Location: Eric & Rita’s in Sidney

Attendees: Eric, Rita, BlackLion, Nikki, Raven, Fred, Leigh, Marilyn

Designated scribe: Raven

Circle cast by Harper.

Outgoing President’s Welcome:

Fred gave an address which included noting a feeling of disconnect in the Pagan community. The larger community really only gathers at Beltane, Common Ground Fair, and the annual EPN meeting.

Committee Reports:

Treasurer’s Report: [to be filled in by Fred]

Fred recommends not doing ads for CGCF in the future. There is no measurable value.

Common Ground Community Fair Coordinator’s Report:

Arwen takes care of the paperwork to set up booth. We now have 2 booths. The talk that is given is usually attended by 20-25 people. The larger space was not well utilized last year and ended up being a place to put personal belongings. The booth could use a “conversation” area set up for impromptu discussions. Someone needs to provide furnishings e.g. table, chairs, a rug to make homey.

Marilyn suggests that we try to do two booths again unless it is a financial hardship for EPN. Perhaps we could set times for discussions in this area. Also, last year she had several requests for divination. The possibility of doing some divination for donations to EPN was discussed. Arwen will look into whether this would pose an issue for CGCF folks, but since it’s by donation, it should not be an issue.

Fred noted that ideas frequently come up and people are excited about them but then things come up and people are not able to deliver.

An idea of holding more frequent meetings via conference line was discussed. Nikki will look into conference line options (most are free but a toll call to dial in, some have toll free numbers but have a per call fee).

Nikki suggested a short meeting during Beltane or at a nearby restaurant if the weather is not favorable.

Newsletter Editor’s Report:

Fred says there is a shortage of articles and asked for ideas for generating more. Raven suggests that some be held in reserve if there are too many for the current newsletter and plugged in where needed and also to put the call out to people who have contributed in the past and to the various Pagan mailing lists and groups if the submittals are light.

Nikki suggests using more info from the website and also to pull from her blog and Ning site forum discussions as needed. Also, we could put a calendar in the newsletter from the submissions to the website.

BlackLion will send info from the website to Fred for inclusion in the newsletter. Fred is currently editing the newsletter and will get in touch with Marigold to find out if she still wants to continue with the newsletter or if she is too busy with other things.

Interfaith Coordinator’s Report:

Thea will stay on as Interfaith Coordinator. No new info to report at this time but it would be great to have info for the newsletter as events happen.

Report on T-shirts and Beltane Bags:

Fred says we have not sold many. We may have purchased too many. Fred has unofficially put T-shirts on sale in the newsletter for $12. There are about 50 25th anniversary Beltane bags left.

Eric made the suggestion to put a notice out on the Ning site of a “clearance sale”. We paid approx. $6-8 for the tees.

Rita suggests that announcements be made in advance of Beltane to remember to bring your wallets. Lots of folks are interested in buying a shirt or a bag but left their wallets at home. She suggests that every time someone asks on one of the Pagan sites or list serves when Beltane is or for more info, whoever answers should include a statement that there will be items for sale and to be sure to bring cash.

Eric suggests possibly doing shirts, bags, etc. on demand through zazzle, Café Press, or a similar vendor instead of purchasing in advance. The vendor prints as ordered and sends EPN a specified amount for each item sold.

[side note from Raven: there is no mention of shirts or bags for sale on the website except in the newsletters. There should be an area with ordering info.]

Leigh suggested that we begin to do the Maypoles at Beltane by height so that the taller people are not crawling and the shorter people aren’t doing acrobatics to get around.

Inauguration of New President (passing of the wand):

Fred passed the wand through the phone and Eric gave Nikki a short staff with members’ signatures wood burned in from a past meeting. More signatures were added at this meeting.

New President’s Welcome:

Nikki’s welcome included an affirmation to continue EPN’s mission. She also noted that she will continue with education initiatives, writing her newsletter column, and she will finally make it to CGCF this year! She spoke of the purpose of the organization being networking and finding other Pagans. We’ve done that. The internet is also a great connection. It’s time to evaluate what the community needs now.

Discussions and Brainstorming:

Rita stated that we know more Pagans but don’t know the extent of the community and that Pagans need to connect with people in our own communities. We can’t say “mission accomplished” at this point. We need to continue networking and find the solitaries who need connection.

Leigh suggested that if someone asks about connections we ask if they will serve as a contact in their area.

Fred said many people feel they aren’t experienced enough to set up network connections.

Nikki suggested a page on the website for people to connect and leave contact information. She’s noticing lots of people waking up to environmental issues. As people start growing their own food, etc. and connecting more with the earth, they may become more interested in Pagan information.

BlackLion suggested county based organizations for events and networking.

Rita added regional options, for instance midcoast area.

Marilyn asked the important question, “How do we know when we are successful?”

Rita answered that we are never going to get 100%. We need to think about the numbers. If 50-75% of visitors to the CGCF booth could get info on others to connect with for tea, events, etc. we’re doing very well.

Marilyn mentioned that Temple of the Divine Feminine in Bangor is trying to get ritual dates together and into the calendar.

Rita noted that dates that come in through the MEPlist are too close for the newsletter deadline but could get added to the website. We could also post web addresses for the various groups in Maine on the website.

BlackLion has two priorities for the website: a self-service calendar where people can add their events directly (he will monitor and remove inappropriate postings) and a contacts page.

Nikki suggested we send out periodic updates to the various lists and Pagan sites as a reminder to check out what EPN is doing.

Marilyn reminded that we need to put some sort of statement on the website that we are not responsible for content, etc. for pages where individuals can enter info.

Fred noted that he has found a much cheaper printer for the newsletter in Houlton. The last issue with additional color pages was still much less than previous printer.

BlackLion needs to put a page on the website to agree to the guidelines/standards before posting anything. He needs a copy of the standards as updated in 2005.

Nikki suggests that if we cannot locate the 2005 version we revise via email list conversations. She also would like to work with Jane Raeburn to add a link to the EPN site on her new Ning site (www.mainepagans.ning.com).

Fred feels that we have failed to connect adequately with the Bangor area and we need to build a statewide community.

Marilyn says that Temple of the Feminine Divine is now doing the rituals for Silo 7 followed by tea and coffee at the store. She is trying to get the info together to write an article with organization’s history, information, etc.

Leigh put forth the idea to put an article in the newsletter about each open Circle in the state.

Raven volunteered to coordinate these articles with the various groups to be profiled and either write the article or assist the group in writing it. Will work on the first group for Beltane issue.

Rita said that an open ritual was held after Beltane once at CGCF and advertised.

Nikki suggested having information table or pamphlets, etc. available at open Circles for other groups.

Review of Action Items (Expected delivery dates in parenthesis):

Nikki:

• write a monthly missive for the various online lists and Pagan sites with news and request for involvement in EPN (By next full moon)
• get in touch with Jane Raeburn to look into setting up a link from the ning site to EPN
• organize this year’s second booth at CGCF and ask people to either do some divinations or lead some discussions
• follow up on quarterly “virtual” meetings
• talk to Thea and Marigold to confirm they want to continue in their roles

BlackLion:

• create events calendar for open input with standards and warning message (will check Witchvox for an example)
• add a “dots on map” page on the website to show where people are and have contact info submitted online
• get current standards from Fred to update on the site

Eric:

• write piece for the newsletter about Pagan Preserves (balance now over $5k!!! thanks especially to one individual donor)
• write piece for the newsletter on Ancient Riders trip that will come through Maine this year
• Contact Flo for a treasurer’s report

Raven:

• will submit some newsletter articles (by Beltane issue, will try to have one for Ostara)
• will coordinate with known group contacts to begin work on profile articles and will contact other groups through Witchvox, MEPlist, ning, etc.

Marilyn:

• get info for Temple of the Feminine Divine posted and get historical info for newsletter article

Rita:

• work on piece for the newsletter re: a Pagan caucus meeting (there are a number of Pagan delegates to the Democratic convention and at least one Republican). Will utilize the MEPlist, ning, etc. to try to connect with more

Fred:

• will put out the call for more articles for the newsletter
• will get the updated standards to BlackLion for the website
• will post the deadline for newsletter submissions (probably 3 – 4 weeks prior)

Circle Closed by Eric. UPDATED: April 23, 2008

Treasurer's Report:

During the EarthTides Pagan Network Annual Meeting back in February, we had not received our Treasurer’s Report. Let us share that with you now.

As of April 7, 2008, the EarthTides Pagan Network has $1,462.46 in Savings, $2,006.51 in a CD, and $175.77 in Checking. Our thanks to our Tresurer Flo Drake for this update!