Mothergrove
Constitution and Bylaws
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A Small FAQ
QUESTION: Is this another "Big O" Organization?...
ANSWER: NO! We are not intending that Mothergrove becomes a big organization, but to remain a small community group where members can get to know each other and have fun together.
QUESTION: Then why does Mothergrove need to incorporate?
Mothergrove members decided that they want Mothergrove to operate a Pagan community centre and ritual/meeting space. The only way that we can do this is to incorporate, as only incorporated groups can rent space, employ caretakers, or fund-raise.  To incorporate, one needs bylaws. And the BC Government has legislation (Society Act, section 6) that say that bylaws must include details on membership, meetings, voting, directors and officers, borrowing, and minutes of meetings.  Thus, providing a Pagan community space led directly to having bylaws and other horribly bureaucratic stuff. Sorry! :)

But we are trying to keep the bureaucracy to the barest minimum!

 
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Status Report on Incorporation:

On October 4, 2000, Mothergrove was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in the Province of British Columbia.
 
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Constitution of Mothergrove

1. Name of the Organization: Mothergrove Pagan Temple

2. Purposes:

a. To generate opportunities for participation in Wiccan/Pagan worship and related spiritual activities such as rituals, handfastings, wiccannings, etc.

b. To facilitate opportunities for learning and personal spiritual growth through retreats, classes, lectures etc.

c. To foster social activities and projects which bring together and strengthen our spiritual community

d. To aid in creating a place of Worship for the Pagan community.

3. Winding-Up Clause: In the event of winding-up or dissolution of the Society, the remaining assets after payment of all debts and liabilities shall be turned over to a recognized charitable organization or charitable organizations in the Province of British Columbia, or elsewhere in Canada, as directed by the members. This provision is unalterable.

4. Non-profit Clause: The purposes of the Society shall be carried out without purposes of gain for its members and any profits or other accretions to the Society shall be used for promoting its purpose. This provision is unalterable.

5. Mission: To provide opportunities for learning, personal spiritual growth and the worship of the Pagan/Wiccan Goddess(es) and God(s) through a vibrant spiritual community for Witches and Pagans in Victoria. This provision is alterable.

- end of Constitution -  next section is Bylaws.
 


Bylaws of Mothergrove

Part 1 - Definitions
1.   In these bylaws, the word “Temple” refers to the incorporated organization.
Note:  outside of these bylaws, the organization is probably going to be called “Mothergrove” or “the Grove.”  Most of us still call the group Temple of the Lady "the Temple."
 
Part 2 - Membership

2. The members of the society are the applicants for incorporation of the society, and those persons who subsequently become members, in accordance with these bylaws and, in either case, have not ceased to be members.

3. There are two types of membership in the Temple: Community Membership and Voting Membership.

a) Community members are people who want to belong to the Temple and come to Temple rituals, events and classes, and be notified about those rituals, events and classes. They might also lead such events or classes. They don't want to be concerned about politics, bureaucracy, or administration.

b) Voting Members are those members who, with the Officers, are collectively responsible for the carrying out the tasks and decision-making necessary for the administration of the Temple as an incorporated organization as per Paragraph 26 of these bylaws. They may stand for election to Officer positions.

4. In accordance with the Society Act, there shall never be more Community Members than Voting Members.

5. Any Witch or other Pagan who has attended at least one Temple event and who wishes to be a member of Mothergrove Pagan Temple may request Community membership by filling in a member-information form.

6. A Community member who has been a member for at least a year-and-a-day may become a Voting Member by applying for Voting Member status by

a) attending at least three (3) meetings during that year.
b) being endorsed by a Voting Member for voting membership.
c) being granted the status of Voting Member at any meeting of the membership by a majority vote of Voting Members. The candidate and the endorsing member must both be in attendance at the meeting.
7. A Voting member may request to change to Community member status at any time, and such change must be granted. However, a member so doing must remain a Community member for at least a year and a day before re-applying for Voting member status as per Paragraph 6.

8. Every member must uphold the constitution and comply with these bylaws.

9. Membership dues shall be set by majority vote at the inaugural Annual General Meeting and may not be changed except by special resolution at any general meeting.

 
10. A person ceases to be a member of the Temple:
a) by mailing or emailing his or her resignation in writing to the secretary, or by mailing or delivering it to the address of the Temple,
b) on being expelled, or
c) on having not been in good standing for 4 consecutive months.
11. Expulsion of Members: a) A member may be expelled by a special resolution at a general meeting after a review board has investigated and presented findings and made recommendations.
b) The review board may be formed at any Temple meeting and will include at least three (3) voting members in good standing.
c) The notice of special resolution for expulsion must be accompanied by a brief statement of the reasons for the proposed expulsion.
d) A person put forward for expulsion under these bylaws must be given reasonable opportunity to be heard at the same general meeting at which the decision to expel is made, before the vote. If such opportunity is declined, or the person is not present, the vote may proceed.
e) In addition to these bylaws, the membership may set policies as to grounds for membership revocation or other punitive measures such as probation, or restitution. 12. All members are in good standing except: a) A member who has failed to pay his or her current annual membership fee, or any other subscription or debt due and owing to the Temple by the member;
b) and members who are not in good standing as per policies adopted by the membership by special resolution at an AGM or SGM.


Part 3 - Meetings of Members

13. Two types of membership meetings are Annual General Meetings (AGM‘s), and Special General Meetings (SGM‘s).

14. All rules, policies, and so on relating to meetings that are not Annual or Special General meetings will be decided by majority vote of the voting members.

15. A special general meeting may be called by requisition of 10% or more of the voting members. Those requisitioning a special general meeting are responsible for organizing, implementing, and convening the meeting.

  
16. Notice of AGM’s and SGM’s:
a) Notice of an Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting must specify the place, day and time of the meeting; and, in case of special business, a clear and detailed description of that business including the full wording of the motion if possible.
b) The accidental non-receipt of notice by any of the members entitled to receive notice of a meeting does not invalidate proceedings at that meeting. 17. Annual general meetings of the Temple will be held at least once in every calendar year and not more than fifteen (15) months after the holding of the last preceding annual general meeting.
 

Part 4 - Proceedings at General Meetings

18. Robert's Rules of Order will apply unless otherwise decided by the membership.

19. Quorum at Meetings:

a) Business, other than the election of a chair and the adjournment or termination of the meeting, will not be conducted at any meeting when a quorum is not present.

b) If at any time during a meeting there ceases to be a quorum present, business then in progress must be suspended until there is a quorum present or until the meeting is adjourned or terminated.

c) Quorum is 15% of total voting membership or a greater number that the members may determine at a general meeting, but shall never be less than 3 members.

d) SGM’s: If quorum is not present within 30 minutes after the time specified for a Special General Meeting (SGM), the meeting will be abandoned.

e) AGM’s: If quorum is not present within 30 minutes after the time specified for an Annual General Meeting (AGM), it will be adjourned to the same day and time in the following week, at the same place, at which time those members present will form a quorum.
 

 20. Voting: a) A voting member in good standing is entitled to one vote at a membership meeting.
b) Voting is by show of hands, unless otherwise decided by majority vote.
c) Voting by proxy is permitted, but a member may only hold one proxy at a given meeting, and must be able to provide written permission.  
21. The Meeting Chair: a) If the Speaker of the Temple is absent at a meeting the members present will elect a chair from among themselves.
b) The Chair has an ordinary vote.
c) When the Chair is a sponsor of a motion, another member shall assume the duties of Chair for the duration of debate on such motion.   Part 5 - Decision-making

22. The voting members as-a-whole will make all decisions for the Temple at meetings.

23. The voting membership may set additional policies in order to carry out these bylaws and elaborate on them.
 

Part 6 - Officers

24. Officer positions, elections, removal, and resignations:

a) The Speaker, Secretary, and Treasurer are the officers of the Temple. b) Officers are elected by vote or acclamation at each annual general meeting, and may stand for re-election.

c) Should an officer resign before their term of office expires, the remaining officers will appoint a voting member to that office as soon as possible. The appointment will be announced at the next regular meeting.

d) An officer may be removed from office by special resolution at a special general meeting; in the event that this occurs, such meeting must elect a replacement to that office.
 

 25. An officer will not be remunerated for holding office, but a member may be reimbursed for all necessary and reasonable expenses incurred while engaged in Temple business.
 

Part 7 - Duties of Officers

26. The officers and voting members of the Temple are responsible collectively for performing all the following functions and duties:

(1) Secretarial duties, including:

a) conduct Temple correspondence;
b) issue notices of meetings;
c) keep minutes of all Temple meetings;
d) have custody of all records and documents of the Temple at a centralized location known to members except records required to be kept by the designate member(s) performing the financial duties;
e) maintain the register of members. (2) Financial duties, including: a) keep the financial records, including books of account, necessary to comply with the Society Act; and
b) provide financial statements to the officers, members and others when required. (3) Speaker duties, including: a) Speak or act as liaison with outside groups, agencies, and the media on behalf of the Temple;
b) Chair and facilitate meetings. (4) General duties, including: a) Acting as signing authorities for the Temple.
b) Organize meetings of the Temple.
c) Carrying on the necessary day-to-day business of the Temple not specifically outlined above.   Part 8 - Borrowing

27. In order to raise money to carry out the purposes of the Temple, the voting membership may decide by special resolution to borrow money or issue debentures in the name of the Temple.

  
Part 9 - Auditor

28. This Part applies only if the Temple is required to, or has resolved to, have an auditor.

29. The first auditor, and any subsequent auditors, will be chosen by the voting membership at an Annual or Special General Meeting.

30. An auditor may be removed by ordinary resolution.

31. An auditor will be promptly informed in writing of his or her appointment or removal.

32. The auditor must not be a member or employee of the Temple.

33. The auditor may attend general meetings.
 

Part 10 - Notices to Members

34. Notice of a meeting may be given to a member either personally or by mail to the member at the member's registered address.

35. A notice sent by mail is deemed to have been given on the second day following the day on which the notice is posted. In proving that notice has been given, it is sufficient to prove the notice was properly addressed and put in a Canadian post office receptacle.

36. Notice of general meetings must be sent to:

a) every member shown on the register of members on the day notice is given; and
b) the auditor, if Part 9 applies. No other person is entitled to receive notice of a general meeting.
Part 11 - Bylaws

37. On being admitted to membership, each member is entitled to a copy of the constitution and bylaws.

38. These bylaws must not be altered or added to except by special resolution.
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- End of Bylaws -

 
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