The Laws of HoGAbout Us:
House Symbol:
An ankh with a heart in the loop, bat-like clawed wings and a crow in flight in the upper left.
Meaning:
The ankh is a symbol of life, death, and rebirth. Essentially, it is a symbol of immortality. Throughout our lives we deal with many things, some tear us down while others build us up. Each time we better ourselves and come to new wisdom and understanding, the person we were yesterday dies and the person we are today is born anew. The bat-like wings are a symbol of our embracing our own lives and the lives of each other, an umbrella to shelter us, great wings to blanket us and keep us warm, and fangs and claws to protect us from harm. The loop shows a heart-like shape which represents our love for ourselves and our community. Bat-Ankh original art by Master Vic Graves.
The crow is an acient symbol of life and death, and is often seen as a messenger of the gods. It represents the freedom of a bird to fly anywhere it chooses unhindered, and the spiritual growth of our members as we evolve and become new and different people each day.
Our Flag:
The flag consists of the house symbol in the center over 7 stripes (from top to bottom): Black, Purple, Red, Black, Red, Purple, Black. The stripes represent the rising and setting sun, a symbol of our journey. the colors each hold their own meanings: Black represents the unknown in both the world and ourselves, our ever growing nature through exploration of that which we do not know; The Red represents strength to overcome obsticles and the passion to move forward and continually better ourselves; The Purple represents nobility, respect, and honor, to be better than those who would harm us and to help those who seek or need assistance to grow and become better people.
We are about continual growth and improving both ourselves and helping each other to improve. To continue to evolve and become better than we were the day before. To be free and open, yet safe and protected. To teach what we know to any who wish to learn, to better our community, and to be an example and inspiration to others. We honor and hold in great respect, the codes of the Old Guard and the leather traditions taught to us by our mentors.
Our household structure is based on a simple progression of family. From young to old, though not based on physical age or the length of time someone has been a member. Advancing through the ranks is as simple as following the house rules and protocols, which are fairly basic and simple, being a role-model for our members, and being a good example to the community. By honorably representing your house, and its members, in the community through your deeds and service to the community you will be granted new ranks.
The Founders of the House are the original five officers of the house.
There are five Leadership, officer, positions within the house:
Head of the Household: The current leader of the house.
Major Domo: House organizer. Makes sure everything gets done in order and to completion for all house events. Including, but not limited to, house meetings, munches, parties, fund-raisers, the house shop, etc.
Head Master/Mistress: In charge of the other Dominents of the house. Resolves issues as a mediator.
Head slave: In charge of the other submissives of the house. Resolves issues as a mediator.
Sheriff: Makes sure all house rules are being followed by all members, including the leadership to include the Head of Household. Has the ability to, with the consultation of the other members of the leadership, judge and sentence those who violate the house laws.
There are four key positions in the house:
Scribe: Responsible for keeping a record of all house activities, primarily keeping the minutes of house meetings.
Treasurer: Responsible for keeping a record of all house funds, incoming and outgoing.
Bootblack: Responsible for keeping our Leathers cleaned, conditioned and polished.
Bladesmith: Responsible for keeping our blades sharp and polished.
There are five member positions within the house:
Newcomer: New members under consideration for full membership in the house, cannot be granted resident status.
Member: A full member of the household, and may be granted resident status.
Elder: Full members of the house, who have earned great respect and trust, with the ability to take on certain jobs for the household depending on their skills and abilities. (Such as treasurer, scribe, public relations, etc.) Always have resident status.
Patron/Matron: Highly respected and honored members of the house who have passed on from this life. Also for other highly respected and honored people within the community that the house wishes to honor the memory of for all time.
Honorary: For those people we highly honor and respect but are not members of our household. They have the rights and privileges of a full member of the house, and may, if required and are willing, hold jobs within the household as an Elder would.
There are two versions of members: Resident and Non-Resident.
Resident members: Are those with the support and unanimous vote of the leaders and Elders of the house, taking into account consideration of the opinions of the other members of the house. Resident members maybe granted free access to certain homes and places of meetings of their own accord without previous permission, as long as it follows the pre-set guidelines for those places and does not interfere with any other pre-planned events.
Non-Resident members: Are Newcomers, or Members that have not yet been, or are still being, considered for residence. Also used as a position of probation for those previously granted resident status if they have broken the rules and protocols in a major way or too many times. Access to homes and places of meetings must always be preceded with permission from the house leaders and/or elders and the owner of said home or place of meeting.