UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP OF MADISON COUNTY
BYLAWS (9th Edition, 5-19-2019)
ARTICLE I. Name
The name of this faith society shall be the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Madison County.
ARTICLE II. Purpose
The purpose of this organization shall be to pursue the study and to practice the principles of the Unitarian Universalist faith.
ARTICLE III. Membership
Any person may become a member of this Fellowship with full voting responsibilities who is in sympathy with Unitarian Universalist principles and purposes, has signed the membership book, and has made an acknowledged annual monetary and/or service contribution. It is generally understood that all members should have an understanding of Unitarian Universalism. Membership is open to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin. Any member may revoke their membership by submitting a written request to the Secretary of the Governing Board. A copy of the bylaws shall be provided to new members, and a copy of the bylaws shall always be available on the UUFMC website and at the Fellowship.
ARTICLE IV. Denominational Affiliation
This Fellowship shall be a member of the Unitarian Universalist Association and of the MidAmerica Region.
ARTICLE V. Governing Structure
At each annual meeting a Governing Board shall be chosen by ballot and shall be comprised of a president, a vice president, a secretary, a treasurer and a member at large, all of whom shall hold their offices for two-year staggered terms, to begin immediately upon election and to end on June 30th two years following, who shall perform the duties usually pertaining to these offices. In odd years, the terms of the president and secretary shall start/end. In even years, the terms of the vice-president, treasurer, and member-at-large shall start/end. No board member shall serve more than two consecutive terms in the same position. All members of the Board must be members of the Fellowship.
The Board shall have general charge of the property of the Fellowship and the conduct of all its business affairs and the control of its administration, including the appointment of such committees as it may deem necessary. The Board shall provide oversight of any committees, including liaisons to the committees as needed, and requesting reports from the committees as needed. The Board may fill vacancies with persons who shall serve until the term expires. To exercise these responsibilities the Board shall meet a minimum of four times during the fiscal year. The Board shall fill paid staff positions and make recommendations to the congregation regarding major expenses or special fund raising activities.
A Nominations Committee of three voting members, only one of whom may be a member of the Board, shall also be elected at the annual meeting. Members of the Nominations Committee shall serve a two-year term. In odd years, two of the three members shall start/end their term. In even years, one member shall start/end his/her term. Nominations Committee members shall serve not more than two consecutive (two-year) terms. The Nominations Committee shall seek to offer a minimum of two (2) candidates for each open position. The Nominations Committee shall announce (in verbal and digital form) each candidate’s decision to run at the earliest opportunity, so that the congregation shall have every opportunity to weigh their own decision both about running and voting.
ARTICLE VI. 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 in the month of May at such time and place as shall be fixed by the Governing Board. Special business meetings may be called by the Board 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 members a minimum of fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting. Twenty-five (25) percent of the voting members shall constitute a quorum. Members not present at annual meetings may submit absentee votes in confidence to the Board Secretary up to the day prior to the meeting in regard to candidates listed in the notice of the meeting.
ARTICLE VII. Fiscal Year
The fiscal year shall end December 31.
ARTICLE VIII. Amendments
These bylaws, so far as allowed by law, may be amended or replaced at any business meeting of the Fellowship by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting. Notice of any proposed changes shall be contained in the notice of the meeting.
ARTICLE IX. Dissolution
Should this Fellowship cease to function and the membership vote to disband, any assets of the Fellowship will be transferred to the Unitarian Universalist Association for its general purposes, this transfer to be made in full compliance with applicable laws.
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This Ninth Edition of the Bylaws of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Madison County was approved as revised at the Annual Meeting on May 19, 2019.