A Sample RDG Grove Charter

OFFICIAL CHARTER
OF THE ADAM ROSTOKER MEMORIAL GROVE
OF THE REFORMED DRUIDS OF GAIA

We, the Mother Grove of the Reformed Druids of Gaia, do hereby recognize the collective of Reformed Druids living in the vicinity of Somewhere, USA by granting them this Charter.

ARTICLE ONE

The name of this organization shall be The Adam Rostoker Memorial Grove of the Reformed Druids of Gaia and it shall be an autonomous Chartered Grove of the Reform.

ARTICLE TWO

Any person, regardless of race, gender, color, culture, age or sexual preferences may become a member of this organization upon presenting a petition, which may be oral, stating that s/he believes in the Basic Tenets of Reformed Druidism, as set forth in The Book of Law in The Druid Chronicles, and that s/he further believes in and agrees with the self-definition of this Branch of the Reform.

ARTICLE THREE

The Basic Tenets of Reformed Druidism, as set forth in The Book of Law, are these:

1) The object of the search for religious truth, which is a universal and a never-ending search, may be found through the Earth-Mother; which is Nature; but this is one way, yea, one way among many.

2) And great is the importance, which is of a spiritual importance, of Nature, which is the Earth-Mother; for it is one of the objects of Creation, and with it do people live, yea, even as they do struggle through life are they come face-to-face with it.

ARTICLE FOUR

There shall be at least three officers of the Grove:

1) The Arch-Druid must be at least a Third Degree Druid, holding legitimate lineage from the Original Grove in Eureka, CA. S/he shall preside over all meetings and most religious services and shall be a member of the Global Council of Arch-Druids. S/he shall perform those functions usually performed by Clergy in other religious organizations.

2) The Scribe must be at least a Second degree Druid, shall assist in services, and shall be the principal officer for secular matters - including the handling of the Grove’s treasury, if any.

3) The Server must be at least a First degree Druid and shall assist the Arch-Druid insofar as s/he may be called upon to do so, including those functions usually performed by a Secretary in other religious organizations - unless the Scribe shall have decided to perform them.

4) Other officers may be added from time to time as the Grove shall decide when they are needed.

ARTICLE FIVE

Elections for the posts of Arch-Druid, Scribe, Server and any other officers decided upon shall be held annually during the period of Foghamhar, except for the first election for each post. Unless a  member of the Grove shall object the post shall be filled by a voice majority vote, with nominations being accepted from the ground of the meeting. If such an objection is lodged, the election shall be by majority vote or secret ballot. Only members of the Grove may vote for the officers of the Grove and only those persons qualified to hold the posts may be nominated for them. Also at this time the Grove may vote upon the amount, if any, of dues to be paid by all members of the Grove; said dues to be used strictly for the expenses of the Grove and to be kept by the Scribe.

ARTICLE SIX

A member of this Grove shall be defined as one who:

1) Is at least a First degree Druid

2) Has asked that her/his name be placed in the Grove Records as being a member of the Grove.

3) Has attended at least one-third of all services held by the Grove during the time since attaining initial membership as defined in section (1) and (2) of this Article; save that the Grove may, by majority vote, suspend this rule for any former member who, by reason of illness, requiring extensive travel or other emergency has been unable to attend services as desired.

4) Has kept current with whatever dues the Grove may vote in during the annual election.

THIS CHARTER IS GRANTED this 5th day of Geimredh, in the Year of the Gaian Reform (YGR) 01, being the date of 5 November, 2006 in the Common Era, by

Ceridwen Seren-Ddaear, ArchDruid
El Arseneau, Scribe
At the offices of the Mother Grove, Reformed Druids of Gaia, Eureka CA USA

ACCEPTED this 10th day of Geimredh, in the Year Gaian Reform 01, being the date of
5 November, 2006 in the Common Era, by

SAMPLE NAME, Arch-Druid
SAMPLE NAME, Scribe