Bylaws for
CUUPS-Twin Cities
as amended 04/13/08
Preamble
In accord with the principles of the Unitarian Universalist Association as expressed in Article II of the Bylaws of the UUA, we, as members and/or friends of Unitarian Universalist congregations ("congregations") in the Twin Cities metro area that are member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, join together to form a chapter of the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans, Inc. ("CUUPS"), an Ohio non-profit religious corporation. This organization is intended to serve Unitarian Universalism in the Twin Cities metro region through outreach, referral and education.
Article I – Name
The Name of this organization will be "CUUPS-Twin Cities" ("the chapter")
Article II – Purpose
The chapter is formed for the purposes of (1) promoting the understanding and practice of Pagan and Earth-centered spirituality within congregations; (2) enabling networking among Pagan-identified Unitarian Universalists; (3) providing information about Unitarian Universalism to the broader pagan community; (4) providing education materials on Paganism and Earth-centered spirituality to congregations and the general public; (5) promoting interfaith dialogue; (6) encouraging the development of thea/theological and liturgical materials based on Earth and Nature-centered religious and spiritual perspectives; (7) encouraging ritual in Unitarian Universalist worship and celebration; (8) foster healing relationships with the Earth and all of the Earth's children.
Article III – Membership
Membership in the chapter shall be open to any individual or member of a household who has met the following criteria:
1. That they pay dues to CUUPS-TC,
2. That they substantially support the purposes of CUUPS and the Seven Principles of the Unitarian Universalist Association,
3. That they have attended at least two CUUPS-TC rituals,
4. That they have attended the CUUPS-TC Orientation.
In the case of household members, each person must meet the above criteria to attain voting membership.
Minors between the ages of 14 and 17 may become voting members of CUUPS-TC in their own right with written parental consent, in addition to meeting the above requirements.
We will define "household" as all residents at the same address, with an exception for minor children who may live at another address.
Article IV – Board Positions
The following are Named Positions of the chapter board. All board members must be current, paid members of CUUPS-TC. A simple majority of Board members shall be members of CUUPS, Inc and 50% of board members must be a member of a Unitarian Universalist congregation (church, fellowship, society, etc.)
Facilitator – Shall chair board meetings. Shall act as liaison between the chapter and CUUPS. Shall act as liaison between the chapter and the congregation(s), communicating well in advance to minimize conflicts with congregation schedules and to maximize congregation participation in CUUPS-Twin Cities events.
Treasurer – Shall be responsible for holding the funds of the chapter. Shall report quarterly to the Chapter Council. Shall report annually to the congregation's treasurer.
Manager of Chapter Communications – Shall produce and distribute a chapter newsletter and ensure that chapter activities are listed in the congregation's newsletter. Shall maintain chapter e-mail list. Shall ensure that information about chapter activities is easily accessible to the local Pagan online community.
Secretary – Shall record, distribute and maintain meeting notes, ritual schedule and team membership. Shall set up and maintain an archive of notes and ritual scripts.
The board may create or abolish positions and committees as needed.
Article V - Meetings
A. - Membership Meetings
CUUPS-TC shall hold a Members Meeting at least twice annually, preferably within two weeks of the nearest equinox or solstice. The "Annual Meeting" shall be the last meeting of the fiscal year. Elections shall be held at the "Annual Meeting".
The quorum for a Member's Meeting shall be equal or greater than one third (1/3) of the Membership.
All members shall be notified at least 14 days in advance of a Members meeting, which shall be open to any member.
The Treasurer, or designee, shall provide a list of current members to the Board no less than 3 days prior to a Members meeting.
The Board Secretary, or a person designated by the Board, shall post a notice of said meeting to the web board, the CUUPS-TC Calendar, and, to the Members Listserv. A hard copy of the notice shall be mailed to those Members for whom there is no e-mail address at least 14 days prior to the meeting date.
Any Member shall have the right to suggest agenda items, including bylaws amendments, to the web board discussion area up to 72 hours prior to the meeting. The Board shall have the right to determine the final "pre-meeting" agenda. A printed copy of the agenda, including documentation of Bylaws amendments, shall be prepared and distributed to the members in attendance.
Additional agenda items, including bylaws amendments, may be presented by any member, in writing, prior to the start of the Member's meeting. It is the responsibility of the member to provide distribution copies of the agenda item, if needed, along with supportive documentation or reasons. The first agenda item under "new business" shall be a vote, without discussion, to include or exclude each of these proposed additions to the agenda.
B. - Board Meetings
Face to face Meetings
The Board of CUUPS-TC shall meet at least quarterly.
All CUUPS-TC members shall be notified at least 14 days in advance of a Board meeting. Notification shall be considered made when said dates are posted to the CUUPS-TC Calendar on the website and posted to the Member Web Board and Members Listserv.
Any CUUPS-TC member shall have the right to attend a Board meeting. Members shall also have the right to speak at said meetings, at the discretion of the meeting Chair, but will have no vote on Board business.
The Board shall have the right to temporarily close a meeting to discuss and move issues involving matters of discipline, conflict, or other sensitive nature.
A quorum of the Board shall be comprised of at least 2/3 of the Board members.
Board meeting dates shall be set by the Board, and, may be amended as necessary by a 2/3 vote. Notification of meeting date/time changes shall be made in a timely manner. Discussion and amendment of meeting dates may take place on the CUUPS-TC web board.
While the Board is encouraged to "govern by consensus," a simple majority of the legal quorum shall be required for the passage of any motion.
Bylaws changes may be proposed by the Board, but, are provisional until affirmed by the Members at a duly called Membership Meeting.
The Secretary, or other person designated by the Board, shall post meeting minutes to the CUUPS-TC Web Board. Said minutes shall exclude agenda items closed during a meeting. A copy of the complete minutes shall be posted to the Board listserv with a note "Confidential".
"On-Line" Meetings
The Board shall have the right to discuss business electronically, however, final action shall be taken only at a face to face meetings. General discussions shall take place on the CUUPS-TC web boards, and discussion of sensitive items may take place on the Board listserv.
Article VI – Funding
CUUPS–Twin Cities shall be funded by donations and by membership dues, as determined by the Board, and by any other available source(s) the Board may identify. The Board may establish various classes of membership and the qualifications, rights, and privileges, including voting rights, of each.
Article VII – Communications
It is the policy of CUUPS–Twin Cities to build bridges between UUs and Pagans by publishing events of both organizations in the chapter newsletter. Additionally, chapter events may be publicized in congregation newsletters, service programs and/or bulletin boards following those congregations'' communications' guidelines.
Article VIII – Elections
Elections shall occur at the Annual Meeting for all open Board positions. The Board shall determine the qualifications for voting no later than the quarterly meeting prior to the Annual Meeting. The Board will nominate named positions. Further nominations will be taken from the floor.
Article IX – Restrictions and Exclusions
1. The Facilitator of CUUPS–Twin Cities is the sole authorized public spokesperson for the organization, but may delegate this responsibility on a case-by-case basis.
2. The Facilitator of CUUPS–Twin Cities will mediate with congregation leadership to resolve conflicts.
3. No organizational funds may be used for the individual benefit of members, Board members or others except where approved as reimbursement for authorized expenses or compensation for authorized services, where the expenses or services are intended to further the mission or activities of the chapter.
4. For purposes of advocacy on behalf of its members or of Pagans or Unitarian Universalists generally, CUUPS-Twin Cities shall conduct itself as if organized under the prevailing language of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or of its successor provisions.
Article X – Chapter Assets
Upon wind up or dissolution of the chapter, all assets remaining after payment of all debts and liabilities shall become the property of the sponsoring congregation and shall be divided equally among them if there are more than one.
Article XI – Adoption and Amendment
The by laws of CUUPS–Twin Cities and any amendments thereto, shall become effective upon approval of 2/3 or more of members present and voting at the quarterly or annual meeting at which the by laws or amendment(s) have been placed on the agenda with such placement having been publicized in accordance with Article VI. Current by laws shall be provided to CUUPS members as part of their membership packet or upon request and to the sponsoring congregation(s) of CUUPS-Twin Cities upon adoption or amendment.