Polycamp Vancouver Island workshop sneak preview!

Workshop with Quintus on Larger Families: Intentional Communities and Communes

Quintus, a long-time Seattle poly facilitator, will be leading workshops on July 30 and August 6 at Polycamp Vancouver Island. Go to www.polycampvi.ca to get early-bird rates on a full week (July 29-August 6) of camping, workshops, family activities, hikes, and more.

Quintus' workshop will include a presentation on going beyond a poly relationship to build a poly community and family. He will share stories and pictures of what poly community can look like, so come and share your opinions and experiences! Quintus is CEO of the Washington Polycamp and facilitator of Let’s Talk Poly (Sharma Centre).

Early-bird registration ends May 31, so register now at www.polycampvi.ca!

Vancouver Poly 101 1st Meetup

Wednesday May 4, 2011

5:30 to 7:00pm, at the Prophouse Cafe, 1636 Venables St, Vancouver, BC.

Bringing the Victoria Poly 101 concept to Vancouver! Victoria Poly 101 is a discussion-based group on the concept of polyamory and what it means to love more than one person ethically and openly. It has become quite successful so we thought we'd come over to Vancouver and give it a try.

Kiki Christie and Cora Bilsker will facilitate this event. Please invite anyone you'd like!

If you can't make the event feel free to join the Vancouver Poly 101 FB group

The venue is really neat: http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/14/1479940/restaurant/Commercial-Drive-Grandview/The-Prophouse-Cafe-Vancouver

April Poly 101 discussion

Thursday, April 28 · 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Location
University of Victoria, Clearihue A202
Victoria, BC

VP101 member (many of you know Lily) will lead this month's discussion. Topic to be announced, and I'm sure it will be a good one! I will also be there to take questions about polyamory or Victoria poly community, and give a synopsis of the Vancouver "What is Polyamory?" Panel I assisted with on April 11, 2011 for the benefit of the CPAA's court case proceedings against Canada's polygamy law.  See you there!

Vancouver Poly Panel: April 11, 2011

In conjunction with the closing arguments of the British Columbia Supreme
Court hearing on the Constitutionality of Polygamy in Canada, as it relates
to Section 293 of the Criminal Code, the Vancouver Polyamory Society and the
Canadian Polyamory Advocacy Association will be hosting a Panel Discussion
on the aspects and realities of Polyamory .

The Panel Forum will take place at The Junction Pub, 1138 Davie Street, 7pm.
Vancouver, BC, on April 11th, 2011, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM.*

With this court hearing generating a significant amount of discussion
regarding the validity and constitutionality of the lifestyle choice of
Polyamory within Canada’s society, this forum will allow present
practitioners of Polyamory and those interested in learning more, an
opportunity to discuss the benefits and pitfalls of this growing lifestyle
approach to consensual conjugal unions.

Presenters from North America have been gathered to speak at this
informative forum:

*Janet W. Hardy* is a writer and sex educator, and founder of Greenery
Press, living in Oregon, USA.  She has also been published as Catherine A.
Liszt and Lady Green. She is the author or co-author of ten books, including
what is commonly referred to as the Polyamory Bible: *The Ethical Slut*. She
frequently collaborates with Dossie Easton.

*Terisa Greenan* has a sharp wit and impeccable comedic timing. Based in
Seattle, she is a writer, having penned numerous short stories and two
adapted screenplays with much original content. In addition, Terisa has
directed and produced for both stage and screen. She formed Petal Films in
2007. In the fall of 2008 Terisa launched 3 Dog Pictures to showcase her new
episodic web series "Family", a series depicting a Polyamorous Triad.

*John Ince* is a lawyer, politician, an erotic arts enthusiast, and the
controversial author of a book called The Politics of Lust. He founded The
Erosha School of Erotic Massage and The Art of Loving, a sexuality center in
Vancouver, British Columbia. He is also the leader of a political party, the
Sex Party (British Columbia).

*Kiki Christie* is the founder and facilitator of Victoria Poly 101, a
polyamory discussion group in Victoria, British Columbia of over 150
members.  She's been a bi/kinky/poly educator and activist for over 6 years
and has given workshops for various poly groups in British Columbia as well
as in Washington state and Austin, Texas. She is a member of the Canadian
Polyamory Advocacy Association and she is currently the Director for
Vancouver Island Polycamp.

Contact: R.Billard, karoavga@gmail.com, 604-619-0529

Victoria Poly 101 monthly discussion: Polyamory in different cultures

Thursday, March 24 · 6:30pm - 9:30pm
University of Victoria (UVic), Clearihue A202

Does poly exist in other cultures, or has it in the past? How easy/difficult are poly relationships when your partner has a different cultural background? What does polyamory look like in other countries today? Come join in our discussion at UVic, same room as last month!

Victoria Poly 101 monthly discussion: polyamory and asexuality

Thursday, February 24 · 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Location: University of Victoria, Clearihue A202 (*please note: this is a different room number from last month's discussion*)

Special Guest Cole Brown from Vancouver will speak about AVEN (Asexual Visibility and Education Network).

Cole Brown is a local asexual activist, volunteering her time to help bring awareness and visibility to the general public on behalf of those who identify as asexual. She has been giving lectures on asexuality for four years up and down the west coast.

The Asexual Visibility and Education Network (AVEN) was founded in 2001 to help bring asexual individuals together from all around the world. It is the largest asexual resource on the web and a source of information and support for asexual individuals and their friends and loved ones.

Read more about asexuality on the AVEN website and forum here:
http://www.asexuality.org/home/

Discussion about asexuality and poly will follow Cole's presentation.

**A small donation would be appreciated to help cover Cole's travel costs. :)

Victoria Poly 101 monthly discussion: Time management and poly scheduling

Thursday, January 27 · 6:30pm - 9:30pm
University of Victoria, Room number Eliot 162

Time management may seem like an obvious skill needed for successful poly relationships, but, like most things poly, there are tricks, tips and emotions involved in figuring out who you spend time with, how much time you spend, and what everyone else thinks about the arrangement.

Is Google calendar the ultimate poly tool? Or do you prefer to develop your schedule more organically? Does your bed have a signup clipboard next to it? Do you and your partners flip a lot of coins?

Please bring a paper and a pen to this discussion (I have a feeling you might need it.. )! ;)

Images from "What is Polyamory?" a panel discussion

I thought it was time to post a few pics from the highly successful and educational poly panel discussion that took place at UVic in November, 2010.

Cherish, Zoe and Quintus (speakers) and Cora (panel moderator)

Brad, Kiki and Captain (speakers)

Monday Magazine's article on the panel (Q & A)

November's Victoria Poly 101 monthly discussion: "Finding and building poly community"

Finding and building poly community

Thursday, November 25 · 6:30pm - 9:00pm

Please note new location for this discussion: University of Victoria, Elliot 162, Victoria, BC

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What poly groups are out there? What is their focus (eg. dating, socializing, activism, discussion.. )? What other alternative or alternative relationship style groups are there (eg. swingers, queer/bi, asexual, sex positive, kinky.. )?

Having recently returned from the Loving More Poly Living conference in Seattle, WA, I have lots of ideas for poly community (and beyond) to share with you. Come bring questions and ideas to discuss about our own local community and more.

Panel Discussion on November 17, 2010: "What is Polyamory?" in Victoria, BC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
VICTORIA, BC

Polyamory Panel to Take Public Questions
Should the government decide who we sleep with? That’s just one question on the minds of members of the growing polyamory movement, who feel they are under attack by a Canadian law that is under review this winter. The controversial law is considered a tool to target polygamists, but it could also be used to send others to jail, says Kiki Christie, a spokesperson for the Canadian Polyamory Advocacy Association (CPAA).

Polyamory is a practice in which consenting adults can have more than one romantic partner, but it is fundamentally different from the polygamy that is causing concern for lawmakers and the public, says Christie. For example, it does not give special rights to men, assign spouses to underage people, or teach its customs inside closed communities. That’s just the beginning. “Polyamory is a post-modern, ethical and compassionate relationship style that begins by assuming that love is not limited,” says Christie, who acknowledges that the practice is not well understood, with outsiders frequently comparing it to swinging or cheating. “Polyamory advocates are making waves in the upcoming court case, but many people still don't understand how polyamory is different from polygamy.”

A panel discussion at UVIC entitled “What is Polyamory?” on November 17th aims to dispel myths and raise awareness for the movement. The media, students and public are invited to find out more and bring their questions.

Hosted by Poly 101 on Campus, a UVIC student society club, the event will feature polyamory supporting service providers, counsellors, polyamorous people and people in relationships that are polyamorous.

The panel comes at a time when curiosity about such relationships is building. On November 22nd, the BC Supreme Court will sit for at least 40 days to hear witnesses and re-examine the law, Criminal Code s. 293, which criminalizes relationships with more than two people as soon as they choose to make a formal commitment. The CPAA will be on hand to represent polyamorous people across Canada, and to argue for clarity in the law.

With only volunteers, a part-time lawyer and a small amount of funds, calling and interviewing witnesses will be hard without last-minute support, says Christie. Those who wish to support CPAA financially may donate at the event or www.polyadvocacy.ca/donate

"What Is Polyamory?" panel takes place on Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at 7 pm, at the University of Victoria, in the David Strong Building, Room C103.

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POLY 101 ON CAMPUS
Poly 101 on Campus is a UVSS club that evolved from students attending a local discussion group called Victoria Poly 101 to meet, discuss and support each other in the exploration and the practice of ethical consensual non-monogamy.

CPAA
CPAA advocates on behalf of Canadians who practice polyamory. It promotes legal, social, government, and institutional acceptance and support of polyamory, and advances the interests of the Canadian polyamorous community generally. Section 293 of the Criminal Code of Canada purports to outlaw polyamorous people living together as families. It penalizes us as soon as we make a serious commitment to one another.

CANADIAN CRIMINAL CODE S. 293 FULL LEGAL TEXT
Confirm in context at http://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/C-46/page-6.html#codese:293
(1) Every one who
(a) practises or enters into or in any manner agrees or consents to practise or enter into
(i) any form of polygamy, or
(ii) any kind of conjugal union with more than one person at the same time, whether or not it is by law recognized as a binding form of marriage, or
(b) celebrates, assists or is a party to a rite, ceremony, contract or consent that purports to sanction a relationship mentioned in subparagraph (a)(i) or (ii), is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years.
Evidence in case of polygamy
(2) Where an accused is charged with an offence under this section, no averment or proof of the method by which the alleged relationship was entered into, agreed to or consented to is necessary in the indictment or on the trial of the accused, nor is it necessary on the trial to prove that the persons who are alleged to have entered into the relationship had or intended to have sexual intercourse.

CONTACTS
Polyamory Panel Discussion organizer:
Cora Bilsker 250-507-1674, poly101oncampus@gmail.com
CPAA spokesperson:
Kiki Christie, kikichristie@gmail.com

Upcoming fundraising and poly awareness event in Victoria, BC

Poly 101 on Campus is hosting a panel discussion in order to raise community awareness of polyamory and to fundraise for the Canadian Polyamory Advocacy Association. This event is open to the public and the media. Click here for the Facebook event.

Wednesday, November 17 · 7:00pm - 9:00pm
David Strong Building C103

Ring Rd. UVic

Victoria, BC

VanIsle-Poly Social & Discussion Group's 10th Anniversary

Friday, November 5 · 7:00pm - 11:30pm
Tudor House Sports Bar
Victoria, BC

Come and celebrate TEN YEARS of poly community building on Vancouver Island. Dancing, great food, and a call to all alumni to drop in for a visit. Birthday Girl kisses and/or poly pins to any who donate to the Canadian Polyamory Advocacy Association at the party. (Cash or cheque)
We've come a long way - but there's a long way to go.

Zoe Duff, moderator of Vanisle poly says:

From an idea that there must be others who shared a philosophy to meet & greets in Victoria & Nanaimo, Victoria Poly Dating group, and the seed from which sprang Victoria Poly 101, Poly Kelowna, Poly 201 and Poly Women. From camping trips, retreats, workshop weekends to Polycamp Too and beyond. Hard work and sometimes discouraging but always most delightful and definitely an exciting ride.

Thank you for all your support, interest and for being a part of this wonderful decade of poly community building. Let's PARTY!!!!!!

October Poly 101 discussion (please note a change in date for this month only)

Time	Thursday, October 21 · 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Location	Camas Books corner of Kings and Quadra streets Victoria, BC
More Info	Tonight's topic will start out with a discussion on creating intimacy in poly relationships. We will also talk about poly terms, poly community, family and any other poly issues you want to discuss. Due to a scheduling conflict with another group this month, Poly 101 will be held at a different date for OCTOBER ONLY. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

School's back in!

VP101 got off to a great fall start this month with several events and a new group at UVic campus, plus a stimulating discussion at Camas last night.

Poly 101 on Campus is a discussion group on ethical non-monogamy (having multiple partners and being honest about it).

We are (hurray!) an official UVic club, but anyone who's interested (need not be a UVic student) can stop by or email us (poly101oncampus@gmail.com) to get on the mailing list.



Members of VP101 attended a debate at UVic campus earlier this week; the topic:  "Is monogamy natural?".  While the debate itself was, unsurprisingly, academic, it did provide some useful media coverage for the idea that non-monogamous feelings are also "not unnatural" and even "ok".  Yay, academia!  It was fun to see the big student turnout (people sitting in the aisles and being turned away at the door) and hearing some very thoughtful questions from the audience.  All in all, a fun event and one that I hope presages more discussions about non-monogamy in the future.


Finally, last night's monthly poly discussion, on the topic, "Being Single and Poly", was one of our most successful to date.  I was thrilled to see a number of students from Poly 101 on Campus in attendance, as well as some old friends from the early days of VP101.  After a very cool check-in, we divided into three groups of about ten people each to discuss how being single and being poly can be complimentary, sometimes confusing, and often rewarding.  


One group concentrated on meticulously defining "single" -- with the help of a thesaurus, no less.  They won the prize for most academic discussion, and we all appreciated the terms they came up with, the favourite being "independent".  


The other groups discussed personal experiences of being poly in various states of single-ness (there are more than you might realize at first glance), including having partners but living alone, being a secondary, and taking breaks from relationships.  It was generally agreed that a polyamorous relationship style can offer the the best of both worlds, allowing people the opportunity for space, personal growth and committed, partnered companionship all at the same time.  Yep, we love having our cake and eating it, too!   


Many thanks to everyone who came out to the discussion and I hope to see more of you in the months to come! 

Poly zines

Victoria Poly 101 had a great time at the Anarchist Bookfair this weekend; thanks to the volunteers who helped out at the table, passing out information, selling zines, and giving a generous amount of poly smiles away to anyone who stopped by.  I also gave a brief interview for the B Channel, which had a table across from ours.

Poly zines are still available for sale, with the proceeds going towards poly events for Victoria Poly 101 in the coming year.  Stop by our monthly discussion at Camas Bookstore (4th Thursday of every month at 6:30 pm) if you want to pick one up for $4.

Come visit the VP101 table at the Victoria Anarchist Bookfair this weekend!

More Info

We are happy to announce the fifth year of the Victoria Anarchist Bookfair, located on unceded Songhees Territory in Victoria, British Columbia. The Bookfair is for anarchists and non-anarchists, with participants from all over North America and beyond. We seek to introduce anarchism to the public, to further elaborate upon current and historical anarchist ideals and to foster dialogue between various anarchist tendencies. Participants from different anarchist traditions, visions, and practices are welcome. Events include book and information tables, workshops, readings, films, presentations, and much more. A Festival of Anarchy will take place during the week before the Bookfair, beginning on September 3rd, 2010. We are proud to have received Monday Magazine's 'M Award' for Victoria's best literary event in 2009. It's our 5th Birthday and we're going to have a blast!

Next VP101 discussion: Being Single and Poly

September 23 · 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Location Camas Bookstore
corner of Kings and Quadra
Victoria, BC

Are you single and poly? Dating? Simply on your own but still feel that you're poly at heart? Can you even BE poly if you're not in a relationship (or two, or three..)? What about if you're dating but don't have a primary partner? Come join us for discussion!

August Poly 101 discussion

	August 26 · 6:30pm - 9:00pm
	Camas Bookstore corner of Kings and Quadra streets Victoria, BC
	What does your poly family (or your ideal poly relationship) look like? Come discuss this topic and bring any other general poly questions.

Upcoming Summer VP101 & related poly events in and around Victoria

Please check the Victoria Poly 101 Facebook group regulary (or better yet, join up!) for more information on these and other poly related events...  


Beacon Hill Bandshell B Movie Festival Poly moviedatenights

August 6 at 9:00pm - August 28 at 11:00pm
Location Beacon Hill Park, Bandshell
Created By
Victoria Poly 101
Come early (8 pm) to get good seats and bring folding chairs and blankets and snacks. :)

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poly peeps camp out

July 30 at 5:00pm - August 2 at 12:00pm
Location goldstream park group site
Bring your camping gear and your wienies, we're going camping!

The group site at Goldstream provincial park (17kms from Victoria) is booked for us on the August long weekend. It's situated in amongst the trees of the rain forest and is near some lovely hikes. There are beautiful streams and rivers to swim in and large cedars and waterfalls to gaze at too.

This is meant to be a time to kick back in the sun and warmth of summer, and relax. Their will be lots of chats and eating of *smores* around the group camp fire and activities will be self motivated. There is no reason why everyone has to be poly identified... anyone who is friend/partner/relative is invited. Please invite people; the more the merrier.

The cost is about $54 per adult (based on 10 adults). If more people come, it will cost less per person! You can reserve a spot in advance by Paypal-ing $54 to Eve at stellamom@gmail.com. But if you haven't paid in advance, you can still come! Just please bring about $55 in cash to the site. Eve will figure out the exact cost per person once we have a final head count and the park's given us a final cost (based on the final head count), then she'll collect fees and issue refunds as needed.

Hope to see you there! Ya, summer is coming! :D

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monthly poly women's meet

August 8 · 2:30pm - 5:30pm
Location Club house at Robyn's place
Poly women's group Victoria
Come and have a drink, a treat to eat (potluck) and chat with other responsibly non-monogamous women. There is no pressure to talk in any depth about anything. What is important is that we have each other to support, get to know, and discuss whatever we like... if you have any topic of discussion that you would like to address, please let me know and I can certainly do my best to make sure it comes up.

Our monthly discussion is based on what has been our relationship experiences, what we think we could work on in our relationships and what we think has gone well for us in our relationships.

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Late August Camping

August 20 at 5:00pm - August 23 at 11:00am
Location Goldstream Provintical park
Trans Canada highway, left on west shore parkway, right on Amy rd.
The family and I have booked a camp site at Goldstream for the weekend of August 20-23. Site 74 A and B. We have friends coming to visit from Alaska that are keen to meet all our friends here.

We are hoping that others will want to come and join us for the weekend. To book a campsite go to Discover Camping BC (https://secure.camis.com/Discovercamping/)

Hope to see you there! :)

July Poly Discussion

Victoria Poly 101 monthly discussion

Date:	Thursday, July 22, 2010
Time:	6:30pm - 9:30pm
Location:	Camas Bookstore
Street:	corner of Kings and Quadra streets
City/Town:	Victoria, BC

Description 

This month's discussion will be more general -- come with questions or ideas about polyamory to share with the group. We will probably spend part of the time discussing poly in smaller groups of 5 or 6 people, depending on turnout.

See you there!