Cascadia Radical Faerie Resource
October 3, 2001
Dear Faerie Brother,
Since 1982, each winter, Radical Faeries have gathered at Breitenbush in sacred meadows, soaked together
in warm pools, laughed and cried together in Heart Circles, made love in February snow. In nine summers
we have also splashed in Devil's Hole and played in sunlit forests.
All the faeries whose names appear below have been involved in producing one or more gatherings. All of
us love the gatherings and care deeply about their future. In a spirit of openness we are writing to everyone
in the Northwest Faerie Database to describe a way to strengthen the Breitenbush gatherings and provide
for their future. As faeries, we share in a 23-year history of open process and consensus decision making; in
keeping with that tradition, we call for your participation.
Over the past four years, there have been intermittent discussions in Portland, Seattle, and at two
gatherings about the possibility of forming a non-profit corporation. Some faerie organizations have been
incorporated as non-profits for years: Short Mountain was first in the 1970's, followed by Nomenus in 1982.
Kawashaway Sanctuary in Minnesota, Faerie Camp Destiny in Vermont, Zuni Mountain Sanctuary in New
Mexico, and Starland in California have all recently incorporated or plan to do so soon. Sister organizations,
such as the Billy Club in California, have had non-profit status for years.
Non-profit status is popular and important because many legal advantages flow from it:
» creation of a legal organization that can hold the group's funds (which amount to about $70,000 a year,
presently held in personal accounts),
» limitations on personal liability for gathering organizers (especially the Queen Registrars), who now face
legal risks both from liability lawsuits and for shortfalls in income,
» clear non-taxable status for gathering funds (as is, the IRS could, at any time, rule that these funds are
taxable income and create serious financial and legal problems for present and past Queen Registrars),
and
» once tax-exempt status has been obtained, the opportunity for any of us to make tax-deductible
donations to help other faeries attend gatherings.
Putting on a gathering puts a massive burden on the Queen Registrar(s), and one that sometimes can be
overwhelming. As a result, several gatherings have come very close to not happening at all. We expect that
the new structure will provide increased continuity and stability for the gatherings, since it will create a pool
of supportive, experienced Faeries whom Queen Registrars can call on for help and advice—if they need it.
All the discussions that have taken place have emphasized that the freedom of Queen Registrars to create
gatherings will not change (there will be no interference or "micro-management" from the organization), and
that QR's must continue to be self-selecting, as they always have been.
The work done so far has created proposed by-laws for the corporation, which is tentatively named Cascadia
Radical Faerie Resource. The remaining steps are to discuss and ratify the by-laws; write Articles of
Incorporation; get both of them reviewed for conformity to Oregon law; file the Articles with the Oregon
Secretary of State; and, at some point in the future, file for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status with the IRS.
If you are interested in finding out more about the work that has been done so far, please
contact Rosemary in one of the following ways:
» send a post card or letter to CRFR, c/o Steve Muchnick, 1703 Funston Ave., San Francisco, CA 94122-
4629;
» send email to stevem@2xtreme.net (note the spelling after the "@" sign); or
» call Rosemary at 415-564-1234 (home) or 415-317-7641 (cell) between 11:00 am and 11:00 pm.
Please indicate you're interested in plans for the organization and whether you would like the available
written materials sent to you on paper or by email. Note that Rosemary will not be available to answer
inquiries October 22 – November 15.
The work so far has been done collectively, with decisions made by consensus. We know that achieving
consensus can be difficult, and using it in a group not thoroughly trained in the process can be (and has
been) exhausting. Achieving consensus requires insight, compromise, and restraint from all participants.
Most important of all is a sense of community; respect, openness and love are the "glue" that holds that
community together.
Though consensus is difficult, it offers great rewards. Since each person possesses part of the greater truth,
the created whole best approximates that truth. We believe in the collective wisdom that flows from a
community working as one. The work that lies ahead requires love, wisdom and trust. If you feel called to
be part of it, we ask that you bring to it trust in each other, thoughtful reflection, and a clear heart.
With Faerie Love from all of us,
| Rosemary for Remembrance | Riversong | Whitewater |
| Scotty Dog | Katie Eagle Singer | Stardust |
| Peppermint | Uncle Markie | Lupin |
| Swamp Lily | Quercus | RainbowMan |
| RavON Sistrwmn | Elderberry | Damien |
[Actual signatures appear here on the letter sent out with the printed Call]