The following guidelines are suggestions, based on past experience. The Guardian, like the HPS and all of the other members of the Outer Grove, must abide by the Oath and Laws.
The Guardian is appointed by the HPS, and serves at her pleasure. Ordinarily, the Guardian serves for a month, more or less, in rotation with all of the other members of the Grove. Lots are drawn to determine who is the first Guardian, and who in turn will succeed him or her. A record of the lots is kept as a rota, with each member's name and date of service recorded.
The Guardian of the Outer Grove acts on behalf of, and to the benefit of, the entire Grove.
The Guardian must train and advise his or her successor, and pass on the Guardian's Book together with any additions made during the term of service.
The Guardian is responsible for the safety of the Grove during his or her term, both within and outside the Circle.
Whenever guests come to the Grove, the Guardian must discuss the general outline of the evening with each guest, and ask if they have any special needs related to their safety and comfort during the meeting. He or she also explains the Grove's ground-rules to the guests.
The Guardian obtains copies of the handouts (if any) from the Maiden, and gives one copy to each guest before the meeting, and to all other members of the Grove after the meeting.
The Guardian sets up and dismantles the side-altar for each meeting during his or her term of office; the HPS and HP advise the Guardian as to appropriate construction and layout of the side-altar.
The Guardian keeps fire-watch during Grove meetings: this includes watching out for draperies, clothing and hair that might be ignited by a candle or cauldron flame, and knowing where the fire-extinguisher is kept. In the event of fire, the Guardian should act swiftly to ensure that the fire is extinguished; if this is not possible, the Guardian must help ensure that all people evacuate the premises and that fire-fighters are called.
The Guardian also keeps door-watch, ensuring that the Grove's doors and windows are closed at the appropriate time, and dealing politely with anyone who seeks admittance to the Grove after the door has been locked. The Guardian must appoint a stand-in for fire watch during times that he or she leaves the room to answer the door.
After each meeting, the Guardian cleans and packs away the side-altar and its tools, with the aid of other Grove members if need be.
The Guardian must maintain an up-to-date contact list for the Grove, and make sure that all members have copies of the list and any amendments thereto. The Guardian keeps the Guardian's Book, a logbook of each meeting, recording the attendance of the Grove members and any guests, and any other unusual circumstances. The Guardian's Book remains the property of the Outer Grove, and is passed from Guardian to Guardian.
The Guardian should know where the fire extinguisher is, and how to use it, as well as knowing where the nearest active telephone is in case of fire or other serious emergency.
Before the meeting commences, the Guardian checks reference books in and out of the Grove library. The normal term of loan is one week (or until the next Grove meeting). The Guardian keeps a record of loans in the Guardian's Book, and chases down overdue and missing books with tactful yet dogged persistence.
The Guardian must check to make sure that telephones are unplugged, or their bells turned off, before the beginning of the meeting. He or she also asks all participants to remove wrist-watches and beepers, and to have their hair unbound, as well as checking to make sure that all women present have a necklace.
The Guardian collects the Outer Grove's dues every fourth meeting. Dues are spaced this way because they will thus be collected roughly once per month, which is a convenient time span for most people. The Maiden advises the Grove as to the necessary amount of dues; the Grove then discusses the matter and consenses on the amount to be collected. The Guardian, in turn, then collects the dues on the designated evenings, and turns the monies over to the Maiden for safekeeping.
These are rare circumstances, but worth considering beforehand.
In the event that the Guardian is unable to carry on in office, the HPS must designate a new Guardian. Ordinarily, the successor will be the next person in line on the rota.
written by: Brigantia, January 6, 1999
document: WILDGUAR © 1999, Coven of the Stone and Mirror
this address of this page is: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Agora/2416/wildguar.html
The Grove's syllabus, library, and Laws. The Maiden's role in Outer Grove.