HOW MANY FAERIES DOES IT TAKE TO RUN A GATHERING

Studies have shown that Faeries who are well fed and cared for are more secure, open-hearted and available for any sort of magic. When these tasks are accomplished, it provides that "nurtured feeling" for Faeries coming to Folleterre. Gathering is not just Faeries throwing a party. Gathering is a time for us to experiment with living in community. Life at Folleterre is remote and off-grid, which brings us many joys, but also more tasks and practical challenges than we may be used to at home. Many hands make for very light work. These are "guidelines" developed to plan a smooth, nurturing gathering. These are not rules. There are other roles to do with Faerie culture and spirituality, but those we entrust to the Faeries who gather. Just because you take on a role doesn't mean you have to do all the tasks yourself – see it as a coordinator role. You are responsible to see it gets done, but that might mean asking other Faeries to do the tasks. Asking is friendly and invites more people into the sphere of "provider" thus enhancing the whole gathering.

"Staffing" for a gathering.

Some roles are small, so feel free to take on two. Some tasks may need to be
shared. Every Faerie is encouraged to share enough of the work to keep
everyone comfortable and safe, and help make more room for magic and
sanctuary together.
Even if you’ve not committed to a specific task, you can still help out if you see
something that needs doing, or offer to help another Faerie.
Spreading the responsibility helps prevent breakdowns and burn-outs among the
over-committed, helping to make sanctuary safer for all including "the Gathering
Facilitators". Taking on a role is also a great opportunity to learn new skills and
grow your confidence. Never chopped wood before? Offer to be the Fire Faerie
and someone will step forward to help you learn!
Gathering Facilitators
The Gathering Facilitators provide the internal management for the gathering.
With circle input, the Coordinator drafts a timeline, invites other Faeries to help
with gathering tasks, and ensures that the basics are being done throughout the
gathering. These Faeries also often facilitate Morning Circles and Dinner Circles,
and help coordinate announcements and activities. They offer information and
advice to help Faeries take on other roles and responsibilities.

Pursekeeper
This Faerie collects income and receipts during the gathering, and organizes
reimbursements if needed. They also calculate total number of ‘Faerie Days’ for
the financial summary (by making a note of how many Faeries are at dinner
each day). This Faerie is also responsible for completing the simple accounting
records, and completing the financial summary at the end of the gathering.
Faerie Godmothers
Faerie Godmothers offer information to less experienced Faeries. They may
offer a brief tour of the house and land, and are on hand to answer any
questions about where things are, how things work and other aspects of life at
Folleterre.

Bridget the Fire Faerie
Bridget ensures propane tanks are refilled. They assess the wood inventory
(woodbarn, firepit and shower fire) and ensure that there is enough wood,
kindling etc. in the right places, cut to the right sizes for all the fires. They ensure
that the shower fire is lit every morning and afternoon.

Lavatory Attendant
Good toilet facilities are very important to keep both us and the land healthy.
This Faerie shows their love for the gathering by ensuring the toilets are stocked
daily with fresh towels, toilet paper, hand-washing water. They are responsible
for checking on the composting schedule of the accessible toilet. They ensure
that the hay in the pee stations is replaced once during the gathering, and that
the old hay is fully removed and composted correctly.

Gathering Records Keeper
This Faerie collects names and contact information throughout the gathering,
and ensures the Gathering List is distributed after the gathering in a timely
fashion. The List is sent via e-mail to all participants, and also to the Treasurer.
This Faerie also ensures that a Gathering Report is written and distributed online
(Folleterre 06 email group and FaceBook group).

Kitchen Goddess
The Kitchen Goddess orchestrates Kitchen Mums, and all aspects of food
planning and purchasing. The Kitchen Goddess is not responsible for personally
preparing meals, but facilitates willing Faeries to prepare meals that are
nourishing to the body and soul. The Kitchen Goddess identifies any allergies or
dietary requirements and helps Kitchen Mums to be aware of any problematic
ingredients. They keep a check on the food inventory (including the garden and
wild foods) and plan ahead to ensure ingredients are available and avoid last-
minute shopping trips.

Kitchen Mums and Kitchen Slaves
Each Lunch and Dinner needs a Mum (or co-Mums) to plan the menu and
express their culinary flair, and ensure a menu which nourishes and is suitable
for all dietary requirements. Slaves harken to the call of the Kitchen Mums and
do their bidding (usually chopping vegetables). Mums and Slaves sign up for a
single shift at a time, not for the whole gathering.

Dish-Dance Choreographer and Dish Dancers
Setting up the dish-washing station and ensuring there is enough hot water at
the shower fire is an essential public health task! Dish Dancers usually sign up
for a single shift at a time. The role of choreographer is to help enough faeries
sign up for each shift, and to ensure they have all they need.

Clean-up Diva
Immediately after lunch, the kitchen usually needs a bit of a tidy. Cleaned pots
and crockery need putting away to make room for the after-lunch washing up.
Surfaces need cleaning and food needs putting away. Maybe the compost,
cooked food or recycling needs to be taken away? The kitchen is now a
delightful space for the Dinner Mums and Slaves to work their culinary magic! If
the woodstove is being used, once every gathering, the inside needs to be
cleaned (it needs a long time to cool down, and the top panels lift off for
cleaning).

Breakfast and Beverage Babe
This is a role for an early riser. All Faeries are happiest when they have a good
breakfast and an adequate supply of caffeine (or herbal beverages). First thing
in the morning, give the kitchen a bit of a tidy and put out the breakfast supplies
– cereals, bread, spreads, yogurt, bowls and spoons etc. Depending on the
weather, maybe the woodstove needs lighting? Put the kettle on and make a pot
of tea and a big pot of coffee (Faeries drink lots of coffee). Maybe you feel
inspired to make some porridge or buckwheat for everyone? Often it’s nice to
have afternoon tea as well (16.00 is usually a good time): maybe make some
beverages and find some biscuits or other sweet treats to serve.

Garden Guru
This Faerie takes a beautiful moment each day to notice which crops, wild foods
and flowers are ripe for harvesting. They liaise with the Kitchen Goddess and
Mums to ensure the produce makes its way into our lunches and dinners. They
also make sure that the lawns, paths and camping spots are mown at the
beginning and end of each gathering (but make sure that the meadow and
prairie are not mown before August). They also keep an eye on the garden and
make sure it is watered and weeded if needed.

Queen of the Drag Closet
This delightful faerie keeps an eye on the state of the drag closet and helps
prompt Faeries to remember to keep it tidy and beautiful at all times. They also
help rescue any drag that might be forgotten in other parts of the house.

Cars
The following 3 roles all involve travelling off the land. However, these
coordinators do not need to have personal access to a car. Remember, your
main role is to co-ordinate activity and ensure that the tasks are achieved.

La Launderette
This Faerie checks the laundry pile and ensures that each gathering takes care
of its washing. There is a Laundrette in Lure and laundry can be coordinated
with shopping or pick-ups. This Faerie also helps ensure that departing Faeries
clear their bedspace and make it welcoming for the next visitor.

Travel and Shopping Coordinator
This Faerie assists Faeries with getting to the land and leaving at the end of their
visit. This Faerie is not a bus or taxi driver, but is responsible for coordinating
pick-ups at the train station. They liaise with the Kitchen Goddess to help
coordinate pick-up and shopping trips; and also with La Composta and La
Launderette to efficiently coordinate car journeys for trash and laundry.

La Composta
This Faerie sets up trash, compost and recycling collection system and
maintains the order of waste management throughout the gathering. This Faerie
is responsible for ensuring that kitchen waste, wood ash and hay from pee
stations are composted correctly; that the grease trap is cleaned; that cooked
food and waste from the grease trap are burnt (or buried in the garden); and that
trash and recycling are taken off the land during the gathering.