Temple Of
Sedna By-Laws/Constitution
Temple
Keeper Rt. Rev. Anna Rowe HP CCE
The
Temple Of
Sedna, located in Hertfordshire,
England,UK.
They submitted this constitution on April 27th, Year 4
Aquarius.
Temple of Sedna received its Charter on May 7 year 4 Aquarius and is
the oldest Temple in the United Kingdom
Article I: Name and Purpose
Section 1.1 - The name of this organisation shall be
Temple Of Sedna, or as stated herein, the
Temple
Section 1.2
Temple Of
Sedna exists to provide a non-threatening, supportive
environment for Pagans, nature spiritualists, Goddess worshippers and
others of a like or open mind in which to exchange ideas and practices.
Section 1.3 Our primary mission is to provide a safe,
non-judgmental environment in which people can
meet, learn and to discuss their spirituality, regardless
of what it may involve, without the threat of ridicule
or reprisals.
Section 1.4 We welcome anyone who is willing to have an
open mind and is willing to study the Correllian Nativist Tradition of
Wicca, and strive to give the best possible guidance.
Section 1.5 We provide opportunities for group worship
with an attempt to accommodate the spirituality of each individual who
participates.
Section 1.6 We will provide information regarding our
spirituality to any that ask, and attempt to correct any misconceptions
about our spirituality that we may encounter.
Section 1.7 We welcome all individuals or groups who may
be curious about our spirituality, and will answer, to the best of our
abilities, any questions openly and honestly.
Section 1.8 We do not engage in proselytizing of any
kind, as we feel that each individual must be allowed to seek and find
their path.
Section 1.9 We consider discrimination based on race,
creed, disability, nationality, sex, sexual preference, or religious
belief highly offensive.
Article II: Membership
Section 2.1 –
Temple Of
Sedna does not discriminate on the basis of age, colour,
gender, handicapped status, height, marital status, national origin,
political persuasion, race, religion, sexual orientation,
veteran status, or weight.
Section 2.2 – If any persons wishing to become a member
of the Temple, and whom are under the age of 18,parental/guardians
signature is needed
Section 2.3 - A member remains in good standing by
adhering to the rules of the Temple as stated in this Constitution.
Section 2.4 - A member may be asked to leave the Temple
on the basis that they cause disruption and/or defamation to the
Temple, or to the Correllian Tradition and/or as stated in this
Constitution.
Section 2.5 General Members
General members shall be any qualifying person who wishes
to join the
Temple of
Sedna, be it online or in person.
Section 2.5 Active Members
Active members shall be any qualified person who attends
the eight festivals [online rituals]
of the year, or who maintains a presence on the group
specific to the
Temple. There are study groups
for the purposes of teaching different subject which are
open to all members.
Section 2.6 Membership Fees
There will be a small annual membership fee, (due to the
United Kingdoms tax laws and the constitutions of religious
entities). All members shall be eligible for membership of the Temple
upon payment of the membership fees. The Temple Membership Fee shall be
payable, and shall be determined by the Temple
Head, provided that the fee shall be no less than the minimum
set by the
Temple and the Correllian Tradition of Wicca.
Section 2.7 Membership shall not be limited by any factor
other than the ability to study and discuss topics in an
open, non judgmental and polite manner. The membership may
include all members of the
Temple Of
Sedna, students and clergy members. Participants shall either
be General Members, or Active Members.
III. ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATION
A. Board of Directors: This body shall handle the ordinary business of
the Temple.
1. Membership in the board of Directors shall be at the
invitation of the existing Board. It may be granted to 2nd or 3rd
degree members of the Temple. Candidates for invitation to the Board
must be sponsored by a Board member and unanimously accepted by the
remainder of the existing Board.
2. The Board shall discuss all matters of:
A.
Program planning and activities.
B.
Dedication, initiation, and membership generally.
C.
Finance and budget.
D.
Outreach, network, and affiliations.
3. Additional offices may exist within the Temple at the
discretion of the Board, to facilitate the smooth running of the
Temple, but have no standing on the Board in or of themselves. Such
offices may include Maiden Priestess, Scribe, Gatekeeper, etc...
4. Finances.
A. The temple income shall include donations, profits
from fundraising projects, class fees, and Dedicant, Member and guest
contributions.
B. All required forms and reports shall be filed so as to
maintain the Temple's legal status.
Article IV: Leadership
Section 4.1 -
Temple Of
Sedna shall be directed by one elected Founder/Keeper/Head,
chosen at the discretion of the Tradition. The Temple
Founder/Keeper/Head is the initiate/imperium/clergy of the Correllian
Nativist Tradition of Wicca.
Article V: Operating Procedures
Section 5.1 - Frequency of study groups shall be as
determined by the membership-at-large.
Section 5.2 -
Temple Of
Sedna has no standing committees. Ad hoc committees may be
formed at the discretion of
the Tradition Head and/or the Temple
Founder/Keeper/Head or by the Temples Advisor. Committees shall cease
to exist upon completion of the assigned task, or at the discretion of
the Tradition Head and/or the Temple Founder/Keeper/Head or by the
Temples Advisor.
Article VI: Rules of Order
Section 6.1 In situations not covered by this document,
the
Temple’s by-laws and/or the Correllian By-Laws may be invoked. Any member may do this, however it should be
reserved for extreme cases.
Article
VII: Alcohol and Drugs
Section 7.1 There will be NO alcohol or illegal drug use
permitted at any
Temple hosted meeting, Sabbat, festival, or other event.
Section 7.2 Anyone who attends a
Temple hosted event while obviously under the influence of
alcohol or illegal drugs will be told to leave that event immediately.
Clauses section 6.1 and 6.2 does not pertain to private parties.
Section 7.3 ONLY EXCEPTION There will be only one
exception to this article, if the alcohol to consumed is for ritual
purposes only.
Article VIII: Amendments
Section 8.1 - Amendments to this Constitution may be
proposed by any active member in good standing, and may be presented at
any meeting.
Section 8.2 - Amendments to this Constitution may
be proposed by, or to the discretion of the Tradition Head and/or the
Temple Founder/Keeper/Head or by the Temples Advisor.
Section 8.3 The constitution and by-laws of the
Temple may be amended by the nominated High Priest/ess, or by
the nominated designate of the Correllian Tradition, or by the
Temple
Keeper. All amendments and revisions shall be submitted to the
Correllian so that the agenda may be scheduled accordingly.
Temple
Keeper: Rev. Anna Rowe HP
anna@templeofsedna.com
These are the Temple of Sedna By-Laws.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The Temple of Sedna exists to provide a place for people to learn about
and participate in the Wiccan religion, specifically the Correllian
Tradition.
A. The Clerical Membership of the Temple of Sedna are dedicated to
advancing the Wiccan religion and community, particularly but not
exclusively Correllian Wicca.
B. The Temple will hold rituals on the Sabbats and Esbats and other
special occasions, in order to celebrate the seasons, work magic,
recognize rites of passage, and honour the Lord and the Lady.
C. The Temple will teach Correllian Wiccan beliefs and traditional
skills to members and students, both in the Craft and in kindred paths;
and where appropriate to educate the general public about Wicca.
2. The Temple of Sedna is a member of the Correllian Tradition, and
gives allegiance to that Tradition and its leadership.
COMMITMENT
A. All members of this Temple must have fully committed themselves to
this purpose in their beliefs, their actions, and their lives. Ours is
an open Temple, and people are welcome at our public ceremonies. It
requires no great commitment to attend and share the joy of the Lord
and Lady. But to be a clerical member of the Temple is more than this,
and requires a full commitment.
B. Members Are Enjoined To;
1. Live in a manner which honours the Lord and Lady, following the
Wiccan Rede; Do as you will, but harm none.
2. Explore and practice Wiccan beliefs and traditions, with a primary
focus on the traditions of the High-Correll family.
3. Support one another within the Temple in our healing, growth, and
aspirations.
4. Honour the earth and all Her creatures as sacred, and work to heal
and protect the environment within our community, throughout our
nation, and around the world.
5. Respect our Pagan clergy, especially but not exclusively Correllian
Wiccan clergy.
MEMBERSHIP
A. Qualifications for Membership of the Temple of Sedna.
Membership in the clergy of
the Temple of Sedna is by invitation only and may be offered to
qualified individuals
by the Board of Directors
upon the recommendation of the Chief Priestess or Chief Priest.
The Board of Directors may,
upon the recommendation of the Chief Priestess or Chief Priest,
recognize a
candidates existing training
and or Degree from another Tradition, but is in no wise bound to do so.
If a candidate possesses a
Degree from another Correllian Temple the Board of Directors must
recognize the
Degree, but is not bound to
accept the Candidate. Should such a Candidate be accepted for
membership, the
Board is free to impose
whatever additional requirements it may deem fit on an individual
basis, such as remedial
study if it is judged
needed, to bring the candidate in line with the full requirements of
this Temple.
No person shall be denied
membership in the Temple of Sedna because of gender, race, ethnic
background,
sexual orientation, physical
handicap, previous religious association, or age (provided that they
have attained the
age of legal majority). Candidates
for membership who have not attained the age of legal majority may be
considered
for membership only at the request
of their parents or guardians. \par
B. Categories of Membership.
1. There shall be two
categories of membership in the Temple of Sedna; members of the Inner
Court, and members
of the Outer Court. The Inner
Court of the Temple shall be composed of initiates who form its clergy
and administrators,
and are expected to maintain an
active and on-going participation in the Temple. Members of the Outer
Court shall be
composed of non-initiates who are
welcome to attend and take part in Temple functions, or who are
training for initiation
into the clergy.
2. Degrees of Outer Court
Participation in the Temple of Sedna for non-initiates:
A. Outer Court Member: Persons who regularly attend the
Temple of Sedna functions and wish to maintain an official connection
to the Temple, but do not desire initiation into the clergy. Outer
Court Members must attend at least 80% of the Temples public rituals,
and are not eligible to attend Inner Court rituals. Outer Court status
may be given only upon the recommendation of the Chief Priestess and or
Chief Priest and the approval of the Board of Directors.
B. Dedicants: Persons who have dedicated themselves to the
Temple for a period of one year and one day to study the path of Wicca
and the Correllian Tradition according to the requirements of the
Temple. After the period of one year and one day the Dedicant may apply
for initiation into the clergy, or withdraw from further study.
C. Friends of the Temple: Persons who are not initiates
of the Temple of Sedna, but who are welcome to attend Temple rituals
normally reserved to members. Friend of the Temple status is by
invitation only, and may be given only upon the recommendation of the
Chief Priestess and or Chief Priest and the approval of the Board of
Directors.
3. Degrees of Inner Court
Participation in the Temple of Sedna for initiates of the Temple:
A. Initiates of the First Degree: Those persons who have
met the criteria for the lowest level of the clergy as defined by the
Board of Directors, and have been duly initiated by the Chief Priestess
and or Chief Priest of the Temple. These requirements shall normally
include having been active in the Temple for a minimum of one year and
one day, and the successful completion of First Degree classes or their
equivalent as mandated by the Temple -however neither of these
accomplishments shall in and of themselves automatically entitle a
Candidate to initiation. Initiation into the First Degree clergy of the
Temple may be given only upon the recommendation of the Chief Priestess
and or Chief Priest and the approval of the Board of Directors.
B. Initiates of the Second Degree: Persons who have been
active in Sedna Temple as First Degree clergy for at least one year and
one day, and who have met all requirements for advancement to the
Second Degree as defined by the Board of Directors, and have been duly
initiated by the Chief Priestess and or Chief Priest of the Temple.
These requirements may include successful completion of classes for the
Second Degree as mandated by the Temple, as well as demonstrated
proficiency and leadership in ritual and Temple activities -However
neither of these shall in and of themselves automatically entitle a
Candidate to Second Degree initiation. Initiation into the Second
Degree clergy of the Temple may be given only upon the recommendation
of the Chief Priestess and or Chief Priest and the approval of the
Board of Directors.
C. Initiates of the Third Degree: The High Priestesses
and High Priests of the Temple. Those persons who, having been active
in Sedna Temple as Second Degree clergy for at least one year and one
day, and who have met all requirements for acclamation to the Third
Degree as defined by the Board of Directors, and have been duly
initiated by the Chief Priestess and or Chief Priest of the Temple.
These requirements may include demonstrated proficiency in ritual
design and leadership, teaching, counselling, group process and
administration, but none of these in and of themselves guarantee
initiation into the Third Degree. Initiation into the Third Degree
clergy of the Temple may be given only upon the recommendation of the
Chief Priestess and or Chief Priest and the approval of the Board of
Directors.
4. Guidelines for Conduct:
A. All Dedicants, members, and officers of the Temple
shall be guided in their conduct by the Wiccan Rede, the Law of Return,
the Sedna Temple Rules, and the Goddess and God within each person. It
is expected that all persons involved with the Temple shall conduct
themselves in a manner which is a credit to Sedna Temple and to the
Correllian tradition.
B. Dedicants and initiates are expected to participate in
Esbats, Sabbats, and classes. If any attends fewer than 80% of these,
their status shall be subject to review by the Board.
5. Privacy of Members:
A. The addresses, phone numbers, and other confidential information of
members will not be disclosed without their express permission.
B. All reasonable precautions will be taken to ensure the
privacy of members. Sedna Temple is a public Temple, and people who are
afraid to be publicly identified as Wiccan may not be comfortable here.
However if a member so requests, we will be happy to identify them only
by a Craft Name. But the responsibility for maintaining this Craft Name
must be understood to be on the member, not on the Temple. Sedna clergy
will use the designated craft name, but it is up to the member to
refrain from disclosing their given name to other members or otherwise
compromising their privacy. Sedna members are expressly NOT forbidden
to mention names, though they are expected to use common sense.
REVISING BY-LAWS:
A. Any part of these by-laws may be revised by the board of directors
at any time as they may deem fit.
|
