Hosting a Podawe (for organizations)

At WeWán, we explore the basics of life, enlighten you to ancient skill sets, and em- power you to move forward on a new path of Balance.




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The WeWán Institute, LLC (TMPending ) 243 A State Route 125
Blue Creek, OH 45616
844.434.4669
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Table of Contents
Pódawe: What Is It? Where to Host
Whom to Invite and How Setting the Mood
What Happens
Our Commitments to You Path to Powáka


Pódawe (POH-duh-way)
In our Algonquian tongue, Pódawe
means “to kindle the Fire.”
At this event, we introduce the WeWán Society... A place for kindred spirits to fan the embers
of nearly forgotten basic truths of humanity, rekindling the ames to their original brightness once again...
The Pódawe is the rst experience (or ritual) in the WeWán Society.
The Shawano Wisdomkeepers share how to achieve lasting personal growth using the lessons learned from the Ancestors.
At every Pódawe, guests learn about the Four Basic Stepping Stones central to all cultures, and begin to understand how to apply them in daily life.
Within the Lodges of the WeWán Society you will discover the unique and exciting Path to
Powáka, where you can grow in the ancient knowledge of First Cultures around the world... as you desire at your own pace.
At the Pódawe, you...
◊ Gain insight to your true self
◊ Acquire direction and stability ◊ Discover your safe place
◊ Flourish without fear
◊ Explore life-changing lessons ◊ Immerse yourself in a time and
a process that was sacred to your ancestors


Where to Host a Pódawe
Thank you for hosting a Pódawe. One of the rst things to consider when planning your Pódawe is to choose a location.
Because Pódawes are designed to replicate
the Tribal Lodge experiences of old, they are a gathering of friends seeking greater wisdom, we suggest a location with enough space to comfortably seat 35–100 guests. (We can accommodate larger groups on rare occasion. Please contact us for more information.)
Pódawes are typically held in the evening but can also be set up as daytime events.
Pódawes are informal and laid-back – your location should be a re ection of that.


FAQs for your guests
1. Who are the Wisdomkeepers?
Ashá & kiji are Shawano descendere. Together, in their unforgettable style, they share the Wisdom of their Ancestors and forever transform audiences around the world.
2. Does this event have any religious af liations?
No, it does not. It is about meaningful personal development and is not af liated with any speci c path of belief.
3. What will happen during the event?
You will share a stimulating evening with others, learning about the four basic stepping stones
of the Path to Powáka – fear, time, happiness, and vision – and get valuable action-steps for immediate improvement.
4. Why should I attend?
If you have persistent concerns that keep you awake at night with worry, you feel you don’t have enough time in your day, you’ve lost the joy you had before, or you feel a need to de ne who you are and why you are here – this is for you.
5. What should I wear?
This evening is casual and we want you to be comfortable. Dress in comfortable clothing, as you would for a relaxed evening with friends. Jeans,
t shirts, shorts, and other casual wear are perfectly acceptable and welcome.
6. Can I invite a friend to come along?
Oh, my, YES! Guests of guests are always welcome. However, please do let your host know how many of you will be attending, as space is limited to a special few.
7. What can I expect afterwards?
Your attendance brings with it admittance to the Sagáni Lodge of the WeWán Institute where you are invited to continue your Path to Powáka and further exploration of the Four Basic Stepping Stones. You will have new friends with whom
to share the Journey, as the Wisdomkeepers continue to bring you valuable content and opportunities for growth.
8. How can I become a Pódawe host?
Please express your interest in hosting a Pódawe with either your evening’s host or the Wisdomkeepers. We would love to explore this with you.


Whom to Invite and How
Content is focused on deep personal development, and therefore is unsuitable for children.
Plan to over-invite. It is common for potential guests to be unable to attend on your chosen date or for guests who RSVP to have an unexpected change in schedule. Plan for these circumstances and invite 75-150 people to ensure
the event is at full attendance and a huge success.
The Pódawe is a learning experience. Choose to invite guests who have a sincere desire to make meaningful changes in their lives.
Those who get the most from
a Pódawe experience have the following interests in common:
◊ Personal Development
◊ Native American Philosophy ◊ Genealogy
◊ Releasing Limiting Fears
◊ Recovering Valuable Time
In The Day
◊ Rediscovering True &
Pure Joy
◊ Creating A Life Vision That
Moves Them To Action
◊ Re-Introducing Lasting Peace
Into Their Lives


Suggested Invitation Schedule
and we will be happy to train you should you need assistance.
WeWán is honored to donate 20% of the event pro t to your organization for your hospitality to our Wisdomkeepers. A check for this amount will be sent within thirty (30) business days from the event. Our thank you!
You may use additional methods of invitations as well, however EventBrite is required.
What to Include
◊ Where – your address
◊ When – time events begins ◊ How Long – basic schedule
for evening
◊ Attendance Limit
◊ Cost
◊ Forms of payment
◊ Casual dress is always
welcome
4 Weeks 3 Weeks 2 Weeks 1 Week 4 Days
Save the Date Initial Invitations Reminders Reminders
Final RSVP Count
WeWán uses EventBrite as our online registration vendor. We will set up an EventBrite page for your Pódawe to easily manage digital invitations, guest counts, and payments. You will have your own login as host for your event


Setting the Mood
A Pódawe is a totally unique experience unlike any thing you or your guests have ever seen or attended. Setting the mood of your location is essential to making this a memorable time for everyone.
Every Pódawe sets a scene to immerse guests in the look and feel of a sacred space. Here are some tips to help you set the mood and get organized so that you can enjoy the evening along with your attendees.
Seating
Being relaxed and comfortable is important. If the location allows guests may wish to bring their own seating (ie: portable lounge chairs, pillows, rugs etc). Seating should be informal and in clusters... as if in an ancient lodge.
The ambience of intimacy is vital for the best experience. Please ensure that everyone has a comfortable place to sit and that all seats face the area where the Wisdomkeepers are to present.
We are happy to assist you with laying out seating for your event. We work with you to ensure everyone has a comfortable seat to enjoy the evening’s event.


Lighting
Lighting should be soft and low. Candles are a welcome addition. If at all possible, please no harsh uorescent bulbs. Keep overhead lighting to a minimum. Please no ash photography.
Background Music
Soft ambient music is a wonderful addition to setting the mood for a Pódawe. We suggest instrumental selections (no lyrics), Native American ute is always a great choice.
Sign-in Sheet & Handouts
We will provide you with printed material for your guests. Please prepare a registration table at the entrance to your Pódawe location. Please see
the section What Happens at a Pódawe for more details on entrance setup.
Audio Video Setup and Requirements
The Pódawe is a dynamic, mystical, sensory experience. We use video, audio, and performance to bring an unforgettable experience to life
before the eyes and ears of your guests. It will undoubtedly be a night they will always remember.
We require use of a screen, projector, and audio system. If that is not available, please let us know and we will work with you to make other arrangements.


What Happens at a Pódawe
Plan for your event to last 3 hours from the time guests are asked to arrive until the last guest leaves. For example, an evening event schedule (6pm-9pm) looks like this:
***All guests must be seated by the time the presentation begins! Should any of your guests arrive late, they must wait to be seated until the rst program break.***
Welcome
Be sure to stay close to the door to welcome guests as they arrive. Thank them for attending and direct them to the Sign-In sheet.
Please be sure that everyone signs in and receives a copy of each of the following:
◊ Program evaluation sheets
◊ Path to Powáka Passports
◊ Pódawe Textbook and Study Guide
Invite your guests to settle in for the presenation.
Program Curriculum
Every Pódawe is predictable in its content, and
yet totally exible in exactly how that content is delivered to your guests. Because every group is different – and this experience is all about you and your guests – we are dedicated to customizing each evening to the group in attendance.
Registration and seating of guests Wisdomkeepers Presentation Socialize and wrap up the evening
There are no time slots mentioned here. You will understand why after you experience the Pódawe.
Before the Event
Organization during registration and seating is important to allow the presentation to begin in a timely manner. Please appoint several members of your team to assist with the following tasks:
Registration Table – one person to sign in guests, one person to hand out printed material.
Guest Seating – three to four people to warmly greet guests and show them to the presentation area, ensuring everyone is seated and comfortable before the event begins.


Our curriculum always contains the following parts:
◊ Entrance and introduction of the Wisdomkeepers
◊ What is the WeWán Institute and the Society of Lodges?
◊ The Four Stepping Stones
Fear :: Time :: Happiness :: Vision
◊ Path to Powáka
◊ Questions & Discussion
◊ Recap
Ending (but really just the beginning...)
After the Wisdomkeepers conclude the presentation, please thank your guests for attending, remind
them to ll out the evaluation sheets and leave them with you, and invite them to speak with you, or
the Wisdomkeepers, to learn more about hosting a Pódawe, or joining the next Lodge of the WeWán.
At your discretion, you may invite people to stay and socialize a bit longer, or spend more time with the Wisdomkeepers – this is completely optional.
After the Event
Please return all evaluation sheets as well as the sign- in sheet to us. Additionally any extra printed material should also be returned.
Please send thank you notes to your guests. We will also do the same. It is important that everyone in attendance feel comfortable, appreciated, and part of their new circle of seekers.
We will also follow-up with anyone who expressed interest in hosting a Pódawe, and learning more about the Nigáni Experience.


Our Commitments to You
Our sole focus is to help you make this experience an unforgettable, life-changing, inspiring evening for you and all your guests.
Pre-Event
Upon receiving your signed Letter of Engagement,
We also follow up with you to discuss the evening and answer any questions you may have.
WeWán is honored to donate 20% of the event pro t to your organization for your hospitality to our Wisdomkeepers. A check for this amount will
we conduct a pre-planning phone conference to review this pamphlet, answer any questions you have and work with you to select a date and time.
We will also review the EventBrite site with you and give you your login information so that you can begin preparing a guest list.
As the event draws nearer, feel free to contact us with questions, we will help in any way we can.
Post-Event
After your Pódawe, we assist you by following
up with those who have requested additional information. Remember that once you and your guests have crossed paths with the Wisdomkeepers, you always have a welcome place within the Lodges of the WeWán.
be sent within thirty (30) business days from the event. Megwich – our way of saying thank you!


The Event
From the moment the lights dim and the audio video experience begins, you nd yourself transported
to a time and place – neither ancient history nor
of the moment... a place created for exploration, information – lled throughout with excitement and mystique.
It is a place where everyone can nd meaningful growth and happiness, a place removed from fear where the ticking of time has little meaning... and the place where that vision you voice (the one held close and shared with no one), can nd the fertile soil to grow.
The experience of the Pódawe elevates you to levels of awareness and interest in those things most basic, those that you may never have experienced before. You capture the moment within your very center, and are moved to create... deep inside you... the desire for more.
This is the rst step on the path to Powáka – the path to nding perfect balance in a most unbalanced world.
This place is for you, for us, for the world... and for those not yet born from the 7 generations.
©2015, The WeWán Institute, all rights reserved


Path to Powáka
Everyone walks their own path on the Circle of Life. Within the WeWán Society, you learn about the four basic stepping stones which lead to the
a Center of Balance. When you master the skills of eliminating fear, regaining control of time, rediscovering happiness, and creating a personal vision for your own future... you walk your path to the ultimate place of peace and empowerment.
These skills take time to master. With each of the Lodges of the WeWán, you gain increasing depth of insight – and therefore empower yourself to live more authentically and with greater purpose than ever before.
Walk with us, the Shawano Wisdomkeepers... we are here to show the way to your most powerful and true self.
Fear (Stepping Stone One)
Many believe that fear is an inherent part of our lives – therefore the usual plan is to address the symptoms. However, the assumption that everyone must bend to fear is simply not true.
◊ De ne What Fear Is to You ◊ Walk Away from Fear
◊ Plan to Live Fearlessly
The emotion of fear is based in cultural training. Fear is not inherent in our being... In fact, it obfuscates the ability to act upon the real culprit – lack of control. We show you how to gain control, and never look back on that which used to
haunt you.


Time (Stepping Stone Two)
Has time become your master, rather than the other way around? Gain insight into why you feel sti ed by the clock. We teach you the secrets of living outside of stressful time management... and how to walk into a world where you are in control.
◊ Understand Time as Timeless
◊ Throw Away the Watch
◊ Plan to Live in Freedom
The clock is a relatively recent invention. The Ancients managed the activities critical to survival in harsh environments, and they did so without alarms and written schedules. Learn their wisdom and apply it to your modern life.
Happiness (Stepping Stone Three)
Life brings daily challenges. How you approach them is a choice. Through every frustration shines a light of control to remain calm and balanced.
◊ Are You Happy?
◊ Regaining Joy in Your Life
◊ Choose to Live in Happiness
Globally, tribal cultures place great value in laughter and joy. They caution not to take ourselves too seriously. The Wisdomkeepers share very old wisdom with you that gives you permission to always live in joy and choose to be happy.
Vision (Stepping Stone Four)
What do people mean when they say they have a life purpose? What is a life purpose? To have a clear vision of who you are, and why you are here lets you de ne where you are going, when, and why.
◊ De ne Vision
◊ Who Are You and Why Are You Here? ◊ Living Your True Purpose
Learn to be true to your greatest self. Acknowledge your passions, your talents, and strengths. The Wisdomkeepers teach you how to focus that knowledge, and use it to create the vision that will give you purpose in your life.


Notes & Questions




www.wewan.org
An-be’-bi-sin’-do-wi’-shin, wa’-i-ni’-nan.
Listen to me now, and what I’m about to say.
Kesh’-pin-pe’-sin-da’-nin-win da-ma’-dzhishka’ ke-bi-ma’-di-si-win’.
If you take heed of that which I say, your life shall always continue.
Ki’-ta-no’-da-we’... Mi-sa’-a-shi’-gwa.
Listen to me... Now is the time.
844.434.4669