Pebble Minutes - 19 Sep 2009

The Public Bodies Liaison Committee for British Paganism

Pebble Minutes - 19 September 2009

Date: Saturday 19th September 2009
Location: Birmingham
Time: 2.00pm

Present:

Angela Grant (Independent Chair)
Maria Malo (Secretary)
Bryn Colvin (TDN)
Shaun Hayes (OBOD)
Chris Funderburg (Web master & TDN)
Michael Rowan (PPA)
Andy Pardy (PPA & Kith)
Jon Randall (PN)

Further Abbreviations Used Throughout:

TDN: The Druid Network
OBOD: Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids
PPA: Police Pagan Association
Kith: Kith of Yggdrasil
PN: Pagan Network
HAD: Honouring the Ancient Dead
PM: Pentacle Media

MINUTES

1. Statement from the Chair

There was no Statement planned and thus there was no Statement!

2. Ratification of Web Master and Secretary

Both the new Web Master, Chris Funderburg and the new Secretary, Maria Malo, were unanimously ratified.

3. Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from both Lee Davis (PM) and Belinda Winder (PF)

4. Ratification of the Minutes of the Meeting of 28 March 2009

These were agreed unanimously.

5. Changes in Status of Members and Membership Applications

Darbyshire Pagans, The Ravens and Heathens for Progress have resigned from Pebble.
Michael Rowan from the PPA made a presentation highlighting how the Association came to be formed, what its aims are and why it wishes to be part of Pebble.
SH asked whether the PPA would consider communications with the organizers of the Stonehenge Open Access and also the Police in general working with them.
AP stated that this would be a positive thing due to the inherent misunderstanding of Paganism within the Police.
ACTION: It was unanimously agreed that the PPA should be members of Pebble as of this meeting.
AP from the Kith of Yggdrasil made a presentation highlighting that although there are currently only 36 members by next Pebble meeting they will have fulfilled the full membership criteria. He highlighted that the Kith were in a process of change due to its founder's death and one of these was looking at joining Pebble. The members wished to ask several questions to clarify a number of points, including that they are only representing the Kith’s members and not all Heathens. AP also highlighted that they have strong contacts with other Heathen groups worldwide as well as at home.
All agreed that the main issue against Kith joining was that they did not currently fulfill the membership requirement.
SH suggested that if Kith is attending the next Pebble meeting and they had the right number of members that he had no objections to Kith joining.
ACTION: To inform that Kith is seeking more members and to review their request to join Pebble at the next meeting.

6. Report on Actions Resulting from the Last Meeting

ODA: AG stated that no further contact had been made by the ODA and this should be now left.
Provision of Local Facilities for Pagans: SH asked whether any further progress had been made regarding the Pagan Centre in Hampshire. JR reported that he had spoken with those involved, advising them that they have full support from Pebble. They are currently waiting for funding.
ACTION: This shall be carried over to Any Other Business in the next meeting.
Reburial of Human Remains: A statement for Pebble website written up by LD was read out. In addition, BC read a statement from Bobcat which was agreed should be placed on the website along with LD statement.
There was no opinion from CoBDO due to non attendance from a representative.
Organ Donation: AG read a piece written from a Pagan perspective which includes both Dualist and Animist viewpoints to Organ Donation.
SH spoke about the difficulties that arise once a relative dies in Hospital and the paperwork involved. All agreed on the importance of having something that can be handed to officials at such points to clarify the Pagan stand on this matter. It was decided that AG's statement was appropriate with some slight alterations.
ACTION: CF to put statement on Pebble site. AG to contact National Body regarding the statement.
Ministry of Defence: A discussion on what should be done regarding this was had, due to it having been something that a previous member organization was dealing with. Kith stated that they had independently tried to contact Zin Walker of the MoD but had made no progress. However, the PPA are currently in contact with the Mlitary Police with a view to their representation in the PPA.
ACTION: To see what progress the PPA makes with the Military Police and to leave this matter for the time being.

7. Popular Press and the way Pagans are Portrayed

AG talked about the News of the World article and how it displayed Paganism as a fashion accessory.
MR and AP spoke about their recent experiences with the press and the leaked news of the PPA's formation. Although there was some negative press, overall they were happy with most of the media's (especially the BBC) portrayal of the situation. They highlighted that feedback from readers on news sites was overall positive and where negative comments had been made by the media, there was support from the majority of the public. SH spoke about the negative reactions to one report where a policeman had spoken about doing spells, (AP clarified that this individual, although sharing the same first name was someone else) as well as some people thinking that this meant that Pagan officers would be getting extra holidays. MR and AP highlighted that this was not the case and Pagan officers would just be swapping and thus would be working such times as Christmas, Easter etc.
AP suggested that a Statement agreed to by all Organisations from Pebble to present to the Press might be something that should be created.
BC also discussed that there should be an availability of people who are able to deal with the Press.
JR spoke about Pete Jennings who used to do a course for those who might be dealing with the Press. Everyone agreed that this would be something useful for anyone who might deal with such situations. This is something that Pebble will investigate in future.
ACTION: Further discussions to be held online.

8. Census

JR said that currently there was no further information and he was waiting for the results from the trial that is currently ongoing before further action. However, he did state the need for more categories to go under 'Pagan' and had been asked to provide these by the end of the year. He stated that Scotland had included a 'Pagan' tickbox which unfortunately would not be acceptable to all Pagans and has the unfortunate effect of rendering the data less informative as to differing paths and numbers. SH discussed the differences between Pagan Druids and non-Pagan Druids.
ACTION: Further categories to be submitted to JR.

9. Pebble Website

CF discussed tidying up the site further and the possible implementation of a Search Bar for ease of use of the site by visitors. He also suggested enabling the ability for everyone to add 'News' onto the site so that Pebble would have news on subjects as they came up, keeping the site fresh and current.
SH voiced some concerns and suggested that some moderation might be needed to cover typos etc. He also suggested that a posting guideline for all member organisations might be a useful tool.
JR agreed that this facility could be very useful, and offered to assist in any capacity.
AG highlighted the necessity of any news being submitted being cleared with other members.
AP stated that the site needed to have a more 'welcoming' feel to encourage return visitors and attract more people.
MR asked whether a statement from the PPA would be needed. This was agreed to be necessary.
The possible creation of a Facebook presence for Pebble was discussed. AP, JR and BC all discussed the positives that this presence could bring, which included more people hearing about what Pebble does and what it is about. There were some reservations regarding what such a page could do and would allow.
ACTION: This topic to be discussed further online. BC & MM to collaborate and write up news regarding departing member organisations and those joining. MR to write up a statement from the PPA and to further liaise with CF to add updates on PPA news. The creation of a Facebook presence to be discussed online.

10. Any other Business

Handfastings and Civil Registrations to be carried over to the next meeting.
Dictionary: As the member organisation who were part of this have left AG asked where Pebble's position was with this and suggested that this project be currently struck. JR suggested a change of focus from the Dictionary to Encyclopedia definitions.
ACTION: CF to remove the Dictionary Project from Pebble website. AP to investigate the possible change of focus to Encyclopedias.
Pebble Chat Room: Due to a few issues arising from the last scheduled online chat meeting there was a discussion on whether this should be a regular thing or whether it should be used as an 'emergency' meeting room to make urgent decisions.
ACTION: JR to write up a 'how to' for access to the chat room. Further discussions about this to be held online.

Date and Venue for next Meeting

13th March 2010 in London