While trying to have as little organisation as possible, we do need some structure otherwise nothing would ever get done. Whereas many Druid groups and Orders have sprung up only recently with the advent of the internet, The Order of Bards Ovates & Druids has been engaged in its distance-learning programme for twenty-two of its forty-six years. During this time we have been able to build a solid and reliable structure that is able to respond to the needs of our worldwide membership.

A team of over fifty tutors around the world offer their support by mail and email to members, and this team is co-ordinated by the tutor co-ordinator, Susan Jones, who says: "As far as I know, OBOD's tutoring system is unique - a spiritual companion by post or email. Writing to a stranger can be daunting, but also quite magical. I've met some wonderful people and learnt a lot through my work as a tutor and now as co-ordinator. When I directed a professional development programme at the London Business School I introduced an email coaching system based on some of the ideas I'd learnt as an OBOD tutor." Druid Grade members who have demonstrated their ability to communicate well are invited to apprentice as tutors, and over the years we have developed our own unique coaching process to train them.

At the office in Sussex, Damh, Stephanie and Annie send the monthly packages to members all over the world, and supply books and audios, and the answers to hundreds of queries a week by post, email, fax and phone. Sometimes members call by to say hello or to consult the Order's archives - but please phone or write first to make sure it's convenient!

Penny Billington in Wells in Somerset edits the monthly magazine Touchstone, and she would love to receive members' articles, letters, news cuttings and any details of events being organised. So would Carole Nielsen in Sydney who edits Serpentstar - the members' magazine for Australasia - and Peter van den Berg in the Netherlands, who edit Dryade the Dutch & Belgian members' magazine.

Susan Henssler in London, who compiled The Bardic Companion, and Cairisthea Worthington in Scotland, both give talks and run workshops and retreats on Druidry and related subjects, and are training a team of facilitators, to run courses, workshops and retreats.

Members in Britain and the US designed and maintain the website, and members all over the world help to moderate the lively Message Board. Other members coordinate or facilitate projects such as the Assemblies, the Order's blog, the Sacred Grove Programme, the Ecological Responsibility Campaign, camps, the Healing College, interfaith work, liaison with other Druid groups, liaison with English Heritage and the National Trust, and so on.

Every few years the Order appoints an Honorary Bard - honouring a writer, poet, musician or artist for their accomplishments. In the year 2000 Mara Freeman, poet and author of Kindling the Celtic Spirit was appointed. In 1998 it was songwriter and singer Robin Williamson, of The Incredible String Band. In previous years, we used the title Presider instead, and Past Presiders of the Order include the author Melita Denning; John Michell, writer on earth mysteries, ley lines and geomancy; Caitlin and John Matthews, writers and lecturers on the Western Mystery Tradition and the Arthurian and Celtic traditions; and the poet Robert Armstrong.

The Order also has a Patroness, who helps to raise funds for special projects. Dwina Murphy-Gibb, author of the druidic Cormac Trilogy and wife of modern-day bard Robin Gibb, is currently our Patroness.

There are four roles which focus on spiritual guardianship within the Order: The Chief, The Pendragon, The Scribe and the Modron.

The Chief is currently Philip Carr-Gomm, author of The Druid Mysteries and The Druid Way, co-author of The Druid Animal Oracle and editor of The Rebirth of Druidry and The Book of Druidry.

Past Chiefs have included Ross Nichols, author of The Book of Druidry, and in the Ancient Druid Order, out of which OBOD evolved, George Watson MacGregor-Reid, author of The Natural Basis of Civilization.

The Pendragon is currently Will Worthington, an artist and craftsman who has illustrated The Druid Way and the cards for The Druid Animal Oracle and The DruidCraft Tarot. The previous Pendragon was Vera Chapman, founder of The Tolkien Society, and author of the Arthurian Trilogy: The Three Damosels, The Green Knight and King Arthur’s Daughter.

The Scribe is currently Stephanie Carr-Gomm, co-author of The Druid Animal Oracle and The DruidCraft Tarot.

The Modron is currently Cairisthea Worthington, author of Druids: A Beginner's Guide.

The Order has representatives who liaise with other Druid groups worldwide - particularly in the United States and France - and with The Pagan Federation in England. It also participates in inter-faith gatherings.