Rensselaer Pagan Association Constitution

I. Name of Organization

The name of this organization shall be the Rensselaer Pagan Association, also referred to as the RPA.

A. The Rensselaer Pagan Association has been formed to provide interested members of the RPI community with an environment for discussion, exchange of information, and practice of Pagan/neo-Pagan religions and the magickal arts. These religions include, but are not limited to: Wicca, elementalism, the range of things referred to as "Men's Spirituality" and "Women's Spirituality", Asatru/Norse Mysticism, Druidism, and shamanistic religions.

B. The Rensselaer Pagan Association will benefit the Rensselaer community by providing:

1. Education for the community as to the nature of Pagan/neo-Pagan religions and the arts of magick.
2. Information on events, celebrations, and instructional courses that would be related to club purposes.
3. A support group for those who have had negative experiences, either with Paganism/magick, or due to their involvement therein.

C. Specific Goals and Objectives
1. To provide an environment for discussion and education for the RPI community about Pagan/neo-Pagan religions and the arts of magick, either though the organization, or by providing information about external resources.
2. To provide a safe and stable environment for the practice of Pagan/neo-Pagan religions and the arts of magick. This shall be done by organizing public and private celebrations, rituals, and holidays.
3. To provide members with contacts among local, regional, national, and international Pagan societies.
4. To provide members with access to group materials, including literature and ritual implements.
5. To promote understanding, acceptance, and tolerance of all religions.

A. Affirmative Action and Hazing
1. It is the policy of the Rensselaer Union and the Rensselaer Pagan Association to provide, to the maximum extent feasible, equal opportunity to all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual preference, or handicap for all aspects of club activities. The Rensselaer Pagan Association fully concurs with this policy, and will abide by it.
2. Hazing has no place in religion/magick, and as such, will not be tolerated within the organization. Moreover, the reckless or intentional endangerment to health or forced consumption of alcohol or other drugs for the purpose of initiation into or affiliation with any Rensselaer Union organization is prohibited.

B. Definitions of Membership
It is the policy of the Rensselaer Union that all officers, appointed officers, committee chairs and Voting Members of recognized clubs and organizations be full-time activity-fee- paying students and/or their spouses. Only Voting Members can vote in business and election matters. Only Regular and/or Voting Members can run for and hold elected offices.
1. Regular members
   a) All currently registered "regular" Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students who have paid the Rensselaer Union full time activity fee and their spouses shall be defined as regular members and are eligible for regular membership. b) Any "regular" student who was registered at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for the Spring semester and is registered for the Fall semester will be considered a student during the summer session and will therefore be eligible to be a regular member during the summer session.
2. Voting Members
   Voting members shall be those regular members who have met any additional requirements established by the Rensselaer Pagan Association constitution. These additional requirements are subject to review by the Rensselaer Union Executive Board. Only voting members can vote in business and election matters and can run for and hold elected and appointed offices and committee chairs.
3. Associate Members
   a) Continuing education, part time students and non activity fee paying degree completion students, RPI faculty, staff, and alumni (and their spouses) shall be eligible for associate membership. Students registered at Russell Sage College, Hudson Valley Community College and the other Hudson-Mohawk Consortium Schools shall also be eligible for associate membership.
   b) Associate members may participate in organization activities. However, they may not vote, hold office, or be regular committee chairpersons. Their per person subsidy will be less than a "regular" member.
4. Volunteer Members
   a) Volunteer members shall be those who are not eligible to be regular or associate members because they are not affiliated with the Rensselaer Union or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, but whose talents, skills, knowledge, or leadership will assist the Rensselaer Pagan Association in fulfilling its purpose. (Note: The term "volunteer" does not imply exemption from club dues.)
   b) Volunteer membership status must be approved by the organization for each volunteer member on an annual basis, and such membership shall not exceed 5% of organization membership without the annual approval of the Rensselaer Union Executive Board.
   c) Volunteer members may participate in organization activities. However, they may not vote, hold office, or be regular committee chairpersons. Their per person subsidy will be less than a "regular" member.

C. Other Requirements
1. All organization members must adhere to all Rensselaer Union guidelines, and are subject to all Rensselaer Union and Institute standards and disciplinary procedures.
2. When the Rensselaer Pagan Association represents RPI by engaging in competitive events with other schools or organizations, only regular organization members may compete on behalf of the organization.
3. To become a member of the Rensselaer Pagan Association, the potential member must:
   a) Fill out a membership form.
   b) Show an interest in RPA activities.
   c) Attend at least one meeting, or obtain the minutes of at least one meeting.
   d) Pay dues, if any. Exceptions can be made in cases of financial difficulty.
4. To become a Voting member of the Rensselaer Pagan Association, the person must:
   a) Be a "regular" member.
   b) Attend at least two meetings per semester.

D. Membership List and Communication
1. An accurate membership list must be maintained and kept on file as prescribed by the Rensselaer Union Executive Board and the activity fee subcommittee of the Student Senate.
2. The membership requirements are public knowledge. Should the requirement be requested, it is the duty of the Heralds to provide the information. Any restriction on member participation in certain club activities must also be provided.

A. The officer body shall consist of the four Heralds.
1. The Heralds shall serve as contacts for both the Union and the community.
2. The Heralds shall serve as liaisons to other organizations.
3. The Heralds have the power to appoint coordinators.
4. The Heralds shall assume the duties of any coordinators that are not present.
5. The Heralds are equal in authority.

B. Elections shall be made public knowledge at least one week prior to the elections.
1. Notice shall be posted on the "elections bulletin board" in the Union, as well as the "Campus Notices" section of the school newspaper.
2. General elections shall be held during the first meeting in November.

C. Any regular member can volunteer/be nominated. Non-regular members can volunteer/be nominated only if special Executive Board approval is obtained first.
1. Any member may nominate any eligible member.
2. The member in question may accept or decline the nomination.

D. Voting for elections shall be by secret ballot. To be elected to office, a candidate needs a majority of votes.

E. A current officer list, including names, student ID numbers, addresses, and phone numbers shall be maintained and kept on file according to Union standards. An updated list must be submitted within one week of any changes.

F. Should an officer post be vacant, a special election shall be called. Special elections shall be handled the same as normal elections, with the exception of date held.

G. Term of office for all officer posts is one year, unless the position was filled at some point other than the general elections. If this occurs, then the term of office for this position expires at the next general election.

A. Policies on Dealing with the Media and the Public
1. The membership list is remain confidential, with exception of the submission to the Executive Board. According to Union standards, the officer list is to be public information.
   a) Should a non-member request membership information, permission of any members involved is required.
2. The Rensselaer Pagan Association does not support or condone any negative or attacking communications directed at other individuals, groups, or religions. Likewise, the organization does not support or condone any acts, magickal or otherwise, meant to harm others. This applies to, but is not limited to, humans, animals, and the environment.
3. Official rituals and celebrations are to be considered private, unless otherwise designated by the participants.
4. When dealing with the public/media, the following should be stressed:
   a) There are multiple paths to the "Divine." ("There is no One, True Way.")
   b) Each path is valid for its believers.
   c) We do not attempt to convert members of other faiths.

B. Policies on Committees
1. Committee structure shall be determined by the members of the committee at the time of formation.
2. If, at some point during the existence of the committee, the structure needs to change, it is to be approved by a 2/3 majority of the committee members.
3. Each committee shall keep the Gavel informed as to the structure of the committee.

C. Policies on Meetings/Workshops
1. Meetings and workshop are not to be used as forums for religious debate, whether internally or externally. Discussion is welcome, but argument is not. As an organization, we accept all religions as holding validity.
2. The meeting chair will have the power to call a committee of the whole.

D. Policies on Rituals
1. All club rules will be upheld at rituals.
2. If, at any time, a person wishes to leave a ritual, they are free to do so.
3. Format of the ritual shall be decided upon by the Ritual Committee.

E. Policies on Club/Member Property
1. The Sword shall keep an accurate inventory of any club property.
   a) This list shall be made general knowledge to any member.
2. Any member wishing to borrow any property is to submit a written request to the Sword.
   a) Said request shall include a written promise to return any item(s) in the same condition borrowed (excepting for normal use), and to reimburse the club should the item(s) become unreasonably damaged.
   b) Item(s) may be borrowed for a two week period. If there is no one waiting to borrow said item(s), the member can check out the item(s) again.
3. The Sword shall also keep an accurate list of any items that the members own that they may be willing to loan to others.
   a) The policies for borrowing club property apply here, except when the owner's policies differ. In that case, the owner's policies shall supercede the policies listed here.

F. Policies on Emergency Action
1. Should some sort of action be required between business meetings, the following guidelines should be observed:
   a) Alert the Executive Committee as soon as possible. If the situation warrants it, a special meeting can be called.
   b) If the Executive Committee cannot be reached for a decision, and the situation calls for immediate action, the member can, at his/her own discretion, take any actions deemed necessary.
   1. When possible, act as an individual, not as a spokesperson for the RPA.
   2. If the situation calls for representation of the RPA, any actions taken on behalf of the organization shall be subject to review and approval at the next business meeting.

G. Policies on Coordinators
1. There shall be four coordinators to assist the Heralds in their duties, as well as make sure that the organization runs smoothly. These four coordinators shall be: the Gavel, the Horn, the Quill, and the Sword.
2. Each coordinator has a "sphere of influence." The coordinator's duty is to make sure that all tasks under that sphere are completed, whether by performing those actions his/herself, or by delegating to others.
3. If a coordinator cannot fill his/her duty at any given point (ie. vacation, sickness), it is the responsibility of that coordinator to appoint a temporary replacement. In cases of emergency, the Heralds shall assume the duties of the missing coordinator.
4. The Gavel
   a) Responsible for moderation of meetings/club functions.
   1. Operates as a "default moderator" when needed.
   b) Has the authority to call for and create committees.
5. Horn
   a) Responsible for public relations.
   b) Responsible for recruitment/retention of members.
   c) Responsible for posting notices, etc.
6. Quill
   a) Responsible for maintaining an accurate membership list.
   b) Responsible for taking minutes of business meetings.
   c) Responsible for correspondence.
7. Sword
   a) Responsible for maintaining order at meetings/club functions.
   b) Responsible for maintaining any club property.
   c) Responsible for club finances.

A. Disciplinary Action
1. Should the need arise, a hearing will be held to decide what disciplinary action would be appropriate.
2. All involved parties are to be notified that their actions are under review at least one week prior to the hearing. All involved parties are requested to appear at the hearing.
3. The Executive Committee can request an incident report from any involved members.
4. Should any action (including impeachment) be deemed necessary, the form of action shall be approved by a 2/3 majority.

B. If the members involved feel that the results of the hearing are unfair, they may appeal to the Rensselaer Union Judicial Board.

A. Frequency, location, and time of meetings shall be decided upon by the membership.
1. Notice of business meetings shall be made public knowledge at least 3 days prior to the meeting, except in cases of special emergency meetings.
2. If a special meeting needs to be called, the member requesting the special meeting shall contact the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall then be responsible for calling the special meeting.
3. Workshops can be called at any time, by discretion of the Workshop Committee. Workshops are to be announced at least 3 days prior to the event.
4. Rituals can be called at any time, by discretion of the Ritual Committee. Rituals are to be announced at least 3 days prior to the event.

B. Quorum of a business meeting shall be 51% of all voting members. Quorum shall be necessary at elections.

C. Structure

1. The meetings shall be divided into two parts: the business meeting, which shall comprise the first part of the meeting, and the social gathering, which shall comprise the second part of the meeting.
2. Agenda
   a) Meeting is opened.
   b) Compilation of an attendance list.
   c) Officers'/Committee reports.
   d) Old business.
   e) New business.
   f) Open floor for discussion.
   g) Business meeting closes. At this point, the group shall break for a short intermission, and then the social segment of the meeting shall begin. The structure of the social portion of the meeting shall be up to the discretion of the Workshop Committee.

D. Maintaining Order
If, at any point in any meeting/club function, any person(s) become(s) disruptive to the progress of the meeting (including breaking any club rules), it shall be the duty of the Sword to request that the person(s) involved refrain from such behavior. If this has no results, the Sword can ask the person to leave. If this has no results, the Sword can, with approval by the members present, request that the person(s) be removed by Public Safety. If no other members are present, or are occupied by other tasks (ie. at rituals), the Sword can make this decision at his/her discretion, and will be responsible to the membership for any actions.
E. The official language of all business meetings shall be English unless, by unanimous vote of all those present in the meeting, an alternative language is preferred.

A. Executive Committee
1. The Rensselaer Pagan Association will have an Executive Committee that may act on behalf of the organization between business meetings. Their actions are subject to review and approval by the membership at business meetings.
2. The Executive Committee shall consist of: the Gavel, the Horn, The Quill, the Sword, and the four Heralds.
3. Each member of the Executive Committee shall have only one vote, in the case that a Herald is also a coordinator.

B. Workshop Committee
1. The Rensselaer Pagan Association will have an Workshop Committee to organize workshops and classes, both for internal purposes as well as community education.
2. Membership on the Workshop Committee shall be on a volunteer basis.

C. Ritual Committee
1. The Rensselaer Pagan Association will have a Ritual Committee to organize public and private rituals, dictated by general interest.
2. Membership on the Ritual Committee shall be on a volunteer basis.

A. Necessity of, and amount of club dues are to be determined by the membership.
1. Collection of all club monies, including dues, donations, or Union funding, shall be the responsibility of the Sword.
2. If the club receives Union funding, it shall be the duty of the Sword to create a budget, to be approved by the membership.

B. The Sword shall maintain an accurate log of the finances.
1. Monies collected are to be placed into an account.
2. Money can be withdrawn from this account by a majority vote at meetings, or by the approval of the Executive Committee, if between meetings.

C. The Workshop Committee has the authority to charge dues to participate in events, provided that the cost is announced in advance.
1. The Workshop Committee is responsible for the disbursement of monies collected for workshops. Any profits are to be placed into an account for future use.

A. The club's constitution shall be effective immediately upon ratification by a two-thirds majority of voting members and subsequent approval by the Rensselaer Union Executive Board.

B. If it becomes necessary that any part of the club's constitution be changed, or that additions to the club's constitution be made, a two-thirds majority of voting members and subsequent approval by the Rensselaer Union Executive Board must be obtained.

1. Any proposed changes must be discussed during at least one business meeting before they can be voted upon.
2. Any member of the club can propose a change to the constitution.

C. Notification of ratification or amendment shall be made public notice at least 7 days prior to the voting.
1. All members shall be notified via email/U.S. mail, for the purpose of absentee ballots. If the member does not return a response to the officer body, it will be assumed that the member has abstained from the vote.
2. There shall be a 7 day waiting period after the voting meeting, to allow any late absentee ballots to arrive.

A. The Rensselaer Pagan Association currently has no official affiliation or governing relationships with any national and/or regional organizations.
B. Should, at any point, the Rensselaer Pagan Association develop an official affiliation or governing relationship with any national and/or regional organization, such relationship shall be expressly stated in the Constitution. A copy of said organizations rules/guideline shall also be submitted to the Executive Board within one month of making the affiliation official.

In the event that the club's constitution comes in conflict with any Rensselaer Union or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute rule or standard, then the constitution will be superceded by that rule or standard.

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