Harvest (Fall/Thanksgiving) Circle (Council/Counsel) Notes

We, the individuals assembled and counselling in circle in Minnesota, at the 2018 Rainbow Family of Living Light Harvest Counsel, have lovingly reached consensus on the following:
#1. Water is life
#2. We encourage individuals to embrace and share the following rap about water to all points of light:
Rap H20
WATER IS LIFE!
May you never be thirsty.
May you always have all that you need.
Good water gives us energy.
Just 'cause it comes from a tap doesn't mean it is safe to drink.
Boil unfiltered water for twenty minutes if you do not want to be sick, however, be aware that boiling does not remove chemicals nor toxic metals.
.1 Micron filters will remove bacteria and protect us from giardia
Consider elevation - the higher you are, the more time is needed to boil for sanitation.
And, filtering will not remove all viruses;
Virus comes from human and animal waste.
So, bury that shit.
BURY YOUR SHIT at least 200 feet away from any running
water source, down hill if possible.
We are water protectors.
Protect all water sources and stay out of delicate spring areas.
Keep all soaps out of springs, streams or the pond-remember, other plants and animals use this water too, and their ecosystem is fragile!
Use a bucket to bathe at least 100 feet away from water sources and avoid camping within 200 feet of water.
Live water, filtered water -
Keep it separated and avoid cross contamination.
SANITIZE YOUR HANDS before you refill any water vessel, and do not touch the vessel to the spout.
(Don't touch your thing to the thing.)
All kitchens protect family health by providing sanitizer at all water refill stations.
Remember to bring water bliss:
Carrying a personal water vessel will make it easier to stay hydrated and protect your personal health. Protecting your own health protects the health of the entire community.
Water is life. May you never be thirsty.

#3. Considering the challenging water conditions in this year's Gathering region, we are inclined to highly prioritize our water systems. We encourage individuals to donate to our water funds so we can pursue creative solutions to keeping our family hydrated and healthy.

#4. Spring Counsel begins June 8, 2019.

#5. Have More fun
#5 (b.) Good fun is merry, and causes no harm.
In this spirit, we commit while at the Gathering to encourage and practice being our best selves, to look for what we can offer the whole, to give more to the gathering than we take from it, and to serve each other with love and joy in our hearts
Have more fun. Be more fun. Do more fun.

#6 We affirm that the focus of the Annual Rainbow Gathering is a silence from dawn until noon, and a meditation for world peace and healing, on July 4.

#7 All individuals who intend to participate in scouting for the upcoming Annual Rainbow Gathering are invited to rendezvous on May 8th, 2019, at a location to be decided. Given our prioritization of water this year, individuals who focus on water knowledge and systems are also enthusiastically encouraged to attend this rendezvous.

#8 There will be an ice cream party at the 2019 Rainbow Gathering on July 3, hosted by all kitchens who choose to participate.

#9 Magic Hat and Fundraising Counsel will consist of the five individuals who volunteered, and they will be responsible for focalizing donation collection for the magic hat and holding any potential donations until we reconvene counselling on the land, as well as focalizing fundraisers for the Magic Hat as needed. For the safety and comfort of the counsel participants, the names of these volunteers are available privately on request, and we do not want the names posted publicly online. We encourage individuals to donate green energy to the Magic Hat, or to any individual rainbow projects and fund collections they want to support.