Membership Structures
The Decision Making Process
Lines of Communication

These pages were updated February 2008

Membership Structures

Just as the ongoing creation of The Druid Network is founded wholly upon Druidic and pagan principles, so have we endeavoured to base its structure upon the same tenets, reaching for the vision of a web of connections, each person's energy, like breath, flowing effortlessly into and expressed through the Network, nourishing the individual and the whole.

The Network claims no hierarchy but for administrative purposes the following categories of membership are defined within the Constitution.

Subscribing Members

Anyone over the age of eighteen, who agrees with the principles and practice of the Network, may apply for membership as a subscribing member for the cost of joining. They can avail themselves of all the benefits available to members. Though not eligible to attend meetings of The Network their voice will always be heard and considered honourably through the Staff Members, Committee and Officers of The Network.

Associate Staff Members

Members who wish to donate their inspiration, energy, expertise and creativity may apply or be invited to become Associate Staff Members. These members play a vital role in supporting the Staff Members in the various projects that The Network is involved in. Whilst not eligible to attend meetings of The Network they may be invited to do so when their expertise may aid the decision making process. Their deeper involvement within project areas means that they help to steer and direct The Network within those specialised areas. Their collective voice is heard through the Staff Member that is responsible for co-ordinating that area. Staff members are responsible for recruiting or accepting applications for Associate Staff Membership with the final decision being made by the Committee.

Staff Members

Those wishing to be even more deeply involved in The Network may apply in the prescribed manner to become a Staff Member (also called a Full Staff Member), either to fulfil any vacancy that is advertised, or to propose a new project area. The Committee may also invite anyone they feel would further the objects of the Network to become a staff member. It is expected that the diversity of skills and knowledge provided by these members will provide the Committee with a pool from which future Committee members will be garnered.

Staff members are eligible to attend general meetings and therefore be directly involved in the decision making process of The Network. The Committee decides all applications for staff membership.

Honorary Members

In recognition of service to the Network, the Trustees may confer Honorary Membership on individuals when it is deemed appropriate. Acting in a consultative role these members, through their experience and expertise, pour their creativity and energy into the collective pool.

Committee Members and Officers

These members are individuals who have been chosen and accepted in accordance with the Constitution. Being Trustees of the Network, they are responsible for its management and administration within the framework defined by the Constitution and other governing documents.

In other words, in order to ensure there is cohesion and coherence, and that the tenets and objectives are clearly expressed, these members oversee the work of the Network as a whole.

According to the Constitution, the Committee must be of no less than three people, all of whom hold Staff Membership jobs that in themselves are focussed upon the broader wellbeing of the organization.

Currently the Committee is made up of four Members:

Emma Restall Orr (Bobcat) : Founder, Head and Treasurer
Susan Warren : Order of the Yew Administrator, Sacred Sites Co-ordinator
Phil Ryder : Forums Co-ordinator, Bardic Voices and Mediawatch Co-ordinator
Mark Rosher : Forums Guardian, Interfaith Web Coordinator and Office

The Constitution gives further details. Like key junctures of the web, with countless threads stretching out in every direction, their roles are to keep the Network rolling upon its unique course, inspirational, viable and productive.

The Committee can be reached by email : Committee.

Non Members

Most importantly, although The Druid Network's work is only made possible by its extensive staff and associate staff members, our focus is not simply on those who subscribe to the members' database. The vast majority of all we do is for the wider Druid community and those interested in the tradition, regardless of whether or not they decide to join.

The Decision Making Process

The decision making process and conduct of meetings is fully defined within the Constitution; for increased accessibility, this is a simplified view of that process.

Once again it must be stressed that the Network has no hierarchy, all positions within the Network are ones of responsibility not authority. All members have their part to play within the Network and all voices will be heard, but it is up to the individual to voice their opinion or share their inspiration and this is openly encouraged.

It is assumed that members subscribe to The Druid Network because they agree with the aims, objectives and tenets that are clearly stated both within the Constitution, on our introductory pages and throughout the website. These provide the framework that guides all the Network’s activities and provides a sound reference when decisions that affect the Network are being made.

Decisions within the Network may be broadly split into three areas:

• Individual Project Areas
• Those affecting the Network in general
• Administrative Decisions

Individual Project Areas

Decisions that affect individual project areas (eg. Environment, Ethical Living, Rites and Rituals) are the responsibility of the staff member for that area.

Theirs is the vision and energy that direct these areas and they autonomously make decisions that affect their own areas. Although they may approach other members and the Committee for advice or inspiration, ultimately the responsibility rests with them, with the proviso that they operate within the framework provided by the Constitution.

Obviously, decisions involving allocation of TDN resources are discussed with the treasurer and need to be agreed with the Committee.

Decisions that Affect the Network in General

It is expected that the majority of major decisions will be made at the AGM (annual general meeting), also known as the Annual Staff Gathering. Previous to this meeting the staff members are informed of the date, time and location of the meeting and all staff members are invited to submit any items they would like placed on the agenda. The Committee will then add any items they wish to discuss and finalise an agenda that is then communicated to the staff. If a staff member submits an item for the agenda that the Committee considers to be in contravention of the Constitution they may choose to discuss this with that member, prior to the meeting, to establish clarity.

The Druid Network aspires to be neither democratic nor autocratic. Decisions made within the Network are made using the principle of Honourable Relationship; this may be defined as honest, responsible and respectful interaction. Using this principle in practice involves all members at a meeting having time to state their views on a proposal with those views being heard and considered. In this way it is expected that general consensus and acceptance will emerge rather than holding a vote on every item that can leave a large proportion of those present dissatisfied with the outcome. If agreement cannot be reached within the available time, then postponement of the decision is preferable to an inharmonious ballot. Only in extreme circumstances will a ballot be considered necessary.

All agreed proposals are assessed by the Committee to ensure their compliance with the Network’s Objects (clearly stated in the Constitution), financial viability and legal compliance. If the Committee rejects a proposal then a clear explanation will be provided. In accordance with the tenets of honourable relationship, the Committee will not refuse to ratify an accepted proposal without justifiable reason.

The criteria which form the basis of all decisions made by the Committee can be found in the statement on the Committee's ethos.

It is acknowledged that there is a possibility of an issue arising between AGMs and if it is considered of a serious nature, requiring the input of all staff members, then a Special General Meeting may be called to address this.

Administrative Decisions

The Committee meet face to face at least twice each year and at other times by electronic communication. Decisions made are those that enable the smooth day-to-day operation of the organisation together with ensuring all legal obligations are met. Once again the principle of Honourable Relationship governs the decision making process. An edited version (for the sake of brevity) of Committee Meeting Minutes will be distributed amongst staff members and, where necessary, amongst the wider membership. Where appropriate, more information can be made available to staff members on request.

Working closely together while at the same time honouring our individuality and autonomy, all of us at the Network are creating something vibrant: a robust and sacred working space within which we can explore and develop our own Druidic and spiritual path. Like wooden staffs hewn of different trees along the way, each one of us allows the every other to walk our talk with better strength, integrity, clarity and resolve.

Lines of Communication

Within any organisation there will be times when disagreements arise. In many cases this is due to a breakdown in communication and so here we set out the simple lines of communication that may help to solve these problems at an early stage. Contact details are available on the Contact page of the website.

If a problem arises ...

On the Forums : the first point of contact will be the Forum Guardians who will collectively try to resolve the dispute.

In a Project Area : the Staff Member for that particular area is the first point of contact.

With the Administration : if a member feels aggrieved with a decision of the Committee then they should in the first instance approach the Committee for clarification before involving the wider membership.

Amongst the Membership : if disagreements between individual members or staff members cannot be resolved by honourable discourse then the Committee may be approached to help resolve the problem.

Committee : if there is a disagreement with an individual Committee member then the other Committee members or the Head of The Druid Network may be approached.

In all other cases the Committee should be approached.

It is hoped that in the fostering of Honourable Relationship between all members that the majority of misunderstandings will be resolved at an early stage.