Thank you for your interest in membership in our organization. Here is a little bit about us. Covenant of the Goddess is a national organization composed of member Wiccan or Witch Covens and solitary Wiccans or Witches who apply for membership through their local councils. In Florida we’re the Everglades Moon Local Council (EMLC).
We are witches who are involved in our community, and who are dedicated to working together to benefit our community and our religion as a whole. We are always excited to welcome in new members. While most of our membership is located in Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach areas, we also have members in Melbourne, Tallahassee, and other areas.
Meetings are held on a regular basis, usually once every 6 weeks. We request that prospective members come to some of our meetings, not only for us to get to know each other better, but also so that interested parties can get an idea of how we do things. Our organization is run by consensus, and that can be a completely new experience for a lot of people.
Here are some links regarding what consensus is and how it is designed to work:
http://www.actupny.org/documents/CDdocuments/Concensus.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concensus_decision-making
http://www.extension.org/pages/Making_Concensus_Work
Concensus is not a perfect process, and it doesn’t mean that everyone always agrees with everything. But CoG has found it to be a great model for honoring and respecting all participating members’ opinions and an empowering way to resolve issues.
We ask that you attend at least one (1) meeting in person, and two (2) other meetings or EMLC events before applying for membership. We realize however that this can be difficult for those who live far away and can’t travel. To that end, we also have Skype capability, so that people can call in to the meetings, or you can call in on a teleconference line and we’re all on speakerphone together. We do our best to make meetings available so that everyone is able to participate, and so that everyone has a say in what we do and how we do it.
Here’s how you can become a member:
- Attending meetings and events of EMLC
- Filling out an application form
- Writing a statement of practice for the group/solitary
- Obtaining two (2) letters of recommendation (one of which must be from a member of EMLC and the other can be from another CoG member or someone known to CoG)
- Donating the tithe amount
There are several ways you can get to know members well enough to ask them to write you a letter of recommendation, besides attending meetings and EMLC events. For groups or individuals who are not in close proximity to CoG members, sometimes the best way to get to know people is by spending time with them at festivals. Most festivals in Florida are well attended by CoG members:
PhoenixPhyre, at Beltane and Samhain: http://www.phoenixfestivals.com
Florida Pagan Gathering, in Ocala, at Beltane and Samhain: http://www.flapagan.org
Turning the Tides, in North Miami Beach, usually at the beginning of December: http://www.emlc.net
And those are just the ones I know about. I think there are more festivals in the Orlando area that I am unfamiliar with, but others have told me they have attended (Like Rovengrove’s Bridfest, Summerlands, YuleLikeIt, etc.). And there are events at Coral Castle in Miami at the Solstices that our members also attend on a regular basis. If you want to know if any CoG members are attending an event where you are going to be, email us and ask. We’ll do our best to meet up with you there.
Another way is to invite some of our members to visit with you over a Sabbat or Esbat holiday, to meet your group and yourselves and to circle with you – a good way to get to know people and learn about them. So there are some options for getting the letters of recommendation even if you don’t presently know any CoG members.
One of the reasons that Covenant of the Goddess is adamant about having prospective members vouched for is because CoG issues Ministerial Credentials that are recognized as valid nationwide, and these credentials can be applied for by each member. Thus, the screening process for membership has to be reliable and verifiable.
Once your materials for membership are received, and you have become acquainted with other EMLC members so that we feel we are familiar enough with you or your group, then EMLC members will review your membership request. If approved, this goes to our National Membership Officer to process and to our national newsletter to be published. After the publication and comment period have passed, two Sabbats, then the group or solitary member is welcomed in and sent membership materials. You can also request Ministerial and Elder credentials which are recognized and accepted nationwide.
If there is anything I haven’t covered, or any other questions or concerns that you have, please feel free to ask! The Membership Officer is the person who helps prospective members through this process and is available to answer questions and offer assistance. Keep in mind that we are all volunteers, and most of us work full time as well as have other duties, so your patience and understanding is appreciated if we can’t get back to you right away.