'Now join your hands, and with your hands your hearts.' - William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

Approx. 30 individuals

Om Circle

Feather is passed and individuals make introductions and Heartsong.
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Council on Bank and Mailbox:

Discussion on concern about transparency and accountability of bank.

Consensus: NY Rainbow will hold the bank and setup a PayPal account for Gathering 2010 until Spring Council.

NY Rainbow Post Office Box will be used for Postal Mail concerning Gathering 2010 until Spring Council.

A Banking Council comprised of three experienced individuals from the NYC/NJ area, Bob from the Ovens, Joanee and Rick Purpleboy will handle the off-season bank and Gathering Mail until Spring Council. Other individuals can be added as advisers and/or observers. Green Energy sent by Postal Mail will be transferred via NY Rainbow's account to the Rainbow Gathering PayPal account.

Scout Rendezvous Date:

Discussion on date and location of Scout Rendezvous addressed the large area consensed upon, on the land, at Vision Council in New Mexico, comprising the states of New Hampshire, Vermont, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina and Tennessee and the logistics of this scouting effort. Council rejected suggestions of abridging or eliminating certain states from being scouted.

Consensus: Scout Rendezvous will be April 1, 2010 at the southern end of that range of states at a location consensed upon by individuals involved in scouting.

Council expressed its confidence in the individuals scouting and its trust in their judgment. Council also called for greater participation in scouting by individuals in those states consensed upon. Individuals interested in exploring the forest can leave contact info on the following lightline: 908-I-Gather (442-8437).

Spring Council Date:

Discussion on concerns about "seed camp" and "holding camp" involved speculation that an early "holding camp" could bring negative energy to the local areas ahead of the gathering. This raises social and environmental questions for the upcoming gathering. In addition, with such a possible broad range of sites, over 1000 miles end to end, there is a concern that a large holding camp in one region may draw energies away from better sites in another region Also expressed was the need for a timely site announcement to accommodate for long distance travel plans.

Consensus: Spring Council June 4 - 6, 2010 at a location to be determined by consensus of individuals involved in scouting.

Rainbow Press Crew:

The Council suggested that the individuals calling themselves the "Rainbow Press Crew" revise their identity. There is a key problem with the name: Calling it "Rainbow" Press Crew implies that it is connected to or an ongoing function of the (alleged) "Rainbow Family" as an organized group entity, and this compromises the gatherings. "Rainbow Legaliaison" was abolished in 1994 for the same reason. It was understood that this media initiative comes from a voluntary collective or affinity group that is independent, operating 'in the world' and outside the gatherings.

While the council cannot make any consensus or interfere with such efforts, it was the general sense of those present that the name should be changed to reflect this reality, and protect 'rainbow' from complicity. It was agreed to acknowledge and encourage this media initiative in the record, and to state these concerns... and a few participants agreed to follow up and communicate privately with the proponents, toward a workable solution.

Council definitely wants the media to see all the peace, love, cooperation and heartfelt commitment going on at the gathering, to see the beautiful children, hear the singing, smell the food cooking and feel the good intentions. Support was expressed for individuals to continue countering incorrect reports about the Gathering by sending out their own reports.

Other Discussions:

Since 2004 individuals have tried to negotiate a solution to the Forest Service Non-Commercial Group Use Permit requirements, but the "permit accommodation" largely failed: It did nothing to control law enforcement harassment of a peaceful public assembly, and still locked in the "Rainbow Family, et al." as a fictional 'group' party in the Operating Plans. Now the Forest Service again requires a signed permit, with official notice and meetings far in advance.

There were no Forest Service Representatives present at Thanksgiving Council.

Recent administrative changes in the Department of Agriculture and the Forest Service include a new Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, a new Under Secretary, Harris Sherman, replacing Mark Rey, as well as at the Forest Service, Tom Tidwell, Forest Service Chief and David Ferrell, Director of Law Enforcement DC Office. The hope was expressed that with these changes will come an extra effort, by all involved, to communicate and 'Walk, as well as Talk, the Path to Peace' and mutual respect.

Also last January William "Doubting" Thomas of Peace Park, inveterate vigiler in front of the White House for 27 years, passed away. He was a pioneer in 1st Amendment policy & law, did important work as a Rainbow "Legaliaison" volunteer 1987-93, and with PCU_FAP (Free Assembly Project) for a few years thereafter. At the Memorial ceremony last March, his partner Ellen Thomas got a consensus among concerned folks in attendance to convey his 'Rainbow' research & legal files to a concerned individual.