Policies

• Integrity: The application of ethical behavior, adherence to our code of conduct, accountability, and honor. We will act with integrity in all things we do, individually and collectively, and with a spirit of accountability that is not punitive, but restorative. This includes the pursuit of justice, growth, and compassion. 

• Wisdom: The application of collective knowledge, feeling, and experience. We will seek to teach and learn from one another. We will take the opportunity as individuals and as a group, to develop our knowledge and experience for the benefit of the Protogrove, our community, and the human community to the best of our ability. We shall also listen for and learn from the wisdom of the 3 Kindreds around us. 

• Piety: The application of spiritual practice, religious community, and worship. We will honor the 3 Kindreds and one another through regular practice, ritual, and fellowship. This will be done in ways decided by the group; performed with gravity, intentionality, and honor.  

• Vision: The application of ambition, forethought, and hope. We will seek to pursue the vision of ADF and our Protogrove to the best of our ability. We will act with forethought, organization, and look to the future with cautious hope as best we can, and  make decisions with wisdom. We will also honor our role as stewards of the present to craft a world for future generations with care. 

• Courage: The application of bravery and steadfastness. We will act with integrity and in the face of fear and uncertainty, with collective bravery. This is the ability to act when required and to face difficulty without quitting. We will face accountability with honor and act together to pursue just, needful outcomes. 

• Perseverance: The application of resilience and mutual support. We will seek to support one another and the Protogrove through difficulty and hardship by collective and individual effort. This results in resilience and the ability to carry on and grow. 

• Hospitality: The application of compassion, generosity, and open-mindedness. We seek to open our fellowship to all who wish to join it in good faith and pursue behavior that supports the values and well-being of the community. We seek to support one another, encourage the  best in one another, share our resources with the Protogrove and the community, and work toward the common good. 

• Moderation: The application of restraint, thoughtfulness, and organization. We will seek to act wisely and with due thought in our actions as well as to consider the well-being of our community. This means making decisions with intentionality, conserving resources, spending with adequate planning, and maintaining clear organization 

• Fertility: The application of creativity and innovation. We will seek to explore, experiment, and find new and better ways to do our spiritual and organizational work. We will encourage creativity in our community and celebrate the diversity and innovations this brings to the best of our ability. 

Code of Conduct: In addition to our values, we ask all who join us to follow our code of conduct so that we may create a safe, open, accountable, and healthy community. 

1. Consent: We operate on the basis of consent. All activities and rituals are non-mandatory and people may participate at their own comfort level. Touching, personal questions, magical works, prayer for, and physical/romantic overtures must have verbal, enthusiastic consent before being performed by anyone toward anyone else in the Protogrove. 

2. Respect: We seek to respect the humanity and dignity of all members of the Protogrove and the human and spiritual communities. This includes respect of personal identity, traumas, pronouns, disabilities, and/or boundaries. This does not preclude discussion and disagreement but rather establishes a basis for mutual respect of human dignity between Protogrove members. 

3. Accountability: We seek to as a group and individuals be accountable for the consequences of our actions. This means hearing out people when they feel hurt, having honest discussions about how we can do better, and coming to mutually agreed upon solutions to problems. Hemlock Vales reserves the right to ask anyone who violates its Code of Conduct to not participate in the Protogroves functions anymore in the interest of a safe, healthy community. 

4. Moderation: We ask people to act with wisdom and moderation in our spaces. Please do not overindulge or attend if you are overly intoxicated on any substance. There may be some use of alcohol during rituals or meetings but this must be done in moderation and with boundaries. 

5. Safety: Physical and emotional safety is our aim in building this community. We ask that all people who join us work to maintain the physical safety of themselves and others to the best of their ability. Those who jeopardize that safety will be asked to leave. We also aim to uphold a space of emotional safety through our Code of Conduct and fellowship. Serious discussions will be had if this safety is compromised and may lead to measures of accountability at the behest of the community and Grove Organizer. 

6. Belief: Hemlock Vales Protogrove does not require any orthodoxy or standardized belief of its members. The practices and focus are set to create a cohesive community of practice but this does not require a shared view of Truth. We welcome a diversity of beliefs and people to join our fellowship. 

7. Reciprocity: We operate with Ghosti in mind. We ask that you treat someone as they wish to be treated and expect the same from others. We also ask you keep this in mind when engaging with non-human beings as well as part of our functions as a Protogrove. 

Hemlock Vales Charter