4   MEMBERSHIP

No person will be denied access to either student or Inner Court membership of either branch on the basis of race, gender, ethnic background, sexual preference, physical impairment or age, providing they have reached the age of eighteen years. However, initial and continued membership in any form is open only to persons who uphold the values and objectives of Oak and Mistletoe and who have agreed to the Inclusive Wiccan Oath of Practice. Membership shall always be at the discretion of the oCC for online members and the f2fCC for face to face members.

Membership may take one of the following forms although face to face members may also be inline forum members;

a)         Friend of Oak and Mistletoe

b)        Outer Court Student member

c)         Inner Court graduate member

d)        Inner Court Second Degree trainee member

e)         Inner Court Second Degree member

f)         Elder

4.1   Membership Types

a)         A Friend of Oak and Mistletoe is a person who has empathy with the purpose of O & M but who is neither a registered student nor a member of Inner Court. Online forum members who are not also registered online students are considered Friends of O & M. The exception to this rule is where a face to face student or face to face member is also an online forum member. In this case, their dominant membership category reverts to their face to face membership type. Friends of O & M do not have voting rights (except for friends who are also face to face students or members) but may attend coven activities where agreed and invited by the relevant Coven Council. 

b)        Outer Court Student members are those members of either branch who are registered as students of the “Toward First Degree” program. Training lasts at least eight months and once completed, members may seek advancement through initiation for face to face members and dedication or approved initiation for online members to Inner Court membership. Seeking advancement does not automatically result in acceptance and such advancement is subject to agreement by the student’s tutor and Chairperson for online students, and by the f2fCC for face to face students. Student members have the right to a single vote. 

c)         Inner Court graduate members of either branch are those members who have completed the “Toward First Degree” program through the Circle of Oak and Mistletoe face to face or online program or via an alternative approved method. Online graduate members have been initiated into the tradition by an approved initiated Inclusive Wiccan, or initiated into an approved coven of this tradition. or have conducted an approved dedication into this tradition. Face to face members have been initiated into the face to face O & M coven. Inner Court graduate members have the right to a single vote. 

d)        Inner Court Second Degree trainee members of either branch are those Inner Court graduate members who have elected to undertake, and are in the process of training toward their Second Degree via the “Toward Second Degree” Program or an alternative approved method. Inner Court Second Degree trainee members have the right to a single vote. 

e)         Inner Court Second Degree members are those Inner Court members of either branch who have successfully completed all the requirements of the “Toward Second Degree” Program or an approved alternative method. Online members have been initiated into the Second Degree of this tradition by an approved Second Degree or higher initiated Inclusive Wiccan or have conducted an approved Second Degree dedication into this tradition. Face to face members have been initiated into the Second Degree of the face to face O & M coven. In both branches, they are considered the senior members of the Inner Court and have the right to a single vote. 

f)         Elders are those members of either branch, recommended by either Council and approved by the Chairperson, who have served, or continue to serve, as Inner Court members and who have completed at least the “Toward Second Degree” training program. The status of Elder is usually granted after the member has consistently demonstrated; 

                i.       leadership qualities,

               ii.       has been ordained by the Community Church of Inclusive Wicca,

              iii.       has served on the oCC for at least one term or f2fCC for at least one year,

             iv.       and who demonstrates the ethics and practices synonymous with those expected by O & M.

4.2  Membership Fees and Levies

The oCC for online members and the f2fCC for face to face members may elect to charge membership dues to cover operating expenses, or to levy reasonable fees for particular events, projects or services. Where dues or fees are levied, they must be set only to cover costs and not to produce profits and accurate and up to date accounts must be freely available for scrutiny by the full O & M membership at any time. Only the oCC or f2fCC may elect to levy fees or dues against themselves. 

Where an Oak and Mistletoe member suffers hardship and is unable to contribute to a due or fee, such contribution can be waivered after a vote by the oCC for an online member or the f2fCC for face to face members. However, such a decision must not result in a deficit of expenses.

4.3   Member Resignation

Any member of either branch may resign their membership of O & M at any time by giving written (electronic or hardcopy) notice to an Elder or to a relevant Coven Councillor of O & M.

4.4   Expulsion of a Member

a)         Subject to giving a member an opportunity to be heard or to make a written submission, the oCC for online members or the f2fCC for face to face members may resolve, by a clear majority vote, to expel a member upon a charge of misconduct detrimental to the interests of O & M. 

b)        Particulars of the charge shall be communicated to the member at least two weeks before the meeting of the relevant Coven Council at which the matter will be determined. 

c)         The determination of the relevant Coven Council shall be communicated to the member, and in the event of an adverse determination the member shall cease to be a member 1 day after the relevant Coven Council has communicated its determination to the member. 

d)        There will be no grounds for appeal and as such the relevant Coven Council must ensure that any decision made is fair, informed by all relevant evidence and after the member has been given the opportunity to state their case.