9-Apr-07 6:00 PM CST

FIRST MKP HOUSTON “COMMUNITY MEETING”

The first MKP Houston Community meeting happened on March 3, 2007 and over 90 warriors were present. The meeting began with one of the Elders invoking our ancestors and relatives to join us in and give us wisdom and good insights as we did what we were summoned to do. . Mel Taylor, 2007 Board chair, stated the purpose of the meeting: "To gather the community at least once a year to hear ideas, find out what men want, and to plan and grow the organization as a visible entity in Houston and to be accountable to the community as things develop." The Board and Advisory board members in attendance were introduced, and attendees were invited to offer their ideas to any of these men who would take information forward."

New MKP Houston Website

The new MKP website was presented. Dave Stietz started the presentation of the new web site. He stated some of the new features of the website, and recognized the team that was responsible for organizing and building the site (i.e. Greg Gondron, Joe Diosana, Andy Dearwater, and John Sturtevant. Dave introduced John Sturtevant and handed the presentation over to him. John Sturtevant presented the features of the new website. There was a Q and A session for about 10 minutes, after which Mel Taylor introduced Thomas Flaherty to talk about the current state of Integration Groups and the Integration Protocols.

Integration Groups

Thomas Flaherty talked about the Integration protocols and how decisions were made to establish the newest Primary Integration Manual for our Houston community. He also pointed out that Inititial I-Group cycle was in an “experimental phase” of testing, and that upcoming PIT Groups would be moving to one group per weekend. It was mentioned that the Integration council is having a tough time getting leaders and co-leaders to facilitate I-Groups. Some of the other key points of the work of the Integration Committeeincluded;

Requirements for leaders to maintain their status would be to lead one I-group every two years.
There would no longer be an Integration “position” on the weekend trainings
Suggestions were requested on ways to “re-integrate” men “that are floating” back into the community
The Houston Regional I-Group Conference was postponed until September or October, the date to be announced

Some of the feedback from the attendees at the meeting included:

1. Can there be I-Groups established for certain needs, age, race, etc?
2. Open I-Groups to all men, not just initiated men, create open circles. Mel Taylor asked for volunteers to lead open circles. He asked them to contact Thomas Flaherty.

MKP Houston Financial Report

Mel Taylor addressed the current state of affairs for MKP Houston which included;

1. the loan amount of $900,000.

2. interest at $73,000. per year

3. cash reserves of $30,000 (down $100,000. from the previous year).

4. Mel clearly stated the fact that we must operate with a balanced budget

5. maintain some type of financial assistance for men that cannot afford the NWTA.

6. to sustain our buildings (properties) and community

It was asked; “What can we do as individuals and as a community to change our current situation?”

Mel introduced Tom Hopwood. Tom asked the men to close their eyes and then started with a visualization about “community” and a process in smaller groupings to “dream ourselves into a new way of thinking”. Here are some of the suggestions that came forth: .

Create ways to generate funds.
Annual events at the lodge – flea market, fair, cook-offs, 5 – 10k race, family walk, golf tournament, wellness day, etc.
The theme was community, community, community.
Stop being so secretive and let people know that we are about healing men, making the world a better place, changing the world one man at a time……
Reach out to other communities
To maintain the one town hall meeting a year
Capitalize on our resources – the lodge, LOMG, Drum advertising, Website advertising
Start marketing our resources
Restructure dues
Contribution box at the front of the lodge
Create a better way of policing who is using the lodge, who is there each week….are they paying?
Create a reach out program.
Phone call campaign
Track down capital campaign fund pledges – start over.
Strengthen I-groups
Talk to men about bequeathing money or property to MKP Houston
Create a second training weekend
Open weekends for more rookies to staff