Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Visalia Bylaws
As adopted May 18,2008
Article I. Name
The name of this religious congregation shall be
the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Visalia.
Article II. Purpose
Vision:
We support the principles of individual freedom of belief, respect for the differences of others, promotion of universal peace and understanding, and recognition of the basic worth and dignity of all people.
We support the principles of individual freedom of belief, respect for the differences of others, promotion of universal peace and understanding, and recognition of the basic worth and dignity of all people.
Mission:
Our mission is to promote, extend, and to apply the Principles and the Living Tradition of the Unitarian Universalist Association, in support of spiritual growth and a sustainable global society founded on respect for nature, universal human rights, economic justice, and a culture of peace.
Our mission is to promote, extend, and to apply the Principles and the Living Tradition of the Unitarian Universalist Association, in support of spiritual growth and a sustainable global society founded on respect for nature, universal human rights, economic justice, and a culture of peace.
Article III. Membership
Voting Members:
Any person is eligible to vote as a voting member of this Fellowship who is in sympathy with its purpose and program, and meets the following criteria:
Any person is eligible to vote as a voting member of this Fellowship who is in sympathy with its purpose and program, and meets the following criteria:
- a. Is at least 16 years of age, and
- b. Has made a financial contribution of record to the Fellowship within the past twelve months (irrespective of fiscal year) or has fulfilled a service contribution approved by the Executive Committee], and
- c. Has participated in Fellowship activities within the past twelve months, and
- d. Has signed the Membership Book at least thirty days prior to the Annual Meeting.
Non-Voting Friends:
Any person of any age who is in sympathy with the Purposes, as stated in Article II, and who participates in some or all of the activities of this Fellowship, or who makes a financial contribution of record within the last twelve months, but does not choose to be a Voting Member, shall upon request be known as a Friend of the Fellowship. A Friend of the Fellowship shall enjoy all the privileges of membership and shall be encouraged to participate in all activities of the Fellowship except those restricted to Voting Members. Friends of the Fellowship shall be encouraged to participate in committee assignments.
Any person of any age who is in sympathy with the Purposes, as stated in Article II, and who participates in some or all of the activities of this Fellowship, or who makes a financial contribution of record within the last twelve months, but does not choose to be a Voting Member, shall upon request be known as a Friend of the Fellowship. A Friend of the Fellowship shall enjoy all the privileges of membership and shall be encouraged to participate in all activities of the Fellowship except those restricted to Voting Members. Friends of the Fellowship shall be encouraged to participate in committee assignments.
Removal or Lapse of Membership:
A person will be removed from voting membership upon that person’s written or verbal request. The Executive Committee may terminate the membership of any voting member who has died, moved away, cannot be located, or, following appropriate inquiry that shall include giving members reasonable notice and opportunity to respond, failed to make a financial contribution of record within the past twelve months, who has become inactive for that period of time, or by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the executive committee for actions that threaten the well-being of the Congregation.
A person will be removed from voting membership upon that person’s written or verbal request. The Executive Committee may terminate the membership of any voting member who has died, moved away, cannot be located, or, following appropriate inquiry that shall include giving members reasonable notice and opportunity to respond, failed to make a financial contribution of record within the past twelve months, who has become inactive for that period of time, or by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the executive committee for actions that threaten the well-being of the Congregation.
Non-discrimination:
The Fellowship may not require adherence to any particular interpretation of religion or to any particular religious belief or creed. Membership is open to all qualified persons regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, citizenship status, or national origin.
The Fellowship may not require adherence to any particular interpretation of religion or to any particular religious belief or creed. Membership is open to all qualified persons regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, citizenship status, or national origin.
Article IV. Denominational Affiliation
This Fellowship shall be a member of the
Unitarian Universalist Association and of the Pacific Central District.
Only voting members will be listed on the membership rolls with these
denominational organizations.
Article V. Meetings
The dates of regular
non-business meetings of the Fellowship shall be determined by the Fellowship
itself, or by any person or persons designated by it. The annual business
meeting shall be held each year before July 1st at such time and place
as shall be fixed by the Executive Committee. Special business meetings
may be called by the Executive Committee or at the written request of
any five members. The business to be transacted at all meetings shall
be set forth in the notice of the meeting, which shall be sent to all
voting members by mail ten (10) days before the meeting. Thirty (30)
percent of the membership shall constitute a quorum.
Article VI. Officers
At each annual meeting there shall be chosen by ballot a President,
a Vice President, a Secretary and a Treasurer, all of whom shall hold
their offices for one year (July 1 - June 30) and until their successors
have been elected. All officers must be voting members of the Fellowship.
These officers, along with the immediate past president, shall constitute
the Executive Committee. No person shall hold the same office longer
than two terms in succession. At least thirty days prior to the annual
meeting the president shall appoint a nominating committee of three members.
Members may nominate additional candidates for officers or committee
chairpersons at the annual meeting.
The Executive Committee shall have
general charge of the property of the Fellowship and the conduct of its
business affairs and the control of its administration, including the
appointment of non-ministerial staff and such committees as it may deem
necessary. It may fill vacancies with persons who shall serve until the
end of the current fiscal year.
The President shall lead the Fellowship
meetings or delegate this function to others. The Vice President shall
assume the duties of the president in the absence of the president. The
Treasurer shall keep a record of the financial transactions of the Fellowship
and shall make a report at each business meeting and at each meeting
of the Executive Committee. The Secretary shall keep minutes of all Executive
Committee meetings and all business meetings. Other duties may be assigned
by the Executive Committee.
The President and Treasurer shall not be
members of the same family. Checks written on the Fellowship’s
bank account must be signed by two members of the Executive Committee
(preferably the Treasurer and the President) but never by two members
of the same family.
Article VII. Fiscal Year
The fiscal year shall end
on June 30th.
Article VIII. Dissolution
Should this Fellowship cease
to function and the membership vote to disband, all of its property,
real and personal, after paying all just claims upon it, shall be conveyed
to the Unitarian Universalist Association, or to any Unitarian Universalist
related organization. The Executive Committee shall perform all actions
necessary to effectuate such conveyance.
Article IX. Amendments
These bylaws, so far as allowed by law, may be amended or replaced at any meeting
of the Fellowship in which a quorum is present, by at least a two-thirds
vote. Notice of the proposed change shall be contained in the notice
of the meeting which shall be sent to all members by mail ten (10) days
before the meeting.
As revised May 18, 2008.
