The Following is an example of a set of By-Laws
to use in creating a Circle's own By-Laws.

THE [NAME] CIRCLE OF
THE SACRED ORDER OF LIVING PAGANISM
OFFICIAL BYLAWS
[ADDRESS]

Contents

Article One
NAME
B1.01 This religious organization shall be known as the [NAME] Circle of the Sacred Order of Living Paganism.
B1.02 For the purposes of these By-Laws, the Sacred Order of Living Paganism shall be referred to as “the Order” and the [NAME] Circle of the Sacred Order of Living Paganism shall be referred to as “this Circle.”
B1.03 This Circle reserves the above name for its own use and no other religious or educational institution may use that name.

Article Two
LOCATION
B2.01 The Circle shall maintain its principal office in the City of [CITY], [STATE].

Article Three
HISTORY
B3.01 The [NAME] Circle of the Sacred Order of Living Paganism was founded on [DATE], [YEAR] in [CITY], [STATE].

Article Four
AFFILIATION
B4.01 This Circle shall be an autonomous religious and educational entity but shall retain an identity as a member of the Order.
B4.02 This Circle accepts the Thirteen Principles and chooses to abide by the Five Precepts of the Order.
B4.03 This Circle accepts the Constitution of the Order as its guiding document for governace of the activities of this Circle.
B4.04 This Circle may terminate its relationship with the Order by a resolution indicating the desire of this Circle to terminate its relationship which must be adopted at a legally called and conducted special meeting of this Circle by a two-thirds majority of the voting members present.

Article Five
PURPOSE
B5.01 The purpose of this Circle shall be:
a) to support, proselytize, publish, research and teach the Principles, Precepts, Purposes and Concepts of the Order;
b) establish and maintain places of worship in accordance with the traditions, rites and practices of the Order;
c) establish other Circles of the Order in other counties of the State of [STATE], in other states of the United States of America and in other countries of the World;
d) establish, maintain and conduct a school of instruction for children and adults, known as the School of Living Paganism, which will award degrees and provide courses of religious and esoteric instruction; prepare individuals and qualify them to be ordained as ministers of the Circle;
e) establish a community of like-minded people who will have similar religious beliefs; and
f) exercise any, all and every power to which an establishment of religion is entitled.

Article Six
BUSINESS MEETINGS
B6.01 The Council of Elders shall meet once a month on [GENERAL DATE].
B6.02 Additional meetings may be called by the Grand Elder or by (3) three members of the Council. At least one week’s notice must be given to all Elders prior to the meeting.
B6.03 The annual meeting shall take place on [GENERAL DATE].
B6.04 Decisions of the Council of Elders shall be carried with a majority vote. The Grand Elder may note vote except in case of a tie. Only Full Members of the Circle are eligible to vote.
B6.05 The Circle shall meet yearly between the sabbats of Mabon and Samhain at a time and place chosen by the Grand Elder. At least (30) thirty days notice must be given to the current active membership of the Circle.
B6.06 Additional meetings of the Circle may be called by the Grand Elder or by a majority vote of the Council of Elders. At least (30) thirty days notice must be given to the current active membership of the Congregation.
B6.07 Decisions of the Circle shall be carried with a majority vote.
B6.08 There shall be no absentee or proxy voting.
B6.09 Circle Meetings shall be open to all Associate and Full Members of the Circle as described in the constitution.

Article Seven
FINANCIAL ASSESMENTS
B7.01 The Circle shall have the power to assess its membership for support of the Circle by the following methods: donations, tithes, pledges, fees for services rendered by the Circle, the sale of books and newsletters, fund raising projects, the issuance of bonds, borrowing, or other methods approved by the Grand Elder or the majority vote of The Council of Elders.
B7.02 All donations made to the Cirlce by any member or non member will immediately become the property of the Circle. The Circle may accept absolutely or in trust for any of the purposes herein set out, any gift, grant, or devise of any real or personal property and carry on all other such activities not limited by section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States of America, or the corresponding provisions of any subsequent law. Donations may be used for the purchase of Land, the payment of expenses, or for investments.

Article Eight
AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS
B8.01 These By-Laws may be amended or added to, or new By-Laws may be adopted by the Council of Elders by a meeting held for such purpose, by the affirmative vote of the Council of Elders empowered to exercise a majority of the voting power on such proposal, or, without a meeting, by the written consent of the Council of Elders entitled to exercise 100% of the voting power on such proposal.
B8.02 Requests to amend the By-Laws of this Circle shall be made in writing to the Grand Elder who shall call a meeting of the Council of Elders.
B8.03 If a majority of the Council of Elders approves an amendment request, that request shall be submitted to a vote of the Circle within (3) months of the approval of the Council.
B8.04 A majority of the members present at the Circle meeting must approve the amendment. If approved, the amendment will be changed within the Circle’s bylaws.

Article Nine
DEGREE AND ORDINATION REQUIREMENTS
B9.01 This Circle shall confer degrees upon those active members who complete the requirements outlined in this article.
B9.02 Requirements for Degrees shall be followed from the General Learning Requirements of the Order. (Addendum One of the Constitution).
B9.03 Additional Requirements for Degrees and Achievement Award Requirements may be determined by this Circle.

Article Ten
DISSOLUTION
B10. 01 Upon dissolution of this Circle, The Council of Elders shall, after paying or making provisions for the payment of all the liabilities of the Congregation, dispose of all the assets of the Circle exclusively for the purposes of the Circle in such a manner, or to such organizations organized exclusively for charitable, educational, religious or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or the corresponding provisions of any subsequent law, as the Council of Elders shall determine. Any such assets not so disposed of, shall be disposed of by the court of common pleas of the county in which the principal offices of the Circle is located, exclusively for the purposes or to such organizations as said court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF: the undersigned Elders approve these Bylaws on
[DATE]:___________________________________

Grand Elder
___________________________________
Second Elder
___________________________________
Scribe
___________________________________
Almoner

last update August 11, 2007