Illuman East Coast Collaborative Five Year Strategic Plan

See also the ECC Advisory Council Information Page

Mission of the Illuman East Coast Collaborative  

To support the life-long psycho-spiritual development of all men on the US east coast — Illuman-registered and all others (external) – to shift men to a state of healthy masculinity.

 

Intention of the East Coast Collaborative  

To create communities of men who support men:

to heal their wounds, addictions and trauma;

to deepen spiritually; and

to grow as elders to make our world a place where everyone,

and all of life, has the opportunity to thrive.  

  

Strategy of the East Coast Collaborative

Community — Make it valuable and easy for men to regularly and continuously engage and participate in Illuman communications, programs, practices and leadership.  

Support — men in our lifelong journey with information, programs and resources in each segment of identified men’s needs categories (currently: healing, spiritual, elders) 

Recruit — Leverage referral sources to attract new men: through existing Illuman men, local churches and faith-based organizations, women and women’s groups, and other sources to be defined. Continuously connect with men in conversation to receive their stories through our practice of deep listening. Make it simple and easy for new men to experience Illuman. Identify and cultivate relationships with men with the skillsets we need to achieve ECC strategic initiatives. Empower men to be leaders in this mission.    

Raise Funds — for ongoing operations, program development and delivery, and scholarships for men, to ensure our ability to provide programs for generations of men to come.   

Collaborate — Coordinate with Illuman national, other chapters, and across the East Coast Collaborative, to leverage resources, and share ideas, programs, activities and events.  

    

2023 Action Plan for the East Coast Collaborative

ECC Advisory Council — Invite east coast Illuman-registered men to contribute to the East Coast Collaborative (ECC), via participation on the ECC Advisor Council. Make this an easy, first step to enroll our men to also contribute to, and participate in, specific programs, activities, and events. Identify leaders in each state to serve as local contacts and community hubs.

Council Practice — Encourage and support Illuman men to join or start a regular council practice. Deliver our Council Program to outside organizations: eg for Church and faith-based organizations.

Awareness — Regular, relevant and useful communications that make men aware of and invited to participate in all Illuman programs, activities, major events and leadership opportunities.

Conduct Rites of Passage —

  • Young Men’s Rites (YMROP) on the East Coast, for young men from 18-29 years for age, as well as Father-Sons Weekend Retreats

  • First Rites experience for 13-15 year old boys. Build on the 2022 pilot. Train mentors and staff in collaboration with Nicky Wilks and Alex Craighead from Journeymen, Vashon Island, Washington. 

  • MROP in Spring of 2024

  • Elders Rites of Passage (EROP) in 2024.

Weekend Retreats — Develop, promote and deliver men’s and father-sons weekend retreats.

“Awaken” East Coast Conference — Identify men to focus on and prepare for September 14, 2023 weekend national event, at Shrine Mont (VA). Begin promoting participation as soon as the theme is identified.

Recruit New Men by encouraging and supporting Illuman-registered men to engage new men using tools such as the Illuman Conversation Guide and support programs — Illuman Virtual Council Sessions, Passion Circle Councils, A Father for Gen Alpha, Watering Hole Events, weekend retreats, and upcoming new programs such as Men’s Council Practice for Churches and Faith-based Organizations; etc.

Database — Actively manage our list of men to make it a useful community and collaborative resource for all Illuman registered men (via an online community engagement platform).

Digital Infrastructure — Migrate Illuman website(s), related apps, Database, MailChimp (email), and Google Docs to new MemberLeap system, as appropriate and timely; to reduce this painful and time-consuming administrative burden.

Development and Financial Stewardship — Identify men to focus on ECC development strategy, plans and actions. Develop a case-for-support statement for contributions. Solicit financial donations.