2022 Year-End-Review
Picture from the 2022 Leadership Retreat
Hello everyone!
On February 18th, 2023 The Fellowship of Northern Traditions board of directors held its first “Year-End-Review” where we look back on the previous year, and make plans for the coming cycles. In this blog post we will share with you some of our talking points and hopefully give you a look behind the scenes of what is going on at FoNT! First lets take a look at the updates given by our chief offices: Jacob (Lawspeaker), Blade (Treasurer), and Raigen (Bookkeeper).
General Updates
Lawspeaker Updates
Total Gatherings (2022): 16
Total Events: 20
Countries: 4
States (USA): 10
Website/Social Media
Total Visits: 26,000
Unique Visitors: 16,000
Note: We are aware of quality issues with Teespring and are actively looking at a different merchandise service
Treasurer Updates
Please note all updates are from the time of the financial review on 1/29/2023.
1) Total Gofundme (Transferred to our bank account after fees): $16,340.20
2) Total Gains from Merchandise: $2,509.10
3) Total Gains from Gatherings: $20,464.45
4) Total Expenditures from Gatherings: $-22,174.63
Bookkeeper Updates
We are looking into a more efficient method of collecting and storing Liability Waivers. This may lead to everyone needing to resign the waivers after a new system is established.
We are looking into changing our membership system, as well as potential benefits of membership.
New Leadership
We welcomed three new leaders into the board of directors who had completed their year long training program with FoNT:
Kevin (Michigan)
Kevin proved his commitment to the community by attending the most events of any member in the community last year. Driving, and flying, thousands of miles to celebrate the old ways with hundreds of others. He also started a tradition of Snotra offerings that many have come to enjoy.
Rylie (Illinois)
Rylie also proved his commitment to the community with tireless trips around the country to attend various events. He also showed his commitment to growth, and assisting those in need within the community.
Aayla (Ohio)
Aayla proved herself by hosting several events throughout the year, while also holding some very powerful rituals that have been cherished by all in attendance.
Additionally we voted to bring on three more trainees for the coming year:
Daina (Minnesota)
Jess (Texas)
Maya (UK)
Picture from the 2022 Canadian Winter Nights Gathering
Gatherings in 2023
The leadership were all tasked with creating a forecast for events this next year, that way we can better plan these events moving forward. Additionally we believe this allows the community to plan for upcoming events, and plan for what gatherings they wish to attend throughout the year. Here are some additional notes from our conversations around gatherings:
We will hold multiple day events/camping trips that will be cheaper than gatherings, if not completely free. These events will be posted to the website just like our larger gatherings.
We are planning for an event in fall that will be 18+ only, for those who wish to attend a gathering without children present.
While it is still in the planning process, we are also hoping to hold a week long retreat in the fall that will be focused around singing, crafting, and ritual.
Please see the below image for our forecasted events for this next year; please remember that these are subject to change, and day events have not been included on this list.
Closing Comments
We did not include edits to Bylaws in this update, as they were general revisions, and amended/added several systems that were already being used this previous year. We did include an amendment that will require FoNT events to adhere to a guidebook that we are in the process of creating now. This will not change anything in the community, only solidify systems for the next generations.
Laying a proper foundation for the next generation is one of our primary goals for the board of directors. We believe that leaving behind the proper tools and systems for the leaders that take over after us, is the greatest gift we can leave behind. FoNT is only a year old, but we hope it exists for lifetimes to come.
This past year has been a huge success, we have learned, and we will now grow into an even better organization this next year. We could not do this without the amazing support of those who attend our events and support us with donations. The dream of purchasing land is still very much alive, and we are beyond thrilled with the 16k+ we have received in donations this last year. With ideas such as our upcoming ritual book, and in-person craft fairs, we hope this support is doubled by the end of the year, and we can truly start looking at land to buy. With some luck, a little magic, and your support, we would love to have a piece of land by 2024.
From the leadership here at the Fellowship of Northern Traditions we send our love, and gratitude to all of you!
Until the hall…
-Aayla, Blade, Claire, Kevin, Rylie, Terry, Jacob, Darius, Caleb, Lauren, Logan, Ian, Kat, Heath, Nick, Keenan, Mary, and Raigen
Picture of a Hall in Ohio that we rent for events. A vision of what we would like to build!
