The General Anthroposophical Society is for all members, and the only requirement of membership is that a person accepts as justified the existence of the School of Spiritual Science as the kernel of the General Anthroposophical Society.

There is a process whereby members who wish to deepen their esoteric knowledge and take responsibility for the Society apply to and are admitted to the First Class of the School of Spiritual Science.

When a person makes the decision to join the Anthroposophical Society they may wish to know what responsibility this brings with it. Rudolf Steiner wanted the Anthroposophical Society to be open and available to all human beings striving towards spiritual development. "Anyone can become a member without regard to nationality, social standing, religious, scientific or artistic conviction, who considers as justified the existence of an institution such as the Goetheanum in Dornach, in its capacity as a school of spiritual science."

It is only on choosing to become a member of the School of Spiritual Science that a member takes on responsibility for the Society. The School of Spiritual Science offers a path of inner development that brings with it knowledge and understanding that we, as human beings, carry responsibility for the world, the cosmos and its future. We have the possibility to consciously work with the Spirit of our Time, Michael, who can only act on our initiative and action. In the words of Heinz Zimmerman, "Michael is a spirit of initiative. He is active when we have presence of mind. He is a risk taker!"

To participate in the class is to work actively with meditation, self knowledge and spiritual science. The School of Spiritual Science is often referred to as the First Class. Rudolf Steiner had intended to develop three Class levels but only the first was founded.

Though there is no official time that a person is a member before applying to the School of Spiritual Science, it is normal for a member to wait two years before joining the Class. This gives each individual the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the writings and meditations given in books and lectures such as ‘Occult Science' and ‘Knowledge of Higher Worlds' by Rudolf Steiner.

Application for membership is made through a class holder in the local area. In an interview the class holder outlines the conditions of membership. It is important that the applicant, through the conversation, be enabled to make as conscious a decision as possible. The application is then forwarded to the leadership of the General Section at the Goetheanum in Dornach. Class holders welcome all conversation of interest or intent.

The Sections are there for those class members who seek a deeper esoteric penetration of a specific area.

The Section leaders are based at the Goetheanum and a recent report from each can be found in the 2006/2007 annual report of the General Anthroposophical Society. There are eleven Sections: the General Section, Youth Section, Section for Mathematics and Astronomy, Medical Section, Natural Science Section, Pedagogical Section, Arts Section, Section for Agriculture, Section for Art of Eurythmy, Speech, Drama and Music, Section for Literary Arts and Humanities, Section for Social Science.

In New Zealand there is an active Section for Social Science, Medical Section, Pedagogical Section and Youth Section. Individuals and groups meet to work with scientific study and development within other areas without having yet formally formed a Section.

In recent years a space has been available for Sections to meet during the annual New Zealand anthroposophical conference. Such meetings are the responsibility of the New Zealand section leaders/coordinators who provide themes, guidelines and expectations.

In that sections are a part of the First Class, it is only possible for class members to attend any Class-related Section meetings. However, it is possible for non-class members to be involved in research and studies, and attend general meetings. While it is recognized that, for example, teachers are constantly working to deepen their understanding of the curriculum and the developing child, it is also apparent that there is little research or recording of spiritual truths recognized and effective in education. Spiritual research is enhanced when a group of people meet regularly to share their questions and experiences. Imagine taking one topic and working with it over a year, being challenged and supported by one's colleagues in true spiritual scientific research. Through such work and research it can arise that members wish to penetrate and deepen their knowledge through the esoteric work in the School of Spiritual Science, the First Class.

If you wish to know more about Section work or the development of a Section in New Zealand please contact:

General Anthroposophical Section: Sue Simpson

Youth Section: Heloise Valdivia-Theyer

Pedagogical Section: Neil Carter

Medical Section: Simon Bednarek

Section for Social Science: Noel Josephson

Arts Section: Roger and Gertrud Leitch

Section for Agriculture: Lis Alington

Natural Science Section: Diederic Ruarus

Section for Art of Eurythmy, Speech, Drama and Music: Michael Burton 

Section for Mathematics and Astronomy:

Section for Literary Arts and Humanities: Mary Paterson

The current leaders of the eleven Sections form the Collegium of the School of Spiritual Science at the Goetheanum, Dornach, Switzerland. They are:

General Anthroposophical Section- Dr Virgina Sease, Dr Heinz Zimmermann, Seija Zimmermann Paul Mackay, Bodo v. Plato, Sergej Prokofieff and Cornelius Pietzner

Mathematics and Astronomy Section-Dr Oliver Conradt

Medical Section-Dr Michaela Gloeckler

Natural Science Section-Johannes Kuehl

Pedagogical Section-Christof Wiechert

Art Section- Ursula Gruber

Youth Section- Elizabeth Wirsching

Agriculture Section- Nikolai Fuchs

Section for the Art of Eurythmy, Speech, Drama and Music- Margarete Solstad

Section for Literary Arts and Humanities-Martina Maria Sam

Section for Social Sciences- Paul Mackay

Sue Simpson

For further reading see:

‘The Constitution of the School of Spiritual Science' - Rudolf Steiner

‘The Christmas Conference' 1923/1924 - Rudolf Steiner