Cascadia Radical Faerie Resource

Frequently Asked Questions about CRFR, with answers provided by Damien

First off, who wrote this FAQ? Is this some kind of "official" statement from somewhere?

Not at all. It was written by Leo from Portland, known to some as Damien of the faerie list. He was involved in many of the "feybiz" (see below) meetings, was one of three faeries to meet with the attorney who reviewed and rejected the first draft bylaws, and was one of several faeries who helped write the proposed bylaws below. He just wanted to share this information as widely as possible, using the limited means at his disposal.

Please understand that the opinions in this FAQ are my own, based on my own experience and perspective. I speak for no one but myself. - Leo/damien

What's a "feybiz" meeting?

The business meetings of the Northwest Radical Faeries (aka, the "feybiz meetings") began a few months prior to the Winter 1999 Breitenbush Gathering. Portland faeries called a "business meeting" -- in conscious contrast to a circle -- to discuss questions and concerns surrounding the purchase of a computer with faerie funds by the then-acting treasurer of the Breitenbush Gatherings.

How and why was this computer purchased?

The acting treasurer felt it would be easier to maintain the Breitenbush Gathering checking account with a computer. Also, he felt it could be used to help generate photo directories, and other materials for the Northwest Faeries. He discussed the purchase with several other faeries over a long period of time, none of whom opposed the idea; however, no circle was ever called, nor was the purchase consensed to in any formal manner. About $2,500 was spent on this computer, and its peripheral products.

Why was no circle ever called to agree to this purchase?

Because there is no formal structure behind the Northwest Faeries and the Breitenbush Gatherings. There never has been. It's a database (many praises to RavOn SistrWumn and Quercus!), a bunch of wonderful people, some good luck, a lot of hard work, nearly twenty years of history (the first Breitenbush Gathering was in 1981), and a big dose of faerie magick.

In other words, there was no circle to "call". This gathering has lived on as a slightly madcap, and often chaotic, "rotating benevolent monarchy" of faeries who care enough to get involved as Queen Registrar of a particular gathering, always handing it on at the end.

For the near twenty year history of this gathering, the checkbook passed from Queen Registrar to Queen Registrar after each gathering. Each QR kept his own books. But, in 1997, the QR was unable to maintain the checkbook himself, and asked another faerie to act as his treasurer. From that gathering forward, the same faerie kept the checkbook, acting as treasurer of all subsequent gatherings until Winter 2000.

Then, the QR's of the Winter 2000 gathering chose to collect their own funds and keep their own books. As a result, for a period of time, the Breitenbush Gathering funds were held in two different bank accounts. They've since been reconsolidated into a single account, and the acting treasurer has chosen to no longer act in that role. The funds are once again held by the Queen Registrar of the upcoming gathering.

What came of these first feybiz meetings, starting back in the Fall of 1998?

Many strong feelings were aired, by mostly Portland area faeries, about the use of Breitenbush Gathering funds to purchase a computer. Opinions were expressed both for and against the purchase. Out of these discussions, consensus arose that it would be a good thing if something happened to address the following concerns:

how could we, the Northwest Faeries, be more fiscally accountable?
what could we do to ensure greater continuity between gatherings?
and, what could we do to protect our Queen Registrars from having unlimited personal financial liability for problems arising during their gathering?

A two page letter full of information was distributed by Marlin, and a feybiz circle was called at the Winter 1999 Breitenbush Gathering, to encourage discussion of these things. This circle was sparsely attended, and only a few faeries asked to be kept informed. Those who did were added to the mailing list for feybiz meeting announcements and minutes.

What happened then?

A series of ten or so feybiz meetings happened in Portland over the following year, to discuss how to address these concerns. Many possibilities were discussed. Consensus slowly formed that a non-profit corporation should be created, with a coordinating circle (the "board of directors", in legal terms) tasked to do everything necessary to support the Queen Registrars in continuing the gatherings. A set of bylaws was drafted, then discarded after discussion with an attorney. A second set of bylaws was drafted, under the advice of an attorney. About ten additional faeries from Seattle and San Francisco were added, without asking or being asked, to the feybiz mailing list, in hopes they would spread the word and get involved with the process. After much (much ...) more discussion over several meetings, this second set of bylaws was consensed to by the feybiz meeting group.

The proposed bylaws can be read by clicking here.

How many people were attending these meetings?

As many as twenty, and as few as six, faeries showed up for each of these meetings. Over the course of the meetings, about fifty different faeries attended at one point or another. Over the course of the meetings, seven former Queen Registrars added their voices to the consensus process, in general support of what the meetings were trying to accomplish. Currently, there are over forty faeries on the mailing list for these meetings (if you'd like to be added, click here).

Okay, so bylaws were written ... then what happened?

The proposed bylaws were made available on request (prior drafts had already been distributed) to everyone on the feybiz meeting mailing list. A notice was sent out, stating that unless faeries requested another meeting within 30 days, the bylaws would be considered "final", and the next steps could be considered. A faerie in Seattle requested another meeting be held to answer questions being asked by Seattle faeries.

The Seattle meeting was held in November 1999. Many concerns were expressed about the bylaws and the manner in which the feybiz meetings had been organized. Efforts have been made since to answer these questions, including an extensive letter written by Scotty Dogg to Favero, and many individual conversations. However, no further meetings have happened, and nothing further has been done.

What is the "Cascadia Radical Faerie Resource"?

"Cascadia Radical Faerie Resource" is the name of the as-yet-unformed non-profit corporation. This name was proposed by Gentle Knight of Portland, and consensed by all faeries present at a feybiz meeting at which this was raised as an agenda item.

Why did all but one of these meetings happen in Portland? Why didn't anyone contact Me?

At almost every feybiz meeting, faeries wondered and worried that the entire effort was being led by a small percentage of the total faeries listed in the Northwest Faerie Database (the database to which the Breitenbush Gathering calls are sent twice each year), almost all of whom were in Portland (though, a faerie from Olympia drove down for several meetings, a faerie from California flew up for one, and a faerie in Washington DC was in telephone and email contact a few times). Except for the original letter and circle at the Winter 1999 Breitenbush Gathering, word of the meetings spread largely by word of mouth, mostly in Portland, and some in Seattle.

Meeting notices and minutes were only sent to those who'd asked for them, because the cost of sending out notices by mail (about $500 to send a letter to the full Northwest Faerie Database) was prohibitive. It was also unclear how we could maintain a consensus-process without having everyone together to listen to each other and actively participate in the process.

So, the faeries involved tried to "get the word out" as best they could under the circumstances. We proceeded feeling we were working on behalf of everyone, much as a spontaneous group of us at each gathering put together the talent show for all to enjoy, and one or two of us step forward and work very hard as Queen Registrar to coordinate an entire gathering.

Has anything happened yet?