The Web PATH Center, Inc.
Annual Meeting
November 5, 2006
Director’s Annual Report 2005-2006
from Dorothy Abrams, Webweaver known as Anemone
Introduction: The Web Fiscal year 2005-2006 continued with shared programmatic responsibilities and experienced changes in leadership roles. Beverly Owens continued coordination, scheduling and leadership roles for the Web Healing Days and was the point person for WinterFest 2006: An Apple a Day February 16-19, 2006. Beverly Owens completed her 1st year apprenticeship in the shamanic path and requested a second year. Full Moon Circles (Esbats) have been facilitated by a number of individuals and by the Wicca classes when they are scheduled on the full moons. The Victorious family, the Washburn family and the Taber family have conducted ritual circles at their homes. Peg Davidson took on the co-chair of SummerFest and completed her term as chair of the Council. Kim Washburn accepted the challenges of the children’s program, involved the parents in the presentations and then with Council approval turned the program over to Michelle Minier. Kim will be developing the Tweens and Teens program in the coming year with the assistance of teen Web Council representatives Alisha Washburn and Crystal Privitera.
At the direction of the Council and the request of the Finger Lakes Arts Council we submitted a proposal for a concert series as part of the FLAGS application for funds from the New York Music Fund. We received an award of $7700 which was about 1/3 of what was need. Efforts were made to reduce the budget and costs and to request money from other sources. However, the additional money was not forth coming so the Web had to decline the award.
In addition, as the behest of the Council Dawn Privitera and I prepared a second grant application for the Finger Lakes Arts Council in September 2006 requesting $5000 to assist us in presenting The Work of Ones Hands, a series of workshops involving soap stone sculpture with Tom Huff, Wheat weaving and macramé with Marie Taber and Raku pottery with Anj Cambell. We will hear the results of that application in December 2006.
SummerFest and The Joanne Shenandoah Live! Concert were a programmatic success. However, they did not pay for themselves and in fact cost the Web over $4000. Fortunately we were well able to pay our bills, but our bank balances are under $1000. The 2006-2007 Fiscal Year must involves some tough decisions about programming and fund raising. Dove Davie has volunteered to do budget posting in Excel in an exchange of services consistent with her position with AmeriCorps in Rochester. Eric has agreed to this which has helped my work load and changed the budget format.
At SummerFest Eric Reynolds and I announced we would need the 2007 Festivals to be held at other locations so that we can do some development and finishing work on our home. The committees looking at these events have taken some very positive steps in making these arrangements. Classes and rituals will continue to be held at the Galen Road location through the new fiscal year. Long range, the Web needs to seek its own locale through rental or purchase of property. One of the driving forces of this has been the issue of insurance, which the Treasurer is still looking into.
Overall, the Web has had a busy year. We have strengthened our fiscal reporting, taken risks and survived them, produced high quality performances and programs. We have seen the departure of some of the leaders to develop their own groups and the return of others to rejoin the Council of Trustees in the new election. We have lots of new people and a great deal of enthusiasm bubbling up at the Web. The next year should see us gain solid financial footing.
Mission Statement: This is The Web PATH Center’s Mission Statement which guides us in our
choices and programs:
The Web is organized to provide religious and cultural community to those seeking earth-based spiritual guidance in an expression of 21st century pagan culture through ritual, one-on-one training sessions, retreats, classes and the arts.
Web Program Activities: In keeping with that Mission the Web held 2 pagan festivals at the Center in 2006.
WinterFest 2006: An Apple A Day February 2006 with a pre-session on Reiki I led by Susan McDermott assisted by Bev Owen, Dorothy Abrams and Rhonda House. As our keynoter, we welcomed Web Member Christine Zapetis who presented information about nutrition and health. Other guests presenting workshops included Jeb Albro, D.C who presented a power point anatomy lesson, Julie McCarthy who presented a past life workshop as a hypnotherapist, Karen Vanderbrook who led an enjoyable experience about nutrition and exercise, and Sage Walker and Judy Moss teaching about Polarity Therapy. The Festival included extensive cooking experience as we made nearly everything from scratch to avoid high fructose corn syrup, and to increase the whole grains, fiber and natural sweeteners in our menus. The aromas from the kitchen were wonderful. This year we had xx in attendance, which was fewer than the previous year.
SummerFest: June 21-25/200
continued the Web’s consciousness raising and experiments in sustainability. We included our first professional Concert. Merry Mischief, (Marilyn and Wayne (Harry) Fuller) from the Renaissance Faire performed on Friday 6/24/05 for a noon time acoustic concert and again for the Festival in the evening. In addition Beverly Owen and Dorothy Abrams organized The Herded Cats a three and four part harmony chorale performing some of their original music and an arrangement of I Ain’t Afraid for a performance at the SummerFest closing ritual 6/26/05. Special guests Elspeth of Haven in WV; Marjorie Torelli for Wayne Finger Lakes Recycling; Stan Seacrest of Build a Drum, and Woody Seufret of the Red Cross presented workshops in their fields of expertise. Other workshops included Unleashing Your Creativity; Seed Balls--A Random Act of Gardening; A Stitch in Time; Hide Tawing, and Spinning Wool; This year we had 91 in attendance for SummerFest—another record.
Seminars:
Becoming Inner Visions, September 10-11 2006 was presented by Dorothy Abrams, Eric Reynolds, and Bev Owens. This seminar was number 3 of 3 levels of shamanic training. Four people attended addressing the subjects of shamanic healing and psychopomp training, the journey to death and merger with the consciousness of the universe. Marie Taber helped with plant spirit medicine.
Pre-Life Conference Seminar conducted by Virginia Waldron for 11 participants was held March 2006 based on the work of Dr. Michael Newton in Life between Life therapy. She is a certified hypnotherapist through the National Guild of Hypnotists and a certified past life regression therapist through the International Association of Regression Research and Therapy and the International Board for Regression Therapy. Her workshop was part of the Give Back in return for shamanic training offered by the Web.
Sabbats:
The Web observed 8 Sabbats during this fiscal year November 1 2005-October 31, 2006.
Yule 12/18, 2005 led by Anemone & Merlin
Imbolc 2/5/2005 as part of WinterFest led by Anemone & Merlin
Lady’s Day Equinox
Beltane 4/30/2005 at the home of Moonshine & Earth Child who led the ritual.
The children helped us weave a May Web and then ran out in the rain to dance
the May Pole.
Litha 6/23/2005 held during SummerFest was led by
The children joined us, calling the directions with brightly colored plastic swords, and dressed in fairy wings.
Lammas 8/6/05 celebrated at the Taber Residence, facilitated by Marie and Bruce, with
an awesome Wickerman Bonfire. The children joined us for the full ritual,
Mabone, 9/24/05 – conducted by Marie and Bruce Taber at the Web while Dorothy and Eric were in Vermont studying with Serge King.
Samhain 10/29/04 conducted by Anemone and Merlin, with a children’s program led by
Mary Moon.
Esabats: The Web officially observed Full Moon Celebrations on the Friday closest to the event with a few exceptions. Unless otherwise noted, Webweaver and Merlin conducted the ritual.
The Esabat schedule was:
2/25/05 M’Lyssa led us in connecting with the truths of our hearts.
3/22/05 conducted by Anemone & Merlin
4/23/2005 conducted by the Wicca I class
5/21/05 Conducted by the Wicca IV students
6/22/05 led by Ravija as the opening of Summer Fest. We celebrated a Mongolian Shamanic Moon Ritual
7/22/2005 celebrated at the Taber’s ritual circle led by Marie and Bruce
8/19/05 celebrated at the Web, led by M’Lyssa.
9/15/2005 Harvest Moon at the Taber’s residence led by Marie and Bruce
10/15/04 Conducted by the Wicca II Class at the Web, we observed a Full Drawing Down of the Moon led by Bruce & Marie Taber. There were 22 in attendance.
Shamanic Journey Circles are scheduled on the second Saturdays and last Sundays with many exceptions. Those recorded were held November; January 8 & 23; February 12; April 9; May 29; June; July 9 & 31, August 13 September 25 October 10/8 & 10/30/2005. Attendance currently averages 5 people. We have trained many new people while the apprentices and I with a couple other have begun work on our Life Staves which reflect the physical and spiritual journeys we have taken in this turn on the Earth Plane. .
Healing Sessions at the Web:
Beginning on January 24, 2005 the Healing sessions moved to Mondays, were scheduled once a month and coordinated by Bev Owen. Volunteers meet from 2 pm to 7 pm, with attendance running from 3 or 4 people to 10 people. Healing work is by appointment this year, still offered free of charge. Additional appointments were made for 5 Soul Retrievals, 6 Past Life Regressions, 8 Web Talk sessions. These appointments were set on an as needed basis.
Classes:
Wicca I March 4-6. 2005 with the second session cancelled for illness and rescheduled April 22-24, 2005 Teaching were: Dorothy Abrams, Eric Reynolds, Bob House, Suzan McDermott, Mary Koerner, and Peg Davidson. 11 students began the class with 7 completing it.
Wicca II September 30-October 2 & October 14-16, 2005 trained 10 healing initiates. teachers: Dorothy Abrams, Eric Reynolds, Suzan McDermott, Bev Owens, Peg & Bill Davidson.
Wicca IV began May 21, 2005, continued August 2005 and continues through May 2006. Using a Graduate Seminar format, all 8 students are teaching segments under the direction of Dorothy Abrams.
Reiki I October 2, 2005 offered as part of Wicca II by Mary Moon and Bev Owen. 10 people received attunements. The class attended the Reiki Share at Wolcott Library 10/14/05 as part of the Wicca II Seminar.
Reiki III was offered 5/22/05 by Dorothy Abrams and Mary Moon as part of Wicca IV. 11 Attunements were given.
Kundalini Reiki I was offered August by Elaine Reed as part of Wicca IV.
Family Meetings: Family Meetings are held at least 4 times a year as a means of keeping in touch, evaluating the program and seeking in put from the membership.
- Web Family Thanksgiving, November 11/13/ 2004 The Annual Meeting held at Al’s Diner in Clyde NY in lieu of the traditional family dinner at the Center, with 25 in attendance.
- New Years Family Meeting January 1, 2005. 16 people attended this planning session, which was followed by our Annual Marguerita Holiday Party.
- The Spring Dinner May 7, 2005 Spaghetti Dinner at the Web 17 attended this feed back session and found their place on the Web Diagram.
- Summer Fest Family Meeting. June 25, 2005 with 28 people in attendance.
In addition we initiated the annual Whine and Cheese Party April 15, 2005 to celebrate Income Tax Day, just for fun.
Council of Trustees Meetings were held to conduct the administrative business of the Web. 1/16/2005, 4/10/2005, May, August 25, 2005, October 24, 2005.
Networking:
Hearing From The Heart, a six week Seminar presented by members of the former Kore Group from February through March 2005 was attended by Dorothy Abrams, Rhonnie, Bob and Matt House.
Starwood, July 2005, Mary Koerner and others of the Web membership attended Starwood with NEC and the Circle of All Paths.
Pagan Pride Events The Web had an information booth at FingerLakes Pagan Pride, Syracuse Pagan Pride and Rochester Pagan Pride. Dorothy Abrams presented her workshop Unleashing Your Creativity at Rochester, with 20 people in attendance.
Reiki Share: A community Reiki Share is facilitated by Mary Moon, also of the Web, in Wolcott NY. Several Web members attend as often as they can. After discussions on healing, the members work in teams on each other.
Unfinished business
Children’s Programming: The Web has made a commitment in our intention to develop a children’s program that would follow the sabbats and include the Web children in our faith as much as possible. They worked well at SummerFest for 3 years, and has only in the last few months really taken off as a ritual component at the Sabbats. We are now turning our attention to children’s programming for full moons. At the October Drawing Down the Moon we had one little girl present who seemed fully caught up in the magic spectacle with the adults, blessing each of us as she could. Our goal is to involve the parents in presenting the children’s program in a rotational basis so that no one repeatedly misses the adult rituals.
Teen Programming: The teens who were part of the initial program assessment have graduated and moved on. Matt House has become a Council Member with full voting privileges. This is an area to continue to evaluate. At the annual meeting a new Teen Council Member will be chosen.
Fundraising: We have a need to pay close attention to this matter in 2005-2006. Not only have we made financial commitments relative to The Joanne Shenandoah Concert, but our budget needs were barely met in the 2004-2005 fiscal year. As pagan groups go, we are probably one of the better organized and funded organizations, but we do not currently raise enough money to meet newsletter and prison ministry requirements. In addition, in 2005 we provided emergency assistance to a Web member in serious need. If we wish to have the freedom to respond with compassion, we must develop a more secure financial base.
We initiated our journey into grant writing this year with a request for money from the Finger Lakes Arts Council. I suggest we become very focused in this process and find money to support our various components. I believe we have the ability to seek funding for a music grant centered on Suzuki Piano methods and one for a series of pottery classes. I am currently exploring these options. Your ideas for these and other grant sources will be appreciated!
Committee Structure and Activities: The Council of Trustees has several committees, none of which are yet living up to their full potential even though they have made considerable progress over the last year. We seek involvement from the Voting Membership to share the work load more equitably. These Committees are: Finance, Policy, Nominations, Program, Children’s Programs, Fund Raising, Summer Fest & WinterFest. Step up and volunteer!
WebNotes. I want to thank M’Lyssa Koerner for her hard work on the newsletter over the last few years. It is a big job. A number of us know how it is to struggle to get the newsletter out for the sabbats. Sometimes we seem to be too busy to make the deadlines! As of the Samhain issue, M’Lyssa completed her editorship, and with a really fine issue. We appreciate everything that has gone into this work!
Beginning with the Yule issue, Marie Taber will become the editor of WebNotes. I know she will do an equally fine job. Step up and offer her your assistance in writing, collating and mailing WebNotes 2005-2006. More than half of the circulation is sent e-mail at a great cost savings. The other half requires copying, folding, stamping and stapling. Here’s a place where many hands make light work.
Prisoners Ministry: M’Lyssa has volunteered to head up this work in 2005-2006. We have asked for volunteers to adopt a prisoner and provide the financial support to send PagaNet News and the newsletters to the 29 prisoners who have found us through Grimassi’s Encyclopedia of Witchcraft. We need some one to organize the project. Although many prisoners would like pen pals, that is not what we are offering. You would remain anonymous unless you chose otherwise. Web return address labels are provided. Emerald, Ravija and Theron have volunteered to assist in the correspondence course if we can get it up and running. More volunteers will insure that. We need readers who can review and comment on correspondence from Wicca I students. I’d like to make this a priority for 2005-2006.
The Website: The Web’s website has been initiated by Will Clark. We need in put and ideas to make this website work. Take a look at it at www.geocities.com/webpathcenter. Volunteer to do
some writing!
That’s it! Another full year for the Web family, academy and healing center. We are glad you were there to share it.
With Blessings,
Anemone
Dorothy Abrams, Webweaver
