MEMBER CODE OF CONDUCT

MISSION STATEMENT:

Tribe Woden Thor is a private, family oriented organization, dedicated to the education and entertainment of the general public regarding the political structure and life styles of the Germanic and Norse peoples of northern Europe. We shall achieve this through discussions, shows and events based on the time period of 800-1200 AD.

PURPOSE OF THE CODE:

The basic concerns of the Tribe Woden Thor are our mission and our members.

Conduct at non-Tribal activities is viewed as the members’ personal business unless the individual is representing the Tribe or participating with other Tribal members in or at a non Tribal event. Behavior at Tribal events is expected to be in accordance with the “Tribal Member Code of Conduct” hereafter referred to as “the Code”. The Tribe reserves the right to impose appropriate disciplinary actions, up to and including revocation of membership, when member conduct is not in accordance with the Code.

This Code is in effect for all Tribal members. All members shall act in the best interests of the Tribe.

The following categorizes rules to live and work by within the Tribe and examples of expected conduct. Unacceptable behavior is subject to disciplinary actions. The Tribe reserves the right to identify other behaviors not listed. Such determinations will be made by the Tribal High Chieftain and Tribal Council. For Tribal activities at Clan events, the pertaining Clan Chieftain and Clan Council of Elders can make the determinations with the consent of the Tribal High Chieftain and Tribal Council.

Disclaimer:   Tribe Woden Thor is a longstanding, tight knit group that will not compromise itself for any member that does not meet the standards set forth in the Code. Tribe Woden Thor reserves the right to suspend or revoke any membership for any individual or Clan as a whole, at any time, for any reason or no reason at all, without prior warning or notice.

EXPECTATIONS OF MEMBERS:

  1. Each individual adult member is considered to be responsible for his/her own actions and their own property. Each parent or parents is considered to be responsible for his/her/ their own children.
  2. Persons under the age of 18 years must have a signed consent form from parent or guardian and be accompanied by an adult sponsor who assumes responsibility for said minor.
  3. Members shall understand that first and foremost we of the Tribe are educators and ambassadors of medieval history to the general public. The general public shall always be treated with the UTMOST POLITE RESPECT. It takes years to construct a good reputation and mere seconds to destroy it.
  4. Members shall attend all Tribal events possible. All members are expected to attend at least 50% of Tribal events with the exception of extenuating circumstances submitted to the Tribal Council in person or in writing. Member attendance is important to us.
  5. Garb is to be worn by all members at all Tribal Events.
    A: Garb should be the best possible representation of the time period the Tribe seeks to portray, from 800 A.D. to 1200 A.D.
    B: Garb and equipment shall reflect the perceived status of the wearer, thus a warrior with a sword, helmet and chain mail would not be dressed in rags and barefoot.
    C: Gear Guides will be provided to members and you can receive help with any questions or need upon request.
    D: Every person should be able to explain all aspects of their equipment and garb satisfactorily.
  6. Tribal events require members to maintain their personas at all times (within reason)
  7. Encampments and events shall be kept to period standards. During event open hours all trash shall be policed and placed in an out of view area. Combat area shall be roped off and off limits to "visitors". The encampment will be set up according to the Tribe agreed upon location and plan. Each member shall be ultimately responsible for the erecting and take down of their tent regardless of the fact that this is generally done as a cooperative. Members are expected to assist in the erection and takedown of the Tribe’s community area.
  8. The pursuit of historical accuracy and a constant refinement of clothing and policy to meet that end is part of our reality and not subject to whim or convenience. We must constantly strive for improvement. Once something is identified as being wrong or inaccurate we have an obligation to take whatever means possible to modify or remove the inaccuracy from the public’s eye.
  9. For Tribal events, matters of commissary (food, water, medical supplies) shall be decided before each event, and members will pay an agreed upon cost. Non members may be invited to attend event after hours meals, but will donate the same reimbursement as the members. Clans can make their own decisions regarding this policy in regards to clan events.

PERSONAL MISCONDUCT OF MEMBERS:

Unacceptable personal misconduct is defined as:

  1. Harassing, physically threatening, or physically or verbally abusing any member or guest of the Tribe or anyone attending a Tribe sponsored function or event.
  2. Conducting oneself in a manner endangering the health or safety of another person.
  3. Harassing any individual because of that person’s race, color, gender, religion, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, or for other reasons by:
    A:Intentionally subjecting another person to offensive physical contact other than self-defensive.?
    B: Specifically insulting another person in his or her immediate presence with abusive words or gestures when a reasonable person would expect that such act would cause emotional distress or provoke a violent response.
    C: Unwanted sexual behavior directed toward an individual,
  4. Engaging in lewdness or indecency.
  5. Exhibiting disorderly conduct (including that resulting from drunkenness), unreasonable noise, or behavior that results in unreasonable annoyance.
    A: Disruption shall be defined as creating noise or other disturbances that disrupt Tribal activities or Tribal sponsored events, or that disrupt either participants or non participants at the venue of a Tribal event.
  6. Tampering with safety systems, turning in a false alarm, or engaging in behavior that constitutes a fire hazard.
  7. Stealing any property.
  8. Selling, brandishing, or possessing firearms, ammunition, explosives, dangerous chemicals, or any other objects as weapons.
  9. Defacing property, public or private
  10. All local, state and federal laws shall be followed. Consumption of alcohol by minors shall not be tolerated.
  11. Abuse of Controlled Substances Policy

Controlled substances shall be defined as:

A. Intoxicants: The purchase, possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages is regulated by State law. Members are expected to know and abide by State law and by Tribal rules and regulations governing the use of alcoholic beverages at Tribe sponsored events. The following is not permissible:

  1. Possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages by persons under 21 years old at Tribal sponsored events.
  2. Furnishing alcoholic beverages to any member under the age of 21 years
  3. The use of alcohol is not permitted at Tribal sponsored events for persons under the age of 21 years.
  4. Excessive consumption of alcohol at a Tribal event.
  5. Using Tribal funds for the purchase of alcoholic beverages.

B. Illegal Drugs and Substances: Members are not permitted to be under the influence of, possess, manufacture, distribute, or sell illicit drugs, as prohibited by State and Federal law, at Tribal events. Reasonable suspicion of possession or use of illegal drugs and substances at Tribal sponsored events may subject the person involved to investigation.

Addendum referring to the Tribal Forum:

This is to address the contents of posts on the forum. It is directed at all members of the forum and Tribe Woden Thor.

It is the decision of the Tribal High Chieftain and the Tribal Council that any and all posts placed on this forum, whether viewable by the general public or not, will be constructed in such a manner that they can be read by anyone regardless of age, race, sex or belief's. Also, this forum will not be used to directly attack or accuse any individual or group.

Any problems within a clan should be taken to your Council of Elders, Clan Chieftain or directly to the Tribal Council if necessary.

ANY MEMBER WHO POSTS UNACCEPTABLE MATERIAL OR DIRECTLY ATTACKS ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP WILL BE REMOVED FROM THIS FORUM. NO EXCEPTIONS.

IF A MEMBER IS REMOVED THE TRIBAL COUNCIL AND CHIEFTAN WILL DETERMINE THE LENGTH OF THAT REMOVAL.

REPEAT OFFENSES WILL RESULT IN THE PERMANENT EXPULSION FROM THE TRIBE.

THIS RULING FROM THE TRIBAL COUNCIL AND CHIEFTAN IS NOT OPEN TO DISCUSSION.

REMEMBER, When making a post: It takes years to build a good reputation and seconds to tear it down.

HANDLING OF DISPUTES AND MISCONDUCT OF MEMBERS:

  1. All disagreements or conflicts shall be made known as soon as possible to all members present and we shall work cooperatively to resolve the issue as soon as possible, after event hours. This may be done by
    A: Thorough discussion,
    B: Third party mediation
    C: Tribal Council vote by members present.
  2. Tribal issues shall be dealt with by the Tribal High Chieftain and Tribal Council. Clan issues shall be dealt with by respective Clan Chieftain and Clan Council of Elders. If a clan is unable to deal with any issues then any member of the Tribe, regardless of their status within their respective Clan, may request the intervention of the Tribal High Chieftain and Tribal Council. Requests may be denied.
  3. Procedure for the Tribe to deal with Clan issues, due to the request of the Clan or the fact that they affect the Tribe as a whole
    The Tribe under the Tribal High Chieftain and Tribal Council will:
    A: Identify the problem and discussion shall be made directly with the Chieftain of the relevant Clan. At this time a set amount of time shall be allotted to correct the problem. If this is unsuccessful then
    B: The Tribal High Chieftain and Tribal Council will communicate with the remaining Clan leadership and a new allotment of time will be allowed to fix the problem. If this is unsuccessful then
    C: The Tribal High Chieftain and Tribal Council will communicate directly with the individual membership of the relevant Clan discussing both the original problem and the obvious ineffectual leadership of that Clan, giving the individual members of the Clan an opportunity to repair their Clan from within. If this is unsuccessful then
    D: The Tribal High Chieftain and Tribal Council will dissolve the relevant Clan, maintaining the opportunity for Tribal High Chieftain and Tribal Council approved individual members to either join an existing Clan or reform a new Clan under a new banner following established guidelines for creating a new clan.
  4. Violation of the Code may subject the member to disciplinary action, including suspension of membership or expulsion, as well as punishment in accordance with federal, state, or municipal law.
  5. A warning constitutes an action that informs the member that they have violated the Code and that a record will be kept of that violation for one year. If a member who is on warning again violates the Code of Conduct, probation or more serious and formal disciplinary action will be taken.
  6. Probation constitutes an action that informs the member in writing that they have violated the Code. The length of probation will is to be determined by the Tribal High Chieftain and Tribal Council. The behavior of the member is expected to be exemplary during any probation period. Any future charges against the member may be cause for suspension, expulsion, or more serious disciplinary action.
  7. Restitution constitutes reimbursement for damage to or misappropriation of property, which may take the form of direct financial compensation, of service, or other forms of indirect compensation. In the event that damage occurs as a result of a member’s action and that action represents a Code violation, the member will be held personally liable for restitution.
  8. Suspension is the exclusion from all Tribal events for a period of time to be determined by the Tribal High Chieftain and Tribal Council. Records of suspensions will be kept on file for five years.
  9. Expulsion is the termination of member status for an indefinite period. Records of expulsions will be kept on file for ten years
  10. Conditions for readmission, if any, shall be stated in the notice of expulsion. Readmission will be granted at the discretion of the Tribal High Chieftain and Tribal Council.

This document is to be read and understood by all adults of legal age and a copy is to be signed by all members and potential members of Tribe Woden Thor before a Tribal Council meeting and is to be witnessed by both the Tribal High Chieftain and one member of the Tribal Council.

Return to the Tribe Woden Thor, home page.

Tribal Code of Member Conduct, Version 1.2, 9/21/2006