BY-LAWS

PREAMBLE

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1. NON-PROFIT NATURE OF Silver Branch Golden Horn

Silver Branch, Golden Horn Grove, hereafter referred to as the Grove, 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 Grove shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its members, directors, officers, or other private persons, except that The Grove 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 Grove shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting, to influence legislation, and The Grove 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 Grove 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 Grove.

Upon the dissolution of this Grove, the officers shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all the liabilities of The Grove, dispose of all the assets of The Grove exclusively for the purposes of The Grove 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 Grove 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."

 

2. The Grove of Silver Branch Golden Horn, is a local affiliate of Ár nDraíocht Féin: A Druid Fellowship, Inc., hereafter known as; A.D.F.; is the legal structure for a Neopagan Druid religion based on the beliefs and practices of the ancient Indo-Europeans, adapted to the needs and sensibilities of modern people. We are a nonprofit religious, scientific, educational, artistic, and charitable Corporation, organized to practice the full spectrum of legal activities practiced by any religious organization.

3. As we define it, Neopagan Druidry is a polytheistic, non-dualist, non-sexist, non-racist, scientific, holistic, and ecologically oriented religion. We are dedicated to the preservation of our The Earth Mother, the full achievement of human potential, the revival of the worship of the Old Gods in a modern context.

4. The Grove supports the purpose and vision of A.D.F. We accept the Bylaws of the national organization.

5. The following by-laws are intended to help the Grove achieve the ideals of ADF.

 

Article 1: Purposes

1. The Grove will provide open public or semi-public worship opportunities on a regular basis, including all eight High Days. The overwhelming majority of Grove activities are to be open and inclusionary. Smaller groups may be formed within the Grove, with the approval of the executive council. Closed groups shall consist of no more than half the membership. Sanctioned groups must fall under the beliefs within the preamble of the A.D.F. and/or the A.D.F. study guide.

2. The Grove focuses on the Celtic and Norse Gods, and this focus shall not be subject to change even by overwhelming vote.

3. Members of the Grove are not required to swear allegiance to the Grove or any of its officers, and shall not be restricted from participating in other organizations.

4. Members are encouraged to continue their spiritual development both inside and outside of the Grove.

5. Non-Indo-European ethnic focuses, pantheons, and liturgical languages are not appropriate to official ADF activities, except that local aboriginal traditions may be respectfully integrated into the Grove's official activities, according to policies set by the Mother Grove of ADF.

 

Article 2: Calendar

1. The eight High Days of the Druid calendar, as referenced in these by-laws and all legal documents of ADF, are as follows: Samhain, Winter Solstice (Yule), Imbolg, Spring Equinox, Beltaine, Summer Solstice, Lughnassadh, and Fall Equinox (Harvest Home).

2. The Grove recognizes the following dates: Samhain = Nov. 1st, Winter Solstice = Dec. 21st, Imbolc = Feb. 1st, Eoster = March 21st, Beltaine = May 1st, Midsummer = June 21st, Lughnassadh = Aug. 1st, and Harvest Home = Sept. 21st.

3. For ceremonial purposes each High Day may be celebrated upon a date determined by the Council within a fortnight of the legal date.

4. Since the Druid year traditionally runs from one Samhain to the next, the legal and ceremonial Druid year shall run according to the legal and ceremonial dates for Samhain described previously in this article.

5. The fiscal year of The Grove shall begin on the first day of January and end on the thirty-first day of December in each civil year.

 

Article 3: Membership

1. Guest status is automatically conferred upon any individual who has/is (a) under the age of 18 years old, (b) has not paid all Grove Membership dues, or whose Membership Dues have lapsed (c) been expelled from the Grove or ADF and has been allowed to re-enter by unanimous vote of the Executive Council and people who have been expelled from the Grove or ADF and have been allowed to re-enter by the Executive Council are prohibited from obtaining higher membership

2. Full Membership in the Grove may be conferred upon an individual who has/is (a) over the age of 18 years old (b) a dues paying member in good standing of the ADF (c) paid all Grove Membership dues (d) attended 5 of the last eight public Grove rituals, (e) requested Full Grove membership, and (f) not been expelled from the Grove or ADF. (g) Membership shall be voted on by the full membership and council on a simple majority basis, and shall not employ weighted voting

3. Full Membership grants the following rights: (a) The right to attend and vote at the Quarterly Meeting (b) and the right to bring new business to the Executive Council, via the Ombudspersons, for discussion at the next Executive Council Meeting, or the next quarterly meeting as deemed fit by the Executive Council. (c) The right to attend and vote at the Annual Meeting, (d) the right to vote in Executive Council elections, (e) and the right to run in the Executive Council Elections. (f)  Members shall be granted another vote per year of membership on the anniversary of the closest High Day to their joining. (g) Members shall have the right to start Kins, SIGs or other associations in keeping with the goals of the ADF and the grove subject to the approval of the council. Approved associations shall receive any reasonable support from the grove. The council will have oversight of all associations and may revoke charter for cause. (h) Members who have resigned from the Grove may return at the same level of Membership, provided their dues are current, if they return within six months of resignation.

4. Membership may be resigned at any time by notifying the Senior Druid verbally or in writing.

5. Membership may be revoked by the Executive Officers of the Grove if an individual: (a) has been found guilty of committing a felony, as defined by current civil and criminal law in the State of Colorado (b)  has engaged in criminal activity during public or semi-public events including and not limited to Grove Rituals, Grove endorsed charitable works, Quarterly Meetings, Annual Meetings, and/or Executive Council Meetings, or (c) exhibits disruptive or abusive conduct which works directly against the aims, activities or welfare of ADF, the Grove, its members, or Officers. (d) Disruptive or abusive conduct does not include: the temperate expression of disagreement, such as public or private written or verbal criticism of ADF or its leadership; vigorous debate over matters of scholarship, art, spirituality, or politics; nor mere thoughtlessness, or lack of social skills.

(e) Disruptive or abusive conduct does include: the spreading of slander or libel against ADF or its leadership and/or the Grove or its leaders; bigoted communication or behavior, active efforts to persuade members to quit or to dissuade nonmembers from joining, intentional disruption of public or semi-public events including and not limited to Grove Rituals, Grove Endorsed charitable works, Quarterly Meetings, Annual Meetings, and/or Executive Council Meetings, inappropriate use of Grove name or materials (ritual supplies, email lists, web-sites, etc.).

6.Currently, as of February 2nd, 2010 membership dues are $10.00 per year, required of all Members, including Executive Council Members, to be paid in cash. Membership Dues may be changed by a Vote at the Annual Meeting. A member may exchange in kind services in lieu of dues if such is deemed appropriate.

7. A Member who has not attended a Grove function in three months is considered to have resigned except in extenuating circumstances to be determined by the Executive Officers.

8. On November 24, 2012, dues were increased to $20 a year payable on Imbolc. 

 

Article 4: Voting

1. Each Member shall receive one vote with membership and shall accrue one extra vote per year of membership at the closest High Day to their membership date to be used in elections only.

2. except as otherwise mentioned in these Bylaws, a quorum for voting purposes shall consist of a simple majority of votes cast.

3. (A) Voting will occur at regularly scheduled Grove meetings. All reasonable attempts will be made to notify the members at least 72 hours in advance if there is to be a vote.  (b)Members may designate a proxy to vote for them if they cannot attend a meeting. To do so they shall be required to notify the grove through e-groups as to the member who holds their proxy, said posting must be placed no later than the day previous to the vote.

4. (a) Voting for Executive Council positions will be done by ballot (b) and all other voting shall be done with a simple "Yea/Nay" system, and shall not utilize weighted voting.

5. Executive Council voting will occur at scheduled Committee meetings using a "Yea/Nay" system, and shall not utilize weighted voting.

 

Article 5: Election of Officers

1. Any Member of the Grove may run for election as an Executive Officer. Provide that (a) All candidates must have passed their 18th birthdays, (b) and fulfill all of the requirements for office listed elsewhere in these Bylaws.

2. Should an Officer be removed or unable to perform his/her duties, the Executive Council may appoint someone to fill the vacant position for the remainder of the term.

 

 

Article 6: Executive Council

1. The Executive Council is made up of the Senior Druid, Preceptor, the Purse warden, the Scribe, Hearth Warden, and other Advisers.

2. The members of the Executive Council may exercise all the duties, responsibilities, and privileges normally held by the Directors of a non-profit religious organization.

3. All members of Executive Council have the right to (a) bring new or old business, when appropriate, to the attention of the Executive Council, (b) add their opinions and input to all discussions of the Executive Council (c) and when present, vote on decisions made by the Executive Council (d) Any Executive Council Officer who is not present at Executive Council, or other, meetings may not vote, unless he/ she has made arrangements to proxy vote has defined by Article 4 Section 3c of these Bylaws

4. Members of the Executive Council must be members of ADF.

5. The Executive Council will hold meetings at least once between Samhain and Beltaine, and once between Beltaine and Samhain.

6. A majority of the Executive Council shall constitute a quorum.

7. The Executive Council may appoint non-elected Advisers who must then be ratified by a majority of the Grove membership.

8. Executive Council members may delegate tasks to said Advisers as Executive Council member sees fit provided that (a) the Adviser meets minimum requires to perform such tasks, (b) the Adviser is informed of what is expected of them and agrees to perform these duties, (c) delegated tasks do not constitute more than 1/3 of the Executive Council member’s appointed responsibilities.

9. The Executive Council may move to amend these bylaws. Amendments must be approved by a quorum of the Executive Council and by a 2/3 majority of the present membership.

 

Article 7: The Senior Druid

1. The position of Senior Druid shall include all of the following rights: (a) The Senior Druid shall preside at all meetings of the Grove, (b) shall have normal executive control over the affairs of The Grove/Grove, (c) may perform all those other duties that would otherwise be performed by a corporate President with majority approval from the Executive Council, (d) shall be responsible for articulating the spiritual vision of the Grove with majority approval from the Executive Council, (e) can call meetings with majority approval from the Executive Council, (f) sets the agenda for said meetings with majority approval from the Executive Council, (g) sets the Liturgical calendar with majority approval from the Executive Council, and (h) in the event of a tie vote of the Executive Council, Quarterly or Annual Meeting, or other Meetings has the deciding vote.

2.  The position of Senior Druid shall include all of the following responsibilities: (a) The Senior Druid is responsible for assembling the quarterly report to be sent to the Mother Grove, (b) is responsible for reviewing and approving the quarterly report for all other Executive Council positions, and (c) is ultimately responsible for insuring that all other Executive Council officers meet expectations and are adequately performing their duties as defined in these Bylaws.

3. An individual eligible for the position of Senior Druid must (a) have been a member in good standing of ADF for over 1 year, (b) have completed the Dedicant Program, (c) have reached his or her 21st birthday, (d) have been a member in good standing of the Grove for one year, unless the Grove is less than one year old and then the individual must have been a member of the Grove since Its inception, (e) have demonstrated a thorough knowledge and understanding of the tenets of Druidry and Druidic ritual structure and (f) have email access.

4. The Senior Druid will serve a term of 1 year unless s/he resigns the position, is incapacitated and no longer able to perform the duties of Senior Druid, loses membership in ADF, or is voted out by a 3/4 majority of the entire Grove membership.

5. All past Senior Druids, except those forcibly removed, shall remain an honorary member of the Executive Council in the capacity of Adviser.

 

Article 8: The Preceptor

1. The position of Preceptor shall include all of the following rights: (a) Shall exercise all rights and responsibilities of the Senior Druid, as defined in Article 7 Section 1a-h of these Bylaws in the event of the Senior Druid’s absence, (b) shall exercise all rights of the Senior Druid, as defined in Article 7 Section 1a-h, in the event of his or her incapacitation, expulsion, or resignation, and (c) will act as facilitator and Ombudsperson, so that all members have the ability to voice their concerns and ideas, and the opportunity to bring suggestions to The Executive Council.

2.  The position Preceptor of shall include all of the following responsibilities: (a) when acting as the Senior Druid, Preceptor has all responsibilities of Senior Druid, as defined in Article 7 Section 2a-c of these Bylaws, (b) as facilitator and Ombudsperson the Preceptor must make themselves available to members in person and via email or telephone, so that members have ability to voice their concerns, and the opportunity to bring suggestions to The Executive Council. (c) The preceptor shall be in charge of the Grove web resources.

3. An individual eligible for the position of Preceptor must (a) have been a member in good standing of ADF for over 1 year, (b) have reached his or her 21st birthday, (c) have been a member in good standing of the Grove for one year, unless the Grove is less than one year old and then the individual must have been a member of the Grove since Its inception (d) have demonstrated a thorough knowledge and understanding of the tenets of Druidry and Druid ritual structure and (e) have email access.

4. (a) The Preceptor will serve a term of 1 year unless s/he resigns the position, is incapacitated and no longer able to perform the duties of Preceptor, loses membership in ADF, or is voted out by a 3/4 majority of the entire Grove membership, (b) as acting Senior Druid will serve out the term of the Senior Druid, as defined in Article 7 Section 3 of these Bylaws, and then may run in Council Elections as defined by Article 5 of these Bylaws.

 

Article 9: The Purse Warden

1. The position of Purse warden shall include all of the following rights (a) the right to collect all membership dues from all Members including that of the E/C, (b) right to collect all Grove event funds.

2. The position Purse-warden of shall include all of the following responsibilities (a) shall have responsibility for overseeing the overall fiscal operation of the Grove with majority approval from the Executive Council, (b) responsibility for the disbursement of funds for The Grove/Grove with majority approval from the Executive Council, (c) shall have the responsibility of a CFO, including but not limited to managing all monies of The Grove received or disbursed; shall supervise the deposit of all monies and valuables in the bank account/s held in the name of, and to the credit of the Grove.

3. Candidates for the office of Purse-warden will have (a) demonstrable organizational management skills (b) access to a computer or ledgers with which to perform his/her duties, (c) access to a cash-box and all receipts for goods and services, with which to perform his/her duties, (d) shall have accounting experience or past experience as the treasurer of an organization, (e) shall be a member of ADF, (f) and shall be subject to a background and/or credit check at the discretion of the council.

4. The Purse-warden will serve a term of 1 year unless s/he resigns, is unable to perform his/her duties, loses membership in ADF, or is voted out by 2/3 majority of the voting membership.

 

Article 10: The Scribe

1. The position of Scribe shall include all of the following rights (a) the right to make all fliers, pamphlets, and other Grove materials with majority vote of the E/C, and (b) all rights normally attributed to corporate secretaries.

2. The position of Scribe shall include all of the following responsibilities: (a) The Scribe shall keep a record of all votes and minutes of the proceedings of all meetings of the Grove and (b) shall organize all incoming correspondence for reply, and distribute all mail to the appropriate parties.

3. Candidates for the office of Scribe shall have (a) the ability to take minutes and word processing skills, (b) shall have a working knowledge of all basic information regarding ADF history, policies, polytheology, etc. (c) shall have access to a computer and E-mail with which to perform his/her duties, (d) and shall be a member of ADF.

4. The Scribe shall serve a term of 1 year unless s/he resigns, is unable to perform his/her duties, loses membership in ADF, or is voted out by a 2/3 majority of the membership.

 

Article 11: The Hearth Warden

1. The position of Hearth Warden shall include all of the following rights (a) to maintain lists of grove physical resources, (b) to organize said resources and ensure that all materials necessary are available at grove functions. (c) The Hearth Warden shall be in charge of decoration at all grove functions.

2. Candidates for the office of Hearth Warden shall have (a) a working knowledge of all basic information regarding ADF history, policies, and etc. (b) shall have access to a computer and E-mail with which to aid in the performance of his/her duties, (c) and shall be a member of ADF.

3. The Hearth Warden shall serve a term of 1 year unless s/he resigns, is unable to perform his/her duties, loses membership in ADF, or is voted out by a 2/3 majority of the membership

 

Article 12: Other Committee Members

1. Additional Committee Members, such as Liturgist, Bookkeeper, Chronicler, Grove Photographer, Sacrificer, Bard, etc., may be created and appointed at the discretion of the Executive Council.

2. A CM must be (a) over 18 years of age, (b) a member of the Grove, and (c) a member of the ADF.

3. Only CMs who are members of E/C may vote on Executive Council matters.

4. Bards must meet the following requirements: (a) must play at least one musical instrument and/or have an acceptable singing voice (b) must perform one or more musical piece(s) for the E/C, so that they can assess the candidates talents, (c) must be willing to organize at least one Bardic Circle every year (either as part of another event or as an event in and of itself), and (d) may perform other duties as agreed upon by the Executive Council.

5. A Liturgist must meet the following requirements: (a) must have Completed the Dedicate Program (b) must demonstrate a good work knowledge of the Celtic and Norse pantheons, (c) must demonstrate a good working knowledge of ADF liturgy, (d) must be willing to organize at least one class on Celtic and/or Norse religious thought every year (either as part of another event or as an event in and of itself), and (e) shall perform other duties as agreed upon by the Executive Council.

6. All CMs must be willing and able to train a successor.

7. All CMs must be willing and able to demonstrate for the E/C a talent for the position for which they are applying, and (b) be voted into that position by a majority vote of the E/C.

8. All CMs shall serve at the discretion of the E/C until they step down, or are impeached by ¾ of the voting members at an annual meeting.    

Amendment 11/24/12:  Candidates for office will have the stipulated qualifications unless no one with these qualifications is able or willing to hold office.    

 

Article 13: Discrimination

1. Membership in the Grove, attendance at public or semi-public activities, and participation in any Study Program, shall not be denied to any person on the basis of race, size, ancestry, color, physical disability, age, gender, or sexual orientation, but may be denied to individuals practicing creeds inimical to Neopagan Druidry.

2. (A) As used herein, inimical creeds shall include varieties of conservative monotheism, atheism, demon-ism, racism, or other such faiths, as shall be determined by the Executive Council. (b) Those who engage in inimical creeds, discriminatory or slanderous behavior toward any persons based on their race, size, ancestry, color, physical disability, age, gender, or sexual orientation will not be tolerated even to the extent of one verified incident and will face expulsion by the E/C.

3. (A) The Grove shall make strenuous efforts to facilitate the participation of differently abled individuals. (b) 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 otherwise in a particular instance. (c) The E/C retains the right to ensure the safety of all members and therefore may restrict the physical level of participation of members based on their physical abilities.  

 

Article 14: Under Age Participants

1. Anyone under the age of 18 is considered an underage participant.

2. All persons under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to all Grove or Grove sponsored events, or a parent or legal guardian will be required to sign a release authorizing attendance at Grove functions.  Releases shall be in effect for 1 year unless revoked by a parent or legal guardian.