ManKind Project Northwest

Hiring Center Director for 2012-2013

Board of Trustees — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:30:41 +0000

ManKind Project Northwest seeks a part-time Center Director, with an anticipated time commitment of 20-30 hours per week over a period of two years. Salary to be determined.

MKPNW Center Director Job Description

The Northwest Center Board of Trustees are responsible for hiring and supervising an Executive Director (XD), who in turn may select, supervise and hire other staff. The XD is a paid employee who may sit on the Board of Trustees (BOT), but has no vote. All Trustees and XD are ex-officio members of the Community Congress. The Center Director (CD) is hired by and reports to the XD.

MKPNW CD Qualifications and Core Competencies

Ability to identify individual and group needs and to set aside personal agendas
Understanding of MKP core value
Honesty, integrity and commitment to MKP mission, values and goals
Excellent verbal communication skills
Ability to communicate clearly through email and written reports
Ability to work with a great deal of autonomy and lead a team
Ability to recognize limitations and ask for assistance when needed
Ability to prioritize and delegate effectively
Active involvement in an I-group

MKPNW CD Responsibilities

Maintain all policies outlined in the Center covenant signed by the Board of Trustees with MKPUSA pertaining to NWTAs. This includes Staff, Leader and Initiate ratios.
Maintain and fill a list of required roles for each calendar year’s NWTAs. This list includes Weekend Leaders, LKS Headman, Ritual Elder, Weekend Admin Data Coordinator, Materials Coordinator, MHRT Point man, Medic, MOS lead man and Weekend Coordinator.
MHRT and National reporting.
Being point person with Camp WaRiKi to ensure good camp relations that are clear and consistent.
Review and monitor NWTA weekend operating budget, expenditures and revenue. This includes the food budget, leader travel, materials and office expenditures. Provide food budget amount to the MOS leader, reinforcing that all overages must be approved by CD.
Work with Leader Body to select and contact each Leader/Co-leader of each NWTA and follow up emails. This should be done 1 year before each scheduled NWTA. Check with Leaders to make sure they get their plane tickets well in advance of 2 months out.
Coordinate with Weekend (Outline) Coordinator and NWTA Coordinator with respect to staff, MOS and leader paper work as necessary.
Coordinate with Enrollment/Outreach person on open houses, Circle of Men events making sure these are announced and added to website list.
Ensure that men who staff are in financial integrity with the NW Center.
Participate in monthly MKPUSA Center Director Council phone bridge calls. This keep our Center informed with the latest rules and updated documents.
By November 1 of each year coordinate with the Board of Trustees all NWTA dates for the following year.
Develop a working knowledge of the Center Director Manual, MKP Policies and Procedures in order to serve as a resource, support or mentor to any in MKP with questions about conducting business within the parameters of the 501(c) structure.
Participate in any MKPNW Peer Review process as stated in the Peer Review Procedures document and follow up emails.
Participate in Community Congress along with XD.
Ensures that MKPUSA’s new insurance forms are being processed for all venues being used for NWTAs, Welcome Homes and PITS.

MKPNW CD Oversees and Delegates to the Center Administrator (CA)

Sharing of responding to any man who expresses concerns about issues within our organization.
By November 1st of each year, coordinate with BOT all NWTA dates for following year.
Maintain and update staff/mos and new brothers list online using CAA website features. Awareness that the NWTA Coordinator also helps in this duty.
Post to website announcements of open houses and other enrollment events.
Prepare “initiate letters to self” for mailing in six months.
Coordinate purchasing of supplies needed on NWTA weekends and other Center events, working within the allotted budgets.
Coordinates NWTA data file retention.
Coordinates with PIT Chair for PIT administration.

MKPNW CD Oversees and Delegates to the NWTA Weekend Coordinator (WC)

Post to NW-info and MKPI broadcast lists for staff applications a maximum of 2 times per NWTA and a minimum of 8 weeks in advance of the staff application deadline.
Notify the staff selection committee one month from staff selection call date and provide a reminder one week prior to the call date.
Maintains NWTA staff/mos email list, adjusting for men who drop and are added, this includes using CAA website.
Contacts men who are on the waiting list and men who have been turned down in a good way.
Post staffing requirements to staff list and get agreement their email is secure.
Distribute staff packet via staff email list, fax or regular mail.
Collect staff and mos fees, track the amount and type of payment. Forward payments directly to the book keeper.
Form MHRT/Medic committee to deal with Medical and Health concerns for staff and initiates. Make sure the MHRT and Medic are set up to receive staff and initiate paperwork. Set a schedule for communication around any concerns 2 weeks out from scheduled NWTA.
Prepare Medic documentation submitted to MKPI Operations Director. Submitted within one week of the NWTA.
Contact Materials Coordinator and provide the budget amount reinforcing that all overages must be approved by the CD.Sharing of responding to any man who expresses concerns about issues within our organization.

MKPNW CD Oversees and Delegates to the Weekend Administrator (WA)

Maintain and update staff/mos and new brothers list online using CAA website features. Awareness that the NWTA Coordinator also helps in this duty.
Post to website announcements of open houses and other enrollment events.
Prepare “initiate letters to self” for mailing in six months.
Coordinate purchasing of supplies needed on NWTA weekends and other Center events, working within the allotted budgets.
Coordinates NWTA data file retention.
Coordinates with PIT Chair for PIT administration.

After the Weekend

Ensure that each initiates paperwork is properly prepared for handing back to Enrollment Coordinator. This includes enrollment form, tuition/cancelation/refund form, payment plan, scholarship plan. If EC is not on site be sure his designate receives files for delivery.
Weekend Administer provides the completed Pre-weekend Checklist, Weekend Report and Staff/Initiate rosters to the NWTA Coordinator CD for final review. Updated roster of staff/mos are sent to CD and bookkeeper.
Submit weekend reports to MKPI.
Weekend Report: Delivered to the CD and MKP Operations Administer within 48 hours of the completion of the NWTA weekend.
Excel spreadsheet file of new brothers and staff submitted to CD within 48 hours of completion of NWTA.

The Road Forward

Board of Trustees — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:00:28 +0000

Brothers,

This “talking point update” is meant to inform and begin feedback conversations among the new board of trustees (BOT) executive director (ED), center directory (CD), center administrator (CA) and NWTA coordinator. The new Board is asking men to become engaged in these conversations at I-groups, local councils and events. How do we continue to build on the success of our Northwest Center? Your ideas and input are necessary.

Diagram showing place of MKPNW Community Congress in governance

Fairly early on we, as newly-designated trustees, asked the key question of what MKPNW should do, for whom, at what cost. For the past few years we have been putting on trainings for an uncertain audience at a significant deficit, mostly financed by new brothers who attend the NWTA. We determined that our primary mission should be holding NWTA’s for the growth and empowerment of MKPNW men at a very slight profit. Our moral owners are MKPNW men, both at trainings and in I Groups, with secondary benefits to their families and communities. Toward this goal we seek to stop financial losses, stop expecting new initiates to fund operations, end deficit spending and return more to the past model of empowered leadership in local communities. Mature masculinity steps up to pay its own way and to support its brothers through service in the world.

Since MKPI holds the copyrighted material we currently use for running our NWTAs and has recently restructured their Council to reflect one vote per world wide region, MKPUSA is now in the process of restructuring. MKPUSA’s current plan is to have local centers across the US develop into regional centers run by them. Much like we are already doing. Ultimately, this will require us to decide whether to join them or stay separate. Currently, we have the rest of 2012 and possibly into 2013 to make this decision. Careful consideration is paramount here as consequences are big either way we decide to go.
Our current business model is mostly based on holding NWTAs and other licensed trainings that generate revenue which is shared with MKPUSA, with relatively little focus on personal and community development outside individual I-Groups.
We are currently developing a structure (as diagrammed above) that would split the traditional role of “Center Director” as described in our covenant with MKPUSA into a community-focused Executive Directer (XD) and a covenant-focused Center Director (CD) for management of our relations with MKPUSA. The CD would be primarily responsible for running NWTAs and other MKPUSA “covenant trainings.” The XD would be responsible for regional development and growing mature masculinity at the local and center level.
The Community Congress (CC) is to be made up of many different constituencies and members of the center. The CC will support the CD in helping to promote and put on NWTA-related trainings. As importantly, the XD will work with the CC to develop other leadership and competencies at more local levels, such as I-Groups and service to the world.

The Community Congress

becomes the eyes, ears, heart and hands for support of men in I-Groups, trainings and more
supports the volunteer BOT and paid staff
enhances communications between local men through I-Groups for best practices
acts as a source of men stepping up volunteering to get things done
provides timely feedback to the CD, XD and BOT
nominates men to serve on BOT and other roles etc…

As of mid-January 2012, our current structure proposal is to have the BOT act as XD while we develop a clearer job description and find the right person to spearhead local leadership development beyond the NWTA.

Northwest Center Business

The BOT is currently drafting an annual operating plan (AOP) for 2012 to reflect 4 NWTAs, and reduced paid staff. Further discussion is needed with regards to scholarship fund and staff/MOS fees around increasing costs. PIT leader stipends are being discussed. Ongoing discussions center around returning to a previous, more volunteer basis.
As of Jan 11, the BOT has voted to reduce PIT Leader and Co-leader stipends by half for 2012, and further reduce to zero in 2013. The intention here is to reframe paid leadership into an act of service. Along with this the BOT is looking at how we can engage I-groups to be of service in helping to run PITs for the one or two men that come through, when there are not enough men in an area to deliver a PIT run by certified leaders.

Northwest Center Legal: Rory Bowman as Secretary and Fred Bromley as Treasurer of the BOT are on top of legal documents that need to be filed by end of year. Robert Crowell as acting CD is dealing with getting the 2012 Covenant with MKP prepared for signature by Nelson Oostenink as President of the BOT.

Northwest Center Enrollment & Scholarship Fund

As the result of a long standing accounts receivable problem, the BOT is currently looking at how to deal with scholarships. Discussions have been around moving scholarship out of the business of the enrollment coordinator and to be handled at the local level.
In order to ensure stability in the delivery of our first two NWTAs in 2012, the BOT has authorized use of the standard amount previously allocated per weekend ($2000 aim, up to $2500 per weekend) from existing scholarship fund, with the understanding that the fund will continue to receive funds throughout the year to replenish it.
BOT is holding the vision and intention to further engage leaders from each community to participate as “outreach mentors or sponsors” for potential NWTA attendees. These mentors or sponsors would assist a new man by walking with him through the enrollment process and beyond the NWTA, making sure he gets into a PIT or I-group. Understanding his financial needs if any and arranging for the local communities help. Holds the new man accountable for his financial commitments to the Center and his community. Works in concert with the Enrollment Coordinator to ensure paperwork,logistics, etc. are addressed.

Other Northwest Center Trainings

Current proposal is to look at having another Chataqua. Need to find point person, date and location. We have already checked with Sky Camp, outside of Eugene, OR and there is no time slot available in July except the 4th and this does not work. Other possibilities might be a BLM or Forest Service camp ground that supports a large group. Adam Cummings is currently checking on this and will report back.
OTHER TRAININGS proposed for delivery in 2012 by MKPNW include an advanced facilitation training (Guts 2) and LT1. Proposed dates for Guts 2 are March 31-April 1 and June 9-10 for LT 1. These dates are being checked on for confirmation.
BOT will continue to evaluate delivering other MKP trainings such as Gateway trainings, further leadership development, multicultural, etc. and is interested in hearing from membership about which trainings are of interest.
The BOT is discussing developing relationships with other non profit organizations.

Northwest Center IT & Communication

The BOT is discussing the best way to develop a communications plan within our Center. Rory Bowman and Adam Cummings from the BOT are working along with XD,CD, CA and Weekend Coordinator to accomplish this task.
Current intention is to begin using the MKPNW.ORG blog (through WordPress platform) as the central forum for communicating out to the membership, and ensure that MKPNW’s Facebook and Twitter relationships are tied to that site for automatic updates.
BOT intends to have a schedule of topics to further educate membership on how to get more involved & take most advantage of the resources available to them through MKP and MKPNW
Mailman lists in the CAA will continue to be used for each community as they have been with the direction to further audit the intention, management, and use of said lists.
BOT will consider additional communication tools such as a community calendar and a quarterly newsletter containing highlights from the website “blog” communications.

Some Key Terms and Acronyms

Bylaws = MKPNW’s internal “constitution” as an Oregon Nonprofit Corporation under ORS 65.
CA = Center Administrator, the person who handles much of our local center’s paperwork.
CC = Community Congress, “the central democratic structure for coordination of the organization” as defined in section 8 of our new MKPNW bylaws.
CD = Center Director, managing the MKPNW “covenant” with MKPUSA around NWTA’s and other licensed trainings.
Covenant = The legal agreement between MKPNW and MKPUSA, as authorized by MKPI.
BOT = Board of Trustees, the legally liable board of directors for the corporation as required by ORS 65.
MKPI = Mankind Project International, the corporation governing and overseeing MKP worldwide.
MKPNW = ManKind Project Northwest, an Oregon corporation organized under ORS 65.
MKPUSA = The US corporation which provide IRS 501(c)3 status to MKPNW and with which MKPNW has an annual “covenant” allowing us to put on licensed trainings such as the NWTA.
ORS 65 = The law under which MKPNW is organized and recognized by the State of Oregon.
XD = Executive Director, the single employee hired and supervised by the BOT, responsible for convening and chairing the community congress and supervision of CD and other paid staff.

2011 Ron Hering Award

Ken Bonnin, Jr — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:31:02 +0000

Each year, MKP Northwest selects a man who exhibits a life of exemplary vision and service. This year’s award recipient is Jim Parker.

Jim Parker, "White Stallion"

“I LIVE A LIFE OF CONTRIBUTION MEASURED SIMPLY BY WHAT I DO AND ULTIMATELY WHAT I GIVE.”

Jim’s work in the world is being a physician. That mission of service has included 2 ½ years working and traveling in Africa and South America, courageous service to the initial AIDS patients and for decades as the AIDS physician for the County and recently in creating a free health clinic for the uninsured. Medical providers and their staffs have donated two years of their Sundays, asking only that recipients of the free care “pay it forward”; giving their time to the community.

Jim has led hundreds of volunteers for thirty years in the creation of the Mt. Shasta July 4th Walk/Run, helping raise over a million dollars to beautify downtown with trees, street lamps, mini parks, benches, and by support for youth sports.

Dr. Jim Parker is living his mission statement to live a life of contribution measured simply by what he does and ultimately what he gives. He is a courageous, committed, compassionate healer, and hundreds of his neighbors consistently follow his leadership into beautifully ambitious community service projects. Jim makes a difference with his life.

Jim was born in Louisiana, did his undergraduate work at University of Oklahoma, attended Medical School at LSU, and completed a Family Practice residency at the University of California Davis, before opening his practice in Mt. Shasta in 1979. Jim is a divorced father of two sons. Dr. Jim Parker, Sask Medical Group, 822 Pine St.Mt. Shasta, CA 96067

Letter to MKP Northwest Center Brothers, January 2012

Board of Trustees — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 23:00:09 +0000

From the newly-seated board of trustees, 9 January 2012.

Dear Brothers,

As the new Board of Trustees (BOT) begins its new role on January 1, 2012, we would first like to take this opportunity to thank and honor all of you on the Northwest Center Council and OPs teams who have served with dedication and performed your duties for the continued success of our Northwest Center. From the very beginning, men like you have rolled up their sleeves and have done whatever needed doing to improve and grow our center. None of this would have happened without you! We are honored to continue this tradition of success standing shoulder to shoulder. Your courage and vision mandates our best and together we will strive to serve with wisdom, grace, accountability and transparency.

The BOT recognizes that our Center is standing at a point of historical change. MKPI and MKPUSA are in the process of restructuring. Ultimately, the BOT and the members of the Northwest Center will have to decide whether we want to join MKPUSA under one roof. Fortunately, this decision will not have to be made until the end of 2012 and possibly pushed into 2013. This gives us time to take a serious look at what we as a Center want to be. Right now, 98% of our business is about putting on NWTAs. 2% is about putting on community events. Do we continue with this model or begin to shift to a model that is more locally responsive and flexible? Starting now and in the days ahead men can begin asking what do I want and what are the needs of my community? What am I willing to participate in to be of service?

As a point of history, MKPNW used to operate almost entirely as a volunteer organization. When the economy was much stronger we added paid staff and began to build a reserve fund. As the economy has slowed way down over the past few years and enrollment has declined we have run a deficit which cannot be sustained indefinitely. Recognizing this, the BOT hopes to streamline paid staff and transition back to a more volunteer-based organization, drawing on the skills and generosity of brothers

Currently, the BOT is working on an Annual Operating Plan (AOP) that will run financially positive. We recognize the tough decisions needed to balance cost increases and revenue decreases. Our goal for running the current model is to make gradual and well thought-out changes, with input from all the constituencies and brothers of our Center.

We will also begin to vision and work towards growing our 2% activities, which could include putting on events that bring women, children and elders together. This can be accomplished through developing multicultural events and strengthening relationships with other non-profits such as Boys to Men, Women Within, and Inner Yoga who hold a similar mission to ours. The possibilities here are endless and needed at this time of great change.

Finally, the BOT recognizes the huge importance of the Community Congress (CC) in our restructuring. We are asking for your continued engagement in setting up this group as it will be the consolidated voice of all of our communities. In draft form, we are looking at the CC consisting of representatives from the different communities and constituencies. In particular, we are looking to engage I-Group Kings as a critical communication tools within the CC and BOT. Essentially, the CC will help fulfill the operational role along with the executive director (XD) and center director (CD).

The BOT is working very hard right now on many fronts. It is important that the BOT speaks as one voice to eliminate confusion. We appreciate your patience during this transition and we recognize men have many questions and want to help. I will be communicating on a regular basis as we continue to form the CC and look at ways to improve our overall communications.

As I look out over the past 15 years of my MKP experience, I have seen many changes for the better. Men all over this world are taking seriously this opportunity to make the world and our communities better places to live fulfilled lives! I happen to subscribe to YES magazine, after hearing David Korten speak at our 2008 World Elder Gathering in Portland. Page after page is filled with ordinary people making huge positive change in their communities. It is inspiring to me and I want to be part of this exciting change. Men, women and children are waiting! Will you join with us to help build and bring about this exciting change?

Sincerely,

Nelson Oostenink – President

Circle of Men – Seattle, Portland & Ashland

Ken Bonnin, Jr — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 21:48:53 +0000

At the end of each year, I think about my life and what makes it meaningful. Something very precious to me are my relations, and I don’t just mean blood. I mean all my relations, all those that I come into contact with every day. I think about how to better those connections.

One way for me to better how I move in the world is to sharpen my skills, in particular my Emotional Intelligence – basically understanding what’s going on inside at any given moment, and being able to use that in a powerful way. I find meeting in men’s circles to be an excellent way to grow those skills.

Interested in learning more about yourself? Come join us at these free, one-day events, in Seattle, Portland and Ashland. We’ll show you our style of men’s work, make some new friends, and get an opportunity to dig into yourself.

Ashland OR – Saturday January 7, 2012 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Ashland Public Library
410 Siskiyou Blvd
Ashland, OR 97520
Info: William Davis 541-973-5739 or williamwolfdogdavis@gmail.com

Seattle WA – Saturday January 14, 2012 8:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
807 Aurora Ave N (corner of Aloha and Aurora)
Seattle, WA 98109
(must be headed south on Aurora or come down Aloha)
Info: Brian Sebastian 206-354-5450 or sebastian_brian@hotmail.com (please RSVP)

Portland OR - Sunday January 15th, 2012 9 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Reed College Vollum Center, Room 110
3203 SE Woodstock Boulevard, Portland OR 97202
Info: Ken Bonnin, Jr 503-706-7092 or kenbonninjr@gmail.com

Come learn more about who you are as man, in the presence of other men who are on that same journey.

Staying Connected

Bobby Bakshi — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 17:23:35 +0000

Many men completed their New Warrior Training Adventure at Camp WaRiKi this weekend of November 11-13. Congratulations and welcome back men and welcome to the MKP global community.

As the Communications Chair for our Center, I invite you to participate in the following community areas, if you choose:

Blog here: Email me your article or poem bobbybnow@gmail.com. We welcome your experiences.
Facebook page: Like, participate and share inspirational quotes, articles and videos on our Center’s page. See pictures of recent weekends.

Please remember, there is no substitute for authentic in-person connection and there’s many ways to stay in-connection between those times that we are together: phone calls, igroup attendance, Circle of Men, Primary Integration Training (PIT), various training made available to us and a lot more.

Make it an awesome life!
Bobby Bakshi, Lion King, Camp WaRiKi, September 2007

A Circle of Men – Free One-Day Events

Ken Bonnin, Jr — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 03:34:12 +0000

The New Warrior Training Adventure is a difficult thing to describe to someone who hasn’t been through the weekend. The core of the experience is that each man has an opportunity to dig deep inside himself, find something that he wants to change, and with the support of all the men on the weekend, make a profound transformation for himself around that issue.

For me, what was holding me back was trust, or rather lack of it. I didn’t trust boys when I was one, and when we all grew up to be men, well, I still didn’t trust them. The NWTA gave me the chance to free myself from a decades old hurt, reconnect myself to the tribe of men in a way that was simply not available to me before, and bring more of who I am to the world.

As I re-read my own words, they still don’t really describe what this three-day, men’s experiential workshop can offer to anyone who might ask, “What will I get out of it?” And so, a few years ago, a couple men developed a free, one-day introductory event called, “A Circle of Men”.

These non-denominational events are usually on a Saturday, start around 9 am, and run around 6-7 hours with a few breaks. Here we bring you a bit of the weekend, using some of the tools and techniques. The goal: each man gets a deeper sense of what’s up for him in his life, as well as a taste of men’s work ManKind Project style. You’ll definitely get some interesting new insights into yourself.

We’ve got two such events coming up in the next few weeks. If you’re curious about men’s work, or want to learn more about yourself, check out these free events:

Puget Sound – Sunday, October 16, 2011 – 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Divine Spine
5429 Russell Ave. NW Ste. 300, Seattle,WA 98107
Info: Brian Sebastian – 206-354-5450 or sebastian_brian@hotmail.com

Portland OR - Sunday, January 15th, 2012 – 9 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Reed College Vollum Center, Room 110
3203 SE Woodstock Boulevard, Portland OR 97202
Info: Ken Bonnin, Jr – 503-706-7092 or kenbonninjr@gmail.com

Welcome

Bobby Bakshi — Fri, 06 May 2011 04:32:08 +0000

Welcome to a new beginning!

I am delighted to launch the ManKind Project Northwest’s blog. Starting with this post all MKP men are welcome to submit blog entries to me or Ken Bonnin. Just like Aho! (our quarterly newsletter) this is an opportunity for men to share their stories, their experiences and wisdom, their poetry, and anything that’s on their heart. All we ask is that you speak of your experience, not of specific processes at the New Warrior Training Adventure. In addition, we will feature various aspects of what MKP is about, such as: word from our elders, our lodge keepers and other roles at NWTAs, our community leaders and naturally upcoming trainings.

For those who still love the Aho! newsletter via email- I will consolidate blog entries and send out the email as usual, every quarter.

Make we all celebrate in yet another way to share and build community.

Bobby Bakshi, Camp WaRiKi – September 2007

Ready to awaken the man you want to be?

admin — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 19:03:02 +0000

“Reclaiming life – so that we may all find greater purpose and deeper relationships: To self, family, friends and community.”

ManKind Project Northwest is the regional operating center or “chapter” of the ManKind Project international, a non-profit organization devoted to providing personal growth and development opportunities for men around the world. We offer trainings for men across the states of Washington, Oregon, northern California and western Idaho.

Bringing Men Together: Whether through the highly impactful New Warrior Training Adventure weekend workshop, the Men’s open circle meetings across the Northwest, or the ongoing continuing leadership development workshops – the ManKind Project Northwest creates a place where men can show up, examine their lives, and grow into the larger vision each has of his life as a man.

In this larger community of men, we strive to meet men where they are, regardless of ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, religion, class, education and background. We’re committed to celebrating our differences and similarities and learning from each other.

And we’re committed to hold each other to the highest standards we each have for ourselves. We have an opportunity to lovingly challenge and support each other to be and do our best as men, to be fully awake in our lives. In MKP-Northwest we endeavor to do that in the very best way we can, with compassion and intention.

As the Northwest poet William Stafford challenges in his poem, “A Ritual to Read to Each Other”

“And so I appeal to a voice, to something shadowy,
a remote region in all who talk:
though we could fool each other, we should consider –
lest the parade of our mutual life get lost in the dark.

For it is important that awake people be awake,
or a breaking line may discourage them back to sleep;
the signals we give — yes or no, or maybe —
should be clear: the darkness around us is deep.”

Want to learn more? Check out an open i-group or contact our Outreach Coordinator.