Charter of Nordholt

Charter of Nordholt
Opening statement on the Spirit of these words
It is the intention of the founders and architects of this Charter to provide a strong foundation for the Branch to grow prosper and live in harmony. All heed shall be to the spirit of these words by the Leadership while governing this settlement.
Statement of settlement centre and borders of Nordholt
The centre of our settlement will be the point of convergence of the Kings number one Highway and the waterway known as the Vedder canal located at 49 deg 7’23” N and 122 deg 5’38”. Our borders will be extending as far as we can grow, conquer, and hold.
The mundane border area that we will strive to hold will be the cities of Abbotsford, Agassiz, Chilliwack, Cultas Lake, Harrison/Kent, Hope and Mission.
Definition of name and arms
• The name Nordholt derives from the words Nord and Holt which are derived from the ancient Norse Language. The direct meanings of the words are Nord meaning North and Holt meaning woodland which when conjoined give us the North Woodlands.
• The arms of Nordholt is blazoned as follows:
• The populace badge of Nordholt is blazoned as follows:
Leadership
• Definition & Term of service
o The Nordholt definition of Leadership is the Lord or Lady or Lord & Lady who are to be the Crown representatives within the Branch moreover whom the Populace pledge to support in turn for the support, guidance, and protection of the Leadership.
o The longest term of service which the Leadership may serve before a consensus by tally is two consecutive calendar years by the Gregorian calendar. There will be no maximum to the number of terms for the Leadership to serve as long as the consensus has been found to be favorable for the Leadership every two years.
• Selection/removal
o Consensus by tally- The process for selecting and removing the Leadership of Nordholt will be by a majority vote of the Citizens of Nordholt will be by a majority vote of the Citizens of Nordholt including those not present who may vote by proxy.
 The definition of majority is that of 2/3 of the voting Citizens.
 Proxy – the process of assigning your vote to a trustee or sending your written vote by paper and signature to the Consensus with an additional notification to the Leadership thus, ensuring your wishes for the proxy to be in place.
o The Consensus by tally shall be held no later the final day of the fourth month by the Gregorian calendar. The change of Leadership will happen immediately after the tally and will be published for public knowledge.
o Should the Leadership fail to execute their duties a challenge may be laid by a minimum of 50% of Nordholt’s Citizens. Where the time, date, and location of a challenge must be announced giving 30 days notice to the Populace. Further, it is the responsibility of those presenting the challenge to make the arrangements and give notice to the populace of Nordholt of the challenge details. The challenger must also inform the Leadership 15 days prior to the announcement of the challenge of the charges in writing so that the Leadership may prepare an adequate defense. The challenger must present a case to the populace for the removal of the Leadership. The Leadership will be given the opportunity to refute these charges at that time. Then the populace shall declare with whom they will side and a battle shall be engaged to determine the fate of the loser.
• Resignation or incapacity
o In the untimely event that the Leadership in part or whole are no longer capable of executing their duties there shall be:
 The selection of a Steward of Nordholt by consensus of tally after nominations in the absence of an Heir designated by the Leadership of Nordholt.
 A petition will be put forth to the Crown or Noble Estate by the Steward of Nordholt to determine a succession action for the Leadership of the branch.
o Votes cast within the House of Lords or Noble Estate will be at the sole discretion of the Leadership and not decided by a consensus tally of the populace of the branch.
o The Leadership of the Branch shall make a concerted effort to promote the welfare and harmony of Nordholt and its Populace therein.
o On occasion the Leadership will hold a local judicial court to settle disputes, pass judgment or hear discussions. The manner of proceedings and all aspects of the Court will be at the sole discretion of the Leadership.
Official Nordholt Customs
• It is the custom of our settlement to view the world of the Empire of Medieval Pursuits as that of the new world or previously undiscovered continent pioneered and settled by our founders then the consecutive generations.
• It is the custom of the folk of Nordholt to be accepting of other cultures while maintaining the cultures of our founders who were primarily Norse and Scottish citizens searching for a new land to live, play & prosper.
• It is the desire of the people of Nordholt to not be offended by the presence of fantasy or mythical creature personas. To quote one member “if I see one elf or furry footed person person I will cleave it in twain as it is a demon!”.
• The Leadership shall at their discretion confer upon at least one indivisual within the settlement one annual dues for Citizenship per year from the Branch treasury.
Financial Primer
• Financial Authority
o The sole responsibility of financial authority lies on the Leadership of this Branch as governed by higher law. If there is an Exchequer of the Branch they shall report to the Leadership. Furthermore, the Exchequer is to be the keeper of financial records for the Branch so that they may provide accurate reports as to the financial state of the Branch and counsel for the Leadership when requested.
o There shall always be three trusted signatories within the Branch of which any two may sign cheques for the dispersement of Branch funds.
• Financial Approval
o The Leadership has the final approval or denial of all financial matters.
Amending: The Charter of Nordholt
• This Charter may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Citizenry of Nordholt at the direction of the Leadership. All proposed amendments must be publicly published for 30 days before being put to a consensus by tally.
• Submission of an Amendment
o Submission for amendments to the Charter must be presented to the Leadership in writing for review ten days before being published.
• Any part of this Charter found to be in conflict with any higher laws will be immediately and automatically void.