Yule 1998 Newsletter Members Survey Results |
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1. Social events
NSW is lucky enough to be home to some of the best gatherings and workshops in Australia. PAN makes an effort to let people know about these so that you can link up with others at events that suit your tastes. I see little point in trying to "compete" with these established functions, or to re-invent the wheel, when there are plenty of groups offering social connections. Some of these groups include: The Free pagan Church of Australia meetings in Fairfield and Artarmon, The Pagan Awareness Network offering public full moon circles, and other groups organising gatherings such as the Applegrove Yule Festival.
The Pagan Alliance may organise social events in the future, but I encourage all of you who are looking for social activities to attend some of the functions and festivals that we advertise through the newsletter.
2. Fairs/Markets
These are held at most gatherings, and there is a group looking into setting up a Pagan Fair (something similar to the Mind/Body/Spirit festival I think). Keep your eyes out for future notices about this.
3. Workshops/Speakers
There are now a few Wiccan courses up an running in the Sydney district (e.g., Mysteries at Balmain run courses), but very little happening in rural NSW. As it is these people who have less access to reading material and people to speak with, I am proposing to set up a study by mail group for people living out of Sydney and who are beginners wishing to learn more. Look for further details in this newsletter.
4. Rituals
Again, it is at the larger gatherings that you can participate in rituals, as well as learning how to do them. The Pagan Awareness Network also hold public gatherings so you can get a feel for ritual work. I encourage you to attend these events, as the people who host these events have much experience in holding large gatherings and working with large groups for ritual work.
5. Other areas
Meals, tree planting and outdoor activities were the other activities highlighted in the survey. This is an area NSW will still need to look into to achieve progress on these fronts.
Through the NSW newsletter, and the national magazine Pagan Times, we hope to keep you informed about events and gatherings, and we offer a networking service to help you find others with similar interests. The newsletter is also designed to get you thinking for yourself, and to provide a small amount of support to those who are on their own, either through choice or circumstance. Make sure you let me know, on your survey form, the topics you would like to see covered in future newsletters.
Study Circles
The survey found that people were interested in learning about the following areas: Beginners Paganism, Divination, Meditation/Yoga, Anything!, Dreams, developing intuition, ecopaganism, coming out, and more. Pagans seem to have a real thirst for knowledge, and would be interested in learning about most things. For Sydney siders we have access to libraries and book stores, and some have access to the Internet as a source of answers to these questions. In future newsletter we will cover some of these topics, as well as any others that are highlighted in the 1998 member survey.
Information wanted from the Alliance in general:
1. Different traditions and paths
I would be happy to publish any article on anyones individual path (as we have already done), and further information can be found in Pagan Times, especially in the interview section that has been recently introduced to the magazine. If you still require further information, research your library, or get in touch with me, and I will see how I can help.
2. Legal issues
We now have an Anti-discrimination/Legal Issues Officer by the name of Mex Watts, and he can be contacted at PO Box 1111, Darwin NT 0801, or phone him on (041) 903 3089.
3. Networking and Contacts
This seems to be working well in Pagan Times, and I am always happy to run an advert in the NSW Newsletter.
4. Counselling and Health information
Some of this type of information can be found in Pagan Times. I will let you know about other services as they become available.
5. Books and literature
Pagan Times runs regular book reviews, and are still in the process of setting up a lending library. Sydney siders would be well advised to check out the State Library, or the University of Sydney Library for books. Both of these libraries have Internet access as well as membership open to the general public. The Internet is also a great source of information, and there are many access points available through local libraries, universities and some Internet cafes.
So how did we do? Some things we have got organised, other we still need to work on. It is difficult to provide something for everyone on a very limited budget, that barely covers postage of the newsletter, so let me know what you think about our past successes, failures and future together. Feedback is the only way we can find out if we are on the right track, and reaching those who need us. So if you choose to renew your membership, or choose not to, let us know why. Learning by our mistakes and successes we can move forward together. Thank you for your support.
