THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
ARTICLE I
Name
The name of this corporation shall be Spiral Tree Grove, Church of the Earth, Inc. (STG, COTE).
Article II
Duration
This duration of this church will be perpetual.
Article III
Purpose
To assemble religious services in a church that welcomes and celebrates all who revere the Goddess and the God , nature, and who adheres to the tenets of the Wiccan Rede ("An it harm none, do as you will")
To create a sense of community and family within our Grove along with chartering (umbrella) groves for the purpose of continuing the lineage of the Spiral Tree Grove Tradition. Family being all members of the Church and it’s it congregation and it’s charters.
This church shall teach the Spiral Tree Tradition’s beliefs to those who seek interest in our philosophies as stated in the by-laws.
This Church will be a non-profit religious organization, volunteered-staffed, and will operate within the means of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 2002, as amended (the "Code"), and all its future provisions. The STG, COTE is not affiliated with any governing religious body. The church will always strive to cooperate with others of like or different faith while maintaining its privilege of self-rule, as set forth in our By-laws.
ARTICLE IV
Provisions
Membership in the church is granted to all who apply, and declare their acceptance of the Rede as a guide for life, and agree with the membership rules as stated in the by-laws.
The general administration of the church shall be vested in a body known as the Board of Directors (BOD)
The Board of Directors shall consist of up to thirteen (13) members, as specified in the by-laws, plus/including the Co-founders of the Spiral Tree Grove Tradition, who shall be ex-officio members of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall organize itself including the election of church officers in a manner specified in the by-laws.
Meetings
Congregational business meetings shall be held at stated intervals, but not less than annually. At the annual meeting, written progress reports shall be submitted by the Co-director, and by each committee of the church. The treasurer for the church and each of its organizations shall submit financial reports. Members shall be informed of all church business meetings not less than one week prior to the meeting. Such information shall include the date, time of meeting, and an agenda of business to be transacted.
Property
In the event of dissolution, the property and all assets of the church shall make payments on all liabilities and the remainder will be auctioned or sold to the local members. After which the monies from the auction and/or sale, and the remaining property will be dispersed to an organization that operated exclusively for the Wiccan religious, educational or charitable purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Board of Directors shall make this decision by majority vote.
Amendments
Amendments in harmony with this constitution and not in conflict with Wiccan principles and practices, and the teaching aspect of the Spiral Tree Grove, Church of the Earth and it’s core Tradition, may be adopted by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting in an annual meeting of the church, providing the proposed amendment was presented in written form at the preceding business meeting.
ARTICLE V
Address
The address of the initial registered office of the Corporation is ##### Street, Warwick, Rhode Island 02889, and the name if it’s initial registered agent at such address is Cheryl J. #######
ARTICLE VI
Officers
The officers of the church shall be 2 Co-directors, a scribe, and a treasurer
ARTICLE VII
Incorporator(s)
The name and address of each Incorporator is:
Melanie F. ####### (address is on original)
Cheryl J. ######## (address is on original)
ARTICLE VIII
Date when corporate existence is to begin, May 15, 2002 C.E.
*The names and addresses of the members are blocked for privacy.
© Copyright- Spiral Tree Grove 2001 (updated 2007)
