Forty Years Around the Fire

The Men's Council turns forty this year. This is our story, told in seasons — pulled from our own archives and board records.

1986 · Raleigh, NC — The Spark

Two informal meetings at Raleigh's YMCA drew roughly 30 men wondering whether a “men's center” — something like the successful Women's Center of Raleigh — could exist. It was born the Raleigh Men's Center, the seed of everything that followed. Present at the first meeting: Doug Lester, Fred Stephens, and Doug Jennette, among others. Fred brought back a mythopoetic perspective from time spent with Robert Bly in California.

1987 · Incorporation — Taking Root

The organization formalized — incorporation, bylaws, a board of directors. Bi-weekly gatherings met at the old United Way headquarters on Wake Forest Road. Doug Jennette served as TMC's first President.

1988 · Camp Durant — The First Fire

An evening poetry reading at Meredith College led into a day-long gathering with Robert Bly at Camp Durant — TMC's first major event, and proof the work had an audience.

Late '80s – '90s — The Gathering Years

Weekend retreats brought in nationally known voices — Michael Mead, Tom Daly, David Schiffman, Robert Bly, James Hillman, Robert Moore, and John Stokes among them. Independent Southeastern Men's Conferences, produced by Fred Stephens, ran alongside TMC's own work. Support groups multiplied, monthly programs took hold, and a Fall Feast retreat and Ritual Group joined the calendar.

1996 · Statewide — The Annual Gathering Begins

Co-sponsored with the Men's Council of the Triad, the first North Carolina Annual Gathering of Men proved a simple thesis: the Triangle and Triad had enough homegrown talent to run their own weekend of workshops, poetry, and ritual. The idea originated with an Elders Group led by Doug Lester. It's run every year since.

18th Annual Gathering — The Men's Council Is Formed

A workshop at the 18th Annual Gathering asked the room to face TMC's future head-on. The result: a reconstituted Leadership Council of 10 new volunteers, membership redefined around Gathering attendees, and a new name — The Men's Council — dropping the geographic limits of “Triangle” while honoring the mythopoetic tradition. New leadership: Bron Skinner (President), Jim Neill (Vice President). Website rebuilt by Larry Sorkin and Jim Neill. Also in the room: Evan S. Nash, Phil Cole and Jarod Brown.

Several Years, Now Concluded — Giving Back

An effort led by TMC's elders: if 100 men each gave $1,000 a year, the Council could fund grants to nonprofits supporting men and boys. Over the several years the project ran, it raised close to $200,000 in total before winding down. Led by the Elders group, including Graham Gell, Don Tyson, and Larry Sorkin.

2025 – 2026 · Today — Carrying the Flame Forward

A new board steps forward to strengthen the foundation built over four decades — honoring the men who came before, including those no longer with us, while expanding what's possible. President: Evan S. Nash. Board: Jarod Brown (VP), Mike Sawhill (Treasurer), Phil Cole, Adam Colette, Banks Anderson.

Forty years of men showing up for each other. None of us walk it alone.