Bylaws of Avalon Druid Order, Inc.
a Florida Not-for-Profit Corporation
[As submitted to the Florida Dept. of State in 2004]
Article One
Offices
Section One. Principle Office. The principle office of The Avalon Druid Order, Inc. (sometimes referred to as "ADO") in the State of Florida shall be located at PO Box 62151, Ft. Myers, FL 33906, in the city of Ft. Myers, County of Lee.
Section Two. Other Offices. The Order may have other offices, either within or without the State of Florida or the United States of America, as the Band of Guardians determines.
Article Two
Membership
Section One. Classes of Membership. The Order shall have more than one class of members, but no more than one membership may be held by any one person.
(a) Individual Membership. Individual membership is available to those persons who understand the principles of Avalonian Druidism as taught, practised, and followed by the Order, who have made application and have been accepted by the Band of Guardians or its delegated authority.
(b) Family Membership. A household within which two or more individual members reside at the same address shall be eligible for a family membership. Each individual adult member within such household shall be entitled to one vote.
(c) Honorary Life Membership. Any individual, in recognition of achievements or services performed in the advancement of the teachings and purposes of the Order, may be elected an Honorary Life Member by a 2/3 vote of the members present at any regular meeting of the members. Honorary Life Members shall not be eligible to hold positions within the Order except by the appointment of the Council of Elders as herein specified. Honorary members who pay regular membership dues shall be entitled to one vote.
(d) Youth Membership. Children between the ages of thirteen years and eighteen years of age, inclusive, may join the Order as Youth Members upon the filing of a membership application which shall include a release form signed by the parents or guardian or guardians of such youth, and such signatures shall be acknowledged before a duly qualified notary public or similar officer duly authorized to administer acknowledgements and oaths. Youth members shall not have the ability to vote, nor to hold office or be listed in the membership directory.
Confidentiality. As a condition precedent to admission as a member of the Order, each applicant shall agree to keep confidential the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and places of employment of all members of the Order, unless prior to the dissemination of such information written permission is granted by the member or members whose confidential information is proposed to be published.
Section Two. Qualifications. Any individual who, or organization which professes a sound understanding and support of the principles of Avalonian Druidism as taught and advanced by the Order and which agrees to be bound by the Articles of Incorporation of this Order, by these Bylaws, and by any rules and regulations adopted by the Guardians, is eligible for membership in this Order. All members other than Honorary Life Members shall be required to pay annual dues in order to maintain active membership. Honorary Life Members shall not be required to pay dues. As a condition to membership, each applicant must have read and understood the Statement of Belief and the Codes of Ethics and Conduct of the Avalon Druid Order as defined by the Council of Elders in the ADO Grove Book, as same may exist from time to time, and any other statement or proclamation as may from time to time be required of members in general.
Section Three. Admission to Membership. The Guardians shall prescribe the form and manner in which application may be made for membership.
Section Four. Membership Termination. Any member determined by the Council of Elders, or its designated authority, to have violated the Codes of Ethics and Conduct of the Order or who otherwise brings dishonour to the ADO, its members, and/or the Pagan or Druid community at large may be terminated and removed as a member of the Order by action of the Council of Elders. Any such termination may be appealed in writing and delivered to the Midwife of the Order within thirty (30) days of such termination. The Midwife of the Order shall advise the Council of Elders of its receipt of the notice of appeal within ten (10) days of receipt. The Council of Elders or its designated authority the Voices of Justice, shall within forty-five (45) days of the filing of a Notice of Appeal by a terminated member, convene in session wherein both accusers and the terminated member may confront one another and present such testimony or other evidence in support of their respective cases, following which the Council of Elders, or its designated authority, shall either confirm the membership termination or reinstate the membership to its prior status.
Section Five. Liability of Members. No member of this Order shall be personally liable for any of its debts, liabilities, or obligations, nor shall any member be subject to any assessment.
Section Six. Property Rights. No member shall have any right, title, or interest in any of the property or assets, including any earnings or investment income of this Corporation, nor shall any of the Order's property or assets be distributed to any member on its dissolution or winding up.
Section Seven. Transfer, Termination, and Reinstatement. Membership in this Order is non-transferrable. Memberships may be terminated by the Council of Elders in the manner herein stated and shall also terminate upon the resignation or death of a member, or upon a member's failure to pay dues within sixty (60) days after same becomes payable or upon the renunciation of the principles or values of Avalonian Druidism as advocated and followed by the Order. A member whose membership has been terminated may apply for reinstatement in the same manner as application is made for initial membership, provided that all open cases of disciplinary actions from any former membership have been cleared and resolved to the satisfaction of the Council of Elders or its designated authority.
Article Three
Certificates of Membership
Section One. Certificate of Membership. The Band of Guardians may provide for the issuance of certificates evidencing membership in the Order, in a form to be determined by the Board. The certificates shall be sent via electronic media and shall be signed by the Chieftain or the Midwife or an Assistant Scribe, and shall be sealed with the Seal of the Corporation. All certificates evidencing membership shall be consecutively numbered. The name and address of each member and the date of issuance of the certificate shall be entered in the records of the Order. If any certificate becomes lost, mutilated, or destroyed, a new certificate may be issued to replace it on terms and conditions determined by the Band of Guardians.
Section Two. Issuance of Certificates. If the Band of Guardians has provided for the issuance of certificates of membership under the provisions of Section One of this Article, then, when a person has been elected to membership, a certificate shall be issued on the name of and delivered to the new member by the Midwife or her or his designated authority.
Article Four
Meetings of Members
Section One. Annual Meeting. An annual meeting of members shall be held on the first day in November of each year, beginning in the year 2005, via electronic media or at the principle office of the Order or at such place or places designated by resolution of the Band of Guardians. Appropriate for consideration at annual meetings shall be the election of Guardians and Officers, and any other corporate business which comes before the meeting. If the day fixed for the annual meeting is a legal holiday in the State of Florida, the meeting shall be held on the succeeding day. If the election of Guardians or Officers is not held on the date designated for an annual meeting, or at the adjournment of the annual meeting, the Band of Guardians shall cause the election to be held at a special meeting of members conducted as soon as may be convenient.
Section Two. Special Meetings. Special meetings of members may be called by the Chieftain, by the Midwife, or by any two Guardians at any time then acting, or by any ten members of the Order. The request for a special meeting of members shall be filed, in writing, with the Chieftain. The Band of Guardians shall set the date and location of such special meeting which shall be held within six weeks from the filing of the written request for a special meeting with the Chieftain.
Section Three. Place of Meeting. The Band of Guardians may designate any place within or without the State of Florida or the United States of America, as the place of meeting for any annual special meeting of members. If not designation is made, the place of meeting shall be via electronic media. However, if all members meet at any time and place, and consent to the holding of a meeting, the meeting shall be valid without call or notice, and any corporate action may be taken.
Section Four. Notice of Meeting. Written or electronic notice of all meetings of the membership shall be given by such Officer or Officers of the Order designated by the Band of Guardians to each member no less than four week and no more than six weeks prior to the date and time for such meeting.
Section Five. Quorum. Members holding five percent (5%) of the total votes which may be cast at any meeting shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of members. If a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of a majority of the members represented and entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of the members, unless otherwise provided by law. If a quorum is not present at any meeting of members, a majority of those present may adjourn the meeting without further notice.
Section Six. Proxies. At any meeting of members, a member entitled to vote may vote by proxy executed in writing by the member or by the member's duly authorized attorney in fact. No proxy is valid after eleven (11) months from its date of execution unless otherwise provided in the proxy.
Section Seven. Mail and Electronic Voting. At any meeting of members, a member may cast her or his vote by the postal service generally available at the site of such member at the time for effecting such vote or by such electronic media as may then be in use by the Officers of the Order in the conduct of the Order's business.
Section Eight. Voting Rights. Each member having voting rights shall be entitled to one vote.
Article Five
Guardians
Section One. Number. The number of Guardians to be elected by the members of the Order shall be three. The Chieftain of the Order, or in her or his absence, the Midwife of the Order, shall be an ex-officio member of the Band of Guardians and shall have the ability to vote on all matters coming before the Band for its consideration. The number of Guardians may be changed by a Bylaws duly adopted pursuant to these Bylaws provided that the minimum of Guardians shall in no event be less than three.
Section Two. Qualification of Guardians. Guardians must be members of the Order in good standing and must have demonstrated substantial attendance and participation in the Order's activities and functions. To be eligible for election as a Guardian of the Order, a member must possess the following minimum criteria (any of which may be waived by the Council of Elders due to extenuating circumstances):
(a) Successfully completed Level I, II, and III Training or substantially equivalent instructional programs acceptable to the Council of Elders; and
(b) Devoted at least three years of voluntary service to the Order, one of which is spent as Chair of a Circle; and
(c) Performed consistent and active participation in the life of the ADO spiritual community.
Section Three. Term of Office. The Guardians named in the Articles of Incorporation as the first Band of Guardians shall hold office until the first annual meeting of the members occurring during the fiscal year during which her or his term expires as set forth in the Articles of Incorporation. At the annual meeting of members at which the term of a member of the Band of Guardians expires an election of Guardians shall be held. The term of office of each Guardians thereafter shall be three (3) years, until the third annual meeting of members following such Guardian's election and until the qualification of a successor in office.
Section Four. Powers. Except as otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws or by law, the powers of this Order shall be exercised, its properties controlled, and its affairs conducted by the Band of Guardians, which may, however, delegate the performance of any duties or exercise of any powers to Officers and agents designated by resolution of the Band of Guardians.
Section Five. Replacement of Guardians.
(a) Whenever a vacancy exists on the Band of Guardians, whether by death, resignation, or otherwise, the vacancy shall be filled by a vote of the remaining members of the Band of Guardians at a regular meeting or a special meeting of the Band. Any person appointed or elected to fill the vacancy of a Guardian must have the same qualifications as were required of the Guardian whose office was vacated.
(b) Any person elected to fill a vacancy in the Band of Guardians shall hold office for the unexpired term of her or his predecessor in office.
Section Six. Compensation. No member of the Band of Guardians shall receive compensation from the Order.
Section Seven. Meetings.
(a) Meetings shall be held at any place or places designated by resolution of the Band of Guardians; or in the absence of designation, via electronic media.
(b) Regular meetings of the Band of Guardians shall be held biannually, on the first day of each November, and on the first day of each May, unless the designated day falls on a legal holiday, in which case the meeting shall be held as prescribed by the Band of Guardians. No notice other than this provision of these Bylaws need be given to any Guardian with respect to any regular meeting of the Band of Guardians.
(c) The Chieftain, any two other Officers of the Order, or a majority of the members of the Band of Guardians, may call a special meeting of the Band. In this event, ten (10) days written notice to each Guardian shall be given by the Midwife, which notice shall be deemed sufficient. Notice may be given in writing or via electronic media.
(d) A majority of the Band of Guardians shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Band. However, if less than a majority of the Guardians are present at any meeting, a majority of the Guardians present may adjourn the meeting without further notice.
(e) Except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, or in the Articles of Incorporation of this Corporation, or by law, the act of a majority of Guardians present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Band of Guardians.
Section Eight. Action Without Meeting. An action required to be taken at a meeting of the Band of Guardians, or any action that may be taken at a meeting of the Band of Guardians or one of its Circles, may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing or via electronic media, setting forth the action to be taken is agreed to via email, or signed and approved electronically by all Guardians, or all the members of the Circle, as the case may be, and is filed in the minutes of the proceedings of the Band or of the Circle. The consent shall have the same effect as a unanimous vote.
Section Nine. Removal of Guardians. The Guardians may remove any member of the Band of Guardians who is found to be acting in a manner that is detrimental to the Order and its mission. The affirmative vote of two-third (2/3) of the total members of the Band of Guardians shall be required for the removal of a Guardian and such removal must be confirmed by members holding a majority of the total votes which may be cast at a special meeting called for such purpose at which a quorum of members is present.
Section Ten. Liability of Guardians. The Guardians of this Order shall not be personally liable for its debts, liabilities, or other obligations.
Article Six
Officers
Section One. Designation of Officers. The Officers of the Order shall be a Chieftain, a Midwife, a Pursewarden, and any other Officers elected in accordance with the provisions of this article. The Band of Guardians may elect or appoint any other Officers, including one or more Tanaistes (Welsh, Olynydd), one or more Assistant Scribes, and one or more Assistant Wardens, as it deems desirable and these Officers will have the authority and perform the duties prescribed by the Band of Guardians. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person, except the offices of Chieftain and Midwife.
Section Two. Initial Officers. The Officers named in the Articles of Incorporation as the initial Officers shall hold office until the expiration of such Officer's term as set forth in the Articles of Incorporation.
Section Three. Election and Term of Office of Chieftain and Midwife. The initial Officers of the Order shall hold office until the annual meeting of members occurring within the fiscal year during which the Officer's term expires, at which time an election of the Chieftain and Midwife shall be held. Upon expiration of an initial Officer's term of office, her or his replacement shall hold office for a term of three (3) years. Accordingly, beginning with the third annual meeting of members and at all subsequent times, the Chieftain shall hold office until the third (3rd) annual meeting of members next occurring, at which time an election for the office of Chieftain shall be held. Similarly, an election for the office of Midwife shall be held during the fourth (4th) annual meeting of members and the person so elected, and her or his successors, shall hold office for a term of three (3) years. No person shall hold the office of Chieftain or Midwife for more than two (2) consecutive terms. If the election of Chieftain or Midwife is not held at the annual meeting of members as scheduled, an election shall be held as soon thereafter as may be convenient.
Section Four. Election and Term of Office of Pursewarden. The initial Pursewarden named in the Articles of Incorporation shall hold office until her term, as set forth in the Articles of Incorporation, expires and her successor has been duly elected and has qualified. Beginning with the semi-annual meeting of Guardians occurring immediately following the expiration of the initial Pursewarden's term, the Band of Guardians shall elect the Pursewarden who shall hold the office for a term of five (5) years. The number of five (5) year terms for which a person may serve as Pursewarden shall not be limited.
Section Five. Election and Term of Office for Other Officers. Offices other than Chieftain, Midwife, and Pursewarden may be created and filled at any meeting of the Band of Guardians. The Officer(s) for such newly created offices shall hold office until her or his successor has been duly elected by the Band of Guardians and has qualified.
Section Six. Removal. An Officer elected by the members who is found to be acting in a manner that is detrimental to the Order and its mission may be removed by members holding a majority of the total votes which may be cast at a special meeting called for such purpose at which a quorum of members is present. An Officer elected or appointed by the Band of Guardians may be removed by the Band of Guardians whenever in its judgement the interests of the Order would be best served. Any removal of an Officer shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the Officer removed.
Section Seven. Vacancies. A vacancy in any office, whether due to death, resignation, removal, disqualification, or otherwise, may be filled by the Band of Guardians for the unexpired portion of the term.
Section Eight. Chieftain. The Chieftain shall be the chief executive officer of the Order, and shall exercise general supervision and control over all activities of the Order.
The Chieftain:
(a) Shall preside at all meetings of members and of the Guardians;
(b) May sign, with the Midwife or other Officer duly authorized by the Band of Guardians, any deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts, or other instruments the execution of which has been authorized by the Band of Guardians, except in cases where the signing and execution of the instruments has been expressly delegated by the Band of Guardians, by these Bylaws, or to some other Officer or agent of the Order by law; and
(c) Shall perform all other duties generally incident to the office of Chieftain and any other duties prescribed by the Band of Guardians.
Section Nine. Tanaistes (Welsh, Olynydd). The Band of Guardians, where circumstances shall justify such addition, may appoint one or more Tanaistes (W. Olynydd), who, in the absence of the Chieftain or in the event of the Chieftain's inability or refusal to act, shall, in the order of their election, perform the duties of the Chieftain and be subject to all the restrictions on the Chieftain. Any Tanaiste (W. Olynydd) shall perform additional duties assigned to her or him by the Chieftain or by the Band of Guardians.
Section Ten. Pursewarden. If required to do so by the Band of Guardians, the Pursewarden shall:
(a) Give a bond for the faithful discharge of the Pursewarden's duties in a sum and with surety or sureties deemed appropriate by the Band of Guardians;
(b) Have charge or custody of, and be responsible for, all funds and securities of the Order;
(c) Receive and give receipts for monies due and payable to the Order from any source and deposit all monies in the name of the Order in banks, trust companies, or other depositories selected by the Band of Guardians; and
(d) Perform all duties generally incidental to the office of Pursewarden and any other duties assigned to the Pursewarden by the Chieftain or the Band of Guardians.
Section Eleven. Midwife. The Midwife shall:
(a) Keep minutes of meetings of members and the Band of Guardians, in one or more books provided for that purpose;
(b) See that all notices are duly given in accordance with these Bylaws or as required by law;
(c) Be custodian of the corporate records and of the seal of the Order;
(d) Keep a membership book containing the names and addresses of all members and Guardians of the Order, and with respect to any membership which has been terminated, record that fact together with the date of termination; and
(e) Exhibit to any Guardian of the Order, or to a Guardian's agent, or to any person or agency authorized by law to inspect them, at all reasonable times and on demand, these Bylaws, the Articles of Incorporation, the membership book, the minutes of any meeting, and the other records of the Order.
Section Twelve. Assistant Wardens and Assistant Scribes. The Assistant Wardens and Assistant Scribes, in general, shall perform duties assigned to them by the Band of Guardians, the Chieftain, the Pursewarden, or the Midwife of the Corporation. If required by the Band of Guardians, the Assistant Warden(s) shall give bond(s) for the faithful discharge of their duties in sums and with sureties deemed appropriate by the Band of Guardians.
Article Seven
Circles
Section One. Executive Circles. By majority vote of the Guardians in office, the Band of Guardians may, by resolution duly adopted, establish one or more Circles each of which shall consist of one or more Guardians, which Circles, to the extent provided by resolution, shall have and exercise the authority of the Band of Guardians in the management of the business of the Order: provided, however, that the designation of any delegation of authority to Circles shall not relieve the Band of Guardians, or any Guardian individually, of any responsibility imposed on the Band of Guardians or any individual Guardian by these Bylaws, or by law.
Section Two. Purse (Finance) Circle. The matter of controlling, managing, investing, and disposing of the property of the Order for the purpose of earning income, as distinguished from applying property and funds in support of the Order's church functions, shall be exclusively vested in a Purse Circle which shall consist of not less than one Guardian who shall be elected by majority vote of the Band of Guardians.
Section Three. Other Circles. Other Circles not having and exercising the managerial authority of the Band of Guardians, may be established by resolution duly adopted by a majority vote of the Band of Guardians. Except as provided by resolution, members of Circles shall be members of the Order, and shall be appointed by the Chieftain. Any member may be removed, when, in the judgement of the Chieftain, the interests of the Order would best be served by removal.
Section Four. Terms of Office. Each member of a Circle shall continue as a member of the Circle until the next annual meeting of members of the Order, and until her or his successor is appointed, unless the Circle shall sooner abolish, or unless the member is removed or ceases to qualify as a member of the Circle.
Section Five. Chair. One member of each Circle shall be appointed Chair by the person or persons authorized to appoint the members of the Circle.
Section Six. Vacancies. Vacancies in the membership of any Circle shall be filled by appointments made in the same manner as provided in the case of original appointments, and any member elected in this manner shall be elected for the unexpired term of her or his predecessor.
Section Seven. Quorum. Unless otherwise provided in a Circle's establishing resolution, a majority of the whole Circle shall constitute a quorum, and the act of a majority of members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be an act of the Circle.
Section Eight. Rules. Each Circle may adopt rules and regulations for its meetings and the conduct of its activities which it deems appropriate; provided, however, that the rules and regulations are consistent with these Bylaws, and provided further that regular minutes of all proceedings are kept.
Article Eight
Council of Elders
Section One. Council of Elders (CoE). All thealogical direction for the Avalon Druid Order (ADO) shall be from the Council of Elders. The Council of Elders supercedes and overrides all secular offices and Officers in matters deemed by Council Elders to be of a spiritual nature or which may inappropriately impact the beliefs and philosophies of the Avalon Druid Order. Elders shall be defined as:
1. Active members who have completed all formal Traditional training, have a minimum of nine years of experience serving the greater Avalonian spiritual community, and upon whom the title of Elder has been conferred by the Council. A simple majority of affirmation from the total Elder membership is required for appointment to be carried. Abstention of a vote does not apply to the majority of assent needed for election. The duration of appointment is five (5) years. There is no limit to the number of consecutive appointments. The Council of Elders is empowered to remove any member from the membership roles for cause as stated by these Bylaws.
2. The Council of Elders shall consist of between three (3) and nine (9) members. The number of Council members shall be based upon the number of eligible Elders in the ADO. The number, election, and appointment process to the Council of Elders shall be prescribed by the Council's working documents. The initial Council of Elders shall serve a term of five (5) years. Subsequent Councils shall be shall be instated according to the process prescribed in the Council's working documents.
3. The primary authoritative spokesperson for the thealogical direction of the Avalon Druid Order shall be known as the Elder Speaker. The Elder Speaker shall be selected from the Council of Elders by the Council of Elders and shall hold the position for as long as she or he remains on the Council or until such time as she or he may resign or be found unfit to hold the position. The Elder Speaker shall act as liaison between the Council and the Band of Guardians, and shall preside, as representative of the Council majority opinion, over meetings of the individual, their Grove, and/or the ADO.
4. The Council of Elders may, on a case-by-case basis, approve waivers to requirements for Levels of Achievement when it believes that such a waiver is in the best interests of the individual, their Grove, and/or the ADO.
5. The Council of Elders shall appoint from among the active or honorary membership an Outside Liaison to facilitate communications and relations between the Corporation and other spiritual and secular organizations. The Council may remove a Liaison for cause at its discretion. Vacancies may be filled by appointment of the Council at its next meeting. A consensus of the Council of Elders shall serve to confirm all such appointments.
6. The Council of Elders shall have oversight of all schools and tuitioned training programs of the Avalon Druid Order, and shall retain the right to audit program curricula for the purposes of certifying them as official teachings of the ADO, as defined in the Council's working papers.
Article Nine
The Groves
Section One. Founder's Grove. The Founder shall remain an ex-officio member and faculty emerita of, and counsel to, the Avalon Druid Order (ADO) even should she retire from active service. The Founder's Grove shall be called Rhosyn Ddraig.
Section Two. Other Groves. Each Grove within the Avalonian system is for the most part autonomous. Groves are comprised of a Women's Circle (Hearth), a Men's Circle (Henge), and a Community Circle (Tribe), wherever possible. Hearths, Henges, and Tribes may operate singly as defined in The Grove Book, until sufficient members exist to form the remaining Circles. Hearths, Henges, and Tribes are subject to all Grove rules and regulations.
(a) Because Groves must abide by the ADO's beliefs, ethics, Bylaws and customs, new Groves must designate at least one member to learn and teach foundation level, face-to-face training from ADO-approved sources.
(b) Groves must demonstrate steady progress in preparing their members for lives as Avalonian Druids. Grove status is elevated by the Council of Elders in accordance with the provision of these Bylaws, the Council's working documents, and the official Grove Book.
Section Three. Types of Groves. There shall be two types of Groves:
(a) Teachings Groves: Teaching Groves shall comprise those ADO Maiden or Mother Groves which serve as primary regional training centres for the Corporation. In consideration of the substantial duties and time required to provide such training, Teaching Groves shall be exempt from minimum membership requirements, provided that all records requirements are met, and excused from community ritual observances except as resources and ADO training schedules allow.
(i) There shall be no less than one (1) Teaching Grove within ADO at any given time. There are presently two
(2) Teachings Groves in ADO: Rhosyn Ddraig Mother Grove (the Founder's Grove), NY, and Rhosyn
Rhuddgoch Mother Grove, FL.
(ii) Training Groves shall teach only Levels of Attainment that are prerequisite to that of their own
membership's average level of attainment.
(iii) Training provided by Teaching Groves shall be in accordance with Traditional teachings as prescribed
by the Council of Elders through official ADO training.
(b) Worship Groves: Worship Groves shall be those Groves the majority of whose members are engaged in obtaining a general knoweldge and proficiency in Avalonian spirituality leading to personal and communal worship. Training provided by Worship Groves shall be prescribed by the Council of Elders, and as published in The Grove Book.
Section Four. Grove Levels. Groves shall be divided into three levels:
(a) "Novice": New Groves in which the majority of members are engaged in learning the fundamental principles, cosmology, and skills of Avalonian Druidry;
(b) "Maiden": Groves led by one or more ADO Elders, the majority of whose members have attained an intermediate understanding and skill level in Avalonian Druidry; and
(c) "Mother": Groves led by one or more invoking ADO Elders, the majority of whose members have attained advanced understanding and skill levels in Avalonian Druidry as defined in these Bylaws, The Grove Book, and other member publications.
Section Five. Grove Charters. All Groves are encouraged to gather and interact with other Groves in their area and the membership at large. Groves must apply to the Band of Guardians and be granted Charter by the Band of Guardians pursuant to a recommendation of the Council of Elders.
(a) Such application will include identification of a designated individual who will bear the major responsibilities of Grove administration and who will act as contact and liaison to the ADO. Such persons shall be known as the Hearth Mother, Henge Father, or Grove Head(s).
(b) Such application shall also include the names of at least two other active members. The Grove Head along with the other two members shall also be designated as Grove Chief (president), Scribe (secretary), and Warden (treasurer).
The Grove, when Charter is first granted, will be Chartered as a "Novice" Grove, based upon definitions established by the Council of Elders in The Grove Book, and elsewhere in these Bylaws. The Grove's official name must be approved and recorded by the Office of the Midwife.
Section Six. Chapter Definitions. All Groves must submit quarterly financial statements to the Pursewarden of the Corporation.
(a) A Novice Grove's Charter automatically lapses one year after its last submitted quarterly statement. Other Groves which fail to submit a quarterly statement for over one year will revert to Novice Grove status at the determination of the Band of Guardians.
(b) All Groves must submit an annual "State of the Grove" report to the ADO indicating the current Officers of the Grove, the location of the Grove meetings (city and state), training status and complete contact information. This report must be suitable for publication in the member newsletter or e-journal.
(c) Groves of any type shall not have the power to incur debt in the name of the Avalon Druid Order.
(d) All Groves must register annually with the ADO and certify their actions and activities in order to maintain or increase in status. The Band of Guardians, pursuant to a recommendation of the Council of Elders, may remove the "Novice" designation or increase or decrease Grove stature during the review of the annual registration report.
(e) All Groves Chartered by the Band of Guardians shall be legally subordinate organizations of the Avalon Druid Order (ADO) as incorporated and are eligible to be covered by any appropriate Church Group Exemptions.
(f) A Grove may be disbanded by written notification of the Grove Head indicating that the Grove intends to disband. The records of the Grove will go to the Corporation's administrative office where they will be inactive.
(g) A Grove's Charter may be suspended pending an investigation of problems brought to the attention of the Band of Guardians. A Grove's Charter may also be suspended based upon the Grove's quarterly or annual reports or lack thereof.
(h) A Grove's Charter may be suspended if the Band of Guardians has reason to believe that the Grove is not functioning as a viable organizational unit of the Avalon Druid Order.
(i) A suspended Grove of any type may be reinstated provided that the Grove's problems may be resolved within one year of suspension to the satisfaction of the Band of Guardians, pursuant to the recommendation of the Council of Elders.
(j) A Grove's Charter may be revoked by the Council of Elders upon religious thealogical issues.
(k) A Grove's Charter may be revoked by the Band of Guardians based on secular issues. These issues include, but are not limited to the following: Conduct found to be incompatible with the purpose of the Avalon Druid Order or contrary to the laws of the state or country in which the Grove is located; and conduct or statements of the Grove in its meetings that discredit the Avalon Druid Order, its purposes or members.
(l) A Grove's Charter may be revoked by the Band of Guardians if three months after suspension, it has not made adequate corrections to the issues involved which were the cause of the suspension.
Section Seven. Sacred Year. The Groves shall, wherever possible, hold community celebrations of Avalon's Traditional Sacred Year as prescribed by the Council of Elders in The Grove Book, and as published annually in the Community Calendar. Free copies may be obtained by request from the Midwife, and will be shipped via email attachement.
Section Eight. Grove Initiation. All Grove initiations shall be conducted as prescribed by the Council of Elders in The Grove Book and other member publications.
Article Ten
Contracts, Checks, Deposits, and Funds
Section One. Contracts. The Band of Guardians may, by resolution duly adopted, authorize any Officer of Officers, agent or agents of the Order, in addition to the Officers authorized by these Bylaws, to enter into any contract or to execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Order. This authorization may be general, or confined to specific instances.
Section Two. Gifts and Contributions. The Band of Guardians or an Executive Circle may:
(a) Accept on behalf of the Order any contribution, gift, bequest, or devise of any type of property ("donations"), for the general and specific charitable purposes of the Order, terms approved by the Band or Circle;
(b) Hold funds or property in the name of the Order or of nominee or nominees appointed by the Band or Circle;
(c) Collect and receive the income from funds and property;
(d) Devote the principle or income from donations to benevolent and charitable purposes designated by the Band or Circle; and
(e) Enter into agreement with any donor to continue to devote the principle or income from the donation to a particular purpose designated by the donor and after approval or the agreement of the Band or Circle devote the principle or income from that donation according to the agreement.
Section Three. Deposits. All funds of the Order shall be deposited to the credit of the Order in banks, trust companies, or other depositaries selected by the Band of Guardians.
Section Four. Checks, Drafts, Orders for Payment. All checks, drafts, or order for payment of money, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the Order shall be signed by an Officer or Officers, agent or agents of the Order and in the manner determined by resolution of the Band of Guardians. In the absence of this determination, the instruments shall be signed by the Pursewarden or an Assistant Warden, and countersigned by the Chieftain, or a Tanaiste (W. Olynydd) (where such has been appointed), of the Order.
Article Eleven
Miscellaneous
Article Twelve
Amendments
Section One. Power of Members to Amend Bylaws. Subject to the limitations of the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, and the Florida Not-for-Profit Corporation Act, concerning corporate actions that must be authorized or approved by the members of the Order, the Bylaws of this Order may be amended, repealed, or added to, or new Bylaws may be adopted pursuant to the following procedure:
(a) The proposed amendment shall be submitted in writing to the ADO Midwife at least ninety (90) days prior to the date of any annual or special meeting of members at which meeting the proposal shall be considered.
(b) The Midwife shall notify the Officers, members of the Council of Elders, and the Band of Guardians of the proposed amendment within ten (10) days of receiving same. The Chieftain will provide to the proponent or proponents of the proposed amendment written acknowledgement of the Order's recept of the proposal.
(c) The Council of Elders will review the proposed amendment to ensure that its substance would not weaken the thealogical foundations of the Avalon Druid Order. The Council of Elders shall provide a written statement of its comments and recommendations concerning the proposed amendments to the Band of Guardians.
(d) The Band of Guardians shall then review the proposed amendment and may refuse submitting the proposed amendment to consideration by the membership at large if the proposed amendment is determined to be inappropriate or undesirable. The Band of Guardians shall have forty-five (45) days within which to consider amendment and submit its findings and recommendations, in writing, to the Midwife. The Midwife shall inform the proponents of the proposed amendment of the Band's decision. In the event the Band of Guardians rejects the proposed amendment, the proponents of the amendment shall, upon written request, have the opportunity to address the Band concerning the proposal.
(e) If the Council of Elders and the Band of Guardians both recommend the adoption of the proposed amendments, the Midwife shall provide written notice to the membership of the proposed amendment and the membership shall consider the proposed amendment and may adopt such amendment upon the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members present at a meeting at which a quorum of members is present.
Midwife (Secretary): Lilyane (C. Morin)
Pursewarden (Treasurer): Millisa Bell
Chieftain (President): Meris (M. Morgan)
Members Registrar: Everildis (S. Wibberley)
Members Liaison: Dani Oatfield
Merlins (Outside Liaisons): Morgaine Bergman & Myrddin (G. F. Bergman)
[Formally adopted on 4 December 2004 by unanimous vote of the ADO Elder Council & ADO Membership. Officers and Groves named within these Bylaws are original to the document as submitted to the Florida Department of State. Please see the Directory at the top of this page for current administrators, and the
Groves
page of this site for currently active Groves.]