Sisterhood of Avalon

1.2 The address of the Corporation shall be: C/O XXXXX Cobb County, Georgia 30080 or such other location as the Board of Trustees may, from time to time, establish by resolution and place on file with the Secretary of State of the State of Georgia.

ARTICLE II - CORPORATE PURPOSES

2.1. This organization is formed exclusively as a religious Corporation and is not organized for the private gain of any person or persons.

2.2. The SOA is a 501(c) (3) religious organization in the Avalonian Tradition of Women's Mysteries. The SOA provides spiritual education, religious ordination through the Avalonian Theological Seminary, regional intensive training, worship and healing services, rites of passage facilitation, community outreach and pastoral counseling

2.3. The Corporation shall have power to establish, modify or dissolve schools and other affiliated religious groups as defined by the organization.

2.4. The Corporation shall have power to authorize, bestow, convey, grant, issue or revoke certificates, charters, degrees, credentials, diplomas, franchises, licenses, memberships, or ordinations through the corporation, or any subsidiary corporation created by this Corporation, including cemeteries.

2.5. The Corporation shall have power to publicize, publish, promote, celebrate, teach, research, and explore any and all material which may bear upon its beliefs, philosophies, theology, and religious history, ancient or modern.

2.6. The Corporation shall have the power to apply for and receive grants, accept bequests and to establish and maintain an endowment fund.

2.7. The Corporation shall have the power to own property, for the purpose of carrying out the above.

2.8. Notwithstanding the above statements of purpose and powers, the Corporation shall not engage in activities that in themselves are not a furtherance of the purposes set forth in this article.

2.9. The Corporation shall conduct its activities in accordance with Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

ARTICLE III - PECUNIARY GAIN

3.1. No part of the net earnings of the Corporation shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the Corporation 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 II hereof. No substantial part of the activities of the Corporation shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the Corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

3.2. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the Corporation shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by a corporation exempt from Federal income tax under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

ARTICLE IV - DURATION

4.1. The period of duration of this Corporation shall be perpetual.

ARTICLE V - PERSONAL LIABILITY

5.1. Upon the dissolution of the Corporation, the Officers and/or Board, after paying or making provisions for the payment of all the liabilities of the Corporation, the remaining Corporation properties and assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code. Said distribution shall be in keeping within a basic harmony of the Corporation beliefs.

5.1.1. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by a Court of Competent Jurisdiction of the county in which the principal office of the Corporation is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are operated exclusively for such purpose.

5.2. The Members, Officers, Trustees and Founders of the Corporation shall have no personal liability for the debts of the Corporation.

ARTICLE VI - CAPITAL STOCK

6.1. The Corporation shall have no capital stock and shall have no authority to issue shares

ARTICLE VII - COUNCIL OF THE NINE

7.1. All theological direction for the Sisterhood of Avalon shall be from the Council of the Nine. Members of the Nine are from active members of the Circle of Wise Women. The Council of the Nine supersedes and overrides all secular offices and officers in matters that are deemed by the Nine to be of a spiritual nature or may inappropriately impact the beliefs and philosophies of the Sisterhood Of Avalon. Election of Council members is from the active membership in the Circle of Wise Women. A simple majority of affirmation from the total Circle of Wise Women membership is required for appointment to be carried. Abstention of a vote does not apply to the majority of assent needed for election. The duration of appointment is nine years. There is no limit to the number of consecutive appointments. The Council of the Nine is empowered to remove any member from the membership roles for cause as stated in these Bylaws.

7.2. The number, election, and appointment process to the Council of the Nine shall be described in the Council's working documents.

7.2.1 To insure the stability of the organization, the founders will serve as members of the Council of the Nine for a nine year term. At the end of said term, the election process and duration of terms as outlined in these Bylaws will take effect.

7.3. The primary authoritative spokesperson for the theological direction of the Sisterhood of Avalon shall be known as the Morgen. The Morgen will hold this position until such time as she chooses to step down from this post, where she will then become Morgen Emeritus and hold an advisory position for the Nine. She will have the ability to name her successor, barring 2/3 vote of dissention from the Council of the Nine. A newly appointed Morgen will be chosen from past or present members of the Council of the Nine. The Morgen shall attend all Council Meetings, sit on the Board of Trustees, and be an ex-officio member of all Circles and Committees.

7.4. The Speaker for the Nine shall be selected from the Council of the Nine by the Council of the Nine and shall be serve for a one-year term. The Speaker shall preside over meetings of the Council of the Nine and represent the Nine as a voting member of the Board.

7.5. The Council of the Nine may, on a case by case basis, approve waivers to requirements for Levels of Achievement when it believes that such a waiver is in the best interests of the Individual, their Hearth, and/or The Sisterhood.

ARTICLE VIII - BOARD OF TRUSTEES

8.1. The initial board of Trustees will consist of the founders being appointed for a period of nine (9) years and one trustee elected from the membership for five years with subsequent elected terms of three (3) years. This is to provide a consistent direction during the early years of the church. At the end of nine (9) years, or when the *criteria for serving on the Board is met by a sufficient number of women to make voting by the membership possible. Board tenure will convert to a Board of Trustees consisting of at least three (3) members of the Corporation, each elected for the term of three (3) years at the regular annual meeting of the Corporation. No more than two thirds of the Board may be elected at any one given annual meeting.

*Criteria for Board Members

1. Completed two years of Seminary

2. Attended Level 1, 2, and 3 Intensives

3. Member of the Apprentice Circle or a higher level of attainment

4. 3 years of active volunteer service, one of which is spent as Chairperson of a committee

(Requirements may be waived for extenuating circumstances as deemed appropriate by the Co9.)

8.1.2. There is no limit to the number of terms a Trustee may serve.

8.1.3. The business of the Sisterhood shall be conducted by a Board of Trustees. The size of the initial board has seven seats. The corporate officers: President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer and three (3) Trustees. The Morgen and the Speaker for the Nine shall also be in attendance at Board of Trustees meetings, each with one vote. The terms of office for the Trustees shall be staggered so that no more than two-thirds of Trustees shall be elected in one election. Increases in the number of Trustees may increase with membership.

8.1.4. The board shall have the responsibility of establishing policy to achieve the objectives of the Sisterhood as stated in Article II of these bylaws.

8.2. The Board of Trustees shall meet at least biannually.

8.3. A simple majority of Board members shall constitute a quorum for conducting business at any meeting of the Board of Trustees. Teleconferencing is acceptable to create a quorum.

8.4. Board members shall receive electronic notice, written notice, or a telephone call from the secretary informing them of each Board meeting. Notice shall be given no less than ten (10) days prior to each meeting.

8.5. The Board shall hold such meetings as may be necessary for conducting business of the Corporation. Meetings of the Board may be called by the President; in her absence, by the Vice-President and any two Trustees.

8.6. The Board of Trustees shall be empowered to employ or dismiss an Executive Director whose duties will be determined by the Board of Trustees in a written policy and duty statement. The Executive Director may hire staff to carry out the goals and policies of the Board of Trustees.

8.7. The Board shall appoint members of the Sisterhood to fill an unexpired term, which may become vacant on the Board of Trustees. Should a Trustee be absent from a majority of Board meetings during the year, the office may be declared vacant and a new Trustee appointed by the Board.

8.8. The Trustees may be compensated for their services as authorized by the membership or Bylaws.

8.9. The Board of Trustees are responsible for the development of a personnel policy when necessary, a long-range plan and whatever other policies are needed to carry out the purposes of the Sisterhood, as stated in the bylaws. These policies should be reviewed annually and revised as needed.

8.10. The Board of Trustees may remove any member of the Board of Trustees or Officer who is found to be acting in a manner that is detrimental to the Sisterhood and its mission. A two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Trustees is required for such action and it must be confirmed by a majority vote of the membership. Notice of the proposed removal will be given to the members prior to meeting or of a special meeting called for this purpose. The person involved shall be given the opportunity to be heard at the meeting where his or her removal is considered.

ARTICLE IX - OFFICERS

9.1. The Officers of the SOA shall be a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer.

9.2. Officers, with the exception of the Treasurer, shall be elected by the membership and shall serve terms as established in the Corporation's Bylaws. Any officer may be removed for cause by the Board and, upon any vacancy, the Board may fill such vacancy by a majority vote for the unexpired term of the Officer.

9.3. The Officers with the Board of Trustees shall manage the affairs of the SOA, subject to such regulations and restrictions as may be prescribed by the SOA and within these Bylaws.

9.4. The Officers, with the exception of the Treasurer, and the Board of Trustees shall be elected at the annual meeting by ballot of the membership, for a two-year term with three consecutive terms as a limit, and shall hold office until their successors have been elected. No person shall hold the same office of President, Vice-President, or Secretary, for more than three consecutive terms. In case of vacancy arising in any office the Board of Trustees may fill it for the remainder of the unexpired term through selection.

9.4.1 To insure the stability of the organization, the founders will serve as officers and members of the Board for a nine-year term. At the end of said term, the election process and duration of terms as outlined in these Bylaws will take effect.

9.5. The retiring President of the SOA shall automatically become an ex-officio member of the Board of Trustees (non-voting) to act in an advisory and consultative capacity for a two-year period. The retiring President may also be elected to a voting Trustee position.

9.6. The Treasurer is to be appointed by the Board of Trustees. There shall be no limitation to the length of term the Treasurer may serve, if so appointed.

9.7. Elections will be held at the annual meeting and will be done by ballot.

9.8. The Sisterhood of Avalon is and shall be an equal opportunity employer FROM WITHIN THE SOA. It does not discriminate based on race, color, age, national origin, marital status, disability, creed, religious or political affiliation, or sexual preference. All vacancies whether paid or volunteer will be filled on the basis of qualifications the applicant has in relation to the job requirements.

9.9. Duties and Qualifications of SOA Officers:

9.9.1. The President shall preside at all meetings of the SOA and its officers. If the President is absent at any meeting, the Vice-President shall assume her duties. The President will act as the liaison between the Board and the Executive Director. The President with the help of the Executive Director shall determine the agenda for all meetings. Must be capable of administering the workings of the entire Corporation, including but not limited to the following:

i. act as Chairperson of the Board of Trustees:

ii. act as Chairperson of the general membership meeting;

iii. administer operations of the entire church Corporation;

iv. delegate responsibility to ensure smooth operation of the Corporation as a whole;

v. issue an annual State of the SOA Report to the membership;

vi. orchestrate the planning and scheduling for the implementation and operation of all major Corporate projects;

vii. oversee the disbursement and use of all Corporate funds and

viii. all other powers and duties delegated by the bylaws.

9.9.2. The Vice-President shall assume the office of President should the President be unable to execute her duties. The Vice-President shall also be in charge of activities directly related to the membership, i.e., programs for the membership and membership recruitment. Must be able to take over the administration of the Corporation in the event that the President is unable to continue in that capacity, and;

i. substitute for the President at any corporate event, meeting, or function in the event the President is unable to attend; and

ii. any other duties or responsibilities as delegated in the Bylaws or by the Board of Trustees.

9.9.3. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the SOA and of the Board of Trustees. The Secretary shall keep a roll of the members, and give a report on both at the annual meeting. The Secretary shall maintain a current membership list at the SOA headquarters and will have a current membership list present at all SOA meetings. The Secretary shall work with the office of Treasurer to maintain accurate and up to date membership rolls. The Secretary shall also conduct the correspondence of the SOA, give notice of all meetings, notify committee members of their appointments, and carry on such other correspondence as may be necessary for conducting the affairs of the SOA. The Secretary shall be responsible for notifying members of expiration of the SOA with the Georgia Secretary of State's Office. Said duties may be delegated with Board approval.

9.9.3.1. The Secretary must be capable of handling and organizing a large amount of paperwork, and should be proficient in all clerical skills necessary to fulfill the position. The Secretary will supervise any staff member that has been approved by the Board of Trustees to assist with carrying out the responsibilities of this office.

i. take minutes of all Corporate meetings (in person or by delegation). Record all minutes taken and present latest minutes at current meetings;

ii. keep and file copies of all corporate minutes, correspondence, and other paperwork; and

iii. any other duties or responsibilities as delegated in the Bylaws or by the Board of Trustees.

9.9.4. The Treasurer shall collect the dues of members and all subscription donations and allocations of money to the SOA. The Treasurer shall work with the office of the Secretary in maintaining accurate membership rolls. The Treasurer shall keep an account of the same and shall make a report thereof at the annual meeting and whenever required by the SOA or the Board of Trustees. All SOA money is to be kept in a SOA bank account. The Treasurer shall pay out moneys of the SOA upon presentation of bills approved by the Board of Trustees as attested to by the Secretary. At the close of each fiscal year the books shall be audited and a report submitted to the membership. The Treasurer at the discretion of the board of Trustees may make disbursements on behalf of the SOA without prior approval up to a dollar level pre-specified by the Board.

9.9.4.1. The Treasurer must be capable of handling the financial aspect of the church Corporation and provide oversight of any contracted accounting services or SOA employees,

i. keep a clear and accurate record of all corporate finances;

ii. provide regular reports on the financial condition of the church Corporation for all Corporate meetings, and provide a copy of the record to the Secretary for inclusion in the minutes;

iii. prepare and complete all required reports to the Internal Revenue Service, as set forth by IRS guidelines and requirements;

iv. audit all Corporate checking, savings, escrow, trust, or any other accounts on a periodic basis as determined by the Board of Trustees;

v. audit all Corporate financial records of any coordinators who are in custody of Corporate moneys, and compile a quarterly report for the Board of Trustees; and

vi. any other duties as mandated in the Bylaws or assigned by the Board of Trustees.

ARTICLE X - INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP

10.1. Membership in the SOA shall consist of those persons who understand the principles of Avalonian Tradition as it pertains to the SOA, who have made written application, paid their annual dues and have been accepted by the Board of Trustees or its delegated authority. The form of application shall be that approved by the Board of Trustees or its delegated authority.

10.2. Voting and other rights and privileges of members are set forth in these Bylaws. An individual membership fee covers basic administrative costs and entitles the member to any informational or emergency mailings made that year.

10.3. Change of dues for membership shall be proposed and approved by the Board of Trustees. Policies for prorating of dues for the first year of membership is at the discretion of the Board of Trustees.

Membership shall include the following categories:

Honorary Life Members

10.3.2. No person shall be qualified as a member and entitled to vote in regular, special or annual meetings unless her annual dues have been paid to the treasurer and her name inscribed on the membership list at or in advance of any meeting.

10.3.3. Members failing to pay their dues for more than 60 days after they become payable shall be regarded as inactive members. Inactive members shall have no voting privilege, shall not receive subscriptions to the membership newsletter, nor receive any other benefits of membership until such time as they renew their memberships with payment of their annual dues and such payment is processed as normal.

10.4. No person shall become a member or participate as a member until they have completed the membership process outlined in the SOA Membership Manual.

10.5. Members are presumed to have read and understood the Articles of Incorporation, the Bylaws, and any other such documents, manuals or handbooks delineating policy or procedures which are by reference hereby included in and made a part of these Bylaws, and that the applicant agrees to abide by the same. Copies of these documents are available through the SOA Membership Committee

10.6. Any member who violates the code of ethics of the SOA or otherwise puts the SOA its members and or the Pagan community at large in a disreputable light may be removed from the membership by the Council of Nine or its appointed committee. Such removal may be appealed in writing within 30 days of removal to the office of the Secretary. Notice of Appeal will be distributed to The Board of Trustees within ten days of receipt.

10.7. Youth Memberships. Young women between the ages of 14 and 18 may join the SOA as Members, provided their mothers are members in good standing and provide a notarized signature granting permission and approval for their daughters to join. Dues for youth membership shall be as determined by the Board of Trustees. Youth Members shall not have the ability to vote in SOA business and may not hold office nor be listed in the Membership Directory.

10.8. A member of the SOA can participate as Solitary Sister or as a member of a Learning Circle, Novice Hearth, or Hearth (see Article XI). All participatory options are equal in the eyes of the Sisterhood.

ARTICLE XI - THE HEARTHS

11.1. Each Hearth within the Sisterhood of Avalon is, for the most part, autonomous. Hearths must abide by the SOA beliefs, ethics, Bylaws and religious methodology. Hearths are encouraged to gather and interact with other Hearths in their area or the membership at large. Hearths need to apply to the Board and be granted Charter by the Board of Trustees pursuant to a recommendation of the Council of the Nine.

11.1.1. Such application will include identification of a designated individual who takes on the major responsibilities of administration of the Hearth who will act as contact and liaison to the SOA. Such person shall also be known as the Hearth Mother.

11.1.2. Such application shall also include the names of at least two other active members. The Hearth Mother along with the other two members shall also be designated as Hearth President, Secretary, and Treasurer (or Hearth Leader, Scribe, and Pursewarden).

11.1.3. The Hearth, when Charter is first granted, will be Chartered as, a "Learning Circle" a "Novice Hearth," or a "Hearth" based upon the definitions established by the Council of the Nine in the SOA Hearth Handbook.

11.2. Hearths of any type must submit quarterly financial statements to the Treasurer of the SOA to take advantage of tax-exempt status.

11.2.1. A Novice Hearth's Charter automatically lapses one year after its last submitted Quarterly Financial Statement.

11.2.2. A Hearth which fails to submit a Quarterly Financial Statement for over one-year will become a Novice Hearth at the discretion of the Board of Trustees.

11.3. A Hearth of any type must submit an annual, "State of the Hearth" report to the SOA indicating the current Officers of the Hearth, location of Hearth Meetings (City and State) and a contact point.

This report must be suitable for publication in the SOA's quarterly Newsletter.

11.3.2. Hearths of any type shall not have the power to incur debt in the name of the Sisterhood of Avalon.

11.4. All types of Hearths must register annually with the SOA and certify its actions and activities in order to maintain or increase in status. The Board of Trustees, pursuant to a recommendation of the Council of Nine may remove the Novice designation or increase or decrease its stature during the review of the annual registration report.

11.5. Full Hearths chartered by the Board of Trustees shall be legal subordinate organizations of the Sisterhood of Avalon as incorporated and are eligible to be covered by any appropriate Church Group Exemptions.

11.6. A Hearth may be disbanded upon the Hearth sending written notification from the Hearth Mother's indicating that the Hearth intends to disband. The records of the Hearth will go to the Sisterhood Office where they will be inactive.

11.7. A Hearth's Charter may be suspended pending an investigation of problems brought to the attention of the Board of Trustees. A Hearth's Charter may also be suspended based upon the Hearth's Quarterly or Annual reports or lack thereof.

11.7.1. A Hearth's Charter may be suspended if the Board of Trustees has reason to believe that the Hearth is not functioning as a viable organizational Unit of The Sisterhood of Avalon

11.7.2. A Suspended Hearth of any type may be reinstated if the Hearth can resolve its problems to the satisfaction of the Board of Trustees pursuant to the recommendation of the Council of Nine within one year of suspension.

11.8.1. A Hearth's Charter may be revoked by Council of Nine based upon religious theological issues.

A Hearth's Charter may be revoked by the Board of Trustees based upon secular issues. These issues include, but are not limited to the following: Conduct found to be incompatible with the purpose of the Corporation or contrary to the Laws of the State or Country the Hearth is located in, conduct or statements of the Hearth in its meetings or statements that discredit the Sisterhood of Avalon, its purposes, or members.

11.8.2.1. A Hearth's Charter may be revoked by the Board of Trustees if three months after suspension, a Hearth has not made adequate corrections to the issues involved which were the cause of the suspension.

ARTICLE XII - MEETINGS AND ELECTIONS

12.1. The Board of Trustees shall set time, date, and location of the annual meeting. Six weeks notice must be given to all members of the time, date and location.

12.2. Special meetings may be called by the President or the Secretary when so directed by the Board of Trustees or at the request of 25% of the voting members. If the request is approved by the Board of Trustees, the Board shall set the date and location of the meeting.

12.3. There must be at least 10% of the membership present, either in person or by proxy, for a vote to be taken on a matter previously published in the meeting notice. In order for a vote to be taken on a matter not previously described in the meeting notice, there must be 20% or more of the voting members present, either in person or by proxy.

12.4. Unless provided for elsewhere, if a quorum exists, actions on matters other than the election of officers and trustees is approved if the votes cast favoring the action exceed the votes cast opposing the action.

12.5. There shall be three types of votes possible concerning any proposals before the SOA: affirmative, abstention and negative.

12.6. All eligible members may cast one vote. Voting will be done by ballot. Proxy voting is allowed and proxies must be given to the Secretary or other officer or agent authorized to tabulate votes. Appointments or proxies are valid for a period of time designated on the appointment form and are revocable by the member.

12.7. All meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Roberts' Rules of Order or accepted future Standards of Rules of Order for a non-profit corporation.

12.8. Action without meeting is permitted if signed, written consent forms are received from a majority of the voting members and delivered to the corporate office of the SOA for inclusion in the minutes or filing with the corporate records. An effective time period for receiving responses will be included on the consent forms.

12.9. A list of members, including addresses and voting status, shall be prepared and made available for inspection by any member beginning two days after notice of the meeting is given and continuing through the meeting, at the SOA's office or at a reasonable place identified in the meeting notice.

ARTICLE XIII - COMMITTEES

13.1. The President shall appoint or cause the Board of Trustees to appoint such standing committees as are deemed necessary for the efficient operation of the SOA. Chairs of such committees shall, insofar as possible, be appointed from members of the Board of Trustees. Such committees may include regular members of the SOA.

13.2. All standing committees shall be appointed to serve until a project is completed or until the next annual meeting, whichever occurs first. All committees may be appointed annually. There shall be no limit to the number of annual terms to which a member of a committee may be appointed. Insofar as possible, committees should represent geographically the areas served by the SOA.

13.3. The Morgen and President, or in her absence, the Vice-President, shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.

13.4. The chairs of all committees should represent their respective committees at meetings of the Board of Trustees and Council of the Nine, when so requested.

ARTICLE XIV -- INDEMNIFICATION

14.1. The SOA shall indemnify any officer, trustee, employee or volunteer who is sued for actions done in good faith for the benefit of the SOA and in the performance of her (/his?) duties for the same. This shall not cover criminal actions that result from unlawful conduct.

14.2. Indemnification may be covered through the purchase of insurance or by any other means the SOA chooses.

ARTICLE XV - AMENDMENT

15.1. Amendments to these Bylaws may be proposed in writing and filed with the Secretary or by any three members.

15.2. Amendment proposal tracking:

i. An amendment proposal must be received by the Secretary at least 90 days before the date of the annual meeting. At other times of the year, a special meeting of the SOA may be called if special meeting and notifications requirements are met. In either event, within ten days upon receipt of the proposed amendment, the Secretary will have informed the SOA officers, the Council of the Nine, and the Board of Trustees. The office of the President will respond to the parties acknowledging receipt of the proposed amendment within five days of receipt. The Council of the Nine will examine and judge the proposed amendment to insure its passage would not weaken the theological foundation of the SOA

ii. The Board of Trustees shall then review the amendment and may veto sending any amendment to the membership if they believe it to be inappropriate or undesirable. The Board shall have 45 days to review the amendment. The Recording Secretary shall inform the amendment submitter(s) of the Board's decision. The submitter(s) shall then have an opportunity to address the Board concerning the proposal.

iii. After the Council of the Nine and the Board of Trustees both rule upon the proposed amendments, the Recording Secretary shall notify the membership in writing of the proposed amendment(s) , and they may be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the members present at the annual (or special) meeting if a quorum is present and provided six weeks have elapsed since the sending of the notice.

ARTICLE XVI -- ELECTIONS

16.1. The election of Officers and Board of Trustees members, and any other elective position in this corporation shall occur at regular intervals as specified in the Bylaws.

16.2. Unless otherwise provided, Officers and Trustees are elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the members present, either in person or by proxy.

ARTICLE XVII - ETHICS

We Adhere to the following:

17.1. The Sisterhood of Avalon is a strictly female tradition and as such is restricted to women only. The Sisterhood of Avalon shall not discriminate on the basis of Age, Race, Color, National Origin or Sexual Orientation.

17.2. The Sisterhood of Avalon is based on principles of Love and Healing and as such does not condone nor participate in the taking of life of any sentient creature, nor would we physically harm another being for the purpose of our religious practices.

17.3. Every member of the Sisterhood of Avalon shall keep confidential the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and places of employment of other members of the Sisterhood, except where expressed permission has been given to publicize said information; or in such a case as a person is deemed to be a public threat (in which case confidential information may only be revealed to those authorities under whose jurisdiction the matter of conduct falls).

17.4. We view our ordained and lay clergy as professionals and, as such, demand professional behavior equal to that of secular and other religious professionals. Our clergy are expected to be honest, to abide by the laws of Avalon as well as law of the land (except in cases of certain "victimless crimes" or civil disobedience), to respect the rights and privacy of others, to maintain a professional profile while "on duty," and to respect certain sexual taboos placed upon virtually all professionals in our society, rules which have been instituted for the protection of the client.

17.5. It shall be the custom of this tradition to work robed or clothed at any public ritual. Private rituals may be conducted skyclad at the discretion of the individual.

17.6. At NO TIME shall firearms or explosives be brought to or used during any Avalonian ritual.

17.7. It is in the tradition of Avalon to induce altered states of consciousness through meditation, chanting, etc. While psychoactive substances of various sorts have been used by traditional societies for this purpose, only legal psychoactive substances are permitted in Avalonian ritual.

17.8. We will not tolerate bigotry, slander, perjury, or other forms of harassment leveled against our members or against other members of the Neo-Pagan community.

17.9. Sisters of Avalon shall abide by our laws and shall respect the confidentiality of any private material from either our tradition or another.

Bylaws of the Sisterhood of Avalon