Monthly Archive for January, 2008

Founders

Published on January 26, 2008 in Abundance by Neal Gorenflo. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

Neal Gorenflo and Scott Levkoff founded Abundance League in April of 2005 after a months-long dialog that Neal initiated.

Maritza Schafer and Polly Whitaker became co-founders shortly thereafter adding their wisdom and energy to the creation of Abundance League.

After a few months, Scott and Polly decided to branch off on a similar but separate project called Beauty Engine.

Maritza and Neal have been co-hosting San Francisco Abundance League monthly meetings since then.

In 2007, Russell Gonzago formed a chapter in Harbin Hot Springs in Sonoma County California. In 2008, Taj Moore and Susan Coates formed a chapter in Denver, Colorado.

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Abundance League Manifesto

Published on January 26, 2008 in Abundance by Neal Gorenflo. 0 Comments Tags: , .

We believe that abundance flows from helping each other. That mutual aid, collaboration, and interdependence lead to abundance in all it’s forms – health, wealth, happiness, friendship, know how, great experiences, and more.

That scarcity is created by anything that keeps us from helping each other. That anything blocking increasing levels of cooperation cheats humanity of its full potential. That beliefs, behaviors, and social divisions that keep us from helping each other lead to poverty and violence.

That the purpose of our lives is to be of service to each other. That it is our responsibility to understand our unique abilities and passions, design a life of service that uses these for our own fulfillment and to the best advantage of others, and to find like-minded collaborators to advance our service projects. That this is not only our responsibility, but also one of the most powerful sources of purpose, meaning, and joy to do the work we were meant to do.

That it is our responsibility to improve the quality of our lives and others. That we should not expect someone else to do this for us. A better world is our responsibility and counts on our every action. That creating a better world is actually easy, counts on many little actions in our daily lives, and is something we can do now starting with those right around us.

That we have everything we need to create a better life and world within and around us. That when we act on our most deeply held dreams for humanity with humility, inclusiveness, determination, faith, generosity, honesty, and good intention, that we will be aided by those around us in the time and measure needed. That simple actions added up will not only result in a more satisfying life for ourselves, but a positive shift in world affairs.

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Quote of the Moment

Published on January 26, 2008 in Abundance by Neal Gorenflo. 0 Comments Tags: , .

“Community connectedness is not just about warm fuzzy tales of civic triumph. In measurable and well-documented ways, social capital makes an enormous difference in our lives…Social capital makes us smarter, healthier, safer, richer, and better able to govern a just and stable democracy.”

-Robert Putnam, Bowling Alone

It was ideas like these that lead to the founding of Abundance League. Hey, who doesn’t want to be smarter, healthier, safer, richer…?

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San Francisco, You’re Invited: Thu 1/24 6pm – Russell Gonzaga + Harbin Hot Springs

Published on January 21, 2008 in San Francisco Events by Neal Gorenflo. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

Happy New Year Leaguers!

We’re off to a great start this year. We’re branching out! Russell Gonzaga and Taj Moore, formerly of the SF Abundance League, are starting monthly meetings in their new hometowns of Harbin Hot Springs and Denver, respectively. Benefits of this growth spurt are already flowing. Russell invited past SF Abundance League speakers to present at Harbin, with a free overnight stay included. The offer is still good. And two former speakers, Matthew Blom of Communecology and John Furey of Mindtime, are talking to Russell about about holding professional workshops at Harbin.

This leads us to this month’s meeting. Russell will be presenting about Harbin Hot Springs. Harbin is a business, but is also a very special community, one that includes it’s guests, workers, those who live in neighboring towns, and more. It’s also a nondenominational spiritual center and retreat for activists. Because of it’s unique history and mission, it has developed norms and community technology that foster social harmony and abundance. In other words, they take community seriously and it pays. Their hotel has one of the highest occupancy rates around. And people flock from all over the world to work, live, and even retire at Harbin. Russell will speak about Harbin’s unique community and it’s growing role as a retreat center for activists. I hope you will join us.

And as always, please come prepared to tell us about your passions, discuss your needs, and share your gifts so that we can support each other in leading inspired lives.

MEETING
What: The Abundance League
When: Thursday, Jan. 24th, 6:00pm
Where: 1168 Folsom, #304, San Francisco, call 867.0429 if you have
trouble finding the meeting

AGENDA
6:00 – 6:30 – Mingle
6:30 – 7:15 – Member announcements
7:15 – 7:30 – Break, nosh, mingle, exchange support
7:30 – 8:30 – Presentation & discussion
8:30 – 10:00 Nosh, mingle, exchange support, clean up

Learn more about our meetings here:
http://www.theabundanceleague.org/2007/08/about- abundance-league-meetings.html

BRING
-Yourself, friends!
-Healthy stuff for the potluck.
-Shares: books, CDs, DVDs that you‘d like to loan or gift at the meeting.

BLOG
Check out the recent posts:
http://www.theabundanceleague.org

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