There are two kinds of Earthwise Gyre groups. The first is called a Chapter, and the second is called a Nascent; the main difference between the two being the number of leaders. You can start a Chapter or Nascent today when your group agrees to abide by the following criteria:

For Recognition As A Nascent:

1) Uphold the mission and policies of Earthwise Gyre.
2) Use Earthwise Gyre for all online communications.
3) Tie Nascent membership to a chosen Pagan charity.
4) Host at least one expedition each calendar year.
5) Identify one or two individuals to act as Nascents.

For Recognition As A Chapter:

1) Uphold the mission and policies of Earthwise Gyre.
2) Use Earthwise Gyre for all online communications.
3) Tie Chapter membership to a chosen Pagan charity.
4) Host at least one expedition each calendar year.
5) Identify at least three individuals to act as Gyes.

Before You Apply:

Before you apply as a new Nascent or Chapter you should first make sure no existing Chapter exists in your region. Regions are considered "settled" once a group in that region rises to the level of Chapter. No group of any kind can be established in a region already settled.

Groups are named according to the city or town from which they operate. A group's region is calculated by going to MapQuest or similar online navigation aid and identifying all the territory that falls within a 20 mile driving radius of that city/town's city hall. If a Chapter has settled that region, no group can form in any ancillary cities that have a town hall within that radius.

For example, the Arlington, VA town hall is less than 20 miles away from the DC town hall, and thus ineligible to form its own Chapter because of the prior DC Chapter. A new Baltimore Chapter, however, would be eligible. Regions are ranked by the date of a Chapter's formal recognition.

To claim a city or town, you must be the first group to successfully apply for recognition for that particular town and at least one of your group leaders must also reside within a 20 mile radius of that town's city hall.

About The Criteria:

Criteria One: Uphold the Earthwise Gyre Mission & Policies

The stated mission of Earthwise Gyre is to celebrate earth spirituality and the safe, competent, and responsible enjoyment of the great outdoors; and to create opportunities for learning, exploration, and reconnection both with ourselves and our natural world through guided discovery and expedition. To evaluate the Earthwise Gyre policies, please see our policies page.

Criteria Two: Use Earthwise Gyre For All Online Communications

The web resources and various email lists of Earthwise Gyre create the virtual framework of the Earthwise Gyre organization. To create a means by which we can consolidate wisdom, communicate effectively, and aggregate promotion efforts, it is important that all new Chapters and Nascents take advantage of the web presences already established by Earthwise Gyre.

Criteria Three: Tie Membership To A Chosen Pagan Charity

Earthwise Gyre Chapters and Nascents are prohibited from collecting membership dues on their own. Instead, they must base their membership on membership in a chosen Pagan charity. This charitable membership tie-in is one of the more critical aspects of creating a group, and those that are unable or unwilling to do this final step will be ineligible for recognition.

To meet this criterion, you need to 1) identify a Pagan charity that maintains a paid membership program and 2) obtain that charity's permission and help in managing your member list.

Identifying An Eligible Charity.

To start, the charity must be Pagan. This is a nonprofit organization that uses the word "Pagan" or a similar term when describing itself in public. Any charity which does not describe itself as Pagan, or only does so in private channels, will not qualify.

Second, it must be a tax-exempt and publicly supported charity as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S Tax Code and as determined by the IRS (typically through a device called a "determination letter"). Organizations outside the United States must belong to a comparable national-level registry. To confirm an organization's charitable status in the U.S., see: www.guidestar.com.

Finally, an eligible charity must have a dues-paying membership, subscriber, or individual sponsor program that requires regular donations. Preferably this will involve a public list of members. If the charity does not maintain an ongoing membership base or does not charge for membership, then it would not make an acceptable choice as a chosen charity.

Obtaining The Charity's Permission.

It is extremely important that all Chapters and Nascents of Earthwise Gyre only list a charity as their chosen Pagan charity with that organization's permission. This will require you to contact that charity directly and obtain their permission to tie your membership to their own (and agree upon a procedure for confirming an individual's membership status with that charity).

If you need help with this, Earthwise Gyre also maintains a list of eligible and pre-approved charities that have already granted their permission to be used as a local Chapter or Nascent's chosen Pagan charity. Even with these pre-approved charities, however, we would recommend that you contact that charity and let them know that you'd like to list them as your chosen charity. If a charity offers to help promote your group or offers your group some other kind of consideration that is acceptable, but it is neither required nor expected for acceptance as a chosen charity.

Criteria Four: Host At Least One Expedition Each Calendar Year.

An expedition can be as simple as a picnic, or as elaborate as a assault on K2, but as an Earthwise Gyre requirement each Chapter and Nascent must host one "member only" expedition each calendar year. Chapters and Nascents may choose to host additional events during the year that are open to the public, or open to members and member guests. However, at least one event each year must be strictly limited to members.

Criteria Five: Identify Three Chapter Gyes (Or One Or Two Nascents)

In any organization, people are always going to be the most important asset; and that is no less true for your own group. To qualify as a recognized Chapter, you will need to demonstrate a minimal level of personnel to make your Chapter viable. The home Chapter has set three leaders, or "Gyes" as an absolute minimum number for recognition.

Chapter Gyes are responsible for selecting your Chapter's chosen Pagan charity, planning your expeditions, teaching outdoor skills, answering inquiries, and upholding the Earthwise Gyre mission and policies. You have total discretion on the best way to choose your Chapter Gyes; and we encourage local Chapters to develop their own selection policies.