The Organisation of HAD
Whom HAD Represents
HAD is fundamentally inspired by and rooted within the modern British Pagan community and its many spiritual, religious and philosophical perspectives. As such a diverse community, however, it is difficult for any organisation to claim that it represents Paganism. Addressing this issue, HAD does not represent a membership of individuals or groups for whom it speaks and to whom it is then accountable. Instead HAD is representative of British Paganisms. It achieves this through its structure: its Council, its advisors, its volunteers and its ability to access and listen to the many networks of Pagans whom it consults. It is the weaving of all these voices that gives HAD its clear strong voice.
HAD is not a membership organisation. Instead it is a free association of volunteers, mutually supportive, together striving for respectful treatment for ancient British human remains. HAD is not a formally constituted organisation. At its heart is a core administrative team who set direction through consensus guided by its Council, advisors and dedicated volunteers; anyone fully committed to HAD and its aims, and willing to put in the necessary work, can apply to join this team.
Furthermore, HAD does not only aim to be representative of Paganism in its views. It speaks for all those who share its views about the inherent sanctity of ancestral remains, regardless of their religion or spiritual language. In this respect, while it is fundamentally inspired by and rooted in British Paganism, its aim of being representative of widely held ideas - rather than to represent any individual, group or community - is clearly expressed.
The Structure of HAD
HAD Council : In order for HAD to be effective in its work, and acknowledged by those it approaches as representative of modern Paganism, and to be recognized from within Paganism as a body that clearly expresses Pagan interests, HAD must be conversant with the broad range of modern British Pagan traditions. HAD's Council includes members of the Pagan community who are widely respected elders, leaders, teachers, priests, writers and academics.
HAD Advisors : A panel of advisers is also established within HAD, these being individuals respected within their own fields. While not necessarily Pagan, they bring to HAD a particular skill and expertise. They include those who work in archaeology, academia, museums, the law and heritage sector within Britain.
HAD Volunteers : Consulted where appopriate and busy with work in their own regions or areas of expertise, HAD has a list of volunteers. These are both Pagan and non-Pagan individuals whose interest in the issues brings them to work with HAD in whatever way they can. Regional Coordinators help support volunteers in their areas.
HAD Interested Professionals : HAD keeps a mailing list of individuals working professionally or voluntarily in relevant fields. These may have as much input as our advisors, or may simply observe HAD from their field of specialism.
HAD also has its own core administrative team, co-ordinating the work of the organisation.
PEBBLE and the Government
PEBBLE is the Public Body Liaison Committee for British Paganism, set up by a number of Pagan organisations following a report by the Home Office's Faith Communities Unit (2004), in which guidelines were set out for all government departments to include minority faith groups in consultations regarding laws and guidance that affects them. HAD is recognized by PEBBLE as the body to which enquiries regarding the faith aspect of pagan archaeological finds, including burials, should be made by public bodies at national and local level.