See Jane Do...

Nina Simons, Feather River Singers & Nevada Littlewolf Tonight!

Today we kick off the 2nd Annual Passion Into Action Conference!  Many of the keynote speakers and workshop leaders are arriving in town today.  For some of them it is their first time to visit Grass Valley/Nevada City. 

Advance tickets are still available online!  Click here to register or go to http://passionintoaction.wordpress.com/.

Passion Into Action is an investment in you.  The life-changing tools, connections, and resources that you'll take away from this experience are invaluable. 

Click here to see the Passion Into Action Agenda.

Tonight we feature Nina Simons!  Nina is the President and Co-Founder of Bioneers, and has co-produced the Bioneers Conference and guided the organization's growth since 1990.  She teaches and lectures on Re-Inventing Leadership from the Inside Out, Restoring the Feminine and Organizations as Living Systems. She co-created Cultivating Women's Leadership - a five-day intensive for women of all backgrounds, ethnicities, ages and disciplines with a significant desire and capacity to effect positive change in their communities.

 

Nina's latest accomplishment is the release of her book, Moonrise: The Power of Women Leading from the Heart, co-edited with Anneke Campbell.  "Moonrise" consists of a compilation of powerful women's stories who are re-defining leadership.  Nina says the goal of "Moonrise" is to ignite the power and capacity within us all to create change by leading in ways that are joyful, healthy, and whole."     

The evening also includes a special presentation by council member Nevada Littlewolf of The White House Project.  Nevada was the youngest women and first American Indian to be elected to a city council position.

The Feather River Singers will kick off the event.  Feather River Singers is a Women's Drum with exciting energy, a soothing beat and original style in Cherokee and English. Dedicated to preserving their native language through songs, all original materials by group members marks this debut CD "Daughters of the Earth" by Feather River Singers as breaking into new territory in Native music. Prentice Robinson, Cherokee linguist from Tulsa, Oklahoma acted as language consultant for this project. Inspired by The Mankillers, Walela and Ulali, these women bring melody and a Cherokee touch to their songs.

This year part of the proceeds of the conference benefit The Friendship Club and The Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalition.  See Jane Do has partnered with The Friendship Club, Sierra Mentoring Partnership and The Center for the Arts to offer workshops on "Power, Passion and Philanthropy" for young women in the community.

Passion Into Action is like no other event we've experienced. 

 

You can register for the conference here or go to www.seejanedo.com .  

 

We look forward to seeing you all very soon!

 

Jennifer Cohen: Exquisite Sufficiency- Source Your Passion and Move to Effortless Action

What is enough in your life?  At what point do you feel abundant and full; that you have enough time, enough money and enough love.  Jennifer Cohen asserts that we are enough and that all we need is right before us.  Jennifer is the co-founder of Seven Stones Leadership Group, a consulting consortium, where she teaches a unique model of leadership development and is pioneering work in moving organizations and individuals to a partnership model of living and leading based on the mind set and practice of Exquisite Sufficiency first offered by Buckminster Fuller and popularized by Lynne Twist. Jennifer’s fresh approach is informed by communication theories ranging from quantum physics and philosophy to neuroscience and Somatics.

Jennifer is presenting her workshop, Exquisite Sufficiency: Source Your Passion and Move to Effortless Action in the Leading Your Life track.

This workshop will allow you to get at the source of creating a dream for your life and for the world that is juicy, alive and potent enough to heal a planet. We will work from a core belief system (not held by our dominant culture) in our Exquisite Enoughness to source our passions, make them visible through guided imagery, journaling and small group exercises and then begin to forge a path forward. We will explore your passion as it arises in the body/mind and listen for where it is calling us to act. Action born from this source is what is sometimes called effortless effort. Join us in this exploration of passion and action from a world sourced by Exquisite Sufficiency.

 Jennifer shares with us how Lynne Twist and Buckminster Fuller's work influenced her passion, the affect women and girls have on the world, and the biggest take-away of her workshop.

 1.  What is your personal mission or passion that is helping to re-shape the future?

 At Seven Stones Leadership Group, our mission is to bring the promise and practices of exquisite sufficiency – an idea whose time has come – to the world through coaching, consulting, speaking and learning materials. We believe that the context in which we are embedded could presently be described as a ping pong match between scarcity and abundance. This paradigm has given rise to an economic model that is unjust for the majority of humans and unsustainable for our ecosystems as well as a mental model that causes us to feel a chronic sense of inadequacy, spending billions to medicate our pain either with pills or products and denying our citizenship. If we re-shape the dream for our future and re-shape our consciousness then through the new practices that arise out of that dream, we can re-shape our social systems, our organizations, and our hearts.

2.  Describe a significant moment or experience that inspired your personal mission or passion to make a difference?

The moment that inspired this particular passion was engaging with a group of leaders to investigate this paradigm of exquisite sufficiency, a concept first inserted into the collective consciousness by Buckminster Fuller and later popularized by Lynne Twist in her book The Soul of Money. This group has inspired three global summits exploring the relevance of sufficiency to the sustainability movement, to economics, and to the future of life on earth.

3.  What do you hope will be the biggest take-aways for the attendees who participate in your workshop?

• You will leave deeply understanding that the context we create and live in sources our thinking, our experience, our social systems, and our organizational models.
• You will leave having tapped into your own creative capacity to re-shape the context towards a new dream. Yes, you are that powerful!
• Having tapped into it, you will design some next steps to turn your passion into action.

4.  How do you see women and girls in the local and global communities affecting the future?

I see women and girls at the forefront of the transformation that is shaping our current collective experience. This is a moment when the power of women rises again to restore balance and support “the great turning” towards a world that can work for all beings. There is a lot of research out there right now that confirms that when women and girls are empowered, the entire community they are embedded in benefits.

5.  Why is it so important to participate in groups and events that connect women and feature their talents, ideas and solutions right now?

 Community is the source of our strength and our power. We are all woven into this fabric of life. We need one another, we require one another. We are tribal and social in nature and thrive when we gather.

6.  What is your message to women around the world?

 This is our moment. The world is reaching for your gifts. Be willing to offer yourself fully to the world while you are here, not because anything needs saving, but because everything needs loving.

To participate in Jennifer's workshop click here to register for Passion Into Action of go to www.seejanedo.com

 

Only 50 Tickets Left to Passion Into Action

One more day until we launch the 2nd Annual Passion Into Action Women's Conference!  We only have 50 tickets left!  We are really excited to see so many incredible women (and men) from our community who are participating in the event. 

Passion Into Action is an investment in you.  The life-changing tools, connections, and resources that you'll take away from this experience are invaluable. 

Passion Into Action is for anyone looking to connect with and build community, hear the stories of other like-minded women and redefine herself.  The conference is unique in that it highlights real women with real solutions who can provide tactical guidance and a network that fosters support.  The hands on workshops range anywhere from tapping into your passion, using social media to enhance your project, finding your path through writing, creating relationships that call you to rise, channeling the wild feminine, taking care of you, igniting around green issues, and creating a road map for creating social impact.

Click here to see the Passion Into Action Agenda.

The event is also unique in that it provides an intimate space to connect with extraordinary women who typically speak to thousands at a time.  We're honored to host keynote speakers, Nina Simons, Tiffany Dufu, Kathy LeMay, and Jean Shinoda Bolen this year. 

This year part of the proceeds of the conference benefit The Friendship Club and The Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalition.  See Jane Do has partnered with The Friendship Club, Sierra Mentoring Partnership and The Center for the Arts to offer workshops on "Power, Passion and Philanthropy" for young women in the community.

Passion Into Action is like no other event we've experienced. 

You can register for the conference here or go to www.seejanedo.com .  A limited number of tickets will be available at the door.

 

We look forward to seeing you all very soon!

 

All the best,

 

Elisa and Jesse

Defining You with Patt, Kathleen and Linda Joy

"By learning more about who you are, you become the heroine of your own life, and can create positive change in the world" ~Linda Joy Myers

 

As a global community it feels like we're at a tipping point, the conditions of our planet could go either way depending on our actions.  As a society of women, however it feels like we're on the verge of new possibilities.  The dramatic shift that is necessary will require women to stand up along-side our brothers and lead the way towards a healthier future. 

We can't think of a better time than now for women to collaborate and come together at an event like Passion Into Action.

 

Chameli Ardagh at Passion Into Action

Studies show that in times of stress women tend to gather together to share, communicate and connect.  Men on the other hand tend to isolate themselves; figuring out a way to solve the problem on their own or fight it out.  As we face current challenges it's no surprise that women are flocking to events like The Women's Conference, Gather the Women, TEDxGrass Valley and Passion Into Action.  We refer to this phenomena as the "Water Cooler Revolution".  Rather than gather in the kitchen at home or around a water cooler at work women are revolutionizing leadership and forming together in large numbers at meaningful events in order to find their purpose, identify role models and create solutions to a better world. 

Passion Into Action

It seems there are several components necessary to facilitate the change that is needed. First, women need to come together.  Second, as individuals we each need to do our part.  And third, we need to figure out what that part is.  We created Passion Into Action to address all of these issues; connecting with our community of women, discovering our passion and acquiring the tools to do so, and most important taking our passion and activating it into action with the support of others.  Figuring out our purpose, our calling for the greater good and essentially what makes up happy is key to leading a collective force of positive change.

Passion Into Action is the ideal space to explore what moves you.  We are thrilled to feature three extraordinary women who will provide techniques, exercises, stories and tools to define your passion.

Kathleen McIntire is a teacher and a healer. Through her passion she creates sacred space that allows room for transformation, awakening and healing within.  Her deep commitment to women's issues has taken her around the world, most recently to Israel and Palestine with the Nobel Women's Initiative and to the Ecuadorian rainforest where she co-leads expeditions.  Kathleen is also a trained facilitator for the Pachamama Alliance's "Awakening the Dreamer" symposium and certified practitioner of Cellular Memory Release ™.

 

Kathleen's workshop From Fear into Freedom

Riding the Waves of the Seven C's with the Power of The Grandmother spirit is designed to help create the highest and best for your life and examine where fear, denial and being in the "victim" holds you back.  Kathleen says that one of the biggest take-aways from her workshop is to learn how to call in the Grandmother's Spirit and ride the waves of "The Seven C's" :

• Courage
• Confidence
• Co-creation
• Connection
• Compassion
• Clarity
• Choosing

She believes that "the world is counting on each one of us NOW to step into these gifts and bring them forward into the world. Each one of us is a thread in the tapestry of wholeness, each gift is essential!"

 

Click here to read more about Kathleen's story.

 

Author, Patt Lind-Kyle returns to the 2nd Annual Passion Into Action Conference! Patt's workshop in the Defining You track is designed to help remove mental barriers, deal with impossibilities and tap into your passion.  Her work is driven from an interest in research of inner development and optimal performance and will apply techniques from her award winning book Heal Your Mind, Rewire Your Brain: Applying the Exciting New Science of Brain Synchrony for Creativity, Peace and Presence. 

Patt says the biggest take-away from her workshop, Tapping Into Your Passion is "for individuals to understand and know how to change their mind and literally rewire their brains and alter their DNA by using some very reliable tools that will open them up to a new level of freedom in their lives."

 

Click here to read more about Patt's story.

 

The power of story has the ability to transfer cultural beliefs from one generation to the next.  These tales might carry sorrow, hope, joy, or strength.  A story might shift our way of being in the world and reflect the path recently walked on.  The power of the story reminds us that as the author, we must question how our personal story serves us and how our story will benefit those of the future?

 

Dr. Linda Joy Myers works with others to expand their lives into story. Linda has been a therapist in Berkeley for over thirty years, and combines her background in art, clinical work, and writing in her work. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Mills College, and offers unique memoir workshops and trainings in the Bay Area and nationally. She is former president of the California Writers Club, Marin branch, and a member of Women's National Book Association. Myers is an award-winning fiction, poetry, and non-fiction writer, her first book "Becoming Whole: Writing Your Healing Story" was featured on the Marin Bestseller's list.

 

Dr. Myers is leading the workshop, The Heroine's Journey-Find your Path Through Writing Your Story. 

 

She hopes the biggest take-away of her workshop is "learning about the power of creating your story and seeing yourself as a heroine of your own life helps you to understand your past, your identity, and how you can shape the future. Knowing that each step your ancestors have taken have brought you to this moment-where you are empowered-weaves the past and present into a colorful tapestry that helps inspire the world."

 

Click here to read more about Linda Joy's story.

 

A limited number of tickets are available and are going fast.  You can register for the conference here or go to www.seejanedo.com .  

 

We look forward to seeing you all very soon!

Kathleen McIntire: From Fear To Freedom Riding the Waves of the Seven C’s and Grandmother Spirit

"The world is counting on each one of us NOW to step into these gifts and bring them forward into the world. Each one of us is a thread in the tapestry of wholeness, each gift is essential!"~Kathleen McIntire

Kathleen McIntire is a teacher and a healer. Through her passion she creates sacred space that allows room for transformation, awakening and healing within.  Her deep commitment to women's issues has taken her around the world, most recently to Israel and Palestine with the Nobel Women's Initiative and to the Ecuadorian rainforest where she co-leads expeditions.  Kathleen is also a trained facilitator for the Pachamama Alliance’s “Awakening the Dreamer” symposium and certified practitioner of Cellular Memory Release ™.

Kathleen maintains the website SoaringInLight.com, and her intention is to bring forward the Divine Feminine energies on our planet to create a world of love and oneness that works for all life.  The purpose of SoaringInLight.com is to be a voice for the Transformation of consciousness on our planet, a vehicle for truth, empowerment, liberation and awakening for all of us.

She returns to Passion Into Action to lead the workshop, From Fear To Freedom Riding the Waves of the Seven C’s and Grandmother Spirit. 

Workshop Description:

From Fear into Freedom

Riding the Waves of the Seven C’s with the power of The Grandmother spirit

 

2011 is the year of the Rainbow Serpent – a year of great opportunity for co-creation

 

*How are you creating the highest and best for your life and for our Mother Earth?

*Where does fear, denial, being in the “victim” hold you back?  Whether it is in a small place or lives in huge areas this workshop is for you.  Learn how to call in the Grandmother’s Spirit and ride the waves of “The Seven C’s” :

• Courage
• Confidence
• Co-creation
• Connection
• Compassion
• Clarity
• Choosing

This workshop will use guided meditation, moving our bodies through dance, and being in our heart and our lower three charkas and our feeling nature.  We will embody the feminine for co-creation at this time powerful time on our planet!

Following Kathleen shares the significant moment that inspired her passion, why it's so important that we connect with other women right now, and the power women and girls have to transform the world.

 

1.     What is your personal mission or passion that is helping to re-shape the future? My personal mission and passion is to bring truth and awakening to our planet.  The avenue I work with is the Divine Feminine.  Helping women remember how truly powerful we are as feminine beings.  The power of the lower three charkas, the feminine ones. The importance of our heart and the power of our womb.  To help women remember feminine qualities like our intuition.  As time continues to speed up, time is measured in nanoseconds, we can no longer make decisions from the mind which can process 26 frames per second whereas intuition is nearly infinite.  To navigate these times we must be in touch with our intuition and knowing that the truth lies within ourselves and being able to access it.   I have just created “Guiding Signs 101” a divination card set helping people, especially women, to get in touch with their intuition and inner wisdom and guidance at all the crossroads of life, small and large.  It is scheduled to launch in June. 2.     Describe a significant moment or experience that inspired your personal mission or passion to make a difference? One day I just simply could not not be who I was.  I could no longer live the image of being “normal” that my husband wanted of me.  Not being “me” felt like dying slowly.  In shamanic astrology the “PHD” I came into this life with was my scorpio moon/virgo node, the shaman High Priestess white witch.  I have gifts of a healer and ability to channel divine beings.  Growing up in Utah and then having a husband who was very logical this aspect of myself was NEVER allowed the light of day.  One day I woke up and every cell in my body was crying to be able to be all of who I was.  All parts wanted expression.  I knew my marriage was over and divorced my husband.  I started to turn this land into a retreat center to bring back feminine rituals and have workshops that have to do with the birthing of the new paradigm, which I believe is love/truth.    3.     What do you hope will be the biggest take-aways for the attendees who participate in your workshop? “ From Fear To Freedom Riding the Waves of the Seven C’s and Grandmother Spirit” That there is a dragon (fear) that guards the cave to our greatest jewel (gift).  For each woman to see the dragon that holds her fear and move into the cave of her greatest gifts.  That the world is counting on each one of us NOW to step into these gifts and bring them forward into the world. Each one of us is a thread in the tapestry of wholeness, each gift is essential! 4.     How do you see women and girls in the local and global communities affecting the future? I believe this is what is going to bring about the biggest transformation of our planet.  The feminine is so powerful.  We just need to remember.  Remember who we are.  For centuries we have been seen as chattel, property to men.  At the time of the inquisition it is also estimated that 5 million women were burned as “witches” for being in touch with their wisdom and the wisdom of the Earth.  This was a time that the “Church” wanted ultimate power and that power was to come from the outside and not from within!  These memories live on in our cells and in our morphogenetic fields.  When we are able to fully live in the present moment – NOW, and remember the creatrixes we are we will move mountains and recreate Earth as a place of love that works for all life! 5.     Why is it so important to participate in groups and events that connect women and feature their talents, ideas and solutions right now? We each get to hold sacred space for each other.  We get to SEE each other to witness each other.  Our talents, ideas and solutions right now – each moment holds the power, there is only now.  In the Book of Destiny the Mayan Elders talk about how humanity has gotten to this place three other times and failed.  This is our fourth and final opportunity.  Nothing is assured.  It is up to each one of us to step into our gifts to step into our passions and to take action now.  We are the ones we have been waiting for, there is no one on the outside to jump in and rescue us.  We are it.  We are living in a powerful and precious moment of time.  6.     What is your message to women around the world?   Wake up to who you are and your power now!  Be your deepest most truthful self. Find the passion of what you most believe in your heart and take action – NOW!!

 To participate in Kathleen's workshop click here to register f Passion Into Action or go to www.seejanedo.com.  

Taking Care of You with Carole, Sonika and Shawn

"Every time we empower, give permission, facilitate, support, and celebrate each others talents, we make it easier for women everywhere to take the courageous step of singing the song of their own truth. We have solutions. We have brilliant ideas. We have outstanding talent. Now is the time for women to do together what we cannot do alone."  

~Shawn Tuttle 

 

We are thrilled to feature three extraordinary women at Passion Into Action who will lead workshops around living your best life and Taking Care of You.  Through their own personal triumphs, Shawn Tuttle, Carole Carson, and Sonika Tinker are transferring their success stories in ways of tools, exercises and support systems.  

 

Carole Carson is presenting the workshop, Fitness Made Simple: Three Steps to a Healthier You. When Carole Carson tipped the scale at 182 pounds with a 5 foot-one inch frame, Carole took the initiative to change her lifestyle and regain her health. The success of her fitness transformation was based on getting fit along with others, changing her eating habits, and having fun.  

 

Carole's experience inspired the creation of the Community Meltdown, which was featured in the media worldwide.  Following the success of the event she wrote the book, From Fat to Fit: Turn Yourself into a Weapon of Mass Reduction so that others might choose to get fit in their own communities.  Carole was named "An Apostle for Fitness" by The Wall Street Journal and has been seen on NBC's Today Show, CBS's Early Show, and MSNBC's Countdown.

 

She hopes that participants take away three principles that guide her work with individuals and communities.  She's summarized them in the acronym FIT:  

 

F: Fun. Find fun ways to exercise that made you feel like a kid again. Find foods that you enjoy eating that won't pack on pounds.

 

I: Individualized.  Design a way to eat and a way to exercise that are appropriate for your age, habits, locale, preferences, budget, medical issues, resources and so on. Make sure they are just right for you so you can sustain them indefinitely.

 

T: Team.  Team up with others. Don't try to reach your goals on your own. You will need supporters-getting fit on your own is too difficult, perhaps impossible. Plus, giving your teammates a helping hand when they need support will reaffirm your own commitment.

 

Click here to read more about Carole Carson's personal story.

 

Relationship guru, Sonika Tinker inspires the best in each of us and the best in our most sacred relationships. She is presenting the workshop, The Possibility of Relationship!

 

Following a battering relationship when she was 18 years old Sonika had an awakening experience and made the decision that she was going to take 100% responsibility and learn how to consciously create a loving, mutually empowering relationship.  

 

Sonika Tinker, MSW, is a Relationship Expert, Transformational Coach, Certified NLP ProfessionalTM, Certified Enneagram Teacher, National Speaker and Author of Seize Your Opportunities: Living a Life Without Limits. She is the Founder of LoveWorks, a relationship training company and has over 30 years experience helping couple and singles shift the current relationship paradigm from blame and resignation to joyful, expansive, delightful co-creation. She is recognized for her deep loving presence, her authentic, candid honesty, her laser insight, cutting-edge content and practical tools for change. She works with her husband, Christian Pedersen, offering experiential relationship trainings and customized coaching sessions.

 

Sonika hopes that the biggest take-away for participants in her workshop is that they will be "inspired by how much power they have to consciously create relationships that are uplifting and fulfilling. They will see that what they think they want is not what they REALLY want, what they are upset about is not what they are upset about, and what they do to improve their relationships makes them worse.  They will discover a brand new way to view themselves and their partners that opens a new possibility for relating."       

 

Click here to read more about Sonika Tinker's personal story.

 

Shawn Tuttle a.k.a. Simplifier, reminds us that as we take care of the world we must also take care of ourselves in order to lead the best life possible. She is presenting the workshop How to Kick Ass Without Kicking Your Own Ass.  

 

In her 20s Shawn often found herself giving in to others vision and wanting so badly to do the right thing instead of the wrong thing that she often did nothing.  A year and a half later she abandoned old habits and beliefs and reconnected with her dream with the realization that we each hold the answers to realize our "best life".

 

She is now the Super CEO of Project Simplify, a company that helps people be their best and get stuff done. Drawing on her experiences as an Organizer, Productivity Coach, Yoga practitioner, and sauerkraut maker she writes a column for the Nevada City Advocate, publishes The Simplifier bi-weekly newsletter, leads workshops, and works with clients one-on-one. Shawn's work is guided by her passion for connecting the light of inspiration to the practicalities of daily living. The result is a way of life captured by the name of her program: The Natural Professional. 

 

Shawn hopes the biggest take-away for participants is "whether we are clear on what our individual purpose is or not, it's important to make space and take time to nurture it. As a Simplifier, I understand that the best way to grow our purpose is to be practical about creating a life that honors it. When the rubber hits the road, we consider: "Do my daily routine, commitments and workflow support my vision?" My intention is for attendees to be inspired to nurture their own personal vision and to identify several practical ways to root that commitment in a healthy way. Doing this will enable them to have even greater impact in their projects while still having quality time for themselves and their loved ones."

 

Click here to read more about Shawn Tuttle's personal story. 

 

We hope you'll take the time to Take Care of You and participate in the 2nd Annual Passion Into Action.  You deserve it! Join extraordinary keynote speakers, Nina Simons, Tiffany Dufu, Jean Shinoda Bolen, and Kathy LeMay along with 17 workshop leaders April 29th and 30th in Grass Valley.

 

A limited number of tickets are available and are going fast.  You can register for the conference here or go to www.seejanedo.com .  

 

We look forward to seeing you all very soon!

 

Sonika Tinker: The Possibility of Relationship!

"We help each other claim our power, inspire each other to give our gifts and multiply our capacity to make a difference by joining forces, lifting each other up and expanding each other with our unique visions and contributions. We are more together than alone."~Sonika Tinker

Sonika Tinker is revolutionizing relationships!  She returns to Passion Into Action to inspire the best in each of us and the best in our most sacred relationships.  The paradigm shift requires that we work together yet how many of us have received the necessary training to optimize these relationships?  Sonika provides tools and support to give our best to each other and realize our full potential in ourselves. 

Sonika Tinker, MSW, is a Relationship Expert, Transformational Coach, Certified NLP ProfessionalTM, Certified Enneagram Teacher, National Speaker and Author of Seize Your Opportunities: Living a Life Without Limits. She is the Founder of LoveWorks, a relationship training company and has over 30 years experience helping couple and singles shift the current relationship paradigm from blame and resignation to joyful, expansive, delightful co-creation. She is recognized for her deep loving presence, her authentic, candid honesty, her laser insight, cutting-edge content and practical tools for change. She works with her husband, Christian Pedersen, offering experiential relationship trainings and customized coaching sessions.

 

Sonika is leading the workshop, The Possibility of Relationship! in the Taking Care of You track at the 2nd Annual Passion Into Action Conference.

Workshop description:
So often, we approach relationship with a focus on getting our needs met.  Or leave when we don’t.
What if we changed our focus to inspiring each other, to giving our best to each other?
What would be possible if, instead of drifting in relationship, we joined forces and aligned on a greater vision or purpose?
What would be possible if we stepped out of longing or searching, and provided what was desired or missing?   

Come explore the possibility of relationship.
Learn how to design inspiring relationships from “the future”.
Experience the depth of intimacy and aliveness you can summon.
Answer the call to rise in love and realize your full potential in relationship!

Sonika shares the motivation behind her passion, the power of relationship, and her message to women around the world.

1.  What is your personal mission or passion that is helping to re-shape the future?

I want to revolutionize relationships, to re-shape what people think is possible in the domain of relationship. Most people think in terms of getting their needs met in relationship, rather than exploring what they can provide and give to the relationship. Most people get stuck in complaint in relationship and think about their partners as problems that need to be fixed, rather than seeing their partners as beings they can empower and inspire to be their best.

2.  Describe a significant moment or experience that inspired your personal mission or passion to make a difference?

I was in battering relationship when I was 18 years old and a transactional analysis therapist, after 6 months of working with him, kindly suggested that I was perhaps enjoying, fueling and responsible for my battering relationship. It was the first time it showed up for me that being a victim was a “choice” and that I could consciously create a different experience for myself if I was committed to doing so. This experience began my personal growth process of taking 100% responsibility and learning how to consciously create a loving, mutually empowering relationship. 

3.  What do you hope will be the biggest take-aways for the attendees who participate in your workshop?

Participants will be inspired by how much power they have to consciously create relationships that are uplifting and fulfilling. They will see that what they think they want is not what they REALLY want, what they are upset about is not what they are upset about, and what they do to improve their relationships makes them worse.  They will discover a brand new way to view themselves and their partners that opens a new possibility for relating.         

4.  How do you see women and girls in the local and global communities affecting the future?

Powerful women are often the leaders and instigators in transforming relationship to be more intimate, nurturing and empowering experiences. They are the ones who seek out help and insist on positive change. They are the ones calling men to wake up and be present and to take care of others as they move through the world and in relationship.

5.  Why is it so important to participate in groups and events that connect women and feature their talents, ideas and solutions right now?

We help each other claim our power, inspire each other to give our gifts and multiply our capacity to make a difference by joining forces, lifting each other up and expanding each other with our unique visions and contributions. We are more together than alone…

The world needs the gifts of the feminine: surrender, trust, following inspiration, circular transformation and change, attention to the needs of all, a deep capacity to feel and love. The world needs women who lovingly call men to wake up, to be present, to feel and move in concert with the feminine.

6.  What is your message to women around the world?  

You do not need to settle for anything less than your ideal relationship. You can call you and your partner to rise up and be your best self in relationship. You can use every conflict and breakdown as a positive seed of change. Your vision is your destination. It is absolutely possible to create relationships that inspire all to rise and realize the best of themselves….

To participate in Sonika's workshop click here to register for Passion Into Action.

Extraordinary Jane: Tiffany Dufu

Tiffany Dufu is an everyday woman living in New York. She is the president of The White House Project, a national, nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that aims to advance women's leadership in all communities and sectors, up to the U.S. presidency.

In 2011, 89 women served in the U.S. Congress or 16.6 percent, out of 50 states only six were governed by women, out of the 100 largest U.S. cities only 7 had women mayors. In an Inter-Parliamentary Union study of 188 countries, the U.S. ranks 72nd for women's leadership (Rwanda ranks no. 1).

Women make up more than half of the population in the U.S. yet are vastly under represented politically The White House Project aims to change that by filling the leadership pipeline with a diverse critical mass of women to make American businesses, government and media equally represented.

Their dynamic program, “Vote, Run, Lead,” is designed to engage women in the political process as voters, activists and candidates, The White House Project has trained 11,000 women over the last 12 years to take the lead.

These women learned how to break through societal and their own barriers to put their passion into action and make a positive impact on their communities.

Tiffany will join special guest speakers Nina Simons of Bioneers, feminist icon Jean Shinoda Bolen, and author Kathy LeMay at See Jane Do's 2nd Annual Passion Into Action Conference, April 29 and 30, 2011 at the Holiday Inn Express, Grass Valley.

Elizabeth Johnson and Nevada Littlewolf from The White House Project will present a series of workshops at the conference. Their workshops,” Plate to Politics, Blueprint for Change” and “Fundraising in Rural Communities,” are specific to the unique perspectives and needs of women living in rural communities.

What do you plan to discuss in your keynote speech at Passion Into Action?

A lot of what I'm going to talk about is where we are in terms of women's leadership today and the barriers we are facing. Sometimes people are surprised by this information and some are not. I think getting into what barriers there are in our own culture, the barriers women put on themselves, and how to really turn passion into action.

I will say something about The White house Project and our broader vision of creating an ecosystem for women leadership in the U.S. and around the word and how we are engaging the next generation. When I hear passion into action, it really embodies what The White House Project is doing.

We are finding women who already care and are passionate about changing something in their community, and we show them how leadership can be a platform to make that happen.

One of your goals is to offer relatable new leadership for a new generation. What does that look like?

It looks like authentic leadership. Particularly the new generation is looking for leaders who they identify with. Women want leaders that look like them; leaders they can aspire and achieve to be.

What do you think holds women back from taking the lead?

I think there are systematic and individual reasons that hold them back. Despite all the progress that has been made, culturally we still live in an old male paradigm. Look at the reality of our culture, we are still socialized that the women's role is in the private sphere.

All you have to be is a visible pregnant woman to understand this. People only ask a pregnant woman if she is going to stay home with the child, it is never asked of the man. We live in a society where corporations are really set up for a 1950s male model of leadership and work, where a lot of time is spent on the job, and someone else is taking care of the children.

Women also have their own barriers, which we work on, such as not recognizing our ability as leaders.

Women think they need more experience, more education, before they can be a leader, and men don't do that. Women are also not nearly as good in promoting themselves, which is important in leadership or any business.

The White House Project works on creating visibility, aligning one's self, and recruiting mentors and sponsors who can help. Part of the reason we start with policy is to help women to move past their barriers and understand their ability to lead and build a platform to share their case in why someone should invest in them. Women do that for everything and anything, except themselves.

We recently polled our audience asking if they would run for office, many said they felt grassroots activism would have a greater impact on their communities or they didn't want to get caught up in the politics of politics so to speak. How do you respond to that?

I'm not surprised to hear that. It is important for women to understand that to advance their leadership they have to be involved in politics, and politics is involved in every environment.

They need to know how it works, and understand how to operate within it. There is a lot of work that needs to be done to turn this nation and world around and the only way we are going to really accelerate social and economic change is to involve more people. Give us the opportunity to put people in front of you that look like you, listen to their stories, and I'm certain more women will step up.

In 2007, The White House Project launched a rural leadership initiative. What are some of the challenges and advantages of working in rural communities? And what role do they play in the bigger picture of national and global politics?

Being a nonpartisan organization has been an advantage working in rural communities. One of the disadvantages has been the distance between women. It has been a challenge and also an opportunity and helped us to see the importance in leveraging social media to bring them together.

There are a lot of issues that we often take for granted in urban communities that women in rural communities bring to our attention, for instance access to broadband. In many ways the voices of rural women shed light on the equities that women continue to face including poverty and violence.

How do you stay positive in the face of such staggering statistics?

There is a poster in our office that shows the U.S. ranked 72nd in women's political participation in the world, and it asks how many women we would need to train to change that number to bi, 1 in my lifetime and my daughter's lifetime.

The number is 8,000, which doesn't seem like a lot, but if you ask Liz and Nevada that is a lot of women. That is 800 to 900 women a year, but because I know the answer to that question and have an organizational strategy, it helps make that statistic seem less daunting. When you have an answer, it helps you sleep at night.

What is the single most radical thing a woman or girl could do?

Have a really strong case for why someone should invest in her, and distinctly and clearly articulate that case and be able to give to anyone at any moment.

What is your message to woman around the world?

You already have everything that you need to be a phenomenal leader and to make an impact in the world. It is not outside of you, you don't have to go it, and it is already within you.

See Jane Do is a multimedia program capturing the stories of everyday women doing extraordinary things for the planet. Catch the one-hour talk radio program on KVMR 89.5FM the first Wednesday of every month from 1-2 p.m. For information, visit www.seejanedo.com.

Click here to register for the Passion Into Actin Conference.

 

Everyday Women Taking Extraordinary Action for the Planet

Today on Earth Day we honor the extraordinary women who are doing their part for the planet.  The See Jane Do team feels fortunate to have connected with and interviewed incredible women who have united their passion with environmental action. 

We are inspired by the actions of women like Ursula Sladek one of the 2011 Goldman Environmental Prize winners who founded a citizen-owned renewable energy company as a result of the Chernobyl nuclear meltdown.  We are moved by women like shrimp boat captain Diane Wilson who put everything on the line to prevent chemical companies from pouring toxins into her water source.  We are motivated to help others when we hear the stories of women like Beth Terry of Fake Plastic Fish, Melinda Kramer of the Women's Earth Alliance, Lydia Olympic, tribal activist, and Erin Switalski of Women's Voices for the Earth. 

We are thrilled to feature several of these "Extraordinary Janes" at our 2nd Annual Passion Into Action,  women who are environmental action heroes in every sense.  

PIA keynote speaker, Jean Shinoda Bolen author of Like A Tree: How Trees, Women, and Tree People Can Save the Planet believes that we are on the edge of either evolution or extinction and it's up to us, as women to be visionary activists and feminine feminists. 

Jean Shinoda Bolen  is a psychiatrist, Jungian analyst, and an internationally known author and speaker who draws from spiritual, feminist, Jungian, medical and personal wellsprings of experience.  She is a major advocate for a United Nations 5th World Conference on Women, a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. a former clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of California at San Francisco, and past board member of the Ms. Foundation for Women and the International Transpersonal Association.

 Click hereto listen to Jean's interview on KVMR with Elisa Parker and Michael Stone.  

Bioneersco-founder Nina Simons returns to Passion Into Action this year as a keynote speaker.  She'll share tools to take our passion into action as a collective.  Nina emphasizes the power of story and admits that it took her some time to define her own story.  A turning point for Nina was when she viewed the film, The Burning Times.  She has since united her passion for the planet with restoring the feminine.  In addition to co-leading Bioneers Nina offers her program Cultivating Women’s Leadership to strengthen women’s effectiveness to create positve change in their community.   

Click hereto listen to Nina's interview on See Jane Do on KVMR.

In addition to the keynote speakers, the Passion Into Action workshop presenters will harness their personal stories and environmental triumphs in order to empower and train others to do the same.  

Kim Stravers is traveling from Mammoth to lead the workshop, Unite & Ignite Communities Around Green Issues. Kim is the co-founder and community engagement director for the Mammoth Lakes Trails & Public Access Foundation (MLTPA), a nonprofit that advocates for and actively participates in the planning, implementation, and stewardship of outdoor-recreation opportunities in Mammoth Lakes, California, and neighboring areas. Within one year of moving to this small ski town, and in light of the then-boom private-development climate, she and fellow citizen John Wentworth successfully brought much-needed attention to local issues regarding the protection and enhancement of access to the public lands that completely surround their town.

Jessica Reeder and co-leader Amber Clisura are two extraordinary young women who have challenged the belief that happiness and success are not determined by how much new stuff we have.  Their passions have led to projects that demonstrate it's possible to make something out of nothing. 

Jessica started the blog UpRooted, a sustainable travel project about her two-year journey around the U.S. to promote the dual practices of sustainability and volunteerism.  Following her travels when Jessica settled in Reno, Nevada rather than blog about eco adventures she created Love and Trash a "Do It Yourself" site that would help people live more sustainably and live better on less in their community.

Amber Clisura is a fashion designer who isn't wearing pants for the next 365 days.  Following a car accident and a deep depression Amber was in need of some inspiration.  She had been designing women's denim jeans (at one point she owned over 40 pairs) for the Eco-Premium line Del Forte Denimand that's pretty much all she wore.  Looking at the lighter side of life (and going green) Amber went shopping in her closet and discovered clothes she hadn't worn in years.  Rather than throw them out, she began to upcycle her pants into skirts.  Upcycling is taking something you were going to toss and turn it into something else.  Amber said, "down with pants and up with skirts" and launched NO PANTS 2011.  

Don't miss their workshop, Upcycle Your Life and learn how social media can take your passion to the next level.

A common theme on our program is the purchase power women hold.  With women influencing 85% of what's bought or purchased in the United States women have the ability to create a dramatic shift in the kinds of products we want or don't want.

As the co-founder of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics Stacy Malkan has enabled a national movement to shift the $50 billion beauty industry away from harmful chemicals and toward safer products.  Stacy Malkan discovered that beauty isn't just skin deep.  Many women expose themselves to over 200 chemicals daily through their personal care products.  Stacy first learned about the toxic beauty industry when working as a reporter in Colorado.  Her curiosity soon led to concern followed by activism.  She is the author of the award winning book, Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry.

Utilize the power of your purse in Stacy Malkan's workshop, The Girlcott: 5 Strategies for How Women Can Change the World in 2011.

The Passion Into Action experience extends beyond speakers and workshops.  The event includes one of the hottest fashion troupes in the country.  Haute Trash takes fashion to another level.  Members take throw-away items and turn trash into fashion.  This creative collaborative will walk the Passion Into Action runway showing off recycled couture and one of a kind upcycled designs.  Founded over 20 years ago Haute Trash has put on 100's of shows and leads educational programs in recycled fashion.  They are fun, inspiring and truly "wow" the audience with their phenomenal garments.   Trash bags, bottle caps, and duct tape take on an entirely new meaning when Haute Trash is involved.

Also from Nevada County, Reinette Senum co-founder of APPLEand Mali Dyck of the APPLE Center will be available to connect with attendees and share their latest projects to create sustainable communities including, the Alpha Building. 

These women represent just a sampling of the environmental action heroes who are participating in Passin Into Action.  In order to create a substantial shift to enhance the planet it is imperative that we connect and work together.  Passion Into Action is the event to cultivate the relationships and develop a plan in order to make the change possible.

We look forward to seeing you there!  Click here to register for the conference.

 

 

 

 

What's New at Passion Into Action

"It's an extraordinary experience, Passion Into Action, and I've never seen or felt a gathering quite like it." ~Nina Simons

  

The 2nd Annual Passion Into Action Conference will not only mirror the synergy and excitement of last year's event but will include new features to enhance your experience.

 

What's New at Passion Into Action:

 

Young Women's Track 

We are thrilled to partner with The Friendship Club, Sierra Mentoring Partnership and The Center for the Arts to offer workshops for young women in our community.  The girl's 

track will focus on  Power, Passion, and Philanthropy.  Part of the proceeds of the conference will support these workshops.

 

 

The White House Project

TWHP is a nonpartisan and nonprofit organization working to advance women in business, politics, and media.  They've rarely worked in California and are excited train women to lead in our community.  In addition to a keynote address by president, Tiffany Dufu TWHP is leading 3 workshops at Passion Into Action this year including Plate to Politics (designed specifically for the foodies and farmers), Raising Money in Rural Communities, and Blueprint for Change.   

 

Opening Night Reception

Not everyone could participate in the one day event last year so we've expanded the conference to include a kick-off reception and a special evening with Nina Simons of Bioneers Friday, April 29th.  Nina will lead the attendees through an experiential experience including tools and tips to activate the group into action as a collective.  Friday night will also feature The Feather River Singers and a special greeting by Nevada Littlewolf, the youngest women and first American Indian to be elected to city council in her town.   

 

Passion Into Action After Party

Celebrate the day and connect with friends at our first ever after party.  We'll wrap up the conference with a special performance from Fishtank Ensemble and MaMuse at The Center for the Arts.  Click here to purchase tickets.  Passion Into Action attendees receive a discount.   

 

Food and Beverages

This year your Saturday admission includes a delicous boxed lunch and drink from Summer Thymes and a continental breakfast.  VeriTea by Keri Kemble is providing an afternoon tea and local goodies.   Keri is debuting her new brand of organic and Fair Trade teas at the event.  Friday night will include appetizers provided by Briar Patch and a no-host bar.   

 

http://www.dawnlorraine.com

Beauty Bar

Visit the See Jane Do Beauty Bar featuring natural and organic beauty products by Sugar & Oats Day Spa, Oberon Cosmetics, Dawn Lorraine Conscious Skincare and Blossom Organics. Enjoy aromatherapy scalp and hand massages, plus mineral makeup application on cheeks and eyes by Sugar & Oats Day Spa and Oberon Cosmetics.  Discover Dawn Lorraine's Conscious Skincare products and be sure to check out her Pomegranate Crisp Body Creme which she is donating a portion of her sales to See Jane Do.  And pick up a sample from Blossom Organics' Intimate Care Collection.

 

Too Good To Change:

 

Like last year we're offering 15 hands-on workshops featuring workshop leaders from the community and several presenters from the Bay Area and even Boston.    

 

Keynote speakers; Kathy LeMay, Jean Shinoda Bolen, Tiffany Dufu and Nina Simons are bound to motivate and inspire you.  Unlike conferences that host thousands of attendees, the Passion Into Action Conference is unique in that it provides an intimate space to connect with these incredible speakers and extraordinary attendees.  

 

Tickets are still available but are going fast.  You can purchase your tickets and register for the conference here or go to www.seejanedo.com .  

 

We look forward to seeing you all very soon!