MDI Introduction, 2000 Feb 6
See note on date below.
A brief introduction to Men's Divisions International
The purpose of Men's Divisions International (MDI) is to bring to the world a place where men can discover the principles and practices by which we become the men we always wanted to be ... the way we came here to be. We learn and practice the ways of men at their best. We encourage others to join with us in this endeavor.
We offer men some basic tools and opportunities by which we can experience these results:
1. An Introduction into Adult Manhood, which is called The Men's Weekend.
2. Men's Teams, where men can form the relationships with other men and have their own "pack" to grow and contribute with.
3. Training, where we learn about the condition of adult manhood, how to live as the man we choose to be among a Team of others having the same commitment, and leadership; which is a fundamental cause of lives well lived.
4. Service, We round out our contributions to society by being examples of men giving what we have for the improvement of life and lives of those we may not even be close to.
5. A Global Organization, dedicated to expanding the offerings available to men, and which contributes a well-connected membership of honorable men to families, communities, organizations, and the world.
A man's Team is one of our most cherished and valued resources. We have developed knowledge and experience in how to form and use a Team. We have also created a wide network of men living life as they have always wanted, and supporting other men to do likewise. We know that what we learn in this weekend will be lost without this kind of relationship and support. Accordingly, we offer you the opportunity to join and help build your own Men's Team, and to be a part of Men's Divisions International (MDI).
First, we most strongly urge you to learn how to be on a successful men's Team. We have developed an initial training program called the Point Program to teach you this. You will find it moving and powerful. You will learn how to be around men as you have never before. The cost of this program is currently $30. If, at the completion of this program, you choose to continue on an MDI-affiliated Team, you would meet or agree to the first three of the following standards.
Basic requirements of membership in the Men's Divisions International
1. Each MDI member will have successfully completed an MDI sanctioned weekend initiation process.
2. Each MDI member will strive to uphold and live by the Code of Honor of the MDI and the standards of any Team or unit within the MDI of which he chooses to be a member. This applies to all members of MDI, whether they are on a Team or unit, or a member of the MDI alumni association.
3. Each MDI member will pay required dues, currently $30 collected quarterly.
If you choose to become a part of an MDI Division, then you would agree to these additional standards:
4. Each MDI Division member will have successfully completed the MDI initial training program for new members, called the Point Program. (Note: Those that were members of the Men's Division prior to the creation of MDI, are Grandfathered in.)
5. Each MDI Division member will be part of an MDI Team or unit within his Division and will honor and respect the Chain of Command and Standards of the entities above it in the Table of Organization.
6. Each new MDI Division member will commit to the MDI Division for the duration of the six-month calendar cycle remaining after the successful completion of his initial training program. Members of the MDI Division recommit each six calendar months from January to June and from July to December.
You should know that being on a Men's Team is not a right ... it is a privilege. Your peers and Team leader will require your contributions to their well being, as they will make to yours. Expect high results, emotions, and candor. Commit to give your best ... then, give it.
Welcome ... to the man you have always wanted to be!
NOTE: When I created this document I gave it the date "February 6th, 2000"; However I cannot find any document (HTML, PDF, Word or otherwise) to substantiate that date. Furthermore, that date seems a little too soon after the formation of MDI to have included all of the material seen here. The earliest date I have found evidence for is July 6th 2001, which is found in a tag "Fireworks 3.0 Dreamweaver 3.0 target. Created Fri Jul 06 21:08:12 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time) 2001", found in the this cached copy of mdionline.org/about.htm on web.archive.org, and containing the text shown on this page. There is a later copy on web.archive.org dated Feb 6th 2002, so perhaps I got the Feb 6th date from that.
Regardless of the date of the specific wording shown above, the ideas and principles behind that wording are consistent with conversations that were taking place throughout the years (1999 and 2000) during which the men in the volunteer organization formerly known as the Sterling Men's Division reorganized themselves as Men's Divisions International. For that reason, and because the creation of MDI was announced in a letter to the entire membership in January 2000, I feel that the date "February 6th, 2000" is just as good as any other for indicating when the above membership policies were being agreed upon and adopted.
Back to MDI Membership Chronology
This page was written in the "embarrassingly readable" markup language RHTF, and was last updated on 2010 Oct 15.
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