The Allegheny Circle of Native Wicca
A Recognized Shrine Within The Correllian Nativist Tradition
And the Official Home of the
The Wiccan Community Network
By-laws of The Allegheny Circle of Native Wicca
Article I: Name and Purpose
Section 1.1 - The name of this organization shall be The Allegheny Circle of Native Wicca, or as stated herein, the Temple
Section 1.2 The Allegheny Circle of Native Wicca exists to provide a non-threatening, supportive environment for Pagans, nature spiritualists, Goddess worshippers and others of a like or open mind in which to exchange ideas and practices.
Section 1.3 Our primary mission is to provide a safe, non-judgmental environment in which people can meet, learn and to discuss their spirituality, regardless of what it may involve, without the threat of ridicule or reprisals.
Section 1.4 We welcome anyone who is willing to have an open mind and is willing to study the Correllian Nativist Tradition of Wicca, and strive to give the best possible guidance.
Section 1.5 We provide opportunities for group worship with an attempt to accommodate the spirituality of each individual who participates.
Section 1.6 We will provide information regarding our spirituality to any that ask, and attempt to correct any misconceptions about our spirituality that we may encounter.
Section 1.7 We welcome all individuals or groups who may be curious about our spirituality, and will answer, to the best of our abilities, any questions openly and honestly.
Section 1.8 We do not engage in proselytizing of any kind, as we feel that each individual must be allowed to seek and find their path.
Section 1.9 We consider discrimination based on race, creed, disability, nationality, sex, sexual preference, or religious belief highly offensive.
Article II: Membership
Section 2.1 – The Allegheny Circle of Native Wicca does not discriminate on the basis of age, colour, gender, handicapped status, height, marital status, national origin, political persuasion, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or weight.
Section 2.2 – If any persons wishing to become a member of the Temple, and whom are under the age of 18,parental/guardians signature is needed
Section 2.3 - A member remains in good standing by adhering to the rules of the Temple as stated in this Constitution.
Section 2.4 - A member may be asked to leave the Temple on the basis that they cause disruption and/or defamation to the Temple, or to the Correllian Tradition and/or as stated in this Constitution.
Section 2.5 General Members
General members shall be any qualifying person who wishes to join The Allegheny Circle of Native Wicca, be it online or in person.
Section 2.5 Active Members
Active members shall be any qualified person who attends the eight festivals [online rituals] of the year, or who maintains a presence on the group specific to the Temple. There are study groups for the purposes of teaching different subject which are open to all members.
Section 2.6 Membership Fees
There will be a small basic liftime membership fee, All members shall be eligible for membership of the Temple upon payment of the membership fees. The Temple Membership Fee shall be payable, and shall be determined by the Temple Head, provided that the fee shall be no less than the minimum set by the Temple and the Correllian Tradition of Wicca.
Section 2.7 Membership shall not be limited by any factor other than the ability to study and discuss topics in an open, non judgmental and polite manner. The membership may include all members of The Allegheny Circle of Native Wicca, students and clergy members. Participants shall either be General Members, or Active Members.
Article III. ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATION
A. Board of Directors: This body shall handle the ordinary business of the Temple.
1. Membership in the board of Directors shall be at the invitation of the existing Board. It may be granted to 2nd or 3rd degree members of the Temple. Candidates for invitation to the Board must be sponsored by a Board member and unanimously accepted by the remainder of the existing Board.
2. The Board shall discuss all matters of:
A. Program planning and activities.
B. Dedication, initiation, and membership generally.
C. Finance and budget.
D. Outreach, network, and affiliations.
3. Additional offices may exist within the Temple at the discretion of the Board, to facilitate the smooth running of the Temple, but have no standing on the Board in or of themselves. Such offices may include Maiden Priestess, Scribe, Gatekeeper, etc...
4. Finances.
A. The temple income shall include donations, profits from fundraising projects, class fees, and Dedicant Member and guest contributions.
B. All required forms and reports shall be filed so as to maintain the Temple's legal status.
Article IV: Leadership
Section 4.1 - The Allegheny Circle of Native Wicca, shall be directed by one elected Founder/Keeper/Head, chosen at the discretion of the Tradition. The Temple Founder/Keeper/Head is the initiate/imperium/clergy of the Correllian Nativist Tradition of Wicca.
Article V: Operating Procedures
Section 5.1 - Frequency of study groups shall be as determined by the membership-at-large.
Section 5.2 - The Allegheny Circle of Native Wicca has no standing committees. Ad hoc committees may be formed at the discretion of the Tradition Head and/or the Temple Founder/Keeper/Head or by the Temples Advisor. Committees shall cease to exist upon completion of the assigned task, or at the discretion of the Tradition Head and/or the Temple Founder/Keeper/Head or by the Temples Advisor.
Article VI: Rules of Order
Section 6.1 In situations not covered by this document, the Temple’s by-laws and/or the Correllian By-Laws may be invoked. Any member may do this, however it should be reserved for extreme cases.
Article VII: Alcohol and Drugs
Section 7.1 There will be NO alcohol or illegal drug use permitted at any Temple hosted meeting, Sabbat, festival, or other event.
Section 7.2 Anyone who attends a Temple hosted event while obviously under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs will be told to leave that event immediately. Clauses section 6.1 and 6.2 does not pertain to private parties.
Section 7.3 ONLY EXCEPTION There will be only one exception to this article, if the alcohol to consumed is for ritual purposes only.
Article VIII: Amendments
Section 8.1 - Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed by any active member in good standing, and may be presented at any meeting.
Section 8.2 - Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed by, or to the discretion of the Tradition Head and/or the Temple Founder/Keeper/Head or by the Temples Advisor.
Section 8.3 The constitution and by-laws of the Temple may be amended by the nominated High Priest/ess, or by the nominated designate of the Correllian Tradition, or by the Temple Keeper. All amendments and revisions shall be submitted to the Correllian so that the agenda may be scheduled accordingly. Temple Keeper: Rev. Dennisio Vandusen-Torres (Platinum Raven) HP wiccancommunitynetwork@gmail.com
These are The Allegheny Circle of Native Wicca, By-Laws.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The Allegheny Circle of Native Wicca exists to provide a place for people to learn about and participate in the Wiccan religion, specifically the Correllian Tradition.
A. The Clerical Membership of The Allegheny Circle of Native Wicca, are dedicated to advancing the Wiccan religion and community, particularly but not exclusively Correllian Wicca.
B. The Temple will hold rituals on the Sabbats and Esbats and other special occasions, in order to celebrate the seasons, work magic, recognize rites of passage, and honour the Lord and the Lady.
C. The Temple will teach Correllian Wiccan beliefs and traditional skills to members and students, both in the Craft and in kindred paths; and where appropriate to educate the general public about Wicca.
2. The Allegheny Circle of Native Wicca, is a member of the Correllian Tradition, and gives allegiance to that Tradition and its leadership.
COMMITMENT
A. All members of this Temple must have fully committed themselves to this purpose in their beliefs, their actions, and their lives. Ours is an open Temple, and people are welcome at our public ceremonies. It requires no great commitment to attend and share the joy of the Lord and Lady. But to be a clerical member of the Temple is more than this, and requires a full commitment.
B. Members Are Enjoined To;
1. Live in a manner which honours the Lord and Lady, following the Wiccan Rede; Do as you will, but harm none.
2. Explore and practice Wiccan beliefs and traditions, with a primary focus on the traditions of the High-Correll family.
3. Support one another within the Temple in our healing, growth, and aspirations.
4. Honour the earth and all Her creatures as sacred, and work to heal and protect the environment within our community, throughout our nation, and around the world.
5. Respect our Pagan clergy, especially but not exclusively Correllian Wiccan clergy.
MEMBERSHIP
A. Qualifications for Membership of The Allegheny Circle of Native Wicca.
Membership in the clergy of The Allegheny Circle of Native Wicca is by invitation only and may be offered to qualified individuals by the Board of Directors upon the recommendation of the Chief Priestess or Chief Priest.
The Board of Directors may, upon the recommendation of the Chief Priestess or Chief Priest, recognize a candidate existing training and or Degree from another Tradition, but is in no wise bound to do so.
If a candidate possesses a Degree from another Correllian Temple the Board of Directors must recognize the Degree, but is not bound to accept the Candidate. Should such a Candidate be accepted for membership, the Board is free to impose whatever additional requirements it may deem fit on an individual basis, such as remedial study if it is judged needed, to bring the candidate in line with the full requirements of this Temple.
No person shall be denied membership in The Allegheny Circle of Native Wicca, because of gender, race, ethnic background, sexual orientation, physical handicap, previous religious association, or age (provided that they have attained the age of legal majority). Candidates for membership who have not attained the age of legal majority may be considered for membership only at the request of their parents or guardians.
B. Categories of Membership.
1. There shall be two categories of membership in The Allegheny Circle of Native Wicca; members of the Inner Court, and members of the Outer Court. The Inner Court of the Temple shall be composed of initiates who form its clergy and administrators, and are expected to maintain an active and on-going participation in the Temple. Members of the Outer Court shall be composed of non-initiates who are welcome to attend and take part in Temple functions, or who are training for initiation into the clergy.
2. Degrees of Outer Court Participation The Allegheny Circle of Native Wicca, for non-initiates:
A. Outer Court Member: Persons who regularly attend The Allegheny Circle of Native Wicca, functions and wish to maintain an official connection to the Temple, but do not desire initiation into the clergy. Outer Court Members must attend at least 80% of the Temples public rituals, and are not eligible to attend Inner Court rituals. Outer Court status may be given only upon the recommendation of the Chief Priestess and or Chief Priest and the approval of the Board of Directors.
B. Dedicants: Persons who have dedicated themselves to the Temple for a period of one year and one day to study the path of Wicca and the Correllian Tradition according to the requirements of
the Temple. After the period of one year and one day the Dedicant may apply for initiation into the clergy, or withdraw from further study.
C. Friends of the Temple: Persons who are not initiates of The Allegheny Circle of Native Wicca, but who are welcome to attend Temple rituals normally reserved to members. Friend of the Temple status is by invitation only, and may be given only upon the recommendation of the Chief Priestess and or Chief Priest and the approval of the Board of Directors.
3. Degrees of Inner Court Participation in The Allegheny Circle of Native Wicca, for initiates of the Temple:
A. Initiates of the First Degree: Those persons who have met the criteria for the lowest level of the clergy as defined by the Board of Directors, and have been duly initiated by the Chief Priestess and or Chief Priest of the Temple. These requirements shall normally include having been active in the Temple for a minimum of one year and one day, and the successful completion of First Degree classes or their equivalent as mandated by the Temple -however neither of these accomplishments shall in and of themselves automatically entitle a Candidate to initiation. Initiation into the First Degree clergy of the Temple may be given only upon the recommendation of the Chief Priestess and or Chief Priest and the approval of the Board of Directors.
B. Initiates of the Second Degree: Persons who have been active in The Allegheny Circle of Native Wicca, as First Degree clergy for at least one year and one day, and who have met all requirements for advancement to the Second Degree as defined by the Board of Directors, and have been duly initiated by the Chief Priestess and or Chief Priest of the Temple. These requirements may include successful completion of classes for the Second Degree as mandated by the Temple, as well as demonstrated proficiency and leadership in ritual and Temple activities -However neither of these shall in and of themselves automatically entitle a Candidate to Second Degree initiation. Initiation into the Second Degree clergy of the Temple may be given only upon
the recommendation of the Chief Priestess and or Chief Priest and the approval of the Board of Directors.
C. Initiates of the Third Degree: The High Priestesses and High Priests of the Temple. Those persons who, having been active in The Allegheny Circle of Native Wicca Temple as Second Degree clergy for at least one year and one day, and who have met all requirements for acclamation to the Third Degree as defined by the Board of
Directors, and have been duly initiated by the Chief Priestess and or Chief Priest of the Temple. These requirements may include demonstrated proficiency in ritual design and leadership, teaching, counselling, group process and administration, but none of these in and of themselves guarantee initiation into the Third Degree. Initiation into the Third Degree clergy of the Temple may be given only upon the recommendation of the Chief Priestess and or Chief Priest and the approval of the Board of Directors.
4. Guidelines for Conduct:
A. All Dedicants, members, and officers of the Temple shall be guided in their conduct by the Wiccan Rede, the Law of Return, The Allegheny Circle of Native Wicca Temple Rules, and the Goddess and God within each person. It is expected that all persons involved with the Temple shall conduct themselves in a manner which is a credit to The Allegheny Circle of Native Wicca Temple and to the Correllian tradition.
B. Dedicants and initiates are expected to participate in Esbats, Sabbats, and classes. If any attends fewer than 80% of these, their status shall be subject to review by the Board.
5. Privacy of Members:
A. The addresses, phone numbers, and other confidential information of members will not be disclosed without their express permission.
B. All reasonable precautions will be taken to ensure the privacy of members. The Allegheny Circle of Native Wicca Temple is a public Temple, and people who are afraid to be publicly identified as Wiccan may not be comfortable here. However if a member so requests, we will be happy to identify them only by a Craft Name. But the responsibility for maintaining this Craft Name must be understood to be on the member, not on the Temple. The Allegheny Circle of Native Wicca clergy will use the designated craft name, but it is up to the member to refrain from disclosing their given name to other members or otherwise compromising their privacy. The Allegheny Circle of Native Wicca members are expressly NOT forbidden to mention names though they are expected to use common sense.
REVISING BY-LAWS:
A. Any part of these by-laws may be revised by the board of directors at any time as they may deem fit.
13 Principles of the Wiccan Belief
Introduction: In seeking to be inclusive, we do not wish to open ourselves to the destruction of our group by those on self-serving power trips, or to philosophies and practices contradictory to those principles. In seeking to exclude those whose ways are contradictory to ours, we do not want to deny participation with us to any who are sincerely interested in our knowledge and beliefs, regardless of race, color, sex, age, national or cultural origins, or sexual preference.
1. We practice rites to attune ourselves with the natural rhythm of life forces marked by the phases of the Moon and the seasonal Quarters and Cross Quarters.
2. We recognize that our intelligence gives us a unique responsibility towards our environment. We seek to live in harmony with Nature, in ecological balance offering fulfillment to life and consciousness within an evolutionary concept.
3. We acknowledge a depth of power far greater than that is apparent to the average person. Because it is far greater than ordinary it is sometimes called "supernatural", but we see it as lying within that which is naturally potential to all.
4. We conceive of the Creative Power in the universe as manifesting through polarity-as masculine and feminine-and that this same Creative Power lies in all people, and functions through the interaction of the masculine and feminine. We value neither above the other, knowing each to be supportive of the other. We value sex as pleasure, as the symbol and embodiment of life, and as one of the sources of energies used in magickal practice and religious worship.
5. We recognize both outer and inner, or psychological, worlds -- sometimes known as the Spiritual World, the Collective Unconscious, Inner Planes, etc. -- and we see in the interaction of these two dimensions the basis for paranormal phenomena and magickal exercises. We neglect neither dimension for the other, seeing both as necessary for our fulfillment.
6. We do not recognize any authoritarian hierarchy, but do honor those who teach, respect those who share their greater knowledge and wisdom, and
acknowledge those who have courageously given of themselves in leadership.
7. We see religion, magick and wisdom-in-living as being united in the way one views the world and lives within it -- a world view and philosophy of life which we identify as Witchcraft, the Wiccan Way.
8. Calling oneself "Witch" does not make a Witch -- but neither does heredity itself, nor the collecting of titles, degrees and initiations. A Witch seeks to control the forces within her/himself that make life possible in order to live wisely and well without harm to others and in harmony with Nature.
9. We believe in the affirmation and fulfillment of life in a continuation of evolution and development of consciousness that gives meaning to the Universe we know, and our personal role within it.
10. Our only animosity towards Christianity, or toward any other religion or philosophy of life, is to the extent that its institutions have claimed to be "the only way," and have sought to deny freedom to others and to suppress other ways of religious practice and belief.
11. As American Witches, we are not threatened by debates on the history of the Craft, the origins of various terms, the origins of various aspects of different traditions. We are concerned with our present and our future.
12. We do not accept the concept of absolute evil, nor do we worship any entity known as "Satan" or "the Devil", as defined by Christian tradition. We do not seek power through the suffering of others, nor do we accept that personal benefit can be derived only by denial to another.
13. We believe that we should seek within Nature that which is contributory to our health and well-being.
The Allegheny Circle of Native Wicca Aims and Goals.
1) To return to the “old ways” as much as possible.
2) To revive as much of our Cultural and Religious Heritages as possible.
3) To Live with Nature, Never to exploit our Fellow Men/Women, Our Mother Earth, or our Animal Brothers and Sisters.
4) To respect our Ancestors, our Elders, and each other in all ways.
5) To elect Council and Elders and to hold meetings on all issues that concerns our members.
6) To instill in each and every member a sense of worth, security and belonging.
7) To unite, work cooperatively, to be of one mind and a sincere desire to live in peace and Brotherhood all our Gods and Goddesses, all the living creatures on this earth, to reserve the simple and honest “Old Ways” of life to live and let live.
8) To provide Outreach, Fellowship, and a Place of Learning for our members.
So Mote It Be!