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MINUTES
at Maxim's Restaurant, Tucson, AZ
5 March, 2003
  1. Present were Gannd, Michele, Kirk, Steve, Morgan, Don & Arlene, Sally, Greenvie and guests Jay Bravo and Lisa Brill.
  2. Minutes. The Minutes of the meeting at Michele's House on 15 January, 2003 were approved as circulated.
  3. Pursewarden's Report.
    1. The Pursewarden reported that we had $130.70 in petty cash and $181.70 in our new checking account.
    2. We will deposit $100 of the petty cash into the checking account.
    3. So far, only Kirk Thomas can sign on the checking account. Gannd and Arlene will be put on the account as soon as they can get to the bank with Kirk.
    4. No expenditures will be made from the checking account without checking with Arlene.
    5. Kirk showed everyone the State of AZ Trade Name Certification that he got from the Secretary of State which enabled us to open our checking account. The Certification expires on 10 February 2008. Kirk will get a copy of the Certification to Arlene.
    6. Kirk will prepare a form for gifts made to SSG.
  4. Contacting Past ADF Members in Tucson.
    1. Gannd has the list of past members now and will begin contacting them.
  5. Advertising.
    1. Spring Equinox Ritual - Gannd will put an ad in the local newspaper.
  6. Membership Renewals
    1. Don, Arlene, Gannd, Sally, Kirk and Steve have all renewed.
    2. Current SSG Full Members are:
      1. David Foster (Gannd)
      2. Arlene Davis
      3. Don Davis
      4. Michele Briere
      5. Morgan Canady
      6. Kirk S. Thomas
      7. Steven C. Sampson
      8. Barbara Foster
      9. Sally Chandler
      10. Spotted Toad
      11. Taryn Lynn
      12. Linda Costello
      13. Diane Fae
      14. Keith Bohren
      15. David Brock
      16. Ann of Phoenix
    3. Current SSG Local (only) Grove Members are:
      1. Craig Staples
    4. Associate SSG Members are:
      1. Hillary Gross
  7. Old Business.
    1. We have heard from Lynda and Daki. Their lives are a bit up in the air, so their wedding plans have been put on hold.
  8. New Business
    1. Fundraising
      1. Greenvie has established a presence for SSG at www.cafeshops.com/desertmagick. There, anyone may order items with the SSG logo on them, such as t-shirts, coffee mugs, etc.
      2. Kirk will put Greenvie's web site at www.lairlibris.com as a link on our web site.
      3. Steve and Kirk will donate the setup fee for other products such as our logo engraved on river stones or boxes and putting our logo on keychains.
      4. Gannd will contact ADF for permission to put the ADF logo on the back of a pewter keychain (with the SSG logo on the front).
    2. Full Grove Status - Don reported that he had heard that the requirements for Full Grove status has been changed to a total of 9 members, two of whom must have completed the Dedicant's Program. He pointed out that SSG had already exceeded these requirement. Kirk will ask the Archdruid when he arrives later in the month.
    3. Quorum - a proposal was discuss for a change in the Bylaws. Kirk will e-mail out the proposal for a vote by the members containing the following provisions:
      1. A quorum will consist of a majority of Full Members present at a published meeting.
      2. One Officer of the Grove (Senior Druid, Pursewarden or Scribe) must be present.
      3. A minimum of 3 Full Members must be present.
    4. Minimum Grove Donation - A proposal was presented to amend the Bylaws to require a minimum donation to the Grove per year. There would also be a provision for Compassionate memberships where the donation would not be required for those members the Officers deemed unable to pay, and also a provision for Scholarships.
      1. Kirk will send out the proposed wording of the new Bylaw for a vote to the membership.
      2. For all e-mail votes, a deadline will be set for a response. No response by a member will be considered a Yes vote for the change.
    5. Wellspring.
      1. The dates for Wellspring this year are May 30 - June 1.
      2. Part of our group wish to travel by car: Don, Arlene, Taryn Lynn and Spotted Toad.
      3. Kirk and Gannd will go by plane.
    6. Ritual Signage. Steve reported that we need to postpone the creation of permanent ritual signage until after construction is finished at Summerlands to prevent damage from large construction vehicles.
    7. Welsh Language Lessons. Classes are on Thursday nights and they are free! They will take place at the home of Lynn Watts and the contact number is 520-579-5371 (Lynn Watts). We are still interested if we can find the time.
  9. Winter Solstice Ritual
    1. 40 people showed up, filling every available seat. The fire was kept small and weak until the working section where we called back the sun. While Morgan led a spiral dance, the fire was built up until it was a roaring blaze.
    2. The Omen was read by the Seer, Morgan.
      1. Center Card - 8 Cups - the waters of life with fountain overflowing - these are the blessings of the Sacred Well.
      2. On left: 7 Swords - the Grove members at play.
      3. On right: Temperance - The Grove will grow at a steady pace.
      4. A few cards fell to the ground, knocked down by the wind. These were Judgement - The Sun is returning. 4 Pentacles - the growth of the body of the Grove. 3 Pentacles - Mother Earth and fertility. Ace Pentacles - Even the stars above bless the Grove.
      5. All in all a very good Omen indeed! The Kindreds accept our sacrifices and desire the best for the Grove.
    3. Celebrants were:
      1. Druid 1 - Don
      2. Druid 2 - Kirk
      3. Bard - Arlene
      4. Seer - Morgan
  10. Imbolc Ritual
    1. Our Imbolc Ritual was a TAWN Open Ritual. 39 people attended.
    2. Celebrants were:
      1. Druid 1 - Arlene
      2. Druid 2 - Gannd
      3. Druid 3 - Tarran
      4. Druid 4 - Sally
      5. Bard - Kirk
      6. Seer - Don
    3. New chants were used.
      1. A new Awen chant (borrowed from Muin Mound Grove) was sung as a call-response chant by Arlene and Kirk.
      2. A Mother Earth chant was added to the Honoring the Earth Mother section.
      3. Arlene wrote music for her invocation to the Matron of the ritual, Brigit.
    4. The Omen - The Grove will enjoy growth and prosperity, tempered with change.
  11. Spring Equinox Ritual
    1. The Celebrants will be:
      1. D1 - Gannd
      2. D2 - Kirk
      3. D3 - ADF Archdruid Skip Ellison
      4. D4 - Greenvie
      5. Seer - Don
      6. Bard - Arlene
      7. Warrior - Michele
      8. Sanctifier 2 - Sally
      9. Lead Drummer - Morgan
    2. The date of the ritual will be Friday, March 21, 2003 at 7:00 pm.
    3. There will be a rehearsal for the Celebrants on March 20th at 7:00 pm at Steve and Kirk's house.
    4. Kirk will e-mail the larger Grove list about the date, time and presence of the ADF Archdruid.
  12. Dates of Upcoming Meetings and Rituals. (Dates and times may be changed closer to the time)
    1. General Business Meetings
      1. Kirk & Steve's House - March 20, 2003 - 7 pm.
      2. Bookmans on Speedway - April 2, 2003 - 7 pm.
      3. Gannd's new apartment - April 16, 2003 - 7 pm.
    2. Dedicant's Program Meetings
      1. Michele's House - March 12, 2003 - 7 pm.
      2. NO MEETING - March 26, 2003
      3. Tissha's House - April 9th, 2003 - 7 pm.
      4. Morgan's House - April 23, 2003 - 7 pm.
      5. Steve and Kirk's House - April 30, 2003 - 7 pm.
    3. Rituals.
      1. Spring Equinox - March 21, 2003 - Summerlands Stone Circle, 7:00 pm - Gate opens at 6:00 pm. ADF Archdruid Skip Ellison will be a celebrant. This ritual will have a Welsh focus.
      2. Beltane - May 1, 2003 - Summerlands Stone Circle, 7:00 pm - Gate opens at 6:00 pm.