Name 1. The name of this organization shall be Bilskirnir Hearth Purpose 2. The purpose of Bilskirnir Hearth is to be a cultural and religious organization for those who Follow and honor the ancient ways, beliefs, and traditions of our ancestors. Rights and Freedoms 3. All members shall have equal rights and the freedom to follow the paths they choose. Formal Matters 4. Policies concerning Bilskirnir Hearth shall be voted on by all members, all members must be present to vote on policies. If some members are absent for personal or professional reasons, then the hearth will attempt to contact the missing members by phone to inform them of matters put before the membership for a vote. Two members must verify and approve the vote by phone in order to vote by proxy. If the missing members cannot be reached the issue will be tabled until full membership is available. The leadership cannot make unilateral policies or decisions without full membership vote majority rules. Diplomatic Relations 5. All members will vote on policies regarding Diplomatic Relations With other Asatru/Heathen/ Pagan groups and organizations of the making of allegiances. Organizations and Offices 6. As an organization a chain of command is necessary to ensure that things run smoothly and that Policies are adhered to, and that conflicts are solved as quickly as possible. Offices 1. Chieftain, the administrator, work leader of Bilskirnir Hearth responsible for overall leadership 2. Vizier, chief consultant and advisor to all offices in Bilskirnir Hearth. 3. Lawspeaker, the Lawspeaker keeps the peace at all times and presides over Thing. 4. Assistant Lawspeaker, assists the Lawspeaker in keeping the peace and assumes the duty of the Lawspeaker when the Lawspeaker is not available. 5. Warder, the Warder protects the honor and name of Bilskirnir Hearth and enforces the bylaws of the hearth. 6. Assistants to the Warder, the Assistant Warders also protect the honor and the name Bilskirnir Hearth and also enforce the bylaws of the hearth and assume the duties of the Warder when the Warder is not available. 7. Scholar, the Scholar compiles the saga's and knowledge of our ancestors so that all can have access to all of the stories of our people. 8. Godi/Godia, the spiritual and religious leaders of Bilskirnir Hearth and are responsible for the training of the priest and priestess the spiritual well being of the hearth and its members and to make the rituals of our ancestors as pleasant as possible for all who come to this hearth. 9. Priest/Priestess, are responsible for the spiritual well being of the hearth and its members and to make the rituals of our ancestors as pleasant as possible for all who come to this hearth, and will also assume the duties of the Godi and Godia when they are not available. 10. Wordsmith, the Wordsmith keeps the records of all events within the Hearth. 11. Scribe, the Scribe puts all of the Wordsmith's records on file and prints out the events so that all may have a record of the event/rituals. 12. Cleric, administrator of the act of healing the physical body. 13. Assistants to the Cleric, Assistant Clerics are responsible in helping the Cleric administer the healing arts. 14. Photographer, Photographer is responsible for taking pictures of and keeping a photographic record of the hearth. Responsibilities of Offices 7. All offices will be voted on by ballot vote. Majority rules. Every two years offices will be reviewed by the membership to determine that the persons of the offices have maintained and distributed their duties in a responsible manner If the majority of the membership votes that this has not happened then a ballot vote on the affected offices will be taken to correct the problem. (A). In no way does this reflect on a persons honor or ability. (B). Ridicule or personal attacks on a member that this has happened to will not be tolerated at all. (C). The purpose of this is to be democratic, and open and honest with one another. Houses 8. Houses will be set up to find new members and to share our beliefs with those who are seeking our path. All Houses will be free to follow their own religious convictions and make policies, provided they do not violate the bylaws of Bilskirnir Hearth Founders of Houses will be known as a House Drighten, House Drightens will be responsible for teaching the lore and traditions of our ancestors. Houses will be known by the last name of the House Drighten. New Membership 9. New members must attend three consecutive rituals to be oathed in as a friend to the hearth. They must attend another three to be eligible for full membership. All members must vote on the approval of a prospective new member, the vote must be unanimous. If one member votes (NO) then that member must explain their reason for a (NO) vote. If it is decided by the other members as a valid reason then the perspective member in question will be put on a period of probation to give both parties an opportunity to see if the reason is of merit. If the membership agrees that the reason is without merit or of unsubstantial claim then the majority vote carries and the prospective new member is accepted by all members. Initiation of New Members 10. New members that have been voted in shall be oathed in within thirty days of the vote of acceptance. Their initiation should fall within their attendance of their next ritual. Within that period of time the members of Bilskirnir Hearth shall take up a collection for the purpose of buying an initiation sword as a gift of welcome from all the members of the hearth to the new member. This is a gift from the hearth if at a later date the member wishes to sever ties with the hearth No Member shall ask for the return or for the purchase of a members sword. This action is not one of honor or friendship of this hearth. This is a gift from the hearth as a whole and not to be used as a persons individual gain. Any member doing this shall be looked upon with disfavor and may stand to be voted out of the Hearth. Termination of Membership 11. Members of Bilskirnir Hearth retain the right to deny membership to any parties applying to join the Hearth whose policies, actions, and attitudes directly conflict with the standards or policies of the hearth. Membership may be revoked with a majority vote by all members, except in instances covered elsewhere within these bylaws. Persons Under the Age of Eighteen 12. Persons not known to a hearth member must be accompanied by their adult parent. Persons known to a hearth member may attend only with the full approval of the hearth. If a member plans to bring a guest not of age, they must inform the hearth at the ritual before to get approval to bring their guest. Their guest shall be treated as their conduct merits, If a members guest becomes disruptive that hearth member will be informed that if their guest wishes to attend again it will have to be with the presence of their parent. THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS Oaths, Blots, Rituals, and Ceremonies 13. Oath breaking is a serious crime and will be treated as such . Breaking an oath will result in loss of membership and the dishonorable party will be wolfs-headed (banished). Sumbels can be held whenever a house chooses to hold such events. Rituals will be held in accordance with the dates prescribed by our ancestors. Other rituals can be held whenever a house chooses to hold such events. Births, Namings, Weddings and Funerals will be overseen by any members who wish to attend. The Priest/Priestess will be responsible for scheduling events and organizing and performing rituals, blots, and ceremonies of Bilskirnir Hearth. Disputes 14. Disputes between hearth members will be considered hearth business. Disputes within the hearth will not be taken outside the hearth, to do so will result in probation of a period of one year and the loss of any offices held at the time. Disputes of personal natures outside of the hearth will stay as such, unless one of the persons asks for mediation. This is an informal meeting to find a solution to the problem. If the problem carries over into the hearth another attempt to mediate will be made. At this time it will be considered formal hearth business and will be treated as such by all. If the dispute is still not resolved then a panel of five members will be chosen at random by ballot. Both persons will present their sides of the dispute with witness' if it happened in more than one persons presence. The mediators involved will also inform the panel of their attempts to solve the problem. The panel will render a decision to both parties., if the parties agree to the decision then all will be put in the past and the disputing parties will shake hands and apologize to each other for the incident. If the parties cannot agree to the panels decision then it will go to personal combat (Holmganga). Holmganga 15. Personal combat shall be in the traditions of our ancestors. A specific area shall be measured out and the disputing parties will choose weapons of equality. (ex.-broadsword vs.broadsword) Combat will commence and the person who scores three killing blows first shall be considered absolved of all wrong doing in the situation By the Gods. The five member panel will judge the Holmganga. After the decision is made the disputing parties will shake hands and apologize to each other, the dispute will be considered over and no more will be said of it ever again. Thing 16. Thing is an assembly in which all members will come together to meet each other, make policies and laws, discuss matters of importance to their respective houses and the hearth as a whole, to settle diputes and create frith for all. Thing is a holy function and will be observed as such. Offending members shall be escorted out by the Lawspeaker and Warders. Houses of Bilskirnir Hearth should send one representative to Thing. Trials and punishment shall be held and dealt out by all at Thing. Verdicts and punishments will be passed by majority vote by all present. (A) Moots may be called for anytime of the year, bylaw 14 Disputes. Personal Conduct 17. No member or persons shall degrade or demoralize another persons appearance or possessions (ex. clothing, weapons, armor, helms, etc.) All members or persons will be expected to live by the Nine Noble Virtues, the Havamal, and the ancient rites of hospitality as set forth by our Gods and ancestors. Any member who violates these rules of conducts shall be looked upon with disfavor. Hospitality 18. The ancient rules of hospitality are sacred to Bilskirnir Hearth. All members or persons will follow them. Treat those as you would like them to treat you. Rituals 19. Before rituals begin they shall be discussed with everyone as to ensure that everyone knows what to do at the proper times, this is to keep things running smoothly. (A). Alcohol No alcohol will be used in the horn so that those that do not drink can participate and not be left out of ritual. (B). Those who do drink must clear it with the owner of the house. (C). Those who do drink will limit their alcohol intake, be responsible. (D). Rituals that involve theatrical plays will involve all members taking turns at playing the parts when they come about. Ritual Feasts 20. The host and hostess will provide the main course of the feast. All members or persons attending will bring a food or drink item of sufficient quantity for the feast so that there is plenty for all. (A). When Feast is ready to be served take enough to eat but please be considerate to others when filling your plate, you can always go back for more but make sure everyone gets their share of food and drink. (B). After the feast is over and the feast is done, please help clean up (dishes trash etc.). Many hands make for light work. (C). After feast is over with sumbels shall be held to honor the Gods, Heros, and ancestors, there will be a two round free for all after this has been done. (D). After Sumbel is over and closed for those interested at each ritual a book shall be read with each member reading a passage and a short discussion of what it meant to them and the others. (ex. Poetic Edda-Volspa, Books of Myth, etc....) Illegal Activities, Racism, Drugs 21. Racism, Bigotry, Fascism, and Neo-Nazism will not be tolerated by this hearth. Substance abuse will not be tolerated by this hearth. Anyone caught doing so will be banished without probation. Ratification of the Bylaws 22. New bylaws may be submitted at any gathering but all members must be present to vote. (bylaw 4 formal matters) The purpose of these bylaws is to ensure that we are all examples not exceptions to the law, all are accountable to these laws.
2001 Ritual Schedule Meet Bilskirnir Hearth Members |