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Dandelion 4

Held in the Midwest, this Dandelion gathering held BIRCH meetings that explored several vital topics, many of which will impact the upcoming D5 gathering. The notes have been summarized here.

For the complete D5 notes, click here.



DANDELION 4 BIRCH MEETINGS, 2010 - HIGHLIGHTS

Agenda Items, Day 1:

• What is the scope of BIRCH's power? What is the relationship between Witch Camp Council and BIRCH?

• Report back from BIRCH working groups

• The Wheel: What is it? What can it do?

• Changing the Principles of Unity (PoU): How do we change it?

• Do we want to change the language around gender in the PoU?

• Report back from Elements in Aspect.

Agenda Items, Day 2:

• CO Cell report back. How can Reclaiming support conscientious objectors?

• Discussion about class, money, accessibility

• What makes a Reclaiming Teacher??

• Different timeline for Dandelion Gatherings? Dandelion organizing process

• Community Skills Course

• BIRCH cells functioning and intent



Summary of Consensus Decisions, Action Items and Hot Topics

1.) Consensus Decision: To accept the decision making process that was developed at Dandelion II (in Massachusettes) which is: - Someone creates a proposal. - The proposal is shared at length as inclusively as possible. - The proposal comes to BIRCH and is shaped/formalized or a committee is created to develop a proposal. - The proposal is sent through Reclaiming and is discussed. - At the following BIRCH meeting, the proposal is discussed again. Changes are made (or not) and the proposal is consensed upon or sent back for revision.

2.) Consensus Decision: To create a working group who will focus on gender-inclusive language in the Principles of Unity. This group will disseminate the proposed language choices that were crafted and selected during the BIRCH meeting and will encourage discussion in person, at events and on list servs. This group will bring their findings back to the next BIRCH meeting.

3.) Action Item: Ross will anchor a group that will research options for Reclaiming conscientious objectors. Macha will collect and share information she has (via COG) on this subject. Star volunteers Rose and David for this group. Anyone who would like to join/support the conscientious objectors working group, please contact Ross.

4.) Note: There was a lengthy discussion about class and money with regards to Reclaiming events. There seemed to be a lot of agreement that this is a hot topic for our communities. Please refer to the notes for details on this discussion.

5.) Consensus Decision: There is a proposal to change the frequency of Dandelion gatherings from every 2-3 years (as is the current timeline) to every 3-4 years, with bi-annual (smaller, local) Dandelion gatherings by bioregion. Discussion on this proposal will be encouraged (in person, at events and via list servs). The proposal will come back to the next BIRCH meeting to see what decision we would like to make and what action (if any) will be taken.

6.) Consensus Decision: To empower a continuity working group who will support the organization of future Dandelion gatherings (and to use some of the seed money for this process if needed). Volunteers stepped onto this group. This group is open to others. If you would like to be a part of this this group, please contact Jennifer (greenjenbyers@gmail.com).

8.) Note: There was a lengthy discussion about the previously created BIRCH cells, many of which appear to be inactive. Please refer to the notes for details on this discussion

9.) Consensus Decision: We agreed to add additional members to the BIRCH Administrative Hub. Volunteers offered their help and were consensed onto the Hub.

9.) Consensus Decision: The Healthy Body Cell would like to propose the creation of a new "All Reclaiming" core class (a class that would be core for all Reclaiming communities, not just one bioregion) about community building. The curriculum will be built and tested at camps and in communities over the next two years. The Healthy Body cell will bring the materials for that class back to the next BIRCH meeting where is can be reviewed by the group. If consensed upon, the class materials could be made available to everyone on line.

10.) Consensus Decision: We agree to put out the call for discussion on "What Makes a Reclaiming Teacher". Tarin Towers offered to create a Reclaiming Teacher yahoo group for additional discussion. Please refer to the notes for details on this discussion.