The Druidic College

A. The Great Council and Officers

The Order shall be administrated by the Great Council, which shall consist of the Archdruid, the Pendragon, the Herald, the Hierophant, the Prifardd, and the Chosen Chiefs of all chartered groves. It has the sole right to grant and withdraw charters, and is a final court of appeal for all inter and intra grove disputes. It shall meet at a minimum on an annual basis and on an ad hoc basis as required to meet the needs of the Order and its subordinate organizations.

i.) Archdruid

Tree: Ash / Nuin
Colours: Purple and Gold
Animal Totem: White Bull

The Archdruid is the supreme Order authority. He oversees all aspects and functions of the Order. He chairs the Great Council and, with the Council, gives advice and consent to the Druidic College and the Ordination Board, of which he is an honorary member. The Archdruid shall be elected for life by the membership at large. He shall be a Master Druid.

ii.) Pendragon

Tree: Rowan / Luis
Colours: Purple and Silver
Animal Totem: Red Dragon

The Pendragon is the second highest officer in the Order and advisor to the Archdruid. He may be designated to assist and/or stand-in for the Archdruid as necessary. He is an honorary member of the Druidic College and the Ordination Board. The Pendragon shall be elected for a six-year term by the membership at large. There shall be no term limit. He shall be a Master Druid.

iii.) Herald

Tree: Beech / Phagos
Colours: Purple and Blue Green
Animal Totem: Grey Wolf

The Herald is the chief magister and chair of the Druidic College. He shall serve on the Ordination Board. He shall be elected by an ad hoc council of the grove magisters for a six-year term. There shall be no term limit. He shall be, at a minimum, an Ovate.

iv.) Hierophant

Tree: Ivy/ Gort
Colours: Purple and Forest Green
Animal totem: Raven

The Hierophant is the principle high priest/ess and chair of the Ordination Board. He shall serve on the board of the Druidic College. He shall be elected by an ad hoc council of grove high priests/esses for a six-year term. There shall be no term limit. He shall be, at a minimum, an Ovate.

v.) Prifardd

Tree: Aspen
Colours:Purple and Royal Blue
Animal Totem:Salmon

The Prifardd is the chief bard and the editor-in-chief of all Order publications, printed and electronic, and chair of the editorial committee. He shall serve on the Ordination Board and on the board of the Druidic College. He shall be elected by an ad hoc council of the grove bards for a six-year term. There shall be no term limit. He shall be, at a minimum, an Ovate.

Elections

An election committee, appointed by the Great Council, will accept nominations for Order officers at Alban Elued (Fall Equinox). A secret ballot vote of all eligible Order members will take place at the New Moon prior to Samhain. The winners will be those with a simple majority and will be announced immediately following ballot counting. Terms will begin at Samhain.

Minimum Levels

Except as noted above, all officers shall be, at a minimum, an Ovate. Where no Ovate is available, the Great Council shall, at its discretion, appoint an initiated member in good standing to the vacant office within 30 days of the office becoming vacant. Appointments shall be for one year or until the next election, which ever comes first.

Where a member has been twice appointed to, and served in, an office, the minimum eligibility level shall be waived and that member will be eligible to stand for election to that office. If elected, the member must undertake to achieve the required level as expeditiously as possible.

Recall

Any member in good standing, with five seconders, may introduce a Bill of Recall at a Great Council meeting. An officer will be removed from office upon a two-thirds majority vote of all eligible voting members. The vote must be taken within one month of the Bill being introduced.

Resignation and Replacement

Order officers who cannot or choose not to finish their term of office may resign in writing to the Great Council. Officers should notify the Council, through the Archdruid, of their decision, as soon as possible so that a replacement can be appointed by the Council.

B. The Druidic College

The educational requirements of the Order shall be administered by the Druidic College. It shall be responsible for overseeing the tutorial and educational programs of all chartered groves, and selecting and administering the criteria, curriculum and other requirement for advancement in the three internal Orders, Oak, Yew and Birch. It shall be chaired by the Herald and consist of the elected magisters of all chartered groves, the Archdruid, the Pendragon, the Prifardd, and the Hierophant. The College shall coordinate with the Ordination Board to establish a program of instruction for aspirant clergy.

C. The Ordination Board

The ordination of Order clergy shall be administered by the Ordination Board. The Board shall be responsible for setting criteria for the selection, certification and ordination of the Order priesthood and overseeing the formulation and structure of Order liturgy. In conjunction with the Druidic College, the Ordination Board shall establish an educational curriculum to meet the requirements of instructing aspirant clergy. It shall be chaired by the Hierophant and consist of the High Priests and High Priestesses of all chartered groves, the Archdruid, the Pendragon, the Prifardd, and the Herald.