Awaken The North
Awaken The North
By-Laws 2016
Contents
Article I: Name
Article II: Purposes and Powers
Article III: Officers Mjolnir’s Forge Kindred
Article IV: Applications
Article V: Privacy
Article VI: Meetings
Article VII: Duties
Article VIII: Finances
Article IX: Codes of Conduct
Article X: Ethics
Article XI: Appeals
Article XII: Protocols
Article XIII: Suspension, Revocation, Resignations, Cancellations
Article XIV: An Outline of our Beliefs
Article XV: Dissolution
Article I: Name
1.1 Name: The name of this Kindred shall be: Awaken The North. The business of the
organization may be conducted as Awaken The North or ATN Kindred, or any
combination thereof.
Article II: Purposes and Powers
2.01 Purpose:
2.01A: Awaken The North will be run as a Universalist Kindred, and shall
be operated exclusively to foster and grow the religion of Asatru.
2.01B: Awaken The North will be funded via gifts and donations from the members of
the Kindred when necessary.
2.01 Powers: The organization shall have the power, directly or indirectly, alone or in
conjunction or cooperation with others, to do any and all lawful acts which may be necessary or
convenient to affect the organization and its finances. The powers of the organization may
include, but not limited to, the acceptance of gifts or funds/donations from the public or private
sectors, whether financial or in kind contributions.
Article III: Officers of the Asatru Community
3.01 Chief Officers: Andrew Stephenson’s Kindred is based in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada and its
chief officers will include the Council headed by the Chieftain.
3.02 The Council: Andrew Stephenson, Cassandra Bruneau, Steven Tifft, Sean Nee, Christian
Evers, James Moore Hodur will operate the Kindred with day to day affairs that will be managed
by the Council, consisting of the following titles.
1. Chieftain: Andrew Stephenson
2. Second in Command: Steven Tifft
3. Gothi: Darren Taylor
4. Skald: Cassandra Bruneau
5. Drighten: Sean Nee
6. Rune Master: James Moore Hodur
3.03 The Council: The Council consists of volunteer Full Kindred Members who are serving as
administrators.
Article IV: Applications
4.01 Types of Membership: There are two types of membership with Awaken The North. Each
has its own process, and is independent of each other.
4.01A Full Membership: Full members have full voting rights in all manners of business
for Awaken The North Kindred. Full members must be Provisional Members and fulfill
all prerequisites of Provisional Membership. All founding members of Awaken The
North Kindred will be granted Full Membership. Full Members will be granted the right
to conduct blots and ceremonies as needed.
4.01B Provisional Membership: Applicants are accepted based on information provided.
Awaken The North Kindred reserves the right to reject any applicant based on lack of
information provided. Awaken The North reserves the right to request additional
information, put applications into internal review, or decline applicants until such time as
we can gather the correct information. Applications can take an indeterminate amount of
time to process as we may need to investigate applicants further. Applicants can appeal
the rejection of an application via the appeal process set out in Article XI Appeals. All
applicants must be sponsored by a Full Member to be considered for Provisional
Membership. Provisional Members will be granted Full Membership once a series of
tasks has been completed. Each Full Member will give the Provisional Member a task to
complete. The tasks will include knowledge of lore, ceremonies, runes, and the gods and
goddesses of Asatru. A Provisional Member will be required to take part in two blots and
at least three Kindred Meetings. Provisional Members will not have a vote in Kindred
business. Full Membership will be granted after all prerequisites are fulfilled and a
favorable vote it made by the Full Members of Mjolnir’s Forge Kindred. A unanimous
vote is required to gain Full Membership.
4.02 Application Process: Applications for membership may be completed via physical
application. All applicants must, regardless of their location, provide full disclosure of their full
name, legal address and or other information via physical application. Applicants are not
permitted to use a fake identity or a screen name on an application. If a member does not wish to
have their identity known, they must request that in writing along with a reasonable explanation
as to why this request is being made. Only in extreme situations will Awaken The North Kindred
comply with requests to obscure legal names.
4.03 Rejected Applications: The rejected application is filed in the database as a record only. The
applicant is sent an email with the following: date of rejection, reason of rejection and the
information for requesting an appeal. The applicant has 30 days to appeal the rejection. If they do
not appeal within the specified time period Awaken The North Kindred will consider the
rejection as accepted by the applicant. Rejected applications who either did no appeal or appeal
and were denied the appeal will be prevented from applying for 30 days. If an applicant is
rejected more than 2 times may be prevented from applying in the future. These 2 rejections will
include the rejected appeal. Applications that are rejected are kept on file for a period of no less
than 1 year after which time they are disposed of in a proper manner.
Article V: Privacy
5.01 Privacy Policy: All information given to Awaken The North Kindred will be kept
confidential. Any information obtained via applications will not be divulged to any outside party
for any reason unless in accordance with State law or required by a legally processed warrant.
All applications provided to Awaken The North Kindred are not available for public view.
Members are allowed to remain anonymous to the public as long as they wish to do so. No
member will be mentioned directly or indirectly without their prior permission. Full Members
are allowed to participate in online communications using alternate names as long as Awaken
The North Kindred has knowledge of the person’s true identity. Full Members, Provisional
Members, Guests, The Council, and Founders are not required to tell anyone about their role
and/or participation with Awaken The North Kindred in any way that may violate their personal
privacy rights. If any Full Members, Council member, Provisional Member, or Founder wishes
to have access to their own records, they are fully able to view their own records at any time.
They also have the right to request their file be destroyed, removed or closed should they wish to
leave Awaken The North Kindred or no longer participate in kindred events, workshops,
notification lists or any other action. All physical documents will be destroyed by shredding.
Article VI: Meetings
6.01 Frequency of Meetings: The Chieftain, Gothi, And Council Members shall be in constant
and frequent communication on all matters that pertain to the organizational structure or any
other matter that concerns of involved the operation of Awaken The North Kindred. At least
once per month, an official meeting will take place in which The Council will be updated on all
projects and any issues or other matters by the members. A list of projects will be kept updated.
The Council will conduct meetings at whatever frequency is deemed necessary. Meeting
frequency will be determined by the Chieftain. The meetings will be conducted by the Chieftain.
Article VII: Duties
7.01 Exceptions: With the exception of the Chieftain, Gothi, Council, and any other member of
Mjolnir’s Forge Kindred, no other person, organization, group or kindred shall be expected to
perform any duties or serviced for Awaken The North Kindred.
7.02 Who Can Perform Duties: Any Full Member can apply to perform duties with Awaken The
North Kindred at any time that there is an open position.
7.03 Protections: No member or non-member of Awaken The North shall, by force or coercion,
be required to participate in any event or proceeding which may be deemed to be in conflict with
or in opposition to the by-laws of Awaken The North Kindred, or the Asatru religion in general.
This includes, but not limited to, involuntary service of any kind requiring the use and
administration of otherwise binding oaths not based on the tenets and beliefs of the Asatru
religion in any fashion.
7.04 Duties:
7.04A Chieftain: The duties of the Chieftain shall be to oversee and direct new projects to
ensure that all projects fit into the general direction of Awaken The North Kindred. The
duties of this position may include but are not limited to: writing articles, publishing,
membership maintenance, daily operations, and ensuring that the Gothi and Council are
fulfilling their duties. The Chieftain can appoint, demote or hire people to fill positions as
needed. The Chieftain maintains one vote as a member of Awaken The North Kindred.
The Chieftain is the last contact for the Council in case of emergency. The Chieftain also
serves as a tie breaker in the event there should not be a majority in any vote. Should
matters be unable to be resolved based on the processes and protocols outlined in these
bylaws the Chieftain retains the right of executive order. The positions of Chieftain and
Gothi may be merged and held by one person when/if necessary. If this position is
merged the Chieftain/Gothi will retain only one vote on all issues.
7.04B Gothi: Gothi is the religious head of the Kindred and holds one vote in matters
pertaining to Awaken The North Kindred. The Gothi will write and conduct ceremonies,
blots, and rites as needed by Awaken The North Kindred. The positions of Chieftain and
Gothi may be merged and held by one person when/if necessary. If this position is
merged the Chieftain/Gothi will retain only one vote on all issues.
7.04C Skald: The duties of the Skald will include but not be limited to: keeping all
records of Awaken The North Kindred, keeping minutes of all meetings including votes,
and serves other roles as needed. The Skald will be the primary contact for anything the
Council needs unless the task specifically falls to the Chieftain or Gothi. The Skald holds
one vote in all matters of Awaken The North Kindred.
7.04D The Drighten: The Drighten is responsible for enforcing the protocols below. He
or she is the constable of Awaken The North Kindred. It is the duty of the Drighten to
maintain the wellbeing of Kindred members and keep them from harm, whatever that
may be. The Drighten will have one vote in all matters Awaken The North Kindred.
7.04E Runemaster: The Runemaster will be the primary source of teaching in the runes.
Other members may conduct rune classes with the approval of the Runemaster. The
Rune Master will hold one vote in all matters of Awaken The North Kindred.
Article VIII: Finances
8.01 How Funds Are Used: All funds donated to Awaken The North Kindred for any purpose is
to be used at the sole discretion of Awaken The North Kindred for religious purposes. The funds
may not be used for personal gains or any activity which would be considered a “corporate
venture”, an investment or any activity which is seen as a profit
Article IX: Codes of Conduct
9.01 Codes of Conduct: There are two Codes of Conduct. These are the Internet Code of
Conduct (Internet C.O.C.) and the Standard Code of Conduct (Standard C.O.C. All codes are
maintained and updated by the Chieftain, Gothi, and Council. Any violation of these Codes of
Conduct will be handled as deemed appropriate.
9.02 Internet Code of Conduct: There will be no intolerance of racism against any religion, race
or ethnicity is allowed. There are no exceptions to this rule. Harassment, be it sexual or
otherwise, will not be tolerated. There will be respect of ideas and opinions regardless of
personal beliefs. If a statement is made based on unverified personal gnosis (opinion) please state
accordingly so there will be no arguments regarding the statement. Ideas are welcome. If the idea
is not well known, please be patient and explain the idea. Awaken The North Kindred requests of
its members that no thread or comment online should be deleted by the author. Administrators
will not remove an online thread unless it violates the Codes of Conduct. All emails shall be
retained for business purposes. Rude and disrespectful comments will not be tolerated. Awaken
The North Kindred promotes online expression of ideas. If expression of those ideas becomes
harassing, then those comments will be removed. Any issues with the Codes of Conduct or
online messages need to be brought to the attention of the Drighten who will handle the matter. If
the Drighten is unable to handle the issue, then the issue can be presented to the Council for vote.
Awaken The North Kindred reserves the right to remove any unapproved links or ads posted
online. Awaken The North Kindred requests that all content posted online through any site are
properly sited if used or copies elsewhere. Please keep online content relevant to the heathen
religion Awaken The North Kindred will not be held liable for any content posted online through
any site.
9.03 Standard Code of Conduct: No kindreds, individuals, or groups of people that support racist
ideas will be allowed to remain affiliated with Awaken The North Kindred once Awaken The
North Kindred is made aware of the issue. Members must be respectful of each other. If an issue
arises and is brought to the attention of the Drighten then a proper review and resolution will be
conducted. Awaken The North Kindred is not a political entity nor will they become involved in
any political activity.
Article X: Ethics
10.01 Guidelines: All activities at Awaken The North Kindred are dealt with in a highly ethical
manner. No action shall be taken without discussion and reasonable research in relation to the
consequences of change. Information is not shared with members outside of the Council. Private
information is only shared in a manner conducive to business dealings. Awaken The North
Kindred is a religious organization and will base their actions on these beliefs.
Article XI: Appeals
11.01 Appeal Process: An applicant must send an email outlining the reason for the appeal
request within thirty days of the rejection being received by the applicant. During the appeal, the
applicant must answer any and all additional questions that might be asked of them. The decision
of the Council is final.
11.02 Appeal Considerations: All further evidence and information will be considered in the
event of an appeal. All applications are subject to the Code of Ethics and Codes of Conduct
outlined in the Bylaws.
11.03 Automatic Rejection Reasons: The following reasons may be cited for rejection of an
application: misrepresentation, failure to complete required criteria, providing improper
payment, failure to adhere to the Codes of Conduct or Ethics, failure to treat members with
respect or any action that may be detrimental to Awaken The North Kindred.
Article XII: Protocols
12.01 Council Protocol: The Drighten will be responsible for banning any offending council
member. The offending member will be banned until an investigation can take place. The
investigation will be conducted by The Council. The Council will review the case and either
decides to take further actions or to overturn the suspension and removal should no evidence be
found. The offending council member may be allowed back into the group but not to the
Council. The offending council member will only be allowed back into the Council if they
demonstrate they have completely changed or have proven trustworthy. The Council will decide
if the offending council member will be allowed back into the Council. A Council member will
be considered offensive if any of the bylaws are broken.
Article XIII: Suspension, Revocation, Resignations, Cancellations
13.01 Full Members: Full members may have their membership suspended or revoked if they
violate any C.O.C. A Awaken The North Kindred member may also cancel their membership as
long as they inform Awaken The North Kindred. A suspension of membership may be
overturned by appeal. Notification of suspension must be provided to the member by the
Drighten no later than 10 days prior to the suspension.
13.02 The Council: The Chieftain, Gothi, or Council may have their positions suspended or
revoked if they violate any part of the C.O.C. or are caught in illegal or illicit activity. If a
Council member has their position suspended or revoked, a Full Member may take over until
such time as a new person can be elected to fill the vacant position. If a Council member wishes
to voluntarily leave their position, they must turn in all business information used in their
position.
Article XIV: An Outline of our Beliefs
14.01 Overview: Although Awaken The North Kindred is a heathen organization we do not
enforce or push any specific beliefs on those who attend or join Awaken The North Kindred. Our
specific beliefs include acceptance of the Gods included in the Nordic Pantheon. We define
ourselves as heathen and being true to the Gods of the Nordic Pantheon although our application
of said path is our own and may be varied from other paths following the same faith. Our beliefs
do not infringe on the rights of those who join to freely assemble, to conduct themselves
according to their own conscious as long as they abide by the C.O.C. as outlined above.
Article XV: Dissolution
15.01 Dissolution: Upon dissolution of this organization, assets shall be distributed between the
Full Members of Awaken The North Kindred.
-Andrew Stephenson
Credit: The Asatru Community, for the Bylaw format.