One of the unique features of Kindred Spirits Camp is its leadership structure.
When Steven Andrew, a charismatic leader, resigned from directing Kindred Spirits camp in 1997, there was a big question as to who could fill his shoes.
Information came to me through Hopi Indians. What they said was the spiritual energy, the forward movement, the transformation energy was passing from the form of the Eagle to the Form of the Goose. In the era of the Eagle, energy was moved by a leader: The Chief, the Pope, the Priest, the Guru, the President. The knowledge and power was held primarily by this Leader, and everyone had to do what they were told. With the incoming era, the energy is shifting to the goose where the power is spread out to everyone. From studying geese, I learned that there is a head goose at different times, flanked by his team, his group, his family. The lead goose is in front while s/he has gifts, energy, direction, or skills to give, gives them (while being supported by others) and then falls back and lets another take the lead.
I felt this would work for Kindred Spirits and proposed this idea to Susan Quinn and George Herrick-Lasua, who agreed. The three of us decided to give it a flight and Goose Energy at Kindred Spirits has been flying since. The first year was exceptionally good and I feel it keeps getting better.
We have had three co-directors since then, changing the lead position when they get tired. The full weight of responsibility has shifted to the whole group. It is a beautiful although not quite perfect form of empowerment, which probably could use some oiling from time to time. More and more people step up into leadership, give their gifts, and then step back, during camp as well as during reunions and gatherings.
Here are some facts about Geese from a talk given by Angeles Arrien:
Fact 1: As each goose flaps its wings it creates an uplift for the birds that follow. By flying in a V formation, the whole flock gets a 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew alone.
Lesson: People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.
Fact 2: When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front of it.
Lesson: If we have as much sense as a goose, we would stay in formation with those headed where we want to go, willing to accept help and give our help to others.
Fact 3: When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies to the point position.
Lesson: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. Like geese, people are interdependent.
Fact 4: The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
Lesson: We need to make sure our honking is encouraging. In groups in which there is encouragement, the production is much greater.
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