Collaboration

Since my own journey through Color of Woman, I've had the pleasure of collaborating with several SiStars in our community! 

The very first collaboration was at the beginning of my CoW journey, June, 2015! Graduate Lora Pirtle invited me to join the PNW MeetUp group, and post my offerings there. When I asked about auditing her upcoming 'Mystical Mermaids' class, she replied, "no, teach it with me!"
Here are the class photos from our afternoon class - I played harp during the visioning, and she'd prompt me to show them what's next throughout the afternoon. (Yikes!!) I was glad we only had two students, for this 'soft introduction' to teaching Intentional Creativity!

Serena of the 7 Seas

The next collaboration was as I was gearing up to teach my 13 step class, Dancing with the Muse. My friend Sepha Nisbet had been teaching Paint Nite for several years, and gave me tips for teaching in a carpeted room without running water (the chapel at my church!) and attended! She asked great "beginner" questions that helped keep me on track, and helped with set up!! (The link has some of her excellent set-up tips!) 

Sepha enrolled in CoW '16, and we co-facilitated many monthly circles and periodic classes over the next several years. We created and used our 13 step prompt card decks early on, and at Shiloh's request, created the video and handout for the CoW class of '18. 

4 of the prompt cards

With this Spring's turn toward virtual classes, I looked for SiStars to co-facilitate my monthly Red Thread circles, and decided to add a second circle to our offerings. It's exciting to team with gals who live over an hour away, and can't easily attend our in-person circles, and to benefit from their different passions and soul work.

Yesterday Linda Allen, who is a graduate of both Red Thread Guide and Color of Woman courses, and is finishing Catt Geller's Cosmic Smashbook course, offered "What's in your Basket?" (during this time). Linda has a strong background in crafts, and we've both woven baskets, so she she suggested a 3-D approach! 

Basket and Vision plan cards

In April and early May, I teamed with EFT (tapping) practitioner and CoW graduate Sherry Rueger Banaka, with a Metacognative process on resilience and short tapping routine. Gals from her tapping community joined us from England and British Columbia! 

Morning's basket, leather, twine...

One of the benefits of collaboration is that wider reach, connecting with beloveds from afar and different circles. Yesterday, our attendees included 2 other IC graduates, and two students - one in CoW 2020, one in RT Guide! Each is interested in co-facilitating a circle, and brings unique gifts. 

Whatever your own passion and soul work, collaboration is a good time for thinking outside the box. 

• Who has wisdom and skills that complement yours?
• Might beathwork, Tai chi or yoga be a good addition? 
• Does a friend know a craft you would like to learn? 
• For in-person classes, can someone help with set up in exchange for attendance? This is great for scholarship students.
• Who is responsible for what? (Spreading the word, registration, teachings...)

My circles are currently complimentary, but when you're charging for events, it is important to communicate, and be clear about logistics, including responsibility and how expenses and income will be spilt. 

If you still need to offer some of your circles or you 13 step class, consider teaming up with a SiStar student or graduate, and doing it together! 

One of the Silver Linings during this time of dsocial distancing is the opportunity for unexpected collaborations!!