Meeting called to order at 2:30 p.m. by Rose Wise. An attendance sheet was circulated and is attached, with 42 persons in attendance.
Ozark Avalon held the first official meeting in 1996, making this year the 10th anniversary of Ozark Avalon.
The first Festival was held in 1990.
The first meeting of Oak Spirits was held in 1995. The requirements and benefits of becoming an Oak Spirit were reviewed. To date we have over 166 recognized Oak Spirits.
In 1997 Ozark Avalon filed the first request for recognition as a church with the State of Missouri
In 2000 Ozark Avalon filed a request for recognition as a church with the Internal Revenue Service.
In May of 2005 Ozark Avalon was refinanced so that the Church of Ozark Avalon owns all of the land, the land is no longer privately owned by Rose Wise.
The value of the Ozark Avalon property has increased 5 times over the original value. The mission of the organization is to keep the land undeveloped and preserved in its natural state, funded by camping, festivals and rentals.
Hot tub was installed just prior to Harvest Homecoming.
Red Bud Circle was completed.
Copies of the Annual Revenue Statement were circulated and reviewed. The 2005 total income for Ozark Avalon was $40,096.00 and the total expenses were $40,415.00 which included $8000.00 for repair of the existing well, leaving a gross revenue loss of $319.00 for the calendar year 2005. A copy of the Revenue Statement is attached.
The members of the Ozark Avalon Board of Directors were introduced and their individual duties were briefly explained.
The Year and a Day Classes have been reformatted this year to make them “free standing” so that anyone can attend as they choose. Not everyone is committed to attend every class, and not every person who attends the classes becomes a member of the Ozark Avalon Clergy. Ozark Avalon requests a donation of $25 for each class attended and this can be paid by a work exchange of 5 hours prior to the class. Everyone is always welcome to attend any class they choose. The format of the classes is a relaxed open discussion. The requirements ordination program is presently being re-defined.
A hearty thank you was given to Mike Nichols for his presentation and book signings.
Rose reminded all that this is one of our most serious events and reserved mostly for adults due to the nature of the ritual of Crossing the Veil on Saturday night. Older teens may be permitted, but only with prior arrangements and permission.
One of the topics to be presented at the Samhain Festival will be on the possibility of “green burials” here at Ozark Avalon, since they are being allowed in the State of Missouri. Rose also suggested that this might be a way to raise income and help pay off the land by selling plots here at Ozark Avalon for “green burial”. This could help to secure the future use of the land.
Rose Wise stated she is hoping to increase the number of workshops, vendor and speakers/entertainers for the Harvest 2007 event.
The Midwest Burners group has become a good source of revenue for Ozark Avalon. Their rentals of the site for various weekends during the year bring in a good amount on income and they are very respectful of the land. Their rentals incur little or no costs to Ozark Avalon and they leave the land in the same condition as they found it with very little exception. It might be a good relationship to encourage.
Questions from attendees:
What is going on with the Ozark Village?
How is the Algae problem with the lake?
Is it possible to enforce a “formal” quiet time for grounding prior to rituals for that those who wish to ground and center?
Is there any legal resource that individuals can access regarding pagan issues?
Can Ozark Avalon assist WICCA members in prison? There is a high level of discrimination, funds for Wiccan activities are very restrictive, there are more funds available for Christian religions. The VA also discriminates.
Can there be an electrical outlet installed closer to the camping area and away from the house?
There being no further business at this time, the meeting was concluded at 4pm.