Gathering Of Circles
2010
Updated 03/26/2010
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GOC Planning Meeting

March 27, 2010 - Las Cruces, New Mexico

Minutes for the Planning Meeting

 

The Planning meeting is set for Saturday, March 27, 2010 in Las Cruces, New Mexico from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm, 1145 East Mesa Ave. 575-524-9830!

 

NEW!! We are now setup for a "GOC Meeting Room."  
You CAN attend the meeting by phone conference call. See details below.

 

 

Planning Meeting HouseLesLee Alexander has offered her house for our meeting. this year will be her first year to attend the GOC. I received other offers in Texas but felt that it would give people in New Mexico and Arizona and El Paso an opportunity that they might not have otherwise.

 

Directions to the Sat. March 27th Meeting House at 1145 E. Mesa Ave. in Las Cruces, NM:

 

 

House is one block across from New Mexico State University (NMSU).  NMSU is in area between where 2 Interstates meet:  I-10 & I-25.   The street in front of NMSU is called University Ave.   It has 2 freeway exits, one off each Interstate.  Therefore:

 

If coming via I-10, take NMSU/University Ave. Exit #142, turn right toward NMSU campus.

 

If coming via I-25, take NMSU/University Ave. Exit # 1, turn left toward NMSU campus.

 

On University Ave., as you approach more campus buildings, be looking on OPPOSITE side of street from NMSU for the FedEx-Kinko’s building which is at Hagarty Ave.  (from I-10, Hagarty is the next street AFTER Espina St. which has a stoplight & a Starbuck’s); (from I-25, Hagarty is the next street AFTER Solano Dr. stoplight).    There’s only one way you can turn onto Hagarty Ave.---which is AWAY from campus.

 

On Hagarty go to the next block behind FedEx-Kinko’s.  You’ll see the house on the corner on your right.  It has purple trim and Zia symbol above porch (as in photo).     1145 E. Mesa Ave.

 

---LesLee Alexander

    575-524-9830

GOC Meeting Room

Telephone Audio only: Call 1-507-726-4200. Enter 115897#     This line auto-records all conversations and saves free of charge online, so non-participants can go to it for the audio-only.
Computer access: http://cmeto.na5.acrobat.com/goc Choose "Enter as a Guest", Type your name, click "Enter Room" (Requires speakers and mic).


Google map

Minutes of Planning Meeting by Jazz Jaeschke TBA.

 

 

Discussions:   

 

Attendees so far as of 03/26/10:

Mike Andrews

Cliff Buchanan

June Baldwin

Jazz Jaeschke
Tom Casey
Bonnie Zeiler
LesLee Axexander
Brett Messer
Susan Murray

Bobby Ashworth

Pete Phillips
Kim Shaw
Sandi Scott

 

Remote attendees:
BJ Stewart

Michael Scott Scudder

Chris Flores

 

 

Staying in house Friday and/or Saturday:

Cliff Buchanan

June Baldwin

Brett Messer

Mike Andrews

 

 

Interested in Sweat lodge in El Paso with Tom Casey: Sorry... cancelled

Tom Casey

 

RSVP no:

Rita Popp

Brian Hawley

Mindy Sherwood-Lewis

Barbara Harris

Christina Maris  

Jan Leenhouts-Martin

Bob Blanchard

Linda Sobel

John Standish

Sue Walkup and Tim Ward

Lelia Boughenou

Carol Dawn

WildHorse Charley

Wanda Roe

Gary Rogers

Mike Kelley

Kathy Coletta

Cyndi Hughs

Glenda Chester

Gary LaRue

Vicky Vaughn

Margaret Ann Calcutta

Shawna Mitchell

Annette Sandoval

Darrell Allen Caraway

Merri Etta Veritas

Chavah Aima

Virgie Ravenhawk

Debbie Drumhawk

Donna Pounds

Chris Flores

Brian King

 

 

   

Coordinator Positions

 

The following 2010 coordinator positions are open opportunities to get involved with the GOC community:

Workshops

Children’s Activities

Talking Stick Circle  
Sweat lodge
Raffles 

Feast 
GOC Concepts

Drumming Team

 

The following 2010 coordinator assignments have been confirmed:

 

Porta-a-potties – Cliff Buchanan

Welcome Table – Jazz Jaeschke and June Baldwin

T-shirt – Jazz Jaeschke and Gary Kendrick

Cleanup – June Baldwin

Speaker – Brett Messer/Mike Andrews

Sweet Medicine Dance - Shawna Mitchell

Wood – Cliff Buchanan

Pancake Brunch – June Baldwin

Give-away - Shawna Mitchell

 

 Meeting Topics

 

Topics to discuss at the 2010 GOC Planning meeting:

 

Camera Policy Background:

 

To avoid conflicts and disgruntled participants, we need a Cameras policy statement.  This could be added to the “new comers” info and addressed in announcements at the start of each GOC.  The policy can be simple:  

·         Cameras are welcome during …

·         Please do not use flash during …

·         Cameras are NOT welcome during …

 

Considerations:

·         Cameras were irritating to some participants at the Sweet Medicine Dance 2009 – flashes were distracting to some and the notion of taking pictures of a sacred ceremony bothered some

·         Pictures are a means of continuing the moment after we’ve left the mountain.  Many people enjoy seeing the pictures once back home; several inquired “where are they?” after the 2009 Gathering.  This value needs to be weighed in with the desires of those averse to cameras.

·         It would be good to hear from a spectrum of GOC participants to determine their camera/no-camera preferences. 

   

Bear Awareness Background:

 

GOC campers need to understand implications of being in bear habitat – what’s best for the bears and what’s safest for humans. 

 

The following is from a post on the GOC Social Network by Gary Kendrick, August 12, 2009 – see full article there.

 

On our last night at the 2009 Gathering of Circles a full-grown black bear came to our camp because we made a serious mistake. We left garbage out in the open.

Digging in the garbage woke us, and our voices caused the bear to briefly leave, then  circle our open tent and return to the garbage once we were quiet.  The bear took  sliced turkey we had thrown out and left. The next morning, talking with others camped near us, we realized the bear had likely visited their camps as well.

Most all of us at the GOC make the same mistakes that attract bears. We cook close to where we sleep, leave food out, leave ice chests out, and leave garbage out. We also falsely assume that the bears will not come into camp because there are many of us and that our human activity will keep them away.

Bears are an apex predator of the forest. They only behave as the Creator intended them to do. As humans we have a responsibility to do what we can to protect these animals and ourselves. The unfortunate reality is that a bear who becomes too familiar with humans and human food is in danger of being put down. Humans who leave food out are in danger of being injured when a bear claims the food as its own.

 

Here are good sources for information on selecting your campsite and how to behave if you encounter a bear:


http://www.americanbear.org/awareness/camping-hiking.html

http://www.bebearawaresw.org/

 

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/bearsandcamping

 

http://www.bearicuda.com/critter-can/bear_container.php?gclid=CNW6gb29npwCFSnKsgod3wPcTQ

Theme 2009:

The following themes are proposed:

Cliff Buchanan: Hopeful Transitions

 

Jan Leenhouts-Martin: Thinking about “All Our Relations”  or “Sacred Relationship”  or “Earth Connections” – thinking about that we are all related, & connected to Mother Earth.

Donna Pounds: Something along the lines of We Are All One or We Are ALL Connected or We ARE Mass Consciousness.  (Princeton University has developed a way to actually measure and record mass consciousness - of which you may be aware - which is remarkable!)   Ha - a play on the old Beatles song "All You Need Is Love" could be cool.  Just some food for thought. 

 

DECIDED: TBA

 

Logo/Design 2009:

            TBA

What about a "One Love" logo. Maybe it could have a circle of people of all races in the form of a peace sign. Just a thought. Glenda Chester.

 

Speaker 2009

TBA 

 

Main-tent Tarp

            TBA

Book Exchange will be continued.

 

Raffle Tickets

The Raffle coordinator controls raffle ticket sales and will proactively promote sales [as always].  In addition, raffle tickets will be available at the Welcome Table.

ACTION:

Jazz will update the Welcome Table coordinator description.

 

Feast

We discussed the value of a coordinator for this activity – a focal point for announcing the location and explaining the significance of the Spirit Plate.

ACTION:

Renew emphasis on this important closing event in emails to attendees

 

National Forest Location

Thus far we think we will be in the same location as prior years.  The National Forest plans cutting in this area which will make it unavailable for a period of time, but to date the cutting has not been scheduled.  The Park Service  has assured us they will provide an alternate location nearby if necessary.

ACTION:

Cliff will confirm location as part of his permit coordinator activity

 


Camp Etiquette

In response to concerns expressed by a few prior participants who no longer attend, we discussed the need for healthy boundaries so that all feel safe in their own beliefs while interacting with a broad variety of other beliefs.  The GOC honors all paths and we want to encourage all those who attend toward reciprocal learning and honoring of the diverse paths.

We want to encourage attendees to visit other camps and mingle, especially extending friendship to those who are attending for their first time.  When approaching another’s camp, it is courtesy to be sensitive to the needs and preferences of those who may desire privacy or solitude at the time you’re feeling gregarious.  Ask “permission to enter camp” or “is this a good time to visit” if you are unsure.

            We also discussed the need for emphasis [especially to those attending for the first time] to leave the area as clean as when you arrive – good housekeeping rules.

DECIDED:

???  will offer a brief summary on the first evening [following the GOC concepts talk] covering:

            Leave Mother Earth as you found her – housekeeping 101

            Be sensitive to others’ need for solitude and privacy

            Be willing to extend the hand of friendship to those you haven’t met

 

Attendance Patterns

The GOC mailing list is quite a bit larger than the typical attendance at gatherings.  Many people come one or more times and then do not return.  There is concern that we may be missing feedback as to WHY they don’t return – that perhaps we are not meeting their needs and could increase participation if we made some changes that would better meet these needs.  We acknowledged that for many, attendance depends on time available away from work, on what is going on with other family members, and on changing personal priorities.  

We talked about doing an online survey to gather feedback on what would get people to come back, what people like about the GOC, what they might suggest we change, etc.  No action item resulted, but there was general consensus that a survey would be useful.

Minutes for the Planning Meeting

GOC Planning Meeting

Saturday, March 27, 2010 - Las Cruces, New Mexico

Minutes by Jazz Jaeschke

   

LasCruces Attendees:

Mike Andrews

Cliff Buchanan

June Baldwin

Jazz Jaeschke
Tom Casey
LesLee Axexander
Brett Messer
Susan Murray

Ken Shaw

Bobby Ashworth

Pete Phillips
Sandi Scott

 

Remote Attendees:

Three people expressed intent to participate in the GOC Meeting Room via telephone, but were not connected – perhaps due to timing discrepancies [Mountain vs. Central time and a delayed start];  The GOC Meeting Room was open and recorded.  We will refine our use of this tool in future meetings.

 

Coordinator Positions OPEN:

Workshops – Cliff will put out a call for volunteers

Children’s Activities – Cliff will invite Brandon Brown to do this again
Raffles – Susan Murray will pursue volunteers

 

Coordinator Positions ASSIGNED:

Give-away – Shawna Mitchell

Talking Stick Circle – Sandhi Scott

Sweatlodge – Bobby Ashworth

Sweet Medicine Dance – Shawna Mitchell

Drumming Team – Pete Phillips

Porta-a-potties – Cliff Buchanan

Welcome Table – Jazz Jaeschke and June Baldwin

T-shirt – Jazz Jaeschke and Gary Kendrick

Environmental Focus  – June Baldwin

Speaker – Brett Messer/Mike Andrews

Wood – Cliff Buchanan

Pancake Brunch – June Baldwin

Decisions:

·         Schedule for 2010 will be the same as 2009 with one change:  drumming with Pete Phillips Saturday evening begins @ 7:00pm

·         Location – assumed same; Cliff will confirm with the Forest Service and will initiate a 5-year “permanent” permit

·         Speaker for 2010 – Panel discussion on Service - the value of service and how panel members offer service; Mike Andrews will invite panel members and coordinate the discussion.

·         Theme for 2010 – Transitions

·         GOC Concepts – We no longer need a coordinator for this; concepts will be included in opening remarks.

·         Feast – We no longer need a coordinator for this; the feast will be located in Cliff and June’s camp, with emphasis on serving the Spirit Plate before the rest of us begin eating.

·         Camera policy – Pictures are part of the GOC tradition and there will be no restriction on cameras apart from advising all of the distraction a flash can create at close range, such as causing drummers to miss the beat.

·         Bear awareness – A ten-minute bear safety discussion will become a routine part of the first morning’s opening.  Mike Andrews will handle for 2010.

·         Logo – We are now taking designs for this year’s theme “Transitions”; to contain print costs, designs need to be in solid colors rather than photographs with blended colors; the logo schedule includes:  designs received by 4/15; choice vote by 4/21; start t-shirt ordering 4/30; send orders to printer 6/1

·         T-shirts logistics – The 2010 t-shirt will again have long sleeves; color will be determined when the logo is chosen; price is increasing to $20 due to rising costs of materials and printing.  Jazz will prepare a detail cost assessment and review with Cliff by end of April.

·         Brochure – Donna Pounds will create the 2010 brochure.

·         The GOC distribution list has grown to over 800; we need to confirm contact information and continuing interest in the GOC.   After much discussion, we agreed to telephone everyone.  June will create a standard list of questions; Brett will establish a volunteer team to make the calls; and Jazz will create a form for recording changes by hand during calls.   Jazz will update the address book and forward email changes to Cliff for his distribution list.

·         The Sweet Medicine Dance coordinator will ensure the fire is made properly [tepee-style log pile] and not started with excessive petroleum products.  Rapid start has value, but can be achieved with natural processes, such as dead fir trees.  We invite everyone to bring a piece of dry wood to help start the Medicine Dance fire – write intentions on the wood or attach prayer ties.

·         The annual Planning Meeting will hereafter be held no later than the end of February.  The 2011 Planning Meeting is in Odessa on February 26, 2011. 

·         Cyndi Hughs is hosting the “Spring Dance” April 30 thru May 2, 2010. 


Discussions:

The GOC was created as a means to share healing with one another.  We have our own traditions, which include photography for the purpose of extending the sharing beyond the actual gathering.  The GOC is not sacred Native American ceremony.   Flashes in the drummers’ area during the Medicine Dance can throw the beat off, so we need to remind photographers to be conscious of this and not come in close with flashes.

 

We need do a better job of collecting pictures from the various photographers after the gathering and making them available – perhaps on digital media to be offered for a GOC donation.  We need a volunteer to propose how we do this and coordinate making it happen.

 

GOC finances are through donations with no entry fee. Most of the funds come from t-shirts and raffle tickets. 

 

The tarp that covers the main circle and Medicine Dance area was reinvented for 2009.  Its debut evidenced a few design issues that need to be addressed, and 2009’s weather left the new tarp damaged.  Various design changes were discussed, including size of opening, height and number of poles, and weight of material from which the canopy is constructed.  Pete will ask an architect friend for design suggestions.  We need a keeper of the tarp responsible for resolving design issues, storing the tarp, and transportation to/from gatherings.    

 

 

   

 

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