Bylaws of the Sacred Realm of Witches Coven

The following bylaws are established for the purpose of providing a secure foundation for the daily running of and perpetuation of Sacred Realm of Witches Coven of the of the Wiccan religion.

Section I - Establishment, Purpose, & Ownership

A. Sacred Realm of Witches ("SRW" or "the Coven") is hereby established as a member coven of the Egyptian/ Wiccan Tradition (also referred to herein as "SRW" or "the Tradition,", "Sacred Realm") of the Wiccan religion, dedicated to the worship of the Goddess and the God in all their guises with monthly celebrations and by celebrating the Sabbats and Esbats. Statement of beliefs and rituals will be found in the Book of Shadows. The Wiccan Rede will be strictly observed..

B. Sacred Realm of Witches has been established for the following purposes:

A Coven formed to honor and celebrate the Goddess and the God in all their guises with monthly celebrations and by celebrating the Sabbats and Esbats. Statement of beliefs and rituals will be found in the Book of Shadows. The Wiccan Rede will be strictly observed.

C. The Founder, High Priest, Reverend Raymond C Buettner shall have the authority to dissolve the Coven at any time. In the event of the dissolution of the Coven, these bylaws shall become null and void, and no member of the Coven, with the exception of the Founder, shall use the name "The Coven of Sacred Realm of Witches" in connection with any other Wiccan or neo-pagan organization.


Section II - Organization and Structure of the Coven

In accordance with the Bylaws of the our Tradition, Sacred Realm of Witches shall be structured and organized as follows: the Coven shall consist of the High Priestess and High Priest, the Coven Initiates' Council, and the general membership of the Coven. The offices of High Priest and High Priestess, and the Initiates' Council, are discussed below. Membership in the Coven is addressed in Section Three.

Article II - Circles

In accordance with the Bylaws of the Tradition, members of Sacred Realm of Witches may form Circles.

A. A Circle may consist of any members of Sacred Realm of Witches who meet together on a regular basis for a specific purpose other than the celebration of ritual. Circles may be established for any purpose in keeping with these Bylaws, the Bylaws of the Tradition, and the traditions of the Wiccan community.

B. The members of the Circle may choose to open membership to other persons not currently members of Sacred Realm of Witches who are legal adults, or with a written permission from a parent or guardian.

C. The establishment of a Circle by members of Sacred Realm of Witches is subject to review by the High Priest or High Priestess of Sacred Realm of Witches, and the Founder or the High Priest/ess of the Tradition, but is not contingent on a formal recognition as is the establishment of a Coven.

D. Any Circle formed by members of Sacred Realm of Witches shall make regular reports of their activities to the High Priest/ess of Sacred Realm of Witches.


Section III - Membership

Article I - Guests

Any person who wishes to attend a Sacred Realm of Witches ritual as a guest must convey that desire to an initiate of the Coven. The initiate will arrange for the prospective guest to meet with the HPS/HP of the Coven. (The HPS/HP may designate a member of the Coven's Initiates' Council to meet with the prospective guest in her or his place.)

A. The prospective guest must meet with the HP/HPS, or with his or her representative, at least 24 hours prior to the time of the ritual which they wish to attend.

B. The HPS/HP, or his or her representative, has the right to deny attendance as a guest at any Coven ritual or activity to any person who makes such a request.

C. No person who is not legally an adult shall be allowed to attend any Coven ritual or activity unless in the company of his or her parent(s) or legal guardian(s).

D. For rituals or events that are Tradition-wide in nature, as opposed to being sponsored or conducted by an individual Coven within the Tradition, the procedure for obtaining approval to attend as a guest shall be the same, except that the prospective guest must meet with a member of the Council, rather than with the HPS/HP of the individual Coven. 

Article II - Behavior of Members

All members of the Coven shall conduct themselves in a manner in keeping with the Wiccan Rede: "An it harm none, do as ye will"; and in accordance with the traditional stricture that Wiccans should deal with one another in a spirit of "perfect love and perfect trust".

A. All members of Sacred Realm of Witches are expected to conduct themselves in a manner in keeping with the these Bylaws, the Bylaws of SRW, and the traditions of the Wiccan community.

B. Furthermore, we hold that every individual has the right to be secure and respected in his or her own person: in body, in mind, and in spirit. Therefore, Sacred Realm of Witches will neither countenance nor tolerate the following on the part of any celebrant, student, or initiate:

1. The use of Baneful Magic. This shall include both the current practice and the teaching of baneful magic whether alone or in conjunction with another member of Sacred Realm of Witches or with any other person. Members are expected to disclose any past practice or teaching of baneful magic to an initiate of the Coven, and may do so without fear of reprisal. However, the willful failure to disclose such activity shall be subject to disciplinary action.

2. The use or possession of illegal drugs at or in connection with SRW rituals or activities.

3. Forcing or coercing another individual to participate in sexual activity against his or her desires, or to consume mind-altering substances against his or her will; or requiring complete or partial nudity of any individual against his or her will; or obtaining consent to any of these by deception or misrepresentation, or under color of authority, regardless of the circumstances under which these actions take place.

4. Any deliberate action directed toward another individual that is calculated to cause injury, harm or pain; be it physical, mental or emotional, where it is clear that the member in doing so has acted inappropriately, out of proportion to the circumstances, or in abuse of his or her discretion.

C. Any member of Sacred Realm of Witches who violates the standards outlined above shall be subject to disciplinary action as set forth below under Section Four - Grievances & Disciplinary Actions, Articles II & III.

Article III - Celebrants

A celebrant shall be defined as anyone who regularly (i.e. at least quarterly) attends the Coven's rituals, including students and initiates of any degree.

A. All celebrants must be legally adult, unless they are in the company of their parent(s) or legal guardian(s), Or they have given full written permission from the parent or guardian.

B. All celebrants are expected to pay a monthly tithe, as set by the High Priest and High Priestess, and approved by the Coven's Initiates' Council and the Founder or High Priest/ess of the Tradition. However, no person shall be prevented from attending ritual solely on the grounds that he or she has not paid his or her tithe.

1. Tithes shall be used by the Coven to fund the rent of ritual space, the purchase of ritual supplies, and the purchase of books or other materials for a Coven library. The High Priest and High Priestess will insure that an adequate record of monies received and expended on behalf of the Coven is kept. Any expenditures outside of the regular operating expenses of the Coven must be approved by the High Priest and High Priestess of the Coven and the Founder or High Priest/ess of the Tradition.

2. Celebrants who regularly attend rituals with more than one Coven may petition the Founder or High Priest/ess of the Tradition, or the High Priest/ess of all of the individual Covens which they attend to waive all or part of their tithes to any Coven other than the one which they attend primarily or on whose Initiates' Council they sit.

3. Tithes are not required of celebrants for attendance at the Coven's rituals but may be required for the use of the Coven's properties at the discretion of the HPS/HP of the Coven.

Article IV - Students

A student of Sacred Realm of Witches shall be defined as any celebrant who is actively studying for Initiation within the Wiccan Traditional Tradition under an initiate member of the Coven, as approved by the Coven Initiates' Council.

A. All students of Sacred Realm of Witches must be legally adult, or have fully signed written permission from the parent or guardian of the student.

B. The procedure for becoming a student is as follows:

1. The celebrant shall make her or his intention to study for Initiation clearly known to an initiate of the Coven.

2. The initiate shall bring this information to the Initiates' Council of the Coven, who may then accept this celebrant as a student.

3. Upon acceptance the student shall be assigned a teacher from within the Initiates' Council of the Coven, who shall then supervise the student's training toward Initiation.

i. This teacher shall be opposite in gender to the student, and may be neither a member of the student's immediate family nor a person with whom the student is romantically involved.

ii. A review of the Bylaws of the Tradition and Coven, and the traditions of the Wiccan community, shall be covered during the first formal lesson unless the student already holds a degree within the Tradition.

iii. A student who does not live close enough to the Coven to make face-to-face instruction practical may be taught by correspondence.

C. A correspondence student must have at least one face-to-face meeting with his or her teacher prior to the student's Initiation so the teacher may form an impression of the student's ritual competence. This meeting will be scheduled at the convenience of both the teacher and student.

D. The Initiation of the correspondence student must be performed at a ritual conducted by a member coven of the Tradition, or by the Tradition as a whole. This Initiation will be scheduled at the convenience of both the teacher and student.

iv. Celebrant members of Sacred Realm of Witches who are initiates in a Tradition may act as preceptors to Sacred Realm of Witches students, provided that the initiate's degree has been accepted by Council, or the Coven Initiates' Council, in accordance with the Tradition's Bylaws, and provided that the initiate agrees to follow the curriculum and requirements.

v. Alternatively, a student may be provisionally accepted as a student of Sacred Realm of Witches by an initiate of the Tradition who is also a member of the Coven, pending approval of the Coven's Initiates' Council. If this approval is not forthcoming, he or she shall be considered a personal student of that initiate, but not a student of Sacred Realm of Witches.

Article V - Initiates

Within Sacred Realm of Witches, an initiate member shall be defined as any celebrant member of Sacred Realm of Witches who has received Initiation from an initiate of the Tradition during a ritual conducted by a member coven of the Tradition, or by the Tradition as a whole; or whose initiation in another Tradition has been accepted as being equivalent to an initiation by the Council.

A. Initiate members of the Coven shall be responsible for conducting the business of the Coven, under the supervision of the High Priest/ ess, as follows:

1. Initiate members are encouraged to attend meetings of the Coven Initiates' Council to advise the High Priest/ess of the Coven.

2. Initiate members shall teach the methods, traditions, and customs of their students within the Tradition.

3. Initiate members are expected to regularly contribute to the teaching lore of the Tradition.

B. For a student to be initiated in the Tradition, he or she must complete the curriculum prescribed by the Council for the degree in which he or she seeks initiation, and must fulfill the following requirements:

1. The prospective initiate must demonstrate ritual competence during a ritual conducted by a member coven of the Tradition, or by the Tradition as a whole, to the satisfaction of those initiates of the Tradition (other than the student's preceptor,) present who hold a degree equal to or higher than that for which the person is studying.

2. The prospective initiate's name must be brought by his or her teacher before the Coven Initiates' Council, and receive, by a two-thirds majority of those initiates holding a degree equal to or higher than that for which the person is studying, the Council's approval for Initiation.

3. For Initiations in the Third Degree, the prospective initiate must also be approved by the Founder or the High Priest/ess of the Tradition.

C. Celebrant members of Sacred Realm of Witches who have been initiated in another Tradition may seek to have that initiation accepted as outlined in the Bylaws of the Tradition.

Article IV: Day to Day Operations;

Wand Master/Mistress: 

In charge of the Coven funds and collecting tithes in the amount of $60 per year or $30 every six months. Tithes cover the cost of running the coven, in the event that a cost will exceed over $75 then a vote of approval must be given by the Founder and Elders Council. Fortune 
Teller: Will keep the initiation date of the Conveners and will be in charge of creating the minutes for all Coven meetings. A second copy of the minutes are to be given to the Founder/High Priestess when completed. Will record ritual attendance and maintain list of all Dedicates, Initiates, and Conveners in the SRW and their positions. Responsible in creating a three month schedule for all members of set dates for Sabbats, Esbats, events, classes and coven meetings. This calendar will also be emailed to all coven members and posted on the coven website.

Article V: Required Rituals Esbats: 

The Coven will meet 13 times a year during the time of the Full Moon for rituals. These are the Esbats. A ritual will be held on the weekend before or after the Full Moon based on a majority vote. In the event of a tie, the Founder’s vote will be the tiebreaker. Sabbats: The Coven will hold ritual for all 8 Sabbats. Rules for when the meeting will take place are the same as those for the Esbats. Attendance: Attendance for all required rituals is expected. To remain in good standing, a Covener can miss no more than 6 Esbats and 3 Sabbat rituals during a one-year period.


Article VI: Coven Meetings Monthly Meetings:

The Coven will meet once per month to designate ritual dates, classes, and special events taking place for the following three months. Any new rituals suggested may be used on for inclusion in the Book of Shadows at this time. New rituals may be presented to the Coven prior to or after any required ritual, as well. Article VII: Public Events Public Events: SRW may elect to hold public rituals, trips, parties and festivals open for all. These events are not mandatory for members, but obviously, they would be strongly encouraged to attend. SRW Elders will vote on how many public rituals, trips, parties, and festivals it will sponsor in the year and how much funding it will spend on such events. Article: VIII: Branched-off Covens Branched-off Covens: Any member of the Coven who has been a member for more than ten years as a Covener and moves over 50 miles away may wish to found his/her own Coven in our tradition. A request should be made to the Fortune Teller and will be voted on by the Coven. A majority vote is required to pass. As a founder, the individual takes over as Founder/High Priestess/High Priest of the new Coven for at least the five years. The new Coven can name itself and add the following: "Sister Coven of the Sacred Realm of Witches." While they may create their own BOS, they may adopt their own Bylaws as an autonomous Coven.  
 
Article IX: Oath of Secrecy Oath of Secrecy:

No documented rituals in the BOS may be used elsewhere. No Coven member is to use the magickal name of any other member outside the Coven without permission from that person. No person is to reveal the identity of any member at all who chooses to remain "in the broom closet." We encourage community activity and Wiccan/Pagan activism, so we encourage members to be "out of the broom closet."  
 
Article X: Attendance:

Attendance: Attendance is encouraged for all members for all events, class, and rituals. Any coven member who is going to miss a class or meeting needs to let the Fortune Teller know at least 8 hours in advance if possible or some other Initiative member. This is common courtesy but also a requirement if you can not attend event, class or ritual. In addition any member who misses (3) conceptive schedule (events, classes or rituals) could receive the following: 

Three months no attendance of any SRW coven rituals· Dismissal from the SRW·
Six months temporary leave. 


Article XI: Calendar:

Calendar year: A calendar will be made every three months by the Fortune Teller. It will be discussed well ahead of time so all members can ask for time off from their employers and schedule any family events. Plan events, classes, and rituals will be plan three months prior. It is at this time members can be excused from a function. After that time, the members will be liable under the attendance policy. 

Article XII: Attire 

Attire: The SRW Initiative members will wear their tunics at all rituals events unless stated others wise by leading High Priestess/High Priest. Potential and Dedicate members may wear casual clothing unless specificity told otherwise by leading High Priestess/High Priest. No nudity is allowed.

Article XIII: No Alcohol, Drugs or Weapons 

Alcohol, Drugs or Weapons: The SRW coven is a non-alcohol environment. We do not accept or allow any alcohol, drugs, or fire arms at any function or events. NOTE: At special occasions used of wine may be used for offering but not consumed in amounts over ¼ cup per serving. 

Article XIV: Voting 

Voting: All members who received their First Degree Initiation and/or above initiations have a vote. All members have an equal vote. Voting is by majority decision If tie happens then the Founder will make tie breaker.
  
 
Article XV: COVEN ISSUES

Should there be a dispute among Coven members, the Council of Elders shall convene. The Council shall hear both sides, alone, then together, and shall make a just decision.
Should the Council find it necessary to correct, rebuke, or punish a Covener, this shall be done in private, and accepted with good grace by the recipient. All Elders should strive to be present, when a correction, admonishment, or punishment is carried out.

If an individual misses more than 50% of classes, class work, Sabbats, Esbats, rituals and other coven activities during a year's time, they must understand that they will not be considered for initiation at the end of the term.

In addition, if a Covener misses more than 50% of classes, rituals and other coven activities during a year's time, the Council of Elders will convene to discuss their behavior.

The Covener in question may be asked to leave the Coven of the SRW. Take a sabbatical which equals less or no more than one year to a day.
If the Covener is a Potential/Dedicate or higher initiative, and they break their signed Potential/Dedicate/Initiative's Agreement the Council of Elders will convene to discuss their behavior.

The Covener in question may be asked to leave the Coven of the SRW. if a Covener breaks any oath sworn during initiation the Council of Elders will convene to discuss their behavior.

The Covener in question may be asked to leave the Coven of the SRW.
If a Covener is found to have falsified information or lied to the Coven, be it to obtain a higher rank, or for other reasons, the Council of Elders will convene to discuss their behavior.

The Covener in question may be asked to leave the Coven of the SRW.
If a Covener (dedicate level or higher initiative) decides to leave the Coven of the SRW they must submit their resignation request in writing to their Fortune Teller. If their Fortune Teller is not available, they may submit it to an Elder of the council. The resignation will be presented to the Council of Elders and will be kept in the Coven records. Requests may NOT be made in email form.

If a Covener has left the Coven of the SRW for a period of three months with no contact or formal resignation, the Council of Elders will convene to decide if the Covener in question should be no longer be considered a member of the Coven of the SRW.

If the Council of Elders decides to ask a Covener to leave the Coven of the SRW, the Coven will attempt to contact the ex-Covener to notify them of the Council's decision in writing and sent certified mail. 

If a Covener takes issue with the High Priestess/High Priest/Founder, the Covener must take it to an Council of Elders. Where it will be discussed between the Elders Council and the High Priestess/High Priest/Founder. The situation will be reviewed, and decided by the Elders Council and High Priestess/High Priest/Founder as see fit.

If a Covener’s complaints are made about the High Priestess/High Priest/Founder more than three times during a year, the Covener may be asked to meet with Elders Council and High Priestess/High Priest/Founder to disused a solution. If no solution is made, the Covener may be asked to resign as a member.

Article XVI: Joining the Coven

A petitioner must be 21 years of age or more, no exceptions. The Coven of the SRW reserves the right to ask for proof of age, and the right to copy and keep on files proof of age documents. 

If a petitioner desires to join the Coven of the SRW, they must make their request to the Coven. The petitioner will be interviewed by the Council of Elders regarding their desire to join the Coven, and their interest in the group. If approved by the Council of Elders, the petitioner becomes a Potential Member.

A potential member has a probation period of three months intervals over a year to a day. With three month reviews quarterly by the Elders Council of their continue participation as a potential membership. During the three month probation period, a potential is expected to increase their participation in the Coven by attending open Coven functions including classes and public rituals. The potential should also be working towards meeting the minimum requirements for dedication including the dedicate exam.

After a year to a day, the entire Coven shall convene to decide if the potential may join the Coven of the SRW. The Coven must vote unanimously in favor of admitting the potential to the Coven.

If the Coven cannot reach consensus to admit the potential during this meeting, the potential must wait another three months before the Coven reconvenes. During this time, the potential will be presented with a list of tasks to work towards during the three month waiting period.
After the three month waiting period, the entire Coven shall reconvene to decide if the potential may join the Coven of the SRW. The Coven must vote unanimously in favor of admitting the potential to the Coven.

If the Coven cannot reach consensus to admit the potential during this second meeting, the potential will be refused admittance into the Coven of the SRW.
If the potential is accepted into the Coven of the SRW they must sign a Dedicant's Agreement form. 

The approved potential will be expected to participate in a dedication ceremony to be scheduled at the Coven's discretion less than two months from the time at which the Coven notifies them of their acceptance.

Each member of the coven should bring the following items to every ritual: 
Ritual Blanket 
Book of Shadows (or a binder or folder for handouts and information) 
Athame (ritual knife) 
Ritual Jewelry (a special piece of jewelry to be consecrated by the Coven and only worn during ritual)
Stones, crystals or ect as they see fit


Article XVII: Tithes

Annual tithes: The tithe shall be paid by each member (Potential, Dedicant, and Initiative) to the Wand Master/Mistress or a designated representative. A Potential or Dedicant member who is in arrears in paying the tithe more than (1) one month shall automatically have all privileges suspended which include Sabbats, Esbats, rituals, classes, meetings and SRW events till tithes are current. Initiative members may choose to pay tithes two ways: whole amount at beginning of year (November 1st) or in two payments, first half (November 1st) second payment (May 1st). 

If the tithe is not been paid within one month, Initiative members will have all privileges suspended which include Sabbats, Esbats, rituals, classes, meetings, and SRW events till tithes are current.

Tithes are due first of the Witches Year (November 1) a total of $120 a year or $60 twice a year (every six months). NOTE: Amount may change

Tithes may be paid in advance. Although no refunds are given to members who resigned from coven. Potential members enrollment of $60 is non-refundable, this covers three months and cost of reading material. NOTE: Amount may change Tithes are used to cover coven cost.

Monies paid are not refundable


Article XVIII: Coven Etiquette

The High Priestess (and/or High Priest) has supreme authority in the Coven. 

The Priest and Priestess are due all honors for they represent the Gods and serve as spiritual Father and Mother.

The Elders are due all honors and respect for they are the teachers of the Coven of the SRW.

Leave not the Circle without the permission of a member, who can open and closed a door.

Enter not the Circle un-cleansed. You must be clean in body, mind and spirit.


Article XIX: Coven and Guest Behavior

When attending a SRW functions, events or rituals members and guest should remember to be polite to the host or hostess (High Priestess, High Priest, Elders, and owner(s) of the home, Ect.) Here are some rules to follow: Be on time when attending a function. (Pagan time is an excuse and should not be accepted, you would not claim pagan time when showing up for work) Be dressed properly for the event (ask prior to event what the dress code is: robes, causal, ect.)

Be respectful towards yourself and others

If you smoke, smoke after the event, not during the ritual. This is disrespectful towards other members but also the Goddess and God. (Ask if there is a sign area for smokers)

Do not BAD MOUTH a High Priestess, High Priest, Elder or a member of the coven. (Keep your remarks to yourself)

When greeting a HPS, HP or Elders you should be polite. Try to learn what is the proper greeting for the coven before hand. ( Some require females to curtsy in front of HPS, HP or Elders and males to bow or shake hands)

Do not bring your pets

Ask before bringing children (The SRW does not allow children to attend any ritual except the family rites of Yule and Ostara. (Please Note below: Children in Attendance rules and behavior) Bring food or non-alcohol beverage to events. (NO items will be denied, this helps the Host/ess out with cost)

DO NOT BRING ALCOHOL ( The SRW is a NON-ALCOHOL coven)

Members and guest who appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be asked to leave. (This may also cause loss membership or invites to future events)

NO DRUGS OR FIREARMS!!!! *** Should not need to explain this***

NO SWEARING, SEXUAL REMARKS OR RUDE COMMENTS! 

SHOWING OFF*** This means don't be a know it all, don't explain what is happening, those who are attending know what is going on and don't need your commentary. 



Section IV - Grievances & Disciplinary Actions


Article 1 - Grievances of Individuals

Any celebrant member of Sacred Realm of Witches who has a grievance which cannot be either set aside or resolved in accordance with the traditions of the Wiccan community, and which interferes with her or his participation in ritual may request that the grievance be resolved in the following manner. [NOTE: This procedure is not designed to interfere with matters outside of Sacred Realm of Witches; however, upon agreement of all parties involved, the Initiates' Council may advise and assist in the resolution of mundane grievances.]

A. If the celebrant has a grievance such that he or she feels unable to honor the traditions of the Wiccan community, (for example, if he or she is unable to stand in Circle in a spirit of "perfect love and perfect trust" because of the grievance, ) then that celebrant shall not attend rituals until the grievance is resolved.

B. The celebrant with the grievance shall first schedule a meeting with the person(s) with whom he or she has a grievance to attempt to find a resolution. The meeting shall take place on neutral ground. The participants may request the presence of an initiate who is not currently the teacher of any of the parties involved to act as a fair witness.

C. If the grievance cannot be resolved by the aforementioned method then the celebrant with the grievance shall schedule a meeting with an initiate to attempt to find a resolution. If the celebrant is a student, the initiate with whom he/she should meet shall be his or her teacher.

D. If a resolution cannot be reached by the aforementioned method, the celebrant with the grievance should schedule a meeting with the Coven's High Priestess or High Priest to attempt to resolve the grievance. Another initiate shall act as a fair witness to the proceedings.

E. If a resolution cannot be reached by any of the above steps, the grievance shall be brought before the Initiates' Council, who will reach a final decision on the matter. If the grievance should involve persons from more than one Coven, then the matter will be decided by the Council.

F. No records shall be kept of any of these meeting(s) save to record that the meeting(s) took place, the Craft names of the persons attending, and any decisions which were made or actions which were taken.


Article II - Group Grievances

If the Initiates' Council collectively have a grievance with a celebrant such that they feel unable to honor the traditions of the Wiccan community, the celebrant involved may then be requested to refrain from attendance at rituals until the grievance is resolved.

A. A representative group of the Initiates' Council shall meet with the celebrant in question in an attempt to resolve the grievance.

1. This group shall include, but is not limited to, the High Priest or High Priestess of the Coven, the teacher (s) of the celebrant (s) involved, and another initiate to act as a fair witness.

2. The celebrant (s) involved may choose to veto the Council choice for a fair witness and a location. In either case another choice must be provided to the celebrant (s). The celebrant (s) may use this veto no more than twice each for either the fair witness or the location. Alternatively, the celebrant (s) may suggest a fair witness or location to the Council, which need not accept the suggestion (s). In the event that the celebrant (s) and the Council cannot come to an agreement on a fair witness or a location, the resolution process shall proceed to the next level.

B. If a resolution cannot be achieved at the previous level then the celebrant (s) may meet with the full Council. The celebrant (s) involved shall have the right to bring witnesses with them before the Council.

C. If a resolution cannot be achieved at the Coven level then the celebrant(s) may meet with the Council to seek a resolution to the grievance. The celebrant(s) involved shall have the right to bring witnesses with them before the Council. In all such cases, the decision of the Council shall be final.

D. As in the case of individual grievances, no records shall be kept of any of these meeting(s) save to record that the meeting(s) took place, the Craft names of the persons attending, and any decisions which were made or actions which were taken.


Article III - Disciplinary Actions

Disciplinary actions may be imposed by teachers of the Tradition on their students, by the Initiates' Council of Sacred Realm of Witches on the celebrants of their Coven.
A. Celebrant(s) may be asked not to attend any rituals until the grievance is resolved.

B. Student(s) and initiate(s) may be asked not to participate on any but the basic celebrant level until the grievance is resolved, or for a period of time determined to be appropriate by the Council.

C. Disciplinary actions may not include the removal of an initiate's degree in any other Tradition. Initiation is a state which, once conferred, may not be rescinded.

D. Disciplinary actions imposed by a teacher on a student must be reported in full at the next meeting of the Coven's Initiates' Council. These actions may not include out casting or banishment.

1. Any action imposed by a teacher on a student must be approved by the Council. If it is not approved, the action must be withdrawn.

2. The Council may choose to appoint a new teacher for the student should they consider it appropriate. The Council may also impose disciplinary action on the teacher in question should they feel that the measures imposed on the student were beyond the scope of the teacher/student relationship.

E. Disciplinary actions taken at the individual Coven's Council level may not exceed the out casting of the celebrant(s) involved. Out casting shall only exclude the celebrant(s) in question from attending rituals or functions held by that individual Coven, and shall not affect the celebrant(s) right to attend any other ritual or function.

F. Disciplinary actions taken at the Council level may not exceed the banishment of the celebrant(s) involved. Banishment shall exclude the celebrant(s) from attending any ritual or activity but shall not presume to exclude them from non-Wiccan rituals or activities.

2. Any person who contacts any member of Council concerning any celebrant(s) who have been banished will be told only that the person in question is no longer a member in good standing by order of the Council.

Section V - Acceptance and Implementation

We, the undersigned members of the Council of Sacred Realm of Witches Coven of the Tradition of Wicca, acting for, and on behalf of the general membership of the Coven, do hereby declare that the foregoing Bylaws of Sacred Realm of Witches Coven are fit and suited to our purposes, and by the setting of our signatures hereunto, upon the occasion of our celebration of the ancient feast of Ostara, do further declare that these Bylaws shall be effective from this, the twenty-first day of March, in the one thousand, nine hundred and ninety-eighth year of the Common Era.
So Mote It Be!