Uzlagą Uzlagą
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Constitution and Bylaws

Uzlagą — Primal Law

“Thence come the maidens mighty in wisdom,
Three from the dwelling down ‘neath the tree;
Urðr is one named, Verðandi the next,
On the wood they score, and Skuld the third.
Laws they made there, and life allotted
To the sons of men, and set their fates.” — Völuspá 20

Uzlagą

Uzlagą is the Proto-Germanic word for primal law. It is composed of two parts: an inherited element from the deeds of one’s ancestors and the unchangeable circumstances of one’s birth. The Norns maintain Uzlagą by directing all actions into the well of Urðr, from where they emerge when one is born. Uzlagą shapes the destiny of communities bound by a common culture. We carry the burdens and blessings of our ancestors and are responsible for the shape Uzlagą takes for future generations.

Our Beliefs

  1. We believe as our ancestors did and commit ourselves to the various pre-Christian traditions and customs detailed throughout historical literature, archaeological evidence and comparative Indo-European practices.
  2. We believe in honoring the gods, our ancestors and local spirits.
  3. We believe in living in rhythm with the natural world; maintaining reciprocity between all animate beings.
  4. We believe we should emulate our gods by acts of beauty and order.
  5. We believe in the virtues of Honor, Loyalty, Reciprocity, Truth, Courage, Self-Defense, Hospitality, Industriousness and Self-Reliance as exemplified by our fore-bearers.

Our Mission

Uzlagą is established for the purpose of creating, aiding and maintaining Norse and Germanic Pagan communities.

We promote independent tribal living and cooperation between tribes and kindreds within Indo-European spirituality.

Our aim is to foster unity among all our brothers and sisters without interfering with each tribe's sovereignty.

Our Vision

Our highest priority is the preservation and enrichment of Norse and Germanic Culture.

We seek to create healthy, functioning communities, maintained by:

  1. Eating simply and healthily from quality sources.
  2. Staying active, physically fit and getting plenty of sleep.
  3. Living in harmony with nature.
  4. Living in groups of around 150 people where everyone assists in mutual goals to maintain an exceptional quality of life.
  5. Maintaining order, cleanliness, and mutually shared standards of behavior.
  6. A spirit of kinship, brotherhood and sisterhood.
  7. Prioritizing family.
  8. Making sure mothers and babies are always together and cared for.
  9. Healthily sheltering children and protecting them from harm.
  10. Training young people in wise ways of living and handling themselves in groups.
  11. Learning survival skills and self sufficiency.

This organization shall be governed by the following articles:

ARTICLE I — NAME

Uzlagą

The name of the organization shall be Uzlagą and may be alternatively spelled Uzlaga.

ARTICLE II — PURPOSES

The purposes for which this organization is formed are:

  1. To promote spiritual growth within Norse and Germanic Paganism.
  2. To provide resources to those seeking to practice our beliefs in a historical manner.
  3. To educate others on our practices and beliefs.
  4. To aid those in need within our communities.
  5. To preserve Norse and Germanic culture.
  6. To establish places of worship and communal living.
  7. To encourage self-sufficiency and tribal sovereignty.

ARTICLE III — ORGANIZATION TYPE

Uzlagą is a religious, non-profit private member association and operates in accordance with the ethics of Norse and Germanic Paganism under the protections of the First, Fourth, Fifth, Ninth, Tenth and Fourteenth Amendments of the Constitution of the United States.

ARTICLE IV — MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Eligibility

  1. Membership in Uzlagą shall be eligible to all who believe in the Norse and Germanic gods and whose vision and mission aligns with the organization's.
  2. All members must undergo a vetting process and have sponsorship from two current members in order to be considered for membership.
  3. Membership into the organization shall be approved by our security team and certified by the Board Chair or Vice Chair.
  4. Members shall maintain annual dues of $120 and may opt for monthly payments. Failure to pay dues may result in loss of membership.

Section 2. Dismissal of Members

Members may be dismissed from the organization by majority vote of the board of directors for the following reasons:

  1. Criminal behavior
  2. Abuse of women or children
  3. Abuse of drugs or alcohol
  4. Abusing the resources of the organization without contributing to our vision and mission
  5. Defamation of the organization or its members

Any decisions by the board of directors are final and the dismissed member may have no further recourse.

Section 3. Privileges of Members

  1. Access to our goðar to assist in officiating life events
  2. Access to our private online community with tools and shared resources
  3. Consultations with healers, herbalists and spiritual guides
  4. Language and culture education
  5. Access to our village and land
  6. Athletic and martial arts training
  7. Youth programs and rites of passage
  8. Emergency aid for families
  9. Admittance to annual Alþing
  10. Admission to events and workshops

ARTICLE V — GOVERNANCE

Section 1. Board of Directors

Uzlagą shall be governed by a board of directors who shall handle the business of the organization in accordance with our beliefs, vision and mission. They shall consist of the following:

  • Board Chair
  • Vice Chair
  • Secretary/Treasurer
  • Fundraising Officer
  • Director of Land and Construction
  • Director of Norse and Germanic Language and Culture
  • Director of Security
  • Social Media Officer
  • Director of IT Operations

Only in the event of a tie on a vote shall the Board Chair make the final decision.

All officers must swear an oath of fidelity to the organization before serving in their respective roles.

Section 2. Board Chair

Term of Office: The Board Chair shall hold office in perpetuity unless voted out by the board or members of the organization. If the Board Chair chooses to resign, the office shall be filled by the appointment of a new Board Chair by vote of the board of directors. Resignation shall be submitted to the board of directors in writing.

Duties: The Board Chair oversees all activities and aspects of the organization. They shall preside over all business meetings and shall be an Ex Officio member of all committees and departments. The Board Chair holds the authority to certify documents and sign checks.

Section 3. Vice Chair

Term of Office: The office of Vice Chair shall be appointed by the Board Chair, ratified by a majority vote of the board of directors and serve one fiscal year. The board of directors can only oppose the appointment of someone as Vice Chair if they nominate an alternative person to fulfill the role, in which case a new vote takes place. At the end of their term, they may be (a) reinstated by the board of directors, (b) replaced by a vote of the board of directors, or (c) resign. Resignation shall be submitted to the board of directors in writing.

Duties: The Vice Chair must preside over all business meetings, departments and committees in the absence of the Board Chair. The Vice Chair holds the authority to certify documents and sign checks.

Section 4. Secretary-Treasurer

Term of Office: The Secretary-Treasurer of the organization shall be appointed by the Board Chair, ratified by a majority vote of the board of directors and serve one fiscal year. The board of directors can only oppose the appointment of someone as Secretary-Treasurer if they nominate an alternative person to fulfill the role, in which case a new vote takes place. At the end of their term, they may be (a) reinstated by the board of directors, (b) replaced by a vote of the board of directors, or (c) resign. Resignation shall be submitted to the board of directors in writing. In the absence of a Secretary-Treasurer, the Board Chair or Vice Chair may fulfill this role.

Duties: The Secretary-Treasurer is responsible to keep a record of all actions and decisions that occur during official meetings and Alþings. A clear and written financial report must be shared with the rest of the board of directors during each official meeting. It is the responsibility of the Secretary-Treasurer to ensure the transfer of funds to departments or committees after agreed upon by the board of directors. There shall be receipts made of every monetary transaction for the records of the organization.

Section 5. Fundraising Officer

Term of Office and Nomination: The Fundraising Officer shall be appointed by vote of the board of directors and serve one fiscal year. At the end of their term, they may be (a) reinstated by the board of directors, (b) replaced by a vote of the board of directors, or (c) resign. Resignation shall be submitted to the board of directors in writing.

Duties: The Fundraising Officer is responsible for maintaining a steady flow of capital into the organization in order to maintain operations and fulfill the organization’s mission. They are in charge of reaching out to donors and creating fundraising events.

Section 6. Director of Land and Construction

Term of Office: The Director of Land and Construction shall be appointed by vote of the board of directors and serve one fiscal year. At the end of their term, they may be (a) reinstated by the board of directors, (b) replaced by a vote of the board of directors, or (c) resign. Resignation shall be submitted to the board of directors in writing.

Duties: The Director of Land and Construction oversees all purchases and maintenance of land. They are also responsible for managing all construction projects; working with contractors and designating duties with skilled members.

Section 7. Director of Norse and Germanic Language and Culture

Term of Office: The Director of Norse and Germanic Language and Culture shall be appointed by vote of the board of directors and serve one fiscal year. At the end of their term, they may be (a) reinstated by the board of directors, (b) replaced by a vote of the board of directors, or (c) resign. Resignation shall be submitted to the board of directors in writing.

Duties: The Director of Norse and Germanic Language and Culture will advise on the historical application of language and cultural practices. It is their responsibility to back up any practice with archaeological, literary or comparative evidence.

Section 8. Director of Security

Term of Office: The Director of Security shall be appointed by vote of the board of directors and serve one fiscal year. At the end of their term, they may be (a) reinstated by the board of directors, (b) replaced by a vote of the board of directors, or (c) resign. Resignation shall be submitted to the board of directors in writing.

Duties: The Director of Security is responsible for all aspects of security of the organization. Their duties shall include:

  • Screening those applying for membership
  • Conducting risk assessments
  • Maintaining security for properties of the organization

Section 9. Social Media Officer

Term of Office: The Social Media Officer shall be appointed by vote of the board of directors and serve one fiscal year. At the end of their term, they may be (a) reinstated by the board of directors, (b) replaced by a vote of the board of directors, or (c) resign. Resignation shall be submitted to the board of directors in writing.

Duties: The Social Media Officer is responsible for public outreach, promotion, and sharing news and events. As a face of the organization, they shall conduct themselves in a professional manner and remain publicly neutral in the sphere of politics.

Section 10. Director of IT Operations

Term of Office: The Director of IT Operations shall be appointed by vote of the board of directors and serve one fiscal year. At the end of their term, they may be (a) reinstated by the board of directors, (b) replaced by a vote of the board of directors, or (c) resign. Resignation shall be submitted to the board of directors in writing.

Duties: The Director of IT Operations is responsible for overseeing the organization’s technology infrastructure and systems to ensure reliability and efficiency in operations. They align IT strategies with broader business objectives while maintaining day-to-day operational activities.

Section 11. Multiple Offices

Members of the board of directors shall not hold more than two offices at any time.

Section 12. Dismissal of Officers

  1. Board members may call for a special meeting on grounds for dismissal of another board member in which instance the officer in question can be removed by an anonymous majority vote. In any instances of a tie, the Board Chair shall have the final say.
  2. During the annual Alþing, any member of the organization may present before the board a petition for the removal of any board member. If it contains signatures of over half of the total of membership then the officer in question must resign from their position and the Board of Directors shall vote on a new officer.
  3. Grounds for dismissal shall be:
    1. Withholding of pertinent information that pertains to the functioning and integrity of the organization or its members.
    2. Criminal behavior.
    3. Drug or alcohol abuse.
    4. Abuse of women or children.
    5. Unethical behavior that compromises the organization.

ARTICLE VI — MEETINGS

Section 1. Regular Business Meetings

  1. There shall be quarterly business meetings every year where all reports are read.
  2. New officers shall be voted in and installed. They shall swear upon an oath ring, kept by the treasurer.
  3. Board members shall be notified no less than 30 days in advance before the regular business meetings.

Section 2. Order of Regular Business Meetings

The order of business for the regular business meetings of Uzlagą shall be as follows:

  1. Opening Prayer
  2. Reading of previous minutes
  3. Report of the treasurer
  4. Report of committees
  5. Unfinished business
  6. Voting in officers
  7. Installation of officers
  8. New business
  9. Adjournment

Section 3. Special Business Meetings

Special business meetings of the board of directors may be requested by any board member.

Section 4. Annual Alþing

  1. An annual Alþing shall take place where every member of the organization shall have an opportunity to speak before the board of directors.
  2. Chieftains and goðar are encouraged to speak for their tribes and kindreds.

ARTICLE VII — FINANCES

All property and assets, including real estate and funds shall be held in trust for the religious and charitable purposes of this organization.

  1. All funds for the operation and maintenance of Uzlagą shall be provided by voluntary contributions, fundraising, educational events and membership fees.
  2. All deposits must be made into a bank account exclusively for Uzlagą.
  3. Quarterly reports shall be furnished to the board of directors.

ARTICLE VIII — DEPARTMENTS AND COMMITTEES

  1. The organization shall form any department or committee as the need arises by vote of the board of directors.
  2. These committees and departments shall be subordinate to the organization and shall be under the general supervision of the board of directors.
  3. Every head of a department or committee must submit a quarterly report to the secretary before regular business meetings of the board of directors.

ARTICLE IX — CERTIFICATIONS

  1. The board members of Uzlagą shall have power to carry out all of the purposes set forth in Article II.
  2. The Board Chair's or the Vice Chair's signature shall be sufficient certificate for negotiating and executing any action in said Articles.

ARTICLE X — AMENDMENTS

  1. This constitution shall be amended or changed by majority vote of the board of directors. Only in the case of a tie does the Board Chair make the final decision.
  2. Amendments shall be made at any regular or special business meeting after all board members are notified and provided at least 30 days' notice of such proposed changes.

ARTICLE XI — CONDUCT OF ORGANIZATION

  1. No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributed to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in the purpose clause hereof.
  2. No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be the carrying of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the organization shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.
  3. Notwithstanding any other provision of this document, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and any corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or any corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

ARTICLE XII — DISSOLUTION

  1. Uzlagą may be voluntarily dissolved by a majority vote of the board of directors with the ratification of the Board Chair.
  2. The property of Uzlagą is dedicated to religious and charitable purposes, and upon liquidation, dissolution or abandonment, shall not inure to the benefit of any private person except a fund, foundation or corporation organized and operated for religious, educational or charitable purposes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law), as the Board of Directors shall determine.
  3. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the Circuit Court of the county in which the principal office of the corporation is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.