ABOUT THE CONSIGILIERE RELATIONSHIP
Goals of this Relationship
My goal as Consigliere is to help others make radical changes in their life, by helping them understand the human condition, and identify obstacles, barriers, distractions, and unfinished -- often contradictory -- philosophies in their minds and hearts. Awareness and knowledge are necessary but insufficient, and I help with non-clinical strategies for movement in desired directions as well.
An additional goal is to increase access to interpersonal or social support among family, friends, and people in similar or parallel circumstances down the street or around the globe. Do not underestimate the benefits of joining others in a Consigliere-led Council of Peers.
My Biases (as Consigliere)
I am biased toward promoting or unleashing self-determination, freedom, critical thinking, and breaking away from passivity or over-conformity to "leaky" or problematic trends, expectations, and practices.
I believe people must take care of themselves and often question subtle ways in which they may be entrusting their well-being, happiness, education, potential, productivity, achievements, and more to unworthy, unskillful, or unreliable others.
In some ways my externals may appear traditional or conforming. This does not mean I am fooled by the limitations of leaders, authorities, and the problems of organizations as such. I seek intelligent paths and use external forms unless I have a reason to do otherwise. I do not rebel for the sake of rebellion, nor pursue a course if little is likely to be gained, like simply replacing one set of problems with another. I believe many authorities overstep their areas of competence; I rarely work to change things beyond my control and I learn to work within the limitations of human organizations and methods.
How I Work
Whether serving individuals or groups, I mostly work by phone or videoconference, using platforms such as my secure Zoom account, or WhatsApp, or phone.
I am willing to travel if available and compensated accordingly.
My conversations and trainings are geared toward educating, answering questions, and asking questions that prompt reflection, self-examination, creativity, and connection of existing knowledge. I will also prompt you to read and pursue exposure to new experiences and information.
Ethics & Objectionable Interactions
In this endeavor I am not binding myself to American medical or psychological ethics codes. I lament the loss of warmth and familiarity that has occurred in healthcare due to abuses, litigation, and the presumption of power. I do not think the answer is to completely impersonalize these relationships. I deny having any "power" over you and refuse any Client who holds the understanding or expectation that we have an imbalance of power in our relationship.
I like to be regarded as just another person, with my own ideas and ways of seeing things. It is imperative to me that each listener and Co-Journeyer understand we are equals, and they are to take what they choose and leave the rest, without placing any responsibility on me or my views, perspectives, logic, etc. for the impressions they form or the actions they take. I wish universities said the same. While I think people like Karl Marx may have done some damage, I would never hold him accountable for what people did with his writings. I believe in the freedom of thinking aloud and being wrong. I maintain an open mind and enjoy dialog, and rarely hold my views in a fixed state over time. But I seem to have been in the right place and time for most of the people I have served.
I have yet to develop an ethics code for this endeavor. In the meantime, please know that I aspire to act honorably and expect the same of you. However, even people who say and do so end up surprising each other, so I would rather say, "Lets discuss any concerns you anticipate or surprises that come up." I am old school and prefer to be part of a warm village rather than a "provider" at an "institution."
Despite my general informality, please do not send me anything lewd or obscene. If you have a doubt, please send a verbal description/request first. As a guideline, I'm OK with references to irreverent comedians, but not OK with graphic images.
FEES
I hope to make A LOT of money and direct it to people who need help. In the meantime time, availability, necessity, and resources will make our terms what they are. I am eager to help and reach as many people as I can, on a global scale.
My fees can change. Each of us can walk away from this relationship at any time. I hope you will act honorably. Leaving me uncompensated for a period that makes me uncomfortable is sufficient reason for terminating our Consigliere/Co-Journeyer relationship.
Some Co-Journeyors contract with me for a periodic availability, like a monthly Membership fee with up to 2 or 4 conversations per month and access to my materials. Others contract as per-conversation, or per service (e.g., when I am providing materials or online things). It might get messy and we will have to work out something that avoids bitterness or resentments on either side, or simply end the Consigliere/Co-Journeyer relationship.
Unless otherwise noted, a conversation of 15 or more minutes is billable. So is an email that takes more than 10 minutes to compose or reply to. Consigliere is still figuring out some of these terms so they may change over time. You'll find out one way or another, hopefully in the least upsetting way possible. I generally take the loss, not you, when there is a misunderstanding. I prefer to suffer a loss rather than cause one.
Your specific arrangement should be worked out with Consigliere ahead of time and filled in below when you sign. Here are some SUGGESTED RATES:
INITIAL CONSULTATION: Free / Humanitarian / Donation-based.
EARTH — Single parents, students, cashiers, store clerks, etc. Consider using your grocery bill as a guide, but discuss if even that is out of your range.
AIR — Financially stable. Consider using your monthly bill for cell phone and streaming services as a guide. Availability for 1-2 chats per month.
FIRE — Consider using your weekly grocery or dining habits to estimate compensation for this form of nourishment. Availability as needed unless it becomes abusive.
WATER— Let your resources flow for the benefit of others. Availability as needed unless it becomes abusive.
CONFIDENTIALITY
If you're the Pope or some other lofty entity I don't even need to know your real name. Just make sure the bills are paid.
I will not keep documents other than this one and the fee agreement addendum (as if this would ever help me in some dispute in a court of law!).
I do not have loose lips. Your business is your business.
When we communicate by text or email I cannot control what resides on the servers of the companies providing those servers. I can delete things on my end upon request.
If I'm helping someone else and you are paying for it, you hereby WAIVE the right to know (from Consigliere) what that person talks to me about, unless we all agree to a joint discussion. That is not a marijuana reference, I do not partake.
Before proceeding with a minor we will clarify things I cannot keep secret so as to prevent surprises. I prefer not to know about illegal activity.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Last-minute things happen -- on both sides of the relationship. I can be flexible some days, but if it becomes abusive we will need to end the relationship. Efforts to restore or compensate for lost time are always appreciated.
TERMINATION
I reserve the right to end this Consigliere relationship at any time. You are also free to end it at any time, hopefully in an honorable way with balances paid.
Limited Liability
Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, the Consigliere makes no guarantees, representations or warranties of any kind or nature, express or implied with respect to the services negotiated, agreed upon and rendered. In no event shall the Consigliere be liable to the Co-Journeyer or their Charge or Guardian for any indirect, consequential or special damages. Notwithstanding any damages that the Client may incur, the Consigliere's entire liability under this Agreement, and the Client’s exclusive remedy, shall be limited to the amount actually paid by the Client to the Consigliere under this Agreement for all Consigliere services rendered through and including the termination date.
Entire Agreement
This document reflects the entire agreement between the Consigliere and the Client, and reflects a complete understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter. This Agreement supersedes all prior written and oral representations. The Agreement may not be amended, altered or supplemented except in writing signed by both the Consigliere and the Client.
Dispute Resolution
If a dispute arises out of this Agreement that cannot be resolved by mutual consent, the Client and Consigliere agree to attempt to mediate in good faith for up to (certain amount of time such as 30 days) after notice given. If the dispute is not so resolved, and in the event of legal action, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover attorney’s fees and court costs from the other party.
Severability
If any provision of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, the remaining provisions shall continue to be valid and enforceable. If the Court finds that any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable, but that by limiting such provision it would become valid and enforceable, then such provision shall be deemed to be written, construed, and enforced as so limited.
Waiver
The failure of either party to enforce any provision of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver or limitation of that party's right to subsequently enforce and compel strict compliance with every provision of this Agreement.
Applicable Law
This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Wyoming without giving effect to any conflicts of laws or provisions.
Binding Effect
This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and permissible assigns.