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Rev. Badger answers ADF election questions - Part 4

2/23/2018

Hey y'all. We've made it to the final installment, at least for now, of my replies to the questions asked of the candidates for ADF's 2018 elections. If y'all don't know how grateful I am by now, then I've not been doing a good enough job being grateful. Again, many thanks for taking time to read my thoughts, and share yours.

It's my sincerest wish that any candidate in this election can help take Our Druidry into the next age, even if we're a bit late. With a stunning enough entrance, one can afford to be fashionably late. From here on out, we need to make every step count. May it be so.

Now... we ado no further. To the questions, we go:

How do you take feedback and criticism from peers and those you serve?

With most feedback and criticism, I'm very receptive. I've accepted that I'm not perfect, have blind-spots, and can't always do all-the-things. When not on the same page, I prefer to have dialogue with folks to try and get to shared-truth through that dialogue. Also, I like to enlist the aid of the critics and feedback-givers to help me deploy our stronger together-plan. The more committed they are to help, the more enthusiastic I am in receiving their feedback.

How do you react to people who disagree with you?

Like most folks, I'd suppose. I have a spectrum of reactions that depend on a complex, causality-matrix, and applicable levels of obligation to the person disagreeing. I commonly try and directly engage the person with an invitation to dialogue. Beyond that, we'll see how it goes together.

I've unfriended people I've known for 25 years because of their feelings toward people of color. I've walked away from friendships I've had since childhood for principles. I've vulnerably opened up and saw things from others' points-of-view. I've tried to work with folks to at have a shared truth, even though that truth is more complex than black and white, right and wrong.

At the root of my reaction, ultimately, is the discomfort of the challenge to hold space for both of our truths to exist (if possible), while we look at this together. Challenges are hard... guess they wouldn't be challenges if they weren't.

How are you going to improve the communication between MG members? Not with the membership, but between individual members of the Mother Grove.

If they have communication accessibility needs, I could offer suggestions for solution options, and help to ease any transition to a new communications workflow.

If they have intra/interpersonal communication needs, I would research and present the names of third-party consultants to come in and deploy healing methodologies between individuals, and more skillful, future-communication modalities for the group. To me, that'd be the best solution I could offer from my elected MA position. If they don't take the suggestion, I would let membership know of their choices, as I'm serving their advocate.

What experience do you have with Robert’s Rules of Order?

Marginal experience, at best. I've been going to a couple great websites since receiving this question (www.rulesonline.com and www.robertsrules.org) and learning more. If elected, by the time I take office, I'll be considerably more familiar with them.

However...

Yesterday, I talked about consensus vs. consent decision making and leadership, and my desire to get us into a new modality of decision-making, If Robert's Rules can work within the consent-model, let them be welcome, but if not, let's explore new options.

***

These next two questions were asked to me directly, and as such, you shouldn't see these being answered by other candidates (but who knows... maybe some folks will be inspired. They were on Facebook, after all). That being said, on to the questions:

To use the building analogy, I'm interested to know what parts of the structure do you consider to be unsound? I see the vision and principles being the foundation. Do you agree that they are sound? Is it possible that the building needs major renovations? If that is your thought, then we are on the same page.

We have a vision statement that reads more like a mission statement.

Our principles are a solid foundation, but we have work to do in terms of creating a mission and vision with attainable goals. We spent the last 30+ years building a foundation, and at that rate "foundation technology", metaphorically speaking, had advanced quite a bit.

We have outgrown our original design and are in need of some major renovations to bring us into alignment with current best practices for nonprofit religious organizations.

With luck, the SWOT analysis and Strategic Planning can help with the above.

So... same chapter?

I have been advocating for organizational change since before I joined the MG. I truly believe that we will get there in the next 5 years. Is that too slow for you? Where do you see the fundamental flaws in the structure?

Depends on the changes, honestly.

Changes in policies (not to mention hearts and minds) so they attract, encourage, and support LGBTQIA+ members, Members of Color, and other marginalized populations need to happen in WAY LESS than 5 years, since we're already overdue on adopting current best practices, not only in nonprofit organizations, but in the religious sector, as well.

Modern study program interface? I can wait 5 years for that. New website? Immediately would be nice, but I could wait 5 years for that.

Human rights and social justice? I'm looking for the no-waiting queue.

***

Well y'all, we made it to the end of the questions (thus far).

Ultimately, it's up to you if you want someone who does what I do, believes what I believe, and feels how I feel in the position of ADF's Members' Advocate. I'd be honored to serve, if you'd have me.

Be mindful with your votes, and join me in the prayer that Our Druidry can become what the greater world needs... today... now.

Blessings, y'all.

Rev. Badger answers ADF election questions - Part 3

2/22/2018

(Part 1 and Part 2)

Thanks for returning for the continuing adventures of my working through the list of campaign questions for ADF's 2018 elections. After today, with the questions thus far, we'll be 3/4 done. Again, I'm grateful for your diligence, and commitment to finding the best candidate for ADF.

Today's batch of questions:

How will you encourage ways of making ADF accessible to children (with parental consent, of course)?

I've only recently come by my stepchildren (all teens, only one living with Rev. Missy and me), and prior to that, my only connections with children came through my time teaching martial arts (Aikido & HapKiDo) in Louisiana and California, as well as through Orange County Outdoor Science School (5th-6th graders - CA). Pretty structured, and pretty disciplined... and I wasn't the one coming up with those structures and discipline practices. I was simply participating in, and enforcing the boundaries of those systems.

That being said, when it comes to ADF's level of children's accessible religious programming, I can encourage ADF parents to connect with the professional educators in ADF, and work with them to create a proposal that I can bring to the Mother Grove as the advocate for our members who are parents of children who need religious programming.

The solution needs to be built by the folks with that need, and given support by the rest of us. I'd be first among that number of supporters.

How do you view environmental issues within the context of ADF? What, if any, goals do you have to change the current actions or lack of actions currently present within ADF?

Whew... ya know... sometimes I wish folks didn't ask me certain questions, because my answers to those questions come with a lot of passion and intense opinions. I guess I have that wish because I'm always fearful of how folks will interpret my passion-Fire around these topics. It's raw and sincere... and it's how I really feel.

I'll try to sum up my thoughts on this: Earth Religion + "Waters of Life" as sacrament - any direct engagement or outcry during NoDAPL = Hypocrisy. Planting Trees (trees = druidy thing) + Flint, MI - water for HUMAN BEINGS = No Water for Trees = Focusing on the wrong thing = lost in our own Cosmos.

If EarthMother is part of our core liturgy, and we claim our relationship with her as sacred, then I will be Her voice as best I can. She is at every one of our rites, and gives so much to us. I consider her to be a sacred member of our organization. Like Her, I would have no vote on the Mother Grove, and also like Her, I have a mighty voice. May mine help us achieve engaged Excellence in our relationship with Her.

How do you view the role of solitary members within ADF and how do you anticipate that role will change over the course of your proposed term?

The roles solitaries play now seem to be both a cameo as the biggest single category of our membership, and a main role as our biggest blindspot; an under-utilized resource and an under-explored ministry. In a one-year term, with no vote on the Mother Grove, I'm not sure how much I would be able to "do" in regards to their role(s); however, I could work with some of the regional representatives and the solitaries in their respective areas to help build a stronger, collective, "solitary" voice.

How would you look to heal divisions in the organization, bring the organization to a sense of more inclusive wholeness and create a positive vision for all members regardless of whether they are clergy, dedicants, solitaries, old-timers, newcomers, etc. Do you feel that all members are equal?

As Members' Advocate, I'd be in a position to work with the underserved and marginalized among us, standing as their representative and advocate. The divisions that exist between the folks in the center and those pushed to the margins cannot be healed without having a shared truth. Only then can there be reconciliation. Healing comes from the person who did the breaking doing the work, not the broken person "getting over it" for the sake of healing divisions. For the health of the membership and organization, I'd advocate for seeking outside help from applicable professionals. ADF needs a cultural change around what divisiveness is, how it arises, and what we can do about it... and for as smart as we are, we're better served by allowing a third party to help us heal. I believe we're in a place where we aren't able to hear one another... and it's a lonely place for us all. We need help.

Now, do I feel all members are equal? No (for the weighted voting alone, but there's more...)

There's a lot of great words about inclusivity and equality and balance on our website and promotional material, but as we invest more and grow deeper in the organization, we discover there are unspoken standards for privileging seniority in the group, or ADF academic accomplishments in the study programs, or clergy status, or the level of clergy status, or initiate status, or dedicant status, or how any and all of these factors add up to hold power OVER instead of sharing power WITH.

It's assumed that our accomplishments will command respect, but that's not where respect is born. That's where the the not-enoughness is born. I don't have enough *whatevers* to feel like I'm of worth, OR that person doesn't have enough *whatevers* to be taken seriously.

This sounds like the government officials victim-shaming the kids protesting the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School by saying "they're just kids, and had to have coaching from others." Dig it... kids are freakin' smart, and are pretty much guaranteed to see solutions that our older minds can't imagine.

So, no... as things are now, all members are not equal.

How would you ensure fair treatment of members regardless of ethnicity, nationality, gender identity, sexuality, or immigration status? Or ability or class. Or age.

Ensure fairness in the face of the -ISMs (ageism, sexism, racism, nationalism, ableism, etc)? No one can ensure that; however, I can advocate for putting people and boundaries in place, for setting clear expectations of behavior, and for enforcing those rules without making excuses, gaslighting, victim-blaming/shaming, and further harm.

If I can't achieve that, I'd counsel the member to stay and keep fighting the fight with me, or that this isn't a safe-place for all ethnicities, nationalities, gender identities, abilities, classes, or ages... or whatever the case may be, and encourage they make the healthiest decision for them.

How would you work to make ADF as respected and legitimate as any other church in the USA, and the world?

By raising awareness and advocating for all the changes and upgrades mentioned in this, the previous 2 posts, and any forthcoming posts. Like noted earlier, the MA doesn't really have any structural power, but I can be a pretty convincing advocate.

Just gonna be honest and say that, in my opinion as a full time priest and religious studies scholar, the UUs have a GREAT system for bringing together diverse, different, and independent people and their beliefs... while STILL having meaning and value... and legitimacy... and respect.

They'd be a great model from which to receive Inspiration's gifts.

In real actions, how would you, if elected, improve on the great job the MG has been doing?

I'd like to offer the folks who want an answer to this particular question the opportunity to go to Part 1 and reread what I've written so far. If you still don't have an answer to this question, please ask follow up questions through the comments or privately, if you'd prefer. In any case, if you have follow up questions, I'd like to add them to the end of the ongoing questions list.

***

Tomorrow, Part 4

Blessings!

Rev. Badger answers ADF election questions - Part 2

2/21/2018

(You can find Part 1 here)

Welcome back, everyone! I appreciate y'all taking the time to keep coming back to read my opinions and answers to the questions of ADF's membership. Today's post is a bit longer than yesterday's; I am grateful for your additional investment of time and consideration.

Before I get to today's batch of questions, I'd like to share a bit of some conversations I had on Facebook yesterday. I was asked about comments that I'd made regarding ADF when the Bonewits child-rape story came to our attention, as well as recent opinions I've shared on ADF's overall organizational health. There was concern expressed at my "lack of vision and hope for ADF in the long term." How can I stand for the membership when I, "... have so little regard for the organization that you are both part of?" It's believed that I, "... would rather not see (ADF) succeed (or at least won't shed a tear if it fails)." It was pointed out that I believe the changes are not happening quickly enough, and how confusing it can be that I'm, "...clergy of an organization that you feel this way about." I was asked if I'd be able to, "... put aside your personal agenda to work within the organization, and work with people you don't agree with? Or is your position as truth-teller better served at the margins of the organization?"

This was my reply:

"Thanks for your well thought out reply, (name redacted). I can certainly see how my words and view of ADF's unchecked future can be concerning. I'll do my best to unpack this a bit more in hopes to bring ease, and to share a bit more of my perspective.

I'm approaching my role in standing for members differently than, perhaps, others have in the past. ADF deserves to be fixed, and at the same time, members deserve to not walk into a building that's structurally unsound. I have regard for both the organization AND the membership. In my working with our grove's folk here in CO, we have constructed a, what we consider to be, realistic perspective of engaging people from the place of a healthy, inclusive, diverse church... and it's from that place that my care for the folk and ADF arise.

Sometimes, for example, people keep the dying from passing on because of their own attachments and agendas and feelings... when the best thing for the person dying would be to pass into the Ancestor's realm. I'm not saying that ADF has one foot in the grave and another on the banana peel, but there are things that need to change, and not because I hold any ill will to individuals or the organization, but because I actually care about the human beings that invest their time, talents, and treasure to this organization.

I DO want ADF to succeed, and I've already shed my tears for it. Not because I'll miss it when it's gone, but because I'm not in a position to help it live, transformed and healthy, into the future. Gods be good, it'll outlast us all, in a relevant, healthy, modern state-of-being.

You asked how I could be a clergy member in ADF if I feel how I do. I stay because I model for my folk what I hope ADF could be. I stay and serve because I believe in the vision of accessible, relevant, modern polytheism, AND I believe that those practices can heal the world, as individuals and collectively. I stay because many of those close to me are in this organization. In the future, if you're left wondering things about my perspectives and opinions, my email is always accessible, and I respond well to FB/text/phone/etc. Please contact me that we may talk.

To clarify, I'm not giving up on ADF. In fact, by running for election, I'm trying to step closer so I can get hands-on. Like you, I want people to feel they have a home. I think we're differing on what makes a home safe for guests and family.

My agenda IS the people of ADF. Not the grey mass of "the folk", but the individual faces of congregants, researchers, hobbyists, dyed-in-the-wool druids... the people.

Ultimately, it's up to the members of ADF if they want me "truth-telling" on the margins, or in the middle of things fighting for them... because at the end of the day, people comprise the whole of my agenda. The people will decide if they want me to serve in this role or not. I honor their decisions.

(name redacted), I pray that my taking the time to address your worries and concerns has done good by you (and any that may be feeling similarly). Please know that I'm capable of complex emotions, and can be angry with a situation, and still be invested in the framework that holds the situation, as well as compassionate toward the people impacted by those situations.

I don't want to see ADF fail, AND I don't want to see it going on like it has been. Gods be good, I can help."

Some follow-up questions were asked, and it was amicably agreed that those questions could be added to the list that I'm working through on the blog.

Reading all the candidates answers, asking them about their opinions, expressing fears and doubts about their ideas and viewpoints... these actions show that you care. You want the best for ADF, and you want Our Druidry to matter, not only now, but in the future. Thank you for your engagement in the process. I'd like to assure y'all that even though I say things that are charged and dark, those opinions, and my sharing them as best I can in type-written media, arise out of my engagement with, love for, and desire to help the religious order that has blessed me with so much. I am grateful for the space you've granted me to share my thoughts, opinions, and struggles.

Now, on to today's batch of questions:

Volunteer recruitment and burnout are big problems. Do you have any plans to address either of those issues?

So much of Our Druidry is practiced across hundreds (or thousands) of miles, and while that is one of our strengths because we are capable of connecting on an international scale, I believe it's also a great challenge because it's difficult to check-in to make sure folks' experiences are being heard. It could be argued that not being heard leads to burnout, but I'd like to add that being heard but not LISTENED TO could till the soil in which burnout is grown. Hearing, and acting on folks' behalf is what, in my opinion, the job of MA is all about.

So, if elected, what can I do? I can encourage regional druids to keep in direct touch with their area leaders, and connect the MA to those who need to be heard, or who need advocacy. I can advocate for policies and procedures that support sharing the load of organizational responsibility. I can share personal stories of individual suffering with the Mother Grove, and be a mouthpiece for those negatively affected by the organizationally-generated situations that would cause burnout or decrease volunteer retention.

How do you plan to cultivate membership and volunteers?

Are we talking about the "prepare and use" cultivation, or the "acquire and develop" kind? In either case, from the position of Members' Advocate, I can work toward what I've offered in the above question. I believe offering people an organization that embodies care, concern, inclusivity, diversity, and multiculturalism is the best way to serve our members and volunteers.

Like I wrote in 2016 when running for Vice ArchDruid,

"Part of our religious experience as polytheists is that we accept that a lot of truths are existing together at the same time, and that in and of itself is paradox. There’s the truth of our laws/customs; there’s the truth of leadership; the truth of the initiated; the ordained; and ultimately… the individual. To call something “ours” means that we all have a stake, and each stake is valuable.I think that ADF has tremendous opportunity for growth in considering the truths and experiences of the folk as much as we consider the truth and experience in the lore, and our existing structures. Ultimately, a church without folk is meaningless. There is little that a church can do unless there are individuals available to participate in those things. A piece of what we do at Mountain Ancestors is actively examine our smaller communities and try to gain understanding in the unique experiences and needs, both of those in our local communities and in our larger global community."

What special skills would you bring to the position?

It'd be swell if I were a lawyer, psychotherapist, or the like... but I'm just a priest of a small polytheist church in Colorado. I've been lucky enough to have gone to Naropa University and graduated with a degree in Religious Studies. While there, I had classes and training in ethics, peer leadership, non-violent action, religion in human experience, spiritual models of social action, and multiculturalism. I also bring my experience in human rights, just-society, and mental health training.

How will you contribute to building a culture of consent in ADF?

Individually, I can contribute by naming the real problems that come with rape-culture. I can help to re-examine masculinity and re-imagine how consent-culture masculinity appears in ADF. I can encourage (insist) that leadership become media-literate on rape-culture, as well as encourage our organizational global-awareness of rape-culture. I can point us back to our histories (and gods forbid, the lore) so we can examine how rape-culture has been around for as long as rape. I can encourage, as it would benefit our membership and ultimately our religion, that leaders embrace how intersectionality is working not only in ADF, but in the world-at-large. I can be an advocate for those wanting to share their stories.

Lately, ADF has been rocked by several 'scandals' for lack of a better word, and frankly, the MG has floundered. From appointing people to making statements without complete information, these sorts of things are damaging to the organization. If elected, how would you go about navigating the issues facing the organization around bringing more transparency to processes while still responding to crisis in a timely manner?

Great question. Seriously.

For the sake of fairness, even through my own feelings of anger and frustration as the "scandals" came to light, the Mother Grove did their best with what they thought they had. In other words, if you cant see that there's a hammer at the bottom of your toolbag, you'll keep using the back-end of your screwdriver to drive nails.

We have SO many talented individuals in ADF, from lawyers, Ph.D.s, scientists, LOADS of tech-folx, professional educators and administrators... and I believe they're not being utilized and shown appreciation for what they bring to the table. If we have the human resources of, for example, professional educators, why haven't we BEGGED them for their help in creating more accessible, modern solutions for our study programs? Or to help create grading rubrics? Or a MYRIAD of other things that I don't know about... wait for it... because I'm NOT a professional educator.

We need to be Courageous enough to ask for help from experts in a field that we're not experts in, even though we may be "experts" in a field we're in together.

Long ago, someone somewhere in ADF probably said something that got interpreted as only-ADF-stuff-matters. It doesn't matter that someone has an advanced degree from a reputable institution in are in fields that would HELP Our Druidry grow and thrive. Why? Because if we're transparent about WHY the folks in charge (or thought-leaders, or social-influencers) are in those positions, we'd end up, like my mom (of blessed memory) used to say, "showin' ya ass to the world." Transparency is scary, AND it's got to happen to stay relevant in today's greater religious world.

If elected, I can only be the advocate for greater transparency, as I'm only on the MG as an advisor and non-voting member. Facing that direction, I don't have a lot of power... but facing the people, I can be the point of the spear, their collective power behind me. I can, as their advocate, be transparent about the lack of transparency. I can advocate for change by assembling our people to join their voices and "vote with their feet".

Now, regarding timely crisis responses: at some point, in times of crisis, we have to have people who are empowered by the group (not just the few) to speak on our behalf, who have the skills, language, efficiency, clarity, and sincerity to act quickly. We have people who possess those talents among our number. Without doubt. Why hasn't leadership tapped them for their help? If I get to serve as your advocate, I'll discover an answer, and commit to letting the people know. From there, you can choose what you'd like to do.

In response to the recent allegations against Isaac Bonewits, the ADF Mother Grove unanimously voted to provide (and fund) training for our Mother Grove, Regional Druids, and Clergy in the Consent Culture Course from Cherry Hill Seminary. I don't think the candidates' bios are the necessary venue to debate the merit of those accusations--I think the candidates should feel free to take a stance if they are called to, but that it is not something I would be looking for in their bios. However, I was incredibly proud to see the Mother Grove approve this class. I think it was a wise and proactive step to ensure that, moving forward as a religious organization, our leadership is equipped with the knowledge and skills to better identify, process, and even prevent coercion and abuse in our communities. I would like to see our candidates briefly discuss their responses to this course, specifically regarding how it may inform their leadership decisions.

Another great question. Thank you.

I took the course in 2016 with Rev. Michael Dangler, Rev, Jan Avende, and Victoria Selnes. Going in, I was working toward acquiring, "some deeper insight and guidance on modeling/structuring consent culture in a church/ritual setting, as well as how it informs our liturgy/ministry" (all quotes in this section are my own from the class unless otherwise noted). From week one, what I came away with was an understanding of the "Machiavellian-nature of the intersection of rape and culture" as well as "how insidious it is, and how ingrained we are culturally to unconsciously (or consciously) participate in it." I defined consent culture as "a social/political/religious/etc. group who build, foster, support, empower, and enforce collective processes that function to recognize individual agency and personal-rights."

In 2016, this is what I had to say about my experiences in the class:

"(Many) of our local group here in Colorado have been speaking the consent culture language from our days at Naropa University, and that's influenced how we as a church operate and make decisions, as well as how the social-norms of our church work. There's a small handful of local grove-folk and national ADF members that are down with the consent-culture model, but as an organization, we've got work to do."

Leadership-wise, consent is NOT consensus. To me, consensus-based decisions require everyone to say yes. Consent-based decisions require no one to say no. In the first model, groups try to arrive at the most palatable option(s) for the entire group. Consensus can cause an idea/proposal to become watered-down as each member of the team adds to or subtracts from the idea before they will support it. This, in my opinion, is how ADF has been making decisions. Consent-based process says that each team member must assess an idea based solely on the risk posed to the team or the larger organization. Only if a proposal or idea is found to be “unsafe” may a team member object. To be transparent, there's a lot more that goes along with this process, and I look forward to moving to deploy this model on a leadership level if I am elected.

***

Thank you for sticking it out to the end of today's post. I appreciate your time. Truly.

Please come back tomorrow for Part 3!

Blessings, one and all.

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About the Name: Prairie Tidings

One of the many names for a group of Magpies is "a tiding" of magpies. In 2015 this blog was used as a place for Rev. William, and Rev. Missy to share their experiences as church leaders, as well as goings on at the grove, opinions, and essays. After we got some dedicants trained in our unique work, it was unanimously decided by our board of directors to open the blog to all members of our church. So, we're a group of "MAGpies" (a tiding) sharing news, happenings, and our thoughts (tidings) with you all.

Thank you all for your continued support and interest in our work!

MAGpies, please make all blog submissions to Rev. William, as he's managing the website.

Prairie Tidings: Our Church's Blog

Rev. Badger answers ADF election questions - Part 4

Rev. Badger answers ADF election questions - Part 3

Rev. Badger answers ADF election questions - Part 2

About the Name: Prairie Tidings

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