Info for Focalizers

We don't have leaders in the Rainbow Family, but we do have folks that help us to focus on what we as indiviguals need to do. It's through the widespread flow of information about our hipstory, our traditions, our processes, and practical gathering info that we as indiviguals can make informed decisions. That's alot of what Rainbow is all about, the empowering of indiviguals within a group of folks. We can all make a difference.

One of the important things to realize is that focalizers aren't in charge. They aren't in control of anything or anyone but themself. People listen to focalizers out of respect, not because they have to. The best focalizers are invisible at a gathering. Most of us that consider ourselves focalizers are just info-maniacs. Just cause somebody may have a mailing list, or do a newsletter does not mean they are part of the "Rainbow Beurocracy", and you can turn over your responsibilities as a human being to them.

General Info

Focalizer's Mini Manual: This is the beginnings of a Focalizer's mini manual, with lots of good, practical advice.
A collection of Howdy Folks: A collection of Howdy folks from various regionals. Current Howdy Folks are also here.
A Short Guide to Consensus: Excerpted from _Group Leadership and Decision Making: Workbook.
Council Mini Manual: This is the beginnings of a mini-manual on counciling and consensus.
Greg Wolfe's PGP guide for beginners: Greg wrote an awesome guide to using PGP for those who feel they want more security for their email and files on their computer. Unfortunately, the recent Forest Service crackdown's on Rainbow gathering focalizers is making folks paranoid. PGP is a great way to keep your email, files, or mailing databases secure.
Wandering Info Crew: This is some ideas on a wandering info crew. The idea was to not hold up dinner at the main circle for announcements, and to make main circle be more fun.
Rainbow Family Hipstories: This is a growing collection of historical documents on the Rainbow Family. Included are various stories on our origins, and a collection of newspaper and magazine articles, and the Rainbow Photo Gallery.
General info on the Rainbow Family: This is a collection of documents and links about the Rainbow Family. Included are old Howdy Folks, regional newsletters, mini-manuals, and archives of the newsgroup.
Rainbow Artwork: This is a collection of artworks scanned out of various Rainbow publications. These are great to liven up your newsletter, Howdy Folks or web page.
Rainbow Tech: This is a collection of documents on the alternate technologies used at Rainbow Gathering, from water filter, latrine digging, kitchen building, or camp security. This is a new section, so I expect it to get larger weekly

North American Focalizer Quarterly Mailings

1995 Focalizers Mailing: This is the Focalizers Mailing for Fall of 1995.
1993 Focalizers Mailing: This is almost the entire copy of the Focalizers Quarterly mailing. (only it's never come out 4 times :-)

North American Thanksgiving Councils

2000 Thanksgiving Council: The 2000 Thanksgiving council was held in N. E. Washington.
1999 Thanksgiving Council: The 1999 Thanksgiving council was held in Montana.
1998 Thanksgiving Council: The 1998 Thanksgiving council was held in Pennsylvania.
1997 Thanksgiving Council: The 1997 Thanksgiving council was held at High Creek, Arizona.
1996 Thanksgiving Council
1995 Thanksgiving Council: Notes from the 1995 Thanksgiving Council held at the Paradise Township Nature Preserve and Wildlife sanctury in Oklahoma.
1994 Thanksgiving Council: Report of Thanksgiving council '94, november 25, 26 & 27 held outdoors and in a lodge at Robinson's draw, Lincoln National Forest near Carlsbad, New Mexico.
1993 Thanksgiving Council: Despite the frigid temperatures, Thanksgiving Council met among the breathtaking mountains surrounding Missoula.
1992 Thanksgiving Council: Thanksgiving Council - Friday,Saturday, Sunday, November 26,27,28,29, 1992 Located on private land, Yonder's Farm near Macon, Georgia

Regional Councils

Great Lakes Council Notes: The following notes were written by Racchimuskillingum regarding the council process discussion at the Midwest Regional Council. They are not "official" minutes, nor was consensus reached (or sought) on the contents, but I think they are a good record of some discussion and ideas which were set forth.
96 SCROLL Council Notes: These are the notes from a council at the SCROLL 1996 Spring Equinox regional.