The question I am addressing is clerical accountability....

The problem as I see it is that paganism in its current form is basically a strong, sound religion, but still in its adolescence. At the moment there is no measure of qualifications for positions of responsibility, such as High Priestess or Archdruid, and there is a resistance to outlining such qualifications. Assuming such positions by election is the best answer so far, but one must remember that the electorate doesn’t always know what the qualifications are, and may allow his opinion to be swayed by unrelated rhetoric ("We always meet for circle at her house, so vote for her!").... A priest and priestess require skills in many fields: counseling, thoughtfulness, theology, and a lot of time, to name a few. I won’t enter the debate over whether our clergy should be paid or not, but these are my thoughts on what they should be. Knowing that pagans are an independent lot, the common objection is "who says anyone is better than anyone else?" The point is not to hold these who achieve a certain level as elite, but to hold the level of achievement itself as desirable, and possible for one and all, but by no means easy. Spirituality, in the most practical level, is a way of really living, really doing, not a way of being lived, or being done.

1. Culturally aware
   The clergy should never discriminate against race, gender, place of origin or residence, criminal record, sexual orientation, political associations, age, etc. Awareness of the cultural constructs that affect the lives of those they minister to is necessary. A black man from Harlem is unlikely to have the same needs as a white Cape Breton farmer’s daughter.
2. Education
   Not everyone can afford, or complete, postsecondary education, but I feel it is necessary that individual clergy should maintain a scholarly standard on par. Relevant fields would be history, psychology, mythology, theology/divinities, literature, philosophy, folklore, anthropology, and sociology.
3. Philosophical Inquiry
   This is what the education is needed for. With philosophical inquiry comes the mental and spiritual discipline that is the sign of a wise and mature person. Encouragable in everyone but necessary (and often lacking) in leaders, an inquiring mind seeks to understand the universe by the best means at her disposal, be it through meditative musing, artistic expression or scientific investigation. It’s hard to quantify this, and to demonstrate it. An inquiring mind leads a life of purpose, and not a purpose of endless materialism at that; but critical, incisive, careful, and truthful.
4. Availability
   To be a good leader is to serve well. A good leader pledges a time commitment and is true to it.
5. Initiative
   This part is probably the most important. The would-be clergy should demonstrate in a meaningful way why she is qualified for the position. There are many forms this can take: completing an undergraduate degree could be one. Undertaking a major quest or achievement of some sort, like writing a novel, a solo retreat in the wilderness for a summer, composing and defending a thesis before other clergy, achieving a difficult but attainable goal. She should decide on her own, rather than have one imposed on her, though it should be relevant. Furthermore, the initiative must be on-going, to re-earn the position periodically, to prevent the formation of an "old boys" club.