Old Next Reunion
Old Next Reunion
This space is for comments and suggestions, big or small, for our next Land reunion. But first, when should it be?
VOTE for the next reunion! We would like to hear from you by Aug. 3rd. We have a planning committee meeting scheduled for that Sunday and would like to be able to discuss this.
How often would you like (or be able) to re-une? Please express your opinion by voting below. The trusty and most astute planning committee will then compile the votes, ponder all the realities, and make a considered decision on when our next Land reunion should take place.
Here's your ballot. Please vote by putting your name after your choice. You will need to sign in before you can add content to a page, although you can read everything without signing in. To sign in, click on the wikispace symbol in the top right corner of the page and you will be directed to a logon. Once you have signed up return here and click on "Edit This Page." Add a comment if you wish! If you prefer an almost-secret ballot, you can e-mail your vote to Rio at deb.burns@storey.com.
Every year (so you'll never forget)
Patsy:Paul:Juanita:Ann:(1or2)Elize:(1or2) :Daniel(1) Jody
Patsy: Same time next year and every year.
Paul: I have an alternative, compromise proposal. We have a reunion next year to build up some momentum (and because Patsy is eager and raring to go), and then switch to every two years.
Patsy - I agree with Paul, and was actually saying this to Sue and Willie tonight. We should do another next year while we are still fresh on what worked and what didn't. Also for all that couldn't make this first one. Then I'd be okay with every other year, though I love the idea of same time next year, and always keeping that date open.
Juanita: Again, i was in mid-sentence for 2 days and now growing impatient to hear the finish! (extra day? thu-sun...watchful of expenses)
Ann: From the point of view of my photography, I'd love to see some more sooner rather than later--even one next year. I loved the reunion but felt that I didn't have enough time to photograph everyone, and some people I wanted to photograph I didn't get around to at all--it went by too fast. So from that viewpoint I wouldn't be opposed at all to having another one next year. But probably, in general, every year is too often. Love, Ann
Elize: A 2009 reunion would keep this year's momentum going and prevent those who couldn't make it last month from having to wait too long to the next opportunity. Patsy, what's the minimum number of people who would need to commit by a specific date in order to secure Venture for June 6th 2009? I don't think it's as important to nail down future reunion frequency right now... just nail down the interest level for next year. I would love to have one weekend a year set aside for hugs, music, laughter, dancing and shared ideas, whether it be a reunion at venture or a work party at Struggle.
Patsy: We pay Venture by the person but there is a weekend rate we would have to meet. This is from the Venture site:
- Weekend rates (Friday thru Sunday evening)
$50 per person per night in the lodge, $40 per person per night for camping, $1500 minimum for the weekend,
It looks like at least 30 people would need to come and stay the whole weekend. We could call it a yearly gathering instead of a reunion and only hold it if we get enough interest each year to rent it for the whole weekend. - Kit Bricca also offered his place for future reunions. It sounded like he had a few hundred acres, somewhere in the Santa Cruz Mt's. We should talk to him and see if his property could also work as a "Land" Gathering spot. Then again if the numbers are small we could just gather at Struggle.
- So far the every other year has more people. We have a planning committee meeting scheduled for Aug. 3rd at Clare's to discuss this years reunion. What worked, what didn't, things like that. Hopefully enough people will have voiced their opinions on future reunions by then, so the group can come to a decision on this.
Daniel: Love all the comments below! When you look at the pictures you see how much we appear to have changed, but when you read these you can hear voices from 35 years ago. I missed this year only because of the continuing tyranny of public high school scheduling. If it was scheduled the same week next year i would probably miss it again. How about this for a compromise: Patsy et al can have one every year and everyone can come when they can. That way, every one wins the voting contest! Much respect to all those that made it work and many, many thanks to those who called to check on me, Phyllis, and Trigg. Remember: Don't trust anyone over 30!
Jody: think I could go another 30 years before I saw that lot again!
Butt weight...we'd all be approaching our NINETIES in 30 years!
But I do like the idea of doing this every summer at Venture. I bet most would return. We could put it out there and see what kind of response we'd get. And yes there must be ways of taking advantage of the momentum.
Every two years (one year on, one year off, to keep it fresh)
Michael Lederer:Fran:Clare:Kim:Sara Zara_Tom:L Mendel:Rio:Tom McHugh:Elize (1or2)Maria Hennessy
Fran: Tuning in, thanks for keeping the ballot open for us slow folks. It's been good to see some ideas because I am not feeling too strongly one way or another. I loved seeing everyone!! I'm leaning to having one next year and then go to every two years. Of course, after next year, we'll do balloting again and I'll have another chance to be indecisive. Echat etiquette: remember nobody can see the twinkle in your eye when you make a funny comment so it's good to use some extra words, like "ha ha" if needed. I laughed anyway when Neil said don't you have anything else to do.........
I also like Rio's idea of a work project at Struggle.
Michael Lederer: I like this choice of once every two years. it doesn't mean that everyone would need to come. Those preferring longer intervals could always ride one out. At the same time, those preferring more frequent get-togethers wouldn't have to wait too long. And it would give planners some breathing room so it wouldn't become like a job. We saw a lot more of each other in "the old days" so I don't think once every 700 or so days would be too much. It's also long enough so that there'd be enough to catch up on. I'd love it!
P.S. One last thought from Michael: some of us do live far away. Even very far away. If there was a full-blown reunion every year it would be very likely that some of us could not make them so frequently. Of course we could always choose to miss one, but then that might be "the one" to which someone else special to us would be attending and so sadly we'd miss each other. But a full reunion every second year would make it more likely that we could all pace ourselves to rendezvous, and so the result would be more concentrated, attracting a bigger group than a yearly get-together might see. There could always be a "party" every year, or every month, or even every day. Folks could get together for those non-stop if they want. But a full-blown "Reunion" should be something special, to which we all could make it, not just those still living close to the mountain. Just a thought.
Clare: I like Michael's two year rationale.
Kim: I agree with the two year idea. Time seems to go by so fast now yet more than two years could dissipate the wonderful energy of the reunion.
Sara Zara-Tom: I like the two year cycle.
L. Mendel: I wanna vote for every 2 years. I think a reunion that frequent represents quite a commitment,
more than just a reunion (since most reunions are really every 5 years) but a reanimation of a sense of
community. Every year or a special reunion next year is very likely to mean burnout, overcommitment
and have a negative effect. I can see a lot of people on this site have an intuitive feeling that 2 years is
just about right and I agree with them. The most important decision is about our next reunion, since what
we do now counts most. We can always change our mind in the future. I think to do a reunion next year
means burnout. I vote for our next reunion in two years.
Rio: I can picture, maybe alternating with a full reunion every 2 years, a smaller, focused work weekend at Struggle where a significant "dream" project could be completed, whether gardening, building a sauna or whatever, repairing the fountain, lavender-processing, vineyard-planting, whatever! Like an old-time barn raising, with people camping and a group producing meals and maybe some music at night, everyone pitching in. It'd be a way to thank the Struggle community for the love and hospitality they've extended.enture?
Tom McHugh: Every two years, because it rolls around so quickly.
Maria Hennessy: Every 2 years so people have a chance to visit other places. I loved the reunion, but I would prefer later in the summer so I don't have to return to teaching after 3 days of fun.
Three years (once in a blue moon)
Neil
Neil: I say three to five years because you have to have time in between reunions to live your life and accomplish something besides planning the next reunion.
Don't you guys have anything else to do?
Patsy:
So Neil, are you’re saying that anyone that goes to an annual event has no life in between? We hold an annual Halloween party at Struggle and people look forward to it, it becomes tradition. Some people go to Burning man every year, and many other events. I know I’m capable of doing and enjoying many things throughout a year and I’m sure others in this group are as well.
It’s not a matter of not having anything else to do, it’s a matter of building tradition. I’d like to see the reunion be an annual event where we can all come together each year for hugs, music, laughter, dancing and shared ideas. To me that’s pretty much what I think life should be about. It can be the catalyst each year to go out and do great things in the world.
I say we start a tradition with those of us that have no lives to gather together every June 6th. Just for the fun of it. By the way, even the planning committee meetings for the reunion are a blast. . I’d sign up to help organize it again in a moment, even if it were to means other things in my life were to go on hold. To me this group of people is worth the time and my energy over most anything else. Guess it comes down to what you think living life should be. Music, stories, dancing, hugs, laughter and friends are pretty high on my list for living life.
Neil - Jeeze Patsy, relax. You asked for opinions. I gave mine. Don't set me up to be a bad guy because I disagree. I am sorry if my comment seemed flippant. I didn't mean to offend you. You spent six months organizing this (which is my point). You did a great job. You can throw as many parties as you have time for, with all the music, stories, dancing, hugs, laughter and friends you can gather together. The energy of the reunion was special because many people who hadn't seen each other for many years came from far and wide to be there. An annual event will be much like the Halloween party, great participation by locals and not as much by the rest of us who have to travel a distance to get there. I think the years in between are what give reunions their special meaning. I don't think anyone should have expectations that an annual party will feel the same.
Patsy: Sorry Neil, we should probably do this under discussions on this page. I don't want that page to regress into what we are doing. I guess saying "Don't you guys have anything else to do?" is your opinion, but it's pretty critical. I wish you had left that part out since that's what got me going. It is a major investment in our time, but if we were to choose to do it again next year that would be the choice of the group and shouldn't be criticized like that. Anyway it looks like most are weighing in at every other year so far. You've spent 6 months preparing for the reunion with your slide show, I've spent a year and a half, finding people, getting the wiki page going, and then being on the reunion committee, so yes I have spent most of my time on this. I feel like things are now in place to where it won't have to take as much time. We have a place, the wiki site, and enough people to help spread the word. One more soon could be good to fine tune this. Then if we want to space it out a few years would probably be smart. People at the reunion liked being reunited and were asking if we could do it again soon, plus there are many people that didn't get to make this one. My comparison to the Halloween party is just saying that people do commit to annual events and look forward to them. The reunion would be a gathering place for this displaced community now that many have been reunited. It could be at Struggle but it's nice having more room for camping, plus the pool and hot-tub were nice features. Let's see what others say .
I'm leaving for Yosemite in a few minutes so actually won't be discussing this anymore till Sunday, but let's move it to discussions.
Neil - Isn't this the page where we're discussing how often to have reunions? That's what I'm doing here. So, I'd prefer to have my opinion here, not moved off to the "discussions" page. So far, only a dozen folks, myself included, have expressed an opinion on the question of reunion frequency. I have a feeling that most members of our community don't check into the wiki as often as we wiki activists do and probably don't even know that the question's been asked. You've got a great mailing list. Send the question out by email so everyone gets a better chance to voice their opinion. I think that's a better way to get a real sense of what the "group" wants to do, don't you?
Rio: To answer that question, as the one who set up this page, I did indeed send out an e-mail to the list asking people to post votes and comments on the wiki, or send them to me if they preferred. (The idea was to get feedback before the next planning committee meeting.) In 2 days only a couple of people have responded via e-mail, as opposed to about 12 directly on the wiki site, which is the typical ratio I've noticed, and it's good! The wiki is a better playground for ideas, more efficient and MUCH more entertaining (as it turns out), than everyone receiving a ton of crisscrossing e-mail. I hope we'll have plenty of interesting discussions in the future about many interesting / important topics.
The beauty of this ballot is that it self-selects. If someone wants to come only every five years, no one will force them to show up more often. Those who want shorter time between reunions can and will find a way to make that happen. That seems like a win-win situation to me.
Juanita: Sounds like family to me! Gosh, it is nice to know that as we landed on these shores, no source to bind, that we bitch
like birth families, siblings and the like. I am smiling. Nice to know I'm not alone, I have a very large family, in essence. But for those
of us more close or via wifi and email, we can conclude those discussions, begun during the festival.
Not everyone is on the list -- is that a Wiki or Struggle List? Some of us wanted a database of our contact info, email, phones, addys.
Something like this would be very beneificial.
Lunch in Berlin, skateboarding, now i need a contact number for that!
And most importantly, I hope someday to share hugs outside my appartment in Paris.
Clare: I know this is going under the once in a blue moon header, but I am joining the conversation here and want to keep my vote in once every two years. I agree in would be a good idea to ask the question on the land list email. It would be great if people would post here when they weigh in, but likely someone else will have to do that. It seems we have two mass email lists. One land list that people had to register for and one compilation that includes both the one on the land list and those who did not register. Should we send it out to both and try and gather what we can and post it here? I am willing to help with this,
Mark: Clare, you seemed to have missed Rio's answer above that an email was sent out to the list. I got it on July 1st, which was just 3 days ago. Already a dozen people have responded (and I'd be the next if I could make up my mind). I think, with the holiday weekend and all, we might give people some time to respond before we ask again. My personal opinion is, that if someone didn't sign up for The Land list and is not checking the wikispace, I'd leave them alone.
Clare: I did miss that email and I did not get the Land list email either, which has happened a bunch of times and I am not sure why.I agree that if people are not plugging in then we should go with the voices of those who do, but I know I keep not getting some of the Land list communications and want to make sure we are not leaving anyone out.
L. Mendel: I thought the point was to decide as a group whether we wanted to continue reunions or
not and how often. Now it seems there's a splinter group forming that says "well let's see how many
people want a reunion next year and if there's enough we'll have one." It means that the kind of
reunion that we had this year is no longer the issue, meaning a big major event that almost everyone
comes to. No instead we'll have a weekend doing something. But don't you think focusing on that
is going to weaken our resolve to have a big reunion. A big reunion in two years is not the same
as just a weekend getting together. I thought that bringing up this reunion idea now was an
attempt to use the positive energy of this gathering to insure we don't let it die. But judging from
the way things are going, I think we're going to be too distracted to make any serious long
term plans.
Patsy: There is no splinter group saying this. Elize ask me a question about how many people we would need to have come, in order to do it at Venture again. Having one next year has not been deceided. That is what we are doing on this page. It's just people playing with different ideas at this time. The committee will look over every-ones opinions and make a decision based on what people write on this page. This is why we have this page. I'll send an e-mail around again to remind everyone to put their vote and comments down on this page. Once again I will say that so far most people , including you, seem to be going for every other year.
Clare: I do not find this discussion distracting and am delighted to have an opportunity to hear what people are thinking and feeling about our next steps, including that Laura is concerned that this conversation might dilute our focus. Although I do think it might be a good idea to add a column for simply adding the votes, while continuing the conversation.
Sandy How about a reunion every 3 years, and a yearly party that is an alternative to the halloween party that can include a day and a night.
4 years (every presidential election year/ Summer Olympics)
Sandy - 4 more beers!
I think that the folks who traveled far probably wouldn't come every year or even two (travelers please correct me if I am wrong). I also think that splinter groups are fine. Problem is, if we have a reunion every year the travelers wont know which years are the special years when the other travelers will be coming. So, if you do meet every year or two, designate some certain years as special ones to round-up all the travelers.
Patsy -(To answer Sandy) Paul Fox is in Ohio and voted for every year, Sara Zara is in Florida and voted for every other, Rio and Tommy are in Mass. and voted for every other, Ann is in New Mexico and voted for every year, Michael L. lives in Europe and voted for every other, Fran lives in Oregon and voted for every other, Daniel in Northern Calif. every year. I think we are hearing from those far away. I hope we keep hearing from more before we make any decision on this.
Neil - I agree with both L.Mendel and Sandy. For those with work and family obligations, travel is not easy, nor fun these days. While it's nice to get together every year or so, it's a financial and time committment for many. I think it's somewhat selfish to think that this is a viable option for everyone. As well, I think that a "reunion" every year or two dissipates the wonderful energy of this year's event. It becomes just another party. A party every year or two is just a party, not a reunion. There's a reason schools have reunions every five or ten years. People come, even from a long way, because the passage of time builds up the momentum to participate. Trying to have a reunion every year or two dissipates that energy. Having said this, if enough people want to have a party every year, have it. There's no need for Patsy to refute everyone who disagrees with the idea.
Clare: Gosh, I thought by the time I got this old I would know what I wanted, be unflapable, have a clear experience of what made sense. In reality the older I get the more everyone makes sense to me and I am happily left holding one big paradox. There is a difference between a party and a reunion, and there is a sweetnesss to wanting to keep the socket plugged into the voltage. I wonder how it will all shake out.... now I think every three years for a reunion and lots of gatherings in between, gatherings with a focus that may or may not enage everyones juice. Tomorrow someone will likely provide some other great perspective, so I will leave my ballot in the two year box, tilted slightly toward three, and stay open to having my mind changed.
Rio: Yes, there are such gems in each comment. I'm now wondering about a full "official" reunion every 4 years and a smaller gathering every 2 years.
2 years rationale: This reunion lasted only a bit more than 48 hours (and much less for some people). I definitely did not spend enough time with anyone (such as you, L. Mendel) and don't want to wait 4 more years for my next chance. Reunions can go by in a blur and make it hard to have real connections with more than a few people, especially for introverts like myself. (Although being in a hot tub together does wonders!)
Also, as we all grow older, the odds of not making it to the next reunion go up, the farther apart they are. This is one reason many colleges now provide more frequent opportunities for smaller get-togethers. And it's so nice to see the children who grow and change so much from one minute to the next.
4 years: I do like the idea of reconvening in a big way the summer before each presidential election. I'd also vote to add some opportunity for a real free-for-all political discussion as part of the weekend -- with all the fireworks that might inspire! That's the kind of thing we can add to a full reunion, especially if we have smaller gatherings in between and meet again as friends, not strangers. We can make new memories together as the vibrant community we still are, which makes it quite different from a typical school reunion where people basically talk about what they accomplished in the interim.
Sandy - I don't like the political aspects associated with 4 years, so I'm moving to 3 years, connected to the moon.
Rio: I love it! ... but if we really connected to the moon's cycle our reunions would be either every month or every 19 years. (Next "true" blue moon is on New Year's Eve 2009 though ... good excuse for a party wherever you are.) Anyway, I was trying to go with Sandy's suggestion above about designating a regular recurring time for a special full reunion that long-distance travelers can count on, such as every four years. What would be hard for the faraway travelers in my opinion is not the one or two-year cycle, but an event that lasts just one day and night -- too short to be worth the trip. But we'll love hearing about it afterward.
Juanita: Oh my. A two night retreat is too short - especially for those who want to spend more of our aging years learning from each other.
Maybe we really do need own our little LAND, where we can park trailers, tipis, yurts and even install a payphone! Dream on!
Kit Madrone: I loved reading the discussions and agreed with lots being said. Chuckled too. Lots of great ideas and whatever people decide is good with me.
However- as a far away person- finding the time and resources to come often would be hard,sigh. Every 4 years would probably be realistic for me. Howsomever,when we start the Land Old Folks home- sign me up.
5 years (the conventional way of schools and such)
Ideas for Next Time
Here's a space to suggest things we should/could do next time, do more of, or do differently -- while our memories of this year and our group energy are still fresh. It'd be helpful for the planning committee to get this feedback before Aug. 3.Rio: I sent Venture Bob a pretty cool book my company published, The Outdoor Shower. It includes some projects that are simple, and others that are more fabulous and romantic. I think an outdoor shower for campers and hot-tubbers would be a welcome addition if we decide to meet again there.
Clare: I will be at the planning meeting, and thought it might be a good idea to share some of my thinking about what worked and what could be improved upon and give people had a chance to log in so we can include it in the discussion.Since I was the food coordinator, Saturday night's dinner was distressing. We had enough food for those who were on the list and even enough for some leftovers, but there was a big influx of people we did not count on and I know there we re a number of us that did not get dinner, while some got seconds.My sugesstion is that we have some way to monitor this, arm bands, electric shock implants,gps devices in the chicken...don't know the answer and would love to hear ideas.We did make it clear that we needed a head count so it needs to be something other than clear communication. I do not want to discourage people that are performiong from bringing their friends, but somehow we need a plan that will to accomodate the extra numbers. I would also like it to span more time, maybe three nights instead of two.There was not enough time to drift and have spontaneous play with more than a few people.One more thing: do any of you want to explore the idea of doing/createing/manifesting something as a result of rekindling this connection? Not sure what this would be in a bottle, but I think it might be potent. The images, words,music and links we could make with our other circles and engage in something together is interesting to me.
Sandy- just give pink dots or temp. tattoos to those on the list. Have something available for extra people like sandwich makings. I would, and will, continue to explore venues. I thought the house at Venture was too small.
Juanita: Yes, explore manifesting. [ profit or not... ]
Rio: Three nights would be good. Random suggestions I've heard include massages, beach trip, yoga in the afternoon, hikes, naked water polo, more cooking together, more open-mike talent show opportunities, parody song fest, better carpool setup.
Also, Clare's bigger question in her last post started me thinking about how our "boomer" generation has a lot of unfinished business. We shouldn't give up on us. This is the prime of life, in the big scheme of things. There are a lot of issues we cared about back then that we still care about now. But it's easy to feel powerless and paralysed when there are so many problems that we don't know where to begin.
One entry point is through community -- listening, discussing, taking inspiration, understanding, building, and ultimately taking cooperative action, even if in very different places. That's how the best ideas get born. This particular community is full of idea-people, visionaries, and practical do-ers. We have a great history and a great new connection, which we want to keep alive. Maybe we need a new page called "New Visions" or some such, where we can toss around some thoughts (no holds barred) about focusing our energy in big and small ways, for the present and the future.
Juanita: Hopice was a popular topic. I was surprised to find out it's illegal to park a trailer at my mother's nursing home! I would like to change that. Where do we begin, same as before... i guess, by gathering - like you say Rio, where we are, and the best we can do, as
we keep our eyes on the prize.
Juanita: I like the new visions beginning. Now, what to do about The Land festival DEBT. I kicked in $15. Perhaps discuss.
Mark: Thank you Juanita! And L. Mendell too! I think in the next week or so I'll put up an offer to sell some of the raw video from the reunion to people. There's eventually going to be an edited version, done by Court's daughter who took most of the video, but in the meantime I think we might sell a few unedited dvds, perhaps of the memorial service or the storytelling.