Manifesto for the Green Tea Party Movement

Making a More Perfect Union―One Cup at a Time!

We don’t have any demands . . . but we do have a big concern. And we have a suggestion.

Something’s brewing in the land. Whether it’s tea or whether it’s coffee, lots of folks are getting pretty steamed up, and that makes for some highly caffeinated conversation. Maybe what we need is a different (more mellow) “solution”―green tea!

Green tea parties are cozy affairs. And they have a serious mission. If we can speak to (rather than at) each other―if we can really listen to each other―we’ll be much more able to solve the complex challenges we face, in a world where we’ve missed too many opportunities.

Green tea parties calm the spirit and focus the mind, help us listen to one another’s concerns, allow us to share the infinite variety of our experiences and struggles―all of which are valid. Green tea parties can foster our collective wisdom.

Everyone―left, right, center, and all over the map―is invited to green tea parties. We come together to eat, drink, and converse. But we don’t expect everybody to agree. Rather, we accept and embrace our differences. However, stating our opinions is only the beginning.

When we weave an atmosphere of mutual respect and empathy, we start to listen more deeply, at a level beneath our opinions. For only on that deeper level can we ask the questions: How, my friend, have you come to this opinion? What’s led you to see things in this way? What do you hold most dear? What are your greatest hopes for a healthier country and more peaceful world? And, if it were up to us, what would we do? (Because, you know, it really is up to us!)

At green tea parties we listen without judgment (or, at least, with heightened awareness of our inevitable reactive judgments). We honor the truth of each person’s story and tradition. And, together, we explore our various perspectives, seeking for the deeply held values from which they spring.

This isn’t always easy. But, if we persevere, if we stay open to each other even when―especially when―things get rough and uncomfortable, then creative wisdom starts to flow.

We generate thoughts that reach beyond even the best ideas of anyone present. Belonging to no one, they belong to everyone. So who would have thought? Just by sitting down, drinking green tea, and talking together, we’re giving birth to the new solutions that will enable us to build a better future . . . for ourselves, for our country, and for our planet.

So how can you participate? If you want, you can host a green tea party of your own. This can be a one-time thing, or the same group might want to meet regularly, to deepen connections and more fully explore the possibilities for collective wisdom (along with hearty snacks and refreshing libations). You can also “green tea” any group or meeting you’re part of―in the workplace, church, school, etc. We provide tips handy for either on our website. So join the movement, and come together, right now―over tea!

April 4, 2010

Signed

• Paul Hawken.
  Author, environmentalist, and social entrepreneur; Founder of Wiser Earth.org.
• Sandy Heierbacher.
  Director, National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation.
• Eric Utne.
  Social entrepreneur; Founder, Utne Reader magazine.
• Paul Strickland.
  Director, Center for Religious Inquiry, St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, Minneapolis.
• Mary Jo Kreitzer.
  Director, Center for Spirituality and Healing, University of Minnesota.
• Leif Utne.
  Social entrepreneur; Media and communications consultant.
• John Miller.
  Educator; Senior fellow, Center for Spirituality and Healing, University of Minnesota.

Signed

• Linda Bergh

  educator / healer

• Victor Toso

  Marketer

• Sam Utne

  Entrepreneur, Producer, and Creative Director; Founder of http://www.mncultureclub.com

• Velma Lashbrook

  Director, Center for Teaching and Learning, Augsburg College

• Parker J. Palmer

  Writer, teacher and activist; Founder of the Center for Courage & Renewal

• Deirdre Murnane

  Educater; Yoga and Dance

• Bob Amis

  Teacher

• Michael Murnane

  Designer

• Pamela Hawney

  Hospital Assistant Administrator

• Laura Martell

  Global Citizen

• kyia downing

  Creative Strategist & Mantrapreneur

• erik f. storlie

  meditator, professor

• Louise Delagran

  Education Specialist, Center for Spirituality and Healing

• Timothy DenHerder-Thomas

  Green Economy entrepreneur and Organizer, The Summer of Solutions and Cooperative Energy Futures

• Dewey L. Barton

  M.D.

• Bob Worrall

  Artist, Educator, Facilitator

• Tricia Todd

  humanist

• Wimbaaogan

  ogema@tvutel.com

• Paul Schultz

  pathetic two-legged

• Joseph H. Jackson, Jr.

  Physician (retired)

• Sayre Darling

  communications consultant

• Kathie Faulkner

  Former Educator

• Lloyd Brant

  Producer / Performing Artist

• Guy Burneko

  Scholar

• Dennis Bumstead

  General Manager, GlobalCooperationProject.org

• Leslie Greenwood

  Simple Human

• Al Giese

  Ph.D.

• hugh o'doherty

  Educator

• Jessica Curtis

  Nurse

• Deborah Admiral

  On the Road to Being Fully Human…

• Camille Coates

  Educator

• Mark Powell

  Writer, healer, educator

• Donna Davison

  Healthcare Risk Manager

• Todd Olson

  yoga instructor

• Peter Hwosch

  Filmmaker, conflict Resolution Facilitator, Musician – Owner, Hwosch productions

• Karoline Dangel

  Middle school before and after school program supervisor

• Oliver Grudem

  Artist / Designer

• John Steiner

  partner, Transpartisan Center, Washington, DC, networker, emissary Great Freedom/Balanced View

• Susan Senko

  Artist

• Wendy Walker

  gardener, bicyclist

• Alisa Admiral

  Attorney

• Rex English

  Computer System Administrator

• Mickey Christensen Black

  I speak for the trees

• Bruce Frishkoff

  citizen

• Mary Mahoney

  Consultant, Facilitator

• Shane Clyburn

  Student, Massage Therapist, Writer

• Anne Crampton

  teacher

• Seth Jordan

  Creative Director http://www.thinkoutword.org

• Kristin Lee

  Mother/Educator/Writer

• Ani Hanelius

  International Youth Initiative Program, Program Coordinator

• Pieter Ploeg

  social innovator, bubblebee, pioneer

• Dave Luborsky

  Migrant farm worker

• Susan Sophocleus

  Educator

• Carol Makela

  Educator & Artist

• Eric LaGuardia

  Law Student

• Bernard Brennan

  human

• Leanna S

  Educator/ Artist

• Kevin B.W. White

  Husband, Father, Regular Guy

• David Horstmann

  Therapist

• Robert Dobbs

  Politician

• Ted W. Daniel

  Lawyer (retired)

• Carla James

  nurse

• Benjamin miller

  winner

• Robin Cecil

  Mother, Wife, Sister, Auntie, Friend, and Musician

• Margaret K Leinbach

  Intentional Interim Pastor

• Patricia Hutchinson

  A simple, imperfect human

• John Q. Brown

  activist and founder of http://activism.50webs.com

• Lucas Wehrwein

  Green Tea Partier

• Marcia Fluer

  Reporter, writer, public relations consultant

• Loretta Donovan

  Leadership & Change Facilitator

• Neil Samuels

  Father, Husband, Son

• Anita Halcyon

  Retail Store Owner

• Frances Kane

  Admininstrative type/artist at heart

• Linda Weingarten

  Mechanical Engineer

• Linda Halcon

  Educator/Researcher

• Chrissy Ungaro

  Problem Solver

• Johanna Steinrueck

  teacher / student

• Jim Hart

  public health physician

• Brian J. Lister

  Pharmer

• Eric Christensen

  Citizen

• Marilyn Schaepe

  Educator

• Brien Palmer

  Citizen

• AnnaRose Adams

  College Student, Environmental Educator, and Humanitarian

• Dan Zinder

  Student – Urban and Environmental Planning – Tufts University

• Melissa Avery

  midwife / professor

• Canada Shannon

  Educator, GlobalCooperationProject.org

• Erin O'Meara

  Holistic Health Practitioner

• Brenda Johnson

  Retired

• Scott N. Horner

  Landscape Architect

• Dylan Wardwell

  Citizen

• Steven Gerard

  Human, Citizen, Certifed Nurses Assistant

• Amy Hicks

  Student, Kent State University

• BruceTeifer

  Registered Nurse, Writer

• III Attaway

  1worldcitizen

• Kathleen Sweeney

  Optimist/Writer/Mediamaker

• Katy Stuckel

  Artist

• Sam Pendergrast

  Pastor

• Beth Morgan

  Actor; Baltimore, Maryland citizen; Gettysburg College ’10 Alumna (Theatre major, member of Allies, Amnesty International, O&N/Theatre Dept./stage crew, Peace Club, Vagina Monologues, International Club, Japan Club, Accent, Active Minds, Student MUsical Theatre, etc.); feminist; queer-ish (but mostly straight); interested in Green Party and Socialism; believes in equal rights and social justice for all (LGBTQQIA+, women, minorities, poor, disabled, etc.) and environmental justice (being a friend to the Earth). Believes in love and peace. Person trying to do what’s right.

• Pauline Te'i

  Office Administration

• Lor Palmer

  zen failure

• Kevin Durette

  Mechanical Engineer, Amateur Philosopher, Hopeful Inventor

• Connie Dignan

  1 more Voice

• Pam Pearce

  educator

• Beverlee A. Couillard

  Citizen

• Linda Hines

  Volunteer organizer, native plant steward, social justice advocate

• Jean Alford

  citizen

• John C. Ruth

  environmental planner, Mr Mom

• Burl Hall

  Counselor, writer

• Stirling Kirkbride

  Teacher

• Jeff Hirst

  Freelance Writer

• Marty Becklenberg

  Sales consultant

• James Thompson

  Satirist,environmentalist,minimalist and state worker.

• Joel Hodroff

  Advocate for Sustainable Prosperity; http://www.DualCurrency.com

• James Ogle

  Elected Secretary of the 8th USA Parliament

• Larry O. Blevins

  Human

• Sonja Brown

  Change Consultant & Coach

• Ray

  Citizen

• Albert Fanelli

  Human

• Nick Retos

  citizen

• Phil Smith

  Geek

• Carol Garner

  medical coder/biller

• Robert Medley

  Teacher

• Elizabeth Hamilton

  Designer/Writer

• Veronica Baez

  Citizen

• Robin Knight

  Citizen

• Catherine Curtis

  Educator

• Alexandra Sierra

  Mixed American

• Amie B

  Journalist

• Eddy Witzel

  Engineer

• Christina Moffatt

  Human

• Eric Corey Freed

  Green Architect & Author

• Jillian Brorby

  Human BE-ing

• Erik Jerde

  CPhT

• China Star

  Writer/Healer/Educator/Artist

• Jessica Cox

  Director of Development, Treasured Lands Foundation

• Nicholas Turney M.A.

  Stay-at-home Dad and Educator

• Stephen Russo

  high school counselor

• Margaret Hurley

  Citizen/Recognizer of dysfunctionality

• Porsah Laine

  Singer……and lover of the universe

• Joseph Tebben

  Software\Online Entrepreneur

• Howard De Evelyn

  Doctor of Medicine

• Syd Fredrickson

  Conference Coordinator; affiliated with Green Party and Northwest Intentional Communities Association (nwcommunities.org)

• Alicia Johnson

  Human, Citizen, Mother

• Mary Dowd

  healer

• Ann Thayer

  Human

• Phoebe Berrey

  ARTIST

• Rachel Gabrielle

  Graduate Student

• Don Dwiggins

  citizen, neighborhood council activist, transitioner

• Anthony Ling

  Architect, designer and blogger at renderingfreedom.blogspot.com

• Oliver Newell

  Musician, Philosopher, Aspiring Wizard

• Jeffrey Martin

  Fly fishing guide

• Rick Reid

  citizen

• Jennifer K. Zeleny

  Law Student

• Kari Herren

  Photographer, Citizen, Middle-class, http://www.herrenphoto.webs.com

• Jerry Sparby

  Educator, Building A World Of Love

• John Fuller

  Educator

• Michael E. Badgett

  World Citizen

• Dennis Turner

  author/poet

• Steve Nelson

  Roughneck(human)

• Michael Koch

  Student, Citizen, Unemployed

• Wes Badke

  Salesman

• Sandra Crabtree

  President, Crabtree Gardens, LLC

• Leo Simpson

  Student; Vlogger, Blogger, University of Mount Union

• mandi cantrell

  human

• christoph meier

  farmer

• laurence julin bell

  retm/sgt usaf.

• Stephanie Burns

  Construction Manager

• Virginia Cobler

  Human and Citizen

• David Minton Silva

  UCLA; PCL

• Emily Nghiem

  http://www.ethics-commission.net

• Brian Gonsalves

  Poet

• Hedy Brown

  Library educator; open-source consultant

• Harry Johnson

  Adult Entertainer

• Gerald Sobel

  Solar Water Heating Expert with background in medical research

• Julie Oswald

  Giver & Company Owner

• Frank Holzman

  organic farmer, educator, researcher; tierrasonrisagarden.com

• Madeline Hutton

  Ayurveda and Yoga Teacher, Occupier, Environmental & Vegan Activist

• Meridith

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