New Warrior Missions of Service

Action in the World:

Adam began his journey as a grassroots community organizer as a 15 year-old high school student. Forty years later, he is still committed to addressing social inequalities.
After enduring devastating challenges in his own life, including losing his children and then slipping into mental illness and addiction, he came back to life, earning a graduate degree with honors. He has confronted social inequalities against people of color, migrant workers, ex-offenders, chemically-dependent persons, the GLBTQ community and those with co- occurring conditions. A father, grandfather,New Warrior, counselor and the founder of POPS, the Paternal Opportunities, Programs & Services organization in San Diego, Adam has most recently taken on a leadership role in the men's and fathers' rights and responsibilities movement in California.
POPS provides direct services to fathers and helps them reunite with their children. Adam is a founding member of the San Diego Fatherhood Network and serves on its Executive Team. A consultant and trainer on men's issues he has been called to Sacramento to advise state planners on social policy toward men.

Action in the World:

Adam is a passionate Environmentalist, passionate also about building self esteem and values diversity. He has created and served on many campaigns to raise awareness and funds for the protection and preservation of various species – especially Marine. He has created education booklets for children and a number of children's books.
By profession, he is an illustrator and cartoonist with 15 years experience as a freelance art director, graphic designer and illustrator.

Action in the World:

In 2001, he purchased a town home complex in Atlanta, Georgia which now houses up to 375 formerly incarcerated men (and soon opening to women) for a 3 month-plus program preparing them to successfully re-enter society, thus reducing recidivism from nearly 60% to 20%. Alan puts his heart, soul, head and his own dollars into this work. He sees Robert Bly as his mentor and long-time personal friend and brought Bly and his musicians to a fund-raising event on behalf of MKP Santa Barbara, Boys-to-Men and Domestic Violence Solutions in 2009. Of the nearly 1,000 attendees, Alan donated over 200 tickets to various non-profits including 100 to active military personnel and veterans. He is involved in organizing a Men's Conference in Ojai next year (likely Feb/2012) using Robert Bly's 5 day Minnesota Men's Conference as a model.

Action in the World:

While visiting his mother-in-law over a 2-year period, Allan began connecting with men who were lonely and had few if any visitors. As Allan gained the trust of these men, they opened up and shared deeply with him as he did with them including helping them with personal things. Men continued to show up for Allan to connect with long after his mother-in-law died. For one homeless man who had had a stroke he was able to take him to movies, ball games, swimming and help him with his social security paperwork; for another man he was able to help him with his extreme anxiety through visualizations and massage. This man helped Allan plan a building project and followed it through photos Allan brought to him. These and other men Allan spent time with completed their life journeys. The son of one man told Allan that he was his father’s best friend. It was an honor to be trusted by these men and walk a little with them during the final years of their lives.

Action in the World:

Art uses his private airplane to fly sick kids to treatment that they could not normally afford.

Action in the World:

Ben has an obvious passion for supporting children to flourish and grow and through his company Just4parents he provides all levels of support and practical solutions for all family members. Since 2002 Ben has led many weekend groups at outdoor activity centres where fathers and sons and also fathers and daughters are encouraged to explore and build closer relationships away from their families and homes.

Action in the World:

Being in a wheelchair for 37 plus years has increased Bert’s caring for others above and beyond most, as well as his energy and attitude about life. Listed are several committees, boards and community organizations that Bert has been involved with over several years.
1962-1976 US Navy
1977-1987 Siouxland Committee For The Handicapped, 8 years as Chairman
1979-1982 Sioux City Schools Equal Opportunity in Education Committee
1980-1986 Siouxland Easter Seals Board, Finance Committee, Vice President, President
1982-1985 Sioux City Human Rights Commission
1991-2010 Siouxland Cares About Drug, Alcohol Abuse & domestic Violence
1991-2005 Frequent Pro-Bono Counseling Sessions
1998-2010 Siouxland Cares Advisory Board
2000-2011 Siouxland Community Drug Court
2005-2008 Three Rivers Independent Living Corporation Board
2008-2009 Three Rivers Independent Living Corporation, Interim Executive Director (probono)

Action in the World:

Bill has worked on the Wal-Mart Sustainability Report, wrote a chapter on sustainable finance for the State of the World 2008 report from Worldwatch Institute, and wrote reports for the United Nations, Ceres, and the Investor Environmental Health Network . His articles have appeared in The Economist, Audubon Magazine, and The CRO Blog. He co-founded Corporate Watchdog Radio in 2005, which in January 2009 is changing its name to Sea Change Radio. He is an adjunct professor in the Marlboro MBA in Managing for Sustainability in Vermont.

Action in the World:

Bill Boal at 80 inspires his elder community Brothers with his enormous energy, creativity and desire to live in service. He is always creating new ideas and his optimism and faith see him through. His desire for "Elders to Mentor Seniors" was actualized by making appointments to visit senior/ assisted living homes to in NY to conduct sharing circles with the residents. This developed into an outline of a program for others to follow. Recently Bill attended the World Elder Gathering in London where he promoted "Elders mentoring Seniors" and received commitments from a dozen men to implement the program in their communities.

Action in the World:

Bill leads activities for multi-cultural work, addictions recovery, sexual abuse
survivors, veterans, and NWTA in South Africa. He led two Truth Projects in Wisconsin prisons, Vet’s Journey Home weekend. For sex abuse survivors he led two Taking it Lightly Renewal Weekends. Ten years ago, as part of his own recovery, he brought the first Oxford House to Madison. In 2010 he co-founded two Men’s houses in Madison, mentored a Men’s house in Oshkosh, and mentored a Women’s house in Madison. NOTE: Oxford House is a democratically run, self financed, sober house. www.oxfordhouse.org

Action in the World:

Bill Megalos has been providing haircuts to the homeless community of
Santa Monica, CA for the past 10 years
In 2001, Bill Megalos taught himself to cut hair in order to serve the
homeless community of Santa Monica, CA. Since then he has given more than
7000 haircuts and still cuts the hair of his first two customers.

Action in the World:

Upon retirement and committed to full-time volunteer service BJ and his wife Cheryl began volunteering at the United Methodist Children’s Home Healing Arts Program in Decatur, Georgia. In addition to leading art classes, BJ facilitated the involvement of MKP brothers and other men in the renovation of the campus teen center, helping with cook outs, and leading drum circles. Most recently, after completing four and a half years of service at the children’s home, BJ and Cheryl began “The Art of Fearlessness”, a weekly arts gathering in Decatur that serves youths and adults.
BJ’s vision of mentoring teenage boys paved the way for service with Boys To Men where he currently serves as a mentor and board member.
BJ’s ultimate personal goal is to co-create a peaceful world by inspiring others to service. It is his belief that when we work together we have the power to create a world in which we all can thrive in peace with each other and our environment.

Action in the World:

Björn has been involved in community work for many years, including volunteering with Amnesty International and the local fire department. He has supported our community as a trauma counselor when unfortunate events have occurred such as a flood or a crime scenario. Björn has been very active in our local MKP community. When we were in need of a mobile materials system, he quickly looked into it and located a trailer that could then be used for both Vancouver Island and Greater Vancouver. He has also supported our new Boys to Men community. He offered his home last year to support our mentor training, and was active with the first Rites of Passage weekend.

Action in the World:

Bob has shown the principles of MKP in the community by his involvement with an adolescent training program for boys in the treatment of alcoholism.  He teaches the four quarter clearing and other communication skills he has learned and developed in MKP.  He also teaches these skills in his training job with Cargill.  He teaches these skills to a sales force in training.  Bob exemplifies the principles of MKP in the world he lives in. Bob was born on January 8, 1949 and grew up on a farm near Marne, IA in Southwest Iowa.  He went to high school in Atlantic, Iowa. He attended Iowa State University and graduated with a degree in animal science in 1971. He was awarded a Master’s Degree in Animal Nutrition in 1973. He has worked for Cargill since 1973 and has been a member of the President’s Club, multiple times. He is the father of a son, Conrad, and two daughters, Sarah and Jenny. He has three grandchildren. He has a loving partner in Kathy Mugan.

Action in the World:

"What I do is not really a Job. It's more a vocation, a calling, a gift, a talent. For the past 7-8 years, I have "worked" at a church 2 blocks from my house. They have a rummage sale every week, and I help set up when I can. The church also has a Men's Shelter with 2 dozen rooms (almost always full) and I help run support groups for homeless and/or recovering guys, give "spiritual direction" (although so informally that the men don't even realize that that is what I'm doing”), tutoring, teaching English, Spiritual Director, cooking, Bible Study groups…and anything and everything, it seems. I have also done Hospice Vigils (formerly called Death Watches) since my monastery days and am on call with numerous homes, hospices and hospitals in Albuquerque.”

Action in the World:

Bobby is one of the cofounders of the ManKind Project-Memphis community. Bobby has worked in many capacities and has volunteered for many MKP community jobs, but more importantly, Bobby models for us living his mission in the world. He is a great teacher and leader for us all. He models accountability and the “give away.” Bobby does much “to feed the hungry hearts” of men and women. His commitment to teach a Saturday morning personal growth and facilitation class to all in our community is but one example of his world mission in action. And, it is Bobby Taylor who, if he didn’t bring you into the MKP community, then he certainly has supported and challenged you as a mentor and life coach. Bobby shows us all how to be a man focused in mission helping his community at large.

Action in the World:

Building a new Boys to Men center in Germany.

Klaus Meyer-Janssen, Martin Novak, Tom Süßmann, Jörg Heinze, Elco Glasl, Urs Blumer

Action in the World:

Charlie Borden, Rick Gravrok,Jim Lovestar, Stephen Borden, Michael Templeton, Tony Dulski,Kevin Obsatz, and Cris Harper.

BTM-MN is recognized for implementation of the new vision and
mission developed several years ago. Creating new collaborations with existing mentoring organizations and increasing the number of boys experiencing a "Rites of Passage" as well as expanding community events to include more service work and
apprenticeships. Charlie Borden and Kevin Obsatz of BTM-MN are also recognized this year for developing the film "Journeyman" which features BTM-MN subjects.

Action in the World:

Brian is a co-founder of the H.E.R. Weekend, an experiential training for women that is modeled on the NWTA and staffed by both men and women. He has staffed every H.E.R. training as a co-leader since its inception in 2001. In addition to the ongoing H.E.R. program, Brian supports Widesky men's council meetings, and Sacred Path retreats for men. Brian dedicates his receipt the Ron Hering Mission of Service Award to the mother and father he never met, and to all the men and women who have supported him in his personal development.

Action in the World:

Brian’s background in Human Resources has equipped him well for action in the world. He is involved in organizing, implementing, and working in food kitchens in the poorer sections of San Diego during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons.
He has been active in drug and alcohol recovery programs for years. He has worked to bring the Vet’s Journey Home training to Southern California. He is currently running for a San Diego City Council seat. He is a loving Father, Grandfather and son.

Action in the World:

Burke has manifested his personal mission in the greater community for the last 38 years. He has served and led several housing boards, food co-ops, and emergency medical/rescue trainings. For the last 8 years he has been President of the Board of Sustainable Communities/Zeri in Santa Fe. Since “9/11” Burke has made space available for a sculpture garden where people gather to speak about peace issues and share their inspirations as an alternative way of marking the date.

Action in the World:

In order to live in Mission and create a world of Love Carl got NTX MKP men together to research and develop Service Projects for our Community to participate in. He researched and contacted a dozen or more organizations. His dedication and follow up kept the initiatives going and produced 3 projects involving many MKP men:
-Nexus Recovery Center (provides recovery and sustained independence from alcohol and drug abuse for disadvantaged women, including women with children and adolescent girls) recovered 110 dining room chairs.
-Brighter Tomorrows (a nonprofit organization providing shelter and assistance to victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse) tree trimming and yard work for resident apartments.
-North Texas Food Bank Holiday canned food drive to help the needy and homeless.
Carl is a loving man who is encouraging North Texas MKP to live in Mission and take it out into our community. He is creating a World of Love.

Action in the World:

Traveled to rural Peru with plastic surgeons to provide anesthesia for repair of pediatric cleft lip and palate. Also collected stuffed animals to give out preoperatively so child had a “friend” with him in the operative room.

Action in the World:

Project AWARE is about teens telling real life stories in a powerful way. In its most successful program, Reel Life, young people create impactful,
high quality movies that address social issues and make a difference. Simply put, the process changes their lives. Project AWARE has completed four films addressing issues including youth prescription drug abuse, bullying, adult role modeling and more, and currently has four additional movies in production throughout the state of Maine. The most recent film, April’s
Heart, just received the young filmmakers award at the Litchfield Hills Film Festival and Iowa Film Festival. It’s a story set in a time when life can be hard; a story that gives us an intimate look at the challenges, hopes and dreams of teenagers. The movie invites us to listen and to care. During the year long production effort, over 200 students, staff and community members were directly involved.

Action in the World:

Caspar has created the charity, "Write to Freedom", which works with young prisoners and disaffected young men to provide mentoring and support through a wilderness and writing programme based up on Dartmoor. The charity offers personal and professional development through the written and spoken word in a wild setting.