Comhairle Dhraoithe Charter
We, the members of Comhaltacht Draiocht do on this day of
November 5, 2005 create and empower the council to be known as Comhairle Dhraoithe to act for Comhaltacht Draiocht with the
authority to manage issues of religion, religious education, ordination of clergy the chartering of religious orders and issues
of ritual attendance.
The Comhairle Dhraoithe shall consist of the assembled single
ministerial representatives of the local congregations with each Pobal appointing a single Pobal member to act as ministerial
representative to the Comhairle Dhraoithe, and of the assembled ordained clergy of Comhaltacht Draiocht with each member of
the Comhairle Dhraoithe having one single vote.
One member of the Comhairle Dhraoithe shall by the expressed
choice of a majority vote of the members of the Comhairle Dhraoithe assume the office of chairperson for the Comhairle Dhraoithe.
The office of chairperson will be considered as central among equals and shall always be controlled by a simple majority vote
of the members of the Comhairle Dhraoithe.
Comhairle Dhraoithe Customs
It is our custom the Comhairle Dhraoithe business be conducted
by council vote with each member of the Comhairle Dhraoithe having one vote, and that a quorum consists of a minimum of two
thirds of eligible votes represented and that issues be decide by a simple majority of votes cast with a quorum present.
It is our custom that votes may be taken at either physical
meetings or meeting facilitate by electronic means. To be considered present at a meeting conducted via an electronic forum
one must be documented as connected to the forum and have access to all proceedings of the meeting. Meetings are to be called
by the chairperson as needed when items of business are placed on the agenda.
It is our custom that general business meetings and discussions
of the Comhairle Dhraoithe be open to any Comhaltacht Draiocht member who wishes to silently observe.
It is our custom that the Comhairle Dhraoithe chairperson
schedule meetings, call meetings to order, manage agenda and votes, maintain records of council proceedings and act as a representative
of the Comhairle Dhraoithe announcing to the membership of Comhaltacht Draiocht the disposition of items of business. The
chairperson may appoint a secretary, or staff to assist in these duties during his or her term.
It is our custom that our chairperson appoint a deputy from
among the members of the Comhairle Dhraoithe and that the deputy will act as chair of the Comhairle Dhraoithe in the absence
of the chairperson or if the chair person is unable to discharge the duties of office.
It is our custom that should our chairperson be present
at a meeting and refuse to discharge the duties of office though able, he or she will be deemed to have resigned.
It is our custom that an election for chairperson shall
be conducted in two stages the first stage being a nomination process conducted with quorum present and the second stage being
a vote with quorum present. Any nominee may decline nomination. In the event of a tie, the vote will be taken again to choose
between the tied candidates. Should the election process be conducted through an email based written electronic forum each
stage of the election shall be given one week or until all votes present have been cast.
It is our custom that in the event of the death, permanent
incapacitation, resignation or removal of a sitting chairperson, the deputy shall become acting chairperson and that all other
business shall halt while election proceedings for a new chairperson are conducted and that when the new chairperson is elected
he or she shall immediately appoint a deputy and business shall be resumed.
It is our custom that the agenda be maintained openly and
publicly.
It is our custom that any Comhairle Dhraoithe member may
place an item of business on the agenda and shall be the only person who can withdraw an agenda item from the agenda prior
to a vote.
It is our custom that items on the agenda be dealt with
in the order placed on the agenda with any motion to table an item being subject to a general vote of the council.
It is our custom that a group of nine or more Comhaltacht
Draiocht members may present to the Comhairle Dhraoithe an application containing a group name, identity statement, mission
statement and basic set of group customs for recognition as a religious order The proposed name, identity and mission must
be in accord with the identity and mission of Comhaltacht Draiocht and outline a clear spiritual intention. The proposed customs
must be in accord with Comhaltacht Draiocht customs and include requirements for membership in the religious order, how the
religious order is structured, how leaders in the religious order are selected and removed. When an application is received
it will be examined to insure that all requirements are in order, and if found not to be in order recommendations will be
sent to the applicants to assist them in meeting the requirements and when the application is in order the Comhairle Dhraoithe
shall issue a charter to form and authorize the new religious order.
It is our custom that any representative member of this
council who is not ordained as Comhaltacht Draiocht clergy shall receive a certificate of ministry.
It is our custom that adult members of Comhaltacht Draiocht
who are graduates of an approved seminary or clergy training program may apply for ordination by the Comhairle Dhraoithe.
Application must include verification of relevant education, personal spiritual goals, and how the applicant intends to serve
the membership of Comhaltacht Draiocht. The applicant may also include character references if he or she should choose. When
the application is in order it shall be presented to the membership of the Comhairle Dhraoithe and an interview during a council
meeting will be scheduled where members of the council will be allowed to question the applicant. After the questioning if
there is no motion to oppose ordination the applicant will be considered approved. If there is a motion to oppose the approval
process will go to a vote of the council with the member opposing ordination first allowed to state reasons and the applicant
then being allowed to respond.
It is our custom that any adult member of Comhaltacht Draiocht
who, without having graduated from an approved seminary or clergy training program feels that he or she should qualify for
ordination based on independent study, apprenticeship, and or practical experience may apply to the Comhairle Dhraoithe for
ordination with an application detailing reasons for qualification, personal spiritual goals how the applicant intends to
serve the membership of Comhaltacht Draiocht and at least three character witnesses. When the application is in order it shall
be presented to the membership of the Comhairle Dhraoithe and an interview during a council meeting will be scheduled where
members of the council will be allowed to question the applicant. When there are no more relevant questions from the floor
of the meeting then the issue shall proceed to a vote of the Comhairle Dhraoithe.
It is our custom that the Comhairle Dhraoithe may, as needed
vote to form and charter sub councils or offices to manage the day to day administrative operations of the Comhairle Dhraoithe.
