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I. Statement of Purpose
A. Our purposes are to:
1.Live in a manner which honors the Lady and Lord, following the Wiccan Rede;
2.Explore and practice Wiccan beliefs and traditions;
3.Support one another within the coven in our healing,growth,and aspirations;
4.Hold Wiccan rituals on Sabbats,Esbats,and other special occasions (when possible),in order to celebrate the seasons,work magick,and honor the Lady and Lord.
5.Honor the Earth and all her creatures as sacred,and work to heal and protect the enviroment within our community, throughout our nation,and across the world.
6. Teach Wiccan beliefs and traditional skills to members and students, and sisters and brothers in the Craft and kindred spiritual paths; and
7.Where appropriate, to educate the general public about Wicca.
B. Commitment: All members of the coven must have fully commited themselves to this purpose in their beliefs, their activities,and their lives.
II. Membership
A. Qualifications: Membership shall be offered to individuals upon recommendation of the High Priestess and High Priest, and consensus of all of those already members. No person shall be denied access to membership on the basis of gender,race,ethnic background,sexual preferance, or physical handicap.
B. Degrees of Participation and Membership: Participants in the programs sponsored by this coven may include the following:
1. Guests: Interested parties may attend all open activities, and coven only activities in the company of a Member, with the consent of all others in attendence.
C. Membership Status: Any person's membership may be curtailed,suspended, or terminated by the decision of the Coven Council, either for lack of attendance and/or participation, or the violation of the Wiccan Rede.
III. Administration and Operation:
A. Coven Council: This body shall handle the ordinary business of the coven.
1. The Coven Council shall consist of all members holding a job/position as listed below.
2.Scope: The Council shall discuss all matters of:
a. Program planning and activities;
b. Dedication, inititation, and membership generally;
c.Finance and Budget;and
d.Outreach, Networking, and affiliations.
3. Facilitation: The High Priestess shall ordinarily chair meetings of the council. Where she is bsent the High Priest will chair the meeting.
4. Method of Operation: The Coven Council shall make decisions by consesus. When consensus annot be reached, The Council will refer to the High Priestess who shall consider all that has been aid and make the decision.
5. Meetings: The Council shall meet at least quarterly on a regular basis, or as called by any nititate.
B. Offices and Duties: The following offices shall be filled by The Coven Council:
1. High Priestess: Chairs the Coven Council;coordinates the teaching program;provides counseling as necassary;leads the rituals or provides resources to those doing so;supervises the work of other Officers; directs the inititiations,exercises the final authority regarding ritual, initiation, and other religious matters.
2. High Priest: The same as the High Priestess, but also includes; leads in the defense of the coven where dangers are present.
3. Scribe: Keeps minutes of Council Meetings,handles correspondence as requested.Keeps records of coven projetcs, rituals, and activities.
4. Pursewarden: Collects money,keeps accounts, makes purchases or reimburses others for authorized purchases, coordinates fundraising projetcs.
C. Guidelines for Conduct: All Members shall be guided in conduct by the Wiccan Rede, the Law of Return, and by the Goddess and God within each person.
IV.Meeting Schedule:
A. Rituals:
1. Esbats shall normally be held on the evening of the New Moon and Full Moon.
2.Sabbats may be held on their actual date or on the weekend nearest, as determined by the Coven Council, except that Samhain shall always be celebrated on the night of October 31.
3.Once scheduled a date cannot be changed unless two or more members request it, and unless the entire coven can attend on the alternative date.
4.During clement weather, rituals shall normally be held outdoors at a site established by the Council. In inclement weather, rituals shall be held at the covenstead, or in a place selected by the council.
B. Classes:
1. Introductory seminars and other classes upen to the public shall be offered at such times as the council decides.
2.The curriculum shall be established by the council.
3. Classes shall be held at the covenstead or such other location as the council decides.
4.No fees shall be charged for classes that are part of the regular curriculum of the coven.
V.Attendance:
A. New Moon esbats shall be open only to Initiates and other approved guests. Full moon esbats shall be open to the community.
B.Sabbats shall be open to all who are friendly to the Craft;except that the Council may schedule a second,coven-only celebration on or near selected sabbats.
C. Classes shall be designated open only to initiates of the coven, or open to all within the community, by the Coven Council.
D.Inititates are expected to participate in Esbats, Sabbats, and classes. If any attends fewer than 75% of these events, their status shall be subject to review by the Council.
VI. Finances:
A. Coven income shall include donations, profits from fundraising projects.
B. The budget shall be established and disbursments approved by the Council.
C. The Pursewarden shall make full quarterly reports of income and expenses to the Council.
VII. Privacy of Members:
A The names, addresses, telephone numbers, and other information relating to individual members shall be considered confidential and may not be disclosed to non-members without the permission of the individual involved.
B.Disclosure of confidential information may, at the discretion of the Council, be considered a violation of the Wiccan Rede and grounds for expulsion from membership.
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