Flaming Chalice By-Laws

By-Laws of the Circle of the Flaming Chalice

Article I. Name
The name of this chapter shall be the Circle of the Flaming Chalice, hereafter referred to as the Circle.

Article II. Affiliation
The Circle shall be an affiliate of Northwest Unitarian Universalist Church (NWUUC) and a chapter of the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans (CUUPS). As such, it subscribes to the Principles and Purposes of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), the constitution and by-laws of NWUUC and the by-laws of CUUPS.

Article III. Purpose

To provide a place for Pagans to come together for learning in a safe environment, exploring spirituality together, learning and practicing simple ritual, supporting each other and having a group of people with whom we can feel comfortable, having free expression, and having a group to share common experiences;
To affirm and promote the principles and purposes of the UUA;
To affirm and promote the principles of CUPPS.

Article IV. Membership

Membership is open to all Pagans (as defined below) who are at least 18 years of age, regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability or disability, or socio-economic status, who affirm sympathy with the Principles and Purposes of the UUA and with the principles and purposes of CUUPS as stated in these by-laws.
Membership in NWUUC is not required but is encouraged. However, at all times more than 50% shall be members of NWUUC.
All potential members who have not already done so must read and demonstrate understanding of the Principles and Purposes of the UUA and the Constitution and By-laws of NWUUC. They are encouraged to attend at least two NWUUC Sunday services in order to observe the culture of NWUUC.
Application for membership and renewal of membership shall be by written request, submitted in accordance with the Rules of CUUPS, giving the member's legal name and current address.
Persons under the age of 18 years shall be permitted to attend rituals or any open activity of the Circle only if accompanied by their parent or legal guardian. Proof of legal guardianship is required.
There shall be two kinds of membership:
1. Probationary Member: Probationary membership shall be achieved by reading and accepting these by-laws and being accepted by the regular members. Probationary members shall not be required to pay dues. They shall be required to attend at least six business meetings per year;
2. Regular Member: Regular membership shall be achieved by being a probationary member for a year and a day and being accepted by those who are already regular members. Regular members are expected to pay dues;
The Samhain ritual shall be open only to regular members and those others who are specifically invited to attend.

Article V. Definitions

Earth-Based Religion: A belief system that views the Earth as sacred and celebrates the seasons of the year.
Pagan: A person who follows an earth-based religion. For the purposes of this Circle, this includes anyone who follows any earth-based religion that is in alignment with the Law of Return and the principle that where it harms none we may do what we will, and the Principles and Purposes of the Unitarian Universalist Association.

Article VI. Purposes of CUUPS

As stated in the Articles of Incorporation, "The Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans, Inc. exists for the purposes of promoting the practice and understanding of Pagan and Earth-centered spirituality within the Unitarian Universalist Association, enabling networking among Pagan-identified Unitarian Universalists, providing for the outreach of Unitarian Universalism to the broader Pagan community, providing educational materials on Paganism and Earth-centered spirituality for Unitarian Universalist congregations and for the general public, promoting interfaith dialogue, encouraging the development of theological and liturgical materials based on Pagan and Earth-centered religious and spiritual perspectives, encouraging greater use of music, dance, visual arts, poetry, story and creative ritual in Unitarian Universalist worship and celebration, providing a place or places for gathering and for worship, and fostering healing relationships with the Earth and all of the Earth's children."
The purposes of CUUPS include providing support for Pagan-identified UU religious professionals and ministerial students.

Article VII. Principles and Purposes of the Unitarian Universalist Associaton

We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote
1. The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
2. Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
3. Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
4. A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
5. The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
6. The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
7. Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
The living tradition which we share draws from many sources:
1. Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life;
2. Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love;
3. Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life;
4. Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves;
5. Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit;
6. Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.
Grateful for the religious pluralism which enriches and ennobles our faith, we are inspired to deepen our understanding and expand our vision. As free congregations we enter into this covenant, promising to one another our mutual trust and support.

Article VIII. The Purposes of the Unitarian Universalist Association

The Unitarian Universalist Association shall devote its resources to and exercise its corporate powers for religious, educational and humanitarian purposes. The primary purpose of the Association is to serve the needs of its member congregations, organize new congregations, extend and strengthen Unitarian Universalist institutions and implement its principles.
The Association declares and affirms its special responsibility, and that of its member societies and organizations, to promote the full participation of persons in all of its and their activities and in the full range of human endeavor without regard to race, color, sex, disability, affectional or sexual orientation, age, or national origin and without requiring adherence to any particular interpretation of religion or to any particular religious belief or creed.
Nothing herein shall be deemed to infringe upon the individual freedom of belief which is inherent in the Universalist and Unitarian heritages or to conflict with any statement of purpose, covenant, or bond of union used by any society unless such is used as a creedal test.

Article IX. Code of Ethics

Violation of this code shall be considered good cause for termination of membership.
All members shall:
1. Conduct themselves in accordance with the bylaws of the Circle;
2. Follow the Wiccan Rede: "An it harm none, do what you will;"
3. Respect others' rights to freedom in all areas, including safety, privacy, and philosophy;
4. Keep confidential whatever is said or done within the Circle, including any sort of pseudonym used by any member;
5. Be honest in all of their dealings with the Circle and its members, NWUUC and its members, CUUPS and its members, and the world at large and consider their word as a pledge to be kept;
6. Not knowingly bring harm to the Circle, NWUUC or CUUPS;
7. Not spread slander or libel against any person;
8. Not engage in any racist, sexist, homophobic, heterophobic, anti-Semitic, or otherwise bigoted language or behavior;
9. Discuss all disagreements with the conduct of any member or officer or with any policy or procedure openly with the person involved and the whole membership, in a manner conducive to amicable resolution of the disagreement. Rumor-mongering and secret agendas will not be tolerated.

Article X. Dues

Dues are initially assessed at $15.00 plus the applicable CUUPS membership per year and must be paid in full yearly on or before Samhain. The amount is to be revisited yearly.
Installment payments are acceptable.
Exceptions and reductions may be made on a case by case basis for those who cannot afford the assessed amount.

Article XI. Officers

All elected positions are open only to regular members.
The following officers, elected and appointed, shall serve at the pleasure of the membership. All officers are expected to work for the greater good of the Circle and its members and to be ruled by these by-laws. Any officer can be removed from office by the vote of a simple majority of the membership if such a majority believes that the officer is working on their own agenda and not for the good of the Circle and membership.
1. Circle Leader shall:
  1. Be a member of NWUUC;
  2. Chair all non-ritual meetings;
  3. Represent the Circle on the NWUUC Religious Programs Committee or appoint a liason, who shall also be a member of NWUUC;
  4. Appoint a substitute whenever he/she is going to be absent from from a meeting.
  5. Act as librarian and coordinate the collection and lending of books.
2. Circle Scribe shall, in accordance with accepted business practice:
  1. Take the minutes at all non-ritual meetings and type the minutes;
  2. Provide copies to all members, using e-mail for all who have it;
  3. Prepare and send all outgoing communications, including information for the NWUUC newsletter, bulletin and website;
  4. Receive all incoming communications.
3. Circle Treasurer shall, in accordance with accepted business practice:
  1. Receive all monies due the Circle;
  2. Make deposits and withdrawals from the Circle's account;
  3. Pay all bills for goods and services purchased by the Circle;
  4. Keep the financial records of the Circle.
4. Ritual Leader shall:
  1. Appoint a different member each quarter to write or obtain the rituals for the sabat and esbat occuring in that quarter. The assigned person, with the agreement of the members involved, shall assign roles for those rituals and shall act as High Priestess or High Priest for those rituals;
  2. See that rituals are scheduled, that there are sufficient supplies and that the ritual space is reserved and in proper order;
  3. Maintain the Book of Shadows and act as historian for the Circle;

Article XII. Elections and Appointments

Regular elections shall be held annually at the last regular business meeting proceding Samhain A quorum, consisting of one-third of the regular membership, must be present..
Only regular members shall be eligible to run for election.
Any member shall be eligible for an appointed position.
Appointments shall be made by agreement of the elected officers
Election shall be by a simple majority of the membership.
All electees and appointees shall take office as of the first regular meeting following Samhain
Procedure for electing officers shall be as follows:
1. The Circle Leader shall preside over the election process;
2. Candidates shall be selected by accepting volunteers from the core membership;
3. If there are multiple candidates for a position, vote shall be by secret, paper ballot and a member shall be designated to count them;
4. In the event of a tie, the candidate with the most tenure shall assume the office;
5. If a position is vacated before the end of the term, the Circle Leader shall ask for a new volunteer from the core membership.

Article XIII. Removal of Officers

The proposed action shall be submitted in writing to the Circle Scribe who shall then copy and distribute the proposal to the membership so that they shall be received at least a week prior to the meeting at which they are to be discussed for the first time.
The Circle Scribe shall immediately notify the officer in question by voice communication.
The proposal shall contain all of the specific reasons why the officer should be removed from office.
A special meeting shall be called to discuss the proposed action and notice of this meeting shall be included in the above notification.
The proposal shall be read to and discussed by the membership at the special meeting and at the next regular business meeting and shall be voted on at the second meeting.
If the officer in question is the Circle Scribe, the Circle Treasurer shall perform the above duties.

Article XIV. Meetings

The Circle shall meet regularly on the second Monday of each month, unless otherwise announced, to discuss matters of concern to the Circle and of individual members.

Article XV. Restrictions and Exclusions

The Circle shall not participate in political activity, endorse candidates for public office, nor seek to influence legislation, except as might pertain to religious freedom.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this document, the Circle shall not carry on any activities not permitted by (a) an organization exempt from the Federal Income Tax under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future Federal Tax Code, or (b) an organization, contributions to which are deductible under Section 170(c)2 of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future Federal Tax Code. (3 Sep 2000).
No part of the earnings of the Circle shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, officers, or other private persons, except that the Circle shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Article I, Section C.

Article XVI. Adoption and Amendment

Only a regular member may propose an amendment to these by-laws.
All proposed amendments shall be submitted in writing to the Circle Scribe who shall then copy and distribute the proposal to the membership so that they shall be received at least three weeks prior to the meeting at which they are to be discussed and voted upon.
All proposed amendments shall be read to and discussed by the membership prior to the vote.
A yes vote by three fifths of the total membership is required for passage of an amendment.
These by-laws were adopted by consensus of the founding members on January 10, 2005.
These by-laws were amended on November 13, 2006.

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