Constitution

• Executive Board Members
• MPCA Constitution
• Licensuring, Ordination, and Recognition Committee (LORC) By-Laws

Executive Board Members

• Harper Meader, President
• Jane Raeburn, Vice President
• Sue Sullivan, Secretary
• Carol Lambert, Treasurer
• Cynthia Collins, LORC Chair

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MPCA Constitution

Approved by Board of Directors on February 9, 2003.

1. The name of this organization shall be the Maine Pagan Clergy Assocation (abbreviated MPCA).
2. The purpose of this organization shall be: To provide support and information for those functioning as Pagan clergy in Maine. This may include such projects as: establishing standards for recognition, licensure and ordination for Pagan clergy in Maine; providing support for Pagan clergy; offering regular meetings at which clergy may meet and learn from one another; facilitating positive relationships with other Pagan groups and the larger community; maintaining an e-mail list for clergy; coordinating training programs, formal and informal, for clergy to improve their skills; and other projects as needs are perceived and energy made available to meet those needs.
3. The MPCA shall be governed by a Board of Directors of not more than 13 and not less than 5 members, with four board members filling the offices of President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. Procedures for appointing (and, if necessary, removing) board members shall be set forth in the Bylaws.
4. MPCA membership, meetings and projects shall be open to any individual identifying himself or herself as acting in a Pagan clergy role with a ministry in Maine, specifically including border residents and part-time residents of the state. This may include offering public ritual, group leadership, chaplaincy, training, writing, music or other ministries.
5. Clergy recognition and licensure are optional certifications, and are not required for membership in the MPCA. They are offered as a public service to the Pagan community. Criteria for MPCA clergy recognition and licensure shall be established separately by the Licensure, Ordination and Recognition Committee. The chair of this committee shall be a member of the board.
6. The Board shall be empowered to establish both standing and ad-hoc committees to work on projects under the MPCA name. The chair of any standing committee (intended to operate for one year or more) shall be a member of the board.
7. While the MPCA is not a ritual group, its in-person meetings take place within a cast circle. To facilitate problem-solving and encourage honest communication, those within the circle are asked to commit to keep private any personal or group information revealed therein. No such expectation of confidentiality may be expected on MPCA e-mail forums, and participants are urged to exercise reasonable care.
8. This Constitution is not valid until approved by the Board of Directors. It may be amended by the Board of Directors according to the bylaws.
9. In accordance with Maine law, it is hereby stated that the Maine Pagan Clergy Association is organized for the public benefit. Should the Board decide to dissolve this organization, any assets belonging to MPCA shall be distributed to Pagan non-profits in Maine or New England, or to an environmental nonprofit organization in Maine, to be chosen by the Board, and no assets of the organization shall be distributed to members.

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LORC By-Laws

Last revision April 2007.

Constitution: It is our desire to reflect the opinions and desires of those we serve. In order to do so, we have chosen to be a group that attempts to hear from a variety of people and to consider many ideas, while recognizing that decisions must be made.

For practical purposes, therefore, the Licensure, Ordination, and Recognition Committee (LORC) shall have up to 5 members plus a non-voting chair. The Board of Directors chose the original LORC from its members, and the Chair was elected by the LORC. Initial committee includes Thea (Chair), Jane, Cassius, Kerry, Arwen and Harper. Committee will be constituted at least until August 2005 meeting.

Vacancy: In the event of a vacancy, the LORC, with the approval of the BOD, will nominate a member of MPCA, who meets requirements outlined below, to fill an unexpired term.

Classes: To accommodate changing life circumstances, callings and interests, at the February meeting, the LORC will ask each member still eligible if they wish to continue their service through Lammas of the following year. If someone chooses not to fulfill their term, vacancy will be filled as above.) Reappointment is not automatic, but is acceptable.

Chair: Being wary of having too much power in the hand of one person, the Chair does not vote except to break a tie. Chair chosen by committee, and serves at least one year until Lammas. Reappointment is not automatic, but is acceptable.

Courtesy: Our desire is to create a climate of respect, as well as openness. If a member has a disagreement with any aspect of the committee s action, the member is encouraged to give voice to it. To be sure that we are all communicating, the person bringing up an issue should briefly restate it. This gives us all the opportunity to clear up any simple problems. Because we wish to generate creative and appropriate ideas and to solve problems, any disagreement must be accompanied at least one alternative for discussion.

Self-Review: We are aware that Committee needs to institute a regular self-review process, based on goals and objectives adopted by the committee. Each committee member shall provide one or two self-review questions, in addition to what we think up as a group.

Decisions: We prefer to work by consensus, and encourage the MPCA members and the Pagan community to voice their opinions. Occasionally, an issue or decision may arise that a member is unwilling to support wholeheartedly. Within consensus, a member who wishes to "stand aside" may do so. This is a way to allow the general opinion of the group to determine the outcome.

For instance, a member may have no particular opinion on dates in August offered for a meeting because prior commitments mean that the member will be out of the country through the entire month. The member would then "stand aside".

We also realize that there may be urgency or other reasons for a formal vote of the LORC. In that case, we use the following:

Quorum: In person - Attendance at regularly scheduled meetings by the LORC members shall constitute a quorum.

Vote: 2/3rds majority of quorum required for passage. Registered votes by all committee members by email or by telephone at the time of the meeting or before shall be counted as a quorum.

Agenda: To be provided as appropriate.

Members: We wish to be accountable and responsible to those we serve, and thus we believe that LORC members are to be:

• Residents of Maine for at least the 12 preceding months.
• Hold licensure status with MPC for at least 12 months.
• Hold clergy designation in their tradition for at least 12 preceding months.
• Be active in demonstrable Pagan community leadership.
• Be approved by both Committee and MPC Board of Directors.
• Members must be active in MPCA for at least 12 preceding months.
• Attendance: at quarterly meetings for Board and Committee, unless excused, and regularly responsive to emails.
  

Email: Because we are geographically challenged, we expect that much discussion and business will be transacted by email. If a member of the committee has something to communicate, an identical email shall be sent to all members and shall include a date for replies to be considered. To keep various topics straight, please give your topic a tag and include it in the header, designating it as proposal, discussion, or vote.

To facilitate discussions and to simply keep up to date, upon receipt (within 48 hours of the sending) each recipient will send at least a copy to all LORC members acknowledging they got the information (assuming that the email is not unavoidably bullywoogered). If they wish to comment, offer a registered vote, etc, they may do so, or offer a date as alternative. If an email is not acknowledged, it is the responsibility of the sender to make at least two genuine attempts to contact the quiet one (for example, phone calls or in person visits). If there is still no response, the assumption default will be that the recipient agrees completely with the sender and registers a "yes" vote/opinion.

EXAMPLE: T sends out a proposal on the 3rd that we require all licensed clergy to wear brown shoes on Wednesdays because of our deep respect for tree bark. The request includes a call for comment by May 10th.

J and C acknowledge receipt on the 4th, and say they will be England until the 14th, but they both think it is a fabulous idea, and if it comes to a vote, they are all for it. No need to wait for them to come back.

H and K acknowledge receipt on the 3rd and both comment that the idea is not within the scope of our authority. Perhaps we need to look at the ethics of control within the committee, they suggest.

A acknowledges receipt on the 3rd, but does not have time to respond. On the 7th she comments that she likes the idea, but that purple vests with sequins on Thursday are deeply meaningful because of their association with dolphins. Might we want to consider this?

In this example, the committee is NOT in agreement, so no action would be taken on T s proposal. However, the discussion might help us formulate a good review question.

Meetings: Open meetings encouraged, Executive sessions permitted. LORC shall meet at least quarterly, and at other times as is agreeable to the Committee. Meeting minutes shall be kept and distributed by Email.

Ideas, Comments or Concerns brought to the LORC: We desire to unify the community, rather than divide it. Rumor, gossip or hearsay is an open door for resentment, dishonesty and harm. We realize that the types of concerns likely to be brought to the committee are sensitive and often difficult to present. None the less, to allow us to do a proper job of investigating and resolving the concern, w e do not accept anything without a signature. All signed correspondence is shared with the entire committee. We will, of course, do our best to keep confidentiality within the committee if appropriate. This is the committee's decision.

If a member with status is called into question, the LORC will immediately contact the member and supply a copy of the concern. The member will be asked to respond in writing within a reasonable time. The committee will then consider the concern, and take action as necessary. If the member is also a LORC member, the other members and the BOD will act together as above.

In the event of accusations of a prosecutable offense, we will notify the BOD and the proper civil authorities.

Status: It is the duty of the LORC to ascertain whether individuals who apply, identified as Pagan Clergy in Maine, meet the MPC s requirements for clergy status. All correspondence may be addressed to LORC at MPCA. If email is not an option, please contact Rev. Cynthia Collins at 207-282-1491 for other instructions.

To this end, we have three categories, described below.

• Recognition: The MPCA recognizes that an individual attests that they have met the requirements for clergy status within their tradition.
• Licensure:
  • Limited: The MPCA recognizes individual clergy status, and oversees the performance of particular function(s) in order to meet "local connection" statutes.
  • All Functions: The MPCA recognizes individual clergy status, affirms local connection, and suitable education and preparation, and endorses the clerical activity, with all its rights and privileges.
• Ordination: The MPCA affirms suitable education and preparation for clerical activity, with all its rights and privileges. Ordination is a form of religious initiation, not a legal status such as licensure. Many Pagans receive ordination through self-initiation or through a group's training process. MPCA is willing to support ordination as a service to those who would find it meaningful. The MPCA, as the local ordaining body, performs the ordination to clergy status of the candidate. After ordination, the candidate may apply for licensure.

The LORC will provide guidance to applicants to help them meet the written or other requirements.

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