CMG MAIN Takes the Lead on a Path Towards Restoration, Reform, and Community Focus- Sindee Blackfeather

 

Chaos Magick Group (Main) and the Senior Advisors of the Advocacy Council have reached an agreement that will restore CMG to its position of influence and leadership on the Council.  The agreement was announced earlier this week and is seen as a necessary first step in advancing the goal of community cohesion.  The development of cooperation, collective response, and interactive communication within the occult community have been set as Council objectives.   The seating of Representative Rubeus Mater (Admin CMG) to the Council and her appointment to leadership positions is a key component of the agreement. 

The Council was initially comprised of people who were CMG members.  Over the last decade, the purpose of the Council has changed as has its structure.  The Council has gone from a simple resource board to a representative body which brings together groups from across the occult community.  A charter, adopted by vote, provides the rules and governing structure of the Council.  It is this founding document which established the elected leadership and the process of Council vote on decisions. 

“There is a need to build our occult community.  This requires development of collective resources, cooperative efforts, and participation from among a wider range of groups.  To bring this about the Council will need to work with key groups within the community and to develop partnerships in the work.  CMG MAIN, because of its influence and impact on the community, was the necessary first step in developing partnerships in leadership.  There are other groups who hold similar roles among parts of the community who the Council intends to establish working relationships.  If the community is to develop a structure that can be responsive to the challenges ahead and meet the needs of its members, it must be inclusive.”  Jess Jones speaking for the Council.

“The idea of community requires people to first understand that it is, in fact, a community.  A community is not merely a collection of like-minded individuals that happen to have goals in common;  It is an interactive and cohesive collective that understands that its future well-being is tied together.  We must come to understand that community means an inclusion of all the various groups and concerns that encompass the occult perspective.  This requires we build a structure that allows for participation, communication, and collective response as well as provides for a mechanism to act on behalf  of the community.  The occult community has developed a growing sense of self-identity based on the on-line groups that have arisen.  Every community develops along an area of common concern which is the formation of its self-awareness.  For the first time in history, the occult community has the tools to work together in support and mutual growth.  The development of a collective structure for communication and cooperation is the necessary next step and it is to this that the Council is dedicated.  We believe  that as we move forward this will be essential in the well being of our community and its ability to support and take collective action in its own defense and growth. We must see the challenges ahead and understand the importance of our groups in meeting these challenges.  The Council believes that with its tradition of representational governance and history  of bringing about resolution among differing groups it can be an active component of this process.  It is with this overall purpose in mind that we are undertaking a reform within the Council structure to meet the demands of community participation.  This has been the way the Council has been trying to meet the changing needs of service.  The fundamental principles of the Council can be traced back to  the ideas of Chaos Magick with their focus on what works and adapting to the needs of the time.  It only seems right that as we move forward the first step would be acknowledgement of this fact and  that leadership be provided by this ideal.  Of the perspectives among our occult community, this idea of adapting our belief and outlook according to what is effective and beneficial provides a way forward.  Pagan, Wiccan, Luciferian, Discordian, and every other perspective among our community must come to see the need for cooperation and mutual support. They must also be provided with a method of participation that is inclusive and allows for their voice to be heard.   It is for this purpose that the Council has joined in partnership with CMG MAIN, and it is for this purpose that we are determined to build a community.  We believe that such partnerships with groups willing to take on leadership and the responsibility of community building are the necessary way forward and essential in achieving the purpose of the Council.  We are gratified that CMG has taken action to partner in leadership and to act on behalf of the community.  It speaks to the understanding of the unique part they play in achieving community cohesion and shaping our future.  This is the first step.  The Council is committed to what comes next.” Jess Jones, speaking on behalf of the Council.

“The Council is in the process of an internal reform as it looks closely at its operational structure.  After a recent  assessment there were some areas of necessary improvement in communication and administration.  Based on feedback from this assessment the administration has begun initiating changes.  These changes focus on developing greater involvement and active participation by group representatives seated on the Council.   Also, there was a focus on effective communication between the administration, the Council, and the Administration Office which coordinates the various programs and projects.  “In order to operate the programs established by the Council and to undertake the community objectives we must have effective and professional administrative process.  We must be responsive, interactive, and immediate in carrying out the will and direction of the Council.  Undertaking an operational assessment to provide feedback on areas where we could improve  our performance was helpful and seemed appropriate as we move into the next phase.  While it is not always easy to hear those areas needing improvement, it is necessary, “responded Jess Jones, Head of the Council.

While unwilling to provide specifics, it was stated that the next step in this process will be to look at the community and begin outreach to those groups who are thought to have larger influence and can provide leadership.  This outreach will be coordinated through the Council Membership and Oversight Committee (Representative Richard Knight is head of this committee) which handles the process of vetting and preconfirmation of new groups to be considered for Council membership.  As chair of that committee, Rep Knight will coordinate with the administration in outreach and discussion with potential groups to be provided voting seats on the Council.  He has committed to working to see that a wide range of perspectives and beliefs from among the occult community be given a voice.  Concurrent to this will be the focus of recently elected, Gog Sheklah as Second on Council (think vice president but with more capability) to develop better coordination and participation with the current representatives seated on the Council.  He will work directly with representatives on the relationship between the Council and individual group leadership and its membership.  His focus will be on assisting representatives, appointed by group leadership to the Council, in carrying out their responsibilities on the Council.  In this way participation and involvement, essential to the working process, will be advanced.  Being appointed as the representative of a group requires the active participation and understanding of what it means to be the voice on behalf of its members.  He will work to see that each group is ably and effectively represented on the Council and its membership  given their voice in its direction and decisions.