Constitution and Bylaws Northwest Unitarian Universalist Church
Adopted January 29, 2012
Amended June 8, 2014
Amended January 31, 2016
Amended May 22, 2016
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE I – NAME 1
ARTICLE II -- AFFILIATION 1
ARTICLE III – PURPOSE 1
ARTICLE IV -- MEMBERSHIP 1
ARTICLE V -- MEETINGS 2
ARTICLE VI – GOVERNING BOARD AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 3
ARTICLE VII – OFFICERS 4
ARTICLE VIII – ELECTIONS AND TERMS OF OFFICE 6
ARTICLE IX –COMMITTEES OF THE ASSOCIATION 6
ARTICLE X – FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT 7
ARTICLE XI – AMENDMENTS 8
ARTICLE XII – DISSOLUTION 8
ADOPTION 8
EFFECTIVE DATE 8
NORTHWEST UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH
SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN
CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
The Northwest Unitarian Universalist Church is an Ecclesiastical Corporation, under the laws of the State of Michigan. Articles of the Association were filed with the Michigan Corporation and Securities Commission on April 26, 1954, and were revised on June 22, 1972.
Articles I through III shall be the Constitution and the remaining Articles shall be the Bylaws of the Association.
Constitution
ARTICLE I – NAME
The name of this Association shall be the NORTHWEST UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH, located in the City of Southfield, Oakland County, Michigan.
ARTICLE II – AFFILIATION
The Association shall be a member of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and the Mid-America Unitarian Universalist Region.
ARTICLE III – PURPOSE
The purpose of this Association shall be to create a spiritual home for ourselves and our children; to foster individual freedom of belief and the use of reason in religion; to support the religious liberals’ emphasis on deed without reference to creed; to recognize the supreme worth of every person; and to maintain a church to which we can welcome all of like spirit.
Bylaws
The following Bylaws provide the essential framework for the operation of the Association. The Bylaws must be read together with the Rules of Procedures to achieve a complete understanding of the operation of the Association.
ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP
SECTION A. MEMBERSHIP
Northwest Unitarian Universalist Church embraces all people, including those of every religious background, ethnicity, color, gender, physical or mental challenge, affectional or sexual orientation, age, class or national origin. Any person who is in sympathy with the purpose and program of this Association may become a member by signing the Membership Book. To remain an active member, a person must participate in a significant way in the affairs of the Association, contribute services, and/or contribute funds.
SECTION B. PRIVILEGES
Any active member, 18 years or older, shall qualify to hold an elected office and to vote at any of the Association meetings by being on the active membership rolls two (2) weeks prior to the meeting, as certified by the Membership Governor.
SECTION C. STATUS
A member who has not participated, nor contributed services or funds, during the current or preceding church years may be removed from the active membership roll as reported to the UUA, pending a return to participation. Annually, the Finance Committee shall provide its recommendations to the Membership Committee whether anyone should be removed from the active membership roll, so that the Membership Committee can make a final determination.
ARTICLE V – MEETINGS
Four types of meetings may be held at Northwest Unitarian Universalist Church, as outlined in Sections A through D. The Rules of Procedures describe the purpose, scheduling, rules of procedure, and other aspects of these meetings.
SECTION A. WORSHIP SERVICES
Public meetings for the purpose of worship shall be held according to a schedule adopted by the Board of Governors at the beginning of each church year.
SECTION B. REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE ASSOCIATION
Three (3) regular meetings of the Association shall be held during each fiscal year, the first to elect officers and receive reports, the second to adopt the annual budget, and the third to transact other business that is brought before the Board.
SECTION C. SPECIAL MEETINGS OF THE ASSOCIATION
Special meetings of the Association shall be called by the Moderator at the direction of the Board of Governors, or upon written request of fifteen percent (15%) or more of the Association members. The purposes for which such a meeting may be called are outlined in the Rules of Procedure.
SECTION D. EMERGENCY MEETINGS OF THE ASSOCIATION
The Board of Governors may call an Emergency Meeting of the Association, if necessary, by a unanimous vote of the members of the Board participating in a Board meeting.
ARTICLE VI – GOVERNING BOARD AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The affairs of the Association shall be administered by the Board of Governors and its Executive Committee. The operations of the Board are outlined in the Rules of Procedure.
SECTION A. MEMBERSHIP OF THE BOARD
SECTION B. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BOARD
General responsibilities of the Board include:
Governor
Service Areas/Committees 1, 2
Finance
Annual Pledge Program, Church Rental, Endowment, Capital Improvement Drives, Finance Committee, Fundraising, Budgeting, and Other Financial Matters
Physical Plant
Interior & Exterior Maintenance and Improvements, Memorial Garden, Building Operations, Green Building Initiatives
Membership
Welcoming and Integration, Greeters, Coffee Hour, Website, Newsletter, Recruitment, Caring Committee, Internal Communications, Weddings, Leadership Development Committee, Adult Programs
Outreach
External Public Relations, Social Responsibility, Social Justice, Denominational Affairs, Web Site
Worship & Lifespan
Sunday Service, Religious Education, Adult Education, , Ushers, Worship Associates, Music, Sound System
Committee on Ministry and Right Relationships
a. Conduit between Congregation, Minister, and Committee on Ministry and Right Relationships. b. Coordinate committee to provide growth opportunities re: Right Relationships for the congregation. c. Act as or appoint mediators to resolve conflicts. d. Report to the Executive Committee.
1Committees may be combined at the Governor’s discretion. The Board of Governors, by unanimous vote, may separate, combine, add, delete or move Committees and/or Service Areas between Governors.
2Governors may serve on committees and may serve as committee chairpersons.
SECTION C. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Executive Committee shall consist of the Moderator, the Associate Moderator, the Clerk, and the Finance Governor. The Minister shall be a non-voting member of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall meet as necessary and shall be responsible for:
ARTICLE VII – OFFICERS
The officers of the Association shall be the Moderator, the Associate Moderator, the Clerk, and the Finance Governor. Only members of the Association shall be eligible to be an elected officer.
SECTION A. MODERATOR
The Moderator shall be the presiding officer of the Association, the Board of Governors, and the Executive Committee, and as such, shall be the managing coordinator of all activities not otherwise assigned.
SECTION B. ASSOCIATE MODERATOR
The Associate Moderator shall assist the Moderator with his/her duties and responsibilities. The Associate Moderator shall act in the temporary absence, illness, or inability of the Moderator to serve.
SECTION C. CLERK
The Clerk is responsible for maintaining accurate Association records.
SECTION D. FINANCE GOVERNOR
The Finance Governor shall be responsible for overseeing the financial affairs of the Association and keeping the Board informed of the financial situation. More specifically, the Finance Governor is responsible for the following:
ARTICLE VIII – ELECTIONS AND TERMS OF OFFICE
Specifications for election and terms of office are set forth in the Rules of Procedure.
ARTICLE IX –COMMITTEES OF THE ASSOCIATION
SECTION A. LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
The purpose of the Leadership Development Committee is to engage members and friends to participate in the work of sustaining the Association. The Leadership Development Committee shall nominate persons for Moderator, Associate Moderator, Clerk, other Board members, Endowment Fund members, and the Leadership Development Committee, and any vacancies in such positions. The Leadership Development Committee may, upon request from the Board or Board members, assist in the recruitment of volunteers for committees and other Association activities. In making such nominations, the Leadership Development Committee shall attempt to achieve broad representation of the membership. Membership and operations of the Leadership Development Committee are described in the Rules of Procedure.
SECTION B. ENDOWMENT FUND COMMITTEE
The purpose of the Endowment Fund Committee is to establish policy and wisely invest endowment funds, promote giving to the fund, and approve disbursements from the fund. In carrying out their duties, members of the Committee shall not be liable for any losses that may be incurred upon the investment of assets of the Fund except to the extent those losses have been caused by bad faith or gross negligence. No member shall be personally liable as long as he/she acts in good faith and with ordinary prudence. No member shall be liable for acts or omissions of any other member. No member shall act in any self dealing or transactions with the Fund in which the member has direct or indirect financial interest and shall at all times refrain from any conduct in which his/her personal interests would conflict with the interests of the Fund. Membership and operations of the Endowment Fund Committee are described in the Rules of Procedure.
SECTION C. CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS COMMITTEE
The purpose of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee is to consider proposed amendments to the Constitution or Bylaws proposed by the Board, a Committee, or by any member of the Association. It is further the purpose of this Committee to determine whether an amendment should be presented to the Association as proposed or with revisions, or if the amendment requires further consideration before presentation to the Association. Membership and operations of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee are described in the Rules of Procedure.
If a member presents a proposed amendment to the Constitution, Bylaws or Rules of Procedure that has been considered, but not presented for congregational consideration by the Constitution and Bylaws Committee, that member may present the amendment directly to the congregation in the following manner: A petition with the signatures of ten percent (10%) of the current membership, which contains the exact language of the proposed amendment, shall be presented to the Clerk at least thirty (30) days prior to a scheduled meeting of the Association. The Clerk will examine the petition for adherence to these requirements and if the petition is in compliance, will include the proposed amendment in the call for the next meeting of the Association, for consideration by the congregation.
SECTION D. COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY AND RIGHT RELATIONSHIPS
The purpose of the Committee on Ministry and Right Relationships is to strengthen the quality of Ministry and Right Relationships by serving as a support group for the Minister and as communication channel between the Minister and the members of the Association. The Committee on Ministry and Right Relationships also promotes through education and mediation right relationships within the congregation. Membership and operations of the Committee on Ministry and Right Relationships are described in the Rules of Procedure.
SECTION E. MEMORIAL GARDEN COMMITTEE
The Memorial Garden Committee shall be responsible for overseeing the maintenance of records and upkeep of the Memorial Garden. Membership and operation of the Memorial Garden Committee are described in the Rules of Procedure.
SECTION F. PERSONNEL COMMITTEEThe Personnel Committee shall address and coordinate all matters related to the well being of the Church’s employees. Membership and operations of the Personnel Committee are described in the Rules of Procedure.
SECTION G. SPECIAL COMMITTEES
The Board of Governors may establish special committees as necessary. The duties of such committees shall be set forth by the Board of Governors within the terms of the Constitution and Bylaws, Rules of Procedure, and Board Operational Guidelines.
ARTICLE X – FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
SECTION A. FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the Association shall begin on July first of each year and end on June thirtieth of the following year.
SECTION B. FINANCE COMMITTEE
The Finance Committee shall keep permanent records of all financial transactions, and shall account for all monies of the Association, under the direction of the Finance Governor. Duties of the Finance Committee are set forth in the Rules of Procedure.
ARTICLE XI – AMENDMENTS
SECTION A. CONSTITUTION
The Constitution may be amended by a sixty -six percent (66%) vote of the members of the Association present at a Special Meeting. The notice of such a meeting shall state the proposed changes to be considered.
SECTION B. BYLAWS
The Bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the members present at any meeting of the Association. The notice of such meeting shall state the proposed changes to be considered.
ARTICLE XII – DISSOLUTION
In the event of the dissolution of the Association, all outstanding debts shall be paid and the remaining assets, both real and personal, and including all property heretofore and hereinafter donated to said Association, shall become the property of the Unitarian Universalist Association,24 Farnsworth Street, Boston, Massachusetts, or its successor, subject to all applicable laws.
ADOPTION
The Bylaws set forth herein were adopted in their original form by the Association of Northwest Unitarian Universalist Church on January 29, 2012. The Constitution remained unchanged on that date.
EFFECTIVE DATE. These Bylaws in their original form shall go into effect at 1:00 a.m. on February 1, 2012.
c:\documents and settings\owner\my documents\nwuu assoc moderator\bylaws 9.docx
Print Date: March 2, 2018
Amended June 8, 2014
Amended January 31, 2016
Amended May 22, 2016
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE I – NAME 1
ARTICLE II -- AFFILIATION 1
ARTICLE III – PURPOSE 1
ARTICLE IV -- MEMBERSHIP 1
ARTICLE V -- MEETINGS 2
ARTICLE VI – GOVERNING BOARD AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 3
ARTICLE VII – OFFICERS 4
ARTICLE VIII – ELECTIONS AND TERMS OF OFFICE 6
ARTICLE IX –COMMITTEES OF THE ASSOCIATION 6
ARTICLE X – FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT 7
ARTICLE XI – AMENDMENTS 8
ARTICLE XII – DISSOLUTION 8
ADOPTION 8
EFFECTIVE DATE 8
NORTHWEST UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH
SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN
CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
The Northwest Unitarian Universalist Church is an Ecclesiastical Corporation, under the laws of the State of Michigan. Articles of the Association were filed with the Michigan Corporation and Securities Commission on April 26, 1954, and were revised on June 22, 1972.
Articles I through III shall be the Constitution and the remaining Articles shall be the Bylaws of the Association.
Constitution
ARTICLE I – NAME
The name of this Association shall be the NORTHWEST UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH, located in the City of Southfield, Oakland County, Michigan.
ARTICLE II – AFFILIATION
The Association shall be a member of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and the Mid-America Unitarian Universalist Region.
ARTICLE III – PURPOSE
The purpose of this Association shall be to create a spiritual home for ourselves and our children; to foster individual freedom of belief and the use of reason in religion; to support the religious liberals’ emphasis on deed without reference to creed; to recognize the supreme worth of every person; and to maintain a church to which we can welcome all of like spirit.
Bylaws
The following Bylaws provide the essential framework for the operation of the Association. The Bylaws must be read together with the Rules of Procedures to achieve a complete understanding of the operation of the Association.
ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP
SECTION A. MEMBERSHIP
Northwest Unitarian Universalist Church embraces all people, including those of every religious background, ethnicity, color, gender, physical or mental challenge, affectional or sexual orientation, age, class or national origin. Any person who is in sympathy with the purpose and program of this Association may become a member by signing the Membership Book. To remain an active member, a person must participate in a significant way in the affairs of the Association, contribute services, and/or contribute funds.
SECTION B. PRIVILEGES
Any active member, 18 years or older, shall qualify to hold an elected office and to vote at any of the Association meetings by being on the active membership rolls two (2) weeks prior to the meeting, as certified by the Membership Governor.
SECTION C. STATUS
A member who has not participated, nor contributed services or funds, during the current or preceding church years may be removed from the active membership roll as reported to the UUA, pending a return to participation. Annually, the Finance Committee shall provide its recommendations to the Membership Committee whether anyone should be removed from the active membership roll, so that the Membership Committee can make a final determination.
ARTICLE V – MEETINGS
Four types of meetings may be held at Northwest Unitarian Universalist Church, as outlined in Sections A through D. The Rules of Procedures describe the purpose, scheduling, rules of procedure, and other aspects of these meetings.
SECTION A. WORSHIP SERVICES
Public meetings for the purpose of worship shall be held according to a schedule adopted by the Board of Governors at the beginning of each church year.
SECTION B. REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE ASSOCIATION
Three (3) regular meetings of the Association shall be held during each fiscal year, the first to elect officers and receive reports, the second to adopt the annual budget, and the third to transact other business that is brought before the Board.
SECTION C. SPECIAL MEETINGS OF THE ASSOCIATION
Special meetings of the Association shall be called by the Moderator at the direction of the Board of Governors, or upon written request of fifteen percent (15%) or more of the Association members. The purposes for which such a meeting may be called are outlined in the Rules of Procedure.
SECTION D. EMERGENCY MEETINGS OF THE ASSOCIATION
The Board of Governors may call an Emergency Meeting of the Association, if necessary, by a unanimous vote of the members of the Board participating in a Board meeting.
ARTICLE VI – GOVERNING BOARD AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The affairs of the Association shall be administered by the Board of Governors and its Executive Committee. The operations of the Board are outlined in the Rules of Procedure.
SECTION A. MEMBERSHIP OF THE BOARD
- The voting members of the Board of Governors (the ‘Board’) shall consist of the Moderator, the Associate Moderator, the Clerk, and six (6) elected Governors who shall be elected to oversee one of the following service areas: Finance, Physical Plant, Membership, Outreach, Worship & Lifespan, and Committee on Ministry and Right Relationships.
- One member of the Committee on Ministry and Right Relationships shall be nominated to a governor position on the Board by the Committee for a term of one year. This appointment will be subject to affirmation by a majority vote of the Board at a regular Board meeting. The COMRR member will have all the rights and responsibilities of Board Membership.
- The Leadership Development Committee shall nominate members for the above positions, except for the Governor of the Committee on Ministry and Right Relationships pursuant to Article III(B) of the Rules of Procedure.
- The Minister and Director of Religious Education shall serve on the Board of Governors, but may not vote.
- The immediate past Moderator shall serve as an advisor to the Board, without a vote, and without an obligation to attend Board meetings.
SECTION B. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BOARD
General responsibilities of the Board include:
- The Board shall be collectively responsible for managing and voting on the affairs of the Association as a whole.
- The Board shall be responsible for the formulation of internal policies and programs.
- The Board shall be responsible for the business, legal, and financial affairs of the Association.
- The Board shall coordinate and oversee all matters related to the well-being of the Association’s employees. This shall be accomplished in concert with the Personnel Committee and according to the Personnel Policies Manual.
- The Board shall oversee physical changes and improvements in the church.
- Responsibilities of the Board are outlined in the following chart for each service area. Additional responsibilities of the Board are outlined in the Operational Guidelines, which shall be appended to these Bylaws. The Operational Guidelines shall be developed to promote the purposes, general welfare, and interests of the Association. The Operational Guidelines and Service Areas/Committees shall be reviewed, at least once during a Governor’s term, amended if appropriate, and adopted by an affirmative vote of a majority the Board.
Governor
Service Areas/Committees 1, 2
Finance
Annual Pledge Program, Church Rental, Endowment, Capital Improvement Drives, Finance Committee, Fundraising, Budgeting, and Other Financial Matters
Physical Plant
Interior & Exterior Maintenance and Improvements, Memorial Garden, Building Operations, Green Building Initiatives
Membership
Welcoming and Integration, Greeters, Coffee Hour, Website, Newsletter, Recruitment, Caring Committee, Internal Communications, Weddings, Leadership Development Committee, Adult Programs
Outreach
External Public Relations, Social Responsibility, Social Justice, Denominational Affairs, Web Site
Worship & Lifespan
Sunday Service, Religious Education, Adult Education, , Ushers, Worship Associates, Music, Sound System
Committee on Ministry and Right Relationships
a. Conduit between Congregation, Minister, and Committee on Ministry and Right Relationships. b. Coordinate committee to provide growth opportunities re: Right Relationships for the congregation. c. Act as or appoint mediators to resolve conflicts. d. Report to the Executive Committee.
1Committees may be combined at the Governor’s discretion. The Board of Governors, by unanimous vote, may separate, combine, add, delete or move Committees and/or Service Areas between Governors.
2Governors may serve on committees and may serve as committee chairpersons.
SECTION C. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Executive Committee shall consist of the Moderator, the Associate Moderator, the Clerk, and the Finance Governor. The Minister shall be a non-voting member of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall meet as necessary and shall be responsible for:
- Working in cooperation with the Personnel Committee and the Minister, selecting and managing the terms of employment of all other employees.
- Implementing any other responsibilities assigned to it by the Board.
- Keeping a record of its meetings and submitting a report at the next scheduled Board meeting.
ARTICLE VII – OFFICERS
The officers of the Association shall be the Moderator, the Associate Moderator, the Clerk, and the Finance Governor. Only members of the Association shall be eligible to be an elected officer.
SECTION A. MODERATOR
The Moderator shall be the presiding officer of the Association, the Board of Governors, and the Executive Committee, and as such, shall be the managing coordinator of all activities not otherwise assigned.
- The Moderator shall oversee the affairs of the Association.
- The Moderator shall preside over meetings of the Association, Board, and Executive Committee, following Democratic Rules of Order (9th Edition) where applicable and not inconsistent herewith.
- The Moderator shall be an ex-officio member, without a vote, of all committees. The Moderator may designate the Associate Moderator to assume this role for any or all committees.
SECTION B. ASSOCIATE MODERATOR
The Associate Moderator shall assist the Moderator with his/her duties and responsibilities. The Associate Moderator shall act in the temporary absence, illness, or inability of the Moderator to serve.
- Should the office of Moderator become vacant for any reason, the Associate Moderator shall assume the office.
- The Associate Moderator shall serve ex-officio, without a vote, on committees as designated by the Moderator.
SECTION C. CLERK
The Clerk is responsible for maintaining accurate Association records.
- The Clerk shall attend and be responsible for keeping accurate records of all meetings of the Association, Board, and Executive Committee. The Clerk may take minutes at these meetings or delegate the responsibility for this task.
- The Clerk shall notify members of the Association of all meetings in accordance with Article I of the Rules of Procedure.
SECTION D. FINANCE GOVERNOR
The Finance Governor shall be responsible for overseeing the financial affairs of the Association and keeping the Board informed of the financial situation. More specifically, the Finance Governor is responsible for the following:
- Assembling a Finance Committee consisting of at least three members to share and rotate the responsibilities shown in the Rules of Procedure.
- Overseeing the preparation of the annual budget, which shall be presented to the Board and then be subject to approval of the Association.
- Overseeing all facets of fundraising, including but not limited to, the annual canvass, collection of donations and other income, rentals, the service auction, and other fundraisers.
- Managing the church’s income and expenses. In this capacity, the Finance Governor shall be responsible for paying duly authorized bills.
- Managing payroll accounts, including but not limited to, submittal of W-2 and other forms required by the IRS, and managing the cafeteria plan.
- Managing the Records of Pledge Payments and other Receipts.
- Working with the Board, develop and implement an appropriate investment and savings strategy for the Church.
- Evaluating the insurance needs of the Church and obtaining appropriate insurance.
- Providing such Reports on the Church’s Financial Affairs as the Board or Executive Committee requests.
ARTICLE VIII – ELECTIONS AND TERMS OF OFFICE
Specifications for election and terms of office are set forth in the Rules of Procedure.
ARTICLE IX –COMMITTEES OF THE ASSOCIATION
SECTION A. LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
The purpose of the Leadership Development Committee is to engage members and friends to participate in the work of sustaining the Association. The Leadership Development Committee shall nominate persons for Moderator, Associate Moderator, Clerk, other Board members, Endowment Fund members, and the Leadership Development Committee, and any vacancies in such positions. The Leadership Development Committee may, upon request from the Board or Board members, assist in the recruitment of volunteers for committees and other Association activities. In making such nominations, the Leadership Development Committee shall attempt to achieve broad representation of the membership. Membership and operations of the Leadership Development Committee are described in the Rules of Procedure.
SECTION B. ENDOWMENT FUND COMMITTEE
The purpose of the Endowment Fund Committee is to establish policy and wisely invest endowment funds, promote giving to the fund, and approve disbursements from the fund. In carrying out their duties, members of the Committee shall not be liable for any losses that may be incurred upon the investment of assets of the Fund except to the extent those losses have been caused by bad faith or gross negligence. No member shall be personally liable as long as he/she acts in good faith and with ordinary prudence. No member shall be liable for acts or omissions of any other member. No member shall act in any self dealing or transactions with the Fund in which the member has direct or indirect financial interest and shall at all times refrain from any conduct in which his/her personal interests would conflict with the interests of the Fund. Membership and operations of the Endowment Fund Committee are described in the Rules of Procedure.
SECTION C. CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS COMMITTEE
The purpose of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee is to consider proposed amendments to the Constitution or Bylaws proposed by the Board, a Committee, or by any member of the Association. It is further the purpose of this Committee to determine whether an amendment should be presented to the Association as proposed or with revisions, or if the amendment requires further consideration before presentation to the Association. Membership and operations of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee are described in the Rules of Procedure.
If a member presents a proposed amendment to the Constitution, Bylaws or Rules of Procedure that has been considered, but not presented for congregational consideration by the Constitution and Bylaws Committee, that member may present the amendment directly to the congregation in the following manner: A petition with the signatures of ten percent (10%) of the current membership, which contains the exact language of the proposed amendment, shall be presented to the Clerk at least thirty (30) days prior to a scheduled meeting of the Association. The Clerk will examine the petition for adherence to these requirements and if the petition is in compliance, will include the proposed amendment in the call for the next meeting of the Association, for consideration by the congregation.
SECTION D. COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY AND RIGHT RELATIONSHIPS
The purpose of the Committee on Ministry and Right Relationships is to strengthen the quality of Ministry and Right Relationships by serving as a support group for the Minister and as communication channel between the Minister and the members of the Association. The Committee on Ministry and Right Relationships also promotes through education and mediation right relationships within the congregation. Membership and operations of the Committee on Ministry and Right Relationships are described in the Rules of Procedure.
SECTION E. MEMORIAL GARDEN COMMITTEE
The Memorial Garden Committee shall be responsible for overseeing the maintenance of records and upkeep of the Memorial Garden. Membership and operation of the Memorial Garden Committee are described in the Rules of Procedure.
SECTION F. PERSONNEL COMMITTEEThe Personnel Committee shall address and coordinate all matters related to the well being of the Church’s employees. Membership and operations of the Personnel Committee are described in the Rules of Procedure.
SECTION G. SPECIAL COMMITTEES
The Board of Governors may establish special committees as necessary. The duties of such committees shall be set forth by the Board of Governors within the terms of the Constitution and Bylaws, Rules of Procedure, and Board Operational Guidelines.
ARTICLE X – FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
SECTION A. FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the Association shall begin on July first of each year and end on June thirtieth of the following year.
SECTION B. FINANCE COMMITTEE
The Finance Committee shall keep permanent records of all financial transactions, and shall account for all monies of the Association, under the direction of the Finance Governor. Duties of the Finance Committee are set forth in the Rules of Procedure.
ARTICLE XI – AMENDMENTS
SECTION A. CONSTITUTION
The Constitution may be amended by a sixty -six percent (66%) vote of the members of the Association present at a Special Meeting. The notice of such a meeting shall state the proposed changes to be considered.
SECTION B. BYLAWS
The Bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the members present at any meeting of the Association. The notice of such meeting shall state the proposed changes to be considered.
ARTICLE XII – DISSOLUTION
In the event of the dissolution of the Association, all outstanding debts shall be paid and the remaining assets, both real and personal, and including all property heretofore and hereinafter donated to said Association, shall become the property of the Unitarian Universalist Association,24 Farnsworth Street, Boston, Massachusetts, or its successor, subject to all applicable laws.
ADOPTION
The Bylaws set forth herein were adopted in their original form by the Association of Northwest Unitarian Universalist Church on January 29, 2012. The Constitution remained unchanged on that date.
EFFECTIVE DATE. These Bylaws in their original form shall go into effect at 1:00 a.m. on February 1, 2012.
c:\documents and settings\owner\my documents\nwuu assoc moderator\bylaws 9.docx
Print Date: March 2, 2018