Bylaws -
October 2004
Bylaw Archieve (April
2004, July 2001)
Article I - Name
and Purpose
Section 1: Name
The name of this religious organization shall be Living Spirit, Living
Spirit Circle or the Circle of Living Spirit. The names Circle of Living
Spirit, Living Spirit Circle, and Living Spirit are reserved for its own
use and no other church, or affiliated congregation, may use that name
unless authorized by charter from the Circle of Living Spirit. In this
document, Church or Circle shall mean the Circle of Living Spirit, Living
Spirit Circle, and/or Living Spirit.
Section 2: Purpose
The Circle of Living Spirit and the Affiliated Circle are organized exclusively
for charitable, religious and educational purposes. More specifically:
- Living Spirit is a multi-faith,
multi-traditional church encompassing a policy of the unity of spiritual
beings.
- Living Spirit will administer
all services normally and typically provided by a church, including,
but not limited to: weddings; handfastings and commitment ceremonies;
spiritual wellness sessions; prayer ceremonies; rites of passage; spiritual
counseling; hospital visitation; funeral and memorial services; rituals
based upon the seasons, moon and sun cycles, and earth-centered holidays.
- Living Spirit will be a
concord for bringing together those on diverse spiritual paths so that
we may grow together in harmony as spiritual beings.
- The Circle of Living Spirit
will cultivate an understanding of the seasonal cycles as a path of
inner development.
- Living Spirit will provide
spiritual counseling and personal consultations.
- Living Spirit is dedicated
to providing tools for personal empowerment, transformation and conscious
lifestyle expansion with the goal of interconnected holistic health
and wellness. To this purpose, the Church will offer a variety of alternative
religious, spiritual, educational, metaphysical, and holistic experiences.
- Since we are all part of
the Circle of Life -that is, part of the interdependent web of life-Living
Spirit is also a center point that educates people by providing tools
of ecological responsiveness, spiritual awareness and respect for our
growing diversity on a global scale.
- It is our stated belief
that every person has his or her place within the circle. Therefore,
proper interpersonal relationships within the Circle shall be based
on respect, acceptance and dignity.
- As each individual must
search for personal truth and meaning, the Church will encourage and
facilitate spiritual and personal growth. The Circle will mentor those
on a spiritual path. This shall include, but not be limited by, the
right to prepare individuals and qualify them to be ordained as ministers
of the Church.
- The Church shall support,
publish, research and teach religious and esoteric arts, sciences and
concepts.
- The Church will also provide
alternative holistic, spiritual and metaphysical opportunities to individuals
and groups and aimed towards personal accomplishment.
- Living Spirit will establish
and maintain places of worship, meditation, and devotional study, as
well as sacred space for rites.
- The Circle of Living Spirit
will exercise any, all and every power to which an establishment of
religion is entitled.
Article
II - Membership
Membership shall consist of
individuals interested in and supportive of the goals and objectives of
Living Spirit. Each member shall uphold the beliefs of Living Spirit and
strive to live by its tenants. Each member shall strive to be guided by
the Creed, the Bylaws, and the Declaration of Faith, the latter being
part of the Constitution. Each member shall willingly participate in ceremonies
and activities of the Church, which may include those of any affiliated
congregation, and support the work of the Church, to best of his or her
abilities in whatever manner is appropriate. Members believe in a boundless
divine force, existing within and without, and known by names such as
Great Spirit, Great Mystery, Mother Earth and Father Sky, Goddess, God,
Tao, Spirit, All-That-Is, and other timeless titles.
Voting Membership
Participants who are current with their membership dues will be considered
voting members of the church. The Circle recognizes these Voting Members
as having the privilege of voting during Greater Council meetings.
Originally the Greater Council
determined the amount of the annual membership fees. Since that proved
to be cumbersome and time consuming, from this time forward, the annual
membership dues shall be determined by the Executive Council. The Greater
Council may suggest a revision of the fees to the Executive Council, but
all fees will be set by the Executive Council.
Work Trades and Scholarships
may be considered in place of dues on a case-by-case basis upon the approval
of the Executive Council or its delegated authority.
The treasurer shall collect
all membership funds and administer them in accordance with established
policy as determined by the Executive Council.
Article
III - Church Government
The organization of the church
shall be based upon the medicine wheel. In the center stands Spirit. The
next circle is the Executive Council. Additionally certain duties stand
in the four directions as spokes of the wheel. The Greater Council stands
as the outer circle, and the membership take their places inside the wheel
of the universe. Affiliated Circles shall choose to stand in a place on
the medicine wheel that they deem suitable.
- In the East stands the
Treasurer, who oversees financial matters, fund-raising and planning
for growth.
- In the South stands the
Secretary, who oversees communication within the Church and with the
general communities in which we live, through public relations, newsletters
and publications, Outreach, and volunteer efforts.
- In the West stands the
Event Coordinator, the Ordination Council, who oversee spiritual studies,
and matters of ordination, initiation and spiritual development.
- In the North stand the
Director, Assistant Director, Elders, and Administration, who oversee
teaching, personnel, the daily tasks necessary to the on-going and appropriate
operation of the Church, and leadership.
- As in all life, movement
of energy around the wheel and between the directions is necessary for
our sustained progression.
There shall also be a Greater
Council and the establishment of Committees as required for the smooth
running of operations.
The Circle of Living Spirit
is a manifestation of the divine force. This force shall be focused by
the Executive Council, the Greater Council, and the Ministers of the Church,
and also flow through each individual member of the Circle of Living Spirit.
At any meeting or council,
a Talking Stick Council can be used to mediate, provide order, or resolve
conflict.
Executive Council
Role, Size, Compensation
The government of the Church shall be vested in a Board of Directors composed
of not fewer than three members. The Board of Directors shall be called
the Executive Council (hereinafter "Executive Council"). The
Executive Council is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the
church and for appointing, hiring or delegating people to manage the day-to-day
operations.
Service on the Executive Council
by the Director and/or Assistant Director of the Circle of Living Spirit
does not negate any powers of the office of Director and/or Assistant
Director. The duties, privileges and authority of the Director and/or
Assistant Director will remain as set forth by the Constitution and Bylaws
of Living Spirit.
The church reserves the right
to hire administrative personnel as needed in the future. Any administrative
employees will take direction from the Executive Council. As a clarification,
to ensure the orderly running of the church, the Director and the Assistant
Director will supervise any administrative personnel in their daily and
customary roles.
The Executive Council shall
have the right to veto the Greater Council; said veto power shall not
be used without just cause and only for the greater good of the church.
In such matters, the Executive Council shall present explanatory details
to the Greater Council. If the Greater Council does not agree with the
actions of the Executive Council, mediation shall be by formal Talking
Stick Council facilitated by at least one ordained member of the church.
Executive Council members
may fulfill more than one role in the Church.
All Executive Council members
may be elected to serve terms of one year and a day. It is not a requirement
that Executive Council members be elected for a set term, but, if they
are elected for a specific period of office, they are eligible for re-election.
If Executive Council members are not elected for specific terms, they
may request a leave-of-absence from the Council for reasons of health,
maternity or parenthood, or other obligations; this list is not inclusive.
Any Council member desiring a leave of absence will discuss this with
the Director, Assistant Director, and Executive Council giving as much
notice as possible.
The Church shall pay salaries
to its Officers and Executive Council members. At this time, the Executive
Council members receive no compensation other than reasonable expenses.
When the organization has ample funds, the Executive Council or administrative
officers will receive reasonable compensation as deemed appropriate by
the Executive Council.
Affiliated Circles
The principal, leader, or head of each affiliated congregation will be
a member of the Executive Council. If the leader prefers, he or she can
designate a representative to serve on the Executive Council in lieu of
the leader.
Meetings and Quorum
The Executive Council shall meet quarterly at an agreed upon time and
place. Special meetings of the Executive Council shall be called upon
the request of any members of the Executive Council.
When the Executive Council
is at full capacity, a quorum will be in attendance before business can
be transacted or motions made or passed. Attendance by telephone or by
proxy shall constitute attendance. Proxy shall be determined prior to
the meeting.
An official meeting requires
that each Executive Council member have notice by telephone, mail or electronic
mail a minimum of one week in advance.
Action in Lieu of Meeting
When necessary, the Executive Council may take action without a meeting.
In such case, a quorum of council members shall sign a statement of approval
for the action. Signatures are not required to be on the same page; a
faxed signature will be accepted. Each signatory document will be titled
"Action in Lieu of Meeting." This document will state the specific
action being approved, include the printed or typed name of the signing
official, the signature, and the date of that council member's signing.
Officers and Duties
The officers of the Executive Council will consist of a Director, Assistant
Director, Secretary and Treasurer. If the Executive Council totals three
members, the duties of Secretary will be shared among the council members
as decided prior to the beginning of the meeting. The leader of each Affiliated
Circle will be a member of the Executive Council. Additionally, the Executive
Council shall have the ability to create other official positions, such
as an Events Coordinator or Spiritual Studies Coordinator, as required
for the smooth operation of the Circle of Living Spirit. The procedure
for filling the newly created posts shall be the same nomination and election
procedures as for other officers.
The duties of the officers
are as follows:
The Director shall convene
regularly scheduled Executive Council meetings, shall preside or arrange
for other members of the Executive Council to preside at each meeting.
The Director oversees the administrative duties of the church; acts as
Chief Executive Officer of the Church and its auxiliaries; and, in general,
controls Circle affairs and business and supervise its officers, agents
and employees.
The Assistant Director shall
assume the duties of Director whenever the Director is unavailable. The
Assistant Director will chair committees on special subjects as designated
by the Executive Council and will coordinate administrative duties as
necessary or as delegated by the Director or the Executive Council.
The Secretary shall be responsible
for keeping records of Board actions, including overseeing the taking
of minutes at all board meetings, sending out meeting announcements, distributing
copies of minutes and the agenda to each council member, and assuring
that corporate records are maintained. The Executive Council Secretary
will also be mentor to the Secretaries of the Greater Council and the
Ordination Council.
The Treasurer shall make a
report at each council meeting. Treasurer shall chair the finance committee
(if any), assist in the preparation of the budget, help develop fundraising
plans, and make financial information available to the Executive Council,
Greater Council and the public.
The Executive Council may promote lay members to the role of Deacon, Advocate
or other church positions as needed. The Greater Council must approve
these appointments.
Vacancies
When a vacancy on the Executive Council exists, and the remaining Council
members feel there is a need for additional members, the sitting members
of the Executive Council will nominate potential members. These nominations
shall be discussed, and each Executive Council member will pray, meditate,
or contact Spirit by other means for advice. Due to the necessity of confidence
in the working relationships within the Executive Council, consensus must
be reached before additional Executive Council members are approved.
Elections
If the vacating Council member was elected for a specific term of office,
the new member shall serve the balance of the previous term. The members
of the Executive Council shall determine who will hold membership in the
Executive Council.
Resignation, Termination
and Absences
Resignation from the Executive Council must be in writing to the Director
and the Secretary of the Executive Council. An Executive Council member
shall be removed from office for excessive absences from the Executive
Council activities. An Executive Council member may be removed for other
reasons by consensus of the other sitting council members.
Mediation and Talking Stick Council
When essential to facilitate the greater harmony of the Church, a Talking
Stick Council shall be used to mediate and resolve conflict.
Greater Council
Role, Size, Compensation, Membership
The Greater Council is open to members of the Circle who are willing to
serve the church and the community through leadership. Any member may
participate in the Greater Council; this includes members of the Executive
Council, the Chairs of all standing committees, and any established members
of the Church. Voting during Greater Council will be restricted to those
members who are current with membership dues.
In the case of affiliated
congregations, all members of affiliated circles may attend Greater Council.
Those members meeting the previously stated regulations who have current
membership dues status shall be voting members of the Greater Council
of the Circle Living Spirit.
Decisions by the Greater Council
shall be made by consensus of those in attendance with the expectation
that they will act as Spirit intends. If consensus cannot be reached,
decisions shall be made by majority vote.
The Greater Council will receive
no compensation other than reasonable expenses as approved by the Treasurer.
Meetings and Quorum
The Greater Council shall meet at least annually, at an agreed upon time
and place. Annual meetings will be open to all participants of The Circle
of Living Spirit; however, voting will be limited to those who meet the
requirements of membership as defined previously. Members of Living Spirit
may approach an officer of the church or a member of the Executive Council
with any concerns, agenda items or requests for action; members may also
request speaking privileges at the Greater Council meetings. These requests
will be at least two weeks in advance of the meeting.
Special meetings of the Greater
Council shall be called upon the request of a majority of the membership
or the Executive Council. Notices of special meetings shall be sent out
by the Secretary two weeks in advance. Notices of meetings will be given
to Living Spirit members with an adequate amount of diligence; notice
can be through electronic bulletin board, email, telephone, or mail.
The Treasurer of the Executive
Council may be asked to make a report, either verbally or in writing,
at each Greater Council meeting; the Treasurer will receive two weeks
notice of this request.
Format of Greater Council Meetings
After much deliberation, the Circle of Living Spirit has chosen to utilize
the book "Calling the Circle" by Christina Baldwin as a foundation
for Greater Council meetings. This book sets forth principles and practices
for a peer-based circle. Modifications to the model were adopted and implemented.
This format allows for three forms of council; they are the Talking Stick
Council, Conversational Council and Silent or Reflective Council.
Although Greater Council meetings
must be held as a circle, they do not need to be set up as a formal Talking
Stick Council. In most cases, meetings of the Greater Council of Living
Spirit will operate under the more interactive format of the Conversational
Council. Even when the format of the meeting is not a formal Talking Stick
council, at any point during the Greater Council meeting, the Guardian,
Facilitator (Host) or any member may request the use of a Talking Stick
or other symbolic object to serve the same purpose.
Meetings of the Greater Council
will abide by the following basic guidelines.
Principles
These Principles were unanimously adopted by the Greater Council on August
4, 2002.
- Everyone is a leader.
- Responsibility is shared
within the circle.
- The center is held by our
reliance on Spirit.
Practices
These Practices were unanimously adopted by the Greater Council on August
4, 2002.
- Attentive listening
- Intentional speaking
- Conscious self-monitoring
Agreements and Covenants
These Agreements and Covenants were unanimously adopted by the Greater
Council on August 4, 2002.
- What is said in the circle
belongs in the circle and stays in the circle.
- The circle is a practice
in discernment; we listen to each other as witnesses without passing
judgment.
- Each person takes responsibility
for asking the circle for the support s/he wants and needs.
- Each person takes responsibility
for agreeing or not agreeing to participate in specific requests.
- Anyone in the circle may
call for silence, time-out, or ritual to reestablish focus, to re-center,
or to remember the need for spiritual guidance.
- Agreements are adaptable.
If something is not working, revise the agreements and maintain the
process.
Mediation and Talking Stick
Council Rules
Within a Conversation Council, a Talking Stick may be passed at the beginning
to allow members to share news, or as a way to check-in with each person;
at the end of the meeting, it can be useful to allow participants to formally
reflect on what the meeting accomplished. Whenever there is a need to
collect the energy back to a slower process, to allow speech without interruption,
or to settle or slow down the interaction of the participants, a Talking
Stick can be valuable.
The Executive Council may
call for a formal Talking Stick Council. Additionally, the Ordination
Council, Greater Council, Ministerial Council, or an individual minister
of the church may request a formal Talking Stick Council. Members of the
circle may also request a formal Talking Stick Council when mediation
is required.
The Council may utilize one
symbolic object as a Talking Stick. On the other hand, the Council may
choose to have two symbolic objects: one for talking and one for answering
the questions of the speaker.
The individual holding the Talking Stick shall have the attention of all
present to the best of their abilities.
Officers and Duties
Before the official opening of the Greater Council meeting, the Facilitator
(also known as the Host) and the Guardian for the meeting will be determined.
For efficiency, the position of Facilitator and Guardian can be determined
at an earlier date. For instance, volunteers may fill these two positions;
the person to fill the roles may be determined on the date of the meeting,
at the previous meeting, by nomination prior to the meeting date, or by
any other effective, workable and reasonable procedure. Both the Facilitator
and the Guardian should understand the concepts set forth in Christina
Baldwin's book "Calling the Circle." Both should have experience
in participating in a peer-based circle and have knowledge of the adaptations
approved by the Circle of Living Spirit to that method.
Facilitator [Host]
According to the principles set forth above, a different individual acts
as the Facilitator at each Greater Council meeting. In the best situation,
the Facilitator should be a person who has experience in the peer circle
process. S/he should be deeply committed to achieving the goals of the
group through the Practices, Principles, and Agreements [as set forth
elsewhere in this document]. Clear intention and an ability to set aside
personal emotional reactions are essential.
The person who will carry
out the roll of Facilitator [Host] at a Greater Council meeting will fulfill
the following duties.
- The Facilitator will be
responsible for determining the tone of the meeting.
- S/he will set the intention
of the meeting.
- S/her will model the skills
required for the successful functioning of the group.
- S/he will welcome those
in attendance.
- Perhaps most importantly,
s/he prepares the participants for the meeting through centering, checking-in,
and ritual.
- S/he will call the circle,
and ask Spirit to be present in the center of the circle.
- S/he offers explanations
as needed to provide an understanding of the Agreements within the circle,
the Intention of the meeting, and the Principles and Practices which
provide the foundation of the meeting.
- When necessary, s/he will
resolve conflict and re-establish intentional discourse.
- As chair of the meeting,
the Facilitator will be responsible for the flow of agenda items or
the basic structure of the meeting.
- The Facilitator will lucidly
report proposals on the floor, call for a vote, and announce the results.
- At the end of the meeting,
the Facilitator will determine if a moment is needed to unify the circle
prior to closing the meeting.
In rare cases when the council
session is extended - for instance, in the event of a day-long meeting
- the Facilitator can request that someone else take over the position.
If this occurs, after another volunteers to take over, the first Facilitator
will recess the meeting. This recess allows time for both to meet so that
the first Facilitator can familiarize the new Facilitator with the goals
of the meeting. The break also will assist the group to carry the transition
smoothly.
Guardian
Both the Guardian and the Facilitator should be able to see where conflict
is forming and assist in creative resolution. However, the Guardian's
job is to monitor the group. As with the Facilitator, clear intention
and an ability to set aside personal emotional reactions are essential
to the proper fulfillment of this role.
- The Guardian has the directive
to bring the Circle back to topic and keep the group's intention focused.
- S/he makes sure that the
principles and practices of the Greater Council are followed in order
to permit honest and respectful communication and interaction.
- If members are having difficulty
listening with discernment, are speaking hurriedly and without forethought,
or if the talk has become unproductive, the Guardian may suggest the
use of the Talking Stick.
- The Guardian can call for
silence within the meeting.
- S/he can use a chime, bell,
or rattle to signal everyone to stop and maintain silence.
- Silence permits each person
to review the effect they are having on the group, to help the group
realign with their intention, or to reflect on a topic or a question
to gather clarity.
- After a moment, the Guardian
will signal again and then explain why s/he called for the pause.
- If no gentle noisemaker
is available, s/he can respectfully request everyone to sit silently
and breathe deeply and slowly for a few minutes.
- If silent breathing does
not bring the group back to intention, the Guardian may choose to lead
a period of chanting or humming.
- The Guardian's job also
includes calling for breaks as needed.
- S/he keeps track of the
clock so that others can focus on the business of the meeting.
- If necessary, the Guardian
can signal that the individual speaking needs to allow someone else
to talk.
In order to provide continuity
since there are no set officers for the peer-driven circle of Greater
Council, an Executive Council member must be present at every Greater
Council meeting. Said Executive Council member will act as record keeper
or secretary during the Greater Council meeting and will have the responsibility
of reporting Greater Council actions to the Executive Council.
Vacancies
Since any recognized member of the Church may participate in the Greater
Council, there is no need to establish a forum for handling a vacancy.
Resignation, Termination and Absences
Because those who act as officers during an assembly of the Greater Council
are established at each meeting, there is no need to create a procedure
for handling resignation, termination or absence of officers. If a person
is a qualifying member, he or she may act as Facilitator or Guardian of
a meeting.
Ordination Council
Role, Size, Compensation
When required because of requests for Ordination, the Executive Council
will establish an Ordination Council. The Ordination Council shall include
at least one Executive Council representative who is a duly ordained minister
in The Circle of Living Spirit. The Ordination Council will be overseen
and guided by the Executive Council. Both groups shall be guided by Spirit
in the performance of their duties.
The Ordination Council is
responsible for the overall ordination process. Specific duties shall
include acceptance of ordination candidates, supervision of spiritual
training of the candidates, overall policy and direction of the ordination
process, and supervision of the progress of the ordination candidates.
The Ordination Council shall review the qualifications and readiness of
every ordination candidate and make recommendations to the Executive Council.
After satisfactory completion of the ordination process, the Ordination
Council shall recommend a candidate to the Executive Council for substantiation.
Upon acceptance and validation of the candidate's credentials, the Ordination
Council shall arrange for the Ritual of Ordination and announcement to
the Greater Council and the community at large.
Although the Ordination Council
of the Circle of Living Spirit will be in charge of accepting, educating
and approving any ordination candidates, Affiliated Circles may recommend
specific candidates to the Ordination Council.
All duly ordained ministers
are responsible for fulfilling yearly continuing education requirements
and for submitting the substantiating documentation to the Ordination
Council. Refer to the document entitled "Requirements for Active
Status for Ministers" for additional specifications.
This council shall maintain
complete transcripts for all candidates who enter the ordination process.
When it becomes necessary
for the smooth functioning of the Church, and for the Church and its Affiliated
Circles to perform its duties to the various congregations, spiritual
leaders may be elevated to higher-ranking roles. These roles may include,
but shall not be limited by, the roles of Deacon, Senior Minister, Priest,
Priestess, Minister Emeritus, or Circle Elder. Such individuals will be
chosen from those who are active ministers in good standing who have shown
themselves to be stalwart, dedicated and faithful in their service to
the Circles of the community.
The Ordination Council, Greater
Council, Executive Council, the Administration of the Circle of Living
Spirit, or the leadership of an Affiliated Circle may nominate candidates
for these positions. The Executive Council shall have final determination
of the validity of these positions, the legitimacy of any candidates,
the requirements for any position, and shall decide the merit in all cases.
The Executive Council shall maintain the rights and privileges to approve
or disapprove of these offices and to oversee any leaders awarded these
positions.
All Ordination Council members
shall serve terms of one year and a day, and are eligible for re-election.
The Executive Council will approve all Ordination Council members; said
approval shall be by consensus.
Ordination Council members
receive no compensation other than reasonable expenses as approved by
the Treasurer.
Meetings and Quorum
The Ordination Council shall be responsible for holding meetings as required
when there are ordination students. Special meetings of the Ordination
Council shall be called upon the request of any Ordination Council member.
Due to the special requirements and personally challenging nature of the
ordination process, Ordination Council meetings shall be closed.
An official Ordination Council
meeting requires that each council member have telephone or written notice
one weeks in advance. Said notice may be by electronic means.
A majority of Ordination Council
members will be required to constitute a quorum. A member is also considered
present if he or she attends by telephone or has given proxy to another
Ordination Council member. All motions of the Ordination Council shall
be approved by consensus.
Officers and Duties
There shall be two officers of the Ordination Council consisting of a
Chair and Secretary. Their duties are as follows:
The senior member of the Ordination
Council shall Chair the Ordination Council. The chair shall convene Ordination
Council meetings as necessary, and shall preside over said meetings. No
election will be necessary to determine the Chair of the Ordination Council.
The Secretary shall be responsible
for keeping records of Ordination Council actions, including overseeing
the taking of minutes at all meetings, sending out meeting announcements,
distributing copies of minutes and the agenda to each Ordination Council
member, and assuring that ordination records are maintained. The Secretary
shall make a report at each Executive Council and Greater Council meeting.
Because the Ordination Council functions in the format of a council, the
members may dispense with the office of Secretary. In such a case, the
Chair will document the meetings, take any minutes required and present
any reports requested by the Executive Council.
Vacancies
When a vacancy on the Ordination Council exists, nominations for new members
may be received from present Ordination Council members or Executive Council
members by the Secretary, or senior member of the council, two weeks in
advance of an Ordination Council meeting. These nominations shall be sent
out to Greater Council officers with the regular Ordination Council meeting
announcement, to be voted upon at the next Ordination Council meeting.
These vacancies will be filled only to the end of the particular Ordination
Council member's term. If the Ordination Council consists of at least
4 members, and it would be contrary to the execution of the duties of
the Ordination Council to do so, it will not be necessary to replace vacating
members until the next term.
Resignation, Termination and Absences
Resignation from the Ordination Council must be in writing and received
by the Secretary of the Ordination Council and the Director of the Executive
Council. An Ordination Council member may be dropped for excess absences
from the Ordination Council if he or she has three unexcused absences
from Ordination Council meetings in a year. An Ordination Council member
may be removed for other reasons by a consensus of the remaining directors.
Other Councils
and Committees
The Executive Council may
at any time create any necessary council or committee, and may appoint
from among the members consisting of such number of members as the Executive
Council may deem advisable. If said committees may include, for example,
a Finance Council, the Treasurer would chair it. The Executive Council
shall have authority to fill vacancies on the Executive Council, Greater
Council or in any committee thereof.
Any person dealing with The
Church shall be entitled to rely upon any act or authorization of an act
by any such committee, to the same extent as an act or authorization of
the Executive Council. Each committee shall keep full and complete records
of all meetings and actions, which shall be open to inspection by the
Executive Council.
Unless otherwise ordered by
the Executive Council or the bylaws, any such committee may prescribe
its own rules for calling and holding meetings, and its own method of
procedure, and may act at a meeting by a majority of its members, or without
a meeting by a writing or writings signed by all of its members.
An officer or member may serve
on more than one Committee.
Affiliated Circles
Only the Executive Council
shall have the power to approve requests for affiliation and to approve
a charter for affiliation with the Circle of Living Spirit.
A religious circle, church
or place of worship shall become officially affiliated with the Circle
of Living Spirit, and then become entitled to be designated as an Affiliated
Circle, when it receives a Certificate of Affiliation from the Executive
Council of the Circle of Living Spirit. The Executive Council holds the
right to determine provisional, conditional or limited affiliation as
well as to deny affiliation. Upon receipt of a charter from the Executive
Council of the Circle of Living Spirit, Affiliated Circles may use "Affiliated
Circle of Living Spirit" or similar wording on documents, in advertising,
and in press releases.
At all times, Affiliated Circles
will follow the requirements of the Internal Revenue Service relating
to 501(c)(3) federally exempt nonprofit organizations. Affiliated Circles
will not participate in those activities that are not permitted to a federally
tax-exempt corporation under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3).
In particular, no Affiliated Circles will participate in any political
campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office.
While each affiliated circle
will set up a local governing body, all affiliated congregations of the
Circle of Living Spirit will be governed by the Constitution of the Circle
of Living Spirit and the document entitled "Bylaws of the Affiliated
Circles of the Circle of Living Spirit." To the extent permissible
under the smooth running of the entire church, the governing body of the
Affiliated Circle of Living Spirit will be recognized as an independent
organization by the Circle of Living Spirit to the extent of the laws
regulating churches and affiliated congregations under the State of Ohio,
the State in which the Affiliated Circle resides, and the laws of the
federal government of the United States.
Furthermore, the Circle of
Living Spirit suggests that each associated congregation chose a name
that fits within the concepts of the circle and wheel so that the energy
of the entire organization remains in a continuum.
An Affiliated congregation
in good standing shall continue to be an affiliated church of the Circle
of Living Spirit. Affiliated Circles shall maintain the privileges of
the Church and shall abide by the same regulations as the Church. Members
and participants of the Affiliated Circle will be associated with the
Circle of Living Spirit; that is, members of the Affiliated Circle will
be members of the Circle of Living Spirit, and those participants who
are current in paying dues shall be voting members of the Greater Council
of Living Spirit.
Regardless of the titles chosen
to represent the leaders or officers of the governing body of the Affiliated
Circle, the Affiliated Circle will recognize the Circle of Living Spirit
as the head governing body of the Church and, more specifically, the Affiliated
Circle will recognize the authority of the Executive Council and Administration
of the Circle of Living Spirit.
No earnings of an Affiliated
Circle shall inure to the private benefit of or be distributable to its
members, officers, or other private persons. No officer or leader of an
Affiliated Circle shall vote on a matter for which he or she would receive
direct financial gain or loss.
Affiliated Circles of Living
Spirit will follow sound accounting and reporting procedures as required
by the Internal Revenue Service and the state. Affiliated Circles will
provide appropriate records to the Executive Council of Living Spirit
in a timely manner. Documentation will include, but not be limited to,
minutes of meetings, financial records and membership lists.
If necessary, an Affiliated Circle may hire an employee, such as an accountant
or secretary, and pay a reasonable compensation to said employee. The
Affiliated Circle will be responsible for any financial obligations incurred.
In all disputes between Affiliated Circles, individuals and groups will
utilize the practices set forward in the documents of the Circle of Living
Spirit and within the Bylaws of the Affiliated Circles. Disputes between
Affiliated Circles that cannot be resolved within the associated groups
will be taken to the Executive Council for mediation.
If an Affiliated Circle disbands, the officers of that Affiliated Circle
will notify the Executive Council in writing. The lead or head officer
will turn over all documents, records, assets, and supporting materials
to the Executive Council in an efficient and timely fashion.
Suspension or Revocation of Affiliation
An affiliated congregation of the Circle of Living Spirit will be guided
by and act in accordance with the Constitution of the Circle of Living
Spirit, the Bylaws of the Circle of Living Spirit, and these Bylaws of
the Affiliated Circles of Living Spirit. If an affiliated congregation
of the Circle of Living Spirit does not function as signified within these
documents, the Circle of Living Spirit may suspend or revoke the charter
of the Affiliated Circle.
Failure of the Affiliated
Circle to prepare and submit any reports on time may be cause for suspension
or revocation of the charter. These reports shall include all necessary
quarterly financial and membership documentation as well as minutes of
meetings or other mandatory documentation.
Discrimination and intolerance
may be grounds for suspension or revoking of an Affiliated Circle's charter.
The charter of an Affiliated Circle may be revoked by a resolution of
the Executive Council of Living Spirit.
If the charter of an associated
organization is revoked, the group will present all documents, records,
assets, and supporting materials to the Executive Council in an efficient
and timely fashion. No religious organization will solicit funds or continue
to collect funds under a suspended or revoked charter. All assets of a
chartered associated organization revert to the Circle of Living Spirit
upon revocation of their charter, unless said subsidiary organization
has separately incorporated as a non-profit entity, in which case assets
shall be divided by mutual agreement or by arbitration.
No organization will attempt
to solicit funds or continue to collect membership monies or public donations
under a suspended or revoked charter.
Application for Reinstatement
· If an Affiliated Circle is suspended, the Executive Council will
notify the leader of the associated group of the reasons for the suspension
and designate a reasonable period of time in which to correct the problems
that led to the suspension. When the suspension is due to the inappropriate
actions of the leader of the Affiliated Circle, the announcement will
be made to other officers as well as the leader, and to as many of the
voting members of that group as are feasible.
· The Executive Council will specify the necessary actions and
requirements for re-establishment of the charter in good standing.
· The affiliated religious organization will present to the Executive
Council a step-by-step plan for remedying the problems of the group.
· The Executive Council can appoint an individual to oversee the
remediation.
· Any Affiliated Circle that does not show improvement of the situation
within the time specified by the Executive Council will be in jeopardy
of revocation.
· In the event that the Affiliated Circle does not present a plan
of action to the Executive Council following notification of suspended
status, the charter of that Affiliated Circle will be revoked.
· When an Affiliated Circle has taken appropriate measures to remedy
the situation and insure that the problem will not reoccur, the Executive
Council may reinstate the standing of their charter. If the charter is
reinstated, the status of the Affiliated Circle will be considered to
be conditional for a minimum of one year. Continuation of the reinstated
charter will be provisional upon the associated group ability to maintain
appropriate conditions as determined by the Executive Council.
· After the revocation of the charter of an Affiliated Circle,
an application for reinstatement will only be considered if the leadership
and organization of the group has been modified substantially.
· No reinstatement will be available if the charter was revoked
due to illegal business practices, or activities that would disqualify
the associated group under nonprofit laws.
Article IV -
Meetings
Except as specified elsewhere
in this article, decision-making at any meeting shall be limited to those
present who are Voting Member (Active Members) both of the Church and
of the particular body meeting.
Annual Meetings
There shall be an annual meeting of the Greater Council in order to review
the ongoing business of the church, to envision and plan for the future,
and to elect or approve officers. The date of the regular annual meeting
shall be set by the Chair of the Greater Council who shall also set the
time and place. In the event that there is no Chair of the Greater Council,
the Executive Council shall handle these arrangements.
Special Meetings
Special meetings may be called by the Director, the Ordination Council,
the Executive Council or at the request of the Greater Council.
Notice
Notice of each meeting shall be given to each voting member, by mail,
telephone, electronic mail or electronic group, or Church bulletin board,
not less than ten days before the meeting. Notice will also be submitted
to all Affiliated Circles.
Article VII -
Amendments
Amendments
Requests for amendments will be filed with the Secretary of the Executive
Council. The Executive Council, the Greater Council, any active Committee,
or a coalition of members may suggest amendments. After an appropriate
review period, the Executive Council shall assess the validity of the
request. Following the authorization of the Executive Council, these Bylaws
may be amended when necessary by a consensus of the Greater Council. Proposed
amendments must be submitted to the Executive Council.
Article VIII
- Approval
The original Bylaws were passed
by vote of council at a meeting of the Executive Council of Living Spirit
on July 22, 2001 and were ratified by the Greater Council of on August
25, 2002.
The Bylaws were amended Bylaws
by unanimously vote of Executive Council on April 5, 2004 and were affirmed
unanimously at the meeting of the Greater Council on August 13, 2004.
The Bylaws were further amended
by unanimous vote of the Executive Council on the date below.
These Bylaws shall supersede
any and all previous Bylaws.
Signatory approval of the
Executive Council of Living Spirit dated October 9, 2004.
Rev. L. Lillith Lewis, Director
Rev. Brenda (Braida) Cross McCune, Assistant Director
Amy Wooden Jarvis, Treasurer
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