Affiliating To The Druid Network
Here you will find information on the requirements and benefits of affiliation for your grove, gorsedd or order.
Affiliation
Who Can Affiliate?
The Druid Network does not require Groves, Gorseddau and other groups to be
run by individuals who have trained in recognized Orders. As far as we are
concerned, it is not high levels of training but the sincerity, honesty and
honour of a group that measures its value as a part of today's growing international
Druid community. On that basis any group who can agree with this premise and
declares their dedication to Druidry can apply for affiliation.
The Druid Network welcomes Groups who are affiliated to Druid Orders as well as those that are
independent.
Groups may choose to call themselves by different names:
Grove, Gorsedd, Nemeton, Llwyn, Celli, Bosquet, Clairière, Conclave,
Circle, Gathering, Group, Order, &c, &c. Providing the definition
above can be said to apply to the group then the group
can apply for affiliation.
What Does It Require?
Following on from the above, The Druid Network requires open
sincerity and honesty of communication to be an integral part of the relationship
between the Network and the Group, as well as in the Group's presentation
of itself and within the Group amongst its members. The biggest mistake a
Group can make is to pretend to be what it is not whether that be in terms
of its leader's abilities or the general interest of the Group.
The Druid Network does not require those running the Group
to be paid-up members of the Network.
Why Affiliate?
Affiliating a Grove, Gorsedd or other group to The Druid
Network offers a number of benefits. As time moves on, an ongoing flow of
feedback, requests and affirmations from affiliated Groups will develop the
nature of affiliation.
- By joining our listing groups
are seen as being backed by The Druid Network, benefiting from having its
administrative and magical energy behind them, free of regulations about
how they should practise or how Druidry is defined.
- Our aim is to offer the opportunity and encourage the
creation of a Groves and Gorseddau community where ideas can be shared,
problems discussed, revelations celebrated. As with any part of the Network
this community can be dipped into by the more solitary and independent or
used simply as a resource; whilst others might choose to participate actively
in its creation.
- Each
affiliated Group is offered its own web page in the openly accessible
area of the website, as well as an option to take a web page open only
to Druid Network members. Groups can use these pages to give a full
description of the Group, presenting themselves before the wider
community, other members, the ancestors and the gods. If the Group has
its own website, a link can be established here. If it doesn't have its
own site, the page can be used to display Grove members' creativity.
- Those Groves who are open to new members have a way of
being found and contacted. The listing on the open page can give contact
details if Groves wish, or all contact details can be reserved for the members'
only area.
- Groves who are not currently seeking new members have
an opportunity to present themselves and what they are achieving, to be
witnessed by the gods and the ancestors, and to inspire other Groves and
members of the Network worldwide.
- If a Group is embarking on a project, the Network's Grove
and Gorseddau community can act as a forum within which support can be generated
- whether that is physical, technical, spiritual, emotional or magical.
- Grove leaders or representatives are welcome to attend
our Groves' Day, held annually in the Midlands, where individuals and groups
are given support setting up and running Groves. Questions and answers are
shared, ideas and inspiration too. The day ends with an integrating and
celebratory ritual.
- Groves are also invited to contribute to our Quarterly Newsletter. This is a way of drawing the community together through inspiration
and shared experience. It also provides another means, if they wish, to
open their doors to members of other Affiliated Groups who might wish to
attend their open events. The newsletter is distributed at each solar festival, the deadline for contributions usually being two weeks beforehand. Members may view past newsletters here.
How to Affiliate
In order to affiliate, Group leaders need simply send their
name, postal address, and phone number with a short description of the Group
that gives an idea of your style and practice by email to the Groves on the Web Co-ordinator.
If you are not known to staff members, we may ask for references,
in order to ensure that we can happily invite others to contact you.
