tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76032143279261073142024-03-12T16:33:21.337-07:00What's Your TreeWhat is it that calls you to stretch beyond what is comfortable into places that are uncomfortable, and to realize that you are more powerful and more magical than your mind could have believed? --<i>Julia Butterfly Hill</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7603214327926107314.post-27997511406180253192008-11-30T22:11:00.000-08:002008-11-30T22:12:56.884-08:00CHECK OUT THE NEW WEBSITE!!!What's Your Tree finally has a new website. For the latest information on the program, go to: <a href="http://www.whatsyourtree.org">www.whatsyourtree.org</a>. Enjoy.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7603214327926107314.post-67882158745490445522008-11-01T09:30:00.001-07:002008-11-02T09:36:15.525-08:00What's Your Tree Denton Program Featured in the Houston Chronicle<p><span style="font-weight:bold;">Read about the magic of the What's Your Tree Denton/Dallas program.<br /></span><br />Featured in the Sunday Oct. 26th <a href="http://www.dentonrc.com/sharedcontent/dws/drc/localnews/stories/DRC_farm_1026.14c747ae3.html">Denton Record Chronicle.</a><br /><br />Featured in the Nov. 1st <a href="http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/6089425.html">Houston Chronicle.</a><br /><br />Featured in the Nov. 1st <a href="http://www.statesman.com/news/content/gen/ap/TX_Whats_Your_Tree.html">Austin American Statesman.</a><br /><br />Featured in the Nov. 2nd <a href="http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D945U7081.html">Dallas Morning News.</a><br /><p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7603214327926107314.post-31606535896303231042008-10-06T12:19:00.000-07:002008-10-06T12:23:39.062-07:00Bay Area Community Summit<span style="font-weight:bold;">What's Your Tree<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span> and <span style="font-weight:bold;">Off the Mat into the World<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span> leaders and participants in the Bay Area, CA will be coming together on Monday, October 13th for a "Community Summit." We will be talking about joyful, purposeful actions that our small groups can take this fall and beyond. If you are a Bay Area participant or leader, or you are interested in joining us on Oct. 13th, please email Cybrena Karo at cybrena@whatsyourtree.org.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7603214327926107314.post-62408278200402399282008-10-06T12:00:00.000-07:002008-10-06T12:19:15.435-07:00News from Julia<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.spiritualleadersforchange.org/_/rsrc/1222468631466/config/app/images/customLogo/customLogo.gif?revision=7"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://www.spiritualleadersforchange.org/_/rsrc/1222468631466/config/app/images/customLogo/customLogo.gif?revision=7" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><br /><br /><ul style="font-family:arial;"><pre><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br /><span style="font-size:150%;">Julia Butterfly Hill has joined with Spiritual Leaders for Change</span><br /></span><br /></b></span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:110%;" >(which includes: Deepak Chopra, Jean Houston, Marianne Williamson, Jack Kornfield, Sylvia Boorstein,<br />Roshi Joan Halifax, Sharon Salzberg, Marc Barasch</span><span style="font-size:110%;">,</span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:110%;" >Stephan Rechtschaffen, Reggie Ray, Cyndi Lee, Jon Kabat-Zinn,<br />Pema Chödrön, Marianne Williamson, Barbara De Angelis, Shiva Rea, Lama Surya Das, Seane Corn, Rodney Yee,<br />Coleen Saidman, Gordon Davidson, Ed & Deb Shapiro, Corinne McLaughlin</span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >, Krishna Das, Jack Canfield,<br />Gay & Katie Hendricks, Rabbi Michael Lerner, Reb Zalman Shachter-Shalomi, Sharon Gannon</span><span style="font-size:130%;">,</span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:110%;" >David Life,<br />Swami Beyondananda, Joan Borysenko, Judith Ansara & Robert Gass and many more)</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:110%;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;" >As spiritual leaders signing this letter we are stepping forward to say: “We can make a difference.” As our spiritual<br />practice empties, opens and strengthens us, we are naturally moved to engage in the world with compassion, equanimity,<br />and the dedication to live our values.<br /><br />We know many of you are already both concerned and involved in this year’s Presidential election. Yet, in the past weeks,<br />many of us have heard friends in the spiritual community expressing ambivalence about voting. When asked why they<br />wouldn't vote we heard things like: “It doesn’t make any difference”; “I’m more interested in spiritual practice than politics”.<br />Humanity is at a crossroads. We can no-longer afford to sit on the sidelines. We are asking you to get engaged. The 2000<br />presidential election was decided by just 500 votes and this November appears to be just as close. Every vote matters.<br />Your vote and the votes in your community could make the difference.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;" >Please make a heart-felt inquiry and look at the candidates. Ask yourself who best reflects the values you want to live by –<br />those of spirituality in action.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;" >Every vote matters. Your vote and the votes in your community could make the difference.</span><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:110%;" >1. </span><span style="font-size:110%;"><b style="font-family: times new roman;">TAKE ACTION:</b></span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:110%;" > Register to vote and vote on November 4th.</span><span style="font-size:110%;"><a style="font-family: times new roman;" href="http://www.vote411.org/" rel="nofollow"> http://www.vote411.org</a><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:110%;" >2. </span><span style="font-size:110%;"><b style="font-family: times new roman;">FORWARD THIS MESSAGE:</b></span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:110%;" > Invite your friends, and fellow spiritual seekers to get involved. Forward this message on. </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><a style="font-family: times new roman;" href="http://www.spiritualleadersforchange.org/" rel="nofollow">http://www.spiritualleadersforchange.org<br /></a><br /></span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:110%;" >3. </span><span style="font-size:110%;"><b style="font-family: times new roman;">VOLUNTEER:</b></span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:110%;" > Take local action in your community.</span><span style="font-size:110%;"><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:110%;" >Let’s bring the benefits of our practice into our lives. The world needs us. Together there is nothing we cannot do.</span><span style="font-size:110%;"><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:110%;" >Go to Spiritual Leaders for Change for more information</span><span style="font-size:110%;"><a style="font-family: times new roman;" href="http://www.spiritualleadersforchange.org/" rel="nofollow"> http://www.spiritualleadersforchange.org</a></span></pre></ul>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7603214327926107314.post-23331365440804313242008-07-30T20:26:00.000-07:002008-07-30T20:29:10.584-07:00Calling all Denver/Boulder and Chicago Leaders!We are actively considering launching new What's Your Tree Groups in the Denver/Boulder area and in Chicago, IL.<br /><br />If you are interested in taking a leadership role in either of these regional launches, serving on the launch team, or leading or participating in a local group, please contact us at ash@whatsyourtree.org.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7603214327926107314.post-54162925644683112892008-07-08T13:49:00.000-07:002008-07-08T14:06:45.863-07:00Spring and Summer 2008 UpdatesAlmost all of our What´s Your Tree groups that ran in the Spring have wrapped up their first 7 weeks of the program and have already given fantastic feedback as we plan for the Fall 2008 program. <br /><br />We are absolutely thrilled about the 10 groups that met in:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">California<br /></span>Lafayette<br />Marin<br />San Francisco<br />Santa Cruz<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><br />Pennsylvania<br /></span>Philadelphia <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Texas<br /></span>Denton<br />Dallas<br />Irving<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span>Thanks to the participants in our Fall, 2007 groups, we assembled feedback and created some exciting new changes this spring. Some of the Spring 2008 groups have elected to do a first trial run of a new program segment based on Joanna Macy´s work on <span style="font-style: italic;">The Great Turning</span>. We are already learning from their experiences with the new materials.<br /><br />All of our group leaders and National Steering Committee members will be meeting in California in August to gather program feedback and plan for the Fall, 2008 groups. We are in the process of scouting the next What´s Your Tree region to be launched in the Fall. To keep posted on upcoming groups, please sign up on our newsletter at the link on the left. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7603214327926107314.post-43704336650084257482008-05-29T08:53:00.000-07:002008-05-29T09:06:12.794-07:00Upcoming Public Events with Julia Butterfly Hill<span style="font-weight:bold;">Indianapolis, Indiana<br /></span><br />July 16<br />7 to 9pm<br />Divine Action - Living Like You Mean It <br />with Julia Butterfly Hill, Seane Corn <br />Sponsored by Journey's Fire<br />Unitarian Universalist Church Sanctuary <br />615 W. 43rd St., Indianapolis, IN. 46208 <br /><br />July 17<br />9am to 1pm <br />Half day yoga intensive with Julia and Seane <br />City Yoga Studio<br />936 Indiana Ave.<br />Indianapolis, IN. 46202 <br />www.cityoga.biz <br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Knoxville, Tennessee<br /></span><br />July 26<br />10:00 to 10:50am<br />United Church of Christ (UCC) National Youth Event<br />University of Tennessee<br />Thompson-Boling Assembly Center and Arena, Univ. of Tennessee<br /> <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Eugene, Oregon<br /></span><br />Sept 13<br />6:30 PM - 8:00 PM<br />In Conversation with Reverend C.T. Vivian<br />2008 Nonviolence as a Way of Life Conference<br />University of Oregon<br />Erb Memorial Union (EMU) BallroomUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7603214327926107314.post-17032174631204130162008-05-21T21:24:00.000-07:002008-05-30T09:26:52.590-07:00Philadelphia WYT Featured in Daily Candy.comOur Philadelphia Group was featured on Daily Candy.com and it has generated quite a bit of interest in our program there!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.dailycandy.com/philadelphia/article/36956/Out+of+Your+Tree">Check it out.</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7603214327926107314.post-69889816285697509682008-05-21T17:16:00.000-07:002008-05-21T17:19:39.750-07:00Joining a GroupA lot of people have been emailing us to ask how to start a group in their area, or how to join a group that is already running.<br /><br />Our Philadelphia group is still open as of 5/21/08. Please contact us at info at whatsyourtree.org if you are interested in this group.<br /><br />All of our other groups have already started for the Spring.<br /><br />If you would like to be part of a Fall group, please be sure to sign up on our email list so that you receive announcements about the new groups.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7603214327926107314.post-25524217148367775892008-05-21T17:13:00.000-07:002008-05-21T17:16:23.814-07:00Engage Network Featured in Huffington Post Today<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rob-mckay/small-is-the-new-big-in-p_b_102799.html">Small is the New Big, Huffington Post article from 5/21/08.</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7603214327926107314.post-12552890535908971172008-04-30T12:05:00.000-07:002008-04-30T12:14:32.005-07:00We're Featured in a Cover Story from the Latest Organic Style Magazine<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.organicstylemag.com/organicstyle/2008spring/?u1=texterity"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.organicstylemag.com/organicstyle/2008spring/?u1=texterity" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.organicstylemag.com/organicstyle/2008spring/?u1=texterity">Click Here to Check it Out!</a></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7603214327926107314.post-39516833134505091302008-03-02T19:07:00.000-08:002008-03-02T19:13:31.318-08:00Spring 2008 GroupsOur Spring Groups will begin in early April, 2008.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The locations are:<span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span><br /><br />San Francisco, CA<br />Berkeley, CA<br />East Bay, CA<br />Marin, CA<br />Santa Cruz, CA<br />Philadelphia, PA<br />Denton, TX<br />Flower Mound, TX<br />Irving, TX<br />Austin, TX<br /><br />If you are interested in participating in one of the Spring, 2008 locations, please contact us at info@whatsyourtree.org.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7603214327926107314.post-76691165240493502772008-02-07T13:03:00.001-08:002008-02-07T13:28:30.125-08:00What's Your Tree National Group Leaders Meeting<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLIh1xOFIqD6trWG3Ea9zrvwl46FqFQNqsj1XwZjTV-sn1Gkao7PEVghSrdA1dSBdvKvQcrU5sz6oUw5fQneUDwRXUXRhctICNBhm8FDU5qsYmya-0sSywfI7z24j19wvM85p43S27vo/s1600-h/P1270039.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLIh1xOFIqD6trWG3Ea9zrvwl46FqFQNqsj1XwZjTV-sn1Gkao7PEVghSrdA1dSBdvKvQcrU5sz6oUw5fQneUDwRXUXRhctICNBhm8FDU5qsYmya-0sSywfI7z24j19wvM85p43S27vo/s200/P1270039.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164347231948297858" /></a><br /><br />From January 25-27th, our Beta Test group leaders came together in Denton Texas to share about their experiences leading the first What's Your Tree groups. <br /><br />The group included Melanie from Philadelphia; Jodi from Durham, NC; Wini from Austin, TX; Chris, Annie and Alicia from Denton, TX; and Alissa from The Bay Area. <br /><br />During the course of the weekend, group leaders rolled up their sleeves and provided great assessments to the program, as well as enhancement ideas for the future.<br /><br />On the 26th, the Denton What's Your Tree community created a fundraiser for Cardo's Farm, a local organic farm that tragically had a fire in late November. They promoted the farm during the very busy, very fun Customer Appreciation Day at the Cupboard, the local health food store in Denton. The team of 8 handed out wheatgrass shots made from wheatgrass grown at Cardo's, raising about $150 in the process. <br /><br />That night, about 50 or 60 What's Your Tree past and present participants came together for a potluck dinner where they presented the owners of Cardos with the money and all of their love and support for rebuilding. The local What's Your Tree groups are continuing to help out at the farm, raising awareness, money and digging in the dirt. <br /><br />The next day, Sunday, the national group leaders were joined by 4 new group leaders who are all starting groups in Denton in the spring. Their energy was infectious and inspiring to all of us. Together we planned for the future and created a structure for group leaders to mentor and support one another.<br /><br />This community gets richer and more inspiring every day.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7603214327926107314.post-12165381602606627822008-01-14T15:46:00.001-08:002008-05-30T09:27:40.263-07:00What's Your Tree - in the MediaYoga + Joyful Living recently printed a cover story about What's Your Tree and our sister program, Off the Mat, Into the World.<br /> <a href="www.himalayaninstitute.org/yogaplus/Article.aspx?id=2332"><br />Check it out!</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7603214327926107314.post-26792139174663386362007-12-13T19:26:00.001-08:002007-12-17T16:14:27.343-08:00What's Your Tree Newsletter Mailing List<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.circleoflife.org/photos/wyt_4_trees_sm.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.circleoflife.org/photos/wyt_4_trees_sm.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />To sign up for the What's Your Tree Newsletter, please click on the link below.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mailermailer.com/x?oid=1005365n">http://www.mailermailer.com/x?oid=1005365n</a><br /><br />This is the best way to get updates on the program and connect with us as we grow.<br /><br /><br />Thanks for your interest!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7603214327926107314.post-88970668951531866552007-11-06T21:54:00.000-08:002007-12-05T10:20:16.329-08:00What's Your Tree Background<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnG7QCUTp8o2mFVGFlBJI1S9dJE5DiP5prmufoGxXpBdsrQpRslI6CbcnkEFq2Fg4yY9-JPsMsndmiThRa6mptZwnhOKkKVnsPlJdpaJHK4yxZGSU19g3mdXetIpL0GuopUmdxVd5ouDI/s1600-h/zeppo_sm.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnG7QCUTp8o2mFVGFlBJI1S9dJE5DiP5prmufoGxXpBdsrQpRslI6CbcnkEFq2Fg4yY9-JPsMsndmiThRa6mptZwnhOKkKVnsPlJdpaJHK4yxZGSU19g3mdXetIpL0GuopUmdxVd5ouDI/s320/zeppo_sm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137322842464366834" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">What’s Your Tree</span> is a program inspired by the story and message of Julia Butterfly Hill.<br /><br />Julia Butterfly Hill gained international notoriety when she climbed 200 feet up into an ancient redwood tree named Luna that was slated to be cut down by Pacific Lumber/Maxaam Corporation. She refused to come down until Luna was permanently protected. Withstanding death threats and gale force El Nino winds, Julia lived on a tiny platform in Luna's branches for 738 days. Julia and her team had successfully negotiated to save Luna and a 3 acre buffer zone around the tree into perpetuity.<br /><br />Julia's brave and inspiring action brought international attention to the plight of our dwindling ancient redwoods. For many years after she returned to the ground, Julia toured the world speaking abour her experience in the media and to audiences large and small and about the many lessons she learned.<br /><br />One of the primary lessons Julia speaks about is the disease of "celebretitis," when we look to celebrities or other public figures as all-knowing and all-important. Julia's primary message all along has been to take the spotlight that has shined on her for many years, and turn it back to each one of us. We are all Julia Butterflys, Gandhis, Martin Luther Kings, Mother Theresas. We all have the potential and power to become great leaders, to serve with our hearts, and to change the world.<br /><br />The What's Your Tree program uses this message and folds it into a 7 week curriculum for small groups. It uses the writings and message of Julia Butterfly Hill as a way to find our own inner calling that is more powerful than we know ourselves to be. This is what we call "finding your tree."<br /><br />What's Your Tree was developed out of a year-long inquiry sparked by a major motion picture based on Julia's story. This film, LUNA, is scheduled to start shooting in 2008. The possibility of a major media event like a film had us ask "What is it that takes someone from inspiration into action over the long haul?" When someone is inspired by a film, what would keep them involved and active in the world? The answer to that question became the foundation for the Engage Network, a new nonprofit organization that Julia's team birthed. (See below for details about the Engage Network.)<br /><br />What's Your Tree was developed for people who are inspired by Julia’s story. It provides a way for people to “find their own tree” and build small groups and social networks in their community at the same time. When the LUNA film is released widely, we are using What's Your Tree as a way to allow inspired movie viewers to take steps towards long term engagement in their communities and in the world.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7603214327926107314.post-65942783540710721412007-11-06T19:53:00.000-08:002008-05-30T09:41:28.153-07:00The Engage Network<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The universe is but one great city, full of beloved ones, divine and human by nature, endeared to each other. Epictetus (c. 50 - 120)</span><br /><br />What’s Your Tree is a program that was founded by of Julia Butterfly Hill’s nonprofit organization, Circle of Life.<br /><br />What’s Your Tree is also powered by The Engage Network, a new nonprofit organization that is a collaboration of Circle of Life and several other social and environmental change organizations and networks.<br /><br />The Engage Network is working to create a world where people are part of strong and vibrant communities, have a personal sense of purpose, and are having fun while making a difference. It operates through small purpose-driven groups of people taking action together in their communities.<br /><br />The Engage Network also plans to link these small groups and support groups in creating more groups. This is much like the way a starfish works in nature. If a starfish loses its arm, it often grows a new one. In some breeds of starfish, the lost leg even grows a whole new starfish! It is a de-centralized system where everyone shares power.<br /><br />We want you to know that people in the What's Your Tree Program are a part of this larger network of people who have a dream of a better world based in environmental and social justice, peace and sustainability.<br /><br />For those of you who want to read more of our core thinking behind the Engage Network, check out these books:<br /><ul><li>The Starfish and the Spider, Ori Brafman (on the Engage Network leadership team) and Rod Beckstrom. www.starfishandspider.com<br /><br /></li><li>Blessed Unrest, Paul Hawken. www.blessedunrest.com</li></ul><ul><li>Coming Back to Life, Joanna Macy</li></ul><ul><li>The Purpose Driven Church, Rick Warren<br /></li></ul>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7603214327926107314.post-10888016252206683492007-11-05T20:20:00.000-08:002007-12-05T10:22:12.852-08:00Philosophy of the Engage NetworkWhat's Your Tree is part of a nonprofit organization called The Engage Network.<br /><br />The core organizing principles behind the Engage Network are:<br /><br /> PURPOSE<br />Purpose is deeply knowing who you are and sharing your story. Each person has a<br />chance to share their story and to find their inner purpose.<br /><br /> CONTEMPLATION<br />We want everyone to have a sense of inner and outer balance. To do this, our programs<br />help people to find a practice that will help them to achieve more peace and more love.<br /><br /> COMMUNITY<br />We are better together, particularly in small groups who met in person.<br /><br /> FUN<br />When we find joy with each other, life seems to work better.<br /><br /> SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE<br />We take on projects that make a difference in the world. We do this is a sustainable<br />manner.<br /><br /> GROW MORE GROUPS<br />Using the old civil rights organizing philosophy: “Each one reach one, each one teach one, each one pull one into the sun,” we encourage each small group to find a way to reach out and start other groups. Part of the way we do this is to offer more advanced trainings in leadership and network building. To grow circles, we need your ideas!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7603214327926107314.post-11225292386294110162007-11-05T20:00:00.000-08:002007-11-06T10:50:51.391-08:00The What's Your Tree CurriculumOur curriculum was developed to be used in small "living room" groups of 4-12 people. It is a series of stories, exercises and concepts that are spread out over 7 weeks. Group leaders do not have any special training- they are people who are inspired by Julia's story, enthusiastic and committed to group participants getting their own purpose and power.<br /><br />Right now, the curriculum is still being beta tested and revised. Our goal is to have small groups meeting all over the U.S. and all over the world. These groups will be interconnected to one another, working together on projects and initiatives that benefit our planet.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7603214327926107314.post-45943436757374005242007-11-05T19:49:00.000-08:002007-11-05T22:02:22.495-08:00Fall 2007 Program Sites<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Durham, North Carolina</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> Leader: Jodi Lassater</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Austin, Texas</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> Leader: Wini Hunton Chan</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Denton, Texas</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> Regional Leader: Chris Oller<br />Group Leaders: Alicia Cotilla, Chris Oller<br />Steering Committee Members: Annie Downey, Kendra Keefer McGee<br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Philadelphia, Pennsylvania</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" > Leader: Melanie Orpen</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Eureka, California</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> Leader: Therese Keslin<br /><br /></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7603214327926107314.post-61498693379297749942007-11-05T19:16:00.000-08:002007-11-12T18:05:14.051-08:00Denton Texas What's Your Tree Program<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVS9uI7_AqT72t-GHYAhx1dflqIz_J1b4vBIHBm1ETCQRbcsEuytGuetPuNfkvuBDVgKwSbK6KEsxW7l48iTbD5onaGr47iOt8QRwrDzUx62TUzadCrm4sqg37VwAH5BrPRsByS7y3GY/s1600-h/100_0165_crop.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVS9uI7_AqT72t-GHYAhx1dflqIz_J1b4vBIHBm1ETCQRbcsEuytGuetPuNfkvuBDVgKwSbK6KEsxW7l48iTbD5onaGr47iOt8QRwrDzUx62TUzadCrm4sqg37VwAH5BrPRsByS7y3GY/s320/100_0165_crop.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132139951898132002" /></a><br /><br />We are very proud of the location where we chose to begin testing What's Your Tree. The inspiring participants and leaders in Denton Texas want to share their thoughts about the program. See the comments on this posting to learn more about the people behind the Denton Texas What's Your Tree program!<br /><br />The photo is a picture of the growing seeds of intention that our Denton Group planted during a seed planting ceremony in the 2nd week of the program.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7603214327926107314.post-52158163987544917202007-11-05T19:14:00.000-08:002007-12-14T14:18:33.842-08:00Launching New Program SitesIn Spring, 2008 we hope to launch at least 2 new program sites. A program site, or region, will typically start with one group that grows into many groups in a region over time. Our goal is to have a network of small groups in each region, which are connected to similar networks all over the world. These small groups will be supporting one another in taking action that forwards environmental sustainability, social justice, peace and spiritual fulfillment.<br /><br />Each new program site costs about $50,000 to seed and nurture over the first year. We have a commitment that each of the circles be financially self-supporting after the second year. Our development costs includes creating earned income strategies for local communities so that the program can continue into perpetuity.<br /><br />To launch a new site, we need to raise the proper funding to ensure the groups have what they need to be successful. If you are interested in fundraising to bring What's Your Tree to your area, or interested in making a gift to support What's Your Tree, please let us know by emailing info@whatsyourtree.org.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7603214327926107314.post-26513852957042675622007-10-17T16:09:00.000-07:002007-12-17T16:12:47.468-08:00What's Your Tree in Julia's WordsJulia talking about "What's Your Tree" while working with the South Central Farmers in South Central Los Angeles, Summer, 2006.<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDrb03cqvrA&feature=relatedUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7603214327926107314.post-20130373468027564462007-10-16T10:49:00.000-07:002007-12-19T10:51:10.698-08:00The Most I Can AskBy Wini Hunton-Chan<br />What's Your Tree Group Leader, Austin, TX<br /><br />Once upon a time I was an over-worked hippie. In my memory, I see myself hurrying to and from the bus or the BART with my matte-to-go in my reusable mug. A few years earlier, I had begun this zero-waste endeavor passionate and excited. But slowly, as the world seemed to get worse instead of better, I just got jaded. I hated people who didn’t bring their own canvas bags to the grocery store. I saw them in front of me in line and was enraged thinking of how they would take home ALL those plastic bags and just throw them out! I KNEW they wouldn’t reuse them. I felt like everyone who used a paper cup or a throw away to-go container personally hated me and the planet. Every time I saw waste, I felt like I had just been vomited on. <br /><br />If I was thirsty and I had forgotten my reusable mug, I would go without. If I went to a party and they were using paper plates and I had forgotten my “sustainablity kit” I would go hungry. Being hungry and thirsty while taking public transit between three different cities is enough to make anyone chronically pissed off. My feelings of pride and nobility were quickly turning into bitterness and judgement. I felt like I was such an incapable and dysfunctional and EVIL person for not being prepared for every distasteful disposable situation. I even bitched a people who accidentally put my drink into a paper cup. I was not a happy camper.<br /><br />Those feelings of frustration, anger and guilt got so bad that I finally gave up and quit being an activist. To my surprise, giving up was the best thing I could have done. From where I was then, I would consider myself today a sell-out. I would hate myself. But the person that I am today has outgrown the hostile, petty person that I was four years ago. The truth of the matter is that I had too much going on in my life. And our society is set up to make it VERY hard to not use disposables especially when we are busy go-getters like myself. In order to live the waste-free life which I felt was my badge of honor, I would have had to scale back on many of my activities. So the problem wasn’t really an issue of to-use-or-not-to-use-a-paper-cup but of saying “no”.<br /><br />Today I am very careful about what I say “yes” to. This is a slow and steady process of de-cluttering my life. My life and thoughts and feelings must be free of trash in order for me to be lovingly empowered to create less waste. Guilt is garbage. Anger is trash. Judgement is a whole bunch of plastic grocery bags wadded up and thrown right at everything loving and beautiful. I am a lot more selective about what I say “yes” to. I do not live my life by obligation but by desire. I work less, do less, socialize only when its meaningful to me. Still, sometimes I find myself drinking out of a paper cup. When this happens, I don’t want to kill myself or cry or have a temper tantrum. I simply think, “I am drinking out of a throw-away cup. This is not what I desire to be doing. Next time this person asks me to coffee, I will invite them to my home instead.” So when I go to the grocery store and I don’t have canvas bags (which happens fairly frequently) I don’t feel bad. I take the paper bags (or the plastic ones if I don’t catch them in time) and I reuse them. But more importantly, I acknowledge myself for being human. I see that I am one of many members of American culture with goals and ambitions and loves. I embrace my mainstream-ism while at the same time slowly eliminating all things AND thoughts which are not growing, loving and full of gratitude and respect. <br /><br />This hasn’t simply been my journey as an activist (I consider myself one again) but as a human being as well. When I was so busy saving the earth one plastic bag and paper cup at a time, I forgot that I was human. I forgot about nurturing myself and to acknowledge the good that is in me and everyone around me. I only saw garbage. I felt like garbage. By the time I finally gave up, I had treated most of the people around me like garbage. By striving to be a better human, I know that I am also a better activist. Now that I have passion and enthusiasm for life again, I am a much better ambassador for the earth than the hostile person I once was. I know that I am doing the best I can within the confines of my budget and my society and my knowledge and I choose to accept that everyone else is too. I no longer wake up every day prepared to go to battle with my culture. Instead, I wake up every day prepared to welcome that which is good, right and true into my life. THIS is truly the most I can ask of myself.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7603214327926107314.post-71373407004917951802007-10-04T21:47:00.000-07:002008-05-30T09:39:22.447-07:00Influences<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">A Partial List of Reading that Influenced<br />the What's Your Tree Curriculum</span></span><br /></div><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;">Purpose and Spirituality</span><br /><ul><li>A General Theory Of Love, Thomas Lewis MD., Fari Amini MD. - Richard Lannon MD.</li><li>A Little Book On the Human Shadow - Robert Bly</li><li>A New Earth – Eckhart Tolle</li><li>A Path With Heart - Jack Kornfield</li><li>Calling the Circle - Christina Baldwin<br /></li><li>Chalice & the Blade – Riane Eisler</li><li>Coming Back to Life - Joanna Macy<br /></li><li>Diamond Heart - A.H.Almaas</li><li>Hero with a Thousand Faces – Joseph Campbell</li><li>Man's Search For Meaning - Viktor Frankl</li><li>Mind Games: The Guide to Inner Space – Robert Masters & Jean Houston</li><li>No Boundary - Ken Wilber</li><li>On Fear - Krishnamurti </li><li>Purpose Driven Life - Rick Warren</li><li>Start Where You Are - Pema Chodron</li><li>Taming Your Gremlin - Rick Carson</li><li>The Denial Of Death - Ernest Becker</li><li>The Essential Enneagram - David Daniels MD., Virginia Price PHD.</li><li>The Fear Book - Cheri Huber</li><li>The Fifth Sacred Thing – Starhawk</li><li>The Four Agreements, A practical guide to personal freedom - Don Miguel Ruiz</li><li>The Miracle of Mindfulness - Thich Nhat Hanh</li><li>The Places that Scare You - Pema Chodron</li><li>The Power of Foucusing - Ann Weiser Cornell PHD</li><li>The Power of Place, How our surroundings shape our thoughts, emotions and actions - Winifred Gallagher</li><li>The Wisdom Of Insecurity - Alan Watts</li><li>There is Nothing Wrong With You - Cheri Huber</li><li>To Be Human - J. Krishnamurti</li><li>Traveling Mercies- Anne Lamott</li><li>What Should I Do With My Life? (the true story of people who answered the ultimate question) - Po Bronson</li><li>When Things Fall Apart - Pema Chodron</li><li>Year To Live, how to live this year as if it were your last - Stephen Levine</li><li>You are What You Say - Matthew Budd, Larry Rothstein</li></ul><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;">Social Networks</span><br /><ul><li>A Simpler Way - Margaret Wheatley</li><li>Blessed Unrest- Paul Hawken</li><li>Leadership and the New Science - Margaret Wheatley</li><li>Grooming, Gossip and the Evolution of Language – Robin Dunbar</li><li>Open Business Models – Henry Chesborough</li><li>Purpose Driven Church – Rick Warren</li><li>PyroMarketing – Greg Stielstra</li><li>Starfish and the Spider – Ori Brafman and Rod Beckstrom</li><li>The Irresistible Revolution - Shane Claiborne</li><li>The Tipping Point - Malcolm Gladwell</li></ul><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;">Creativity </span><br /><ul><li>Bird by Bird-Anne Lamott</li><li>Simple Abundance- Sarah Ban Breathnach</li><li>The Artists Way- Julia Cameron</li><li>The Right to Write- Julia Cameron</li><li>Vein of Gold- Julia Cameron</li><li>Writing Down the Bones, Freeing the Writer Within- Natalie Goldberg</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Poetry</span><br /><ul><li>Letters To A Young Poet - Rainer Maria Rilke</li><li>Ten Poems To Change Your Life - an anthology edited by Roger Housden</li><li>The Heart Aroused- David Whyte</li><li>The Prophet - Khalil Gibran</li><li>The Tao Te Ching - Lao Tzu - Translated by Stephen Mitchell</li><li>The Way To Love, the last meditations of Jesuit priest - Anthony de Mello</li></ul><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Leadership </span><br /><ul><li>Good To Great - Jim Collins</li><li>Leading without Power- Max De Pree</li></ul><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Environment</span><br /><ul><li>Legacy of Luna – Julia Butterfly Hill</li><li>One Makes the Difference – Julia Butterfly Hill</li><li>Walden – Henry David Thoreau</li></ul>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0