The Sage-ing Guild Communicator

    

The Sage-ing Guild Communicator
Changing the paradigm from Aging to Sage-ing®

December 2007

    

2007-2

In This Issue


Happenings
Sage-ing Stories
Survey
Membership
Other Resources
Web News
Ideas
Merchandise
E-Letters

Coordinating Circle

Judith Helburn, Chair
Michele Baldwin
Carol Bourne
Gary Carlson
Rosemary Cox
Pat Lewis
Rosalie Muschal-Reinhardt
Judy Steiert

Contact Us

www.sage-ingguild.org


Web News


  • Check out the information on our Wisdom Circle members
  • You now can send us money for membership or merchandise via PayPal.com
  • Hints on making the site more accessible:
       ◊if something is underlined on the webpage, it is a link to more details—click it!
       ◊have questions about the web site? need help finding something? contact the .

    Ideas


    Forgiveness
    S. Julie Boehnlein in Cleveland started her session on forgiveness by giving every one a gift tag. She asked us to put our own names on the TO section and to put our own names on the FROM: section.

    Then she asked us to turn the tag over and it is
    FORGIVENESS.

    Circles
    Begin your own Elder Council or Sage-ing Circle using the Sage-ing Workbook as your guide.

    Intro to Aging
    Using the 5 minute film Metamorphosis available from . Metamorphosis uses images of aging old cars with "You don't know me," sung in the background. In the process we asked them to do this reflection.
    • Think of the first time in your life that you said to yourself, "That person is old!"
    • Who was that person and how old were you?
    • What was the behavior of the person that made you think "that person is old!"?

      We give them time, ask them to share with the person next to them for two to three minutes. Then I harvest the wisdom by asking one or two people to share. It is always amazing. Then, emphasizing the wisdom does not come from having experiences; wisdom comes from reflecting on one's experiences, we introduce the video.

      —idea from Rosalie Muschal-Reinhardt.


    Merchandise



    The Sage-ing Workbook previously published by SEI has been revived by Bahira Sugarman, Reb Shaya Isenberg and Lynne Iser (which they originally compiled in 1996). It now is in a beautiful new 83-page format for the Sage-ing Guild, with 35 photographs that greatly enhance its appearance and its effectiveness. The Sage-ing content is not changed, just its appearance, which adds a deeper meaning to the words. We now have a variety of Sage-ing materials on the Guild web site.

    E-Letters

    If you are a member of the Sage-ing Guild, please feel free to contribute to this occasional e-letter. Send material to Judith Helburn at .

    Anyone may subscribe to The Sage-ing Guild Communicator by sending an email to .



    In Memoriam


    Gabrielle Weiss, SCF


   
Welcome! To the Sage-ing Guild's e-letter. You are receiving this because you are either a member of the Sage-ing Guild or a Sage-ing Leader. If you do not wish to continue receiving this newsletter, planned for two or three times a year, please go to the bottom and unsubscribe. The Sage-ing Guild Communicator is open to anyone who is interested in conscious aging. One may sign up by sending an email to .

Mission Statement: To change the paradigm of aging by building a community of leaders to transmit the wisdom of Sage-ing.

Happenings


Sage-ing Guild Conference: Save the dates!
The Sage-ing Guild will be holding our first National Sage-ing Guild Conference June 13-15, 2008 at the University of Dayton in Dayton Ohio. Friday, June 13th will be open only to Professional and Associate Sage-ing Guild members, Interns and Wisdom Circle honorees.

So far, we have scheduled
  • A musical reception open to all, sponsored by UD and the Osher Foundation on Friday night.
  • Richard Leider, creator of The Purpose Project, author of 13 books, as our keynote speaker to open the Saturday program. Richard is a member of our Wisdom Circle.
  • A Wisdom Circle Around the Fire with our Wisdom Circle members, Richard Leider, Connie Goldman & Bob Atchley [so far], Saturday late afternoon [Q & A].
  • An interactive electronic conversation with Reb Zalman just before the closing lunch on Sunday.
  • Sessions that you have said you want or wish to share with others, planned with assistance from those who have responded to our conference survey.
All meals will be included in your conference fees which are being developed. Expect surprisingly reasonable conference and lodging fees.

Other Sage-ing and related Events
  • SG prerequisite training Intensive, January 26-27, Parrish, FL
  • SG prerequisite training Intensive, February 1-3, Seattle, WA
  • SG prerequisite training Intensive, March 8-9, Indianapolis, IN
Please see the Sage-ing Guild web site for details.

Sage-ing Stories


My Path to SAGE-ing® by Drew Stevenson
Life has always taken me where I need to be. And, I always know I'm there when, soon after arriving, I can't help myself but cry.

As I sat (already tearing) in the recent Sage-ing Circle Facilitator training, a question crossed my mind. "What were the life events that conspired to escort me to South Bend, Indiana (of all places) to join this incredible group of elders for this life-altering event?"

Sitting in the airport, on my way back to Charlottesville, Virginia, I now have time to think about that question. I think back to last July when I attended the Women Living in Community conference in Asheville, N.C. Thoughts, fears and questions about wanting to lead a spiritual life filled with fellowship and growth during my sixties and beyond had been on my mind for several years, and I felt that this conference would at least introduce me to other women who were exploring their possibilities.

It was here that I met Lynn Iser, who for many years had served as Director of the Spiritual Eldering Institute in Philadelphia. And, even though I had no idea at the time the significance of the institute in the history of the conscious aging movement, I was impressed by Lynn's orientation towards the process we must all face—moving openly into the final seasons of our life.

"Why," I asked myself, "with all of the valuable new directions that had been opened up to me did I keep thinking back to the brief conversation with Lynn Iser about the work of the Rabbi with the long, funny name?"

This question, of course, led me to read that Rabbi's book, From Age-ing to Sage-ing, which drew me further into a search for how I might learn more about involvement in this heartfelt movement. First to the Sage-ing Guild web site...then a phone conversation with Judith Helburn...and before I knew it, here I was sitting amongst like-minded souls in a classroom in Indiana.

My first tears of the weekend let me know—beyond any doubt—that this was the first step on a journey that will take me where I need to be.

More stories next time. Do you have one? Send it to .

Survey


Many thanks to those who responded to our survey. We had about a 30% member response. Below is a summary:
  • People are members to support the SG and share ideas
  • They also value discounts for events, support for their work, communication, and the upcoming conference.
  • About 30% look at the web site about once a month while over 60% look at it once a quarter or much less. The vast majority think it is easy to navigate.
  • About half the group lead workshops monthly or at least 2/3 time per year
  • Dues are not a problem for most
Note: Several members expressed interest in serving on committees. They will be contacted.

Web site:
  • Resources including new material, directory, links to other sites, workshop techniques, what others are doing, password protected site.
  • Good place to refer folks to


Non-member survey responses [33]
  • 55% of respondents are not in guild because they are no longer doing sage-ing work.
  • 35% think the dues are too high.
  • 20% do not want to pay dues.
  • 15% upset that the Institute closed.
  • 30% do not find what the guild does is useful to them.


Membership


Wisdom Circle: Key figures who have made significant contributions for elders in the world and who share our vision of "changing the paradigm from aging to Sage-ing®."

We are honored to have the following sages in our Wisdom Circle: Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, Angeles Arrien, Robert Atchley, Connie Goldman, Richard Leider, Wendy Lustbader and William Thomas.

Professional members: You should have received your renewal information. Please respond ASAP. In 2007, we have over 100 trained Professional Sage-ing Guild members who by supporting the SG have access to the members-only web site and receive discounts for SG events and merchandise among other advantages.

Associate members: You should have received your renewal information. Please respond ASAP. Benefits of Associate membership include:
  • Knowledge that they're supporting the Guild in its work for elders
  • Knowledge that they're supporting the Sage-ing work of Reb Zalman
  • Networking with other members thru listserv
  • Discounts on merchandise
  • Occasional e-newsletter
  • Regional association with other Guild members
  • Discounts on regional, national meetings

Please see the Sage-ing Guild web site for details including membership forms.

In response to those who find the membership dues too dear, we will honor any Sage-ing Leader who sends what s/he feels is appropriate with membership.

Other Resources


The Gifts of Caregiving: stories of Hardship, Hope, and Healing by Wisdom Circle member Connie Goldman. Other books on the subject tell you "how to." This book inspires you with stories of quiet courage, love and hope.

The International Longevity Center-USA (ILC-USA) invites you to visit their new web site. Aimed to be more interactive and accessible, the new site features the latest news and research on issues facing our aging population.

National Positive Aging Conference, December 6-8, 2007: St. Petersburg, FL. The registration fee is $195. All details including, several pre-conference events and registration forms, are on this web site.

The Elder Guild: see reference to article below.

The Positive Aging Newsletter: to subscribe, go here or write to .

TimeSlips: creative storytelling with people with dementia. Consider being trained as a facilitator for TimeSlips. One can use the same skills with almost any age and condition to facilitate a joyful, creative series for either individuals or group storytelling and writing. Created by Anne Davis Basting, Milwaukee Center on Aging and Community.

From Sept. AARP Human Values in Aging: Get a short list of "Top Films about Aging".

Article about Barry Barkan's new Elder Guild.