Temple of Gaia, Incorporated
ByLaws
© 2009 by Rev Debra Lippitt. All rights reserved.
Statement of Purpose
Our purposes are to:
Live in a manner, which honors the Lady and the Lord, honor every living thing on this Earth, honor the seasons as the Wheel of the Year turns and live our lives as respectful to each other as our hearts shall let us.
Explore and practice Wiccan beliefs and traditions.
Support one another within the coven with our healing, growth, and aspirations.
Hold Wiccan rituals on the Sabbats and Esbats and other special occasions, in order to celebrate the seasons, recognize rites of passage, and honor the Lady and Lord.
Honor the earth and all her creatures as sacred, and work to heal and protect the environment and our animal brothers and sisters, within our community, throughout our nation and across our world.
Teach Wiccan beliefs and traditional skills to members and students, and kindred spiritual paths.
Where appropriate, to educate the general public about Wicca.
Commitment:
All members of this coven must have fully committed themselves to this purpose in their beliefs, their activities, and their lives.
Membership:
Qualifications
Membership shall be offered to individuals upon recommendation of the High Priestess and High Priest; and consensus of all full members of the coven.
No person shall be denied access to membership on the basis of gender, race, ethnic background, sexual preference, physical handicap, or age, providing they have reached the age of maturity.
Degrees of participation of membership:
Participants in the programs sponsored by this coven may include the following:
Guests:
Interested parties who may attend all open activities, and coven only activities in the company of an initiate with the consent of the High Priestess, High Priest and all other initiates in attendance.
Coven Members:
Persons who consider themselves Wiccan and participate in and support the open activities of the congregation and are official members of Temple of Gaia.
Membership in the coven itself shall be limited to:
Dedicants:
Persons who have dedicated themselves to study the path of Wicca and who, with the approval of all active initiates, are following the prescribed course of study in this coven.
A Dedicant may qualify for initiation into the priesthood at such time the High Priestess, High Priest, and Dedicant agree they are ready to receive initiation, after one year and one day.
Initiates:
Persons who have been active in the craft, after their initial one year and one day, and preferably this coven, for a time such as the High Priestess, High Priest and the initiate agree; and have met all the requirements for initiation as defined by the coven council; and have been approved by the High Priestess, High Priest and consensus of the coven.
Second Degree Initiates:
Persons who have been active in the craft, and preferably this coven, for a time such as the High Priestess, High Priest and the initiate agree; and have met all the requirements for initiation as defined by the coven council; and have been approved by the High Priestess, High Priest and consensus of the coven.
Third Degree Initiates:
Persons who have been active in the craft, and preferably this coven, for a time such as the High Priestess, High Priest and the initiate agree; and have met all the requirements for initiation as defined by the coven council; and have been approved by the High Priestess, High Priest and consensus of the coven. Further, this position shall be defined as clergy with a goal of the initiate being that of forming their own coven.
Additional Training:
Certificates shall be granted by this coven in recognition of special achievement.
Initiates who have attained proficiency in the appropriate field and have been approved by a committee of all active second and third degree initiates may be designated certificates for the following:
Divinatory Arts
General or specializing in:
Tarot, astrology, scrying, I-ching, runes, dreamcraft, spirit channeling, etc.
Herbalism:
For healing amulets, talismans, incense, oils, bath oils and salts, home purifying oils, incense and salts, herbal gardening, etc.
Healing Arts:
Specializing in herbal healing, nutrition, energy work, aromatherapy, flower remedies, psychic healing, rebirthing, color therapy, music therapy, stones, reiki or other healing.
Familiar Arts:
Animal Magick, Totems, Shape-shifting, Vision Quests, Animal Healing, etc.
Talismanic Arts:
Creating amulets and talismans, magickal squares and seals, and know the magickal workings of such.
Ritual Toolcraft:
The crafting of ritual tools in metal, wood or glass. This includes sewing of ritual garb.
Psychic Skills:
Specializing in Astral travel, telepathy, telempathy, clairvoyance, spirit channeling etc.
Incantation:
Words of power, charms, chants, mantras, songs, words of healing for Mother Earth, etc.
Relaxation:
Trance work, meditation, hypnosis, on hands healing, etc.
The Executive Board, as desired, may create additional titles or certificates.
Membership status:
Any person's membership or participation may be curtailed, suspended, or terminated by decision of a consensus of the membership either for lack of attendance and or participation or violation of the coven laws.
The coven council will make recommendations to the High Priest and High Priestess who will then approach the membership of the coven.
Administration and Operation
Executive Council:
This body shall determine the business to be brought before the Coven Council.
Membership:
The executive council shall consist of the High Priestess, the High Priest, and 4 additional members of the coven, including the Scribe, Treasurer, Handmaiden and Priestess, who shall hold two (2) year terms.
The executive council shall be an appointed position. Appointments shall be made with two (2) officers appointed every year at Samhain.
Scope:
The council shall discuss all matters of Dedication, initiation, and membership.
Facilitation:
The High Priestess shall ordinarily chair meetings of the council. When she is absent or chooses to delegate this responsibility, the High Priest shall chair the meeting.
Method of Operation:
The executive council shall make decisions by consensus. When consensus cannot be reached, the council may refer the decision to the High Priestess, or, in her absence, the High Priest, who shall consider all that has been discussed and make the decision.
Meetings:
The council shall meet eight (8) times a year or as called by any member. The coven meets at regular weekly meetings.
Quorum:
A quorum shall consist of the members of the council present at a regularly scheduled meeting of the executive council or four of the council at any specially called meeting.
Coven Council:
This body shall handle the business of the coven.
The coven council shall consist of all full members of the coven.
Scope:
The council shall discuss all matters of:
Program planning and activities
Potential Dedicants and Initiates
Finance and Budget
Outreach, networking, and affiliations
Facilitation:
The High Priestess shall ordinarily chair meetings of the council. When she is absent or chooses to delegate this responsibility, the High Priest shall chair the meetings.
Method of Operation:
The coven council shall make decisions by consensus. When consensus cannot be reached, the council may refer the decision to the High Priestess, or, in her absence, the High Priest, who shall consider all that has been discussed and make the decision.
Meetings:
The council shall meet at least quarterly, on a regular basis or as called by any member.
Quorum:
A quorum shall consist of the members of the council present at a regularly scheduled meeting of the executive council or four of the council at any specially called meeting.
Offices and duties:
The Executive Board shall fill the following offices whenever a vacancy occurs.
High Priestess:
1. Chairs the coven council in the absence or at the request of the High Priest;
2. Coordinates the teaching program.
Provides counseling as necessary.
3. Teaches
4. Leads the rituals or provides resources for those doing so.
5. Supervises the work of other officers.
6. Directs the initiation of candidates to the priesthood.
7. Presents candidates to the coven council for dedication, initiation to degreed status, or membership to Temple of Gaia.
8. Supervises the work of candidates for dedications and initiations to dedicant through Elder status.
9. Represents the coven to the Craft and to the public.
10. Enhances the inner strength and harmony of the coven.
11. Provides overall guidance to the work of the coven.
12. Exercises final authority, in cooperation with the High Priest, regarding ritual initiation, ordination, other religious matters, and other matters as the coven council so directs.
High Priest:
1. Chairs the executive council meetings and coven council meetings in the absence or request of the High Priestess;
2. Teaches
3. Provides counseling as necessary.
4. Leads the rituals or provide resources to those doing so.
5. Assists in supervising the work of the other officers.
6. Shares the responsibility of maintaining the coven website, mailing lists and coven materials.
7. Supervises the work of candidates for dedications and initiations to dedicant through Elder status.
8. Represents the coven to the craft and the public.
9. Exercises final authority, in cooperation with the High Priestess, regarding ritual initiation, ordination, other religious matters, and other matters as the coven council so directs.
Maiden:
1.Assists the High Priestess with rituals and her other responsibilities.
2. Assumes the duties of Priestess on accord with the Crone in her absence of the Priestess.
Crone:
1. Assists the High Priestess with rituals and her other responsibilities.
2. Assumes the duties of High Priestess, or Priestess, in accord with the Maiden in the absence of the High Priestess or Priestess.
Priestess:
1. Assists the High Priestess with rituals and her other responsibilities. Takes the place of the Crone or Handmaiden, in their abscense.
2. Notifies coveners of meetings and other important information.
3. Shares in the responsibility of maintaining the coven website, mailing lists and coven materials.
4.Assumes the duties of the High Priestess in her absence.
Scribe:
1. Keeps minutes of council meetings.
2.Handles correspondence as requested.
3.Keeps records of coven projects, rituals, and activities.
Treasurer:
1. Collects money; keeps accounts. These records will remain within the Temple.
2. Makes purchases or reimburses others for authorized purchases.
3.Coordinates fundraising projects.
4.Keeps files relating to the record of the churches legal status. These files will remain within the Temple.
Additional Offices that will be filled as the coven has need of them include but are not limited to:
Archivist:
1. Maintains coven library and coven subscriptions to Temple of Gaia's mailing list.
2. Recommends new acquisitions for the coven library.
Handmaiden:
1. Coordinate Dedicants and coven youth. Provides training and filed trips within the bounds of Wiccan study.
2. Obtains permission slips from parents, for children under 18 years of age.
3. Oversees activities of the coven youth.
Coven Coordinator:
Maintains lists of people who wish to partake in open ritual without becoming full members of Temple of Gaia; maintains mailing lists.
Guidelines for conduct:
All members shall be guided in their conduct by the ethics of the coven and the rules outlined in these By-Laws and Guidelines posted within the Temple's official website. By the grace of the Goddess and God within us all.
Meeting Schedule:
Rituals:
1. Esbats shall normally be held on the first Saturday or Sunday following the new and the full moon.
2. Sabbats may be held on their actual dates or the weekend nearest as determined by the coven council.
3. During clement weather, rituals shall, when possible, be held outdoors at a site established by the Executive Board; during inclement weather, rituals shall normally be held at the Covenstead, other members' homes, or at a public site selected by the Executive Board.
Classes:
1. Introductory seminars and other classes open to the public shall be offered at such times and places as the Executive Board decides.
2. Classes for dedicant and members shall be held on a schedule determined by the Executive Board, which has been designated as every Saturday.
3. The curriculum shall be established by the Executive Board.
4. Special classes shall be arranged according to the needs of those involved.
5. Classes shall be held at a location that the High Priestess designates.
6. No fees shall be charged for classes for members of the coven.
7. Field trips and special events shall be held at such time and places Executive Board decides.
Attendance:
1. All Esbats shall be semi-public ~ non-members by invitation only ~ or as the coven council dictates.
2. All Sabbats shall be open to the public, or as coven council dictates. This includes open rituals witnessed by media or people of other faiths.
To maintain membership in Temple of Gaia, a member must attend:
Attend classes every Saturday.
One (1) Esbat per month.
Six (6) Sabbats per year.
All required training.
Finances:
1. Coven income shall include donations, profits from fundraising projects, and interest from bank accounts.
2. The budget shall be established and disbursements approved by the Executive Board.
3. The Treasurer shall make a full quarterly report to the Coven Council.
4. All required forms and reports shall be filed with the local, state, and federal governments as required to maintain the church's legal status.
Privacy of members:
1. 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.
2. Disclosure of confidential information may, at the discretion of the council, be considered a violation of coven ethics and grounds for expulsion from membership.
Revising the By-Laws:
Any part of these by-laws may be amended by consensus of the Executive Board.
This Page Updated 2009
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