Network News
(the latest issue)
We are no longer soliciting contributions for the next newsletter until
we get a replacement editor or editorial collective. Please let Ken
Fisher know if you are interested in publishing this newsletter
mensnet
pro-feminist gay affirmative
anti-racist male positive
133 avenue des Plages PONTIAC (Luskville) QC J0X 2G0
tel.(819)455-9295 fax.(819)455-9213
e-mail mensnet@magi.com
Web site: http:/infoweb.magi.com/~mensnet/
TABLE OF CONTENTS
*Final MNC AGM Report and Mission Statement p.1
*Saying Goodbye p.2
*Who was the MNC? p.3
*The Process Guidelines p.4
*Kingston Conferences 1997 & 1998 p.4
*White Ribbons Over Arkansas p.4
*Sexuality & Spirituality - Mid-Summer Retreat p.5
Men's Network for Change
Annual General Meeting
July 27, 1995 Wanaki-on-the-Ottawa
The tenth gathering of the Men's Network for Change entitled "The Many
Paths of Pro-feminist Men", involved 24 participants. They included
Joe
Vienneau, Robyn Harvey, John Thorp, Jean Brown Tricky, Maria Shin, John
Fisher, Jerome St-Denis, Floyd Kelly, Phil Burge, Michael Kaufman, Harvey
Schacter, and Clifford Clark. The following participants were present on
Sunday morning for the Annual General Meeting: Richard Briggs, Bill Usher,
Ian Russell, Paul Lafleur, Ray Jones, Kevin Simpson, Michael Deloughery,
Ken Fisher, Murray Thorpe, Jack Wiggin, Bob Neufeld and well-chaired by
Bob
Thompson.
The day before the AGM, the following met to discuss the decision to
exclude a former member from the retreat and the future of the MNC. Present
for this were: Michael Deloughery, Ken Fisher, Ray Jones, Michael Kaufman,
Paul Lafleur, Bob Neufeld, Harvey Schacter, Bob Thomson, Bill Usher and
Jack Wiggin. The **Decision to Exclude** was discussed and respected. The
**Motion to Dissolve** was largely formulated in the course of that
discussion.
On Sunday morning, Bob Thompson called the AGM to order.
* FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Ken Fisher reported the the MNC-Ottawa account had a balance of $630.25,
that there were no outstanding bills and that the conference cost of $1875
was balanced. All present nodded their agreement with the financial report.
* MOTION TO DISSOLVE THE MEN'S NETWORK FOR CHANGE
PROLOGUE to the motion to dissolve written and read by Ray Jones
"The MNC is (almost) no more.
"The seminal men's group, which was formed at a gathering in Orangeville,
Ontario, in the spring of 1989, approached its end on July 27, 1997, in
Pontiac, Quebec.
"At a men's gathering at Ken Fisher's bed and breakfast and retreat
centre,
it was acknowledged that for a number of years, the MNC had not functioned
as the Network it was intended to be, and that it should therefore be put
to rest.
"The Ottawa-Outaouais Ritual Group, (formerly called the Ottawa-Outaouais
MNC Caucus) which has carried on the work of the MNC for four years, and
has tried unsuccessfully many times to pass it on, made it abundantly clear
that it wanted to end its own association with the MNC.
"It was the recommendation of the gathering that the Kingston Men's
Conference in October, 1997, would be the right time and place to more
formally put the MNC to rest.
"It is perhaps important here to say a word about the spirit in which
that
might take place:
"The MNC has played an important role in the lives of a great many
people
in Canada and beyond. To mention one example, Michael Kaufman spoke of
some of the links between the MNC (and the Kingston and Grindstone Island
Men's Conferences) in the development of the White Ribbon Campaign, which
is quickly becoming international in scope.
"Therefore, at Kingston, it would be both useful and respectful to
conduct
an event that celebrated the life of the MNC rather than simply noting its
demise.
"Finally, I can't resist saying that, like Monty Python's infamous
dead
parrot, the MNC may be well and truly kaput, but its life was colourful
and
its memory will live on."
Motion to dissolve the Men's Network for Change written up and read by Ken.
"The Men's Network for Change was established in the Spring of 1989.
It is
now the time to acknowledge the completion of it existence.
"Among its major accomplishments were:
-the establishment of a safe space for pro-feminist men to gather
-the mobilization of men across Canada to express their opposition to
violence against women (expressed in our support for the White Ribbon
Campaign, Men for Change Halifax [Healthy Relations Curriculum], Manitoba
Men's Network, Metro Men Against Violence - Toronto, etc.)
-the creation of a community of gay, straight, bi-sexual and transgendered
men.
"As we move towards closure, please stand and join with me in the reading
of the Mission Statement.
MISSION STATEMENT
(Orangeville - April 1989)
In a society dominated by men, a patriarchal society, men have
disproportionate economic, political and social power over women. But the
very things that give us power exact a price. We are not born patriarchs.
The process that leads us to accept the current norms of masculinity and
the domination of some men over others, leaves us all brutalized, limited
and angry. We usually do not acknowledge our isolation, fear, frustration
and alienation. Women, children, the planet and indeed ourselves, suffer
the consequences.
We are men committed to working against sexism and patriarchy, in support
of freedom of sexual orientation, and deeply opposed to the many forms of
violence in our world. We support those social movements that challenge
us
to rethink our lives as men and reevaluate our society. These include the
feminist women's movement; the gay, lesbian and bisexual movement;
anti-racist struggles; native peoples; peace, ecology and labour movements.
We see our actions as part of a struggle against the many forces,
institutions and structures that limit the potential of all human beings.
The equality of women is a crucial step in the creation of a society that
embodies human liberation.
For us, political action touches all aspects of life: from our actions at
home and in the streets, in school, at work, in relationships and in the
institutions of local and national decision-making. The changes we want
in
society as a whole are changes we strive to make in ourselves.
Our goal is to reach out to other men, to invite them to join us to create
a society where men no longer dominate women; where all humans can reclaim
their full potential; and where men will celebrate our passion, our
strength and our capacity to nurture, to love and be loved. Our goal is
to
provide a public and collective voice of men in support of women's
liberation. Our goal is to continue to support the many movements for
progressive social change. Our goal is to contribute to changing the lives
of men, women, children and the state of our planet.
We all therefore agree, that the Men's Network for Change be dissolved.
The Ottawa-Outaouais Ritual Group (probably to be renamed again) intends
to
continue its quarterly gatherings and summer retreats for all men of good
will who espouse the values of the Men's Network for Change AND the
behaviours as stated in the Process Guidelines developed on Grindstone
Island .
Some members of that group will continue to commit, for no less than
another year, to operate an information exchange service under the name
MENSNET. This would involve occasional mailings to those interested in
pro-feminist news and events. Those wishing to subscribe would be asked
to
send $5 each year for the service.
The MNC account, co-signed by Michael Deloughery (web site manager) and
Ken
Fisher (data-base and mailings) has a balance of $630.25. They have agreed
to continue offering these services. The web site costs about $150 per year
at this moment.
We wish that the funds that are currently in the MNC: Ottawa account be
transferred to the program called MENSNET to support the continuation of
the service mentioned and the possibility of an annual summer retreat. We
think this appropriate because these monies were given for the services
that will nevertheless continue despite the dissolution of the MNC.
It is the hope of this, the last MNC - AGM, that the fall Kingston
Conference would facilitate an event that would formally acknowledge the
dissolution of the Men's Network for Change and related decisions made here
and now.
All present nodded their agreement. The AGM and retreat ended with the
singing of Bill Usher's song, "Be Here Now" and a felicitous Closing
Circle
led by Bob Neufeld.
Saying Goodbye
Bob Thomson - July 27, 1997
A decade ago a group of my friends held a memorial service for a dear
colleague who died at the very beginning of realizing a long held dream
of
continuing his commitment to social justice as a worker priest in Brazil.
Sitting in a circle, we remembered what impact Bill had on each of our
lives. At the end of that hour, we realized that Bill was there in the room
with us, and that his life continued in a myriad of tiny ways through each
of us, as a collective mirror of the impact of his own life.
David Suzuki often begins a public speech by reminding the audience that,
having sat together in a room for even a relatively brief period of time,
through our breathing, each and every one of us now shares the molecules
of
ALL the others in the room, and that, both physically and metaphorically,
we are all a part of each other. On mentioning this to Jack Wiggins, he
commented to me that the human body is a form, through which matter and
energy flows, with only the physical form remaining constant.
The MNC has not died. It has disappeared as a structure, but it lives on
in
the lives of all of us who were impacted by it, as a formal network, as
a
venue for action, learning and fellowship or as a symbol of the values we
all strive to promote in our many lives and actions within and outside our
coming together in the MNC.
Some of us feel something important to us has died. Some even feel it has
been killed. At Wanaki, in July 1997, those present agreed that it had
transformed, and that the time had come to recognize this passage of one
form of energy to another, or many other forms. We agreed to dissolve the
MNC as a formal structure and to celebrate and commemorate the very real
contribution it made to us as individuals and as a collective, at the
Kingston Mens Conference October 24-26, 1997. This celebration should also
help to remind us of the values and energies which drove the MNC, and to
stimulate us to carry those forward in the new forms of organization and
action that we have chosen as individuals and together to express our
desire for a better world.
Mac Gervan - August 1, 1997
I found the (announcement of the completed life of the MNC) quite emotional
in a lot of ways...A lot of history...a lot of good work...and many good
friends..
Doug Hayman - October 7, 1997
Echos from Mac...and back and back to Orangeville 1989... I wasn't even
supposed to be there... so good... such fine energy and men ... thinking
of
themselves in a different way... trying to do it without all the power
overlay .. wanting a way to do something about the violence in our society,
and how we gird our loins..
So men, those of you responsible for making it happen, thank you, because
I was a fortunate participant ... Joseph, Terry, Ray, Mac, Michael, Ken,
Bert, David, and all you other "old guard" (ha ha, what a laugh),
you know
who you are. You did the work... brought us together ... this was a special
gift...
The Men's Network for Change is dead... long live the " the men's
network
for change" !! In the spirit and work of gentle/men everywhere, mission
statement written on the heart... organizations, gatherings, writings
and
activism as the times demand and the spirit wills... we will see its
work...
So farewell MNC... is dat chew under the moustach and funny hat or with
your body painted green and running naked through grass?
Who was the MNC?
The following are the men (and women) who were on the MNC mailing list.
Most were, at one time or another, MNC members. Others were subscribers,
had expressed interest. or attended a conference. The list covers ten
countries. Not included were the institutional subscribers.
David Abel Christopher Adam Bob Alexander Thomas Allgoewer Benny
Andersen Murray Angus Edmund Antocz John Baglow Richard Barry Greg
Barsoski Ed Barton Jeff Basen-Engquist Kirk Bates Karen Beaton William
Beer Pierre Belisle Sandro Bellassai Marc Beneteau Jacob Berkowitz
Jean Bernard Mandeep Bhuller Douglas Black Ken Bohnert Will Boyce
Terry Boyd Helmut Braun Lawrence Brenn Gordon Bricker Richard Guy
Briggs Harry Brod Adam Budd Douglas Bundy Philip Burge Hugh Cameron
David Carline Greg Carter Lorne Carter Walter Cavalieri J. Douglas
Chapman Bill Chedore Randy Chute Ray Clancy W. Clifford Clark Gordon
Cleveland Douglas Cleverley Chris Collins John Collins Rob Collins
Nick Cooper David Cormack Clement Cormier Peter Cornish John Corry
Michel Côté Nikki Craft Clarence Crossman Ray Cunnington
David Currah
Walter Czekierda Dan Danielson Bill Dare Wes G. Darou Leland (Lee) J.
Davies Roger Davies Peter Davison Jason de Courcy Jim Deflorio Michael
Deloughery Brian Desjarlais Harry Dialla Tom Dietzel Dennis Doherty
Patrick J. Donahoe Marty Donkervoort Casey Dorin Jim Dowden Daniel
Drolet Jim Ducker Martin Dufresne Germain Dulac Joseph Dunlop-Addley
Jerzy Dymny Jeff Edmonds Lorne D. Ellaschuk Stan Elliott Brian Emms
Bill Fallis Joseph Fassel Paul Fieldhouse Larry Finkelman John W.
Fisher Ken Fisher Bill Fitzpatrick Gary Fohr Eric Folsom Blye Frank
Alexander Freund Peter Froehlich Rus Ervin Funk David Futiwara David
Gallagher Nathan Garber Mac Gervan Roger Ghegin Bruce Gilbert Rick
Gilbert David Gilkes Peter Andre Globensky Cy Gonick Dale Goudie Bob
Gough Lucas Greaves Gary Greenwood Jim Gripton Klaus Gruber Robert
Gruber Jim Hamilton David Hanly Andy Hanson Douglas Harris Jon
Harstone Robyn Harvey Calvin Hawn Doug Hayman Paul Hemrend Allan
Hendrickson-Gracie Tom Hennessy Stuart Hill Don Himmelman Ari Ho Brian
Hobbs Joe Hodge Peter Holt Richard Holt Robert Hubsher Harry Hughes
Michael Hurley Brian Iler David Inman Luciano Iogna Lev Jaeger Dr.
Peter Jaffe Robert Janes Al Jantzi Allan Johnson Roderick Johnson
Robert Johnston Roy Johnstone Craig Jones Ray Jones David Jordan
Michael Kanter Jay Kassirer Michael Kaufman Wayne R. Kay Floyd Kelly
Robert J. Kennedy Richard Kerr Bruce Kidd Ross Kidd Michael Kimmel
John Kinting Paul Kivel Kevin Klement Bob Kneebone Thomas Kral Michael
Kuhn Paul Lafleur Ian 'Tay' Landry David Lavoie Gary Lawrence Jack
Layton Peter Legacy Michel Levac Tom Lietaert Eric Lilius Gregory
Little Brian Lovelady Prof. Sam Luker James MacLeod Ken MacLeod Hugh
J. MacMillan Jim Madden John Madruga Terry Maley Erik Malmsten Lorne
Mann Lyn McGinnis Carol Beal McKenzie Stuart McKinnon Judie McSkimmings
Rob Meintzer Michael Messner Andrew Michalski Lorne Miller Richard
Miller Eric Mills Harry Milne Marko Monteiro Pierre Morais Alex Munter
David Murphy Gordon Murphy Tom Murphy Jay Mussell Tracey Mussett Allan
Nagata John Nasmith Bob Neufeld David Nobbs Mosesie Nuvaqiq David
Orfald David Orthmann Les Ott Peter Padbury Ron Parducci Thom Parkhill
Paul Payson Ron Peterson Harry Pilfold Ric Proven Derek Puddester Tony
Rapoport Tom Rash Doug Reberg Christopher R. Reibling David
Rice-Lampert Jim Richardson Penni Richmond Mitch Robinson Phil Robinson
Jay Roller Douglas Rooks Wally Roth Jeffrey Rouse David Routledge
Steve Rush Ian Russell Bruce Ryder Andrew Safer Casey Sager Roger
Sandford Henry Sansom Harvey Schacter Rodney Schmidt Johan (Joop)
Schuyff Vli Schwammle Wally Seccombe Tom Seeley Robert Service Errol
Sharpe Max Shaw Peter Shepherd Kevin Simpson R. Gordon Singer Ron
Sluser John Smale Edward S. Smith R. Forrest Smith Gordon M. Stevenson
John Stout Peter Strathy Jack Straton Chris J Sunde Larry Tayler
Robert R. Taylor Xavier Thery Don Thiers Bob Thomson Murray Thorpe
Luc
Trudel Trul Trulsen Anton Turrittin Bill Unger Bill Usher Jan Van de
Wetering Ron Verzuh Joseph (Joe) Vienneau John Volpe Ben Wadham Jim
Walsh James R. Wandler Martin Ward Mike Warren Rod Watson Paul Weber
Grant Wedge Lily Weinstock Chris Whittaker Rodger Whittle Norman J.
(Jack) Wiggin Lance Willard Hamish Wills Brooke Windsor David
Woolner-Pratt Geoffrey Yan Johnny Ngim-Kee Yap Sam Yassin Michael E.
Yetman Bert Young Murray W. Young Allen Zeesman.
PROCESS GUIDELINES
The Process Guidelines, although not an MNC creation, were nevertheless
an
icon of our decade-long journey and are still being used widely. They are
being reprinted because of their ongoing relevance. They have been slightly
modified with time. But the spirit is the same.
"The way we reach our goals this weekend is as important as our goals.
To
help us in our time together as a group, and as individuals, we offer some
important guidelines. We ask that these be read at the beginning of
workshops if it is deemed appropriate."
Grindstone Annual Men's Conferences 1984-1991
1. I will speak from my own experience.
2. I will be good listener.
3. I will give everyone a chance to speak.
4. I will value other men's experiences and differences.
5. I will be sensitive to other men's vulnerabilities, and
will honour their disclosures without judgment.
6. I will gently challenge oppressive behaviour.
7. I will maintain confidentiality (where appropriate).
8. I am responsible for what I say and do.
9. The group is responsible fro what it does, and I am a part
of my group's decision of what we shall do.
10. I can leave the group, but I will let someone in that group
know why.
11. I can ask to join another group, but that group will decide
whether it is appropriate.
12. If I have a complaint or suggestion I will talk to my
group, other men or the designated "listening post".
13. When we get together we value open meetings of the core
group and inclusive celebrations. We discourage the dramatization of 'in
groups' and their exercise of power over others. The basis of our process
is "power-with" not "power-over".
N.B.The personal growth aspects of this weekend are not intended as
therapy. We are advocating simply listening, sharing, supporting and
enjoying each other.
1997 KINGSTON CONFERENCE
Loneliness and Aloneness in Men's Lives
Harvey Schacter reports...
It was a super conference, certainly the best of the last few years -- by
a
lot. Over 100 people attended the keynote, which was reminiscent of
Mantalk, quite powerful, notably Michael Hurley's poems. We had a steady
50
people the rest of the weekend -- including the closing circle.
The support groups were staggeringly useful. People just opened up,
immediately, and shared. It's amazing we never did them at Kingston before.
We made a mistake, however, in not holding a closing for them on Sunday
--
as most people stayed for Sunday this year.
Saturday night dinner was excellent: the Grad Club looked terrific, with
tablecloths and candles, and the music was fun, with Craig Jones playing
Beatles tunes, our own choir and then a singalong with Gord McDiarmid.
MNC closure, was, I gather, quite successful. Craig Jones facilitated with
about 10 guys present, and they found it quite enjoyable.
1998 KINGSTON CONFERENCE
"I Don't Want To Talk About It!"
October 23-25 Kingston Hall Queen's University Kingston
Harvey Schacter 613-531-8287 5hs@qsilver.queensu.ca
We had a successful Planning Day (98/04/18) for this year's Men's
Conference and I thought I'd send an early note to some of you who are in
my personal email address book, for feedback and to encourage volunteers
for facilitating sessions.
Feel free to share this with others, recognizing that it's still very
early. Twelve men took part -- all from Kingston. The conference theme will
be "I Don't Want To Talk About It!" We are trying to book Kingston
Hall for
Oct. 23 - 25. (Our bookie is in the Khyber Pass as he reads this so we're
searching for a substitute.)
We will open on Friday night with another keynote event in which some men
talk about what they don't want to talk about. We'd also like some music
again.
It was agreed that the support groups should feature prominently again this
year -- it fits the theme. There was some discussion on whether the groups
should return and meet again -- and if so, when. We will probably again
close Saturday in the support groups, to check in. For those who want another
meeting, we'll rearrange the Sunday schedule so that can be done over coffee
and muffins, probably a little earlier than we normally start.
We will have at least one workshop at each time for men who want to be in
a
men-only session. That will include support groups.
We will again try to find some men to dance at the party this year. We will
set a specific time for the dance to start so it's less unsettled. We'd
also love to have Craig (are you listening Craig) and the others repeat
their super session.
We brainstormed for the conference by bringing images of men and creating
a
collage as well as plastering the walls -- something we will try at this
or
some future conference. The impact was terrific.
White Ribbons Over Arkansas
An Open Letter to the People of Jonesboro
by Michael Kaufman www.commplusc.com/mkaufman
The echoes of gunfire resound in our minds. Four girls and one woman have
been buried, their short lives chiselled in stone. White ribbons flutter
from lampposts and adorn shirts and blouses.
The soul-searching has begun and, with it, denial about the heart of the
problem. Some blame lax discipline, others whisper the name of the devil.
Even the critical issue of gun control, which put an armament of killer
weapons into the hands of two children, doesn't get to the core of the
problem.
That problem? It is the way we raise our boys. And it is the ongoing
epidemic of violence against women.
The truly monstrous thing about the two young killers is that they are not
monsters at all. Their attitudes and actions were but an extreme expression
of what every boy learns to become.
These are our boys.
They are our killers.
All of you in Jonesboro are asking yourselves the question we must all ask
ourselves: How did we let this happen?
From an early age boys learn that force and aggression are desirable ways
to solve problems and get our own way. Men must always be strong,
performing like a well-tuned car, always in control. Don't feel what others
feel, don't show weakness, and, most of all, distance ourselves from our
own emotions.
Watch basketball and see the spectacular move followed not by a smile but
by pumped-up rage. Observe how our political leaders see negotiation and
compromise as a sign of weakness. See the way we celebrate the winners in
the world of business, without giving a second thought to their effect on
communities and individuals. Observe the matinee idol who has no time for
discussion, who shows no pain, whose feelings, if any, lie in an alcoholic
haze, but who is quick to beat someone to a pulp. Gaze at the superheroes,
athletes, and male models with their ever-more absurd amounts of muscle.
It doesn't matter if we're living in Jonesboro or New York. The problem
for
boys and men is that these standards of aggressive manhood are ever more
impossible to attain. After all, we are only human. When real human
feelings (including fear, hurt, sadness, and joy) nudge into our
consciousness it is like a schoolyard taunt: "You don't make the masculine
grade."
Combining insecurity and rage is a deadly combination. It is especially
dangerous if these boys have been raised with threats of violence at the
hands of parents who teach them, through physical punishment, that you can
simultaneously love someone and hurt them. Such punishment might stop
certain forms of behaviour, but it also teaches the young that physical
force is acceptable so long as you can get away with it. It doesn't teach
self-discipline; it teaches fear and causes suppressed anger, waiting to
burst at someone who is weaker.
And who is the target for all this rage? What can compensate for anxieties
about not being manly enough? Other boys often present a good target, but
that usually peters out by the end of adolescence. Women, however, remain
an ongoing target for the derision of some men, for feelings of
superiority, and for violence. Some of the boys in your community see their
fathers beat their wives. Some hear men berate women who want an equal
shake in the world. Many grow up with privileges not enjoyed by their sisters.
They learn contempt for women and a fear of femininity.
Wrap all this tog
ether and we have the recipe for an epidemic of violence against women.
It
is sexual assault and it is workplace harassment. It is wife beating and
stalking. It is the fear that invades the lives of the majority of adult
women. It is, from time to time, murder.
Amidst all this, there are signs of hope. There are the growing number of
men and boys who question the old macho certainties and are striving to
be
strong, nurturing men. There are the men who are horrified by the violence
perpetrated against women that gives all men a bad name. There is the
symbol of the white ribbon.
The White Ribbon Campaign is the largest effort in the world of men and
boys working to end violence against women. It is a plea for men to rethink
what it means to act like a man, to add nurturing and caregiving to the
masculine pantheon.
When we encourage men and boys to wear a white ribbon, it is a public
pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence against
women.
I saw the white ribbons in Arkansas and I felt hope in the midst of
despair. From its launch seven years ago, in part as a response to the
murder of fourteen women at a university in Montreal, Canada, the White
Ribbon Campaign is becoming an international symbol of opposition to
violence against women and girls.
However, we need more than symbols. For one thing, we need education.
With this letter I am sending you a copy of the White Ribbon Education and
Action Kit, which I hope you will use in your school.
We also need soul searching by all men. The majority of us are not violent
towards women, but most of us have been silent about this violence. Through
our silence we've allowed the violence to continue. We may not be
responsible for committing the violence, but we should feel responsible
for
making sure it ends. And we are responsible for examining ways that our
own
attitudes and behaviour might feed into the problem.
It is because most men are good men that I write this appeal to you. We
wear a white ribbon not out of a collective sense of guilt, but out of our
love for the women and girls in our lives. It is out of our love for the
men and boys who deserve better than to be forced into an emotional
straightjacket.
I write because of your love for four girls and a woman whose names should
not yet be chiselled in stone.
Michael Kaufman, Ph.D., is a founder of the White Ribbon Campaign and
author of books and articles on gender relations. The White Ribbon Campaign
can be contacted through www.whiteribbon.ca or at (416) 920-6684.
1998 Mid-Summer Retreat
of the Ottawa-Outaouais Men's Ritual Group
SEXUALITY AND SPIRITUALITY
Wanaki-on-the-Ottawa July 23-26, 1997 Cost $120 or $40 per day.
Shared cooking, cleaning, accommodation or bring your tent. Registration
$40. Space for about 25 men. Ten have already committed to attending
This is the fourth annual summer get-together organized by our group. While
the Men's Network for Change is no longer, the MNC (1989-97) core values
(pro-feminist, gay affirmative, anti-racist, male positive) and the
Grindstone Men's Conferences (1984-1991) process guidelines (10 ways to
practice mutual respect) live on. Among other places, these get expression
in the fall conference in Kingston, (1985- and still going..) and in our
men's mid-summer retreat.
Our quarterly ritual group which began in the fall of '92, has an
attendance of 8 to 15 men. Members of the group are engaged in a great
variety of fronts including the issues of the environment, education,
parenting, the arts, gender, spirituality, local economic development,
co-operative housing, fair-trade etc. Our commonality is a desire to
maintain a creative space for the nurture of our own well-being and of each
other; a point of silence in the midst of a cacophony of actions.
So should you come to this event? If any of the following resonates
consider yourself a candidate.
*Men working in a great variety of ways against sexism, patriarchy and
homophobia, and are opposed to the many forms of violence in our world.
*Men who want to continue to explore the experiences that promote
co-creative relationships: offer healing, bodywork,experience men's
spirituality, develop boundless resources of loving energy and nurture the
feeling of community that is fun, respectful, open and caring.
*Men involved with movements of social economic justice in Canada and
internationally.
*Men who are fathers working hard to be responsible parents, in committed
relationships or as single parents.
SEXUALITY AND SPIRITUALITY
There is a power in these two words that is not often available to us.
These are two realities that in recent history have often been considered
mutually exclusive, especially in the view of mainstream religions. Past
men's gatherings have explored one or the other of these with exciting
results.
At a recent gathering of our Ottawa group, one man told us about his
exploration in the process of integrating sexuality and spirituality in
his
life. There ensured a lively sharing. We wanted to open the sharing up to
a
wider group of men.
PROPOSED TIME DESIGN
*Thursday Evening: A leisurely time to unwind and let go.
*Friday Morning and Afternoon: The format of this day is open to the
inventiveness of the men who attend. There may be men who just want to
spend time hiking on the escarpment, lying on the beach or out on the
river. This is a chance to network, try a different experience or just
recharge your elan vital. Any men wanting to offer a workshop or organize
a
group are invited to do so.
*Friday Evening: Opening Circle with a Welcome and Sharing
*Saturday Morning: Sexuality and Spirituality -Roundtable and Sharing
*Saturday Afternoon: Interest Groups (These are suggested by participants
and can be scheduled beforehand or come out of the Roundtable) and
Recreation (Beach volleyball anyone?)
*Saturday Night: The Party
*Sunday Morning: General Reflections Closing Circle
Retreat update? Visit mensnet to see pictures from last year's retreat
http:/infoweb.magi.com/~mensnet/ or contact: Ken Fisher,
133 avenue des Plages Pontiac (Luskville) QC J0X 2G0
voice (819) 455-9295 fax (819) 455-9213 e-mail kfisher@magi.com
Infomation on Wanaki? Visit http://www.bbcanada.com/612.html
Sexuality & Spirituality
1998 Mensnet Mid-Summer Retreat
Registration Form
Send $40 (of $120) payable to Mensnet
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INFORMATION TO SEND WITH CHEQUE
Please Print
First Name Last Name
Street or Post Box
Municipality
Province Postal Code
Home Telephone
Fax
E-mail
WWW Page
Any dietary requirements? The menu is usually vegetarian.
mensnet membership
mensnet offers you
*Connection to pro-feminist men around the world.
*An occasional flyer with reports on conferences and coast-to-coast
announcements.
*e-mail communications for members mensnet@magi.com
*mensnet World Wide Web Home Page and other related sites.
Send $5 payable to mensnet
to address on masthead.
INFORMATION TO SEND WITH CHEQUE
Please Print
First Name Last Name
Street or Post Box
Municipality
Province Postal Code
Home Telephone
Fax
E-mail
WWW Page
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