JUNEAU UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP BY-LAWS

Adopted May 1996; Revised May 2001


Section I.  Name and Address

          The name of this organization shall be the Juneau Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. Its address shall be P.O. Box 20064, Juneau Alaska 99802.

Section II.  Principles and Purposes
          A.  Principles. The Juneau Unitarian Universalist Fellowship covenants to affirm and promote: 

(1) the inherent worth and dignity of every person;

(2) justice, equity and compassion in human relations;

(3) acceptance of one another and encouragement to growth in our congregation;

(4) a free and responsible search for truth and meaning;

(5) the right of conscience and the use of democratic process within our congregation and in society at large;

(6) the goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all;

(7) respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. 

 

          B.  Purposes. The Juneau Unitarian Universalist Fellowship shall devote its resources to religious, educational and humanitarian purposes. 

 

Section III.  Membership.

A.  Members. 

(1) Any person may become a member of this Fellowship who is in sympathy with the Fellowship’s principles and purposes, has read and endorsed the bylaws by signing the membership book, and has made an annual pledge or identifiable contribution to the Fellowship of money or service or materials needed (as determined by the Board) by the Fellowship.

(2) Continuing membership is contingent upon making and fulfilling such annual pledges as revised, or making annual identifiable contributions. 

(3) Non-discrimination. This Fellowship promotes the full participation of all persons in all of its activities and in the full range of human endeavor irrespective of and not limited to race, color, gender, disability, affectional or sexual orientation, age, or national origin, without requiring adherence to any particular interpretation of religion or to any particular religious belief or creed. 

 

B.  Voting Members.

(1) Voting members of this Fellowship in addition to the above requirements, shall be those who are 15 years of age or older and have been members for 30 days.

(2) Only voting members will be counted for official UUA or PNWD tallies. 

 

 

          C.  Guests.   Guests are welcome to attend any worship service or meeting of the Fellowship. 

 

          D.  Privileges of Membership.  All members and guests shall be accorded the privilege of the floor during meetings.  Non-voting members shall be entitled to serve on committees. Only voting members shall be entitled to vote or hold office as a board member. 


Section IV.  Fellowship Services

          Fellowship services shall be held on a regular basis as decided by the Fellowship Services Committee at a place to be agreed upon by a majority of the voting members of the Fellowship.  Announcements may be made at the fellowship service, but business shall not be conducted during the service.  The Fellowship Services Committee shall coordinate the worship service.  The Fellowship Services Committee should make an effort to invite speakers to conduct programs. When speakers are not scheduled to conduct a program, members of the Fellowship should offer to do so. The program should emphasize spiritual, theological, philosophical, ethical, intellectual or
social concerns. The emphasis of the discussion should be the enlightenment of and sharing with the Fellowship. 

 

Section V.  Business and Special Meetings

          At the request of any five members, the Executive Board shall call a business meeting of the Fellowship.  Members shall have at least one day’s advance notice of the time, place, and subject of the meeting.

 

Section VI.  Annual Meeting

          The annual meeting of this Fellowship shall be held at Juneau on the second meeting in May, following the Fellowship Service, or as scheduled by the board.  At the annual meeting, annual reports of officers and committees shall be delivered and the board shall be elected. 

 

Section VII.  Quorum
          At all business meetings, five voting members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. 

 

Section VIII.  Order of Business

          At the annual and business meetings, the order of business shall be as follows:
          A. Reports of the Chair and Vice Chair

B. Report of the Secretary

C. Report of the Treasurer

D. Reports of Permanent Committees

E. Reports of Special Committees

F. General Business

G. Election of Board of Directors (at the annual meeting)

 

Section IX.  Board of Directors

          Oversight of day-to-day operations of the Fellowship shall rest with an elected Executive Board consisting of five to seven members.  The Executive Board shall be responsible for general supervision of the affairs of the Fellowship between annual business meetings.  The Executive Board will conduct all Fellowship business in a prudent manner.  The Executive Board serves at the will of the Fellowship, will operate within a budget approved by the membership, and will function so that none of its actions conflict with specific directives of the Fellowship as a whole.

 

          A.  Election.  At each annual meeting, the Executive Board members shall be elected from the voting membership.  All nominees must consent to serve prior to being nominated.

        B.  Terms. 

(1)  All Executive Board members will be elected to one-year terms.

(2)  The current term of each member wil commence on the first day following elections at the annual meeting.

(3) No board member shall serve more than five consecutive years. 

 

          C.  Vacancies.  Vacancies on the Executive Board may be filled by majority vote of the remaining members.  The appointed member will serve until the next annual meeting.

 

Section X.  Board Meetings.

 

          A.  Regular.  The Board shall meet formally, face-to-face, at least quarterly throughout the year at a time and place announced to the Fellowship and published in the newsletter.

 

          B.  Electronic.  The Executive Board may conduct routine business, including necessary votes, using telephonic and electronic communications technology.  Good faith efforts will be made to notice all Fellowship members of pending business between quarterly meetings and to solicit Fellowship input.

 

        C.  Quorums.  A majority of the Executive Board members constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business at any Board meeting.


Section XI.  Board Officers. 

          As soon as possible following the annual meeting, the newly constituted Executive Board shall nominate and elect from its midst a Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary.

 

Section XII.  Duties of Board Officers. 

          The duties of Executive Board officers are as follows:

 

          A.  Chair.  The Chair shall represent the Fellowhsip as contact person for entities outside of the Fellowship, preside at all business meetings of the Executive Board and Fellowship, be an ex officio member of all ocmmittees, and perform all other duties as set by the Executive Board.

 

          B.  Vice Chair.  The Vice Chair shall, in the absence of the Chair, preside at all business meetings of the Executive Board and Fellowship and perform all other duties as set by the Executive Board.

 

          C.  Secretary.  The Secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings of the Executive Board and Fellowship, provide a summary of the minutes to be published in the Fellowship newsletter, and other duties as set by the Executive Board.

 

Section XIII.  Committees.

          The board shall recruit and appoint members to ad hoc committees as it determines necessary, to carry out the directives of the Fellowship.  There shall be the following permanent committees:

 

          A.  Fellowship Services Committee.

          B. Religious Education Committee

          C. Community Outreach Committee

          D. Finance Committee (chaired by the Treasurer)

          E. Membership Committee

          F. Social Functions Committee

 

Section XVI.  Notice.

          Where required under these by-laws, notice of a proposed action is sufficient if written notice is sent or telephonic notice is sent to each voting member.

 

Section XVII.  Public Issues.

          The Fellowship will not take a position on an issue of general concern to the community unless at least 75 percent of the voting members agree to the proposed position.  Whenever it is proposed that the Fellowship take a position on an issue of general concern to the community, at least two weeks’ notice must be given before any vote may be taken with respect to the issue, unless 75 percent of the voting members are present and agree with the proposed position.

 

Section XVIII.  Amendments to Bylaws.

          These bylaws may be amended by majority vote of those present and voting at any regular or special meeting but only if two week’s notice of the proposed amendment has been given.