PLANNING MEETING: 23 APRIL 2022

This meeting was focused around the kind of structure we would like to have for meetings moving forward. Everyone wrote down general ideas and then we answered three specific questions. We then split into three groups to pull out the essence found in the answers to the questions. Then as a group we brought it all together into a single statement:

WE ARE HERE TO CREATE

FRIENDSHIP,

CONNECTION,

AND ART

IN A SAFE SPACE

WITH A CASUAL CULTURE,

FLEXIBLE FORMAT,

AND OPEN-MINDED APPROACH

SO THAT ANY WOMAN CAN BRING

HER AUTHENTIC, VULNERABLE SELF.

Collective brainstorming list of general structure and guidelines quoted from notes from each participant:

  • guided meditation

  • potluck snacks

  • confidentiality

  • check in - highs/lows

  • other women welcome - women only?

  • clear project/skill for each meeting -> with leader expert

  • confidentiality - knowing its a safe/private place to share

  • yoga

  • tea ceremony

  • music

  • avoid unsolicited advice

    • listen first

    • observe

  • we’re all equals

  • playdates

Questions to help us develop structure:

  1. What helps you connect with other people?

  2. What do you need to feel safe in this group

  3. Why did you come today

1. WHAT HELPS YOU CONNECT WITH OTHER PEOPLE?

  • vulnerability/realness

  • art projects

  • snacks - helps people open and connect'

  • Relaxing space - not too many people

  • time/space for one on one conversation in addition to group conversation

  • sharing ideas or feelings - willingness to be vulnerable

  • meet outside occasionally

  • music

  • safe space for vulnerability; shared experiences

  • laughter shared experiences, time, being open

  • sharing stories, late night heat to hearts

  • doing things together

    • games

    • projects

  • common struggles

  • talking about ideas

2. WHAT DO YOU NEED TO FEEL SAFE IN THIS GROUP?

  • just women

  • vulnerability

  • space to mess up

  • no judgement, openminded, accepting

  • not too many people

  • confidentiality

  • low pressure/deadlines - “come as you are” mentality

  • I can’t quite identify what it is, but I feel safe here

  • kindness, everyone sharing, respect, realness, vulnerability

  • feeling like differences are okay

    • life choices (religion, working)

    • parenting choices (nurse, formula; co-sleep, crib)

  • ability to be my authentic self

3. WHY DID YOU COME TODAY?

  • because i love moms and want to support them, connect with community, and be with my friends

  • community

  • “The perfect combination of things that feed my soul.”

  • needed to get out of the house, needed to connect with other women/moms

  • desire to be more creative and learn new creative skills

  • a place to connect with other women, spend time on things I’m passionate about, things that feed my soul

  • for much needed adult interaction with people in similar places in life as me, friendship, to be able to create

  • for friendship and connection, trying to find my people

  • i want to have friends especially since I’m graduating

  • I want to be intentional about creating community

Skills to Share or Learn/ Projects to Do

  • Drawing

  • Watercolor

  • Hand lettering

  • Portraits

  • Ceramics

  • Embroidery

  • Wood burning

  • Crocheting

  • Knitting

  • Hand Knitting

  • Murals

  • Photography

  • Hand lettering

  • Gardening

  • Sculpey Earrings

  • Mini Dioramas

  • Bee houses

  • Wreaths

  • Doormats

  • Glass Etching

  • Stained Glass

  • Candles

  • Quilt

  • Mural

  • Medicinal Plants

  • Flower dyed shirts

  • Mending

  • Collage

  • Sewing

  • Cooking

  • Dying

  • Cake Decorating