Name I The name of this organization shall be Bilskirnir Hearth
Purpose II 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 III All members shall have equal rights and the freedom
to follow the paths
they choose.
Formal Matters IV Policies concerning Bilskirnir Hearth shall be voted on by
all members that are
present, majority
rules. The leadership cannot make unilateral policies or
decisions without
majority membership vote majority rules.
Diplomatic Relations V 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 VI 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. 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.
3. 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.
4. Lawspeaker: the Lawspeaker keeps the peace
at all times
and
presides over Thing.
5. Assistant Lawspeaker: assists the Lawspeaker in keeping the peace
and
assumes the duty of the Lawspeaker when the Lawspeaker
is
not available.
6. Warder: the Warder protects the honor and name of Bilskirnir
Hearth
and enforces the bylaws of the hearth.
7. 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.
8. Bard: Bard is responsible for singing the
songs and stories of our ancestors.
9. 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.
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 VII 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 VIII 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 IX 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 X 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 to purchase back or for the
return of the member's 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 person's
individual gain. Any member doing this shall be looked upon with
disfavor and may stand to be voted out of the Hearth.
Persons who become members of Bilskirnir
Hearth who later feel that they
cannot live up to the responsiblities of their oaths and the by-laws, and
wish to relinquish their oaths as family and member of this hearth, but
wish to attend as a friend of this hearth, will have to return their initiation
sword to this hearth for the reasons as follows:
(A) The initiation sword is a benefit of membership.
(B) Friends of the hearth have no voting priviledges but are required
to uphold their oaths of frienship and responsibilities covered
in these by-laws.
(C) The iniation sword shall be held in trust for sixty days to give
the individual time to consider his/her choice to either remain a
member or become a friend of the hearth.
(D) If the person chooses at the appointed time to remain a member
and uphold the responsibilities of oaths and by-laws then the
sword shall be returned.
(E) If the person chooses at the appointed time to still remain as a
friend, the iniation sword shall raffled off to the current membership.
(F) Raffle of the sword shall be that all members donate a dollar to the
hearth fund. The money shall be used to purchase hearth related
items. The person who wins the raffle shall then be excluded
from the next raffle.
Termination of Membership XI 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 XII 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 member's 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 XII 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 XIV 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 XV 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 XVI 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 XIV Disputes.
Personal Conduct XVII 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 XVIII 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 XIX 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 XX 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 finished,
please help clean up (dishes trash etc.). Many
hands make for light work.
(C). After feast is over, 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, 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 XXI . 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 XXII New bylaws may be submitted at any gathering but the majority
of members
must be present to vote. (bylaw IV 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.