The name of the organization shall be the “Alliance of Military Heathens” abbreviated as “AMH”. Hofs are authorized to decide upon a private name for their own Hof; however, official names for Hofs are determined by the Council and should be an easily identifiable locality (e.g., Anchorage Hof) with which the Hof is affiliated, the region in which the Hof members primarily reside (e.g., Alaskan Interior Hof), or may be the name of the military installation (e.g., JBER Hof) where the Hof is sponsored, unless the Council approves an alternate official name.

References within these bylaws and other AMH materials to the “community” refer to the totality of AMH members across the entire organization. References to titles or positions, and all authorities granted by AMH, apply only to AMH and its members. AMH does not recognize titles or authorities of other religious organizations, regardless of similarity, unless the Council expressly declares reciprocity.

AMH is organized exclusively for religious purposes and adheres to the characteristics attributed to an “association of churches” and our Hofs as “churches” in accordance with the guidance established by the Internal Revenue Service and federal courts.  According to the IRS, “Churches (including integrated auxiliaries and conventions or associations of churches) that meet the requirements of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code are automatically considered tax exempt and are not required to apply for and obtain recognition of exempt status from the IRS.” 

As such, AMH affirms its right to operate as a religious organization and exercise all powers and abilities granted to such institutions, including the endorsement of individuals to act as clergy for our community and provide religious services when and as authorized by Federal and State governments.

However, we acknowledge this right does not extend to or fulfill the requirements of an ecclesiastical endorsing agent for military chaplains as defined by the Armed Forces Chaplains Board  and DoDI 1304.28, Paragraph 4.2,  nor does AMH make any premise to engage in such endorsements.

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1. Internal Revenue Service “Churches Defined”

2. Internal Revenue Service “Churches, Integrated Auxiliaries, and Conventions or Associations of Churches”

3. Office of the Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness “Military Personnel Policy: Armed Forces Chaplains Board”

4. DoD Instruction 1304.28 “The Appointment and Service of Chaplains”

AMH and its officers, when acting in an official capacity, will not facilitate or engage in the distribution or collection of gifts, funds, donations, or any other form of monetary asset for the purposes of conducting the business of AMH or to hold, manage, or own on behalf of the organization. At no time will compensations be made or accepted by AMH or its officers for any reason or to any persons on behalf of the organization or in the performance of their official duties. Any expenditures made or assets managed, held, or owned by members of AMH that may relate to the organization and its business are matters of private property and discretion and are not considered charitable as defined by the US Internal Revenue Service nor managed, held, or owned by the organization.

No substantial part of the activities of AMH, its officers when acting in an official capacity on behalf of the community, or its membership when participating in AMH sanctioned activities, shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence the legislation of any sovereign state or nation. AMH, its officers when acting in an official capacity on behalf of the community, or its membership when participating in AMH-sanctioned activities, shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office at any level.

1.1. Mission Statement. The mission of the Alliance of Military Heathens is to provide religious support to heathen faith practitioners through the development of Frith by establishing local communities, which we call Hofs. AMH strives to build and provide a safe and inclusive environment for all followers of Norse pagan and heathen faiths, as well as those interested in learning.

1.2. Core Values. AMH considers honor, integrity, and frith to be its core values and the cornerstone of its ethics. The actions, decisions, and interactions of the organization, its officers, and its members should always be guided by these values.

1.2.1. Honor. AMH defines honor as the summation of an individual’s character and interactions with other persons. It is the combination of actions and perceptions by which others may judge an individual and a community. AMH expects its members to strive to live in an honorable manner following the examples of our deities, our ancestors, and our personal beliefs.

1.2.2. Integrity. AMH defines integrity as the effort to live and interact honestly and reliably with others and with our own self. Integrity demands that we uphold the morals and ethics of our faith and our convictions. Integrity is a central tenet and foundation upon which the entire community resides.

1.2.3. Frith. AMH defines frith as the bonds of faith, trust, security, and obligation that we develop in our relationships with each other as individuals and as a community through mutually beneficial efforts. Frith is the heart of Heathen ideology. Members of AMH should always seek to uphold their obligations in frith and constantly work to increase their frith with our deities, our ancestors, the spirits of the world, and each other.

1.3. Tenets of Faith. AMH considers the following tenets to be our definition of a foundational approach to Heathenry as a faith tradition. These tenets allow us to exercise our faith together in a cooperative manner with all members of our community. These tenets are not intended to be limiting or all-encompassing, but rather a starting point for common understanding and practice.

1.3.1. AMH defines Heathenry as a modern religious practice based upon the pre-Christian conversion (approximately 400-1000 C.E.) beliefs of the northern European people, originating from the Scandinavian region (arch-heathens), and encapsulated within the Poetic Edda and affiliated sources of Nordic history and mythology. Heathenry is polytheistic and animistic. Its faith traditions are reconstructed from known practices of the arch-heathens and revived with source contemporary texts and practices or modern interpretations where practices are unknown.

1.3.2. Heathenry contains multiple regional interpretations that derive from the various geographic regions of the arch-heathens such as Old Norse, Anglo-Saxon, Gothic, and Frankish, as well as modern denominations like Ásatrú and Forn Siðr. AMH adheres to a foundational approach to heathenry during communal practice derived from Old Norse Heathenry and rooted in our tenets of faith, that focuses on creating a cooperative and comfortable space for all participating practitioners of our faith. Local Hofs may incorporate practices from other interpretations or denominations at the discretion of the Thegn and under the guidance of the Conclave.

1.3.3. AMH defends Heathenry as an inclusive faith tradition that welcomes any person to fellowship and join in practice if they share our faith and so desire. AMH vehemently rejects any approach to Heathenry that would discriminate or ostracize an individual from the faith tradition because of their genetic lineage or cultural heritage. AMH will not align or commune with any organization or individual that holds these discriminatory interpretations of Heathenry.

1.3.4. AMH understands the cosmos as consisting of a temporal and a sacred realm in which all things exist. That which exists in the temporal is bound to the physical manifestation of its being but carries a spiritual aspect that may transcend into the sacred, typically through death. All things bear the potential for both a temporal and sacred manifestation of their being, despite our human capacity to perceive or comprehend them. As humans, we exist in a multi-faceted being that includes the physical manifestation of the Hamr [body] as well as the spiritual aspects of our Hugr [thought], Munr [memory], Fylgia [ancestral luck/spirit], and Hamingja [personal luck].

1.3.5. AMH recognizes Luck and Fate as integral and perceptible influences on the cosmos and all that exists within. Luck is a manifestation of spiritual energy used to influence Fate and is generated from within the self and through our relationships with each other as well as the sacred and the divine, which includes our deities, our ancestors, and the spirits of the world. Fate is a union of what has happened [Urðr], what is happening [Verðandi], and what will happen [Skuld] in our lives, manifested in Ørlǫg [first law] and Wyrd [destiny], that guides and dictates the course of all events and interactions.

1.3.6. AMH relies upon reciprocity as the avenue by which we develop frith with each other, as well as the sacred and divine. Routine engagement in the gifting cycle forms the reciprocal bond that is integral to establishing and maintaining frith and drives the demand for fellowship and sacred rituals within our community.

1.3.7. AMH asserts as its deities of worship the pantheon of Norse gods as codified in the Poetic Edda and affiliated sources of Norse mythology. AMH communal rituals worship the Æsir and Vanir as divine beings in the manner that the arch-heathens understood them. We believe that our deities are capable of existing in both a temporal and a spiritual aspect that is beyond our ability to fully comprehend or replicate. Worship in AMH communal rituals of other beings beyond these, or those beings that may conflict with the Æsir or Vanir (e.g., Jotun, Loki), is only conducted under special dispensation from the HáGoði or Hof Thegn and when all participants agree.

1.3.8. AMH embraces our ancestors and the spirits of the world as sacred beings. We venerate our ancestors as the primary source of our Ørlǫg and Luck, both good and bad, and seek to bring honor to the heritage they gifted to us. In so doing, we establish and leave a better legacy for our descendants to inherit. We honor the spirits of the world as the Vættir of our hearths and of the wild lands around us. We strive to live in harmony with the Vættir and the temporal places in which they dwell.

1.3.9. AMH holds Blót and Sumbl as sacred rituals of Heathenry. Blót is a ritual expression of reciprocity with the sacred and divine for the development of frith. Sumbl is a ritual of communion with others to bind us together in frith, luck, and fate. Engaging in Blót and Sumbl conveys an obligation of frith and union of fate for all participants. Only members of the community in good standing (not under Tribunal review or punitive action) may take part in these rituals during community or Hof events unless the HáGoði or Hof Thegn grants special dispensation for participation to guests.

1.4. Personal Religious Sovereignty. AMH believes that every individual has the sovereign right to define and practice their religious beliefs and traditions as they deem appropriate within their private practice. While AMH and its members agree upon a foundational approach to Heathenry for communal practice that is rooted in our tenets of faith, AMH will never seek to invalidate nor infringe upon the sovereignty of an individual’s private religious practice and interpretations. Members accept that some limitation of personal sovereignty is necessary when engaging in communal practices; however, AMH and its officers will never expect or require an individual to violate or alter their personal religious beliefs as a requisite for fellowship or participation. Individuals who refuse to limit their personal sovereignty to ensure a compatible sacred space with other participants may decline to participate at their own discretion or be denied participation by the Hof Thegn or HáGoði.

2.1. Membership. Membership in AMH is open to anyone who adheres to Heathenry as their personal faith tradition as well as those who wish to support our organization but may not themselves be Heathen. 

2.1.1. AMH will never discriminate against anyone seeking membership based on race, color, sex or gender (orientation, preference, or identity), age, or disability.

2.1.2. Members must remain in good standing with the community to maintain their membership. Good standing means that a member acts according to AMH bylaws, rules, procedures, and ethics and is not currently under Tribunal review for any negative actions or serving any punitive action proscribed by the Tribunal.

2.1.3. All members are encouraged to maintain their membership in the local Hof by which they most closely physically reside, or in the regional Hof wherein they reside most often. If a member desires to move to another Hof, they will submit a notice for transfer to their current Hof Thegn and the new Hof Thegn. The Thegns will notify the Council when they have accepted the transfer to ensure the registry is updated for that member.

2.1.4. Any member may request that their membership be reduced from one tier to the next or rescinded completely at their own discretion. A request by a member to reduce or rescind their membership must be honored, and the Council will ensure the Registry reflects the request accordingly. If a member no longer satisfies the requirements of their current tier of membership, the Council may suspend their membership and submit a request for reduction of membership to a Tribunal for review and official adjudication. Once the individual again satisfies the requirements for the higher tier of membership in accordance with these bylaws, they may again be granted that tier. Reducing or rescinding membership is not considered a punitive action.

2.1.5. The Council may revoke the membership of any member of the community following proper and sufficient Tribunal review as a punitive action for violating the bylaws, rules, procedures, and ethics of the community. The Tribunal may also require further punitive action against a member depending on the reason for the revocation of their membership.

2.2. Members. AMH has three tiers of membership in order of rights and access within the community: Trygg, Heiðinn, and Hearth-Friend.

2.2.1. Trygg [Trusted]. A member of the AMH community with voting rights in their Hof and the organization. Trygg in good standing may participate in all community events, meetings, and sacred rituals at their discretion and may receive nominations for officer positions in the organization.

2.2.1.1. To be granted Rights of Trust in the community, an individual must be a Heiðinn of a Hof in good standing for the last ninety consecutive calendar days. Once the allotted time is accrued, the Heiðinn must obtain a nomination from two Trygg of that Hof (or the Thegn but only if there are an insufficient number of active members for two nominations). The Thegn will submit the nomination to the Conclave for endorsement. Once the Conclave has endorsed the nomination, the Thegn may appoint the individual as a Trygg of the Hof with full Rights of Trust.

2.2.1.2. Rights of Trust are granted based on the Frith developed between a Heiðinn and the Trygg of the Hof. It is the discretion of the Thegn and the Trygg of the Hof whether to grant these rights or not. Prior to submitting the nomination to the Conclave for endorsement, the Thegn and the Trygg of the Hof will confirm that there is no reason Rights of Trust should not be granted to the individual. If such a reason exists, and a Hof declines to grant Rights of Trust, the Thegn must notify the Council of the reason, and a Tribunal will review the Hof’s reason for denial. The Heiðinn may submit a subsequent request should the reason for denial be remediated or rescinded. The Heiðinn may not submit another request to any Hof until the matter is adjudicated by a Tribunal.

2.2.1.3. Trygg are expected to be engaged in their Hof and the AMH community. If a Trygg ceases to be actively involved in their Hof or the AMH community, then after a sufficiently considerate time where the Thegn is unable to establish contact with them, their Thegn may submit their name to the Council and declare them inactive. An inactive Trygg may be excluded from a quorum requirement for a ballot. The Thegn will notify the Council once the Trygg has again become actively involved. If the Thegn has reason to believe that a Trygg has abandoned the Hof and the AMH community due to their prolonged absence without cause or notice, then the Thegn may submit a request to a Tribunal for a determination to rescind Rights of Trust. If Rights of Trust are rescinded, then the individual will be marked in the Registry as a Heiðinn and must re-accomplish the requirements for Trygg membership.

2.2.2. Heiðinn [Heathen]. A member of the AMH community who is an adherent to Heathenry as their personal faith tradition and over the age of 18. Heiðinn may not vote in community or Hof matters or hold officer positions in the organization (unless otherwise specified in these bylaws) until they are granted Rights of Trust. Heiðinn in good standing may take part in all community events, meetings, and sacred rituals at their own discretion.

2.2.3. Hearth-Friend. Individuals seeking to be involved in the community who do not meet the requirements for or desire Heiðinn membership may join the community and its Hofs for events as a Hearth-Friend. A Hearth-Friend may not vote in community or Hof matters or hold officer positions in the organization. A Hearth-Friend in good standing may take part in Hof events, meetings, and sacred rituals at their discretion. A Hearth-friend may not be considered for Trygg membership unless they first obtain membership as a Heiðinn and fulfill the requirements for Rights of Trust.

2.2.3.1. Although AMH does not require Hearth-Friends to adhere to a Heathen faith tradition, AMH prohibits the proselytizing or publicizing of other faith traditions not associated with Heathenry during Hof or community events and meetings without the express permission of the Hof Thegn or HáGoði for academic or syncretic purposes.

2.2.3.2. Applicants under the age of 18 are enrolled as a Hearth-Friend with the consent of their parent or legal guardian and may request Heiðinn membership upon their 18th birthday.

2.2.3.3. A Hearth-Friend that satisfies the requirements for Heiðinn membership may submit an updated application to be added to the Registry as a Heiðinn of the community when and if they desire.

2.2.4. Guests. Individuals seeking to be involved in the community but who do not wish any form of membership may be allowed to attend Hof events or meetings as a Guest. Guests may not vote in community or Hof matters. Guests may take part in Hof events or meetings but may only be part of sacred rituals at the discretion of the Hof Thegn or HáGoði for organizational events. The HáGoði or Hof Thegn may restrict Guest access to their respective events at their discretion. Guests must have an endorsement from a current Heiðinn of the community in good standing prior to being granted access into the community and its spaces.

2.3. Application. Anyone desiring to join AMH must submit a request for membership to the AMH Council, using the AMH Membership Application located on the organization’s website.  Applicants must meet the following requirements for membership and will provide affirmation of these requirements in their applications. Failure to provide all required information will suspend the application process and intentionally providing false information is grounds for Tribunal review and possible removal from the community. Submission of an application for membership constitutes consent to include the information contained within the application on the registry.

2.3.1. Legal Identification. All applicants must provide their full legal name (First, Middle, and Last), age by birth month and year, their current city and state (or nation) of residence, and a valid email address. Applicants may provide a go-by name and may request that their legal name be restricted from use in the community; however, their full legal name must be included on the application. 

2.3.1.1. Applications may offer additional forms of contact information at their own discretion. Other forms of contact that an applicant may include but are not limited to are a phone number, Facebook profile name, or Discord account name. Since most AMH members are not geographically co-located, most information about the community resides online. Access to AMH online resources or spaces (i.e., Discord server, Google Drive) is restricted to members, and applicants will not be given access until their application is approved. Applicants who do not provide social media account information will not be given access to those organizational resources until the registry is updated to include this information.

2.2.1.2. Applicants under the age of 18 will require consent from their parent or legal guardian for membership in AMH before the application is approved. Applicants under the age of 18 must provide a name and email contact for a parent or legal guardian in the application.

2.3.2. Adherence to Heathenry. For membership in AMH as a Trygg or Heiðinn, applicants must be adherents of Heathenry as their personal faith tradition; however, there is no specific requirement for the length or interpretation of personal religious practice. Trygg and Heiðinn will agree to abide by community religious practices defined by the AMH Conclave and rooted in our tenets of faith when involved in AMH events, meetings, or sacred rituals. Although members of AMH may hold traditions of faith and culture in addition to Heathenry, AMH is a distinctly heathen community and prohibits the proselytizing or publicizing of other faith traditions not associated with Heathenry without the express permission of the Hof Thegn or HáGoði for academic or syncretic purposes. 

2.3.3. Statement of Frith. AMH defines frith as the bonds of security and faith between the members of the community. It is a central tenet of Heathenry. All applicants must agree to uphold and engage in good frith with all community members and abide by the bylaws, rules, procedures, and ethics of the community. Violations of frith against the community are subject to Tribunal review.

2.3.4. Affiliation of Military Service. Certain positions and responsibilities within AMH require a member to have an affiliation of military service, which AMH defines as having served honorably in one of the armed forces branches of the United States or a foreign ally. This includes the US Army, US Navy, US Marine Corps, US Air Force, US Coast Guard, and the US Space Force. The Council will validate the affiliation of service for foreign allies on a case-by-case basis. Affiliation includes active, guard, or reserve service of any length and combination. Honorable service includes currently serving members not under legal investigation or court-martial and retired or separated service members with a general or higher-level discharge with no prejudicial actions. Applicants must provide their affiliation of military service as part of their application if they desire to hold these positions.

2.4. Registry. The Council maintains a registry of all members (Trygg, Heiðinn, and Hearth-Friend) containing their application and contact information for accountability and validation of membership. Only select members of the Council will have access to the registry, which at a minimum will include the HáGoði, Lǫgmaðr, and Skrifari.

2.4.1. At a minimum, the registry must include a member’s full legal name (First, Middle, and Last), age by birth month and year, their current city and state (or country) of residence, and a valid email address. Any additional information provided on the application is included in the registry by default. Any individual on the registry may request a review of their own information, an update to their information, or the removal of some or all their information contained within the registry at any time by submitting a written request to the Council. Removal of social media identification (i.e., Discord username) requires removal from that specific space to avoid fraudulent accounts. Full removal of all information from the registry requires that membership of that individual be rescinded and access to the community revoked. Members whose information becomes invalid and who are unavailable for correction may be suspended until rectified.

2.4.2. All information contained within the registry qualifies as personally identifiable information, which requires safeguarding. AMH officers will use this information solely for official purposes in the execution of their duties on behalf of AMH and the community. Use of application or registry information for other than official purposes or sharing that information without the individual’s express permission constitutes a violation of these bylaws and is immediately subject to Tribunal review.

2.4.3. AMH prohibits sharing of personally identifiable information contained within the registry with any persons or entities, whether inside or outside the community, without the express permission of the individual to which it pertains, beyond the reasonable use of the information by officers in the performance of their official, organizational duties. AMH will never share this information for profit regardless of granted permissions. AMH may use demographic metrics from the registry for informational purposes so long as no aspect of those metrics could identify an individual directly.

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5. Alliance of Military Heathens “Application”

3.1. Members of AMH may use the iconography listed here and those made available through AMH sources as they are presented, without alteration. Members may recreate these images in other forms or mediums (i.e., patches, stickers) for private use by AMH members after obtaining approval from the Dróttseti, so long as no part is altered or used for any proposes that might violate Article 3 of these bylaws. Members may not sell any content, in any form or medium, that contains AMH iconography for profit and must have the express written permission of the Dróttseti prior to any sale that includes the AMH name or iconography in any way.

3.2. Hofs may develop their own iconography or alter the iconography presented here, under the direct supervision of the Thegn, to represent their Hof. However, all content created for the purposes of representing AMH, one of its Hofs, any of its members, or its interests must be approved by the Drottseti prior to public dissemination or use. Any content created by a Hof or AMH members for these purposes is considered property of AMH and may only be used in accordance with these bylaws or the express direction of the Council.

3.3. The Seal of AMH provides a representation of the community. The stave rune in the middle contains the AMH bindrune and represents our identity. The red color of the bindrune reminds us of sacred blood that is a covenant of Frith and an ancient, hallowed offering. The bindrune contains the runes of the younger futhark for A, M, and H and it may represent the community in place of the name. The Mjolnir represents our faith in the Old Norse Gods. The Wolf represents the warrior heritage of our community and our focus on developing a communal bond.

4.1. Administration. The AMH has two levels of organization: the Council, which serves as the administrative governing body for the organization, and the Hofs where members reside and interact.

4.1.1. Officers. Members elected or appointed to positions within the organization that hold duties or responsibilities as defined within these bylaws are considered officers of AMH. Any Trygg of the community in good standing who meets the positional requirements may serve as an officer. Officers may hold multiple positions within the organization. Officers must be available to perform their duties within a reasonable time. Officers will maintain regular access to official communications methods (i.e., email, Discord) to fulfill their duties and maintain availability to the community. When there exists a reasonable appearance or actual conflict of interest with an officer and the performance of their duties, the Lǫgmaðr will request the officer's recusal from the matter and the Council will delegate the responsibilities in conflict to another officer until the dispute is resolved.

4.1.1.1. Leave of Absence. Officers who will be unavailable to perform their duties for an extended period should submit a leave of absence request to the Lǫgmaðr. The Lǫgmaðr will approve the leave of absence for a designated time. Huskarl and Gætir submit their request to the Hof Thegn, who notifies the Lǫgmaðr of the absence. 

4.1.1.1.1. If there is cause that the leave should be denied, the Lǫgmaðr will submit the request to a Tribunal for review. If the Tribunal denies the request, the officer must resign from the position.

4.1.1.1.2. The Council may grant an emergency leave of absence without a request from the officer if they become incapacitated or unavailable for a reasonable amount of time determined by the Lǫgmaðr.

4.1.1.1.3. Upon approval of a leave of absence request, the Council (for council positions) or Hof Thegn (for Hof positions) may appoint a qualified Trygg in good standing to temporarily perform the duties of that position until the officer’s return if there is not already a designated alternate or deputy. A temporary appointee may not permanently assume the position unless properly elected or appointed and will vacate the position following confirmation of the newly elected or appointed officer.

4.1.1.1.4. If the original length of absence expires and the officer is unable to return to fulfill their duties, the Council must either grant an extension or the officer must resign from the position. An extension of leave may not extend beyond the original term of the officer and if the extension would end at or after the original term of the officer, the officer must resign, and a new election or appointment process initiated.

4.1.1.2. Deputies. When a councilor is on a leave of absence or unable to fulfill their duties for a set time, their deputy may, at the councilor’s express permission or direction from the Council, act on behalf of the councilor. Otherwise, deputies may not actively participate in Council matters beyond what is permitted as a member of the community or unless they hold another officer position on the Council. Only the Hertoginn, the Dróttseti, and the Skrifari will have regular appointed deputies. A Hof Huskarl may serve as the deputy for their Thegn in their absence. Deputies serve as a proxy to the councilor and may not act in opposition to the councilor when serving in their stead.

4.1.1.2.1. A candidate for a deputy position must be a Trygg of the community in good standing and satisfy any requirements mandated for the position. Candidates first obtain a nomination from their respective councilor, the Conclave endorses the nomination, and the HáGoði appoints them as a deputy.

4.1.1.2.2. A deputy serves concurrently with the councilor, or until their resignation or dismissal. Upon election, a new councilor will submit a nomination of their deputy to the Conclave. A deputy may serve consecutive terms if appointed, regardless of the position.

4.1.1.3. Resignation. Any officer may resign at their discretion should they determine they are no longer able or desire to fulfill the duties of their position. The officer will submit a request for resignation to the Lǫgmaðr. Huskarls and Gætir submit their requests for resignation to the Hof Thegn, who will submit the request with their endorsement to the Lǫgmaðr. A request for resignation from an officer for themselves may not be denied. Any Trygg of the community may submit to the Lǫgmaðr a request for the resignation of any officer if they believe that individual is no longer able to fulfill the duties of the position. A Tribunal reviews all requests for resignation submitted by members other than the officer themself. Members who resign, either at their discretion or by request of another member, may receive nominations for officer positions in the future and continue to fulfill duties of other positions they may hold in the organization from which they have not resigned. Resignation of a position is not considered a punitive action.

4.1.1.4. Suspension. The Council may suspend membership or officer rights of any member while awaiting Tribunal review of a matter for punitive action in which they are principally involved. Members that no longer meet the requirements for their membership may have their membership rights in AMH suspended by the Council until the requirements are again satisfied. The Council may also suspend membership rights for individuals that are no longer in good standing with AMH until that reason is remedied. Suspension is intended as a temporary measure and may not be used in excess or as a prolonged punitive action. A suspension may not last longer than 30 calendar days or the conclusion of a Tribunal review, whichever expires first, and may not be extended beyond this limit without Tribunal approval. Suspended members will not be dismissed from an officer position that they hold, censured, or banished without Tribunal review; however, a suspended Councilor may not participate in Council until the suspension is lifted. During the suspension, the Councilor’s deputy or duly appointed Eitt-Sinn will fulfill their duties in the organization. Suspended members may join their Hof or the organization for communal events or meetings, if not restricted as part of the suspension, at the discretion of the Hof’s Thegn or the HáGoði but may not take part in sacred rituals or vote on any AMH matter until their suspension is lifted. A Tribunal may rescind the suspension if it is deemed unnecessary in relation to the circumstances in which it was initiated.

4.1.1.5. Dismissal. The Council may dismiss any officer from their duties following proper and sufficient Tribunal review as a punitive action for violating the bylaws, rules, procedures, and ethics of the community. Any member (Trygg, Heiðinn, or Hearth-Friend) of the community may submit a request for dismissal to the Council for Tribunal review of any officer if they witness or suspect a violation of the bylaws, rules, procedures, or ethics of the community. Officers dismissed from one position are dismissed from all positions they currently hold within the organization and are barred from any future nominations, elections, or appointments to officer positions unless explicitly approved by the Council. The Tribunal may also require revocation of membership, censure, or banishment of an officer depending on the reason for dismissal.

4.1.1.6. Censure. The Council may censure any member of the community following proper and sufficient Tribunal review as a punitive action for violating the bylaws, rules, procedures, or ethics of the community. The Tribunal will base the manner and length of censorship upon the severity of the violation. A Hof Thegn will submit a request for the censure of one of their Hof members to the Council for Tribunal review. Censorship may include restrictions from online and in-person spaces where AMH members fellowship. Censured members will be dismissed from any current officer position they hold. Censured members may join their Hof or the organization for communal events or meetings, if not restricted as part of the censure, at the discretion of the Hof’s Thegn or the HáGoði but may not take part in sacred rituals or vote on any AMH matter until their term of censure expires.

4.1.1.7. Banishment. The Council may banish any member of the community following proper and sufficient Tribunal review as a final and most severe punitive action for violating the bylaws, rules, procedures, or ethics of the community. The Tribunal should consider and exhaust all other avenues for rehabilitation of a member back into the community before issuing a banishment unless the actions of the individual are so egregious that banishment is the only recompense (e.g., promotion or affiliation of discriminatory ideology). Banishment requires complete removal from the community, forfeiture of all Rights of Trust, and revocation of all membership. Individuals banished may not participate in any Hof or AMH activities of any nature and are barred from holding any future elected or appointed position in the organization whatsoever. The banished may submit a request for reinstatement to the Council for consideration of repeal of their banishment. If a banishment is rescinded, the individual may apply for membership again but will not be reinstated to any prior positions or Rights of Trust until they have re-accomplished all requirements for those rights. AMH does not require members to segregate themselves from a banished individual in their personal lives.

4.1.2. Voting. Voting on any matter in AMH is done through a process of nominations, endorsements, ballots, and confirmations routed and directed by a designated voting commissioner. The Lǫgmaðr is the designated voting commissioner for community voting, the Skrifari performs these duties for the Council, and the Huskarl performs these duties for their local Hof. In cases where the commissioner is the subject of a vote, the Lǫgmaðr or Hof Thegn may appoint an unbiased and qualified Trygg of the community in good standing to act as commissioner. Appointments do not require a ballot vote but may require nominations and endorsements. Votes may not be acted upon until final confirmation. Only Trygg of the community in good standing may participate in the voting process. A vote that fails at any point in the process must route through the process in its entirety for reconsideration and re-voting, expect for when a quorum cannot be reached, in which case the commissioner may approve an immediate recasting of the ballot without re-accomplishing the nomination and endorsements so long as the criteria for both are still satisfied.

4.1.2.1. Nominations. Any qualified Trygg may receive a nomination for an officer position within the community with their consent. If there are misgivings concerning the qualification of a nominee, any member may submit a rebuttal of the nomination to the Council for Tribunal review at any time prior to final confirmation. If the Tribunal rules the nomination is invalid, they submit a denial of nomination to the commissioner, which constitutes a failed vote. Routine voting on Council or Hof business should be initiated by nomination from an eligible voting member (i.e., motion to vote).

4.1.2.2. Endorsements. Some nominations must be endorsed prior to being voted upon. When required, the commissioner submits the nomination to the endorsing agent prior to initiating a ballot vote. The endorsing agent either submits a concurrence with the nomination to the commissioner or a rebuttal of the nomination to the Council for Tribunal review. If the Tribunal rules the nomination is invalid, they submit a denial of endorsement to the commissioner, which constitutes a failed vote. Routine voting on Council or Hof business should be endorsed by a second eligible voting member other than the nominator (i.e., second the motion).

4.1.2.3. Ballots. The commissioner submits a ballot (written or verbal) for the vote to all eligible voting members for consideration. The commissioner specifies in the ballot the source of nominations, any applicable endorsements, the length of time the vote is open with a definitive closing of the ballot, and any parameters unique to the vote. To close the vote, a quorum of eligible voters must cast a vote (either yea, nay, or abstain). A quorum should be a simple majority (at least half of all eligible voters plus one) to the maximum extent possible. Abstain votes and inactive members may be subtracted from the total of eligible voters prior to determining a quorum. If a simple majority is not reached by the time the vote closes, the commissioner may declare a quorum if enough votes were cast to satisfy the intent of the vote and sufficient time, opportunity, and awareness was provided to eligible voters to cast their votes. If a quorum cannot be declared, the vote fails. Any member who is an eligible voter for a ballot may challenge the declaration of a quorum and request a Tribunal review. If the Tribunal determines that a quorum was not met, the vote fails. If a quorum is declared, the vote stands and may continue to confirmation. Routine Council or Hof business should be voted upon by all eligible voting members, which includes all Goðar and Thegns for Council matters, and all Hof Trygg to include the Hof’s officers for Hof matters.

4.1.2.4. Confirmation. Once voting is complete at the time set by the commissioner, the commissioner tallies all votes, records the results, and then submits them to the Council for confirmation. Confirmation of votes by the Council ensures the integrity of the process. If the Council disputes any aspect of the vote or the vote is inconclusive, a Tribunal may review the vote. However, once a ballot is closed and awaiting confirmation, the Tribunal may only rule to uphold a vote or invalidate it, which requires a revote by the same voters of the original ballot. If the results of the vote remain the same, the Council may not dispute it again. In the case of a tied vote, a Tribunal (or the HáGoði for votes of the Council) may vote to break the tie unless the Lǫgmaðr vetoes this and requires a revote of the original ballot. A supermajority (at least two-thirds) of the declared quorum must vote “yea” or the vote fails. Routine voting on Council business is confirmed by the Skrifari. The Hof Gætir may confirm votes on matters of routine Hof business not defined in these bylaws without Council submission. Once confirmed, the results of the vote will be announced to the community or Hof as applicable.

4.1.3. Allthing. Any Trygg of the community may call for an Allthing when the business of the organization is significant enough that it demands the involvement and collaboration of all community voting members. The Council must provide at least two calendar weeks of notice to the community before convening the Allthing. When the Allthing convenes, a quorum, as determined by the Lǫgmaðr, of the Council and all currently enrolled Trygg of the community in good standing must be in attendance or the Allthing must be re-scheduled. Regardless of a quorum, the HáGoði, Lǫgmaðr, and Skrifari must be present for the Allthing. Any Trygg of the community in good standing may speak before the Allthing and vote (except for the Lǫgmaðr and Skrifari) on any matter addressed during the proceedings. Heiðinn and Hearth-Friends may attend but may not participate in the Allthing unless granted permission to speak by the Lǫgmaðr. The HáGoði serves as Chair of the Allthing, the Lǫgmaðr serves as an impartial arbitrator of the process, and the Skrifari maintains a record of all proceedings and serves as the commissioner of votes during the Allthing.

4.2. Council. The Council provides routine administration of the organization and support to the local Hofs. The Council is comprised of the Conclave of Goðar, the Cabinet, and the Assembly of Hofs. Councilors include all Goðar of the Conclave, all Cabinet officers, and all Thegns of the Assembly. Skálds of the Conclave and Huskarls of the Assembly may attend Council discussions at the discretion of the Lǫgmaðr but may not participate and are not considered councilors unless acting as a proxy to another councilor in accordance with these bylaws. All councilors may engage in deliberations regarding any business during official or unofficial discussions; however, unless specified in the bylaws, only Goðar and Thegns may vote on official Council matters. A Goði or Thegn also serving in a non-voting position retains their voting privileges, except for the Lǫgmaðr and the Skrifari, who may never vote in any Council matter while serving in these roles even when the bylaws permit non-voting officers to vote to avoid any conflict of interest in their responsibilities to maintain transparency and accountability. Any decision or vote conducted by the Council will remain open until a quorum of voting councilors, as determined by the Lǫgmaðr, has been afforded a reasonable time and effort to review and submit their inputs or votes. At a minimum, any vote of the Council may not be closed until the HáGoði and at least two additional Goðar have submitted a vote. The HáGoði serves as the Chair of the Council and has the final vote in case of a tie regarding official matters of the organization.

4.2.1. The AMH Council is charged with the responsibility of managing the business of the organization. All councilors should be involved to the maximum extent possible in any action taken by the Council. The Lǫgmaðr may halt any proceedings when there is insufficient councilor representation. Any effort by any councilor to conduct the business of the organization in a manner that purposefully excludes councilors or subverts the due process of these bylaws is considered an offense against the frith of the community and is subject for Tribunal review.

4.2.2. Moot. The Council holds a Moot (official council meeting) to discuss and decide upon the business of the organization. When the Council calls a Moot, any member of the community may attend; however, only councilors may actively participate in the Moot unless the Lǫgmaðr expressly recognizes an individual to speak before the Moot. Trygg may submit to the Skrifari any business they wish added to the agenda for the Moot prior to its convening. A simple majority of the councilors should be present and able to participate prior to opening a Moot. If a simple majority is not available, the Lǫgmaðr may determine if a quorum is met for the Moot or if it must be rescheduled. At a minimum, the HáGoði, Lǫgmaðr, and the Skrifari must be present at any Moot. Moots will be recorded or the Skrifari will draft minutes for a record. 

4.2.2.1. When the Council discusses organizational matters, whether in or outside of a Moot, any member may request from the Skrifari any transcripts, minutes, or records of those discussions. The Lǫgmaðr may redact certain information to protect members’ privacy or information not belonging to AMH that is not approved for public dissemination. However, the intent is always that actions and decisions of the Council be made as transparent as possible to the members of the organization and any effort to subvert that transparency is considered an offense against the frith of the community and is subject to Tribunal review.

4.2.2.2. The Council may call for a closed Moot, where only certain members of the Council may be present. A closed Moot must at a minimum contain the HáGoði, Lǫgmaðr, at least two additional Goðar, and the Skrifari. Only the Lǫgmaðr may approve a closed Moot and determine who may attend. The only time a closed Moot is allowed is to discuss a matter of privacy relating to a member or outside agency that is not approved for public dissemination. In a closed moot, the Council may not discuss any matters not pertaining to the specific private topic approved by the Lǫgmaðr. Closed Moots will be recorded or the Skrifari will draft minutes for a record, but the record will be sealed until the Lǫgmaðr approves them for release. Where possible, the use of a closed Moot should be limited to preserve the intent of transparency for all organizational business.

4.2.3. The Conclave of Goðar. The Conclave focuses on providing spiritual support and leadership for members. The Conclave is responsible for establishing, developing, and preserving religious guidance for the members of the community. The Conclave confirms religious materials developed by Goðar and Skálds and ensures a Hof’s religious guidance aligns with the ethical and legal requirements of the community. The Conclave has review and veto authority over any decision, act, or information of a spiritual and religious nature in the organization or presented by a Hof as part of its official status in AMH. The Conclave trains and prepares eligible candidates to lead a Hof and to become a Goði. The HáGoði leads the Conclave, and with the Goðar, manages the daily affairs of the organization.

4.2.3.1. When addressing spiritual matters associated with the religious guidance of the community, the Conclave operates independently of the Council. When addressing administrative matters relating to the business of the organization, Goðar may deliberate privately but may not make any decisions without including all councilors (except when a matter is approved for a closed Moot or Tribunal review). All Goðar in good standing have voting privileges in the Conclave, with the HáGoði having the final vote in the case of a tie. The HáGoði has veto authority over any vote of the Conclave on matters spiritual. Overriding a veto by the HáGoði requires a unanimous vote of the Conclave that includes all currently ordained Goðar (not including the HáGoði), which the HáGoði may not veto.

4.2.3.2. Tribunal. The Goðar adjudicate matters of importance to the community that may include disputes between members, complaints regarding the organization, issues identified by the Council or the Conclave, and matters of punitive action when any member has violated the bylaws, rules, procedures, or ethics of the community. Any member of the community may submit to the Lǫgmaðr a matter for Tribunal review; however, members are encouraged to seek resolution within their Hof before escalation to a Tribunal. Convening a Tribunal requires the HáGoði and two additional Goðar to serve as adjudicators, the Lǫgmaðr to serve as an impartial mediator of the process, and the Skrifari to serve as a record keeper of all proceedings. The Lǫgmaðr and Skrifari may not deliberate upon the outcome but must ensure the integrity and fairness of the proceedings. All discussions of the Tribunal are sealed until approved for release by the Lǫgmaðr.

4.2.3.2.1. While under Tribunal review for possible punitive action, all authorities and responsibilities held by an officer or member are suspended and the individual may not participate in sacred rituals or vote on matters in the organization or their Hof. If a mandatory participant of the Tribunal (i.e., HáGoði, Lǫgmaðr, Skrifari) is the subject of review, they are not eligible to fulfill these duties and the Conclave will appoint an alternate to serve on the Tribunal instead. When a member of a Hof is under Tribunal review, their Thegn should sit as a consultant to the Tribunal, but they may not vote upon the outcome, and if they are a Goði should not serve as one of the adjudicators of the matter. The Tribunal must act in good faith and reasoning when reviewing and deliberating on a matter. The Tribunal must take sufficient time and exhaustively inspect all facts pertaining to a situation. The Tribunal must listen and consider a member’s defense before pronouncing a decision, especially when regarding punitive actions. The Tribunal submits its determined course of action following its review to the Council for implementation.

4.2.3.2.2. Members under Tribunal review may request an appeal of the Tribunal decision to the Lǫgmaðr should they suspect that the decision of the Tribunal was unfair or biased, based on incomplete knowledge, or intentionally discriminatory against the member. The Lǫgmaðr must submit the request for appeal, which will include the member’s appeal and the Tribunal’s decision, for all members of the Council (including routinely non-voting councilors) to deliberate and vote upon. The member may subsequently request an appeal to the Trygg of the entire community in good standing for a vote at an Allthing. Votes of appeal by the entire community in an Allthing are final. Except for the appeal process, once the Tribunal delivers its decision to the Council, a matter may not be re-adjudicated. However, past actions may be considered as substantiating evidence by a Tribunal if a separate and distinct violation occurs that necessitates review.

4.2.3.3. All Goðar and Skálds of the organization are considered officers of the Conclave when it convenes as a religious body. Fróðr and Liði may participate in discussions within Conclave at the discretion of the HáGoði but are not considered officers nor hold any administrative or religious authority within the organization.

4.2.3.3.1. HáGoði [High Gothi] {HáGyðja [High Gythia] in the feminine where desired} (Chief Executive Officer). The HáGoði serves as the chief executive officer of the organization and its senior ordained religious leader providing spiritual guidance as a foundation for religious practice throughout the community (without violating Personal Religious Sovereignty). The Lǫgmaðr approves a sabbatical for the HáGoði when requested during which the HáGoði will appoint another Goði to serve as HáGoði Eitt-Sinn [Temporary] until their return. If the HáGoði is under Tribunal review and suspended from their duties, the Conclave will designate Goði to serve as Eitt-Sinn until the matter is resolved. The honorific of HáGoði precedes the individual’s name when utilized.

4.2.3.3.1.1. A candidate for HáGoði must be a Trygg and ordained Goði of AMH in good standing. A candidate first obtains a nomination from the Conclave, which requires a vote that includes all currently ordained Goðar. All members of the Council (including routinely non-voting councilors) then vote to endorse any candidate nominations, and then all Trygg of the entire community in good standing vote to elect one of the endorsed candidates as the HáGoði.

4.2.3.3.1.2. The HáGoði serves in this position until their resignation or dismissal. If the HáGoði resigns, they continue to serve the community as a Goði of the Conclave unless also released of their oath. Dismissal of the HáGoði requires a passing vote by a simple majority of a super-majority quorum of all Trygg of the community in good standing (this quorum requirement may not be waived). A HáGoði that is dismissed will be concurrently released of their ordination oath and banished from the community.

4.2.3.3.2. Goði [Gothi] {Gyðja [Gythia] in the feminine where desired} (Senior Operations Officer). The Goðar of AMH are ordained and oath-sworn clergy for its community members. Goðar serve as senior officers of the organization both administratively and spiritually. Goðar provide religious support and guidance for the community. A Goði develops and leads religious training and services in coordination with the Conclave. A Goði may provide religious services, conduct sacred rituals, and perform ceremonies of a religious nature as authorized by state and federal law. The honorific of Goði {Gyðja} precedes the individual’s name when utilized.

4.2.3.3.2.1. A candidate for Goði must be a Trygg of the community in good standing. A candidate must be a Skáld, unless a Tribunal waives this requirement due to extenuating circumstances. A candidate must satisfy all requirements for ordination as proscribed by the Conclave. A candidate for Goði first obtains a nomination for ordination from a current Goði, the Conclave (which must include all currently ordained Goðar) endorses the nomination, and all Trygg of the community in good standing vote to elect any endorsed candidates as a Goði.

4.2.3.3.2.1.1. Following Council confirmation of a Goði election, the HáGoði (or a Goði designated by the HáGoði) ordains the candidate as a Goði of the Alliance of Military Heathens through the swearing of a sacred oath upon an arm ring, which the Goði shall maintain as a symbol of their office. Ordination and the swearing of the oath is accomplished during a Blót ritual.

4.2.3.3.2.1.2. Goði Oath of Ordination. “I, state your name, do freely and willingly accept the duties and responsibilities as a Goði {Gyðja} of the Alliance of Military Heathens. I swear by the honor of my name and my ancestors, that I will uphold the honor, integrity, and frith of this community and that I will remain dedicated to the spiritual guidance of its members. Before the Gods and the witnesses gathered here, I seal my fate to this oath.”

4.2.3.3.2.2. A Goði serves the community until such time that they are released from their oath. A Goði may not resign. A Goði may only be released of their oath by unanimous vote of the Conclave (which must include all currently ordained Goðar). Release of an oath should not be requested lightly and must be given the utmost, deliberate consideration before approval. The Conclave may consider releasing a Goði from their oath so that they may serve in other communities or organizations where they must swear an oath that conflicts with their oath to AMH, the Goði desires to retire from service to the community, or because they are unable to fulfill their duties to such an extent that a sabbatical is not sufficient. Once released of their oath, an individual forfeits all rights of ordination under AMH and is retired from service to the community. They may be appointed as a Fróðr but may not hold any officer positions within the organization without special dispensation from the HáGoði. A Goði that is dismissed will be concurrently released of their oath and banished from the community.

4.2.3.3.2.3. Goðar may not request a standard leave of absence. Instead, Goðar will submit a request for a sabbatical to the HáGoði directly for approval. The Conclave may request a sabbatical for a Goði if they are unable to perform their duties to the community, but retirement or dismissal is not necessary. The HáGoði will determine the appropriate time for the sabbatical as well as the expected parameters regarding service to the community during that period. Goðar may be granted a sabbatical to focus on other efforts in life (i.e., family, education, career) but are expected to return to full service of the community upon expiration of the sabbatical. Failure of a Goði to uphold the parameters or duration of sabbatical as directed by the HáGoði is grounds for retirement or dismissal.

4.2.3.3.3. Skáld [Lay Leader] (Religious Services Officer). A Skáld provides religious support to the community under the direction of the Goðar. Skálds act as advisors on the Council without voting privileges unless otherwise expressly permitted within the bylaws (e.g., also serving as a Thegn or during elections). The HáGoði will designate a Goði to act as an administrative oversight for each Skáld. Skálds may conduct and develop religious training and services under the oversight of their Goðlið (assigned Goði admin team). A Skáld is not considered ordained as clergy and may not engage in acts where ordination is required by regulations or laws. The honorific of Skáld precedes the individual’s name when utilized.

4.2.3.3.3.1. A candidate for Skáld must be a Trygg of the community in good standing. A candidate must be a Liði and have completed all requirements established by the Conclave for election as a Skáld, unless a Tribunal waives this requirement due to extenuating circumstances. A candidate first obtains a nomination from a Goði, the Conclave endorses the candidate, and the Council votes to elect them as a Skáld. A newly elected Thegn is also concurrently elected as a Skáld if they are not already a Skáld or Goði.

4.2.3.3.3.2. A Skáld serves in this position until they are ordained as a Goði, or until their resignation or dismissal. A Thegn that resigns does not forfeit their duties as a Skáld unless they concurrently resign from both positions.

4.2.3.3.4. Liði [Student]. A Liði is an individual in training to become a Skáld. They are not permitted to provide religious training or support on their own but may assist a Skáld or Goði in the performance of their duties. The Conclave oversees the training and guidance of Liði.

4.2.3.3.4.1. A candidate for Liði must be a Heiðinn of the community in good standing. Candidates first obtain a nomination from their Hof Thegn or a Goði, the Conclave endorses the candidate, and then the HáGoði appoints them as a Liði.

4.2.3.3.3.2. A Liði serves in this position until they are appointed as a Skáld, or until their resignation or dismissal.

4.2.3.3.5. Fróðr [Advisor]. Individuals who are recognized religious leaders of other heathen communities but are not an AMH Goði or Skáld, have extensive knowledge of the heathen faith, or have experience deemed vital to the success of the community may serve as advisors to the Conclave. Any Goði may nominate an individual for consideration as a Fróðr with the individual’s consent. Nominees are not required to be members of AMH for consideration as a Fróðr. The Conclave will endorse the nomination, and the HáGoði appoints them as a Fróðr. An individual may serve as a Fróðr for as long as they desire, or their appointment is revoked by the HáGoði. The honorific of Fróðr precedes the individual’s name when utilized.

4.2.3.4. When the Council establishes a new Hof, the Conclave may nominate the Thegn to be a Heathen Distinctive Religious {or Faith} Group Leader (DRGL) for nearby military installations to provide direct religious support to the heathen military service members assigned in that area. The Council will submit DRGL nominations from the Conclave to a valid endorsing agency for official endorsement consideration.

4.2.3.4.1. A DRGL is a specific military role where an individual who is not a military chaplain provides religious services to service members on a military installation, which the military chaplains are unable to provide due to the differences in faith traditions. A DRGL candidate must hold an endorsement from a qualified religious organization of their faith and the installation senior chaplain must formally sponsor the candidate to act under chaplain supervision as a religious leader for the installation before they may fulfill these duties. Thegns that serve as DRGLs are a representative of AMH and the endorsing agency and will conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the bylaws, rules, procedures, and ethics of AMH and the endorsing agency. However, an endorsement as a DRGL does not constitute any further authority or responsibilities as an officer of AMH on its own. A DRGL does not have any authorities proscribed to chaplains or military religious affairs personnel that are not expressly granted by the sponsoring chaplain and they are beholden to any requirements established by the endorsing agency, the sponsoring chaplain, and military regulations in the performance of their duties in this position.

4.2.3.4.2. Although one individual may serve as a DRGL for multiple installations, it requires sponsorship from each unique installation’s senior chaplain. If there are multiple installations in an area that would be too burdensome for one individual to oversee, the Conclave may nominate a DRGL for each different installation. The Council will determine if this necessitates the establishment of new Hofs for each installation or if a singular local Hof will suffice before the Conclave provides their nomination. If the Council only establishes one Hof for the area, any DRGLs that the Conclave nominates through that Hof that are not the Thegn will serve as Skálds (or Goði if ordained) under the Thegn’s guidance.

4.2.3.4.3. The Hertoginn is responsible for maintaining oversight of DRGL endorsement dates and statuses, current timelines of DRGL assignments at their installation (for currently serving military members), and contact information for installation chaplains and commands where AMH military-affiliated members reside. DRGLs will notify the Hertoginn of upcoming military activities or movements that will prevent them from performing their duties as the installation DRGL (to include permanent changes of station and temporary duty assignments) at least two months prior if known or as soon as able. This notification shall not violate any imposed restrictions on sharing dates of movement or jeopardize operational security for military activities. The individual DRGL is responsible for being aware of these restrictions and upholding them while still providing AMH proper notice of their ability to fulfill their duties as an organization representative. The Hertoginn will coordinate with endorsing agencies to ensure DRGLs adhere to all requirements for endorsement and will communicate any issues to the Council.

4.2.4. The Cabinet. The Cabinet provides administrative support and advice for any Council matters relating to their area of expertise. It has three offices: Internal Oversight, Military Affairs, and Public Relations. The Lǫgmaðr manages the routine affairs of the Cabinet and its officers.

4.2.4.1. Lǫgmaðr [Lawspeaker] (Chief Administrative Officer). The Lǫgmaðr maintains and ensures compliance with the spirit, intent, and letter of the bylaws, rules, procedures, and ethics of the community for all its members, in all actions and engagements in which the community is involved. The Lǫgmaðr provides interpretations and clarifications of the bylaws on administrative matters within the organization and when any dispute arises over the meaning or intent of the bylaws, the Lǫgmaðr has the final say on the official definition. The Lǫgmaðr has veto authority over any vote of the Council. Overriding a veto by the Lǫgmaðr requires a vote by all Trygg of the entire community in good standing, which the Lǫgmaðr may not veto. If the HáGoði approves a sabbatical for the Lǫgmaðr or the Lǫgmaðr is under Tribunal review, the HáGoði will appoint another Goði to serve as Lǫgmaðr Eitt-Sinn until the sabbatical expires, the review is concluded, or the original term ends whichever comes first. The title of Lǫgmaðr follows the individual’s name when utilized.

4.2.4.1.1. A candidate for Lǫgmaðr must be a Trygg and ordained Goði of the community in good standing. The Conclave nominates a candidate for Lǫgmaðr and the HáGoði appoints them to the position.

4.2.4.1.2. The Lǫgmaðr serves for a one-year term after which the Conclave nominates a new Lǫgmaðr at Sigrblót, or until their resignation or dismissal. If a Lǫgmaðr is appointed due to the resignation or dismissal of their predecessor, and their predecessor had already served half of their term (considered as passing Vetrnætr of that term) they will serve the remainder of the predecessor’s term and remain Lǫgmaðr for their own one-year term. Otherwise, a new Lǫgmaðr will be appointed at the next Sigrblót, thus ensuring they do not serve longer than one and a half terms at once. A Lǫgmaðr may not serve consecutive terms.

4.2.4.1.3. If the Lǫgmaðr resigns, they continue to serve the community as a Goði of the Conclave unless also released of their oath. Dismissal of the Lǫgmaðr requires a unanimous vote by the Conclave that includes all currently ordained Goðar (excluding the Lǫgmaðr). A Lǫgmaðr that is dismissed will be concurrently released of their ordination oath and banished from the community. 

4.2.4.2. Skrifari [Scribe] (Senior Internal Oversight Officer). The Skrifari provides accountability of the Council to the members of the community and manages the Internal Oversight Office. The Skrifari maintains minutes and recordings of council discussions and answers queries by members regarding actions or statements of the council. The title of Skrifari follows the individual’s name when utilized.

4.2.4.2.1. A candidate for Skrifari must be a Trygg of the community in good standing. Candidates first obtain a nomination from the current Skrifari or at least two Trygg of the community in good standing, the Conclave endorses any candidate nominations, and the Council votes to elect one of the endorsed candidates as Skrifari.

4.2.4.2.2. The Skrifari serves for a one-year term after which an election occurs at the Sigrblót following the expiration of their term, or until their resignation or dismissal. If a Skrifari is appointed due to the resignation or dismissal of their predecessor, and their predecessor had already served half of their term (considered as passing Vetrnætr of that term) they will serve the remainder of the predecessor’s term and remain Skrifari for their own one-year term. Otherwise, a new Skrifari will be elected at the next Sigrblót, thus ensuring they do not serve longer than one and a half terms at once. A Skrifari may not serve consecutive terms.

4.2.4.3. Hertoginn [Commander] (Senior Military Affairs Officer). The Hertoginn provides military subject matter expertise, ensures compliance with regulations relating to service members, and manages the Military Affairs Office. The Hertoginn oversees the management of the Distinctive Religious Group Leader program. Huskarls assist the Hertoginn at the local Hof level in the performance of these duties. The title of Hertoginn follows the individual’s name when utilized.

4.2.4.3.1. A candidate for Hertoginn must be a Trygg of the community in good standing and must have an affiliation of military service. A candidate first obtains a nomination from the current Hertoginn or at least two different Trygg of the community in good standing that has an affiliation of military service, the Conclave endorses any candidate nominations, and the Council votes to elect one of the endorsed candidates as Hertoginn.

4.2.4.3.2. The Hertoginn serves for a 2-year term after which an election occurs at the Sigrblót following the expiration of their term regardless of when their term started, or until their resignation or dismissal. A Hertoginn may serve consecutive terms if re-elected.

4.2.4.4. Dróttseti [Steward] (Senior Public Relations Officer). The Dróttseti provides administrative and public relations management for the community and manages the Public Relations Office. This includes social media moderation, event coordination, multimedia development and distribution, and clerical assistance. Gætir assist the Dróttseti at the Hof level in the performance of these duties. The title of Dróttseti follows the individual’s name when utilized.

4.2.4.4.1. A candidate for Dróttseti must be a Trygg of the community in good standing. Candidates first obtain a nomination from the current Dróttseti or at least two Trygg of the community in good standing, the Conclave endorses any candidate nominations, and the Council votes to elect one of the endorsed candidates as Dróttseti.

4.2.4.4.2. The Dróttseti serves for a 2-year term after which an election occurs at the Sigrblót following the expiration of their term regardless of when their term started, or until their resignation or dismissal. A Dróttseti may serve consecutive terms if re-elected.

4.2.5. The Assembly of Hofs. The Assembly is a body comprised of all Thegns and Huskarls from the Hofs that ensures representation for all members of the community to the Council. The Assembly may meet and deliberate independently but may not make any decisions regarding the business of the organization without the express approval of the Council. Gætir may assist the Assembly with administrative duties and serve as advisors but may not actively participate in Council matters beyond what is permitted as a member of the community or unless they hold another officer position on the Council.

4.3. Hofs. The central focus of AMH is the development of Frith amongst its members. AMH has two levels of communal organization by which it accomplishes this, regional and local Hofs. 

4.3.1. The Council establishes Hofs at its discretion based on the needs of the community and members. Regional Hofs are organized geographically but interact primarily in AMH online spaces to provide community development where in-person events are not practical. Local Hofs are established at specific locations where members reside to provide the opportunity for in-person community for the development of Frith. All members who are not part of a local Hof will be considered members of the regional Hof in which they reside. Members may not be part of both a regional and a local Hof at the same time and must decide in which one they will primarily participate, which will be reflected on the Registry. Thegns of regional Hofs should make efforts to organize in-person interactions for members if possible but will sustain the online community focus as part of their responsibilities.

4.3.2. AMH grants Thegns the independence to develop their local community as is fitting for their members; however, the Thegn is responsible for ensuring all activities, religious information, and actions of the Hof align with the bylaws, rules, procedures, and ethics of the community. The Conclave may review any information or materials of a religious nature used by a Hof and its officers to ensure adherence to the religious values of the community. The Hertoginn may review any information or materials relating to military matters used by the Hof. The Dróttseti may review any information or materials used by the Hof that relate to the public image and social media of the community. The Lǫgmaðr has review authority over all matters of a Hof to ensure compliance with the bylaws, rules, procedures, and ethics of the community. A Tribunal will review any report of violation or conflict within a Hof not resolved by the Thegn or if requested by a member. Unless otherwise specified within these bylaws, matters of the Hof should be decided by vote and consensus of all Trygg of the Hof in good standing.

4.3.3. Hof Officers. Officers of a Hof report to and take direction from the Council, but must act in the best interests of the Hof members in all matters. Hof officers may also serve in other officer positions on the Council so long as they do not directly conflict with their Hof duties.

4.3.3.1. Thegn [Chief] (Local/Regional Operations Officer). The Thegn leads their Hof both administratively and spiritually. They should strive to serve as the Heathen DRGL for any nearby military installations if one is not already present. Thegns serve as councilors and may vote on official matters. The title of Thegn follows the individual’s name when utilized.

4.3.3.1.1. A candidate for Thegn must be a Trygg of the community in good standing and reside within a reasonable distance of the local Hof to provide in-person religious services to the Hof’s members, as defined by the Council, or live within the geographic area of the regional Hof. The candidate must be a Goði or a Skáld. Candidates first obtain a nomination from their Hof’s current Thegn (or a Goði if there is no current Thegn), the Conclave endorses any candidate nominations, and all Trygg of the Hof in good standing (or the Council in the absence of sufficient Hof members for a valid quorum as determined by the Lǫgmaðr) vote to elect an endorsed candidate as the Thegn. A Hof may only have one Thegn at a time. If a more senior officer of the organization joins a Hof, they do not supplant or replace the current Thegn unless a regular election process confirms them as the new Thegn.

4.3.3.1.2. A Thegn serves for as long as they reside in the vicinity of the local Hof or geographic region of the regional Hof, or until their resignation or dismissal. A Thegn that moves beyond a reasonable distance from the local Hof as determined by the Council, thus rendering them unable to provide in-person religious services to the Hof’s members, or who leaves the geographic area for which they are Thegn, must resign and nominate a new candidate for Thegn. 

4.3.3.1.3. A Hof must have a Thegn elected before the Council may establish it. If all members of a local Hof depart the location or there is no Thegn to oversee it, the Council will retire the Hof and may re-establish it after electing a new Thegn. Current members of that Hof will be re-assigned to the most applicable regional Hof. If there are no suitable candidates to serve as Thegn to establish a local Hof, members at that location will be assigned to the most applicable region.

4.3.3.2. Huskarl [Sergeant at Arms] (Military Affairs Officer). A Huskarl is the military affairs representative for a Hof. They work for the Thegn to ensure compliance with military regulations and serve as a link to the Hertoginn. Huskarls assist in liaising with the local military installations. A Huskarl serves as the deputy for their Hof’s Thegn and may act as their proxy on the Council in their absence. The title of Huskarl follows the individual’s name when utilized.

4.3.3.2.1. A candidate for Huskarl must be a Trygg of the Hof in good standing, must have an affiliation of military service, and reside within a reasonable distance of the local Hof, as defined by the Council, or live within the geographic area of the regional Hof. Candidates first obtain a nomination from their Hof’s Thegn, the Hertoginn endorses any candidate nominations, and all Trygg of the Hof in good standing (or the Council in the absence of sufficient Hof members for a valid quorum) vote to elect an endorsed candidate as Huskarl. A Hof may have only one Huskarl at a time.

4.3.3.2.2. A Huskarl serves for as long as they reside in the vicinity of the Hof, or until their resignation or dismissal. A Huskarl that moves beyond a reasonable distance from the local Hof’s location as determined by the Council, thus rendering them unable to support the Hof and its members, or who leaves the region for which they are the Huskarl, must resign. 

4.3.3.3. Gætir [Warden] (Public Relations Officer). A Gætir is the public affairs representative for a Hof. They work for the Thegn to provide social media oversight, event coordination, and serve as a link to the Dróttseti. The title of Gætir follows the individual’s name when utilized.

4.3.3.3.1. A candidate for Gætir must be a Heiðinn of the Hof in good standing and reside within a reasonable distance of the local Hof, as defined by the Council, or live within the geographic area of the regional Hof. Candidates first obtain a nomination from their Hof’s Thegn, the Dróttseti endorses any candidate nominations, and then the Hof’s Thegn may appoint them as a Gætir. A Hof may have more than one Gætir at the discretion of the Hof’s Thegn.

4.3.3.3.2. A Gætir serves for as long as they reside in the vicinity of the Hof, or until their resignation or dismissal. A Gætir that moves beyond a reasonable distance from the Hof’s location as determined by the Council, thus rendering them unable to support the Hof and its members, or who leaves the region for which they are a Gætir, must resign.

5.1. Ratification. The following councilors voted to ratify and implement these bylaws:

Vote Councilor

Yea HáGoði Joey Wilburn

Abstain* Goði Charles Duus, Lǫgmaðr & Thegn of the Ft Jackson Hof

Yea Goði Justin Gonka, Thegn of the JBER Hof

Abstain Goði Spencer Lilly, Thegn of the Wanderers

Yea Goði Eben Newman, Thegn of the AK Interior Hof

Yea Skáld Jonathan Chalquest, Thegn of the Misawa Air Base Hof

Yea Skáld Kristina Feller, Hertoginn & Thegn of the Ft Liberty Hof

Yea Skáld Richard Kern, Thegn of the Whiteman AFB Hof

Yea Skáld Jesse Lough, Thegn of the JBPHH Hof

Yea Skáld Will Mulroney, Thegn of the Ft Drum Hof

Yea Skáld Dustin Russell, Deputy Dróttseti & Thegn of the Nellis AFB Hof

Yea Skáld Michael Stowe, Thegn of the MS Coast Hof

Absent Skáld Hayden Thrasher, Thegn of the USS Howard Hof

Yea Skáld Andrew Van Cleave, Thegn of the Minot AFB Hof

Yea Skáld Mason Wallenkamp, Thegn of the Southern Japan Hof

Yea Skáld Max Williams, Thegn of the Southern Texas Hof

*Ineligible to vote due to auxiliary Council position

5.2. Amendments. When necessary, the Council may draft amendments to the bylaws to ensure the continued operation of the organization. Any Trygg of the community in good standing may submit a draft amendment to the Council, which the Council must consider. Once a drafted amendment is ready for consideration, the Council will submit it to the Lǫgmaðr.

5.2.1. The Lǫgmaðr ensures all proposed amendments uphold the intent and purpose of the community’s morals and ethics and then nominates any proposed amendments to the bylaws for endorsement by the community. Any amendment vetoed by the Lǫgmaðr during nomination is returned to its origin for re-draft and re-submission. Re-submitted proposals must be reconsidered and may not be discarded outright until they are rejected at the Allthing.

5.2.2. After nomination by the Lǫgmaðr, proposed amendments are submitted to the community for endorsement. The community will be afforded no less than two calendar weeks from the date of submission to review the proposed amendments.

5.2.2.1. Any Trygg of the community in good standing may submit to the Lǫgmaðr any objections to a proposed amendment during the review period. The Lǫgmaðr will deliver these concerns to the Council, who must provide an explanation or correction to the amendment to the satisfaction of the objecting Trygg.

5.2.2.2. If all objections are remedied to the satisfaction of the community, or there are no objections submitted to the Lǫgmaðr during the review period, the Lǫgmaðr will notify the Council that the community has endorsed the amendments, and they are eligible for ratification.

5.2.2.3. If any objections regarding a proposed amendment are not remedied to the satisfaction of the community, then the Lǫgmaðr may veto the amendment or submit the amendment for endorsement at an Allthing. If at least two Trygg of the community in good standing request the proposed amendment be considered at an Allthing, the amendment may not be ratified until the Allthing convenes and endorses the amendment.

5.2.2.4. The community may endorse proposed amendments independently of each other, endorse them all, or reject them all in turn during the endorsement process.

5.2.3. An Allthing will convene to endorse any proposed amendments to the bylaws when there are any unremedied objections relating to them. The two-week review period must be completed before convening the Allthing. Trygg with identified objections regarding the amendments should attend the Allthing and will be given the opportunity to present their arguments for community consideration.

5.2.3.1. If there are any objections to an amendment, the Lǫgmaðr will ensure that all concerns are addressed during the Allthing. If all objections are rescinded or remedied to the satisfaction of all present, the Lǫgmaðr may declare the amendment endorsed without requiring a vote. Only the objecting Trygg may rescind their objection. If objections relating to an amendment cannot be remedied and are not rescinded, the Lǫgmaðr will call for a vote of the Allthing to endorse or reject the amendment. Any Trygg of the community in good standing in attendance may call for a vote on any proposed amendment during the Allthing.

5.2.3.2. To pass, a super majority of all present and eligible voting Trygg (including the Council) must vote “yea”. If the vote passes, the Lǫgmaðr declares the amendment endorsed. If the vote fails, that amendment is rejected and must be returned to its origin for re-draft and re-submission. The Skrifari acts as commissioner for any votes at the Allthing. The Allthing may endorse amendments independently of each other, endorse them all, or reject them all in turn.

5.2.4. The Council ratifies amendments by vote after they are endorsed by the community. Once ratified, amendments to the by-laws are considered in effect and applicable to all members of the community. The Council may not ratify any amendments that are rejected or not endorsed until they are re-drafted, re-submitted, and endorsed by the community.

- Alliance of Military Heathens “Application” https://www.militaryheathens.org/application.

- Department of Defense Instruction 1304.28 (2021 May 12) “The Appointment and Service of Chaplains”  https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/130428p.pdf.

- Office of the Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness “Military Personnel Policy: Armed Forces Chaplains Board” https://prhome.defense.gov/M-RA/Inside-M-RA/MPP/AFCB/.

- The Internal Revenue Service “Churches Defined” https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/churches-religious-organizations/churches-defined.

- The Internal Revenue Service “Churches, Integrated Auxiliaries, and Conventions or Associations of Churches” https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/churches-integrated-auxiliaries-and-conventions-or-associations-of-churches.

- The Internal Revenue Service “Tax Exempt and Government Entities, Exempt Organizations: 501c3 Tax Guide for Churches & Religious Organizations” Publication 1828 (Rev 8-2015) Catalog Number 21096G, https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1828.pdf.

A2.1. AMH is primarily a community built upon frith. As such, AMH expects its members and guests to maintain a certain standard of decorum in their words and deeds.

A2.2. All members and guests permitted access to and involvement in the AMH community will adhere to the following standards. Failure to do so may result in a Tribunal review.

- AMH members and guests will abide by the bylaws of the community, uphold its core values, and maintain good frith with one another.

- AMH maintains a zero-tolerance policy for unlawful discrimination of any kind against any individual or group. This includes any form of discriminatory expression whether in person or online.

- AMH maintains a zero-tolerance policy for harassment of any kind, including but not limited to sexual or cyberbullying and stalking, against any individual or group.

- Individuals will not engage in or discuss any activity deemed illegal by the US Federal Government while in AMH-operated spaces or while acting on behalf of the community.

- AMH does not tolerate any efforts by its members or guests to circumvent or defy the regulations of the US Department of Defense and its branches, including those branches of the armed forces in other departments of the US Government.

- Individuals with access to AMH-operated social media will not block officers of AMH, attempt to circumvent restrictions of AMH for that medium, or violate the terms of use of the medium (i.e., Facebook, Discord).

- Individuals with access to AMH-owned or operated spaces will honor the sanctity of those spaces and not engage in any behavior to discredit or dishonor the organization or its members. This does not prohibit the reporting of illegal activity or misconduct. This prohibition includes the recording of AMH activities for malicious purposes or distribution outside of authorized channels without the express, written approval of the Council.

- No one may conduct any form of advertisement, whether intentional or not, in AMH-operated spaces without the express, written approval of the Council.

- No one may attempt to access or make public any personally identifiable information without the express permission of the individual to which the information pertains.