Statement of Purpose

We are a hall dedicated to Rangerish ideals, the love of nature, and the lore of living things. We recognize these ideals live within the hearts of all races, cultures and professions and welcome those who espouse these ideals to our abode. We seek to impart knowledge of our surroundings and lend our talents to those who seek to become proficient in our combined lores. We welcome diversity and endeavor to coexist with all nature and it's surroundings. We also dedicate ourselves to protecting the lands in which we roam.

Statement of Governing

The Willow Hall shall be a democratic house, with all members voting on key issues. The Chairman will break all ties and control the agenda for issues to be brought before a vote. The elected officers of the House may overturn any of the Chairman’s decisions with a majority vote.

Terms of Office

Each officer is the established officer for life. An officer may be asked to step down if not fulfilling his position requirements, or may step down on his own choice. Unfilled positions will be appointed by the Chairman until the time an election can be held.

An election will be held as soon as possible to fill vacant positions.

Bylaw

Article I

Name: The name of this officially recognized House of Elanthia is Willow Hall, hereinafter referred to as the "House."

Article II

Membership Services: The following benefits follow the guidelines as set forth by the local government unless otherwise noted. (Gemstone IV – Houses of Elanthia Part I – Revision 2.2:Services)

1. Benefit of being an organization

2. Coat of Arms

Appendix A (Click here to see the Coat of Arms)
Appendix B.  The colors of Willow Hall are green and black.

3. Storage Facilities

     1. There will be a standard-sized locker assigned to each member with a standard account in the House or the House Annex in the town where his or her public locker would otherwise reside; and a premium-sized locker assigned to each member with a premium account in the House and in each Annex of the House.

    2. There will be a supply room available for all members for storage of weapons, herbs and other items.

4. Outdoor node

5. Workshop -- A workshop will be available for our House Enchanters.

6. A Hot Tub -- A hot tub will be available for our members’ enjoyment.

Article III

Membership and Dues

Membership in this House is contingent on compliance with requirements specified in these bylaws

Membership is restricted by minimum membership standards as set forth by the local government (Gemstone IV – Houses of Elanthia Part 1 – Revision 2.2: Membership)

Membership is unrestricted by consideration of profession, nationality, culture, life-style, sex or age.

Categories of membership in this House are general member, lifetime member and founding member.

General member: A member who has met minimum House and government standards for membership. A general member is required to pay dues, if house dues are instituted.

Lifetime member: A member who has paid a one-time sum and is not required to pay dues.

Founding member: An original member who joined together with other original members before construction began.

Initiation

Before induction a player must have read and agreed to the GemStone IV House System.

Before induction, a player must have read and agreed to the House Bylaws set forth here.

Before induction of a player, the officers performing the induction will ensure that the player has read and understood the House Bylaws and the GemStone IV House System and is in agreement with the policies set forth in those articles.

Termination

The Chairman may terminate a membership for failure to meet membership requirements as stated above, provided the member was offered an opportunity to have a hearing, if requested, at which the member was permitted to defend against the termination.

A hearing to consist of the Chairman, a quorum of the officers and those members that can attend.

A quorum shall be defined as a majority of the officers.

Before a hearing is conducted a mailing to all members will be made with minimum of one-week notice.

The hearing will be conducted by the President of Judges.

If terminated, a member may be allowed to rejoin by the Chairman after demonstrating eligibility for membership.

Dues

An initial membership offering as stipulated by the local government (currently 25,000 silvers) applies to all members initiated.

Dues of some amount may be instituted by a vote of the membership and will be payable, if instituted, monthly.

Lifetime membership may be purchased for 5,000,000 silvers payable to the treasurer at any time, subject to approval by the Chairman.

Monthly dues are not required by lifetime members.

Dues, if instituted, will be collected by the House Clerk of the local government.

General members will be notified when dues are required via the dues system, if instituted.

General members who cannot meet their dues or will not be around must make arrangements with the Chairman in advance to avoid automatic termination.

Article IV

Contributions

Membership contributions to GENERAL FUNDS will be considered donations to the House.

Purpose of GENERAL FUNDS:

The General Funds can be drawn upon by the Treasurer for House expenses, House entertainment (parties), loans, etc.

2. Members are not required to contribute to GENERAL FUNDS.

3. Contributions do not entitle a member to special privileges.

4. Contributions will not be accepted in lieu of loan repayments.

Article V

Rules and Regulations:

A Parliament may be formed from the standing officers and general members of Willow Hall for the purpose of revising Bylaws or to address issues regarding non-compliance to the Bylaws. The President of the Parliament will be the Co-Chairman of the House or, should the Co-Chairman be unable to serve in this capacity, an elected member of the Parliament will serve.

If a revision of the Bylaws is made and approved by a 2/3-majority vote of the officers, it will be placed before the general membership for a vote where a simple majority will make the decision to implement the Bylaws revision.

The Parliament will decide what constitutes non-compliance with these Bylaws. The Co-Chairman/President of the Parliament will notify the Chairman of the situation, and advice the Chairman on action to take. If there is a discrepancy, the President of Judges will make the final decision.

Article VI

Eligibility for Private Rooms

The Willow Hall had a limited number of private rooms decorated for use by certain members.

Due to such a limited number of private rooms, these Bylaws establish the following policies:

1. If a private room becomes available, the Chairman will put the room up for petition. Members will petition for the room. After suitable time, the Chairman will meet with the officers and vote on the petitioners. At such time, the winner of the vote will be notified and given the key to the room, if a key is available. In honor of the founding members, the name of the room and its décor will remain the same.

2. Once a member has moved into a private room, it belongs to that member for as long as he or she resides in town, remains a member in good standing, and at the discretion of the House.

3. Private rooms become available under the following conditions:

1. If the person assigned to the room is no longer a member of the House;

2. If the person assigned to the room should leave town for an extended period of time, then the officers reserve the right to reassign the room to someone else.

Concerning Parliament Issues 10.14.11

I. Concerning the issue of Hall membership and multiple accounts under 
the direction of one player, Parliament has unanimously recommended the 
following policy:

1.  Willow Hall welcomes all adventurers to active membership but in as 
much as we do enjoy the support of players with multiple accounts we 
would prefer not to have multiple characters under the direction of a 
single player as members.

2.  We encourage players with multiple accounts to find membership for 
their alternate characters in other Houses to provide them with the 
benefits of CHE participation. One house that is used by many for this 
purpose is Paupers.

3.  We support continued membership of alternate characters directed by 
the same player who have already become members of the Hall so long as 
they provide full disclosure of their status and promise not to vote on 
any Hall matters. ONE PLAYER - ONE VOTE. Their prime character, of 
course, will continue to have full voting rights.

4.  We recommend that part of every interview should include the direct 
question of whether or not the character is directed by a player with 
multiple accounts and that prospective member (PLAYER) should be made 
aware of this policy before asking to join the Hall.

 

II. Concerning revising and revamping the Oath spoken to become a 
member of Willow Hall, Parliament unanimously recommends we adopt the 
following Membership Oath:

“I ________, do solemnly swear to bear true faith and dedication to 
Willow Hall, its members and the beliefs and values it is governed by ; 
that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation and 
that I will well and resolutely fulfill the responsibility in which I 
am about to enter. I hereto commit my life in allegiance to Willow Hall 
and to the lands in which I roam."




III. Concerning establishing standards of conduct for members and 
officers in and out of the Hall. Parliament unanimously withdrew this 
issue from further consideration. We do not want our members to do 
anything other than what they think is right at the time. If that means 
killing someone so be it. If it becomes a problem or turns into an 
internal dispute we have an Arbitrator and the Chancellor to sort it 
out.