THE Gathering :Two Day Community Building Workshop, Sebastopol(based on A Different Drum)

Dear All,

Community - A group of people, who, despite the diversity of their previous history, have been able to accept and transcend their differences, thus enabling them to communicate effectively and openly and to cooperate in working toward a recognizable goal or for the common good of the group

In mid November I am arranging for a community building workshop to happen, based on the principles of Scott Peck's (the gods bless him) A Different Drum, in Sebastopol so we can all actually have the vibrant community we moved here for. This is a two day workshop. Peck's organization has highly trained facilitators who come (two, a male and female) to your psudocommunity and hold space for a genuine experience of community. If you are interested in getting out of the dominant paradigm of rugged individualism into soft interdependency, don't have too big of an axe to grind (community is tolerant of diversity), please email me at [email protected]

As they need at least 20 people to show before they come out, as part of your commitment, everyone is asked to contribute $25 bucks, to cover their expenses. They do not charge for the event, they only ask that it doesn't cost them anything. Although, personally, I think we should at least feed them and give them any remaindered money.

Here is some info about what we'll be doing.

from my roots,
Asher.

The Experience
During a community building workshop--15-18 hours, or two days-- the ultimate goal of the group is to become a real community. Community can be defined best in the following manner:
A group of people, who, despite the diversity of their previous history, have been able to accept and transcend their differences, thus enabling them to communicate effectively and openly and to cooperate in working toward a recognizable goal or for the common good of the group
This level of development of the group--the state of community--requires authentic opening and connecting of the heart. It flows, equally, from an awareness and understanding of the self and of relations with others, particularly with the other participants in the workshop.
The aim of this experience is:
▪ To increase competence in relations between individuals and groups
▪ To grow in self-awareness
▪ To develop one’s capacity for personal choices with a view to serve a relation or a group
In order that this may happen, it is essential that participants come to the workshop with a firm intention of recognizing one’s own truth.
If you are in therapy at present, participation should be discussed with your therapist as the experience may be demanding.
The participants learn to recognize key attitudes and techniques as well recognizing their own personal barriers to effective communication, and thus become aware of the characteristics of genuine community.
The facilitators, trained by FCE. (Scott's org) support the group’s progress, as they use stories, periods of silence, and give occasional feedback to stimulate constructive listening and self-awareness.
Participating in a Community Building Event
Learning the Principles of Community Building
experientially. In order to share in the community building experience fully, it is important to commit to these very basic principles:
Inclusivity
A true community is inclusive, and its greatest enemy is exclusivity. Groups who exclude others because of religious, ethnic, or more subtle differences are not communities.
Participation
Please commit to staying for the entire experience. When individuals leave or withdraw because of difficulties building community, they deprive the group of their unique talents and insights. Be prepared to persevere through periods of frustration, anxiety, and even despair. Such periods are normal as part of the community building process. Participation takes many forms. Speaking is not required; non-verbal participation can be as powerful as other forms. However, it is important to be attentive and involved.
Punctuality
Please be on time for all seminar sessions as part of your commitment to participation.
Confidentiality
Confidentiality is an essential measure of respect for participants in the group. Therefore, tape recorders are not allowed.
Suggestions
The intensity of the experience may be exhausting. Therefore, we suggest that you do not over-schedule your free time. You will probably need that time for rest, reflection, and integration of the experience.
Feel free to dress casually.
While personal issues may be addressed, the event is not intended to result in their resolution.
Finally, if you have any questions about these guidelines, please bring them up with the leaders during the time set aside at the beginning of the workshop
Community Building Guidelines
The Guidelines that are offered here come directly from the Foundation for Community Encouragement's (FCE) website; they have been used time and again by FCE-trained Facilitators at many different kinds of events around the world. These Guidelines will be reviewed by the Facilitators when we first meet.
Guidelines for Community Building
▪ Wear name tags.
▪ Be on time for each session.
▪ Say your name before you speak.
▪ Speak personally and specifically, using "I" statements.
▪ Be inclusive; avoid exclusivity.
▪ Express displeasure in the group, not outside the circle.
▪ Commit to "hang in there."
▪ Speak when moved to speak; don't speak when not moved to speak.
▪ Be responsible for your success.
▪ Participate verbally or nonverbally.
▪ Be emotionally present with the group.
▪ Respect confidentiality.

What We Can Tell You About the Process
▪ Facilitators are guides only.
▪ There are usually four stages.
▪ Silence will be used now and then.
▪ It is an adventure into the unknown.
▪ It involves discovering what it means to be MOVED to speak.
▪ You are encouraged to experiment, discover, learn.

What We Cannot Tell You About the Process
▪ How to do it
▪ About the unknown
▪ What this community may be
▪ The mystery about how it works