I guess I get confused on things too easily. I assisted in starting Occult Corpus and one main reason I assisted in this was to provide some Indo-European Forums for discussion. In addition, I was hoping to discuss the various Druid Organizations and even started a thread to for the ADF members to discuss the Dedicant Program and for non members to ask questions so they can be pointed to the ADF website. Next thing you know, we get an email stating basically the Dedicant Thread should not be there because non ADF member should not read the discussion of the Program and how do we verify membership. I am very confused about this because many of us have live journals and there is no way to verify the people who read and comment in your journal are actually members of the ADF and/or dedicant program. So, why is it OK to discuss the program on LJ where non members can read it but not OK to have a thread on a forum for Dedicants to discuss their progress? The thread in question was locked and will be deleted if I cannot get this straightened out. I think I will contact someone from ADF and see what the problem is.
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chronarchy said:
“Forward me the email you got about the Dedicant Thread. I’m curious to see it.
I’d say that it’s perfectly fine, honestly.”
Chris said:
“I’ve re-opened the thread based on the IRC FAQ which says the sunday night chat is open to anyone (member or not) and usually revolves around the dedicant program, and on the fact the publication OakLeaves is open to non-members & recently described the entire process of getting clergy status…
Though, I’ll keep an eye out to ensure there is nothing behind the /members/ section of the ADF main page being quoted in that, or any thread, as that would certainly fall under bad form
However, I do think this was likely a mis-communication based on a confusion between thread & forum title…as I’d certainly assume to get a cease & desist letter if the forum was specifically for ADF discussion (dedicant or otherwise).
Q”
chronarchy said:
“I don’t see anything, immediately, different than what I did on Chronarchy.Com, so . . . yeah. Not sure what to think about it.
But I expect that the forum is fine.
The concern, as I see it, arises from the fact that the ADF Dedicant Program is our primary membership incentive. To that end, we try and keep the manual under wraps, even though there is, honestly, nothing in there that a person couldn’t learn on their own (I just like to think that the directed study helps students a lot more than randomly trying to pick at the exit standards).
So as long as you’re not advertising our support material, I think you’re okay. But that may just be me, too. I’m pretty darn open about the DP and generally see it as good advertising.
If this persists and a request comes to shut it down, ask the person requesting its shut down speak to the Preceptor Posse and the MG about it and get you a final ruling.
I think there are more good arguments for keeping it open than there are for closing it.”
Chris said:
“Thank you for your input! :D”
sleepingwolf said:
“I personally think that the membership of ADF is an excellent incentive, myself, though it is one that’s difficult to advertise.”
sleepingwolf said:
“I can’t help but wonder if this related to the issue one person took with the posting of the solitary rite on YouTube.
As chronarchy said, it would be fairly easy to reverse-engineer the basic ideas behind the Dedicant Program with all that has been said about it publicly.”
I said:
“Well I am not exactly clear what the issue is for sure and what is really a valid concern and what is not. I too looked at it, my LJ and the kind words I share to the public and friends/family about ADF as free advertisement to a good organization. If I were saying negative things about ADF or the program, I could maybe understand someone not being pleased with it, but I would never do that, as I am extremely happy with ADF and the Dedicant Program. At one point yesterday, I was almost like “just forget it” but when I thought about “forgetting it” it made my heart terribly sad. So I think I will continue with the program. I will continue documenting in my LJ and on OC, however I do think this will cause me to be very reserved in what I share on OC. I had hoped to make those forums a good resource not just for ADF Members but for people who have chosen to follow the Druid Path in general. I have worked hard to get the forums going, especially the Indo-European ones and will continue to work to build it up to what I had dreamed it could be.
On a side note, I have been very busy with my fiancé’s parents visiting from out of state for over a week. They left this morning and my focus will now resume on my Druid Studies and the Dedicant Program. I am excited that I have only 8 days to go before I can apply for Protogrove Status. With the recent happenings….I plan to review the by-laws again and really drown myself in the Grove Organizers Handbook for the next week. I certainly do not want to do anything to cause a negative effect on ADF when my focus is just the opposite. “
sevensdiary said:
“I’m glad you will keep updating. I’m just starting out with OBOD, and as long as neither of us gets into trouble, I would love to be able to compare notes with you.
I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve started a new journal with the name ‘Elesrea’ and have added you. :o)”