Greetings to all Chittenden Dowsers, friends and fans,
The Basics (what’s inside):
Next meeting: Saturday, May 8th, 2009 at Shelburne Town Offices Route 7
Dowsing practice/socializing: 9:30 -- I’ll teach dowsing through your Higher Self
Business meeting: 10:00 begins with a wonderful meditation—bring your intention and be ready to create a powerful energy for healing for all our favorite causes.
Goodbye!: Marna’s stepping down! Say goodbye to your prez of the last 5 ½ years. Sign Marna’s Memory Book.
Potluck: Noon or so—please bring a dish or beverage or munchies to share! :-) Plan to stay and visit with like-minded folks.
Chapter FaceBook page: Please check out our discussions and put in your two cents!
Other News! < Marna’s sterling silver torsion pendulums now available! For sale at the May meeting. AND, < go camping with John Wayne to pan for gold in Plymouth! < Firewalk for the Earth Clock!
Last meeting roundup:
Well, I think it is unanimous that all who came to All Souls for the morning gathering of the Earth Spirit Conference enjoyed it—and then some! The vendors were offering some wonderful products, books, jewelry, etc. The presentations were really moving, meaningful and magical. Those of us who stayed for the day, or the whole event, really experienced something incredible. There’s something about gathering together in celebration, with a united focus, that just creates magic. There’s that word again. Well, it was magical. The highlight for yours truly was Barbara Evans’ presentation on Sunday morning. Her website is www.crystalwingshealingart.com. The story of her journey was enthralling, and the magic (3rd time’s a charm!) she created with her crystals, her “image keys” and everyone’s intention was mindblowing. We sat in her presentation, waiting for the energy being created to plateau at some point, and it never did. It was an hour of body rushes, goosebumps and spine tingles – continuously! Unbelievable. I’m on the 2011 ASD convention committee, and am working to bring her to convention next year.
Those familiar to the event were happy to have Michael Glickman here presenting. Health issues prevent his traveling sometimes, so we were truly blessed to have him speak, all the way from England. A crop circle researcher for many years, he has written 3 books on the subject, and they are now in the possession of our chapter library! So enjoy them.
All the presentations of the weekend were fantastic, and I urge those who haven’t attended this remarkable event to consider it for next year. Cameron and Glenn leave for England next week for their summer in the crop circles—happy trails, folks! If you’ve ever wanted to know more about their crop circle and sacred site tours, check out their website: www.sacredbritain.com.
Next Meeting:
Well, good thing I’ve been practicing being flexible and adaptable for the last 20 years! Because much to my dismay, our May speaker had to regretfully cancel his appearance, due to health reasons. Upon the advice of several chapter members, we’ve decided that since this is a special meeting, we’re going to treat it so. We’ve come a long way, the chapter and I, and it’s right and appropriate to acknowledge that, to pay tribute to the journey. This will be the last of my long newsletters (too long, I’ve been told by some!) that I will ever ask you to read! Here I wanted to give some context for our newer members:
This is my last chapter meeting as your president. As we’ve been getting closer to the day, I’ve realized that it is a bigger deal for me than I’d realized previously. This chapter has been a huge focus for me for 6 years now. To step aside is something that I’m looking forward to, and, it will be a huge change to not have to be the one to do all that I’ve been doing. No more newsletters! No more speakers, no more organizing events. Wow—that’s huge. The wonderful part is going to be able to give all that time, energy and focus back to my family and my business, Cosma Creations.
My goal when I agreed to take over as president back in 2004 was to bring the chapter to a thriving, vital place. It wasn’t easy! There was the move from Burlington, when Champlain College changed their policy about using their space, and the search for a new place. There have been many great speakers, and many adjunct events as well that we’ve put on for you. I remember thinking, back in ’04 – ’05 how happy we were when 20 people attended a meeting. And now look at us! We had over 70 show up when Naisha Ahsian spoke to us in February—that was our record, I believe. This year in general we’ve had around 50 attendees at each meeting, which is so gratifying. It’s great to know that all the hard work has paid off, and people appreciate what we’re offering.
Dowsing has always been important to me; my mother was a member of the American Society of Dowsers back in the 1960s, which was founded in Danville, Vermont in 1960. She taught me to dowse when I was 8, and used to bring me to dowsing meetings and the occasional convention as a child. I went through phases when I drifted away from using dowsing, but my passion was renewed in 1978 when I met a master dowser in San Diego who taught me to dowse with his method, through one’s Higher Self. That is the way I have dowsed ever since, and the only way I teach it. I moved back to Vermont in 1996, and eventually reconnected with the local chapter. That led to my becoming elected the president in 2004, as aforementioned, and in turn led to my being elected to the Board of Trustees of ASD in 2005, and Secretary of the Board. This position I held for 3 years.
I also did considerable work during that time editing the ASD quarterly digest and was on the convention committee for 2007-2008. I was instrumental in bringing David Wilcock to the ASD convention as the keynote speaker in 2008, who proved to be one of the most popular keynote speakers we’ve ever had.
It’s been a lot of time and energy I’ve devoted to ASD and the chapter. It has cost me a lot to do all this for you. I shall continue to be involved, since dowsing is so near and dear to me. That said, I’m delighted to have my time, focus and energy freed up to do things that need to take precedence now in my life, and I’m very grateful that Lydia Solini has stepped up to take the torch and to lead the chapter in its new stage, as your president.
I have learned much in my role as chapter leader, much about myself, much about human nature in general. Dealing with members and speakers and town officials is a Masters in Communication! I’ve really enjoyed 95% of it, which is great. I hope the members of this fair chapter have learned something too. The bounty of knowledge, inspiration and understanding that has been delivered through this chapter is extensive, and we have all, I think, gained a great deal through these gatherings. During my tenure we have created the chapter library, and with the help of Wally’s wife Spike, come up with a beautiful chapter logo, of which I am very proud.
I have to express a huge thank you to my chapter officers, Wally Robinson & Soni Knapp who have served with me the longest. Their tireless efforts and inspiration and friendship made my job much easier. Wally’s steadfast presence and hard work as secretary has been a godsend, and Soni’s loyal dedication to her duties, to the chapter and to me, as my vice president, has been a comfort I could always count on. Without them, I would have stepped down long ago. Among them I count Connie Mitchell, now transplanted to Tucson, who was our treasurer for a few years and did it flawlessly, with customary grace and laughter. Bill Benoit and Gwendolyn Evans also have my thanks for their time serving the chapter in past years. Kathy Magill’s efforts as treasurer this season have been appreciated.
So thank you, from my heart, to all of you who attend. Thank you especially to those of you who are regulars and keep coming back every month, bringing an offering for the potluck, helping rearrange the room after the meeting, helping clean the kitchen. Your efforts have been greatly appreciated as have your taking the time to tell me how much my leadership has meant to you. I anticipate everyone continuing this tradition of stepping up to the plate, showing up and helping make this chapter even better next season. Thank you for being a part of this wonderful creation.