Excellent! She is the best 😍

Hope to see you soon

Simon

Hey there! Thanks @Richard D. Bartlett for creating this thread for us. It's good timing because our Notion page following the project for a public audience is now ready to view!

For all who'd like follow our process, I'll be making the most detailed content updates and experiment documentations here.

I'll be adding more detail as we continue to bring this project to life as best as possible for all of you viewing through the interwebz. I'll have to get consent from the group before sharing anything like photos of humans or our Kumu map. More to come!

Hey @Joshua Glass I shifted your comment here out into a separate thread.

I would love it if you could use this as a space to occasionally drop in with updates, like a kind of public diary for you and @Beatriz to let us know how you're getting on with your plans. <3

Hey Simon,

I'm excited to see that there are some folks like you and Ria nearby ! Hopefully our communities can join forces. I'm reaching out to Ria to connect directly since she seems to be potentially available and nearby. Perhaps Bea and I end up coming out to Ransberg before 4 March. We'll be in touch !

Hi Joshua and Bea! The idea of something in Maastricht sounds great -- I am in the (slow) process of moving to a place half way between you and Brussels! And the people I know there are all into Art of Hosting, so there are loads of people who could help facilitate gatherings. Rich himself has visited Ria and me in Ransberg, so could fill you in a bit more from that perspective. Unfortunately I won't be in Belgium on 7th March as I've already booked my train back. I will be around in Ransberg from 21st Feb to 4th March, so maybe some opportunity to come and visit in the meantime?

All best wishes

Simon

A call for facilitation – a new mutual aid community out of Maastricht, NL

Hello out there! This is a call to connect with a great facilitator. 

My name is Joshua Glass. I am reaching out from Maastricht, The Netherlands on behalf of myself and co-host Beatriz Fonseca in hopes of connecting with lovely facilitators who would be available to hold space for our community. 

What: We are co-creating a new mutual aid community of about 20 to 40 people in and around Maastricht, the Netherlands based on Richard Bartlett’s proposal of Microsolidarity.

When + Where: There are three very special moments when we’ll need your facilitation.

MARCH 8 [½ day in Maastricht] 
APRIL 12 [½ day in Maastricht]
MAY 15–17 May OR 22–24 (!)  [2-3 days → within 3hr radius of Maastricht]

In between these moments we would like to remain in touch as we will be working closely with our group in a digital space (Whatsapp, Loomio, and/or Autopia) to co-create a program and set of topics for the May Gathering. The dates in May are the most crucial. If you are totally unable to join us during either of the first two meetings, we’ll do our best to find an additional person or facilitate ourselves.

The group: Our core is Bea and myself. We are a pair of co-hosts and organizers of this Congregation and Gathering. We are now having talks with 13 of our most trusted and motivated friends and colleagues in Western Europe to bring together the core of the Congregation. From there, the group should expand to about 30 people. We are between the ages of 23 and 40. Many of us are socially and/or environmentally engaged entrepreneurs or freelancers; some of us are finding our ways since recently graduating university. Overall, we are a group of people from many parts of the world who care about deep, genuine, emotional and playful connections with each other, ourselves and the planet.

What we need from you: 

• We are looking for someone who has experience in getting people to know themselves and each-other better. Someone who has a background in holding spaces for personal and interpersonal self-development.

• We would highly appreciate it if you’re fun and playful in your approach (but if you feel like you aren’t, we’re willing to compromise ;)) .

• You will definitely be able to join us during either of the proposed dates of our May Gathering, and you are also available to meet online –– especially between April and May –– in order to co-create the program of the Gathering.

• You’ll put cherries on the cake if:

  • you already know about Microsolidarity and have experience facilitating gatherings in this context.

  • you can join us in Maastricht during the first one or two meetings as well.

How we can reciprocate: We have some budget for facilitation. Let’s connect and dialogue about both of our costs and needs. This should be a win-win!

This is what we think we need to become an awesomely supportive group of people who are strengthening our abilities to do good work! We want to listen to your thoughts. We are working out loud and hope to share the process. Please reach out if what we’ve written here resonates with you and you can work with us.

With warmth and gratitude,

Joshua and Bea

P.S. have a look at our hour long Zoom call with Rich on starting up a new group here! https://youtu.be/Jg0X6YfHKaw