ECmentorship.html

Guidelines for Camp in Formation Organizers
Mentor Secretary, Electoral College
July 12, 2007

The Camp in Formation (CiF) Program is a resource offered by the Electoral College in support of individual Initiates who are working toward applying for a Chartered Camp of Ordo Templi Orientis.

The Electoral College may recognize a qualified Initiate as a Camp in Formation Organizer. The CiF Organizer operates as a field organizer and contact point within the valley of the proposed camp.

Through the resources of the CiF Program, the Electoral College will provide CiF Organizers with support and information to assist with the many challenges of growing a new camp. It's the job of a CiF Organizer to convince the EC that a new camp would benefit the Order and the initiates in their area, and that he or she is the right person to lead it.

In addition to supporting aspiring masters in their endeavors to grow new camps, the Camp in Formation program is designed to facilitate communication between aspiring camp masters and the Electoral College, to improve the long-term survival rate for new camps, and to encourage the emergence of new local bodies to serve remote areas.

The Electoral College recommends that aspiring camp masters participate in the CiF Program. Even so, participation in the CiF program is not a mandatory prerequisite for submitting an Application for Camp Charter.

Resources Available to CiF Organizers

•    CiF Organizers will have access to a KRE or above mentor who can offer information, feedback, and advice. The mentor will also report to the Electoral College on the progress of the CiF Organizer on April 1st and October 1st of each year.

•    CiF Organizers will have access to the LB-Leadership-USGL email list, which facilitates communication between local body leadership, the EC, and US Grand Lodge Officers.

•    Further information on applying for a camp charter may be found at:
http://ec.oto-usa.org/ECcampapp.html

•    The EC criteria for camps may be found at:
http://ec.oto-usa.org/ECcriteria.html

•    If there are further resources that would be helpful, or if specific questions arise, a CiF Organizer may contact the EC Mentor Secretary directly at mentor_secretary@oto-usa.org.

Recognition as a Camp in Formation Organizer

To be recognized as a CiF Organizer, an individual meeting the qualifications listed below must contact the Mentor Secretary at mentor_secretary@oto-usa.org. Recognition of an Initiate as a CiF Organizer is not guaranteed, and is handled by the Electoral College on a case-by-case basis.

•    The individual must be a dues current Initiate of O.T.O. in good standing of at least the Third Degree. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis for Initiates of the First or Second Degree.

•    The Mentor Secretary will investigate the good report of the Initiate by contacting Initiatory sponsors, and/ or contacting the master(s) of local bodies recently attended.

•    The Initiate must contact all masters of existing local bodies within an approx. two-hour radius regarding their intent to be recognized as a CiF Organizer. If there are no local bodies within a two-hour radius, the Initiate must contact the master of the nearest local body.

•    Recognition as a CiF Organizer is granted for a term of one year. The Mentor Secretary may extend this term for additional one-year intervals. CiF Organizer status may be reviewed or revoked by the EC at any time should the circumstances warrant.

Expectations

A CiF Organizer is expected to:

•    Remain a dues current Initiate of OTO in good standing.

•    Maintain communication with their Mentor.

•    Maintain a fraternal and harmonious relationship with existing local bodies, including good communication and cordial relations. The facilitation of reactionary or oppositional efforts that undermine the operation of existing local bodies is not within the spirit of the CiF Program. Failure to maintain harmonious relations with existing bodies will jeopardize participation in the CiF Program.

Guidelines for Operation

CiF Organizers are responsible for adhering to the following guidelines. These are designed as general guidelines, which we understand may not address every situation that might arise in a particular valley. Should specific questions arise, a CiF Organizer should contact their mentor, or the EC Mentor Secretary.

•    CiF Organizers must not represent themselves as operating a chartered body of Ordo Tempi Orientis. However, they may state that they are organizing local activity toward the end of applying for a Camp Charter.

•    A CiF Organizer may decide to hold meetings, classes, or other activities in their local area. Because these activities are not conducted under the auspices of a chartered body of Ordo Templi Orientis, they are not recognized as O.T.O. events, and must not be represented as such.

•    The Electoral College will not recognize a name for a proposed local body. CiF Organizers should keep in mind that the Electoral College asks for three possible names for the proposed body on the Application for Camp Charter, and their preferred name may not necessarily be approved.

•    A CiF Organizer may not post a website for their proposed local body. However, announcements of activity on email lists or posts on a personal website are acceptable.

•    A CiF Organizer with activity levels fulfilling the camp criteria for at least 6 months should consider submitting an Application for Camp Charter. There is no guarantee that the Electoral College will approve an Application for Camp Charter submitted by a CiF Organizer.

•    Since a CiF Organizer is not operating a chartered body of O.T.O., it is not appropriate for them to collect dues or to receive donations of money or property in the name of O.T.O. A ‘Camp in Formation’ is not a recognized entity, and therefore it cannot own money or equipment.

•    Should a situation arise in which a CiF Organizer is in a position to receive a donation of funds or equipment, he or she should contact the EC Mentor Secretary, who will facilitate communication with the Grand Treasurer General. Such situations will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

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