On January 12, 2025, the TOLIS (Tree of Life Interfaith Sanctuary) Council gathered for its quarterly Winter Wisdom Circle, concentrating on the urgent issue of the need to strengthen resilience within our communities to prepare for the upcoming four years, during which we have been assured of facing increasing authoritarianism and an oppressive regime. This gathering featured Kathryn Probasco, a former board member of 10 years for Beltane Southwest, and attorney, who joined us and facilitated a rich discussion alongside TOLIS members. Together, we addressed the challenges and opportunities of strengthening communities, particularly within the Naturecentric spiritual spheres (Neopagan).
Kathryn’s talk, during Round Two, “Building Resilience Through Community,” and the subsequent group dialogue highlighted the practical, legal, and emotional tools needed to fortify connections in turbulent times. Here's a summary of the key takeaways from this discussion from Round Two of our Wisdom Circle:
The Challenge of Community Building
Kathryn started our discussion by pointing out that while Pagans often emphasize the importance of community, creating cohesive, effective networks remains a significant challenge. Specific barriers, including skepticism toward institutions and partnerships, were noted as crucial areas for growth, particularly in times like these.
Lone Wolves vs. Networks: In nature, solitary beings are vulnerable. The group agreed that moving beyond isolation and fostering meaningful collaboration is essential. Networking and resource-sharing are vital for survival and progress.
The Importance of Partnerships: Kathryn emphasized, and participants echoed, the necessity of partnering with like-minded individuals and groups. Effective partnerships reduce redundancy and amplify impact, especially when shared desired outcomes align.
Legal Considerations for 501(c)(3) Organizations
Kathryn led a focused discussion on the unique legal constraints and opportunities for nonprofit organizations, a topic participants found highly relevant.
Limits on Political Activity: The group explored how 501(c)(3) organizations can—and cannot—engage in political discourse. While they cannot campaign for candidates, they can host forums, create issue-based voter guides, and engage in advocacy.
Liability and Insurance: Kathryn told us about a form of insurance she recently found out about, religious belief insurance. It is purchased by churches to protect against potential legal challenges and it might be helpful to us with those laws targeting inclusivity efforts, especially with young people and children. This insurance also has an interesting history, created for those churches who didn't want to have to perform gay marriages. Now we can use it potentially against them. Our groups should explore taking out these policies, especially if we hold events that are open to the public.
Resources for Nonprofits: Kathryn shared tools like the IRS Stay Exempt portal and Bolder Advocacy’s election checklist to help organizations navigate their roles effectively. Participants reflected on the importance of staying informed and proactive.
Practical Strategies for Resilience
The group collaboratively identified actionable steps to strengthen community infrastructure:
Privacy and Security:
Avoid treating social media as private. Clarify when speaking as an individual versus on behalf of an organization. Speak as though everyone will see it, regardless of if the setting is "private" or not. Good hackers can get in most anywhere on social media.
Use encrypted apps like Signal, Discord, or WhatsApp for sensitive communications.
Remember how we used to do things...
Reconnect with Old-School Methods:
Revitalize mailing lists (both email and street addresses) and create phone or text chains and keep them as securely as possible.
Focus on building and enforcing strong, well-defined organizational boundaries.
Engage with Allies:
Join interfaith groups and collaborate with organizations like the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, and local synagogues or UU churches.
Maintain a list of friendly legislators, lawyers, and activists for times of crisis.
Be Vigilant About Trolls and Chaos Agents:
Participants emphasized the importance of monitoring new members in groups. Check their backgrounds and affiliations.
Enforce group conduct rules with transparency, ensuring that expectations are clear and consistently upheld. This fosters trust and accountability within the community.
Reconnecting with Land and Spirit
In an era of what Kathryn called “cosmic warfare,” participants shared that connecting with the land offers both solace and strength. The Pagan community’s relationship with nature can serve as a grounding force for resilience and renewal.
The Impact of COVID-19
The ongoing pandemic’s effects on community organizing were a significant part of the discussion. Kathryn noted that COVID-19 continues to limit participation, particularly for vulnerable individuals. Extending support to those affected—such as collaborating with “mask block” groups distributing N95s—was identified as a priority.
This quarterly TOLIS Council meeting was a powerful reminder of the strength found in community and collaboration. With Kathryn’s guidance and the collective insights of members, this session provided suggestions for things we need to consider in these times, such as building networks, safeguarding values, and nurturing resilience together. It truly is just a beginning of such dialogues.
We are now hosting monthly one-hour calls on Fridays, our Friday Freedom Calls! It is held at 4p PT / 5p MT / 6p CT / 7p ET on the 2nd Friday of every month. To sign up see the event section of this website!
By growing our membership and working as an association, TOLIS can amplify its impact, sharing resources like hybrid event hosting and advocacy tools. The more we show up, contribute, and support each other, the better prepared we will be to navigate the challenges ahead. We look forward to growing our association and showing up for each other in Service during whatever comes in this next administration that promised policies counter to what we, at the TOLIS, hold sacred.
Join us for the next Wisdom Circle~! It's being scheduled now. Watch for more posts to come!
Resources Shared by Kathryn
For those seeking further guidance, the following resources were shared during the discussion:
Comments