Bylaws of the Marquette Unitarian Universalist Congregation

 

(as revised June 3, 2007)

     

Article I:

   The name of this organization is the Marquette Unitarian Universalist Congregation.
     
Article II:   Purpose.
     
    This congregation exists to serve the human needs of its members and friends, to stimulate individual development of a positive and ethical philosophy of life, and to provide a common shelter for everyone's personal growth.
     
Article III:   Membership.
     
1.   Any person 16 years of age or over who (1) concurs with Article IV, (2) signs the membership roll with a trustee of the board as witness, (3) makes a written pledge of financial support, and (4) makes a payment in any amount toward that pledge, becomes a member of the congregation for the fiscal year for which the member made the pledge.
     
2.   Only those who have satisfied the criteria for membership as defined in paragraph III.1 have voting privileges in Congregational matters.
    a.  Payments made in a fiscal year before pledging are applied retroactively to the pledge for that fiscal year.
    b.  Voting privileges are effective 10 days after meeting the requirements of paragraph III.1.
    c.  Membership and voting privileges expire at the end of each fiscal year.
     
3.   Any member may relinquish membership by written notice.
     
4.   Membership is renewed as follows:
    a.  For paragraph III.2.c:  Make a written pledge of financial support, and make a payment in any amount toward that pledge.  The 10-day period of paragraph III.2.b does not apply.
    b.  For those whose membership and voting privileges expire for any other reasons, follow the procedures in paragraph III.1.
     

Article IV:

  

Congregational Principles.
     
    We subscribe to the Unitarian Universalist Association=s covenant to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person; justice, equity, and compassion in human relations; acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregation; a free and responsible search for truth and meaning; the right of conscience and democratic process within our congregation and in society at large; the goal of a world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all; and respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
     
Article V.   Meetings.
     
1.   The annual business meeting occurs in May at a time and place the board determines.
2.   Any voting member may request a special business meeting in writing at any time.
3.   The board will provide written notice of each business meeting to all members 15 days prior to the meeting.  The notice will include ballot issues (including but not limited to changes to the bylaws and the names of nominees for the board, if any).
4.   Forty (40) percent of the voting members shall constitute a quorum for meetings of the Congregation.  All votes at such meetings will be decided by a simple majority, except as stated below or elsewhere in these bylaws.
    a.  The minister shall be called by a three-fourths (3/4) majority of the qualified voting members of the Church present at a Congregational meeting legally called for that purpose and using a written ballot. 
    b.  The minister may be dismissed by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the qualified voting members of the Church present at a Congregational meeting legally called for that purpose and using a written ballot.
    c.  A majority at a Board or a Congregational meeting may designate other issues as requiring more than a simple majority for passage.
     
Article VI.   Board of Trustees
     
1.   The board of trustees ("the Board") consists of the president, vice president, secretary, and four trustees at large.  All trustees must be voting members of the congregation.  The board assigns its members to specific positions by consensus.
2.   New trustees shall be chosen by ballot at the annual business meeting.  All normally serve for two year terms.  The board may adjust term length before the election to accommodate abnormal situations.
3.   The board shall have general charge of the property of the congregation and the conduct of its administration, including the appointment of the treasurer and such committees it deems necessary.  It may fill vacancies on the board with individuals who shall serve until the next annual business meeting.
4.   The board shall appoint a nominating committee of two voting members by February 15.  The nominating committee shall present the names of the candidates to the board by March 15.
5.   Any voting member may nominate candidates from the floor at the annual meeting, but those so nominated must agree to serve if elected or the nomination is invalid.
6.   Newly elected trustees assume their duties on July 1.
7.   The board shall appoint delegates, if any, to denominational meetings and conventions.
8.   The Board can reprogram monies from individual funds, but may not move monies between funds, except with congregational vote.
     
Article VII.   Fund Trustees
     
1.   The Fund Trustees shall serve as trustees of all endowment and other special funds of the Congregation.  Except as specifically provided in this Article, the selection of Fund Trustees and their governance shall be set forth in separate guidelines established for each endowment or other special fund by the Board or Congregation.
2.   The Fund Trustees shall consist of five (5) members, two (2) of whom shall be members of the Board of Trustees and three (3) of whom shall be non-Board members of the Congregation.
3.   Normally, terms for Non-Board Fund Trustees shall be three years.
4.   Any decisions made by the Fund Trustees shall be by a supermajority in which at least four (4) of the five (5) Trustees must consent.
     
Article VIII.   The Fiscal Year.
     
    The fiscal year is July 1 to June 30.
     
Article IX.   Amendments.
     
    These bylaws, so far as allowed by law, may be amended or replaced by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the qualified voting members of the church present at a congregational meeting legally called for the purpose and using a written ballot.
     
Article X.   Dissolution.
     
    Should the membership vote to disband, the board will transfer any residual assets of the congregation to the Unitarian Universalist Association or its legal successor.
     
Article XI.   Effective Date.
     
    These bylaws become effective immediately upon approval.
     
Article XII.   Individual members of the Congregation acting in an official capacity are not to be held financially responsible for debt or obligations incurred by the church as a whole.