Subgroup Charter Manual

posted on février 20, 2011

Created March 7, 2007 and last amended January 9, 2022. These charters have been granted by the Mother Grove to the subgroups described herein, as defined in Article 13 of the Bylaws.

A. General

  1. This Manual may be amended by a simple majority vote of the Board of Directors (BOD).
  2. Chartered ADF subgroup (“subgroup”) purposes shall be limited to the Purposes in the ADF Constitution.
  3. Subgroups with bylaws may specify additional leadership positions, membership requirements, activities, and operational procedures.
  4. Subgroups creating subgroups within themselves are authorized to, and shall, issue charters for such new subgroups.
  5. Subgroups authorized to issue charters may determine additional policies for subgroups receiving charters.
  6. The ADF Office shall receive:
    1. Copies of all new or updated charters from issuing subgroups or the BOD.
    2. Copies of all reports filed by subgroups.
    3. Notice of changes in subgroup leaders.
  7. The charter for any subgroup not described herein shall be issued and maintained by the BOD.

B. Clergy Council (CC)

  1. Purpose
    1. Education and ordination of all ADF Clergy.
    2. Supervision of ADF Clergy activities.
  2. Leadership
    1. The Archdruid (AD) chairs the CC.
      1. The AD will oversee and report on all CC activities.
  3. Membership
    1. The AD.
    2. Former ADs who remain current ADF members.
    3. The Vice Archdruid (VAD).
    4. All Ordained and Dedicant ADF Clergy.
  4. Activities
    1. Determine ordination standards for ADF Clergy.
    2. Maintain a training program for ADF Clergy.
      1. Subject to requirements of ADF study programs determined by the CoL.
    3. Determine ADF liturgical standards.
      1. Evaluate requests to vary from such standards by subgroups.
    4. Represent ADF Druidry in theological matters outside ADF.
    5. Research, write, and publish works based on ADF Druidry.
    6. Maintain a prison ministry for incarcerated ADF members.
      1. Train, authorize, and supervise all ADF prisoner ministers.
      2. Define and administer groups within a prison environment to fulfill the spiritual needs of incarcerated members. Said groups shall not be referred to as ‘Groves’ or in any way present themselves as representing ADF as a whole.
    7. Govern all ADF Orders.
  5. Operations
    1. The CC shall have bylaws to govern its activities.
    2. Voting
      1. Each CC member shall have one vote.
      2. Unless otherwise specified in the CC bylaws, all votes shall be carried by two-thirds of the voting members.
    3. Reporting
      1. The CC will report its activities quarterly to the BOD and membership, including:
        1. List of CC members.
        2. List of new and renewal Clergy credential applications and statuses.
        3. List of inactive and revoked Clergy credentials from the past quarter.
        4. Changes to ADF liturgical standards.
        5. Any requests for variances from the liturgical standards.
        6. Any other past and planned activities for the CC and its subgroups.
  6. The CC shall retain its charter until revoked by the BOD.

C. Council of Lore (CoL)

  1. Purpose
    1. Approve and oversee all ADF study programs unless stated otherwise in the SCM.
    2. Govern all ADF Guilds, Kins, and Special Interest Groups (SIGs).
  2. Leadership
    1. The ADF Preceptor chairs the CoL.
      1. The Preceptor will oversee and report on all CoL activities.
  3. Membership
    1. The ADF Preceptor.
    2. Leaders who are the Primary Contact for each subgroup
    3. Subgroup Preceptors whose study programs have been approved by the CoL.
    4. Members are expected to participate regularly in all official discussion periods and any votes that occur on the CoL.
    5. Membership will be revoked in the event that a member’s subgroup is out of compliance with the responsibilities outline in the SCM or in the event they fail to participate in two consecutive votes on the CoL.
    6. Members under consideration for removal from CoL and that member’s specific subgroup must be given written notification by the ADF Preceptor before a decision is made. Members under consideration for removal will have two weeks from the date of notification to correct any issues of non-compliance.
  4. Activities
    1. Determine the requirements for, and approve or revoke, ADF study programs unless stated otherwise in the SCM.
    2. Issue, change, and revoke Guild, Kin, and SIG charters.
      1. Subgroups shall be reviewed quarterly for compliance in reporting.
        1. If the subgroup misses two consecutive reports, they will be warned.
        2. If the subgroup misses three consecutive reports, they will be suspended.
        3. If the subgroup misses four consecutive reports, they will be closed.
        4. Compliance will be monitored by the ADF Preceptor or one of their designees. If a group is dropped as a Subgroup, they will have to re-apply as if they are a new sub-group. Notification of warning, suspension, and termination will be sent to the subgroup list.
    3. Oversee Guilds, Kins, and SIGs.
  5. Operations
    1. The CoL may have bylaws to govern its activities.
    2. Voting
      1. Each CoL member shall have one vote, regardless of the number of positions they hold on the CoL.
      2. Unless otherwise specified in the CoL bylaws, all votes shall be carried by two-thirds of the voting members.
      3. Subgroup Preceptors may vote in all matters pertaining to approving and overseeing ADF study programs.
      4. Subgroup Leaders may vote in all matters pertaining to the governing ADF Subgroups.
      5. The ADF Preceptor may vote on all matters concerning the CoL.
    3. Reporting
      1. The CoL will report its activities quarterly to the BOD and membership, including:
        1. Number and rank of new and current students in ADF study programs.
        2. Number of students submitting Dedicant Program work in the past quarter.
        3. Number of Dedicant Program students receiving approval in the past quarter.
        4. Any other ADF study program activities in the past quarter.
        5. Any other past and planned activities for the CoL and its subgroups.
  6. The CoL shall retain its charter until revoked by the BOD.

D. Council of Senior Druids (CoSD)

  1. Purpose
    1. Foster the growth, organization and health of individual Protogroves and Groves (“groves”).
    2. Foster the exchange of information and guidance between groves.
  2. Leadership
    1. Chief
      1. The Chief must be a current Senior Druid (SD) of an active Provisionally or Fully Chartered grove for at least one year.
      2. Duties
        1. Oversee and report on all CoSD activities.
        2. Be the contact between the CoSD and BOD.
      3.  
      4. Selection of the Chief shall be specified in the CoSD bylaws.
      5. Removal of the Chief may be specified in the CoSD bylaws.
        1. Upon removal or vacating office, an Interim Chief shall serve as Chief until the next CoSD election.
          1. The Interim Chief shall be the Deputy Chief if they meet the requirements for Chief.
          2. If the Deputy Chief does not meet such requirements, the BOD shall appoint a voting CoSD member as Interim Chief.
    2. Deputy Chief
      1. The Deputy Chief shall be appointed by the Chief.
        1. Subject to approval by a simple majority vote of voting CoSD members.
      2. Duties
        1. Maintain CoSD bylaws.
        2. Distribute amended bylaws to CoSD members.
        3. Assist Chief in preparing reports.
        4. Any other duties delegated by the Chief.
      3. Selection and removal of Deputy Chief shall be specified in the CoSD bylaws.
  3. Membership
    1. The CoSD is comprised of:
      1. All current and past SDs of active Provisionally and Fully Chartered groves.
      2. All Grove Organizers (GOs) of active Protogroves.
      3. The Archdruid (AD).
    2. All CoSD members must be current ADF members.
  4. Activities
    1. Issue, change, and revoke grove charters.
    2. Determine requirements for grove leaders.
    3. Oversee grove activities.
  5. Operations
    1. The CoSD shall have bylaws to govern its activities.
    2. Voting
      1. Voting members are:
        1. Current Senior Druids of active Provisionally and Fully Chartered groves.
        2. Past Senior Druids who are active on the CoSD and remain ADF members.
      2. Each voting member shall have one vote.
      3. Unless otherwise specified in the CoSD bylaws, all votes shall be carried by a majority of the voting members.
    3. The term of office for all CoSD officers shall be two years.
    4. Reporting
      1. The CoSD will report its activities quarterly to the BOD and membership, including:
        1. List of CoSD members.
        2. List of new groves in the past quarter.
        3. List of groves that have become inactive, or had their charters revoked, in the past quarter.
        4. Any other past and planned activities for the CoSD and its subgroups.
  6. The CoSD shall retain its charter until revoked by the BOD.

E. Council of Regional Druids (CoRD)

  1. Purpose
    1. Define the ADF membership regions.
    2. Support ADF Regional Druids (RDs) in fulfilling their duties.
  2. Leadership
    1. Chief
      1. The Chief shall be a member of the CoRD.
      2. Duties
        1. Oversee and report on all CoRD activities.
        2. Be the contact between the CoRD and BOD.
      3. Selection of Chief shall be specified in the CoRD bylaws.
      4. Removal of the Chief may be specified in the CoRD bylaws.
        1. Upon removal or vacating office, an Interim Chief shall serve as Chief until the next CoRD election.
          1. The Interim Chief shall be the Deputy Chief if they meet the requirements for Chief.
          2. If the Deputy Chief does not meet such requirements, the BOD shall appoint a CoRD member as Interim Chief.
    2. Deputy Chief
      1. The Deputy Chief shall be elected by members of the CoRD.
        1. Subject to approval by a simple majority vote of voting CoRD members.
      2. Duties
        1. Maintain CoRD bylaws.
        2. Distribute amended bylaws to CoRD members.
        3. Assist Chief in preparing reports.
        4. Any other duties delegated by the Chief.
      3. Selection and removal of Deputy Chief shall be specified in the CoRD bylaws.
  3. Membership
    1. The CoRD shall be comprised of all RDs for ADF membership regions.
  4. Activities
    1. The CoRD shall define:
      1. The ADF membership regions.
      2. Policies concerning ADF member regional assignments.
      3. Duties of RDs.
      4. Election methods for RDs.
      5. Removal and replacement methods for RDs.
  5. Operations
    1. The CoRD shall have bylaws to govern its activities.
    2. Voting
      1. Each CoRD member shall have one vote.
      2. Unless otherwise specified in the CoRD bylaws, all votes shall be carried by two-thirds of the voting members.
    3. The term of office for all CoRD officers shall be one year and shall be limited to three consecutive terms.
    4. Reporting
      1. CoRD members shall report activities in their regions quarterly to the CoRD.
      2. The CoRD will report its activities quarterly to the BOD and membership, including:
        1. Changes in the ADF membership regions.
        2. Changes in regional assignment policies.
        3. Changes in RD duties or election/removal/replacement methods.
        4. Any other past and planned activities for the CoRD and its subgroups.
  6. The CoRD shall retain its charter until revoked by the BOD.

F. Initiate Council (IC)

  1. Purpose
    1. Education and initiation of all ADF Initiates.
    2. Supervision of Initiate activities.
  2. Leadership
    1. All candidates for leadership positions shall have been initiated for a minimum of one year.
    2. The IC shall elect a Chair from among the initiated members.
  3. Membership
    1. The Archdruid (AD)
      1. Should the Archdruid not be an Initiate, the Archdruid shall appoint a current Initiate member of the Clergy as an observer in the Archdruid’s place.
    2. All ADF Initiates with current ADF membership.
  4. Activities
    1. Determine initiation standards for ADF Initiates.
    2. Maintain a training program (IP) for ADF Initiates.
      1. Subject to requirements of ADF study programs as determined by the CoL.
  5. Operations
    1. The IC shall have bylaws to govern its activities.
    2. Voting
      1. Each IC member shall have one vote.
      2. Unless otherwise specified in the IC Bylaws, all votes shall be carried by two-thirds of the voting members.
    3. Reporting
      1. The IC will report its activities quarterly to the BOC and membership, including:
        1. List of IC members.
        2. List of lapsed Initiate ADF members.
        3. List of new Initiates and their Initiators.
        4. Any past and planned activities for the IC.
  6. The IC shall retain its charter until revoked by the BOD.

G. Groves

  1. Purpose
    1. Groves are local ADF congregations.
  2. Leadership
    1. All grove officers must be current ADF members.
    2. Protogroves shall have the following officer:
      1. Grove Organizer.
        1. If the Grove Organizer changes, the grove must reapply for its charter.
    3. Provisionally and Fully Chartered groves shall have the following officers:
      1. Senior Druid.
      2. Secretary (Scribe).
      3. Treasurer (Pursewarden).
  3. Membership criteria for groves may be defined in grove bylaws.
  4. Activities
    1. Public rituals on the High Days defined in the ADF Constitution.
    2. Other activities consistent with the aims and purposes of ADF.
    3. Activities shall have an Indo-European ethnic focus(es).
      1. Non-Indo-European local aboriginal traditions may also be integrated into activities according to Clergy Council policies.
  5. Operations
    1. Bylaws are optional for Protogroves and required for Provisionally and Fully Chartered groves.
    2. Groves may determine voting and election methods in their bylaws.
    3. Reporting
      1. Groves shall report their activities quarterly to the CoSD, including:
        1. Contact information and characteristics.
        2. Number of ADF and non-ADF grove members.
        3. Officer contact information and membership renewal dates.
        4. Public rituals done and their attendance.
        5. Community outreach and public service performed.
        6. Financial activity in the previous quarter, including:
          1. Income and expenses.
          2. Capital purchases.
          3. Cash on hand at reporting time.
        7. Any problems the grove has experienced.
        8. Any other past and planned activities for the grove and its subgroups.
  6. Individual grove charters shall be governed by the CoSD.

H. Guilds

  1. Purpose
    1. Study, learning, and training in a particular focus area.
  2. Leadership
    1. Guild leaders shall be current members of their Guilds.
    2. Chief
      1. Duties
        1. Oversee and report on all Guild activities.
        2. Represent the Guild on the CoL.
      2. Selection and removal of the Chief shall be specified in the Guild bylaws.
    3. Preceptor
      1. Duties
        1. Oversee and coordinate all Guild training activities.
        2. Represent the Guild on the CoL.
      2. Selection and removal of the Preceptor shall be specified in the Guild bylaws.
  3. Guild members must be current ADF members.
  4. Activities
    1. Develop training programs subject to requirements and approval of the CoL.
    2. Support Guild members in activities relating to their focus areas.
    3. Offer services to the ADF membership if Guild resources permit.
  5. Operations
    1. Guilds shall have bylaws to govern their activities.
    2. Voting and election methods shall be defined in Guild bylaws.
    3. Reporting
      1. Guilds shall report their activities quarterly to the CoL, including:
        1. Number of students enrolled in Guild training by rank.
        2. Number of students who advanced in Guild training rank.
        3. Elections and other decisions of the members.
        4. Financial activity in the previous quarter, including:
          1. Income and expenses.
          2. Capital purchases.
          3. Cash on hand at reporting time.
        5. Any other past and planned activities for the Guild and its subgroups.
  6. Individual Guild charters shall be governed by the CoL.

I. Kins

  1. Purpose
    1. Support ADF members worshipping in a particular Indo-European hearth culture context.
  2. Leadership
    1. Leader
      1. Shall be a current member of their Kin.
      2. Shall oversee and report on all Kin activities.
      3. May be selected or removed as specified in the Kin bylaws.
  3. Kin members must be current ADF members.
  4. Activities
    1. Develop culturally specific spiritual traditions within ADF.
    2. Network between ADF members sharing the same hearth culture.
    3. Assist Guilds in their educational missions.
  5. Operations
    1. Kins shall have bylaws to govern their activities.
    2. Kins must have at least seven members at all times.
    3. Voting and election methods may be defined in Kin bylaws.
    4. Reporting
      1. Kins shall report their activities quarterly to the CoL, including:
        1. Elections and other decisions of the members.
        2. Number of members of the Kin
        3. Financial activity in the previous quarter, including:
          1. Income and expenses.
          2. Capital purchases.
          3. Cash on hand at reporting time.
        4. Any other past and planned activities for the Kin and its subgroups.
  6. Individual Kin charters shall be governed by the CoL.

J. Orders

  1. Purpose
    1. Provide rituals and training in a specific Indo-European mythic or symbolic complex.
  2. Leadership
    1. Leader
      1. Shall be a current member of their Order.
      2. Shall oversee and report on all Order activities.
      3. May be selected or removed as specified in the Order bylaws.
    2. Advisor
      1. Shall be the liaison between their Order and the CC.
      2. Shall be responsible for integrating Order traditions with existing ADF traditions.
      3. Must be an active ADF Priest.
      4. May be elected, removed, or replaced by simple majority vote of Order members.
  3. Order members must be current ADF members.
  4. Activities
    1. Maintain a training program subject to requirements and approval of the CC.
    2. Support Order members in activities relating to their focus areas.
    3. The majority of Order activities are to be open and inclusionary.
      1. All activities shall be open to the CC officers and BOD and shall never exclude the Order’s Leader or Advisor.
  5. Operations
    1. Orders shall have bylaws to govern their activities.
    2. Orders shall have at least nine members who have completed and approved DP documentation at all times.
    3. Orders shall have at least one ADF Priest member at all times.
    4. Voting and election methods shall be defined in Order bylaws.
    5. Orders must do the following:
      1. Publish a home shrine ritual.
      2. Publish a joining ritual that follows the Core Order of Ritual.
      3. Produce at least one publishable liturgy per year.
  6. Reporting
    1. Orders shall report their activities quarterly to the CC, including:
      1. Number of Order members.
      2. Number of members with completed and approved Dedicant Path documentation.
      3. Name of the Advisor.
      4. Number of students enrolled in Order training by rank.
      5. Number of students who advanced in Order training rank.
      6. Elections and other decisions of the members.
      7. Financial activity in the previous quarter, including:
        1. Income and expenses.
        2. Capital purchases.
        3. Cash on hand at reporting time.
      8. Any other past and planned activities for the Order and its subgroups.
    2. Orders shall be reviewed quarterly for compliance in reporting.
      1. If the Order misses two consecutive reports, they will be warned.
      2. If the Order misses three consecutive reports, they will be suspended.
      3. If the Order misses four consecutive reports, they will be closed.
      4. Compliance will be monitored by the ADF Clergy Council Officers. If an Order is closed, they will have to re-apply as if they are a new Order. Notification of warning, suspension, and termination will be sent to the Order list.
  7. Training
    1. Order training shall only be available to members that have completed the Dedicant Path.
    2. Orders may provide support to members working on the Dedicant Path.
    3. Order training shall not result in clergy credentials.
      1. Order training may be used to create clergy specialties for existing ADF clergy subject to approval of the CC.
  8. Individual Order charters shall be governed by the CC.

K. Special Interest Groups (SIGs)

  1. Purpose
    1. Support ADF members regarding an interest not otherwise in the scope of an existing subgroup.
  2. Leadership
    1. Organizer
      1. Shall be a current member of their SIG.
      2. Shall oversee and report on all SIG activities.
      3. May be elected, removed, or replaced by simple majority vote of SIG members.
  3. Any ADF member may join any SIG.
  4. Activities
    1. Support members in activities related the SIG’s focus area.
    2. Provide networking for ADF members interested in the SIG’s focus area.
  5. Operations
    1. SIGs may have bylaws to govern their activities.
    2. Each SIG member shall have one vote.
    3. Organizers shall remain in office until they resign or are removed/replaced.
    4. SIGs shall report their activities quarterly to the CoL, including:
      1. Elections and other decisions of the members.
      2. Number of members of the SIG.
      3. Financial activity in the previous quarter, including:
        1. Income and expenses.
        2. Capital purchases.
        3. Cash on hand at reporting time.
        4. Any other past and planned activities for the SIGs and its subgroups.
  6. Individual SIG charters shall be governed by the CoL.

L. Standard Election Timeline

  1. This timeline applies to Guilds, Kins, SIGs, and Orders.
  2. Timeline in years that officers have terms expire:
    1. Nominations must begin by February 1st, but may begin earlier.
    2. The election proper shall begin on February 10th and end on March 1st.
  3. Term lengths:
    1. Subgroup officers have a maximum single term length equal to that of the longest elected BoD officer (at present, three years).
    2. No term limits are imposed by this section.
  4. If a subgroup fails to hold elections for positions whose term has ended, the head of the supervising group (ADF Preceptor or ADF Archdruid) may:
    1. Hold a special election, either by themselves or via an appointed representative.
    2. Directly appoint replacement Officers for those whose terms have ended.
    3. Suspend or revoke the subgroup’s charter.
  5. This section automatically supersedes election timeline Bylaws in affected subgroups.
    1. Subgroups may choose to amend their bylaws with these dates or simply refer to the Standard Election Timeline in their bylaws; however, failing to do so does not change the election timeline.
    2. If a subgroup has held elections for a given position within 365 calendar days of this section in the SCM being applied to that subgroup,  they need not hold elections for those positions in the very Election Timeline period following

posted on février 20, 2011 |
Citation: Web Administrator, "Subgroup Charter Manual", Ár nDraíocht Féin, février 20, 2011, https://staging.ng.adf.org/article/subgroup-charter-manual/?lang=fr