Personal Responsibility

MMF is many things to many men. We hope that each participant finds what he is seeking. No one is in charge of this event; all members share equally in decision-making, and each member is responsible for sharing in those functions necessary to the group, including cooking, cleaning, and planning.

Men lead workshops/playshops, facilitate circle, plan events, and make things happen. There are many ways to make MMF a very meaningful experience. Festival can be fun, work, or both.

A principle focus of our community has traditionally been community building. The heart of our community is Circle. Circle provides an opportunity to learn new ways of making decisions that affect a large number of people, and a setting in which to risk deeper levels of honesty and disclosure than many of us may be accustomed to in our daily lives. Attending and participating in circle is an important aspect of the Festival experience.

Whether dealing with an individual, a small group, or the community as a whole, you have a right-- and a responsibility--to say no when you mean no and to ask for more when you want more. Respect for the land, for each other, and for oneself, are the only conditions placed on Festival attendees. Personal harassment, put-downs, or other forms of abuse are not acceptable toward you or from you.

If you are new to Festival, this may seem foreign. Most of us live in a world where the biggest, loudest, wealthiest, or most influential are right. Power is managed differently within our community. Participants may discover more self-respect, personal celebration, and empowerment.