ManKind Project Communities

The Community, also called a ManKind Project Center, is the heart and soul of most of what happens in MKP. Each ManKind Project Community is a not-for-profit entity, connected to the larger Global ManKind Project by a set of agreements and fiduciary responsibilities.

See a Map of our Communities and a list of contacts.

One Man

When a man has completed the New Warrior Training Adventure, he is invited to become a member of the ManKind Project in a local community. Often we call these men New Warriors. They are our brothers.

Integration Groups

The men who attend the New Warrior Training Adventure are also invited to join an MKP Integration Group (I-Group). Sometimes he may integrate into an existing group, other times a new group will be formed after an NWTA and led through a 10-12 week process to become a self-sustaining men's group. I-Groups are men's groups. Groups, usually between 5 and 15 men, who get together on a regular business to share what is happening in their lives and to mentor and be mentored by the men in their circles. There are groups of men in MKP who have been gathering with the same group of men for 15 years and more, sharing the ups and downs, the successes and the failures. These I-Groups form the soul of our community.

Integration groups are autonomous groups of men gathered together with a common purpose - to continue their unique journeys. The structure of a men's meeting will vary widely based on the group. All share a common set of general practices, guidelines and safety protocols. Our groups are peer facilitated. Each man has the opportunity to step into his own leadership and to learn and grow each and every week.

Community Councils and Governance

Every ManKind Project Center is required to have a governance structure that meets with the terms of a covenant (like a franchise agreement) with the international organization. Community leadership is conducted by a Council or Board of Directors. In the majority of our centers, all the positions on the council are filled by elected volunteers. Some centers hire part time or full time administrators, but these are the exceptions.

The Community Councils maintain the financial and structural health of the organization, they arrange and finance all the trainings in the center, they provide support and assistance to the I-Groups in the community, they may conduct marketing and outreach efforts, and they may organize group missions of service for the men in the community. Most of our communities have consensus based decision-making as part of their governing structure. Many men experience significant growth and self-confidence by taking volunteer roles in the community.

Training Leaders and Certification

The New Warrior Training Adventure, and all other advanced skills and leadership trainings offered in our communities are led by Certified Training Facilitators or Leaders. These are men who have dedicated significant time, money and effort to learn the skills to create safe and empowering trainings for men. For most men, the process of becoming a Certified Training Leader takes 5-10 YEARS of diligent dedication. These men are reviewed and judged by their peers on multiple occasions to insure that they will be able to deliver safe, supportive and effective leadership for all the men who come to our trainings.

All Certified Training Leaders are reviewed and mentored by other Leaders, and by Leader Trainers who are authorized by the ManKind Project. All Certified Training Leaders must seek recertification every two years in order to continue leading our trainings. All Certified Training Leaders are subject to regular peer reviews and evaluations for every training they facilitate.

There are currently close to 200 Certified Leaders. The ManKind Project is not a cult of personality. Our training leaders are a widely diverse group of men who range in age, in economic class, in formal education, in race, in religious background.

See About the ManKind Project for more information about the overall structure and history of the global organization.