By-Laws for Shining Lakes Grove Healers' Guild

Section I - Vision Statement

The Shining Lakes Grove Healers' Guild has been established to further the goals and purposes of Shining Lakes Grove and Ár nDraíocht Féin.

The Shining Lakes Grove Healers' Guild shall provide support, opportunity for education, and advocation of alternative forms of healing.

The Shining Lakes Grove Healers' Guild shall promote physical health and healing for the members of the Guild, Shining Lakes Grove, Ár nDraíocht Féin, and those in the outside community who seek the Guild's assistance.

The Shining Lakes Grove Healers' Guild does not claim to be a substitute for traditional medical advice. Neither the Healers' Guild, Shining Lakes Grove nor Ár nDraíocht Féin accept any responsibility for any treatment suggested by any of the Guild's members, nor do they guarantee the results or outcome of said treatment. Anyone seeking advice from any of the Guild's members does so at his or her own risk and of his or her own free will.

Section II - Membership and Skill Levels

Healers will be evaluated according to demonstrated accomplishments in a selected field of study or specialty.

Members attain recognition separately in each specialty they study. There is no system of overall ranking between different types of healing. Members may have different levels in several specialties at the same time.

There are six levels of recognition as follows:

• Apprentice - an apprentice is any member of Shining Lakes Grove who has applied to the Healers' Guild. Once the applicant has been accepted into the Guild, he or she becomes a full, voting member of the Guild. The apprentice may choose to study under a mentor who has attained Journeyman status in the Guild or higher, or may choose to explore many various forms at one time. However, before applying for Journeyman status, the apprentice must choose one form of healing to specialize in. Selecting a mentor is encouraged, but not necessary.
• Journeyman - a Journeyman is one who has attained certification in both CPR and First Aid from the Red Cross or an equivalent organization, had read and provided a written report on three books in his or her specialized field or a related field, and who has conducted a twenty minute discussion of the books read, to be given at a regular business meeting. The Guild will determine on an individual basis whether a particular book is considered related to the applicant's field of study or not.
• Senior Journeyman - the applicant for this level must read and provide a written report and review of three additional books in his or her specialized field or a related field, conduct a one hour lecture on his or her specialized field at a regular Guild meeting, must maintain certification in CPR and First Aid, must be a national member of Ár nDraíocht Féin, and must be a member of the ADF Healers' Guild.
• Full Healer - the applicant for this level must maintain certification in CPR and First Aid, begin First Circle healers' training in Ár nDraíocht Féin's Study Program, begin training with a recognized school or instructor outside of the Grove or Ár nDraíocht Féin in his or her specialized field of healing, must teach a two hour lecture on his or her specialty to be given at a regular Guild meeting, and must provide documentation of treatments performed on at least six clients.
• Senior Healer - the applicant must be certified by the Red Cross or an equivalent organization to teach CPR and First Aid, begin Second Circle Healer's training in Ár nDraíocht Féin's Study Program, continue studying with his or her chosen school or instructor as mentioned in the requirements for Full Healer, and must teach a series of three two-hour lecture to be given at regular Guild meeting.
• Master Healer - the applicant must maintain certification to teach CPR and First Aid as mentioned above, begin Third Circle Healer's training in Ár nDraíocht Féin's Study Program, must receive certification from a recognized school or instructor as mentioned above, must provide proof that he or she has acquired a student in his or her own specialized field of healing, and must provide proof of an established clientele.

Besides the above requirements, each member of the Guild who has attained Journeyman status or higher must volunteer for First Aid duty for at least one Shining Lakes Grove or Ár nDraíocht Féin sponsored event each calendar year.

There is no time limit for which a member may remain at any given level, and no limit to the number of times one may attempt to attain any level in the Guild.

Section III - Admissions Process

As stated in Section II, an apprentice must be a member of Shining Lakes Grove. The person desiring admission to the Guild must complete an application which is reviewed and voted upon by the Guild members at a regular Guild meeting in which a quorum of fifty percent of the current Guild members is present. A majority vote is required to pass an application for admission to the Guild.

Once the applicant is accepted as an apprentice, he or she shall make a pledge of service at the next High Day. The apprentice is then considered a full member of the Guild with full privileges.

Section IV - Evaluation Process

The Applicant must provide proof that he or she has met the requirements of the desired new status, to be submitted with the application.

The application is reviewed by the members of the Guild at a regular meeting in which the quorum is met, then voted upon by the members at the meeting. The application is passed if it receives a majority vote in favor of acceptance.

When the application for the new level is approved, the applicant will receive his or her new badge at the next High Day as described later in these by-laws.

Section V - Officers

The Healers' Guild officers consist of the Healer Guildmaster, Assistant Healer Guildmaster, Guild Scribe and Guild Pursekeeper. These offices are open to any Guild member who is apprentice or higher.

The Healer Guildmaster is responsible for most of the administrative duties of the Guild, including the following:

• Chairing meetings
• Facilitating decision-making
• Acting as official contact person for the Guild
• Arranging mentorships for apprentices who request it
• Arranging first aid volunteers for events
• Arranging for volunteers for lectures at regular Guild meetings and arranging for occasional guest lecturers
• Attending An Bruane meetings
• Attending Liturgists' Round Table and SLG business meetings

The Healer Guildmaster may delegate these responsibilities to the Assistant Healer Guildmaster, the Guild Scribe or the Guild pursekeeper as he or she sees fit. The Healer Guildmaster serves a term of one year and may be re-elected an unlimited number of times.

The Assistant Healer Guildmaster is appointed by the Healer Guildmaster. His or her duties include the following:

• Assisting the Healer Guildmaster in administrative duties
• Chairing Guild meetings in absence of Healer Guildmaster
• Attending Liturgists' Round Table, An Bruane, and SLG business meetings in absence of Healer Guildmaster
• Handling other duties as deemed necessary by the Healer Guildmaster or the Guild membership

The Assistant Healer Guildmaster serves a one year term and may be re-appointed an unlimited number of times.

The Guild Scribe's Duties include the following:

• Taking minutes at meetings
• Maintaining membership records
• Handling correspondence
• Chairing meetings in absence of other officers
• Attending the above SLG meetings in absence of other officers

The Guild Scribe serves a one year term and may be re-elected an unlimited number of times.

The Guild Pursekeeper's duties include:

• Collecting any dues, fees or other monies
• Handling fundraising
• Handling financial records
• Disbursing any funds
• Chairing meetings in absence of other officers
• Attending the above SLG meetings in absence of other officers

The Guild Pursekeeper serves a one year term and may be re-elected an unlimited number of times.

In case of a vacancy in the office of Healer Guildmaster, the Assistant Guildmaster shall assume the duties of the Healer Guildmaster until the next regular Guild meeting, before which, the membership shall be notified that the position has been vacated. At the next meeting, provided that the stated quorum is in attendance, a new Healer Guildmaster shall be elected by written ballot. In case of vacancy of the Assistant Guildmaster, the Healer Guildmaster, after notification of the Guild membership, may appoint a new assistant at his or her discretion. In case of vacancy of both Healer Guildmaster and Assistant Healer Guildmaster, the Guild Scribe shall assume the Guildmaster duties, the membership shall be notified and at the next regular meeting, a new Guildmaster will be elected by the process stated above. The new Guildmaster may then appoint a new Assistant Guildmaster. In case of vacancies of the Guild Scribe or Guild Pursekeeper, an election by written ballot will be held at the next regular business meeting to fill those vacancies.

Section VI - Meetings

A regular meeting of the Guild shall be held at least once every third month to handle normal operations of the Guild and will include informational lectures given by the Guild members or invited guest lecturers. Additional meetings may be scheduled as necessary with due notification of members. A quorum of fifty percent of current active Guild members is required to conduct official business but not to conduct lectures. All meetings will be open to anyone interested in attending.

The Guild's annual meeting will be held in November. At the annual meeting, candidates for office shall be nominated, officers elected and annual reports given. Officers shall take office upon election.

Section VII - Decision Making Process

Election of officers, with the exception of the Assistant Healer Guildmaster who is an appointed officer as stated in Section V of these by-laws, shall be subject to a vote. The candidate receiving the largest number of votes at the meeting in which the election takes place shall be considered the winner.

Removal of officers or members and emendation or approval of by-laws shall also be subject to a vote by means of processes described later in these by-laws.

Section VIII - Guild Badges

All Guild badges shall be considered property of the Guild, though the Guild may decide to bestow them permanently on a retiring member.

An apprentice shall receive a bloodstone bead for his or her Shining Lakes Grove necklace and a plain Guild badge which consists of a green, coiled serpent on a field of yellow.

A Journeyman shall receive a Guild badge with a white edge.

A Senior Journeyman shall receive a Guild badge with a green edge.

A Full Healer shall receive a Guild badge with a blue edge.

A Senior Healer shall receive a Guild badge with a red edge.

A Master Healer shall receive a Guild badge with a purple edge.

All Guild members are entitled to wear the badges of the highest level they have attained and receive said badges only the first time they achieve a particular level.

The Healer Guildmaster may wear two purple ribbons behind his or her badge, and the Assistant Healer Guildmaster may wear one purple and one red ribbon behind his or her badge. The Guild Scribe may wear two red ribbons behind his or her badge, and the Guild Pursekeeper may wear two blue ribbons behind his or her badge. These ribbons may be worn only while in office and are not retained after the term of office has expired.

Section IX - Removal of Officers

Officers may be removed from office for gross dereliction of duties. After a reasonable attempt has been made to inform the officer of the charges, a vote shall be taken at the next regular meeting at which the stated quorum of fifty percent of the current Guild members is in attendance. A vote of 3/4 of the members present is necessary to remove the officer. The office shall be filled according to the process described in Section V of these by-laws.

Any officer removed by the Guild has the right to appeal to the Grove's leadership council.

Section X - Expulsion of Members

Guild members may be removed for those grounds outlined in the Shining Lakes Grove by-laws as well as the deliberate falsification of application documentation.

After a reasonable attempt has been made to inform the member of the charges, a vote shall be taken at the next Guild meeting at which the stated quorum is present. A 3/4 vote of members present is required to expel a member.

Any member expelled by the Guild has the right to appeal to the Grove's leadership council.

Section XI - Amendments to the By-Laws

To amend any part of these by-laws, a vote shall be taken at a regular Guild meeting at which the quorum as stated above is present. A 2/3 vote of members present is required to pass the emendations.

Section XII - Membership Status

There shall be two levels of membership status in the Guild: "active" and "inactive". All members begin their membership with "active" status. After missing three consecutive scheduled Guild meetings, their status changes to "inactive". Inactive members do not count toward quorum. An inactive member will have their status changed to "active" as soon as they have attended two consecutive scheduled Guild meetings.

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