Hi Everyone,
What a great International Men's Day we had. Lots of exciting stuff is in the making for the coming months.
Here's what's in this month's newsletter:
Int Men's Day Recap
Workshop on Erectile Dysfunction
Waitangi Men's Weekend
Advisory Group
Name your Group
Group Facilitation and Start-up Workshop
Links
Int Mens Day Recap
We had awesome feedback from the guys who participated. The workshop holders, the buskers all very happy. We think its a working concept and we'll keep expanding it. Next year there will be a kids program so that fathers don't feel the guilt of leaving their kids at home.
We have formed a new group from this event that meets weekly, there is huge interest. I still get emails and phone messages. Professionals have started to refer men to us , too.
One thing that came out of it:
Courtney who's workshop on errectile dysfunction was fully booked will offer one for us in
Workshop on Erectile Dysfunction
by Dr Courtney Clyne
on 24 February 2024 , 10 am – 12 pm
at Victory Community Center
cost $20
Booking by email to drcclyne@rocketmail.com
A message from Dr Courtney Clyne:
Hi! My name is Dr Courtney Clyne, and I'm a clinical psychologist and sex therapist working in the Nelson region. I recently gave a talk on erectile dysfunction at the International Men's Day, and it went so well that I'd like to do it again! I also feel there is more to say on the topic, especially what to do about it, so I decided to run another seminar. If you'd like to learn about prevalence, causes, symptoms and treatments for erectile dysfunction, please sign up to the seminar by emailing me on drcclyne@rocketmail.com.
Waitangi Weekend Retreat
2- 5 February 2024
Deer Lodge in St Arnaud
cost: $ 40 per night
This retreat is specifically designed for new men's group members to experience a “deep dive” weekend. We will offer introductions into what we do in circles, how we keep it safe.
This is an invitation to all you new guys ( and there is a lot of you! ) to take the plunge and explore your story in a safe environment held by experienced men. It goes so much deeper, it reveals so much more than a 3 hour group night can.
We would also like to invite those guys with years of this work under their belt to show up and support the work of others. We always learn lots from each other. New guys bring fresh insights and rattle us out of some of the complacency that might set in, when we think we have done the work. Experienced guys can hold space when a man needs it.
We are open for bookings with down payments. We can handle up to 25 men. It could get booked out. We'll keep you posted as we fill up.
Advisory Group
We are forming an advisory group that will keep our work in touch with the groups and informed by their thoughts and wishes.
The group will discuss future projects like events, website, networking etc. We will keep tabs on our philosophy, the non-negotiable aspects of our work, the variations within our common standards. We will shape our future direction and make sure that its always supported by the groups themselves.
Members are myself, Victor, Vinnie from second oldest and best group in nelson ;-) , Hilary and Murray (longest working group in Nelson) , Nick from the Mot Tuesday group and Alek and Byron from the 2022 Tuesday group.
Names for Groups
“2022 Tuesday Group” (there is a 2023 Tuesday group) , is that as good as it gets around us identifying ourselves? Am I doing my group justice by calling it the “Wednesday group” (there are 3 wednesday groups now). Or Murray's group?
I'd like to suggest the unspeakable, let's give ourselves names. Any name will do, but we might develop a theme or a style. Of course you can forever be the weekday group.
Be the first group with a name! contact us
Group Start-up and Facilitation Workshop
We are planning to run a workshop retreat to train people up in running groups. (Facilitation means holding space until a group is independent)
There is a constant stream of people interested in joining groups, we need guys to run these groups for a while. This workshop is for anyone who is interested including professionals who want to run groups with our principles. This will be some time next year.
Of course this is a complex undertaking. We need to define what our principles are. Where are our boundaries, what is negotiable? These dicussions have been going on for a long time and will never end, since we inadvertantly will evolve.
If you like to contribute to this discussion, there is this google doc, which is open to all:
It starts with Hilarys contribution, which serves as a starting point. Add your thoughts, point out flaws, pose questions to discuss.
Got Any Photos Of Your Group?
We are looking for engaging photos of men doing their thing, group photos, men's 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).
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 don't want to spam people.
Upcoming Events
Our events
Waitangi Mens Weekend 2-5 February , Deer Lodge St Arnaud
Rotoiti Men's Retreat 31 May to 3June, Rotoiti Lodge
Rotoiti Men's Retreat 25-28 October, Rotoiti Lodge
Other events
Inward Men's Gathering 1-4 February, Tui Treefield, see below
Workshop on Erectile Dysfunction 24 February, 10am-12pm, Vic Com Center
We are supporting this event run by Courtney Clyne
Courting the Wild Natural One 27 March– 1 April, Jaime Howell, see below
Links
Cultivating the Wild Indigenous One
Jaime Howell has formed a trust that runs events
Cultivating the Wild Indigenous One
“I have founded a charitable trust and I work with men helping them to find that wildness, the aliveness that has maybe been shut down. Here is a retreat I am offering in March 2024.”
Inward Men's Gathering
Inward Men's Gathering is a transformational gathering, a chance for you to stop looking outward for what a man is supposed to be, and to unfold the man you are and the man you want to be. Men over 18 years old from all walks of life, of any religion and any sexuality are welcome.
The next Inward Men's Gathering is from the 1st to the 4th of February, 2024 at the Tui Events Treefield in Wainui Bay. More info here.
New Members Are Welcome!
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 don't want to spam people. Contact us here.
Hardy
021 213 2299
Victor
022 326 4157
Nick (Motueka)
021 033 3574
Looking forward to welcoming you at our upcoming events!
Hardy and the team at Nelson Men's Groups