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This Constitution was last updated in November 2007.
1 Name
1.1 The Three Principles of The Pagan Federation
2 Aims and Objectives
3 Membership
3.1 Conditions for Membership
3.2 Categories of Membership
3.3 Subscribers
3.4 Subscriptions
3.5 Withdrawal of Membership
3.6 Refusal of Subscription of Membership
3.7 Overseas Subscribers and Members
4 Meetings
5 The Council
5.1 The Role of the Council
5.2 Officers and Members of the Council
5.2.1 The President
5.2.2 Secretary
5.2.3 Treasurer
5.2.4 Publications Officer
5.2.5 District Liaison Officer
5.2.6 Members
5.2.7 Observers
5.3 Meetings of the Council
5.3.1 Annual Meeting
5.3.2 Business of Annual Meeting
5.3.3 Other Meetings
5.3.4 Quorum
5.3.5 Voting
6 The Committee
6.1 The Role of the Committee
6.2 Officers and Members of the Committee
6.3 Committee Elections
6.4 Election of two Committee members from Pagan Federation Council
6.5 Meetings of the Committee
6.6 Minutes and reporting
7 Sub-Committees
8 Affiliated Organisations & Federated Bodies within The Pagan Federation
9 Winding Up Of The Pagan Federation
10 Alterations to the Constitution
11 Availability of the Constitution.
1. Name
The name of the Association is 'The Pagan Federation'. The Pagan Federation
may include any constitutionally federated or affiliated bodies within
it operating under their own constitution. “Federal Bodies”
or “Federated Bodies” means complete Federated Districts or
national bodies with Federated Districts.
1.1 The Three Principles of The Pagan Federation
Although no longer included as a requirement for membership of The Pagan
Federation (except possibly in those areas with affiliated/federated status
whose elected Councils set their own criteria), the Three Principles set
out below have historically provided a basis for its work in education
and the Pagan community and are supported and aspired to by many Pagans.
- Love for and Kinship with Nature. Reverence for the life force and
its ever-renewing cycles of life and death.
- A Positive Morality in which the individual is responsible for the
discovery and development of their true nature in harmony with the outer
world and community. This is often expressed as "Do what you will, as
long as it harms none".
- Recognition of the Divine, which transcends gender, acknowledging
both the female and male aspect of the Deity.
2. Aims and Objectives
The Aims and Objectives of The Pagan Federation are:
2.1 To seek to support all Pagans in their personal and public life,
to help ensure that they have the same rights as the followers of other
beliefs and members of other religions.
2.2 To promote a positive profile for Pagans and Paganism and to provide
information on Pagan paths and beliefs to the media, official bodies and
the greater community.
2.3 To facilitate effective communication, education and dialogue within
and between Pagan communities and with non Pagans, through publications
and events.
3. Membership
3.1 Conditions for Membership
There are three membership categories of The Pagan Federation. There is
also a class of Subscribers. All members must be sixteen years of age
or over. They must consider themselves to be Pagans and must agree to
support the aims and objectives of The Pagan Federation. Federated Districts
of The Pagan Federation may, with the permission of their District Council,
set additional conditions of membership. It is expected of members that
they positively support the aims and objectives of The Pagan Federation.
The Pagan Federation welcomes all Pagans regardless of gender, ethnic
origin, sexual orientation or disability.
3.2 Categories of Membership
3.2.1 Full members are those who consider themselves to be Pagans, who
support the aims and objectives of The Pagan Federation and who have paid
the Full member's subscription. They may or may not take the magazine.
After one year Full members have voting rights and are eligible to stand
for the Committee.
3.2.2 Honorary members are those who consider themselves to be Pagans,
who support the aims and objectives of The Pagan Federation and who have
given outstanding service to The Pagan Federation or the Pagan community.
They pay no annual membership or magazine subscription and have the voting
rights and other rights of Full members. Honorary members are proposed
by the Committee or by the Council and agreed by the Council on the basis
of a two-thirds majority of votes cast. Proposals for Honorary membership
shall be circulated to Council at least 28 days prior to the Council meeting.
3.2.3 Life members are those who consider themselves to be Pagans, who
support the aims and objectives of The Pagan Federation and have been
granted life membership for services to The Pagan Federation or the Pagan
community. They have all the benefits of Full members but pay no annual
membership or magazine subscription. Life members are proposed by Committee
or by the Council and agreed by the Council on the basis of a two thirds
majority vote cast. Proposals for life membership shall be circulated
to Council at least 28 day's prior to the Council meeting.
3.3 Subscribers
Subscribers are those who do not wish to become full members but who wish
to subscribe to the magazine. They must be sixteen years of age or over.
They have no voting rights and receive none of the other benefits of full
membership of The Pagan Federation.
3.4 Subscriptions
Subscribers and members shall pay fees determined by the Council.
3.5 Withdrawal of Membership
3.5.1 Members may withdraw by notifying the General Secretary of The
Pagan Federation in writing. No refund of subscription will be paid to
any resigning member.
3.5.2 A member whose subscription is overdue by more than six months
will cease to receive any of the privileges of membership until the subscription
is renewed. Provided that a renewal subscription is received within three
years, he or she may be readmitted at the same level as before.
3.5.3 A member whose subscription remains unpaid for three years or more
will be deemed to have lapsed and will be required to reapply for membership.
3.5.4 Membership of The Pagan Federation may be withdrawn from any person
who no longer considers themselves to be a Pagan or for breaches of the
Code of Conduct. Withdrawal of membership (or any other application of
penalties for breaching the Code) will be carried out in accordance with
the Disciplinary Procedure of The Pagan Federation (available on request).
3.6 Refusal of Subscription or Membership
The Pagan Federation reserves the right to refuse the subscription or
membership of any individual.
3.7 Overseas Subscribers and Members
Pagans with areas with an existing Pagan Federation affiliate organisation
applying to join The Pagan Federation are referred to the Affiliated Organisation
in that area.
4. Meetings
4.1 The Pagan Federation may hold public or private meetings, courses,
workshops, conferences, rites and ceremonies and other gatherings.
4.2 Admission to such gatherings shall be at the discretion of the organisers,
and in compliance with any terms or conditions imposed by the venue.
5. The Council
5.1 The Rôle of the Council
5.1.1 To ensure the Committee and membership have access to a continuity
of knowledge about The Pagan Federation business, history and aims.
5.1.2 To advise the Committee on policy whereby the Aims and Objectives
of The Pagan Federation may be furthered. The Council may suggest proposals
to the Committee for the advancement of Paganism and of The Pagan Federation.
The Committee shall have the final decision as to whether any policy proposals
put forward by the Council should be implemented. The Committee is required
to provide reasons to the Council should it decide not to implement any
proposal. In the event of disagreement, a full vote of the Council shall
be taken, with a two-thirds majority required to carry the decision.
5.1.3 To ensure the Committee does not depart from the Constitution of
The Pagan Federation, that members' money and confidentiality are safeguarded,
and that the legal and statutory requirements of The Pagan Federation
are met including the requirements of the Data Protection Act.
5.1.4 To provide such information and advice to the Committee as is necessary
to ensure the integrity and good management of The Pagan Federation's
finances and to meet its legal and statutory obligations. The Council
shall also approve the annual subscription rates and the appointment of
the Treasurer.
5.1.5 The Council may decide on cash limits on the Committee's spending
and such constraints as it sees fit on the authority of the Committee
to sign cheques or engage in financial transactions on The Pagan Federation's
behalf.
5.1.6 The Council shall act as final arbiters in any decision to revoke
the membership of a member of The Pagan Federation for misconduct, or
to dismiss a Committee member from the Committee.
5.1.7 To undertake such tasks as may be deemed necessary by a majority
of the Council in order to further the Aims and Objectives of The Pagan
Federation.
5.2 Officers and Members of the Council
5.2.1 The President
The Committee shall select a President from the Committee and Council,
subject to the approval of the Council. The President must be a Full member
of The Pagan Federation. The President will serve for three years initially.
Thereafter, the appointment must be approved annually by the Council.
In the event of the resignation of a President, or the Council not wishing
to ratify the appointment, the Committee will arrange for the election
or selection of a new President. In the event of the appointment not being
filled, an acting President may be selected by the Committee for a period
of no more than six months.
5.2.2 General Secretary
The Committee shall select the General Secretary, whose selection must
be ratified by the Council. The General Secretary must be a Full member
of The Pagan Federation. The General Secretary will serve for three years
initially. Thereafter, the appointment to be approved annually by the
Council. In the event of the resignation of the General Secretary or the
Council not wishing to ratify the appointment, the Committee will select
a new General Secretary.
5.2.3 Treasurer
The Committee shall select the Treasurer, who will serve for three years
initially and whose selection must be approved by the Council. Thereafter,
the appointment to be approved annually by the Council. In the event of
the resignation of the Treasurer or the Council not wishing to ratify
the appointment, the Committee will select a new Treasurer.
5.2.4 Publications Officer
The Committee shall select the Publications Officer, whose selection must
be approved by the Council. The Publications Officer must be a Full member
of The Pagan Federation. The Publications Officer will serve for three
years initially. Thereafter, the appointment to be approved annually by
the Council. In the event of the resignation of the Publications Officer
or the Council not wishing to ratify the appointment, the Committee will
select a new Publications Officer.
5.2.5 District Liaison Officer
The Committee shall select the District Liaison Officer, whose selection
must be approved by the Council. The District Liaison Officer must be
a Full member of The Pagan Federation. The District Liaison Officer will
serve for three years initially. Thereafter, the appointment to be approved
annually by the Council. In the event of the resignation of the District
Liaison Officer or the Council not wishing to ratify the appointment,
the Committee will select a new District Liaison Officer.
5.2.6 Members
The following are eligible for membership of the Council. Their method
of entry to the Council is given below. The maximum number of each category
is given in brackets.
- The President: (1) Elected by or selected by the Committee to serve
initially for three years.
- The Committee Officers (General Secretary, Treasurer, Publications
Officer, and District Liaison Officer): (Maximum places 4). Proposed
by the Committee and ratified by the Council, initially for a period
of three years and thereafter by annual invitation of the Council.
- The Elected Committee members (maximum places 6). Elected by postal
ballot of Full members.
- Co-opted Committee members or retired Officers: (maximum places 2)
Co-opted onto the Committee and ratified by the Council for an annual
term, renewable annually.
- District Managers and Regional Co-ordinators or their unmandated
representatives (maximum places 30 - 2 per district outside London,
4 from London). The Council may decide the number of regional representatives
who may sit on the Council and how any choice amongst them is to be
made. For the purposes of Council meetings, the International Manager
and National Co ordinators shall have the same rights as UK District
Managers and Regional Co-ordinators. For the purposes of postal ballots
all District Managers and Regional Co-ordinators (even when this exceeds
the number of Council places) will be deemed eligible.
- Honorary members: (maximum places 13) A maximum of thirteen Honorary
Members have automatic right to sit on the Council. They will be asked
if they wish to take up this option. In the event of there being more
than thirteen Honorary Members who wish to sit on the Council, the Council
shall decide to which Honorary Members the places will be offered.
- Past Presidents: (maximum places 5). The Council may invite past
Presidents to serve on the Council for a period of three years. In the
event of there being more than five eligible past Presidents, the Council
shall vote on who shall continue to serve. In the event of there being
vacancies, the Council may invite past Presidents to serve for an additional
period to be decided by the Council.
- PF Managers (Maximum 5). In the event of there being more than 5
Managers wishing to attend, the Council shall decide which Managers
shall be entitled to vote.
5.2.7 Observers
The Council through the General Secretary may invite members, representatives
of other Pagan groups, and other persons, as observers to Council meetings.
Their presence must be announced at the beginning of the meeting, or at
their arrival if later, and approved by a majority of those Council members
present. Observers have no voting rights.
5.3 Meetings of the Council
5.3.1 Annual Meeting
An Annual Council Meeting shall be held each calendar year. Written notice
of at least 28 clear days must be given of the day, time and place of
the Annual Council Meeting to all Council. Notice is deemed to have been
served 48 hours after posting.
5.3.2 Business of Annual Meeting
In addition to any business that the Committee or Council put before the
Annual Council Meeting, the following business shall be transacted:
- Consideration of the report of the activities of The Pagan Federation
during the previous year. This report shall include a record of attendances
at Committee meetings held since the last Annual Council meeting, together
with a report on the major decisions made by the Committee.
- Consideration of the financial and membership reports of the previous
year.
- Ratification of the appointment of Committee Officers and co-opted
Committee members.
- Filling vacancies on the Council.
5.3.3 Other Meetings
The Committee must call at least one further Council meeting in addition
to the Annual Council Meeting. In addition a quorum of the Council can
also call a Council Meeting. Written notice of at least 14 clear days
must be given of the day, time and place of such meetings to all Council
members. Notice is deemed to have been served 48 hours after posting.
5.3.4 Quorum
Fifteen Council members constitute a quorum. If the number of members
of the Council present at a Council meeting falls below fifteen, the continuing
members may act for the purpose of filling vacancies to the Council but
for no other purpose.
5.3.5 Voting
Voting on resolutions to be put to the Annual Council Meeting or any other
Council meeting may be made in person or by an unmandated representative.
In the event of a tie, the President shall make a casting vote if present
at the meeting. Otherwise a decision will be made by lot. Council members
may be balloted by post on urgent matters. All votes involving named individuals
must be by secret ballot.
6. The Committee
6.1 The Rôle of the Committee
6.1.1
The Committee is responsible for the day to day running of The Pagan Federation,
and in particular, providing information to Pagans and members of the
public about Paganism, working to promote a positive and accurate image
of Pagans and Paganism to the general public, official bodies and the
media, organising anti-defamation work, producing the Quarterly Magazine,
running the membership department, organising the Annual Conference and
keeping up to date The Pagan Federation's administrative systems.
6.1.2
- The Committee through the District Liaison Officer shall appoint District
Managers to handle membership correspondence and to develop and administer
the districts, in those districts which are not also federated bodies
of The Pagan Federation. Regional Co-ordinators are appointed District
Officers within the countries of the United Kingdom and Ireland whose
rôle and duties are defined by their job description. District
Managers must have been full members of The Pagan Federation for at
least one year, Regional Co-Ordinators must be full members of The Pagan
Federation.
- The Committee through the District Liaison Officer shall appoint an
International Manager to develop and administer overseas membership.
The International Manager must have been a full member of The Pagan
Federation for at least one year. National Co-ordinators are appointed
officers of Pagan Federation International whose role and duties are
defined by their job description. They must be Full Members of The Pagan
Federation.
- The Committee through the District Liaison Officer shall organise
at least one meeting a year for District Managers and Regional Co-ordinators
to discuss administrative matters.
6.1.3
The Committee shall be responsible for drawing up and applying
- A Code of Conduct for all members and officers.
- A Complaints Procedure.
- A Disciplinary Procedure (Which may be combined with either (a) or
(b) )
And appointing the necessary managers to manage these.
6.1.4
The Committee shall perform such other administrative tasks as are necessary
to achieve the Aims and Objectives of The Pagan Federation.
6.2 Officers and Members of the Committee
6.2.1 The Committee shall consist of the President, General Secretary,
Treasurer, Publications Officer, District Liaison Officer, and up to six
elected members and two members from The Pagan Federation Council selected
by The Pagan Federation Council (with the emphasis being on District Managers
and Regional Co-ordinators). Additionally two heads of sub-committees,
or Officers resigned from the Committee may be co-opted for an annual
term (in addition to any co-opted places left by resigning elected members)
by agreement of the Council, renewable by agreement of the Council.
6.2.2 The Committee may give the title of Vice President to up to two
elected members. This decision must be ratified by the Council.
6.2.3 Terms of service of elected Committee members.
- Elected Committee members shall serve for a term of three years or
for that portion of a three year term left by a resignation or dismissal.
- Elected Committee members may continue to serve the Committee by offering
themselves for re-election at the end of their term, or, being appointed
General Secretary, Treasurer, District Liaison Officer, Publications
Officer, or President.
- In the event of one of the elected members of the Committee resigning,
being dismissed, or being appointed to the post of one of the Officers
of The Pagan Federation, their place is held open for co-option in addition
to the two co-opted places until the next election.
6.2.4 Dismissal of Committee members from the Committee for irregular
attendance or other reasons may be made by a recommendation of a two thirds
majority vote of the Committee and ratified at a Council meeting or by
a postal ballot by a two thirds majority of Council votes cast. Committee
members shall be subject to the Disciplinary Procedure.
6.2.5 Committee places left vacant by a resigning or dismissed elected
Committee member may be filled in accordance with the procedures for Committee
elections or in the interim by co-option. In the case of an Officer, a
replacement may be co-opted and must be endorsed at the next Council meeting
or by postal ballot of the Council.
6.2.6 The President's and Committee Officers' duties will be as set out
in their written job descriptions which may be amended at the discretion
of the Committee or Council.
6.2.7 Any member seeking appointment or election to the Committee must
declare in advance any interest, financial or otherwise, of themselves
or their partner in any part of The Pagan Federation or in any individual,
organisation or company providing services to The Pagan Federation. Such
declaration would not necessarily bar them from the post.
6.3 Committee Elections
The Committee shall arrange at such time agreed by the Council for an
annual postal ballot of all Full members, for the purpose of filling vacant
elected places on the Committee. The two candidates with the most votes
shall serve for three years. Any other vacant places, due to resignation
or dismissal, shall be filled by other candidates, in order of votes cast,
to serve the outstanding balance of the terms of those resigning or dismissed.
6.3.1 The rules governing the conduct of the election are:
- Candidates must be paid up Full members of The Pagan Federation for
one year at the time of their nomination, and must be proposed and seconded
by paid up Full members of The Pagan Federation who are eligible to
vote.
- Details of the name and membership numbers of the Candidate, Proposer,
and Seconder shall appear on the ballot papers, together with brief
biographical details and district of residence of the candidate, and
a short statement by their proposers and seconders.
- Full members who are eligible to vote must receive 28 days notice
of calls for nominations for Committee elections. Notice is deemed to
have been served with the nomination papers which are to be sent to
all Full members who are eligible to vote at least two calendar months
before the date of the ballot.
- Ballot forms shall be sent to all Full members at least twenty-eight
days before the closing date for the return of ballot papers. Each Full
member shall be entitled to as many votes as there are vacancies.
- Both nomination and ballot forms are deemed to have been served 48
hours after posting.
- A Returning Officer shall be appointed by the Committee to receive
the nominations and the ballot forms and shall oversee the counting
of votes. Ballot papers must be returned to an address nominated by
the Returning Officer and arrive by the due date, in sealed envelopes
clearly marked ballot. The closing date for the ballot shall be determined
by the Committee.
- In addition to the officers nominated by the Council to oversee and
count the votes, the candidates are entitled to be represented by either
their Proposer or Seconder at the count. Notice should be given in writing
7 days before the count of the intention to attend.
- Ballot papers shall be stored unopened by the Returning Officer until
the date of the count. Only when all of the appointed Officers and representatives
who have given notice of attendance are present should the process of
opening and counting the votes begin.
- In the event of a major disruption to the postal service in the month
leading up to the closing date for ballot forms, the closing date for
the ballot will be postponed for one calendar month.
- Ballot papers received after the closing date or with more than the
permitted number of votes will be deemed void.
- In the event of large numbers of papers being spoiled, or if there
is reasonable suspicion that the ballot papers have been tampered with,
the ballot papers will be placed in sealed containers for later examination
by the Council at an extraordinary meeting. The Council may invite observers
to such a meeting to act as independent witnesses at the reopening of
the containers. Should sufficient papers have been interfered with to
alter the result of the election, the Council may declare the ballot
void and make immediate arrangements to hold another ballot, on the
existing list of candidates. The new ballot papers shall be sent out
not more than six weeks after the date of the original count.
- Members shall be informed of the result of the ballot by announcement
in the next scheduled issue of Pagan Dawn, or by other method deemed
appropriate by the Council.
6.4 Election of two Committee members from the Pagan Federation
Council
- That the internal vote of Council be conducted by mail (electronic/land
as appropriate)
- That the ballot be conducted by the District Liaison Officer assisted
by the PF Secretary with one person chosen by Council to act as an independent
overseer.
- That any officer choosing to stand having been a Full member of the
PF for twelve months immediately prior to the time of nomination.
- That the Committee term of office for the two members selected from
the Council be twelve months and that the internal vote of Council be
held annually to the timescale of the main PF Committee election so
that ratifications will take place at the November Council meeting.
- That any PF Officer choosing to stand is not currently standing as
a candidate in any main PF Committee election.
6. 5 Meetings of the Committee
6.5.1 These shall take place on such days, times and in such places as
the majority of the Committee members see fit. A Committee member may
complain to the Council if s/he deems the arrangements for meetings to
be unreasonable. The majority decision of the Committee is final.
6.5.2 Committee decisions will be taken wherever possible by consensus
or if not by vote. In the event of a tie, the President has a casting
vote. In the absence of the President, a decision will be made by lot.
6.5.3 Six Committee members constitute a quorum.
6.5.4 Written notice of at least 28 clear days must be given of the day,
time and place of the Committee meeting to all Committee members. Notice
is deemed to have been served 48 hours after posting.
6.6 Minutes and reporting
A digest of Committee minutes shall be made available to Council Members
upon request. The work of the Council shall be reported to the Full members
by means of a newsletter or any other means deemed appropriate by the
Council. Additionally the work of the Council and Committee will also
be published as an annual report.
7. Sub-Committees
The Council or the Committee may appoint sub-committees and working parties
with special terms of reference to assist them in their work. These shall
report to their parent body as required by the parent body. Chairs of
sub-committees may be co-opted onto the Committee (maximum 2 places) by
agreement of the Council. If so co opted they will also be entitled to
attend and vote at Council meetings.
8. Federated Bodies & Affiliated Organisations
8.1 Federated bodies within The Pagan Federation shall operate under
their own constitutions and procedures, sharing common purpose with The
Pagan Federation.
8.2 Organisations can be affiliated to The Pagan Federation by vote of
Council if they meet the following criteria:
i.) Have in their constitution Aims and Objectives compatible with the
Aims and Objectives of other Pagan Federation and Pagan Federation Affiliate
Organisations.
ii.) Their membership criteria are in harmony with those of other Pagan
Federation and Pagan Federation affiliate organisations.
8.3 Members of The Pagan Federation moving to areas where there is an
affiliated organisation may either transfer their membership fully to
that organisation or opt to remain members of The Pagan Federation. In
the later case, membership benefits they may receive from the affiliate
organisation shall be determined by that organisation.
9. Winding Up Of the Pagan Federation
9.1 The Pagan Federation may be wound up by the calling of a meeting
by the Council for that purpose and a vote in support of winding up by
two thirds of the members present.
9.2 In the event of the winding up of The Pagan Federation, federated
bodies within The Pagan federation may choose to continue in being as
independent organisations using the existing corporate identity of The
Pagan federation.
10. Alterations to the Constitution
The Constitution can be amended only by Council by a two thirds majority
of votes cast. The Council may choose by a two-thirds majority of votes
cast to ballot Full members on changes to the Constitution.
11. Availability of the Constitution.
One copy of the Constitution shall be provided free of charge to all Full
Members.
© 1995 The Pagan Federation. Amended 1999, 2001-2007.
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