NOTES FROM THE RAINBOW FAMILY THANKSGIVING COUNCIL


The Thanksgiving Council for Rainbow 2001 was held in N. E. Washington state.


With snow on the ground and temperatures in the teens & 20's, determined folks still came from many

different states. Though some vehicles broke down or were wrecked in weather- related accidents enroute, we made sure the folks all got there anyway :-).


It began with a huge potluck feast on Thanksgiving Day and all felt the warm and friendly atmosphere of coming together. Everyone remained warm and comfortable in the mountain home offered for council. Outside the large windows, you could see eagles sitting in trees across the river that flowed nearby.

Maps of forestlands were opened and spread out for all to see, letters from a local brother were shared and areas of interest to scout for a site were mentioned. Discussions in groups continued throughout Friday, with food and good vibrations in abundance.


Early noon Saturday brought council together to discuss a rainbow of family topics. Folks circled, introduced themselves and briefly shared their thoughts & visions.


Sunday morning, council finished up business, cleaned up and headed home.


The following notes are a brief glimpse into the magic that was Thanksgiving Council for the 2001 Gathering.


Disclaimer: Thanksgiving Council is a circle of individuals speaking only for themselves. It is free and open to all individuals as a forum to share discussion, prayer, vision, etc. for the coming annual gathering in the Washington/Idaho region. This council has no legal authority and is not representative of any individual or group.


Please be aware that the following notes are from subjective accounts; not comprehensive, and only meant to summarize some of the topics discussed and ideas put forward.


The following items were consensed to by Thanksgiving Council:


- An office for Rainbow 2001 was formed.


The address is: Rainbow 2001, P.O. Box 214, Orient, WA 99160


Magic hat donations ($) are always needed and will be used honestly & openly to support the office's efforts to help get needed information out and help fund scouting efforts when possible. Any remaining funds will be passed on to the magic hat on the land at seed camp.


- A bank was formed to hold and distribute any donations sent to the Rainbow 2001 office.

Three folks volunteered to oversee these duties until a new bank is formed, on the land after spring council.


- A scouting rendezvous will be held around May 15th

Exact date & location will be announced by the office, which will be in contact with the scouts and will be announced as soon as it's known.


- Spring council will begin June 10th

Location will be announced through the office in a timely manner.



- Statement of response:


On November 22 in Santa Fe, N.M. there was an informal meeting between some governmental (Forest Service) folks and some "individuals". The purpose of this meeting was to explore possibilities to finding solutions to many of the conflicts between the F.S. and the Rainbow Gatherings. Many good things were said to have transpired at this meeting; with hope of better

co-operation between the F.S. & Rainbow Gatherings in the future. This was done quietly by

several individuals NOT representing or speaking for anyone but themselves.


A letter was formed by the group of "individuals" and sent to Thanksgiving Council and other councils asking for further discussion. An individual, who had attended the meeting, also came to Thanksgiving Council and gave a brief account on the topics discussed and assured the council that there were some positive exchanges between the folks who attended.


Reactions from many folks at Thanksgiving Council (about the Santa Fe meeting) ranged from expressing concern to being greatly offended, with some even feeling outraged.


The council continued talking about the November meeting, and after much discussion,

the following statement was consensed to:


WE AS INDIVIDUALS DO ADAMANTLY REAFFIRM THERE ARE

NO RECOGNIZED LEADERS OR REPRESENTIVES OF

THE RAINBOW FAMILY OF LIVING LIGHT.


WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS TO SPEAK TO WHOEVER THEY WANT ABOUT ANYTHING THEY CHOOSE, BUT WE DO SHOW CONCERN ABOUT THE WAY IN WHICH THE NOVEMBER 22 MEETING CAME ABOUT.


WE WOULD LIKE TO REMIND ALL PERSONS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND

FAMILY COUNCILS TO OPENLY DISCUSS ISSUES CONCERNING THE FAMILY.

An individual who attended the Sante Fe meeting sent an e-mail to Thanksgiving Council requesting a letter from the Rainbow 2001 office be sent to the forest service, as a friendly gesture, informing them that the gathering will be in Washington/Idaho.


After much discussion, the following letter was consensed to be sent from the

Rainbow 2001 office:

Thank you for your request for information regarding the Rainbow Family of Living Light World Peace and Healing Gathering of the Tribes, 2001.


A Howdy Folks will be sent to you at the appropriate time.

All donations will be gratefully appreciated.

.


- Councils at the Gathering

Once again the topic of "Vision Council" came up. To some folks who attended vision council in Montana 2000, it seemed that the focus of choosing the area for the next annual gathering was taken away by put-downs, name calling, blocks for personal reasons, etc.


The feather went around & around the Thanksgiving Council circle, and a thought was shared that perhaps Vision Council could precede "Decision Council day." This led to the subject of the general chaos found at our councils recently.


And that led to a BIG discussion on what could be done about it.


Which led to a discussion on how "we" at Thanksgiving Council could help with this never -ending story.


For too long now, many in our Family have felt the need for change in our Council processes.


The disharmony in our Tribal Councils … The lack of Heartsong Councils … The di-vision in our vision/site selection council … even the disappearance of our work councils on the land and so on.


Our Councils are crying out for our family's focus and re-involvement.


To this end, we at Thanksgiving Council, whose purpose is to help plant seeds for the coming gathering, have discussed at length what could be done to help our Council processes.


After exploring many possibilities, a vision was shared by all present. It was felt that the following proposal will help address many needs of our Councils, offer opportunity for all to participate and

help bring harmony and involvement back to our circles.

THE FOLLOWING PROPOSAL WAS CONSENSED BY THANKSGIVING COUNCIL:


JULY 1st - 7th

12noon - 2pm (or longer if needed)

TRIBAL COUNCIL: The purpose of this council is to focus on the business of the

Family and the Gathering at hand. Announcements concerning the current gathering are also made

(and should be repeated at dinner circle in the proper time & manner). This is where we call for Family consensus when needed.


JULY 2nd , 3rd, 5th and 6th

2pm - dinnertime

VISION COUNCIL: The purpose of this council is to come together to discuss "THE FAMILY". Here is where we can seek future ways to improve different aspects of our gatherings. It is also a time to share any visions folks have about our Family or what's in their heart.


JULY 7th

12noon till ...

DECISION COUNCIL: The purpose of this council is to select the area of next year's Gathering.


We hope all see the spirit in this proposal and understand it comes from the belief that we as a Family, need to refocus our council processes, but have been stumped for a long time on how to make any positive changes. We encourage anyone and everyone to think about and discuss this proposal … then come to Tribal Council on July 1st to help create some needed change.


PARTICIPATION IS THE KEY! … HO!



OTHER BITS & PIECES FROM THANKSGIVING COUNCIL :



UTAH was discussed, as there seemed to be some current thoughts as to that being the location for the next annual gathering. It was very clear to those who attended Vision Council on the 10th and 11th of July, that there was no consensus up to those days. On July 11th, just before 8 pm, the Vision Council agreed that Rainbow 2001 would be held in Washington, with Idaho as a backup. Idaho was added due to past scouting done in Washington state, and not coming up with a site.


Site selection and scouting were brought up. Scouting in the late summer or early fall for the following year's location, as consensed by Vision Council, was discussed. Also the continued use of public land was brought up.


A reminder was made that any "holding camps" need to be self-supporting.


Trash was discussed. It was suggested that collection be done at kitchens, so that their crews can separate the recyclables and make provisions to move the separated bags out to the recycling center.


An individual volunteered to help with main supply for next year's Gathering.


All Ways Free- A concern was brought up pertaining to methods of distribution of the All Ways Free newspaper at the Gathering. Littering was evident from it being handed out during the gathering rather than at another time such as when folks are leaving. No suggestions, only comments.


Address for the 2001 All Ways Free is: All Ways Free Newspaper, PO Box 2424, Mesa, AZ 85214

Please send articles, poems, photos, artwork, and donations. Deadline for the upcoming issue is

May 17, 2001.




WE LOVE YOU ! ! !