BYLAWS

BYLAWS OF THE KINSHIP

(CHURCH) OF SACRED SPACES & ANCIENTS WISDOM

Article 1: Members & Conflicts of Interest Addendum

ARTICLE I: MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1

GENERAL

This is a sovereign and democratic Kinship under the Council of Ancient’s High. The membership retains unto itself the exclusive right of self-government in all phases of the spiritual and temporal life of this church.

SECTION 2

CANDIDACY

Any person may offer themselves as candidates for membership in this Kinship. All such candidates shall be presented to the Kinship at any regular Kinship service for membership in any of the following ways:

1. By profession of faith through baptism-by-fire-and-water, or by water immersion, (or both).

2. By promise of a letter of recommendation from another Kinship of Sacred Spaces.

3. By personal statement, satisfactory to the Kinship, that the person comes from another Kinship of Sacred Spaces and has been baptized-by-fire-and-water as a believer, trusting in the grace of the Ancients to lead and guide our Universe safely into far less crazy times than the worlds’ rulers today have managed to achieve. Acceptance of a candidate for membership would be contingent upon recommendation by the ordained clergy or by another group as designated by the Kinship.

4. By restoration upon a statement of prior conversion experience and baptism-by-fire-and-water or by water immersion when membership has lapsed, terminated, been lost, or when no letter is otherwise obtainable.

Should there be any dissent as to any candidate, such dissent shall be referred to the Reverend for investigation and the making of a recommendation to the Kinship within thirty (30) days. A three-fourths (3/4) vote of those Kinship members (eligible to vote pursuant to Article I, Section 3 of these By-laws) present and voting shall be required to elect such candidates to membership.

SECTION 3

RIGHTS OF MEMBERS

Every member of the Kinship is entitled to vote at all elections and on all questions submitted to the Kinship at a regular or special business meeting, provided the member is present.

Every member of the Kinship may participate in the ordinances of the Kinship as administered by the Kinship.

SECTION 4

TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

Membership shall be terminated in the following ways:

1. Death

2. Granting a letter to another Kinship

3. Erasure (upon request in writing or proof of membership in a Kinship of another denomination)

4. Exclusion by action of this Kinship.

SECTION 5

WATCHCARE

Those Humans who wish to enter into the love and fellowship of the Kinship and will support the objectives of the Kinship but cannot qualify, or choose not to qualify, for membership will be designated as coming under the "watchcare" of the Kinship. These Humans are to be encompassed in all the life and love of the Kinship, except for voting and for holding offices or positions of doctrinal and/or policy-making responsibilities.

SECTION 6

DISCIPLINE

It shall be the practice of this Kinship to emphasize to its members that every reasonable measure will be taken to assist any troubled member. The pastor, other members of the Kinship staff, and deacons are available for counsel and guidance. The attitude of members toward one another shall be guided by a concern for redemption rather than punishment.

Should some serious condition exist, which would cause a member to become a liability to the general welfare of the Kinship, every reasonable measure should be taken by the Reverend and the deacons to resolve the problem. All such proceedings shall be pervaded by a Spirit of Ancient kindness and forbearance. Should it be determined that the welfare of the Kinship will be best served by the exclusion of a member, the Kinship may exclude such member by a three-fourths (3/4) vote of the voting members present at a properly called special business meeting called for this purpose.

Any person whose membership has been terminated for any reason, which has made it necessary for the Kinship to exclude that person, may upon that person's request be restored to membership by a vote of the Kinship upon evidence of that person's repentance and reformation.

ADDENDUM A

CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY

Article I Purpose The purpose of the conflict of interest policy is to protect this tax-exempt organization's (Kinship’s) interest when it is contemplating entering into a transaction or arrangement that might benefit the private interest of an officer or director of the Kinship or might result in a possible excess benefit transaction. This policy is intended to supplement but not replace any applicable state and federal laws governing conflict of interest applicable to nonprofit and charitable organizations.

Article II Definitions

Interested Person

Any director, principal officer, or member of a committee with governing board delegated powers, who has a direct or indirect financial interest, as defined below, is an interested person

Financial Interest

A person has a financial interest if the person has, directly or indirectly, through business, investment, or family:

a. An ownership or investment interest in any entity with which the Kinship has a transaction or arrangement,

b. A compensation arrangement with the Kinship or with any entity or individual with which the Kinship has a transaction or arrangement, or

c. A potential ownership or investment interest in, or compensation arrangement with, any entity or individual with which the Kinship is negotiating a transaction or arrangement.

d. Compensation includes direct and indirect remuneration as well as gifts or favors that aren’t insubstantial. A financial interest isn’t necessarily a conflict of interest. Under Article III, Section 2, a person who has a financial interest may have a conflict of interest only if the appropriate governing board or committee decides that a conflict of interest exists.

Article III Procedures

1. Duty to Disclose

In connection with any actual or possible conflict of interest, an interested person must disclose the existence of the financial interest and be given the opportunity to disclose all material facts to the directors and members of committees with governing board delegated powers considering the proposed transaction or arrangement.

2. Determining Whether a Conflict of Interest Exists

After disclosure of the financial interest and all material facts, and after any discussion with the interested person, he/she shall leave the governing board or committee meeting while the determination of a conflict of interest is discussed and voted upon. The remaining board or committee members shall decide if a conflict of interest exists.

3. Procedures for Addressing the Conflict of Interest

a. An interested person may make a presentation at the governing board or committee meeting, but after the presentation, he/she shall leave the meeting during the discussion of, and the vote on, the transaction or arrangement involving the possible conflict of interest.

b. The chairperson of the governing board or committee shall, if appropriate, appoint a disinterested person or committee to investigate alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement.

c. After exercising due diligence, the governing board or committee shall determine whether the Kinship can obtain, with reasonable efforts, a more advantageous transaction or arrangement from a person or entity that would not give rise to a conflict of interest.

d. If a more advantageous transaction or arrangement isn’t reasonably possible under circumstances not producing a conflict of interest, the governing board or committee shall determine by a majority vote of the disinterested directors whether the transaction or arrangement is in the Kinship’s best interest, for its own benefit, and whether it is fair and reasonable. In conformity with the above determination, it shall make its decision as to whether to enter into the transaction or arrangement.

4. Violations of the Conflict of Interest Policy-

a. If the governing board or committee has reasonable cause to believe a member has failed to disclose actual or possible conflicts of interest, it shall inform the member of the basis for such belief and afford the member an opportunity to explain the alleged failure to disclose.

b. If, after hearing the member's response and after making further investigation as warranted by the circumstances, the governing board or committee determines the member has failed to disclose an actual or possible conflict of interest, it shall take appropriate disciplinary and corrective action.

Article IV Records of Proceedings

The minutes of the governing board and all committees with board delegated powers shall contain:

a. The names of the persons who disclosed or otherwise were found to have a financial interest in connection with an actual or possible conflict of interest, the nature of the financial interest, any action taken to determine whether a conflict of interest was present, and the governing board's or committee's decision as to whether a conflict of interest in fact existed.

b. The names of the persons who were present for discussions and votes relating to the transaction or arrangement, the content of the discussion, including any alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement, and a record of any votes taken in connection with the proceedings.

Article V Compensation

a. A voting member of the governing board who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the Kinship for services is precluded from voting on matters pertaining to that member's compensation.

b. A voting member of any committee whose jurisdiction includes compensation matters and who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the Kinship for services is precluded from voting on matters pertaining to that member's compensation.

c. No voting member of the governing board or any committee whose jurisdiction includes compensation matters and who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the Kinship, either individually or collectively, is prohibited from providing information to any committee regarding compensation.

Article VI Annual Statements

Each director, principal officer, and member of a committee with governing-board-delegated powers shall annually sign a statement that affirms such person:

a. Has received a copy of the conflict of interest policy,

b. Has read and understands the policy,

c. Has agreed to comply with the policy, and

d. Understands the Kinship is charitable and in order to maintain its federal tax exemption it must engage primarily in activities that accomplish one or more of its tax-exempt purposes.

Article VII Periodic Reviews

To ensure the Kinship operates in a manner consistent with charitable purposes, and doesn't engage in activities that could jeopardize its tax-exempt status, periodic reviews shall be conducted. The periodic reviews shall, at a minimum, include the following subjects:

a. Whether compensation arrangements and benefits are reasonable, based on competent survey information, and the result of arm's length bargaining.

b. Whether partnerships, joint ventures, and arrangements with management organizations conform to the Kinship‘s written policies, are properly recorded, reflect reasonable investment or payments for goods and services, further charitable purposes and don't result in inurement, impermissible private benefit, or in an excess benefit transaction.

Article VIII Use of Outside Experts

When conducting the periodic reviews, as provided for in Article VII, the Kinship may, but need not, use outside advisors. If outside experts are used, their use shall not relieve the governing board of its responsibility for ensuring periodic reviews are conducted.

Article 2: Officers & Staff

ARTICLE II: CHURCH OFFICERS AND STAFF

SECTION 1

GENERAL

All Kinship officers must be members of the Kinship. The officers of this Kinship shall be the Reverend, a moderator, a clerk, a treasurer, the deacons, and the trustees. The staff of this church shall be those persons employed by this church, i.e., the Minister of Music, Minister of Education, Minister of Youth, nursery, secretarial, and custodial employees. The person or persons serving as pastor, church treasurer, church clerk and the ministerial staff positions at the time these Constitution and Bylaws are adopted shall be considered as elected by the church pursuant to the appropriate provisions of these By-laws.

SECTION 2

REVEREND

A. Role of the Reverend (Pastor, Minister, Rabbi, Healer- all interchangeable for ordained faith-leaders in the Kinship and defaults to naming personal preferences)

The reverend is responsible for leading the congregation of Sacred Space members to function as a Kinship. The reverend will lead the Kinship, the Kinship officers, staff, and organizations to accomplish the mission of the Kinship.

The reverend is the leader of the ministries of the Kinship. As such, the reverend will work with the deacons and staff to:

1. Lead the Kinship to engage in fellowship of worship, witness, education, ministry, and application.

2. Proclaim the Real Word to believers and unbelievers without Judgment and without dogmatic need to convert or subject our Real Word onto those not ready or willing to see and believe.

3. Care for the Kinship’s members and other persons in the community.

The reverend must be an ordained minister in the Church of Sacred Spaces & Ancients’ Wisdom (Kinship). The reverend shall be chosen and called by the Kinship whenever a vacancy occurs. All work of the reverend in this and any subsequent new/start-up charter will seek to fill members, staff /deacons, officers/trustees, and all of the pieces necessary to comply with these By-laws in as timely a manner as possible.

B. Reverend Selection Committee

Upon the office of reverend becoming vacant, the nominating committee shall nominate Kinship members to serve on the Reverend Selection Committee. The Kinship, by a majority vote of those voting members present, shall elect the members of the Reverend Selection Committee.

The Reverend Selection Committee shall seek out a suitable candidate for reverend. Any Kinship member may make recommendations to the Reverend Selection Committee. The Reverend Selection Committee’s recommendation will constitute a nomination. The committee shall bring to the consideration of the Kinship only one candidate at a time. The election shall take place at a Kinship meeting called for that purpose, of which at least one week's notice to the Kinship has been given. The election shall be by secret ballot and an affirmative vote of at least three fourths (3/4) of those voting members present shall be necessary to extend a call to a candidate for reverend. The reverend, thus elected, shall serve until the relationship is terminated by his request or the church's request.

C. Recall of Reverend

The reverend may be recalled by the Kinship at a Kinship meeting called for that purpose, of which at least two weeks’ notice to the Kinship has been given. The recall vote shall be by secret ballot and an affirmative vote of three fourths (3/4) of the voting members present shall be necessary to recall the reverend at which time the office of reverend shall be declared vacant.

A recall meeting may be called by a written petition signed by not less than one fourth (1/4) of the resident voting members. The moderator for this recall meeting shall be the Kinship clerk, or in the clerk's absence or refusal to serve, the Diaconate chairman shall call the Kinship to order and preside over the election of an acting moderator. The reverend will not serve as the moderator for this meeting. In the event the reverend is recalled, termination will be immediate and the Kinship may provide severance pay to the reverend of not more than one twelfth (1/12) of his total annual compensation, such severance pay being payable within thirty (30) days of termination. In the event the reverend is recalled for gross misconduct, as may be solely determined by the voting members of the Kinship, then such severance pay shall be considered forfeited.

D. Reverend Resignation

If the reverend wishes to resign from his/her position at Kinship of Sacred Spaces & Ancients Wisdom, it is requested he/she give at least two weeks’ notice.

E. Supply and Selection of Interim Reverend

During such time as the Kinship is without an elected reverend, the following procedure shall be followed:

1. The Personnel Committee shall be responsible for obtaining faith leadership (person to fulfill the preaching ministry of the Kinship).

2. The Personnel Committee may offer in nomination to the Kinship a person to be named to the position of "interim reverend."

SECTION 3

KINSHIP STAFF

This Kinship shall call or employ only such staff members, as the Kinship shall need. When the need for staff members is determined, the personnel committee shall prepare a job description for each staff position. Upon recommendations by the personnel committee, such staff positions will be created after being approved by the Kinship. The staff shall operate under the supervision and auspices of the reverend. During any such time as the Kinship is without a reverend, the personnel committee shall designate a staff member to assume the personnel responsibilities ordinarily assumed by the reverend.

A. Ministerial Staff Positions

Ministerial staff members shall be employed by majority vote of those voting members present at a Kinship meeting called for that purpose, upon recommendation of the personnel committee and reverend. Ministerial staff positions may include but are not limited to Minister of Education, Minister of Music, Minister of the Future, Associate Reverends, etc. These staff members may be terminated by a majority vote of the voting members present at a Kinship meeting called for that purpose, upon recommendation by the personnel committee and reverend, or upon presentation of a written petition signed by not less than one fourth (1/4) of the resident voting members.

B. Non-Ministerial Staff Positions

Non-Ministerial Staff Members may be employed and terminated by the personnel committee upon recommendation of the reverend. Non-Ministerial staff positions may include but are not limited to greenhouse care, secretarial / office management, and custodial positions.

SECTION 4

MODERATOR

The moderator shall be the Reverend except when otherwise specified in these bylaws. In the absence of the Reverend, the Diaconate Chairman shall serve as the Moderator. In the absence of both, the Kinship clerk shall call the Kinship to order and preside over the election of an acting moderator.

SECTION 5

KINSHIP CLERK

The Kinship shall elect annually a clerk as its clerical officer. The clerk shall keep an accurate record of the proceedings of each business meeting of the Kinship; shall give required notice of all meetings where notice is necessary as prescribed in these By-laws; shall prepare the annual Kinship letter to the association; shall keep a register of the names of members with dates of admission, baptism-by-fire, dismissal, and death; shall issue letters of dismissal voted by the Kinship; shall preserve on file all official written communications and reports; shall perform any other duties assigned by the Kinship. All records of the Kinship are considered Kinship property and shall be filed in the Kinship office. The Reverend, upon recommendation by the Kinship clerk, may assign certain clerical duties of the Kinship clerk to a non-ministerial staff member.

SECTION 6

KINSHIP TREASURER

The Kinship shall elect annually a Kinship Treasurer as its Financial Officer. The Treasurer shall be elected for a period of one (1) year and shall not serve more than three (3) consecutive years. The Treasurer shall be bonded, the Kinship paying for a bond, a copy of which shall be filed with the Kinship.

Kinship financial records shall generally be maintained to the maximum extent practical in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Segregation of financial duties to the maximum extent practical to ensure good internal control over Kinship finances is an integral part of the accounting system.

The Treasurer and Reverend jointly may assign clerical duties of the Treasurer to non-ministerial staff (or Kinship member volunteer) to help ensure maximum safeguards of the Kinship finances. The Finance Committee should review the procedures on an ongoing basis to ensure such procedures are at all times adequate for the Kinship size and growth.

The following finance functions are the overall responsibility of the Treasurer (or his/her delegates):

1. Deposit of all Kinship receipts.

2. Payment of all authorized Kinship expenses.

3. Maintenance of accounting records to support all receipts and disbursements.

4. Preparation of all financial reports.

5. Presentation of financial reports at regular business meetings for Kinship approval.

6. Preservation of all financial reports and records as a part of the permanent Kinship records.

7. Making all records available annually for audit (either by the Audit Committee and/or outside independent auditors).

SECTION 7

DIACONATE

A. Purpose

The purpose of the Diaconate shall be to discharge faithfully the duties of deacons of a Kinship as set forth in the carving of the rocks of the Bronzed age (Dolmen/Tumulus in the Sacred Spaces) and which called for the Seer’s to Know, and for the Acts of Good to multiply outwards onto others. In accordance with the meaning of the work and the practice of this in all Sacred Spaces of the Earth, deacons are to be servants of the Council of Ancient’s High, working through the Kinship to realize the Holiest of Truths. Their task is to serve with the Reverend and staff in performing the pastoral ministries tasks of (1) leading the Kinship in the achievement of its mission, (2) proclaiming the Real Word to believers and unbelievers without dogma or need to convert those not ready to be Seers of the Stoneworks or Ancients’ Wisdom, and (3) caring for the Kinship’s members and other persons in the community with sacrament and healing.

B. Membership

1. The Diaconate

The Diaconate shall consist of all deacons elected by the Kinship to the Diaconate. All members of the Diaconate shall be members of the Kinship of Sacred Spaces & Ancients’ Wisdom to the Diaconate. Deacons shall serve on a rotation basis. Each year the assigned term of office of approximately one third (1/3) of the number of active deacons shall expire, and election shall be held to fill vacancies. In case of death, resignation, reclassification, or termination, the church may elect a deacon to fill the unexpired term. After serving a term of three years, a deacon shall be classified as a "Reserve Deacon", and shall be eligible for reelection to active status only after the lapse of at least one year.

Each member of the Diaconate shall serve on the Diaconate for a three-year term unless one of the following occurs:

a. Death

b. Is no longer a member of Kinship of Sacred Spaces & Ancients’ Wisdom

c. Is classified as Reserve Deacon

d. Is classified as Deacon Emeritus

e. Is terminated by vote of the Kinship

f. Resignation

2. Special Status

a. Reserve Deacons

This group consists of those deacons who have been so classified in the regular course of rotation, or at their own request because of work obligations or health considerations that make service on the Diaconate impossible or impractical. This group also includes those deacons who have not met the service requirements of the Diaconate. Reserve Deacons may, by invitation, attend Diaconate Meeting and participate in discussions but shall have no vote and shall not be counted in establishing a quorum. They may continue to assist in serving the ordinances and other Deacon Ministries whenever invited to do so.

b. Deacon Emeritus

Those deacons who have attained the age of seventy (70), having served on the Diaconate for at least three (3) years, and having honored their office may be classified as Deacon Emeritus, at their request and upon approval of the Diaconate. Their status in relation to meeting attendance, discussion, quorum, and vote is the same as for "Reserve Deacon".

c. Associate Deacons

This group will consist of those ordained deacons who are members of Kinship of Sacred Spaces & Ancients’ Wisdom but who have not been elected by this Kinship to serve on the Diaconate. Their status in relation to meeting attendance, discussion, quorum, and vote is the same as for "Reserve Deacons".

d. Reinstatement of Deacons

A Reserve Deacon or Deacon Emeritus may be reinstated to the Diaconate upon their request and upon favorable vote of the Diaconate at a regular meeting.

C. Nomination and Election of Deacons

1. Deacon Election Committee

A Deacon Election Committee shall be formed and have as voting members the Deacon Officers, and three lay members nominated by the Nominating Committee and elected by the church. The Deacon Election Committee shall also include the ministerial staff as nonvoting, ex officio members who shall serve to give advice and consultation to the voting members.

b. The Deacon Election Committee shall determine if additional Diaconate members are needed, and if so, the number of additional members needed. Upon making such determination, the Deacon Election Committee shall recommend to the Kinship that a Deacon Election be held pursuant to the appropriate provisions of Article VII.

2. Once the Kinship approves a deacon election, the following steps shall be taken:

The Deacon Election Committee shall select, interview, and receive permission to place in nomination a number of qualified nominees, if available, equal to twice the number of new deacons required. The Deacon Election Committee shall determine if each individual meets the following qualifications:

That the candidate meets the scriptural qualifications of a deacon;

That the candidate is sufficiently grounded in the doctrines of the Ancients’ Wisdom as accepted by this Kinship;

That the candidate has been a member of this Kinship for at least six (6) consecutive months;

That the candidate agrees to fulfill the responsibilities of the deacon as outlined by these Bylaws.

The Deacon Election Committee shall then prepare in ballot form the list of nominees selected in the above-described manner. The Deacon Election Committee shall then give the Kinship at least two (2) weeks’ notice that a deacon election will be held at a special business meeting called for an upcoming Sunday.

Voting members that are present at this special business meeting will be given a ballot and an opportunity to vote for one nominee for each new Diaconate Member needed.

The Deacon Election Committee shall count the ballots. The nominees (equal to the number of Diaconate Members to be elected) who receive the most votes shall be considered as elected to the Diaconate.

Once the initial Diaconate has been elected, the Deacon Election Committee shall dissolve, and the Diaconate shall perform the above described responsibilities.

D. Ordination of Deacons

All those elected to the Diaconate who have not been previously ordained shall be ordained by the church. The Diaconate and reverend shall plan and conduct the ordination service.

E. Responsibilities of the Diaconate Member

1. Attendance

Each deacon shall be expected to be in attendance at each regular Diaconate meeting. The Deacon may request to be excused from attending a meeting.

2. Ministry

a. Each Diaconate member shall participate fully in any pastoral ministry program adopted by the Diaconate.

Each Diaconate Member shall serve on the Diaconate and Diaconate committees as requested.

Each Diaconate member shall support the various programs of the Kinship.

3. Training

Each Diaconate Member shall participate in the training programs established by the Diaconate and reverend.

4. Discipline

Diaconate members who are absent (unexcused) from three (3) consecutive Diaconate meetings, or who are absent (unexcused) from one half (1/2) of the Diaconate Meetings for the calendar year, or who fail or are unable to fulfill the responsibilities of ministry and training, shall request to be classified as a Reserve Deacon. Should such Diaconate member fail to make such request, the Diaconate, by majority vote, may classify the Deacon a Reserve Deacon.

F. Diaconate Officers

The Diaconate shall elect annually to one (1) year terms a minimum of the following officers: Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Secretary. The Diaconate may elect other officers, as they deem necessary. No Diaconate officer shall serve more than two (2) consecutive terms in any one office. In the absence of these officers and structure, the reverend will be charged with all the duties of working towards these assignments and delegated responsibilities.

G. Termination

The church may remove any Diaconate member from the Diaconate by a majority vote of the voting members present at a special business meeting duly called, pursuant to the provisions of Article VII, Section 4 of these By-Laws.

SECTION 8: TRUSTEES

A. Duties

Three (3) or more trustees, elected by the Kinship, will serve as legal officers of the Kinship.

They shall hold in trust the Kinship assets and shall serve as directors of the Kinship of Sacred Spaces & Ancients’ Wisdom. They shall have no power to buy, sell, mortgage, lease or transfer any property without a specific vote of the Kinship authorizing each action. It shall be the function of the trustees to affix their signatures to legal documents on behalf of the Kinship involving the purchase, sale, mortgage, rental, or transfer of property into holding accounts to/from other legal entities, or to other legal documents where the signatures of trustees or directors are required.

The Reverend will fill these duties until a quorum for Trustees can be filled and where these vacancies exist. All duties will be vetted through the Conflict of Interest Policy (attached to Bylaws as Addendum A). If a new Kinship of Sacred Spaces congregation is chartered, is under 25 members, or has a virtual congregation of membership predominantly based and hosted out of an ordained Reverend’s personal dwelling, the duties of these trustees will extend to supporting the growth of the Kinship in those newly chartered organizations as well, and where no conflicts of interest or ethics arise in so facilitating.

The Kinship of Sacred Spaces organization will respect parsonage status for those ordained clergy that are eligible and to whom compensation stipends will be offered as program budgeting provides, and where their work is in full support of the Sacred Spaces Council towards growth measures and goals. This will be compounded in efficacy by filing to extend property-tax exemption status to whatever portion of a clergy’s dwelling is fair and just for use in new congregational reach and where Sacred Spaces exist and require additional legal protections from nefarious or commercial interests looking to dismantle all evidence of these Stoneworks throughout Vermont, the Northeast, and beyond in order to displace believers of these Sacred Spaces by erasing real Ancestral histories. Wherever possible, these locations will be preserved for the public and Kinship members to enjoy, reflect on, find inspiration in, and bring their Parts to the Whole. For all, preserved in perpetuity.

Trustees will work with clergy in these other Countries, States, Territories, and locations to extend operational infrastructure towards those ends while also providing technical support locally in supporting clergy work and progress in that goal with the appropriate levels of analysis, implementation of growth tools and frameworks for fundraising. Additionally, accounting, budgeting, and tax-exemption knowledge relative to non-profits will help develop allowances towards all federal, state, and local municipal laws governing and protecting Kinship clergy, religious rights to freely assemble, and the practice of faith in the Kinship as an act of real communion and not artificial compliance to dogmatic thinking. New charters will have 18 months to fill the Trustee positions or a call for dissolution will be made.

B. Selection of Trustees

The nominating committee shall place and Kinship members may place at an appropriately held Kinship business meetings names in nomination for office of trustee. Duly elected trustees shall serve 3-year terms on a rotating basis with one third (1/3) of the trustees being elected each year.

Upon adoption of this Constitution and By-Laws, the current trustees shall continue to serve in that capacity until such time as the nominating committee has nominated and the church has elected its new church trustees. The first Board of Trustees shall rotate off the board alphabetically, by the last name, at the end of the first, second and third year. The Reverend will fill these duties by default until a quorum for Trustees can be filled.

Article3 - 10

ARTICLE III: COMMITTEES

The committees of this Kinship will consist of standing and non-standing committees. Standing committees shall be created to serve specific ongoing needs of the Kinship. A standing committee may be dissolved by a majority vote of Kinship members at a properly called business meeting when the Kinship decides that its services are no longer warranted. A non-standing committee may be created by the Kinship to serve a specific temporary need of the Kinship. A non-standing committee shall be dissolved by a majority vote of Kinship members at a properly called business meeting when the committee's original purpose has been accomplished. A list of all standing and non-standing committees shall be maintained by the Kinship clerk.

Members of all Kinship committees will be chosen from the membership of the Kinship. No committee, standing or non-standing, shall consist of less than three (3) members. After serving a complete term, a committee member must rotate off the committee for one (1) year before being eligible for reelection to that committee.

ARTICLE IV: SACRED SPACES COUNCIL

SECTION 1

PURPOSE

The Sacred Spaces Council shall serve the Kinship by leading in planning, coordinating, conducting, and evaluating the ministries and programs of the church and its organizations. The primary functions of the Sacred Spaces Council shall be to:

A. Help the Kinship define its mission and define its priorities.

B. Coordinate studies of Kinship and community needs.

C. Recommend to the Kinship coordinated plans for ministry.

D. Coordinate the Kinship’s schedule of activities.

E. Evaluate progress in terms of Kinship objectives and goals.

Any decision, recommendation or policy adopted by the Sacred Spaces Council is subject to review by the members of the Kinship, and may be overruled by a two- thirds (2/3) vote of Kinship members present at a regular business meeting.

SECTION 2

MEMBERS

The Sacred Spaces Council shall be composed of the Reverend, staff, other Kinship officers, program directors, and committee chairmen as voted by the Kinship.

ARTICLE V: KINSHIP PROGRAM ORGANIZATIONS

The kinship shall maintain programs of Stoneworks restoration for the teaching of the Ancients’ Wisdom; Kinship member training, Kinship leader training, new member orientation; Sacred Spaces education, action, and support; as well as music education, training and performance. All organizations of the Kinship shall be under Kinship control, and shall report regularly to the Kinship. The Kinship shall elect annually from its membership persons to fill the various offices and places of leadership and instruction within the Kinship organizations.

ARTICLE VI: KINSHIP ORDINANCES

SECTION 1

BAPTISM-BY-FIRE-AND-WATER (THE WHOLE)

This Kinship shall receive for baptism-by-fire any person who has received the Ancients’ Wisdom and teachings of the Stoneworks (of Axial Precession or others) and with personal faith, who professes publicly at any worship service as they so wish, and who indicates a commitment to the practice of coexistence and peace-making.

A. Baptism-by-fire-and-water shall be by sacrament and offerings of the Holy Spirits (plants, roots, fungi, water, and other gifts of nature) to the Council of Ancients High, by immersion in water, or both simultaneously.

B. Baptism-by-fire-and-water shall be administered as an act of Kinship worship during any service of the Kinship in communion.

C. Baptism-by-fire-and-water shall be administered by the Reverend or whomever the Kinship shall authorize in their absence.

D. A person who professes the truth of the Ancients’ Wisdom shall be baptized-by-fire-and-water when called to the occasion.

SECTION 2

KINSHIP CERTIFICATION (THE PARTS)

Kinship Certification is a symbolic act of support whereby members of the Kinship and others that recognize the goodness and truth of Kinship Congregation, through partaking of the Sacrament and fruit of the vine as was given to us by the Ancients.

A. The Kinship shall observe Kinship Certification at least twice a year and observe Kinship certified practices using Kinship Certified sources for ritual and ceremonial practices outside of Kinship Congregations.

B. The Reverend and deacons shall be responsible for the administration of Kinship Certification standards, harvest / preparation protocols (similar to Halal and Kosher this way), and in a manner consistent with meeting all conflicts of interest per Kinship doctrine.

ARTICLE VII: KINSHIP MEETINGS

SECTION 1

WORSHIP SERVICES

The Kinship shall meet regularly on Saturday mornings (in-person or virtually), for congregating, celebrating, instruction, connection, and for the worship of the Wisdom of the Ancients’ writings, architectural creations, and messages of Unification.

The meetings will be open for the entire congregation and membership of the Kinship, and the restored Stoneworks accessible for members, and for all people to learn from, and shall be conducted under the direction of the Reverend or as the Kinship may direct under Article II, Section 2 (E) of these Bylaws.

SECTION 2

SPECIAL SERVICES

Old-time revival services and any other such meetings, which will be essential in the promotion of the objectives of the Kinship, shall be placed on the church calendar as desired.

SECTION 3

REGULAR BUSINESS MEETINGS

Regular business meetings shall be held monthly. An agenda may be published and distributed to the membership prior to each business meeting.

SECTION 4

SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETINGS

Special business meetings may be called and held to consider special matters of significant nature. A one-week notice to the Kinship must be given concerning the subject, date, time, and location unless extreme urgency renders such notice impractical or unless otherwise specified by these By-laws.

SECTION 5

QUORUM

In all business meetings, the quorum shall consist of those voting members present who attend, provided it is a regular business meeting or a properly called special business meeting.

SECTION 6

ELECTIONS: COMMITTEE MEMBERS, OFFICERS, ETC.

Unless otherwise specified by these bylaws, all Kinship officers, Kinship committee members, trustees, officers of various places of leadership, etc., shall be elected by a majority vote of the voting members present at an appropriately held regular business or special business meeting.

ARTICLE VIII: KINSHIP FINANCES

SECTION 1

BUDGET

The finance and stewardship committee shall annually prepare and submit to the Kinship for approval an inclusive budget, indicating by item the amount needed for all local and other expenses.

It is understood that membership in the Kinship involves financial obligation to support the Kinship and its causes with regular proportionate gifts. At least annually, each member shall be given an opportunity to indicate support of the Kinship’s unified budget.

SECTION 2

HANDLING OF FUNDS

The Treasurer shall account for all Kinship receipts as set forth in Article II, Section 6.

Deposits of funds shall be made by the treasurer or appointed trustees of the Kinship. Individuals selected for this duty by the Treasurer and Reverend jointly would normally be selected from the Counting or Finance Committee, provided they otherwise have no other access to Kinship financial records, such as check signing, record keeping, etc.

All funds thus received will be subject to audit as set forth in Article II, Section 6.

SECTION 3

FISCAL YEAR

The Kinship fiscal year shall begin on January 1 and end December 31 of each year.

ARTICLE IX: DISSOLUTION

Upon discontinuance of this Kinship by dissolution or otherwise, any assets lawfully available for distribution are to be transferred to one or more organizations qualifying as an exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, by a majority of members attending at a duly called business meeting. Priority right of first refusal will be given on the assets to any original donor whenever known, and per all legal agreements and reporting of said transactions of assets.

ARTICLE X: AMENDMENTS

SECTION 1

The Constitution and these Bylaws may be amended, modified, or repealed only by two thirds (2/3) vote of the voting members present at any duly convened business meeting of the Kinship, provided the proposed amendment shall have been presented to the Kinship in writing at any regular or duly called business meeting of the Kinship at least thirty (60) days prior to the date established for voting on said amendment. The proposed amendment shall be printed and posted in the Kinship office at least fifteen (15) days before the proposed amendment is to be acted upon. When an amendment is proposed and has been rejected by the Kinship, that amendment, or any amendment embodying the substance thereof, shall not be proposed again for at least 12 months from the date of the rejection of such amendment.

SECTION 2

Any amendments to the Constitution or Bylaws shall immediately go into full force and effect from and after their adoption.