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Bylaws Full PDF version of the Whispering Lake Grove Bylaws: bylaws pdf,
Table of Contents Article 1: Nature of the Organization Article 2: Discrimination Article 3: Calendar Article 4: Annual Meeting Article 5: Membership Article 6: Voting Article 7: Election of Officers Article 8: Executive Committee of the Council of Elders Article 9: The Council of Elders Article 10: Removal of Elected and Non-Elected Officers Article 11: Public and Financial Record Article 12: Donations and Allocations Article 13: Creation of Study Groups and/or Guilds, Committees and Other Subgroups Article 14: Complaint and Conflict Resolution Article 15: Resignation, Suspension and Banishment of Members Article 16: Indemnification Article 17: Non-Profit Nature of the Corporation Article 18: Affiliation Article 19: Custodian and Dissolution Article 20: Performance of Public, Semi-Public and Private Ritual Article 21: Amendments
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Article 1: Nature of the Organization
1. Whispering Lake Grove (hereinafter referred to as 'Grove') exists as a chartered subsidiary, branch, and/or division of Ar nDraiocht Fein, a Druid Fellowship, Inc., (hereinafter referred to as 'ADF') and as such agrees to abide by and follow the bylaws and policies of the ADF Mother Grove.
2. Whispering Lake Grove identifies its operating location and mailing address as Erie, Pennsylvania, and as such agrees to abide by and follow and shall further be governed in its operations by the laws, institutions, and governing bodies of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
3. Whispering Lake Grove will provide open meetings, instruction, ritual worship, research, and fellowship activities to areas of Northwestern Pennsylvania, Western New York and Northeastern Ohio and will serve interested and participating individuals from these areas in manners consistent with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and shall not act contrary to the laws of the states of New York or Ohio.
4. The use of undue and/or unnecessary pressure to participate in the rituals, social activities, scholarly activities or any other such activities and/or events of Whispering Lake Grove or the use of undue and/or unnecessary pressure to donate funds or items to Whispering Lake Grove shall fall outside of the goals, purposes and aims of Whispering Lake Grove and the Mother Grove of ADF.
5. The Grove shall primarily explore, research and institute or implement traditions consistent with the Irish Celtic and Norse-Teutonic Pagan pantheons, practices and/or traditions. This will not exclude the exploration of any other Indo-European Pagan pantheons, practices or traditions.
Article 2: Discrimination
1. Membership, rank, office and/or position in Whispering Lake Grove, attendance at public or semipublic activities sponsored by Whispering Lake Grove, and participation in any Druidic open public discussion, education, scholarly or social forum, shall not be denied to any person on the basis of race, ancestry, color, physical disability (except as outlined in Article 2 section 6), age, gender, or affectional orientation, but such membership may be denied to individuals practicing creeds inimical to Neopagan Druidism as defined in Article 2 section 3.
2. Membership within the Grove, and particularly members serving as clergy, serving on the Council of Elders or in other such positions of responsibility and trust, shall be granted only to practicing Neopagans, who are not simultaneously practicing a creed inimical to Neopagan Druidism.
3. As defined by the Mother Grove of ADF and as used herein, "inimical creeds" shall include varieties of conservative monotheism, atheism, demonism, racialism, or other such faiths, as shall be determined by the Mother Grove of ADF.
4. Proven communication or behavior of a virulently racist, sexist, homophobic, heterophobic, anti- Semitic, or otherwise bigoted manner, shall be grounds for expulsion from Whispering Lake Grove, as described in Article 15. Such behavior does not include strong verbal statements about the theology, history, or psychological characteristics of other religions.
5. All organizers of public and semipublic activities sponsored by Whispering Lake Grove shall make strenuous efforts to facilitate the participation of differently-abled individuals.
6. All aspirants to any given office or position must be able to meet all relevant qualifications previously determined or established for said office or position, unless otherwise determined by the Council of Elders depending upon the position sought, the circumstances or the particular instance.
Article 3: Calendar
1. Whispering Lake Grove shall follow the eight Druidic High Days as set forth in Article 4 of the Mother Grove bylaws.
2. The name and legal definition of these holidays are as follows: Samhain - November 1st; Winter Solstice - December 21st; Oimelc - February 1st; Spring Equinox - March 21st; Beltane - May 1st; Summer Solstice - June 21st; Lughnasadh - August 1st; and Fall Equinox - September 21st.
3. Each of these holidays shall commence at sundown in the state of Delaware on the dates listed in Article 3 Section 2.
4. Whispering Lake Grove shall celebrate these High Days at a time and date as close as possible to the legally defined date. The Grove Senior Druid and Liturgist will be responsible for the creation of a Liturgical Calendar to be mutually agreed upon by a majority of the voting members of the Council of Elders.
5. Whispering Lake Grove shall define its legal and ceremonial year as running from Samhain to Samhain as in accordance with Article 4.4 of the ADF bylaws.
6. The fiscal year of Whispering Lake Grove shall further fall in accordance with the Mother Grove of ADF and according to Article 4.5 of the ADF bylaws shall commence on January 1 of each year and close on December 31 of that same year.
Article 4: Annual Meeting
1. Whispering Lake Grove shall hold its annual meeting at a date and time closest to the holiday of Lughnasadh and as agreed upon by the Council of Elders.
2. All officers on the Council of Elders shall make reports regarding Grove activities for the previous year during the annual meeting.
3. Elections for the offices of Senior Druid, Assistant Senior Druid, Treasurer, Secretary and Members at Large shall be held in accordance with Article 7.
4. Quorum for the Annual meeting shall be two-thirds (2/3) of the total number of votes to be cast in presence and through proxy and absentee ballot in accordance with the voting as described in Article 6.
Article 5: Membership
1. Membership in Whispering Lake Grove is open to all individuals interested in Druidic beliefs and traditions and the related study, implementation and development of the those traditions and practices in modern society in ways consistent with the bylaws and policies of ADF.
2. Membership is open to all individuals over the age of majority as defined by Pennsylvania law and such age is statutorily defined as 18 years of age.
3. Persons under the statutorily defined age of majority may attend Grove events and/or hold membership status within Whispering Lake Grove, ADF, so long as they have written and notarized permission from at least one parent or legal guardian, unless the Council of Elders shall rule otherwise.
4. Such minor individuals are forbidden under these bylaws and the bylaws of ADF from holding any office position on the Council of Elders, in any guild, special interest group or in any other leadership position until they attain the age of majority.
5. The following membership categories shall be used to establish involvement in the Grove and shall be further used to determine voting rights within the Grove:
a. Voting Member- Individuals shall be deemed Voting Members of Whispering Lake Grove, ADF when they possess a current paid membership to ADF and are current in the monthly payment of the established annual donation as set forth in Article 5 Section 7. Voting members must attend and participate in nine (9) Grove ritual events during each year. Said members will receive all Grove publications and shall be permitted to vote in all Grove elections and other business. Voting Members are eligible to hold any office in the Grove, providing they meet the criteria for said office. Voting members are eligible to be members of the Council of Elders. Voting members may apply to the Council of Elders for exemption from the attendance requirements only in the cases of military service or school obligations. Exemption approval is at the discretion of the Council of Elders.
b. Full Member - Individuals shall be deemed Full Members of Whispering Lake Grove, ADF when they possess a current paid membership to ADF and are current in the monthly payment of the established annual donation as set forth in Article 5 Section 7. Said members will receive all Grove publications, however shall not be permitted to vote in Grove elections or other business unless they meet the criteria of a Voting Member. Full Members are not eligible to hold office in the Grove or membership on the Council of Elders.
c. Local Member- Individuals qualify as Local Members of Whispering Lake Grove, ADF through the monthly payment of the local annual donation and by not paying any dues to ADF. Said members will receive all Grove publications, however shall not be permitted to vote in Grove elections or other business. Local Members are not eligible to hold office in the Grove or membership on the Council of Elders. Local Members are not permitted to participate in ADF study programs, e.g., the Dedicant Path and the Study Programs.
6. The Grove Senior Druid, Secretary and Treasurer shall keep all records of membership in Whispering Lake Grove as well as voting classes and rank.
7. Further all Voting, Full and Local Members of the Grove shall pay per month an annually determined amount in local membership dues. Said dues payments shall be collected during the business meeting of each and every month.
8. Membership standing and/or qualifications for membership along with the amounts designated as local dues are subject to annual review commencing at the first meeting of the fiscal year. Membership in Whispering Lake Grove, ADF is non-transferable.
Article 6: Voting
1. Voting activity in Whispering Lake Grove shall be restricted to only Voting Members in good standing as defined in Article 5 of these bylaws.
2. Voting in the Grove will follow a weighted voting system as described to follow:
a. Chartered Members- Voting Members whose names appear on the Grove charter and were involved in the formation of Whispering Lake Grove through the various aspects and trials of formation shall be given one vote for each year of membership in the Grove until such point when said member has acquired seven (7) votes.
b. General Members- Voting Members joining Whispering Lake Grove at any time following the creation of the Grove may earn one vote per year until such time as five (5) votes are acquired.
3. Each Voting Grove member shall have one vote after they have attended nine (9) Grove ritual events within a one-year period. The voting year will be calculated from the member’s date of obtaining Full Grove membership. This will be their one vote for that year. For every year thereafter they will be awarded one vote per year until such time that they have reached the maximum votes allowed for their membership category.
4. Members shall be permitted to split their votes among candidates or other such choices, but may not used fractional (1/2, 1/3, 1/4, etc.) votes.
5. The Secretary, Senior Druid and Treasurer shall work in conjunction to maintain a correct and accurate voting roster that indicates the number of votes each member has as well as whether or not the member is current in their dues.
6. In the case of a member having a scheduled medical procedure, vacation or other such viable reason, but not to include incarceration, said member may submit in writing to the Secretary following Summer Solstice a request of an absentee ballot.
7. The Secretary in conjunction with the Nominating Committee, see Article 7, shall prepare an absentee ballot to be mailed via U.S. Mail not less than 30 days prior to the election at the Annual Meeting.
8. Members voting by absentee ballot shall have the ballot post marked not later than the date of the Annual Meeting and the Secretary shall not accept said ballots more than three (3) days following the Annual Meeting.
9. Proxy votes may be assigned to Voting members who are to be present at an annual or special meeting, through the signing of the proxy statements issued by the Mother Grove, and are valid only for the annual or special meeting marked thereon.
10. If election or referendum choices are combined with a proxy statement, the person receiving the proxy must cast those votes given him or her according to any electoral choices marked on the combined ballot/proxy statement. If a given Voting member sending in such a proxy has not made any such electoral choices, the person receiving the proxy may cast those votes according to his or her best judgment. 11. The Secretary in conjunction with the Nominating Committee shall be responsible for the development of a proxy statement, based upon the format used by the Mother Grove, that shall be mailed via U.S. Mail not less than thirty (30) days prior to the Annual Meeting. 12. No proxy statements will be accepted at any point following the Annual Meeting. 13. The Council of Elders shall within 30 days prior to the Annual meeting select three Voting Members, individuals not involved as candidates in the said election, to serve as judges to the election. Said judges will include either the Secretary or Assistant Senior Druid (depending upon which office is up for election), one member at large (an officer or other voting grove member) and one non-officer. Said judges shall assist in the vote count and shall sign a statement verifying the fair and just outcome of the election. Article 7: Election of Officers
1. The Council of Elders shall appoint a Nominating Committee of three Voting Members as defined in Article 5 Section 5(a), chaired by an Officer of the Executive Committee who is not a candidate in the election. Said committee members may not be candidates or have a conflict of interest with serving on the Nominating Committee.
2. Prior to Summer Solstice, written notification of available offices shall be distributed to the Voting Members of Whispering Lake Grove, ADF and the Nominating Committee will compile a list of eligible nominees for said available offices.
3. Nominations of candidates for open offices may be made by any Voting Member. Members desiring to be placed on or to place a candidate on the ballot must notify the Nominating Committee in writing within one week following Summer Solstice. The Nominating Committee chairperson will be responsible for contacting all nominated members for their acceptance of the nomination prior to placing them on the ballot.
4. In the event or occurrence that there are no nominees or parties interested in being a candidate, the Senior Druid shall solicit volunteers for all offices that have no candidates.
5. Elections shall be held at the Whispering Lake Grove Annual Meeting by casting a written ballot and according to the voting procedures outlined in Article 6; except in the case of Non-Elected Officers described in Article 10 Sections 9-15 of these bylaws.
6. In the event of a tie vote the winner will be selected or determined by the drawing of lots under the supervision of a member of the Council of Elders.
7. The newly elected officer’s term shall begin at Samhain following taking an “Oath of Office” during the Grove’s Samhain ritual. Each newly elected officer will be responsible for writing an “Oath of Office” with guidance from the Chief Liturgist.
8. For the purposes of electing officers and particularly members to the Executive Committee, quorum shall be defined as 60% of voting members and shall include proxy/absentee votes.
9. Proxy and absentee votes shall be distributed and collected by the Secretary. It shall further be the duty of the Secretary to distribute all proxy and absentee ballots more than thirty (30) days prior to the election and he or she shall accept said ballots for three (3) days following an election.
10. The term of office for Senior Druid and Assistant Senior Druid shall be two years with elections occurring on even years. The term of office for Treasurer and Secretary shall also be two years with elections occurring on odd years. The term of office for Members at Large shall be one year. A Member at Large will be elected for each fifteen (15) Voting Members of the Grove.
11. Voting members may attend annual or special meetings via electronic communications devices if such are available.
12. Except as may be noted elsewhere in these bylaws, all references to voting by the voting members assumes weighted votes as described in Article 6 Section 2 of these bylaws.
Article 8: Executive Committee of the Council of Elders
1. Elections for all officers of the Executive Committee of the Council of Elders will be held annually, as described in Article 7 and restated below.
2. The Executive Committee shall be defined as a body of elected officials that represents and serves as the steering committee for the Board of Directors for the Whispering Lake Grove, ADF.
3. Members of the Executive Committee may not under any circumstance hold more than one office on the Executive Committee, but may simultaneously hold additional offices on the Council of Elders.
4. The Executive Committee in conjunction with the other voting members of the Council of Elders shall possess the authority to conduct ongoing and/or daily business of the Grove and is responsible for reporting such business to the membership at large during the Grove’s monthly business meeting.
5. The Executive Committee shall appoint replacements to any vacant position in the event of a vacancy and shall create and/or set the events and business calendar for the Grove by quarter.
6. Any individual serving on the Executive Committee must have and make available publishable contact information (i.e. e-mail address, telephone number, physical address or any other relevant contact information). All individuals serving on the Executive Committee must be Voting Members in good standing as described in Article 5.
7. In the event an amendment to these bylaws results in the addition of a new elected position, then the Executive Committee shall appoint a provisional holder to that office, and such provisional term shall last until the following Samhain.
8. If an amendment to these bylaws results in the abolishment of an existing position prior to the expiration of the term of the current officeholder, then that officer shall remain a member of the Council of Elders until his or her original term of office has expired.
9. The positions comprising the Executive Committee and the definition of their duties and qualifications shall be as set forth as follows:
a. Senior Druid
1. This individual shall serve as the Spiritual and Administrative leader of the Grove and shall be responsible for articulating the spiritual vision of the Grove. The Senior Druid shall be deemed to act in a manner corresponding to the president or chief executive officer of the local corporation of the organization.
2. The Senior Druid shall preside at all meetings of the Grove; shall be a member of all committees organized by the Grove, whether participating or not, and may choose to attend any meetings or events of the Grove or its subgroups.
3. The Senior Druid is responsible for compiling a quarterly report on the state of the Grove in accordance with ADF and to be sent to such officers as ADF shall appoint for the purpose and shall be responsible for reviewing any and all quarterly reports compiled by officers of the Grove to aid in such reporting to the Mother Grove.
4. The Senior Druid shall create or supervise the creation of an annual budget for the Grove. The Senior Druid shall be responsible for public relations and community networking for the Grove or the delegation of public relations tasks, as needed.
5. The Senior Druid will also fulfill all obligations stated elsewhere in these bylaws.
6. The Senior Druid shall serve as a representative on the ADF Council of Senior Druids.
7. The Senior Druid must be a Voting Member in good standing and shall serve in office for a period of two (2) years to be elected in even years.
8. The Senior Druid and Chief Liturgist shall be responsible for the creation of the Liturgical Calendar for the Grove.
9. The Senior Druid shall assist members of the Council of Elders in the development and implementation of existing and new rituals and other ceremonial proceedings within the parameters of ADF’s history, policies, poly-theology, etc, as the Senior Druid deems necessary.
10. The Senior Druid may assist members of the Grove with the ADF Dedicant Path and Study Programs, and therefore must be well versed in the requirements of both. The Senior Druid may review completed Dedicant’s documentation prior to submission to ADF as deemed appropriate by the ADF Preceptor. The Senior Druid must have completed, submitted and have had approval for their ADF Dedicant Path documentation to act in this capacity.
11. Each Senior Druid who serves at least one full term may take the title of Senior Druid Emeritus. This title will permit them to attend and speak, but not vote at any Council of Elder meeting and maintain membership on said Council as a non-voting member. A Senior Druid Emeritus may continue to be a member of the online Officer’s list providing they regularly attend meetings of the Council of Elders.
b. Assistant Senior Druid
1. This individual shall provide Spiritual and administrative leadership for the Grove.
2. The Assistant Senior Druid shall preside at all meetings of the Grove in the absence of the Senior Druid.
3. The Assistant Senior Druid shall assist the Senior Druid with all administrative tasks, as needed, and shall be deemed to act in a manner corresponding to the vice president of the local corporation.
4. The Assistant Senior Druid will oversee the creation and distribution of all Grove publications and literature.
5. In the event that the Senior Druid should resign, become incapacitated or be removed from office, the Assistant Senior Druid shall become the acting Senior Druid until Samhain at which time an election for the office shall be held, as described in Article 10 section 5.
6. The Assistant Senior Druid must be a Voting Member in good standing and shall serve in office for a period of two (2) years to be elected in even years.
7. The Assistant Senior Druid will be responsible for the creation of new member and perspective membership informational packets and for the submission of these packets to the Council of Elders for review, approval and distribution.
c. Treasurer
1. This individual is responsible for keeping the Grove’s financial records according to generally accepted accounting principles for nonprofit organizations and shall be deemed to act in a manner corresponding to the function of treasurer of the local corporation.
2. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the organization of fund-raising or delegation and supervision of fund-raising.
3. The Treasurer shall sign all checks, drafts and other instruments for the Grove and shall have custody of all moneys of the Grove received or disbursed. The signature of the Treasurer and Senior Druid shall be required for all withdrawals over two hundred (200) dollars.
4. The Treasurer shall deposit all moneys and valuables in the name of and to the credit of the Whispering Lake Grove, ADF in such banks or other financial institutions as designated.
5. The Treasurer shall have accounting and/or general financial record-keeping skills necessary for the functions of the office and is responsible for compiling a quarterly report of financial records and fund-raising activities to be sent to ADF, after review and approval by the Senior Druid.
6. The Treasurer shall ensure the timely filing of any required tax documents and the completion of any necessary independent audits.
7. The Treasurer is responsible for the preparation of an annual financial report at the close of the fiscal year and will assist the Senior Druid with the development of an annual budget for the Grove.
8. The Treasurer at their expense will obtain a criminal background check (Act 33 clearance) within 90 days of election to the office. Failure to obtain said clearance will result in immediate and automatic removal from office. A copy of this clearance will be maintained by the Grove Secretary.
9. In the event that the Senior Druid and the Treasurer are intimately related, the signature of another officer of the Executive Committee shall be required and said officer shall bear no intimate relationship to the Treasurer.
10. The Treasurer shall be a Voting Member in good standing and serve in office for a period of two (2) years to be elected in odd years.
d. Secretary
1. This individual is responsible for keeping all minutes of the proceedings of all meetings of the Grove and its committees (to be submitted by the committee chair person) and shall be deemed to act in a manner corresponding to the function of secretary of the local corporation.
2. The Secretary shall send proxy and absentee statements and/or mail ballots to all Voting members, as necessary. The Secretary shall be responsible for collecting all proxies and absentee statements and shall count votes as described in Article 6.
3. The Secretary shall keep all membership, member vote totals and subscription records and adhere to any requirements for confidentiality specified by members.
4. The Secretary is responsible for compiling a quarterly report of membership to be sent as required to ADF, after review and approval by the Senior Druid.
5. Upon request the Secretary shall provide the minutes of any official Grove meeting to any member of the Council of Elders, the Grove or the ADF Mother Grove.
6. The Secretary is responsible for the organization of all incoming correspondences for reply and the reply thereof and may perform other duties that would otherwise be performed by a corporate secretary. All written correspondences shall be brought to the attention of the Grove at the monthly business meeting for review and comment. . 7. Candidates for the office of Secretary shall have the ability to take minutes and possess typing skills.
8. The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping attendance records for all Grove rituals, workshops and meetings, as well as a record of all Grove holdings and other property. The Grove Secretary will maintain records for the Grove Lending Library.
9. The Secretary shall forward a copy of all attendance records to the Senior Druid following each Grove event.
10. The Secretary shall be a Voting Member in good standing and serve in office for a period of two (2) years to be elected in odd years.
e. Members at Large
1. One Member at Large will be elected for each fifteen (15) Voting Members of the Grove. A maximum of three (3) Members at Large may be elected and serve in this capacity.
2. This individual shall act as facilitator and ombudsperson ensuring that all members have a voice and opportunity to participate in Grove matters and advocate to the Senior Druid and/or Council of Elders on behalf of the membership at large.
3. Members at Large are responsible for the creation and implementation of membership polls as deemed necessary by the Executive Committee or Council of Elders. Members at Large may also have additional responsibilities as assigned by the Council of Elders.
4. Members at Large must be Voting Members as defined in Article 5 and shall serve as non-voting members of the Executive Committee.
5. Individuals nominated to be Members at Large must have been Voting Members of the Grove for a period of no less than two (2) years.
Article 9: The Council of Elders
1. The Council of Elders shall be defined as a body of elected and non-elected officials that represent and serve as the Board of Directors for Whispering Lake Grove, ADF. The Council of Elders is the ultimate authority 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 Elected Officers, Appointed Officers, and Non-Elected Officers selected by a challenge system. See Article 10 Sections 9-15. Membership on the Council of Elders is also open to former officers and ritual officiates. See Article 9 Sections 3 & 5.
3. Voting members of the Council of Elders shall include: the Senior Druid, Assistant Senior Druid, Treasurer, Secretary, Chief Liturgist, Chief Bard, Chief Seer, Preceptor and Youth Activities Coordinator. The Preceptor position shall be filled and vacated by appointment of the Council of Elders.
4. Voting members of the Council of Elders may hold more than one office, however may not cast more than one vote. Weighted voting will not apply for decisions made on the Council of Elders.
5. Non-voting members of the Council of Elders shall include former Grove Officers who have served for at least one full term and are current Voting Members of the Grove, Members at Large and all ritual officiates who have attained third circle status and are current Voting Members.
6. The term of office for Non-Elected Officers of this Council shall last until the office is vacated by resignation or successfully challenged or in the event of reappointment of the Preceptor by the Council of Elders. See Article 10 Sections 9-15.
7. Members of the Council of Elders who are ritual officiates will coordinate and oversee the creation and performance of all public, semipublic and private rituals.
8. The Chief Liturgist, Chief Seer and/or Chief Bard shall be required to provide one public workshop each year.
9. The positions comprising the Non-Elected Officers of the Council of Elders and the definition of their duties shall be as set forth as follows:
a. Chief Liturgist
1. This individual shall be responsible for coordinating the development and implementation of existing and new rituals, rites of passage, hand-fasts, requiems and other ceremonial proceedings within the parameters of ADF's history, policies, poly-theology, etc. or for delegating an apprentice to perform said duties.
2. The Liturgist will work with the Grove Preceptor to establish educational and liturgical continuity. The Liturgist in conjunction with the Grove Preceptor will oversee the Grove Performance of Public Liturgy Training program.
3. The Liturgist in conjunction with the Preceptor will be responsible for facilitating all practicum assignments and for review of all student submissions.
4. The Liturgist is responsible for the submission of all public and semi-public ritual text to the Grove Website.
5. The Liturgist shall serve as a resource for other Grove members seeking liturgical information and shall assist the Senior Druid in construction of a Liturgical Calendar.
6. The Liturgist must be a Voting Member in good standing; must have a thorough understanding of and be practiced in liturgical design and must have demonstrated competency in language skills; familiarity with the Irish Celtic and Norse-Teutonic pantheons’ myths and lore and relative acquaintance with the myths and lore of other pantheons as determined through the judging of the challenge event.
b. Chief Bard
1. This individual shall be responsible for coordinating and overseeing all musical/poetic/theatrical elements of ritual including; chants, drumming, seasonal enactments, storytelling etc.
2. The Bard will be responsible for leading the performance of all songs, chants and other musical effects during Grove ritual or for designating an apprentice to perform said duties.
3. The Bard shall assist other officiate members of the Council of Elders in the development and implementation of existing and new rituals and other ceremonial proceedings within the parameters of ADF’s history, policies, poly-theology, etc.
4. The Bard may facilitate workshops, as needed and will serve as a resource for Grove members on information concerning ritual chant and song, storytelling, drumming etc.
5. The Bard must be a Voting Member in good standing as defined in Article 5 and able to provide original music and/or poetry and should be familiar with musical styles of different cultures and how they could be utilized within ritual. The Bard must be familiar with the Irish Celtic and Norse-Teutonic pantheons’ myths and lore and have relevant acquaintance with the myths and lore of other pantheons as determined through the judging of the challenge event.
c. Chief Seer
1. This individual shall be responsible for coordinating and overseeing all sacrifice for public and semi-public ritual and performance of divination during Grove rituals or for designating an apprentice to perform said duties.
2. The Seer shall perform divination for the purpose of spiritual guidance to the Grove and its membership and interpret all divination performed, as needed.
3. The Seer must be a Voting Member in good standing as defined in Article 5 and must be highly skilled in the divining arts; must possess a thorough understanding of and be practiced in divination with Ogham and Runes; and have a thorough knowledge and practice of at least one established/recognized system of divination as demonstrated through the judging of the challenge event.
4. The Seer will serve as a resource for Grove members on information concerning divination and will be responsible for keeping a Grove Book of Omens. This book will be available within a timely manner to all Grove members upon request. The Seer will be responsible for submitting all omen interpretations to the Grove website.
5. The Seer shall be responsible for ensuring that appropriate items of sacrifice are available for rituals. The Seer shall advise Grove members and guests of expectations for and meaning of personal sacrifices, as needed.
6. The Seer shall assist other officiate members of the Council of Elders in the development and implementation of existing and new rituals and other ceremonial proceedings within the parameters of ADF’s history, policies, poly-theology, etc.
7. The Seer may facilitate public workshops, as needed.
d. Preceptor
1. This individual shall be responsible for the development and facilitation or the delegation of the development and facilitation of all educational materials for public, semipublic and private training, classes and/or workshops for the Grove and will work in conjunction with the Chief Liturgist to establish educational and liturgical continuity.
2. The Preceptor must have the skills necessary for the planning, organization and implementation of educational materials and must have demonstrated competency in teaching to be determined by the voting membership of the Council of Elders.
3. The Preceptor must be familiar with the Irish Celtic and Norse-Teutonic pantheons’ myths and lore and have relevant acquaintance with the myths and lore of other pantheons.
4. The Preceptor will assist members of the Grove with the ADF Dedicant Path and Study Programs, and therefore must be well versed in the requirements of both. The Preceptor must have completed, submitted and have had approval for their ADF Dedicant Path documentation to be considered for this position.
5. The Preceptor shall keep records as to completion of the ADF Dedicant Path documentation and Study Programs by Grove members and may review completed Dedicant Path documentation prior to submission to ADF as deemed appropriate by the ADF Preceptor. The Preceptor will hold monthly Dedicant meetings, as requested by the membership.
6. The Preceptor shall serve as a voting member of the Council of Elders and must be a Voting Member of the Grove in good standing as defined by Article 5. This position shall be filled and vacated by appointment of the Council of Elders.
e. Youth Activities Coordinator
1. This individual shall be responsible for the development and implementation of youth religious education programs and for the coordination of youth activities to include: participation of youth in public, semi-public and private ritual.
2. Materials developed under this program will be reviewed by the Council of Elders to coordinate the appropriate time(s) for children to participate in the high day and other ritual celebrations. Program materials will be reviewed and approved by the Council prior to the implementation of the materials.
3. The Youth Activities Coordinator will ensure that materials are provided to all families with children to help them integrate religious practice into their daily lives, as well as, to celebrate the eight high days.
4. The Youth Activities Coordinator is not responsible for providing childcare services, but shall investigate and determine the availability and necessity of child care services as it relates to Grove activities.
5. The Youth Activities Coordinator will be required to obtain Act 33 clearance within 90 days of obtaining this position. Act 33 clearance will be obtained at the expense of the Youth Activities Coordinator. Failure to obtain this clearance will result in immediate and automatic removal from office. The Secretary will maintain copies of original clearances. The Youth Activities Coordinator must be a Voting Member in good standing as defined in Article 5.
6. The Youth Activities Coordinator must be familiar with the Irish Celtic and Norse-Teutonic pantheons’ myths and lore and have relevant acquaintance with the myths and lore of other pantheons.
10. All guilds, special interest and study groups shall be supervised by the Council of Elders. The Council will appoint the most appropriate member from the Council to provide the supervision dependent upon the focus of the group.
Article 10: Removal of Elected and Non-Elected Officers
1. Any Elected or Non-Elected Officer may resign from office at any time by submitting a written and signed letter of resignation to the Senior Druid.
2. Upon resignation of an Elected Officer, the Executive Committee may appoint a suitable replacement. In the event that a suitable replacement is not available the Senior Druid will assume the responsibilities for said office and its functions.
3. In the event of the resignation of a Non-Elected Officer, he/she may recommend a suitable replacement for their vacancy. The recommended individual must then successfully complete a challenge event. If no recommended replacement can be found, the Chief Liturgist will be responsible for the function of the vacated office.
4. In the case of the resignation of the Senior Druid, a copy of the written and signed letter of resignation must be submitted to the Assistant Senior Druid and also be submitted to the ADF Arch Druid.
5. In the event that the Senior Druid resigns from office, the Assistant Senior Druid will fill the vacancy until formal elections can be held. In the event that the Assistance Senior Druid is unable to fill the vacancy the Secretary will assume the role of Senior Druid until formal elections can be held. Should this occur on an odd year or at the beginning of the Senior Druid’s term, a special election for the position of Senior Druid shall be held at Lughnasadh to elect a new Senior Druid, whose term shall commence on Samhain of the odd year and continue through the regularly scheduled election. Should this happen in an even year or near the conclusion of the Senior Druid’s term, the Assistant Senior Druid shall serve out the completion of the term until the regularly scheduled election.
6. An Elected Officer who is deemed to not be fulfilling the requirements of his/her office as stated in Article 8 of these bylaws shall be notified in writing by the remaining officers, and if efforts are not taken to continue the proper function of said office, the officer may be removed by a 2/3 majority vote of the Grove voting membership.
7. Said officer shall be sent a formal written notification, including the location and time of the vote, thirty (30) days prior to the vote.
8. Individuals who have been removed from office by this process may not run for any Grove office for three years unless the Council of Elders deems otherwise. Once the Council of Elders rescinds its prohibition, the individual can run for any Grove office.
9. Non-elected officers may be removed from office through a formal challenge to their position and by the inability to win the challenge event.
10. Any Voting Member of Whispering Lake Grove may challenge a Non-Elected Officer for their position, providing the member holds equal officiate rank to the officer being challenged.
11. The intent to challenge must be submitted in writing to the Senior Druid who shall notify the Non-elected officer being challenged and entire Grove membership of the challenge event within 14 days of receiving the written intent to challenge. The |