Ranks and Membership
_____A member of this covenant must also be a member of the Order of Hermes, for if one is ever renounced by the Order they shall also be cast out of this covenant. To be a member of this covenant, a magus must renounce membership to any other covenant, nor may they declare allegiance to another covenant while still a member of this one. Should a magus ever come to desire release from this covenant, he must renounce his Oath of Covenant in the presence of at least three Masters of the council, and shall thereby be relieved of all duties and rights, and may not call upon such rights furthermore. However, if the departure is amicable, the council may invite them to claim the status of Past Master.
_____This council recognizes that the Charter provides for three ranks of membership; Journeyman, Master, and Pontifex (old form: Sacerdos, Flamen, Pontifex). The council also recognizes the auxiliary statuses of Protected Guest, Honored Guest, and Past Master. The council further recognizes the rights of Covenfolk, the rank of Custos, and the status of Consor. These shall be interpreted and applied as follows.
Members
Journeyman/Journeywoman (Sacerdos)
_____Journeyman is the entry level status granted to a magus accepted by a unanimous vote of this council and who swears to the covenant oath. They have all of the basic and provisional rights and obligations of membership, as well as the privileges and duties as due to a member. The status of Journeyman endures until they are elevated to the rank of Master, and may be cancelled by expulsion.
Master/Mistress (Flamen)
_____A Journeyman is elevated to the status of Master by acclimation and consent of the Council of Masters. This is normally only after having participated as a Journeyman member for seven consecutive years and the performance of at least three valuable services to the covenant. Other considerations may include acts of heroism and times of crisis, and considerations of posthumous reward. Recognition of achievement is formally announced and sponsored by another Master in council, and is to be accepted by automatic acclimation unless called into question by three other Masters or a Pontifex, in which case it is subject to a Majority vote of the Council of Masters after no more than three days debate.
_____A Master has the basic and extended rights and privileges of full membership; as well as the duties and obligations of office, leadership, and responsible inhabitants. The rank of Master endures indefinitely unless resigned or expelled.
Pontifex
_____Pontifex is an honorary title granted to certain Masters of distinction, in recognition of the ancient rights and obligations of the original charter which empowers these rules and resolutions. Ascension to this rank is by invitation and acceptance by the other Pontifici, according to their traditions. If there are none others, the title may be claimed, according to ancient tradition, by the magus who has been a Master member the longest.
_____As this is an honorary title, a Pontifix is not entitled special privileges nor obligated special duty beyond those that are due any other Master holding an office. They still hold the rank of Master, and the affairs of the Pontifici are of no more concern to the council as would the private affairs of any other member. The benefits that a Pontifex receives comes from the coffers and accounts of the Pontifici. There are few certain rights, according to our ancient charter, that a Pontifix still retains. However, in the creation and approval of these Rules and Resolutions, the Pontifix has yielded and suspended many of these and mandated that none may ascend to Pontifix without pledging the same .
Guests
Protected Guest
_____One who is formally invited to the covenant by a Master is considered a Protected Guest, and are to be given a token for the Aegis and temporary residence that they may mark as their sanctum. They are given other basic rights due of Hermetic Hospitality, but are not otherwise obligated to this covenant or privileged as a member. Protected Guests may attend councils if invited; but they cannot vote, they are required to leave if requested by any member, and they may have no voice unless granted by a Pontifex who may also silence them. Protected Guest status may be rescinded by the one who invited them or revoked by a Pontifex or a vote of the council.
_____A magus petitioning for membership is treated as a protected guest, but may be referred to as a Pledge. A Pledge may be required to wait up to seven seasons before their petition is voted upon, and the council has the right to call upon them to perform three services (none to exceed the equivalent of a season of activity).
Honored Guest
_____The council may, by unanimous decision, choose to make one an Honored Guest. They may visit the covenant freely and are always to be afforded hospitality. They may occasionally assume some of the rights and duties of a member, as dispensed by the council. They may choose to attend council if they choose, and though they cannot vote and may only speak if permitted by a Master, they can only be asked to be silent or to leave by a Pontifex. Honored Guest Status may be demoted or revoked by a vote of the council.
Past Master
_____A Master who chooses to depart Andorra in goodwill may retain the honorary title of Past Master. They are to be treated as an Honored Guest and may attend council when they choose. Though they cannot vote, they cannot be silenced or ejected except by majority decision of the council. Past Master status can be demoted or revoked by a vote of the council.
Covenfolk
_____Covenfolk, including employees of the covenant and ancestral inhabitants lawfully residing therein, are recognized as deserving of the basic rights and are to be granted the respect that they are due. They are to be afforded wages and benefits as befits the services they provide, and after seven years of service they are eligible for both Pension and Longevity.
Custos
_____The rank of Custos is granted by the Council upon officers of their choosing or approval amongst the Covenfolk. These offices shall include Captain, Chamberlain, Steward, and others determined to be of need and use by the Council. A Custos is to receive a salary in addition to wages and benefits, and are eligible for longevity once they are 35 years of age or have served seven years. The Custos ate allowed to attend meetings of the Council and may be called upon to speak their mind by any member. They are also granted an advisory vote in matters pertaining to their field of scope and perview. This vote is not counted to determine the decisions, but is counted for Quorum (if the meeting is about that issue), counts towards breaking tie votes, and it can make or break a unanimous vote requirement.
Consor
_____A Consor (or Companion) is a status extended to one who is a friend of the Order and this Covenant, though they are not themselves a magus or part of this covenant. They are treated in a manner similar to Protected or Honored Guests.