1. Name of the Corporation
The name of the Corporation shall be The Troth. The Corporation may conduct its affairs under the name, "The Ring of Troth."
2. Purposes of the Corporation
The purposes of the Corporation are:
To serve as a church† for the practice of the pre-Christian religion of the Germanic peoples, to disseminate accurate knowledge about its history, beliefs and practices, and to serve the religious needs of its members;
To train clergy and scholars for the practice and study of Germanic Heathen religion;
To produce publications which facilitate communication, and which educate and provide information on Germanic Heathen religion to members;
To facilitate and promote cooperation and community among non-discriminatory groups and individuals practicing Germanic Heathen religion; and
To acquire property and resources (such as research materials, facilities and land) which will further the foregoing purposes.
3. Membership
§ 3.1 Membership in the Troth is open to men and women who profess and practice the pre-Christian religion of the Germanic peoples, and who are affiliating with the Troth for religious and cultural reasons, rather than racial or political reasons. Discrimination on the basis of race, gender, ethnic origin, or sexual orientation shall not be practiced by the Troth or any affiliated group, whether in membership decisions or in conducting any of its activities.
§ 3.2 The Corporation shall have two classes of members: Full Members and New Members. Full Members shall be those who have remained members in good standing, with membership dues paid current, throughout the preceding year. New Members shall be those members who have not yet been members in good standing for a year. Former Full Members whose membership has lapsed for more than three months shall not be deemed to be Full Members until their membership has been reinstated for at least six months.
§ 3.4 Policy regarding incarcerated members. Members currently incarcerated in correctional institutions shall have the right to vote, but not to hold Troth office or to participate in the Clergy training program.
§ 3.5 Policy Regarding Troth Affiliation: If a member or group affiliated with The Troth leaves the organization, that person or group will no longer be allowed use of The Troth's logo. Should a person's membership lapse, he or she shall have three months in which to renew. After three months, all Troth affiliation ends. At that time, any logo or Troth material being used by such persons must be removed from use at once. Additionally, a group listed in Idunna as a Troth-affiliated group will be removed from that publication.
4. Officers
The officers of the Corporation shall serve the god/desses and the members by coordinating and applying the resources of the Corporation for the purposes stated in Section II, conducting the business affairs of the Troth, and serving as an interface between the Troth and the general public, governmental agencies, and non-governmental organizations whose activities might impact upon the practice of Germanic Heathen religion.
Officers or clergy may resign their offices by submitting a resignation in writing to any member of the High Rede. At the option of the High Rede, any such resignation may be deemed to be effective upon receipt by a member of the High Rede, rather than on a date specified in the resignation.
Officers shall maintain their Full Membership in the Troth in good standing throughout their terms. An officer whose membership in the Troth has lapsed for three months after notice of the expiration of his/her membership shall be deemed to have resigned his/her office.
§ 4.1 The High Rede
§ 4.1.1 Management of the Troth is vested in a board of directors, which is designated as the High Rede. The High Rede shall be the chief policy-making body of the Troth. Except as otherwise provided in these By-Laws, the High Rede shall appoint officers of the Troth, including new members of the High Rede when vacancies occur through resignation, removal or another reason, and shall adopt and amend the By-Laws as necessary. The High Rede may remove officers and clergy members, and may revoke or deny membership in the Troth, according to such procedures as it may establish, if it determines, in its sole discretion, that such action is in the best interests of the Troth.
§ 4.1.2 The High Rede may have as few as three and as many as nine members. The Steersperson, the Coordinator of the Clergy Program, and the High Steward shall be ex officio members of the High Rede. Ex officio members of the High Rede may vote on all matters considered. Other members of the High Rede shall be elected by the Full Members.
Two members of the High Rede shall be elected each year, according to procedures approved by the High Rede, published to the membership, and administered by the Steersperson, to serve terms of three years, beginning at the Trothmoot of the year in which they are elected. Any Full Member may nominate one or more persons, who must have been Full Members of the Troth for at least a full year preceding nomination, as candidates for membership on the High Rede. Elections for High Rede positions shall take place by mail, and the Corporation shall not be required to provide notice of or hold an annual meeting of the members for purposes of voting. In the election of members of the High Rede, Full Members may not cumulate their votes by casting more than one vote for a single candidate. Any Full Member wishing to vote by proxy must sign and date his/her proxy authorizing another Full Member to vote in his/her stead not more than 60 nor less than 10 days prior to the date on which ballots must be received by the Corporation. The signed and dated original of the proxy must accompany any ballot sent to the Corporation which is cast under authority of such proxy.
§ 4.1.3 The members of the High Rede shall communicate quarterly or more often via electronic mail, conference call or personal meeting to conduct Troth business. At the end of each quarter, the Scribe shall prepare and submit to the Rede a summary of decisions and policies approved by the High Rede.
An annual gathering of the Troth, designated as "Trothmoot," shall be held, at which the members of the High Rede who are present shall meet among themselves, and shall hold a business meeting open to all attendees of the gathering, where they shall report to the membership on the state of the Troth, and where policies and procedures may be proposed and discussed. Attending this gathering shall be deemed an important duty of all Rede members.
Five members of the High Rede shall constitute a quorum for all meetings of the High Rede.
§ 4.1.4 The act of the majority of the members of the High Rede present in person or by proxy at a meeting at which a quorum is present, and who cast votes other than abstentions, shall be the act of the High Rede, unless the act of a greater number is required by the Articles of Incorporation or the By-Laws. All proxies must be in writing, signed and dated by the Rede members executing them, and their period of validity may not exceed three months. Any proxy may be revoked by providing notice to the Steersperson and the person to whom the proxy was given. Proxies may only be given to current members of the High Rede.
The High Rede may also consider and authorize proposed actions by electronic mail, conference calls and/or correspondence. All Rede members must participate in person or by proxy in any conference call in which an action is authorized. Consideration by electronic mail and/or correspondence shall be through written consents. No action through written consents shall be valid unless a copy of the proposed action and notification of the deadline for voting are first sent by the Steersperson or other designated officer to each member of the High Rede at his/her electronic mail or physical address on record with the Corporation. In actions voted upon by written consents, Rede members opposing such actions shall submit written votes in opposition. Rede members not responding shall be deemed to have abstained. Except as otherwise provided in these By-Laws or the Articles of Incorporation, an action considered by electronic mail, conference call and/or correspondence shall be deemed authorized if a majority of the Rede members casting votes and/or submitting written consents, excluding abstentions, approves of the action.
§ 4.2 Administrative Officers The Administrative Officers of the Troth are the Steersperson, Associate Steersperson, Reckoner of Accounts, Wordsmith, Scribe, and Service Officers as needed.
§ 4.2.1 The Steersperson
The President of the Corporation shall be designated as the Steersperson (or Steersman or Steerswoman, as applicable). The Steersperson shall serve as chair of the High Rede, and oversee the general administration of the Troth. The Steersperson shall be elected by the High Rede following an advisory election by the Full Members. The procedures for the advisory election shall be consistent with those adopted for the election of Rede members, and results shall be announced to the membership in the newsletter or Idunna.
The Steersperson shall serve a term of three years, to be announced at Trothmoot of the year in which he/she is elected and begin on June 15th.
The Steersperson may appoint temporary assistants and staff as necessary, but must inform the Rede of all such appointments. The Steersperson convenes and presides over the communications and meetings of the High Rede, and at the business meeting at the annual Trothmoot. The Steersperson shall retain possession of the official minutes of the meetings and actions of the High Rede.
The Steersperson will convene an annual meeting, to be known as Trothmoot. Responsibility for planning and management of Trothmoot may be delegated, under the supervision of the Steersperson. An outgoing Steersperson shall be responsible for the Trothmoot planned during the last year of his or her term even if the new Steersperson has taken office before the event actually occurs.
§ 4.2.2 The Associate Steersperson shall assist the Steersperson, and may preside over communications and meetings of the High Rede if the Steersperson is unable to participate. The Associate Steersperson shall convene the annual Trothmoot gathering. He/she is elected from among the serving members of the High Rede for a term of one year, and may be reelected.
§ 4.2.3 The Wordsmith is the Secretary of the Corporation, and shall answer general correspondence, process new memberships and keep an accurate computerized database of members. If the workload requires, he/she may appoint assistants to take over aspects of the duties. He/she is appointed by the High Rede to serve a term of one year, and may be reelected. If the Wordsmith is a member of the Rede, he/she shall also serve as Scribe.
§ 4.2.4 The Scribe is the Secretary of the Corporation. Prospective Scribes must be Full Members of the Troth at the time of their election. He or She is appointed by the Rede to serve a one year term, and may be re-elected. The Scribe is responsible for reading and answering general correspondence. The Scribe shall keep a complete and accurate record of all actions considered by the High Rede, whether in a meeting or otherwise. This record shall include the text of the proposed action, the date of final determination, the outcome of the vote, the numbers of affirmative votes, negative votes, and abstentions, and the specific votes of each Rede member. The Scribe shall keep a copy of all records made, and shall forward the official records to the Steersperson at least quarterly.
§ 4.2.5 The Reckoner of Accounts is the Treasurer of the Corporation, and shall record financial transactions, receive, deposit and disburse monies as instructed by the High Rede, and by standing policy of the Corporation. The reckoner will also maintain complete and accurate financial records and the bank account(s) of the Corporation. The Reckoner is responsible for producing quarterly reports on the Troth's financial status for the High Rede, preparing an annual financial statement for each fiscal year, defined as 1 January to 31 December of each year. This report shall be due by 15 March of each year. The Reckoner shall also be responsible for the preparation and filing of any forms or reports required by governmental taxation and/or corporate regulatory agencies. He/she is elected by the High Rede to serve a one year term, and may be reelected, and may appoint or hire such assistance as is needed to complete these tasks.
§ 4.3 Service Officers
§ 4.3.1 The Coordinator of the Clergy Program shall be elected by the serving Troth Clergy in good standing for a three-year term, and may be reelected. The Coordinator shall be responsible for supervising the clergy training program by providing guidance and leadership in the development and evaluation of the program and its initiatives, and by promoting the further development of those in the program. The Coordinator will oversee evaluative studies of the curricula, programs and initiatives, and ensure that these evaluations are conducted accurately, on time, and effectively, and will coordinate the acquisition of resources to meet the needs for the program as a whole. The Coordinator will facilitate the consensus of the Godmadheler board on all decisions and report all such activities to the Rede. The Coordinator shall be an ex-officio member of the High Rede.
In addition, The Coordinator, or a designate of the Coordinator, shall provide information on the clergy training, certification programs and procedures with regard to Troth clergy members in good standing to governmental and other agencies, upon the request of such clergy members. If the workload requires, he/she may appoint assistants to take over aspects of the duties.
§ 4.3.1.1 The Godmadheler Board
A Godmadheler is an experienced Godwo/man of no less than two years as ordained Godpersons who is appointed by the High Rede to the Godmadheler on the recommendation of the Coordinator. The primary responsibility of the Godmadheler is to serve on the governing board of the Troth Clergy program and to forward its aims and goals from a spiritual mindset. All decisions require a consensus of the entire Godmadheler board before implementation.
The Godmadheler Board is responsible for providing leadership and oversight in the development and revision of the Clergy program, its initiatives and goals, and for promoting further development of those in the program. The Board supervises the Godpersons, Guides and Candidates by fostering an effective relationship among the above parties, evaluates applicants' suitability to the program and, upon acceptance, facilitates selection of a Guide. In addition, the Board members evaluate candidates for ordination by reviewing their submitted materials and writing oral examination questions based upon this material and the Guide's input.
§ 4.3.1.2 Elders are certified by the Coordinator and Godmathelers and chartered by the High Rede as having demonstrated a high level of scholarship and expertise in Germanic religion and related areas according to standards established by the Coordinator and Godmadheler Board. Completion of the clergy training program shall be considered prerequisite to admission to Elder training. Elders shall be responsible for ongoing service to the Troth through research, publications and/or teaching or otherwise be an active force within the Troth. Elders who are currently active and in good standing shall be listed in Idunna. An Elder whose membership has lapsed for more than one year shall cease to be accredited except in special situations, in which the title "Elder Emeritus" may be granted by the Rede.
§ 4.3.1.3 Godpersons are certified by the Coordinator and Godmatheler Board, and approved by the High Rede, as having demonstrated competence in the theory and practice of Germanic religion and related areas according to the curriculum established by the Coordinator and Godmadheler Board. Godpersons are expected to serve their communities as clergy, fulfilling the role by performing rites and providing spiritual guidance and counseling as requested within their communities. Godpersons currently active and in good standing will be listed in Idunna. A Godperson whose membership has lapsed for more than one year will cease to be accredited by the Troth.
§ 4.3.2 Shope
The Shope shall be the Director of Publications for the Troth, and shall supervise publication of journal, Idunna, the newsletter, Mimir's Well, and other publications of the Troth. The Shope may also be the Editor in Chief of either Idunna or Mimir's Well, but not both. The Shope is responsible for keeping the Rede informed of problems and progress with publication activities. The Shope is elected to a one-year term by the Rede, and may be reelected. If the workload requires, he/she may appoint assistants to take over aspects of the duties.
§ 4.3.2.1 The Editor in Chief of Idunna shall oversee the editing, preparation, production and mailing of Idunna four times a year in cooperation with the Shope and with the assistance of such other persons as he/she deems necessary. The Editor in Chief is appointed by the Shope each year, and may be reappointed.
§ 4.3.2.2 The Newsletter Editor shall oversee the editing, preparation, production and mailing of Mimir's Well as needed and/or as authorized by the Rede, in cooperation with the Shope and the Steersperson. The Newsletter Editor is appointed by the Shope each year, and may be reappointed.
§ 4.3.2.3 It shall be considered the duties of the Shope, the Editor in Chief and the Newsletter Editor to insure that their respective publications are produced and distributed on time, and do not contain material that is actionable or that seriously embarrasses the Troth. Failure to perform these duties constitutes grounds for removal, at the sole discretion of the High Rede.
§ 4.4 Stewards
§ 4.4.1 The High Steward shall be elected by the Regional Stewards for a three-year term at the time of the regular Troth election, and may be reelected. The High Steward shall be an ex officio member of the High Rede.
The High Steward shall be responsible for supervising, promoting and facilitating the activities of Regional Stewards and reporting on their activities to the High Rede, and for convening a Steward Thing at Trothmoot. If the workload requires, he/she may appoint assistants to take over aspects of the duties.
§ 4.4.2 Regional Stewards shall be proposed by the High Steward and confirmed by the High Rede. To permit comments by Members, proposed Regional Stewards shall be listed in Idunna for one issue prior to confirmation. Full Members in an area may elect their Regional Steward if there is more than one candidate or a dispute. Regional Stewards shall serve for a term of two years, which may be renewed.
Regional Stewards shall promote and facilitate Troth activities in their regions according to standards established by the High Steward, and shall report on their activities to the High Steward.
§ 4.5 Director of Computer Operations; The Communications Director manages Computer Operations for the Corporation, and shall perform such tasks as may be authorized by the Rede. These include, but are not limited to, establishment and maintenance of an accurate database of Troth members, establishment and maintenance of a Troth site on the World Wide Web, and establishment and maintenance of other electronic communications media and methods as may be deemed necessary by the Rede and/or the Officer, such as electronic mailing lists. If the workload requires, she or he may appoint assistants to assume aspects of his/her role. Candidates for this office must be Full Members of the Troth. This Officer is appointed by the High Rede to serve a one year term, and may be reappointed.
§ 4.6 Public Relations Officer: The Public Relations Officer shall be responsible for promoting the Troth, its activities, and Germanic Heathenry in an accurate, fair, and positive manner, by making information about the Troth and its activities available to media outlets, and by conducting publicity campaigns under the direction of the Rede. Candidates for this office shall be Full Members of the Troth. This Officer is appointed by the Rede to serve a one-year term, and may be reappointed.
§ 4.6.1. The Public Relations Officer shall work closely with the Rede, and be in constant contact with Rede members, in order to promote the image of the Troth that the Rede chooses to put forth. The Public Relations Officer must also stay aware of any rising problems in the Troth, or in the Germanic Heathen or neo-pagan communities in general, that could create negative publicity. The Officer must be prepared to issue statements to the media to counter negative publicity, and in some instances may have to act rapidly and independently without direction from the Rede; thus the Officer must be deeply familiar with the fundamental beliefs and culture of Germanic Heathenry, and with the organizational structure and traditions of the Troth. The Officer must be able to represent them accurately and clearly in both speaking and in writing.
§ 4.6.2. Duties of the Public Relations Officer shall include:
§ 4.7 Garb-Alf/Dis The Garb-Alf or Dis shall oversee the procurement, warehousing, and shipment of such clothing-related tangible items as the Rede and/or Shope deem appropriate for sale by the Troth. If the workload requires, he or she may appoint assistants to take over aspects of the duties. He or she must have been a Full Member for one full year. He or she is elected by the Rede to serve a one-year term, and may be re-elected.
- creating and maintaining media kits, containing basic information about the Troth and Germanic Heathenry, for distribution to print and broadcast media outlets;
- creating and updating lists of contact addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses for various media outlets, both general outlets and those that are geared towards the Heathen and general neo-pagan communities;
- writing and sending out press releases to publicize the Troth initiatives, new publications, etc.;
- writing responses and statements to the media, when necessary, to put forth the Troth stance on an issue or to counteract negative publicity;
- coordinating media interviews with Troth officers, when necessary, or representing the Troth in such interviews.
§ 4.8 Other Officers At the discretion of the High Rede, additional officers, such as a Public Relations officer, may be appointed for terms of one year at a time, subject to renewal if needed.
5. Publications
§ 5.1 The Troth shall publish a journal, Idunna, which shall present articles and other materials on topics of interest to students and practitioners of Germanic religion. This journal will be sent to all members, and may also be sold to subscribers and/or distributed through retail outlets.
§ 5.2 The Troth shall publish a newsletter, Mimir's Well, to enhance communication among members, and provide news, announcements, business information, candidates' platforms, and similar materials.
§ 5.3 The High Rede may approve additional publications, such as monographs and books, and may authorize publishing and communications activities to be carried out on the Internet or similar computerized fora.
6. Clergy Training Program
The Troth shall develop and maintain a program to train clergy and scholars in Germanic religion to serve the spiritual needs of the Troth and the larger Germanic religious community, coordinated by the Coordinator of the Clergy Program. The program shall offer certification in two areas: scholarship (Elders) and ministry (Godpersons). The Coordinator and the Godmadheler Board shall administer this program with such assistants as they shall appoint. Information on the training and status of Troth clergy in good standing shall be provided to educational and governmental agencies upon request.
Participants in the clergy training program, and serving Troth clergy, are expected to conduct themselves as persons of honesty, integrity, good judgment and good character, and to act as constructive rather than divisive influences in the Germanic religious community. Failure to do so may result in disqualification from the program and as Troth clergy.
7. Local Organization
The Troth shall encourage the formation of local groups, which may become affiliated with the Troth if the groups and the Rede agree to such affiliation. Groups may be recognized as Hearths, Garths or Hofs according to their size, resources and commitment to maintaining teaching and outreach programs in their communities, according to guidelines established by the Rede. The Rede may, in cooperation with the Reckoner, authorize the Troth to maintain authorization by the Internal Revenue Service to extend its tax-exempt status to such affiliated groups as enter into agreements with the Troth to comply with such organizational, financial and reporting requirements as are mandated by United States federal tax law.
8. The Warder of the Lore
The position of the Warder of the Lore is an advisory position held by an Elder Emeritus. If needed, the Warder can advise the Rede on matters having to do with Ásatrú/Heathen theology, terminology and similar historical matters.
† - "Church" is defined as "a
non-profit religious organization."
Return to Section 2.1.