The Troth Publishes Event Policy

The Troth has adopted and published a new Troth Event Policy establishing uniform, public-facing expectations for any event organized or sponsored under The Troth’s name: whether a large gathering, workshop, seminar, community meetup, or online event.

This policy is intended to answer a straightforward question that community members and the broader public have rightly asked for years: “What should we expect when we attend a Troth event, and what standards do organizers have to meet?” The Event Policy makes those expectations explicit, and it provides internal guidance so that all Troth event organizers are working from the same standard.

What the public can expect at Troth events

The Troth Event Policy sets the baseline for inclusivity, accessibility, transparency, and safety across all Troth events.

Key requirements include:

Inclusive, accessible event design

Events must be designed to be inclusive and accessible regardless of race, gender, age, ability, orientation, gender identity, or background, and organizers are instructed to consider travel costs and location choices as a practical barrier to inclusion.

Organizers must also plan accommodations for people with disabilities, including venue accessibility and alternative formats for materials (large print, hearing assistance).

Food, alcohol, and recovery-conscious practice

If food is provided, it must accommodate dietary restrictions when they arise, and food must be clearly labeled with a full ingredient list.

If alcohol is used for ritual purposes, the policy requires a non-alcoholic option to be proactively available and treated equivalently—explicitly noting inclusion for members in recovery.

Clear family and childcare standards

Events must be either family-friendly or clearly labeled with age restrictions so parents can make informed choices.

If childcare is offered, it must be run by background-checked individuals who meet local legal requirements, and advertising must state clearly whether childcare is or is not offered.

The policy also reinforces a red-line safety rule (which is already part of our Sexual Misconduct Policy): no Troth function or ceremony permits a single adult (who is not the child’s parent/authorized caregiver) to be unsupervised with one or more children unless authorized by the parent/caregiver.

Respectful dialogue and content alignment

All presentations, discussions, and materials must promote respectful dialogue and avoid hate speech or discriminatory language.

The policy also calls for content alignment with The Troth’s values and recommends having a Troth representative attend presentations when possible to step in, moderate, and report issues to event leadership.

Safety, legality, and insurance

Events must meet venue, local, and government health and safety requirements, with explicit attention to food safety.

The policy requires appropriate Troth insurance coverage and compliance with local ordinances regarding drugs and alcohol, including a committee-approved system for identifying underage attendees when alcohol is served.

What organizers must do (and what “Troth-sponsored” actually means)

The policy establishes a consistent approval and reporting process:

• Advance approval: Events (other than Steward Program events) must be approved by The Troth Events Committee, with a formal proposal submitted at least 90 days in advance.

• Steward-program moot meetups follow the same timeline through the High Steward.

• Minimum event transparency: Event descriptions must include date/time, location, schedule, childcare options, menu/food contact (if applicable), accommodations details, and registration links.

• Budget and financial accountability: Organizers must submit a detailed budget approved by the Events Committee and Treasurer, and Troth events are expected to be cost-neutral to the Troth’s budget (with specified mechanisms for recouping costs).

• Evaluation and reporting: Organizers must collect feedback and submit a post-event summary report (attendance, feedback, financial outcomes) to the Events Committee within 30 days.

• Compliance matters: Non-compliance may result in event cancellation and restrictions on future event planning under The Troth’s name.

Why this matters now

Across modern Heathenry, people have demanded greater clarity about how organizations keep events safe, prevent abuse of authority, and uphold inclusive community standards. The Troth is publishing this Event Policy to make expectations public and consistent, and to ensure organizers have clear, actionable guidance before events occur, not after harm is done.

You may find a PDF copy of our events policy available for download below.

Any questions can be directed towards our general Media Inquiries inbox via the Contact form.