as the governing policy body, would institute a
series of sessions designed as a means of getting to know prospective
members and letting them get to know
us. These sessions would be designed by the council
and conducted by them (or senior members/fellows).
may be invited to presentation/discussion meetings
by members or they may come to us from
a "public" announcement or
event. The step of an invitation by an existing member
is, in essence, a pre-qualifying stage. The member
would be "sponsoring" the guest into their exposure to
our gathering. If the guest seemed
to be an interesting candidate for membership,
they would be invited to the first of a series of membership
development sessions, described as follows: at the end of each session,
the session leader(s) would make a decision whether or not to invite
the prospect to a subsequent, essentially higher-level meeting.
members
or council may approach attenders/guests
to invite them to a series of membership
development sessions
|
(suggested)
membership development sessions |
1.
Are you a seeker?
2. Do you share our values?
3. Do you believe in community?
4. Will you do more? |
1. Are you a seeker?
(openness)
|
This session would begin with a presentation of our idea
of what it means to be a seeker. Discussion would follow.
The council and the prospect would determine:
Is the prospect curious about the physical and spiritual
world or complacent (self-satisfied; unconcerned)?
Does the prospect seek more knowledge, wisdom, insight, peace,
satisfaction, grace?
Is the prospect completely dedicated already to a set world-view/religion
that he is unmovable from? (Are they closed-minded?)
Decision for session leader(s): Should the
prospect be invited to further sessions?
|
2. Do you share our values?
(reasonableness)
|
This sessions would begin with a presentation of our core
values and discussion would follow. The council and prospect
would determine:
Does the prospect have some core values that are not consonant
with our core values?
Is the prospect too imbued with mysticism to be redeemable?
Does the prospect have some completely wacked out, untenable
(not able to be defended) views or values?
Decision for session leader(s): Should the
prospect be invited to further sessions?
|
3. Do you believe in community?
(friendliness)
|
This session would begin with a presentation of our definition
of community and discussion would follow. The council and
prospect would determine:
Does the prospect see value in community or would they prefer
isolation?
Does the prospect have the skills to successfully interact
in community?
Decision for session leader(s): Should the
prospect be invited to further sessions?
|
4. Will you do more?
(willingness)
|
This session would begin with a presentation of what our
vision for a spiritual community is and what effort will be
involved in creating that. Discussion would follow. The council
and prospect would determine:
Will the prospect continue the efforts of self-transformation,
with the aid of guides, to fulfill their hopes for themselves
- of learning, spiritual growth and community-building?
Will the prospect willingly contribute to the transformation
of others by teaching and guiding, as they are able?
Will the prospect contribute time, effort, energy, skills,
sweat and funds, as they are able, to building both the capital
structure of the gathering and the spiritual "structure"
of the community?
Decision for session leader(s): Should I recommend
to the council that the prospect be invited to become a member?
|
| As we become
acquainted with these guests,
we may want to invite them to become a "member"
(procedures to follow). The above series (which is similar to
our discussions as council
as we began to get to know each other) should help us to determine
if we are really compatible with the prospect. |
Council resolved to follow an initial "membership plan"
as follows at our 8 June 2003 council meeting:
We resolved to develop an initial member vetting process
that would simplify getting our "start-up membership"
on board. We resolved to use the following procedure, subject
to review and modification later:
One of our councillors has to nominate a prospective
member
the prospect has to attend a special meeting with the
councillors to discuss membership with them
The councillors have to unanimously accept the prospect
as a member
There will be some initiation or "announcement
of new memberhip status" made to other members
we should, at some point, have a lawyer review our process
to assure that it maintains our desired "private"
status
|
membership
may be obtained by invitation of member
(or council?) after attending
membership development sessions as described above.
• should be willing to contribute time, energy, effort and
money?
|