Continued from last post.... ome of our suggestions may seem overly cautious, but unfortunately we still sometimes experience discrimination from those who do not understand the path of Wicca. Where to hold classes Many metaphysical book stores have classroom space and will be willing to rent it to your or perhaps even provide it at no cost. Public libraries usually have rooms which non profit organizations can use at not cost for public meetings. Space may also be available for rent at community centers. We do not recommend holding classes in your home unless you already have experience teaching and know the people you will be inviting into your home. How to advertise If you do not have your own store location then you will probably want to get a post-office box for mail. Never advertise your home address. You may also want to get a separate phone line with voice-mail or an answering machine for inquiries about your classes. If you will be holding your classes in a public place you may be able to post a flyer about the classes. You may also consider posting flyers in any metaphysical store or health-food store in your area. We have found that these are places most likely to be frequented by potential Wicca students. Be sure to include the dates and times of the classes and an address (p.o. box) and/or telephone number they can call for further information. You do not need to include an exact address on this flyer. We usually do not do that for safety reasons. You want to be able to screen potential students over the telephone before you let them know where the classes will be held. Some people are out of the broom closet, but use a different name for public Wicca-related activities. You will know best whether this is something you should do in your community. You may also want to consider running an ad in the classified section of your local newspapers. One we had good luck with was worded simply: “Love the Earth? Wicca classes, call xxxxxxx”. Most classified newspapers sections have a variety of topic headings including one for religious ads and one for classes or instruction. Most towns also have one or more free magazines which specialize in metaphysical advertisements. You can find these in metaphysical and health-food stores. They are another good place to advertise classes. You may also be able to run an ad in your local newspapers Saturday church section where all types of religious organizations and meetings are advertised. You may find some newspapers will refuse to run your ad. Since they are privately owned they do have that right as unfair as it seems. Advertising on an appropriate radio station is another option, but may be costly. For more permanent advertising of your group or on-going classes you can consider having a phone number listed in your local telephone directly under “religious organizations”. Your coven may also be able to join the Chamber of Commerce in your town, and there may be other religious groups to which all local clergy belong. Whether you, as a Wiccan, will be welcome to join these organizations will vary from town to town. We have found that Wicca is most often accepted in towns or cities near large Universities. Some covens have “adopted” stretches of roads or highways in their communitys “adopt a road” program. In exchange for getting together and cleaning up litter along the side of the road once or twice a month the community puts up a sign with the name of your group on it along “your” stretch of road. Screening students If you are just conducting a one-time class such as “Introduction to Wicca”, and it is meant to be an overview which does not necessarily lead to more advanced classes then screen students does not need to be as intensive as it would for the more advanced classes. You may want to open introductory classes up to the merely curious non-pagan who is honestly seeking to understand what Wicca is but not to necessarily become Wiccan. You may ask them to sign a form when the register for the class that says they understand and agree that the classes are open to those who come with open-minds and good intentions. If your classes are to introduce your circle or coven to new students then you may want to do some serious screening. We recommend first a telephone interview and then meeting with the potential student in person. We include a suggested questionnaire on this website. Some of the questions can be asked during the initial phone interview. At that time it is a good idea to find out which books on Wicca, if any, the student has already read. If they have not read any good, basic books on Wicca then give them a title (one we usually recommend as a first book is, “Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner” by Scott Cunningam) and ask that they get it as soon as possible and to call you as soon as they really get into the book. If they call you back in the next day or two that will be a good indication of their enthusiasm. If a week or two goes by before they call back and you are unsure as to their enthusiasm or unsure if they are seeking classes for the right reasons then you may try assigning a book such as “Drawing Down the Moon” by Margot Adler. That book is known to weed out the merely curious or those who want only “power” and magic. We require all potential students for coven-oriented classes to read at least one entire book (such as Cunninghams) before the first class begins. When the student has finished reading the book make arrangements to meet with them in a public place such as a restaurant. We usually choose a fast-food restaurant since it wont put a strain on anyones budget and you can usually sit for an hour or more just sipping coffee and talking without the management getting annoyed. First talk about yourself, your background and about the classes you teach. Ask the potential student if they have any questions. This will help put them at ease before you start asking them questions. Be sure to cover all of the questions contained in our suggested questionnaire. We leave it up to you to decide what answers to the questionnaire are acceptable for your group or classes. You will find that you will be evaluating the student not only on their answers to the questions but their reactions to the questions as well. At the end of the meeting promise that you will let them know in the next day or two whether you feel your classes or group will be right for them. If you decide for whatever reason that this person will not fit into your classes or group then let them know that you feel you are not the right teacher for them and offer some suggestions of where else they might look for classes or teachers. It is important that they understand they are not being rejected as people but that not every teacher is right for every student. If you have decided that you would like to work with this student then let them know when and where the classes will be. You do not need to reveal the location until this point. We also hold a “getting to know each other” get-together before the first class begins so the students have a chance to meet each other and decide if they still want to go through the classes. At this get-together we have everyone introduce themselves and talk about their religious background and state why they are taking the classes.
Posted on: Fri, 10 Oct 2014 02:23:02 +0000
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