Hopework-l Mailing List: March 7-9 retreat "Creating spaces to teach"

[John Wallace (walla003]

February 13, 2003

Invitation to "Creating Spaces for Teaching as Hopework" folk school weekend
March 7-9, 2003 at Shalom Hill Farm near Windom, MN.

This folk school weekend is for those who teach, advise, or learn in
schools, colleges, and community organizations, those who do youth
work, and those whose teaching and/or learning occurs through other
roles and routines. Educators of all kinds create spaces that shape
human beings.

We invite you to participate in a weekend where we share experiences
and inquire together into how we create these spaces, nurture them,
and step powerfully into them.

An assumption underlying the retreat is that in order to create
hopeful learning spaces, we must also claim spaces that spark and
renew hope in ourselves.

What actually happens depends on what people create on the spot.
Facilitators provide a framework for the weekend. Each retreat
becomes a tapestry of themes brought and woven by the participants.
Some of the themes that may figure in this retreat are:

Realizing the person you are, where you've come from, where your
heart lies, what your focus is and the ways in which your vision
connects with the work others are doing in an effort to create a
better society.

Choosing to shape and create the spaces we find ourselves in wherever we are.

Noticing those forces that close down teaching spaces, holding those
forces at bay, working in the cracks between them, and ultimately
transforming them.

Affirming teaching as a response to the world; naming, examining, and
nurturing the motivations that craft our teaching.

Teaching as a ground upon which to build a more decent society.

Creating teaching and learning spaces as Hopework.

The framing questions and sequence for this retreat are still to be
decided.  At this point the facilitators' planning group includes
Jeff Bauer, Jason Ketola, Jen Cuff, Allison Mattheis, Peter Shea,
Lynn Englund, and John Wallace. If you would like to join the
facilitator's group, contact Lynn or aJohn.

The overall shape of the weekend retreat will look something like this:

  Friday
        3-6 pm -- Arrive, settle in to rooms, and explore the farm
        6-7 pm -- Dinner and introductions
        Evening opening conversation
        Evening fun and free time
Saturday
        7-9 am -- Breakfast bar at your convenience
        9-11 am -- Morning learning circle conversation
        Lunch
        Afternoon small group conversation/activities and free time
        Dinner
        Evening conversation, fun and free time
Sunday
       8:30 am -- Breakfast buffet
       9:30 am -- Closing circle
       11-12 -- Cleanup and leave for home

A special note. The folk school gatherings are intended to bring new
people together and to be open to people who share the values of
stronger communities and are working to build them. We hope this
invitation will reach some people who have not previously taken part
in a gathering sponsored by the folk school group. Please share this
invitation with anyone whom you wish to invite.

  SIGNING UP FOR THE RETREAT

  RESERVING YOUR ROOM. A total of 18 rooms are available for this retreat. A
room is held for you when you inform John Wallace (walla003 [at] tc.umn.edu) or
Lynn Englund (engl8813 [at] umn.edu) that you wish to attend. Please register by
March 5 so we can plan for the meal Friday evening.

  ARRIVING AND DEPARTING  We will expect you to arrive by 6 p.m. for dinner
on Friday and to stay with  us until about noon on Sunday unless
other arrangements are communicated.

  COST. Shalom Hill Farm charges $22 per person per night for lodging,
single occupancy. Double occupancy rooms are charged at $16 per
person per night.  Our group will be buying our own food and
preparing our own meals. Based on the experience of previous
workshops, it will cost $15 per person for food for Friday dinner
through Sunday brunch. So, the total cost is $59 per person single
occupancy or $47 per person double occupancy.

  SLIDING FEE. To recognize the fact that different people have
different abilities to pay, we offer a self-selected sliding fee
ranging from $35 to $75. What you pay is up to you--there is no
application or review process.  If you choose to pay less than cost
($59), you are accepting a scholarship.  If you choose to pay more
than cost, you are providing a scholarship for someone else.

BANKER. John Wallace will serve as the banker for this retreat.
Please make your checks out to him. You may pay in advance or at the
retreat. If you want to send a check, please send it to John at 4536
Dupont Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55409.

PERSONAL GEAR AND BEDDING. Shalom Hill Farm provides sheets, towels,
and blankets. You won't need to bring your sleeping bag, but do bring
personal
toiletries including soap and shampoo.

TRANSPORTATION. We encourage car pooling and will help to coordinate rides.
Please let John or Lynn know if you need a ride or if you can provide
rides.  John will put out a summary of who is driving and who needs a
ride so that good travel matches can be made. Also, please let John
know if you would like to caravan with other cars. Allow at least 2.5
hours of travel time from Minneapolis, more if traveling during rush
hour.

MEALS. Simple meals are prepared on site by retreat participants.
Meals are often entirely vegetarian, but if not, a vegetarian option
will be available. Please note any special dietary needs when you
register.

REGISTRATION. Please register by March 5 so that some food can be
purchased in advance. Simply e-mail John Wallace (walla003 [at] umn.edu)
or Lynn Englund (engl8813 [at] umn.edu) saying that you intend to
participate. Please include in your registration message the
following information:

1. Name
2. Food requirements: vegetarian, vegan, other food desires or allergies?
3. If you are driving, let us know your estimated departure and
arrival times and whether you will have room for others.
4. If you need a ride, indicate the time you can leave and where you
will be leaving from on Friday.
5. When we should expect you if you are unable to arrive by 6 pm or
need to leave early.

FUTURE FOLK SCHOOL WEEKEND AT SHALOM HILL FARM:
May 16-18, 2003

As many of you know, demand for Shalom Hill Farm keeps increasing.
We've made a deposit to reserve these dates for the coming year.
Please pencil them in on your calendar!

We remain committed to an open process where participants in the folk
school create activities for the weekend retreats that will renew and
energize their work to build for social justice a better world.

  DIRECTIONS TO SHALOM HILL FARM Windom, Minnesota

EMPHATIC NOTE: It is essential to USE THESE DIRECTIONS WITH A GOOD
MINNESOTA ROAD MAP in your hands. Force yourself to be rational!
Before you leave the cities, walk through the directions and trace
your path while looking at the map.

Shalom Hill Farm is located northwest of Windom about 11 miles. We
are going to give you two routes from the Twin Cities.

ROUTE 1: Here is the somewhat shorter route, through Jeffers.

Take Highway 169 southwest from the Twin Cities to Mankato. Then take
Highway 60 west almost to Madelia. (Hwy 60 runs in common with Hwy
169 for a while, then separates from 169 just beyond Mankato).

Take the Highway 15 north exit just before coming to Madelia, jog
north (less than a mile) on Highway 15 and turn left onto Highway 3
going west to La Salle.

Just past La Salle, Highway 30 begins to curve south; then (less than
1 mile) turn right onto Highway 30 going west to Darfur and Jeffers.
(Caution--the intersection with Highway 30 is not well marked),

 From Jeffers take Cottonwood County Road 52 south (left) for 4 miles (also not
well marked). The last mile is gravel.

Turn right (west) onto County Road 3. A small blue and white Shalom
Hill Farm directional sign is on your left at this intersection.
Drive 2 miles.  The Farm is on your right at the top of the hill.

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------
ROUTE 2: Here is the second route, a little longer and a little
simpler route, which goes through Windom.

Take Highway 169 (which is also Highway 60) southwest from the Twin
Cities to Mankato. Then take Highway 60 west to Windom. (Hwy 60 runs
in common with
Hwy 169 for a while, then separates from 169 just beyond Mankato.)

As you are entering Windom on Highway 60, at the first stop light turn right.

The road you are now on goes past the town square, winds around a bit, and
quickly heads north west along the river, turning into Cottonwood County
Road 13, also known as the River Road. Stay on this road (approximately 7
miles) and take it past the Sun Valley Gun Club and turn right on County
Road 21 (a gravel road).

County Road 21 is marked with a Shalom Hill blue and white directional sign.
Drive 3 miles to the stop sign which is at a "T."

Turn right at the "T". Shalom Hill Farm is the driveway on your left.

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------
EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

If you are delayed or get lost, try Lynn or Peter's cell phones (cell
service is sometimes not available in this location): Lynn: (612)
710-7287 Peter: (612) 250-4207

You may also call Shalom Hill Farm. Phone: (507) 831-2232, or (507) 831-5127

Shalom Hill Farm Foundation
42194 County road 3
Windom, Minnesota 56101

Mark Yackel-Juleen, Executive Director of Operations
Margaret Yackel-Juleen, Vice President-Secretary-Treasurer

  http://www.shalomhillfarm.org
--
John Wallace
Department of Philosophy
University of Minnesota
831 Heller Hall
271 19th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55455-0310
(612) 624-5210
FAX (612) 626-8380
walla003 [at] tc.umn.edu