KEYNOTE

Polyamory in the 21st Century:

We are all activists in a blossoming international movement just by being here. As a community and as individuals, let us be prepared to provide positive messages and images of polyamory and appeal to the next generation of seekers, lovers, and queers. We should remember to build alliances with others moving beyond the assumption of  a heterosexual nuclear family, such as single parents, same sex relationships, and intentional communities.

Diana Adams Esq.

Workshops

NOTE: The Workshops are tentative and subject to change

From Saint to Slut

 How do you transition from “traditional” relationships to polyamory and even more how do you transition from a fundamentalist religion and upbringing to polyamory?  Amira Rain has embraced the term slut as a term representing her transition from Mormonism to polyamory and even more important to owning her sexuality and her sexual and relationship choice.  There are many challenges and struggles in accepting who you are in a nontraditional lifestyle but the rewards are mighty and worth every ounce of challenge.  Join Amira Rain in a discussion on the transition into polyamory from wherever you are coming from.  Learn about how to own your choices and how to communicate those choices to those you love if you choose to do so.

Amira Rain

Creating Success in Relationships

Relationships don’t come with a “how to manual”.  Most of what we learn when it comes to relating is the dysfunctional examples and messages we receive from our parents, movies, books and TV.  We do not feel it is important to teach relationship skills but rather to have people muddle through their lives trying to fit in the pre-constructed box of ideal relationship.  For most of us who choose polyamory we have taken the first step beyond that box, but how do we find relationships that work.  In this workshop we will explore what really matters when it comes to having relationships that honor and support us.  We will challenge preconceived ideas of what it means to be successful in relationship and how to honor our own and our partners needs, wants and desires. 

Robyn Trask

Choices, Choices, Choices

Using music and humor, presenters Nancy and Darrell set up an experience which allows participants to get to know each other as they have fun while answering the question, “What elements are part of their ideal Poly Relationship?”  Each participant gets to play the game “Choices, Choices Choices” and they get to take the results away with them, so the fun can continue!!  Within this safe environment, participants get to talk with others in their group about Poly issues, that are sometimes difficult to raise, . Although this  icebreaker is especially valuable for those who are relatively new to the Poly Lifestyle, even veterans can learn things about themselves and enjoy the atmosphere of playful sharing. We are passionately committed to helping others discover what they really, really want in a relationship and how to achieve it. Nancy and Darrell are retired professionals (Counselor - CSW and teacher-VRI Trainer) who have been in an open/poly marriage for over 25 years.

Darrel and Nancy Casey

Sex and Aging

Nobody ever believed that “Old People” had sex! Now as we age, we find that our sexuality continues. What are the issues of positive sexuality, as we grow older? The conveners will share their own experience of continuing sexuality into their 7th and 8th decades and invite other participants to share their stories too. This is another topic our parents never told us about!! Hot sex, loving sex does not have to end as we age!! But there are changes. Part of this workshop will be devoted to the men listening to the women discuss their issues and then reversing so that the women will listen while the men discuss their issues. This workshop will be co-convened by two Poly Geezers,

Ken Haslam and Jens Wennberg  and a Crone-in-Training, Nancy Miller

Making Peace with Jealousy in Polyamorous Relationships

Sound familiar? Just when we think we’ve got our act together, our relationships are going well and we’re maybe even feeling confident, someone we love is attracted to someone new, and all of a sudden the bottom falls out. Or we meet someone new and want to explore our attraction to them, and contrary to what we anticipate, a poly partner starts freaking out. Why is this happening? Why do our emotions sometimes run so contrary to our will? What’s a fair and reasonable poly person to do?

 We need not be jealousy’s victims! Come learn to accurately analyze and identify jealousy’s complex underlying emotions. Devise an effective plan that works for you that will take away their seemingly overwhelming emotional power. With a bit of patience, some love and support, and the right poly relationship skills, we all have the power to make peace with jealousy.

Anita Wagner

Exploring Intimacy

This presentation will be an experiential exploration of what it is we want when we talk about intimacy.  What is intimacy and how can we open up ourselves to real connectedness and intimacy with another.  There will be an opportunity to interact with others in groups of various sizes and experience different level of intimate interaction.  Opportunity will be there to take some risks with partners, friends and strangers. We will look into ourselves and find out what it means to be intimate with ourselves and each other.  There will be the possibility to touch and be touched if you are ready for that.  No one will be admitted after the workshop begins. Everyone will always be at choice as to how they participate, and what they share.  Please dress in comfortable, loose clothing.

Robyn Trask

Beyond Body Parts, Getting the Hang of Yin & Yang

All of us have personalities that are made up of conflicting parts. We hold both male and female energies: Yin & Yang. Where do you fit in this male-female spectrum?  How can we use these diverse energies to create a harmonious poly relationship? This interactive workshop uses guided large and small group discussion, music and humor to create a fun experience of self exploration and is based on our 25 years of poly living and our 7 year experience on the path to tantric enlightenment. We are Tantra Instructors trained by world famous teacher, Margot Anand and licensed by the Sky Dancing Tantra Institute. Nancy has authored articles on Poly, Tantra and Bisexuality published in Loving More Magazine. Both are certified by Dr. Sidney Simon as Values Realization Trainers. Darrell and Nancy recently appeared on the CNN special “Marriage Meltdown” representing a successful poly relationship in contrast to a failed monogamous one.   {This workshop grew out of a pair of presentations Nancy & Darrell made at the Winter Gathering of the Naturist Society.}

Darrel and Nancy Casey

'Know Your Rights' Legal Training

It's time for polyamorous people to be out and proud and live without fear of discrimination! But what are your concerns about your legal rights? In this legal workshop, ask polyamorous attorney Diana Adams, Esq your questions about child custody cases, divorce, employment discrimination, health care decisions, family contracts, and more. Come with questions and suggestions to participate in this discussion.

Dianna Adams Esq.

Every Day Intimacy 

Interconnectedness is a key to good health and lasting relationships. How do we achieve this in healthy and balanced ways? Pleasure, desire, passion, and longing are experienced in our bodies as well as concepts of the mind. Everyone wants a satisfying “sex life” but what does this actually mean?  In order to be truly healthy, physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects need to be considered through the ISIS (Integrating Spirituality Into Sexuality) connection. (Dr.Gina Ogden, Heart and Soul of Sex).   This presentation will demonstrate the power of the mind to regulate conscious and unconscious thoughts in a variety of both sexual and non-sexual relationships. Participants will be introduced to two qigong exercises using color visualization, which will demonstrate an internal experience of their energy flow through the aura, meridians and charkas centers.   We will address aspects of pleasure and joy. The concept of kundalini energy, and the importance of awareness of the breath, will be introduced as it relates to the union of mind/body/spirit.

Suzann Robins, MA, CHT

Facilitated Round table Discussions

Talking Safer Sex with Amira

Lets Talk - Is there such a thing as safe sex? Can you get _____ from doing _____? How do I tell my partner I have herpes? How do I ask my partner about his/her sexual history? How do I have that stressful “sex” conversation? What about group sex? What about one night stands? This open facilitated discussion is about answering questions and discussing challenges and or blocks that keep us from communicating about this very important subject. We will have available information about STDs, condoms and other barrier methods but the focus is discussion and communication.

Amira Rain

Transformations and Transitions on the Road to Polyamory Bliss

Polyamory relationships can be wonderful, exciting and challenging all the same time. Like all human relationships, polyamory comes with its share of joy and heart ache. Polyamory though can bring love lessons and personal growth faster then we are sometimes prepared and lead to deep transformations in how we view love, relationships and life. Join Robyn and Anita for a facilitated discussion about the deep dimensions of long term polyamory.   

Anita Wagner