Mystical Rainbow Church International, Inc: By-Laws

By-laws of the Mystical Rainbow Church International, Inc

9/22/023

PURPOSE STATEMENT

Bylaws are to be written without specific incumbents in mind as they change over time, thus, changes within these bylaws reflect the current goals of a representative Board of Directors.

The purposes of the Mystical Rainbow tradition are as follows:

-As a matriarchal church where women and men are equally uplifted whereby the teachings and administration reflect this philosophy.

-To honor the universe through religious ceremonies, inclusive teachings, and community-building activities.

-To provide guidance to individuals around the globe discovering the many faces and aspects of Deity.

-To help facilitate spiritual growth with the emphasis on the vast and deep teachings of the nature-based, world community and the members and leaders of the tradition.

-Provide a safe space whereby all nationalities, genders, and LGTBQIA2S+ may have the freedom to present their skills, talents, and perspectives.

-To teach metaphysical and practical precepts so that one may live a productive spiritual life.

-Provide a safe community where creative self-expression is encouraged.

-A space to reconnect to humanity, nature, and the Higher Self.

-An inclusive place where leaders are birthed and refined.

MEETINGS

Directors of the Board shall meet no less than quarterly per year.
Directors may meet in emergency events.

FINANCES

Monthly bank statements will be uploaded into the Directors Group within 1 week of availability.

VOTING

Every Board Director holds a vote.
Generally, votes shall be given anonymously.

I-THE TRADITION STRUCTURE

A-FIRST PRIESTESS

The First Priestess along with the First Priest are the Face of the Tradition.
The office of First Priestess, once filled, is understood to be held for life.

B-FIRST PRIEST

The First Priest is responsible for the tradition’s relations with other Wiccan and Pagan traditions.
The office of the First Priest, once filled, is understood to be held for life.

C-FIRST ELDER

The First Elder of the tradition is the principal advisor to the tradition Heads, and to the Board of Directors.
The First Elder Position has a term of 4 years and is selected by the Council of Elders.
A chosen First Elder may serve more than 1 term, however, non-consecutively, unless there is not a current Elder that wishes to hold the office.

D-RETIREMENT of FIRST PRIESTESS and FIRST PRIEST

While the above offices are understood to be held for life, if a person in one of these offices so chooses to retire, said individual, must immediately appoint and cede full power, title, and authority to their successor after a probationary period of 1 year.
Succession: The First Priesthood may choose their successor; however it must be voted on by the Council of Elders and confirmed by the Board of Directors.
Board status of the Retiree: All retirees may remain on the Board of Directors as an honored advisory, holding no vote, and will be relieved of any tradition-wide duties, and financial obligations born by other Board Members.

E-BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall be the First Priest of the Tradition.
The Secretary of the Board of Directors is voted on by the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors vote on how to spend what is raised by the Tradition, for the benefit of the tradition. Examples: Tradition Website, Zoom, Other Technology, Publishing of Material, etc.
The Board of Directors is made up of clergy and non-clergy nominated by the First Priestess and First Priest then confirmed by the Existing Board members. The Board of Directors is responsible for running the legal church organization.
Either the First Priest or First Priestess may suggest the removal of a board member at any time with good reason. They alone cannot remove the member. To remove the member, the remaining board members must vote, and there must be a majority vote for removal.
Expanding the board – as the tradition grows, so should the board. The first priesthood will work with and consult the other board members on board membership, that’s to say they shall work together to determine the size of the board. The first board of directors at the opening of the tradition will begin as four members. The membership of the board will be diverse meaning that they will be from different background and countries since this is an international organization.
The First Director’s focus is comprehensively researching and presenting to the Board of Directors, 501c3 grants that support the tradition’s missions, i.e., education, improving humanity and the earth.
To remain on the Board of Directors, requirements must be completed within a calendar year, which will be determined in the future by the Board of Directors.

F-FINANCES

The Chief Financial Officer is appointed by the First Priestess and First Priest.
All funds received will be transparent to all Board Members.
All funds received will be accounted for, with appropriate documentation.
All funds being raised for and by the tradition must show where all monies have been spent with appropriate documentation.

G-COUNCIL OF ELDERS (MRCE)

The Mystical Rainbow Council of Elders is an advisory body made up of the Officers of the Mystical Rainbow tradition as listed above, as well as other members who are chosen from among highly respected and active members of the tradition.
The Council of Elders might be described as the “Cabinet of the Tradition,” being a council whose non-binding opinion is solicited to help shape national policy. The Mystical Rainbow Council of Elders may be convened at the discretion of either of the Joint Heads of tradition, which are, the First Priestess or First Priest; however, it is Chaired by the First Priestess.
The principal purpose of the Mystical Rainbow Council of Elders, is to carry out works that encourage spiritual growth and inclusion of all membership. To oversee the succession to the offices of Joint heads of tradition, i.e., overseeing preparation of place and rituals to celebrate the successions. To encourage a healthy tradition culture.
Elders are considered fully seated and also hold the rank of Arch Priesthood.
Membership to the Council of Elders is open to 3^rd Head of Temples.

II-ORDERS, STUDY GROUPS, SHRINES, HOUSES AND TEMPLES

A-ORDERS

An Order is an association within the tradition dedicated to a particular subject, such as ecology, healing, music, etc.
Orders are free to form on a tradition-wide basis. An Order is formed by a Charter from the tradition, which may only be granted by the Heads of tradition. An Order may be formed around any subject of interest.
An Order has a single Head who is responsible for organizing and facilitating it, who is called an Order Head. The Order Head is also established by Charter from the Tradition. The Order Head may be of any Degree appropriate to the Order's subject, as defined by the Tradition.
The imperium of an Order includes;

a) The pursuit of such activities as may be suitable to the Orders subject matter

b) The organization of Order members to the extent and in the manner appropriate to the Order subject matter, including the maintenance of member records and the organization of member meetings

d) May offer training related to the Order’s main subject matter.

The imperium of an Order excludes;

e)-Formal Clergy training or initiation of Clergy

B-STUDY GROUPS

A Study Group is a formal group recognized by the tradition for the purpose of studying lessons, literature, and ideas. Recognition of a Study Group by the tradition acknowledges it is a project of a tradition member. Recognition allows the Study Group to communicate directly with the tradition leadership and to be kept informed of the latest news and/or publications released by the tradition.
Due to its nature, a Study Group may be headed by any member of the tradition. For purposes of recognition, one person must be designated as the Study Group's leader. A Study Group does not have the authority to register memberships-these must be referred directly to the tradition itself.
A Study Group may informally study the Clerical lessons and other materials of interest but may not formally teach or initiate. A Study Group may also conduct any informal rituals or activities it wishes but may not enact rituals in the tradition’s name (as initiation for example). The head of the Study Group must have completed the Clerical lessons and initiated into that degree in order to teach those materials.
If a Study Group's leader or other members are Third-Degree Clergy (or acting under the imperium of a Third-Degree sponsor) that High Priestess/Priest may formally teach, initiate, and conduct rituals in the traditions name through the Study Group but under their own personal imperium.
The imperium of a Study Group includes;

a) Informal study of Clerical lessons and other materials or materials of interest to members.

b) Informal ceremonies of any sort

6. The imperium of a Study Group excludes;

a) Formal teaching of Clerical lessons or initiation.

b) Formal ceremonies conducted in the tradition's name.

c) Registration of the General Membership.

d) Claims titles, legal or financial status through the tradition.

7. A Study Group, Once it’s head reaches 2^nd degree may be considered part of the Temple Building Process.

C-SHRINE

A Shrine is founded in expectation of its later becoming a Temple. At this time, all new Temples must spend at least one year as a Shrine prior to being officially chartered as Houses of the tradition.
A Shrine functions as a formal body of the Tradition and it is focused toward developing the functions of a Temple. A Shrine must maintain good records of its membership and finances. A Shrine may register individuals of the General Membership, but may also teach and initiate clerical students under the terms described below.
A Shrine is expected to hold ritual gatherings and to fulfill the other functions normally expected of a Temple. A Shrine may hold informal rituals like any other Shrine, but it also may hold formal rituals in the name of the tradition (within the scope of the Shrine Keepers imperium,) and it may also formally teach initiatory and other classes.
The Keeper of a Shrine must be a member of the second Degree Priesthood. If someone has not attained Second Degree and wishes to be recognized as a Shrine, they are permitted under the imperium (supervision) of a Third Degree High Priest until they have reached Second Degree, at which the imperium will expire upon initiation.
A Shrine may initiate students, providing that the Shrine Keeper holds Third Degree status. If the Shrine Keeper does not yet have Third Degree status, initiations must either be via self-initiation or must be conducted by the Shrine Keeper's Third-Degree sponsor or by another Third-Degree High Priestess/Priest acting as the representative of the sponsor.
While a Shrine is considered a formal body of the tradition, A Shrine Keeper is not regarded as having a seat Council in the Council of Elders.
The imperium of a Shrine includes;

           a) Registration of individuals of the General Membership.
           b) Perform formal and informal worship services.
           c) Community-oriented and charitable activities.
           d) Present formal teaching and initiation of clergy subject to the terms discussed above.
           e) Teach other classes or materials as may be desired.
           f) Status as a formal body of the tradition.

8. The imperium of a Shrine excludes;

a) Vote on the Council of Elders.

D-HOUSE

A House is a Shrine founded in expectation of its later becoming a Temple. At this time, all new Temples must spend at least one year as a House prior to being officially chartered as Temple of the tradition.
A House functions in the same manner as a Shrine, described above, and it is focused toward developing the functions of a Temple. A House must maintain good records of its membership and finances. A House may register individuals of the General Membership and may also teach and initiate Clerical students under the terms described below.
A House is expected to hold ritual gatherings and to fulfill the other functions normally expected of a Temple. A House may hold informal rituals like any other Shrine, but it also may hold formal rituals in the name of the tradition (within the scope of the House Keeper's imperium), and it may also formally teach initiatory and other classes.
The Keeper of a House must be a member of the Second-Degree Priesthood or a person studying toward Third Degree and under the imperium of a Third-Degree.

A House may initiate students, providing that the House Keeper holds Third Degree status. If the House Keeper does not yet have Third Degree status, initiations must either be via self-initiation or must be conducted by the Proto-Temple Keeper's Third-Degree sponsor or by another Third-Degree High Priestess/Priest acting as the representative of the sponsor.
A House is considered a formal body of the tradition.
The imperium of a House includes;

           a) Registration of Individuals of the General Membership
           b) Conduct formal and informal worship services.
           c) Community-oriented and charitable activities.
           d) Conducting formal teaching and initiation of Clergy subject to the terms discussed above.
           e) Teaching of other classes or materials as may be desired.
           f) Status as a formal body of the Tradition.

8. The imperium of a House excludes;

a) Vote on the Council of Elders.

E-TEMPLES

Among the principal functions of a Temple is the regular performance of worship ceremonies, especially in conjunction with the eight major holidays. A Temple may conduct formal ceremonies in the tradition's name (such as initiations) as well the various holiday ceremonies and any other ceremonies it wishes.
A Temple may formally teach and initiate new Clergy of all degrees, as well as register new individuals of the General Membership.
The Temple is responsible for registering all such new members and advances in members' status with the tradition.
A Temple may also speak on behalf of the tradition in matters of established policy. However, in matters where no established policies have been adopted, each Temple should remember to speak only for itself.
Temples are encouraged to involve themselves in community activities, charitable activities, and ministerial outreach programs -especially in their local Pagan community. Moreover, Temples are encouraged to build social infrastructure for their members to strengthen bonds between them as well as provide assistance in times of need.
The inner workings of a Temple are pretty much left up to its members and leadership. All Temples are part of the integrated whole of the tradition in their outer functioning but are also largely independent in their inner functioning. The Tradition requires certain structural elements whose purpose is to facilitate smooth interactions between Temple and tradition, as well as between Temples in general.
A Temple may only be created by charter of the tradition, which may only be granted by the tradition Heads. This is because a Temple serves as an official body of the tradition; thus, close relations with the central leadership of the Tradition are encouraged. A charter establishes a Temples name, initial leadership, and identity within the tradition.
In addition, when a Temple is chartered, its initial Temple Head is also chartered and empowered to set up and administer the Temple. Only one person may be seated as Temple Head, and this person is solely responsible for the maintenance of the Temple and for representing it to the tradition.
A Temple may only be headed by a Third-Degree High Priestess/Priest.
The Temple Head will set up the Temple's initial Board of Directors. A Temple Head may also appoint a Co-Head of Temple who will aid in the daily running of the Temple. The Co-Head has equal dignity with the Head of the Temple but a slightly lesser imperium. A Co-Head of the Temple may attend and address meetings of the Council of Elders, but the Temple has only one vote in the Council, and it is the Temple Head who is responsible for casting it. This is because the Temple Head is chartered by the tradition based upon the tradition's knowledge of and trust in her or him, while the appointed Co-Head of a Temple may not be well known by the tradition.
Occasionally a Co-Head of Temple may -at the discretion of the Tradition leadership-be granted full standing in the Council of Elders, but this is not to be expected.
Commonly the Head and Co-Head of a Temple will be its Chief Priestess and Chief Priest, or vice versa, but this need not always be so.
A Temple must also have a chief Director who is responsible to the tradition for maintaining the Temple's records and paperwork. Initially, this is often the same person as the Temple Head.
Temples are expected to conform to the basic tenets of the tradition but are given great leeway in the actual running of the Temple and adding their teachings that interest the members.
Temples are responsible for sponsoring shrines in their geographic location, or that they sponsor through an existing relationship with the Shrine or Shrine Keeper. Temples are to provide care and support to their sponsored Shrines and to guide sponsored Shrine Keepers in all tradition matters.
The imperium of a Temple includes;

           a) Registration of new individuals of the General Membership
           b) The right to formally teach Clerical and other classes in the tradition's name
           c) Initiation of new Clergy
           d) Conducting formal ceremonies in the tradition's name
           e) Representation by the Head of Temple in the Witan Council
           f) The right to speak on behalf of the tradition in matters of established policy

17. The imperium of a Temple excludes;

a) Making commitments of any sort on behalf of the tradition unless specifically empowered to do so in writing.

b) Superseding or ignoring the rules of the tradition as set out in our bylaws.

III-DEGREES OF MEMBERSHIP

Membership in either the General Membership or the Priesthood of the Tradition does not in and of itself guarantee acceptance into the membership of any given Shrine or Temple.

A-GENERAL MEMBERSHIP

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP - Registered individuals of the tradition who are the laity of the tradition, which is the largest body of the tradition.
DEDICANT -A Dedicant is a postulant cleric who has dedicated a period of one year and one day to study and training toward the Priesthood. At the end of that period, the Dedicant may return to the General Membership status or be offered First Degree initiation at the discretion of the Temple.
HONORARY –Individual Temples may extend Honorary Temple Membership to any person whom they shall choose. These Honorary Members may be treated as either General Membership or Inner Court Members by the Temple, which grants this status. Such Honorary Members are members of the Temple, not of the Tradition as such.

B-DEGREES OF PRIESTHOOD

FIRST DEGREE – A Novice Priestess/Priest. The First-Degree Priestess/Priest should be familiar with the details of the Wiccan faith, having a thorough grounding in Wiccan philosophy and traditions. The First-Degree Priestess/Priest should be able to answer most questions about Wicca on a practical (as opposed to philosophical) level. The First-Degree Priestess/Priest should be able to take any role in ritual with reasonable confidence, short of ritual leader.
SECOND DEGREE – Priestess/Priest. The Second-Degree Priestess/Priest should be able to take any role in ritual and answer most questions about Wicca, whether practical or philosophical. The Second-Degree High Priestess/Priest should be able to manipulate energy in ritual and other settings with reasonable competence. The Second-Degree Priestess should be familiar with most Wiccan rituals and techniques and be able to undertake them without direct guidance.
THIRD DEGREE – High Priestess/Priest. The Third-Degree Priestess/Priest should be able to answer all questions about Wicca and facilitate all Wiccan rituals met within the ordinary service of a Temple. The Third-Degree Priestess/Priest should be competent in energy work, should be able to deliver an Oracle or Spirit message, and perform the ceremony of Drawing Down the Moon.
CLERICAL INITIATION –Only a Third-Degree High Priestess/Priest or one acting under the imperium of a Third-Degree Priestess/Priest can initiate persons into the Clergy. When a Cleric acting under the imperium of a Third-Degree Priestess/Priest achieves Third-Degree status in their own right, any initiations which they have performed under the imperium of their Sponsor shall thereafter be considered part of their own lineage. If, however, a Cleric acting under the imperium of a Sponsor never achieves Third-Degree status, initiations they have performed shall trace through the lineage of their Sponsor.

C-WITHDRAWAL OF RECOGNITION

The Mystical Rainbow Church International Inc reserves the right to extend or withdraw its imperium at its own discretion, as decided by the Heads and Officers, which are the First Priestess and First Priest of the tradition. No other conditions, including custom, tradition, or prevailing opinion, shall take precedence over the discretion of the Heads and Officers of the tradition, with the sole exception of these bylaws.
Any charters, or recognition given by the tradition may also be withdrawn by the tradition for any reason whatsoever which the Heads of the tradition shall see fit, however must be voted on by the council of elders, and confirmed by the board of directors.
Similarly, recognition of Priestly Degrees may also be withdrawn if, in the opinion of the Heads of the tradition, the initiate has profaned their initiation and forsworn their Priesthood through breaking their initiatory vows or through unworthy acts against society or the tradition itself. In instances of self-initiation, where the actual ceremony has been performed without the presence of a High Priestess/Priest, it shall be assumed that the customary vows are used. If the First Priesthood makes this decision, the council of elders will vote to support or reject the decision, followed by confirmation of the board of directors.
By the same token, those who are under the tradition's imperium, whether by general membership, clergy, or holding the status of a recognized or chartered body of the sorts outlined above, shall be free to leave the traditions imperium at their own discretion. This shall be a simple matter of notifying the tradition except in the case of chartered bodies. In the case of chartered bodies, a process shall be established for the purpose of making sure that the rights of the individual members are respected and that any properties being used by the chartered body, but belonging to the tradition, shall be returned to the tradition.

D-Conduct

1. All claims of misconduct will be taken seriously.

2. Bullying, making fun of (malicious intent), poor behavior, and illegal actions causing harm will not be permitted in the tradition.

3. Process

1. File complaint with the office of records (monitored by board of directors).

2. The Board of Directors will read the complaint and share with other board members.

3. The board will then consult the first elder to form a committee to investigate the allegations. The committee will be an odd number so as a majority can be reached once the investigation is complete.

4. Membership to this committee will be a 1 time basis only. It will be disbanded after the decision is made. The investigation will be conducted discretely as to not interrupt the tranquility and serenity of the tradition.

5. All statements and proof from the investigation will be saved to keep records.

6. The committee will provide documentation and decision to the first elder.

7. The First Elder will pass documentation and decision to first priesthood where it will be added to the archives of the tradition.

8. First Priesthood will notify the accused party and the person making the allegations of the decision.

9. This process is designed to be fair to all parties involved. The decision made will be made fair and justly.

IV- CHANGING THE BYLAWS

The Mystical Rainbow Church International, Inc reserves the right to alter these bylaws in whatever manner we shall deem appropriate as the need shall arise. The power to alter the bylaws be vested in the office of the First Priesthood. Once changes are made, Council of Elders will vote on changes, and confirmed by the Board of Directors.

2. The current bylaws were created by the tradition's current First Priesthood on 9/22/2023

REGARDING BEING a 501c3

TAX EXEMPTIONS

Any group within the tradition, if interested, must acquire their own 501c3 standing with the federal government, to receive tax exemptions, benefits, and grants from the government.
One of the requirements of the IRS's 501c3, is to include the following Dissolution Statement

"Upon the dissolution of this organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose." Dissolution Statement.