The Calendar, the Database & “For the Record”

Community Calendar

Many of you may have noticed that the Community Calendar was opened up to community members giving T’ai Chi Chih retreats, workshops, and intensives. As Justin said when he and I were discussing that the fact that the Calendar had been limited in the past, “The only thing reserved for Teacher Trainers and Guides is teacher trainings.” Imagine … when our calendar listings grow to be three pages long! That will be a wonderful “problem” to have! In considering the issues, someone asked, “What will happen if a teacher publicizes an event that is not completely about TCC?” In considering a “bright line” test, the cleanest and clearest way to make it police itself is this: When you contact the Editor with your TCC event, she will ask you if it is 100 percent about TCC. If it is, it gets in the Community Calendar. If it turns out that it isn’t (after the fact – since we can only rely on the integrity of the teacher), that teacher will lose Community Calendar privileges. (Sorry if this sounds harsh.) Someone also asked, “What happens if the teacher giving an event doesn’t do TCC properly? Will s/he still be allowed to list their event?” The Editor is not a policewoman. Hope this is fair and clear.

The Database

It has come to my attention that the email list is being used improperly for purposes other than that for which it was originally intended: for important (border-line emergency) announcements directly related to The Vital Force. The Vital Force cannot control the email addresses being taken from www.taichichih.org, but we do have responsibility to act responsibly in regards to what is sent from our email address. The policy is simple:

“The database is not for personal use or public distribution. If you have an announcement you consider extremely urgent and it is something that needs to be brought to the attention of the entire community (between editions of The Vital Force), please contact the Editor, who will discuss it with the Guide. Because we respect your privacy and time, it will be a rare event when something is distributed to the entire list.”

For the Record

KG

Albuquerque, NM

Submission Guidelines

When thinking about submissions, it’s good to keep in mind that a 1/4 page in this newsletter is about 200 words and a 1/2 page is 400 words. Please send articles as Word documents, electronically. Look at the page headings and tailor your submission to a particular section. The newsletter will hang together better that way.

We are always in need of photos and artwork. Please send as high resolution jpgs as your camera takes. The Editor will crop and edit them. If you have 8-12 pieces of related artwork – calligraphy, drawings, photographs, or something that will reproduce well in black and white – please submit them. They might be featured in an entire issue.

The Vital Force reserves the right to edit submission for length and clarity.

Deadlines & Ideas

SubmissionPublicationThemeMovement

DeadlineDate(as it relates to TCC)(Teaching Tips)

Oct 1Early NovHarmonyAround the Platter / Variation

Jan 1Early FebOpennessBass Drum

April 1Early MayRelease (Abandon Hope)Daughter on the Mountaintop

July 1Early AugFreedomDaughter in the Valley

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Copyright 2007 The Vital Force Journal Inc. Not for reprint, redistribution, or reuse in any format without written permission. All rights reserved.

T’ai Chi Chih® is a federally registered trademark owned by Good Karma Publishing, Inc.

Table of Contents

Justin Stone ….. 1

Balance ….. 3-5

Guiding Thoughts / Sr. Antonia ….. 6

Sandy Says / Pam Says ….. 7

Noteworthy ….. 8-9

Teaching Tips:

Bird Flaps its Wings ….. 10-11

Justin Stone ….. 12-13

Feature:

Bird Flaps Its Wings Teaches Me About Being ….. 14

Noteworthy ….. 15-17

By Students, For All….. 18-19

Events ….. 19

Karmic Comments ….. 20

The Lighter Side ….. 20

Community Calendar ….. 22

Pyramid Poetry ….. 23

Contacts / Subscribe ….. 24