Code of Ethics
1. No Member of T.A.W.N. will knowingly disrespect or misrepresent T.A.W.N. or any of its Members. All Members will treat one another and their various Traditions and practices respectfully.
2. Members appearing at a T.A.W.N. function shall be clean and sober. During events and at rituals, attention will be focused on the Member or Guest who has the floor and/or is facilitating.
3. Civil and criminal laws will be obeyed at all T.A.W.N. events and in the performance of T.A.W.N. duties. Events sponsored by T.A.W.N. are alcohol-free and clothing is required.
4. No Member of T.A.W.N. shall use his/her T.A.W.N. membership or personal association with T.A.W.N. to manipulate, coerce, or for force anyone else’s beliefs, understandings, or behaviors.
Articles of Incorporation
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:
That we, the undersigned, have this day associated ourselves for the purpose of forming a non-profit corporation under and pursuant to the laws of the State of Arizona and for that purpose do hereby adopt these Articles of Incorporation.
ARTICLE 1
The name of this corporation is the Tucson Area Wiccan\Pagan Network.
ARTICLE 2
The purpose for which this corporation is organized is the transaction of any or all lawful business for which non-profit corporations may be incorporated under the laws of the State of Arizona, as they may be amended from time to time. Said corporation is organized to promote communication, understanding, and goodwill among the individual members of the Wiccan and Pagan religious communities and, in addition, between those members and the general public. One important task is to educate the uninformed as to the true nature of our religions, as a means to counter prejudice and fear. Our goal is to build a spiritual network based on a love and reverence for Nature. We honor all Goddesses and Gods as valid to those who revere them, and we strive to provide a meeting point for individuals seeking others of like mind. Diversity is welcomed. Each member is expected to harm none while on his/her chosen path. We promote respect for Mother Earth and all Her children (humans, animals, plants, etc.), environmental concerns, and a striving for balance and responsibility in our lives.
ARTICLE 3
Leadership of this organization is guided by consensus. While private conferences of the directors may be conducted for brainstorming, important issues must be discussed with the general membership at an open meeting. Decisions are reached openly after consideration of suggestions from members present. Meetings are held monthly at the cauldron lucks, in addition to the annual meeting during Fall Festival.
ARTICLE 4
Said corporation is organized exclusively for educational and charitable purposes within the meaning of Sections 501 (c) (3) of the Revenue Code of 1954.
ARTICLE 5
No part of the net earnings of the corporation shall inure to the benefit of , or be distributable to its members, directors, officers, or other private persons, except that the corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Article 3rd hereof. There will be no carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, this corporation shall not, except to an insubstantial degree, engage in any activities or exercise any powers that are not in furtherance of the purposes of this corporation.
ARTICLE 6
Upon the dissolution of the corporation, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the principal office of the corporation is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.
ARTICLE 7
The name and address of the initial statutory agent of the corporation is Richard Dean King.
ARTICLE 8
The initial Board of Directors shall consist of seven (7) directors. The number of persons to serve on the Board of Directors shall be no less than three (3) and no more than seven (7). The persons who are to serve as Directors until the first annual meeting or until their successors are elected and qualified are:
Carol Garr, 2343 W. Old Ajo Way, Tucson, AZ 85746
Evelyn Conner, 6816-B Lightning Dr., Tucson, AZ 85708
Ashleen Fariss, 2117 E. Jason Vista, Tucson, AZ 85713
Caryl Stowe-Kripner, 2052 W. Tourney, Tucson, AZ 85713
Pat Jarret, 3800 S. Harrison Rd., Tucson, AZ 85710
Ken Girard, 5802 E. 31st St., Tucson, AZ 85711
Cathy Mackie, 4120 E. Dryden Lane, Tucson, AZ 85712
ARTICLE 9
The names and addresses of the original incorporators of the corporation are:
Carol Garr, 2343 W. Old Ajo Way, Tucson, AZ 85746
Lee Lindsay, 3344 E. Kleindale Rd. #43, Tucson, AZ 85716
Richard King, 3310 E. Mescalero Dr., Vail, AZ 85641
ARTICLE 10
The principal place of business shall be
- P.0. Box 41082, Tucson, AZ 85702.
ARTICLE 11
The annual meeting of the corporation shall be held on the Saturday closest to the Fall equinox each year.
ARTICLE 12
The fiscal year end for this corporation is December 31st.
By Laws
ARTICLE 1: MEMBERSHIP
1.01 The membership of the Network shall be composed of all Members in good standing who have completed, signed, and submitted a membership Application and have paid their current annual dues no less than 15 minutes prior to the start of the meeting at which they desire to vote. A membership term is from Fall Festival to Fall Festival. Resignation from TAWN membership must be in writing, signed and delivered personally to any Board Member, by mail to TAWN’s Post Office box, or by e-mail to the Board.
1.02 A Member in good standing is a Member against whom there is no pending action pursuant to Article 4. If any Member has a complaint or grievance against any other Member, the aggrieved Member shall first attempt to resolve the difficulty with the other Member, and if satisfaction cannot be so achieved, the aggrieved Member shall bring his or her complaint to the Board; and should the difficulty be irresolvable by the Board or their delegates, the Board will present the aggrieved Member’s complaint to the membership at the earliest meeting consistent with Article 3.10.
1.03 The procedure for the expulsion of any Member from TAWN for cause shall, if Article 1.02 is not applicable, be the same as the removal protocol for Officers and Board Members, as described in Article 3.10. Expulsion shall be for at least a year and a day, and a longer period may be specified in the Motion. Upon reapplication, an expelled Member will acknowledge the reason for expulsion and argue for readmission before the Board or the current membership. Without disclosing specifics, the Board will review the acknowledgment and recommend for or against reinstatement. Renewed membership, if granted, shall be probationary for a period equal to the length of the expulsion. If the Member is expelled for conduct during the probationary period, expulsion is permanent. If expulsory behavior occurs after the probationary period, the process begins again, with the understanding the reapplication is subject to Article 1.09.
1.04 Memberships are not transferable; scholarships may be available at contributing Members’ discretion.
1.05 Annual membership dues can be paid at any time and will be prorated from the immediately preceding Annual Meeting to the next Annual Meeting.
1.06 A quorum at any meeting shall consist of the voting Members present. Withdrawal of Members from any meeting shall not cause failure of a duly constituted quorum at that meeting.
1.07 Proxies are not allowed. Non-elective votes will be taken at Cauldronlucks by a show of hands, or at any Member’s request, by “marble vote;” and election of officers shall be conducted according to Article 3.04.
1.08 Membership is open to any person 18 years or older who completes, signs, and submits a current membership Application, pays the annual membership dues, affirms the purposes of the Network as spelled out in TAWN’s Articles of Incorporation (Article 2), and agrees to act in accordance with TAWN’s By-Laws and Code of Ethics (attached hereto for reference). A person 16 or 17 years of age, who meets all the other qualifications, may join TAWN as a teen Member, with all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of membership. However, in addition to the Application for membership, they will need to submit written permission from a parent or guardian which states that they may join TAWN and attend TAWN events, and that TAWN is absolved of any special responsibility based on their age. TAWN will verify, preferably in person or by telephone, that the purported signature is genuine.
1.09 All new applications for membership will be reviewed by the Board, including those submitted after lapses or resignations; this will not affect continuously renewing memberships. The Board may approve, approve with conditions, or deny membership applications.
1.10 Resignations will take effect as soon as they are made. Members resigning are barred from reapplying for membership for a year and a day.
ARTICLE 2: MEETINGS
2.01 Monthly meetings of the membership shall be held as part of regularly scheduled Cauldronlucks.
2.02 Cauldronlucks shall be scheduled for the second Sunday of every month, time to be determined by a vote of the membership, except that in the month of May, the Cauldronluck shall be held on the third Sunday.
2.03 As specified in the Articles of Incorporation, the Annual Meeting is held at noon on the Saturday nearest to the Autumn Equinox, as part of the Fall Festival.
ARTICLE 3: OFFICERS and DIRECTORS
tors are expected to be familiar with and follow the job descriptions spelled out in the Membership and Volunteer Handbook; failure to observe those guidelines is a cause for removal from office.
3.02 The Coordinator and other Board members shall be elected from a slate of candidates nominated at the July and August Cauldronlucks. The Officers and Directors of this networking organization are elected at the September Cauldronluck and inaugurated at the Annual Meeting held during Fall Festival, and shall hold their unpaid positions for a term of two years or until their successors are elected. Terms shall begin at the close of the Annual Meeting. Officers will be elected on a rotating basis with Coordinator, Secretary and a Member at Large one year and Vice-Coordinator, Treasurer and two Members at Large the alternate year.
3.03 The Coordinator, Vice Coordinator, Treasurer, and Secretary shall be elected specifically; other positions on the Board shall include three Members at Large for a total of seven Members on the Board of Directors. Votes for the position of Coordinator will be counted first, then Vice Coordinator, then Secretary, then Treasurer, then Member at Large. The person elected to each position will then be ineligible for any other position on the Board of Directors, and votes for them in other positions will not be counted.
3.04 Paper ballots shall be distributed to members at the September Cauldronluck (active members not present will have their ballots sent to them), then collected and counted during that Cauldronluck. Voting may be done by either mailing in the Ballot or turning it in at the SeptemberCauldronluck, before the 11:45 am deadline. The election results will be announced by the close of the Annual Meeting, at which time the newly re/elected members of the Board assume their offices.
3.05 Any TAWN-related documents or records in the possession of an outgoing Coordinator, Board Member, or other Volunteer, shall be turned over to a Member of the current Board at the Fall Festival, or otherwise prior to the October Cauldronluck.
3.06 The Board of Directors shall never be composed of more than seven members, or of less than three. Any vacancies occurring on the Board for any reason may be left unfilled unless the count of Board Members would thereby fall below three. Should the number of Board Members fall below three, the Coordinator and/or remaining Board Members shall select and appoint a third from volunteers among the membership, and this appointee will serve until the next Annual Meeting, at which time s/he may retire or choose to run again.
3.07 Should the Coordinator’s position become vacant during any given term, the Vice Coordinator will assume the position and the Board will select a new Vice Coordinator from the remaining Members of the Board of Directors. Should either the Vice Coordinator’s, Secretary’s or Treasurer’s position become vacant the Board will select one of its remaining members to fill the position for the remainder of the term.
3.08 Candidates for the position of Board Member must have at least one year’s experience as active TAWN Members; candidates for the position of Coordinator must have a minimum of one year’s experience as a Member of the Board and this experience must be less than four years prior to the election.
3:08 (a) Except for the position of TAWN Coordinator and by the consensus of a quorum of the membership at a TAWN meeting; in the absence of qualified and eligible candidates for board positions; members in good standing that meet all requirements of active participation and have yet not held paid membership for the fully desired length of time may be considered for nomination to fill the need.
3.09 No one shall serve in any Board position or any sequence of Board positions, including Coordinator, for more than four consecutive years. An extension of 1 year in order for an officer to complete a term of office if elected when their term cap will end in the middle of elected position is allowed.
3.10 Any Board Member (including the Coordinator) may be removed from their position for cause, by a vote of 2/3 of the voting Members at any Cauldronluck meeting, providing that:
3.10(a) said Board Member is present, and/or has been notified of the pending action no fewer than 14 days prior to that meeting; and
3.10(b) said Board Member has the opportunity to rebut any assertions or accusations made against him/her at the Cauldronluck in which the vote is taken.
3.11 In any one term of office, more than one absence from a Cauldronluck or Board meeting without prior notification to the Board and/or good cause, or a total of three absences from either, can be grounds for an officer’s removal from the Board. However, this has to be determined based on the circumstances and upon other aspects of the Board Member’s overall performance of their duties.
3.12 The Coordinator is the chief spokesperson for TAWN, and presides at Cauldronlucks, the Annual Meeting, and Board meetings; and the Coordinator is a co-signer on TAWN’s bank account with the Treasurer.
3.13 The Vice Coordinator is the assistant to the Coordinator, and presides at Cauldronlucks, the Annual Meeting, and Board meetings in the absence of the Coordinator; the Vice Coordinator assumes the position of Coordinator should the Coordinator resign or be removed from office.
3.14 The Secretary is responsible to pick mail up from TAWN’s Post Office box regularly, and to answer or forward said mail as s/he deems appropriate; to keep (file and/or archive accessibly) copies of all TAWN correspondence; and to keep the Minutes of the Board meetings. Additionally, the Secretary is responsible for maintaining the official membership roster, and the list of Tapestry subscriptions with their expiration dates.
3.15 Minimally, the Treasurer has full responsibility for TAWN’s finances, including the collection, recording, banking, expending, and reporting of TAWN’s income to the Board and membership. The Treasurer is a co-signer on TAWN’s bank account, with the Coordinator, and it is his/her responsibility to keep the bank’s records, including the signature card, up to date complete and to turn in the Annual Report on time to the corporation commission.
3.16 The Members-at-Large are the voice of the membership; they may bring members’ issues to the Board, including suggestions for activities and improvements to TAWN. The Members-at-Large may be asked to head committees such as the Community Classes or Open Ritual positions. A Member-at-Large may be asked to fill open elected officer positions if necessary.
ARTICLE 4: COMMITTEES, APPOINTEES, and ORGANIZERS
4.01 The officers and members of the Board, collectively or individually pursuant to their assignments, may appoint event organizers as necessary; and officers, Members at Large, and event organizers may appoint committees to implement the Network’s purposes and membership’s decisions. All appointed positions are unpaid; reimbursement may be made for actual expenses and for separately contracted professional services.
4.01(a) Receipts must be presented to the Treasurer when reimbursement of expenses is requested.
4.01(b) separately contracted professional services will be paid or reimbursed by TAWN only if approved beforehand by the Board.
4.02 Committee Chairs, event Organizers, and other Appointees, including those listed in 4.03 below, are expected to be familiar with and follow the job descriptions spelled out in the Membership and Volunteer Handbook; failure to observe these guidelines is a cause for removal from an appointed position.
4.03 The following appointed positions shall be standing and filled by Volunteers from the membership, any/all of whom will work in consultation with the Board of Directors:
4.03(a) A Scribe, who shall record the Minutes of the monthly Cauldronlucks and the Annual Meeting, and who shall provide, within 10 days of the meeting, finalized, proof-read copies of the Minutes to the Board of Directors, the Newsletter Editor(s), the Webmaster/mistress, and the Historian.
4.03(b) An Open Ritual Director, who shall call for and coordinate volunteer leaders, from the membership or by invitation of the Board, of TAWN-sponsored open Rituals, and keep a record of open Ritual s conducted, including copies of all required paperwork.
4.03(c) An Historian, who shall keep a permanent record of all meeting Minutes, publicity material, scrapbooks and other memorabilia, and all available documents and items pertaining to the history of TAWN as provided by the Board and/or appointees.
4.03(d) A Webmaster/mistress, who shall be responsible for the publication, up-dating, link and banner maintenance (including exchanges and requests) and general maintenance of the site. (See Article 4.07)
4.03(e) A Tapestry Editor(s) who shall be responsible for the appointment of his/her/their volunteer staff, and for the publication and primary mailing of TAWN’s newsletter, and for the contents and organization of any on-line edition. (See Article 4.04)
4.03(f) A Public Education Chair, who shall be responsible for securing class locations and recruiting presenters, and scheduling classes that shall be open to the public, and for publicity for said classes.
4.03(g) A Moon School Director, who shall be responsible for developing, supervising, and facilitating the implementation of curricula; and recruiting and supervising the training and performance of Moon School teachers.
4.03(h) A Ramada Clean-up Manager, who shall be in charge of scheduling, supervising and conducting Ramada clean-ups at least twice monthly. This involves a) obtaining cleaning supplies, paint, and tools as needed, and submitting receipts for any expenses/necessary reimbursements; b) scheduling and supervision of special Ramada events such as repainting; and c) obtaining, completing, copying for TAWN and submitting to Tucson Clean and Beautiful the required forms and records.
4.03(i) A Fall Fest Manager, who shall organize and coordinate the annual Fall Fest fundraiser on the Saturday closest to the Equinox. The Fall Fest Manager shall also keep records of his/her activities, monies spent and received, useful contact information, and correspondence with both the appropriate authorities and anyone else outside of TAWN. He/she will also turn in a report about his/her results, including the financial results, to the new Board within one month of the date of Fall Fest. This position is normally filled by a new volunteer each year. The Fall Fest Manager for next year is highly recommended to serve as the deputy of the Fall Fest Manager for this year.
4.03(j) A Spring Fest Manager, who shall organize and coordinate the annual Spring Fest fundraiser on the Saturday closest to the Equinox. The Spring Fest Manager shall also keep records of his/her activities, monies spent and received, useful contact information, and correspondence with both the appropriate authorities and anyone else outside of TAWN. He/she will also turn in a report about his/her results, including the financial results, to the Board within one month of the date of Spring Fest. This position is normally filled by a new volunteer each year. The Spring Fest Manager for next year is highly recommended to serve as the deputy of the Spring Fest Manager for this year.
4.04 The official newsletter of the Tucson Area Wiccan-Pagan Network shall be called Tapestry. Editorial policy shall be set by the Editor(s), in consultation with the Board; the Editor(s) shall enjoy significant discretion as to the content, format, length, and appearance of the newsletter, within the following parameters:
4.04(a) All copyright laws shall be observed.
4.04(b) Every issue shall be proof-read and corrected prior to publication.
4.04(c) All submissions to the newsletter will be acknowledged (by e-mail, telephone, or in writing) within one week of receipt.
4.04(d) Authors/artists will be advised of any and all changes made to their submission; changes beyond basic grammar and spelling will be made only in consultation with the submitters.
4.04(e) Problem submissions will be remanded to the authors/artists, and/or brought to the Board’s attention, at the discretion of the Editor(s).
4.04(f) Every issue shall include the following:
4.04(f)1 Table of Contents
4.04(f)2 A schedule of up-coming meetings and events
4.04(f)3 A map of the Cauldronluck location
4.04(f)4 A list of current Board Members and their contact information
4.04(f)5 A summary of Minutes of monthly meetings since the last issue
4.04(f)6 The newsletter’s submission guidelines, including deadlines
4.05 The Newsletter Editor(s), with any staff appointed, shall be responsible for soliciting, collecting, verifying when possible, and the proofing and editing of information and articles for the newsletter, and for presenting them in a legible and consistent format; and – with the Secretary – for the maintenance and up-dating of a list of subscribers and the expiration dates of subscriptions.
4.06 Tapestry shall be funded from TAWN’s general revenue. The newsletter budget shall be set by the Board and confirmed by the membership at a regular meeting.
4.06(a) Allocation of the budgeted funds are at the discretion of the Editor(s).
4.06(b) The Editor(s) shall be informed of any budgetary changes at least 45 days prior to the submission deadline of the first issue to be impacted by a Board decision.
4.06(c) Tapestry shall be a quarterly newsletter, issued at the September, December, March, and June Cauldronlucks, and mailed to subscribers not present at the Cauldronluck within two business days after the Cauldronluck.
4.06(d) Whether or not “contributor’s copies” will be given to non-subscribing contributors will be at the discretion of the Editor(s), in consideration of resources available.
4.07 The official Internet address of TAWN’s website shall be www.tawn.org. Editorial policy shall be set by the Webmaster/mistress in consultation with the Board; the Webmaster/mistress shall enjoy significant discretion as to the content, format, length and appearance of the website, within the following parameters:
4.07(a) All copyright laws shall be observed.
4.07(b) Every posting shall be proof-read and corrected prior to publication.
4.07(c) All submissions to the site must be provided in writing and will be acknowledged (by e-mail, telephone, or in writing) within one week of receipt.
4.07(d) Authors/artists will be advised of any and all changes made to their submission; changes beyond basic grammar and spelling will be made only in consultation with the submitter’s.
4.07(e) “Problem” submissions will be remanded to the authors/artists, and/or, at the Editor(s)’ discretion, brought to the Board’s attention.
4.07(f) The Webmaster/mistress shall make up-dates within one week of being given material that needs preparation for inclusion on the website, and within 48 hours of receiving “insert-ready” files.
4.07(g) The website will always include the following elements:
4.07(g)1 Table of Contents or the equivalent in a Navigation Bar
4.07(g)2 A schedule of up-coming meetings and events
4.07(g)3 A map of the Cauldronluck location
4.07(g)4 A list of current Board Members and their contact information
4.07(g)5 The full version of Minutes from the most recent Cauldronluck
4.07(g)6 Links to related sites, including but not limited to local covens and other Pagan organizations
4.08 The Webmaster/mistress, with any staff appointed, shall be responsible for soliciting, collecting, verifying when possible, and the proofing and editing of information and articles for the website, and for presenting them in a legible and consistent format.
4.09 The website shall be funded from TAWN’s general revenue. The budget shall be set by the Board and confirmed by the membership at a regular meeting.
4.10 The Webmaster/mistress shall bring to the attention of the Board, and the membership if necessary, any difficulties s/he encounters with the site host or ISP, if said difficulties persist longer than 36 hours.
4.11 Any change of server or ISP may be made only with the Board’s approval and by a vote of a 2/3 majority of the membership at a regular meeting if the problem has been persistent and/or the current hosts unresponsive.
ARTICLE 5: FINANCES
5.01 All payments for TAWN-sponsored events shall be made to TAWN and received only by the Treasurer or his/her agent, who must be a TAWN Member in good standing.
5.02 An annual review of TAWN’s financial records shall be conducted by a qualified Volunteer from the membership (not the Treasurer). The annual review shall be started within a month of Fall Fest, and completed within the next 30 days; and the results reported to the Treasurer upon completion, and to the membership as soon as possible, but no later than the December Cauldronluck.
5.03 In cooperation with other Board members or appointed Volunteers, the Treasurer shall be responsible for the provision of any tickets or vouchers required for any TAWN-sponsored event.
5.04 Tickets or vouchers for admission to or participation in TAWN-sponsored events may be sold or otherwise distributed by agents of TAWN, who are accountable to the Treasurer.
ARTICLE 6: AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS
6.01 Proposed amendments to TAWN’s By-Laws may not contradict or conflict with TAWN’s Articles of Incorporation.
6.02 Amendments to the By-Laws may be proposed by any TAWN Member in good standing.
6.03 Amendments to the By-Laws may be effected by a 2/3 majority vote at any regular meeting that follows a meeting at which said amendment has been proposed and discussed.
6.04 For cause and at the discretion of the Board and/or membership, any By-Law may be suspended in particular circumstances by a 2/3 majority of either or both bodies.