Avalon Board of Governors

Board of Governors

The Board of Governors is responsible for setting policy and governing Avalon Center. It holds the power to conduct the Center's business and to delegate that power to the Staff of the Center. According to the institutional articles of organization, there shall be no fewer than three governors on the board and a maximum of twenty-four. The duties of governors shall include serving as officers of the board, and as committee members for designated tasks. Governors serve for a maximum of four consecutive three-year terms.

	Ray Hayward joined the Board of Governors in July 2007 and brings extensive experience working in western and eastern initiatic traditions. He is a T'ai-Chi master by profession, a Freemason, and a member of the Order, of Bards, Ovates and Druids. Among his many credentials and accomplishments are: Martial Arts and Health Maintenance training since 1973 T’ai-Chi Ch’uan since 1977, disciple ceremony-11-11-88 Initiated into the Naqshbandi-Haqqani Sufi Order-1990 Freemason since 1999 Master of Braden Lodge No. 168 (2006) Dubbed and Created a Knight Templar (2001) Commander of Damascus Commandery # 1 (2004-2006) Grand Senior Warden of the Grand Commandery (2007) Masonic Rosicrucian (2001) Order of High Priesthood (2004) Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priest (2006) http://www.tctaichi.com/ http://www.mnyorkrite1.org/ http://shukuangpress.com/index.html
	Rev. Philip Hutchens is a Druid leader in Minneapolis whose grove, Mists of Stone Forest, descends from the Keltrian line. He is an ordained minister and is currently completing an M.Div at United Theological Seminary. Rev. Hutchens works as chaplain at a veterans hospital in Minnesota. www.druidsofthemists.org
	James W. Maertens , Ph.D. (Alferian Gwydion MacLir). President of the Board. Alferian is an English teacher, writer, wizard, and seeker of adventure with some twenty years of experience teaching college level courses in language, literature, and cultural studies. His lifelong love of Arthurian legends, fantasy, poetry, and the natural world has led him to the study and teaching of Druid philosophy. Dr. Maertens' magical studies include ceremonial magic, witchcraft, herbology, as well as Dwarvish and Elvish languages. He is a Druid Companion of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids (OBOD), a member of Ar nDraiocht Féin (ADF) and the Ancient Order of Druids in America (AODA), Chief Druid of Geal-Darach Grove in Minnesota, and Master Wandmaker of Bard Woodcrafts Wandery. Dr. Maertens is also a Master Mason and member of Lake Harriet Lodge No. 277. He serves as Chancellor of the Avalon Center. Bard Woodcrafts Wandry Geal-Darach Grove
	Darren Meyer (Mangan Tairis ) is an experienced Technologist, with over ten years of experience working with complex computing environments and Internet technologies; he hopes to bring this experience to Avalon's online schooling system and technology planning. Through his spirituality, grown out of an ordination in a conservative Christian faith and progressed through studies of many world religions before arriving at Druidic thought, Mangan has gained balanced experience and an appreciation for the wisdom offered through any faith. Mr Meyer is also the Head of Operations of the Avalon Center.
	Cythia Miller (Shandara). Ms Miller joined the Center in 1996 as a student and was recruited to be our Head of Finance in 1997. She has joined the Board of Governors and holds the office of Treasurer. Cindy has many years of experince in the pagan community in Minneapolis and is an accomplished massage therapist and Reiki Master. Mystic Bodywork
	Astrocelt. is presently an Ovate within the Order of Bards Ovates and Druids. He holds the degree of Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Welsh History with Archaeology from the University of Wales Bangor. Combined with extensive practical hands on life experiences, he is an ex-serviceman, and later tradesperson culminating with managerial experience. Astrocelt is self-taught in astrology and has worked extensively within the realms of magic and natural philosophy for a considerable time. Subsequently the philosophy gained has been tested academically at the beginning of the 21st century by an associate who is taking it further, to a PhD level. Druidic Dawn : A Social Enterprise.