1) The purpose of UTPS is to provide an opportunity:

a) For individuals who share an interest in Pagan Spirituality to gather together for companionship, conversation, fellowship, support, and merriment;

b) To discuss and debate ideas in Pagan theology, philosophy, mythology, and folklore;

c) To share skills and understanding of any inquiry of mutual interest in Pagan arts such as divination, healing, herbs, gems, meditation, stones, scents, etc.;

d) To seek the assistance of the University of Toronto Pagan (UTP) Chaplain(s) who shall be available, at his/her discretion, at meetings or by telephone to respond to matters of Pagan interest such as theology, philosophy, and the spiritual quest;

e) To host public events such as dances, debates, films, fundraising, music, parties, theatre, etc.;

f) To invite elders, specialists, and experts to address the UTPS Membership on matters of mutual interest in Pagan arts, spirituality, literature, or philosophy; and

g) For interested persons to network in order to form their own ritual groups, according to their experiences, beliefs, and temperaments

2) The purpose of UTPS is NOT:

a) To function as a ritual circle. It is the opinion of the UTP Chaplain(s) and UTPS Members that a Pagan ritual is a delicate and intimate environment that is most advisedly pursued in private, among committed members, with experienced leaders rather than in the necessarily public conditions and fluctuating membership of a university club. However, the UTP
Chaplain(s) or Members in good standing may occasionally lead rituals with Members in good standing;

b) To proselytize, induct, recruit, initiate, conscript, enlist, draft, or in any way coerce, impel, pressure, harass, or coax other people into sharing our beliefs, and this extends both to those within UTPS and on campus;

c) To ridicule, mock, belittle, humiliate, abuse, or disparage traditions other than one’s own, either of Paganism or any other religious beliefs, believers, leaders, or practices; nor

d) To operate as a priesthood training coven

II. Membership

1) General Membership in UTPS is open to all members of the University of Toronto, including full- and part-time undergraduates, graduate students, staff, faculty, and alumni of the University of Toronto.

2) Voting Members must be affiliated with the University of Toronto, must attend at least three meetings in the current academic year, and be considered in good standing.

3) Members in good standing are defined as members whom, in the opinion of the majority of Members, uphold the nature and spirit of the Constitution. All members are considered in good standing unless their standing is contested.

4) If a Member’s standing is contested, the Executive shall hold an anonymous vote. If the majority of the Members consider an individual to not be in good standing, this does not preclude the said individual from Membership.

5) UTPS shall not withhold Membership on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, or mental or physical disability.

III. Executive Membership

1) The UTPS Executive shall consist of three (3) Members of equal rank and responsibility whose duties include:

a) Arranging events and meetings and booking meeting space;

(i) Being a liaison between UTPS and Hart House;

b) Notifying Members of upcoming events;

c) Being a liaison between UTPS and the Students’ Administrative Council (SAC), Student Affairs (SA), and the University of Toronto community at large;

(i) Renewing the recognition of UTPS by SAC each year;

(ii) Renewing the recognition of UTPS by SA each year;

d) Maintaining, moderating, and managing the UTPS website, email address(es), and online groups; and

e) Attending events and meetings, keeping minutes, and keeping attendance records for voting eligibility

2) The Executive Emeritus is an honorary position that may be added upon the request of the Executive Members and the acceptance of the requested individual. It may be filled by any previous Executive Member who shall act as an advisor and support to the Executive Members concerning issues of policy and leadership.

3) The Executive shall be elected at the end of the Fall/Winter academic year. Any Member may run for an Executive position. The Executive must be elected by a majority of the Voting Members.

IV. The Chaplaincy

1) UTPS believes that inspired spiritual leaders are an important part of our group and we appreciate the hard work and dedication of the University of Toronto Pagan (UTP) Chaplain(s).

2) UTPS believes that the participation of the UTP
Chaplain(s) in the group must be conditional upon the desires of the UTPS Members:

a) The participation of any UTP Chaplain(s) is at the discretion of UTPS and the individual Chaplain(s). This relationship should be voted upon by the Voting Membership in the same way that constitutional changes are voted upon;

b) The position of the UTP Chaplain(s) within UTPS should be, primarily, to advise the group or individuals on issues of spirituality. But, it may also include leadership of celebrations, discussions and teachings of Pagan theology, spirituality, or philosophy;

c) The UTP Chaplain(s) do(es) not have voting privileges within UTPS. As this is a student-run organization, UTPS considers it to be inappropriate for one holding a position of authority over the students to vote;

(i) In the event of any discrepancy between the position of UTP Chaplain and the status of University of Toronto student, staff, or alumni within UTPS, it is the opinion of UTPS that the UTP Chaplain(s) should abstain from voting and/or Executive Membership in light of any potential conflict of interest; and

d) UTPS recognizes the right of the UTP Chaplain(s) to work independently of UTPS to represent his/her spiritual beliefs on campus and we, UTPS, reserve our right to represent ours, even if these differ

V. Meetings

1) UTPS meetings shall be held at least once a month at a place and time determined by the group.

2) Monthly UTPS meetings should be held at a venue readily accessible to students at the University of Toronto’s St. George Campus.

3) Monthly UTPS meetings should not require fees, donations, or any other contributions from the General Membership, the UTP Chaplain(s), or the Executive Membership.

VI. Finances

1) UTPS is self-sufficient economically, and as such has no budget or budgeting plans.

2) UTPS has no Membership fees.

3) Should a UTPS event be planned that involves an admission fee, ticket, cover charge, bus/subway fare, etc., individual Members would be required to pay their own ways. These events would only be planned in addition to regularly accessible monthly meetings.

4) UTPS may wish to fundraise the money to cover special projects and/or events (e.g. T-shirts, a trip to the Renaissance Fair).

5) UTPS may also apply to SAC for funds to assist in the cost of above ventures.

VII. The Constitution

1) All Members of UTPS shall have access to the Constitution.

2) Any Member may, at any time, suggest constitutional changes and/or amendments.

3) Changes and/or amendments must be approved by a majority of the Voting Membership.

4) Throughout the Constitution a majority is defined as half (50%) + one (1).