WisConfluence 2024
Courageous Conversations
to Re-Imagine Community
Thursday, 9/1 - Sunday 9/22
[email protected]


We're Back!

On Nov. 4, 2023, we held “The Confluence” in Viroqua, Wisconsin. It was the result of an invitation to an annual summer picnic from Common Ground in Duluth, Minnesota, to CoCreating Community (Twin Cities, Minnesota) and Driftless United for Health Freedom (Viroqua, Wisconsin).Each of those organizations was born out of the challenges of the pandemic. At the picnic in August 2023, we discovered that we each shared the mission of mending the social fabric, which was shredded by isolation and polarization, cultivating the vision of a more beautiful future, and exploring pathways to make it real.After the picnic, a few of us basked in the sun at the confluence of Amity Creek and the Lester River, immersing our feet in its waters. When the idea was posed to create a regional gathering to pursue our shared vision, the response was a collective and enthusiastic, "Yes!" That seed blossomed two months later.Just prior to our event, we learned of a remarkable synchronicity -- an event in Texas just two weeks prior that shared, not only our mission of shifting society in a more positive direction, but the same name as well!After our midwest Confluence in 2023, and having some of our organizers participate in Confluence TX 2024, we came away inspired and excited to continue the momentum.This year, we are returning as “WisConfluence,” expanding into an additional day to cultivate richer, deeper connections. We are also honored to have the support of a new sponsor, Threefold Driftless.While the inaugural gathering was focused on connecting with other changemakers, this event is focused on sharing knowledge and tools that EMPOWER US TO CREATE the change we envision.You are warmly invited to gather with those of shared purpose in Viroqua, the heart of Wisconsin's ancient, sacred Driftless region.

For a more in-depth background on the inspiration for WisConfluence and what's in store for 2024,The Conscious Bro podcast features three of the organizers discussing the importance of Courageous Conversations to Re-imagine Community.


WisConfluence 2024

Knowledge & Skill Shares

WisConfluence is...
a regional grassroots gathering devoted to
envisioning, embodying, and leading the way
to community-based cultural solutions.
We'll approach this through...
* Bridge Building
* Skill Sharing
* Leadership Cultivation
* Opening to the mystery of what emerges when we come together on the land.

WisConfluence is unique in its focus on highlighting the knowledge and skills of local and extended community members! This gathering is about empowering ourselves to embody our inherent power, and BE powerful changemakers in our own communities - whether in bold, visible ways or quietly behind the scenes.WisConfluence will create a welcoming space for Courageous Conversations and community-led Knowledge-Shares that will explore transformation wisdom and tools for living a more beautiful future NOW:

  • SOCIOCRACY and EQUITY as vehicles for personal transformation, self-governance and honor-based interdependence

  • The PRIVATE DOMAIN as a space for freely living a heart-centered life

  • How to heal destructive, polarizing, societal forces with the wisdom of SOCIAL THREEFOLDING

  • SACRED COMMERCE — expanding the notion of currencies to include ones of true value: your energy, heart-based gifting, care, enjoyment, inspiration...

  • More effectively ATTUNING WITH NATURE to inform our path forward

  • Joyful, creative expression through community SONG, DANCE, & PLAY at the beautiful Defiance Springs Lodge!



WisConfluence 2024

SCHEDULE

REGISTRATION STARTS AT 8:00am.
PLEASE ARRIVE NO LATER THAN 8:15am TO FACILITATE AN ON-TIME START.

THURSDAY
At 6:30pm on Thursday, join us for a Welcome Mingle at Magpie Gelato. This will be a casual time to meet each other and form initial connections in preparation for our shared experience.
FRIDAY
Friday will have a series of introductory knowledge-shares to provide a baseline of shared understanding for Saturday's community chat and Re-imagining Roundtable. Friday's introduction sessions include:

  • Restoring the Realm of We the People: An Introduction to the Wisdom of Social Threefolding - Human societies are undergoing an unprecedented crisis. Old sources of cultural stability and social sanity are quickly passing away, and new power blocs are emerging that would turn the human being into little more than a compliant machine. But is it possible we are in the throes of a birth, as well as a death? Social threefolding can guide us toward a rebirth of the dignity, freedom, and sovereignty of the human being in these troubling times.

  • Frequency Alchemy: Increasing our Sensitivity to the Qualities of Our Time & Space - Become more sensitive to, and formulate a right relationship with, the miasma of influences which have such a significant bearing on our physiology, vitality and destiny — from cosmic, man-made, and Earth radiation, and everything in between. Our adventurous ramblings may or may not take detours into the fields of Etheric Technology, Biodynamic Agriculture, Radionics, Bioelectricity, Astrology, Building Biology, Zero Point Energy, BioGeometry, Radiesthesia and much more...

  • Cultivating Equity Consciousness: A Master Key to Solutions - Explore Maxims of Equity as a guidepost for living in honor personally, in relationship, in community, and in business. "Change your thinking; change your life." (*See note below.)

  • Becoming Invulnerable: Exiting the System Through Private Trusts - An inspiring introduction to using the private trust to protect your interests and assets. You will learn how they work -- in plain language (not confusing legalese) -- and how they can be used to your advantage, rather than the system's.

  • Private Membership Associations: A More Empowered Social Structure - Private Membership Associations (PMA's) operate as private entities — for example, social and recreational clubs, religious and political organizations, such as the RNC and DNC — to facilitate activities or provide services within a closed group of individuals. Because they have THEIR OWN set of rules, regulations, and governing documents that are SEPARATE FROM PUBLIC LAWS, they manage their affairs privately, with a greater degree of autonomy than is available in the public domain.

*NOTE: Equity in the context of this knowledge-share has a long history. Known as equity jurisprudence, it was developed in the 15th century to achieve justice and provide remedies — through principles of fairness, conscience, and honor — where English Common Law (12th century) was found to be too rigid and inflexible. This does NOT address the idea of equity referred to in DEI (Diversity/Equity/Inclusion), which has emerged out of contemporary social justice movements.

After a delicious Vietnamese dinner at The Commons, we have the honor of welcoming our special guest, Catherine Austin Fitts (bio below), who will be sharing from her unique expertise, inspiring us to Re-imagine Community Economics and Commerce. The day will end around a bonfire at Defiance Springs Lodge.SATURDAY
On Saturday, we move to the Old Main building (2 blocks away), where we will immerse ourselves in a more in-depth exploration of the topics introduced on Friday, begin to integrate information, and shift into VISIONING.
Saturday's highlights include:

  • Creating an Economy of Love by Liberating Land, Labor & Capital from the Marketplace - Ideally, the economic life is that aspect of society where we are called to care for one another, and for the limited resources of the earth, out of love. And yet it tends to be the place where we exploit one another and the earth, steadily eroding the very foundations of society. Traditional forms of capitalism, socialism, and communism have all failed to remedy these problems. By changing the way we think about, transact, and interact within the sacred trinity of economic life — land, labor and capital — we can transition from a system of exploitation to an economy based in love.

  • Including Every Voice: Sociocracy as a Tool for Self-Governance - This simple, non-hierarchical framework for collaborative efforts distributes power and ensures that every voice is heard. Sociocracy has nothing to do with socialism, but is also distinguished from Democracy, where one part of the group (the majority) can rule without the consent of the rest, or Consensus, where one person can hold up a decision. It maximizes the power of the group to engage each person’s potential contribution and deepens everyone’s capacity to listen.

  • COMMUNITY CHAT: Re-Imagining Community Economics - This is an opportunity to share individual knowledge about ideas such as Ubuntu contributionism, the gift economy, and other alternative means of exchange and integrate it with what we learned in Friday's session with Catherine Austin Fitts. An opportunity to expand your capacity to Dream and Create!

  • RE-IMAGINING ROUNDTABLE: Do you find yourself perplexed at how "the other side" arrives at their conclusions? Or how we can possibly bridge the chasm that has is continuously fomented? Do you ever wonder if things will ever truly change "one day?" This session will explore the question, "How Do We Build Bridges & Live a More Beautiful Future NOW?"

On Saturday night, we head down to Defiance Springs Lodge for a hearty and delicious chili supper around the campfire, followed by drumming and dancing!SUNDAY
On Sunday, we return to The Commons to integrate and process, "Where Do We Go From Here?"
PLEASE NOTE:
BOTH DINNERS REQUIRE RESERVATIONS NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 14 AND CASH EXCHANGE UPON ARRIVAL.
(See meal details below.)


Special Guest: Catherine Austin Fitts

Friday, September 20, 7:00pm

Re-Imagining Community Economics & Commerce

Join us Friday evening for a fascinating discussion with our special guest to gain insight about our current system and explore new possibilities of exchange.Catherine Austin Fitts is the president of Solari, Inc., publisher of the Solari Report, and managing member of Solari Investment Screens, LLC.Catherine served as managing director and member of the board of directors of the Wall Street investment bank Dillon, Read & Co. Inc., and as Assistant Secretary of Housing and Federal Housing Commissioner at the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development in the first Bush administration. She was also the president of Hamilton Securities Group, Inc.Catherine has designed and closed over $25 billion of transactions and investments to-date and has led portfolio and investment strategy for $300 billion of financial assets and liabilities. She has also investigated money that went missing from the US federal government, as well as some strange anomalies that she is identifying as "Disaster Capitalism."Catherine graduated from the University of Pennsylvania (BA), and the Wharton School (MBA) and studied Mandarin Chinese at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. She blogs for the Solari Report at www.solari.com.Join us for what promises to be in intriguing, insightful, and inspiring dialogue!


WisConfluence 2024

GIFT EXCHANGE

WisConfluence is a true labor of Love. The contributors and organizers have freely given their time, energy, and skills to make this experience available to those who feel called. In an effort to model a gift economy -— while honoring our responsibilities in the existing system and our intention to show generous appreciation to as many contributors as possible — we are requesting:

  • A $50 BASELINE CONTRIBUTION upon arrival to reimburse the out-of-pocket expenses that made this event possible.

  • Prior to departure, if you found value in the experience and feel inspired to offer an additional monetary gift, it will be gratefully received and paid forward to keep the WisConfluence energy flowing and blessing many.

  • Please make your contributions in CASH to have all funds support local small businesses.

If this event evokes feelings such as joy, love, excitement, and inspiration, those are the currencies we're most delighted to exchange with you! If the suggested baseline contribution is too high for you, please connect with us. No one will be turned away. If you are blessed with abundant means, we gratefully welcome your generosity to help offset WisConfluence community members with less cash flow.Rather than the empty, obligatory exchange of banknotes in amounts that are externally imposed upon us, let's discover what will emerge when what we choose to give is an authentic, heartfelt gift that results when we tune into guidance from within.


WisConfluence Meals

We look forward to breaking bread together, which is nourishing on so many levels. Lunch on Friday and Saturday will be on your own, with options to bring your food to a Lunch & Learn on Friday, or a garden tour on Saturday! (See schedule above.)We are offering prepared dinners on each day. On Friday, a Vietnamese chef will prepare a fresh, authentic, three-course meal (menu below) for $22/person, served in the cafe at our meeting venue, The Commons.On Saturday, we will have an organic chili supper around the campfire at Defiance Springs Lodge. Vegetarian and meat options will be available, along with organic cornbread and fixin's bar for $20/person.PLEASE NOTE:
RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 14.

CASH PAYMENT DUE UPON ARRIVAL
CLICK IMAGE TO RESERVE.

Photo by Charles Angel
Photo by Charles Angel

Photo by Charles Angel

Turning the Tide Toward
A More Beautiful Future

WisConfluence 2024

If you feel called to usher in a way of Being in this world that is more aligned with your Self and Nature, you are warmly invited to share your Presence and wisdom with us at WisConfluence!Lodging options include a limited number of homestays in Viroqua and primitive camping areas onsite at Defiance Springs. Contact us soon if you're interested in those options.Other options include (limited!) local homestays, backyard camping, AirBnB, Sidie Hollow Campground, the Hickory Hill Motel and Americinn Viroqua.See you in September!

QUESTIONS?
Connect with us at [email protected]