Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder
Boulder, Colorado
BYLAWS
as amended by the Congregation May 23, 2010
ARTICLE 1: NAME
The name of this religious society shall be “The Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder, Colorado.”
ARTICLE II: PURPOSE
We are united in the free quest of those high religious values that assist the living of a full life. In the discipline of truth, irrespective of the source and in the spirit of universal humanity, we unite to strengthen our convictions in the value and need for religion, and through the strength of our unity, to give expression to these convictions.
ARTICLE III: DENOMINATIONAL AFFILIATION
This society is a member of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations and the Mountain Desert District of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations.
ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Membership
A. Voting Members.
Voting members shall include all persons fourteen (14) years of age or older who subscribe to the purpose stated in Article II, satisfy the requirements prescribed by these bylaws, have signed the membership book in the presence of the Minister, the Clerk, or the President of the Congregation, and who agree to make a regular recorded financial contribution to the Church. Under special consideration, services may be substituted for monetary contribution. A new member shall be eligible to vote on church business sixty (60) days after meeting the requirements for membership.
B. Additional Categories of Membership.
The Board of Trustees may create such additional categories of membership with specific benefits and responsibilities, as it deems appropriate. Members of such categories shall not be eligible to vote on church business.
C. Removal from Membership.
An individual may, at any time, be removed from membership for the following reasons: (1) Such person has died, resigned, or failed to respond within sixty (60) days to a letter of inquiry from the Church as to whether such person wishes to continue his or her membership; or (2) The behavior of such person is, in the judgment of the Board of Trustees, detrimental to the continued functioning of the Church. A member’s opinion on any matter, or their civil expressions of those opinions, shall not be grounds for removal.
Section 2. Review of the Membership Roll.
The membership roll shall be reviewed by the Clerk of the Congregation before any Congregational Meeting for purposes of determining who shall be eligible to vote at the meeting. Individual issues of voting eligibility will be resolved by the Clerk of the Congregation. The Clerk of the Congregation shall timely inform the Board of Trustees of the individuals being removed from membership.
Section 3. Withdrawal.
Any member may withdraw and cease to be a member by notifying the Clerk of the congregation in writing.
Section 4. Removal.
Anyone who disrupts a Worship Service, a Congregational Meeting, a Board of Trustees meeting, or a committee meeting, may be barred from that meeting. A decision to bar a member from a meeting is limited to that single meeting unless extended by a majority vote of the Board of Trustees. Any person who acts against the purpose stated in Article II may be barred from all church meetings, property and functions by vote of the Board of Trustees, such decision subject to review at a duly constituted Congregational Meeting.
Section 5. Nondiscrimination.
The church welcomes persons of all races, sexual orientation, gender identity, affectional preferences, ages, abilities, cultures and religious backgrounds. Issues of perceived discrimination will be addressed by the Board.
Section 6. Transfer.
A member who is moving from the community may ask the Clerk of the congregation for a letter of introduction to the church of the member’s choice.
ARTICLE V: THE CONGREGATION:
Section 1.
On all questions, the ultimate governing body of the church shall be the congregation, an assembly of the active membership.
Section 2.
It shall be the financial policy of this congregation to raise sufficient funds in each fiscal year to meet the financial requirements of the church.
Section 3. Officers of the Congregation
Officers of the congregation shall be the members of the Board of Trustees, a Moderator, a Clerk and a Treasurer. A President-Elect shall be elected yearly at the Spring Congregational Meeting and will serve as President the year following his or her term as President-Elect. The Clerk shall be elected to a two-year terms. The Treasurer and the Moderator shall be elected by the Board of Trustees.
Section 4. Duties of the Officers of the Congregation
President: The President shall be subject to direction from the congregation and the Board of Trustees. The President of the congregation also serves as the Chair of the Board of Trustees and Moderator of the Board of Trustees’ meetings. He or she is an ex-officio member of all committees except the Leadership Development Committee and the Committee on Ministry. He or she shall represent the society on all appropriate occasions.
President-Elect: The President-Elect shall be the legal substitute for the President in case of the absence, incapacity, resignation or death of the President, and all rights and duties belonging to and granted to the President shall devolve upon the President-Elect who is acting in the capacity of the President.
Moderator: The Moderator shall preside at all congregational meetings. He or she shall see that all legalities of the congregational meetings are observed.
Clerk: The Clerk shall keep minutes of all congregational meetings, supply copies to the Board of Trustees, record election results, send notices of all congregational meetings, prepare a list of voting members before each congregational meeting, and keep the church rolls of active and inactive members up to date. The Clerk will ensure that the annual census is provided to the UUA. The Clerk will also be responsible for maintaining an accurate and current edition of the church bylaws.
Treasurer: The Treasurer shall be elected by the Board of Trustees and shall serve as Treasurer for the Congregation. Under the direction of the Board of Trustees, he or she shall supervise the reception and disbursement of all moneys related to the operating budget of the church. He or she shall have custody of all corporate funds and financial records and be responsible for keeping full and accurate records. The treasurer shall submit a monthly report to the Board of Trustees and a yearly report to the congregation at the Spring Congregational meeting or whenever else required by the Board of Trustees or President.
ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS OF THE CONGREGATION AND THE ELECTION PROCEDURES
Section 1. Meetings
A. Congregational Meeting.
A Spring Congregational Meeting shall be held in May or June at such time and place as shall be fixed by the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees shall set the agenda for the meeting, which shall be moderated by the Moderator or, if the moderator is unavailable, any member appointed by the Board of Trustees for that purpose. At this meeting elections shall be held.
The annual report from the Treasurer shall be presented, and a budget for the ensuing fiscal year shall be presented and approved by vote. The Minister shall make the Minister’s Annual Report to the Congregation, presented orally, and made available in written form. Unless otherwise requested by the Board, committees shall not present orally, but will post their reports in written form. Other reports may be presented. Congregation business will be transacted, first from the agenda, then by whatever motions of active members from the floor. Motions made and seconded from the floor may be discussed but shall be tabled for a vote until the next special or general congregational meeting.
B. Special meetings.
Special congregational meetings may be called at any time by the Board of Trustees of the congregation.
C.
The Board of Trustees must call a special meeting within 30 days after the receipt of a petition signed by 10% of the active members stating the purpose for which they wish the special meeting be called. At any special meeting, only business concerning the purposes for which it is called shall be transacted.
Section 2. Election Procedures.
The Leadership Development Committee shall have presented its list of nominees. Additional candidates may be nominated from the floor. All nominees shall be or have been advised of the duties of the office, shall be active members of the church, and shall express or have expressed their willingness to serve if elected. Nominees for President-Elect must have served at least one (1) year on the Board of Trustees. At the close of the nominations, election shall be conducted by secret ballot, unless there is no contest for any position, in which case the vote will be to accept or reject the slate. A candidate is not required to receive a majority of the votes. The candidates with the most votes are selected, up to the number of positions available. In the event of a tie, the individuals with more votes than the tie (if any) are removed from the list, and another vote is taken. If after five (5) votes, no conclusion is reached, the President may appoint individual(s) to the remaining positions.
Section 3. Quorum.
At any congregational meeting, 10% of the active members shall constitute a quorum (except as noted in Section 7 below in the selling of the church building and Article IX, Section 1 in election or termination of the minister). A majority vote of those active members present and voting shall decide any question except where specified differently in these bylaws.
Section 4. Notice.
Notice of all congregational meetings must be sent to the active members at least fourteen (14) days in advance of the meeting.
Section 5. Voting Restrictions.
There shall be no absentee or proxy voting.
Section 6. Indebtedness and Real Estate Matters.
A 60% majority vote shall be required to approve transactions involving indebtedness of more than $100 per active member and all transactions involving the purchase or sale of real estate.
Section 7. Selling of the Church.
A decision to sell the church building may be made only at a special meeting called for that purpose which is held in that part of a year between 14 September and 15 May and notice of which has been sent to all active members fourteen (14) days in advance and announced from the pulpit on two consecutive Sundays at the regular Sunday church service. For such a special meeting, a quorum will be 30% of the active members of the church, and a 60% majority vote shall be required.
ARTICLE VII: THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Section 1. Definition.
The administrative body of the church shall be a Board of Trustees. Under the direction of the congregation, this Board of Trustees shall have operating control of the affairs of the church, and shall have fiscal responsibility for the church. All real and personal property of the church shall be administered and controlled by the Board of Trustees under the limitations imposed by Article VI. The Board of Trustees may enact policies and procedures that guide the operation and functioning of the church.
Section 2. Board Membership.
The Board of Trustees shall be made up of the following seven (7) members: the President of the Congregation who shall serve as President and Chair of the Board of Trustees; the President-Elect; the immediate past President; and four (4) elected Trustees who are elected for three (3) year terms on a rotating basis. No one of the seven (7) elected Trustees shall serve more than eight (8) consecutive years.
Section 3. Other Church Leaders Elected by the Board.
As soon as possible following the Spring Congregational Meeting, at a regular Board of Trustees meeting, the Board of Trustees shall elect a Treasurer, who may or may not be a member of the Board, who shall serve as Treasurer of the church and as an officer of the Congregation and a Secretary, who may or may not be a member of the Board, who shall serve as Secretary of the Board of Trustees.
Section 4. Meetings of the Board.
The Board of Trustees shall hold regular monthly meetings throughout the year and such special meetings as are deemed necessary. Board of Trustees meetings are open to church members, but comments and questions of members may be limited by the president or acting chair. For sensitive matters such as personnel issues or private matters related to individual church members, the Board may meet privately in executive session. At any special meeting, only business concerning the purpose for which it was called shall be transacted. The dates and times of the regular Board of Trustees meetings are to be published in the newsletter. The President serves as a Moderator at Board of Trustees meetings and has a vote on the Board of Trustees. A quorum shall consist of a number of Trustees constituting 50% or more of the total membership of the Board of Trustees as of the time the meeting commences. The Secretary shall be responsible for taking minutes at Board meetings and transcribing them. Minutes of these meetings are to be maintained in the church office and made available to members of the congregation upon request.
Section 5. Other Committees.
Unless otherwise specified by the by-laws, the Board of Trustees may create or disband councils, committees, and groups in furtherance of the purpose and mission of the church. Such committees, councils, or groups shall report to the Board of Trustees.
Section 6. Vacancies and Replacements.
The Board of Trustees shall fill by appointment any vacancies among elected positions until the next Spring Congregational Meeting. The Board of Trustees shall work in conjunction with the Leadership Development Committee to identify qualified candidates for such appointments. Such appointment shall be only for the duration of the original term.
Failure of a Board Trustee to attend three (3) consecutive regular Board of Trustees meetings shall be an automatic resignation from the Board of Trustees without further notice or action. If such member requests reinstatement within one (1) month, the Board of Trustees may reinstate this seat, but this provision may not be used for any member more than once a term. Failure of a Trustee to attend four (4) regular Board of Trustees meetings during the church year shall be an automatic motion for removal from office, upon a vote of the Board of Trustees.
Section 7. Removal.
Any officer, elected position, or chair who does not carry out this or her duties or responsibilities may, at the Board of Trustees’ discretion, be removed from such position. Decisions of the Board of Trustees in regard to removal of any elected position are subject to review by the church membership at any duly constituted congregational meeting.
ARTICLE VIII: COMMITTEES REPORTING TO THE CONGREGATION
Directly responsible to the congregation are the Leadership Development Committee, the Committee on Ministry, and the Ministerial Search Committee.
Section 1. Leadership Development Committee.
A Leadership Development Committee of six (6) members shall foster leadership development in the congregation. This responsibility includes recommending people for leadership training and development. The Leadership Development Committee shall present nominations at the spring congregational meeting for the following offices:
President-Elect; Clerk; one (1) or two (2) Trustees, depending on the year; and two (2) or three (3) members of the Committee on Ministry, depending on the year. In the event that a President-elect or President is unavailable to serve the next year (as President or Past President), the Leadership Development Committee will nominate a President or nominal Past President, in order to maintain 7 members on the board. The Leadership Development Committee shall also be responsible for nominations to the Ministerial Search Committee as required by this Article. The Leadership Development Committee shall be responsible for making recommendations to the Board regarding appointments to various leadership and volunteer positions in the church. The Board of Trustees shall be responsible for presenting nominations to the congregation for positions on the Leadership Development Council at the spring congregational meeting. Members elected to the Leadership Development Committee shall serve two-year terms.
Section 2. Committee on Ministry.
A Committee on Ministry of three (3) to five (5) members shall act to support, guide, and ensure the success of all ministries of the church. The committee shall receive and act on matters related to the ministerial function and its performance. The committee shall meet no fewer than four (4) times a year, dates to be published in the newsletter well in advance of each meeting. The committee may meet from time to time without announcement to address itself to its accumulated concerns. Members of the Committee on Ministry shall be chosen for three-year staggered terms.
Section 3.Ministerial Search Committee.
When there is a requirement for a new settled minister, a Ministerial Search Committee consisting of seven (7) members shall be elected by the congregation from candidates nominated by the Leadership Development Committee or from the floor at the congregational meeting.
ARTICLE IX: THE MINISTER
Section 1. Election and Termination.
No settled Minister shall be called except by an affirmative vote of at least ninety percent (90%) of the members present at the congregational meeting called for that purpose. The vote shall be by secret ballot. Both Minister and congregation shall be informed of the numbers voting for and against and the number abstaining. Any Minister selected for full time service in this church shall be in fellowship with the Unitarian Universalist Association. No settled Minister shall be terminated during an established tenure except by a sixty-five percent (65%) vote of the members present at the congregational meeting called for a vote of confidence in the Minister. In the event of the Minister’s termination, his/her possible severance package shall be decided at that time by the Board of Trustees, in consultation with the Committee on Ministry.
Section 2. Tenure and Duties.
The settled Minister shall be called for an indefinite tenure. The Minister shall be granted complete freedom of the pulpit without restriction of his/her beliefs. He/She shall be a member ex-officio of all church groups and committees, except the Committee on Ministry, but without a vote. The Minister shall bring to the Board of Trustees and to the congregation any matters which seem to him/her pertinent to the welfare of the church, and make such recommendations as seem to him/her proper; but the final decision in matters of policy and procedure shall remain with the Board of Trustees, always subject, however, to the authority of the congregation as provided herein.
Section 3. Resignation.
Should the settled Minister offer his/her resignation, three (3) month’s notice must be given at the time the resignation is made except as the Board of Trustees may allow an intervalof less time.
Section 4. Interim and consulting Ministers.
The decision to seek an Interim or Consulting Minister shall be made at any congregational meeting that includes such a decision in its call. An Interim or Consulting Minister may then be selected according to a process defined by the Board.
ARTICLE X: FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year shall end the last day of June and may be altered by the Board of Trustees as circumstances warrant.
ARTICLE XI: AMENDMENTS
Amendments to these bylaws may be proposed by the Board of Trustees or a petition of ten (10) active members. The bylaws may be amended by a sixty percent (60%) majority vote of those present at a legally constituted congregational meeting. Notice of the proposed change shall be given in full with the notice of the meeting.
ARTICLE XII: RULES OF ORDER
Proceedings of all Board of Trustees and congregational meetings shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised, except in cases where these rules conflict with provisions of these bylaws which shall have precedence. All congregational meetings will have a Parliamentarian, appointed by the Moderator, or the Moderator may serve as Parliamentarian.
ARTICLE XIII: DISSOLUTION
Should this society cease to function and the membership vote to disband, the assets of the society will be transferred to the Unitarian Universalist Association for its general purposes, this transfer to be made in full compliance with whatever laws are applicable.