Pagan Alliance of Nevada (PAN) is an organization founded for the development of educational veracity of integrated ways of life, to aide and assist the weak and the poor, and to promote the rights, privileges, strengths, and courage essential to create and ensure the freedoms of faith for all manner of people and creatures to exist in peace everywhere.
Mission Statement
The purpose of PAN shall be, as stated in the Articles of incorporation filed in the State of Nevada in October of 1999, a non-profit corporation whose purpose is to promote and preserve religious diversity by providing education and services to all those who are interested in Earth and nature based religions, regardless of religious or ethnic background.
What is the scope of PAN?
Please note that PAN is NOT in competition with other groups. PAN is not a coven or ritual-based group; it was created to help ensure political advocacy and education for those following nature-based spiritual paths.
PAN has worked closely with other groups to ensure that important, community-wide events continue to take place. PAN's members are also members of many of these other groups. Participation in PAN does not preclude participation in any of these other groups and in fact, PAN actively encourages such participation, believing that the way to truth and mutual understanding is through education and shared information.
History of PAN
In 1994, Randi Blackwell began as a trailblazer by being one of the first people in the Truckee Meadows to open a business centered around magickal supplies, metaphysical practices, and Pagan beliefs. This store, called "Beneath a Wizard's Moon, was in business for nine years and unfortunately closed it's doors due to Randi's health concerns. Randi no longer resides in Nevada, but many in the community still keep in touch with her.
In 1997, Randi had a dream. Her first thought was to get a group of like-minded individuals together so that they could do something good for the community. They were going to give back to the community and show that Pagan's are good, contributing members of the community. She wanted to adopt a highway. They would keep their piece of highway clean of clutter and there would be a sign telling the world who they are...Pagan and proud.
The name "Pagan Alliance of Northern Nevada" was given to her by
Stan Reed. They decided to have a meeting, just to get together and
organize how all of this was going to take place. With the seed
planted in those earlier times, in 1998 someone brought up the idea
of starting a non-profit. A book was mentioned, information was
gathered, and the learning process of beginning a non-profit
corporation had begun. It was at this time that people began getting
together to form what would become PAN.
Randi's fondest memories of the early part of PAN involve the
first series of meetings with everyone excited by what PAN could be
and the things that it could do. There was so much enthusiasm,
optimism was fresh and everything was brand new. It was always her
desire to have an organization that would be open to all, helping
people within the Pagan community, perhaps the start of a Pagan
school, PAN having a building of its own, and doing positive things.
She wanted PAN to include people of all ages. She wanted it to
emphasize teaching; she wanted the world! It was her firm belief
that the Pagans in Reno are good people ---- people who care about
their community, the environment, and their paths. She wanted PAN to
be positive and caring. That year, they adopted a family who was in
need for the holidays and that tradition continues to today.
In October of 1999, PAN's charter was filed with the State of Nevada. Since that time, PAN has had its ups and downs. Growing pains are a hard thing for any organization to go through and PAN is certainly no exception. We will always be indebted to Randi for having the vision and the courage that brought Pagan Alliance of Nevada into existence. Randi is a Charter member and our founding mother.
Check out these sites!
- Nevada Pagan Portal
For every Pagan resource in Nevada! - Sacred Earth Walk Spirit Lodge
- Northern Nevada Pagan Pride Day
Coming soon! September 10, 2011
