Guidelines for the Pagan Campus Organization (PaCO)
The purpose of this outline is to provide a framework for the general functioning of PaCO as a group. This is not a binding set of rules; rather it is a guide intended to facilitate the smooth running of all future incarnations of PaCO. The purpose of these very loose and limited guidelines is to ensure that PaCO remains an informal, open-minded, and flexible group with the aim of avoiding domination by egos, power trips, and/or the control of a few with the exclusion of others.
PaCO defined:
Basically, PaCO is a part discussion, part awareness, and part support group, as well as an all around fun group of people, for those who either identify as pagan, are pagan allies, or are interested in learning more about paganism and don't know where to start. Besides discussion and general socializing, we also host various activities, often in correlation with the Pagan/Neo-Pagan holidays.
There are more pagans on campus here at the University of Maine and in the surrounding communities than others realize, and we serve as an outlet where either pagans, pagan allies, or those questioning their path can gain support and strength in an open yet secure forum where their opinions concerning their path/faith are always respected.
As attendance at UMaine continues to rise, the number of pagans will grow as well, and we hope to leave for them an established group that, rather then judges, embraces their own individual paths and reminds them of the great worth that is staying true to their own heart when it comes to their faith.
Officers
In compliance with university policy, two different people must hold the offices of president and treasurer.
Other than that, a person can hold titles simultaneously if said titles are vacant. If someone comes along and wants one of the titles, then the person holding the titles can choose which one they wish to keep.
Terms of office are for one year: from September to the following September. At least one officer is elected/chosen in May so they can start the meetings when classes resume in the fall.
Officers are chosen by acclamation for offices that are uncontested. If more than one person wants any position, the position will be decided by secret ballot. Simple plurality wins-ties will result in runoffs until a decision is made, or other method is chosen.
Consecutive terms are allowed.
In the interest of maintaining continuity, it is highly recommended that at least one of the officers be an undergraduate who is not planning on leaving the university at the end of the spring semester and who will be available to offer guidance to the group the following year. If this is not possible, then it is the outgoing officer's responsibility to ensure that an incoming student or undergraduate who is interested in taking an office can do so with the outgoing officer's approval.
The specific duties of each office will be at the collective discretion of the officers. An important reminder: the title held is not important if the group doesn’t function. To that end, group decisions will be made as a group- no one person can override the desires of the group.
The primary responsibilities of the collective officer corps is to ensure:
- Conversation is stimulated
- All opinions are respected
- All input is actively encouraged
Meetings
The time, location, and format of the meetings are at the discretion of the group and should reflect the wishes of the current group.
A format that has been found to work rather well is the following:
* A weekly two hour meeting
- Activities are planned
- Business between officers and those interested in contributing is resolved
- Aid can be sought by those with issues/concerns/questions who are not comfortable voicing their concerns in an open forum. A closed-door policy is to always be respected.
- Any other business at the discretion of the officers or by the wishes of the group
* A weekly informal "coffee hour" discussion
- Held in a comfortable setting
- A relaxed atmosphere conducive to free-flowing conversation
* Periodic activities involving either the group or the university community as a whole
- Bonfires to celebrate the important Pagan holidays
- Candle-making sessions
- Pagan Fun Nights
- Whatever else the group can dream up
Remember: PaCO should be treated as a welcome break from your studies/work. If it is treated as such, then you will have a good time, make new friends, and educate yourself and others through conversation and activities about paganism.
You can also view the original PaCO Constitution, from way back when.
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