I: Rules

   1. All members are required to attend a minimum of two official activities per month. Members will be provided with a calendar of events, including but not limited to:
        a. The general members meetings
        b. Subdivisions meetings
        c. Group training sessions
        d. Group hunting sessions
        e. Fund raising events
        f. Recruiting events
   2. All members are required to perform one service task to be performed monthly, including but not limited to:
        a. Tactical area patrols.
        b. Community patrols.
        c. Ship rescue
        d. Weapons and armor gathering
        e. Supply gathering
   3. All members will maintain uphold a code of good conduct during day to day behavior.
   4. Members of the Apostles will refrain from non-consensual combat.
   5. Consensual combat may be practiced for training, defense, and charity or fund raising events only. Excessive practice of consensual combat strains the people and resources of Elanthia and should be kept to a minimum.
   6. All members must pay monthly dues as determined by vote of council.
   7. The Order will tolerate no acts of the following.
        a. Grave robbing
        b. Unjustified murder
        c. Rape
        d. Treason
        e. Assault with the intent to walk.
   8. Members should conduct themselves befitting the mannerism of an Apostle.
   9. Members must attend the monthly meeting or notify an officer or council member if they cannot attend.
Back To Top

II: Governing Laws

   1: Loss of Membership

     Members of the Order of the Apostles are members for life. However, the following exceptions can result in loss of membership in the Order.
        a. Repeated failure to attended activities without proper notification.
        b. Breaking of the aforementioned rules.
        c. Failure to pay dues or repay loans
        d. Voluntary resignation.

     **note** If a member is found guilty of the above, they will receive three written warnings after which the council reserves the right to repeal membership by a vote of the majority.
Back To Top

   2: Meetings Etiquette

     Once a meeting is called to order, all actions and talking should be stopped. Whispers are permissible. Only those acknowledged by the person in charge of the meeting should be speaking. Raise your hand and wait to be called on.
Back To Top

   3: Council Meetings

     The Order is required to hold an official council meeting every two weeks per order of the provincial government. Times for these meetings will be decided amongst the council members and the times will then be posted to members of the order. Meetings will begin with a call to order by the Speaker or assigned representative. After will follow petitions from the Vice Speaker, Treasurer, Council members, Subdivisions, and finally Members, in that order. Immediately following the reading of petitions, all non-council members must vacate the council area to allow for discussion and voting by the council.

     A council meeting will be declared official when convened in the council chambers with at least a majority of its members present. Council meetings will be held in private, excluding even the officers of the Order from participating once an official meeting has begun. Council votes will be secret with the members of the voting council kept from knowing the individual votes of its members. Motions to be voted on in the council may be brought forth by any council member. All motions put forward on the floor of the council chamber will be announced in the room directly outside the door of the council chamber. All voting results will be announced in the same manner.
Back To Top

   4: General Meetings

     A general meeting will be called twice per month. Attendance at one monthly meeting will be mandatory for all members. If a member can not attend he or she must notify an officer or council member in writing. Any issues of importance are to be submitted for the agenda three days prior to the meeting. Issues submitted after this time period will be carried over to the following month. The meeting will begin with an opening speech, followed by introduction of new members. Next will be a discussion of the issues on the agenda for that meeting, followed by addresses from the sub-divisions (optional) and a short open forum at the end of the meeting. Open forums are not guaranteed, they will only be held if time permits.
Back To Top

   5: Voting

     Council votes will be secret. There are only three possible votes: yes, no, or abstain. A majority of yes votes means the motion is carried. A majority of no votes means the motion failed. If there is no majority vote there is a declared NO VOTE situation. A majority is defined as more than half of the convened council.
Back To Top

III: Definition of Authority

    Three officers and a voting body, otherwise known as the Council, govern the Order. The appointed leaders of the Order of Apostles will be responsible for the day to day governing of the order, in terms of ensuring members meet their required responsibilities and seeing that regulations of the Provincial Administrator of Orders are met in full. The Order governs upon the opinions of the entire Order, represented by a Speaker, Vice Speaker, Treasure and Ruling Council. These members will he held to the highest possible standards of the Apostles.
Back To Top

IV: Officers

    All of the officer positions are appointed by their predecessor, and ratified by the council by majority vote. The council may in some instances refuse the appointment of the nominated successor. If such a case occurs they will convene and appoint an officer based on majority rule. If an officer is removed by vote of the council that position shall be voted upon by the council and a successor appointed by majority vote.
Back To Top

   1: Speaker

     The Speaker's position is obtained through nomination and appointment of a predecessor. The speaker of the Order is the person who deals one on one with the Administrator of Orders. The Speaker speaks for the Order and has the authority to make decisions on behalf of the Order when dealing with the Administrator of Orders. When a Council of the Orders is held with the Provincial Administrator of Orders, or other government officials, the Speaker of the Order will be the individual who attends, representing his or her Order.

     The Speaker has sole authority to negotiate treaties with other entities, which must then be approved by the council. This includes but is not limited to, all declarations of war, cease fires, allegiances etc.

     The Speaker may present motions to the council at his/her discretion. The Speaker may at his discretion call an emergency meeting of the council.

     During states of war the Speaker is responsible for organizing the efforts of the Apostles.

     The Speaker is the officer of the Order that presides over official swearing in ceremonies of new members, officers, and council members.

     In the event a council cannot convene enough of a majority to fill its seats, the Speaker of the Order will appoint members until a majority of the seats have been filled.

     In certain situations it may become necessary to take a vote of "No Confidence" against the Speaker and remove him or her from the position. If this occurs, the Council will appoint a majority-approved Speaker. Otherwise there are no term limits on the Speaker's office, the Speaker position is held for life or until the Speaker resigns or is voted out of office.
Back To Top

   2: Vice Speaker

     The Vice Speaker's position is obtained through nomination and appointment of a predecessor. The office of Vice Speaker will be considered the second point of contact for the Provincial Administrator of Orders in the event the Speaker cannot be contacted. The Vice Speaker will be the individual who attends provincial Councils of the Orders when the Speaker is not available.

     During states of war the Vice Speaker is directly responsible for organizing the combat efforts of the Apostles. During times of non-conflict the Vice Speaker works primarily as a recruiter and personal relations specialist.

     It is the Vice Speaker's responsibility to understand the Charter, Bylaws, and possible amendments. It is the duty of the Vice Speaker to support the Speaker in helping with the organization of the order.

     In certain situations it may become necessary to take a vote of "No Confidence" against the Vice Speaker and remove him or her from the position. If this occurs, the Council and Speaker will meet to appoint a new Vice Speaker. Otherwise there are no term limits on the Vice Speaker's office, the Vice Speaker position is held for life or until the Vice Speaker resigns or is voted out of Office.
Back To Top

   3: Treasurer

     The Treasurer's position is obtained through nomination and appointment of a predecessor. There are no term limits on the Treasurer's office, the Treasurer position is held for life or until the Treasurer resigns or is voted out of office.

     The Treasurer is responsible for ensuring that all debts incurred by the Apostles are paid in a timely manner, including but not limited to all land/building leases, entertainment expenses, and other sundries. The Treasurer will have full access to all financial information concerning the Order. It is the responsibility of the office of Treasurer to keep the Speaker, Vice Speaker, and the Council, informed regarding financial matters. Not limited to but including overdue loans, financial default, building funds, and additional chapter house funding. The Treasurer may transfer money between funds, but at no time shall the Treasurer withdraw the Order's money into hard currency. The Treasurer will keep books pertaining to dues owed, and outstanding loans. The Treasurer is responsible for reporting members who have remained delinquent in their payments for more than 3 months and recommending punishments up to and including dismissal from the apostles.

     It is the Treasurer's responsibility to issue standard loans, interest free loans and grants. The Treasurer may only issue grants for the purpose of offsetting dues. The council sets limitations to the circle requirements for grants.

     In certain situations it may become necessary to take a vote of "No Confidence" against the Treasurer and remove him or her from the position. If this occurs, the Council, Vice Speaker, and Speaker will meet to appoint a new Treasurer.
Back To Top

V: Council Members

    The Council shall consist of 10 seats, which are filled based on membership numbers and qualified applicants. It shall be considered the governing body of the Order. All 10 Council seats must be filled at all times.

    No officer of the Order may sit on the Council while they hold office. The vacating council member appoints their replacement for the Council or they may request that the position be filled by vote of the remaining counselors.

    Any Council member voted into office will immediately vacate his or her seat, without the option of being able to appoint his or her replacement. A Council seat left vacant because the member was voted into office will be filled by a vote of the remaining Council body.

    In the event that a council member has missed 4 consecutive council meetings, the remaining council members may choose to vote that seat vacant, and vote in a replacement member.

    It is the responsibility of the council to allow the Speaker, Vice Speaker, and Treasurer to submit reports and motions to the council regarding official Apostle business.

    Counselors will have the authority and responsibility of voting in the Officers of the Order. The Council will have the authority and responsibility of voting in new members or voting out existing members.

    The Council will have the authority to amend the Charter and by-laws with a majority vote.

    The Council will have the authority and responsibility for setting the interest rate charged to those members who take out new loans. Existing loan rates are not effected by this change. The Council will have the authority to raise or lower the loan limit of any order member. It is the duty of the council to discuss any changes to current loans with the treasurer prior to voting.

    The Council and Officers have the authority to set required monthly tasks and are responsible for the planing and formation of events; the purpose of which is to recruit new members, foster good will or raise revenue to offset dues.

    The Council will have the authority and responsibility of setting the dues the members are required to pay. The Treasurer will have the authority and responsibility for setting the interest rate charged on those members who take out loans. The Treasurer and the Council will have the authority to raise or lower the loan limit of any member of the Order.

    In certain situations it may become necessary to take a vote of "No Confidence" against a Counselor and remove him or her from the position. If this occurs, the remaining Council and Officers will meet to appoint a new council member.

    There are no term limits on the Counselors, a council position is held for life or until the Counselor in question resigns or is voted out of office. In the event a council member cannot be contacted, and has missed four consecutive council meetings, the remaining council may vote that council member's seat vacant, and vote in a replacement member.
Back To Top

VI: Sub-officers

    Council members and officers have the option to form distinct subdivisions within the Apostles. Subdivisions are approved by council vote. After the formation of subdivision, officers and counselors may appoint Sub-officers to help develop and carry out the subdivision's functions. Sub-officers are governed by and subject to the same rules and guide lines set for council members.
Back To Top

VII: Subdivisions

    Subdivisions are formed for the purpose of expanding the influences and prestige of the Apostles. Each subdivision is given a name suited to the nature of its existence.

    The Wolfpack subdivision is responsible for the training of new members, approval of membership, and the conduct of all members.

    The Champions responsibilities are training members in the art of combat and warfare, updating strategies and the formation of group hunting/combat events.

    The Artifactors of the Apostles provide members with training in trades and arts, collect and process information, and focus on both practical and scholarly pursuits.

    The Attendants subdivision is composed largely of empaths, clerics and younger guild members, though all people of all levels are welcome. This branch supplies the tactical support to all combat troops during times of conflict and works to provide continued service to the community in times of peace.
Back To Top

VIII: Admissions Procedures

    An applicant seeking membership in the Order of Apostles must fill out the sponsorship application located in the provincial administrator of orders office located in each of the major cities of Elanthia. After they have submitted the application they will need to prepare a speech on why they are interested in joining the order and present this speech to a member of the training division. If this statement is found favorable the candidate is sponsored by the Wolfpack subdivision and must go through a training seminar, one week of adaptive training, and a follow up meeting. Sponsorship is done by the Wolfpack subdivision as a whole and thus a candidate does not need to meet the same person each time. Upon completion of the training the candidate is a member of the Apostles and will be formally sworn in at the next general meeting.
Back To Top

IX: Closing

    In closing we hope you will add your strength to ours and find it within yourself to become involved. To pledge yourself to any group is to seek to become more than just one man or woman. You are seeking to be part of some larger picture. Never think that you are too young or inexperienced to start or to make a difference. Many of our members have spent year upon year, rank upon rank, leading and learning, and yet still discover something new everyday. Learning and self-discovery is one gift of being an Apostle. However, the greatest gift comes as a result of interacting with others. The chance to meet and help people will fill you with that warm intangible gift. It is a gift we hope you will accept and share with ever person you meet in the cities and wilderness of Elanthia.
Back To Top