Bylaws of the Artos Vendor Guild

Adopted: December 15, 2025

Table of Contents

1. Preamble
2. Article I: Name and Affiliation
3. Article II: Religious Purpose
4. Article III: Membership
5. Article IV: Termination of Membership
6. Article V: Governance
7. Article VI: Dispute Resolution
8. Article VII: Amendments

PREAMBLE

We, the members of the Artos Vendor Guild, associate ourselves together not merely for commercial gain, but to foster a dedicated economy for the Eastern Orthodox Christian community. We establish these Bylaws to govern our association, preserve our spiritual identity, and protect our right to freely associate based on our shared faith.

ARTICLE I: NAME AND AFFILIATION

Section 1. Name

The name of this private unincorporated religious association shall be the Artos Vendor Guild (hereinafter the “Guild”).

Section 2. Organization

The Guild is organized and operated under the auspices of Lampstand Digital LLC, a New Hampshire Limited Liability Company doing business as Artos (the “Sponsor”). The Sponsor provides the digital infrastructure, administrative support, and financial processing for the Guild.

ARTICLE II: RELIGIOUS PURPOSE

Section 1. Mission

The primary purpose of the Guild is religious and community-oriented:

• To support the financial stability of Orthodox Christian families, artisans, and monasteries.
• To provide a “Safe Harbor” marketplace free from content that mocks, degrades, or contradicts the teachings of the Eastern Orthodox Church.
• To practice mutual aid and commerce within the “household of faith”.

Section 2. Private Nature

The Guild is a private member association. While the goods produced by members may be sold to the general public, membership in the Guild itself is a private privilege, not a public right. Admission is discretionary and strictly limited to those who share our sacramental commitments.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Eligibility

Membership is open exclusively to individuals and entities who:

• Are baptized or chrismated members in good standing of the Eastern Orthodox Church (canonical jurisdictions).
• Are at least 18 years of age.
• Have not been excommunicated or placed under penance that restricts their participation in the life of the Church.

Section 2. Admission

To become a Member, an applicant must:

• Submit a Membership Application via the Artos platform.
• Attest to their Orthodox faith, providing the name of their Parish and Priest for verification.
• Affirm their agreement to these Bylaws, the Artos Terms of Service, and the Privacy Policy.
• Be approved by the Stewards (defined in Article V).

Section 3. Rights of Members

Members in good standing have the right to:

• List and sell products on the Artos marketplace.
• Display the “Artos Verified” badge on their shop profile.
• Participate in Guild forums and community discussions.

Section 4. Duties of Members

Members agree to:

• Conduct their business with honesty and integrity, reflecting the values of the Gospel.
• Promptly fulfill orders and treat customers (both Orthodox and non-Orthodox) with charity.
• Maintain their standing in the Orthodox Church.
• Notify the Stewards immediately if they leave the Church or transfer canonical jurisdictions.

ARTICLE IV: TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Grounds for Termination

Membership may be terminated by the Stewards for:

• Loss of Good Standing: Ceasing to be a member of the Eastern Orthodox Church or falling into schism/heresy.
• Misrepresentation: Lying about one’s faith or parish affiliation on the application.
• Conduct: Engaging in business practices that are fraudulent, illegal, or scandalize the Church.
• Violation of Covenant: Selling prohibited items (occult, blasphemous, or non-Orthodox religious items) as defined in the Terms of Service.

Section 2. Procedure

The Stewards reserve the absolute right to terminate membership immediately upon discovery of any violation. While we strive to act with grace, there is no automatic right to appeal. Reinstatement is at the sole discretion of the Stewards.

ARTICLE V: GOVERNANCE

Section 1. The Stewards

The Guild shall be governed by a body known as the Stewards. The Stewards are the appointed officers/managers of Lampstand Digital LLC.

Section 2. Authority

The Stewards have the final authority to:

• Approve or deny membership applications.
• Audit the religious standing of any member.
• Set fees for platform use (Platform Fees) to cover the costs of operating the Guild’s digital infrastructure.
• Interpret these Bylaws and settle disputes regarding membership status.

ARTICLE VI: DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Section 1. Faith-Based Resolution

Members agree that any claim or dispute arising from or related to their membership in the Guild shall be settled by mediation and, if necessary, legally binding arbitration, in accordance with the commands of Holy Scripture and the tradition of the Church to resolve disputes internally among the faithful.

Section 2. Arbitration Procedure

If mediation is unsuccessful, the dispute shall be resolved by binding arbitration administered by the Guild under the following rules:

• Selection of Arbitrator: The arbitration shall be conducted by a single neutral arbitrator who is a member in good standing of the Eastern Orthodox Church. The parties shall attempt to mutually agree on an arbitrator. If they cannot agree, the Stewards shall provide a list of three qualified Orthodox Christian attorneys or clergy, and each party may strike one name; the remaining individual shall serve as arbitrator.
• Rules of Evidence: The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the New Hampshire Revised Statutes Chapter 542 (Arbitration of Disputes), except that the Arbitrator shall apply the substantive principles of Christian charity and the Bylaws of this Guild.
• Finality: The decision of the arbitrator shall be final and binding, and judgment on the award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction.

Section 3. Waiver of Civil Court

Members expressly waive their right to file a lawsuit in civil court against the Guild, the Sponsor (Lampstand Digital LLC), or other Members regarding internal Guild matters, including membership denial or termination.

ARTICLE VII: AMENDMENTS

Section 1. Amendment Process

These Bylaws may be amended at any time by the Stewards.

Section 2. Notice

Members will be notified of material changes to the Bylaws via email or a prominent notice on the Artos dashboard. Continued participation in the Guild constitutes acceptance of the amended Bylaws.

By checking “I have read and agree to the Bylaws of the Artos Vendor Guild” during the application process, you digitally sign and bind yourself to this agreement.