5101 Bylaws

(NOTICE: MAY 02, 2001 -- This bylaw is undergoing revisions. Keep checking back for the final up to date copy.)


Willow Hall Bylaw
Statement of Purpose

The Willow Hall is being established for the purpose of promoting the lawful goals of its membership as it may, from time to time, determined to be of mutual benefit. The Willow Hall is also for the enjoyment of our members, to bring together those of the ranger profession and to further our education, and the education of others, in all aspects of the lands.


Statement of Governing

The Willow Hall shall be a democratic house, with all members voting on key issues. The Chairman will break all ties and control the agenda for issues to be brought before a vote. Any of the Chairman's decisions may be overturned with a unanimous vote by the elected officers of the house.


Terms of Office

Each officer is the established officer for life. An officer may be asked to step down if not fulfilling his position requirements, or may step down on his own choice. Unfilled positions will be appointed by the Chairman until the time an election can be held.


Bylaw

Article I

Name: The name of this officially recognized House of Elanthia is Willow Hall, hereinafter referred to as the "House."


Article II

Membership Services: The following benefits follow the guidelines as those set forth by the local government unless otherwise noted. (ref. GemStone III House System: services)

Benefit of being an organization

Coat of Arms (there will be a registered coat of arms, see appendix A)

Storage Facilities

There will be a 40 item locker assigned to each member

There will be a supply room available for all members including weapons, herbs and other items.

An outdoor node

Workshop -- A workshop will be available for our House Enchanters

A hot tub will be available for our members enjoyment.



Article III

Membership and Dues

Membership in this House is contingent on compliance with requirements specified in these bylaws

Membership is restricted by minimum membership standards as set forth by the local government (ref. GemStone III House System: Membership requirements)

Membership is unrestricted by consideration of nationality, race, creed, life-style, size, color, sex or age.

Categories of membership in this House are general member, founding member, lifetime member and house specialist.

General member: A member who has met minimum House and government standards for membership. A general member is required to pay quarterly dues.

Lifetime member: A member who has paid a one time sum and not required to pay quarterly dues.

Founding member: An original member who joined together with other original members before construction began.

House Specialists, these members are outstanding members of their professions, who aid in the education of its members, and support and advise the house.

Apprentice: A member of another profession, who work with the house specialist of the same profession. There will be no more than one apprentice from each profession approved to belong to the House. The apprentices will take the place of the House Specialists when they are not available.

Initiation

Before induction a player must have read and agreed to the GemStone III House System.

Before induction a player must have read and agreed to the house bylaws set forth here.

Before induction of a player, the officers performing the induction will ensure that the player has read and understood the House bylaws and the GemStone III House System and is in agreement with the policies set forth in those articles.

Termination

The Chairman may terminate a membership for failure to meet membership requirements as stated above, provided the member was offered an opportunity to have a hearing if requested at which the member was permitted to defend against the termination.

A hearing to consist of the Chairman, a quorum of the officers and those members that can attend.

A quorum shall be defined as a majority of the officers.

Before a hearing is conducted a mailing to all members will be made with minimum of one week notice.

The hearing will be conducted by the President of Judges

If terminated, a member may be allowed to rejoin by the Chairman after demonstrating eligibility for membership.

Dues

An initial membership offering as stipulated by the local government (currently 25,000 silvers) this applies to all members (except house specialists).

Dues of 20,000 silvers will be charged once a year, the anniversary of the houses building date.

Lifetime membership may be purchased for 500,000 silvers payable to the treasurer at any time, subject to approval by the Chairman.

Yearly dues are not required by lifetime members.

Dues may be paid to the treasurer, co.-treasurer or Chairman.

General members will be notified via E-Mail four weeks before the yearly dues are expected.

General members who can not meet their dues or will not be around must make arrangements with the Chairman in advance to avoid automatic termination.


Article IV

Contributions

Membership contributions to GENERAL FUNDS and ENDOWMENT will be considered donations the House.

Purpose of GENERAL FUNDS and ENDOWMENT:

The General Funds can be drawn upon by the Treasurer for House expenses, House entertainment (parties), loans, etc.

The Endowment can never be drawn on, but continues to grow in size. Its purpose is to accrue interest which is deposited into the General Funds.

Members are not required to contribute to GENERAL FUNDS or ENDOWMENT.

Contributions do not entitle a member to special privileges.

Contributions will not be accepted in lieu of loan repayments.

Contributions must be reported to the Treasurer so that possible discrepancies in the accounts (system) may be found and clarified.


Article V

Rules and Regulations:

The Parliament will decide what constitutes non-compliance with this bylaw. The Co-Chairman/President of Parliament will notify the Chairman of the situation, and advise the Chairman on action to take. If there is a discrepancy, the President of Judges will make the final decision.

Suggestions for changes to these bylaws may be proposed by the Chairman and Co-Chairman. These Bylaws may be modified by the Parliament, and those modifications be presented the Chairman for final approval.

The Chairman may either pass or veto the modifications to the bylaw. If there is a veto, a unanimous vote of all officers will overturn the veto.



Eligibility for Private Rooms

The Willow Hall had a limited number of private rooms decorated for use by certain members.

Each officer will be granted a private room.

House Specialists will be granted a private room.

If one of these rooms becomes available, at the discretion of the Chairman, it may be offered to a lifetime member to occupy as his or her personal room.

Due to such a limited number of private rooms, the Chairman has decreed the following policies:

If a private room becomes available, the Chairman will put the room up for petition. Members will petition for the room, after suitable time the Chairman will meet with the officers and vote on the petitioners. At such time, the winner of the vote will be notified and charged for the cost of room. The name of the room will be changed to the new owner, but any other changed must be taken up with the town government (i.e. Wolv or his staff) for renovations. Said renovations will cost an additional amount which the owner of the room must take up with the town government.

Once a lifetime member has moved into a private room, it belongs to that lifetime member for as long as he or she resides in town, remains a member in good standing, and at the discretion of the Chairman.

Private rooms become available under the following conditions:

If the person assigned to the room is no longer a member of the House

If the person assigned to the room should leave town for an extended period of time, then the Chairman reserves the right to reassign the room to someone else.

APPENDIX A

Coat of Arms