The Women's Institute of Maine

Dear Friends of WIM,

The year 2010 has called me into deeper and deeper places of my own spirit in an effort to better answer the question, how might I best serve? After a very active 2009 launching the Women’s Institute of Maine, this was an entirely unexpected momentum change from outward to inward. I have always been very serious that WIM be created in the new paradigm, collaborative way, abandoning the leader-driven model. Going with the flow meant going where the energy was, not only for me but for all the individuals who were themselves called to be part of its original creation. The result in 2010 is a clearer, more succinct personal mission: to focus on the website which celebrates, links, and publicizes all the women’s circles which are taking place in our state, and to connect them meaningfully to the worldwide women’s circle movement. What this means is that I will no longer host WIM-sponsored circles. Instead, I am concentrating on supporting circles hosted by others in Maine, by posting where, how, and when these take place, and by facilitating resource and idea sharing between circles on the website. I am a volunteer coordinator for Maine of Gather the Women, a completely compatible organization with a similar mission, only global. What I love about GTW is that, like WIM, it is no cost and only serves to support and encourage circles, not prescribe them. 

The Women’s Circles Initiative of WIM has published a comprehensive resource, “Women’s Wisdom, Women’s Circles” available postage paid for $8.00. This is a soup to nuts resource for those starting a circle, with additional program ideas and tips on group dynamics. For those who would like it, I am happy to do a training and Q&A session online or in person for those wishing to start a circle of their own. The book and training are meant as a foundation, whereas the website is a treasure trove of accumulated resources for circling. You will be able to find in one place rituals, poems, songs, videos, links, quotes, and activities you can use to enrich your circle. I wish for this to continue to accumulate through a “stone soup” effort, with circlers contributing what works for them so we all have a richer soup to sample. There are online forums on our site for sharing, conversation, and book reviews. I’m hoping to see these to be buzzing with activity!

It is my deepest wish that every woman who wants to be part of a sacred circle is able to do so, either by joining one or by starting one herself. Having participated in several circles over the years (I’m currently in three, one for women), I am convinced of their value as a catalyst of one’s spiritual inquiry and as a source for deep community and well-being. I can honestly say that circling is the most nurturing and valuable thing I do for myself, and that I have noticed how these benefits aren’t just for me, but spill over through me to my family and friends. I believe in this way that sacred circles are a true force for both personal and social change.

In the coming months, I will be tweeking the site to make it as user friendly as possible.  I want your content and welcome your suggestions as we build a community of shared resources for circlers.

Please feel free to email me at womensinstituteme@gmail.com or at lauriemccammon@gmail.com or call and chat at 207 883-6170.

How you can connect with the women’s circle movement:

Add your events and open circles to the calendar on our site. (Or if you are technologically challenged, email me the information and I will add it for you if I have time.) I ask that you become a member (free) in order to post anything to the site. This ensures that the content is consistent with our mission.

Add your circle to our circle directory, even if it is closed to new members. Just email me the group title, contact person (and telephone and email for our records), when and where you meet, and if your group is open or closed at this time. Why? We are building an awareness of how many are circling and in how many places. It encourages new circles to form and makes our similar efforts visible so we can celebrate them! If your group is closed but you are willing to mentor someone who wants to start a new circle , we will list your contact information on the website with your circle listing.

Let your circle members know about WIM so they can visit and join the site. If you would like me to send you a stack of business cards to pass out, just email me at womensinstituteme@gmail.com. the more of us who are sharing resources, the better!

Calling all budding writers, poets, photographers, artists! We’d like to publish your work in our quarterly online newsletter, InspireMe! We’re looking for any content which is spiritually nurturing, particularly those which address and embrace women’s perspectives. You retain all the rights to your work and if at a later time you wish to submit your work to another publication which requires exclusive rights, we are happy to remove it from our site.

And remember, as an added benefit to our community of circlers, when you become a member (free) you are invited to make a free profile on the site including a photo and a link to your business. Please, we ask that any businesses listed on our site are compatible with basic principles of equality, integrity, inclusiveness, service, sustainability and care for the environment. We reserve the right to remove any links or information which for any reason we feel is incompatible. A listing on the site does not imply we have endorsed or approved of the business in any way.

Let us know what you want or need and how we can help! I’m happy to come visit your group with my computer to demonstrate all the ways WIM could help to connect and support your group. There’s no charge for anything, and no pressure at all. It is simply my passion to serve something I truly believe in.