Students Bill of Rights

• Anonymity: Students have the right to keep their involvement within all Class(es) or Course(s) a secret to preserve their professional and / or personal lives where they see fit.

• Finances: Students shall have to right to not be required or coerced to partake of the financial burdens on behalf of the Phoenix Rising Coven except through payment(s) on behalf of stated Class(es) or Course(s) structure. 

• Compensation: Should a Student produce a good(s) that they would normally receive income – payments will be promptly made. It is at the sole discretion of the Student to give away or provide discounts as they see fit for their goods and no person(s) shall be coerced otherwise.

• Sexual Freedom: No persons – Students or otherwise – at any given time shall be required to have sexual relations with any unwanted persons.

• Personal well-being: Students shall not be required or coerced to submit to any form of physical injury by anyone at any given time. Should physical injury result from any type of contact, the authorities will be immediately alerted.

• Abiding by the Law: All persons shall not be required or coerced to commit any type of illegal act(s).

• Consistency: All persons have the right to expect consistent practices from any teacher or group. Students will be informed in a timely manner of any changes.

• Respect:  All persons will have the right to be respected at all times. Failure to do so by any persons will result in termination from all Class(es) and / or Course(s).

Teachers Bill of Rights

This Teacher's Bill of Rights should be contrasted to the various Students' Bills of Rights which have been circulated (e.g., Hern's Wood Coven version) . Both are designed to protect. Note in some cases this Bill of Rights contradicts the Students Bill of Rights; such is the universe.

This document is presented as a very serious list of rights, followed by a less-serious annotation expanding on each right.

A teacher has the right to:

• Refuse to accept you as a student

No, I don't have to take you as a student. Even if you believe it's a perfect fit (or I'm the only teacher you've found in 15 minutes of looking) . Nor do I owe you a detailed explanation of why I'm not willing to take you on.

• Teach you in the manner they feel is best

As a teacher, I've done this before and have quite a bit of experience in teaching (in fact, I was probably teaching before you were born) . I may not teach you what you want to learn when you want to learn it. I (gasp) am likely to make you start with the basics, not the neat spell you saw on TV or in the movies. I may not teach you exactly the same way or in the same sequence as I teach my other students, or as another teacher you might know, or as the last book you read. There are reasons for my doing this. After you've taught students for a decade or so you may come back and tell me you understand now why I did what I did. For now, just accept it.

• Have a life

Yes, I'm interested in the rest of your life. This does not mean I'm available at 3:00 am to listen to your personal problems. Nor am I available for cash loans, rides, or crashing at my place. If I am nice enough to offer one or more of these do not presume the offer stands forever.

• Not be placed on a pedestal

I'm glad you look up to me. But don't place me on too tall of a pedestal. I'm human - I'm going to make mistakes, have bad days, and in general foul up occasionally. I've got feet of clay. So don't make that pedestal too high - I don't like heights, and I'm tired of the long fall when you finally knock me off the pedestal.

• No assumptions of relationships

Yes, a magical teacher-student relationship forges a very strong magical bond between student and teacher. This should not be assumed to be an emotional or a physical relationship. You're my student - I've got an emotional/relationship life already. It's not a good idea to mix the two. So if you get a crush on me, don't be surprised when I politely decline it. Nor are you allowed to get jealous of my existing significant other (s) and HP (S) .

• Restrict attendance at their classes, Circle, and rituals

I don't care how long you've know them, if they are your best friend, or how many days you've been lovers. Our Circles (and classes) are restricted to people approved by the HP or HPS in advance. In advance does not mean a phone call 15 minutes before circle starts. It means you arranging for the HP/HPS to meet the person (s) in question in a social setting some days prior to the event (or whatever your teacher tells you is their process for meeting new people) .

• Not promote you if they don't feel it's appropriate

Accepting you as a student does not mean I'm automatically obligated to give you a First, Second, Third, and/or whatever your tradition calls for. I'm not a public school teacher - my task is to teach and pass on to those who can best use it. I'm not required to pass 100% of my students. In fact, it's in my best interest to not pass a student if they can't do the work, are not suited for my tradition, or aren't ready yet. Because it's my karma affected by my students as well. So don't get mad at me because you feel like it's been too long (but everyone in that other tradition got his or her Third Degree initiation in 90 days - guaranteed!) . I have the responsibility to you to let you know if I don't think it's working out. But I also have the karmic responsibility to not hand out degrees I know you're not ready for. And if you think it's been too long - have you really done everything I asked you to? Really?

• Release a student without prejudice

I'll release a student for many reasons. They aren't adapting to my tradition. They aren't fitting in with the rest of the group. They aren't making a reasonable effort to move forward. They've gone as far as I can teach them in my tradition. But when I release a student, it should not be considered a personal attack on you. And you're not allowed to spread nasty rumors about my group, my tradition, or me just because I released you.

• Not have rumors spread about us

So I sacrifice goats at new moons? Have huge orgies every Sabbat? Wear robes in colours you don't like? Have you ever seen me do this (if so, why wasn't I invited?) . If you haven't actually seen me doing any of this, why are you spreading the rumour? Did I refuse to accept you or a friend of yours as a student (if so, see the item above) ? Did I release you or a friend of yours (if so, see the item above) ? Is it because I'm in a different Circle or tradition? Do you want someone spreading such rumours about your Circle or tradition? Then why spread them about mine? If you really want to know, come ask me.


Copyright: Version 2.5. This document copyright © 1999 - 2006 by Meph. All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced only if both the following conditions are met: (1) it is reproduced in toto, including this notice, (2) it is only reproduced for non-profit purposes. For information on commercial reproduction, or to send comments, contact Meph at meph_fmpph@yahoo.com with the subject line "Teachers Bill of Rights Request"

Frequently Asked Questions

These are the common questions we get emailed about. If you have any that are not on the list email us.

1. What is the Phoenix Rising Coven about?

   The Phoenix Rising Coven is about expanding all types of spirituality within all individuals without discrimination of one's personal paths.

2. Why does the Coven teach Class(es) and Course(s)?

     We teach these various Class(es) and Course(s) as a way to positively promote the diverse Pagan cultures, beliefs and practices within each of our communities.  Also, there is an apparent lack of places within our communities that are able to teach others, and we feel that we are able to assist in filling that void.

3. If I take these Class(es) or Course(s) am I able to have a position within the Phoenix Rising Coven?

     The answer to this query is generally NO because we as a Coven would all need to get to know others very well and this could take many years at times. A Coven is a spiritual family that is not only cherished, but protected from others until such time as the whole Coven feels a persons energies would match within the Coven itself.

 The entity known as the Phoenix Rising Coven is a spiritual one and though the Class(es) and Course(s) are taught by the Members of the Coven - these Class(es) and Course(s) are still (in an essence) separate from the Coven.

4. What are / is the fee for Class(es) and/ or Course(s) offered?

    ON-LINE Courses are $ 5.00 per person / per week

    (Please go to: On-Line Class Payment for further payment lists)

     PHYSICAL Class(es) / Course(s) vary in price and can be discussed while at the scheduled meeting

5. How do I join the On-Line Class(es) or Course(s)?

1. Schedule a meeting (physical or on-line)
2. Fill out and return the Pre-Class Questionnaire found at: Pre - Class Questionnaire
3. Sign up at the Forum (website will be given at meeting)
4. Email the Phoenix Rising Coven with the Forum name you will be using (please note that name and password recovery cannot be performed by the webmaster)
5. Make first payment for set Class(es) or Course(s) (instructions will be given during meeting)
6. Begin your class(es) / course(s)
7. Be presently active on the Forum

** For all on-line classes / courses, it is a requirement to have an interview prior to signing up for any classes / courses - if an interview is not scheduled and completed, persons will automatically deleted from the Forum.

6. What if I cannot make a specific Class on-line? Will I be deleted from the On-Line Forum?

If possible, it is asked that people contact the Phoenix Rising Coven of any issues that they may have with scheduled classes so that you will not be deleted. If a person is inactive for a period of 30 days then the Forum will automatically delete the account and person's will need to re-register.

7. What if I cannot make a specific physical Class? Will I be deleted from the Class or Course?

If a person informs the instructor in a timely manner, then no, that person will not be deleted / removed from the Class / Course. However, should a person not inform the instructor in a timely manner, then that instructor may delete / remove person from all Class(es) / Course(s) as wished.

8. How do I hand in my homework on-line?

It is asked that all homework(s) be handed in on time via email. (Instructor's email will be given once a person's on-line account has been completed.

9. What is expected from me as a Student on-line? And in physical class(es)?

Expectations of all Students whether on-line or physical are:

• Be committed to your studies also your spiritual path / spirituality
  
• Show up to all Classes / Courses in a timely manner
• Contact the Instructor if you cannot be to Class
• Show respect to all persons at all times (including yourself)
• Come to the Sabbats / Esbats (physical)
• Be responsible for one's own personal scheduling
• Use your common sense
  

10. What does the Phoenix Rising Coven do within the community? And can I be a part of it?

The Phoenix Rising Coven proudly supports many organizations, groups, businesses and people within our community.
There is a short list of the various Friends and Organizations that we support that is listed on Our Friends page.
As far as helping within the community through these Organizations, please feel free to click on any other their websites and see what they are about and how you can help them.