Acorn roles
This is a handout designed to help prepare you for your role at the next Art of Mentoring. We are happy for this handout to be shared with others but please acknowledge the source. This has handout has been collated by AoM UK from our experience, and info from 8 Shields Insitiute and Wilderness Awareness School.
For ALL: Your best preparation is o connect with the archetype of the direction in your own land, in your daily life now. Also build relationship with your role double or the person on the other end of your axis (eg north – south). Initiatives and ideas you have to fulfill your role should be run past the north, especially while finding your feet as a team. The north will be liaising with presenters/ facilitators
| Before Programme | During Programme | Basic layers of medicine wheel | |
| NE | -obtain supply of smudge-ponder tricksy activities, what can you do to bring appropriate/kind mischief?- consider – how can you expand people’s awareness and your own?- | -keep areas smudged as appropriate-share gratitude and invite others to (eg. Blessing food, thanks for safe arrivals etc)-hold space for ceremony in personal lives-play helpful tricks – dance with the sacred and profane-help expand senses | PredawnLate WinterGerminationDeathImagination / connection to unseen
Peace of mind |
| E | -make nature names, directions, clans-gather any materials for arrival activity | -Provide welcoming, connecting energy- be on registration with ‘south’-have an awareness of if people are feeling included particularly anyone with a disability or other ‘difference’.-facilitate people getting to know each other (name games)-create methods of connecting people, secret missions
-organise wake up song -help create inviting atmosphere that people want to join in transitions, circling up (songs etc) -Announcements to group |
SunriseSpringSproutingBirthInspiration
Inclusion good message |
| SE | -travel / arrival logistics / directions / signs-help acorn identify personal motivations, passions:why are you coming, what you want to give, receive. | -represent child’s passions. Help people play through role modelling-support E in bringing this energy to transitions- see where people are blocked or energy is tucked, can you help it move with playfulness, a zest of energy?- mentoring / life coaching is also a SE quality – sometimes you can bring this more mature approach to helping people move through things.- lead land / maps orientation
- coordinate with venue / site around all practicalities. -Transport coordinatin with South. |
Mid-morningLate SpringRapid External GrowthChildhoodOrientation
Moving through blocks Healing |
| S | -help ensure materials required will be there-be filled in on who is arriving for registration/enrolment | -registration, enrolment, paperwork-gracefully help keeping time agreements, get participants on board with crow calls etc, gathering with song etc.-help everyone be aware of timings and the flow of events-have an awareness of what needs to happen and fitting everything in, help speakers/activities not run over at the cost of other content- look for logistical gaps – are details covered? Be pro-active, ask questions.
- Transport cooirdination with SE - record each day what happens, so that we have a record of the schedule as it unfolded for future ref and evaluation |
NoonSummerFloweringAdolescencePerspiration
Honour agreements Unity and integrity |
| SW | -SW of Spaces – ensure spaces are prepped before arrival of participants (fire stoked, blankets, pillows if available)-SW of Body, awareness of rejuvenating bodies, tending physical needs upon arrival- help other staff to self care | -role model ‘taking care of yourself is taking care of your community’-awareness of if there are unmet biological needs within the group-be the voice of rest and sustainability, sit spot time.-SW of Food – co-ordinate volunteers of participants for meal prep/washing. Liase with R4 kitchen coordinator.-SW of Spaces – bring awareness to the group of need for beauty and practicality eg keeping wood/kindling supply
- suss out the body workers / martial artists etc, how can you facilitate them to bring those gifts to the group? -Med kits / first aid station |
Late AfternoonLate SummerInternal GrowthEarly AdulthoodRelaxation
Tend nature connection & wellbeing Peace of body |
| W | -role modelling appreciation of others, encouraging group appreciation moments (in acorn meetings prior and with whole group during programme)- research lineage / language of any songs you wish to share- get familiar with schedule / content of week | -gather the group mind-support E in helping transitions happen smoothly and enjoyably, you’re completing the transition and setting the stage for facilitator-create spaces to invite other participants to step up and hold pieces as appropriate, leading songs, telling stories, honouring . MC-ing.-Songs! hold the centre on music being present! | SunsetAutumnFruitingAdulthoodCelebration
Appreciations & good message Peacemaking |
| NW | -Do what might help the programme be connected to THIS PLACE and its history in your own way…-Introspect on the topic of elders. What is an elder? Why are they important to a culture? How can valuing elders work in modern society? How can olders be valued even if they aren’t elders? …-Consider grief – sources and ways of dealing with it. Consider ways in which it may arise within the program and how to pre-emptively address it. Contemplate how reintegration can be addressed/eased | -Hold space for elders
-observe the group, where is the group mind at, what energy would be helpful to move into -is anyone having a hard time emotionally? How is grief being tended? -help create space for sharing of reflections, story of the day - honour ancestors - honour and bring awareness to heritage species and cultural heritage of the place. |
EveningLate AutumnDecayLate AdulthoodDecomposition
Inner tracking & grief tending, Inter-generational healing |
| N | -Make sure schedule is created and other directions understand/have the resources they need-organise and facilitate acorn meetings-help acorn connect, share intentions, understand roles, feel supported, open Q&A time, fun is had! | - Be one step ahead with presenters & wests on content & intention of each day
-Support other acorn members to bloom -Ensure there is continuing understanding of roles and that needs are met -Observe tone/needs of group, be the silent wind of change and provide clear direction as needed -Help navigate issues if they come up -Resolve conflicts and embed a culture of peacemaking. - strive for group consensus and be willing to make final decisions when needed. - stay in bigger picture balancing all with the whole always in mind - communicate closely with other rings, programmes as needed.
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MidnightWinterSeedsElderhoodIntegration
Unity – consensus Cultural design, Protect the central fire
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