winners. Camping is available in the park. She has been a dedicated and loyal member of the GOC and carries Spirit with her always.

The talent and photographic expertise of Lois Colbridge continually blow me away. She has again put together a magnificent scrapbook of last years GOC. She has suggested that we mail the scrapbook around to various people during the year so that we all can enjoy it throughout the year. Again, I promised myself I would put the pictures on the web but have not done it yet. Call or e-mail me if you would like it mailed to you.

Now, back to the Planning Meeting. The location is at the home of Mike and Brenda Blair deep in the heart of East Texas. It is East of San Antonio and due south of Temple. It is directly north of Waelder on I-10. Mike is JJ Hamilton's son. His house is in the country away from everyone. He sports a pond stocked with catfish so bring a hook if you are so inclined. Elm Creek runs through his property so you can take a walk by the stream. The end of March should be a perfect time. It's too early for both the heat and the bugs but mild enough for t-shirts and shorts. Please consult the map on our web site www.GatheringOfCircles.com before you come. Please do us the courtesy of RSVP ing for two reasons. One is you need a map to find it and the other is that we (JJ and I) will be providing food for Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday morning and we need to know how many to plan for. Just call Cliff at 915-550-3302 or e-mail WinterFox@GatheringOfCircles.com and I will send you a map. The map will also be posted on the web.

This notice is mailed only to those on my list without e-mail addresses. Please let me know when your information changes so I can update our database. Please get your designs to me for this year's logo.

Planning meeting location: 4620 Wood Hollow Drive located between Jeddo and Cistern. This is between San Antonio and Houston and almost directly south of Temple. If you have trouble call Cliff at 915-550-3302. Driving directions: Once you get to Jeddo or Cistern (Red Star), take Charcoal Road off of Jeddo Road, then Harold Road, then Woodcreek Drive, then Wood Hollow Drive until the very end.

Seventeen of us showed up both in body and heart for the Planning Meeting for the Ninth Annual Gathering Of Circles event to be held August 7 thru 10, 2003 in Cloudcroft, New Mexico. One of the things we voted on was that the event would always be held on the first Thursday in August. So for those of you who have to plan your vacations early, you will always know what date it will be. We had many suggestions from both those who attended and from those who could not be present except in Spirit. One of those suggestions came from Suzzane Greenwood who lives in Alamosa Colorado. Her suggestion (which was accepted by the committee) was that we adopt a theme this year of Joy and Celebration. The idea for this suggestion comes from the fact that all of us both individually and as a nation have been extremely stressed ever since 9-11. And the anxiety level has now been raised by the Iraq war. This fact was verified by those of us attending who are in professions such as massage, nursing, and counseling. Suzzane went on to suggest that we focus our workshops on stress relieving, massage, how to de-stress, relaxation, how to bring celebration back into your life, etc. Basically, the focus of the gathering would be on getting healthy, staying stress free, and bringing celebration back into your life and getting people out of living in the head and start living from the heart!!!

This idea was unanimously adopted. Cliff reported that we have $1,378 dollars available. This is about $200 less than last year at this time. An audit was performed by Steve Kirby.

Cliff reported some exciting news! Larry Walker is about to release a new CD of his flute music and will contribute half of the proceeds to the GOC contribution fund if the person ordering is affiliated with the GOC. The CD of Larry's original flute music is titled "A Gathering Of Circles." Samples from the CD were played at the Planning Meeting. Each CD is $15.00. More about the CD can be viewed at: http://www.eaglecrow.com/circles.htm Cliff is also re-releasing the 2000 CD "Songs We Sing." The CD has been re-mastered so that it sounds much better (thanks to Cliff's son David) and the songs have been separated by tracks. In addition, two tracks have been added of Tim Robertson's music and two more from ReeCee Wilkerson. The committee decided that this CD is available for a $10.00 contribution and that those of you who have the original CD can obtain it for only $5.00. Both CD's can be ordered from the web site at: WinterFox@GatheringOfCircles.com

Two new original t-shirt designs were submitted by Donna Kirby and JJ Hamilton. They were passed around and JJ and Donna explained the symbolism behind their design. Kelly Knox suggested that their were more potential designs out there and that we should combine these two with the designs left over from last year and put out another call for additional designs. The committee approved that idea and so that's what we will do. Cliff will do that as soon as possible and will put them on the web for a vote like we did last year. Cliff will also post the schedule of when various task have to be complete

Pamela Scheler volunteered for the Guest Speaker coordinator. The committee approved a $300 stipend for the speaker. Cliff recommended Vickie Sutton for a speaker because he heard her speak at the Trans-Pecos American Indian Association Awards banquet in Odessa January 11, 2003. If you have any suggestions for a speaker, please contact Pamela.

Kelly Knox volunteered for the Raffle coordinator and would welcome items for the raffle. I think I overheard something about Debbie Oliver donating a drum or a box.

Melinda Garcia, our guest speaker from 2002, also submitted information and suggestions through e-mail. She suggested a "wonderful little book" entitled A String and a Prayer: How to Make and Use prayer Beads by Eleanor Wiley and Maggie Oman Shannon. She and Pamela will present a workshop from the book. You can order it by visiting www.IsabellaCatalog.com Melinda said "I hold you and the Gathering of Circles in my prayers."

Lois Colbridge's albums for 2001 and 2002 were passed around for review. All were excited and impressed. Donna Kirby took both albums back to Abilene for review by folks in that city.

Saturday evening the wind died down and we were able to have a wonderful ceremony around a campfire led by Virgie Ravenhawk. Reecee Wilkerson sang the National Anthem and another wonderful song (which will be included on the "Songs We Sing" CD). We were all so moved by the National Anthem that we spontaneously stood at attention. Virgie played the flute and led us in a guided meditation to remember our solders in Iraq and the Iraq people.

Those attending the meeting were: Cliff Buchanan, JJ Hamilton, Pamela Scheler, Brett Messer, Jordan Warford, Donna Kirby, Steve Kirby, Virgie Ravenhawk, Debbie Oliver, Kelly Knox, Reecee Wilkinson, Barbara Harris, Brian King, Tina Colsen, Zanna James, Barbara Hatfield, and Madison Knox.

04/22/03 All additional GOC Designs and write-ups must be submitted to Cliff or Donna

07/01/03 All workshop presenters must have pictures and write-ups to KiethLee

07/15/03 Schedule of Events and all Workshop Presenters posted to the web site