First Quarter Moon of May

Tonight is the First Quarter Moon; we are one-quarter of the way through the moon cycle. The moon is waxing - growing in light and energy, creating a time for decisive action. I use this May quarter moon's energy to create synergy with all my partners, and spark synergy within myself.

Agenda Today:

1. Journal queries
2. Make a full effort plan
3. Read "The Art of Facilitation"

4. Review my Leadership Manifesto

1. Journal queries:

Today, at the first quarter moon, I prepare to give full effort to my priorities. My theme is synergy, which requires me to seek unity, embrace teamwork, live holistically, and take persistent right action.

I remember that for each opportunity in life there is a challenge. The challenge to synergy is rigidity. If I’m stubborn and uncompromising, I can't be a useful teammate. Practice giving in, and being willing to offer help.

Which of my priorities am I having the most trouble acting on this month?

What do I need (tools, information, allies) in order to best practice the habits of synergy (flexibility, love, unity, right action)?

What do I need to do or learn in order to be a better team player at home and on my committees?

From my journal: I struggle with rigidity and indignation - my high standards make flexibility and generosity difficult. But I can offer help without compromising my integrity, and I can work on forgiving the inadequacies of others (because heaven knows I have my faults!)

2. Make a full effort plan: 

I'm thinking today about full effort in leadership with my 3 ongoing committees: Earthcare, Interfaith, and Clerking, plus a generous way to end my term with CRE. What I really need is a "next steps" vision for each committee:

Synergy Vision:

ECSG: My role is as facilitator, and my group is dwindling… This month, I need to query the community regarding what they need - a new model? I want to make a big plan for summer themes and events, and also find ways to better highlight my blog writing.

IFEK: My role is to help define next steps, and complete small organizational components. This month, I’d like to create a “contact list” for each faith community, and coordinate a monthly list of events/ newsletter; and maybe a google form survey?

 

CSC: My role is to keep the group on track with the details: Help to write new job description, update monthly calendar, send links and agendas; also, I need to prepare for clerking this summer (with my co-clerk)!

CRE: My final task is to communicate with our summer leader, and get the summer plans outlined; then send a report to the whole committee.

 

3. Read "The Art of Facilitation":

This little book (1995) starts with the words: "The Earth is running out of energy resources, but there is a source of special energy which has scarcely been tapped. It is the power available in groups, the power of group synergy. ... it is group effort on both a small and large scale which will save and heal our planet."

Chapter 3 is Facilitating Others, and it begins with the reminder that facilitation is not giving advice - do not offer unasked for personal advice to members of your committee! I need to remember to respect and accept my groups as they are, and not judge or try to fix them. (I can practice directing attention and eye contact to each member, and hold each in the Light.)

"It is easy to assume that someone else's world view is the same as or similar to your own. Your way of experiencing the world is the way the world is. You assume others perceive (see / feel / think) things in the same way that you do. ... Consider the possibility that you can never fully understand other people. ... They are always a mystery."

The really important advice here is that if someone's behavior, beliefs, or values are unacceptable to me, I should not try to facilitate them!

4. Review my Leadership Manifesto:

Last year I wrote this leadership manifesto:

My Leadership Manifesto:

1. Listen and discern the unity 

2. Inspire, encourage, nudge

3. Love everyone and stay calm

4. Say Yes more often than No

5. Be so flexible that I can lead and follow simultaneously