GMMC Operations
The Gay Men's Medicine Circle gathers twice every month in West Hollywood California. Each ingathering includes the creation of sacred space, drumming, journeying, ceremonial activities, and sharing about many different aspects of gay community life, politics, health, and culture. The Medicine Circle operates by consensus, i.e., there must be general agreement (or at least no disagreement) to any proposal before it moves forward. The Medicine Circle has a several leadership positions, assumed on a voluntary basis for a year, that allows the Circle to function smoothly.
The Gay Men's Medicine Circle is a California mutual benefit corporation. It qualifies as a Federal 501.c3 non-profit organization. Contributions are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.
The leadership positions include the following:
- Keeper of the Circle: Serves as overall coordinator of Medicine Circle activities -- facilitates two monthly meetings, keeps the Circle focused on its projected activities for the year, assumes the accountability of the Circle's other Keeper roles, keeps the Circle informed of activities and important news and training opportunities via the Yahoo Group, and serves as the general stewart of the Medicine Circle.
- Assistant Keeper of the Circle: Under the supervision of the Keeper of the Circle serves as next year's Keeper of the Circle-in-Training. Works closely with the Keeper to insure all telephone, e-mail, and mail box communication is monitored closely, prepares The Cave for our twice-a-month gatherings, sends out an e-mail regarding what took place ar our most recent gathering, and assumes increasing responsibilities, through training during the year, to facilitate our meetings and coordinate our activities.
- Keeper of the Ceremony: Designs and facilities the opening and closing of Sacred Space at our twice-a month Sunday meetings and through his Keeper role increasingly teaches us about the creation, use, and closing of ritual space throughout the year. Also facilitates the initiation of new members.
- Keeper of the Journey: Designs and facilitates the journeys done by the Circle at each of its Sunday meetings -- first Sunday journey dealing with various concerns and third Sunday journey dealing with healing. Also serves as a teacher regarding shamanic journing.
- Keeper of Hospitality: Coordinates the use of sage at the beginning of our Sunday meetings and provides light refreshments after the meetings (for which he will be reimbursed, if necessary, by the Keeper of the Monies.)
- Keeper of the Monies: Deposit income into our bank account and writes all Circle checks. Gives a monthly financial report at the first Sunday meeting and prepares an annual financial report as well as replies to state and federal financial rep[orts regarding our non-profit status.
- Keeper of the Workshops: Prepares our annual series of gay-centered workshops, edits the leaflet copy, liaisons with our graphic artist in having the finished pay our completed, and monitors the printing of the workshop leaflet. Also nurtures and initiates new workshops.
- Assistant Keeper of the Workshops: Assists the Keeper in all aspects of organizing the workshops and facilitates the printing of the workshop leaflet. This position is seen as training for assuming the Keeper role in the future.
- Keeper of Cyberspace: manages the Medicine Circles Web site and designs and initiates improvements to the look and user friendliness of the web site. Also manages the Circle's Yahoo Group.
- Keeper of the Mailing List: Manages the additions and deletions to the Circle's computerized mailing list. Develops plans for and implements a Circle e-mail list for public communication as well as developing a strategy to expand our mailing lists.
- Keeper of Plant Spirit Medicine: Designs and implements training modules directed toward increased skill in the shamanic use of plant spirits.
- Keeper of Village Cooperation: Develops and implements strategies for making the gay community aware of the Circle's activities through news releases and articles for the gay print media, and on-going contacts with gay electronic media. Explores ways in which the Medicine Circle might be useful for other village groups.