Cult-Proof Your Coven: Charter Template with Egalitarian Structure

Article VI – Electoral Process:

Section 1: Eligibility for Leadership Position

A. Yearly dedications of [Coven Name] members shall include a ministry within which they would like to serve as either a minister or apprentice. Ministers will have attained second degree initiation into the priesthood. The next ministry leader would then be selected from any of the apprentices who have served at least one turning within that ministry.

B. The next Maiden and Summoner are to be selected from members who’ve previously served as an elemental minister for at least one year, and have attained second degree initiation to the priesthood.

C. Any [Coven Name] member may submit to the High Priest and Priestess, a letter of intent to run for a leadership position, with their qualifications, no later than Samhain.

D. If an elemental minister or Maiden/Summoner role cannot be filled, or suddenly becomes vacant, the position can be appointed by agreement of High Priestess and High Priest, with an interim status.

E. Failing to find a member that meets the qualifications for a leadership position, a member not yet meeting those qualifications may be elected to that position with an interim status, until such time their qualifications have been fulfilled.

Section 2 – Voting Method:

A. Voting will be conducted by anonymous Casting of Lots.

B. If any member cannot be physically present they may cast their vote by confidential proxy via High Priest or High Priestess.

C. High Priest and High Priestess are responsible for ensuring there are not more votes than voting members.

D. Two [Coven Name] members not currently running for positions can assist in facilitating and tallying the election results.

E. A nominee who receives the majority of votes wins the election.

F. In case of a tie, the High Priest or High Priestess will break the tie by divination.

Section 3 –Terms in Office:

A. Elemental ministers hold position for one turn of the wheel with no more than three consecutive turns in one ministry.

B. Maiden, Summoner, High Priest, and High Priestess will hold position for one turn of the wheel.

C. One turn of the wheel is defined as the time period from Imbolc to Yule.

D. Nominations for the next year’s leadership positions start at Samhain, are voted upon, and elected at a business meeting prior to Yule.

E. Positions are ritually instated during the Yule Sabbat.

Section 4 – Impeachment policy:

A. For an impeachment of any official leadership position to occur, charges must be brought against that leader. Any [Tradition Name] member can bring up charges against a leader they feel is not performing their duties per this charter or are engaging in activities that endanger the sanctity of [Tradition Name].

B. The burden of proof falls upon the member(s) who are bringing charges against the leader.

C. If the charges are of a criminal act according to state and/or federal laws and the evidence convincing, the officer will be immediately removed from their position and reported to the authorities.

D. If the charges are solely a [Coven Name] internal affair, the leader accused will be suspended of duty until the charges and evidence can be E. brought before the leadership council via the Grievance Resolution System of Section 3-C.

F. A majority vote of [Coven Name] members is required for impeachment.

Section 5: Transition of Leadership

A. The period from Yule to Imbolc will be used as a transitional period between the previous 
leadership council and the new leadership council.

1. Any materials, usernames, passwords, electronic files, rituals items, etc. should be passed 
on to the new leadership at this time.
2. Any accounts (Including but not limited to bank accounts) that need to be transferred in 
the names of the new leadership needs to be done at this time.

B. The previous leadership should assist the new leadership with the planning of the first full 
moon esbat and the Imbolc Sabbat as needed, in order make a smooth transition.

C. Any old business that was not resolved before the end of the previous leadership’s term in 
office needs to be thoroughly reviewed with the new leadership before the next quarterly business meeting.

Article VII – Sabbats, Esbats, and Gatherings:

Section 1 – Sabbat Gathering Procedures:

A. Sabbats are for the celebration of the solar cycle otherwise known as the turning of the wheel.

1. Sabbats are open to all [Tradition Name] members, our families and occasional guests, with permission of Summoner.
2. The style of the Sabbat is to be announced two weeks prior to the date of the Sabbat.
3. The date of the Sabbat celebration will be determined by the leadership council.
4. All Sabbat gatherings hosted by [Tradition Name] will be conducted clothed.
5. The Sabbat ritual should correspond with the energies of said Sabbat, but the content is up to the officiator(s) of the ritual.

B. All [Coven Name] Rituals will bring harm to none.

C. For the sake of internal consistency, this outline of ritual is our standard:

1. Purification of circle.
2. Challenge, smudging, and anointing at the gates.
3. Consecration of the altar.
4. Consecration of the circle with the elements.
5. Raising of Power
6. Casting the sphere with the power.
7. Calling the quarters.
8. Calling Spirit/God/Goddess.
9. Calling the ancestors.
10. Announcing the purpose of the ritual.
11. The ritual work and raising/directing power.
12. Simple Feast (Cakes and ale.)
13. Farewell to the ancestors.
14. Farewell to Spirit/God/Goddess.
15. Dismissing the quarters.
16. Releasing the circle.
17. Clean up.

Section 3 – Esbats

1. Esbats are for the celebration of monthly Lunar Cycles
2. Esbats are open to [Coven Name] initiate members and Neophytes.
3. Esbats are to be conducted at least once a month, to be held on the full or new moon or as close as possible to those dates, as arranged with the Maiden.
4. Esbats are to follow the same ritual guidelines as the Sabbats. Article VII: Section 1: C
5. Members may assume that all rites are to be conducted clothed. In the special circumstance that a rite is planned to be skyclad, (ritual nudity) this will be announced clearly in advance as part of the official coven event announcement, and will be restricted to members over the age of 18.
6. Initiations will be held at Esbats with limited attendance to fellow initiate members, and approved guests who are also initiates of the Craft.

Section 4 – Non-Ritual Gatherings:

1. [Tradition Name] ministry is not limited to the celebrations of Pagan holidays, and is willing to play host to non-religious gatherings (i.e., psychic fairs, movie nights, study groups, Pagan Pride Day, anniversaries, birthdays, etc.)
2. All other non-ritual events including other educational/academic events will not conflict with regularly scheduled rituals and business meetings.
3. Any [Tradition] member may schedule and plan a private non-ritual event that they wish to host for [Tradition Name] members.
4. Any non-ritual event that member wants to make public on behalf of [Tradition Name] must present their event for approval to the leadership council.
5. All non-ritual events, public or private, specifically for [Coven Name] must be scheduled with the Maiden two weeks in advance.