Agenda Item for the May 18, 2008 Congregational Meeting: Proposed Bylaws Amendments

The following proposed amendments to the current Bylaws (March 11, 2007) will be voted on at the May 18, 2008 Congregational Meeting. Each proposed amendment has been recommended by the Board of Trustees and reviewed by the Bylaws Task Force: Robert Baker, Nancy Bolt, Nita Bradford, Victoria Girdziunas, and Marge Petersen.

Changes to the bylaws are indicated in the following manner: Words in capital letters indicate additions, words with a strike-through indicate deletions, normal lower case type indicates current wording.

Proposed Bylaws Amendment #1:

ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: Types of Members

Members: A MEMBER IS any person who has attained the age of eighteen (18) years and who agrees with the
purpose stated in Article II may become a member of this church by: AND WHO:
1. signS ing the Membership Book and
2. MAKES A FINANCIAL PLEDGE IN SUPPORT OF THE CHURCH WITHIN EACH FISCAL YEAR, AND
3. contributing to the MAKES AN IDENTIFIABLE FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION TO financial support of the church in the form of an identifiable financial contribution THE CHURCH WITHIN EACH FISCAL YEAR.

In cases of hardship, this FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS requirement may be waived upon the recommendation of the church administrator with the approval of the Ministers. IN ACCORDANCE WITH BOARD POLICY.

Youth Members: A YOUTH MEMBER IS any person who has attained the age of fourteen (14) through seventeen (17) years and who agrees with the purpose stated in Article II, AND WHO may become a youth member of this church by
1. signS ing the Membership Book and
2. contributES ing to the financial support of the church in the form of an identifiable financial contribution, or contributES ing to the support of the church in the form of volunteer work WITHIN EACH FISCAL YEAR.

Rationale: Defines membership in place of describing how a person can become a member. Adds making an annual financial pledge as one of the responsibilities of membership, which allows for the creation of a realistic budget. Current bylaws require members to make an annual financial contribution. Making such a contribution each year assures that the church can meet the yearly budget approved by the congregation. The waiver process for those persons who, due to hardship, cannot make a financial commitment or contribution is defined in board policy instead of the bylaws to allow for flexibility.

Proposed Bylaws Amendment #2:

ARTICLE IX - BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Section 4: Meetings
The Board shall meet at least once each month. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the President or by petition of three (3) Board Members. Six (6) Board members constitute a quorum. Board meetings are open to interested persons. The Board may declare a closed executive session to discuss confidential PERSONNEL OR LEGAL matters. NO OFFICIAL ACTION MAY BE TAKEN BY THE BOARD WHILE IN CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION.

Rationale: “Personnel or legal matters” specifies more definitively the matters for which the Board may declare a closed session.

Proposed Bylaws Amendment #3:
(The following three (3) proposed bylaws amendments are grouped together to make clear the intent of the bylaws changes. It is recommended that they be voted on together. )

ARTICLE XVI - MINISTERS

Section 1: Definitions and Responsibilities
Senior and Associate Ministers are called by AND ARE ULTIMATELY ACCOUNTABLE TO the congregation and report to the Board of Trustees. The congregation at the time of calling approves a Covenant of Understanding describing the responsibilities of each called minister …

Section 7: Supervision
The Senior Minister is accountable to the Board of Trustees and ultimately to the members of the congregation. REPORTS TO AND IS SUPERVISED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. All other ministers, including other called ministers, report to and are supervised by the Senior Minister.

ARTICLE IX - BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Section 6: Duties

supervise the called ministers SENIOR MINISTER

Rationale: These proposed changes make clear the line of accountability and supervision for ministers and remove inconsistencies and duplications that are in the current bylaws. No changes in the intent of the current bylaws have been made.

Proposed Bylaws Amendment #4:
(The following two (2) proposed bylaw amendments are grouped together because Article VI, Sec. 5 is necessitated by Article XVI, Sec. 5. It is recommended that they be voted on together.)

ARTICLE XVI - MINISTERS

Section 5: Dismissal
Current Bylaws:
A Senior or Associate Minister may be dismissed by a majority vote at any regularly scheduled congregational meeting or a congregational meeting convened for this purpose with three (3) weeks notice provided to the congregation and to the subject minister. A quorum of thirty (30) percent of the voting membership is required for a congregational meeting to dismiss a Senior or Associate Minister.

UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
CONGREGATION MAY BE CALLED TO CONSIDER THE DISMISSAL OF A CALLED MINISTER, OR
UPON RECEIPT BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF A PETITION SIGNED BY TEN (10) PERCENT OF
THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS MOST RECENTLY OFFICIALLY REPORTED TO THE UUA, A SPECIAL
MEETING OF THE CONGREGATION WILL BE CALLED TO CONSIDER THE DISMISSAL OF A CALLED
MINISTER.
WRITTEN NOTICE WILL BE MAILED BY U.S. POSTAL SERVICE TO EACH MEMBER OF
THE CONGREGATION A MINIMUM OF TWENTY-ONE (21) DAYS PRIOR TO THE MEETING, INFORMING
CONGREGATIONAL MEMBERS OF THE MEETING AND ITS PURPOSE. SUCH NOTICE SHALL NOT BE
SENT ELECTRONICALLY, PLACED IN THE OFFICIAL CHURCH NEWSLETTER, ON THE CHURCH
WEBSITE, OR READ FROM THE PULPIT.
A QUORUM OF THIRTY (30) PERCENT OF THE VOTING MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED FOR A
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING TO DISMISS A CALLED MINISTER. DISMISSAL OF A CALLED MINISTER
REQUIRES A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE MEMBERS VOTING IN PERSON AND THROUGH ABSENTEE
BALLOT.
THE MINISTER WHOSE DISMISSAL IS BEING CONSIDERED SHALL BE INVITED TO SPEAK AT THIS
MEETING.

ARTICLE VI - CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS

Section 5: Special Congregational Meetings
The call for special meetings must meet the following criteria, EXCEPT AS SPECIFIED IN ARTICLE XVI, SECTION 5 OF THESE BYLAWS.

Rationale: The proposed bylaw amendment to Article XVI, Section 5 specifies the process for dismissal of a called minister, including how such a matter is brought before the congregation. Makes such a meeting a special meeting and specifies how members will be notified. Proposed amendment to Article VI, Section 5 makes an exception to requirements for special meetings, allowing for the notification procedure specified in Article XVI, Section 5.

Proposed Bylaws Amendment #5:

ARTICLE XVI - MINISTERS

Section 8: Freedom of the Pulpit
ALL MINISTERS Senior and Associate ministers of the church are free to express their ideas in the pulpit.

Rationale: Clarifies that the principle of freedom of speech is extended to all ministers of the church, not just Senior and Associate Ministers.

Proposed Bylaws Amendment #6:

ARTICLE XIX - AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

Amendments to these bylaws may be proposed by the Board of Trustees or by petition of ten (10) FIVE (5) PERCENT OF THE NUMBER OF members MOST RECENTLY OFFICIALLY REPORTED TO THE UUA. The Board of Trustees will appoint a Bylaws Task Force to review proposed changes and recommend final wording, consistent with the intent of the proposed amendment, to be presented to the congregation. These bylaws may be amended, revised or repealed by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members, voting in person and through absentee ballot, at any congregational meeting. At least 21 days notice, to include information on how to obtain the full text, shall be given to all members of any proposed amendments or revisions.

Rationale: A percentage number adjusts for the changing size of the membership of the church.