~ The By-Laws ~
Of
~ The PhoenixSpirit Clan ~
~ The By-Laws ~
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1.1
The
name of the organization shall be The PhoenixSpirit Clan ("the
Grove".)
2.1
The
purpose of this organization shall be to:
2.1.1
Live
in a manner which honors the Divine, guided by the Divine Within;
2.1.2
Create
a spiritual family, which will support one another within the coven in our
healing, growth and aspirations.
2.1.3
Explore
and practice NeoPagan beliefs and traditions with a primary focus on the
liturgical structure created by the Church of All Worlds and within the Grove
itself. The PhoenixSpirit Clan does not proscribe any balanced spiritual path,
but it does recommend a working knowledge of basic Wiccan practices, general
NeoPagan beliefs and philosophies and a broad exposure to comparative religion.
2.1.4
Sponsor
and facilitate group celebrations and functions on the Sabbats and Esbats and
other special occasions, in order to celebrate the seasons, work magick,
recognize rites of passage and honor the Lord and Lady;
2.1.5
Honor
the Earth and all Her creatures as sacred and work to heal and protect the
environment within our community, throughout our nation and across the world.
2.1.6
Teach
Wiccan beliefs and traditional skills to members and students and sisters and
brothers in the Craft and to those on kindred spiritual paths.
2.1.7
Teach
broader Neo-Pagan history and beliefs within the framework of the CAW to
members, students, sisters and brothers in the Craft and to those on kindred
spiritual paths.
2.1.8
Educate
the general public about Wicca and Neo-Paganism where opportunity presents
itself.
2.1.9
Organize
and facilitate programs which "walk our talk" and which demonstrate
our beliefs by example, including Earth Day programs, environmental programs,
community outreach programs, etc.
3.1
The
PhoenixSpirit Nest
("the Nest").
3.1.1
The
PhoenixSpirit Nest is a local congregation in the
3.1.2
Initiates
of the Grove who are not invited to join the PhoenixSpirit Nest shall be
encouraged and assisted to form their own family nest or proto-nests.
Members of CAW Traditions may belong to more than one nest.
3.1.3 Initiates who are also members of the Nest recognize that the RINGs cycle is integrated into their training program and that advancement within the coven training program and advancement inward within the RINGs program should be roughly equivalent.
3.1.4
Members
of the Nest are required to adhere to principles and standards of conduct of the
3.1.5
Members
shall be encouraged to participate in and associate with the
3.2
The
PhoenixSpirit Coven
("the Coven").
3.2.1
The
PhoenixSpirit Coven is an eclectic Wiccan Coven devoted to training, spiritual
growth and activism.
3.2.2
Members
of the Coven are expected to support the Coven in a reasonable manner, after
attending to their own needs and the needs of their family.
Members of the Coven may be requested to support the Coven by means of
dues or tithes by consensus decision of the Coven Council.
Members for whom this presents a financial hardship should discuss their
situation with the Coven Council so that accommodations may be made on their
behalf.
3.2.3
All
Initiates within the Grove shall constitute The PhoenixSpirit Coven, regardless
of their association with or participation in the Church of All Worlds.
3.2.4
Members
of the Coven are not required to maintain membership within CAW, nor to pay any
dues or to tithe to CAW.
3.2.5
Members
of the Coven are not required to fulfill the RINGs cycle portion of the
Initiation Training program, although they are encouraged to do so for their own
personal growth.
3.3
The
PhoenixSpirit Clan
("the Grove").
3.3.1
The
PhoenixSpirit Clan includes those congregants, Dedicants and guests who desire
participation within the larger NeoPagan or Wiccan community and who attend
Grove functions.
3.3.2
Members
of the Grove are not required to seek initiation in the Coven, nor membership
within the Church of All Worlds but are expected to complete a basic course in
Wiccan religion and liturgy to attend rituals regularly.
3.3.3
Members
of the Grove are not required to pay dues or tithing to either CAW or the Grove,
although donations are always appreciated.
3.4
PhoenixSpirit
Hearths.
("Hearths").
3.4.1
Hearths
within the PhoenixSpirit Clan are unofficial groups, which form to associate and
work together magically. Hearths
are family units lead by an initiate of the PhoenixSpirit Clan.
3.4.2
Any
initiate within the PhoenixSpirit Clan may form a hearth.
3.4.3
Membership
within a hearth and membership requirements within the hearth are determined by
the members of that hearth.
4.1
Qualifications.
4.1.1
Membership
shall be offered to individuals upon recommendation of any member of the Coven
Council, and by consensus of all Initiates (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 attained their age of majority or religious affiliation, so long as
their tenets of belief and behavior are in harmony with the PhoenixSpirit path.
4.2
Degrees
of Participation and Membership. Participants in the Grove may include the
following:
4.2.1
Guests: Interested parties who may attend all open activities. Guests
may be invited to coven only activities in the company of an Initiate, with the
consent of all other Initiates in attendance.
4.2.2
Congregants:
Persons who consider themselves Wiccan or Pagan or of a kindred spiritual path
and who participate in and support the open activities of the Grove
(congregation) on a regular basis.
4.2.3
Seekers/Students. Persons who have made formal request to attend and been
accepted into Coven classes. All
formal students of the grove must sign an agreement to adhere to the guidelines
expected of students. Students and
Seekers who wish to progress past the Seeker’s level of training but who do
not desire dedication to the Wiccan path must be willing to take an ethics oath
before being admitted to more advanced levels of training.
4.2.4
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. One year and a
day after completion of their training, a Dedicant may be asked to state his/her
intention to qualify for initiation into the priesthood or to seek his/her path
elsewhere. Dedicants who choose to
seek another path shall be assisted to the best of the Coven’s ability to do
so.
4.2.5
Members
of the Coven.
Membership within the coven shall be limited to Initiates.
Initiates of this Grove are those members who are recognized as clergy by
the Coven Council.
4.2.6
Additional
Titles of Recognition.
The titles Mistress of Arts or Master of Arts may be granted by this
coven in recognition of special achievement.
Initiates who have attained proficiency in a specific field and who have
been approved by a committee of all active Second and Third Degree Initiates may
be designated MoAs. The Coven Council shall be empowered to create such other
titles of recognition, as it deems appropriate.
4.3
Membership
Status:
4.3.1
Active
Status.
Dedicants and Initiates are expected to participate in 75% of all coven
functions to retain active status. Exceptions
to this policy may be made by consensus of the Coven Council on a case-by-case
evaluation of the circumstances and dedication of the petitioner. Second and Third Degree Initiates are excused from the 75%
rule in recognition of the work they are expected to perform for the wider Pagan
community but are expected to attend Coven Council meetings at least quarterly,
to assist with coven teaching duties at least twice yearly, to attend Initiate
Review meetings and to maintain a working relationship with all other Initiates
to be considered on active status.
4.3.2
Inactive
Status.
Members who do not fulfill the above attendance and participation requirements
shall be considered inactive.
4.3.3
Reinstatement
from Active Status.
Inactive members who wish to return to active status may do so upon
consensus of the Coven Council.
4.3.4
Suspension
/ Termination of Membership. Any
person's membership or participation may be curtailed, suspended or terminated
by decision of the Coven Council for reasonable cause. Members who are threatened with suspension or termination of
membership have the right to a hearing before the full Coven Council.
5.1
The
First Ring
within the PhoenixSpirit Clan shall consist of Seekers and Dedicants, to be
identified by the color white and First Degree Initiates, to be identified with
the color green (this equates with the first ring of CAW.)
The First ring within the Grove shall consist of the following:
5.1.1
Congregants
who desire association with the Church of All Worlds. (i.e. first circle CAW
members) or with the PhoenixSpirit Grove.
5.1.2
Seekers
who
have requested training within Wicca and have been accepted as Students within
the Grove.
5.1.3
Dedicants
who have requested training in the Wiccan way within the tradition of the
PhoenixSpirit Clan and who are willing to take an oath of ethics.
Dedicants who wish association with the Church of All Worlds are expected
to obtain membership within CAW at the second circle or above.
5.1.4
First
Degree Initiates.
Persons who have completed the First Degree training program and been
active within this coven for at least a year and a day, who have met all of the
requirements for initiation as defined by the Coven Council and for membership
as defined by these by-laws and who have received initiation.
A First Degree Initiate has chosen a life of service, a path of personal
spiritual growth and a commitment to the spiritual family of the Grove. They help to organize the congregation and to facilitate its
functions. They are a resource to
the more senior clergy as assistants, and organizers of the membership.
They are a resource to the membership as counselors, ritualists and
teachers.
5.1.4.1
First
Degree Initiates who are also members of the Nest are expected to obtain
membership within CAW at the third circle or above.
5.2
The
Second Ring
within the PhoenixSpirit Clan shall consist of Second Degree Initiates to be
identified by the color red (this equates with the second ring in CAW, Scions.)
5.2.1
Second
Degree
Initiates shall be defined as follows:
5.2.1.1
Persons
who have been active in the Craft, and preferably within this coven, for at
least two years and two days, who have met all of the requirements for Second
Degree as defined by the Coven Council, have been recommended by the High
Priestess and High Priest and consensus of all existing members of the Second
Ring and have received Second Degree initiation.
5.2.1.2
A
Second Degree Initiate continues the responsibilities acquired as a First Degree
Initiate. In addition, they
continue the education of the other First Degree Initiates.
Their focus is on the larger functions, and coordination of the group.
They conduct rituals including rites of passage and transition. They are involved in communication, and outreach to other
congregations within the community.
5.2.1.3
Second
Degree Initiates who are also members of the Nest are expected to obtain
membership within CAW at the fourth circle or above.
5.2.1.4
Grandfather/Grandmother
Clause.
Established members of the NeoPagan or Wiccan community who have received
Second Degree initiation (or it’s equivalent) in another tradition, who have
been approved for initiation into the Coven by the Coven Council, and who have
demonstrated completion of all Second Degree initiation requirements save that
of class attendance may be approved for Initiation into the PhoenixSpirit
Tradition upon consensus of all existing members of the Second Ring.
5.3
The
Third Ring
within the PhoenixSpirit Clan shall consist of Third Degree Initiates, to be
identified by the color purple. (This equates with the third ring in CAW, the
Priesthood.)
5.3.1
Third
Degree
Initiates shall be defined as follows:
5.3.1.1
Persons
who have attained Second Degree status, have demonstrated proficiency in ritual
design and leadership, teaching, counseling, group process and administration
and have been recommended by the High Priestess and High Priest and approved by
consensus of all existing members of the Third Ring.
5.3.1.2
A
Third Degree Initiate is a senior member of the clergy.
They are a resource not only to their own congregation, but also to the
larger community. They are focused on the strengthening and enrichment of the
Pagan community as a whole. They
are involved in outreach to the larger Pagan, and non-Pagan communities.
5.3.1.3
Grandfather/Grandmother
Clause.
Established members of the NeoPagan or Wiccan community who have received
Third Degree initiation (or it’s equivalent) in another tradition, who have
been approved for initiation into the Coven by the Coven Council, and who have
demonstrated completion of all Third Degree initiation requirements save that of
class attendance may be approved for Initiation into the PhoenixSpirit Tradition
upon consensus of all existing members of the Third Ring.
6.1
Coven
Council.
This body shall handle the ordinary business of the coven.
6.1.1
Membership. The Coven Council shall consist of all Initiates (full
members) of the coven. Dedicants
who have completed 6 months of classes within the coven shall be invited to
attend and participate in general business meetings as part of their training,
but shall hold "non-voting" status (i.e. they shall be unable to block
consensus). Meetings concerning
membership and dedication shall be closed, i.e., open to initiates and the
initiate candidate only.
6.1.2
Scope. The Council shall decide all business and spiritual matters.
6.1.2.1
Business
matters
shall be defined as:
6.1.2.1.1
Program
planning and activities.
6.1.2.1.2
Finance
and budget.
6.1.2.1.3
Outreach,
networking and affiliations.
6.1.2.2
Spiritual
matters
shall be defined as:
6.1.2.2.1
Dedication,
initiation and membership status.
6.1.2.2.2
Grove
Traditions, Ritual and Spiritual Questions.
6.1.3
Facilitation. The High Priestess shall ordinarily chair meetings of the
Council between Beltane and Samhain. The High Priest shall ordinarily chair
meetings between Samhain and Beltane. Where
the presiding Priest/ess is absent, or chooses to delegate this responsibility,
her/his Consort or appointed assistant (Maiden/Summoner) shall chair the
meeting.
6.1.4
Method
of Operation.
The Coven Council shall make decisions by consensus.
When consensus cannot be reached the Council shall refer the decision to
the High Priestess and High Priest, who shall consider all that has been
discussed and make a decision.
6.1.5
Meetings.
Members of the Coven Council are expected to make every effort possible to
attend Council meetings. If
attendance is not possible, the absent Initiate is encouraged to send a letter
of statement containing any opinions or sentiments that they would like to have
expressed in the meeting or to empower another Initiate with his/her written
proxy. Virtual attendance at
Council meetings shall be acceptable if arrangements for virtual attendance can
be made.
6.1.5.1
Regular
Business Meetings.
The Council shall meet at least once quarterly to discuss and decide
matters of a Business nature. The
Council may also discuss Spiritual matters at the quarterly business meetings as
appropriate.
6.1.5.2
Initiation
Review Meetings.
The Council shall meet at least twice during training of each class to
discuss the progress of the candidates. Once
a request for initiation has been made, the Council shall meet within a month of
the request to determine acceptance or denial of the candidate as an Initiate.
6.1.5.3
Special
Meetings.
Any Initiate of the coven may call a special meeting of the Council if
the need arises. Unless the purpose
of the meeting is to discuss matters of initiation, special meetings shall be
handled as normal business meetings.
6.1.6
Quorum.
A quorum shall consist of the active members present at a regularly scheduled
meeting of the Coven Council or three quarters of the active membership at any
special meeting.
6.2
Offices
and Duties.
The Coven Council shall fill the following offices whenever a vacancy occurs.
If there is no Initiate to fill a specific office, the Coven Council may
elect by consensus to fill the office with a Dedicant, who may hold the office
Pro Tem until such time as that Dedicant achieves initiation or until an
Initiate is available. As a matter
of principle, leadership within the coven shall demonstrate the highest level of
gender parity possible and shall be based upon a Partnership Model.
While acknowledging and valuing any traditionally gender-based
personality traits of individuals which may make themselves evident, as well as
the traditional gender association of some Wiccan offices, all offices shall
be filled based upon individual skills, talents, interests and potentials rather
than being strictly gender associated. Upon consensus of the Coven Council, officers may be
appointed to traditionally gender associated offices based upon gender
identification rather than physical sexual characteristics where such a case may
be deemed appropriate.
6.2.1
High
Priestess.
Co-Chairs the Coven Council; coordinates or delegates coordination of the
teaching program; provides counseling as necessary; leads the rituals or
provides resources to those doing so; supervises the work of other Officers;
acts as Nest Coordinator for the associated Nest when that position is otherwise
vacant; shares the responsibility for initiating candidates to the Priesthood;
supervises the work of candidates for second and third degree status; represents
the Grove to the Craft and to the Public; enhances the inner strength and
harmony of the Grove; provides overall guidance to the work of the coven; with
the High Priest, exercises final authority regarding ritual, initiation,
ordination and other religious matters.
6.2.2
High
Priest.
Co-Chairs the Coven Council; teaches; provides counseling as necessary;
leads the rituals or provides resources to those doing so; supervises the work
of other Officers; acts as Nest Coordinator for the associated Nest when that
position is otherwise vacant; shares the responsibility for initiating
candidates to the Priesthood; supervises the work of candidates for second and
third degree status; represents the Grove to the Craft and to the Public;
enhances the inner strength and harmony of the Grove; provides overall guidance
to the work of the coven; with the High Priestess, exercises final authority
regarding ritual, initiation, ordination and other religious matters.
6.2.3
Maiden. Assists the High Priestess with rituals and her other
responsibilities and assumes the duties of the High Priestess in her absence.
6.2.4
Summoner. Assists the High Priest with rituals and his other
responsibilities; notifies members of the Grove of meetings and other important
information; and assumes the duties of the High Priest in his absence.
6.2.5
Bard. Collects songs and chants; teaches and leads the Grove in
music; collects lore and legends; preserves and passes on the old lore, coven
history and traditions.
6.2.6
Scribe. Keeps minutes of Council meetings, handles correspondence as
requested; keeps records of grove projects, rituals and activities.
6.2.7
Pursewarden. Collects money, keeps accounts, makes purchases or reimburses
others for authorized purchases, coordinates fundraising projects and keeps
files of records related to the Groves legal status.
6.2.8
Watcher. Handles safety and security at grove events; indoors, checks
locks and closes curtains, etc.; outdoors, finds safe places for ritual work,
posts sentries and sets wards; leads in the defense of the Grove where worldly
dangers threaten it; knows laws regarding freedom of religion and assembly,
etc.; serves as liaison with law enforcement officers; may teach self defense.
6.2.9
Ritual
Leaders, Project Leaders, Trip Leaders. Coordinate
design, logistics and implementation of grove events.
These positions are vacated at the conclusion of each event.
A team may share responsibility for any given event.
6.2.10
Additional
temporary offices
may be created and filled as the Coven Council deems necessary.
6.3
Guidelines
for Conduct.
All Dedicants and Members shall be guided in their conduct by the Wiccan
Rede, the Law of Return, the Passwords and by the God/dess Within each person.
7.1
Coven
Calendar
7.1.1
The
Coven year shall run from Samhain to Samhain.
7.1.2
The
Coven calendar shall, in so far as it is possible, be established each year at
the Spring (Ostara/Beltane) regular quarterly business meeting.
7.1.3
The
calendar may be published in standard “Gregorian” calendar format, in
lunations or divided by Wiccan quarter/cross-quarters but if published in a
non-standard calendar format the Gregorian dates shall be included for ease of
reference.
7.2
Rituals.
7.2.1
Esbats
shall be held to observe the Full Moon. Esbats
may also be held to observe the New Moon and/or Diane's bow (the 2nd or 3rd day
after the New Moon.). Where
possible Esbats shall be held on the evening of the phase change, but where that
is not possible the magickal energies of the phase and the purpose of the ritual
shall be taken into consideration so that the Full Moon is observed on a weekend
night prior to the Full Moon and the New Moon shall be celebrated on a weekend
night following the phase change whenever possible.
7.2.2
Sabbats
may be celebrated on their actual date or on the weekend nearest, as determined
by the Coven Council, except that the best effort shall be made to observe
Walpurgesnacht on the evening of April 30th with May Day games following on May
1st and to celebrate Samhain on October 31st.
Where this is not possible an open grove circle may be scheduled on the
weekend with a Coven Ritual scheduled for the actual evening for those who can
attend. Alternately, by consensus,
the Coven Council may select to celebrate cross quarter days on their
astrological date rather than their solar date but if this choice is made this
format shall be followed for that entire calendar cycle (Samhain to Samhain.)
7.2.3
An
Initiates-only rebirthing ritual shall be held annually at Yule to symbolize the
rebirth of the Coven through the use of our symbol, the Phoenix.
The story of the rebirth of the Phoenix shall be told at the open Grove
Yule ritual every year.
7.2.4
Once
scheduled, a date shall not be changed except by consensus of the Coven Council.
7.2.5
During
clement weather, rituals shall be held outdoors as long as a secure place for
ritual can be found. During
inclement weather rituals shall normally be held at the Covenstead, or
alternately, at other members' homes or in a public place selected by the Coven
Council.
7.3
Classes.
7.3.1
Introductory
seminars and other classes open to the public shall be offered at such times and
places as the Council decides.
7.3.2
Classes
for Dedicants and members shall be held at least twice each month, on a schedule
to be determined by the Council. Exceptions
may be made by consensus of the Coven Council, especially for the months of
November and December, to permit members to celebrate these holidays with their
cowen families.
7.3.3
The
curricula shall be established by the High Priestess. Changes in the curricula may be made by consensus of the
Coven Council.
7.3.4
Special
classes, such as those which are part of an M.A. or ordination program, shall be
arranged according to the needs of those involved.
7.3.5
Classes
shall be held at the Covenstead, or such other location as the Initiate
responsible for teaching the individual class designates.
7.3.6
No
fees shall be charged for classes that are part of the regular curriculum of the
nest, coven or congregation. Fees
may be charged for Nest or Grove sponsored classes open to the public.
Donations may be requested for ritual supplies, class supplies, snacks
and drinks provided and other expenses related to classes where appropriate.
7.4
Field
trips and special events shall be held at such times and places as the Council
decides.
7.5
Coven
Gathering. The Coven shall make
every best effort to attend one gathering a year as a family, as an exercise in
bonding and spiritual renewal.
7.6
The
Coven Retreat.
7.6.1
The
Coven shall schedule two weekends a year as a Coven Retreat for the purpose of
bonding and spiritual renewal and especially to address and heal any issues of
conflict or trust amongst Initiates which have arisen over the year and which
have not at that time been resolved.
7.6.2
The
Coven Retreat shall be closed to all except Initiates and Dedicants who have
announced their intent and who have been approved (at the time of the Coven
Retreat) to pursue Initiation
within the Coven.
7.6.3
The
Coven Retreat shall be scheduled, when possible, near Samhain and Beltane.
7.6.4
The
Coven Council may agree by consensus to hold a public Samhain or Beltane ritual
during the retreat, but this shall not open the remainder of the retreat to the
public.
7.6.5
The
Coven Council is encouraged to use this time to hold Initiate Review Meetings
but is discouraged from scheduling a general business meeting during this time,
as the time should be devoted to spiritual renewal and growth rather than
mundane logistics and decision-making.
8.1
Esbats
shall be open only to Dedicants, Initiates and approved guests.
8.2
Sabbats
shall normally be open to all who are friendly to the Craft.
Where desired the Coven Council may schedule a coven only Sabbat or may
schedule a second, coven only celebration on or near selected Sabbats.
8.3
The
Coven Council shall designate classes as either open only to formal Students,
Dedicants and Initiates of this coven or open to all within the community.
8.4
Dedicants
and Initiates are expected to fulfill attendance requirements as detailed in
Article 4.2.6.1 to maintain an active membership status.
If any member drops below the required attendance level of Esbats,
Sabbats and classes, their status shall be subject to review by the Coven
Council.
9.1
Coven
income shall include donations, dues/tithes, profits from fundraising projects
and interest from banking accounts, if any, established by the Coven Council.
9.2
The
budget shall be established and disbursements approved by the Coven Council.
9.3
The
Pursewarden shall make a full quarterly report of income expenses to the Coven
Council.
9.4
All
required forms and reports shall be filed with the state and federal government
to maintain the Coven's legal status.
9.5
The
finances of the Coven and the finances of the Nest shall be separate.
The finances of the Nest shall be managed under the guidelines
established by the Church of All Worlds in the CAW By-laws.
10.1
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.
10.2
Disclosure
of confidential information may, at the discretion of the Coven Council, be
considered a violation of the Rede and grounds for expulsion from membership.
11.1
The
PhoenixSpirit Clan does not take the position that conflict is always a bad
thing. Conflict, properly managed,
is an opportunity for deeper understanding and personal growth.
Initiates of the PhoenixSpirit Clan make a commitment to use conflict as
a positive personal growth tool.
11.2
Initiates
of the PhoenixSpirit Clan make a commitment to accept that their brothers and
sisters, as well as they themselves, are imperfect creatures striving for
personal spiritual growth. As such
they make a commitment to strive for a tolerant attitude towards the
imperfections of their brothers and sisters without denying that those
imperfections exist. In addition
they make a commitment to face their own imperfections and to either choose to
accept those imperfections and any undesirable behaviors or to take
responsibility to try and change them.
11.3
Initiates
of the PhoenixSpirit Clan also make a commitment to assist in the growth of
their brothers and sisters. As such
they accept that this sometimes requires pointing out the imperfections of their
brothers and sisters, as they perceive them, in a loving and constructive
manner. In addition they make a commitment to try and assist in the change of
those imperfections and any undesirable behaviors when requested to do so.
11.4
Initiates
of the PhoenixSpirit Clan make a commitment to deal with each other in Perfect
Love and Perfect Trust so far as their human nature will permit.
As such, the first step in conflict resolution should always be handled
between the individuals involved in sacred space.
When necessary to provide this sacred space any of the individuals
involved may call upon any other Initiate as a mediator in the conflict
resolution process.
11.5
Initiates
of the PhoenixSpirit Clan recognize that growth takes time and allow their
brothers and sisters time for growth and change.
11.6
Initiates
of the PhoenixSpirit Clan recognize that to agree respectfully to disagree is an
acceptable resolution to conflict.
11.7
When
all else shall fail, the Grove shall be governed by the conflict resolution
guidelines in the Church of All Worlds Handbook.
11.8
Failure
to attempt to resolve issues in a timely manner with a brother or sister within
the Coven or to actively participate in the resolution process when requested
shall be considered a serious breach of conduct and shall be addressed by the
Coven Council.
12.1
The
PhoenixSpirit Clan exists only as long as the Coven is in a relative state of
harmony. Members who find that they
are no longer in harmony with the path of the members of the Coven or with the
PhoenixSpirit Tradition are honor bound to seek their own path.
Members of the Coven commit
to part paths in love and trust should this happen.
12.2
The
Grove can only be dissolved by consensus of the Coven Council.
12.3
Should
there be a significant split along philosophical lines, the members who have
been Initiates of the Coven for the longest amount of time shall be considered
the Keepers of the Tradition and shall continue the Coven.
The members who are no longer in harmony with the elder members shall be
encouraged and assisted to follow their own path.
The members who remain shall form the new Coven Council.
13.1
Any
part of these By-laws may be amended by consensus of the Coven Council.
