Sage-ing International Coordinating Circle (CC) Meeting. July 1, 2013

Transcription

1 Sage-ing International Coordinating Circle (CC) Meeting July 1, 2013 Present: Carol Scott-Kassner, Anne Murray, Eston Williams, Paul Severance, David Rozell, Anne Boynton, Lynn Bledsoe, Cindy Siemers, Maureen Dobson, Pat Hoertdoefer CHECK IN For check in, each person shared a personal dream for SI. Dreams included: Using music in Sage-ing, staying true to the foundation of Sage-ing work, expanding into the international arena, Sage-ing work in every faith community, embodiment of Sage-ing work, Sage-ing work in local communities, celebrating 25,000 members at the next conference (with champagne), and that SI flourish with resources, expertise, and financial stability to a place of truly engaging the world. WELCOME AND OPENING READING David shared a reading about living fully (passed on to him through Anne B, Carol and others). MINUTES FOR JUNE The minutes from June 3, 2013 were approved unanimously. FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR MAY Paul addressed the issue of the loss of $ attributed to the Colorado intensive. He advised that the tuition money from the intensive was sent to the Senior Center (Maureen s employer) and the check for that amount is forthcoming. There will also be additional funds from the DC intensive from June that will be added to the balance. Cindy asked if it is possible to break down the budget figures to sort out income and expenses related to specific intensives. The answer to Cindy s question is yes. Paul also reported that there was a discrepancy related to the bank s accounting system related to a negative of $ in the checking

2 account during the month of May. This is due to the bank s failure to transfer funds from another account and has now been reconciled. Carol advised that the Seattle intensive is filled with 16 participants (and a waiting list for the next one) and will generate further income for SI. MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE Paul directed the CC to the updated strategic plan (from Membership Com) sent via . The MC is also discussing webinar development, and has passed a recommendation to the Ex Com to accept a proposal from Memorial Brainworks to provide webinars for SI until we are in a position to offer webinars through SI. The next step for the proposal is for the Education Committee to work out details for implementation. Eston provided background that SI began a conversation with Christina Baldwin regarding collaboration between SI and Peer Spirit. The membership committee has elected not to publish a joint publication because of the difference of styles in the material. However, the conversation will be ongoing in terms of collaboration, particularly with the input of SI people taking Peer Spirit training. Paul provided an update on membership tracking efforts via the SI website. Research revealed that the new membership system added to the site resulted in the loss of material necessary to track members. If a member fails to renew by a specific date, their material is subsequently lost, and SI loses the ability to follow up on lost members. The information is still available but it requires additional time to track it down and there is no apparent fix to the problem at this time. Paul will continue to research methods or programming to restore the database. OUTREACH COMMITTEE Carol reported for Gary, who is on vacation. Gary met with John Sorenson, Ron P, and Bob A in Colorado and had a productive meeting, upon which he will report at a later time. The Finance Committee met subsequent to that meeting and expanded on the

3 efforts of the Colorado meeting. Eston noted that he and Cindy also attended the meeting and that John will be a wonderful resource for SI. SERVICE COMMITTEE David proclaimed that we have a bunch of good people thinking a lot of good thoughts. He has provided SC reports to the CC. The SC is making good progress working with Judy Steiert, spearheaded by Pat Hoertdoefer on a document of Sages being Seen in service in their community. The SC continues to explore means by which people may go deeper into Sage-ing through service work. This may be structured around SI chapters in various locations. SC has a goal to complete strategic planning goals by August, 2013 in advance of the Fall retreat. David observed that much of the work of the SC falls under the category of outreach and education and that at some point there will be a need for integration. This is particularly challenging in terms of resources under our current structure. Carol concluded that the Executive committee will consider this observation as the Fall retreat agenda is contemplated and set. OUTREACH TO COUNCIL OF HONORED ELDERS Discussion of Logo and By-line: Anne Boynton Anne referenced the document ed to the CC regarding the CHS. She noted that there is a need to verify bios and update the website in terms of the honored sages. She plans to invite the honored sages to the next conference. Carol will be sending a letter of introduction about the liaison with honored elders to the CHS. Anne noted that she is familiar with some of the honored sages but requested help for reaching out to Richard Leider, Bill Thomas and Angeles Arrien. Anne has spoken to Bob Atchley regarding his offer to take certain concepts to his discussion group - for chewing on particular topics. Anne advised that there is a need for a byline to support the logo as it evolves. She requested that we continue to consider the aspen,

4 along with other ideas as the symbol that would represent SI. She suggested that we consider the image of a hand holding a sage leaf, and pursuing the use of the words, sage-ing and international with the logo. She asked for input regarding the message to be associated with the logo. VMV Pat Hoertdoefer joined the meeting to present the most recent version of the VMV. Carol directed the CC to the with the newest description of the VMV. Pat expressed appreciation to Carol, Paul and Connie Goldman for working on the statement. David added appreciation for Pat s work also. Pat expanded on the rich history of SI and the influence of that history on the evolved VMV. David reflected that the document will not only be an external vision for the purpose of describing SI in terms of outreach, but will also be an internal guide for the upcoming 3-5 years as SI grows the present community. Discussion regarding the VMV document centered on the topics of the continued logo development and mission statement. The CC asserts a dedicated intent to involve the SI membership, as represented in the process in the choosing of the name Sage-ing International. Carol called for creative ideas to engage the broader membership. David recommended that a survey (such as survey monkey) be provided to the membership to collect responses to logo ideas. Anne B noted that an initial survey could be conducted within SI leadership that could result in a more organized presentation to the broader membership. After much discussion there was general consensus that the final decision will be best made by those persons most invested in sage-ing work. Those groups were identified as the CHS, CSL s, and SI chapters. Members of the CC suggested that particular attention be directed to: Using language that is pithy, simple, and reflects movement, The important concept of: reshaping the world with wisdom and spirit Referencing the work of Reb Zalman Wordsmithing the language of the paradigm of aging perhaps to say shifting the negative paradigm of aging (instead of

5 shifting the current paradigm of aging ) Carol offered to direct the executive committee to create a clear and timely strategy for soliciting feedback from the identified groups for mission, logo and byline development. The subsequent step will be evaluation by the VMV group and finally to the CC. Carol extended additional appreciation to Pat for her leadership of the VMV efforts. EDUCATION COMMITTEE Maureen joined the meeting to present the minutes from the Education Committee. She presented an describing 2 of 3 strategic goals for the Ed. Comm. She noted that the schedule for CSL training is in the process of changing and that Jeanne is developing a strategy for gathering useful feedback for CSL training. Special consideration is being given to the process of providing international training that is affordable and simple. CSL s are being encouraged to contribute their expertise and engage in continued education. Rosemary continues to research cost effective webinar possibilities that are foundational to build upon for the future. In terms of feedback for the Ed. Com.: Anne B suggested that Sounds True might be a model under consideration for SI. Carol encouraged the Ed Com to provide a wide variety of topics, speakers and presentation styles as the webinars are developed. Paul recommended that the Ed Com survey other groups such as Sounds True to discover the process through which they have developed webinar outreach. (Maureen responded that this could be a task of the SI hired person when the time arrives) Eston noted that some of the most profound presentations do not employ professional technology and are still very powerful. Anne B recommended the use of online communities to promote continued education Carol conveyed appreciation to the Ed Com for their good work and continued recruitment for membership for the committee.

6 FALL RETREAT Eston is making final inquiries regarding arrangements for housing, etc. He will get the word out as he gets confirmation. REPORT ON 2014 CONFERENCE The groundwork has been established to have the conference at Seattle University. Carol will initiate requests for leadership and conference planning as the needs present. OTHER Anne M asked for confirmation about the previously approved Brainworks webinars. Paul affirmed that the webinars have been approved by committees and are included in the budget, and thereby positioned to implement. Further conversation suggested that future webinars will be informed by this experience and evaluated as we proceed. CLOSING MEDITATION Anne B read a passage about summer from Sarah Ban Breathnach, from Simple Abundance and a passage about music from Angeles Arien. She encouraged us to sing our favorite songs this summer.