We would like to wish you a Happy New Year, and our best wishes for a spiritual 2011 to you all!

The year has already started with a positive note, and we are happy to announce that we've been able to make a contribution to help the preservation of Mother Earth and her beautiful nature -- and it's all thanks to you!

In the Spring of 2010, we announced that we would be donating 5 EUR for each member that pays for an Upgraded Membership, and for each year (so that's 10 EUR for those who upgrade for 2 years). Additionially, we made this new policy apply as of January 1, 2010, so that anyone who had upgraded that year, but before the policy was introduced, would also contribute -- we thought it was only fair!

Yesterday, we have calculated the total and donated it entirely to The Nature Conservancy at http://support.nature.org/goto/neworderofdruids 

The total amount which we donated for all Upgraded Memberships of 2010, was no less than 300 EUR or $390 USD!  A big thank you to everyone who contributed by upgrading their account on NOD!  You have not only helped NOD, but also Mother Earth!  The Nature Conservancy is an organisation intent on preserving nature and Mother Earth in various parts of the world, and we've helped make that possible now!

You can see the proof of donation for yourself at this URL:
http://support.nature.org/goto/neworderofdruids 

You will also see on this page, that our yearly goal is set to $500 USD, of which $390 is now already filled in.  We hope to reach this goal by the end of 2011 with free donations (aside from Upgraded Memberships), which can be of any amount that you choose, small or large.  We only need $110 more to achieve this goal -- will you help, even if it's only with a bit?  Go to the above URL and click "Make A Donation". More information can also be found on that page!

Of course, it is without question that we will continue this policy throughout 2011.  So every member that upgrades their account to a 1 year or 2 years Upgraded Membership, will automatically contribute to the yearly donation to The Nature Conservancy at www.nature.org.  Learn more about the benefits and pricing of Upgraded Membership here:

http://www.druidcircle.org/nod/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=67:upgraded-membership&catid=3&Itemid=85 

Thank you again for your support! 

We would like to draw your attention to the Introduction Brochure of the New Order of Druids, which can be printed and folded in order to spread among your friends or elsewhere. You can download it here in PDF format:

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD PRINTABLE NOD BROCHURE


Thank you for your support! 

We are happy to announce that as of today, the "Bardic Youth Course" is also available in the Dutch language at the Grove of Dana Online Druid College, with particular thanks to Elke Thomas (Myrddin).

You can access the Dutch course by clicking "Druid College" (menu on top or left), and then switch the site language to Dutch. You will then find the "Bardische Jongerencursus" listed and available for enrolment.

Enrolment in this course is free to all members, including mentor. The Bardic Youth Course is aimed at children and teenagers, but is also available to adult members.

Today, the Council has taken an important step by approving a set of regulations for NOD Nemetons.

Nemetons are another word for "groves", meaning physical and local groups of NOD members that organize meetings, workshops or other activities. This gives NOD an important opportunity to reach out to the members on a far more personal level than can ever be achieved through the internet.

There's still some work to be done before actual Nemetons can get started, but rest assured that we're working on it and that it's coming soon!

Please be aware that the main NOD administration will be on vacation from August 10 to 15. After August 16, we will try to get back to you.

During this time, support tickets directed to membership administration, general questions and webmaster will not be responded to until after August 16.

Support tickets for the College Coordinator and Oran Mor e-zine will still be monitored. Please make sure that, when filling out a support ticket, you choose the correct department.

Also an important note: when seeking help regarding the website, college, courses, membership, etc... please DO NOT use the private messenger or email member system on the website. Please go to "Contact Us" to use the support ticket system, where we will be able to help you much faster and more efficient!

Thank you.

We are happy to announce that a new version of the Druid Course has now been made available.

While the old Druid Course was intensive in itself, its format was very difficult to maintain for students and mentors alike. A new Druid Course is now available, which provides the necessary reading material already without the need of buying or borrowing books. That doesn't mean that students should not go beyond the course material, we always encourage everyone to read as many books on the subjects as they are able to and feeling up to.

This announcement concerns specifically the Druid Course. If you are currently taking the Bardic Course or Ovate Course, nothing will change for you. The Druid Course is only available to students who have succesfully completed the Ovate Course.

Particular thanks go out to Maya for writing the course, and Elke for editing.

Stay tuned for more news - new specialisation courses are soon to be added as well! The Celtic History Course is already available to all Upgraded Members!