1 9438 Page Funded by Heathen Art LLC Streetsboro, OH 44241 Director, Benjamin Richard Long (Gothi, Founder) United State of America [email protected] http://odinbrotherhood.webs.com Drafted, Dec/ 21/ 2011 The Odin Brotherhood is a church and fellowship of Wotanists who identify themselves as following the teachings of Wotan predicated from the book A Walk with our Ancestors. Any child of Odin qualifies as a po- tential Wotanist. Being kin is only the first step in declaring faith, the Holy powers mandate that one be whole in mind, body, and spirit to truly be a child of the Holy Powers. Our ancient fathers had an identity, that iden- tity was shared by the kin. Without that identity there would have been no kin. Wotanism is an expression of the spirit, the kin, and the individual. Those that keep the teachings of Wotan are blessed. Those that ignore his teachings fall into the shadow. Those that betray his teachings are ultimately hated and despised. The mo- ment a kin becomes a Wotanist is the discovery of the Holy Powers. A kin declaring themselves a member of of Wotan’s flock is a Wotanist. Any that willfully betray him is an enemy of the kin. Wotan is the expression of the kin, Wotan resides in our memory and soul as the archetype of our people. If there were no Wotan then there would be no Folk. Our existence is predicated on his existence. As well as his existence is predicated on ours. Since the two are mutually inclusive and dependent on each other, should one cease to exist then likewise the other shall fall too. Purpose The purpose and intent of the Odin brotherhood is to bring the light of Wotan to the World. Wotan is known by many names including Wotan, Odin, as well as a variety of other names as described in the Edda. It is the mission of the church to suit the spiritual needs of all Wotanists and members of the church. Missions of the church include ministry to people who identify themselves as Wotanists, Prisoners who need spiritual relief, as well as tending the spiritual needs of people who request services from our church. We intend on creating a stone on which our faith will grow and advance the will of the kin so that people may understand the Will of Wotan. Structure The structure of the Odin Brotherhood is predicated by the teachings David Eden Lane, Benjamin R. Long, as well as members of the Odin Brotherhood. No part of this constitution may be modified unless the director appends amendments to the this constitution that are collective approved by a majority of the religious leaders who are duly appointed by the director. Founding Structure 1.) Primary book for faith, A Walk with our Ancestors 2.) The Nine Noble Virtues 3.) The Nine Charges 4.) The 88 Precepts 5.) Creed of Iron 6.) Havamal X_____________________________ Director, The Odin Brotherhood Benjamin R. Long 12/ 21/ 2011 2 Statement for Revenue The primary method for generating revenue for the Church is through sale of media though the Company Hea- then Art. Literature and Artwork will be produced with a percentage of the proceeds going towards The Odin Brotherhood. This is the primary method by which the Odin Brotherhood will fund itself. The secondary meth- od by which the Odin Brotherhood will fund itself is through donation programs run through the webs site and by members and affiliates with the church. At no time will the Odin Brotherhood ever impose a tithe or tax on a member or mandate a payment against the member’s will. Also any church service such as Marriage, Funeral, Confession, or ritual will ever incur a tax to perform. Should there be an inconvenience and the service be out of the way then the clergy may impose a few to cover his expenses. Other than that no service may have a cost associated with it. Sometimes individual Kindreds may need to fund an event. Kindreds have the power to col- lect donations to conduct an event. Should a prisoner be serving a felony conviction in a correctional Institute on a sentence of five years or greater qualifies for a free copy of our core book that the Odin Brotherhood will pay for. Each prisoner that requests will receive on free copy of literature and must pay for a replacement in the event they need a replacement. All members that are part of a kindred should be provided with a copy of the core book as well as the membership guide when they are identified as members. The Gothi in charge of the Kindred shall make the description for the kindred to pay for the literature or may request that the member purchase a copy. The membership Guide is available on the church website, if the member elects to purchase it then they will be charged 8 dollars for a hard copy that is available from book resellers. Powers and Responsibilities of the Director The director is a position that is equivalent of the bishop of the Odin Brotherhood. There can only be one director at a time and is the ultimate authority on matters pertaining to the Church. Upon incorporation of the church the founder, Benjamin R. Long is the Director. The director may determine association with other organizations as well as having full administrative control of the organization. The director also has the power to veto a proposed amendment to this constitution. No power may override the veto should the director find the proposed amendment not in the best interest of the Organization. When there is a vacancy in the position of Director then the Clergy may vote collectively to appoint a new director. Once the new director is appointed the is no power to remove the director from appointment. A new director may be appointed by a collective two thirds vote of established clergy. The director is a senior leadership position who has the power to create canon to the Wotanist creed as well as modify the constitution of the Odin Brotherhood. Should there be a new direc- tor appointed then the senior clergy shall draft a letter of appointment listing the signatures of all the approving clergy that corroborate the appointment 1.) The Director has full control over Assets of the Odin Brotherhood 2.) The Direct may appoint Clergy and ordain members 3.) The Director May append to the Consitution, however he may not add his own contributions, the only addi- tions must be from lower level leaders and approve their recommendations 4.) The director has the authority to resolve disputes and judge tribunals 5.) The Director has the sole authority to order a shunning 6.) The Director has the Authority to authorize church sponsored programs and publications 7.) The director has the final say in all matters. Since the Director is a senior leadership position the director should have experience in leadership, psy- chology, theology, business administration as well as having the moral standards required of a Wotanist. The director may only be removed if he is declared mentally unfit, by a lawful authority. In this event the director would be medically unable to conduct his duties and it would be considered a vacancy. The director must be a Wotanist for longer than 15 years to qualify as a candidate for the position. X_____________________________ Director, The Odin Brotherhood Benjamin R. Long 12/ 21/ 2011 3 Powers of the Gothi The Gothi is the most visible leader of the kindred and the foundation of the kindred. Members of the Gothar are Ordained Clergy and must have a letter from the director appointing them to the position. The Go- thar have the power to conduct marriages, funerals, and take confessions. Also the Gothi are the Authority on conducting ritual and ceremony, however a group ritual may be performed by Liaison if no Gothi is available. A Gothi is the equivalent of a priest and performs all the same duties as a priest. In jurisdiction where there is attorney client privilege the Gothi are prohibited from revealing the nature of a confession. Even in the event the jurisdiction compels testimony the Gothi is to refuse to testify and use all powers at his disposal to resist testimony. This does not pertain to conspiracies or future events that the person is planning on committing as that is not a confession rather more a conspiracy. Appointments to this position require approval from the di- rector and a letter is required to prove clergy status for tax exemption. 1.) Gothi must be a Wotanist in our faith for at least five years. 2.) Gothi must be educated and pass an exam to prove knowledge 3.) Gothi must possess the leadership qualities necessary to qualify for position 4.) Gothar that qualify and are ordained must abide the by laws 5.) May conduct clergy functions as normal ministers 6.) Must meet moral requirements as predicated by the literature. A liaison may be appointed in the event there is no existing Gothi for the kindred, however liaisons are not ministers and cannot perform the legal functions of a minister Duties of the Wotanist Members of the organization are to carry on rituals and participate whenever they can, they are to fol- low the rules of the organization as well as attend rituals whenever possible and do their contribution to the or- ganization. Any qualifying person may be a member of the church, however a Gothi has to approve you as a member to be anything higher than an inductee.