Woohoo!

[Vigdisdotter]

Righto! A new subforum! <does happy dance> I'll be posting a bunch of threads when I wake up :) Right now I just wanted to ask what people think of when they think of Community and Groups.

[Fairy_Princess]

Well this is a horrible idea...

[Vigdisdotter]

Well this is a horrible idea...

Then by all means, don't read or post in this subforum.

[Fairy_Princess]

I will if I so desire, even if only explain how this will all end in tears.

[Vigdisdotter]

I will if I so desire, even if only explain how this will all end in tears.

Then go start your own thread. This who wish to discuss with you will.

[Fairy_Princess]

I hate to tell you this, as it seems common sense, but you don't tell me what to do.

[Zibblsnrt]

Well this is a horrible idea...

You've made your take on this subforum abundantly clear in the original discussion for it. The forum now exists, despite your objections.

I suggest that you cope with this in a more constructive manner than your current approach.

[RavensEye]

:) Right now I just wanted to ask what people think of when they think of Community and Groups. I think of friends and family, and those of like mindedness, and sometimes those who are not necessarily like minded. For example, mysticiwcks is a community of many backgrounds and such but not all of us share the same views. I hope that made sense :D

[Vigdisdotter]

I think of friends and family, and those of like mindedness, and sometimes those who are not necessarily like minded. For example, mysticiwcks is a community of many backgrounds and such but not all of us share the same views. I hope that made sense :D

That works for me :) One could argue that community starts with family, either by blood or by choice.

What about "groups"? I'm wanting to brainstorm what kinds of groups people think about/are familiar with when they think about Pagan Groups.

[WokeUpDead]

When did this get here?

[Philosophia]

Congratulations, though I'm still very reserved about it. If this forum is open to all subjects pertaining to communities, groups, covens, etc. and not to just so-called "leaders", then I think it would work.

[RavensEye]

When did this get here? Sometime this morning :)

[Vigdisdotter]

Congratulations, though I'm still very reserved about it. If this forum is open to all subjects pertaining to communities, groups, covens, etc. and not to just so-called "leaders", then I think it would work.


It is :) After all, groups and communities don't happen without the support of those other then the "leaders." It's a lesson that more then a few in my town would do well to learn ^_^;;

[Philosophia]

It is :) After all, groups and communities don't happen without the support of those other then the "leaders." It's a lesson that more then a few in my town would do well to learn ^_^;;

Then I'm all for it. :hugz:

[Vigdisdotter]

Then I'm all for it. :hugz:

Cool :) So! What do you think of when someone mentions pagan groups and community?

[Philosophia]

Cool :) So! What do you think of when someone mentions pagan groups and community?

I'm going to be a little weird, but it depends on the context. Usually, I think of gatherings, "pagans in the pub", a group of friends sitting around, public rituals, etc..

[Theres]

Right now I just wanted to ask what people think of when they think of Community and Groups.
compromise.

and for the record (and against the less coherent complaints) i think this is a good idea for a forum.
i'm not sure how much use it will get (not much input from me forthcoming, i fear), but it seems to fill a need. the measure of a forum (ANY forum) is not the number of posts it tallies but rather the quality of the discussions. the potential here seems positive.
good luck.

[Ivy Artemisia]

I think of a group of like-minded Pagans. Whether its a structured coven, or a relaxed social group... its all community to me.

I think that this forum is a great idea. Even for people who aren't necessarily leaders in groups- it might give them perspective into groups, and it might give some leaders a new point of view, too. I'm a leader, and I have a yahoogroup for local coven leaders for support, and ideas- I love being able to bounce ideas off of other people. I think its a great idea.

I can see that this might also be a good forum for those who manage social groups, yahoogroups and online covens, too. I'm looking forward to some new ideas for educating the community about your group, whether its online or IRL.

[Vigdisdotter]

compromise.

Ooooooh yes. And then some :)

But where do you draw the line? This is something I've run into a lot from both ends (as a would be group leader and as a member). And it usually results in a messy burn out on my part ^_^;;

[Vigdisdotter]

I'm going to be a little weird, but it depends on the context. Usually, I think of gatherings, "pagans in the pub", a group of friends sitting around, public rituals, etc..

Nothing weird about that :)

[Theres]

Ooooooh yes. And then some :)

But where do you draw the line? This is something I've run into a lot from both ends (as a would be group leader and as a member). And it usually results in a messy burn out on my part ^_^;;
i draw the line very distinctly, and most group/community activities are on the other side.

you see, i've done my bit for 'The Community'. i taught Wicca for over 5 years, i've lectured at local universities, i've organized festivals and done public rituals, and on and on...
but as i approach my 52nd year on this planet i have come to realise that my connection to my goddess is stronger now than it ever was while doing those communal things. and i'm sorry, but NOTHING is going to compromise that for me now.
so while i can admire those who are actively involved in actually doing something at this level (as opposed to self-agrandizing power plays), it is no longer for me.

[Fairy_Princess]

Cool :) So! What do you think of when someone mentions pagan groups and community?

I'm going to get flamed for this, however this isn't sarcasm or a joke:

I think of whining, drama, backstabbing and ego driven fools.

[RavensEye]

I'm going to get flamed for this, however this isn't sarcasm or a joke:

I think of whining, drama, backstabbing and ego driven fools. In some groups that is very well what is in them...

[inkywitch]

I think of many things... ranging from wackos, cults, politics, money scams and drama for the sake of drama... to social groups, perhaps with a bit of ritual on Holidays or when the group needs it... to strict ritually structure groups who meet for ritual only.

[Shanti]

I think of a lot of fake people. :)
Right now I just wanted to ask what people think of when they think of Community and Groups.

[Vigdisdotter]

I think of a lot of fake people. :)

I'm not trying to pick on you Shanti :) Your's is just the last post to bring this one up.

The next logical quesiton is what can be done to deal with such....nonsense?

Myself Ido think of fake people -_- but (and it's a big one) they aren't the nly kinds out there, not even a majority in my experince. And I for one woudl rather foster supportive groups and enviroments rahter then feed into the personal dramas of others.

[Xentor]

I think of a lot of fake people. :)
Fake people? You mean, like scarecrows?

[RainInanna]

Wow, seems like a lot of people have had bad experiences with communities. Then again, MW is a community too, even if it is online, and clearly we all feel that has worth :)

Right now I just wanted to ask what people think of when they think of Community and Groups.

I think of a number of people who come together, with interests and beliefs in common enough such that they have something of worth to share, whether it be conversation, information, or practices such as rituals and spells. Such a group needs to weigh the egos of individuals and the needs of the whole group together, in an effort to make a community that meets all needs as much as possible. Over time, those who have been in the group longer learn to manage social aspects as well as technical aspects such as ritual creation and facilitation, and people can learn how to teach eachother effectively.