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From its very beginning, ADF has emphasized the importance of having a educational program. We want to ensure that our priests will be knowledgeable and well trained, instead of just handing out titles like one of those ordination-by-mail-for-$10 churches. For the past few years, we have been revamping the ADF Study Program, to make it easier for ADF to administrate it, and more accessible for those who don't want to be priests, but who would like to follow their calling in a pagan context, be they bards or warriors or healers or artisans or such.
One of the problems in developing our Study Program is the uneven level of knowledge and experience found among neo-Pagans. Some have been practicing for twenty years, others just picked up a book last week. The decision was made to create a "prequel" program for the SP, which would ensure that folks entering the SP had a working knowledge of some basic concepts of both ADF practices and neo-Pagan religion in general. (More than one person has referred to it as a "pagan G.E.D.") Ian Corrigan (now ADF's Preceptor) put together the first version of the program in early 1998. It was called the Dedicant Program.
The Dedicant Program has nine different sections (what a surprising number!) which cover basic topics like meditation, daily devotionals, celebrating the High Days, and finding a patron. The program is designed so folks will be able to complete the program through home study, whether they are solitaries or members of an ADF Grove. Along with the DP text itself, there is also a list of written exercises which students are asked to complete in a journal. Completing the written work is a requirement for entering the ADF Study Program, but I think anyone can benefit from doing the work of the DP, whether they write about it or not. From personal experience, I would definitely recommend keeping a written journal of any spiritual workings that you do, both to help you define your experiences (writing gives a focus to your thoughts that is much harder to get by just thinking them) and to give you an idea how much progress you've made and how your abilities and your world view change during your life.
The minimum amount of time it can take to finish the DP is five months, though so far the average person has been taking nine to twelve months to get everything done thoroughly. Previous life experience does apply, so if you're one of those folks who's been a pagan for twenty years, you may be able to breeze through the written requirements in a matter of weeks!
![[silver acorn pin]](images/acorn.jpg)
I
finished the DP last September, and was officially recognized as an ADF
Dedicant at Wellspring this past May. As a symbol of my Dedicant status, I
will wear a silver acorn pin on my robes for our High Day rites. And as a
challenge to you, my Grovemates, I will buy a silver acorn pin for the
next nine SLG members who earn Dedicant status!
Also, I would like to provide a local support system for those folks taking part in the DP. I'd like to ask everyone who is interested in the DP: What support system would work best for you? Would you prefer monthly group meetings, or a one-on-one mentoring program? How often should the meetings or mentor sessions take place? What days of the week would be best for you? Please contact me at (734) 487-4931 or robh@cyberspace.org (or at nearly any Grove event) and let me know.
Yours in service to the Kindreds and the Grove,
Rob
Henderson
Senior Druid (and ADF Dedicant!)
The Shining Lakes Grove Leadership Council approved the following amendments to the Grove bylaws on June 23rd, 2000. The amendments will take effect 30 days after their publication in Shining Lakes News.
Per Bylaws Article 13: If a petition signed by at least 20% of the current membership of SLG is received by the Leadership Council within three months of the passage of any amendment to these bylaws, said petition requesting in clear language a ratification vote, the amendment in question shall be suspended until ratified by a vote of the membership. Ratification requires a 2/3 vote in the affirmative, with the usual quorum.
Current members of the Grove Leadership Council: Don Clayton, Rodney Cox, Annette Gabriel, Jan Henderson, Rob Henderson, Basia Kawka, Patrick Monagin, Genevieve Stoyak, Maria Valayil
Motion by Rob Henderson that the first paragraph of Bylaws Article 4, which currently reads:
"A Voting Member is defined as a Full Grove Member who is at least 13 years of age. Each Voting Member shall have one vote. A Voting Member over the age of 21 years who have been a Local Grove member for at least three years and a Full Grove Member for at least one year shall be entitled to two additional votes in Grove elections and policy referenda. The number of votes accorded to individuals who rejoin the grove following a lapse in their membership shall be calculated based upon their total accumulated time as grove members."
shall be changed to:
"A Voting Member is defined as a Full Grove Member who is at least 13 years of age. Each voting member shall have one vote, plus one additional vote for each full, continuous year that he or she is 17 years of age or older and remains a voting member."
Motion passes: 8 Yes, 1 absent (Basia)
Motion by Rob Henderson that the final paragraph of Bylaws Article 6, which currently reads:
"The process of selecting a new Senior Druid shall be amended to these bylaws no later than Summer Solstice, 1999. "
shall be removed.
Motion passes: 8 Yes, 1 absent (Basia)
Motion by Rob Henderson that the final sentence of paragraph four of Bylaws Article 7, which currently reads:
"The term for this office, if any, shall be amended to these bylaws no later than Summer Solstice, 1999."
shall be changed to:
"The term of the office of Senior Druid shall be three years."
Motion passes: 7 Yes, 1 No (Patrick), 1 absent (Basia)
Motion by Rob Henderson that paragraph five of Bylaws Article 7, which currently reads:
"Grove Administrator - The Grove Administrator (GA) shall be responsible for leading and supervising the business activities of the Grove. S/he shall run the business meetings, have the right to be a member of any committee of the Leadership Council. S/he shall be responsible for maintaining a reasonable level of service (including but not limited to making sure there are high day rites, grove newsletters, and regular business meetings) to the membership of Shining Lakes Grove by the Leadership Council, or for delegating that service in the absence of elected officers. S/he shall have the fiduciary and fundraising responsibility for the Grove, subject to guidance of the Leadership Council. The Grove Administrator shall be responsible for compiling a quarterly Grove report to be sent to the Senior Druid for the ADF ArchDruid and Scribe and is responsible for collecting, reviewing, and forwarding to the SD all other officer's quarterly reports. The Grove Administrator is answerable to the Leadership Council."
shall have the following sentence added at the end:
"The term of the office of Grove Administrator shall be one year."
Motion passes: 8 yes, 1 absent (Basia)
Motion by Rob Henderson that the final sentence of paragraph nine of Bylaws Article 7, which currently reads:
"The term of the office of Chronicler shall be two years."
shall be changed to:
"The term of the office of Chronicler shall be one year."
Motion passes: 8 Yes, 1 absent (Basia)
Motion by Rob Henderson that paragraph twelve of Bylaws Article 7, which currently reads:
"Existing Guilds who have not made community service specifications shall do so as by-laws amendments and submit the revision to the Leadership Council for approval on or before Samhain, 1999 to maintain active status."
shall be changed to:
"Guilds must have community service specifications in their bylaws to maintain active status."
Motion passes: 8 Yes, 1 absent (Basia)
Motion by Rob Henderson that paragraph thirteen of Bylaws Article 7, which currently reads:
"The quorum required for the purposes of voting within the Leadership Council shall be 50% of the Council. All decisions of the council shall be carried by a majority vote. The casting of votes through the use of electronic communication devices such as telephones and computer networks shall be permitted in Leadership Council elections and policy decisions."
have the following sentence added to the end:
"Each member of the Leadership Council may only cast one vote in any decision, regardless of the number of offices they hold."
Motion passes: 8 yes, 1 absent (Basia)
It is that time of the year again where there is a call for nominations for Leadership Council positions. I you would like to nominate someone, and this someone could be yourself, for one of the following positions, please contact one of the following on or before July 21st:
Or mail in your nominations to:
Shining Lakes Grove
P.O. Box
15585
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106-5585
Let it be known that the Leadership Council is a body of elected and appointed officials and is the ultimate authority on all matters of grove operation and policy. The Leadership Council is responsible for oversight of all grove officers and sustaining the general welfare of the grove. This body shall appoint replacements in the event of a vacant office and will set the liturgical calendar for the grove. All Leadership Council representatives must have publishable contact information.
The following positions are up for nomination:
Grove Administrator - The Grove Administrator (GA) shall be responsible for leading and supervising the business activities of the Grove. S/he shall run the business meetings, have the right to be a member of any committee of the Leadership Council. S/he shall be responsible for maintaining a reasonable level of service (including but not limited to making sure there are high day rites, grove newsletters, and regular business meetings) to the membership of Shining Lakes Grove by the Leadership Council, or for delegating that service in the absence of elected officers. S/he shall have the fiduciary and fundraising responsibility for the Grove, subject to guidance of the Leadership Council. The Grove Administrator shall be responsible for compiling a quarterly Grove report to be sent to the Senior Druid for the ADF ArchDruid and Scribe and is responsible for collecting, reviewing, and forwarding to the SD all other officer's quarterly reports. The Grove Administrator is answerable to the Leadership Council. Term of office will be one year.
Scribe - Shall record minutes of all general and Leadership Council meetings and keep records of the proceedings of all committees (to be submitted by each committee head); and may perform other duties that would otherwise by performed by a Corporate Secretary. Candidates for the office of the Scribe shall have the ability to take minutes and have computing skills. The Scribe is responsible for compiling a quarterly report of grove events to be sent to the Mother Grove after being reviewed by the Grove Administrator and Senior Druid. The term of the office shall be one year.
Chronicler - Shall be responsible for the production of all Grove literature including, but not limited to, grove announcements and the grove newsletter. All publications will be subject to the approval of the Leadership Council. Candidates for the office of Chronicler shall have demonstrated skills in writing and desktop publishing and access to the necessary equipment to complete the requirements of this office. The term of the office shall be one year.
Outreach Coordinator - Shall be responsible for communication of grove activities through publication and advertising in non-grove publications and other media. The Outreach Coordinator shall also be responsible for performance or delegation of customs and traditions of hospitality observed by the grove. The Outreach Coordinator shall be responsible for general member services and respond to all membership inquiries and complaints as necessary. The term of the office shall be one year.
Youth Activities Coordinator - Shall be responsible for coordinating all grove activities related to youth activities including, but not limited to, group child care during grove activities and meetings, children's rituals and activities, and religious education programs for children. Candidates for the office of Youth Activities Coordinator should have experience in child care and/or youth education. The term of the office shall be one year.
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