Mid-Columbia Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Our mission: We nurture individual spiritual belief and growth within a welcoming community.

BYLAWS OF THE MID-COLUMBIA UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP

Article I--Name: The name of this fellowship is the Mid Columbia Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.

Article II--Purpose: The purpose of this fellowship is to unite free thinking people in the spirit of respect for human dignity, individuality, and the constant search for truth.

Article III--Membership: Any person may become a member of this fellowship who is in harmony with its purposes and program, has signed its membership book, and annually supports the fellowship with a financial and volunteer commitment as they are able.  Membership is open to all persons regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, or ability. The Fellowship, acting  through the Board of Directors, may deny membership or participation in the Fellowship.

Article IV--Denominational Affiliation: The fellowship is a member of the Unitarian Universalist Association and of the Pacific Northwest District. The society will make an annual financial contribution to the Association and the District.

Article V--Meetings: The dates of regular non-business meetings of the fellowship shall be determined by the fellowship or by any person designated by it. The annual business meeting shall be held following the last regular service in April. Special business meetings may be called at the request of any of the officers or any five members. The business to be transacted and notice of all business meetings will be sent to all members by mail or email at least 15 days prior to the meeting.

Thirty (30) percent of the membership shall constitute a quorum. All business and non-business meetings shall be open to the general public; voting is restricted to members.

Article VI--Officers and Trustees: The President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and three At-Large Trustees shall be chosen by ballot at the annual business meeting each year. Officers and Trustees shall be members of the fellowship, hold their offices for one year or until their successors have been elected and installed, and perform the duties and responsibilities described below.

Article VII--Duties of Board and Officers: The Officers and At-Large Trustees constitute the Board of Trustees (Board). The Board has general charge of the property of the society and conducts its business affairs and administration, including the appointment of such committees as it may deem necessary. It may fill vacancies with persons who shall serve until the next annual business meeting. If all board positions cannot be filled at the annual meeting, the fellowship may continue operating with, minimally, a president and a treasurer. Any Board Member may be removed by 2/3 vote of the members present at a business meeting.

The duties of the President are to: Preside at all meetings of the Board and the business meetings of the fellowship, act as leader or arrange for leaders of non-business meetings, coordinate scheduling, nominate the heads of committees for approval of the Board, sign all contracts after approval of the Board, and serve as an ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating committee.

The duties of the Vice President are: To perform the duties and responsibilities of an absent President, keep the membership records and promote membership, and to perform duties assigned by the President.

The duties of the Secretary are to record and maintain the minutes of all proceedings of the Board and the business meetings of the fellowship, and to handle the general correspondence of the fellowship.

The duties of the Treasurer are to have charge of the funds of the fellowship to keep and maintain the necessary financial records, and to sign all checks. The treasurer shall make a written report to the membership each year at the annual meeting to include a summary of expenditures during the year and balance of all accounts.

Article VIII--The Fiscal Year: The fiscal year shall end June 30.

Article IX--Committees: The nominating committee is responsible for presenting a slate of candidates for board positions. The nominating committee of three members shall be elected from the floor at the annual meeting. Members of the committee are to be members of the fellowship who are not members of the Board.

Article X--Bylaws: These bylaws, or any provision, as allowed by law, may be suspended, amended, or replaced at any meeting of the society by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of members present and voting. Notice of any proposed amendment(s) shall be contained in the notice of the meeting.

Article XI--Dissolution: Should this fellowship cease to function and the membership vote to disband, any assets of the fellowship will be transferred to the Pacific Northwest District, this transfer to be made in full compliance with the laws of the State of Oregon.

Amended by Fellowship vote: 4/29/07