Gathering of the Dynion mwynTribes-- Etiquette

THE GATHERING OF

THE TRIBES

Festival Etiquette

It's no secret that we all love a good festival. At certain times of the year, there are events all over the U.S. for Pagans to attend. Most have rules and guidelines. Below are a few basic guidelines you should follow when you attend our The Gathering of the Tribes. The organizers went to a lot of trouble to put this event on -- the last thing they need are people creating problems because common sense got left at home!

There are several Do's and Don'ts of Gathering Attendance. If you're in doubt about something, check with the organizers.

Festival Do's

REGISTRATION TENT / WELCOME TABLE: Everyone will have to check in at the beginning of the Gathering Site. Go to welcome table and a Gathering representative will be there. You won't be able to enter otherwise. There will be various areas designed to keep harmony between fellow campers. Checking in at the welcome table will help you know where these places are, thereby, making all of us happy campers. :) The welcome table will also have other pertinent information, such as reminders of circles/rituals, location of special places.

WORK SHIFT VOLUNTEER: We ask everyone to sign up and volunteer three (3) hours of their time at our Gatherings, but, if you're asked to do something by a festival or event coordinator, please do it. These people are volunteers, and if one of them asks you to watch children for an hour or carry a bag of trash to a dumpster, help out and take care of it. It will free us up to do what they're supposed to be doing - coordinating.

WORKSHOPS: If you are interested in conducting a workshop or teaching a class, please email us.

WORKSHOP PRESENTATIONS: Be respectful of workshop presenters. If you're attending a seminar or lecture, bear in mind that the presenters often are giving their time as a donation and many drive long distances to share their knowledge with you. Don't monopolize their time, and don't talk during their class. Save the chit-chat for afterwards. Also, bring your own supplies. If you know ahead of time you're going to be attending a workshop or class, bring your own craft supplies, magical tools, divination materials or notebook/pencil when possible.

ARRIVAL AND SETUP: Will begin at 9:00 am on Thursday, July 15, 2010. Reservations should be made in advance. We cannot guarantee a space otherwise. Also, no illegal drugs, firearms, nasty familiars or bad attitudes. If you are going to camp, PLEASE understand that there will be a lot of cars, and parking is going to be a premium. In fact, if you can, please Car Pool with those you know who are also attending the Gathering.

FOOD: Be sure you bring enough food for yourself. No one wants to have to go around begging the last three days of a campout because they've run short. The bigger problem is that other people will have enough for themselves, but if they share with you, then THEY run short. Plan ahead and bring a little more than you think you'll need.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO BRING: tents, flashlights with extra batteries, tarps, and rope. For you non-smokers out there: LIGHTERS or matches, a hatchet or axe, a whistle (for emergencies), a blanket, and plastic bags for your garbage. You tote it in, you tote it OUT. It is Suggested that each person carry in a cooler per camping unit.

FIRST AID: There will be people within the community, with medical training. BUT Everyone is responsible for their own first aid kit.

PHONES: The sponsors have a couple of cell phones, for emergency use.

REST ROOMS/SHOWERS: If you want warm water, bring a solar shower. Also, please bring bio-degradable soap, shampoo and conditioner. We will have portable toilets.

CAMPING AREAS: Camping at a primitive camp site is included in the donation. There will be a Bardic Village, full of revelry, music, and dancing (you will have to revel and dance to make that happen). Folks with kids might want to go to the designated Family Area to get away from all the noise. There will also be a Merchant village where the vendors will camp and display their wares.

ELECTRICITY: Please contact us for information.

LIGHTING: If you wish to bring extra lighting, please do so. Candles, lanterns, tiki torches, etc. are all acceptable, but be sure to abide by the Rules when setting up any lighting.

ICE: Your best bet is to bring a BIG ice chest.

THE WEATHER: It may be warm and humid in the daytime and cool at night, or it may be cool all the time, so look at the weather channel and bring appropriate clothing. There may be afternoon thunderstorms or downpours or it may not rain at all. The Goddess will show her paradoxical nature.

DRUM CIRCLES:If you're a drummer we strongly encourage you to bring your drums with you! There will be plenty of wonderful drumming for your participatory pleasure. Each evening, a drumming circle will begin and continue until the wee hours, so come and join in the fun! If you have an extra drum you can bring to share with someone who would like to play but does not own one, please do. We also encourage musicians who play other instruments to bring theirs out to join in the fun as well.

RADIOS:We strongly recommend leaving radios at home. If, however, you must bring your radio, please keep it low enough so that it does not disturb other campers. Please practice courtesy at all times. Walkie Talkie radios are welcomed, especially extra ones. Thanks!

NUDITY. Pay attention to rules regarding nudity. While there's nothing wrong with nudity, not everyone wants their child to see total strangers naked and in some states it is considered child abuse. Check the law regarding nudity in the state where the Gathering is being held. Ask a staff member for further info.

HOOKING UP: Do practice safe sex. If you're going to hook up with someone you meet at the Gathering, please do so responsibly.

CHILDREN: If you bring your children, please keep an eye on them. It may be difficult and you may have to miss a couple of workshops, but they're your kids. If you can't watch them at the event, find a sitter.

RESPONSIBILITY: Everyone is responsible for their own food, tents, trash collection, children, attitudes and actions.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION: When you mail your registration form, please send an email to dynionmwynoftheprairie@gmail.com remember to put "Gathering" in your subject line). Once your registration is received, and your payment confirmed, you will be contacted via email to confirm your registration and to be sure you have all necessary contact information and directions to the gathering. Please send your registration payment by money order or by Paypal.

CLEAN-UP: You must take care of your own trash. Leave the Gathering grounds cleaner than when you got there! Pitch in to tote it out! This is our world, our home, and its up to US to keep it CLEAN!

Festival Don'ts

CAMERAS: Do NOT take pictures of someone without their permission. Many Pagans and Wiccans are still in the broom closet, and that's their choice. If you want to take a photo of a friend, make sure there's no one in the background who can be identified, unless you've checked to make sure it's okay first.

FIRES: Safe fires are permitted in a Fire Pit, except for the use of grills, and at Fire Circle. Please no unattended grills.

PETS: Only pets on leashes are allowed at this Gathering.

OTHER PEOPLES STUFF: Don't touch other people's stuff! Most Pagans and Wiccans are very particular about the handling of their magical tools. To pick up someone's wand or athame and gush about how nice it is... well, it's a HUGE breach of protocol. Ask permission before touching anything.

BELIEFS OF OTHER ATTENDEES: Be respectful of others' beliefs. You may be pretty certain that your version of Witchcraft or Wicca is the best one, but you don't have to belittle the beliefs of other paths in the process. That includes being respectful of non-Pagan paths such as Christianity.

ARGUING WITH VENDORS: Don't argue with vendors about the worth of their merchandise. Believe me, there's nothing worse than knowing a person spent literally weeks crafting a beautiful object, and then seeing someone haggle because they don't think it's worth it. It's one thing if you're short on cash, but don't ever tell an artisan that their time and skill is valueless.

BEING LATE: Be on time. Unfortunately, the notion of Pagan Standard Time has become more and more of an issue -- the idea that all Pagans show up twenty minutes late. That's unacceptable if you're attending a scheduled workshop or class. When a presenter is in the middle of a session and half the group saunters in late, it's practically a guarantee that we won't get that person back next year.

RITUAL FIRE: Don't throw anything into a ritual fire unless you are specifically invited to do so. It's not a place for you to toss your trash, and certain herbs can cause allergic reaction in some people. If there's something you'd like to add to a fire, ask permission beforehand.

COMPLAINING: Don't complain about a lack of volunteer personnel. Volunteers are just that -- volunteers! If an event is short of them, then it's because not enough people were willing to donate their time and energy. Instead of complaining, offer to help out!

PRIVACY: Don't interrupt people who want privacy. It's not uncommon to see someone meditating, alone at The Gathering. If you stumble across such a person, don't bother them. Respect their need for solitude.

ILLEGAL OR DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR: Don't show up intoxicated or under the influence of drugs. You could find yourself ejected for disruptive behavior. Remember, you're entitled to have a good time, but you're not entitled to ruin everyone else's fun.

So there you have it -- a few simple, common-sense guidelines that will not only allow you to have a great time at The Gathering, but that will also allow others to enjoy it as much as you. Now go forth and may it be a wonderful experience for you!