Resignation of Alicia( treasurer) and Drew (secretary) to to life obligations and school. We loved having them serve and the founding officers and helping the USUPA get on it’s feet. They will still be participating members and we hope they enjoy ‘civilian life’. *wink*
This means the USUPA is in need of a little restructuring. So we’ve decided to hold open elections for a new Vice President and a Secretary/Treasurer. Only USU students currently enrolled can apply for those positions. The VP would basically be in charge of helping run and plan events and stand in proxy whenever the President can not attend to her duties. The Secretary/Treasurer is in charge of keeping track of event dates, meeting minutes and tending the money the club earns or spends. Both officers are contact points for the club and are expected to be welcoming, social and brave. *wink* not too difficult I promise. If you have more questions ask. Self nominations for Officer positions will be due to me (Kassie) by January 20th so that we can hold a vote on January 21st (our next meeting). Elections will now be held in January of each year.
We have also decided to have Ritual Guardians for the major rituals of the year. We will hold four a year ( generally Yule, Ostara or Imbolc, Beltaine and Samhain). We are looking for driven organized members to be the Guardians for Ostara(march 21) and Beltaine (may 1 or when it’s warm). A Guardian will be in charge of the festival, all questions, planning and logistics are up to them. They are more than welcome to ask the officers for assistance but it’s your show. It is suggested that they appoint or take volunteers for a feast master ( in charge of organizing food), a ritual master ( this can be themselves or someone else but the actual planning of the rite) and a event coordinator ( in charge of space, decorations and taking pictures) or any breakdown thereof.
You MUST get your Ritual and event outline to the officers a month before the event and keep them informed of plans as they happen. Any questions or concerns about this position can be directed to Kassie.
The USUPA officers will be in charge of one OPEN ritual a year ( usually Samhain) the rest of the events are closed to the public and non-members are by cleared invitation only.
Membership- You must pay a yearly due ( in the fall) and attend one meeting a month for 2 consecutive months to be considered a member and allowed into closed rituals. These are the rules from now on. If you can not commit to attnend at least that your membership and voting rites are considered forfeit and you get to start over ( minus the yearly due) .
We do this not to be mean or exclusionary. We are a unique club that also serves a religious purpose and part of that religious aspect is that we hold rites and rituals that are very personal. We want to know the people we are working with and consider it an exercise in safety. The other reason is because (kassie at least) feels the pagan communities major failing is lack of organization and basic rules. Structure creates opportunity and real, meaningful experiences and we want everyone in the USUPA to feel included and safe.
Fundraiser- we will be doing a valentines fundraiser to provide money to the club this year. We would like to do holiday treats (sugar cookies, cupcakes, kiss roses etc) and maybe little hand-fasting cords. We need help planning this.It will be either Feb 11th or 14th.
Also A-day ( spring semester’s version of club rush/day on the quad) is coming up sometime during spring semester. It would be wise for us to come up with a food item to sell and an activity ..maybe tarot readings again.
Book club- we’d like to start a book a month club ( so two books a semester ish) on pagan subjects. This can be an academic of instructional book or pagan based fiction. Small enough that people can read it in one month though. members can buy books on amazon or ask for them through Inter-library Loan at the Logan or USU libraries. We would like one person a year to head this. You’d be in charge of choosing a book and leading the discussion on the 2nd Saturday of the month.
T-shirts/bumper stickers – we would really like to get t-shirts designed for the club to help increase our visibility on campus and wear at club events/service projects. Please submit ideas. Keep them school colors ( dark blue and white if you haven’t noticed). We are looking for something using the logo and a slogan, either the one on the website banner or something you’ve come up with. There are lots of sites that help you design tshirts/bumper stickers on the web. feel free to use them and send me the link.
Banner- We would like to have a semi-permanant one. something along the lines of ” come join the USUPA and see some real pagans. ” whatever. but a banner we can tack on events to and such. So send ideas. Artistically inclined members please help with execution. Ya’ll have seen my handwriting and drawing skills…awful. please don’t leave it up to me.
Classes- We would like to have more speakers and constructive classes, feel free to make suggestions on topics of if you know someone willing to teach a class…anything from rieki to outdoor survival/camping/ hiking classes to religious history. There is talk of asking a local foot reflexologist, a rieki practitioner, Tantric Hindu priest and others this semester so keep your ears open for people with interesting specialties.
Something I forgot to mention in the meeting. We want to plan a group trip to Lava hot springs or on of the surrounding available establishments. The USUPA would arrange carpool and we’d go out to eat after (great Thai restaurant in Lava). Just a relaxing social time. Probably in March or April sometime over a weekend.
If I forgot something or you have a class/fundraiser suggestion -any member that was there please fill in using the comment section.
Do NOT volunteer for ritual or officer positions there. Use the usupa AT gmail DOT com email or contact me on facebook.
Also for reference Jeremy is your member contact for the Post-Mormon group on campus (and maybe SHAFT) and Issac is the contact for the LIFE/GLBT groups. We highly encourage cross-club involvement and if you need anything or have questions regarding these clubs please ask them. Also if either clubs have announcements Jeremy and Issac are free to make those on the USUPA boards or at meetings.
Thanks I think that’s all.
Bless.
