GOC 2016 Planning Meeting Minutes (download PDF file)
02/27/16 Planning Meeting for GOC Meeting at Cliff & June’s home- 1404 Castle Rd. Odessa, TX 79762
Members Present: Cliff Buchanan, June Baldwin, Shawna Mitchell-Hayhurst, Tony Hayhurst, Brett Messer, Wanda & Bob Wade, Penney Prophet, Cathy Martin, Mike Andrews, (Sarah Starkey- online)Contribution of Karen McGinnis- email )
Meeting began at 1:15 with a smudging by Shawna and pipe ceremony with Brett, Bob, Wanda, Mike, and Shawna- Brett explained the benefit of smudging and describing the Pipe- representing Wholeness and the Masculine and the Feminine-Members called in the 4 directions and the earth and the sky. Prayers were shared.
2:00-Introductions were made-Penney reported that she was here representing her mother, Vena. Cathy reported the newest addition-her grandson, Gavin Anthony Hernandez born 9/3/15- parents- Holana and Ruben. Members expressed their gratitude for coming together and being with the group. Mike reported that Richard Dobrin – the Seed board member died and that today is his birthday. Comments were made about being grateful, and feeling the spirts of love cooperation, oozing out of everyone’s soul. Icie sent her love. Shawna talked about this being our 22nd GOC and described the meaning of the number 22, which is the Master builder level, God on earth, universal transformation.
Financial Report by Cliff- Cliff reported the financial information and that we were in good shape.
We reviewed possible expenses such as: $300 for Speaker stipend, $300 to 400 for wood, $800 for port-a-potties including the hand washing station, $1700- T-shirt which accounts for roughly $2300 in expenses. Income items were: $200 pancake breakfast, $700 to $1000 for Raffles. Cliff reported that there were not as many donations as in previous years. We discussed how to best use the money. It was recommended to purchase two 12 x 12 EZ-up canopies- because 1 was leaking. Talked about how to water proof the canvas tops. Also, we talked about repairing the large group canopy including some grommets. Cliff and Brett will be laying out the canopy and inspecting it. Another Sweat lodge will be purchased to have a men and women’s sweat lodge simultaneously.
Positions:
Raffle-Edwin Minton
Welcome Table/Attendance/T-Shirt Distribution- Jan Leenhouts Martin & Karen McGinnis
T-shirts- Brett Messer
Workshops- Shawna Mitchell
Sweet Medicine Dance- Cathy Martin, Wanda Wade, Kathy Two Hawks
Children Activities- Bob Wade & Heather Sawyers
Housekeeping Announcements – Karen McGinnis
Final Environmental Walk Through/Inspection- Wanda Wade
Environmental Focus/Recycling- Heather Sawyers
Oneness Blessing- Karen McGinnis
Wood/Port-a-Potties/Permit- Cliff Buchanan
Speaker- Mike Andrews- Flordemayo
Sweatlodge- Steve Lake
Drum Team- Steve Lake
Pancake Brunch- June Baldwin
Songs & Music – Icie Mitchell Sarah Starkey
Give-a-way -Kathy Two-Hawks
Feast Coordinator- June Baldwin
Saturday night Drumming- Pete Phillips, Cathy Martin
Any other volunteers at any position will be welcomed!
Discussion of Positive & Negative / How can we improve?
Kathy Two Hawks offered to pour for the Sweat lodge and offer an Herbal class.
Discussed making the t-shirt distribution more efficient- placing all orders in plastic bags with names on the bags in 1 tub and Another tub with extra t-shirts to be purchased at the Gathering. Last year there was some confusion with the t-shirts and so t-shirts will be purchased when someone is in the tent- to keep things in order. June agreed to help with placing t-shirts in bags prior to the Gathering.
Much discussion was made around making things go more smoothly at the GOC and how to make sure that the speaker’s time was given full attention. Also, being more realistic about the first day. There will be more emphasis on encouraging people to come on time to the sessions- Someone will beat the drum to inform people that sessions will be starting and Sarah will sound the Trumpet as a final call. We discussed the importance of making the setup of the canopy and sweat lodges and taking down the structures as an important group process. Some discussion was made regarding changing the schedule to have the Give Away on Sunday, but decided to keep the same schedule.
Decided the following schedule:
Wednesday Aug. 3-
01:00 Sweat Lodge Set up
03:00 Set up large group Canopy
06:00 Beginning Circles-
Smudging
Oneness Blessing- Led by Karen McGinnis and other Blessing Givers
Pipe Ceremony and Explanation
Introductions
Orientation
Thursday. Aug. 4
09:00-11:00 Speaker- Flordemayo
12:00-02:00 Lunch break
02:00-03:30 Workshop with Flordemayo
03:30-05:00 Workshops
05:00-06:00 Children’s Sweat Lodge
06:00-08:00 Supper
08:00 Men and Women’s Sweat lodge
Friday Aug. 5
07:30 Morning Meditation
09:00-10:30 Workshops
10:30-12:00 Workshops
12:00-01:00 Pancake Brunch
03:30-5:00 prepare for dance
07:00 Dance
Saturday, Aug 6
07:30 Morning Meditation
09:00 Raffle
11:00 Giveaway
04:00 Feast
06:00 Take down Canopy
08:00 Drumming
Discussion of updating Name & Addresses
Discussion of Email Maintenance- Current & Global
Discussion of Website Maintenance
Cliff reported that he sent out 800 mailings regarding the GOC planning meeting and got a large number back. Decided to post the names on the website to see if anyone knew the new addresses for the people. Cliff provided information about the old website and new website. Brett and Cliff will meet with Tye Stutts to discuss the website, ways to improve it, and have it updated. Agreed to pay for professional services to work on the website. – Emails will need to be updated and those that are rejecting will need to be deleted.
Discussion of Community Kitchen- Brett Messer
We discussed ways to help incorporate a community kitchen. It was agreed that after the pancake dinner, the tables will remain set up with a stove available for those who need to use it. Encouraged people welcoming others and including them in. Also, anyone using the community kitchen is responsible for cleaning up after themselves and taking all of their food and items with them. Also at the community feast it is important to take whatever is yours when you leave. The cleanup crew would really appreciate that! People end up with a lot of dishes and other items!
Discussion on GOC Overview Presentation
Sarah will prepare an orientation hand out for people that are at the GOC for the first time- and reminders for those that have come before-
Potential Workshops:
Kathy Two-Hawks Herbal Class
Mike Andrews/Ariana- Beyond Unconditional Love
Theme
Many ideas were presented and discussed with the group- Mike suggested- “Beyond Unconditional Love”, Bob & Wanda suggested- “Honoring the Child within”, Cathy suggested- “ We are all Related”, Karen suggested- Nurturing Sacred Seeds- As we explored the different concepts- moved to a unanimous voting of “Seeds of Innocence” as the final theme that we believed encompassed the different t ideas presented.
T-shirt Design/Dates of submission & voting – Theme- “Seeds of Innocence” Wanda suggested a child holding seeds in their hands, other ideas were explored. Design submission- April 1 voting by April 8
Discussion of Other Issues
Suggestion of having “greeters” who would make sure that they meet people when they come in- help them to feel welcome and answer questions about the GOC
We want to thank June and Cliff for sharing their home with the group for the GOC family. We thoroughly enjoyed seeing everyone, sharing ideas, meals, laughter , going to the Unitarian church on Sunday to hear Shawna’s message, and just having a great weekend together!
Respectfully submitted, Cathy Martin See you on the mountain!