The Manifestry Method . . .
Together seeking common solutions, to common concerns,
while continuing to encouraging individual initiative.
Introduction
The Manifestry Method of seeking common solution to common concerns was probably first recorded as being used thousands of years ago as “The Way”, used by the Primitive/Early Christian (before Constantine) as the method of reaching consensus in their beliefs, and in the way they lived their lives.
Neighborhood Coalition Clusters - Seeking and Manifesting the Will of The Holy Spirit of God - True coalition of independent individuals/families, dedicated to, together gathering together, in small clusters, in their homes, over a common (potluck) meal. - Together gathering, together to: seek, trust, care, share, and communicate relative to common concerns, and thus to coalesce the will of the people to resolve those issues too great to be resolved by the individual alone.
The word manifest and/or manifestant was probably first used during midlevel present uprising(s) in the 13th or 14th century.
One of the first accounts of this approach for reaching a consensus being used in America is probably Benjamin Franklin’s - Juntas. Also a similar approach was used by many peoples native to America in the Tribal Councils. Also by the pioneers as they moved west ward; barn raisings, quilting bees, threshing crews, round-ups were all examples of common people coming together to accomplish common task too large for the single individual to accomplish alone.
But unfortunately our modern society has lost much of the sense, and willingness to seek common consensual solutions to common concerns. Our culture does not seem to have a custom nor recognized method for seeking consensus.
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Introductory Guide to the Manifestry Method
Primary Objectives:
- To gather together
- To coalesce the consensual spiritual will of the community
- To together seek common solutions, to common concerns
while continuing to encourage individual initiative
Primary Facets:
· The Ministry
· The Missionary
· The Manifestry
Manifestants Gathering Together In Manifestry Clusters:
Next Door Neighbors (3 to the left, 3 to the right, and 7 across the street) gathering together, in Host Homes, with neighbors the hosts/hostess are willing to invite into their home, on fifth Wednesdays of the month, over a common potluck meal, to seek consensuses, in circular cluster coalitions.
Seeking Common Solutions to Common Concerns:
In accordance with Self-Determined Agenda(s) including but not limited to the following categories of human interests;
· Personal
· Familial
· Communal
· Educational
· Spiritual
· Economical
· Governmental
In An Orderly Manner:
Each in turn, (in a non-confrontational manner) from the bottom up;
5. Communing/Communicating
4. Sharing
3. Caring
2. Befriending/Trusting
1. Seeking
Action:
Any and all actual acts and/or deeds, (action beyond the coalescence of the spiritual will and/or beyond individual and/or collective resources of the people in the neighborhood community cluster) larger than any one participant and/or Manifestry cluster may be able to accomplish alone, are to be done through/by the appropriate existent Ministry, and/or Missionary entity(ies).
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A Moral Movement
Three Primary Facets
The three primary facets of a moral movement or any movement are:
The Ministry - those who minister:
- The Ministerial
- originate, initiate, enable, administrate, supervise, teach, preach
- deciding, determining, authorizing, administrating, the concept
The Missionary - those who mission:
- The Organizational
- organize, facilitate, enact, administer, manage, promote, act, produce
- acting, accumulating, organizing, utilizing the material/intellectual resources
The Manifestry - those who manifest:
- The Multitudinous
- orchestrate, advocate, encourage, disseminate, participate, partake, share, toil, do
- seeking consensual spiritual will of the community
- accumulating the spiritual resources needed to resolve a common concern
- coalescing (growing together) of the will of the community to utilize these
spiritual resources to find a common solution to a common concern
- manifesting (making evident to others) the common coalesced spiritual will
of the community to resolve a common concern
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Ten Marks of Movement Making Coalitions
(Modification/Adaptation of an essay by; Dr. Cornell (Corkie) Haan)
1. All coalition participants come to their strategic planning roundtable as equals except the facilitator(s) who come as a servant to the others. Therefore, the participants of the coalition control the agenda, not the chairperson as in an organization.
2. Well-balanced coalitions honor both task oriented and relational based leadership styles. Coalitions are built on trust and sustained on a shared vision, bigger than anyone participant may be able to accomplish alone, that becomes a broadly owned strategic initiative. Relationships and initiatives need each other like a railroad track needs a train and vice versa.
3. Coalition development usually includes a reconciliation process that starts with a dog-like sniffing, growling and checking out. Coalition participants scatter when a significant ministry drives the initiative. Elephants and ants don’t dance together very long unless the ant leads.
4. Coalition gatherings are typically not events such as are meetings, conferences or training seminars where someone stands in front of the group to tell everyone else how to do it. They are strategic planning roundtables where everyone is a presenter responding to the key strategic question:
"What can we do better together than separately?”
5. Coalitions are inclusive. Organizations are exclusive. Coalitions grow by filling the roundtable with the intellectual resources needed to accomplish the shared vision or initiative. Coalitions that do not continually invite new people to the roundtable either shrink away or become an organization.
6. A coalition needs a person or a small group to facilitate or coordinate the shared vision or initiative(s) of the coalition. These facilitators kill a movement by functioning as a top-down controlling organizational governing board or executive committee, rather they are to serve the coalition. As a Chamber of Commerce does not compete with its storeowners, those who facilitate a coalition should do nothing to compete with the participants of the coalition. If the facilitator individual/group is perceived as controlling or running things, coalition participants will applaud but withdraw.
7. Top-down controlling organizational structure and leadership quickly makes a movement into a monument. Organizational structure is very good at maintaining things, and efficiently accomplishing physical tasks. But coalitions only become movements when collaborators (co-labors) accustom to maintaining their ministries and/or missionaries are willing to allow for the empowerment of the movement’s manifestries.
8. A coalition's internal communication is its life-blood. Strong coalitions communicate before, during, and following decisions. Coalitions can cause movements, change paradigms, and alter attitudes when each participant, led by the consensual spirit of the movement, communicates similar messages to their constituents.
9. Coalitions are synergistic spirit-driven answers to our inner desire for peace and harmony. Trust and shared vision both arise from collaborators spending many hours in seeking harmonious solutions.
10. Coalitions may become power tools when implemented nationally, regionally, in counties/cities, and in local communities/neighborhoods. Organizations with their organizational boards and committees are important exclusive groups; that are needed to maintain principles and policies, and/or to efficiently accomplish physical tasks. Coalitions are inclusive groups; that discover strategic initiatives, coalesce the spiritual will of the people, and bring together the resources (of existent organizations whenever possible) needed to accomplish that shared vision or initiative.
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Organizations versus Coalitions
Technically a coalition is an organization, but there are some differences in the manner in which they function.
Some Differences
Organizations Coalitions
> members join > participants participate
> individual concedes freedoms > individual retains freedoms
> individual submits to the will > individual retains individual will
of the organization and individual initiative
> hold meetings > have gatherings
> agendas/schedules predetermined > agendas/schedules determined
by leaders/boards by participants
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The Manifestry Gathering - In An Orderly Manner
Dedicated to; together, gathering together in our own homes, in our own neighborhoods, over a common potluck meal, to seek and manifest a more perfectly coalesced overwhelming consensual spiritual will of the people relative to the recognition, preservation and furtherance of an attitude of community.
Gathering on fifth Wednesday evenings, (or other times/days of weeks with fifth Wednesdays) often enough to maintain continuity of thought, but not so often as to become intrusive.
When we gather together each one should bring food. (Material which feeds and supports the body, mind or spirit.) Food for common physical nourishment. Food for common mental or spiritual nourishment.
Each should bring; a song/saying, a rhyme/rap, an educating/informing disclosure, an interpretation and/or a common concern to share.
Let everything be relevant, constructive, edifying and for the good of all. Let any and all new ideas and/or new concerns be introduced only at the lowest level.
If someone wants to speak about a common concern let the circular discussion cluster be limited to no less than three and no more than seven manifestants/participants.
If someone wants to speak in a foreign language (unintelligible utterances, or about in-comprehendible concept(s)) let the discussion cluster number be limited to two or three, and then let one interpret and explain what is said for all to understand. But if there is no interpreter it is best that the one who can only speak in a foreign language be quite, and think some more, as otherwise there will only be confusion.
Let only two or three, (in the circular discussion cluster), who are inspired to communicate (mutually exchange and scrutinize ideas) speak in turn, while the rest pay attention and weight and discern what is said. But if an inspired thought comes to another who is sitting in the circle then let the first be silent and all lessen to the inspiration, until all in turn who are inspired to speak to the issue have had their turn.
If a gathering has more than one cluster, then only the consensually chosen communicator of the respective clusters should communicate the consensus of that cluster to the other clusters.
For in this way we can share and seek the truth and consensus one by one, (face to face, shoulder to shoulder) so that all may learn, and all be stimulated and encouraged.
Thus the gathering is not under the unknowing speaker's control but under the will of the spirit and consensus is reached not in confusion and disorder, but by peace and order
When the cluster is representative of several households, then, in the custom of the era, let each household discuss among themselves, and only the consensually chosen communicator of the respective household relay the consensus of that household to the cluster. Even if they must wait until the next gathering, so the household may have an opportunity to derive a consensus in the privacy of their own home.
The Manifestry Gathering is to be a time of pure and sincere intent. Of seeking the overwhelming consensual spiritual will of the people, of applying, of manifesting (making evident/clear to the minds and senses with others) common inter rationally derived opinions, beliefs, and/or convictions in a non-confrontational manner.
It is not to be a time for teaching, preaching, and worshiping, nor a time for evangelizing, soliciting and campaigning. Let those with ulterior motive(s) be silent.
(Modified Application of; Acts 2, I Corinthians 14, Colossians 3, Ephesians)
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The Making Of A Lasting Moral Movement
For any movement to be long lasting it must:
Be Founded on an Eternal Morally Just Cause.
A lasting moral movement must be founded on a theologically and/or naturally sound absolute moral and/or scientific truth. A truth that is an absolute constant, even though our understanding of that truth may be a constant variable.
Be Inclusive Of All Three Primary Facets of Any Movement
A lasting moral movement must be broad based, balanced and built from the bottom up.
share, toil, do
- those who: seek the consensual spiritual will, accumulate the spiritual resources, coalesce the willingness to utilize those spiritual resources, and manifest (make evident to others) a common spiritual will to resolve a common concern
That is to say: The Manifestry - is to be defined as; Small cluster(s)/brigade(s), coalition(s) of like-minded independent individuals, who are willing, (individually and/or collectively), to seek and (simultaneously) manifest, (make evident/clear to the minds and senses of others), in a non-confrontational manner, their common overwhelming consensual opinion / belief / conviction / will relative to the resolution of a common concern.
Allowed To Coalesce
Most modern movements start with the Ministry, and then the Missionary organizes and superimposes the organization's opinions/beliefs/convictions onto the Manifestry. Which, of course, may be the most efficient means/way, when we deal with technical, or organizational issues. Over the ages many leaders have tried to apply the same approach to moral and political issues.
But, when we deal with morality, and/or moral and political issues, and if the Ministry, Missionary and/or Manifestry do not first allow for the natural coalescing (growing together) of the consensual spiritual moral will of the people of the Manifestry, lacking a broad based spiritual will, the movement either; fails, is only partially or temporarily successful, and/or is short lived.
When a moralistic movement's message; - is founded on a theologically and/or natural sound truth, - is led by impeccable consensual spiritual will, - is decimated by evangelistically servant oriented encouragers/facilitators, - the spiritual moral will of the people is allowed to coalesce among the manifestants, and then organization(s) grow out of the willingness / need for further manifestation of the coalesced spiritual moral will of the people, then movements relative to moral and political issues have a much greater probability of succeeding, and being long lasting. This is particularly so in a society with such a "freedomnistic" mentality as that found in the United States of America today.
We now have the opportunity; - to be the facilitators, - to be the encouragers, - to be the cause for the creation/establishment of a system that will allow for the orderly coalescence and manifestation of the spiritual moral will of the people, (derived from together seeking and sharing a common consensual spirit/will). We now have the opportunity to develop a system which would allow for the orderly coalescence (growing together) of an overwhelming common consensual spiritual moral will of the people relative to resolving common concerns.
Be Under Impeccable Leadership
A lasting moral movement must not be under the speaker's control, but under the consensual spiritual will of the people. Be leery of the leader who says, “Come follow me!” without first being willing to seek the will of the people.
Be Self Perpetuating, Self Motivating, Self Sustaining
A lasting moral movement must have a perpetual summoning to a few individuals and/or small groupings of servant hearted persons, (called by the spirit from within themselves), who will be willing to encourage, facilitate or coordinate the shared vision, without themselves being participants in the coalescence of that vision.
Be Incorruptible
A lasting moral movement must be spiritual in nature, either of the Holy Spirit, or of the natural spirit and must not be dependent on the need for monetary funding for its survival.
Provide For Restoration, Preservation, and Furtherance
A lasting moral movement must build an overwhelming attitude of respect, trust, and harmony in our neighborhoods, our communities, and/or our society.
Once in our nation there was a magnificent selfless attitude of self accountability. If there was something that need done in the community neighbors came together in non-official clusters to seek common solutions to common concerns.
Encourage the Forging of Interpersonal Relationships
The Making of a Lasting Moral Movement begins with the making of lasting, sincere, serious interpersonal relationships of friendship and trust with other individuals, one at a time. With the making of platonically respecting, trusting, harmoniums friendships with our neighbors. With the making of a sound foundation, built by laying one brick of friendship and trust at a time from, the ground up.
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Together Gathering Together at Manifestry Gatherings
Dedicating
- Ourselves
"They dedicated themselves" - Let us "Go And Do Likewise". Let us dedicate ourselves; to resolving our moral differences, to communicating confidently together, over a common potluck meal, in small neighborhood clusters, in our homes, on 5th Wednesday evenings.
- Our Talent, Time, Treasures
Dedicate ourselves to seeking and manifesting the consensual spirit/will of the people.
To be lasting the Manifestry of a truly moral movement needs very small dedicated commitments of talents and time by many people and/or many small clusters of people, in many locations. The Manifestry faction of a moral movement does not need, nor want, contributions of treasures, which ultimately only corrupt and derail the vision of the movement. Individuals may need to expend their own treasures for the benefit of the common objective. Contributions of treasures may be needed, however, by the Community Alliances and by the associated Ministries and Missionaries.
Next-Door Neighbor Circular Cluster Coalitions
Small within next-door neighbor neighborhood clusters (two to seven families/households) regularly gathering together, at a Neighbor Host's/Hostess' home, on fifth (5th) Wednesday evenings to more perfectly seek and manifest the moral will of the people in one organizational and/or geographical grouping/neighborhood at a time.
- Neighborhood Cluster Host/Hostess
Manifestants within an organizational and/or geographical neighborhood cluster willing to invite others to their home, for a common potluck meal, (Manifestry Gathering). Usually also willing to provide beverage, everyone brings their own service, and food to share. The Host/Hostess functions to be rotational.
- Frequency
Gathering often enough to provide consistency but not as frequent as to become intrusive, nor to foster inappropriate familiarities.
Within Organization - at least one fifth Wednesday simultaneous Manifestry Gathering a year of manifestants from within the same organization, by respective geographic areas
Between Organizations - at least one fifth Wednesday simultaneous Manifestry Gathering a year of manifestants from different organizations, by respective geographic areas
Within Next-Door Neighbor Neighborhood Clusters – at least four times, on fifth Wednesdays, simultaneous Manifestry Gatherings a year of manifestants within geographic neighborhoods/blocks, in homes, by respective geographic areas
- In True Coalitions of Communion/Communication
Not Holy Communion. But lower case "c" friendly communion, (communication), - independent individuals seeking consensus and manifesting their common opinions, beliefs, and/or convictions according to the second definition of communion in the dictionary - confident/intimate communication. Communicating in a situation permitting the platonically intimate exchange of sincere and serious ideas and opinions in confidence.
- In An Orderly Manner
Each in turn, in an orderly manner, in pure communications (mutual exchanges/interchanges/talking about), focusing on common concerns relative to the restoration, preservation, and furtherance of an attitude of overwhelming respect, trust and harmony for common concerns, without overlooking individual needs.
(See - "In An Orderly Manner")
- In Neighborhood Community Coalitions
Coalitions of Next-Door Neighbor Clusters
(See – Organizations versus Coalitions)
- Mitoses
As Next-Door Neighbor Manifestry Clusters come in contact with each other, they should voluntarily and spontaneously mitoses according to geographic location of residency. Mitoses should occur when any cluster has more than seven, and less than fourteen participants in it.
- Connector/Communicators
As the need may arise as clusters contact and connect, all connectors/communicators are to be selected by an overwhelming consensus of participating manifestants in each neighborhood cluster, or each connector/communicator council cluster.
- Reconciliation
As Neighborhood Manifestry Clusters come in contact with each other, they should voluntarily and spontaneously reconcile any differences of consensus via their respective connectors. Connectors are to function as communicators not as representatives.
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SEEKING COMMON SOLUTIONS TO COMMON CONCERNS
- In accordance with Self-Determined Agendas:
Including consideration of common solutions to common human concerns for the following life functions category groups:
Situation/Grouping With Activities Relevant To
- Personal - Preservation of Self, Individual Physical Well-Being
- Familial - Propagation of The Species, and/or The Individual’s Germ Plasm
- Communal - Socialization of The Individual
- Educational - Education of The Individual
- Spiritual - Moralization, Sense of Spiritual Well-Being and Purpose
- Economical - Production and Distribution of Goods and Services,
Material Well-Being and Substances
- Governmental - Preservation of An Orderly Society
- Community Connector/Communicators
To be effective each life function category grouping most likely will need to gather in some manner within their own category, and as the need arise, as clusters contact and connect, within categories, connectors/communicators should be selected by an overwhelming consensus of participating manifestants in each community life function category cluster, or each connector/communicator council cluster to communicate their concerns to the respective neighborhood/district/community cluster/coalition/alliance.
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COALESCING THE SPIRITUAL WILL OF THE PEOPLE
From the Bottom Up:
5. Communing/Communicating - face to face, shoulder to shoulder, one on one, or in small cluster conversations, reach overwhelmingly consensual, (coalesced) understanding of the consensual spiritual will of the people, through platonically intimate exchange of sincere and serious ideas and opinions in confidence
4. Sharing - about mutually felt common moral spiritual needs/concerns
- information, knowledge and wisdom
3. Caring - about mutually felt common moral physical needs/concerns
2. Befriending/Trusting - in self and in each other, committing to mutual
friendship, trust and service
1. Seeking - information, understanding, natural truth, consensual spiritual will
- dedicating of self to; meditating, reasoning, and manifesting
Creating Circular Clusters
In that the task is too great for the individual to accomplish alone the next step in The Manifestry Method is the making/creating of close (not closed) circular clusters of mutual trust, confidence and influence.
Spontaneously forming small informal moral based clusters, (within existent organizational groupings, and/or within existent geographic neighborhoods), for mutual support, for simultaneously identifying and defining common concerns, and for seeking, coalescing and manifesting the spiritual moral will of the people to apply common solutions to common concerns.
Allowing For The Coalescing Of The Spiritual Will Of The People
The next step in The Manifestry Method must be the creation of a situation which will permit the platonically intimate exchange of sincere and serious ideas and opinions in confidence, that spontaneously and simultaneously coalesce the spiritual moral will of the people (“The Spirit gives birth to spirit.”) for doing acts and deeds relative to the restoration, preservation and furtherance of an attitude of overwhelming respect, trust and harmony in our neighborhood, in our community, in our society.
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ACTION
Any and all actual acts and/or deeds, (action beyond the coalescence of the spiritual will and/or individual resources of the people) larger than any one participant and/or Manifestry cluster may be able to accomplish alone, are to be done through/by the appropriate existent Ministry, and/or Missionary entity(ies).
- Voluntary Facilitators
All coalitions/movements need a few individuals and/or small groups of servant hearted persons to encourage, facilitate or coordinate the shared vision or initiative(s) of the coalition/movement without themselves being participants in the coalescence of the local vision.
- Individual Encourager
- Family Encourager
- Group Encourager
- Congregation Encourager
- Organization Encourager
- Firm Encourager
- Neighborhood Encourager
- Zip Code Area Encourager
- County Encourager
If you are moved by The Spirit or the spirit to voluntarily assist this moral movement as a facilitator/encourager please see: (“What You Can Do”)
- Manifestants
Individuals, who are willing, to dedicate themselves, (individually and/or together with other like-minded individuals), to seeking, manifesting, (making evident/clear to the minds and senses of others), and/or proclaiming, (in a non-confrontational manner), a common overwhelming consensual opinion, belief, conviction, will relative to a single common concern.
- Manifestry Clusters
Small coalition of (about three to ten) individual independent manifestants (or independent households) of like-minded manifestants who are willing to together gather and individually and/or together, (solely and/or simultaneously [at the same time as other clusters/brigades]), seeking, manifesting, (make evident/clear to the minds and senses with others), and/or proclaiming (in a non-confrontational manner), their common overwhelming consensual opinion, belief, conviction, will relative to a single common moral concern.
- Manifestry Brigades
The Brigade Effect – a brigade (small groups/clusters of manifestants) working together independently (with a common focus, with a common will) can accomplish more than the sum total of the accomplishments of its individuals if they are working separately. Many brigades working simultaneously in many different locations can accomplish more to change individual attitudes than the sum total of the accomplishments of all the individuals if working in one location in one large unit.
- Manifestry Task Forces
A Task Force is a cluster, group, unit or formation established to work on a single defined task or activity. When forming a New Task Forces, at least a Triad, three people, need to be in agreement, and willing to participate before starting a New Task Force.
(Modified Applications from: Benjamin Franklin’s “Juntas”, The New Testament, Ten Marks of Movement-Making Coalitions, Collegiate Sociology, Mission America, The Lighthouse Movement, Greeley Neighborhood Area Plan, Neighborhood Alliance of Central Oklahoma, City of Billings Neighborhood Task Forces)
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WHAT YOU CAN DO
To Assist
1. Personally Educating Self and Others
- seeking, meditating, and sharing moral and ethical information
2. Personally Encouraging Others
- influencing others (in a non-confrontational manner) by communicating moral and ethical opinions, beliefs, convictions via; personal and/or small group conversations, one on one telephone conferences, and/or written e-mails, memos and/or letters
3. Personally Hosting and/or Participating In, In-Home Manifestry Gathering(s)
- inviting others, to your home on fifth Wednesday evenings for a common potluck meal, and conversation relative seeking common solutions to common concerns
4. Personally (In Triads of three) Walking The Neighborhood
- talking to your neighbors and/or distributing flyers, handbills, brochures that contain moral and ethical information and/or position statements supporting common solutions to common concerns.
5. Participating In Public and Political Activities
- voting, and being active in other non-confrontational activities which promote and foster greater awareness and understanding of an attitude of seeking common solutions to common concerns.
6. Promoting The Manifestry Method and furtherance of an attitude of seeking common solutions to common concerns.
- sharing The Manifestry Method concept with others whenever/wherever appropriate
- participating in Manifestry clusters
- inviting and encouraging others to participate in Manifestry clusters
7. Voluntarily Functioning As A Manifestry Method of Community Facilitator-Encourager
- if so called by The Spirit (from within yourself), or the spirit (from without) voluntarily facilitating the introduction of The Manifestry Method to a specific people grouping and/or geographic locality;
- Individual Encourager
- Family Encourager
- Group Encourager
- Congregation Encourager
- Organization Encourager
- Firm Encourager
- Neighborhood Encourager
- Zip Code Area Encourager
- County Encourager
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Effectively Communicate
Intro:
The Manifestry Method is designed to accomplish a very ambitious objective;
The coalescence of the spiritual moral will of the people relative to the restoration, preservation, and furtherance of an attitude of overwhelming respect, trust and harmony in the community, in our neighborhood, in our community, in our society.
Effective communications, (whether it be with an audience of one, a few, or many), are an important part of the method / solution. The restoration, preservation, and furtherance of an attitude of overwhelming respect, trust and harmony for seeking common solutions to common concerns; in our neighborhood, in our community, in our society to many is a very highly emotionally charged issue. We must remember however, that the attitudes of very few people are ever changed from yelling and screaming at them.
Personal attitudes are most greatly influenced by one on one, (face to face, shoulder to shoulder) personal interactions and/or communications (exchanging and mutual scrutinizing of information or opinions).
The Manifestry Method is designed to meet the need to raise awareness of the issues, motivate people to become involved, to keep others who are involved informed and helping to create a feeling of being connected to a larger/greater idea/movement. The method is designed to create a positive supportive network environment for sharing and rationally scrutinizing the overwhelming abundance of information available relative to respecting, and trusting others while together seeking common solutions to common concerns.
The Communications Plan is a brief written outline, roadmap, and/or plan of action. It is a series of steps, tactics, and activities to be achieved in order to advance toward your predetermined goals and/or objectives.
When creating/implementing/elaborating/evaluating your strategy for effectively communication you may want to ponder each of the following:
An effective Communications Strategy may be very brief and simple;
1. Define Your Strategic Communications Plan
2. Design Your Strategic Communications Plan
3. Develop Your Strategic Communications Plan
Or it may be very long and elaborate;
1. Define Your Strategic Communications Plan
Who do you want to influence, communicate with?
- Define who is/are the target audience(s) you want to reach.
What message do you want to communicate?
- Define/prepare an effective message and/or messages.
Message(s) that appeal to the values, beliefs, and interests of your target audience(s).
Why do you want to communicate your message?
- Define your objectives.
- Define/set realistic obtainable goals.
Remember it has been found to take about 5 weekly/monthly contacts to introduce a new product. It may take 55 or even 55 times 5 contacts to restore an attitude. You may need to set your communicative goals/objectives accordingly to avoid personal burnout and/or depression.
2. Design Your Strategic Communications Plan
Where do you want to communicate?
- Design place effective communicative tactics.
Identify where is/are the most effective place(s) for release of communications, or to engage in conversations.
When do you want to communicate?
- Design time effective communicative tactics.
Identify when is/are the most effective time(s)/interval(s) for release of communications, and/or contact with others.
Way you want to communicate?
- Design ways and means of effective communicative tactics.
Identify most effective verbal/written/visual communications tools, and consider/determine the most effective ways and means of using them.
Verbal Communications: participation/interviews in talk shows, participation/conversations at; religious / social / educational / organization / business / other ministry, missionary, and/or manifestry gatherings/meetings/events.
Written Communications: e-mail lists/groups, e-communities/neighborhoods, press releases, public service announcements, newsletters, other articles/letters to the editors/friends/family/e-neighbors. (Seek out; guidelines for effective letters to the editor)
Visual Communications: presentations, parades, positive manifestations, protests, prepared interviews / news releases / public service announcements for TV.
Match most effective tools and ways and means of using them to each target audience and/or occasion.
Set measurable goals and objectives for each target audience.
Set a timetable for achievement for each target audience.
Set a timetable for evaluation and adjustment of tactics relative to each target audience.
3. Develop Your Strategic Communications Plan
(Develop - to cause to evolve, grow, reach full potential and increase)
Seed Your Plan
- Look at your communications plan regularly
- Determine where and how to focus your efforts most effectively next
- Implement your communications plan according to the timeline you specified to mobilize and sustain participation
- Select the most pertinent information and appropriate vehicle by which to reach out and accomplish each objective
Cultivate/Feed/Water Your Plan
- Regularly contact those in your Neighborhood Manifestry Cluster and/or Circle of Influence
- Regularly contact key representatives from local media, form relationships with reporters, and editors at local newspapers, with producers, hosts/(ess), managers, in broadcast media.
- Regularly contact local religious, government, public service organization, business and/or other community officials/leaders
- Regularly contact local educational officials/leaders
- Don't overlook contacting local public relations firms, college communications departments, internet providers, in your efforts to seek the best way to spread your message to a wider audience
Weed Your Plan
- Periodically evaluate your plan to measure the impact of your overall communications strategies and determine if you are reaching your overall goals and objectives, and/or if your plan is in need of adjustments.
- Increase emphases on those tactics that are yielding the greatest results
- Modify or eliminate those communicative tactics that are ineffective or non-productive
Evaluation should take into account the purpose and target audience for each activity.
Be sure to include a mechanism for collecting feedback and recommendations for improvement.
Harvest Your Plan
- Periodically adjust your plan to accommodate for achievements accomplished, and to include new goals and objectives.
Propagate Your Plan
- Increase activities where greatest results for the good of the greatest number are noted without overlooking the needs of the few
- Share your plan with others and encourage them to use what is working for you.
(Modified Application of; "Part 3, Sustaining What Works", from Americas Promise, The Alliance For Youth,)
Together seeking common solutions, to common concerns,
while continuing to encouraging individual initiative.
Introduction
The Manifestry Method of seeking common solution to common concerns was probably first recorded as being used thousands of years ago as “The Way”, used by the Primitive/Early Christian (before Constantine) as the method of reaching consensus in their beliefs, and in the way they lived their lives.
Neighborhood Coalition Clusters - Seeking and Manifesting the Will of The Holy Spirit of God - True coalition of independent individuals/families, dedicated to, together gathering together, in small clusters, in their homes, over a common (potluck) meal. - Together gathering, together to: seek, trust, care, share, and communicate relative to common concerns, and thus to coalesce the will of the people to resolve those issues too great to be resolved by the individual alone.
The word manifest and/or manifestant was probably first used during midlevel present uprising(s) in the 13th or 14th century.
One of the first accounts of this approach for reaching a consensus being used in America is probably Benjamin Franklin’s - Juntas. Also a similar approach was used by many peoples native to America in the Tribal Councils. Also by the pioneers as they moved west ward; barn raisings, quilting bees, threshing crews, round-ups were all examples of common people coming together to accomplish common task too large for the single individual to accomplish alone.
But unfortunately our modern society has lost much of the sense, and willingness to seek common consensual solutions to common concerns. Our culture does not seem to have a custom nor recognized method for seeking consensus.
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Introductory Guide to the Manifestry Method
Primary Objectives:
- To gather together
- To coalesce the consensual spiritual will of the community
- To together seek common solutions, to common concerns
while continuing to encourage individual initiative
Primary Facets:
· The Ministry
· The Missionary
· The Manifestry
Manifestants Gathering Together In Manifestry Clusters:
Next Door Neighbors (3 to the left, 3 to the right, and 7 across the street) gathering together, in Host Homes, with neighbors the hosts/hostess are willing to invite into their home, on fifth Wednesdays of the month, over a common potluck meal, to seek consensuses, in circular cluster coalitions.
Seeking Common Solutions to Common Concerns:
In accordance with Self-Determined Agenda(s) including but not limited to the following categories of human interests;
· Personal
· Familial
· Communal
· Educational
· Spiritual
· Economical
· Governmental
In An Orderly Manner:
Each in turn, (in a non-confrontational manner) from the bottom up;
5. Communing/Communicating
4. Sharing
3. Caring
2. Befriending/Trusting
1. Seeking
Action:
Any and all actual acts and/or deeds, (action beyond the coalescence of the spiritual will and/or beyond individual and/or collective resources of the people in the neighborhood community cluster) larger than any one participant and/or Manifestry cluster may be able to accomplish alone, are to be done through/by the appropriate existent Ministry, and/or Missionary entity(ies).
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A Moral Movement
Three Primary Facets
The three primary facets of a moral movement or any movement are:
The Ministry - those who minister:
- The Ministerial
- originate, initiate, enable, administrate, supervise, teach, preach
- deciding, determining, authorizing, administrating, the concept
The Missionary - those who mission:
- The Organizational
- organize, facilitate, enact, administer, manage, promote, act, produce
- acting, accumulating, organizing, utilizing the material/intellectual resources
The Manifestry - those who manifest:
- The Multitudinous
- orchestrate, advocate, encourage, disseminate, participate, partake, share, toil, do
- seeking consensual spiritual will of the community
- accumulating the spiritual resources needed to resolve a common concern
- coalescing (growing together) of the will of the community to utilize these
spiritual resources to find a common solution to a common concern
- manifesting (making evident to others) the common coalesced spiritual will
of the community to resolve a common concern
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Ten Marks of Movement Making Coalitions
(Modification/Adaptation of an essay by; Dr. Cornell (Corkie) Haan)
1. All coalition participants come to their strategic planning roundtable as equals except the facilitator(s) who come as a servant to the others. Therefore, the participants of the coalition control the agenda, not the chairperson as in an organization.
2. Well-balanced coalitions honor both task oriented and relational based leadership styles. Coalitions are built on trust and sustained on a shared vision, bigger than anyone participant may be able to accomplish alone, that becomes a broadly owned strategic initiative. Relationships and initiatives need each other like a railroad track needs a train and vice versa.
3. Coalition development usually includes a reconciliation process that starts with a dog-like sniffing, growling and checking out. Coalition participants scatter when a significant ministry drives the initiative. Elephants and ants don’t dance together very long unless the ant leads.
4. Coalition gatherings are typically not events such as are meetings, conferences or training seminars where someone stands in front of the group to tell everyone else how to do it. They are strategic planning roundtables where everyone is a presenter responding to the key strategic question:
"What can we do better together than separately?”
5. Coalitions are inclusive. Organizations are exclusive. Coalitions grow by filling the roundtable with the intellectual resources needed to accomplish the shared vision or initiative. Coalitions that do not continually invite new people to the roundtable either shrink away or become an organization.
6. A coalition needs a person or a small group to facilitate or coordinate the shared vision or initiative(s) of the coalition. These facilitators kill a movement by functioning as a top-down controlling organizational governing board or executive committee, rather they are to serve the coalition. As a Chamber of Commerce does not compete with its storeowners, those who facilitate a coalition should do nothing to compete with the participants of the coalition. If the facilitator individual/group is perceived as controlling or running things, coalition participants will applaud but withdraw.
7. Top-down controlling organizational structure and leadership quickly makes a movement into a monument. Organizational structure is very good at maintaining things, and efficiently accomplishing physical tasks. But coalitions only become movements when collaborators (co-labors) accustom to maintaining their ministries and/or missionaries are willing to allow for the empowerment of the movement’s manifestries.
8. A coalition's internal communication is its life-blood. Strong coalitions communicate before, during, and following decisions. Coalitions can cause movements, change paradigms, and alter attitudes when each participant, led by the consensual spirit of the movement, communicates similar messages to their constituents.
9. Coalitions are synergistic spirit-driven answers to our inner desire for peace and harmony. Trust and shared vision both arise from collaborators spending many hours in seeking harmonious solutions.
10. Coalitions may become power tools when implemented nationally, regionally, in counties/cities, and in local communities/neighborhoods. Organizations with their organizational boards and committees are important exclusive groups; that are needed to maintain principles and policies, and/or to efficiently accomplish physical tasks. Coalitions are inclusive groups; that discover strategic initiatives, coalesce the spiritual will of the people, and bring together the resources (of existent organizations whenever possible) needed to accomplish that shared vision or initiative.
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Organizations versus Coalitions
Technically a coalition is an organization, but there are some differences in the manner in which they function.
Some Differences
Organizations Coalitions
> members join > participants participate
> individual concedes freedoms > individual retains freedoms
> individual submits to the will > individual retains individual will
of the organization and individual initiative
> hold meetings > have gatherings
> agendas/schedules predetermined > agendas/schedules determined
by leaders/boards by participants
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The Manifestry Gathering - In An Orderly Manner
Dedicated to; together, gathering together in our own homes, in our own neighborhoods, over a common potluck meal, to seek and manifest a more perfectly coalesced overwhelming consensual spiritual will of the people relative to the recognition, preservation and furtherance of an attitude of community.
Gathering on fifth Wednesday evenings, (or other times/days of weeks with fifth Wednesdays) often enough to maintain continuity of thought, but not so often as to become intrusive.
When we gather together each one should bring food. (Material which feeds and supports the body, mind or spirit.) Food for common physical nourishment. Food for common mental or spiritual nourishment.
Each should bring; a song/saying, a rhyme/rap, an educating/informing disclosure, an interpretation and/or a common concern to share.
Let everything be relevant, constructive, edifying and for the good of all. Let any and all new ideas and/or new concerns be introduced only at the lowest level.
If someone wants to speak about a common concern let the circular discussion cluster be limited to no less than three and no more than seven manifestants/participants.
If someone wants to speak in a foreign language (unintelligible utterances, or about in-comprehendible concept(s)) let the discussion cluster number be limited to two or three, and then let one interpret and explain what is said for all to understand. But if there is no interpreter it is best that the one who can only speak in a foreign language be quite, and think some more, as otherwise there will only be confusion.
Let only two or three, (in the circular discussion cluster), who are inspired to communicate (mutually exchange and scrutinize ideas) speak in turn, while the rest pay attention and weight and discern what is said. But if an inspired thought comes to another who is sitting in the circle then let the first be silent and all lessen to the inspiration, until all in turn who are inspired to speak to the issue have had their turn.
If a gathering has more than one cluster, then only the consensually chosen communicator of the respective clusters should communicate the consensus of that cluster to the other clusters.
For in this way we can share and seek the truth and consensus one by one, (face to face, shoulder to shoulder) so that all may learn, and all be stimulated and encouraged.
Thus the gathering is not under the unknowing speaker's control but under the will of the spirit and consensus is reached not in confusion and disorder, but by peace and order
When the cluster is representative of several households, then, in the custom of the era, let each household discuss among themselves, and only the consensually chosen communicator of the respective household relay the consensus of that household to the cluster. Even if they must wait until the next gathering, so the household may have an opportunity to derive a consensus in the privacy of their own home.
The Manifestry Gathering is to be a time of pure and sincere intent. Of seeking the overwhelming consensual spiritual will of the people, of applying, of manifesting (making evident/clear to the minds and senses with others) common inter rationally derived opinions, beliefs, and/or convictions in a non-confrontational manner.
It is not to be a time for teaching, preaching, and worshiping, nor a time for evangelizing, soliciting and campaigning. Let those with ulterior motive(s) be silent.
(Modified Application of; Acts 2, I Corinthians 14, Colossians 3, Ephesians)
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The Making Of A Lasting Moral Movement
For any movement to be long lasting it must:
Be Founded on an Eternal Morally Just Cause.
A lasting moral movement must be founded on a theologically and/or naturally sound absolute moral and/or scientific truth. A truth that is an absolute constant, even though our understanding of that truth may be a constant variable.
Be Inclusive Of All Three Primary Facets of Any Movement
A lasting moral movement must be broad based, balanced and built from the bottom up.
- The Ministry - those who minister,
- The Missionary - those who mission,
- The Manifestry - those who manifest,
share, toil, do
- those who: seek the consensual spiritual will, accumulate the spiritual resources, coalesce the willingness to utilize those spiritual resources, and manifest (make evident to others) a common spiritual will to resolve a common concern
That is to say: The Manifestry - is to be defined as; Small cluster(s)/brigade(s), coalition(s) of like-minded independent individuals, who are willing, (individually and/or collectively), to seek and (simultaneously) manifest, (make evident/clear to the minds and senses of others), in a non-confrontational manner, their common overwhelming consensual opinion / belief / conviction / will relative to the resolution of a common concern.
Allowed To Coalesce
Most modern movements start with the Ministry, and then the Missionary organizes and superimposes the organization's opinions/beliefs/convictions onto the Manifestry. Which, of course, may be the most efficient means/way, when we deal with technical, or organizational issues. Over the ages many leaders have tried to apply the same approach to moral and political issues.
But, when we deal with morality, and/or moral and political issues, and if the Ministry, Missionary and/or Manifestry do not first allow for the natural coalescing (growing together) of the consensual spiritual moral will of the people of the Manifestry, lacking a broad based spiritual will, the movement either; fails, is only partially or temporarily successful, and/or is short lived.
When a moralistic movement's message; - is founded on a theologically and/or natural sound truth, - is led by impeccable consensual spiritual will, - is decimated by evangelistically servant oriented encouragers/facilitators, - the spiritual moral will of the people is allowed to coalesce among the manifestants, and then organization(s) grow out of the willingness / need for further manifestation of the coalesced spiritual moral will of the people, then movements relative to moral and political issues have a much greater probability of succeeding, and being long lasting. This is particularly so in a society with such a "freedomnistic" mentality as that found in the United States of America today.
We now have the opportunity; - to be the facilitators, - to be the encouragers, - to be the cause for the creation/establishment of a system that will allow for the orderly coalescence and manifestation of the spiritual moral will of the people, (derived from together seeking and sharing a common consensual spirit/will). We now have the opportunity to develop a system which would allow for the orderly coalescence (growing together) of an overwhelming common consensual spiritual moral will of the people relative to resolving common concerns.
Be Under Impeccable Leadership
A lasting moral movement must not be under the speaker's control, but under the consensual spiritual will of the people. Be leery of the leader who says, “Come follow me!” without first being willing to seek the will of the people.
Be Self Perpetuating, Self Motivating, Self Sustaining
A lasting moral movement must have a perpetual summoning to a few individuals and/or small groupings of servant hearted persons, (called by the spirit from within themselves), who will be willing to encourage, facilitate or coordinate the shared vision, without themselves being participants in the coalescence of that vision.
Be Incorruptible
A lasting moral movement must be spiritual in nature, either of the Holy Spirit, or of the natural spirit and must not be dependent on the need for monetary funding for its survival.
Provide For Restoration, Preservation, and Furtherance
A lasting moral movement must build an overwhelming attitude of respect, trust, and harmony in our neighborhoods, our communities, and/or our society.
Once in our nation there was a magnificent selfless attitude of self accountability. If there was something that need done in the community neighbors came together in non-official clusters to seek common solutions to common concerns.
Encourage the Forging of Interpersonal Relationships
The Making of a Lasting Moral Movement begins with the making of lasting, sincere, serious interpersonal relationships of friendship and trust with other individuals, one at a time. With the making of platonically respecting, trusting, harmoniums friendships with our neighbors. With the making of a sound foundation, built by laying one brick of friendship and trust at a time from, the ground up.
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Together Gathering Together at Manifestry Gatherings
Dedicating
- Ourselves
"They dedicated themselves" - Let us "Go And Do Likewise". Let us dedicate ourselves; to resolving our moral differences, to communicating confidently together, over a common potluck meal, in small neighborhood clusters, in our homes, on 5th Wednesday evenings.
- Our Talent, Time, Treasures
Dedicate ourselves to seeking and manifesting the consensual spirit/will of the people.
To be lasting the Manifestry of a truly moral movement needs very small dedicated commitments of talents and time by many people and/or many small clusters of people, in many locations. The Manifestry faction of a moral movement does not need, nor want, contributions of treasures, which ultimately only corrupt and derail the vision of the movement. Individuals may need to expend their own treasures for the benefit of the common objective. Contributions of treasures may be needed, however, by the Community Alliances and by the associated Ministries and Missionaries.
Next-Door Neighbor Circular Cluster Coalitions
Small within next-door neighbor neighborhood clusters (two to seven families/households) regularly gathering together, at a Neighbor Host's/Hostess' home, on fifth (5th) Wednesday evenings to more perfectly seek and manifest the moral will of the people in one organizational and/or geographical grouping/neighborhood at a time.
- Neighborhood Cluster Host/Hostess
Manifestants within an organizational and/or geographical neighborhood cluster willing to invite others to their home, for a common potluck meal, (Manifestry Gathering). Usually also willing to provide beverage, everyone brings their own service, and food to share. The Host/Hostess functions to be rotational.
- Frequency
Gathering often enough to provide consistency but not as frequent as to become intrusive, nor to foster inappropriate familiarities.
Within Organization - at least one fifth Wednesday simultaneous Manifestry Gathering a year of manifestants from within the same organization, by respective geographic areas
Between Organizations - at least one fifth Wednesday simultaneous Manifestry Gathering a year of manifestants from different organizations, by respective geographic areas
Within Next-Door Neighbor Neighborhood Clusters – at least four times, on fifth Wednesdays, simultaneous Manifestry Gatherings a year of manifestants within geographic neighborhoods/blocks, in homes, by respective geographic areas
- In True Coalitions of Communion/Communication
Not Holy Communion. But lower case "c" friendly communion, (communication), - independent individuals seeking consensus and manifesting their common opinions, beliefs, and/or convictions according to the second definition of communion in the dictionary - confident/intimate communication. Communicating in a situation permitting the platonically intimate exchange of sincere and serious ideas and opinions in confidence.
- In An Orderly Manner
Each in turn, in an orderly manner, in pure communications (mutual exchanges/interchanges/talking about), focusing on common concerns relative to the restoration, preservation, and furtherance of an attitude of overwhelming respect, trust and harmony for common concerns, without overlooking individual needs.
(See - "In An Orderly Manner")
- In Neighborhood Community Coalitions
Coalitions of Next-Door Neighbor Clusters
(See – Organizations versus Coalitions)
- Mitoses
As Next-Door Neighbor Manifestry Clusters come in contact with each other, they should voluntarily and spontaneously mitoses according to geographic location of residency. Mitoses should occur when any cluster has more than seven, and less than fourteen participants in it.
- Connector/Communicators
As the need may arise as clusters contact and connect, all connectors/communicators are to be selected by an overwhelming consensus of participating manifestants in each neighborhood cluster, or each connector/communicator council cluster.
- Reconciliation
As Neighborhood Manifestry Clusters come in contact with each other, they should voluntarily and spontaneously reconcile any differences of consensus via their respective connectors. Connectors are to function as communicators not as representatives.
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SEEKING COMMON SOLUTIONS TO COMMON CONCERNS
- In accordance with Self-Determined Agendas:
Including consideration of common solutions to common human concerns for the following life functions category groups:
Situation/Grouping With Activities Relevant To
- Personal - Preservation of Self, Individual Physical Well-Being
- Familial - Propagation of The Species, and/or The Individual’s Germ Plasm
- Communal - Socialization of The Individual
- Educational - Education of The Individual
- Spiritual - Moralization, Sense of Spiritual Well-Being and Purpose
- Economical - Production and Distribution of Goods and Services,
Material Well-Being and Substances
- Governmental - Preservation of An Orderly Society
- Community Connector/Communicators
To be effective each life function category grouping most likely will need to gather in some manner within their own category, and as the need arise, as clusters contact and connect, within categories, connectors/communicators should be selected by an overwhelming consensus of participating manifestants in each community life function category cluster, or each connector/communicator council cluster to communicate their concerns to the respective neighborhood/district/community cluster/coalition/alliance.
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COALESCING THE SPIRITUAL WILL OF THE PEOPLE
From the Bottom Up:
5. Communing/Communicating - face to face, shoulder to shoulder, one on one, or in small cluster conversations, reach overwhelmingly consensual, (coalesced) understanding of the consensual spiritual will of the people, through platonically intimate exchange of sincere and serious ideas and opinions in confidence
4. Sharing - about mutually felt common moral spiritual needs/concerns
- information, knowledge and wisdom
3. Caring - about mutually felt common moral physical needs/concerns
2. Befriending/Trusting - in self and in each other, committing to mutual
friendship, trust and service
1. Seeking - information, understanding, natural truth, consensual spiritual will
- dedicating of self to; meditating, reasoning, and manifesting
Creating Circular Clusters
In that the task is too great for the individual to accomplish alone the next step in The Manifestry Method is the making/creating of close (not closed) circular clusters of mutual trust, confidence and influence.
Spontaneously forming small informal moral based clusters, (within existent organizational groupings, and/or within existent geographic neighborhoods), for mutual support, for simultaneously identifying and defining common concerns, and for seeking, coalescing and manifesting the spiritual moral will of the people to apply common solutions to common concerns.
Allowing For The Coalescing Of The Spiritual Will Of The People
The next step in The Manifestry Method must be the creation of a situation which will permit the platonically intimate exchange of sincere and serious ideas and opinions in confidence, that spontaneously and simultaneously coalesce the spiritual moral will of the people (“The Spirit gives birth to spirit.”) for doing acts and deeds relative to the restoration, preservation and furtherance of an attitude of overwhelming respect, trust and harmony in our neighborhood, in our community, in our society.
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ACTION
Any and all actual acts and/or deeds, (action beyond the coalescence of the spiritual will and/or individual resources of the people) larger than any one participant and/or Manifestry cluster may be able to accomplish alone, are to be done through/by the appropriate existent Ministry, and/or Missionary entity(ies).
- Voluntary Facilitators
All coalitions/movements need a few individuals and/or small groups of servant hearted persons to encourage, facilitate or coordinate the shared vision or initiative(s) of the coalition/movement without themselves being participants in the coalescence of the local vision.
- Individual Encourager
- Family Encourager
- Group Encourager
- Congregation Encourager
- Organization Encourager
- Firm Encourager
- Neighborhood Encourager
- Zip Code Area Encourager
- County Encourager
If you are moved by The Spirit or the spirit to voluntarily assist this moral movement as a facilitator/encourager please see: (“What You Can Do”)
- Manifestants
Individuals, who are willing, to dedicate themselves, (individually and/or together with other like-minded individuals), to seeking, manifesting, (making evident/clear to the minds and senses of others), and/or proclaiming, (in a non-confrontational manner), a common overwhelming consensual opinion, belief, conviction, will relative to a single common concern.
- Manifestry Clusters
Small coalition of (about three to ten) individual independent manifestants (or independent households) of like-minded manifestants who are willing to together gather and individually and/or together, (solely and/or simultaneously [at the same time as other clusters/brigades]), seeking, manifesting, (make evident/clear to the minds and senses with others), and/or proclaiming (in a non-confrontational manner), their common overwhelming consensual opinion, belief, conviction, will relative to a single common moral concern.
- Manifestry Brigades
The Brigade Effect – a brigade (small groups/clusters of manifestants) working together independently (with a common focus, with a common will) can accomplish more than the sum total of the accomplishments of its individuals if they are working separately. Many brigades working simultaneously in many different locations can accomplish more to change individual attitudes than the sum total of the accomplishments of all the individuals if working in one location in one large unit.
- Manifestry Task Forces
A Task Force is a cluster, group, unit or formation established to work on a single defined task or activity. When forming a New Task Forces, at least a Triad, three people, need to be in agreement, and willing to participate before starting a New Task Force.
(Modified Applications from: Benjamin Franklin’s “Juntas”, The New Testament, Ten Marks of Movement-Making Coalitions, Collegiate Sociology, Mission America, The Lighthouse Movement, Greeley Neighborhood Area Plan, Neighborhood Alliance of Central Oklahoma, City of Billings Neighborhood Task Forces)
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WHAT YOU CAN DO
To Assist
1. Personally Educating Self and Others
- seeking, meditating, and sharing moral and ethical information
2. Personally Encouraging Others
- influencing others (in a non-confrontational manner) by communicating moral and ethical opinions, beliefs, convictions via; personal and/or small group conversations, one on one telephone conferences, and/or written e-mails, memos and/or letters
3. Personally Hosting and/or Participating In, In-Home Manifestry Gathering(s)
- inviting others, to your home on fifth Wednesday evenings for a common potluck meal, and conversation relative seeking common solutions to common concerns
4. Personally (In Triads of three) Walking The Neighborhood
- talking to your neighbors and/or distributing flyers, handbills, brochures that contain moral and ethical information and/or position statements supporting common solutions to common concerns.
5. Participating In Public and Political Activities
- voting, and being active in other non-confrontational activities which promote and foster greater awareness and understanding of an attitude of seeking common solutions to common concerns.
6. Promoting The Manifestry Method and furtherance of an attitude of seeking common solutions to common concerns.
- sharing The Manifestry Method concept with others whenever/wherever appropriate
- participating in Manifestry clusters
- inviting and encouraging others to participate in Manifestry clusters
7. Voluntarily Functioning As A Manifestry Method of Community Facilitator-Encourager
- if so called by The Spirit (from within yourself), or the spirit (from without) voluntarily facilitating the introduction of The Manifestry Method to a specific people grouping and/or geographic locality;
- Individual Encourager
- Family Encourager
- Group Encourager
- Congregation Encourager
- Organization Encourager
- Firm Encourager
- Neighborhood Encourager
- Zip Code Area Encourager
- County Encourager
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Effectively Communicate
Intro:
The Manifestry Method is designed to accomplish a very ambitious objective;
The coalescence of the spiritual moral will of the people relative to the restoration, preservation, and furtherance of an attitude of overwhelming respect, trust and harmony in the community, in our neighborhood, in our community, in our society.
Effective communications, (whether it be with an audience of one, a few, or many), are an important part of the method / solution. The restoration, preservation, and furtherance of an attitude of overwhelming respect, trust and harmony for seeking common solutions to common concerns; in our neighborhood, in our community, in our society to many is a very highly emotionally charged issue. We must remember however, that the attitudes of very few people are ever changed from yelling and screaming at them.
Personal attitudes are most greatly influenced by one on one, (face to face, shoulder to shoulder) personal interactions and/or communications (exchanging and mutual scrutinizing of information or opinions).
The Manifestry Method is designed to meet the need to raise awareness of the issues, motivate people to become involved, to keep others who are involved informed and helping to create a feeling of being connected to a larger/greater idea/movement. The method is designed to create a positive supportive network environment for sharing and rationally scrutinizing the overwhelming abundance of information available relative to respecting, and trusting others while together seeking common solutions to common concerns.
The Communications Plan is a brief written outline, roadmap, and/or plan of action. It is a series of steps, tactics, and activities to be achieved in order to advance toward your predetermined goals and/or objectives.
When creating/implementing/elaborating/evaluating your strategy for effectively communication you may want to ponder each of the following:
An effective Communications Strategy may be very brief and simple;
1. Define Your Strategic Communications Plan
2. Design Your Strategic Communications Plan
3. Develop Your Strategic Communications Plan
Or it may be very long and elaborate;
1. Define Your Strategic Communications Plan
Who do you want to influence, communicate with?
- Define who is/are the target audience(s) you want to reach.
What message do you want to communicate?
- Define/prepare an effective message and/or messages.
Message(s) that appeal to the values, beliefs, and interests of your target audience(s).
Why do you want to communicate your message?
- Define your objectives.
- Define/set realistic obtainable goals.
Remember it has been found to take about 5 weekly/monthly contacts to introduce a new product. It may take 55 or even 55 times 5 contacts to restore an attitude. You may need to set your communicative goals/objectives accordingly to avoid personal burnout and/or depression.
2. Design Your Strategic Communications Plan
Where do you want to communicate?
- Design place effective communicative tactics.
Identify where is/are the most effective place(s) for release of communications, or to engage in conversations.
When do you want to communicate?
- Design time effective communicative tactics.
Identify when is/are the most effective time(s)/interval(s) for release of communications, and/or contact with others.
Way you want to communicate?
- Design ways and means of effective communicative tactics.
Identify most effective verbal/written/visual communications tools, and consider/determine the most effective ways and means of using them.
Verbal Communications: participation/interviews in talk shows, participation/conversations at; religious / social / educational / organization / business / other ministry, missionary, and/or manifestry gatherings/meetings/events.
Written Communications: e-mail lists/groups, e-communities/neighborhoods, press releases, public service announcements, newsletters, other articles/letters to the editors/friends/family/e-neighbors. (Seek out; guidelines for effective letters to the editor)
Visual Communications: presentations, parades, positive manifestations, protests, prepared interviews / news releases / public service announcements for TV.
Match most effective tools and ways and means of using them to each target audience and/or occasion.
Set measurable goals and objectives for each target audience.
Set a timetable for achievement for each target audience.
Set a timetable for evaluation and adjustment of tactics relative to each target audience.
3. Develop Your Strategic Communications Plan
(Develop - to cause to evolve, grow, reach full potential and increase)
Seed Your Plan
- Look at your communications plan regularly
- Determine where and how to focus your efforts most effectively next
- Implement your communications plan according to the timeline you specified to mobilize and sustain participation
- Select the most pertinent information and appropriate vehicle by which to reach out and accomplish each objective
Cultivate/Feed/Water Your Plan
- Regularly contact those in your Neighborhood Manifestry Cluster and/or Circle of Influence
- Regularly contact key representatives from local media, form relationships with reporters, and editors at local newspapers, with producers, hosts/(ess), managers, in broadcast media.
- Regularly contact local religious, government, public service organization, business and/or other community officials/leaders
- Regularly contact local educational officials/leaders
- Don't overlook contacting local public relations firms, college communications departments, internet providers, in your efforts to seek the best way to spread your message to a wider audience
Weed Your Plan
- Periodically evaluate your plan to measure the impact of your overall communications strategies and determine if you are reaching your overall goals and objectives, and/or if your plan is in need of adjustments.
- Increase emphases on those tactics that are yielding the greatest results
- Modify or eliminate those communicative tactics that are ineffective or non-productive
Evaluation should take into account the purpose and target audience for each activity.
Be sure to include a mechanism for collecting feedback and recommendations for improvement.
Harvest Your Plan
- Periodically adjust your plan to accommodate for achievements accomplished, and to include new goals and objectives.
Propagate Your Plan
- Increase activities where greatest results for the good of the greatest number are noted without overlooking the needs of the few
- Share your plan with others and encourage them to use what is working for you.
(Modified Application of; "Part 3, Sustaining What Works", from Americas Promise, The Alliance For Youth,)