HISTORY:
1991-1998 When "The Tree Leaves' Oracle" started out as a publication (1991 in Tallahassee, Florida) it soon shifted into a nomadic store (founded in Eugene, Oregon in 1991). In 1993 a not-for-profit special-interest group was formed for the study of folklore and the offering of folk artist networking. This special-interest group was "The Tree Leaves' Folk Fellowship". Tree Leaves soon took off on it's own and escaped the financial support of "The Tree Leaves' Oracle". In fact, as the "The Tree Leaves Oracle, Inc." collapsed, the Folk Fellowship was holding activities and networking several hundred enthusiasts of folk culture. The Tree Leaves Folk Fellowship was officially born and founded in November 1995. (Though it had it's first conceptual activities in 1994). Through membership dues ans support, the fellowship offered it's collective a bi-annual journal called The Tree Leaves' Oracle, a quarterly newsletter known as Tree Talk, an annual membership directory, a web site, and a board of volunteers who actively organized activities, events, and question/answer support for those seeking answers about folk culture. Because of difficulties with volunteer support, The Tree Leaves' Folk Fellowship closed it's person-to-person activities and community support on 9/1/1998. October 1, 1998 Tree Leaves mutated into a cyber organization that operated on a strictly cyber-basis. (Some Tree Leaves' Folk Fellowship forest groups still held activities in their local areas) It was on 9/1/1998 that Tree Leaves' stopped holding events, printing paper publications, and no longer offered telephone or person-to-person guidance & support. After careful consideration of the expenses involved in becoming a non-profit tax-exempt organization, Tree Leaves decided to remain not-for-profit and allow other organizations to donate support and funding for it's operation. Our journal, website and former newsletters are now available for free online. Our folk journal will soon be continually published online for free viewing by anyone with internet access. From 1998 to 2000, Tree Leaves operated under the wings of Leafworks, Inc. (a company now defunct). From the death of Leafworks, Tree Leaves operated under the wings of Wandering Leaf Designs. Reproduction of all cyber published materials was available for a nominal printing or reproduction cost through copyright held by Wandering Leaf, LLC. (now defunct) In October of 2000 Tree Leaves was shaken by the dissolution of the two volunteer Directors, Tom and Hena, who ended their relationship in divorce effective in June 2001. Tom had started to revitalize the organization and had started the process of relocating the organization back to it's original soil in the Pacific Northwest. October 2001, Tree Leaves' had been relocated to the Pacific Northwest. It's headquarters were contemplated to be currently located in either Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Point Roberts, Washington; Salem, Oregon; or Eugene, Oregon. The Council of Lore at the time chose Point Roberts, WA. May 2002, Tree Leaves' remained a virtual organization with headquarters in Point Roberts, Washington and Vancouver, British Columbia. It was considered a nomadic gypsy entity. The virtual organization had revitalized its folk art collection and was once again offering subscription/memberships. Current Director at the time was: Leaf McGowan (Canada) and Tom Baurley (USA). Tree Leaves' started hosting the Faied Fellowship (www.faeid.com/ ). June - October 2002, Tree Leaves' Oracle / Fellowship / and Faeid Fellowship went nomadic, travelling from Vancouver, B.C. to the Pagan Spirit Gathering (Ohio); National Rainbow Gathering (Michigan); Blue Heron Music Festival (NY); Ragnarok Tolkien Re-enactment Festival (Ohio); Sirius Rising and Starwood (NY); Dragon Dance (Missouri); Venice Beach (California); Los Angeles (California); and re-planted itself in the sunny palms of Los Angeles. October 2002 - December 2003: Tree Leaves was relocated to Seattle, Washington. On December 31st, 2003 Tree Leaves officially shut it's doors and closed the Fellowship due to financial difficulties and lack of volunteer support. The facilitator gave up and moved to Los Angeles, CA. In October of 2004, Leaf McGowan spearheaded a project to resurrect Tree Leaves through a Witches Faerie Ball Fundraiser. While financially did not make any money, the Ball demonstrated that there was still an interest in the need for the organization. March 2005, Leaf McGowan proposed bringing back the Tree Leaves' Oracle folk journal and potentially holding member meetings, classes, and activities in the Seattle region. The new evolution of Tree Leaves' offers a discussion list on folk culture at yahoogroups ( treeleaves@yahoogroups.com), A Livejournal Community, and a new web site at treeleavesoracle.com. Here one can meet other members, find out about events, activities, news, items of interest, share music, files, chat, and many other activities. If you're interested, drop us an email for instructions on signing up. Thru membership volunteers, Tree Leaves is able to help connect members through the list and circle to find other members with similar interests, find lore or information they may be having trouble finding, find groups who are preserving the culture they may be interested in. 2007: The creative energy of Leaf McGowan / Tom Baurley resurrected the Tree Leaves' Oracle - now headquarters to the Tree Leaves' Folk Fellowship and whatever evolution it takes. Located in an old historic funeral home/recording studio converted into a folk shop nestled in the heart of historic artsy Manitou Springs at 124 Ruxton Avenue. Tree Leaves' now hosts classes, workshops, movie nights, events, potlucks, and an outlet for local artists and folklore enthusiasts. Alive and kicking on-line Tree Leaves has much in store for the future ... By networking with the membership, other groups, the mainstream, and individuals, Tree Leaves is able to provide access to hard-to-find information on folk culture and is able to preserve this information by the concept of Preservation thru Dissemination. Are you interested in supporting or sponsoring the Tree Leaves' Folk Fellowship? Let us know how you can help. Our existence and ability to grow depends on the fertile support from it's members and sponsors. Whether a financial donation, volunteer support, contributing articles/poetry/art/discussion, we need your help! Tree Leaves sometimes has private events for its membership which helps
preserve the unity and cohesion between members that are interested in
particular fields of study, activity, or enjoyment. This makes it more
possible for intimate gatherings, topic specific workshops, and restricts
unruly or disruptive attendees at larger events. Private gatherings also
allows more networking, sharing of materials, specialized discussions,
and space that members may not be willing to offer to just anyone. |
