Outline of issues discussed
Saturday morning's breakout sessions were devoted to discussion on the topic: "What do you think are the highest-priority needs of the Pagan movement?" Three breakout groups brainstormed on the many areas where we and our organizations' members see the need for improvement.

Over the lunch break I reviewed the flip chart notes from all three breakout groups and was amazed to see the degree of similarity among the groups' conclusions. The same phrases even appeared in the different groups. I organized the information into outline form to help focus our afternoon sessions. It is a remarkably coherent analysis of the "state of the Pagan union." While not comprehensive or exhaustive, it offers a variety of opportunities for action. Any one of these topics could provide focus for further conferences or summits.

Our goals
Solidarity
Efficient use of resources
Professionalism
Responsibility and accountability

As a movement, we need to define and consistently reinforce our commonalities and our values. The most frequently mentioned values were diversity, respect, and tolerance.

Needs within the Pagan movement:

Identity
Develop a stronger sense of Pagan identity. Witches define themselves by saying "We're not Satanists." Non-Wiccans and -Witches define themselves by saying "We're not Witches." Some Witches define themselves by saying "We're not Wiccans" and vice versa. We need to define ourselves by what we are, maintain our faith identities and traditions, yet understand that we have a meta-level identity as Pagans. (Some discussion on terminology: pagan, Pagan, neo-Pagan, Paleo-Pagan, etc.) Contemporary Paganism is an interfaith movement! [This issue arose in the morning sessions but was tabled for the remainder of the Summit as being outside our focus. We encourage worship organizations to provide definitions for their path and encourage meta-level identity as Pagans.]

Definitions/Descriptions
How do we define ourselves to each other? How do we describe our faith traditions? Who decides who's in and who's out? What should be done about those who call themselves Pagan but participate in coercive activities? [This issue arose in the morning sessions but was tabled for the remainder of the Summit as being outside our focus. We encourage worship organizations to provide definitions for their path and encourage meta-level identity as Pagans.]

Improve professionalism
• Clergy
• Administration/organization
• Leadership
• Publishing

Distinguish between worship/ritual roles and administrative/organizational roles. Devise and widely disseminate the values and standards of our organizations. Provide and receive training from/to Pagans and non-Pagans. Utilize mainstream resources for training and development, adapting them for Pagan needs.

Funding
• Change the "poverty mindset" of the Pagan movement
• Offer value for contributions
• Maintain financial transparency, particularly 501c3 corporations
• Receive and provide training in fundraising

Build the Pagan movement's infrastructure
• Resources
   - quit re-inventing the wheel!
   - identify and leverage our resources: distinguish between worship/ritual and administrative/organizational
   - mindfully develop people and organizations for sustainability and continuity for future generations
• Conflict resolution: Provide training and guidelines and model behavior for responsible conflict resolution within the Pagan movement.
• Communication: Provide training and guidelines and model behavior for responsible communication within the Pagan movement.
• Address the needs of the next generation: Many of the teen generation of Pagans get their info from popular culture. How can we bring them into the religious path of Paganism, provide them with resources, and leave them organizations and structures which nurture spiritual growth?

Needs in the interface with mainstream culture:

Definitions/descriptions
How do we define/describe ourselves to the mainstream culture? How can we preserve the distinct identities and diversities of our faiths while still making it understandable to the mainstream? [This issue arose in the morning sessions but was tabled for the remainder of the Summit as being outside our focus. We encourage worship organizations to provide definitions for their path and encourage meta-level identity as Pagans.]

Media relations
How to interact more effectively with popular and news media?

Interfaith
Greater training in interfaith dialogue. More support within Paganism for interfaith dialogue.

Public, secular service
One of the best ways to manifest our faith as well as educate the public about Paganism is to volunteer a community service in the mainstream (soup kitchens, shelters, etc). This doesn't mean to walk into it brandishing our faith, but to provide service and not hide our faith if the issue arises.

Coalition-building
How to build coalitions with mainstream organizations to meet shared goals?

Government relations
• Proactive education so seeds of discrimination fall on stoney ground
• Lobbying: Fund full-time professional lobbyists to advocate for Pagans on Capitol Hill
• Effective response to discrimination attempts: How can we work together/coordinate resources to counter attempts to discriminate against us?