Rational Enquirer - November 2003

Austin Community Re-evaluation Counseling Newsletter

Upcoming Workshops

Local Workshops

Teachers and Leaders led by Andrea Blum at 7-A, December 12-14, 2003. For Austin and central Texas RCers who are teaching RC, playing a significant leadership role in the community or plan on doing one of these things soon. ARP permission required. Contact Margaret Valenti (512-451-0939, margaretevalenti@aol.com) for more information.

Discharging on the Environment led by Maria Limon January 23-25, 2004 at Stonehaven near San Marcos. Contact Selwyn Polit 512-926-7876 selwyn@austintx.com for more information)

Dottie Curry and Julian Weissglass in Chappell Hill, TX September 2003

Out of Town Workshops

Women Leaders' Conference for the East Coast & Midwest of USA (and Texas), March 25-28, 2004, Warwick, New York, led by Diane Balser & Tim Jackins. By invitation.

Women, Physical Power, & Well-Being, September 10-12, 2004, near Houston, Texas, led by Teresa Enrico & Ellie Putnam

Please call Andrea Blum (Regional Reference Person) at 444-9469 for flyers or more information.

Andrea Blum - Regional Reference Person for Austin. 444-9469 ablum@prismnet.com

Announcements

Newsletter and Email list feedback
Please address all newsletter and email list feedback to Allison Orr (allison@forkliftdanceworks.org) 462-0812. She will warmly receive your information and act appropriately. Thank-you Allison for this invaluable work.

Monthly Gather-ins
The Gather-Ins are usually held on the 4th Thursday of each month from 7-9:30pm. Beginning in September, the gather-ins will be back at Andrea's house (3309A Westhill). If you need directions, call 444-9469.

The November gather-in (11/20/03) will be Margaret Valenti leading on the topic "Discharging About and Taking Charge of your Holidays". All community members are invited!

The charge for the monthly gather-ins are based on half of your annual income (with a few zeros knocked off - usually the last 3). If you make $30,000, you pay $15.00, etc. If you need information on how to adjust your annual income based on dependents, contact Andrea Blum at ablum@prismnet.com.

Improving Counseling Skills led by Colette Henricks & Selwyn Polit
Class on Coached Counseling starting January 5th 2004 and running for 8 weeks. We will focus on a few counseling techniques each week with lots of opportunity for everyone to practice in a supportive environment. This will work best for you if you bring a regular co-counselor along. Participants will be expected to have weekly sessions to practice their counseling skills. Please call us at 926-7876 if you want to sign up or have questions.

Introductions to RC
We've got a perfect opportunity for RCers looking for ways to introduce friends, family members, and co-workers to RC. There will be free introductions to RC. The next one is Wednesday November 12, 2003 from 6:30-8:30 pm at the Windsor Park Library at 5833 Westminster Drive in North East Austin. Join us to learn more about RC and bring a friend. Contact Selwyn Polit at 926-7876 for more info.

Women Discharging on Brothers led by Dottie Curry
Dottie Curry is leading a one day workshop in November for women who have brothers . Call her at 341-9400 or email her at dottiec@bga.com for more information.

Fundamentals for People of Color and Allies by Dottie Curry
Dottie will be leading a fundamentals course for People of Color and allies on Wednesday evenings starting November 5 for 8 weeks. Contact Dottie at dottiec@bga.com or call 341-9400. Dottie lives at 14745 Merriltown Dr, #5213 which is a Senior citizens apartment complex called "The Lodge" We are asking white co-counselors to come and bring a person of color with them so each person of color will have an experienced RCer. People of color can bring a person of color as well.

Men's Gathering led by Selwyn Polit
*Time change* Selwyn will be leading a gathering for men on Saturday November 22 from 2-5:30pm at his home at 5509 Delwood Drive. All men with RC experience are invited. There will be discharge and lots of good information about making men's lives go really well. Please call 926-7876 for more information or directions. email: selwyn@austintx.com

Fundamentals Class led by Andrea Blum
Andrea is leading a 10-week Fundamentals class every other Friday night from 7-10pm at 3309A WestHill in South Austin starting October 24. If interested please call Andrea at 444-9469. People of color and young adults/teens are especially encouraged to call. email: ablum@prismnet.com

Fundamentals Class led by Margaret Valenti and Christi Bacot
RC Weekend Fun-Fundamentals class Nov 21, 22, 23 taught by Margaret Valenti and Christi Bacot at Christi's place 30 minutes west of Austin. Please call Christi at 263-0353 or Margaret 451-0939 for information. We are going to have a blast so send your best friends and family who are in shape to start RC or need a refresher. Experienced counselors welcome, too!

Eliminating White Racism Class led by Beverly Bajema
For this one time class on remembering our goodness, connection to all people, our hope and our commitment to end racism we meet on Tuesday, November 4 from 10am to 12:30. Call Beverly at 442-1676 for information. This class is .00025 X your anual income with adjustments for dependents. This is a scent and fragrance free class. Please start using unscented laundry detergent and fragrance-free shampoo as soon as possible if you are coming to this class. If this is difficult for you financially talk with Beverly. She can e-mail or send you guidelines to accommodate chemical sensitivity and provide some products if its too costly for you.

Making Friends and Deepening Friendships led by Beverly Bajema
Six Tuesdays, September 23 through October 28 from 10am-12:30. Call Trish (472-3329) for info or to register. This class costs .0016 X your annual income with adjustments for dependents. This is a scent and fragrance free class. Please start using unscented laundry detergent and fragrance-free shampoo as soon as possible if you are coming to this class. Ask Chris Baker (469-0472) anupwardtrend@hotmail.com to send you guidelines for accommodating chemical sensitivity.

Discharging and Taking Charge of the Holidays led by Beverly Bajema
Two Tuesdays December 9 and 16 from 10am-12:30. You can come to one or both. Each class is .00025 X your annual income with adjustments for dependents. This is a scent and fragrance free class. Please start using unscented laundry detergent and fragrance free shampoo as soon as possible. Beverly can provide some products if it is too costly for you. Please ask her to send guidelines for accommodating chemical sensitivity.

Pamphlet of the Month
Just a reminder about the Pamphlets that Tim Jackins is asking all RC Communities to read. These are available from Andrea Blum or directly from Rational Island Publishers in Seattle at www.rc.org

Sept/Oct 2003: The Logic of Being Completely Logical
Nov/Dec 2003: The Nature of the Learning Process
Jan/Feb 2004: Listening effectively to children

THINKING ABOUT THE DRAFT POLICY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF SEXISM
This summer Dottie Curry, the International Liberation Person for Elders, met with five of us female elders in Austin to gather our thinking from a female elders' point of view on the Draft Policy for the Elimination of Sexism.
This is the format we used.
1. News and goods.
2. One of us read the statement in the policy on the institution of (1.) Economy and Work.
3. We each had two minutes to think out loud about the effects of sexism in this institution on female elders again. Sometimes we did not need the full two minutes. After we heard from everyone we got an opportunity to speak.
4. A scribe recorded our thinking.
5. We repeated steps 2 through 4 with the other Primary Institutions of Sexism

2. Institutions Surrounding Reproduction
3. Child Raising
4. The Beautification "Industry"
5. Marriage
6. Sex "Industries

and the Primary "Mechanisms" of Sexism

1. Internalized Oppression
2. Violence Against Women
3. Sex and Sexual Victimization

6. We had five minute mini sessions as needed.
7. We finished with a highlight and what we liked about Dottie's leadership.
8. Our scribe will write up a report which will be submitted to Diane Balser along with reports from female elders in RC around the world.

We delighted in the opportunity to think together with such an articulate, smart group of female elders. I heartily recommend this format for all constituencies of women in our RC community. Our thinking can have an influence on the draft policy and thinking about the policy can have an empowering influence in our lives and community. This is an excellent preparation for the upcoming invitational Women Leaders' Conference led by Diane Balser and Tim Jackins.See the workshop listings for more info.

Support Groups

About Support Groups
Any RCer who has a certified teacher agreeing to serve as her or his advisor can form a support group. They are usually small enough to allow a reasonable time for each person at most meetings (two to eight people) and should be used to receive group attention and to discharge distress difficult to reach in heterogeneous groups. As with all RC meetings, they usually include the following: 1. Review of existing theory. 2. Updating new theory. 3. Actual discharge and re-emergence. A small fee is charged. The support group is a logical easy entrance for new people into RC activities.

Protestant Support Group led by Christi Bacot
We meet on Tuesday, November 4 at Kathleen Hamilton's from 7 to 9:30. Cost is .0005 X annual income. Call Christi Bacot (263-0353) for info.

Women's Support Group led by Colette Henricks
We meet once a month on the 3rd Monday from 7-9:30 at my house (I live east of I-35 near 51st). The topic is "Women living big lives." Right now the group is full but please call me at 926-7876 if you are interested in being put on the waiting list.

White Catholic Support Group
Come join your fellow white Catholics as we discharge what gets in the way of "really" knowing we're good. It's fun and brings lots of discharge. We meet the 2nd Sunday of the month, from 5:30pm- 8:00pm at Trish's place. For specific information about attending call Karen at 977-9990. karen_hilton@ev1.net This is a scent and fragrance free group, if you need information on this, feel free to ask when you call.

Environment Support Group led by Selwyn Polit
Selwyn will be starting a support group thinking and discharging on the environment. Nancy Dennis will be assisting. Contact Selwyn at 926-7876 or Nancy at 220-6192 for more info. Tuesday Nov 11 from 7-9:30pm at 5509 Delwood Drive.

Teachers Discharge Group led by Joanna Vaughn
Back-to-school time Teachers' Discharge Group Reminder: The Teachers' Discharge group meeting times have changed to the second Tuesday of each month, 5:30 p.m. at Joanna Vaughn's house, 1008 E. 14th St. telephone 469-0029. This is 2 1/2 blocks east of I-35. We trade time, and you are welcome, yes, that means YOU! There is no fee. You can just show up, but if you call first that would be nice so we'll know you are coming. Happy back-to-school time, y'all! Contact Joanna Vaughn 469-0029 or 841-1832, or email at jvaughn@austin.isd.tenet.edu

Women's Support Group on the Beautification Industry led by Allie Orr
All women are invited to this ongoing support group where we are counseling on the beautification industry. If you have ever plucked, thought about plucking, or been told to pluck- this is the group for you! Our October meeting is Sat., Oct 25th and our December meeting will be Sat., Dec 6th (no Nov meeting because Allie will be out of town). All groups meet from 2-4:30pm at Allie’s home- 604 Academy Drive. Call/email Jen Stayton at 338-1666 or jenstayton@yahoo.com for more info. or directions.

Men's Discharge Group led by David Bogdanski
Men meet on the third Wednesday of the month at David Bogdanski's house, 604 Wilmes, at 7pm. For information contact David (452-0310 or bog1@ev1.net ). There is no charge for this discharge group. If you are interested in future meetings, then mark your calendar for these dates. We will be meeting on Nov 19 and Dec 17. If you know anyone that may be interested in this group, please pass this message on. Thanks.-David

Artist Support Group led by Allie Orr
The Artist Support Group is meeting on a monthly basis and we are continuing to counsel on what we love about the creative process. In November, we will meet Monday, November 17th from 7-9:30pm at Allie and Blake’s home- 604 Academy Drive. This is a scent and fragrance free support group. Please start using unscented laundry detergent and fragrance-free shampoo as soon as possible if you are coming to the support group. Call/email Allie at 462-0812/ allison@forkliftdanceworks.org for more info., directions, or for a copy of guidelines on accommodating chemical sensitivity.

Father's Support Group led by Joe Zambarano
Dads meet on varying dates. Call for next meeting time. Would love to have you at Joe's house, 2401 Lehigh Drive, at 7pm. Call Joe at 929-5325 evenings, or 740-5324 days for directions.

Jewish Support Group led by Andrea Blum
Monthly meeting time is third Saturday of month, 10:00 am-12:30pm at Shirley's home at 3706B Merideth. Soon there will be a field trip to San Antonio to Fiesta Texas roller coasters to discharge terror with attention. Call Shirley 469-9659, Elaine 323-5737, or Andrea 444-9469 for more information.

South Austin Teachers and Leaders Support Group led by Christi Bacot
Being an RC teacher or leader living in South Austin and attending the South Austin Area Meeting are pre-requisites for attending this support group at Christi's ranch on Thursday, November 13 from 7 to 9:30pm. Cost is .0005 X annual income. Call Beverly (442-1676) to check in about carpooling.

Support Group List

Austin Areas

Here are a list of the Austin Areas. Consider developing a relationship with the area reference person listed for each area especially if you want to move into leadership.

	North Austin
	Dottie Curry 341-9400 dottiec@bga.com
	Area meeting 2nd Thursday of each month at 7 pm at 14745 Merriltown Dr #5213. Call Dottie at 341-9400
	Zip Codes:78717, 26 - 29, 50, 53, 54, 58, 59, 78613, 34, 41, 53, 60, 64, 81

 

	East Austin
	Maria Limon 459-1721 marilimon@yahoo.com
	East Austin Area meeting 3rd Thursdays at 7 p.m. Contact Barrett for location at 929-8524. Anyone living in Maria's area who is teaching or leading RC is required to come and anyone in her area who plans to lead in the near future is welcome.
	Zip Codes: 78702, 19, 21 - 25, 42, 43

 

	South Austin
	Christi Bacot 263-0353 christi@chipp.com
	South Austin Area Meeting led by Christi Bacot All co-counselors living in South Austin area are welcome. We meet on Thursday, November 6, at Kathleen Hamilton's from 7 to 9:30. Cost is .0005 X annual income. Questions? Please call Christi at 263-0353.
	Zip Codes: 78704, 30, 32 - 39, 41, 44 - 49 78610, 19, 20, 45, 52, 69

 

	Central Austin
	Margaret Valenti 451-0939 margaretevalenti@aol.com
	Central Area Meeting is at Mary Ann Harvey's house. Located at 5511 New Haven Court. Between Hancock & 2222 off of Shoal Creek. Call Mary Ann for directions 323-6250. On the second Thursday of the month 7-9:30. Sliding scale fee of $5-$20. All central area co-counselors are welcome to attend. IF you have never attended please call the central area ARP Margaret 451-0939 to say hello. 6:30-8:30 pm is the best time to reach her.
	Zip Codes: 78701, 03, 05, 31, 51, 52, 56, 57

 

About the Rational Enquirer

To subscribe send your name, address, phone number and e-mail address with $15 per year to ARCC c/o Andrea Blum 3309A WestHill Austin, TX 78704. Email ablum@ prismnet.com

Subscription Expiring?
The date on your mailing label is the date of the last issue you will receive. To avoid missing issues, contact Andrea Blum at 444-9469. Don’t let your subscription to The Rational Enquirer expire, send in your renewal today.

Moving?
Selwyn keeps the Community roster so please contact him with phone number and address changes. 926-7876 or selwyn@austintx.com.

Deadlines
The deadline for submissions to The Rational Enquirer is the 15th of the month. Please send them to Selwyn Polit at selwyn@austintx.com. Or snail-mail at 5509 Delwood Dr, Austin, TX 78723 or leave a message at 926-7876. Spell things out. Thanks.

Workshop Flyers
If you are organizing a workshop, please send $15 per month to Andrea Blum per full page advertisment (flyer) in the newsletter.

RC Literature for sale
There is a large supply of really good literature available for purchase from Andrea Blum (Regional Reference Person). The prices are reasonable and the information is indispensible. Please call Andrea at 444-9469.

RC Community Thursdays
Area and regional meetings are scheduled on Thursdays as often as possible. If you are planning a session, discharge group, support group or class, please don't schedule it for ANY Thursday from 7 to 9:30. This leaves everyone's schedule open for the once-a-month regional gather-in, area meetings and leader's classes which may vary from month to month.

On-line Web Version
You can view the Rational Enquirer on-line by ordering a subscription ($15) from Andrea Blum 3309A Westhill, Austin, TX 78704. Her phone number is 444-9469. If you can afford to send $30 it will provide a scholarship for another RCer who can't afford it. This would be much appreciated. Ask Andrea for the password when you order the subscription. You can also request the on-line version only so we don't waste the paper if you don't need it.

http://www.AustinProgressiveCalendar.com/rc.htm - You will need a password to view this. Contact Andrea Blum for the password. 444-9469.