Being is our capacity to find our deeper purpose in all that we do. Community is the container within which our longing is to be fulfilled. The social fabric of community is formed from an expanding shared sense of belonging. To belong to a community is to act as a creator and co-owner of that community.
~ Peter Block
WHAT: A day-long live, experiential online gathering for the MLA Alumni Community. You have been a member of this community and are a vital part of the reason that we have survived and thrived! Come celebrate with men who have been in circle together throughout the years, and join in with those who are gathering in-person for the 4-day Alumni Gathering.
Relive the connections. Remember the growth that occurred in you. Reconnect with yourself and other men.
Join with us to:
~ Celebrate this past year of growth and expanded connection
~ Participate in ritual growth opportunities offered by the Holistic Leadership Training Program (HLTP) Participants and Elders
~ Learn about the vision for next year and ways to be of service
~ Joy in being a part of your community of awakened, intentional men
WHEN: Saturday, November 7th @ 9:00 am – 4:30 pm US Mountain Time
WHO: This gathering is for any man who has attended a MLA retreat or online course at any point throughout the years.
WHY: Being a part of a community is about the experience of belonging and being a part of something. Your presence has contributed to our collective capacity to continue to challenge and expand the unhealthy beliefs and enactments of masculinity. Each one of us, no matter if we sat in one circle 30 years ago or have been present at many circles recently, have each been a co-creator of this community.
You belong here, and now is the time to show up to our community container to contribute your presence actively once again. We have much to celebrate this year as we have been in a place of expansive energy despite what is happening in the world. And we have exciting plans for the next year (and the next 30 years) and we need you to help us enact our ever-evolving vision and mission to provide a continuum of services and support for men (and their people) throughout the lifespan.
INVESTMENT: $97 (with $47 and $147 options, see below)
Authentic connection does occur online –
take a risk and don’t miss out!
How Do You Address Online Fatigue?
We know that many men are experiencing online fatigue. Many of us are in front of screens a good part of each day, and thus the initial response to being online all day on a Saturday can feel like too much. We too are feeling the affects of lots of screen time – And we know that the kind of connection provided in this gathering is important for your personal growth and self-care, especially in this time of lack of in-person connection, and important for us to continue to co-create our community.
As you have experienced in person or online in circles with us, much of what we do is experiential – meaning you won’t just be sitting in front of your screen the whole time. We will be moving around during many of our group activities.
What we’ve learned this year during the age of social separation is that online connection can be just as serving and life-giving as if we were in person. We encourage you to take a chance and see for yourself!
What Does the Schedule Look Like?
Saturday, November 13 (all times in Mountain Time)
Arrival & Reflection
9:00 am – 9:30 am – Welcome, Opening Meditation, Calling Directions
9:30 am – 10:15 am – Individual Check-ins – How is Your Heart?
10:15 am – 10:45 am –Reflecting on and Celebrating the Past Year
Break
10:45 am – 11:00 am
Ritual Processes
11:00 am – 11:45 am – Creativity: Accessing and Honing Your Creative Self – Guided by Jackson Maloney & Jim Lambert
11:45 am – 12:30 pm – Obstacles & Shadows: Reframing Weaknesses into Strengths – Guided by Teddy Churchill & John Desmond
Lunch
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Ritual Processes
1:30 pm – 2:15 pm – Revisiting Younger Selves: Taking Action & Setting Boundaries – Guided by Justin Johnson & Bruce Iverson
2:15 pm – 3:00 pm – Visiting Future Selves: Visioning for the Rest of Your Life – Guided by John Harrington & Steve Howards
Break
3:00 pm – 3:15 pm
Compelling Future
3:15 pm – 4:00 pm – MLA Vision Emergence – C0-created, Co-held Governance and Guidance; Looking Ahead to 2021 and Beyond
4:00 pm – 4:30 pm – Individual Soul-Calling to Carry Us All Forth
**If you are joining us for this gathering we ask that you commit to being present for the entire day.**
How Do I Make My Environment Conducive to an Online Retreat?
For this gathering you will want to make sure you set an atmosphere that will help you take full advantage of this time. When we are physically together in a room it is easier to set a conducive atmosphere because we are out of our normal routines. In an online gathering we all have to work a little extra to help co-create the atmosphere each from our own homes. To help with this during our session times you will want to make sure you have arranged the following prior to the start of each class:
- Set yourself up in a room that feels comfortable to you, where you can be alone, and where you have the space to move around
- Make sure you have good internet connection
- Have headphones for clearer listening (preferably wireless as some of our activities require moving around)
- Make sure your camera is working (we ask you be on video so we can see you)
- Arrange with partners/children to respect your time and not disturb you
- Turn off your cell phone
- Close other programs on your computer
- Eat before or after session times
Registration Options
For this gathering we have 3 different investment options depending on your need or ability to help others attend. Please select the registration option that best fits your needs at this time. If further scholarship support is needed please reach out to Jason (as always, finances should not hinder your attendance if you are called to join in).
Participant Registration: The participant pricing is the regular cost of this gathering.
Register Here with Participant Pricing – $97
Member Supported Registration: The member supported pricing is for those needing some financial support to attend.
Register Here with Member Supported Pricing – $47
Contributor Registration: The contributor pricing is for those who have additional funds and want to help support another man to attend.
Register Here with Contributor Pricing – $147
Questions
970-618-3376, tchurchill@mensleadershipalliance.org
