LISTSERV 16.5 - WVU-SW-PCE Archives

From: "Will Perks" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Monthly Men's Group
Date: Mon, 4 Jul 2011 09:35:13 -0400
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Greetings:

 

On June 18, 2011, I initiated a monthly men's meeting on the third Saturdays
of the month - starts at 6:00 pm. The purpose is to just talk about life -
with other men. No sports stories, no bravado about sexual conquests, no
posturing about portfolios, promotions or prestigious positions are work.
This idea was resurrected after meeting with a friend of mine in May. We
were cleaning up the space, burning refuse pallets, etc. We had both
attended the Shenandoah Valley Men's Council from very early in the 1990s to
into the 2000s, and that's actually where we first met. The monthly meetings
of were a powerful influence on my personal development and professional
life. 

 

For a long time, I was the youngest man in the group. I took pride in that.
My father died when I was 16, and there had been some tough times between us
before that. From the other I was able to learn about the seldom discussed
realities of being a man as a partner or spouse, a father, as a son and a
brother - all on my own unique journey. But over time, the structure
changed, some men moved away, the two founding leaders died, and the group
was reduced to a scattering of smaller meetings that lost momentum and
cohesion. Things change. History repeats itself. I hope this meeting will
attract men of various ages to create a multi-generational crossroads. Youth
are welcome to attend, as long as they have a "sponsor", guide or mentor.
That's another topic in and of itself.  

  

For July the suggested topic is - How One Learns to Be a Man in Modern
Society (and what does that mean, anyway?), or you can talk about whatever
part of your journey in life you want to, or not talk much at all. There
will be a fire (come early and help prepare for it), and I invite people to
bring some food to share, if they like. We'll end up with what people are
inspired to offer - from both the inner content of their journey and
something to eat or not. 

 

This is not a workshop. There is no fee. This is not therapy. Although it
might be a challenge for the soul to gather with other men outside a hunting
trip, sports event or bachelor party. We just talk about life, and bear
witness to the courage, questions and strength of being honest and living
with integrity. 

 

As I say, it's not about being "a real man", it's about being "a man who is
real". I've learned that such self-selected participation in a discussion or
activity group for men does have a positive effect on relationships - with
family, friends, partners and with yourself. 

 

Meeting around a fire is a long-held tradition in many societies, and it is
losing ground. Such traditions build a sense of trust, wisdom and community,
and provide a platform for life-learning from a person, not a book or a
movie. You know, the kind of interactions that tribes, clans or councils did
for 1000s of years before psycho-pharmaceuticals, self-help workshops, cable
television, cell phones, and Internet chat groups. Now we call such efforts
our "network", "a club" or "an organization".

 

Pass this on to other men you know - even if through "their mate / partner".

Call if you need information - (304) 671-1752, or [log in to unmask]

 

Remember with "frontier" was an uncharted territory?

Now it is a global multi-communications conglomerate.

Now ask yourself what's the value of meeting with a few other men around a
fire once a month.

There is still a frontier inside of you - regardless of your age.

 

Hope to see you there sometime. 

 

Will Perks

 

Additional information:

For a period of one year, there will be a monthly topic. You're welcome to
join, and tell others, too. I anticipate that there will be meetings where
there are three of us, and other meetings after word gets around that there
may be many more. I bring camping chairs for people who communicate their
intentions of attending (if needed). 

 

Disclaimer: Also, at the previous men's meetings, there was never alcohol -
even in the small groups. But I am breaking from tradition - and so as to
inform any man know that might need to steer clear of beer, alcohol, in
moderation is okay to bring for self and to share.  It is not a requirement,
however; and I anticipate a discussion on how to keep the monthly meeting
open to men who want or need to not be around alcohol; perhaps by returning
to a no booze rule. I believe it is best to talk while under the influence
of honor and integrity - which requires facing the related anxiety, grief
and pain without anesthesia. The group will discuss this further. 

 

Directions: Until the weather becomes too cold for around a fire we will
meet "out-of-doors". I have some land 7 miles west of I-81, out on Tuscarora
Pike, then take a right onto Swinging Bridge Road (gravel) (there is a small
stone house there), half-way down the mountain (about 0.8 mile) from the
Radio Tower there is a hair-pin, kiss your butt turn (left) onto a bumpy
road (Gobbler Lane). Go 300 more yards, straight (or take the left side) of
the Y, another 100 yards, park. If you're coming from the other direction,
call. After that we will meet in Pikeside area of Martinsburg, WV at my home
(near the airport). 

 


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<p class=3DMsoNormal>Greetings:<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal>On June 18, 2011, I initiated a monthly men&#8217;s =
meeting
on the <b>third Saturdays of the month &#8211; starts at 6:00 pm</b>. =
The
purpose is to just talk about life &#8211; with other men. No sports =
stories,
no bravado about sexual conquests, no posturing about portfolios, =
promotions or
prestigious positions are work. This idea was resurrected after meeting =
with a
friend of mine in May. We were cleaning up the space, burning refuse =
pallets,
etc. We had both attended the Shenandoah Valley Men&#8217;s Council from =
very
early in the 1990s to into the 2000s, and that&#8217;s actually where we =
first
met. The monthly meetings of were a powerful influence on my personal =
development
and professional life. <o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal>For a long time, I was the youngest man in the =
group. I took
pride in that. My father died when I was 16, and there had been some =
tough
times between us before that. From the other I was able to learn about =
the seldom
discussed realities of being a man as a partner or spouse, a father, as =
a son
and a brother &#8211; all on my own unique journey. But over time, the
structure changed, some men moved away, the two founding leaders died, =
and the
group was reduced to a scattering of smaller meetings that lost momentum =
and
cohesion. Things change. History repeats itself. I hope this meeting =
will
attract men of various ages to create a multi-generational crossroads. =
Youth
are welcome to attend, as long as they have a &#8220;sponsor&#8221;, =
guide or
mentor. That&#8217;s another topic in and of itself. =
&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal>&nbsp;&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal>For July the suggested topic is &#8211; <b>How One =
Learns to
Be a Man in Modern Society</b> (and what does that mean, anyway?), or =
you can
talk about whatever part of your journey in life you want to, or not =
talk much
at all. There will be a fire (come early and help prepare for it), and I =
invite
people to bring some food to share, if they like. We&#8217;ll end up =
with what
people are inspired to offer &#8211; from both the inner content of =
their
journey and something to eat or not. <o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal>This is not a workshop. There is no fee. This is =
not
therapy. Although it might be a challenge for the soul to gather with =
other men
outside a hunting trip, sports event or bachelor party. We just talk =
about
life, and bear witness to the courage, questions and strength of being =
honest
and living with integrity. <o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal>As I say, it&#8217;s not about being &#8220;a real =
man&#8221;,
it&#8217;s about being &#8220;a man who is real&#8221;. I&#8217;ve =
learned that
such self-selected participation in a discussion or activity group for =
men does
have a positive effect on relationships &#8211; with family, friends, =
partners
and with yourself. <o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal>Meeting around a fire is a long-held tradition in =
many
societies, and it is losing ground. Such traditions build a sense of =
trust,
wisdom and community, and provide a platform for life-learning from a =
person,
not a book or a movie. You know, the kind of interactions that tribes, =
clans or
councils did for 1000s of years before psycho-pharmaceuticals, self-help =
workshops,
cable television, cell phones, and Internet chat groups. Now we call =
such
efforts our &#8220;network&#8221;, &#8220;a club&#8221; or &#8220;an =
organization&#8221;.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal>Pass this on to other men you know &#8211; even if =
through &#8220;their
mate / partner&#8221;.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal>Call if you need information &#8211; (304) =
671-1752, or
[log in to unmask]<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><b>Remember with &#8220;frontier&#8221; was an =
uncharted
territory?<o:p></o:p></b></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal>Now it is a global multi-communications =
conglomerate.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal>Now ask yourself what&#8217;s the value of meeting =
with a
few other men around a fire once a month.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal>There is still a frontier inside of you &#8211; =
regardless of
your age.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal>Hope to see you there sometime. <o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal>Will Perks<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><b>Additional information:<o:p></o:p></b></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal>For a period of one year, there will be a monthly =
topic.
You&#8217;re welcome to join, and tell others, too. I anticipate that =
there
will be meetings where there are three of us, and other meetings after =
word
gets around that there may be many more. I bring camping chairs for =
people who communicate
their intentions of attending (if needed). <o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><b>Disclaimer:</b> Also, at the previous =
men&#8217;s
meetings, there was never alcohol &#8211; even in the small groups. But =
I am
breaking from tradition &#8211; and so as to inform any man know that =
might
need to steer clear of beer, alcohol, in moderation is okay to bring for =
self
and to share. &nbsp;It is not a requirement, however; and I anticipate a
discussion on how to keep the monthly meeting open to men who want or =
need to
not be around alcohol; perhaps by returning to a no booze rule. I =
believe it is
best to talk while under the influence of honor and integrity &#8211; =
which requires
facing the related anxiety, grief and pain without anesthesia. The group =
will
discuss this further. <o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><b>Directions: </b>Until the weather becomes too =
cold for
around a fire we will meet &#8220;out-of-doors&#8221;. I have some land =
7 miles
west of I-81, out on Tuscarora Pike, then take a right onto Swinging =
Bridge
Road (gravel) (there is a small stone house there), half-way down the =
mountain (about
0.8 mile) from the Radio Tower there is a hair-pin, kiss your butt turn =
(left)
onto a bumpy road (Gobbler Lane). Go 300 more yards, straight (or take =
the left
side) of the Y, another 100 yards, park. If you&#8217;re coming from the =
other
direction, call. After that we will meet in Pikeside area of =
Martinsburg, WV at
my home (near the airport). <o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>

</div>

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