Mini Manual 2004

8/3/2019 Mini Manual 2004

1/6

Rainbow Family of Living Light Mini-ManualSuggested Wisdom Culled from Years of Experience and / or Trail & Error

Site CriteriaIts rare for a site to have everything good in abundance, but it is

essential that every site have:Safe Drinking Water This is numero uno! Deep springs o

well protected surface water. There should be an ample flowrate to meet the drinking, cooking and washing needs for alwho might gather. Figure a minimum of one gallon of water perday per person. Springs should be a distance upstream fromcamping areas, marked & guarded to prevent contamination.

Open Meadows for councils, workshops, pageants, etcMeadows should be kept clear of tents & camps.

Firewood A good supply of dead wood lying on the groundfor fires.

Parking A large enough area for expected cars, vans and livein vehicles to park safely. Parking areas should be close yeclearly separate from the Gathering proper. You dont want easyaccess for car stereos, beer coolers and a rowdy party sceneAlternative parking should be arranged for the physicallychallenged. Only emergency and supply vehicles should beallowed direct access to the actual Gathering site.

Access Roads There should be one main road for access tothe Gathering which is not a dead end that empties near theMain Gate. It is important to have a back door available foremergencies and heavy supplies.

Seed CampAt least a week before the Gathering is scheduled to start, a group

of people arrive to find and develop water systems, set up the firskitchen & a health care system, and dig the first latrines. Seed camp

folks design the layout of the actual Gathering by developing trailsselecting a Main Circle site, marking parking areas and settingup Welcome Home. Coop and Banking Councils are set up toaddress the needs of Seed Camp. Please do not show up for seedcamp unless you are willing to chip in on the work.

The Forest ServiceOur Family is committed to preserving the priceless heritage o

our national forests. In this spirit, we cooperate with the rangerof the USDA Forest Service in doing the job they were hired forprotecting the land. The local forest rangers are notified of aGathering from Seed Camp. We honor their ecological concerns fora site, and we treat them with respect. They became rangers becausethey love the land as we do. At times, rangers have given the familyvaluable tips, and wild seed for replanting. Do remember thoughthat forest rangers are law enforcement officials who have thepower to arrest you.

We choose not to sign permits or to make agreements withthe Government. Since we are a Gathering of equal Individualsno one person has the right to represent anyone else and thus noone has the authority to sign a permit as a representative of theRainbow Family. In choosing not to sign, we are exercising ourConstitutional right to assemble peaceably.

The First Amendment to the Constitution of theUnited States of America

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment oreligion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridgingthe freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the peoplepeaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redressof grievances.

Welcome Home! If you are new to Rainbow Gatherings, thismanual may help you understand the basics and how thingsare usually done. The idea is that we can all share, love, &respect, without anyone unnecessarily getting hurt(physicallyor emotionally). Rainbow Gatherings are a free, non-commercialsharing of our hearts in the cathedral of nature. Because werecognize that we are all One, we live in a community of tribal

anarchy where each of us can help to take care of each other. TheGathering works because people take responsibility for doing whatneeds to be done, and for gently teaching each other.

Many hands working together make a strong tribe. We walklightly on the Earth. We respect and care for each other & forall living things. We drop all forms of violence in our dealingswith others and look for peaceful solutions to conflicts. Wedeal with each other honestly with open hearts. Much goes intocoordinating a Gathering and much has been learned about how tomake a Gathering happy and healthy. The Mini-Manual continuesto evolve collecting our experience and wisdom into one printedplace. Your contributions are welcome. Growth is a learning processwith no end, and your vision on something might teach us all.

Find Your Way HomeOur Name

Any Gathering that bears the name Rainbow is a completelyfree, non-commercial event. All supplies are donated or paid forwith money given to the Magic Hat. There is no admission fee.No money is exchanged within the Gathering. This frees us fromlegal entanglements and guarantees our Constitutional right togather on public lands. Our Gatherings are open to all peacefulpeople. There is no membership, no administration. There are noleaders. No one is turned away. Any non-violent person with a bellybutton is welcome. You are a Rainbow by simply deciding that youare one, and your voice is equal to that of any other Rainbow, be ityour 1st gathering or your 30th.

ScoutingScouts provide a great service and commitment to the Family

by finding the best location for our Gatherings that meets allessential criteria. Experienced scouts research potential sites usingtopographical maps, aerial photos and leads from local folks.They then coordinate with regional focalizers and attend SpringScouting Rendezvous.

Howdy FolksWhen the Gathering site has been chosen, a Howdy Folks

notice is sent to local focalizers and posted on computer networks.This notice contains instructions for getting to the site and otherspecifics including maps and contact phone numbers. Focalizersmake copies and otherwise pass the info on to Rainbow and NewAge events, food-coops, community centers, etc.


2/6

Respecting the LandWater

Water sources are our lifeblood, and they must be protectedfrom the very first day. The safest drinking water comes from springs.Once a spring is designated for use, it is marked off with stringsor ribbons. No campsite or latrine should be located aboveor within 300 feet of these springs. Never pour liquid wastesinto or near a water source or on the ground nearby. Instead, diga grey water pit at least 300 feet away. Never use soap in a watersource, not even biodegradable soap. Instead, use a water bucket

at least 300 feet away. Never dip a canteen or cup into a watersource. Use a common hose or dipper. Drink only water that youknow has been scientifically tested, boiled or adequately filtered.Even the purest looking water can contain micro-organisms that can causesevere intestinal illness. To be absolutely safe, water should reacha rolling boil for a few minutes. Keep your leashed dog away fromfaucets.

WildlifeWe gather in the Cathedral of Nature & disturb the environment

as little as possible. Riverbanks and wetlands are vulnerableecosystems. Do not go near them. Older phyla like mosses & fernsare especially fragile. Leave beaver ponds alone. Stay far from babyanimals. Grown animals defend their young in a beastly way.

Use things where they lie. The more you move, the more youhave to move back. Hang tarps from trees, use existing branches

for structure rather than cutting and setting posts. Cut no livingtree. Do not break live branches. Use only dead wood. Make fewtrails & stay on them.

Do Not Litter!! If you smoke, pocket your butts. If you packit in, you must pack it out. If you dont, someone else will have todo it for you. Hence, pick up trash left by others who have not yetlearned the Rainbow Way. Educate them with kindness. Its goodfor the soul. The earth is our mother, we must take care of her!!

ShittersIf you gotta go, go to a latrine. If you dont know where one

is, ask at the nearest kitchen. Dont wait until the last minute tofind a shitter since there might be some walking involved. Neverleave waste unburied. Flies will find it, then they will find kitchenfood, then people eat that food & get sick. Irresponsible disposal

of human waste can easily create a very sick camp. Dig communallatrines:How to dig, use, and maintain a shitter:

Latrines must be over 300 feet from open water orsprings, never uphill from a spring , and clearly marked

by signs & ribbon from the trail to the latrine. Cut out sod and preserve it for replacement over the filled in

hole when the latrine is full. Dig a deep, narrow pit. A long foot wide trench at least 4

feet deep is best. Keep the soil in a neat pile for fill-in later. Avoid having an open trench. Build a solid fly-tight cover

with lids. These covers should be washed daily. Keep lime and/or ashes from a wood fire in a can nearby.

Sprinkle the lime or ashes over your donation and thensome dirt to completely cover the waste.

Large coffee cans with plastic lids keep toilet paper dry andclean. Maintain a container of water with 1% bleach nearby for

handwashing. Latrines should be checked daily. When it is full to within

18 inches of the top, fill the remaining 18 with the savedsod, and dig another latrine. Inform the nearest kitchenswhere the new shitter is. Digging a shitter is a most holytask. You havent been to a gathering till youve dug ashitter.

Choose a site for the shitter well off the trail and at least 100 yards(300) from any body of open water or kitchen. If on a hill, thetrench should be at right angles to the slope, with the dirt fromthe excavation piled uphill from the hole to prevent a washout if itrains. Narrow trenches are easier to use, and the deeper they are,

- 2 -

the longer they are usable. An inverted coffee can will keep TP dryand a jug of hand wash should hang nearby. Do your businesscover your mess, and Wash Your Hands. If the hand wash is lowits your turn to fill it. Morning and evening cold ashes should besprinkled to keep the flies out.

Dont make the fly connection: ShitfliesfoodYOUHave a safe and healthy Gathering

Clean UpClean up begins before you leave your home. Think carefully

about what you pack. Do you need it? Will you want to deal withpacking it out. Clean Up continues when you arrive if you dondisturb the environment to begin with, you dont have much toclean up later. If you pick up trash as you go, theres little mess athe end.

Bring sturdy bags for your trash & recyling. Take your trash& recycling far from the gathering and surrounding towns anddispose of it properly. Trash & recycling stations should be usedas a Last Resort. Have a heart and take a bag of trash from a trashstation upon leaving the gathering (it really helps).

We attempt to leave NO traces of the gathering so that in a yearyoud never know we were there. Every cigarette butt, bottle cap &string is picked up to the best of our ability. After the last day of theGathering, the camp is drawn inward from the perimeters to onecentral camp, thence to the front gate, parking area, and down theroad. See Rap 701 for details.

Recycling: Reduce, Reuse, RecylePeople should take their trash & recycling home with themthereby keeping a balance of refuse distribution, and not overtaxingthe cleanup crew. After all, environmental consciousness isomething we all always practice at home & as part of our dailylives, right? Remember to bring a bag or such to neatly store youwaste. Pack it in. Pack it out. Otherwise, if you simply must leaveit behind: Dont mix recyclabes and trash together. Separate cansglass & plastic from that which is trash, and bring it to a recyclingstation. We burn paper. Trash is placed in plastic bags and taken toa dumpster or landfill at least 50 miles from the Gathering. Organicwaste is buried in compost pits. Lost & found items are left foowners to reclaim until the end of the Gathering. Afterwards, itemsare placed into a free bin, and ultimately donated to local charities.

NeighborhoodsNeighborhoods are the reality of the Gathering. Community

makes the Rainbow Vision come to life. Camp needs, like feedingeach other, maintaining latrines, child care and security arefocalized around kitchens and neighborhood fires. When you firsarrive, look for a group of tents to coordinate your camp with thatsuits your vibe. Camps usually form around a kitchen. Sometimepeople from a same state / region camp together. Neighborhoodsprovide security & enhance community spirit.

RainExpect it. And hey! It takes rain to make a rainbow. Consider how

rain, wind, runoff and puddles will affect your campsite and fireDo not place your tent in a low spot or gully. Dry riverbeds mayflash flood. Ravines can become muddy quagmires. Keep trails onthe rises. Cover tents with tarps and tie them close to the groundso wind wont catch them like a sail. Cover bulletin boards withplastic. Rain is liquid sunshine.


3/6

FireNo private fires. Share a hearth with neighbors. When you build

a fire, always have a shovel and at least a 5 gallon bucket of waterat the ready. Use only dead and dry wood. Never throw plastic orsynthetic materials into a fire. Select a safe location. A clearing is

best. Avoid any overhangings. Keep your fire low. Sparks fly far &even live trees can catch fire. If you must have a large fire, build it atleast 20 feet from the tree lines. Beware of root fires (tree roots can

burn underground). Line the inside & bottom of your fire pit withrocks. Scrape the ground free of loose duff, leaves and grass for at

least 1 ft. around your pit. Dont throw matches or cigarette buttson the ground. No Fireworks! The only fireworks you need arein your heart. Fire watch crews walk the camp to make sure that allfires are properly tended. We are all on fire watch.

- 3 -

ConsensusCouncil consensus is how we have chosen to govern ourselves

Consensus is our attempt to discover the will of the Spirit throughthe hearts of the people. While discussing issues, if a resolve seemsclear, a speaker may Call for consensus by silence. If No Oneobjects to the proposal, then consensus has been reached, indicatinga solution acceptable to everyone, not just a majority. Those whohave objections may call to block consensus, which causes councidialog to resume. A block should only be made from a place oclarity & good conscience. One truth can change the collective mindIt is possible that Spirit has given the blocking voice a message that

is presently beyond the perception of the council whole. Howeveran individual placing their will above that of the people is a mosthurtful & disrespectful offense. Since everyone is affected by aconsensus, it is important to listen, respect, trust, and exercise goodconscience. Egos should definitely be checked at the door. Councican be rewarding & exhausting.

Conch Shell HornConch shell horns are the way we call the Gathering to center

Horn calls around noon signal Council. Horns near dusk omorning signal that meals are being served. At other times, hornusually mean something important has happened that demandsquick attention.

Rule MakingWe understand. Really we do. No one likes to be told wha

they can or cant do, especially hippies and anarchists. RecognizedRainbow rules come from only one source, Main Council, athe annual National Gatherings. Everyone is welcome andencouraged to attend these councils. The Only rules recognizedare ones formally accepted by council consensus. This means thaEveryone in the council circle agreed that a suggested rule should

be a rule (no one objected). Rainbow rules are the culmination ofamily consensus across the years. For those who do not accepthis, please bear in mind, that if this process were not happening,then there will be No Rainbow Gathering to argue the point in thefirst place. Respect for the whole gets respect from the whole. Theidea of me yielding to the idea of we. Trust in your family to bewise. Conversely, rules in Rainbow are not final, should be humblyimparted with love (at least at first), and most importantly, conflictsshould always be addressed with love, and an attempt to preserverather than defeat.

Love is the answer.

While GatheringMain Meadow

Main Meadow is the epicenter of the Gathering, located in anopen field large enough to accommodate many people. It is wherewe coordinate Main Council , Dinner circle, various prayercelebrations and events, including our Silent Meditation forWorld Peace on the morning of July 4th. There should be no tentor fires here. This meadow is for all. Its energy should be kept cleaand pure. Trade Circle should not be in sight.

The Silent Circle for Prayer and Healing July 4th, Morning

We gather to focus on Love , nature, our better nature, healingdivision, and to honor and respect all positive contributions tothe evolution of earth and all life. On July 4th, from daybreak tilhigh noon, the camp is hushed, hopefully no talking at all. It is awonderful exercise to communicate without words. People gathein Main Circle to meditate for World Peace and the Healing of theEarth. This is a time of profound energy. Explore your deepestfeelings so that your healing might will be complete. The silenceis broken with a resonantOM after the Childrens Parade enters theCircle, after high noon.

Please, respect the morning silence.There is plenty of time in life for noise.

CouncilingCouncils

We gather in Council Circles to voice and to creatively resolve theissues and concerns of our ever-evolving Gathering. Councils arean excellent opportunity to help create the Gathering. Participationin a council requires a focused mind, patience, respect, a listeningear and an open heart as we make decisions on how to best servethe Gathering. The power of respectful listening is sacred to the

process. There are councils on all workings of the Gathering. Thisincludes Main Council, Vision Council, COOPerations, ShantiSena, Legal Liaison, Info, Rainbow Guide, All Ways Free,Focalizers, Kitchens, Banking, Fire watch, CALM, Bus Village,Clean-up, Cyberspace, etc.

Main CouncilMain Council is held daily at Rainbow noon or early evening in

the Main Meadow, and is announced by the blowing of a conchshell. Main Council deals with issues of the Gathering in an openforum where All Are Welcome to participate. It is only in MainCouncil that decisions affecting the entire Gathering can be made.Anything can be discussed/expressed at Main Council, from thepractical to heartsongs & dreams. Health & safety issues should beresolved first, as council decisions may not be made after sunset.

Vision CouncilVision Council shares the future dreams and visions of the

Rainbow Family. Much of the focus is ondetermining the locationfor the next years national Gathering. Council starts at noon on

July 7th, and continues until a consensus is reached. This may takedays. Be prepared to be patient, very patient.

Council ProcessRainbow Councils are an open process where everyone is invitedto listen and speak. We sit in a circle and pass a feather (or othersacred object) around. Each person holding the feather speaks inturn without being interrupted. The holder has the right to honoror reject input from others. Talking, listening, and sharing ourdeepest feelings , we find new perspectives on each other, andnew ways of solving problems. Crosstalking conversation does notserve the whole. Sometimes council process is more open, with thefeather placed in the center, trusting that everyone can recognizetheir perfect moment to speak. At other times it is helpful andnecessary to have a facilitator to keep an impartial focus, minimizedigression, and remind speakers of their responsibility to the circleand others waiting to speak. There are variations of circle designsuch as inner & outer circles, spirals, etc.


4/6

The Magic HatThis is the fund raising instrument for any Rainbow event. A

Gathering is free for everyone. But the supplies needed to keepeveryone well fed and healthy cost money. This includes food,medical supplies, gas for shuttle buses and supply vehicles, etc. Bygiving generously to the Magic Hat, each of us helps to providefor all. The Magic Hat appears at group meals and is sometimes

carried by wandering minstrels. Giving early in the Gathering ismore helpful than gradual contributions. Be wary of Magic Hatsthat are not inside the actual gathering site & personal hats beingcalled the Magic Hat. The surest safest place to contribute is atdinner circle in the main meadow. Contributions are cared for by aBanking Council of at least 5 respected Family members. They countall collected money daily, keep written records of the amounts, andmake decisions as to how the money is allocated. Receipts are kept,and Banking Council records are open to all who wish to see them.

SupplyDonations of food and materials are pooled and distributed here.

Supplies from individuals can be brought here as well. Banking fundsallow money-saving bulk purchases and help cut down waste.This is a major operation, requiring daily councils and the energyof many. Kitchen representatives meet here to discuss their needs.

KitchensFood is obtained from Supply & prepared by the helping

hands of hundreds of volunteer choppers, slicers, peelers, stirrers,fire tenders, and chefs. Some kitchens serve all day, some havespecified meals, some send food to Main Circle, and others offerspecialized fare like popcorn or coffee. Food sent to Main Circleis vegetarian.

Ideally, every Rainbow should have their own cup, bowl, &spoon that they wash thoroughly after each use. Kitchens mustbe kept clean. Enclose kitchens with railings, and set up handwashing stations. There is no faster way to spread disease thanto serve contaminated food. Volunteers in kitchens must washtheir hands before working with food, and must not have cuts or

communicable diseases. Work surfaces & implements are washedwith bleach water before and after use.Food is served by servers with designated tools. People do not

serve themselves with their own utensils. Personal bowls shouldbe served at the side of a pot, not over it.

Supplies are not stored on the ground, or in the open. Pets arekept out of kitchens. Every kitchen has a dish washing station,usually comprised of 5-gallon buckets. One for scraping debrisinto, one with hot soapy water for washing, one with clear water forrinsing, and one with water containing a capful of bleach or vinegarfor disinfecting. Wash water is changed regularly. Dirty cookwareshould not sit around for hours. Compost pits are dug nearby forfood waste. When the contents come up to within a foot of groundlevel, they are filled in with dirt. A mound of dirt is left on top tolevel as the waste underneath decomposes & settles. If flies start

their own gathering at your compost pit, then its time to coversome of it up. Waste water goes into grey water pits. Kitchensconstantly need firewood and water. Make a habit of bringing apiece of wood when visiting a kitchen. Each kitchen should alsohave a first aid kit.

Front GateWhen you volunteer for Front Gate, you get to see it all come

in. The parking lot crew greets the world with hugs and info.They maintain an organized and secure parking area, and make anaround the clock commitment that involves: greeting new arrivals,giving out information, traffic control, security, minor auto repair,maintaining a kitchen and fire circle, & an active Shanti Sena.Alcohol energy can be an issue here. Front Gate and WelcomeHome are sometimes understaffed. Volunteering here is especiallyhelpful.

- 4 -

Bus VillageBus Village is for those who come in campers or live-in busses or

vans. Bus village is a community of its own with kitchens, councilswork crews, and Shanti Sena. Bus Village is usually well situatedto help with Front Gate and Welcome Home.

ShuttlesShuttles are rugged busses or trucks that can provide almos

continuous service that is safe & reliable between the parking area

and the Welcome Home center. Drivers need relief regularlyRiders should help with gas and repair expenses. The parkingcrew seeks vehicles for possible use as shuttles.

Welcome HomeWelcome Home is set up past the front gate, just before the main

camping areas to meet & greet people as they enter the site. Iprovides a place for people to rest from their journey, be informedabout site specific conditions, and receive copies ofRap 107 and701. A site map is posted. New arrivals may be offered coffeetea, water, and/or a hug.

Kid Village

Kid Village is a place for children to find other children, parents tomeet other parents, & all to share and grow in parenting. It facilitatesthe needs of kids, parents, and pregnant & nursing moms. It has akitchen, shade, playthings, and people who are good with childrenKid Village should be located a distance from main meadow tominimize noise at night. Kitchen help, musicians, storytellers, andgame leaders are always welcome. Child awareness is always oparamount concern. Keep track of your children. Kid Village iNot simply a drop off zone. Know where your children are, whenthey should meet you or be back to your camp. If you entrust theircare to someone else, be sure you know that person to the point ohaving spent some time with them. If you leave your children aKid Village, clearly inform others of your going, expected returnand if possible, leave word where you can be found. For smalchildren, pin a tag with their name, your name, and where you arecamped on their shirt. If your child gets lost, dont wait too longto act. Inform Child Search at Info or Kid Village.

Shanti SenaShanti Sena is Sanskrit forpeace keeper. If a problem develops

calling Shanti Sena loudly will bring assistance. In truth,everyoneis a peace keeper. We all watch out for each other. Often a groupcan prevail in a conflict where a single person can not. Some othe Family are professionally trained in conflict resolution. Talkingwith Respect & Compassion is tried first. If physical interventioncan not be avoided, it is done gently without inflicting injury. Werespond nonviolently & with Love. In a general sense, we are alShanti Sena. Help by minding your valuables & keeping an eye ona neighbors camp when theyre away.


5/6

Health & HappinessWorkshops

Workshops can be given by anyone on any subject. Largemeadows can be designated for workshops. A Workshop Boardis at Info for posting times and places. Typical workshops includePlant Walks, Yoga, Music, Sister/Brother circles, Massage, Nutritionand other healing techniques.

Sweat LodgesSweat Lodges are sacred spaces for mature ceremonies which

purify the mind and cleanse the body of toxins. They are built withcare and respect in a traditional manner and those who lead thesweats are commonly schooled in the old ways. The space shouldbe respected as a temple and not disturbed by vibrations or

behavior that is less than sacred. Please dont come if you have aninfectious disease. Come with an open heart & some firewood.

MusicWe make our own music here, and everyone is welcome to join.

Acoustic instruments only. Share your songs with us, even ifyoure not a performer. In a group of musicians, listen & blendinstead of dominating, especially in a drum circle. Harmony is thepoint. Be considerate in the wee hours of sleeping folks.

TechnologyWe welcome non-polluting. low energy technology such as

solar, wind-power, etc. Excepting flashlights, lanterns & stoves,fuel-powered & electrically generated devices are not welcome!No Boom Boxes! Forcing one persons taste on many is not cool.Artificial sound carries a long way in the woods.

InfoInfo is the Gatherings communications center. All councils,

events, and focalizers report here daily with announcements andneeds. Anyone with anything noteworthy to share should comehere to pass the word. Lost and Found and Rumor Control arehere. Printed handouts on a variety of subjects can be distributedhere. Maps, rider boards, and bulletin boards are nearby. There isa Volunteer Here board for people wanting to plug in & help.Projects needing assistance make their needs known here. It is alsoa good place to report an emergency or large concern.

Trade CircleBarter and the mutual exchange of crafts and the like are

encouraged. One thing exchanged directly for another thing,or for a service performed. Money changing in the temple isunacceptable. No money should ever change hands here. Usingmoney jeopardizes our right to use public land. Trading unusedcommercially produced goods is in bad taste. The gathering isfor sharing hearts, not making profit & the funky energy that goeswith it. As a result, consensus was reached in 1995 that TradeCircle should not be on the main trail, or in sight of the MainMeadow.

- 5 -

PetsA Gathering is not a good place for a pet. Dogs speak an interna

language that humans can not predict. They fight other dogs, kilwildlife, get into food, and shit everywhere. Sudden changes in theenvironment spook & stress them to a point where they snap & biteWe know, of course not your dog. Soooooo, if you must bringyour pet, you must be responsible. Keep them under constanwatch 24 hours a day, on a leash, out of kitchens, meal circlescouncils, and wildlife. Clean up & burry their droppings. Sound

like a real drag? Be realistic, be kind. It is reasonable to leash astray dog someplace with shade & water. ARF camp is sometimesset up to address pet issues.

PhotographyAlways ask permission before taking a picture of any other

person. This includes groups as well as individuals. Most peoplsay yes, but no means NO. Excessive picture taking can kill anatural or peaceful moment of bliss & make people tense.

NudityClothing is optional. We accept people and their bodies withou

judgement or shame. Many people like the feeling of freedom, olike to be cool on a hot day. Be cautious of sunburn & poison ivyIts a good idea to at least wear sandals. Nudity is natural. It is

Not an invitation for sex or a feel.

Love & LonelinessMany in our Family have found deep & satisfying relationships

with other Family members. Few of these sprang into being at theirfirst Gatherings. The freely given affection, easy conversation, andsudden promise of openness here cause many to start searchingfor their one and only, build up big expectations, and then bedisappointed. Meet people by volunteering and working withthem, by making music and theater with them, by joining them inworkshops and spiritual events. See them in all their moods, andreally get to know them. Be patient and give time for friendshipsto unfold and grow by themselves without expectations. The Spiriwill show you your soulmates, if you let it. Many people will be puoff by sudden propositioning, and not everyone is in the same state

of wanting that you are. Remember, if the other person says no, buyou do anyway, that is rape. We are all worthy of equal respectWe are opening up to the luminous love light of the One.

IntoxicantsWhat you use is your business. What you abuse is often

everyones business. It has long been a tradition in our familyto discourage the use of alcohol at gatherings. Alcohol energycan easily threaten. We respect a persons right to drink. We do norespect difficult drunks. The primary reason we gather is for peaceConversely dont be a nuisance to drinkers (or Shanti Sena): iyou are panhandled or insulted, turn to your friends or soberpeople for help. Some intoxicants can have mind-expanding andotherwise sacred uses. However, we actively discourage givingpowerful psychedelics like LSD to people who dont know whatheyre taking, or dont have the experience and mental stability to

handle it.

?


6/6

TownPlease respect the community we are closest to. Avoid

unnecessary trips to town. Please respect local businesses, andpeople with different sensibilities. Absolutely Do Not panhandle,loiter, apply for any social services, or otherwise act inappropriately.Do not tax the resources of the local area. Be Kind, even to folkswith bad attitudes. Some folks respond badly to change and whatthey dont understand. We are in their back yard. When you are intownyou are an ambassador for the entire Rainbow Family.

Family & Community

Just like in any good family, brothers & sisters take turns washingdishes, taking out the trash, cooking, getting firewood & water -- allthe chores. Orders need not be given. Love acts without having tobe asked. Giving love feeds you love. Attempting to amass credit,dominate, indulge ego, or run personal agendas will leave oneempty & flat, missing the point & the big picture. Blissing out isgreat, but if you want to take something home with you from thegathering that will last and really mean something, volunteer, helpout a kitchen, plug in. Unlike Babylon, here you can see, hear &feel the reasons for community service -- your brothers & sistershealthy & getting fed. If we all put in 2 hours a day, wed be onehappy camp.

Year RoundRegional Gatherings

In addition to the annual National Gathering, there are manyRegional Gatherings throughout the year. Find out aboutthese from Info, All Ways Free, Focalizers, Rainbow GuideLightLinks, or the Internet at: http://RainbowGuide.info,http://WelcomeHome.org, http://WelcomeHere.org oralt.gathering.rainbow (AGR).

FocalizersA Focalizer is anyone willing to be a focal point or conduit of

energies and information. They focus efforts to tasks that need tobe addressed. Anyone can be a focalizer to whatever degree theychoose. If you see an overlooked need, take the initiative and doit! Volunteering for too much can burn you out, so get help, lovinglydelegate. Sometimes there are people waiting to be useful, withhidden talents. A good focalizer respects consensus, avoids egoism,empowers & respects people, and allows them to learn, even at theprice of inefficiency. They are not like leaders in Babylon. Theyare not placed Over us. A focalizer lacking vision and wisdom willsimply not be followed. Their election is ongoing.

Legal LiaisonLegal is a group of people with knowledge of State and Federal

laws. They act as advocates for the Family in regard to legalquestions which are of concern to us, such as National Forestregulations, drug laws, search & seizure procedures, homelessness,hassles with officials, and arrested members of the Family. Theyserve as watch dogs on the workings of the authorities, and organizecampaigns. Help from experienced lawyers is always appreciated.Note: If you are stopped by the law on the way to a gathering, donot consent to searches. Your car is protected the same way ahouse is if you live in it. If you observe police harassment, stop &

be a witness. If you are harassed, report it to Cooperations and/orLegal Liaison.

C.A.L.M. Center for Alternative Living MedicineCALM are the people entrusted with setting up public health

and sanitation systems, and with providing health care for Familymembers during the Gathering. The CALM staff is made up ofvolunteers representing a broad range of healing modalities fromlicensed professionals to herbalists, body workers, homeopaths andshamans. It is a workshop on how various healing techniques canwork in concert together to heal the body, mind and spirit with anemphasis on natural healing. Practitioners often teach each otherabout various healing approaches.

A Rainbow Gathering is a healing place we heal ourselves, theplanet, and each other. Health information & preventative aidslike condoms are available. CALM may be centrally located or avarious healing centers throughout the site. CALM members oftenvisit camps & kitchens, to provide Hippy House Calls and tocheck on sanitary conditions. Many CALM members are equippedwith radios and are on-call 24/7. CALM always appreciates thedonation of supplies, from first aid equipment to herbs, tincturesand remedies. Volunteers are also needed to help keep the unifunctioning. See the CALM web site for a list of supplies and

jobs that are needed to create a functional healing arts centerhttp://infolation.com/calm/ .

- 6 -

PDF versions of this & other Rainbow Raps can be found online at: http://RainbowGuide.info

Rainbow GuideThe Rainbow Guide is a non-commercial directory of our

Family, compiled and published annually by volunteers withyour contributions. The Guide helps the Family to connect witheach other throughout the year, and is now available online ahttp://RainbowGuide.info. Copies of the Guide can be obtainedat Info or from the website in either electronic (PDF) or printed

forms. Entry cards are available to those who want to be listedin the Guide; they can be returned to Info or mailed to the Guideaddress. Additionally, we now offer online entry on our siteFocalizers can help by collecting entries in their area. Since theGuide is free & noncommercial, contributions to cover printing andmailing expenses are always deeply appreciated.

All Ways FreeOur free non-commercial Family newspaper. All Ways Free is an

open forum for the expressions and visions of the Rainbow FamilyIt is contributed to, and produced, entirely by volunteers. Everyoneis invited to contribute their heartsongs to AWF. It is available athe Gathering each year, and can also be obtained by writing to theAWF council. Donations are appreciated.

Cooperations

Most day to day business is focalized through COOPerationsTools and building supplies, general assistance and Lost & Foundare located here. Every area of service checks in with COOPerationsdaily. Work crews can use this as a base for organization. Plans fornew camps and construction should be communicated here so thaconflicts over land use & campsites can be avoided. A written log oevent is kept. Banking, Supply and Info also coordinate here.
http://rainbowguide.info/http://welcomehome.org/http://welcomehere.org/http://infolation.com/calm/http://rainbowguide.info/http://rainbowguide.info/http://rainbowguide.info/http://rainbowguide.info/http://infolation.com/calm/http://welcomehere.org/http://welcomehome.org/http://rainbowguide.info/

Documents

Mini Manual 2004