Grove Bylaws of Snow Water Grove, ADF
Article 1. GROVE PURPOSE
1) To serve the spiritual needs of the Crawford, Southern Erie County and surrounding area communities through public Druidic ritual & religious support of the community in the Druidic way (e.g. Counseling, blessings, advising, environmental activism, etc.).
2) Snow Water Grove, ADF is committed to providing an outlet for its members to worship a diversity of Indo-European pantheons.
3) As set forth by the Mother Grove, Snow Water Grove must provide open public worship at all of the High Days and a public service must also be completed for each quarter.
4) As a local congregation of Ár nDraíocht Féin, Inc., Snow Water Grove, ADF shall follow the National By-laws.
Article 2. CALENDAR
1) In the Druidic way, we honor the eight High Days (quarter and cross-quarter days) as set up by the Mother Grove, beginning with (in the Celtic tradition) Samhain. The dates of these High Days are set by the Mother Grove in article 4 of the National ADF Constitution.
2) For ceremonial purposes, each High Day may be celebrated upon either the legal date, the astronomical date, or upon a date mutually convenient, within a fortnight, to the participants of the particular celebration involved.
3) In addition, Snow Water Grove, ADF may honor traditional ethnic holidays, additional holidays and celebrations as agreed upon by a vote of the grove members.
Article 3. CATEGORIES OF MEMBERSHIP
1) Persons under the age of 18 must adhere to the Mother Grove’s Bylaws pertaining to them.
2) Full Grove Member – is defined as a person who is current with National ADF dues and a Local Grove member as defined in Article 3:3 of these by-laws and helps in the running of the Grove. A full member attended at least 4 grove rituals in the past calendar year and completed a welcoming ceremony. A person who resigns from a Full Member of the Grove, either by allowing their National membership to lapse for more than three (3) months, letting their local dues lapse for more than 3 months or for personal reasons, and then wishes to re-join at a later date, will not have to redo the welcoming ceremony, but will have a re-welcoming introduction at the next High Day ritual. Full Grove members vote in both the National and Grove elections. All Full Grove members receive grove literature, national literature as paid for by the individual, and event happenings.
3) Local Grove Member – is defined as a person who contributes to the Grove with time, energy, or in a monetary fashion, has been attending Grove functions for at least 4 grove rituals, but has not joined the national Organization. Local Grove Members cannot vote in National nor Grove elections or policy decisions. They will, however, have the ability to participate in the decision-making, voice their opinions and be welcome to all meetings and events. All Local members receive Grove literature and event happenings. To be considered for membership to Snow Water Grove, at any level, local or full, a prospective member MUST have a meeting with the elected officers of the grove, and have a discussion of their intentions for membership and discuss and understand membership requirements. After the prospective member meets with the officers, membership within the local grove is desired, the prospective member’s membership status shall be discussed and can be ratified by a simple majority of voting members of the grove at the next scheduled business meeting. Should a majority of votes not be available at that business meeting the officers will table the vote and obtain proxy votes no later than the next scheduled business meeting.
Article 4. VOTING MEMBERS
1) All members who fulfill the criteria of the category of Full Grove member shall be considered voting members of Snow Water Grove, ADF.
2) All members shall have the same number of votes.
3) Except as otherwise noted in these by-laws, a quorum for voting purposes shall consist of the voting members representing 50% of the Full Grove members.
Article 5. ANNUAL MEETING
1) The annual meeting of Snow Water Grove, ADF shall be at the Celtic holiday of Lughnassadh or the closest time to thereof.
2) The purpose of the annual meeting shall be the election of officers and the State of the Grove Presentation by the officers in office at the time of the meeting. The election of officers shall be determined as in Article 6 of these by-laws. The yearly State of the Grove Address will contain a summary of activities relevant to each officer’s position, followed by a discussion or critique of the State of the Grove.
Article 6. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
1) To elect officers, a Slate of Nominees will be compiled by a Nominating Committee and shall be presented at Summer Solstice for the consideration of the Grove. The Nominating Committee shall be composed of three (3) Full Grove members, nominated by the Senior Druid and subject to Grove majority approval.
2) Elections will be held at the Annual Meeting at Lughnassadh by casting a written ballot; except in the case of non-elected officers (to be described in Article 7 of these by-laws). In the event of a tie vote, the nominating committee shall cast the deciding votes, with one vote a piece.
3) Office of newly elected officers shall begin at Samhain with an oath-taking rite.
4) For the election of officers voting, a Quorum is defined as 60% of the voting members and proxy votes. All officers of the Executive Council are elected by a majority vote unless otherwise noted. Proxy and absentee votes shall be distributed and collected by the Secretary.
Article 7. OFFICERS (In Hierarchical Order)
1) Executive Council – Elections for officers of Snow Water Grove, ADF will be held annually, as described in Article 6 of these by-laws. The Executive Council will consist of elected officers. In order to serve in an elected position, a prospective officer should be a Full member of Snow Water Grove and a National Member of ADF for no less than one year.
2) It is possible that in the vacancy of an office, an officer may temporarily hold more than one office, however, there must be an individual Senior Druid, Secretary and Treasurer at all times. In the event one of these offices is vacated, a Full Grove member may be appointed by the remainder of the executive counsel and ratified by a 50% membership vote to serve out the term.
3) Elected Officers
A) Senior Druid – Administrative and Spiritual leader; calls meetings; sets agenda and provides leadership for the Grove. Shall be a member of all committees as desired; Shall appoint replacements in the event of a vacant office (the replacement will only serve in place until such time a special election by general membership can be held according to elsewhere in these bylaws) ; Will set the liturgical calendar for the Grove; Shall be responsible for keeping grove unity. The Senior Druid is responsible for compiling a quarterly report on the state of the grove to be sent to the Archdruid and the National Scribe and is responsible for reviewing all other officer quarterly reports. The Senior druid will do a periodic audit of the reports from the Treasurer, any discrepansies or problems will be reported at the next business meeting to the membership, if an immediate personal meeting with the Treasurer does not resolve the discrepancy. The Senior Druid is responsible for Public Relations or the delegation of public relation tasks, as needed. The Senior Druid will also fulfill all obligations as later stated in these by-laws. The term of Senior druid will last two years with the elections occurring on the even numbered years, starting in 2008. To serve as Senior druid, it is highly recommended to serve as assistant senior druid first.
B) Assistant Senior Druid – Shall be chosen to compliment the interests and abilities of the Senior Druid and shall perform duties to assist the Senior Druid in providing spiritual and/or administrative leadership to the Grove. The Assistant Senior Druid will assume the position of Senior Druid should the position become vacant. The Assistant Senior Druid must meet the requirements of an elected officer as stated in these bylaws. Other duties of the Assistant Senior Druid shall be outlined by the counsel as necessary. The term of Assistant Senior Druid will last 2 years with the elections occurring on the even number years, starting in 2008.
C) Secretary – Shall keep the minutes of the proceedings of all meetings & committees (to be submitted by the committee head) of the Grove; shall send proxy and absentee statements and/or ballots to all voting members and shall be responsible for collecting all proxies and absentees; shall organize all incoming correspondences for reply and the reply thereof as mentioned in these by-laws; and may perform other duties that would otherwise be performed by a Corporate Secretary. Candidates for the office of the Secretary shall have the ability to take minutes and have typing skills. All written correspondences shall be brought to the attention of the Grove at business meetings. Officers will make the Secretary aware of correspondences in Grove functions. The Secretary is responsible for compiling a quarterly report of rituals and minutes to be sent to the Mother Grove after review by the Senior Druid. The term of Secretary will last 2 years with the elections occurring on odd number years, starting in 2009.
D)Treasurer – Shall sign all checks, drafts, and other instruments for the grove; shall have custody of all moneys of the Grove received or dispersed; and will maintain custody of Grove property. Shall be responsible for keeping the grove’s financial records according to generally accepted accounting principles for non-profit organizations; shall be responsible for the organization of fund raising or delegate and supervise fund raising. The Treasurer is responsible for compiling a quarterly report of financial records and fund raising to be sent to the Mother Grove after review by the Senior Druid. This position is also required to compile an annual report (see also Article 8). The term of the Treasurer will last two years with the elections occurring on odd number years, starting in 2009.
4) non-elected officers
1. The Council of Elders shall be defined as a body of non-elected
members that represent and serve as the Board of Directors for Snow
Water Grove, ADF. The Council of Elders shall serve as an advisory
board on all matters pertaining to Grove operation and policy and
shall be responsible for the oversight of all Grove officers and
members and as such look after, protect, sustain and ensure the
general welfare of the Grove.
2. The Council of Elders is comprised of Full members whose names
appear on the Original Grove Charter.
3. The Council of Elders is also comprised of Full members as defined
by article 3 section 3 that have been verifiable full members for a
total of 5 years or serve as an elected official of the grove for a
full term of office
* Other positions to be added later as needed.
Article 8. FINANCIAL RECORDS
1) All members of Snow Water Grove, ADF and the ADF national are entitled to see the accounting records. The Treasurer shall make these available. Profit and Loss Statements and other similar records shall be regularly available. An Annual Report must be compiled at the end of every year, as well as quarterly reports that must be sent to the National Pursewarden.
Article 9. CREATION OF STUDY GROUPS AND/OR GUILDS, COMMITTEES, and OTHER SUBGROUPS
1) Grove members are encouraged to form study groups with the approval of the Executive Council. Closed groups shall consist of no more than one half of the Grove membership. Appropriate topics for these study groups shall fall under the beliefs within the Preamble of Ár nDraíocht Féin and/or the ADF study guide.
2) GUILDS
A) The formation/running of a guild shall be brought to the Executive Council for review. Each guild shall be headed by a “guild master/mistress” and the responsibilities of the guild will be that of the “guild mistress/master”. All guilds must file quarterly reports on the state of the guild to the Executive Council and the Mother Grove. Appropriate guilds shall fall under the beliefs within the Preamble of Ár nDraíocht Féin and/or the ADF study guide. National correspondence between other guilds is highly encouraged.
3) COMMITTEES
A) May be formed during any business meeting but must have a purpose and a result, therefore, at least three persons must be on the committee and a report of progress must be made at every business meeting, or a brief report may be sent to the Secretary for recording in the minutes. The Senior Druid shall be on committees, as desired.
4) STUDY GROUPS AND OTHER SUBGROUPS
A) May be formed at any time, but must have a purpose and a result, therefore, at least two persons must be in a study group. Study groups and subgroups may be closed groups, but cannot consist of more than 50% of Grove membership, and are not required to submit a report. These groups must not breach any provisions within these by-laws.
5) All of these groups MUST follow National by-laws.
Article 10. DISCRIMINATION
1) Membership and rank in Snow Water Grove, ADF, attendance at public or semipublic Snow Water Grove, ADF activities, and participation in any Druidic study program, shall not be denied to any person on the basis of race, ancestry, color, physical disability (except as mentioned elsewhere in this article), age, gender, or affectional orientation, but may be denied to individuals practicing creeds inimical to Neopagan Druidism.
2) Membership within Snow Water Grove, ADF, positions of office and clergy, and other such positions of responsibility and trust as the Grove may determine, shall be granted only to practicing Neopagans who are not simultaneously practicing a creed inimical to Neopagan Druidism.
3) As used herein, “inimical creeds” shall include varieties of conservative monotheism, atheism, demonism, racialism, or other such faiths, as determined by the Mother Grove.
4) Proven communication of behavior of a virulently racist, sexist, homophobic, heterophobic, anti-Semitic, or otherwise bigoted manner, shall be grounds for expulsion, by recommendation from the Mother Grove, from Snow Water Grove, ADF and subsequently expelled/suspended from ADF national, as described in Article 11 of these by-laws. This does not include strong verbal statements about the theology, history, or psychological characteristics of other religions.
5) All organizers of public and semipublic Snow Water Grove, ADF activities shall make strenuous efforts to facilitate the participation of differently-abled individuals. Nonetheless, all aspirants to any given rank or position must be able to meet all the relevant qualifications previously determined for said rank or position, unless the Executive Council shall rule in a particular instance.
Article 11 FORMAL PROBLEM RESOLUTION PROCEDURE
1) Most complaints and concerns should attempt to be resolved between individuals involved, and through informal meetings, conferences and communications with Officers of the Grove and the Senior Druid. When the individual member or members involved are unable to do this and further action is necessary to have problems or concerns addressed the following procedures should be followed without fear of reprisal or jeopardy of membership status during the pending resolution of the problem or concern.
A) The member should send a written statement to the Senior Druid of the concern or problem as soon as possible when other
methods of resolution have failed between parties involved. Within 14 days, the Senior Druid will meet with the member to
discuss the problem. After the meeting the Senior Druid will have 14 days, to detail a written plan of resolution to the problem
or concern. If the member does not receive a response or is unhappy with the plan, the member can proceed to step B. In the
the event the Senior Druid is involved in the complaint, a member can proceed to step B.
B) The member should send the written statement of the complaint or problem to the executive counsel. The executive counsel
will have 14 days, to meet with the member or members involved in the complaint and have an additional 14 days from meeting with all parties involved to render a written decision of action for problem or concern resolution. In the event an officer of the
executive counsel (Senior druid, asst. senior druid, secretary or treasurer) is involved in the complaint they will be excused
from any discussions of complaint resolution and in the event of a tie vote on outcome resolution, a grove elder
will be consulted. The decisions of the counsel in regards to within the grove will be final. In the event the member does not
receive a response from the counsel, or disagrees with the outcome, and is a full member, they can proceed to step C.
C) The member should send a written statement of the complaint or problem to the national ADF member’s advocate, and
proceed through the complaint process outlined by the Mother Grove of ADF. All materials, discussions, and decisions arrived
by Snow Water Grove in the above process will be forwarded to the appropriate parties involved as indicated by the National
problem resolution process.
Article 12. EXPULSION, SUSPENSION, RESIGNATION OR IMPEACHMENT OF MEMBERS AND OFFICERS
1) If a member under consideration for suspension or expulsion is an Officer, he/she may be suspended or expelled only by a two-thirds vote of the remaining Officers, and only after review by the Mother Grove or the Archdruid.
2) “Disruptive or abusive conduct” does not include: the temperate expression of disagreement, such as public or private written or verbal criticism of Snow Water Grove, ADF, ADF or its leadership; vigorous debate over matters of scholarship, art, spirituality, or politics; the circulation of petitions to the Executive Council; the organizing of other members into voting blocks; nor mere rudeness, thoughtlessness, or lack of social skills.
3) “Disruptive or abusive conduct” does include: the spreading of slander or libel against Snow Water Grove, ADF, ADF or its leadership; bigoted communication or behavior as described elsewhere in these by-laws; or active efforts to persuade members to quit or dissuade non-members from joining.
4) In the case of a person who was declared temporarily or permanently incapacitated at the time of his/her resignation or removal from a position of responsibility, the Executive Council shall require a re-evaluation of her/his competency similar to the process which has declared incapacity, before he/she may seek election or appointment.
5) Members may resign from membership at any time for personal reasons, and will be eligible to rejoin Snow Water Grove, ADF at a later date. Any member who abstains from contact with the Grove for a period of three months or more, without prior notification of the Senior Druid, shall be deemed to have resigned and will no longer receive Grove literature. If a resigned member should decide to rejoin at a later date, his/her votes shall be calculated according to their National standing.
6) Any officer, who is deemed to be not fulfilling the requirements as stated in Article 7 of these by-laws, shall be formally notified by the remaining officers and, if efforts are not taken to continue the function of said office, then the Grove voting membership shall, by a 2/3 vote, and after a review by the Mother Grove or the Archdruid, shall relieve said officer of their office and the Senior Druid shall appoint a replacement for that office until a formal election can be held. If there is no suitable replacement for a resigned office the Senior Druid will assume responsibility of fulfilling that office and its functions. Similarly, if any officer, for personal or other reasons, believes that they must resign from the office a letter must be sent to the Senior Druid and the Senior Druid shall appoint a replacement for that office. If there is no suitable replacement for a resigned office the Senior Druid will assume responsibility of fulfilling that office and its functions. In the resignation of a Non-elected Officer, he/she may appoint a suitable replacement for the vacancy. If no recommended replacement can be found, the Senior Druid will be responsible for the function of that office.
7) The Senior Druid, who for personal or other reasons, must resign from office, MUST submit in writing, a formal resignation from his position to the Archdruid and to ALL Grove Officers. Upon such resignation, the Executive Council shall appoint a replacement from among them until formal or special elections can be held. The new Senior Druid is responsible for notifying the Archdruid and the Mother Grove of his/her presence.
Suspended or expelled members may not hold office or act in any way as representatives of Snow Water Grove, ADF and have no right to receive any publications, and may not continue to participate in Druidic study programs by Snow Water Grove, ADF. Impeached officers may remain as regular members, but may not run for any office unless the Executive Council deems otherwise.
9) Members who have been suspended or expelled will, as stated in the National Bylaws, be banned permanently or temporarily from attending Snow Water Grove, ADF activities, including public worship. Such bans may be announced in Grove or national publications.
10) The Executive Committee, which consists of the Senior Druid, Assistant Senior Druid, Secretary and Treasurer, will maintain a booklet containing the membership code of conduct and criteria for reprimanding, suspending, and/or expelling people from Grove functions and handling complaints raised against attendees, members or other participants in Grove functions. Changes to the booklet can be made at any annual or special meeting or referendum by a 2/3 vote of Full Grove Members. Any decision of the Council to take action against a person must be approved by the Mother Grove before those actions are taken.
Article 13. AMENDMENTS
1) Amendments to these by-laws may be made at any annual or special meeting or referendum, by a 2/3 vote of the Full Grove members. Amendments shall be incorporated into the by-laws at the Annual Meeting and revised copies of the by-laws shall be sent to all Grove members and the Mother Grove.
2) After the bylaws have initially been voted in, the bylaws in their entirety will be up for review after 1 year at the annual meeting, as defined by article 5-1. Subsequent the first full year in effect, every three years, at the annual meeting of the voting members, the voting members of Snow Water Grove, ADF shall decide by a 2/3 vote whether to retain the current set of by-laws. Said decisions shall be made after all other electoral matters have been settled. Should the results be negative, a Bylaws Revision Committee shall be formed. The members of said committee shall include the Executive Council and 3 representatives elected from the Grove membership.
3) The Bylaws Revision Committee shall have 3 months to produce a proposed new set of by-laws, during which time, the old by-laws will be in effect. Halfway through the time specified, an early draft shall be presented at a Bylaw Revision Referendum to the Full Grove members for written comments.
4) At the end of the time specified, at a Bylaws Revision Meeting, the final set of proposed new by-laws shall be voted upon as a whole, with a 2/3 vote of the entire Snow Water Grove, ADF voting membership necessary for passage. The quorum for this vote shall be 60% of votes available to be cast. Should a quorum not be available, the voting shall take place at the first available quorum under the same governing rules stated previously.
5) Should no revision be necessary or no agreement upon decision be reached the old by-laws shall continue in effect for the next three years.
6) Upon the passing of the new by-laws, they will be dated as such and all functions will come into effect, completely replacing the old set of by-laws, at Samhain following the passing of the new by-laws. It shall be the duty of the existing Executive Council to notify all appropriate authorities and to arrange any required elections for new officers, etc., in keeping with the spirit as well as the letter of the new by-laws.
7) All new sets of by-laws must contain an article equivalent to this one, allowing for their complete replacement every three years at the will of the membership.
Article 14: “Article: NON-PROFIT NATURE OF THE CORPORATION
Snow Water Grove, ADF is organized exclusively for charitable religious, educational and scientific purposes including for such purposes the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501(c)3 of the Interval Revenue Code or a corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
No part of the net earnings of the Corporation shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its members, directors, officers, or other private persons, except that the Corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Article I of these by-laws.
No substantial part of the activities of the Corporation shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting, to influence legislation, and the Corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of these by-laws, this Corporation shall not, except to an insubstantial degree, engage in any activities or exercise any powers that are not in furtherance of the purposes of this Corporation.
Upon the dissolution of this Corporation, the officers shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all the liabilities of the Corporation, dispose of all the assets of the Corporation exclusively for the purposes of the Corporation in such manner, or to such organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for Neopagan religious, educational or charitable purposes as shall at that time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 as revised (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law), as the officers shall determine.
Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the principal office of the Corporation is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such Neopagan organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.”
revised 3/01/08