NORTHWEST UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH
CONSTITUTION
AND BYLAWS
As
adopted May 19, 1996 and amended: January 27, 1997; May 18, 1997; January 15,
1999; March 12, 2000; October 22, 2000; February 1, 2002; October 27, 2002;
January 17, 2003
Articles I
through III shall be the Constitution, and the remaining Articles shall be the
Bylaws of this Association.
ARTICLE I -
NAME
The name of this Association shall be the NORTHWEST UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST
CHURCH, located in the City of Southfield, County of Oakland, State of
Michigan.
ARTICLE II -
AFFILIATION
This Association shall be a member of the Unitarian Universalist Association and
the Heartland Unitarian Universalist District.
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.
ARTICLE IV -
MEMBERSHIP
SECTION A. MEMBERSHIP
Northwest Unitarian Universalist Church embraces
all people, including those of every religious background, race, 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 participates in the affairs of the Association, contributes services,
and/or contributes funds.
SECTION
B. PRIVILEGES
Any active member shall qualify to
hold an elected office and to vote at any of its 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 and preceding church years
may be removed from the active membership roll as reported to the UUA, pending a
return to participation.
ARTICLE V –
MEETINGS
SECTION A.
WORSHIP SERVICES
Public meetings for the purpose
of worship shall normally be held each Sunday, according to a schedule adopted
by the Board of Governors at the beginning of each church year.
However the Board of Governors, by the affirmative vote of three-fourths
of its members present at a meeting, may omit scheduled services, or authorize
additional services, within the limits of budget appropriations.
Worship services are not subject to the Rules of Procedure described in
Article V, Section E.
SECTION B.
REGULAR CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS
1.
Three regular meetings of the Association shall be held during each
fiscal year at a time and place designated by the Moderator.
The Board of Governors may vote to omit the third meeting.
2. The
Budget meeting shall be for the purpose of adopting an annual budget for the
fiscal year and other business that may be properly brought before the
membership.
3. The
Election meeting shall be for the purpose of electing officers who will take
office February first, to receive reports from Board members, and other business
that may be properly brought before the membership.
4. The
third meeting shall be to transact any business that may be properly brought
before the membership.
5. A
majority vote of the qualified members present shall be required to carry any
motion at a Regular Meeting.
SECTION
C. SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS
1.
Special Meetings of the Association shall be called by the Moderator at
the direction of the Board of Governors, or upon the written request of fifteen
percent (15%) or more of the Association members. The meeting shall be called
within fourteen days of such direction or request.
2. The
meeting shall be held for any of the following purposes:
a. Calling or dismissing a Minister, or an Assistant
or Associate Minister.
b. Purchasing
or selling of real property.
c. Recall
of an elected Officer or other Board Member.
d.
Amending the Constitution.
e. Amending
the Bylaws section on the Endowment Fund.
f.
Transacting any other business that may require action by the membership
before the next Regular Meeting.
3. A
sixty-six (66%) percent vote of the qualified members present shall be required
to carry any motion, except for item “f” above where a majority vote shall
be required.
SECTION D.
EMERGENCY CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
1.
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. Such a call
need not be in conformance with the notification requirements below, but the
Board shall take such measures to insure notification to all members using the
telephone, first class mail, e-mail, or other actual notice as appropriate.
2. Quorum
and voting requirements shall be determined by the action to be taken.
SECTION E.
RULES OF PROCEDURE
1.
All meetings herein prescribed in any Article, but not including Worship
Services, shall be conducted in accordance with
Roberts Rules Of Order (Revised), where applicable and not inconsistent
herewith.
2.
Meeting Notice. Notice
of all meetings and the planned agenda shall be written and sent to the active
members by First Class mail, postmarked at least ten (10) days prior to the date
of the meeting. In addition to this
written notice an announcement shall be read from the pulpit on two (2)
consecutive Sundays and published in one issue of the Church Newsletter prior to
the scheduled meeting date.
3.
Quorum Requirements.
For the purpose of establishing quorum requirements, the Association
active membership residing within fifty (50) miles of the church shall be
considered as the base upon which the quorum is computed.
a. Twenty
(20 %) percent of the membership, as above defined, shall constitute a
quorum for all Regular Meetings.
b. Thirty-three (33%) percent of the membership, as
above defined, shall constitute a
quorum for all Special Meetings.
4. Quorum
Not Present. If a quorum is not
present at a meeting, action may nonetheless be taken on any question, including
amendments, properly brought before the assembled members if such action is
supported by the same absolute number of votes as would be required for action
at a meeting at which a quorum is present. The Moderator may, in the absence of
a quorum, designate a new meeting date and time, again notifying the membership
as defined above.
ARTICLE VI -
OFFICERS
SECTION
A. 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
B. 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.
1.
The Moderator shall
assume those duties prescribed in Roberts Rules of Order (Revised) where
applicable and not inconsistent herewith.
2.
The Moderator shall be an ex-officio member, without vote, of all
committees. The Moderator may designate the Associate Moderator to assume this
role for any or all committees.
SECTION
C. ASSOCIATE MODERATOR
The Associate Moderator shall act
in the absence, illness, incapacity or other inability of the Moderator to
serve as stated above.
1.
Should the office of Moderator become vacant for any cause, the Associate
Moderator shall assume the office.
2.
The Associate Moderator shall serve as chair of the Constitution and
Bylaws Committee.
3.
The Associate Moderator shall serve ex-officio, without vote, on
committees as designated by the Moderator.
SECTION
D. CLERK
The Clerk shall attend all meetings
of the Association, and the Board of
Governors, and shall keep accurate records of the proceedings of these
meetings.
1.
The Clerk shall notify
the Association members of all meetings in accordance with Article V,
Section E, of these Bylaws.
SECTION
E. FINANCE GOVERNOR
The Finance Governor shall be
responsible for overseeing the financial affairs of the church and keeping the
Board informed of the financial situation.
ARTICLE VII -
GOVERNING BOARD
SECTION A.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The affairs of this Association
shall be administered by the Board of Governors and its Executive Committee.
1.
The Board of Governors
shall be responsible for:
a.
The formulation of internal policies and programs
b.
The business, legal, and financial affairs of the Association.
c.
All activities other than those assigned herein to the Minister or to the
members of the Association.
2.
Meetings of the Governing Board shall be held once each month. Special
meetings of the Board may be called by the Moderator or by any three Board
Members. Board meetings are open to
all members of the Congregation.
3.
The Board shall keep a
permanent record of its meetings and
shall report thereon at the Regular Meeting of the Association in January.
4.
The quorum requirements for any Board meeting shall be seven (7) voting
members. A majority of the voting members present shall carry any motion except
as otherwise prescribed in these Bylaws.
SECTION B.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Executive Committee shall
consist of the Moderator, the Associate Moderator and the Finance Governor.
The Minister shall be a non-voting member of the Executive Committee. It
shall meet as necessary and shall be responsible for:
l.
Working in cooperation with the Personnel Committee, selecting, and
managing the terms of employment of all paid custodial and office employees.
2.
Appointing an auditor to report on the financial condition of the
Association at the end of each fiscal year, and at such time as the
Treasurer’s office becomes vacant.
3.
Implementing any other responsibilities assigned to it by the Board of
Governors.
4.
Keeping a record of its
activities and submitting a report at
each meeting of the Board of
Governors .
SECTION C.
MEMBERSHIP OF BOARD
The voting members of the Board
of Governors shall consist of the Moderator, the Associate Moderator, the Clerk,
and nine (9) members.
1.
The nine members shall
each be elected to coordinate one of the following areas:
Adult
Programs, Youth Programs, Religious Programs, Social Responsibility, Public
Relations, Physical Plant-Interior, Physical Plant-Exterior, Membership, and
Finance.
2.
The nine Governors of
the above listed areas shall each appoint a Vice Governor or Committee
representative who shall attend Board meetings and vote in the absence of their
respective Governor.
3.
In addition to the above
listed twelve (12) voting members, the Minister and Director of Religious
Education shall serve on the Board of Governors without vote.
4.
The immediate past Moderator shall serve as an advisor to the Board,
without vote and without obligation to attend Board meetings.
SECTION D.
DUTIES OF BOARD MEMBERS
1.
The nine (9) members of
the Board of Governors, each elected to coordinate a functional area, shall
attend all meetings of the Board of Governors.
However, a member may be excused from regular attendance for good cause,
upon recommendation of the Moderator and a majority vote of the Board of
Governors.
2.
The Board of Governors
shall also be collectively responsible for managing and voting on the affairs of
the Church as a whole.
3. The
specific activities to be covered in each functional area shall be decided by
the Board of Governors and described in its Operational Guidelines, which shall
be appended to these Bylaws.
a.
The Operational Guidelines shall be developed in such a manner as to
promote the purposes, general welfare, and interests of the Association.
b.
The Operational Guidelines shall annually be reviewed, amended if
necessary, and adopted by the Board of Governors, by affirmative vote of at
least seven (7) members.
ARTICLE VIII.
ELECTION AND TERMS OF OFFICE OF OFFICERS AND OTHERS SERVING IN ELECTED
POSITIONS
SECTION A.
ELECTIONS
1.
Persons serving in
elected positions shall be elected by the membership at the Regular Election
Meeting of the Association. Names of
the candidates shall be included in the call to the meeting.
2.
They shall be chosen by
means of a secret ballot, except that a voice vote may be used when only one
candidate has been nominated for each position.
3.
A majority of the
qualified members voting shall be required for election.
4.
The term of office of
all elected positions shall begin February first in the year of election.
SECTION B.
NOMINATIONS
1.
The Nominating Committee
shall present to the Election meeting a slate of one or more candidates for each
of the elective offices to be filled.
2.
The Nominating Committee shall have secured the assent of all nominees on
the slate. Assenting nominees need not be present to be elected.
3.
Nominations may also be made from the floor if the candidate is present
and accepts the nomination or if written assent has been secured before the
meeting and filed with the Clerk at the meeting.
SECTION C. BALLOTING
The order of
balloting for offices and vacancies in office shall be as follows:
a.
For the Moderator and Associate Moderator,
b.
For the four or five Board members,
c.
For Board members to fill unexpired terms,
d.
For the Clerk (if necessary).
e.
For the Nominating
Committee.
f.
For the Endowment
Fund Committee.
g.
For the Committee on Ministry (Confirmation only).
SECTION D.
TERMS OF BOARD MEMBERS
1.
The Moderator and
Associate Moderator shall be elected for a term of one (1) year and shall be
eligible to succeed themselves only once
2.
The Clerk shall be elected
for a term of two (2) years and shall be eligible to succeed himself or herself
only once.
3.
Board members shall be
elected for a term of two (2) years and shall be eligible to succeed themselves
twice.
a.
Five Board members
(Adult Programs, Social Responsibility, Finance, Physical Plant Interior and
Public Relations) shall be elected in even numbered years.
b.
Four Board members (Membership, Physical Plant Exterior, Religious
Programs, and Youth Programs) shall be elected in odd numbered years.
4. A person
who has been appointed to office, or elected to a partial term to fill a
vacancy, shall not be considered to have served such term for purposes of
determining whether such person is eligible to succeed himself or herself.
SECTION E.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Two Nominating Committee
members shall be elected each year for a term of two years, and shall not be
eligible to succeed themselves, but may be re-elected after a one year absence.
SECTION F.
ENDOWMENT FUND COMMITTEE
Five Endowment Fund Committee
members shall be elected in a three year rotation, with one or two members being
elected each year as the terms expire.
Members shall be elected for a three (3) year term and shall be eligible
to succeed themselves only once. Former
Committee members may be elected again after one year.
SECTION G.
VACANCIES
A vacancy in any elected
position, except Moderator, shall be filled within thirty (30) days by vote of
the Board, and the appointee shall hold office until a successor takes office on
the following February first. If the vacancy occurs in a term of greater than
one year duration, there shall be an election at the Election Regular Meeting to
serve the remainder of the outstanding term.
A vacancy in the office of the Moderator shall be filled by the Associate Moderator until a successor takes office on the following February first.
SECTION H.
RECALL
In
the event that any elected officer or a person serving in any other elected
position of the Association, fails, without showing good cause, to be present at
three (3) consecutive meetings that he or she is required to attend, or
otherwise is considered derelict in duties to the Association, that person may
be subject to recall proceedings as follows:
Upon
recommendation of the Moderator, and subsequent notice to the individual, the
Board of Governors will conduct a hearing. The elected person will be recalled
if the hearing results in recall
action concurred in by three fourths (3/4) of the required Board quorum, and
concurrence at a Special Meeting of the Association, as required in Article V,
Section C, above.
ARTICLE IX
ELECTED COMMITTEES OF THE CHURCH
SECTION A.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
The Nominating
Committee shall consist of four (4) elected members, two elected at each
Election meeting, and a fifth member appointed by the Board of Governors from
the current or previous Board of Governors.
1. The
appointment shall be made by the Board at its first meeting after the annual
election meeting, and be for a one (1) year term.
2.
The appointed Board representative shall convene the first meeting of the
committee, and give the charge to the committee, no later than May 1.
3.
The Committee shall select a Chair from among its five members at this
first meeting.
4.
The Nominating Committee shall nominate persons for Moderator, Associate
Moderator, Clerk, other Board
members, Endowment Fund members, and the Nominating Committee, and any vacancies
in such positions as prescribed in Article VIII of the Bylaws.
5.
The Nominating
Committee shall begin this process no later than October 1.
6.
The Nominating Committee may, upon request from the Board, assist in the
recruitment of volunteers for committees and other church activities.
7.
The Nominating Committee shall attempt to achieve broad representation in
the Association’s elected offices.
8.
A person may serve in only one of these capacities at one time: elected
officer or Board member, member of the Nominating or Endowment Committees,
Committee on Ministry. An
individual may participate on more than one committee or be a committee member
and hold one of the positions mentioned above.
SECTION B.
ENDOWMENT FUND COMMITTEE
1. The
Endowment Fund Committee shall consist of five (5) members, all of whom shall be
active members of the Association. They
shall be elected and serve as described in Article VIII of these Bylaws, for
three year terms.
2.
The Minister and the Moderator shall be advisory members of the
Committee.
3.
The Committee shall elect from its membership: a Chairperson, a Financial
Secretary, and a Recording Secretary. The Chairperson or a member designated by
the Chairperson shall preside at all committee meetings.
4.
The Recording Secretary
shall maintain complete and accurate minutes of all meeting of the committee and
supply a copy thereof to each member of the committee and to the Board of
Governors. Each member shall keep a complete copy of the minutes to be delivered
to his or her
successor.
5. The
Financial Secretary shall maintain a complete and accurate record of accounts
for the Fund, and shall authorize or sign checks and all other necessary
documents on behalf of the Association in furtherance of the purposes of the
Fund. The books and records shall be audited annually, and a report of their
completeness and accuracy issued, by an appropriate person who is not a member
of the Committee.
6.
The Committee shall meet at least quarterly, or more frequently as
necessary.
7.
A quorum shall consist of four (4) members, and a majority present and
voting shall carry any motion or resolution.
8.
The Committee shall
report on a quarterly basis to the Board of Governors and, at each Budget
meeting of the congregation, shall render a full and complete audited account of
the administration of the Fund during the preceding calendar year.
9.
The Committee may request other members of the congregation to serve as
advisory members and, at the expense of Endowment Fund income, may provide for
such professional counseling on investments or legal matters as it deems to be
in the best interest of the Fund.
10. Members of
the Committee shall not be liable for any losses which may be incurred upon the
investment of the assets of the Fund except to the extent such losses shall 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 and no member shall be liable for the acts or
omissions of any other member. No
member shall engage 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 interest of the Fund.
ARTICLE X.
NON-ELECTED COMMITTEES OF THE CHURCH
SECTION A.
CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS COMMITTEE
1. The
Constitution and Bylaws Committee shall consist of four (4) members and a
Chairperson.
a.
The Associate Moderator shall be the Chairperson.
b.
The Moderator shall appoint two (2) members, each February, for a two (2)
year term.
c.
Members shall not be re-appointed within one year of completing a full
two year term.
2.
The Committee shall meet at least twice annually.
3.
The Committee shall be responsible for considering Amendments to the
Bylaws proposed by the Board, a Committee,
or any member, of the Association.
4.
The Committee shall present proposed amendments to the members of the
Association.
SECTION B.
COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY
The Committee on Ministry is a
continuing body whose purpose is to strengthen the quality of Ministry within
the congregation. It serves as
a support group for the Minister and as a communication channel between the
Minister and members of the Association.
1. The
Committee on Ministry shall be composed of four Association members. Two members
will be appointed each year at the Election Regular Meeting and will serve a two
year term. The Minister and Moderator shall jointly nominate the candidates and
present the names to the Association for confirmation. Committee members may
succeed themselves only once.
2.
If a member of the Committee
is unable, for any reason, to complete the term for which he/she was appointed,
such vacancy shall be filled within thirty (30) days by the Board of Governors
from a nomination made jointly by the Minister and the Moderator. Such an
appointment shall be for the remainder of the vacated term.
3.
When a new Minister is called, the existing Committee shall be augmented
by two (2) members chosen by the new Minister and the Moderator. This six (6)
member committee shall serve until the following January Regular Meeting at
which time the two (2) recently added members will continue for one (1) year
terms. The terms of the other four (4) members will end and two (2) new members
will be appointed.
4.
The Committee shall meet once a month, except in July and August, with a
written agenda for each meeting, so that during the course of the year, each
aspect of the Ministerial/Congregational relationship will be reviewed.
5.
Reviews of the Minister’s performance in relation to expectations, and
reviews of the congregation’s performance in relation to goals, should be
undertaken annually.
6.
The Committee shall annually recommend the Minister’s compensation
package for inclusion in the budget.
SECTION C.
SPECIAL COMMITTEES
The Board of Governors may
establish committees as necessary. The duties of such committees shall be
prescribed by the Board of Governors within the requirements of this
Constitution and Bylaws and the appended Operational Guidelines.
SECTION D.
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
The Personnel Committee shall
consist of three voting members: the Moderator, the immediate past Moderator and
a member of the congregation approved by the Board for a term of two (2) years.
The Minister shall serve as a non-voting member of the Committee.
In the event of a vacancy on the Committee, the Board shall appoint a
member of the congregation as a replacement.
The Personnel
Committee shall fulfill the duties ascribed to it in the Personnel Policy Manual
of the Northwest Unitarian Universalist Church and shall address and coordinate
all matters related to the well-being of the Church’s employees.
The Committee’s primary duties include:
1.
Hiring and orientation of employees (except the minister), working
with the program committees.
2.
Updating the Personnel Policy Manual, as necessary.
3.
Implementing conflict resolution involving employees, when needed.
4.
Overseeing performance evaluations of employees, working with
program committees.
5.
Making salary recommendations for employees, after conferring with
program committees.
SECTION E.
AESTHETICS COMMITTEE
The Aesthetics Committee
consists of up to five (5) members who shall be appointed by the Executive
Committee. The term of office shall
be five (5) years. In the interest
of retaining Committee members with special expertise in architecture and
design, members may serve more than one (1) term.
The Aesthetics Committee shall meet as needed or requested.
The Aesthetics Committee shall be responsible for advising and assisting
Governors, other Committees, and the congregation in general regarding physical
changes and improvements to the church. The
Aesthetics Committee should strive to achieve physical improvements that are
aesthetically compatible, while making efficient use of church funds.
SECTION F.
MEMORIAL GARDEN COMMITTEE
The Memorial Garden Committee
consists of up to three (3) members who shall be appointed by the Executive
Committee. The term of office shall
be five (5) years. In the interest
of retaining Committee members who may have a special interest in the Memorial
Garden, members may serve more than one (1) term.
The Memorial Garden Committee shall be responsible for overseeing the
maintenance of records of interment and upkeep of the Garden.
The Committee shall meet as needed or requested, but shall meet at least
once per year, in September, to review records and the condition of the Garden,
and to report to the Board.
ARTICLE XI.
AFFILIATED GROUPS
Voluntary
organizations of Association members, designed to further the interests of the
Association, may be formed with the consent of the Board of Governors.
Such groups shall be regarded as integral parts of the Association.
1. The
Board of Governors may appoint a liaison to the affiliated group for the
purposes of information and communication.
2.
The affiliated groups may use the facilities of the Association, under
the supervision of the Board of Governors.
3.
Each affiliated group shall submit a written annual report of its
activities to the Board of Governors, and shall
submit their records, books of accounts, and vouchers to the Board of Governors
upon request.
ARTICLE XII. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
SECTION A.
FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of this
Association shall begin on July first of each year and end on June thirtieth of
the following year.
SECTION B.
TREASURER
1. The
Finance Committee shall be responsible for recommending the appointment and/or
dismissal of the Treasurer. The recommendation shall be subject to the
ratification of the Board of Governors, or in the case of an Interim Treasurer,
by the Executive Committee.
2. The
term of office for the Treasurer shall coincide with the beginning of the fiscal
year and be for one year.
3.
The Treasurer shall keep permanent records of all financial transactions,
and shall account for all monies of the Association, under the direction of the
Finance Committee.
4.
The Treasurer shall attend meetings of the Board of Governors and present
a report when, and in such form, as it may direct.
5.
The Treasurer shall
present a report of financial activities at Regular Meetings of the Association.
6.
The Treasurer shall perform
such other duties as normally pertain to the office.
SECTION C.
ENDOWMENT FUND
1. Assets
a.
All assets are to be in held in the name of the Northwest Unitarian
Universalist Church Endowment Fund. Cash assets may be held with church monies
provided they are accounted for in a separate fund and accrue interest.
b.
The Endowment Fund Committee shall determine what is principal and what
is income, according to accepted accounting principles.
c.
Recommendations to accept gifts, hold, sell, exchange, rent, lease,
transfer, convert, invest, and in all other respects to manage and control the
assets of the Fund, including stocks, bonds and other securities, as in their
judgment and discretion they deem wise and prudent, are to be made by the
Committee with subsequent execution by the delegated member of the Committee.
d.
Investments shall be in line with UU principles.
2.
Distribution of Income
a.
Gifts and bequests to
the Endowment Fund plus earned
interest shall accumulate until the
principal amount of $10,000 is achieved, unless otherwise directed by the donor,
after which the income generated from the investment of the principal may be
expended.
b.
Income from the Fund and earned interest may be used for capital
improvements, a building program, for
scholarships, for church-related camping or leadership conferences, and for
outreach into the community or to
the wider mission of the UUA as outlined in the Fund’s operating procedures.
c.
No portion of the income generated by the Fund shall be used for the
annual operating budget of the Association, except in particular, temporary, and
difficult circumstances, and where integrity of gift restrictions permit. The
members of the Association may, by action in a Regular Meeting, use a portion of
the Fund for its own support services.
Except where authorized otherwise in the terms of the gift, all principal
amounts will be retained and only the income expended.
d.
Programs for support shall be recommended by the Endowment Fund Committee
and approved by the Board of Governors for funding.
3.
Any amendment to this
Article shall be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the members at a Special
Meeting as provided in Article V, Section C, of these Bylaws.
4.
If Northwest Unitarian Universalist Church ceases to exist either through
merger or dissolution, disposition or transfer of the Fund shall be made in the
same manner as the other church assets.
ARTICLE XIII.
MINISTER
SECTION A.
CALL
The Minister shall be chosen in
accordance with the guidelines established by the Unitarian Universalist
Association, using a Search Committee composed of seven (7) voting members of
the Congregation. Candidates for
Minister shall hold fellowship in the Unitarian Universalist Association.
When the Search Committee has recommended a candidate and initial
compensation package, a special meeting of the Congregation shall be required to
vote to call a Minister (see Article V, Section C).
SECTION B.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Minister shall be in charge
of the public worship services, and shall perform such other duties as are
customary in liberal churches, or as may reasonably be prescribed by the Board
of Governors.
SECTION C.
BOARD DUTIES
The Minister shall attend all meetings of the Board of Governors and the
Executive Committee. The Minister shall be a non-voting member of the Board of
Governors and of all committees.
SECTION D.
FREEDOM OF THE PULPIT
The Minister shall have freedom of the pulpit as well as freedom to
express personal opinions outside the pulpit.
ARTICLE XIV.
DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
SECTION A.
RESPONSIBILITY
The Director of Religious Education shall be responsible for administering the
policies and curriculum set down by the Youth Programs committee.
SECTION B.
APPOINTMENT
A committee of the Youth Programs area shall be responsible for recommending
the appointment and/or dismissal of a Director of Religious Education (DRE). The
recommendation shall be subject to the ratification of the Board of Governors,
or in the case of an Interim DRE, by the Executive Committee.
In cooperation with the Personnel Committee, the Youth Programs Committee
shall develop a job description, Terms of Employment, and initial salary
recommendation, for approval of the
Board of Governors. The Youth
Programs Committee shall conduct an annual evaluation and make salary
recommendations for the DRE.
ARTICLE XV.
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
SECTION A.
RESPONSIBILITY
The Director of Music shall provide
musical services required by the members of the Association, as well as serve as
choir director.
SECTION B. APPOINTMENT
The Religious Programs
committee shall be responsible for recommending the appointment and/or dismissal
of a Director of Music. These recommendations shall be subject to ratification
by the Board of Governors. In cooperation with the Personnel Committee, the
Religious Programs Committee shall develop a job description, terms of employment
and initial salary recommendation for approval of the Board of Governors. The
Religious Programs committee shall conduct an annual evaluation and make
salary recommendations for the Music Director.
ARTICLE XVI.
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 meeting shall state the proposed changes to
be considered.
SECTION B.
BYLAWS
These 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 XVII.
DISSOLUTION AND TRANSFER OF FUNDS
Should this
Association cease to function and the membership vote to disband, the provisions
of Article 6, of the Articles of Incorporation shall be followed. The provisions
are:
Upon
dissolution of this Association, the Board of Managers shall, after paying or
making provision for the payment of all the liabilities of the Association,
dispose of all the assets of the Association in such manner, or to such
organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for religious,
educational and/or charitable purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt
organization or organizations under
Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding
provisions of any future United States Internal Revenue Law), as the
Board of Managers shall determine, providing that the Unitarian
Universalist Association be given
first consideration if so qualified.
ARTICLE
XVIII. CONGREGATIONAL POLICY
STATEMENTS\
The following
policy statements, adopted by the Congregation at a properly called meeting,
shall be considered as Amendments to the Bylaws subject to provisions of
Article XV above. All other previously adopted congregational policies or
statements are hereby rescinded.
SECTION A.
RESOLUTIONS FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
All resolutions for the General Assembly, to be submitted in the name of the
church, must be adopted at a
Congregational meeting.
SECTION B.
EAR-MARKED DONATIONS
The Board of Governors shall not accept money ear-marked for a specific purpose,
unless a fund is already established, or with the prior approval of the Board of
Governors. All donations of tangible
items must be approved in advance by the Board of Governors.
SECTION C.
SMOKING
It shall be the policy of Northwest UU Church that the church building will be
free from the consumption of tobacco products at all times.
SECTION D.
ALCOHOL
It shall be the policy of Northwest UU Church that the use of alcoholic
beverages, on church premises, shall be limited.
The consumption of alcoholic beverages which exceed 20% of alcohol by
volume (40 proof) is prohibited.
The use of
alcoholic beverages for ceremonial functions shall be at the discretion of the
Minister.
The consumption
of alcoholic beverages (punch, beer, wine) on the church premises during church
functions requires the approval of the Executive Committee at least ten days
prior to the date of the function.
Non-affiliated
groups are prohibited from consuming any kind of alcoholic beverages on the
church premises at all times, except non-affiliated religious organizations may
request approval of the minister for use during religious ceremonies.
SECTION E.
CHURCH OPINIONS/INTENTS
It shall be the policy
of Northwest UU Church that each individual has the right to express his or her
own personal beliefs or opinions. The
following statements apply only to speaking for the church.
1. The
Minister shall have freedom of the pulpit as well as the freedom to express
personal opinions outside the pulpit.
2. The Board
of Governors, or Committees thereof, may express opinions or positions on
external societal issues on behalf of the congregation, or itself, only after
providing an opportunity for discussion by the congregation at a meeting to be
held not less than seven days following notice to
the congregation by first class mail of such a meeting.
SECTION F.
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST TRUSTEE
When voting for a nominee for
UUA Trustee, a favorable vote of the Board of Governors is sufficient.
Advance notice of such a vote shall be published in the Newsletter.