Lowcountry Council of Alternative Spiritual Traditions
(C.A.S.T.)
Mission Statement

Name:

The legal name of this organization is Charleston Council of Alternative Spiritual Traditions, hereinafter referred to as C.A.S.T. This organization is based in Charleston, South Carolina.

Purpose:

C.A.S.T. was organized to establish an open forum facilitating links between celebrants of alternative spiritual paths, exclusively for religious, educational, and charitable purposes to promote and carry out the interaction and understanding of those who follow alternative spiritual/religious paths. The organization upholds the freedom of religion as protected by the Constitution of the United States and the inherent dignity that resides within each person as a Child of the Earth by whatever Names he/she chooses to call upon Them. C.A.S.T. is politically neutral and membership is open to all who follow an "Alternative Spiritual Path", no matter the label placed upon that path. The organization acts as a networking entity for those who follow alternative spiritual paths and its functions and purposes include the following:

I. To facilitate contact and interaction between all celebrants of alternative spiritual paths, whether solitary or part of an established group;

2. To provide practical and effective information on alternative spiritual paths to members of the public, news media, public bodies, state, and federal governments, particularly where such action shall insure that celebrants of alternative spiritual paths enjoy official, moral and legal standing among other religions and in society at large;

3. To maintain a web site on the Internet as a networking tool to further the purpose of the organization;

4. To promote mutual counsel, fellowship and cooperation amongst all celebrants of alternative spiritual paths, whether solitaries or groups;

5. To acquire and administer funds which, after the payment of necessary expenses, shall be devoted exclusively to religious, charitable, and educational purposes;

6. To accept absolutely or in trust for any purposes herein set out, any gift, grant, or devise of any real or personal property and carry on all such activities not limited by section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or the corresponding provisions of any subsequent law;

7. To conduct meetings, maintain records and in general, to engage in the business described in these by-laws;

8. To exercise any, all and every power to which an establishment of religion is entitled to under the laws of South Carolina, the United States of America and the Constitution of the United States.

Charleston Council of Alternative Spiritual Traditions C.A.S.T. By-Laws

Meetings will be called to order by the Chair, or the Chair's designate. If the designate is not a board member they may not cast a vote as a board member.

Appropriate board members will give reports and the secretary will read the minutes from the last meeting. These items will be moved into permanent record by a simple 'aye' vote, or corrections may be made and presented at the following meeting. These minutes, and the agenda for the next meeting will be posted on the website by the end of five business days.

The chair, or designate, will present and ask for discussions on old topics, and present the slate of new topics. These topics may be discussed, voted upon, and passed during the current meeting or they may be tabled for further investigation.

All motions must be moved and seconded by separate members. The presenting member may not move or second the motion.

Any new topics presented will be included in the next agenda. At the discretion of the majority of the attending board this topic may be discussed during the current meeting. However no vote may be taken unless a majority of the attending members agrees to decide on the issue immediately.

The board, by a simple majority vote, has the authority to remove a member from the membership roll. All board members must meet to cast a vote. If a majority cannot be reached by the board, the removal will be opened to the general membership for vote. The board must present the removal, and their reasons, at the next public meeting. A proposal from the general membership may be presented to reinstate the removed member, which would be voted upon at the next meeting.

A member will be considered in good standing if they physically attend at least one meeting per quarter. If the member is physically unable to attend due to illness, or other matters that would take them away from the Lowcountry, they may continue to be presented by proxy and remain a member in good standing. All members must sign the membership roll book, which will be kept by the Secretary.

No member may claim voting privileges (proxy votes) for others without documentation that must be approved by a majority of the board. This documentation must contain the name, and signature of a member in good standing, and state their intention to be represented by that member for that meeting.

The board consists of these four positions: Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer and Secretary.

Nominations for Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer and Secretary will be presented at the second to last meeting of the current year, (November), and voted upon at the last meeting of the current year (December). Nominees must agree to the post. If a board position is vacated during the year, the board, by simple majority, may ask and fill the position from the membership rolls. Board members will take office on the first meeting of every new year (January).

Notes: A board forum is declared if there is one attending board member. A member forum is declared if there are three or more attending non-board members present.

If absentee votes are presented, the votes will be counted, but final tally will not be formally presented until the following meeting.