RITES

Rites are ceremonial activities that form the core of what it means to be a Kin of Northmen. Rites provide the structure, rules, enforcement, and self-reflection on which our daily lives are intended to grow. The Rites of Northmen are the responsibilities assumed by those who join the Kin, establishing common values, an avenue for justice, and a way to peacefully live together as free people.

Council

A Council is a meeting of Northmen, led by volunteer Elders, to address operational necessities of Northmen, resolve disputes between members, seek justice for wrongdoing, or any other logistical or legal requirements. Council shall:

  • Be convened when deemed necessary, or at least once every 3 months.

  • Be announced to all members of Northmen.

  • Be held in buildings, areas, or channels accessible to all Northmen.

  • Be recorded, by whatever means, in an objective manner.

  • Be led by a Councilspeaker and at least one other Elder. Elders are forbidden from inebriation during a Council, meaning they MUST be sober and of good mental health and condition if they are to be heard and considered during a Council. Elders who do not meet this requirement are to recuse themselves from deliberation at the Council.

  • If the Council is to be held because of a dispute or in seeking of justice, a Lawspeaker shall be appointed. The Councilspeaker cannot be appointed as the Lawspeaker. The Lawspeaker is to be the coordinator and referee for the pursuit of justice, conducting the flow of the Council to gain evidence, argumentation, and ultimately a decision on the case at hand.

  • Only be called to a close when all matters have been settled.

Great Council

Great Council is a yearly Council meeting that is meant to address the rules, operation, and health of Northmen itself. Great Council shall:

  • Be held every year, around the(end of September.

  • Be led by a Councilspeaker and at least one other Elder.

  • Present, amend, and approve the Bylaws of Northmen.

  • Present the topics and issues addressed by Councils throughout the prior year, and reasonably debate their procedural issues, member behaviors, and overall law application. The Great Council is not the time to debate the decisions/outcomes of a specific Council, but instead to scrutinize the Council process as a whole.

Induction (WIP)

The following are steps to be inducted into the Northmen as a member:

  1. You must clearly announce your intention to join Northmen to the other Kin. A Council will be called to enumerate this list of requirements and a decision will be made to allow your Oath or to reject your membership.

  2. You must be recognized as an adult, having previously completed a Coming of Age Rite.

  3. You must possess, upkeep, and regularly practice with a modern combat-ready weapon, such as a pistol, rifle, shotgun, or similar. You must safely present this weapon for consideration and demonstrate basic proficiency with it before the Council.

  4. You must disclose to the Council any potential risks or issues that may interfere with your Kinship, such as chronic disease, drug addiction, warrants, or blood feuds. A failure to disclose relevant risks will be grounds for a Council to reject or remove membership.

  5. You must read these Bylaws before the Council, announce your acceptance and voluntary compliance to these Bylaws of Northmen, and announce your intention to take the Oath of Northmen.

  6. Your induction must be granted by the Councilspeaker, who must ask all Northmen at the Council to offer reasons to block your Oath and induction to Northmen. The Councilspeaker must gain a clearly unanimous acceptance of your intention to take the Oath before allowing you to proceed.

  7. You must recite the following Oath of Northmen: “I, as a free and honorable person, without force or coercion, and by my own will do hereby swear the Oath of Northmen: I pledge the dirt of my land, I pledge the lot of my wealth, I pledge the sweat of my brow, I pledge the steel of my arms, I pledge the blood of my life to the defense, upkeep, health, and continuation of the Northmen. I vow to honor my Kin, act in accordance with the Values, champion the Virtues, and be bound by the Bylaws of the Northmen.“

  8. You must be approached by each Northmen acting in the Council, including the Councilspeaker, and any other Northmen who wish to engage in the Oath of Kinship, individually swear to each such Northman the Oath of Kinship: “I vow to you and your Kin that I and my Kin are to be one, my Kin are your Kin, and your Kin are mine.” The addressed Northman responds “Mine is yours and yours is mine, beloved Kin.”