DFW, Inc. Bylaws

BYLAWS OF DRAGONFYRE WEYR, INC.

PREAMBLE - Establishment and Purpose

A. DragonFyre Weyr, Inc. [DFW, Inc.] is hereby incorporated for the practice of Eclectic Wicca, a modern Neo-Pagan Religion loosely based on a variety of traditions and closely connected with the Goddess-focused religions of the ancient Indo-European and pre-Indo-European peoples, adapted to the needs and sensibilities of modern people. We are a nonprofit religious corporation, organized to practice the full spectrum of legal activities practiced by any church, including, but not limited to: worship services, clergy functions, counseling, meditation, and spiritual leadership.

B. As we define it, Wicca or the Wiccan Religion [aka The Old Religion, The Craft, The Craft of the Wise, The Ancient Ways, Witchcraft, Wiccacraft, Wicce, Neo-Paganism, and many others] may be monotheistic, polytheistic, and/or a blend thereof. We conceive of a universe composed of many levels of reality or planes of existence. Wicca is a nondogmatic, nondualist, nonsexist, nonracist, scientific, magickal, holistic, and ecologically oriented faith. We are dedicated to the preservation of our Holy Mother Earth, the full achievement of the potential inherent to all beings, the revival of the worship of the Old Gods and Goddesses in a modern context, and the creation of a world of peace, love, freedom, health, and prosperity for all sentient beings.

C. The following bylaws are intended to help us achieve these ideals, and all future bylaws and amendments shall be similarly intended.

Section I - General Rules of DFW, Inc. [Coven]

A. The following Section I Rules apply to all other sections throughout this document unless specifically exempted within a given Section or Article.

B. The Council of Elders [CoE] is the governing body of DFW, Inc. and as such shall have the general management of the business and the affairs of the corporation. The interpretation of these Bylaws shall be vested in the Council of Elders, unless otherwise explicitly delegated, the Council of Elders is the judicial board of DFW, Inc.

C. The CoE may delegate duties and responsibilities, as permitted by law.

D. Amendments, the creation of which are stipulated within these Bylaws, shall be in writing to be accepted or rejected by the CoE for inclusion in the corporation’s Rules and Regulations.

E. For the purpose of making clear the intentions of these Bylaws, the following terms are herein defined:

1. Semi-public: Open to all people who are willing to participate in our religious services, and are not disruptive.

2. Magick: The successful result of an alteration attempt in reality, wrought through the practice of the Old Religions in accordance with will by methods, which cannot be explained by current scientific paradigms. It is not illusion or slight of hand, spelled “magic.”

3. Witch: One who alters their own reality or that of another by manipulation of the energies around us. A Magick User, as in, one who uses Magick. A magickal shaper of reality. A natural or trained practitioner of Witchcraft, who may work as a solitary or become initiated into a Coven. Witches may be men or women. A witch may or may not be a Wiccan, while the majority of Wiccans consider themselves to be Witches.

4. Neo-Paganism, as we define it, is the semi-modern revivalist movement wherein the Ancient Ways of All Paths have been revived under one Tradition or another. A non-indigenous, pantheistic, folk religion. It refers to new nature religions, emerging only since 1951, but rooted in Ancient Traditions and attitudes hereafter to be referred to as Paganism. Practitioners of Paganism are hereafter known as Pagans.

5. Indo-European: A linguistic classification denoting those peoples of differing cultures and geographic areas who share a common linguistic base, the theory being that all these languages can be traced to a single origin.

Section II - Purposes

A. To accomplish the goals outlined in the Preamble, DFW, Inc. advocates and practices, as an integral part of our faith, many sciences, arts, and disciplines, both mainstream and alternative, within a nondogmatic pluralistic context, in order to change ourselves and the world around us.

B. Since our stated purposes included the revival of the worship of the Earth and the Old Gods and Goddesses, and the full achievement of the potential inherent in all beings, DFW, Inc. advocates and practices, as an integral part of our faith, open, inclusive, and semi-public ceremonies to worship the Earth and the Old Gods and Goddesses, Rites of Passage to mark the cycles of our lives, and Magickal Rituals to accomplish our goals in an honest and ethical manner.

C. Since education is one of our stated purposes, DFW, Inc. advocates and practices, as an integral part of our faith, scientific and scholarly research and debates about Witchcraft, the Indo-European peoples, comparative religion, folk lore, ethno-musicology, and every other relevant field of human knowledge.

D. In keeping with our reverence for, and worship of, the Holy Mother Earth, DFW, Inc. advocates and practices, as an integral part of our faith, ecological and environmental research and education.

E. Since one of our stated purposes is the support of the arts and the creation of ritual, DFW, Inc. advocates and practices, as an integral part of our faith, a wide variety of auditory, graphic, physical, dramatic, liturgical, and other arts and crafts.

F. Since the Ancient Witches included many healers in their ranks, DFW, Inc. advocates and practices, as an integral part of our faith, the investigation, dissemination, and performance of a wide variety of healing arts and technologies, both mainstream and alternative including herbal, nutritional, mental, Magickal, and spiritual methods, among others; advising all parties concerned as to the presence or absence of appropriate credentials, as required by law.
G. Since the Ancient Witches included diviners in their ranks, DFW, Inc. advocates and practices, as an integral part of our faith, the use of the Divinatory Arts and Sciences as tools for spiritual counseling and liturgical guidance; advising all parties concerned as to the presence or absence of appropriate credentials, as required by law.

H. Since one of our stated purposes is to provide counseling and mediation services within the Wiccan and Neo-Pagan Community [hereafter to be referred to as “Pagans”], DFW, Inc. advocates and practices, as an integral part of our faith, the investigation, dissemination, and performance of a wide variety of counseling arts and methods, both mainstream and alternative, as well as techniques for mediating disputes and judging conflicts between individuals and/or organizations in the Wiccan and Pagan Communities, advising all parties concerned as to the presence or absence of appropriate credentials, as required by law.

Section III - Offices

A. The principal office of DFW, Inc. is located in Sevier County, Tennessee. The corporation may have other offices either within or without the County of Sevier and the State of Tennessee, as the CoE may designate, or the business of the corporation may require, from time to time.

B. The CoE may change the principal office from one location to another by noting the changed address and effective date below, and such changes of address shall not be deemed an amendment of these Bylaws.

__________________________________________ Dated: ______________________

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Section IV - Calendar

A. The eight Sabbats [four Greater and four Lesser] as referenced in these Bylaws and all legal documents of DFW, Inc. are as follows: Samhain, Yule, Imbolg, Oestara, Belteane, Litha, Lammas, and Mabon.

B. For legal purposes, each Sabbat shall commence at sunset in Tennessee on the day preceding the following dates: Samhain=November 1, Yule=December 21, Imbolg=February 2, Oestara=March 21, Belteane=May 1, Litha=June 21, Lammas=August 1, and Mabon=September 21, and shall continue until sunrise, the proceeding day after the Sabbat.

C. For ceremonial purposes, each Sabbat may be celebrated upon either the legal date, the astronomical date, or upon a date mutually convenient to the participants to the particular celebrations involved.

D. Since the Magickal year traditionally runs from one Samhain to the next, the Corporation’s legal and ceremonial years shall run according to the legal and ceremonial dates for Samhain previously described in this section.

E. The corporation’s fiscal year shall begin on the first day of January, and end on the 31st day of December in each civil year.

Section V - Non-Voting Members

A. All members of DFW, Inc., except as otherwise stated in these Bylaws, shall be expected to meet the following requirements:

1. sign and honor the appropriate Covenant as established by the CoE
2. provide a current name and mailing address
3. pay dues of an amount set by the CoE, every six weeks

All members of DFW, Inc., except as otherwise stated in these Bylaws, shall be entitled to the following:

4. an annual report of the church
5. membership in a church organized under the laws of the State of Tennessee, IRS Section 501(c)(3) recognition pending
6. access to networking, religious, and educational information
7. confidentiality within the limits of the law
8. newsletter or calendar of events at least four times a year

B. “General” Members of DFW, Inc. are those individuals paying an amount of dues to DFW, Inc. every six weeks, as determined by the CoE, and who are entitled to all DFW, Inc. publications meant for the general membership.

C. “Complimentary” Members of DFW, Inc. are those individuals whom the CoE have decided should receive mailings of the general DFW, Inc. publications in order to keep them informed of our activities and who pay no dues at all. They are not voting members.

D. Children under the age of 18 [eighteen] must have parental consent. Parental Consent consists of at least one [1] parent or legal guardian who:

1. has met in person with the Leadership of DFW, Inc.
2. has an understanding of the Weyr, and its activities.
3. has submitted a signed and notarized authorization for said minor to attend Weyr functions.

Children under the age of 16 [sixteen] attending DFW, Inc. events at which children are permitted, must be accompanied by at least one parent or legal guardian, or be members of DFW, Inc. in accordance with this section and be accompanied by another member of DFW, Inc. over the age of 18 [eighteen] who is willing to assume responsibility for said child.

Section VI - Voting Members

A. “Voting” members are those members of DFW, Inc. who:

1. pay dues every six weeks
2. must be a declared Wiccan as recognized by the CoE and as defined in the Preamble, Article “B” of this Document
3. must be of Novitiate Degree or Higher
4. must meet all other requirements for DFW, Inc. membership listed in Section V, Article “A” of these Bylaws

B. In addition to those entitlements listed in Section V, Article “A” of these Bylaws, each voting member shall be entitled to vote in all matters placed before the membership of DFW, Inc., as prescribed in the corporation’s Articles and/or Bylaws, as well as other matters which the CoE may deem necessary to put before the membership for a vote.

C. Each voting member shall have one, and only one, vote in each matter placed before the membership for a vote.

D. A gap of more than three months from the expiration of membership to renewal shall constitute a discontinuity of membership except as the CoE may decide otherwise.

E. Except as otherwise mentioned in these Bylaws, a quorum for voting purposes of the voting membership shall consist of those voting members representing 58% of the total number of votes available at the time of the vote.

F. Proxy votes are permissible and shall be assigned to either a member of the CoE who does not cohabitate with the absent voting member, or another voting member who does not cohabitate with the absent voting member, who is present through either the signing of the proxy statements issued by the CoE or by e-mail to the CoE, and are valid only for the meeting described thereon. In case of an emergency, telephone votes will be accepted only with the permission of the CoE. If that is the case, no less than two members of the CoE who do not cohabitate must be called in order for the vote to stand.

G. Voting members may attend meetings via communications devices if such are technologically available.

Section VII - Governing Rules

A. Under normal circumstances, meetings will be held in a casual manner using a voice vote.

B. In the event of disorder, disarray, or grievous malcontent, the CoE reserves the right to invoke Robert's Rules of Order.

Section VIII - Monthly Meetings

A. Monthly meetings of the voting members of DFW, Inc. shall be held every Full Moon. This constitutes thirteen meetings per annum. The CoE will conduct the meeting. All members of the corporation may attend the meeting, but only the voting members shall be allowed to cast votes.

B. In case a quorum is not present in body or proxy at the Full Moon meeting, those present may adjourn to such a day and time as a majority who is present shall agree upon.

C. Alternately, if a quorum is not present at the Full Moon meeting, those present may decide by majority vote, to hold the meeting without binding vote.

Section IX - Special Meetings

A. A majority of the CoE may vote to call a special meeting.

B. Verbal notice of a special meeting should be given at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.

Section X - Council of Elders

A. The corporation shall be represented in all business matters by the CoE of DFW, Inc., or an agent or agents officially designated by the corporation. The CoE shall have the general management of the business and affairs of the corporation. No Elder or group of Elders shall have the authority to bind the corporation without previous approval of the majority of the Council. The Council also has the responsibility and authority for guiding the organization and making all decisions respecting the organization, which are not granted to the voting membership of the organization.

B. The CoE shall consist of three to nine Elders. Elders must meet all the requirements of the voting membership. The High Priestess of DFW, Inc. shall serve the CoE as mediator, as described in Section XI of these Bylaws. As mediator, the High Priestess shall not vote in CoE decisions except to decide a tie vote. The Elders may exercise all of the duties, responsibilities, and privileges normally held by the directors of other nonprofit, religious corporations.

C. The CoE shall hold as many regular meetings as deemed appropriate with a minimum of two meetings per annum. These meetings shall be held at such place or places as the CoE shall appoint. Special meetings may be called by any Elder as she/he may deem necessary. Whenever possible, 48 hours’ notice shall be given.

D. Attendance of 70% of the Elders shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of DFW, Inc. business. Each Elder shall have one vote, except as otherwise stated in the corporation’s Articles or Bylaws. An 80% majority of those present shall carry all motions.

E. An “Active” Elder is any Elder not defined as “inactive.” An inactive Elder is defined as any Elder who, upon the favorable decision of the rest of the CoE, is granted a sabbatical leave of a period not to exceed one year and one day. An Elder on sabbatical is not guaranteed a place as Elder at the end of her/his sabbatical term, but is subject to renomination by the High Priestess and reappointment by the CoE, at their discretion.

F. At the High Priestess’s choice, consensus decision making defined as informal majority opinion, or Robert's’ Rules of Order, may be adopted for all or part of any given meeting.

G. The CoE shall exercise all the powers that may be exercised or performed by the corporation under the law, the articles, and the Bylaws. The CoE may delegate duties and responsibilities, as permitted by law. The CoE may take action without meeting, by written consent, as permitted by law.

H. Council meetings are closed to the membership, as personal and spiritual evaluations are sometimes necessary. This maintains the personal privacy of those members whose evaluations are necessary. Minutes will not be taken in these meetings, nor will information be disclosed to any member other than what is necessary to the member[s] in question. Any issue which is held in discussion for a later vote will be disclosed to members at the time of vote.

Section XI - The Officers

A. The Officers of this corporation shall consist of: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Network Administrator. The President will act as Mediator. An attorney, if a competent and qualified attorney is available and willing to work pro bono or for an amount such as the CoE decides when budgetary constraints allow, and other such officers and agents may, from time to time, be chosen. Reasonable expenses may be reimbursed. Any officer may be removed from office by a 66% vote of the CoE.

B. The Mediator shall preside at all business meetings, and shall be a member of all committees though not required to be an active participant, and shall function as a “tie-breaker” in the voting of the CoE at such times as this might become necessary, and shall perform any and all other functions as deemed necessary by the CoE.

C. The President must be the High Priestess of DFW, Inc. The President and/or Vice-President and/or any designee[s], as approved by the CoE, shall sign all contracts or other documents legally binding the corporation unless otherwise designated in these Bylaws. The President shall perform any and all other functions as deemed necessary by the CoE and may perform all other duties that would normally be performed by a Corporate President. The President shall be the acting spokesperson for the corporation or may direct inquiries to the appropriate individual including, Officers, Elders, Committee Chairs, or Event Coordinators.

D. The Vice-President [VP] shall be the High Priest of DFW, Inc., and shall assist the President and serve in her place, should the President become incapacitated, except in the aspect[s] of conducting religious worship. The VP must be an Elder. The VP shall perform any and all other functions as deemed necessary by the CoE and may perform all other duties that would normally be performed by a Corporate VP.

1. Should the President become incapacitated, the Senior Priestess shall conduct all religious services.

E. The Secretary shall be the Senior Priestess, and shall keep a record of all votes and minutes of the proceedings and any major correspondence concerning DFW, Inc., shall keep a record of all other documents as deemed necessary by the CoE, shall give notice as required in these Bylaws of all meetings, shall perform any and all other functions as deemed necessary by the CoE, and may perform other duties that would normally be performed by a Corporate Secretary.

F. The Network Administrator shall be the Senior Priest, and shall be responsible for the maintenance of DRAGONFYREWEYR.COM, the DFW, Inc. Pagan Message Boards, coordinating events, arranging networking with other Covens, construction and distribution of the Corporate news letter/calendar of events, and delivery and placement of all public awareness literatures. He shall also perform any and all other functions and duties as deemed necessary by the CoE.

G. The Treasurer shall keep the records of all financial activities of the organization, shall sign documents necessary to the fulfillment of the duties of her/his office, and shall develop procedures for the collection and disbursement of funds, to be approved by the CoE. The Treasurer and President shall sign all checks, drafts, and other commercial paper, shall have the custody of all monies of the corporation received or disbursed, shall deposit all monies and valuables designated for deposit in the name of, and to the credit of DFW, Inc. in such banks and other financial institutions as the CoE shall designate. All checks or other financial instruments involving sums greater than $100.00 [US] shall require the approval of the majority of the CoE prior to distribution. The Treasurer should not be the High Priest/ess. The Treasurer shall be responsible for keeping the corporation’s financial record, according to generally accepted accounting principles for nonprofit corporations, shall prepare all financial reports required of the church by the State and Federal Governments, as well as other financial reports deemed necessary by the CoE, shall perform any and all other functions as deemed necessary by the CoE, and may perform all other duties that would normally be performed by a Corporate Treasurer.

H. The Attorney shall keep copies of all legal documents concerning DFW, Inc. including membership applications, Covenants, minor consent forms, and other documents which the CoE may deem necessary. The Attorney shall review all legally binding documents and all legally binding agreements into which the corporation might seek to enter, shall review all legal documents served upon the corporation, shall review all tax documents, and shall offer advice based upon her/his review of these documents, and any corollary or supporting documents. The Attorney shall further research and answer legal questions affecting DFW, Inc. put before her/him by a vote of the CoE, shall serve as registered agent for the corporation, and shall perform any and all other functions as deemed necessary by the CoE. The Attorney may perform all other duties that would normally be performed by a Corporate Attorney. The qualifications for this position include, but are not limited to: graduation from an accredited law school in the United States and membership in good standing in the Tennessee BAR. The CoE may delineate additional qualifications as deemed necessary. If no qualified person is available and willing to accept the position, the CoE shall assign another Officer[s] to keep the documents which the Attorney would normally keep.

Section XII - Appointment of Elders

A. Elders are nominated by the High Priestess and approved and appointed by the CoE by a unanimous vote.

B. In the event a unanimous vote cannot be reached, said nominee shall be passed over in favor of the next nominee in line, until the position is filled, or the nominees have all been passed over. Should this occur, the CoE will then vote whether to revote on the original nominee or wait until the next Full Moon to attempt a new vote with new nominees.

C. All Elders shall exercise equal power and responsibility save as otherwise noted in these Bylaws.

D. Missing three consecutive CoE meetings or attending fewer than 90% of a Magickal year’s meetings shall constitute an offer of resignation from the CoE by that Elder, or an offer of resignation from an Office by an Officer. The Elders present at the meeting following the meeting which, when missed, qualifies as an offer of resignation, may vote to accept or decline that offer. This includes Special Meetings.

Section XIII - Suspension, Discipline, Expulsion, and Resignation of Members

A. Any member confessing to, or found guilty of, committing a felony crime with a victim[s] as recognized by law and current criminological opinion, or for proven and documented conduct of a disruptive or abusive nature which works directly against the aims, actives, or welfare of DFW, Inc. or its members, may be disciplined, suspended, or expelled by a majority vote by the CoE.

B. Members may resign membership at any time for personal reasons, and will then be eligible to rejoin DFW, Inc. at a later date. Any member whose membership dues lapse for a period of three six-week cycles or more shall be deemed to have resigned. Payment of dues to current status shall serve as reinstatement, including that period of time for which they have been absent.

C. Members who have been suspended or expelled may, at the discretion of the CoE, be banned permanently from attending DFW, Inc. activities including public worship.

Section XIV - Finances

A. All requests for expenditures and reimbursements must be in writing and approved by the CoE.

B. The CoE may delegate the handling of specific requests or the reimbursement of specific funds to an appropriate Officer or the CoE.

C. All requests for expenditures in excess of $100 [US] must be considered by the CoE and may not be delegated to any person or persons.

Section XV - Financial Records

A. All members of DFW, Inc. are entitled to review the financial records of the Corporation. The Treasurer shall make these available upon written request either by appointment or by mail upon the payment of a reasonable fee for copying and postage.

B. A summary annual report will be published in the appropriate copy of the newsletter/calendar.

Section XVI - Ethics

A. We will condone NO harm being done to anyone in the name of our religion, nor do we approve of harm being done in the name of ANY religion.

B. We believe that everything is alive, throughout time, and that this life force should be respected. We recognize that there are often circumstances which require us to face difficult ethical and moral dilemmas and believe that choices made under these circumstances should be made with full consideration in an effort to minimize harmful affects.

C. All members of DFW, Inc. must read, sign, and abide by the appropriate Covenant for their Degree.

Section XVII - Amendment and Replacement of Bylaws

A. Amendments to Bylaws may be made at any regular or special meeting requiring a 90% majority of voting members.

B. Replacement of these Bylaws shall be required upon a unanimous vote of the CoE.

C. In the event of replacement, a Bylaws revision committee shall be formed. This committee shall have one calendar year to produce new Bylaws for DFW, Inc.

D. New Bylaws take affect on Samhain following acceptance by the Organization.