Imbolc
Imbolc 1998 Newsletter

1998 Members Survey Results

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The results of the survey have started to come in, here is a summary of what people had to say regarding the Pagan Alliance in NSW so far. As more surveys come in, I will continue to update you. Please note the comments that I have made in brackets under certain suggestions or comments. Where appropriate I have asked for further comments, or for your help.

Number of surveys returned so far: 27

Question One

Overall, how satisfied would you say you were with the NSW Newsletter, produced before the eight festivals each year? 

Very satisfied		17 (63.0%)
Satisfied		8 (29.6%)
Average			1 (3.7%)
Dissatisfied		1 (3.7%)
Very dissatisfied	0

Question Two

Is there anything you would like to see covered in the NSW Newsletter?

  • Cooking (anyone with good recipes to share? - ed)
  • Herbs and gardens (any green thumbs out there willing to share some hints, tips or experiences? -ed)
  • General Pagan news (Don't forget to keep sending any print media articles on Paganism to Laren at PO box 129, Stockton NSW - ed)
  • There is still a stigma attached to being Pagan, there should be more attempts to integrate Paganism as an ordinary belief (we are trying, any other suggestions as to how we can achieve this? - ed)
  • Hellenic, Egyptian, Phonecian, Summerian, Babylonian pantheons (Are there any members who follow these traditions? If so perhaps you would consider writing an article on these for a future newsletter - ed)
  • STAV traditions (see comments above - ed)
  • Poetry/artwork
  • More applied discussions e.g., sabbats adapted to local conditions
  • More contacts for NSW people
  • Organise meetings for people in rural areas
  • What do members think about Christian based religion being taught in Public Schools? I find it an unnecessary imposition on school time as my 3 children do not attend these sessions, there are no provisions made for children of non-Christian backgrounds. I emphasise to my children the need for tolerance and acceptance, but it is hard for them when this is not returned to them). We live in a small country town and my children are the only Pagan children in the school. Has anyone had similar experiences? (If anyone has a comment or experience to share regarding this topic, please send it in so we can open this topic up for discussion - ed)
  • More historical material
  • Information relevant to this state, e.g., recipes, rituals, local news, hopefully it could grow to magazine size, coming out quarterly.
  • The newsletter should come out a week earlier in order to prepare for the festivals (Yes, you are quite right. They have been slightly late this year due to circumstances beyond my control, but we are endeavouring to get back on track. Thank you for the reminder - ed)

Question Three

Overall, how satisfied are you as a member of the Pagan Alliance? 

Very satisfied		11 (40.7%)
Satisfied		15 (55.6%)
Average			0
Dissatisfied		1 (3.7%)
Very dissatisfied	0

Question Four

Any comments about your membership?

  • It helps me keep in touch with 'our circle', otherwise I'm surrounded by the mundane world
  • The Alliance is becoming more efficient as each year grows (I hope that this is something that will continue to happen, as always feedback is the way that we will keep checking that we are going in the right direction - ed)
  • I don't know anyone who is a member, and I don't know how many young members there would be (Are there any other young members out there? Perhaps you could write something about what it's like to be a young Pagan in Australia - ed)
  • When I was a solitary, the Pagan Alliance was my link with the greater Pagan community. I have been blessed with the company of others of like mind in my isolated little area (amazing in itself), but I still like to know what's happening 'out there' and value my membership.
  • Membership costs should stay the same, or increase only by $2 - $4 (I'd like to see membership costs stay as low as they possibly can. As you can see from our balance sheet, there is not much money floating around. In fact, there is barely enough to cover costs. Luckily I am able to get the newsletter printed for free, which keeps costs to a minimum. In order to keep membership prices low, we need to investigate other ways of raising funds to support our state. One initiative this year is to introduce the Alliance T-shirts. I am still looking at other ways to fund activities and the newsletter. I will keep you posted as to what develops here. Rest assured, there will be no significant increase in membership fees in the foreseeable future. - ed)

Question Five

What would you like to see the NSW Region focus on in the coming year?

  • Community relations and getting the fear out of the general public (3 responses)
  • Maybe more day time get togethers, just a coffee and a chat
  • More information about spirituality
  • Have markets that are open to everyone (not just at gatherings). This would give solitary witches somewhere to look around and would demystify Pagans to the rest of the community. (2 responses) (In the last newsletter I hinted that there are plans to get this sort of thing happening, I will let you know more details when they become available - ed)
  • Wiccan meetings (especially Celtic Wicca)
  • Any covens accepting membership and or initiation
  • More information for beginners who haven't found the right path (On this topic see a new feature in this newsletter called 'Paganism 101' - ed)
  • More public gatherings (where we can all participate without feeling we may not fit in) due to not knowing enough about the path. Similar to the Picnic in the Park
  • Recognition of the Wiccan Clergy and the ability for that Clergy to perform state recognised marriages (handfastings) (There are some groups working on this issue. I will let you know more when I find out any information - ed)
  • More Hellenic, Egyptian, Phonecian, Summerian and Babylonian pantheons (See comments in question two - ed)
  • More equitable governance of the Pagan Alliance
  • A permanent festival - at Yule
  • I think your concern with the logistics of keeping rural members completely 'in touch' is well founded, and to see that focus maintained would be of great benefit. (In the last newsletter I called for invitations to join a rural study network, where we would study certain topics together and share information between our isolated members. I have had no takers at present, but the invitation is always open. If anyone has any other ideas of how we might look after our rural members, please let me know - ed)
  • Membership drive, i.e., letting proto-Pagans know we exist and that they'd be welcome (I plan to do this later this year - ed)
  • Sabbat celebration/adaptations to local areas - discussion of bushland i.e., local places with high energy/good feel and how to reach some of the good places
  • Sharing information with groups e.g., aboriginal groups
  • I'd like to see NSW members who are experiences in some way helping people, animals, land conservation, recycling etc., writing articles on these topics (I'd like to see that! - ed)

Question Six

Any other comments?

  • Thank you for the drawings on the last page of the newsletter, I love colouring them in
  • Explanation about ethics and religion (Christianity)
  • Although we classify ourselves as solitary witches, it is nice and reassuring that there are 'others' out there with the same or similar beliefs. We feel less alone
  • For the Pagan Alliance committee be aware of Wiccan correspondence courses (offered I new age mags) that promise contacts and initiation then fade after the last lecture (they have a PO Box and the almighty dollar and that's it) I have personally been bitten twice since coming to Australia. PS I am still a Pagan (On this very topic, the first discussion item in Paganism 101 covers finding a teacher - ed)
  • I know all those involved with the newsletter and Pagan Times put exceptional time and effort into this. Thank you from those who have little contact or choose solitary ways, your efforts guarantee continued support. (Thanks for the thanks - ed)
  • More Hellenic, Egyptian, Phonecian, Summerian and Babylonian Pantheons, sometimes I think it's the Celtic Alliance, not the Pagan Alliance (Good point! On this issue I need your help. I can only write about my own experiences and path. In order to make our newsletter more diverse we need people who follow other paths to open up the discussion. Please write with your experiences or take time to fill out the Interview with a Pagan sheet that has been included in this newsletter - ed)
  • The Alliance needs to take more input from its members at a National level. Could the Pagan Alliance develop a mission statement using Pagan Times a forum. Then we could begin to work in unison. (What do others think about this issue? Comments would be most welcome - ed)
  • Perhaps members in outer regions of Sydney could meet in central locations for their own festivals, such as celebrating certain sabbats? Something we could all think about for the coming year.
  • I look forward to maybe contributing to newsletter etc., this year - who knows? One thing for sure, I'll be reading with great interest.
  • Any Pagans in Albury-Wadonga, or Wangarratta or Wagga Wagga? I'd like to get in touch for a picnic or something (Anyone fit the bill here? If so let me know and I will put you in touch with this member - ed)
  • T shirts were a good idea, although 2 alternatives would have been good to give people a bit of choice. $25 is a bit expensive, $20 would have been more affordable. (Fair enough. Although 2 designs would have made production costs quite prohibitive for such a small number of shirts. So unfortunately I was only able to offer one design. Perhaps in the future we could have a second alternative. It's something that I will keep in mind. As for the price I myself realise what life's like when money is tight. - ed)
  • More alternate, yet complimentary philosophies such as 'humanism' or the 'rationalist' viewpoint to magic
  • Ethical debates
  • The PAN Newsletter should be come a means of communicating between ourselves and used as a means of sending help or advice or just to entertain each other. It should join us together (NSW is a big area) and it should make us feel like one.

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