Sending out and FQM to the Rainbow Family Focalizers has been a relatively new accomplishment. A request for an updated mailing list reached consensus at the 1992 Focalizers Council in Colorado. Petros facilitated the creation of the current list, which has been updated with a few additional names and changes of address. This year's council began on the 5th, and focused on the GUIDE, which will continue to come from the combined efforts of Ric, Duane, and a host of folks in Madison, WI, and the passing on of ALL WAYS FREE publication from Carla and the crew in Eugene OR, to Maverick in Warrens WI. Combining agendas related to networking, during two days of counciling does provide an opportunity for different energies to come together and share visions, express needs, and reach consensus on issues that will help direct the flow of endeavors taken on by volunteers of the Rainbow Family.
There was a message from Legaliaison Council, that there be unity with emphasis on togetherness in thought and practice, lest the strength in our coming together as One in Spirit and respect be threatened or compromised.
The Council Process works better than decisions made by individuals. Each person is encouraged to bring issues to Family Council rather than taking on personal responsibility for decisions that affect the Rainbow Family of Living Light.
The following topics were discussed during Council, taken from notes by Mark-en [Mark McCracken].
It is the consensus of this Council that the best efforts be made to notify both local and nomadic Family of planning councils and Gatherings. The better gatherings are counciled and well planned. (You may wish to refer to the November 1992 FQM, which has a list of 5 important definitions of what is sacred to insuring a Peace and Healing event.) It is the consensus of this Council that there is a lack of environmental responsibility to have Regional Gatherings on the same site two years in a row.
"Know and name your sources, Check All Rumors" is encouraged. E-mail addresses are an individual's private account. WORDS OTHER THAN "RAINBOW" SHOULD BE USED WHEN UTILIZING THIS FORM OF COMMUNICATION; CONSENSED. [Again my caps-Sarah]
Potlucks and drum circles have become popular in may areas, with weekly or monthly scheduled events. Sens out messages with Love and Light, help bring the Family Home.
A reminder was brought to council, that mailing lists in Rainbow are for non-commercial use, and are intended to be for Family communication: Consensed.
The current FQM list includes 90 folks in the US, and 35 Sisters and Brothers in other countries. Postage for each mailing will be about $55.00. All that are sent outside the US need to be enclosed in an envelope. Printing expenses also need to be met. Focalizers who do not wish to be listed in the GUIDE, but would like to receive a FQM, need to contact Duane and the GUIDE crew. Be explicit in your request. PEACE AND LOVE
Legaliaison Update, October 3, 1993 Dear Family, At the Legaliaison Council at the Alabama Gathering, it was consensed that the geographical focal point of the Legaliaison would change from Washington, DC to East Texas. Martha-Gail agreed to coordinate the functions of the new office. After and orientation be the regional volunteers in DC, Martha-Gail put the files in order, made duplicate sets, and is now back in Texas with the new office up and running. The purpose of the legaliaison office is to serve as the communications hub for the ongoing, Family-wide effort to retain our right to Gather without the chilling effect that would be imposed by the proposaed Forest Service amendment to 36 CFR 251 & 261 -- which would require application for a "special use authorization" (also known as "permit") from ALL non commercial groups of people seeking to assemble. The traditional position of the Rainbow Family is that the First Amendment to the United States Constitution IS our permit to gather. This cannot be compromised. This must not be negotiated. The status of the revised regulation is currently in limbo. The 90-day public comment period has passed, and theoretically the Forest Service is reviewing public input before formulating a final ruling. Newly amended regulations could be implemented at any time. It appears that there may still be some hope to derail the regs if we each, as individual citizens, contact our respective congressional representatives. Education and outreach to other potential National Forest user groups might also be effective. One suggestion you can make to people who are in support of squelching the regulations is that they contact Assistant Secretary of Agriculture with their comments. Additional strategies were discussed at the Legaliaison Council in Alabama and appear on the following page. The Legaliaison group is preparing a concise informational packet on this whole subject. Suggestions on other possible courses of action are welcome. If you have any additional input, or wish to participate in any way; or if you would like further information, please contact the address below. Working as individuals, we CAN make a difference. Working together as a whole, who knows what we might come up with in our endeavor to preserve basic rights! RAINBOW LEGALIAISON C/O 3029 WODEN RD OFFICE NACODOCHES, TEXAS 75961 (409)569-8693 (409)564-4229 (message only) As is the case with all family service, donations (stamps, envelopes, office supplies, green energy, etc.) are helpful in keeping the flame burning. Every little bit helps. Love and Light, Carla (a legaliaison volunteer) Please copy and distribute freely.
WRITE THE DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE: Currently this issue is being reviewed
by the Agriculture Department because the Secretary of Agriculture has to
sign the new regs before they can go into effect. The have received a
lot of objection already but this is probably the key place where we can
let our voices be heard right now. The US Forest Servic, which is
sponsoring the new reglations, is under the supervision of the
Agriculture Department. The office to contact there (phone, fax, or
write) is:
WRITE YOUR LOCAL CONGRESSPERSON: Contact them at their home offices so they know this is of concern to their own constituents. Voice your objections to the proposed regulations. Ask them to contact the Agriculture Departmant to prevent these unconstitutional, unenforceable, and unaffordable regulations from taking effect.
OUTREACH TO OTHER USER GROUPS: Notify other groups of people or organizations in your own areas who use the national forests for free assembly or free events, picnic, educational purposes, prayer or meditations, etc., to alert them to the enormous obstruction these regs would cause their own group. Give them copies of these outlines and notices. Encourage them to take what actions they feel are appropriate.
MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS: Speak with your local news crews, talk radio hosts, newspaper columnists. Let them know how you feel and that this is an issue that affects each and every citizen.
REQUEST PUBLIC HEARINGS: Find a forum in your area for this issue to be debated and discussed. Invite local officials, invite the Forest Service, invite the media. Serve tea and cookies.
GATHER PETITIONS: Create a petition form that suits your local region and expresses your ideas clearly. Circulate it as widely as possible. Send copies to local officials, newspaper editors and the Department of Agriculture.
PREPARE BRIEFS IN OBJECTION TO THE PROPOSED RULES: With the local public land use advocates map out legal defenses with case law back-up to be ready for use if the regulations are put into effect.
PLAN DIRECT ACTIONS: Plan peaceful assemblies as protests on public forest lands to take place if the regs are put into effect. Be prepared to defend your right to gather. If it appears that your local action may lead to a legal challenge, stay in close touch with the Legaliaison Office in Texas. WORKING TOGETHER IS THE KEY.
CONTACT YOUR LOCAL RAINBOW FOCALIZER: If you don't know who this is, contact Rainbow Legaliaison, 3029 Woden Rd Office, Nacodoches, Texas 75961 (409)569-8693
For some reason, The Michigan Rainbow Family has recently been named as a rebel band of Rainbows who are advocated a renegade "Turtle Island" Gathering in Wisconsin in 1994. Seeing as it was unclear who, if anybody, in Michigan was involved with this, a council was called at the recent very fine Michigan Regional to address this issue. The following letter to the Wisconsin family, who had requested clarification of our intentions and support of their desire for the 1995 Gathering, was approved by consensus of the council (roughly 20 people present at consensus call).
Incidently, our brother bill-i was mentioned by name in at least two pieces of written information as an instigator of the movement for a Wisconsin 1994 Gathering. In the council bill-i as the first to speak strongly stated his desire for a united family and his intention to be with the Family in Wyoming. Though not present at consensus, he was totally approving of this letter to Wiscinsin when it was read to him later. Here is the letter as approved by council--
Love and peace to you all--Gonzo--
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