Volume 1: Issue 8

“If not you, who?”
                      Hillel the Elder

Mike Elser here. If you don’t know me yet, learn more at my bio.

There are many wonderful organizations in the world.  Organizations that help the poor; organizations that provide disaster relief; organizations that help the sick and injured.  The world desperately needs everything these organizations have to offer offer – and more.  While we must support these organizations and the work they do, there is something else we must do if we are to actually create a better world.  We must evolve as men and women to a higher level of maturity and consciousness. We must wake up and we must grow up!

For men, The ManKind Project is the only organization I know of that provides the transformational training experiences and the followup support structure required for men to make permanent, positive changes in their lives.  MKP supports men in growing up and waking up to the real problems and opportunities in the world.

I did the New Warrior Training Adventure seven years ago and became an initiated man; a man initiated into the work it takes to wake up and grow up.  I continue to do my work in circles of men.  However, I am also convinced that we need to bring this gift of men’s work and the ManKind Project to the world – for my children and grandchildren and yours.  As an initiated man I decided to take the NEXT step and join the movement called MKP USA and bring MKP to the world.  I decided to stand up and become a member too.

I was asked serve and I said, “yes.”   
I am asking YOU to serve with me.  

TOGETHER we can change the world one man at a time.  Together, we can have a world where men are expected to grow up and wake up.  Together, we can have a world where men have ready access to the training and support necessary.  None of us can do it alone. It will take ALL of us.

If we are to succeed it will take the committed time, effort, and talents of each one of us.  I am asking you to serve by doing your work in your men’s circle; serve by stepping up to a leadership role in your community; serve by working on a task team at the national level; serve by standing up for men’s work by becoming a member.

Join me in bringing MKP to the world.

OUR GRANDSONS ARE WAITING

OUR GRANDDAUGHTERS ARE WATCHING

A Message from MKP USA Finance – Controls, Oversight, Responsibilities and Integrity
We are the wise and transparent fathers we have been waiting for

Is MKP USA operating in financial integrity?

Yes and increasingly every day. MKP USA controls and oversight standards include:

• Multiple signatures and disbursement controls via bill.com to ensure that dollars are spent for approved purposes only
• Oversight by a regional accounting firm in California and audited by a second firm in Illinois
• Finance Director responds to regular questions and reviews by the MKP USA Finance Committee, comprised of experienced businessmen
• Accounting Clerk sends weekly reports to the MKP USA Finance Committee for review
• Finance Director delivers frequent reports to the MKP USA board and council and responds to active questions and inquiries
• Finance Director responds promptly to Center, Center Director, Member and individual questions.
• Careful and thorough documentation trails of all financial activity are maintained
• Reserve requirements and budgeting for unexpected events in 2012 to account for the unpredictability of revenue in our organization.
• Current with vendors or has made responsible arrangements to pay those vendors promptly and will continue to do so
• Separate bank account and chart of account entries for restricted funds (more details in a future communication about restricted and board designated funds)

Was this always the case and if no, how were we out of integrity? What have we done or are we doing about it?

No it was not.

During and prior to the transition from MKP to the establishment of MKPI and MKP USA in 2010, a number of tasks were not completed or accounted for. It took the greater part of 2011 to fully understand and rectify those tasks that were not completed. The most significant of these incomplete tasks was the failure to file and pay certain state payroll taxes from 2007 to 2010. The penalties and interest from these late filed payroll taxes will have ultimately cost MKP USA approximately $25,000 in penalties and interest as well as the costs of paying our accounting firm incremental fees to rectify the unfiled returns. At the time, our internal controls were not strong enough to detect the incomplete tasks. Today, our controls are sophisticated, thorough, frequent and in accordance with Generally Accepted Audit Standards (GAAS). Further, MKP USA now uses a professional payroll service since last year to ensure that payroll tax filings are timely and complete.

In early 2011, MKP USA hired James Dougherty, an initiated man and partner of Larsen & Rosenberger, a regional accounting firm in California, to do the work of establishing strong and lasting internal controls and procedures for MKP USA and to register with the various states and file those returns that had remained unfiled in the past. Thanks to Larsen & Rosenberger, substantial work has been done to “clean up” MKP USA’s legacy responsibilities in this area. Work is scheduled to continue throughout 2012 until every single unpaid tax dollar has been paid. This work was budgeted and forecast in 2012 and continues to progress in a timely fashion.

How do MKP USA controls and oversight work?

Disbursements

Requests for disbursement are entered into bill.com upon the receipt of an invoice or bill by the MKP USA Bookkeeper.

• All disbursements must receive dual approval by the MKP USA Accounting Firm and the MKP USA Executive Director AND be supported by documentation
•  No disbursements can be approved by the party the disbursement is written to:
• If the disbursement is to the MKP USA Accounting Firm
• Approval by the MKP USA Vice Chair and the MKP USA Executive Director
• If the disbursement is to the MKP USA Executive Director
• Approval by the MKP USA Accounting Firm and the MKP USA Vice Chair
• After dual approval is completed, payment is made by the MKP USA Finance Director

Reporting/Review

• Weekly unaudited Balance Sheet, Profit and Loss Statement and Account Review from the MKP USA Bookkeeper to the MKP USA Finance Committee (which includes the MKP USA Finance Director, Executive Director and Vice Chair)
• 2011 Financials to be widely published after Adjusting Journal Entries are received from accounting firm

Audit

• MKP USA is audited by Warady and Davis, a regional accounting firm located in Illinois
• MKP USA receives additional audit support and oversight from Larsen & Rosenberger, a regional accounting firm in Glendale, CA

Accounting

• Entries made by the MKP USA Bookkeeper are reviewed both by the MKP USA Finance Director and when requested, Larsen & Rosenberger. Entries made are intended to comply with GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Practices) for non-profit organizations.

Board of Directors Oversight

• The Board of Directors will name a Treasurer in 2012 to perform board level review of reporting, budgeting and similar finance functions

Who works on MKP USA finances and what are their responsibilities? How much work is there?

Michael Bailey – W-2 employee – Accounting Clerk/Bookkeeper

• Processing of all entries for all accounts into Quick Books
• Center Receipts and Disbursements for 32 Centers and Developing Centers
• Invoicing and Accounts Receivable Reports
• Entry of disbursements into Bill.com with attached supporting documentation
• Membership contribution reconciliation
• Maintenance of Restricted Funds, Designated Funds Accounts
• Ad hoc reporting and projects as they occur
• Monthly bank reconciliations of five bank accounts
• Reconciliation and maintenance of membership and other pledges and populating ledgers
• Weekly report preparation to Finance Committee

Jon Levitt – Contracted – (JSA Business Development) – Interim Finance Director

• Oversight of Accounting Clerk activities with support from advisory accounting firm
• Weekly reporting to Finance Committee / Bi-weekly reporting to MKP USA Board and Council
• Bi-Weekly Communication to membership/constituencies/initiated men about MKP USA Finance
• Forward cash flow and strategic analysis
• Budget analysis and preparation
• Payment issuer on bills.com
• Regular review of Quick Books
• Payroll confirmation
• Review of contracts, initiatives and projects from a finance perspective
• Response to approximately 50 daily e-mails to finance@mkpusa.org and related e-mail accounts
• Donor / Member support regarding finance questions and status of Donor / Member programs
• Participation in committees in which finance and strategic finance are necessary for planning / decision making
• Organize efforts to retain consistent records across Centers for audit and tax preparation
• Monitor and interface with accounting / finance vendors

James Dougherty – Contracted – (Larsen & Rosenberger) – Accounting Advisory / Assistant Treasurer

• Provides advisory services to resolve bookkeeping / accounting questions
• Filing, negotiation and resolution of past payroll tax delinquencies
• Audit process support oversight and advisory
• Tax filing process oversight and advisory
• Completion of 1099/1096 filings for MKP USA
• Official mailing address of MKP-USA; Deposits and remittance
• Signatory on disbursements/approvals
• Release payroll instructions to payroll vendor

MKPUSA Finance Committee – Volunteer and Staff – Currently Jeff Leyser (chair), David Lang, Martin Marks, Bob Oser, George Faison, Russell Kramp, John Groll, Jon Levitt

• Meets bi-weekly to review/oversee the books, accounting, practices and procedures of MKP USA finance employees and advisors
• Conducts annual budgetary process and monitors compliance with budget
• Considers strategic developments as they arise
• Requires bi-weekly report of Finance Director

Susan Greggo – Contracted (Warady & Davis) – MKP USA Annual Audit

Coming soon…

• Is MKP USA operating in financial integrity?
• How do MKP USA controls and oversight work?
• Who works on MKP USA finances and what are their responsibilities? How much work is there?
• What is the status of Fund the Plan? Is MKP USA in integrity with that set of financial agreements? What Fund the Plan dollars are being invested in 2012 and how?
• Why does MKP USA seek contributions and what percentage of operations are funded by contributions, membership and similar efforts?
• Is MKP USA in integrity with our agreements with MKPI?
• Is MKP USA in integrity with our agreements with the Centers?
• What is the status of the Diversity Scholarship Funds held by MKPUSA?
• What is the status of the Multicultural Committee and Elder Funds held by MKPUSA?
• Does MKP USA have enough money to operate?
• Is MKP USA wasting money? What do we pay for and why? What is the 2012 budget and why?
• What are MKP USA’s financial results and 2011 yearend balance sheet?
• What is the status of legacy payroll taxes from 2007 to 2010?

Mike Elser

As we move into February, I invite us all to take a moment and BREATHE.  Let’s take in the victories of the past month.  For some of you this is year 2 or 3 as a Center Director.  For many others this is the the end of MONTH ONE!  BREATHE! Here are some of our collective victories.Here is what happened in January as a result of the the partnership between MKP USA National and the 32 MKP USA Centers

Unification

Membership

A MESSAGE FROM MKP USA FINANCE – FUND THE PLAN STATUS

We are the wise and transparent fathers we have been waiting for.

In the 2^nd half of 2010 through the 1^st half of 2011, MKP USA raised, thanks to the generosity of men and centers across the country, over $400,000.00 for Fund the Plan, a restricted donor account that is supervised by a Trustee under the above document for investment in long term growth and stability drivers for MKP USA .  Read more here … MKPUSA FTP REQUESTS JUL-DEC 2011, FINAL-FundthePlanDisbursementsProcedure4.27.11

What is the status of Fund the Plan?

Disbursements from the Fund the Plan restricted account to reimburse for approved Fund the Plan expenses began in July of 2011.  During the second half of 2011, there were six monthly disbursements from Fund the Plan (see attached) totaling $103,765.55.  Each has been consistent with the terms of Fund the Plan.

As of yearend 2011, Fund the Plan assets total $299,176.90.  $249,176.90 in cash and $50,000 in a loan receivable.  Written permission of two of the donors to the Fund the Plan account was received to take a loan against their donated funds in service of what was at the time at shortfall in USA operations.  The outstanding Loan is scheduled to be paid in full in calendar year 2012 and has been accounted for in MKP USA’s Forward Cash Flow Analysis which is reviewed bi-weekly at the MKP USA Finance Committee meetings.  Further, MKP USA has agreed to a No New Expenditures Policy until the Fund the Plan Loan is paid in full.

Based on projected Fund the Plan expenses, Fund the Plan dollars are expected to fund approved items until Summer 2013.

Is MKP USA in integrity with the Fund the Plan Disbursement Procedure?

Yes with respect to disbursement and accounting procedure.  MKP USA has followed the set of disbursement and approval agreements listed in the Procedure attached above.  Each month a disbursement request is sent from MKP USA’s accounting firm (James Dougherty at Larsen and Rosenberger) to the trustee’s firm (Russell Kramp at UBS Securities) with a copy to the MKP USA Finance Committee.  Once approved, the funds are sent from UBS Securities to the MKP USA Operating Account and accounted for there.  A “due from MKP USA” entry is reflected in the MKP USA Balance Sheet

No with respect to quarterly reports.  MKP USA did not meet the agreement of sending out a report for the 3^rd quarter of 2011.  Above is the  3^rd quarter and 4^th quarter 2011 expenses from the Fund the Plan account.  The next Fund the Plan update will be reported shortly after the end of the 1^st quarter of 2012.

How are Fund the Plan Dollars being invested in 2012?

The 2012 budget calls for the following Fund the Plan expenditures:

Ongoing Executive Director increment:                 $33,996

Accounting Clerk                                                       $30,996

Marketing Director                                                   $60,000

Development Director                                              $75,000 (Note:  This position has not yet been filled, so actual 2012 Fund the Plan expense will be lower)

Accounting software (consolidation)                      $10,008

Total 2012 budgeted FTP expense (est.)             $210,000 (Note:  Less amount not spent on Development Director – see note above)

Coming soon…

• Is MKP USA operating in financial integrity?
• How do MKP USA controls and oversight work?
• Who works on MKP USA finances and what are their responsibilities?  How much work is there?
• What is the status of Fund the Plan?  Is MKP USA in integrity with that set of financial agreements?  What Fund the Plan dollars are being invested  in 2012 and how?
• Why does MKP USA seek contributions and what percentage of operations are funded by contributions, membership and similar efforts?
• Is MKP USA in integrity with our agreements with MKPI?
• Is MKP USA in integrity with our agreements with the Centers?
• What is the status of the Diversity Scholarship Funds held by MKPUSA?
• What is the status of the Multicultural Committee and Elder Funds held by MKPUSA?
• Does MKP USA have enough money to operate?
• Is MKP USA wasting money?  What do we pay for and why?  What is the 2012 budget and why?
• What are MKP USA’s financial results and 2011 yearend balance sheet?
• What is the status of legacy payroll taxes from 2007 to 2010?

Respectfully,
Jon Levitt

MKP USA Interim Finance Director
MKP USA Lifetime Member
April 1992 – Chicago (Haimowoods)
finance@mkpusa.org

Joe Badalamenti, MKP USA Enrollment Coordinator

Joe Badalamenti here,

Checking in with Joy and Gratitude to be your new MKPUSA enrollment Coordinator!

My passion is to help and support enrollment efforts in your communities. I follow many wonderful and dedicated brothers before me in this role who have also given their time and energy for the benefits of MKP and the wonderful work we men do. MKP has changed over the years and change is good as I hope to be part of that change. It is important that we tell more of the world that we exist and we are here to change men’s their lives for the better. It is also important to fill and keep men in our circles.

I come from a background of nonprofit , charity fund raising enrollment , sales and have been in recruiting and staffing field for over 15 years , manage a staffing office and have a professional certification in Human Resources. I live near Tampa, Florida with my wife and three children and been the enrollment coordinator in the Florida community. I thank all the men who have sent me well wishes.

It is an honor to be serving you in this capacity. I hope to connect with each and every one of you and your enrollment and outreach teams in the next few weeks. I am in the midst of a lot of research and planning. I can not do this alone, I welcome your ideas, concerns, problems, comments and support!

I am very excited and want to be as much help as I can to help fill our circles.
Please feel free to reach out to me or call me me anytime.

Want to connect with me right now?
PLEASE fill out this short survey about Enrollment in the ManKind Project USA.

Blessings,
Joe

I slept and dreamt that life was joy.
I awoke and to my sorrow I discovered it was service
I opened my heart and my service became my joy.
-Tagore
Thank you to the many men that have welcomed me into this role. Thank you for the tremendous work that James Dougherty and his firm Larsen and Rosenberger and our bookkeeper, Michael Bailey have performed in bringing our internal processes the long distance from distress and relative disorder in 2010 to a continuously increasing level of organization, clarity and stability. The vast majority of men will never know the intensity and duration of effort that was required to do the work that was done in 2011.

This year, MKP USA Finance will stretch deeper into the affirmation, “As mature and financially responsible men, we are the wise and transparent fathers we have been waiting for.” All of us together and no one of us alone.

In visiting with men from many centers in the last few months, I have heard many questions surrounding MKP USA Finance.

They include:
· Is MKP USA operating in financial integrity?

· How do MKP USA controls and oversight work?

· Who works on MKP USA finances and what are their responsibilities? How much work is there?

· What is the status of Fund the Plan? Is MKP USA in integrity with that set of financial agreements? What Fund the Plan dollars are being invested in 2012 and how?

· Why does MKP USA seek contributions and what percentage of operations are funded by contributions, membership and similar efforts?

· Is MKP USA in integrity with our agreements with MKPI?

· Is MKP USA in integrity with our agreements with the Centers?

· What is the status of the Diversity Scholarship Funds held by MKPUSA?

· What is the status of the Multicultural Committee and Elder Funds held by MKPUSA?

· Does MKP USA have enough money to operate?

· Is MKP USA wasting money? What do we pay for and why? What is the 2012 budget and why?

· What are MKP USA’s financial results from 2011?

As Interim Finance Director, my intention in this role is to answer these and more questions a few at a time in a series of communications to you over the next few months. I will also be visiting centers as time allows (self funded) to clarify when and as needed. There is a lot of good news in the answers that are to come. Thousands of professional and volunteer hours have been invested in MKP USA in 2011 and the progress that has been made is quite favorable. For now, I report that we are either current, or making responsible arrangements to be current in all of our obligations and will strive toward the standard of staying current and accountable as we move forward. There is much to do in 2012 to shepherd and build upon that stability.

This organization is remarkable and deserves to have a remarkable and well communicated financial infrastructure.
I look forward to sharing more soon.
Jon Levitt

MKP USA Interim Finance Director
MKP USA Lifetime Member
April 1992 – Chicago (Haimowoods)
finance@mkpusa.org

Remember who you are. Everybody else is taken.

It has been a distinct privilege to serve as the first chairman of MKP-USA. I find it a bit hard to believe the universe has conspired to allow me this experience in my lifetime. I am blessed indeed.

There is no give away in what I have done. I have invested, invested heavily into something I have great passion for, great love for. In about three weeks we will have a new chair, a new mix of men on the executive team, and a new mix on our council. We will face many decisions on the road to our future.

As I write my chairman’s report I have two big issues that I believe impact our ability to bring this work to the world.

The first is about the impact of gratitude and generativity. As the old MKP Council grew too large and unwieldy and seemed to continually be focused inward, I believe it suffered greatly from the lack of conscious acknowledgement of those who invested so much into this work. I believe it created a type of sickness in the soul of our culture. I will try to explain.

I often hear a man say “thank you for your give-away” when referring to a man investing his time, money, energy, and his passion into this work. I hold that a man invests his resources; he does NOT give them away. I know the foundation of the energetics of “give-away” from our native brothers; I do not believe it applies in our particular circumstance around what we are doing organizationally.  I invest in what I love; something I hold a desire to see grow stronger, to continue in the world, something that will impact the world and make it a better place for my family, for those I love.  And for the millions I will never meet – yet who deserve every bit as much as I do, to have a life filled with a conscious mission and awareness of their impact on those around them.

Language is important. If we actually see a man’s investment as give-away then what value are we placing on it? Are we in fact dishonoring, not “seeing” the generativity, the generosity, and the kingliness of that man’s investment. Language is important.

I hold that we must truly honor those who invest so much of their wisdom, time, energy, love, passion, resources into this organization; ONLY in doing that do we complete the circle. We complete the connection between WHY a man will give so strongly to this work we value deeply and what it truly means “out there” in the world.

In that past we have not done that well. I believe we are starting to do it more consciously, and we have room for improvement; it was not done out of spite, meanness or wishing harm, I believe mostly it’s happened out of an inward focus on “JUST surviving until the next training”; just like I heard Carl Griesser say so many times, “Trying to hold this all together with a few pieces of string, bailing wire, and some shoelaces somebody left on site from the last training”

If we do not remember that which has already gone before us and those who made it happen, we are certain to repeat mistakes we can learn from, mistakes that can ONLY make us stronger and more able to bring to the world, this work that we all value and love. NO shame, just learning opportunities.

I hold that as we learn to honor those who have traveled before us, who have blazed the trails we now walk, we will finally begin to value our past and what it will tell us of our future.

As we do, the future will ONLY become brighter, and more luminescent.

In the words of the great Martin Andrew when asked what he wanted he said:  “To be acknowledged for who and what I am, no more, no less, not for acclaim, not for approval…………but for the simple truth of that recognition, this had been the elemental drive of my existence, and it is to be achieved, if I am to live, or if I am to die, with dignity. “

The second is our relationship with MKPI. This is not an attack; it is my assessment of what is and my dream of what might be.

I hold a vision of a worldwide organization that will someday allow a man in Bangkok, the same possibility to change his world, as a man in Sioux City, IA has. At the moment that is not the reality. WE, as in our worldwide structure, are nowhere near the point where we can make our dream a reality. I believe that creating MKPI was premature. That cannot be changed and it was done with  good intentions. So what can we do now to maximize our chances for that man in Bangkok?

I believe if we continue to NOT deal with our dysfunctional relationship with MKPI, we risk the possibility of failure in the long term.

We are now eight regions. I propose that we get a commitment in writing, a binding agreement with MKPI that together, we conduct an in-depth examination of what works, and what does not work in the structure of MKPI and commit to doing whatever it takes to make our long term goal. I believe that we have the courage to face ourselves. I see it on our trainings, I have seen it in our circles, I trust in it as an organization.

We can reach out to each other as brothers, who hold at the bare minimum one major thing in common; our passion for this work and a desire to see it flourish on all parts of the globe. I do not doubt for a second, our worldwide brother’s commitments to this work and doing it in a good way. As we continue to recreate ourselves as a region, we must attend to the impact of our non-functioning relationship with MKPI.

I will take to my grave a time, just a little over a year ago, when we were having hard choices to make around budget and we – MKP-USA just could not come up with more money for the budget and Gautier stood up and said “Our brothers have helped us time and time again. We – The French speaking region – can pay a little bit more. It is the least we can do in brotherhood to make this work.

We will make this work. It will take courage vision, and a lot of hard work.

Let us face the issues head on. So, be courageous! Be audacious!

If relationally we were ONLY, about cooperation and collaboration, rather than competition, what would we look like, how would we operate, how effective would be in the world?

Finally;

It has been an honor to serve with the men of this council. You men have proven to be some of the most wise, smartest, hardest working, and loving men I have ever had the privilege to work with.

Changing to a council and executive team, learning the five dysfunctions, working towards collaborations vs. competition we have achieved greatness these last two years. I am proud of what we have achieved.

Our organization is growing stronger with the amount of focus and clarity on professionalization which translates into serving our mission in the world. Reorganization started out with so much talk about fear of losing our soul, I am here to say, we are NOT losing our soul. Our soul is deepening. We continue to help men grow; because the world is in desperate need of grown-up men.

We still have much work to do in building a strong foundation to build our next evolution upon. This is hard work; it is time consuming and requires massive efforts to make it happen. Men step up to assist in a way I had never experienced previous to my service as chair. The foundation builders, which I still swear is one of the most brilliant ideas I have ever heard, is working its magic, slowly but steadily it is creating stability.

2011 has been an incredible year for our young region as we continue to move toward professionalizing our organization. A few of the other highlights;

Fund the plan more than tripled any fundraising efforts of our previous much larger international organization.

A next level Executive Director with vast experience running large successful not for profits; a man who initiated on his NWTA several years ago.

CiviCRM!!!!!!!!! Keith Jarvis, on his own dime, and his own time, went to Chicago to research a new communications software package that might work for our broke ass system of non-communications and wow. It touches my heart that we have men working for us that are so dedicated and determined to find better ways to achieve our mission. Our employees do not get anywhere near the recognition and kudos that they deserve. So, thank you to all of our spectacular employees!

Created a new, highly competent financial committee.

Higher a firm to pull our financial world together in a manner that most likely has saved the corporation long term. Going through stacks and stacks of unopened mail they have finally gotten us a true picture of our financial world and righted the ship.

Hugely successful temporary ED Martin Marks, to fill in time between Carl Griesser and David Lang

Membership tweaked going into our 2^nd year of a fully rounded out membership program. Our future depends on a healthy relationship to our members. I believe the membership team has put us on the road to long term health. As we move into the New Year I believe we will see great enthusiasm around the new membership initiatives.

My one big regret;

We have not had the time or resources to focus on what I believe may be our most important offering going forward; I-groups! I see a time not too far off when we will have our foundation in place strong enough to turn our attention towards I-Groups. Change does not occur without sustained support, which is why the I-groups really make us more than just one kick ass weekend. The NWTA needs no tinkering; we do need to build support for other programs to offer men in the future.

We have only so many hours in each day, week, month, year. My belief is that as we move into the second half of next year we will begin a renewed focus on how the make this dream a reality. This has been slower than my wish, and it will be faster than I believed possible two years ago.

WE are changing our culture!

We are finally growing the fuck up.

Our council is changing, becoming more professional. The level of commitment and functioning is high.

I will check out with an honoring of a man who has possibly done more than any man for our work,  other than our founders; Robert Moore. Not enough can be shared about how much the support of Robert has meant to the deep levels of understanding and acceptance of our work.

We truly owe Robert a debt of gratitude for all he has done over the years. Robert is probably the most renowned figure among the “big names” out there in men’s work, yet, Robert alone has been the one who had the humility to submit to doing the NWTA; even though he was/is of such legitimate stature in the world of understanding men’s work and the historical relevance concerning the absolute need for this work in our current world culture.

Thank you Robert! Bless you for all you are and what you do in the world!

I deep gratitude and service,

David M Bauerly

Copper head,

From Glenn Barker MKP Chicago Center Director
This is reproduced from the original article on the ManKind Project Journal.

A Journey into Leadership

I was invited for an interview as Executive Director of ManKind Project Chicago recently on the show “Public Perspective” with Kevin McDermott. The show hits 57 area cities on Comcast Cable and will be broadcast twice in January 2012.  My first time on camera, no edits, 30 min, straight to tape, no script, and a great story to tell.

Glenn Barker, MKP Chicago

For years, my forte has been personal growth studies and building market niche sales companies. Once I discovered Bly, Moore and Campbell the fire was lit. I developed co-ed workshops on gender and boundaries, I started a series of men’s circles based on four rounds of the archetypes and the Iron John Story … (sound  familiar)? My goal was to Develop a progressive series of ‘Mature Masculine’ growth studies for men in circle and market it nationally then internationally.

Meanwhile men would tell me I can see you on Oprah, go out on public speaking tours, this is important work! … Knowing somewhere in me that it was true, I shuddered at the thought!

In searching for national or international organizations to learn from, I came upon The ManKind Project in early 2009. The moment I stepped into that center I said to myself “this is it, this, is what I want!”  I came to what I thought was an “Open Circle”.  It actually turned out to be a Homecoming Celebration. By the time it was over I said “sign me up!”

I completed the New Warrior Training Adventure in April 2009. I have been deeply invested in the work ever since.

In late summer 2010 the Center Director (CD is like a combination of Executive Director and Board Chair) position at MKP Chicago became available. I applied and became MKP Chicago’s CD mid Oct 2010.

One year later October 2011

We started an MKP Chicago Speakers Bureau. Public speaking has been something I’ve avoided … and it seemed as if it was time to push that edge.

Knowing it was time to step in to my next level of leadership, I attended the LT2 (Leader Training 2) followed by a WIT (Whatever It Takes) program fully intending to address this issue and breakthrough this barrier once and for all. I committed at the LT2 that Public speaking would be a reality for me.

That very evening I go out to see a warrior brother’s band playing at a small Café. The band takes a break and out of nowhere I am invited to speak on MKP. I hesitate, and then it hits … No avoiding this time! This is where rubber meets road. And so I speak … Many warrior brothers are in the audience and I am well received. I step off stage to warm smiles and callouts to stop and talk with warriors and guests.

First stop … Two women asked if I thought MKP could help the men in their lives.

And then:

A third woman invited me to sit at her table to ask me more about MKP. She spoke of male friend(s) who seem to “suffer in isolation”….”Why can’t men be more like women?”… Just share their feelings?

She looked at me expectantly … and I answer:

“Men live in tiny boxes … And they often think that’s all there is for them! … All through their lives!

To risk being laughed at? …  Appear weak? … Loose face?… No way! … Protect! … Shut down!”

What has been missing for most men is Mature Men in their lives men who model that true Masculine Strength is found in emotional intelligence, providing a safe environment and language to experience their depth of feeling!”

We call it …“Men’s Work”

She shifts gears … searching her wallet, producing a card and a pen, she says:

“I have a Comcast Television show!” … Come and be our guest for a half hour on December 8th at 8pm! (I hesitate.) Yes I would be honored.

And what is to be said of all this? This world hungers for what we do, who we are, what we have!

The time is always now … Speak!

Yours in Service,

Glenn

Check out Glenn’s appearance below …

In closing remarks at the MKP USA Council Meeting held on Friday December 9, 2011, MKP USA Chairman David Bauerly took a moment to honor Dr. Robert Moore, author of numerous books on the male psyche such as “King, Warrior, Magician, Lover: Rediscovering the Archetypes of the Mature Masculine“.

Dr. Moore spoke to members of MKP USA at the recent MKP USA Gathering of Elders. Hear the comments here and see photos of Moore with other members of MKP.

Mike Elser, Chair Elect for 2012

The Winter Solstice occurs Wednesday, December 21 at 05:30 UTC.  In the Northern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice marks the longest dark of night followed by the shortest light of day of the entire year.

For me, this time of year is a time to reflect on the light and dark of the past year and to be grateful for the many gifts both bring.  I continue to be impressed by the men in the MKP USA Community; men who live their lives filled with mission, passion, commitment and intention. With the passionate good work of many thousands of men across this country, MKP USA finds itself strong and ready to enter 2012 with the door wide open to great opportunities and greater possibilities.  My want is that we each take a moment to breathe deeply into all that we have accomplished together.  Indeed, we all have done good work.

I turned 64 last Sunday having been given many gifts – good health, a wife of 40 years, children, grandchildren and many dear friends to name just a few.  With all of that, how wonderful it is to NOW have the opportunity to Chair an organization that can truly co-create a more conscious and compassionate world for all those whom I love.  It fills me with joy and gratitude to consider it.

Imagine a world where men have the opportunity to learn how to traverse the transitions of life – career, marriage, fatherhood, elder-hood and more.  Imagine a world where men and women have a place to heal the wounds of the past and an opportunity to truly understand the messages that emotional literacy brings.  Imagine a world filled with children raised by emotionally literate parents who really understand integrity and accountability – parents who act with intent, compassion and wisdom. Imagine a world where young men have the opportunity to learn what it means to BE a man who models mature sacred masculinity; a man who can navigate the world with integrity; a man who takes responsibility for the results of his actions; a man who is awake, conscious and caring.

My 64 years have taught me this – what the mind can conceive and the heart can believe is truly possible.  If you can imagine this world with me then WE can achieve it.  Nobody said it would be easy.  The great achievements rarely are.  That is the great adventure we are on – you and me.  THAT is the world we are building.  I am filled with joy to be allowed to travel this path with you.

When I get stuck in the weeds of finances, governing documents, unification, Center Covenants, insurance, committee meetings and phone calls, let me remember to look up and be reminded of our GREAT ADVENTURE TOGETHER.   When I get into heated conversation over the nits and grits let me be reminded of WHY we are doing this work together.  When I feel fatigue and start wondering how it will ALL get done let me be reminded that you are by my side.  We can do this together.

For the past 25 years the men of the ManKind Project have worked to Grow UP.  It is now time for each of us to Wake UP to the opportunities that are in front of us should we have the courage to accept the challenge.  It is now time for each of us who is willing to Stand UP and be counted as one among the many who have the imagination to see a better world.  It is now time, for those willing, toShow UP and get to work.  Yes, together we can do this.

In this Solstice Season, my want for each of you is that you take some time to reflect on the blessings in your life – your health, your family, your friends and more . . .

Wishing you a safe and joyful holiday season,

Blessings on our Journey Together

Mike

Charter Lifetime Member
MKP USA/New England Center
860-985-0013 Phone