Ár nDraíocht Féin
Carthage, Missouri
Version 10-22-2005
1.1 Hazelnut Mead Grove, ADF, is a non-profit religious, educational, scholarly, artistic and charitable association organized to practice the full spectrum of legal activities appropriate for a religious congregation.
1.2 To serve the spiritual and educational
needs of the Joplin, MO area and neighboring communities, Hazelnut Mead Grove,
ADF provides public Druidic ritual and worship, classes and discussion groups
in Druidic arts and lore, opportunities to enhance and deepen the spiritual
development of our membership, service to enhance and sustain our local
communities and environments, and religious support of the community in the
Druidic way (e.g., counseling, blessing, advising, environmental work,
etc.).Hazelnut Mead Grove, ADF was formed to serve these needs in February 4,
2005, applying for recognition as a local congregation of Ár nDraíocht Féin, A
Druid Fellowship, Inc. (ADF).
1.3 As a local congregation of ADF, Hazelnut
Mead Grove, ADF shall comply with the By-laws of Ár nDraíocht Féin, A Druid
Fellowship, Inc. (henceforth "ADF by-laws").
Article 2. CALENDAR
2.1 In
keeping with the national bylaws of ADF, we are committed to the following
actions:
2.1.1 A meeting at least twice each calendar month of the majority of the members "for study, discussion, music, rituals, poetry, liturgical planning and critiques, feasting, fellowship, and fun."
2.1.2 To provide open public or semi-public worship opportunities for the eight High Days. For legal purposes in this document, dates and names of these High Days refer to those established in the ADF by-laws. The eight high days consist of the four Major High Days (Samhain, Oimelc, Beltane, and Lughnasadh) and the four minor High Days (Winter solstice, Spring equinox, Summer solstice, and Fall equinox).
3.1 Age requirements for membership in
Hazelnut Mead Grove, ADF, and special requirements for minors, are as set forth
in the by-laws of ADF.
3.2 Membership
Categories
3.2.1 Full
Member – is defined as a person who is both a member of ADF and who has
paid their annual dues to Hazelnut Mead Grove, ADF. Full Members may vote in all grove elections and referenda. Only Full Members may hold grove offices
that are required of the grove by ADF (Senior Druid, Pursewarden, and Scribe).
3.2.1.1 ADF
Member -- is defined as a person who is recognized as a current member of
ADF. ADF members that are not also members of Hazelnut Mead Grove, ADF may not
vote in grove elections or referenda.
3.2.2 National
Member – is defined as a person who is a member of ADF and who has declared
to ADF that Hazelnut Mead Grove, ADF, is their Grove Affiliation, but who have
not paid annual dues to Hazelnut Mead Grove, ADF. National Members are not eligible to vote in grove elections or
referenda or to hold the offices of Senior Druid, Pursewarden or Scribe, but
they may be members of, and hold offices in, any grove guilds or committees.
3.2.3 Affiliate Member – is defined as a person who has paid their annual dues to Hazelnut Mead Grove, ADF, but is not a member of ADF. Affiliate Members are not eligible to vote in grove elections or referenda. Affiliate Members may be members of grove guilds and committees, but may not hold any offices in the grove or its guilds or committees.
3.3 Minimum Grove Donation. All Full Members and Affiliate Members are expected to make a minimum donation annually to the Grove.
3.3.1. The amount of the Minimum Grove Donation shall be determined at the Annual Meeting for the following year.
3.3.2. For Full Members, the Minimum Grove Donation is in addition to ADF Membership dues.
3.3.3. Annual Due Date. The Minimum Grove Donation will be due by September 30th of each year.
3.3.1.1
In cases of special hardship, the Minimum Grove Donation may
be paid in three monthly installments but is due no later than February 1st
of the following year.
3.3.1.2
Minimum Grove Donations made by members after February 1st
of the following year shall have a 30% surcharge added for membership to remain
current.
3.3.2
All Full Members who have paid in full by September 30th
of the current year will be eligible to vote at the Annual Meeting in October
of that year.
3.3.3
New Members.
3.3.3.1
New Full Members shall pay their Minimum Grove Donation on a
prorated basis to bring their membership current to the annual due date.
3.3.3.2
Members joining between October 1 and April 30 will be charged
the full Minimum Grove donation minus 1/12 of that cost for each month after
October 31. Their next donation will be
due by September 30 of that year.
3.3.3.3
Members joining between May 1 and September 30 will be charged
the full Minimum Grove Donation minus 1/12 of that cost for each month after
October 31 PLUS the amount of a full year’s Grove donation as set at the
previous Annual Meeting. Their next donation will be due by September 30 of the
following year.
3.3.3.4
Members joining after the 20th day of any calendar
month will be deemed to have joined on the first day of the following month.
3.3.4
Grove Compassionate
Memberships.
3.3.4.1 The Executive Committee may grant a Compassionate Membership to the Grove in cases of special hardship.
3.3.4.2 For ADF Compassionate Memberships, the member must apply to the ADF Members Advocate.
3.4 Right
of Protection – Although Hazelnut Mead Grove, ADF welcomes the public to
its regular meetings and rituals, the members of Hazelnut Mead Grove, ADF
reserves the right to prohibit from attendance at grove meetings or rituals any
individuals who engage in behavior destructive or harmful to any individuals in
attendance or to the grove as a whole.
3.4.1 A vote of the majority of Full Members,
under the rules in Article 4, shall be required to prohibit any individual from
grove activities.
Article 4. VOTING
4.1 All
Full Members shall be considered voting members of the grove.
4.2 QUORUMS
4.2.1. At the Annual Meeting or for the purpose of making amendments to these by-laws, a quorum for voting purposes shall consist of those voting Members representing 50% of the Full membership, including proxy and absentee ballots.
4.2.2 Except as otherwise noted in these by-laws, a quorum at Other Meetings for voting purposes shall consist of three Full Members present at any published meeting, provided that at least one of those present is an Officer of the Grove as defined in Article 7.1.
4.3 In decisions of the general membership
and the Executive Committee that do not involve the election of an officer or
modification of the these by-laws, a consensus will be sought, followed by a
majority rule vote if a consensus cannot be obtained following discussion. The
Full Members may agree to be guided by a consensus of all National Members
represented or a majority vote of the National Members represented.
4.4 In elections or referenda open to the
full membership where absentee ballots or proxies are used, the ballots and
proxies shall be received by the Scribe before the election, or before the vote
is cast.
4.5 Absentee ballots and/or proxies must be
available in elections of officers and formal referenda concerning the
modification of these by-laws. The use of absentee ballots and/or proxies in
all other referenda shall be at the discretion of the Executive Committee of
Hazelnut Mead Grove, ADF.
Article 5. ANNUAL MEETING
5.1 The annual meeting of Hazelnut Mead
Grove, ADF shall normally be scheduled between the High Days of Lughnasadh and
Samhain.
5.2 The purpose of the annual meeting shall
be the election of officers and to review the state of the grove, its near-term
goals, and its activities. The election of officers shall be conducted as
defined in Article 6 of these by-laws. The annual officers' reports will
include a summary of activities relevant to each officer's position, followed
by discussion among the membership.
Article 6.
OTHER MEETINGS AND REFERENDA
6.1 Real Time Meetings are any scheduled meetings that require the Members to be physically present, other than the Annual Meeting. Absentee ballots and proxy ballots may be used at this time.
6.2 Virtual Meetings are any scheduled meetings of the Members that take place either on a telephone conference call or in real-time on the Internet, as in chat rooms, etc. Internet mailing lists do not qualify as virtual meetings.
6.3 Referenda may be used in lieu of holding a meeting for special topics. Referenda may be conducted by postal ballot and/or e-mail.
Article
7. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
7.1 Full Members of Hazelnut Mead Grove, ADF
can be nominated for election as an officer of Hazelnut Mead Grove, ADF by any
National Member of Hazelnut Mead Grove, ADF.
7.1.1 Nominations must be made and seconded at a
regularly scheduled meeting (to be announced at least one month in advance of
the annual meeting).
7.2 Elections will be held at the annual
meeting.
7.2.1 If there is not a clear consensus of the
membership, election will be by the majority of a written ballot; except in the
case of Appointed Officers (see Article 7 of these by-laws).
7.2.2 If no candidate receives a majority of
votes, a runoff election will be held between the two candidates who received
the largest number of votes.
7.2.3 In the event of an election where no
candidates receive a majority and there is a tie for second place, the second
candidate in the runoff will be chosen among these two by lot or a similar
omen.
7.2.4 In the event of a tie in the runoff
election or a tie between the only two candidates in the initial election, the
victor will be chosen from among these two by lot or a similar omen.
7.3 The
term for newly elected officers shall begin at Samhain.
7.4 Non-elected officers (see Article 7 of
these by-laws) shall be appointed by the Senior Druid.
Article 8. OFFICERS
8.1 The officers of Hazelnut Mead Grove, ADF
(Senior Druid, Pursewarden and Scribe) are responsible to the membership of the
grove and the Board of Directors of ADF (henceforth "ADF Mother
Grove").
8.2 Executive
Committee -- Elections for officers of Hazelnut Mead Grove, ADF will be
held as described in Article 6 of these by-laws. The Executive Committee will
consist of all elected officers. Full Members at least 18 years of age are
eligible for elective office.
8.3 Elected Officers
8.3.1 Senior
Druid
8.3.1.1 Is an administrative and spiritual leader.
8.3.1.2 Calls meetings, sets meeting agendas and
provides leadership for the grove.
8.3.1.3 Has the right to be an ex officio member of
all committees.
8.3.1.4 Shall appoint replacements in the event that
offices become vacant.
8.3.1.5 May countersign all checks, drafts, and other
instruments of the grove.
8.3.1.6 The Senior Druid is responsible for compiling
a quarterly report on the state of the grove to be sent to the ADF Archdruid
and the ADF Scribe and is responsible for reviewing all other officer's
quarterly reports.
8.3.1.7 The Senior Druid shall make the Scribe aware
of all official grove correspondence.
8.3.1.8 The Senior Druid shall have access to E-mail.
8.3.1.9 The term of office of the Senior Druid shall
be one (1) year.
8.3.2 Pursewarden
8.3.2.1 May countersign all checks, drafts, and other
instruments for the grove.
8.3.2.2 Shall have custody of all monies of the grove
received or disbursed.
8.3.2.3 Shall deposit all monies and valuables in the
name of and to the credit of Hazelnut Mead Grove, ADF in such banks or other
financial institutions as designated.
8.3.2.4. Shall be responsible for keeping the grove's
financial records according to generally accepted accounting principles for
nonprofit organizations, and for reviewing these records with the Executive
Committee.
8.3.2.5 The Pursewarden is responsible for compiling a
quarterly report of financial records to be sent to the ADF Mother Grove after
review by the Senior Druid.
8.3.2.6 The Pursewarden is required to compile an
annual report (see Article 8).
8.3.2.7 The Pursewarden shall make the Scribe aware of
all official grove correspondence.
8.3.2.8 The Pursewarden shall have access to E-mail.
8.3.2.9 The term of the office of Pursewarden shall be
one (1) year.
8.3.3 Scribe
8.3.3.1 Shall record minutes of all general and
Executive Committee meetings (either directly or through a designated
assistant) and keep records of the proceedings of all committees (to be
submitted by each committee head).
8.3.3.2 Shall send proxy & absentee statements
and/or mail ballots to voting members and shall be responsible for collecting
proxies and absentee ballots.
8.3.3.3 Shall organize incoming correspondence and
reply as necessary.
8.3.3.4 May countersign all checks, drafts and other
instruments of the grove.
8.3.3.5 May perform other duties that would otherwise
be performed by the secretary of a voluntary association.
8.3.3.6 Candidates for the office of the Scribe shall
have the ability to take minutes and have typing skills.
8.3.3.7 The Scribe is responsible for compiling a
quarterly report of events and minutes of meetings to be sent to the ADF Mother
Grove after being reviewed by the Senior Druid.
8.3.3.8 The Scribe shall have access to E-mail.
8.3.3.9 The term of the office of Scribe shall be one
(1) year.
8.4 Non-Elected Officers
8.4.1 Other offices may be established or
disestablished by the Senior Druid, subject to approval of the Executive
Committee and the grove membership.
8.4.1.1 The offices may include: a Members Advocate, a
Chronicler, an Outreach Coordinator, a Webmaster, a Registrar, a Youth
Activities Coordinator, a Public Service Coordinator, an Archivist, a
Liturgist, a Bard, a Minstrel, a Diviner, or other offices designated by the
Senior Druid and duly approved.
8.4.1.2 Both Full Members and National Members are
eligible for appointment to these offices by the Senior Druid.
8.4.1.3 These individuals' office term may last until
the office is vacated, as stated in Article 12 of these by-laws, but will only
continue upon the approval of the Senior Druid upon the Senior Druid's
election/re-election.
8.4.1.4 Appointment to these offices does not include
membership on the Executive Committee or fiduciary responsibility, and hence
they are not among the "local grove officers" that are restricted to
Full Members by the ADF by-laws.
8.4.1.5 Officers will make the Scribe aware of all
official grove correspondence.
Article 9. FINANCIAL RECORDS
9.1 All members of Hazelnut Mead Grove, ADF
and of the ADF Mother Grove are entitled to see the grove accounting records,
to be made available by the Pursewarden.
9.2 The Pursewarden will also provide such
access to grove financial records by government officials as required under
applicable law.
9.3 The Pursewarden will respect the
confidentiality of individual donors and donations, as permitted under
applicable law.
9.4 Disbursements made by check must bear the
signatures of 2 out of three members of the Executive Committee.
9.5 Summary statements of receipts and
disbursements will be regularly available.
9.6 An annual report must be compiled at the
end of each year.
Article 10. CELEBRANTS AT HIGH DAY RITUALS
10.1
All Members wishing
to act as a Celebrant at High Day rituals shall fulfill the following
qualifications:
10.1.1 Celebrants must be
Full Members.
10.1.2 Celebrants must
attend the Grove Liturgy Class, which will be held at least once per year.
10.1.2.1
This requirement will
be suspended until such time as the Grove Liturgy Class has been held for the
first time.
10.1.3 Celebrants must have completed the ADF Dedicant Program.
10.1.3.1
This requirement will be suspended until such time as the Grove has four
members who have completed the ADF Dedicant Program.
10.2
Celebrant
Exceptions.
10.2.1
The following Celebrant parts are exempt
from the requirement in 10.1 above:
Sanctifier and those doing the Kindred Invocations (Ancestors, Nature
Spirits, Deities).
10.2.2 Guests prominent in ADF may also be invited to be
Celebrants.
Article
11. CREATION OF STUDY GROUPS AND/OR
GUILDS, COMMITTEES and OTHER SUBGROUPS
11.1 Grove members may form study groups,
guilds, committees, or other subgroups with the approval of the Executive
Committee.
11.1.1 Closed subgroups shall consist of no more
than one half of the grove membership.
11.1.2 Appropriate topics for these study groups can
be found within the Preamble of Ár nDraíocht Féin and/or the ADF study guide.
11.1.3 Meetings of these subgroups do not count in
attendance guidelines for offering the initial invitation to National
Membership, however work with study groups, guilds, committees, or other
subgroups can fulfill the obligations of National Members to remain active in
the grove and to further the purposes of the grove.
11.2 GUILDS
11.2.1 The formation of a guild shall be presented
to the Executive Committee for review.
11.2.2 All guilds must file quarterly reports on the
state of the guild to the Executive Committee.
11.2.3 Examples of appropriate guilds can be found
within the Preamble of Ár nDraíocht Féin and/or the ADF study guide.
11.3 COMMITTEES
11.3.1 Committees may be formed during any business
meeting but must have a purpose and defined objectives.
11.3.2 At least three persons must be on each
committee.
11.3.3 A report on progress must be made at each
business meeting, or a brief report may be sent to the Scribe for recording in
the minutes.
11.3.4 The Senior Druid has the right to be an ex
officio member of all committees.
11.4 STUDY GROUPS AND OTHER
SUBGROUPS
11.4.1 Study Groups and other Subgroups may be
formed during any business meeting but must have a purpose and defined
objectives.
11.4.2 At least two persons must be in a study
group.
11.4.3 Study groups and subgroups may be closed
groups
11.4.3.1 If a Study Group or subgroup is
closed, it may not consist of more than half of the grove membership.
11.4.4 Study Groups and subgroups are not required
to submit reports.
11.4.5 Study Groups and subgroups must not breach
any provision within these by-laws and must adhere to the ADF by-laws.
Article 12. EXPULSION, SUSPENSION, RESIGNATION OR IMPEACHMENT OF MEMBERS AND
OFFICERS
12.1 SUSPENSION OR EXPULSION
12.1.1 Grounds for suspension or expulsion are stated in the ADF
by-laws.
12.1.2 Members may be suspended by a 2/3 vote of the Executive
Committee, under the grounds in 11.1.1.
12.1.2.1
After 90 days, the
suspension shall either be removed or a recommendation for expulsion shall be
taken to the voting membership.
12.1.3
Members may be expelled by a 2/3 vote of the voting membership, under the
grounds in 11.1.1 following a recommendation of the Executive Committee.
12.1.3.1
If a member under
consideration for suspension or expulsion is a grove officer, he/she may be
suspended or expelled only by a two-thirds vote of the remaining officers, and
only after review by the ADF Mother Grove or the Archdruid.
12.1.4
Full or National
Members who are suspended or expelled from ADF must show cause why they should
be allowed to remain Affiliate Members. Members, who have been banned
temporarily or permanently from attending ADF activities, by the ADF Mother
Grove in accordance with the ADF by-laws, will not be permitted to remain
Members or to attend grove rituals. Such bans must be announced in ADF
publications.
12.1.5
Suspended or expelled
Members may not hold office or act in any way as representatives of Hazelnut
Mead Grove, ADF and have no right to receive any publications, and may not
continue to participate in Druidic study programs offered by Hazelnut Mead Grove,
ADF.
12.1.6
Should a Member be
suspended or expelled, notification shall be made to the entire Grove
membership within one month.
12.1.7
Suspended or expelled
Members will not be entitled to a refund of their Minimum Grove Donation.
12.2 RESIGNATION
12.2.1 MEMBERS
12.2.1.1 Full Members who resign from ADF may
remain Affiliate Members.
12.2.1.2 Members may resign from membership
at any time for personal reasons, and will be eligible to rejoin Hazelnut Mead
Grove, ADF at a later date.
12.2.2 OFFICERS
12.2.2.1 If any officer, for personal or
other reasons, believes that he/she must resign from the office a letter of
resignation must be sent to the Senior Druid and the Senior Druid shall appoint
a replacement for that office.
12.2.2.1.1 A suitable replacement for a vacated
office must be found within 30 days.
The Senior Druid may temporarily assume responsibility of fulfilling
that office and its functions.
12.2.2.2 Any officer who fails to attend
scheduled grove events for three consecutive months or who fails to contribute
to the activities or purposes of the Hazelnut Mead Grove, ADF over that time
may be considered to have resigned the office in question. They may be removed from office by vote of
the remaining members of the Executive Committee.
12.2.2.2 In the event of the resignation of a
Non-elected Officer, the Senior Druid may appoint a suitable replacement for
the vacancy.
12.2.2.3 Should the Senior Druid resign from
office, he or she MUST submit, in writing, a formal resignation from this
position to the ADF Archdruid and to ALL grove Officers. Upon the resignation,
the Scribe shall be appointed Senior Druid until formal elections for Senior
Druid can be held.
12.3 IMPEACHMENT
12.3.1 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.
12.3.2 If efforts are not taken to continue the
function of said office, then the grove voting membership shall, by a 2/3 vote,
relieve said officer of his/her office and the Senior Druid shall appoint a
replacement of that office.
12.3.2.1 A suitable replacement for a vacated
office must be found within 30 days.
The Senior Druid may temporarily assume responsibility of fulfilling
that office and its functions.
12.3.3 Impeached officers may remain as regular
members, but may not run for any office unless approved by the Executive
Committee.
12.4 INCAPACITATION
12.4.1 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 Committee shall
require a reevaluation of his/her competency similar to the process that has
declared incapacity, before s/he may seek election or appointment.
Article 13. AMENDMENTS
13.1 Upon approval by the Executive Committee
and membership of Hazelnut Mead Grove, ADF these by-laws are to become
effective on November 18, 2005C.E.
13.2 Amendments to these by-laws may be made at any annual or special meeting or referendum, by a 2/3 vote of the Full Membership, subject to quorum. Amendments shall be incorporated into the by-laws upon ratification, effective immediately, and copies of the revised by-laws shall be sent to all Grove members and the ADF Mother Grove as soon as possible.
Article 14. NON-PROFIT NATURE OF THE ASSOCIATION
14.1 Hazelnut Mead Grove, ADF is organized
exclusively for charitable religious, educational and scholarly 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.
14.2 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 association
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.
14.3 No substantial part of the activities of
the Corporation shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise
attempting, to influence legislation, and the association 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. .
14.4
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.
14.5
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.
14.6
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."