Admittedly, it is a democracy that places the educated and the experienced in a position of authority, that is to say that the ordained (or monastic) clergy have two votes apiece in the clergy association (three if they have served 10 years or more,) whereas elected clergy with under 10 years experience only have one vote. (after 10 years, they have two)

Who can become Elected Clergy?
Elected Clergy are the leaders of covens over 8 people in number that have been elected by a one person=one vote election in their respective coven. Elected Clergy may be of any circle within the UEW tradition, but are required to take the Oath of Practice (see Clergy Association for more info.) Each group may have 2 elected clergypersons. Groups over 13 in number may add one more for evey 10 members, if they see fit (3 at 14-23, 4 at 24-33, 5 at 34-43,etc). Covens under 8 in number may appoint clergy but such clergy are not eligable to be members of the AUEWC.
NOTE:A person forming a UEW group may appoint themselves elected leader for the first year of a newly formed group, but MUST step down graciously if removed after the year.

Elected Clergy(even appointed clergy) must be 21 years of age or older, although an elected clergy person can become a "PROVISIONAL" or "ACTING" priest of a coven provided s/he is assisted by a Lay-minister or ordained priest of 21 years or older and is 18 years of age or older. This is not a rubber rule, and the AUEWC is very firm on this, please respect it!

Elected Clergy, or priest/esse/s, are elected to serve a term of no more than 366 days, this election may be done in a manner so decided by the coven body, provided all coven members have one vote. Our suggested method is by meeting without the person/s wishing to be elected present and hashing it out as a group discussion. Secret ballot is also effective. Once an elected priest is in place, at the end of the term, an open ballot is called for. These three questions are asked of the coven:

* Has the elected Leader done their job to the best of his/her ability?
* Are there any that wish to take the position of elected clergy?
* Is there cause for a new vote?

If the answer to the first question is yes, and the answer to the second question is no, and the answer to the third question is no, then there is no need to hold a new election and the leader remains in position if it is so wished. If the answer to the first question is NO (no confidence) a new election is mandated. If the answer to the second question is yes, and there is room for another leader, the group must vote FIRST on whether or not they wish TWO(or more) leaders. If the vote is yes, then the new candidate is voted upon. If the answer is NO then a vote is conducted as to which person is the chosen leader.

Rarely, a leader will throw a temper tantrum if voted out of office, but most of the time elected clergy persons are fairly gracious about stepping down is if is wished by the group. Elected Clergy who are no longer in "office" are still welcomed to be a part of AUEWC.

In order to become a part of the Clergy association, an elected priest must have the signatures of no less than 7 people and COMPLETE the standards exam/AUEWC application. These signatures must appear on a sheet that includes the names of all coven members and indicates a majority vote occured. Self-appointed leaders may not join AUEWC.

Elected clergy that have served a term of 10 years may serve their group in the capacity of elder or high priest/ess, but it is asked that after such time a new leader be appointed. This former leader has 2 votes in the AUEWC.

Egalitarian Groups and The AUEWC

Groups that choose to work without a leader and are 8 or higher in number still have a voice in the clergy association. Those groups that choose to have no leader may vote in any AUEWC ballot as a single voice. The group must choose a spokesperson, and has 24 hours after a vote is called in AUEWC to choose by majority rule what their group's vote is. Such groups only have one vote, votes of lay ministers and ordained priests within a group not withstanding.

Multiple positions and votes in the AUEWC

Elected Clergy who hold position in the Tradition, that is elected Clergy who are also lay ministers, etc, do not gain additional votes. The person uses the higher number, if more than one number is issued. The votes of lay ministers and ordained priests who are not in leadership roles in a coven are still counted as votes, just as a solitary would be.
For example: Stevie is a third Circle Ordained Priestess with 15 years in the position (3 votes) and has been the elected leader of a group for 10 years (2 votes). Stevie has three votes.

Mike is a second circle lay minister with 10 years expeirence (2 votes) who is the spokesperson of an equalitarian coven. mike has two votes, and reports the vote of his coven, for three entires altogether.

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme Coven of UEW is an egalitarian coven with 8 lay ministers, 1 lay minister with 10 years of experience, and two ordained priests. The coven has one vote as a coven, the ordained priests and experienced minister have 2 votes each, totalling 6, and the 8 lay ministers have 8 votes between them, totalling 15 votes from the coven!!

Admittedly, this is a system that favors groups of experienced practioners, but a solitary who has achieved the second circle has the same voice as a coven whose leader has achieved the second circle.

Who become the head of AUEWC?
In order to become the head of AUEWC, a quorum of 50 AUEWC *members* (not 50 votes!) must elect you. In addition, you must not have a BLOCK on your leadership (any 10 votes can be compiled to block a candidate from ever running with the approval of the current AUEWC head. A block can be removed by the head of AUEWC or by administrative action of a quorum) and you must be in the third circle, demonstrate ability to do the work of the position (financially and emotionally), have completed all coursework, affirm the AUEWC leader's pledge and be prepared to take the oath of office. Without a quorum, elections are held at intervals determined by the president.
For more information, check these pages in the handbook:

* Who are UEW Clergy?
* Clergy Association/AUEWC
* Ordained Clergy

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