Men Mentoring Men

Spring workshop and intensive:

Throughout the year M3 offers events that help us expand our definition of masculinity. These are times set aside to focus on specific topics that allow us to move into our internal selves. On June 4th, 5th & 6th 2010 M3 held a workshop entitled ‘The Intrepid You: Living a Big Life’.  This weekend intensive workshop facilitated by Dr. Ed Adams explored and related two vital concerns men often feel they must compromise… living a personally fulfilling life while fulfilling duties and responsibilites.

Participants where able to identify their interests and desires while discovering the barriers that prevent these from being fully expressed.  In addition, each man explored ways to integrate his life by connecting how he wants to be with the way his life is.  The environment was shame free, and  each man will became part of a safe and supportive community willing to listen to his dreams and encourage ways to live them.

Throughout the weekend, participants took part in guided discussions, small and large group encounters, poetry readings, storytelling, quiet time, group play and involvement with each other’s interior world.  The weekend was carefully structured but loose enough to bend with the needs of the participants as the weekend unfolded.  Men took away from the workshop a clearer understanding of what living a larger and happier life means.  In addition, a realistic and practical roadmap was created to help each man turn his dreams into reality.  Each participant was expected to work, think, laugh, feel and ponder.  The weekend was a huge success, and we look forward to our next adventure into how we can all live more expansive lives 

M3 Fun-time events:

Every other month the men of M3 like to get together for what we refer to as ‘M3 Fun-time events’.We use this time to get together in a more social way. Sometimes we gather for a night at the movies, to shoot some pool, to attend a baseball game or to play miniature golf. Whatever it is we decide to do, it is always a lot of fun and well attended by our membership. The day of the week and/or time of the event vary depending on what is planned. These evenings are a great way to get to know some of the men of M3 in a more casual setting. So bring a friend, or family member, and come out and enjoy being in the company of other men. The upcoming months will consist of a variety of different events: 

• M3 has been going on “wilderness” trips for 15 years, and I’m extremelyfortunate to have gone on many of them.  We’ve had wonderful experiences in Maine, West Virginia, Quebec and Ontario.
  For the last 3 years, we’ve been going to Bradford Camps in Northern Maine, and that’s where M3 will be going again this September.   We think we’ve found a “home” in this beautiful camp on crystal clear 1500-acre Lake Munsungan.  Those of us who’ve been there like the fact that it provides us with:
  ·Relative isolation to free us from our day-to-day problems.  There is no TV, no cell or land line phone coverage, no electricity (except by generator in the main cabin).  Cabin lighting is provided by gas lamps and refrigeration by ice cut from the lake.
  ·Clean (daily service), comfortable cabins with linens, bathrooms, wood stoves and showers with plenty of hot water.   The sunset views from the cabins can be phenomenal.
  ·A beautiful, natural lake to fish, kayak, and canoe in. 
  ·3 delicious meals per day.
  ·Rifle and archery ranges, horseshoe pits, and a large field for ball games.
  ·Gracious hosts — Igor Sikorsky (grandson of the plane/helicopter giant) and his wife, Karen.
  ·Thousands of adjoining acres in the North Maine woods, excellent for half day and full day hikes. We purposely get lost, just to find our way back.
  Our trip will begin on Saturday, September 18, when we’ll drive to Portland for dinner and an overnight stay at a motel.  On Sunday morning, we’ll have breakfast, drive a couple hours, and meet a float plane that will take us to Bradford Camps. I can’t say enough about the total, often magical, experience, from our road trip north to our arrival back in NJ/PA.   (“Outsiders” comment on what a special group we are.)   In addition to fishing and other daytime activities, there are nightly readings and discussions, boisterous poker and Scrabble games, and much more.  Check out our adventure page for some personal reaction to last years trip.
                     

Outreach project to local High Schools:

M3 is interested in involving young men in our mission to enhance and promote the best of masculinity. In the past years, M3 as awarded scholarships to high school seniors who wrote essays about the best of masculinity. This year , to enhance interest, we are seeking an alternative approach to encourage young men who attend public and private high schools in Somerset County New Jersey to get involved. We have decided to sponsor various projects developed by male juniors and seniors that best promote our mission and values. In order to achieve this we have designed a Request For Proposal (RFP) process that we hope will encourage young men to think about and demonstrate the best of masculinity. Projects that emphasize – compassion, boldness, principled behavior, and responsibility – will be identified and financially supported. 

Somerset County Adopt a Road:

As another way to get involved with the local community Men Mentoring Men has adopted a section of road to help clean up. It helps to keep us in touch with our environment and serves as a another way for our organization to keep a practical presence in our community. Our men will be providing clean-up four times a year. And our next clean up will be coming in the fall 2010.

M3 recently started our 4th group which is located in the Lambertville / New Hope area. M3 hopes this is the first of many satellite meeting destinations. The address for this meeting is 22 North Main Street, Lambertville NJ 08520.