Present: Evermore, Arwen, Linda, Eric, Fred, Leigh, Melissa, Marilyn, Ann Marie, Aree, Barry, Noreen, Alex

The meeting opened at 10:50 am. The minutes from the last Council meeting had been posted on EPN and printed in the newsletter, and the Secretary received no corrections.

EPN Mission Statement. Eric began our discussion of whether or not EPN needed a mission statement, pointing out that the topic had been raised on the EPN electronic discussion list (hereafter called the EPN List). Aree pointed out (with the help of a lovely sign containing the texts) that we have what amounts to a mission statement in our Standards and in what we put on the Common Ground Fair (hereafter CGF) application each year, and that crafting a statement by group can be complex. Barry asked why we wanted a mission statement; Eric pointed out that EPN has been a variety of things over time, and that it could help clarify who and what we are, though he felt that "broader is better". The issue of political action has been raised before, and has shown that it could be devisive -- just as crafting a mission statement could be, Barry pointed out. On the subject of devisiveness, Arwen said she liked the Quaker idea of "standing aside" when a group is involved in a discussion. If it is clear that all but one or two members of the group want to go in a certain direction, it is possible for the other(s) to stand aside, indicating that they do not support that direction, but neither will they hinder the group moving that way. Fred wanted to know the difference between a Statement of Purpose and a Mission Statement. Aree said it was purely semantics, and wondered why we couldn't just use the Standards and the CGF statement, since we've used both for years. Arwen pointed out that both were arrived at with input from many folks, and Eric said that they had been crafted as broadly as possible. Marilyn said that the lawyer didn't say we needed a mission statement, and that the Standards were sufficient.

The following was MOVED by Aree and SECONDED by Arwen: "That we continue to use the material we've already developed in the Standards and the Common Ground Fair application instead of adopting a formal mission statement." After some further discussion, the motion PASSED unanimously. It was recommended that the newsletter editor check the masthead of the newsletter from time to time to make sure that whatever it contained was in keeping with the Standards and the CGF statement.

Next Year's Retreats. Eric proposed that next year EPN host only one retreat at Hersey, given that attendance over the past few years has gone down while the costs have gone up. He suggested that the annual meeting be held at or around Imbolc, as indicated in our By-Laws, in various homes, and that we continue to do the Spring Thing gathering. CPR 2000 lost about $100, the first year that CPR didn't make money (usually about $100). We're also now insuring our officers, which is an added cost to EPN. Melissa wondered if we were in a rebuilding year, and so it would be better to do two retreats again next year, and drop back to one if we lose money next year. Given the question of insurance, the discussion was TABLED to allow for another discussion.

Insurance. Aree reported that a check for $685 had been sent to Givens and Williams to purchase Directors and Officers insurance in the amount of $500,000 liability. Marilyn explained that this action was taken on advice from the lawyer, who said that officers could lose all their assets if someone chose to sue them in their capacity as officers of EPN. Arwen said that we had claimed self-insurance for events like the retreats at Hersey until Apple Valley Books (hereafter AVB) discovered that their business insurance would cover such events at no additional cost or risk, provided AVB was vending at the event. Eric specified that such insurance would not cover an individual hosting an EPN event. Marilyn asked where our money is currently coming from to cover such an annual cost. Our revenue sources include memberships, subscriptions, and donations from vending at EPN events. Eric said we could also remind folks on occasion that money given to EPN is tax deductable, and assured Melissa that we did not need to provide tax information about our donors to the IRS. Given that attendence, and therefore revenues, at CGF has been down for the past two years, we should be cautious, though we may benefit from the Maine Arts Festival.

Next Year's Retreats. This discussion was returned to when Eric MOVED and Ann Marie SECONDED the following: "For the year 2001, EPN will hold one retreat in April for Spring Thing, and that the EPN annual meeting be held sometime between Yule and the Spring Equinox, in accordance with the By Laws, in a home or a hall if needed, with no charges required for attendees." Fred wondered if it made more sense to hold CPR instead of Spring Thing, given that the Beltane on the Beach event usually fell only a week after Spring Thing. Eric, Ann Marie, and Arwen all felt that the colder weather of February was keeping folks away, and Eric pointed out that we could always move Spring Thing back a week. There was no thought of canceling Beltane on the Beach! The motion PASSED unanimously.

After a brief recess, the meeting resumed at 12:10 pm.

Membership Structure. It has been suggested, in several venues, that EPN consider going to a one-person, one-vote structure, replacing the current structure in which a member group decides upon one person to represent them on the Council and Solitary members elect two representatives and one alternate. Arwen addressed some concerns: how could we start this in a fair way, given that not all members are on-line; we could use the Newsletter to poll for votes, and have the Board make any decisions that can't wait six to eight weeks; to shift to such a structure, we could have each officer serve out their current term and then have the entire membership vote to fill the positions as they become available. Barry said that COG had the New England Council "blow up" when one large member group split into smaller groups, each with a vote; he also said that the Free Spirit Alliance (in Maryland) had the one-person one-vote structure, and had a take-over attempt as a result. Arwen said the concern of a take-over was the reason that EPN set up with group memberships, but that some members have felt unrepresented as a result. Barry wondered if this was due to a general trend in the Pagan community towards more solitary members, who feel disempowered. Eric felt that while a change might not please everyone, it might represent a move by EPN towards greater fairness. The original intent was to encourage the formation of groups and their participation; the perception instead seems to be that EPN is excluding people, even with the two Solitary Representatives and one alternate. Eric said he wasn't comfortable with so many changes to the By Laws, and Aree wondered if we were just considering appeasing, trying to make "unhappy people" into "happy people". Ann Marie said she had raised the issue a year ago, and Arwen felt that we should change it if it makes EPN better. Eric pointed out that, contrary to some opinion, the Council wasn't "hoarding the goodies", but rather was looking for more people to actively participate! Marilyn said she wanted to know if EPN *members* wanted this change, or if the idea was coming only from nonmembers. Evermore and Noreen both said that they would favor the change, and Marilyn pointed out that any system could be employed fairly or unfairly. Barry said that COG requires participation of its members, to the point where if you miss two meetings, you're out. Eric and Arwen said that we couldn't do that, given the sparse Maine population and the number of our members who live at or below the poverty line; some folks simply can't afford to participate as much as they'd like. Eric said we'd have to rewrite a great deal of our By Laws and watch the language carefully, that we'd need to specify the tasks of officers and make sure that those elected are both willing and able to do the work. Fred wondered how the change might effect the recognition of clergy, and Eric pointed out that we weren't really at the point to do that yet anyway. Melissa wondered if some decisions could be made by a Council, and others by the membership, and how would we ensure a quorum at quarterly meetings. Aree said that a majority of those present is usually considered a quorum.

After a break for lunch, discussion resumed at 1:45 pm.

It was lengthy, and convoluted, and resulted in Eric's stating that he would write up a proposal to be posted on the EPN List and in the Newsletter with the intent that we vote on the matter at the next quarterly meeting. This was acceptable to all present.

Teen Pamphlet. Ann Marie reported that the Teen Pamphlet was still in process.

Maine Arts Festival. Marilyn reported that our application to participate in the Maine Arts Festival had been sent in, and that unofficial response indicated we would likely be accepted, but the decision wouldn't be reached until sometime next week.

Next Quarterly Meeting. This will be held at Ann Marie's home on Sunday, July 2, beginning at 2 pm.

At this point the meeting was adjourned.

Blessed be!

Respectfully submitted,

Marilyn
Recording Secretary,
EarthTides Pagan Network