UNITARIANUNIVERSALIST
CONGREGATIONOFFAIRFAX(UUCF)
BYLAWS
June5,2016
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Bylaws
ARTICLEI:NAMEANDAFFILIATION
ARTICLEII:PURPOSE
ARTICLEIII:MEMBERSHIP
ARTICLEIV:BUDGETYEARANDMEETINGS
ARTICLEV:ORGANIZATIONALAUTHORITY
ARTICLEVI:BOARDOFDIRECTORS
ARTICLEVII:OFFICERS
ARTICLEVIII:MINISTERS
ARTICLEIX:COUNCILOFLAYMINISTERS
ARTICLEX:COMMITTEESANDOTHERGROUPS
ARTICLEXI:NOMINATINGCOMMITTEE
ARTICLEXII:ENDOWMENTFUNDCOMMITTEE
ARTICLEXIII:AMENDMENTS
ARTICLEXIV:DISSOLUTION
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ARTICLEI:NAMEANDAFFILIATION
1.Name.ThisCongregationshallbeknownastheUnitarianUniversalistCongregationof
Fairfax,anon-stock,not-for-profitcorporationorganizedunderthelawsofthe
CommonwealthofVirginia.
2.Affiliation.ThisCongregationshallbeamemberoftheUnitarianUniversalistAssociation
(UUA).Itshallcooperatewithassociatemembersandindependentaffiliatedorganizationsof
theUUAandshallsupporttheextensionofUnitarianUniversalism.
ARTICLEII:PURPOSE
1.Purpose.ThepurposeofthisCongregationistoestablishacommunityofpeoplewho
individuallyandcollectivelyseekreligious,socialandethicalvalues.Inthisquest,weare
committedtotheprincipleoftheinherentworthanddignityofeverypersonandtotheright
toindividualfreedomofbelief,expressionandlifestyle.LoveisthespiritofthisCongregation
andserviceisitswork.Asanexpressionofourvalues,weseekto:
•
Encourageeachotherinourspiritualandworldlyjourneys;
•
Guaranteefreedomofthoughtandspeechforourmembersandministers;
•
Affirm,defendandpromotetheuseofdemocraticprocesses;
•
Practiceresponsiblestewardshipofallourresources;
•
Servethecommunityandtheworld;and
•
Promoteandaffirmtheunderstandingandinterestsofliberalreligion.
2.Mission.Wearealiberalreligiouscongregationwhosemissionistotransformourselves,
ourcommunityandtheworldthroughactsofloveandjustice.
AmendedJune6,2010.
ARTICLEIII:MEMBERSHIP
1.Membership.Allpersonswhoareatleastsixteen(16)yearsofage,subscribetothe
purposesofthisCongregationbysigningitsmembershipbookandhavemadeafinancial
contributionofrecordtotheoperatingfundwithintheprevioustwelve(12)monthsshall
constituteitsactivemembership.
2.Congregation.Theultimateauthorityforallmatterspertainingtotheoperationofthe
CongregationshallrestwiththeCongregation,whichshallconsistofitsmembersandwhich
shallfunctionasalegallyconstitutedbodyatitsannualandspecialmeetings.
3.Rights.Membersmaymakemotions,speakindebateonthem,voteatannualorspecial
meetingsoftheCongregationandserveasofficers,directors,layministers,committeechairs
ormembersofcommitteeselectedbytheCongregationorappointedbytheBoardofDirectors.
Votingisaprivilegeofmembership.Newmembersshallbeeligibletovoteten(10)daysafter
theyhavesignedthemembershipbookandmetthefinancialrequirementsofmembership.
4.WithdrawalandRemoval.Withdrawalfrommembershipmaybemadeatanytimebythe
member’swrittennoticetotheoffice.Memberswhohavenotmadeafinancialcontributionof
recordtotheoperatingfundfortwelve(12)monthsmayberemovedfrommembership.
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ARTICLEIV:BUDGETYEARANDMEETINGS
1.BudgetYear.TheCongregationalbudgetyearshallbeginonJuly1andendonJune30.
2.AnnualMeeting.TheannualmeetingoftheCongregationshallbeheldwithinsixty(60)
daysbeforetheendofthebudgetyear,atatimeandplacedeterminedbytheBoardof
Directors.Atthatmeeting,allelectedofficialsshallbeelected,abudgetforthecomingbudget
yearapproved,reportsmadeandanyotherbusinesstransacted.
3.SpecialMeetings.SpecialmeetingsoftheCongregationmaybecalledbytheBoardof
Directors.SpecialmeetingsshallbecalledbytheBoardofDirectorsuponwrittenpetitionto
theSecretary,statingthepurposeandsignedbytenpercent(10%)ofthevotingmembers.
Suchmeetingsshallbeheldwithinsixty(60)daysfromthereceiptofthepetitionunlessa
longerperiodisrequestedbythepetition.Nobusinessotherthanthatannouncedinwriting
shallbetransactedatanyspecialmeeting.
4.Notice.TheSecretaryshallensurethatwrittennotice,includingtheagenda,oftheannual
meetingandanyspecialmeetingoftheCongregationtoconsidercallingaministeror
dismissingacalledministeroramendingtheBylawsoftheCongregationisdeliveredtothe
Congregationmembersbyaneffectivemeansofindividualwrittencommunication,including
butnotlimitedtoemail,othermethodsofelectronictransmission,orregularmailservice,at
leastten(10)daysbeforethemeeting.Time-criticalmattersaboutwhichitisnotpossibleto
giveten(10)days’writtennoticemaybevotedonataspecialmeeting,inwhichcase,the
Secretaryshallensurethatallreasonablemeansofcommunicationareusedtoinformthe
Congregationofthemeeting,including,butnotlimitedtoemails,websiteorotherelectronic
postings,othermethodsofelectronictransmission,noticesintheorderofserviceor
newsletterandannouncementsfromthepulpit.Fortheannualmeeting,thewrittennotice
shallincludethelistofnomineesforallelectiveoffices,thebudgetproposedforthecoming
yearandastatementofactualandanticipatedincomeandexpensesforthecurrentyear,or
shallstatehowandwheretoobtainthosematerials.
5.Rules.TherulescontainedinthecurrenteditionofRobert'sRulesofOrderNewlyRevised
shallgoverntheCongregationalmeetingsinallcasesinwhichtheyareapplicableandin
whichtheyarenotinconsistentwiththeseBylawsandanyspecialrulesoforderthe
Congregationmayadopt.ThechairofanyCongregationalmeetingmayappointa
Parliamentarian.
6.Quorum.Tenpercent(10%)ofthemembersorseventy-five(75)members,whicheveris
less,presentatanymeetingoftheCongregationshallconstituteaquorum,unlessotherwise
specifiedintheseBylaws.Noproxiesshallbeallowed.Noabsenteeballotsshallbecounted
towardthequorumunlessotherwisespecifiedintheseBylaws.
7.AbsenteeBallots.Memberswhoarephysicallyunabletoattendameetingofthe
Congregationatwhichthereistobeelectoralvoting,orthecallingofaministerordismissal
ofacalledminister,mayrequestanabsenteeballotforthesetransactions.Absenteeballots
mustberequestedfromtheSecretaryinwritingatleastseven(7)daysbeforethemeeting,if
tobesentbymailorothersecureandeffectivemeans,includingelectronictransmission,to
themember,or,iftobecollectedinperson,atanytimebeforethemeetingiscalledtoorder.
Completedabsenteeballotsmaybereturnedbymailorothersecureandeffectivemeans,
includingelectronictransmission,determinedbytheBoard,ordeliveredinperson,butmust
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bereceivedbytheSecretarybeforethemeetingtowhichtheyapplyiscalledtoorder.
Absenteeballotsshallbevalidforthefirstballotonly.
8.MajorityVote.AtanymeetingoftheCongregation,amajorityvoteshallbesufficientto
approvebusinesstransactions,unlessotherwisespecifiedintheseBylaws.
ARTICLEV:ORGANIZATIONALAUTHORITY
1.Congregation.TheCongregationshallelecttheBoardofDirectors,theNominating
Committee,theEndowmentFundCommitteeand,whenitconsidersitdesirable,special
committeesforspecificandlimitedfunctions.Suchcommitteesshallreportdirectlytothe
Congregation.TheCongregationshallapprovetheannualbudgetoftheCongregation
includingtheannualremunerationoftheSeniorMinister.TheCongregationshallcallthe
SeniorMinisterandmaycallotherministers;andshalldismissanycalledminister.
2.BoardofDirectors.TheBoardofDirectors(theBoardortheDirectors)shallbe
responsibleforpoliciesandoverallgovernance.TheBoardshallestablishcommitteesand
othersuchagenciesasneededtocarryouttheactivitiesoftheCongregation;andmay
delegateresponsibilityfortheconductoftheaffairsoftheCongregation.
ARTICLEVI:BOARDOFDIRECTORS
1.Members.TheBoardofDirectorsshallconsistofnine(9)at-largemembers.Ateachannual
meeting,theCongregationshallelectthree(3)memberstoservethree-yearterms.Allterms
shallbeginJuly1oftheyearofelection.
2.Officers.TheofficersoftheBoardshallbeaPresident,VicePresident,Secretaryand
Treasurer.Eachyear,beforetheannualmeeting,theBoardofDirectorsshallselectoneofits
members,whosetermdoesnotexpirethatyear,toserveasPresidentforthecomingyear.At
thefirstmeetingofthenewBoard,theDirectorsshallselectfromamongtheremainingatlargemembersaVicePresident,TreasurerandSecretaryforthatyear.Nomembershallhold
multipleoffices.
3.PoliciesandProcedures.TheBoardofDirectorsmayadoptanypoliciesandprocedures
forthegovernanceoftheCongregationconsistentwiththeseBylaws.Thesepoliciesand
proceduresmaycoverfunctionsofcommitteesandCongregationalactivitiesgroups,
conditionsapplyingtotheuseofthebuildingbyCongregationalgroupsandoutsidegroups,
jobdescriptionsofstaffmembers,personnelpoliciesandothernecessaryorhelpful
regulationsfortheefficientoperationoftheCongregationbyitsmembers.Policiesand
proceduresmaybeamendedorrepealedbytheBoardofDirectorsortheCongregationby
majorityvote.TheBoardshallmaintainabookofpoliciesandproceduresthatshallbeopen
toinspectionbymembersoftheCongregation.
4.CongregationGovernanceManual.TheBoardshallensurethemaintenanceofa
governancemanual,whichstatesthepoliciesandproceduresofgovernanceguidingthe
BoardandCoordinatingTeam.ThesewillbeavailableontheUUCFwebsite.
5.FinancialResponsibility.TheBoardshalloverseetheprocurementofallmonies
necessarytosupporttheCongregation.TheBoardshalloverseetheeligibilityofmembersto
vote.TheBoardshallpresentthebudgetforthecomingyearattheannualmeeting,including
theremunerationoftheSeniorMinister.TheBoardshallauthorizeexpenditurespursuantto
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theapprovedbudget,butshallnothavetheauthoritytospendmorethantheavailablefunds.
TheBoardshallprovidefortheFinancialOversightCommitteetoconductinternalfinancial
reviewofCongregationproperty,financesandbudget.Thescopeofthisreviewshallbeatthe
discretionoftheBoard.
6.Property.AllrealandpersonalpropertyoftheCongregationshallbevestedinthe
corporationinaccordancewiththelawsoftheCommonwealthofVirginia.TheBoardacting
onbehalfofthecorporationshallnotbuyorsellrealpropertyonbehalfoftheCongregation
withoutamajorityvoteoftheCongregation.Consentforsuchactionmaybeobtainedby
writtenballotbymailorothersecureandeffectiveballotmethodasdeterminedbytheBoard
ifthepertinentfactsarepresented.
7.EmploymentAuthority.TheBoardisresponsiblefortheemploymentofallpaidstaffbut
maydelegatetheresponsibilityforemploymentofpaidstaffexcepttheministers,theDirector
ofAdministration,theDirectorofMusicandArtsandtheDirectorofReligiousExploration.
8.Meetings.TheBoardshallmeetatleastmonthlyandatothersuchtimesasitdeems
advisable,providedthatnoticeofatleast24hoursisgiven.Aquorumshallbeasimple
majorityofDirectorspresenteitherphysicallyorelectronically.Meetingsshallbeopen,
exceptwhentheBoardvotestogointoexecutivesession.
9.ResignationbyAbsence.AnyDirectorwhoisabsent,withoutadvancenotificationtothe
Secretary,fromthree(3)consecutiveregularlyscheduledmeetingsoftheBoardshallbe
consideredashavingresignedfromtheBoard,unlesstheBoardvotesotherwise,andshallbe
sonotifiedbytheSecretary.
10.Vacancies.TheBoardshallfillanyvacancyinitsmembershipafterconsultationwiththe
NominatingCommittee.Anyonesoappointedshallholdofficeuntiltheendofthebudgetyear.
Theremainderofthetermshallbefilledbyelectionatthenextannualmeeting.
11.Re-election.Directorsmayservetwo(2)consecutiveterms,afterwhichthereshallbeat
leastone(1)yearbeforeanothertermofoffice,exceptthataDirectorappointedtofillaterm
ofone(1)yearorlessmayserveatotalofseven(7)consecutiveyears.
ARTICLEVII:OFFICERS
1.President.ThePresidentoftheBoardshallalsoserveasthePresidentoftheCongregation.
ThePresidentshallpresideatallmeetingsoftheCongregation,theBoardandtheExecutive
Committee;shallrepresenttheCongregationonallappropriateoccasions;andshallperform
otherdutiescustomarytotheoffice.
2.VicePresident.TheVicePresidentoftheBoardshallalsoserveastheVicePresidentofthe
Congregation.TheVicePresidentshallactinplaceofthePresidentinthelatter'sabsenceand
shallperformsuchotherdutiesasthePresidentdelegates.
3.Secretary.TheSecretaryoftheBoardshallalsoserveastheSecretaryoftheCongregation.
TheSecretaryshallgivenoticeofeachmeetingoftheCongregation,shallverifythequorum
andshallrecordtheminutesandpostthemwithinfifteen(15)daysofthemeeting.The
SecretaryshallpublicizeeachmeetingoftheBoardandshallrecordtheminutesofeach
meetingoftheBoardandtheExecutiveCommitteeandpostthemwithinfifteen(15)daysof
approval.TheSecretaryshallcertifythelistofmembersoftheCongregation;shallensurethe
maintenanceoftheBylawsandagovernancemanual;andshallperformotherduties
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customarytotheoffice.IntheabsenceoftheSecretaryatanymeeting,thepresidingofficer
shallappointanactingSecretary.
4.Treasurer.TheTreasureroftheBoardshallberesponsible,subjecttooversightbythe
Board,forestablishing,evaluatingandmonitoringcompliancewithfinancialpolicies.The
TreasurershallchairtheFinancialOversightCommitteeandbeamemberoftheEndowment
FundCommitteeandothercommitteesasassignedbytheBoard.
5.ExecutiveCommittee.TheofficersoftheBoard,servingasanExecutiveCommittee,shall
beresponsibleforemergencydecisionsbetweenmeetingsoftheBoard.Aquorumshallbe
three(3)officers.TheExecutiveCommitteeshallactbymajorityvote,shallkeepminutesof
itsmeetingsandshallreportonitsactivitiesatthenextmeetingoftheBoard.Anyformal
actiontakenbytheExecutiveCommitteemustberatifiedbythefullBoardatitsnextmeeting.
ARTICLEVIII:MINISTERS
1.Ministers.TheCongregationshallestablishanyministryorministriesnecessarytofulfill
itspurpose.TheconductofallministersshallbeinaccordancewiththeCodeofProfessional
PracticeadoptedbytheUnitarianUniversalistMinistersAssociation.Freedomofthepulpit
shallnotbeabridged.
2.CallingMinisters.TheCongregationshallbeguidedbythesettlementprocessofthe
MinisterialFellowshipCommitteeoftheUnitarianUniversalistAssociation(UUA)incallinga
minister,andanycalledministershallbeinfellowshipwiththeUUA.Aquorumofforty
percent(40%)ofthemembersorthreehundred(300)members,whicheverisless,anda
two-thirdsvotebyballotataspecialmeetingcalledforthispurposeshallberequiredtocalla
minister.Absenteeballotsshallbecountedindeterminingthepresenceofaquorum.No
proposalforcallingaministermaybeconsideredunlesstimelywrittennoticeisprovidedto
theCongregationinaccordancewiththefirstsentenceofArticleIV,section4.
3.GeneralDuties.TheSeniorMinister(s)shallprovideleadershipinkeepingwiththe
purposeoftheCongregation,shallhavegeneralchargeoverallreligiousactivitiesandshall
havesupervisoryauthorityoveranyassociateorassistantminister.Thedutiesofany
associateorassistantministershallbedeterminedbytheSeniorMinister.
4.BoardandCommitteeMembership.TheSeniorMinistershallbeex-officio,non-voting
memberoftheBoardandallcommittees,excepttheNominatingCommitteeandanyspecial
committeeselectedbytheCongregation.TheSeniorMinistermayattendallmeetingsofthe
aforementionednotheldinexecutivesession.Anyassociateorassistantministermaybean
exofficio,non-votingmemberofcommitteesasassignedbytheSeniorMinister,exceptthe
NominatingCommitteeandanyspecialcommitteeselectedbytheCongregation,andmay
attendallmeetingsofsuchcommitteesnotheldinexecutivesession.
5.LetterofAgreement.Specificresponsibilitiesofeachministershallbedetailedinaletter
ofagreementwhichshallbemadeavailabletoanymemberoftheCongregationuponrequest.
Theagreementshallincludethetermsandconditionsofemploymentandevaluation,and
makeprovisionforthenotice,whicheitherpartyshallgiveofanintentiontoseverthe
ministerialrelationship.
6.Dismissal.Aquorumoffortypercent(40%)ofthemembersorthreehundred(300)
members,whicheverisless,andamajorityvotebyballotataspecialmeetingcalledforthis
purposeshallberequiredtodismissacalledminister.Absenteeballotsshallbecountedin
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determiningthepresenceofaquorum.Anassociateorassistantministerwhohasnotbeen
calledmaybedismissedbytheSeniorMinister,subjecttoapprovalbytheBoard.Intheevent
ofdismissalofanyminister,theministershallbegivenaminimumofthreemonths'notice,or
aminimumofthreemonths'salaryinlieuofnotice.
ARTICLEIX:COUNCILOFLAYMINISTERS
1.Members.TheCouncilofLayMinistersshallconsistoflayministersrecommendedbythe
calledministersandappointedbytheBoardbeforeeachannualmeetingtoservetwo-year
terms.ThelayministersshallselectoneoftheirmemberstoserveasChairoftheCouncilof
LayMinisters.TheChairshall:
•
PrepareanagendaandpresideoverthemeetingsoftheCouncilofLayMinisters.
•
Beresponsiblefortheorientationofnewlayministers.
Alllayministers'termsshallbeginJuly1oftheyearofappointment.
2.Duties.ThelayministersshalloverseeandnurturetheprogramsoftheCongregationand
shallbemembersofallcouncilsandcommitteesundertheirministries.TheCouncilofLay
Ministersshallrecommendtheestablishmentofanynewcouncilsorcommittees,orthe
realignmentordismissalofexistingones,asappropriate.
3.Re-appointment.Layministersmayserveuptothree(3)consecutiveterms,afterwhich
thereshallbeatleastone(1)yearbeforeanothertermofoffice,exceptthatanyoneappointed
foratermofone(1)yearorlessmayserveatotalofseven(7)consecutiveyears.
ARTICLEX:COMMITTEESANDOTHERGROUPS
1.Board-CreatedCommittees.TheBoardofDirectorsmaycreatesuchothercommittees,
councils,taskforcesandworkingorothergroupsasitdeemsappropriateandmaydetermine
thecompositionandpowersofthosegroups,subjecttotheprovisionsoftheseBylawsorany
resolutionsdulyadoptedbymembersoftheCongregation.TheBoardmaydelegatethe
responsibilityforthecreationofsuchgroups.
2.Member-CreatedCommittees.MembersoftheCongregationmaycreatesuchother
committees,taskforcesandworkingorothergroupswithoutactionoftheBoard,provided
thatthepurposeandactivitiesofsuchgroupsareconsistentwiththemissionofthe
Congregation,theseBylaws,allResolutionsdulyadoptedbymembersoftheCongregation
(andremainingineffect)andtheBoard(andremainingineffect).Anysuchgroupshalladvise
theCTandtheBoard(orsuchothergrouporpersondesignatedbytheBoard)ofitsformation
andperiodicallyadvisetheCT,Board(orsuchothergrouporpersondesignatedbythe
Board)andtheappropriatelayministerofitsactivitiesandshallbesubjecttoany
requirementsorlimitationstheBoardoritsdesigneesmayadopt.TheCTand/ortheBoard,
asappropriate,shalldeterminetowhichLayMinistryanynewcommitteeshouldreport.
3.Charters.Eachcommitteeorothergroupshalldevelopacharterdetailingitspurpose,
membership,reportingrelationships,authorityandduties,whichshallbeineffectonce
approvedbytheBoard(orsuchothergrouporpersondesignatedbytheBoard).Charter
amendmentsmaybeproposedatanytimebytheapplicablecommitteeorgrouporbyothers
butmayonlybeamendedbytheBoardoritsdesignees.
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ARTICLEXI:NOMINATINGCOMMITTEE
1.Members.TheNominatingCommitteeshallconsistofsix(6)electedmembers,three(3)of
whomshallbeelectedateachannualmeetingtoservetwo-yearterms,plusaseventh
member,whoisnotamemberoftheBoardofDirectors,appointedannuallybythenewBoard
atitsfirstmeeting.AlltermsshallbeginJuly1oftheyearofelection.Eachyear,beforethe
annualmeeting,theCommitteeshallselectoneofitselectedmembers,whosetermdoesnot
expirethatyear,toserveastheChairforthecomingyear.
2.GeneralDuties.TheNominatingCommitteeshallsecurequalifiednomineesforallelective
offices,presentingatleastone(1)nomineeforeachofficetobefilled.TheCommitteeshall
solicitsuggestionsfromtheBoard,theminister(s),thelayministersandtheCongregationat
largeandmaintainarosterofcandidatesforallelectiveoffices.Atleastthirty-five(35)days
beforetheannualmeeting,theCommitteeshallpostitslistofnomineesandpublishitinthe
newsletter.Uptotwenty-one(21)daysbeforetheannualmeeting,theCommitteeshallaccept
writtenpetitionsoffifteen(15)ormorememberstoaddanyqualifiedmember,designatedas
nomineebypetition,tothelist.TheCommitteeshallensurethatthefinallistofnominees,
includingthosenominatedbypetition,isprovidedtotheCongregationwiththenoticeofthe
annualmeetinginaccordancewithArticleIV,section4.
3.AdditionalDuties.UponrequestoftheBoard,theNominatingCommitteeshallsecure
qualifiednomineesforanyspecialcommitteetobeelectedbytheCongregation,orshall
suggestcandidatesforvacanciesinelectiveofficesorpositionsappointedbytheBoard.
4.Restriction.MembersoftheNominatingCommitteemaynotstandforanyelectiveoffice
whileservingontheCommittee.
5.Meetings.TheNominatingCommitteeshallconductitsbusinessindependentlyaccording
toproceduresitmayadopt;however,allmeetingsshallbeheldinexecutivesession.A
quorumshallbefour(4)Committeemembers.
6.Vacancies.TheBoardshallfillanyvacancyinthemembershipoftheNominating
CommitteeafterconsultationwiththeCommittee.Anyonesoappointedshallholdofficeuntil
theendofthetermbeingfilled.
7.Re-election.Thereshallbeatleastone(1)yearbetweenmembers’termsofoffice.
ARTICLEXII:ENDOWMENTFUNDCOMMITTEE
1.Members.TheEndowmentFundCommitteeshallconsistofsix(6)electedmembers,two
(2)ofwhomshallbeelectedateachannualmeetingtoservethree-yearterms,plusthe
Treasurer,asanex-officio(voting)member.AlltermsshallbeginJuly1oftheyearofelection.
Eachyear,beforetheannualmeeting,theCommitteeshallselectoneofitselectedmembers,
whosetermdoesnotexpirethatyear,toserveastheChairforthecomingyear.
2.Duties.TheEndowmentFundCommitteeshalladministertheEndowmentFundofthe
Congregation,aseparatefundwhoseincomeisusedtoenhancethepurposeofthe
Congregationapartfromitsgeneraloperation.TheCommitteeshallmonitorthestatusof
investedfundsandwillconductatransparentprocesstoprovidegrantsthatsupport
establishedUUCFstrategicgoals.
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3.GrowthandMaintenanceofPrincipal.Incomeshallnotbedistributedunlessthereisa
thresholdof$250,000inthefund.Exceptwherespecifiedotherwiseinthetermsofa
particulargifttotheFund,allprincipalamountswillberetainedandonlytheincome
generatedbytheFund'sinvestments,lessexpensesandtheamounttooffsetinflation,maybe
expended.
4.InvestmentPolicy.Asmuchaspractical,allinvestmentdecisionsshallbeconsistentwith
"SociallyResponsibleInvestments"asdefinedbytheUUA.Investmentsshallbebasedona
policyofseekingtomaximizetotalreturn(incomeandcapitalgains)whilemaintaininga
reasonabledegreeofsafetyofprincipal.
5.DistributionofIncome.Ifthethresholdof$250,000existsinthefund,incomefromthe
Fundmaybeexpended,asrecommendedbytheCommitteeanddecidedbytheBoardforany
ofthefollowingpurposes:
•
Reinvestmentintoprincipal;
•
ThephysicalplantoftheCongregationincludingmaintenanceofbuildings,capital
improvementsandrenovations,ordebtreduction;
•
Outreachintothecommunity;
•
ThewidermissionofUnitarianUniversalism;and
•
Itemsspecifiedbythedonorincaseswhererestrictedbequestshavebeenmade.
6.LoanstotheCongregation.Upto30percentofthetotalFundmaybeloanedtothe
Congregation.SuchloansmustbeapprovedusingthesamerequirementsasaBylaws
amendment.Interestonsuchloansshallbesetatprimerate,adjustedannuallyandpaid
annuallyalongwithatleast1/10oftheoriginalloanamount,untiltheloanisrepaid.
7.Reports.TheEndowmentFundCommitteeshallreportquarterlytotheBoardonnew
contributionstotheFund,thecurrentinvestmentportfolio,incurredexpenses,pastactions
andfutureintentions.TheCommitteeshallrenderacompleteaccountoftheadministrationof
theFundduringtheprecedingyearineachyear’sAnnualReport.
8.Meetings.TheEndowmentFundCommitteeshallmeetatleastquarterlyandatothersuch
timesasitdeemsadvisable.Aquorumshallbefour(4)Committeemembers.Meetingsshall
beopentoallmembers,exceptwhentheCommitteevotestogointoexecutivesession.
9.Removal.TheBoardmayremoveamemberoftheEndowmentFundCommitteefor
malfeasance,negligence,orincapacitation.
10.Vacancies.TheBoardshallfillanyvacancyinthemembershipoftheEndowmentFund
CommitteeafterconsultationwiththeNominatingCommittee.Anyonesoappointedshallhold
officeuntiltheendofthebudgetyear.Theremainderofthetermshallbefilledbyelectionat
thenextannualmeeting.
11.Re-election.EndowmentFundCommitteemembersmayservetwo(2)consecutive
terms,afterwhichthereshallbeatleastone(1)yearbeforeanothertermofoffice,exceptthat
anyoneappointedforatermofone(1)yearorlessmayserveatotalofseven(7)consecutive
years.
ARTICLEXIII:AMENDMENTS
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1.ViaaMeeting.TheseBylawsmaybeamendedatanannualorspecialmeetingofthe
Congregationbyatwo-thirdsvote.Noamendmentmaybeconsideredunlessitisprovidedto
theCongregationinaccordancewithArticleIV,section4,exceptthattechnicalandother
minorrevisionstoproposedamendmentsmaybemadeatthemeeting.Anyadopted
amendmentshallbecomeeffectiveatthecloseofthemeeting.
2.ViaWrittenBallot.TheseBylawsmayalsobeamendedbywrittenballotprovidedtoall
membersbymailorothersecureandeffectiveballotmethod,includingelectronic
transmission,asdeterminedbytheBoard.Membersshallbeallowedatleastthirty(30)days
butnotmorethanforty-five(45)daystoreturntheirballot.Approvalbytwo-thirdsofthe
memberswhoreturntheirballots,andbyamajorityofallmemberseligibletovote,is
requiredforpassage.
3.Proposals.AmendmentsmaybeproposedbytheBoard,bywrittenpetitiontothe
Secretarysignedbytenpercent(10%)ofthemembers,orbyspecialcommitteesestablished
bytheCongregationforthatpurposeatanannualorspecialmeeting.TheBoardshalldecide
whetheraproposalshallbehandledviaawrittenballotasprovidedinArticleXIII,section2,
oratthenextappropriateCongregationalmeeting.
ARTICLEXIV:DISSOLUTION
1.Assets.IntheeventofdissolutionoftheCongregation,allnetassetsoftheCongregation
shallbetransferredtotheCentralEastRegionoftheUnitarianUniversalistAssociation.This
articleshallapplytoalldonatedpropertyunlessthedonorexpresslyprovidesotherwise.
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Appendix1:ChangeHistoryofBylaws
June7,2008:BylawsArticleVI.BoardofDirectors,4)added“andtheeffectivepoliciesofthe
Congregation.ThesewillbeavailableontheUUCFWeb”;5)deleted“shalldeviseameansof
raisingfunds,and”;7)deleted“theBoardshallemployandfixthesalariesandconditionsof
employmentforallnon-ministerialemployees,and”;deleted“mayappointconsultantsto
itselfandtotheCongregationasrequired.”
June7,2008:BylawsArticleVII.Officers,1)deleted“shallbeanex-officio,non-voting
memberofallcommitteesexcepttheNominatingCommitteeandanyspecialcommittees
electedbytheCongregation”;2)deleted“theVicePresidentshallalsoserveasliaisontothe
CouncilofLayMinisters”;4)changed“monthly”to“quarterly”;5)added“ratifiedbythefull
Boardatitsnextmeeting.”
June7,2008:BylawsArticleVIII.Ministers,4)added“theBoard’sExecutiveCommittee.”
June7,2008:BylawsArticleIX.CouncilofLayMinisters,1)deleted“plustheVicePresident
servingasBoardliaison.”
June7,2008:BylawsArticleX.CommitteesandOtherGroups,1)deleted“Board-created”;2)
added“CoordinatingTeamandthe”;added“TheCoordinatingTeamand/or…newcommittee
shouldreport”;added“reportingrelationships.”
June7,2008:BylawsArticleXII.EndowmentFundCommittee,3)deleted“inflation.”
June7,2009:BylawsArticleVI:BoardofDirectors,5.FiscalResponsibility;andArticleVII:
Officers,4.Treasurer.ChangedtobringlanguageintolinewiththerealityofUUCFfinancial
managementunderpolicy-basedgovernance.
June7,2009:BylawsArticleIV:FiscalYearandMeetings,3.SpecialMeetings.Addedlanguage
tospecifyspecialmeetings“oftheCongregation.”
June7,2009:BylawsArticleIV:FiscalYearandMeetings,4.Notice.RevisedtoallowtheBoard
SecretarytocallaspecialmeetingoftheCongregationonshortnoticeontime-sensitive
matters,whilecontinuingtorequire10days’noticeofmeetingstocallordismissaminister
oramendtheBylaws.
June7,2009:BylawsArticleVIII:Ministers,2.CallingMinistersand6.Dismissal.Language
addedtoreflecttherequirementinBylawsArticleIV,4requiring10days’noticetothe
Congregationofmeetingstocallordismissaminister.
June7,2009:BylawsArticleIII:Membership.ReplacedArticleIIIinitsentiretytoremove
distinctionbetweenvotingandnon-votingmember,simplifyhowwedeterminewhoisa
memberandclarifythecircumstancesunderwhichanindividualmayberemovedfrom
membership.
June6,2010.XIIBylawsArticleI.UpdatedMission.
June6,2010XIIBylawsArticleVI.Changedboardmajorityfromfive(5)tosimplemajority.
June6,2010.XIIBylawsArticleVIII.ImplementedrecommendationsofTaskForceon
Ministry.EstablishedParishMinisterassupervisorofanyassociateorassistantminister.
Allowsforministerstobe“called”,“hiredtocall”,or“hired”.
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June6,2010XIIBylawsArticleX.Committees.Removedtwo(2)yeartermlimitforcommittee
chairs.
June11,2011.XIIBylaws-ArticleIV(Section4);ArticleVIII(Section2);andArticleXI
(Section2)amendedtoauthorizenoticeofCongregationmeetingsbyelectronictransmission.
June11,2011.XIIBylaws-ArticleIV(Section7);ArticleVI(Section6);andArticleXIII
(Sections2and3)amendedtoauthorize“secureandeffective”methodsofelectronic
transmissionforabsenteeballotingand“mailballoting.”
June11,2011.XIIBylaws-ArticleXIII(Section2)amendedtorequireamajorityofall
memberstoapprovechangestothebylawsbywrittenballot,toconformwithVirginialaw.
June11,2011.XIIBylaws-ArticleVI(Sections1and2)amendedtoprovidethatthe
TreasurerwillbeselectedbytheBoardfromamongtheat-largeBoardmembers,inthesame
mannerastheotherofficers(President,VicePresident,Secretary).
June11,2011.XIIBylaws-ArticleVamendedtocodifycurrentpractice(alreadyrecognized
inArticleVIII(Section6),inwhichtheCongregationcalls(anddismisses)theParishMinister
butotherministersareordinarilyhiredbytheBoardandsubjecttodismissalbytheParish
Minister,withapprovaloftheBoard.Minorconformingchangesweremadeinseveralother
sections.
June11,2011.XIIBylaws-ArticleVII(Section5)amendedtoclarifyscopeoffinancialreview.
June5,2016.throughoutmademinoreditingchangestocorrectmisuses.
June5,2016.throughoutmademinorchangestoupdatetitlesandlabelsandmoreaccurately
reflectcurrentpractices.
June5,2016.ArticleIII:MEMBERSHIP(Sections1&4)Change“financialcontributionofnote”
to“financialcontributionofrecord”tomoreclearlystateintentionandinsection1eliminate
“eithermadeapledgetothecurrentyearor”becauseafinancialcontributionshouldactually
havebeenmade.
June5,2016.ArticleVIII:MINISTERS(Section2)Change“abide”to“beguided”toallowmore
leewayintheprocess.
June5,2016.ArticleXII:ENDOWMENTFUNDCOMMITTEE(Section2)Addthesentence“The
committeeshallmonitorthestatusofinvestedfundsandwillconductatransparentprocess
toprovidegrantsthatsupportestablishedUUCFstrategicgoals.”Thisincreasesthedetail
neededinthedescriptionofduties.(Sections3,4and5)Changewordingtodefinetheprocess
andrestrictionsasintroducedinthenewsection2.
June5,2016.CompletelyuncoupletheBylawsfromtheGovernanceManualsincetheseare
twodistinctdocuments.
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