With over 20 people in attendance, we talked about what we wanted to see from the Web and what we had to offer. Summaries of the index cards with that info was printed separately, shortly after the meeting. Here are the rest of my notes:
Wicca I will be taught the 1st and 3rd weekends of May 2003 in corporating the Beltane Ritual at Earthchild’s and Moonshines into the schedule. Teachers: Webweaver & Merlin, Shelly, Deb and Ellen. At least 10 people have expressed interest in attending.
WinterFest is set for 3/7-9/03. WinterFest Committee: Webweaver, Merlin, Peg, Jessie, Callie, Chris Z., Ellen, Shelly. A group list has been set up on this. Since the January meeting, Shelly and Ellen have taken on the food service coordination responsibilities; Chris and Peg and Elaine have taken on clean up coordination responsibilities; Chris and Ellen helped Merlin and I get the registrations out. Jessie will be doing on site registration. Registration $50, due by 2/22. After that $75. Scholarships available for work study. Work crew gathering 2/9.
SummerFest is set for 6/26-29/03. SummerFest Committee: Mary, Ellen, Chris, Callie, Jessie, Valerie, Webweaver, Merlin, George & Phyllis. There is a list established for that as well. Registrations will be out in late March, I understand. Stay tuned and save the date. The theme is Truth Telling: Serve the truth; Use our words to describe our past and future; Acknowledge our feelings, values and authentic self; A whole weekend of being who you really are; We all have vulnerable spots where our buttons get pushed; Some times the buttons need to go. (words from the group about truth telling). Workshops volunteered at the meeting: Peg—self-defense for kids and others; Shelly--a meditation workshop.
Newsletter editorial committee: Karen, Carolyn, Callie (mailing list) Chris Z., Jessie, Webweaver. Get your copy in. We want to put out a February edition!
Greater Emphasis on Shamanism.
Wicca has long been a large part of the Web’s program. What can we do to bring more people together for the shamanic work we do? The group decided we would offer 2 shamanic drumming sessions at the Web each month, on the 2nd Saturday and one on the 4th or last Sunday (tba when tat is different) to meet people’s schedules. This was immediately implemented and the response has been astounding. We are suddenly present with 20 + people working on their shamanic path.
Programs for families and children: This concern grew out of NYSPA discussions. At the Family meeting we spent a good deal of time talking about youth, children and Web programs. There were several teens and pre teens present at the meeting. The Circle in Victor has a youth group, so we can contact them for ideas. People suggested:
Workshops and classes for kids so they learn from everyone, not just Mom. Individual 1-on-1 with the kids. Learn who they are and what they are about.
Plan activities for SummerFest for the kids.
Othala Grove is looking into starting Spiral Scouts, a pagan choice in scouting. Scout leaders could bring activities to ritual nights when it is not appropriate for the kids to be in circle, though many rituals are appropriate for kids. Some kids are interested in circle, some are not. Parents struggle with whether to bring them or not.
Some thought children should be included in everything we do, and the parents know when to remove them. They were uncomfortable with having a separate program like Sunday School in Christian churches. We will die out if the children do not become involved.
People thought the rituals can be reworked so the kids can participate in the Wheel of the Year celebrations. Ellen suggested the kids bake in the afternoon for the ritual at night. The Web kitchenis big enough if people get this organized. Callie added as she was growing up, the youth did the decorating for the ritual.
Someone added that kids learn from their peers, and this is important. Some adults want to learn with the kids, ‘cuz they have more fun.
