Rainbow Gatherings are a free,
non-commercial sharingof our hearts
in the cathedral of nature.

Because we recognize that we are all One,
we live in a community of tribal anarchy
where each of us can help to take care of each other.

The Gathering works
because people take responsibility
for doing what needs to be done,
and for gently teaching each other.
Many hands working together make a strong tribe.

We walk lightly on the Earth.
We respect and care for each other
& for all living things.
We drop all forms of violence
in our dealings with others
and look for peaceful solutions to conflicts.
We deal with each other
honestly with open hearts.

Much goes into coordinating a Gathering and
much has been learned about
how to make a Gathering happy and healthy.

The Mini-Manual continues to evolve
collecting our experience and wisdom
into one printed place.
Your contributions are welcome.
Growth is a learning process with no end,
and your vision on something might teach us all.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

OUR NAME
Any Gathering that bears the name 'Rainbow' is a completely free, non-commercial event.All supplies are donated or paid for with money donated to the 'Magic Hat'. There is no admission fee.No money is exchanged within the Gathering. This frees us from legal entanglements and guarantees our Constitutional right to gather on public lands. Our Gatherings are open to all peaceful people.There is no membership, no administration. There are no leaders. No one is turned away. Any non-violent person with a belly button is welcome. You are a Rainbow by simply deciding that you are one, and your voice is equal to that of any other Rainbow, be it your 1st gathering or your 20th.


SCOUTING
Scouts provide a great service and commitment to the Family by finding the best location for our Gatherings that meet all essential criteria. Experienced scouts research potential sites using topographical maps, aerial photos and leads from local folks. They then coordinate with regional focalisers and attend Spring Scouting Rendezvous.


"HOWDY FOLKS"
When the Gathering site has been chosen, a "Howdy Folks" notice is sent to local focalisers and posted on computer networks. This notice contains instructions for getting to the site and other specifics including maps and contact phone numbers. Focalisers make copies and otherwise pass the info on to Rainbow and New Age events, food-coops, community centres, etc.


SITE CRITERIA
it's rare for a site to have everything good in abundance,
but it is essential that every site have;
SAFE DRINKING WATER.
This is numero uno. Deep springs or well protected surface water. There should be an ample flow rate to meet the drinking, cooking and washing needs for all who might gather. Figure a minimum of one gallon of water per day per person. Springs should be a distance upstream from camping areas, marked & guarded to prevent contamination.


OPEN MEADOWS
for councils, workshops, pageants, etc. Meadows should be kept clear of tents/camps.


FIREWOOD.
A good supply of dead wood lying on the ground for fires.


PARKING.
A large enough area for expected cars, vans and live-in vehicles to park safely. Parking areas should be close yet clearly separate from the Gathering proper. You don't want easy access for car stereos, beer coolers and a rowdy party scene. Alternative parking should be arranged for the physically challenged. Only emergency and supply vehicles should be allowed direct access to the actual Gathering site.


ACCESS ROADS.
There should be one main road for access to the Gathering, which is not a dead end that empties near the Main Gate. It is important to have a 'back door' available for emergencies and heavy supplies.


SEED CAMP
At least a week before the Gathering is scheduled to start, a group of people arrive to find and develop water systems, set up the first kitchen & a health care system, and dig the first latrines. Seed camp folks design the layout of the actual Gathering by developing trails, selecting a Main Circle site, marking parking areas and setting up Welcome Home. Coop and Banking Councils are set up to address the needs of Seed Camp. Please do not show up for seed camp unless you are willing to chip in on the work.


THE FOREST SERVICE
We cooperate with the rangers of the USDA Forest Service in doing the job they were hired for: protecting the land. The local forest rangers are notified of a Gathering from Seed Camp. We honour their ecological concerns for a site, and we treat them with respect. They became rangers because they love the land as we do. At times, rangers have given the family valuable tips, and wild seed for replanting. DO remember though that forest rangers are law enforcement officials that have the power to arrest you. We choose not to sign permits or to make agreements with the Government. Since we are a Gathering of equal Individuals, no one person has the right to represent anyone else and thus no one has the authority to sign a permit as a representative of the Rainbow Family. In choosing not to sign, we are exercising our Constitutional right to assemble peaceably.


THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.


WATER
sources are our lifeblood, and they must be protected from the very first day. The safest drinking water comes from springs. Once a spring is designated for use, it is marked off with strings or ribbons. No campsite or latrine should be located above or within 150 feet of these springs. Never pour liquid wastes into or near a water source or on the ground nearby. Instead, dig a grey water pit at least 150 feet away. Never use soap in a water source, not even biodegradable soap. Instead, use a water bucket at least 100 feet away. Never dip a canteen or cup into a water source. Use a common hose or dipper. Drink only water that you know has been scientifically tested, boiled or adequately filtered. Even the purist looking water can contain microorganisms that can cause severe intestinal illness. To be absolutely safe, water should reach a rolling boil for a few minutes. Keep your leashed dog away from faucets.


WILDLIFE
We gather in the Cathedral of Nature & disturb the environment as little as possible. Riverbanks and wetland are vulnerable ecosystems. Do not go near them. Older phyla like mosses & ferns are especially fragile. Leave beaver ponds alone. Stay far from baby animals. Grown animals defend their young in a beastly way. Use things where they lie. The more you move, the more you have to move back. Hang tarps from trees, use existing branches for structure rather than cutting and setting posts. Cut no living tree. Do not break live branches. Use only dead wood. Make few trails & stay on them.


DO NOT LITTER.
If you smoke, pocket your butts. If you pack it in, you must pack it out. If you don't, someone else will have to do it for you. Hence, pick up trash left by others who have not yet learned the Rainbow Way. Educate them with kindness. Its good for the soul. The earth is our mother; we must take care of her.


SHITTERS
if you must go, go to a latrine. If you don't know where one is, ask at the nearest kitchen. Don't wait until the last minute to find a shitter since there might be some walking involved. NEVER leave waste unburied. Flies will find it, then they will find kitchen food, and then people eat that food & get sick. Irresponsible disposal of human waste can easily create a very sick camp. Dig communal latrines: *Latrines must be over 150 feet from open water or springs, never uphill from a spring, and clearly marked by signs & ribbon from the trail to the latrine. *Cut out sod and preserve it for replacement over the filled in hole when the latrine is full. *Dig a deep, narrow pit. A long foot wide trench at least 4 feet deep is best. Keep the soil in a neat pile for fill-in later. *Avoid having an open trench. Build a solid fly-tight cover with lids. These covers should be washed daily. *Keep lime and./or ashes from a wood fire in a can nearby. Sprinkle the lime or ashes over your 'donation' and then some dirt to completely cover the waste. *Large coffee cans with plastic lids keep toilet paper dry and clean. *Maintain a container of water with 1% bleach nearby for hand washing. *Latrines should be checked daily. When it is full to within 18' inches of the top, fill the remaining 18' with the saved sod, and dig another latrine. Inform the nearest kitchens where the new shitter is. Digging a shitter is a most holy task. You haven’t been to a gathering till you've dug a shitter.


RECYCLING:
Reduce - Reuse - Recycle People should take their trash & recycling home with them, thereby keeping a balance of refuse distribution, and not over- taxing the cleanup crew. After all, environmental consciousness is something we all always practice at home & as part of our daily lives, right? Remember to bring a bag or such to neatly store your waste. Pack it in. pack it out. Otherwise, if you simply must leave it behind: Don't mix recyclables and trash together. Separate cans, glass & plastic from that which is trash, and bring it to a recycling station. We burn paper. Trash is placed in plastic bags and taken to a dumpster or landfill at least 50 miles from the Gathering. Organic waste is buried in compost pits. Lost & found items are left for owners to reclaim until the end of the Gathering. Afterwards, items are placed into a free bin, and ultimately donated to local charities.


NEIGHBORHOODS
Neighbourhoods are the reality of the Gathering. Community makes the Rainbow Vision come to life. Camp needs like feeding each other, maintaining latrines; childcare and security are focalised around kitchens and neighbourhood fires. When you first arrive, look for a group of tents to coordinate your camp with that suits your vibe. Camps usually form around a kitchen. Sometimes people from a same state /region camp together. Neighbourhoods provide security & enhance community spirit.


RAIN
Expect it. And hey! It takes rain to make a rainbow. Consider how rain, wind, runoff and puddles will affect your campsite and fire. Do not place your tent in a low spot or gully. Dry riverbeds may flash flood. Ravines can become muddy quagmires. Keep trails on the rises. Cover tents with tarps and tie them close to the ground so wind won't catch them like a sail. Cover bulletin boards with plastic. Rain is liquid sunshine.


FIRE
No private fires. Share a hearth with neighbours. When you build a fire, always have a shovel and at least a 5-gallon bucket of water at the ready. Use only dead and dry wood. Never throw plastic or synthetic materials into a fire. Select a safe location. A clearing is best. Avoid any overhangings. Keep your fire low. Sparks fly far & even live trees can catch fire. If you must have a large fire, build it at least 20 feet from the tree lines. Beware of root fires (tree roots can burn underground). Line the inside & bottom of your fire pit with rocks. Scrape the ground free of loose duff, leaves and grass for at least 1 ft around your pit. Don't throw matches or cigarette butts on the ground. NO FIREWORKS! The only fireworks you need are in your heart. Fire watch crews walk the camp to make sure that all fires are properly tended. We are all on fire watch.


MAIN MEADOW
Main Meadow is the epicentre of the Gathering, located in an open field large enough to accommodate many people. It is where we coordinate Main Council, Dinner circle, various prayers, celebrations, & events, including our Silent Meditation for World Peace on the morning of July 4th. There should be no tents or fires here. This meadow is for all. Its energy should be kept clear and pure. Trade circle should not be in sight.


COUNCILS
we gather in council circles to voice and to creatively resolve the issues and concerns of our ever-evolving Gathering. Councils are an excellent opportunity to help create the Gathering. Participation in a council requires a focused mind, patience, respect, a listening ear and an open heart as we make decisions on how to best serve the Gathering. The power of respectful listening is sacred to the process. There are councils on all workings of the Gathering. This includes Main Council, Vision council, Cooperation’s, Shanti Sena, Legal Liaison, Info, Rainbow Guide, All Ways Free, Focalisers, Kitchens, Banking, Fire watch, CALM, Bus Village, Clean-up, Cyberspace, etc.


MAIN COUNCIL
Main Council is held daily at Rainbow noon or early evening in the Main Meadow, and is announced by the blowing of a conch shell. Main council deals with issues of the Gathering in an open forum where ALL ARE WELCOME to participate. It is only in Main Council that decisions affecting the entire Gathering can be made. Anything can be discussed/expressed at main council, from the practical, to heart songs & dreams. Health & safety issues should be resolved first, as council decisions may not be made after sunset.


COUNCIL PROCESS
Rainbow councils are an open process where everyone is invited to listen and speak. We sit in a circle and pass a feather (or other sacred object) around. Each person holding the feather speaks in turn without being interrupted. The holder has the right to honour or reject input from others. Talking, listening, and sharing our deepest feelings, we find new perspectives on each other, and new ways of solving problems. Cross talking conversation does not serve the whole. Sometimes council process is more open, with the feather placed in the centre, trusting that everyone can recognize his or her perfect moment to speak. At other times it is helpful and necessary to have a facilitator to keep an impartial focus, minimize digression, and remind speakers of their responsibility to the circle and others waiting to speak. There are variations of circle design such as inner & outer circles, spirals, etc.


CONSENSUS
Council consensus is how we have chosen to govern ourselves. Consensus is our attempt to discover the will of the Spirit through the hearts of the people. While discussing issues, if a resolve seems clear, a speaker may 'Call for consensus by silence'. If NO ONE objects to the proposal, then consensus has been reached, indicating a solution acceptable to everyone, not just a majority. Those who have objections may call to 'block' consensus, which causes council dialog to resume. A block should only be made from a place of clarity & good conscience. One truth can change the collective mind. It is possible that Spirit has given the blocking voice a message that is presently beyond the perception of the council whole. However, an individual placing their will above that of the people is a most hurtful & disrespectful offence. Since everyone is affected by a consensus, it is important to listen, respect, trust, and exercise good conscience. Egos should definitely be checked at the door. Council can be rewarding & exhausting.


CONCH SHELL HORN
Conch shell horns are the way we call the Gathering to centre. Horn calls around noon signal council. Horns near dusk or morning signal meals are being served. At other times, horns usually mean something important has happened that demands quick attention.


FOCALIZERS
A Focaliser is anyone willing to be a focal point or conduit of energies and information. They focus efforts to tasks that need to be addressed. Anyone can be a focaliser to whatever degree he or she chooses. If you see an overlooked need, take the initiative and do it! Volunteering for too much can burn you out, so get help, lovingly delegate. Sometimes there are people waiting to be useful, with hidden talents. A good focaliser respects consensus, avoids egoism, empowers & respects people, and allows them to learn, even at the price of inefficiency. They are not like leaders in Babylon. They are not placed OVER us. A focaliser lacking vision and wisdom will simply not be followed. Their election is ongoing.


LEGAL LIAISON
Legal is a group of people with knowledge of State and Federal laws. They act as advocates for the Family in regard to legal questions, which are of concern to us, such as National Forest regulations, drug laws, search & seizure procedures, homelessness, hassles with officials, and arrested members of the Family. They serve as watch dogs on the workings of the authorities, and organize campaigns. Help from experienced lawyers is always appreciated. NOTE: If the law on the way to a gathering stops you, do not consent to searches. Your car is protected the same way a house is if you live in it. If you observe police harassment, stop & be a witness. If you are harassed, report it to Cooperation’s and/or Legal Liaison


SHANTI SENA
Shanti Sena is Sanskrit for peacekeeper. If a problem develops, calling 'Shanti Sena' loudly will bring assistance. In truth, everyone is a peacekeeper. We all watch out for each other. Often a group can prevail in a conflict where a single person cannot. Some of the Family are professionally trained in conflict resolution. Talking with Respect & Compassion is tried first. If physical intervention cannot be avoided, it is done gently without inflicting injury. We respond non-violently & with Love. In a general sense, we are all Shanti Sena. Help by minding your valuables & keeping an eye on a neighbour’s camp when they’re away.


C.A.L.M.- CENTER FOR ALTERNATIVE LIVING MEDICINE
CALM are the people entrusted with setting up public health and sanitation systems, and with providing health care for Family members during the Gathering. The CALM staffs are made up of volunteers representing a broad range of healing modalities from licensed professionals, to herbalist, body workers, homeopaths and shamans. It is a workshop on how various healing techniques can work in concert together to heal the body, mind and spirit with an emphasis on natural healing. Practitioners often teach each other about various healing approaches. A Rainbow Gathering is a healing place; we heal planet, the each other, and ourselves. Health information & preventative aids like condoms are available. CALM may be centrally located or at various healing centres throughout the site. CALM members often visit camps & kitchens, to provide 'Hippy House Calls' and to check on sanitary conditions. Many CALM members are equipped with radios and are on-call 24/7. CALM always appreciates the donation of supplies, from first aid equipment to herbs, tinctures and remedies. Volunteers are also needed to help keep the unit functioning. See the CALM web site for a list of supplies and jobs that are needed to create a functional healing arts centre: www.infolation.com/calm.


INFO
is the Gathering's communications centre. All councils, events, and focalisers report here daily with announcements and needs. Anyone with anything noteworthy to share should come here to pass the word. Lost and Found and Rumour Control are here. Printed handouts on a variety of subjects can be distributed here. Maps, rider boards, and bulletin boards are nearby. There is a 'Volunteer Here' board for people wanting to plug in & help. Projects needing assistance make their needs known here. It is also a good place to report an emergency or large concern.


RAINBOW GUIDE
The Rainbow Guide is a non-commercial directory of our Family, compiled and published annually by volunteers with your contributions. The Guide helps the Family to connect with each other throughout the year. Copies of the Guide can usually be obtained at Info. Cards are available to be filled out by those who want to be listed in the Guide. Otherwise entries can be mailed to the guide address. Focalisers can help by collecting entries in their area. Since the Guide is free & non-commercial, contributions to cover printing and mailing expenses are always deeply appreciated. The guide is printed in May or June. Please don't wait till April to mail in your entries, and please be clear which year’s guide you ask for.


ALL WAYS FREE
our free non-commercial Family newspaper. All Ways Free is an open forum for the expressions and visions of the Rainbow Family. It is contributed to, and produced, entirely by volunteers. Everyone is invited to contribute his or her heart songs to AWF. It is available at the Gathering each year, and can also be obtained by writing to the AWF council. Donations are appreciated.


COOPERATIONS
Most day-to-day business is focalised through Cooperation’s. Tools and building supplies, general assistance and Lost & Found are located here. Every area of service checks in with Cooperation’s daily. Work crews can use this as a base for organization. Plans for new camps and construction should be communicated here so that conflicts over land use & campsites can be avoided. A written log of event is kept. Banking, Supply and Info also coordinate here.


THE MAGIC HAT
the fund raising instrument for any Rainbow event. A Gathering is free for everyone. But the supplies needed to keep everyone well fed and healthy cost money. This includes food, medical supplies, gas for shuttle buses and supply vehicles, etc. By giving generously to the Magic Hat, each of us helps to provide for all. The Magic Hat appears at group meals and is sometimes carried by wandering minstrels. Giving early in the Gathering is more helpful than gradual contributions. Be wary of Magic Hats that are not inside the actual gathering site & personal hats being called 'the Magic Hat'. The surest safest place to contribute is at dinner circle in the main meadow. Contributions are cared for by a Banking Council of at least 5 respected Family members. They count all collected money daily, keep written records of the amounts, and make decisions as to how the money is allocated. Receipts are kept, and Banking council records are open to all who wish to see them.


SUPPLY
Donations of food and materials are pooled and distributed here. Supplies from individuals can be brought here as well. Banking funds allow money-saving bulk purchases and help cut down waste. This is a major operation, requiring daily councils and the energy of many. Kitchen representitives meet here to discuss their needs.


KITCHENS
Food is obtained from Supply & prepared by the helping hands of hundreds of volunteer choppers, slicers, peelers, stirrers, fire tenders, and chefs. Some kitchens serve all day, some have specified meals, and some send food to Main Circle, and others offer specialized fare like popcorn or coffee. Food sent to Main Circle is vegetarian. Ideally, Every Rainbow should have their own cup, bowl, & spoon that they wash thoroughly after each use. Kitchens must be kept CLEAN. Enclose kitchens with railings, and set up hand washing stations. There is no faster way to spread disease than to serve contaminated food. Volunteers in kitchens must wash their hands before working with food, and must not have cuts or communicable diseases. Work surfaces & implements are washed with bleach water before and after use. Servers with designated tools serve food. People do NOT serve themselves with their own utensils. Personal bowls should be served at the side of a pot, not over it. Supplies are not stored on the ground, or in the open. Pets are kept out of kitchens. Every kitchen has a dishwashing station, usually comprised of 5-gallon buckets. One for scraping debris into, one with hot soapy water for washing, one with clear water for rinsing, and one with water containing a capful of bleach or vinegar for disinfecting. Wash water is changed regularly. Dirty cookware should not sit around for hours. Compost pits are dug nearby for food waste. When the contents come up to within a foot of ground level, they are filled in with dirt. A mound of dirt is left on top to level as the waste underneath decomposes & settles. If flies start their own gathering at your compost pit, then it's time to cover some of it up. Wastewater goes into grey water pits. Kitchens constantly need firewood and water. Make a habit of bringing a piece of wood when visiting a kitchen. Each kitchen should also have a first aid kit.


FRONT GATE
when you volunteer for Front Gate, you get to see it all come in. The parking lot crew greets the world with hugs and info. They maintain an organized and secure parking area, and make an around the clock commitment that involves: greeting new arrivals, giving out information, traffic control, security, minor auto repair, maintaining a kitchen and fire circle, & an active Shanti Sena. Alcohol energy can be an issue here. Front Gate and Welcome Home are sometimes understaffed. Volunteering here is especially helpful.


BUS VILLAGE
Bus Village is for those who come in campers or live-in busses or vans. Bus village is a community of its own with kitchens, councils, work crews, and Shanti Sena. Bus Village is usually well situated to help with Front Gate and Welcome Home.


SHUTTLES
are rugged busses or trucks that can provide almost continuous service that is safe & reliable between the parking area and the Welcome Home centre. Drivers need relief regularly. Riders should help with gas and repair expenses. The parking crew seeks vehicles for possible use as shuttles.


WELCOME HOME
Welcome Home is set up past the front gate, just before the main camping areas to meet & greet people as they enter the site. It provides a place for people to rest from their journey, be informed about site specifics conditions, and receive copies of 'Rap 107' and '701'. A site map is posted. New arrivals may be offered coffee, tea, water, and/or a hug.


KID VILLAGE
Kid Village is a place for children to find other children, parents to meet other parents, & all to share and grow in parenting. It facilitates the needs of kids, parents, and pregnant & nursing moms. It has a kitchen, shade, playthings, and people who are good with children. Kid Village should be located a distance from main meadow to minimize noise at night. Kitchen help, musicians, storytellers, and game leaders are always welcome. Child awareness is always of paramount concern. Keep track of your children. Kid Village is NOT simply a drop off zone. Know where your children are, when they should meet you or be back to your camp. If you entrust their care to someone else, be sure you know that person to the point of having spent some time with them. If you leave your children at Kid Village, clearly inform others of your going, expected return, and if possible, leave word where you can be found. For small children, pin a tag with their name, your name, and where you are camped on their shirt. If your child gets lost, don't wait too long to act. Inform Child Search at Info or Kid Village.


TRADE CIRCLE
Barter and the mutual exchange of crafts and the like are encouraged. One thing exchanged directly for another thing, or for a service performed. Money changing in the temple is unacceptable. No money should ever change hands here. Using money jeopardizes our right to use public land. Trading un-used commercially produced goods is in bad taste. The gathering is for sharing hearts, not making profit & the funky energy that goes with it. As a result, consensus was reached in 1995 that Trade Circle should not be on the main trail, or in sight of the Main Meadow.


WORKSHOPS
can be given by anyone on any subject. Large meadows can be designated for workshops. A Workshop Board is at Info for posting times and places. Typical workshops include Plant Walks, Yoga, Music, Sister/Brother circles, Massage, Nutrition & other healing techniques.


SWEAT LODGES
Sweat Lodges are sacred spaces for mature ceremonies which purify the mind and cleanse the body of toxins. They are built with care and respect in a traditional manner and those who lead the sweats are commonly schooled in the old ways. The space should be respected as a temple and not disturbed by vibrations or behaviour that is less than sacred. Please don't come if you have an infectious disease. Come with an open heart & some firewood.


MUSIC
we make our own music here, and everyone is welcome to join. Acoustic instruments only. Share your songs with us, even if you're not a 'performer'. In a group of musicians, listen & blend instead of dominating, especially in a drum circle. Harmony is the point. Be considerate in the wee hours of sleeping folks.


TECHNOLOGY
we welcome non-polluting. Low energy technology such as solar, wind-power, etc. Excepting flashlights, lanterns & stoves, fuel-powered & electrically generated devices are not welcome! NO BOOM BOXES! Forcing one persons taste on many is not cool. Artificial sound carries a long way in the woods.


PETS
A Gathering is not a good place for a pet. Dogs speak an internal language that humans cannot predict. They fight other dogs, kill wildlife, get into food, and shit everywhere. Sudden changes in the environment spook & stress them to a point where they snap & bite. We know, of course 'not your dog'. Soooooo, if you must bring your pet, you must be responsible. Keep them under constant watch 24 hours a day, on a leash, out of kitchens, meal circles, councils, and wildlife. Clean up & burry their droppings. Sound like a real drag? Be realistic, be kind. It IS reasonable to leash a stray dog someplace with shade & water. ARF camp is sometimes set up to address pet issues.

PHOTOGRAPHY
Always ask permission before taking a picture of any other person. This includes groups as well as individuals. Most people say yes, but no means NO. Excessive picture taking can kill a natural or peaceful moment of bliss & make people tense.

NUDITY
Clothing is optional. We accept people and their bodies without judgement or shame. Many people like the feeling of freedom or like to be cool on a hot day. Be cautious of sunburn & poison ivy. It's a good idea to at least wear sandals. Nudity is natural. It is NOT an invitation for sex or a 'feel'.

RULE MAKING
we understand. Really we do. No one likes to be told what they can or can’t do, especially hippies and anarchists. Recognized Rainbow rules come from only one source, main council at the annual national gatherings. EVERYONE is welcome and encouraged to attend these councils. The ONLY rules recognized are ones formally accepted by council consensus. This means that EVERYONE in the council circle agreed that a suggested rule should be a rule (no-one objected). Rainbow rules are the culmination of family consensus across the years. For those who do not accept this, please bare in mind, that if this process were not happening, THEN THERE WOULD BE NO RAINBOW GATHERING to argue the point in the first place. Respect for the whole gets respect from the whole. The idea of 'me' yielding to the idea of 'we'. Trust in your family to be wise. Conversely, rules in Rainbow are not final, should be humbly imparted with love (at least at first), and most importantly, conflicts should always be addressed with love, and an attempt to preserve rather than defeat. Love is the answer.


LOVE & LONLINESS
Many in our Family have found deep & satisfying relationships with other Family members. Few of these sprang into being at their first Gatherings. The freely given affection, easy conversation, and sudden promise of openness here cause many to start searching for their one and only, build up big expectations, and then be disappointed. Meet people by volunteering and working with them, by making music and theater with them, by joining them in workshops and spiritual events. See them in all their moods, and really get to know them. Be patient and give time for friendships to unfold and grow by themselves with-out expectations. The Spirit will show you your soul mates, if you let it. Many people will be put off by sudden propositioning, and not everyone is in the same state of wanting that you are. Remember, if the other person says no, but you do anyway, that is rape. We are all worthy of equal respect. We are opening up to the luminous love light of the One.


INTOXICANTS
What you use is your business. What you abuse is often everyones business. It has long been a tradition in our family to discourage the use of alcohol at gatherings. Alcohol energy can easily threaten. We respect a persons right to drink. We do not respect difficult drunks. The primary reason we gather is for peace. Conversely don't be a nuisance to drinkers (or Shanti Sena), if you are panhandled or insulted, turn to your friends or sober people for help. Some intoxicants can have mind-expanding and otherwise sacred uses. However, we actively discourage giving powerful psychedelics like LSD to people who don't know what they're taking, or don't have the experience and mental stability to handle it.


TOWN PLEASE
respect the community we are closest to. Avoid unnecessary trips to town. Please respect local businesses, and people with different sensibilities. Absolutely DO NOT panhandle, loiter, apply for any social services, or otherwise act inappropriately. Do not tax the resources of the local area. BE KIND, even to folks with bad attitudes. Some folks respond badly to change and what they don't understand. We are in their back yard. When you are in town you ARE an ambassador for the entire Rainbow Family.


THE SILENT CIRCLE FOR PRAYER AND HEALING -
JULY 4TH, MORNING We gather to focus on LOVE, nature, our better nature, healing division, and to honor and respect all positive contributions to the evolution of earth and all life. On July 4th, from daybreak till high noon, the camp is hushed, hopefully no talking at all. It is a wonderful exercise to communicate without words. People gather in Main Circle to meditate for World Peace and the Healing of the Earth. This is a time of profound energy. Explore your deepest feelings so that your healing might will be complete. The silence is broken with a resonant OM after the Children's Parade enters the Circle, after high noon. PLEASE respect the morning silence. There is plenty of time in life for noise.


REGIONAL GATHERINGS
In addition to the annual National Gathering, there are many Regional Gatherings throughout the year. Find out about these from Info, All Ways Free, focalizers, Light Line numbers, and the Internet. alt.gathering.rainbow www.welcomehome.org Yahoo under Society and Culture: Alternative


VISION COUNCIL
Vision Council shares the future dreams and visions of the Rainbow Family. Much of the focus is on determining the location for the next year's national Gathering. Council starts at noon on July 7th, and continues until a consensus is reached. This may take days. Be prepared to be patient, very patient.


CLEAN UP
Clean up begins before you leave your home. Think carefully about what you pack. Do you need it? Will you want to deal with packing it out. Clean Up continues when you arrive - if you don't disturb the environment to begin with, you don't have much to clean up later. If you pick up trash as you go, theres little mess at the end. BRING A STURDY BAG FOR YOUR TRASH & RECYCLING. Take your trash & recycling far from the gathering and surrounding towns and dispose of it properly. Trash & recycling stations should be used as a LAST RESORT. Have a heart and take a bag of trash from a trash station upon leaving the gathering (it really helps). We attempt to leave NO traces of the gathering so that in a year, you'd never know we were there. EVERY cigarette butt, bottle cap & string is picked up to the best of our ability. After the last day of the Gathering, the camp is drawn inward from the perimeters to one central camp, thence to the front gate, parking area, and down the road. See Rap 701 for details.


FAMILY & COMMUNITY
Just like in any good family, brothers & sisters take turns washing dishes, taking out the trash, cooking, getting fiewood & water, all the chores. Orders need not be given. Love acts without having to be asked. Giving love feeds you love. Attempting to amass credit, dominate, indulge ego, or run personal agendas will leave one empty & flat, missing the point & the big picture. Blissing out is great, but if you want to take something home with you from the gathering that will last and really mean something, volunteer, help out a kitchen, plug in. Unlike Babylon, here you can see, hear & feel the reasons for community service: Your brothers & sisters healthy & getting fed. If we all put in 2 hours a day, we'd be one happy camp.

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KITCHENS & CAMPS