Apple Branch Protogrove

Bylaws

Apple Branch Protogrove will be applying for its Provisional Charter in the coming weeks. The bylaws are written as if we were already a provisionally chartered grove.

Mission Statement

Apple Branch Grove is a provisionally chartered grove of Ár nDraíocht Féin (ADF) and consequently is committed to inclusive public worship and fostering a thriving pagan community in Champaign-Urbana.

Hearth Culture

Apple Branch Grove works with both the Celtic and Norse hearth cultures.

Calendar

The ritual, fiscal, and administrative year starts and ends on Samhain (October 31st).

Apple Branch Grove celebrates eight High Days with public worship. These are:

Additionally, the Grove will hold full moon rites and study sessions which are open to grove members.

There will be a monthly business meeting, date to be determined by the availability of the Executive Council.

The Grove will hold an annual meeting within a fortnight of Lughnasadh.

Membership

A person can become a full member of the grove once they attend 2 of the past 4 High Days, 1 of the last 6 business meetings, and are up to date on their dues.

One does not need to be a member to participate in High Day activities.

Membership in ADF is not required for membership in Apple Branch Grove.

Voting membership is awarded to those who meet the requirements of grove membership and are voting members of ADF.

Dues

Each member is to pay $10 each quarter on Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane, and Lughnasadh for the support of the grove.

Benefits of Membership

Members have access to the Grove Library, full moon rites, and grove study sessions.

Executive Committee

The Grove shall be run by the Executive Committee, which comprises three offices. These are the Senior Druid, Pursewarden, and Scribe, and correspond roughly to President, Treasurer, and Secretary.

The Executive Committee is responsible of oversight of all grove functions, leadership in all grove meetings, and organization of all grove rituals.

Officer Duties

Senior Druid (SD): The Senior Druid organizes all Grove meetings, rituals, and elections. The SD is responsible for correspondence with ADF administration, including filing the Quarterly Reports. The SD has signing privileges for the grove's bank account.

Pursewarden: The Pursewarden is responsible for maintaining the records of the Grove's finances. This includes tax-exemption, quarterly financial reports to ADF, collection of dues, and dispersal of funds. The Pursewarden has signing privileges for the grove's bank account.

Scribe: The Scribe is responsible for keeping the minutes of all Grove meetings, making these minutes available publicly, and organizing advertising and internal notices for Grove events. Additionally, he is responsible for upkeep of the group message board.

All officers shall have a term of 1 year.

Officer Elections

Elections shall occur at the annual grove meeting.

Members over the age of 18 who have been members of ADF for a minimum of 6 months and members of Apple Branch for a minimum of 6 months are eligible for elected office.

Candidates may be nominated by any member of the grove, or may nominate themselves. Only voting members are eligible to vote in elections.

The order of election shall be as follows: Senior Druid, Pursewarden, Scribe.

Upon nomination, each candidate has the opportunity to state their qualifications for the elected office. Once all candidates have spoken, voting members may vote by anonymous ballot. Ballots will be tallied at the end of each round of elections.

Officers may serve an unlimited number of terms. No officer may simultaneously hold more than one position on the Executive Committee.

Newly elected officers will assume their office on Samhain.

Removal from the Executive Committee

At any business meeting, any voting member may recommend impeachment of an Officer for neglect of duty, abusive practices, or posing a danger to the Grove or Grove members. The member recommending impeachment must detail their reasons for this recommendation. If it is determined the impeaching member has made an accurate case, a vote will occur immediately for removal from office. Officers may be removed from the executive committee by a vote of at least 60% of the voting membership.

An officer may announce resignation at any business meeting. The Executive Council will then schedule an emergency election at the next business meeting. The Executive Council may choose to appoint an interim officer until the emergency election. The officer elected at the emergency election will assume his or her duties immediately, and their term will end on the following Samhain.

Removal from the Grove

A Grove member may be asked to leave by unanimous decision of the Executive Committee if he or she poses a threat to the safety of the Grove or publicly misrepresents the Grove.

A Grove member will lose membership privileges if they fail to fulfill the requirements of Grove membership. If he or she is unable to fulfill their requirements of membership but wishes to maintain membership privileges, he or she must explain their situation to the SD. If the SD determines that he or she has a valid reason, privileges will be maintained. The SD will maintain confidentiality of this situation if the member prefers.

Grove Library

The Grove Library will be stored at the home of the SD, unless the Executive Committee determines that another location is more suitable.

All members of the Grove will have lending privileges. Each book may be checked out for one month, with a maximum of two renewals. A maximum of four books may be checked out at a time.

If a member loses or damages the book, they are asked to replace it, and the member's library privileges may be revoked, at the discretion of the Executive Council, until the book is replaced.

Amendment of Bylaws

Amendments may be discussed at the annual meeting. A vote of at least 60% of membership is required for adoption. Bylaw amendments will go in effect at Samhain.

Amendments may be adopted immediately if the situation requires it by unanimous vote of the Executive Council.

These bylaws are valid once the Grove receives its Provisional Charter.