Hi everyone,
After a fabulous Waitangi retreat, we are looking forward to the next one at King's Birthday weekend. Meanwhile the new groups are thriving, including the new dads group. If you are interested in joining a group or know someone, get in touch.
The Teepee has been packed up for the winter after getting extensive use from a number of groups.
Here's what's in this month's newsletter:
- Your Involvement
- King's Birthday Rotoiti Mens Weekend
- Facilitators Workshop
Call to action: Let's grow this thing!
4 years ago we set out to promote men's group work, make it accessible to every man in the region who is interested, form new groups, have a website that is nationwide, network with all the other people who work with men, have an annual event that showcases our and their work.
We have come a long way: 6 new groups, all going well; 3 vibrant and interesting Int Mens days in Nelson plus one in Reefton -- which celebrate being a man and don't shirk from the issues we face; a website with enquiries from all regions; and a third annual retreat to add to the calendar.
There are lots of opportunities to get involved. We are in talks to work with organisations who deal with men on a social work or councillor level to offer ongoing peer support in mens groups to their men. Their is an opening for those of you who want to support new groups as uncles. (see below: facilitators workshop)
The opportunities are there and money is there to carry the cost at least. What is essential is the support of the existing groups and the practical hands-on input from the men. In short: we need your help to make this men's culture thrive.
Hardy and Victor have been driving this for 4 years and we will continue to support the cause and offer our knowledge, but it's time for others to step up and broaden our organisational base.
I'd like you to consider what good the men's group movement has done to you and if you are willing to spend some of your energy to keep it moving forward.
International mens day is on the horizon and we need your input to improve it, adjust it, grow it. There are many options for projects to consider. But in reality things will only happen when someone makes them happen.
So if you think international mens day is a worthwhile event, if forming groups and making them available to men out there is something you support, then please bring yourself in. Right now there isn't enough men power to organise International mens day.
We are calling a meeting of all interested men to discuss what projects to run with and who will do what part to make it happen. We are happy with any amount of work you put in. From poster hanging to organising the food, from uncle-ing to finding sponsorships. Participate in regular planning discussions. And we need your commitment, creativity and experience to see it through.
We are reorganising the Forum to encourage anyone new or experienced to join in discussing these issues and furthering our projects.
It's up to you to make it happen.
Forum Meeting
25 May , Sunday
6 30 pm
189 Kawai St South, Nelson
Facilitators and uncles workshop
We have a constant trickle of men enquiring about mens groups through our website. If we follow up approaching organisations for their clients then we will need men who facilitate or rather hold space for new groups to convey our culture to them.
Victor will run a facilitators workshop in September. It will be a hands on circle work workshop where we explore how to hold space, create and maintain safety and deal with issues and crises. The way we define facilitator means a personally involved guidance and modelling approach where you are a member of the circle and NOT professionally detached.
If you want to explore if running a group (usually for a limited time until they don't need facilitation anymore) is for you, come and join us.
Rotoiti Men's Retreat
Kings birthday weekend
30 May to 2 June 2025
Rotoiti Lodge
A long weekend retreat with 6 circles, communal cooking and eating and minimal distraction allows us to concentrate so much more on exploring our stories and trying to get to the bottom of whats happening with us. Guys come from all over, sharing our culture, and the connections are deep and meaningful.
I have attached a previous email from Murray because I haven't got his latest. Please read how he introduces the event and explains the details. I will forward his new invitation once it's available.
Represent your group on mensgroup.nz
If your group hasn't done so, consider writing a blurb and submit a photo through the website submission form. It's a way of networking with others and may give you new recruits when you need them.
Photos
We are looking for engaging photos of men doing their thing, group photos, mens group activities, events etc to use on the website and possibly for promo on posters. Would you have some? Is your group OK being visible for the purpose of promoting our work? (please make sure everyone is happy with it)
Newbies
If you know someone who is looking for a men's group. Put them in touch with us. We've been very successful in placing dudes in groups.
If you want any announcements in this newsletter and/or on our website like events, vacancies in your group or whatever, contact us. We will however decide if its relevant here. We dont want to spam people.
Victor
022 326 4157
Nick (Motueka)
0210333574