Category Archives: Events

Power, Identity, Oppression, and Liberation

Sunday October 5 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM At Maitri House
In these three interconnected workshops, we’ll first identify and strengthen the resources we have, and identify the resources we don’t yet have, to create the changes we want in our lives and in the world. We’ll also identify the resources — and lack thereof — of those whom we consider our adversaries in creating change, and help us find ways to partner with rather than oppose them in creating solutions that work for all of us. We’ll examine the ways we have been holding on to unhelpful habits related to the identity we or others have given ourselves (for example identities related to race, gender, class, family relationships, etc). Finally, we’ll learn how to exercise greater freedom in our relationships with ourselves and others. Based on the principles and tools of Nonviolent Communication (NVC).

This is also an opportunity to befriend and collaborate with others interested in social justice work. Opt-in potluck lunch and dinners — no alcohol please. We’re also 2 blocks from a pizza store and food co-op.
Facilitated by Amanda Blaine and Ryan McAllister

Schedule (times approximate and flexible based on participants’ needs and interest)
9:30am Socializing start
10-Noon Workshop 1: Power, Resources, and Choice
Noon-1 Potluck lunch or get food at coop or pizza place
1-2:30 Workshop 2: Identity and Oppression
2:30-3 Break with napping places, playing places
3-5:30 Workshop 3: Toward Relational Solidarity and Collective Liberation
5:30pm Potluck dinner or get food at coop or pizza place

For Registration and Directions:
Email ryan [put an at symbol here] notjustskin.org

Cost of the Workshops:
On a practical level, the expenses for this workshop have already been paid, in the form of the training and experience we have accumulated to be able to share these ideas, the building where we will meet, the materials that have been prepared, the time that we have set aside to share, etc. How much of this work we are able to do depends upon how much participants contribute. If you would like to facilitate our work, you can make a donation at the end of the workshop. For those who would like to give but don’t have financial resources to do so, we welcome other forms of contribution that support our continued effort.
If that leaves you feeling uncertain, we suggest considering what you make in an equivalent time at work (if you have a job), your access (or lack of access) to wealth, how useful what we shared was for you, the value of supporting us and our families, and the value of increasing access of others.
Notes About Accessibility
We want our house to be safe for all of us, including people with chemical sensitivities, so please no perfume or other fragranced products. We find that often guests do not understand this request, so if it is unfamiliar to you, you might read about chemical sensitivities here: http://invisibledisabilities.org/educate/chemicalsensitivities/whygofragrancefree/ .

Our house is not currently wheelchair visitable as defined by the ADA Accessibility Guidelines (we have four steps up to the front and the bathroom clearances are too small.) If any guest who uses a chair or other mobility device or has other accessibility needs would like to visit, we’re interested in discussing what we could do.

There is a dog but no other pets.

Comments Off on Power, Identity, Oppression, and Liberation

Filed under Events

Freedom for Birth/Potluck Awareness and Fundraiser

Please join us at this family-friendly potluck in support of efforts to increase access to midwives in Maryland.

5pm Saturday, January 12

Why this event?
Generally, experienced midwives can provide services that are more consensual and gentler to women before, during, and after birth than contemporary obstetricians. For low-risk births, midwives in birthing centers and at home births have been repeatedly shown to have lower mortality and morbidity than obstetricians in hospitals. Yet, access to midwives has been severely restricted in many states including Maryland. In 1981 the state of Maryland changed the definition of midwifery to require a nursing degree in addition to midwifery certification. This made all other forms of midwifery illegal.

There are only 4 Certified Nurse Midwives based in Maryland who currently choose to serve women at homebirths. There is only one free standing birth center in the state of Maryland. In addition, there are a few Certified Nurse Midwives based in Virginia who are willing to serve women in Maryland. The options are much less than the demand.

Licensure of CPMs will restore both the rights of women to choose their birth providers and the rights of midwives to practice their beautiful chosen profession.

The approximate event schedule:
5 pm Potluck
6:30 pm Watching Freedom for Birth
7:30 pm Discussion, Q/A

For the potluck:
Bring a dish of any kind. No alcohol, please.

For children and parents:
There will be a playroom available for kids who want to come and who would like a space to play in during the film.

Want to volunteers to help prep or clean up?
Please contact ryan@notustskin.org

Donations are optional, but encouraged. All donations will go to Maryland Families for Safe Birth ( marylandfamiliesforsafebirth.org )

The event is hosted at Maitri House, a family-inclusive intentional community in Takoma Park, MD.

We would be delighted to have your company and your support in this cause.

Should you be unable to come, you can still sign a petition here:
http://signon.org/sign/license-certified-profession?source=c.url&r_by=5659821

With appreciation,
Ryan McAllister
In support of Midwives

There is also a Facebook Event Page: http://www.facebook.com/events/141418956009904/

Comments Off on Freedom for Birth/Potluck Awareness and Fundraiser

Filed under Events

Sticky: Maitri House Calendar

Note that we don’t consistently update this page or our calendar with all of our events. Inquire about our events and announcements email list if you’d like to receive updates.

Comments Off on Sticky: Maitri House Calendar

Filed under Events

Making Friends—Nonviolent Communication Style

by Lynd Morris

Have you been wishing you knew a few more people who could communicate with you from an awareness of the beauty and universality of needs? The Capital NVC database now includes more than 1,000 people and all of them are invited to gather for our community celebration from 11:00 to 3:00 on Saturday, January 9th, at Maitri House in Takoma Park, Maryland.

Meet other people practicing NVC, share a potluck lunch, and hear about some of the inspiring peacemaking projects members of our community are engaged in. There will also be an empathy room for people to receive and offer empathy (coaching will be available for those who’d like it); a space for youngsters to play (unsupervised); an area for posting NVC- and other peacemaking-related resources, flyers, and books; and a chance to talk about what support you’d like to receive for growing NVC in yourself and to offer for growing NVC in the Metro DC area.

Letting us know you are coming (and the number of people you may be bringing), will allow us to set up the space comfortably. Just send an email to Ryan McAllister any time before January 9th. But, if it works better for you to decide at the last minute whether or not to come, that would be fine, too—you (and your family) are welcome.

Please consider bringing:
• A potluck dish (be prepared to list ingredients for people with food allergies) and serving utensil
• Plates and cutlery for everyone in your party
• Folding chairs/backjacks, if you have them

Please consider offering to:
• Arrive up to an hour early to help set up (let Ryan know if you can do this, if you RSVP)
• Stay a little late to help clean up
• Rotate through the empathy room to offer your compassionate listening for 15-30 minutes or so.
• Bring NVC- or peacemaking-related resources to post/share
• Hang out in the children’s space to get to know our youngest community members and provide time for their parents to get/give empathy, eat lunch, or participate in any of the presentations.

Our tentative schedule for the day:
11:00 a.m. – Noon Welcome and social hour
Noon – 1:00 p.m. Potluck lunch
1:00 – 2:30 p.m. Presentations and practices
2:30 – 3:00 p.m. Closing circle/celebration
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Clean up
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Empathy room and children’s space

Contact Ryan McAllister if you have questions or comments regarding any aspect of our upcoming community gathering.

Comments Off on Making Friends—Nonviolent Communication Style

Filed under Events

Day after New Year’s Day ExpressionFest

You’re invited to join us in celebrating the New Year with a party on the evening of Saturday, January 2nd at Maitri House. This is an open-invitation event.

We’ll have dinner at 6:30 (please feel free to bring a potluck contribution or not). Our menu will include vegan black-eyed peas, greens, and corned beef. If you know of other traditional New Year foods, feel free to suggest them or bring them!

We’ll follow dinner with an Expressionfest (open mic for poetry, dance, music, or any other form of expression) and dancing.

You are invited to dress up in your fancy party clothes (or not), and invite your friends (especially if they like to play music or dance!).

Time/Date: Saturday January 2nd, Dinner at 6:30, festivities following.
Organizers: Emily, Sarah, Melinda, Ryan
Contact ryan@notjustskin.org if you need directions.

Comments Off on Day after New Year’s Day ExpressionFest

Filed under Events