Rule of Covenant

Contents

This Rule of Covenant is intended to ensure the good reputation and smooth operation of the Speakeasy Chantry; to ensure that the members of the Chantry are able to work together in a spirit of peace and unity; and that the actions of the Chantry, its representatives or members, do not violate the terms of the new Deed of Transfer of the Chantry from House Shae of the Order of Hermes, to the Speakeasy fellowship (see section VIII).

I Purpose of the Chantry

The Chantry is held in trust by its fellowship, on behalf of House Shae of the Order of Hermes and would be best served by maintaining it's Node and other resources, a cohesive membership and a reconnaissance of the region. It is only through reliable information about our enemies and allies that we can expect to fulfil our potential, and that of the Sleepers we have been entrusted to protect.

II Rights And Duties of Offices of the Chantry

The Chantry is to be led by three Deacons, a Deacon to be appointed by House Shae, a Deacon to be selected by Certámen, and a Deacon to be elected by universal suffrage of the Chantry members. The three Deacons are to be reselected annually, from 3rd October 1998, in accordance with the new Deed of Transfer (see section VIII).

Any additional any positions deemed to be required for the smooth running of the Chantry are to be elected by universal suffrage of the members of the Chantry, and are to be held for a period of a year or until death, incapacitation, disappearance or resignation. The Chantry Offices may be replaced after a vote of no confidence, provided that it was carried out under proper voting procedures (see section V.1).

II.1 Rights of Deaconship

II.1.a) The Deacons exercise absolute authority in all decisions taken on behalf of the Chantry with the sole exception of the selection of the Deacons by election and Certámen.

II.1.b) The Deacons may choose, at any time, to allow members of the Chantry to express their opinions through the voting procedures (see section V.1). The Deacons may veto any such decision, with the sole exception being the election of a Deacon.

II.1.c) The Deacons may veto any Certámen challenge, with the sole exceptions of those involved in the annual selection of a Deacon by Certámen.

II.1.d) The Deacons should expect to be obeyed, without question, especially during a period of crisis.

II.1.e) The Deacons have access to accommodation within the Chantry (see section VI.3).

II.2 Duties of Deaconship

II.2.a) The Deacons are the de juro representatives of the Chantry whilst dealing with other groups, and no other member may claim representation of the Chantry without due empowerment.

II.2.b) TheDeacons are responsible for appropriate and fair distribution of tass from the nodes, although the Leader is not expected to harvest the tass personally (see section VI.1).

II.2.c) A Deacon, or an appointed representative, is required to chair all meetings concerning alterations to the Rule of Covenant of the Chantry.

II.2.d) A Deacon, or an appointed representative, is required to sit on all tribunals (see sections V.2 and V.3).

II.3 Rights and Duties of Other Offices

The rights and duties of any other Offices are to be determined upon creation of said Offices, and the Rule of Covenant shall be modified to reflect these new Offices, rights and duties.

III Membership

Membership of the Chantry constitutes active participation in the work and fellowship of the Chantry. A member is not required to join a cabal composed solely of members of the Chantry. As the Chantry, and its fellowship develops, accepted modes of behaviour will adopt their own character. An active member of another Chantry may not also be a full member of the Chantry. All members must agree to abide by the Rule of Covenant.

III.1 Admittance to Membership

III.1.a) A prospective member is to be sponsored by a member of the Chantry who has been a member for at least two months [or two game sessions, whichever is the longer period).

III.1.b) A prospective member is required to agree to abide by the Code of Conduct (see section VII) during the period of application.

III.1.c) Admittance requires a majority vote by a quorate meeting of existing members of the Chantry (see section V.1.d), and any security concerns about a potential member are to be resolved in advance of the vote for admittance.

III.1.d) All deliberations concerning the potential member are to be carried out behind closed doors, to protect the interests of both the candidate and the voting parties.

III.1.e) The admittance vote is to be made by secret ballot.

III.1.f) The Chantry reserves the right to demand that prospective members passes a test before consideration for admittance.

III.1.g) The Chantry reserves the right to refuse admittance.

III.1.h) An unsuccessful applicant may only petition for reconsideration of their application after such time that any objections to the candidate have been resolved to the satisfaction of the Deacons.

III.2 Responsibilities of Sponsorship

III.2.a) The sponsor is responsible for the behaviour of the candidate whilst within the bounds of the Chantry or in the presence of other Chantry members elsewhere.

III.2.b) The sponsor is responsible for the safety of the candidate during the period of application, with any offence against the candidate considered an offence against the sponsor (see sections IV.2, V.3 and VII.2).

III.2.c) The sponsor is required to ensure the authenticity of any pertinent information provided by the candidate.

III.3 Types of Membership

s III.3.a) Full members receive the rights detailed in section III.4 and are bound by the duties in section III.5.

III.3.b) Honory membership may be granted by the Chantry, with rights and duties determined at that time, in addition honory membership may be bestowed posthumously as a gesture of respect.

III.3.c) Apprentice members receive the rights detailed in section III.4 with the exception of participation in the electoral process (see section V.1) and are bound by the duties in section III.5 with the exception of sitting on tribunals (see sections V.2 and V.3). Once the apprentice has been accepted by their Tradition, Craft or similar peer group, full membership is granted by the procedure outlined in section III.1.

III.3.d) Associate membership falls into two categories, firstly unawakened staff of the Chantry, acolytes and other Sleeper sympathisers. Secondly, awakened beings who have allied themselves to the Chantry but have declined, or are unable to accept, full membership. Associate members' rights and duties are determined at the time of application.

III.3.e) Inactive members are those who have taken a leave of absence from the Chantry. They are still bound by the Rule of Covenant and they may resume full membership by personally informing a Deacon of their intent. Inactive members are to be kept informed of any changes to the Rule of Covenant, and are the only members of the Chantry allowed to be active members of other Chantries.

III.3.f) Membership can be suspended for the duration of disciplinary procedures (see section V.3); suspended members are still bound by the Rule of Covenant, however all membership rights and duties are suspended (see sections III.4 and III.5).

III.3.g) Membership may be revoked as a result of disciplinary action (see section V.3.f), full membership may only be resumed by following the same procedure as a failed application for membership (see section III.1.h).

III.4 Rights of Membership

III.4.a) All full members of the Chantry may vote in any decision undertaken by the Chantry, and may stand for election to any Chantry Office (see section V.1).

III.4.b) Whilst within the bounds of the Chantry all full members can expect freedom to explore and promote their personal paradigms without hindrance from others provided that these activities do not constitute a breach of the Rule of Covenant.

III.4.c) All full members can expect access to the Chantry's resources (see section VI).

III.4.d) In the event that a member of the Chantry is aggrieved by an external group or members thereof, they should expect the restitutional aid of the fellowship. The particular nature and circumstances will, of course, influence the exact method and extent of any such aid, but the member in question should expect aid in all cases.

III.4.e) All members are free to correspond with other groups, provided that they do not violate the Rule of Covenant, specifically sections IV.1 and VII.1, or falsely claim official representation.

III.5 Duties of Membership

III.5.a) All inactive, associate, apprentice and full members are required to abide by the Rule of Covenant.

III.5.b) All inactive, associate, apprentice and full members are required to safeguard the reputation of the Chantry.

III.5.c) All members are required to safeguard other members' well being (see section VII).

III.5.d) All full members may be called upon to sit on a tribunal, and are bound by the findings of any such tribunals (see sections V.2 and V.3)

III.5.e) All full members are requested to contribute to resources of the Chantry (see section VI), the security of Chantry and it's nodes.

III.5.f) All full members are expected to assist in the maintenance of favourable external ties and alliances, and update the fellowship's knowledge of these ties and alliances.

IV Policies

IV.1 External Relations

The Chantry wishes to maintain good relations with other non-opposed Chantries in the London region, and further afield. Whilst members of such external groups are present within the Chantry as guests, they are to be treated with appropriate respect. Whilst visiting such a group a member of this Chantry is expected to abide by our Rule of Covenant and any applicable rules of the host Chantry. In the event of a conflict of views the member of this Chantry should make their apologies and leave. In such a case this Chantry will endeavour to come to an agreement with the host Chantry, in keeping with this policy of fostering good relations.

IV.2 Mentors and Apprentices

The Chantry recognises the right of any member of the Chantry to educate and train neophytes according to the precepts of their Tradition, Craft or similar peer group. However, if a mentor wishes to bring an apprentice into the Chantry a number of guidelines are to be followed.

IV.2.a) Apprentices wishing to gain access to Chantry resources are required to apply for apprentice membership, with their mentor acting as sponsor for the application, as outlined in section III.

IV.2.b) Mentors are to be held responsible for the actions of any apprentice member under their tutelage, and apprentice members are to be held accountable to their mentors for their actions.

IV.2.c) Non member apprentices are guests of their mentors, and to be treated with appropriate respect.

IV.2.d) Other members of the Chantry are expected to respect mentors' responsibilities towards their apprentices.

IV.3 Guests of the Chantry

In keeping with the external relations policy (section IV.1) guests will, from time to time, be invited into the Chantry.

IV.3.a) Full members of the Chantry may invite guests into the Chantry.

IV.3.b) No member of the Chantry may violate the Tradition Protocols in the presence of unawakened guests (see sections VII.1.g and VII.1.h).

IV.3.c) Non awakened guests are not permitted into the Horizon Realm, with the exception of guests who have been appropriately screened.

IV.3.d) The Deacons of the Chantry may invite other Chantries, or similar external groups, into the Chantry.

IV.3.e) All awakened guests are expected to abide by the Tradition Protocols (see section VII.1), whilst within the bounds of the Chantry, and are asked to abide by the Code of Conduct (see section VII.2).

IV.3.f) A host is responsible for all actions of their guests.

IV.3.g) Guests may use the Library (see section VI.4), but may not remove any information sources from the Library.

IV.3.h) Members of other Chantries who wish to use the Certámen circle (see section V.4) are considered guests of the Deacons.

IV.4 Future Policy

The adoption of a new policy, or discontinuation of existing policies, requires the formal electoral procedure (see section V.1) to be used.

V Procedures

V.1 Voting Process

The voting process is intended to ensure that all active members of the Chantry are able to participate in the decisions taken by the Chantry, and not to be a vehicle for mundane political manoeuvring.

V.1.a) Full members of the Chantry may participate in all decisions affecting the Chantry's policies and procedures, elections of Chantry Offices (see section II), admittance of new members (see section III) and revisions of the Rule of Covenant.

V.1.b) In order to vote, full members must be physically, or magickally, present; proxy or postal votes may not be used. However inactive members may apply for postal votes for any vote relating to the Rule of Covenant, by which they are bound. Such postal votes must be returned within one month [or one game session, whichever is the shorter period].

V.1.c) All meetings must be quorate before any vote may be performed; the number of active members present being at least one third of the active membership or ten, which ever is the greater. If a quorum is not present the Deacons may enact the result of a vote, subject to formal ratification by a quorate meeting within two months [or two game sessions, whichever is the shorter period].

V.1.d) In the event of the requirement for a formal ratification of a sub-quorate vote, all active members of the Chantry must be informed of the ratification in order to provide an opportunity to attend.

V.1.e) The Deacons may exercise a veto in all votes, with the sole exception of the election of the Deacon Tertius.

V.1.f) Any member, not suspended, may propose motions for the attention of a vote, such motions must be seconded by a full member.

V.1.g) In the event of a tied vote, the Chair of the meeting has casting vote.

V.1.h) All elections to Offices are to be carried out as secret ballots, the winner elected by a simple majority of the active membership of the Chantry. If there is only one nominee for an Office, they are duly elected unopposed.

V.1.i) All revisions of the policies, procedures and Rule of Covenant require a two thirds majority by the membership of the Chantry, inactive members may apply for postal ballots.

V.1.j) Any motion that fails may be resubmitted at a future meeting, no sooner than two months [or two game sessions, whichever is the longer period,] providing a minimum number of active members equal to the quorum (see section V.1.c) will support the motion.

V.2 Tribunals

Tribunals serve two purposes, firstly to resolve disputes raised by Chantry members and secondly to act as a disciplinary board. The second function is covered by section V.3 of the Rule.

V.2.a) Any member of the Chantry may call for a tribunal.

V.2.b) Any full member of the Chantry may be called upon to sit on a tribunal.

V.2.c) All tribunals are to consist of three persons, in the case of a disciplinary tribunal (see section V.3) one is required to be a Deacon, or an appointed representative.

V.2.d) In the event of conflicts of interest, members of the tribunal should stand down.

V.2.e) In the case of disputes between a member of the Chantry and a member of an external group, the Leader may invite a member of the external group to sit on the tribunal.

V.2.f) An independent third party may be invited to sit on tribunals.

V.2.g) Both parties are to present their case to the tribunal, including the use of witness testimony. Either party may cross examine the witnesses, the tribunal may call for any additional information or witnesses. Magickal means to determine facts may only be used by the tribunal members.

V.2.h) All parties directly involved in the dispute are bound by the decision of the tribunal.

V.3 Discipline

Any breach of the Rule of Covenant is punishable, by rulings of disciplinary tribunals.

V.3.a) Disciplinary tribunals are to be properly appointed (see section V.2).

V.3.b) During the proceedings of a disciplinary tribunal a member of the Chantry may have their membership suspended.

V.3.c) The proceedings of disciplinary tribunals are to be recorded, to ensure correct process is followed. A clerk may be appointed to effect such records.

V.3.d) Rulings of disciplinary tribunals are to be recorded, to provide precedent for later tribunals. A clerk may be appointed to effect such records.

V.3.e) In addition to breaches of the Tradition Protocols (see section VII.1), the Code of Conduct (see section VII.2) and other sections of the Rule of Covenant, the following are considered to be breaches of the Rule of Covenant:

V.3.f) Rulings of disciplinary tribunals are to be made in the spirit of the Rule of Covenant, and may include:

V.3.g) In the event that a member of the Chantry breaches Sleeper laws, the disciplinary tribunal may determine whether the member is to be handed over to the appropriate Sleeper authorities, in addition to any punishment levied by the tribunal.

V.4 Certámen

Personal disputes between members of the Chantry may be resolved by Certámen within the Certámen circle, which may be found within the horizon realm. V.4.a) No member of the Chantry may declare Certámen upon another member without a third member also present.

V.4.b) Members challenged to Certámen are not required to accept, they may take the issue to a tribunal (see section V.2).

V.4.c) Once a Certámen challenge has been accepted, the terms of satisfaction are to be agreed upon and lodged with an independent third party.

V.4.d) Certámen is permitted solely within the circle.

V.4.e) To foster good relations with other Chantries, the circle may be made available,upon receipt of an appropriate fee, as an impartial ground for third parties, provided the Certámen is not to be unto the death.

V.5 Future Procedure

The adoption of a new procedure, alteration, or discontinuation of existing procedures, requires the formal electoral procedure (see section V.1) to be used. The Rule of Covenant is then to be modified to reflect such additions, alterations or discontinuations.

VI Resources

The Chantry has a number of resources that are to be used to further the purposes of the Chantry as outlined in section I, part of this work is to support the members and any of their activities that do not conflict with those of the Chantry. Members of the Chantry are also requested to contribute to these communal resources (see section III.5.e).

VI.1 Node and Tass

The Node and Tass generated by the Nodes are essential to the continuing survival of the Chantry, without a source of quintessence the Horizon Realm can not be sustained. Consequently it must be a high priority of all Chantry members, and specifically those responsible for security, to guard the Node from hostile attention. VI.1.a) No member of the Chantry may be prevented from accessing the Chantry's Node for the purpose of meditation, except by a ruling from a properly instigated disciplinary tribunal (see section V.3).

VI.1.b) The Tass of the Node is to be distributed fairly by the Deacons of the Chantry.

VI.2 Finances

The Chantry has limited financial resources; the maintenance of the Chantry, utility bills and staff salaries constitute the largest portion of the budget.

VI.2.a) A full member of the Chantry may apply for a loan, the terms of repayment are to be determined at the time of application.

VI.2.b) A full member of the Chantry may apply for a grant if funds permit such a grant.

VI.3 Accommodation

The Chantry has a number of apartments and rooms within which members of the Chantry may stay for a limited period, in particular there is accommodation specifically reserved for the Deacons. It is anticipated that most members of the Chantry will have access to their own permanent accommodation.

VI.3.a) Residents are required to give two months notice of intent to vacate [or two game sessions, which ever is longer].

VI.3.b) The Chantry is required to give two months notice of intent to evict [or two game sessions, which ever is longer].

VI.3.c) The resignation or replacement, by due process, of the Leader or Deputy is deemed to be notice of intent to vacate the official accommodation.

VI.3.d) In the event of the death or disappearance of an office holder, their designated agents or heirs are required to clear the accommodation before the period of notice expires.

VI.3.e) If members of the Chantry apply for accommodation, priority will be given to those without their own accommodation.

VI.3.f) Members of the Chantry may be evicted by a ruling of a properly instigated disciplinary tribunal (see section V.3).

VI.4 Library

The Library of the Chantry is a valuable resource consisting of books, scrolls, CD ROMs and other sources of information pertaining to magickal and occult knowledge. In some instances these are gifts from other Chantries, bequests from deceased or departed Chantry members, while some members may prefer to keep their own books and notes within the safety of the Library.

The Library is intended to be a place of study, members are requested to respect the privacy of other members using the Library.

VI.4.a) No member of the Chantry may be prevented from accessing the Chantry's Library for the purpose of research, except by a ruling from a properly instigated disciplinary tribunal (see section V.3).

VI.4.b) Members of the Chantry may only remove information sources from the Library that are specifically designated for such purposes. In addition these items may not be removed from within the Chantry bounds.

VI.4.c) Items borrowed from the Library are, generally, to be returned to the Library within two months [or two game sessions, whichever is the longer period]. The exception being those items designated for short term loan that must be returned within one month [or one game session, whichever is the shorter period].

VI.4.d) Guests of the Chantry may use the Library, but may not borrow information sources.

VI.5 Research Facilities

The research facilities of the Chantry are to be made available for members to practice and explore their Arts within an appropriate local paradigm more forgiving than the global paradigm of consensual reality. The Horizon Realm of the Chantry is an ideal place for such magickal laboratories.

These research facilities are intended to be places of study and experimentation, members are requested to respect the work of other members.

VI.5.a) No member of the Chantry may be prevented from using the Chantry's research facilities, except by a ruling from a properly instigated disciplinary tribunal (see section V.3).

VI.5.b) Priority will be given to members without access to their own facilities, owners of sanctums are reminded that research space is limited within the Chantry.

VI.6 Personnel

Most of the day to day maintenance and running of the Chantry requires a permanent staff, but members of the Chantry are usually unable to assist in these matters owing to their own commitments.

VI.6.a) All unawakened staff of the Chantry are considered to be under the protection of the Deacons of the Chantry.

VI.6.b) No member of the Chantry may violate the Tradition Protocols in the presence of any unawakened staff (see sections VII.1.g and VII.1.h).

VI.6.c) Unawakened staff are not to be permitted into the Horizon Realm, with the exception of appropriately screened acolytes or consors.

VII Conduct of Members of The Chantry

This code of conduct is intended to be an adjunct of the Tradition Protocols, not a replacement. It is intended to ensure that all members of the Chantry are free to carry out their personal business without harassment or interference whilst within the bounds of the Chantry. In addition it is intended to maintain the good reputation of the Chantry whilst members visit other groups and Chantries.

It is hoped that all guests within the bounds of the Chantry would abide by our code of conduct once they have been appraised of the details below. Whilst the Chantry recognises that other social mores are occasionally in vogue elsewhere, all guests are expected to abide by the Tradition Protocols.

VII.1 The Protocols of the Traditions

VII.1.a) Respect those of greater knowledge.

VII.1.b) A tutor's debt must be repaid.

VII.1.c) A Mage's word is their honour, break not a sworn vow.

VII.1.d) The will of an Oracle must be obeyed.

VII.1.e) Betray not your Cabal or Chantry.

VII.1.f) Conspire not with enemies of Ascension.

VII.1.g) Protect the Sleepers; they are ignorant of what they do.

VII.1.h) Be subtle in your Arts, lest Sleepers know you for what you are.

VII.2 The Code of Conduct

VII.2.a) No member of the Chantry may attack another member whilst within the bounds of the Chantry, the sole exception being properly declared Certámen (see section V.4.a).

VII.2.b) No member of the Chantry may manipulate another member by magickal means, without informed consent, whilst within the bounds of the Chantry.

VII.2.c) No member of the Chantry may, through deliberate inaction, allow another member come to harm or to be magickally manipulated without informed consent.

VII.2.d) No member of the Chantry may steal from another member whilst within the bounds of the Chantry, or through deliberate inaction allow such a theft occur.

VII.2.e) No member of the Chantry may harm, or allow harm to come to, the Chantry staff through deliberate action or inaction.

VII.2.f) No member of the Chantry may allow harm to come to the fabric or resources of the Chantry by deliberate action or deliberate inaction.

VII.2.g) Any action in breach of this code of conduct against the person or possessions of a guest is considered an act against their hosts and hence subject to appropriate action under section V.3 of the Rule.

VII.2.h) Any action in breach of this code of conduct against the person or possessions of an apprentice member is considered an act against their mentor and hence subject to action under section V.3 of the Rule.

VIII Deed of Transfer

The following is the wording of the new Deed of Transfer from House Shae of the Order of Hermes to the fellowship of the Speakeasy Chantry:

The Londinium Collegium, British Museum do hereby transfer full authority over the speakeasy chantry, together with all rights, titles and deeds pertaining to the Speakeasy Chantry, to the Deacons of the Speakeasy Chantry.

Said deacons to be three in number and determined by the following methods:

The Deacons of the Speakeasy Chantry agree to accept full authority over, and responsibility for, the Speakeasy Chantry, it's Nodes, Realm, associated Mages, Custos and other Retainers. And to determine their successors, yearly, by the above methods.

Signatories: Lady Bellistarius bani House Shae, Order of Hermes; Dr. Jonathan Palmer bani Sons of Ether; Hector Rassmussen bani Euthantos and Angharad Carlisle bani Verbana

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