Constitution
PREAMBLE:
WHEREAS, it is a recognized fact among the Wiccan community that there are over one hundred thousand Wiccans in the United States of America; and,
WHEREAS, it is a recognized fact among the Wiccan community that many of these Wiccans desire fellowship among their Wiccan peers; and
WHEREAS, it is a recognized fact among the Wiccan community that it is often difficult for Solitary Wiccans to meet and fellowship with peers of the Wiccan faith, therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That we recognize ourselves a body of practitioners of Wicca working together for the common purpose of worshiping and celebrating Goddess, and that under the laws of the State of California we may exercise all the rights and privileges, duties and responsibilities, granted to and expected by religious bodies.
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED: That we recognize and seek fellowship with any individual of the world that applies ARTICLE III of this Constitution as essential tenets of her or his faith.
ARTICLE II: PURPOSE
The purpose of this corporation shall be:
The Coyote Wicca Church recognizes the existence and need for diverse expressions of faith and spirituality among the Wiccan community; no church or ecclesiastical body has the authority or power to dictate a set of religious beliefs or precepts.
However, the Coyote Wicca Church recognizes basic Articles of Faith we believe will always fall under the phrase "Wiccan Religion." Members of Coyote Wicca are expected to accept the following Articles of Faith.
We as Wiccans believe that it is our spiritual duty to observe the actions of our religious organizations, and to object and protest against actions we deem to be abusive, criminal, or contrary to human and civil rights.
1. HARM NONE (CM 1:1)
The first part of the Wiccan Rede states "An it harm none." We believe we are under the divine mandate to refrain from deliberately bringing harm upon any and all human beings, baring only acts of self-defense. We believe it is our sacred, spiritual, moral, ethical, and civic duty to ponder the results of our actions in the context of if those actions will or will not harm another our ourselves. ipsissima verba.
2. DO AS THOU WILL (CM 2:1)
The second part of the Wiccan Rede states "Do as thou will." We believe we are under the divine mandate to enact our wills upon the world, and to make our desires manifest. We believe it is our sacred duty to live a life we have chosen for ourselves, baring acts that harm another or ourselves. ipsissima verba.
3. GODDESS IS IMMANENT IN THE WORLD (CM 3:1)
We believe that Goddess resides upon and within the world, and is therefore not separate or transcendental to the world.
4. SERVICE TO HUMANITY EQUALS SERVICE TO GODDESS (CM 4:1, CW 1)
We believe we are Goddess' children, and therefore as siblings we have a duty and obligation to protect, defend, and help each other. We believe that feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, and clothing the cold and naked are all acts of worship.
5. CELEBRATION IS THE OBJECT OF WORSHIP (CM 5:1, CW 2)
We believe that Goddess requires nothing from us except refraining from harming others. We believe the object of worship is to celebrate life. Appeasement and fear have no place in worship.
6. ALL ACTS OF LOVE AND PLEASURE ARE GODDESS' SACRAMENTS (CM 6:1)
We believe that one must enjoy life when one can, baring those actions or inactions that cause harm to others or to oneself. Pleasure is a gift from Goddess, and it is therefore an insult to the divine to reject it.
7. MORES AND ETHICS ARE NOT DERIVED SOLELY FROM RELIGION, FAITH, OR SPIRITUALITY (CM 7:1, CW 3)
We believe that proper behavior should be based upon reason and not upon faith alone. History has shown us that enlightened self-interest has been the only basic precept upon which healthy societies thrive. We believe that guilt and shame are invalid means of social control.
8. FEES MUST NEVER BE CHARGED FOR RELIGIOUS SERVICES, CLASSES, OR TEACHINGS (CM 8:1, CW 4)
Wicca teaches that greed and money corrupts spirituality (for the epitome example, look at Scientology). As Wiccans, we believe that any clergy member who requests a fee for religious services is demonstrating she or he is not qualified to perform those religious services.
9. THE CHURCH EXISTS TO SERVE THE MEMBERSHIP (CM 9:1, CW 5)
We believe that if the Church ever ceases to meet the needs of the membership, the Church must be abandoned. We believe that if the Church ever asks of its membership more than is reasonable, the Church must be abandoned. We believe that if the Church ever asks its members to behave in unethical, criminal, or abusive acts, the Church must be abandoned.
10. FINANCIAL DONATIONS ARE ACCEPTED BUT NEVER REQUIRED OR SOCILITIED (CW 6:2)
We as Wiccans believe that any organization claiming to be a religious or spiritual body will never require its members to provide financial donations. Any organization that has such a demand is, ipso facto, not a religion.
11. PROSELYTIZING IS SPIRITUALLY INIQUITOUS (CM 11:1, CW 8)
We as Wiccans believe that it is vulgar and profane to go around selling our religion door-to-door as if it were a box of cookies. New supplicants must seek out the Church; the Church must never seek out new supplicants.
12. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS "RELIGIOUS AUTHORITY" (CM 12:1)
We as Wiccans believe that spiritual authority lies within each individual, and not given to any "special" or "enlightened" individual(s), nor to any Church.
A) Joining the Church.
Each member must be a mature person of noble character who acknowledges Article III of this Constitution. Each Coven's High Priestess and High Priest must agree to accept the supplicant before membership is granted to that supplicant.
If a Coven lacks both a High Priestess and High Priest, the Church's Primus High (Priestess / Priest) will temporarily fill the vacancy to make the determination of membership.
The High Priestess and High Priest are to make their grants of membership based upon the following criteria after a personal interview of the supplicant:
2) The supplicant must be noble of character. Past acts of charity and compassion (or lack of same) performed by the supplicant are to be considered by the High Priestess and High Priest.
3) The supplicant must agree with all, or a significant portion, of Article III of this Constitution. The High Priestess and High Priest are charged with showing Article III to the supplicant and discussing the Articles of Faith with the supplicant. The supplicant need not agree to Article III in its entirety, provided the High Priestess and High Priest determine that the supplicant agrees with the majority and / or essence of the Articles of Faith.
B) Leaving the Church.
Any member who decides to leave the Church may do so by stating she or he is no longer a member. Any and all licensing by the Church that the member has earned and received will be revoked and held in trust until such time the member wishes to again join the Church.
Every member who has chosen to leave the Church will remain a friend of the Church, and will be welcome to rejoin if the ex-member so chooses. No ex-member will ever be subjected to adverse behavior from the remaining members of the Church; the act of "shunning" and other such abuses are never to be engaged in by any Church member.
C) Rejoining the Church.
A member who has left the Church and then later decides to join again must go through the supplicant process again as described in Article IV, Section A. Upon acceptance of the supplicant, any and all awards or licenses previously earned by the member shall be restored in full.
D) Dismissal from the Church.
Any member who fails to meet the membership requirements of (1) agreement to Article III of this Constitution or (2) noble character, may be dismissed via:
2) By majority vote of the Coven's entire membership, plus agreement by either the High Priestess or High Priest;
3) By the Church's Primus High (Priestess / Priest).
E) Discrimination.
Supplicants must never be denied membership into the Church based upon a supplicant's race, physical abilities, sexual identity, or cultural identity. Supplicants MAY be denied membership based upon religious creed and current criminal behavior.
1) The supplicant must be mature in intellect and sense of responsibility. This determination is to be based upon the personality and behavior of the supplicant, and not based upon the supplicant's age.
1) Agreement among both the High Priestess and High Priest of a Coven;
There shall be an Advisory Council made up of a Coven's High Priestess and High Priest, and every member of the Coven that the High Priestess and High Priest has officially accepted as members.
A. Purpose
The sole purpose of this council is to listen to accusations against the Primus High (Priestess / Priest) of the Church and make a determination. The council will determine if the Primus High (Priestess / Priest) is guilty or innocent and whether to dismiss him or her from office.
B. Quorum
100% of the advisory council must be present to constitute a quorum. The council may only meet if it has been called to do so by a majority rule of the Official Board excluding the Primus High (Priestess / Priest).
C. Determinations
A determination shall be made by a majority rule of the Advisory Council.
D. Accusations
The accusations for which the Advisory Council may meet together are:
2. Compulsive lying
3. Conviction of a felony
4. Excessive arrogance or hubris
5. Mental illness that inhibits the Primus High (Priestess' / Priest's) ability to perform the duties of that office
6. Abusive behavior, either verbal or physical
7. No longer ascribing to Article III of this Constitution
The corporation shall be financed by the freewill offerings of members and friends of the corporation, by Covens, by all other subordinate groups affiliated with the Coyote Wicca Church, and by "fund raisers" that are recognized by the Official Board.
1. OFFICERS
b. There shall be an Executive Vice-President / Director of Special Projects
c. There shall be a Secretary.
d. There shall be a Treasurer.
e. Other officers shall be added as needed.
f. The Primus High (Priestess / Priest) may remove these offices.
2. OFFICIAL BOARD
The Official Board shall consist of the Primus High (Priestess / Priest), Executive Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The Primus High (Priestess / Priest) shall be Chairperson of the Board and ultimate decision-maker of the direction of the corporation.
3. COMMITTEES
(B) There shall be (as the occasion may demand) operational committees appointed by the President to serve in the capacity of expediting the work of the Church.
4. HIGH PRIESTESS and HIGH PRIEST
In any established place of worship (i.e., Coven) the Primus High (Priestess / Priest) will appoint a High Priestess and High Priest to govern the affairs of said place of worship. The appointed High Priestess and High Priest will give account to the Primus High (Priestess / Priest) of the corporation concerning every aspect of the established place of worship.
1. CHURCH MEETINGS
In any Coven the appointed High Priestess and High Priest will be responsible for regular church services.
2. CORPORATION MEETINGS
B) The Primus High (Priestess / Priest) will call the following meeting:
2. The Secretary shall keep an accurate account of the minutes that were discussed at any board meeting. She or he then has to submit them at the next board meeting for discussion by the Official Board and approval by the Primus High (Priestess / Priest). Upon approval by the Primus High (Priestess / Priest), the minutes shall be adopted, and all policy and procedure in them will continue to be enforced.
Three Official Board Members (including the Primus High (Priestess / Priest)) at an Official Board Meeting constitutes a quorum. The Primus High (Priestess / Priest) is the only one who can call an official board meeting by notifying the board members verbally or in writing with 24 hours notice.
Amendments to this Constitution may be made by a 75% vote of the Official Board, including the Primus High (Priestess' / Priest's) approval. No amendments can be made without the Primus High (Priestess' / Priest's) approval.
Bylaws
1. Embezzlement
ARTICLE VI: FINANCE
a. There shall be a Primus High (Priestess / Priest) who shall be the President of the Corporation.
(A) There shall be a Charity Recipient Committee made up of the Board of Directors who shall, upon majority vote, decide to whom aid (charitable donations) shall be given. The Charity Recipient Committee shall also meet to review current recipient grants and upon majority vote decide whether to continue giving the recipient financial aid, or to cancel that aid. The Charity Recipient Committee is to meet no less than once every three months.
A) The corporation year shall coincide with the calendar year beginning on January lst, and running through December 31st.
1. Official Board Meeting, for discussion of the direction of the corporation. The Primus High (Priestess / Priest) shall set dates and times for Board meetings. A minimum of three officers including the Primus High (Priestess / Priest) shall be present for an Official Board Meeting to exist. The Board may have invited guests present at any meeting so long as the Primus High (Priestess / Priest) has approved it.
For the purpose of conducting business, the Primus High (Priestess / Priest) shall, in an orderly manner, preside over all of the affairs of the corporation.
ARTICLE II: DEPARTMENTS AND COMMITTEES
The corporation shall hereby provide for departments and committees created as needs may require. All such departments and committees shall be subordinate to the corporation and shall be under the general supervision of the Senior Pastor.
Section 1. ESTABLISHED PLACES OF WORSHIP: COVENS
All Covens shall be recognized as a subordinate department of Coyote Wicca Church, and shall submit to the authority of the corporation under the guidance of the Primus High (Priestess / Priest).
The purpose of an established place of worship shall be to maintain a place of worship and fellowship, such as a building or home where the Coven may come together for religious purposes.
B. Duties
All Covens shall subscribe to Article III of this Constitution. The appointed High Priestess and High Priest shall also be responsible and preside over all meetings of the Coven. It is also the duty of every High Priestess and High Priest to train Adepts to become High Priestesses and High Priests.
C. Rights and Privileges
All Covens may operate under their own Constitution and Bylaws provided that they neither contradict nor violate the framework of the Constitution and Bylaws of Coyote Wicca Church.
D. Appointed High Priestess and High Priest
The Primus High (Priestess / Priest) shall appoint a High Priestess and High Priest to govern the affairs of an established Coven. The Primus High (Priestess / Priest) may also appoint a High Priestess and High Priest to pioneer a work with the purpose of establishing a Coven. All High Priestesses and High Priests are to give account to the Primus High (Priestess / Priest) for every aspect of the Coven.
E. Finances
The corporation shall finance the Coven until it can financially exist on its own. During the time that the corporation finances a Coven, 100% of the Coven's donations and offerings (income) will be given to Coyote Wicca Church.
Section 2. OTHER SUBORDINATE GROUPS
All other subordinate groups shall be dealt with on an individual basis. All requirements shall be set forth for each subordinate group in an agreement between Coyote Wicca Church. and the subordinate group.
A. Purpose
The funds for the maintenance of the corporation shall be provided for by the freewill offerings of friends of the corporation, Covens, by all other subordinate groups affiliated with Coyote Wicca Church., and recognized fund-raisers. All offerings are subject to approval by the Primus High (Priestess / Priest). If approved, an offering shall be passed on to the Treasurer for deposit in the corporation's treasury.
2. AUDIT
An internal audit shall be completed by the Treasurer and Primus High (Priestess / Priest) or other appointed person. This audit of all financial records shall be made after the close of the calendar year, prior to the end of February.
3. WITHDRAWALS
Only the Treasurer under the supervision of the Primus High (Priestess / Priest) shall make all withdrawals from the regular corporation treasury. In the event that the Treasurer is unable for a period of time to make deposits or withdrawals, she or he may (in written form) authorize the Primus High (Priestess / Priest) to make deposits or withdrawals from the corporation's treasury.
4. SALARIES
B) No High Priestess or High Priest shall receive any salary, wage, or payment for their religious services to Coyote Wicca Church. Service is voluntary and is not a paid position.
C) Contracted employees who perform non-religious services, or who provide goods, must be paid fair market value for their time, effort, and goods. Those services, and payment for those services, shall be agreed upon in writing before the service is provided; all services must be approved by the Coven's High Priestess and High Priest, or by the Primus High (Priestess / Priest).
D) There must not be any conflict of interest between any Board member and any provider / vendor of goods and services. There must not be any conflict of interest between a Coven's High Priestess or High Priest and any provider / vendor of goods and services.
ARTICLE IV: PROPERTY RIGHTS
2. No real or chattel property of the corporation shall be sold, leased, mortgaged, or otherwise alienated without authorization of the Primus High (Priestess / Priest).
3. The Primus High (Priestess / Priest) of the corporation shall certify in such conveyances, leases, or mortgages.
4. In the event that the corporation ceases to exist, all assets of Iglesia Misionera Mundial shall (at the discretion of the Primus High (Priestess / Priest)) be given to the organization(s) of her or his choice that are exempt as described in Section 501(c)(3) and or 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue code of 1986. The organization must be of similar purpose and also apply ARTICLE III PARAGRAPHS 1,2 and 4 as essential tenets of the Christian faith.
ARTICLE V: GOVERNMENT AND OFFICIAL FUNCTIONS
Section 1. Primus High (Priestess / Priest) / President
The Primus High (Priestess / Priest) / President shall have been Wiccan for at least five years and shall have wisdom in handling the corporation's affairs. She or he shall be sound in intellect and apt to make good judgment. She or he must also cooperate and listen to the sound advice given by the officers.
B. Duties
1. Primus High (Priestess / Priest) / President shall be the head of the entire corporation.
2. Primus High (Priestess / Priest) / President shall be Chairperson of the Official Board and preside over all corporation meetings.
C. Manner of Appointment
1. In the event that the corporation needs a new Primus High (Priestess / Priest) / President, the Executive Vice-President shall become the Primus High (Priestess / Priest) / President of the corporation and she or he will appoint a new officer to fill the vacant position of Executive Vice-President.
2. If there is no Executive Vice-President to take the seat of the former Primus High (Priestess / Priest) / President then the remaining officers shall between themselves appoint a new Primus High (Priestess / Priest) / President.
3. If there are no remaining officers, then the members of the corporation shall appoint a new Primus High (Priestess / Priest) / President by agreement of 80% of the membership.
D. Term of Office
The term of the Primus High (Priestess' / Priest's) President's office shall be for an indefinite period of time.
Section 2. EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT / DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL PROJECTS
The Executive Vice-President shall have been Wiccan at least five years and shall have wisdom in handling the corporation's affairs if the Primus High (Priestess / Priest) is out carrying on the work of the ministry. She or he shall be sound in intellect and apt to make good judgment. She or he will serve as Chief Advisor to the Primus High (Priestess / Priest).
B. Duties
1. She or he will serve on the Board.
2. She or he shall carry out the responsibilities that the Primus High (Priestess / Priest) delegates to her or him.
C. Manner of Appointment
The Primus High (Priestess / Priest) shall appoint the Executive Vice-President.
D. Term of Office
The office of the Executive Vice-President shall be for an indefinite period of time; she or he is subject to dismissal if she or he violates the Constitution and Bylaws of Coyote Wicca Church.
Section 3. SECRETARY
The Secretary shall be a spiritually minded person and of sound judgment.
She or he must be capable of recording the minutes of meetings, and of doing all of the correspondence necessary in the conduct of Official Corporation business.
B. Duties
By virtue of her or his office, the Secretary shall keep a true and accurate record of all meetings, including business meetings of the corporation. She or he shall perform clerical duties, and shall be the custodian of all legal documents. The Secretary shall also interview all other "employees" and make recommendations to the Primus High (Priestess / Priest).
C. Manner of Appointment
The Primus High (Priestess / Priest) shall appoint the Secretary to office.
D. Term of Office
The term of office shall be for an indefinite period of time; she or he is subject to dismissal if she or he violates the Constitution and Bylaws of Coyote Wicca Church.
Section 4. TREASURER
The Treasurer shall be a spiritually minded person, and of sound business judgment. She or he shall be capable of doing the accounting required to maintain the corporation books.
B. Duties
By virtue of her or his office the Treasurer shall keep, in a business-like manner, an itemized account of all receipts and disbursements of moneys committed to her or his trust and shall make reports to be presented during the Official Board Meetings. She or he shall deposit and make withdrawals in a manner prescribed in Article III of the Bylaws.
C. Manner of Appointment
2. The Primus High (Priestess / Priest) shall appoint the Treasurer to office for an indefinite period of time; she or he is subject to dismissal if she or he violates the Constitution and Bylaws of Coyote Wicca Church.
Section 5. OTHER EMPLOYEES
ARTICLE VI: OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Anything that has not been discussed in this Constitution and Bylaws shall be discussed and decided upon at an Official Board Meeting. Nothing can be decided upon without the authorization and approval of the Primus High (Priestess / Priest).
ARTICLE VII: AMENDMENTS
Amendments to the Bylaws may be made by a 75% vote of the Official Board, including the Primus High (Priestess' / Priest's) approval. No amendments may be made without the Primus High (Priestess' / Priest's) approval.
ARTICLE VIII: DISSOLUTION
A decision to dissolve the Corporation must be approved by a special vote of the Board of Directors, and that decision must be unanimous. Upon dissolution, after all debts have been satisfied, the remaining assets of the Corporation shall be transferred to one or more non-profit organizations to be selected by the Board of Directors and all copies of the mailing list shall be destroyed.
ARTICLE IX: MISCELLANIOUS
(B) The Corporation bank accounts shall be set up so as to require the signature of the Treasurer and one member of the Board of Directors on all checks. All Directors shall sign signature cards, with the exception of those having a close personal relationship with the Treasurer.
(C) Corporate records and property shall not be used for any purpose not approved by the Board.
(D) The first book of Scriptures for the Coyote Wicca Church is called "Coyote Magick: the Scriptures of the Coyote Wicca Church." Reference to this book of Scriptures is denoted by the capital letters CM.
(E) The second book of Scriptures for the Coyote Wicca Church is called "Coyote Wisdom: Further Scriptures of the Coyote Wicca Church." Reference to this book of Scriptures is denoted by the capital letters CW.
Constitution and Bylaws adopted by Coyote Wicca Church, Year 2001
1. BUDGET
A) No officer of this Corporation shall receive any salary, wage, or payment for their religious services to Coyote Wicca Church. Service is voluntary and is not a paid position.
1. All property, real or chattel, shall be taken, held, sold, transferred or conveyed in the corporation's name.
A. Qualifications
A. Qualifications
A. Qualifications
A. Qualifications
Employees may be hired from time to time in order to carry out the work of the ministry. The Primus High (Priestess / Priest) must approve an employee after the Secretary has given a recommendation. An employee is hired for an indefinite period of time and may be dismissed at any time by the Primus High (Priestess / Priest).
(A) Any and all mailing lists generated by the Corporation will be the exclusive property of the Corporation, shall be kept strictly confidential, and shall not be used for any commercial purpose. The Corporation may, with Board approval, send out special mailings. Access to the mailing list shall be by Board approval only, and then only for Church business. Under no circumstances may a copy of the mailing list be transferred to any entity outside the Corporation.
