BYLAWS OF THE
LIVE OAK UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH
AUSTIN, TEXAS
Article 1: Name
The name of this religious
society shall be "Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Church", hereinafter referred
to as the "Church".
Article 2: Affiliations
The Church shall be a member of
the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations and the Southwestern
Unitarian Universalist Conference or their successors.
Article 3:
Guiding Statements
Section 3.1 Vision
Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Church is a
diverse consensus-based spiritual community in northwest Austin. Together, we
create a non-judgmental, nurturing environment where people of all ages can
develop spiritually and personally as we demonstrate our shared values,
perspectives and concerns with the larger community.
Section 3.2 Mission
·
We offer a place where worship and religious education converge:
o
We provide a variety of worship
experiences that meet the diverse needs of our church community.
o
We offer enriching lifespan
religious education.
·
We express our Unitarian Universalist values through action in the larger
community and work cooperatively with other faith communities to address social
issues.
·
We govern ourselves by consensus, thereby involving the entire church
community in our decision-making.
·
We covenant together in friendship to listen to, support and encourage
each other in personal growth; to respect our differences; to create and sustain
bonds of love, compassion and belonging; to share our lives' joys and sorrows;
and to have fun together.
Section 3.3 Welcoming Congregation
As a Welcoming Congregation, Live Oak UU Church
affirms and promotes the full
participation of persons in all of our activities, including membership,
programming, hiring practices, and the calling of religious professionals,
without regard to race, ethnicity, color, sex, gender identity, physical or
mental ability, affectional or sexual orientation, age, economic status,
national origin, or theology/spiritual practice.
Article 4:
Membership
Section 4.1. Voting Members
Membership in this Church is
open to any person 18 years or older who is in sympathy with the purpose and
program of the Church. To join, an individual shall meet with the minister
and/or attend a membership orientation meeting, and/or receive membership
orientation materials, make an annual pledge and sign the membership book.
Individuals become Voting Members thirty (30) days after having met the
obligations of joining. In order to remain a Voting Member, a member must
participate in Church life, pledge, and make identifiable financial
contributions each fiscal year.
Section 4.2 Associate Members
Individuals between the ages of
fifteen (15) and eighteen (18) become "Associate Members" upon fulfilling the
requirements for Voting Members. Such Associate Members will have full voting
privileges and may be elected as a Trustee as described in Section 5.1. An
Associate Member may not be elected as an officer as described in Section 6.1
and will not be included in the population count of the Church.
Section 4.3 Inactive Members
A member who for one year is voluntarily absent from participation in
the life of the Church and has made no identifiable monetary contribution, or
has submitted a letter of resignation to the Steering Committee, shall be
considered inactive. An inactive member may not vote at a meeting or serve as an
elected officer or be included in the Church population count. The Membership
Committee shall update the active membership list thirty (30) days prior to the
Congregational Meetings.
Article 5: Steering Committee
Section 5.1. Composition of the Board
of Trustees
The Board of Trustees of this
Church shall be composed of ten (10) members, these being the four (4) Officers
of the Church, each of whom shall be elected each year, the immediate past
president, and five (5) additional Voting Members or Associate Members, each of
whom shall be elected to serve a two (2) year term. The method of election shall
be as provided for under Section 8.2 of these Bylaws. Board of Trustee terms are
defined in section 10.1.
Section 5.2. Limits to the Terms of Office
Elected officers may serve no more than two (2) consecutive terms in a given
position, except for the Treasurer who may serve no more than four (4)
consecutive terms in that position. No member of the Board of Trustees may
serve for more than eight (8) consecutive years. The Assistant Treasurer may
serve no more than four (4) consecutive one-year terms in that position.
Section 5.3. Vacancies
Unless specified otherwise in
these Bylaws, any vacancy occurring in an elected position shall be filled by
the Steering Committee after consultation with the Nominating Committee. Any
person chosen to fill a vacancy shall serve until the next occurring Annual
Election, at which time any such position(s) shall be filled by the method of
selection as provided for under section 8.2 of these bylaws.
Section 5.4. Steering Committee
The Steering Committee shall
make short-term and long-range plans for the Church. The Committee is open to
all who wish to participate. A quorum of at least five members of the Board of
Trustees must be present at each Steering Committee meeting in order to conduct
business. Decisions of the Committee shall be made by consensus of all members
present at a meeting. The Church is committed to operating by consensus, which
includes the following steps: 1.) The group reaches consensus on the definition
of a proposal. 2.) An ample, defined time period is set for airing and
discussing the proposal, including time for questions and clarifications. Each
person is given an opportunity to discuss how he or she feels about the proposal
during the discussion period. 3.) If the time for the discussion period is
exhausted and consensus, for whatever reason (including blocking) has not been
reached, one of two actions may be taken: a.) an ad hoc committee representing
all points of view is appointed to discuss the proposal further and bring a
recommendation to the next meeting; or b.) if three-quarters of the members of
the group feel that an immediate decision must be made, the group reverts to
voting. Any action requires a majority of three-quarters of the votes.
Section 5.5. Regular Steering Committee
Meetings
The Steering Committee shall
hold at least ten (10) monthly meetings per year at such time as the Steering
Committee shall determine. Notice of these meetings shall be made public to the
congregation at least forty-eight (48) hours in advance of these meetings.
Section 5.6 Special Steering Committee
Meetings
Special meetings of the Steering Committee may be called by or at the
request of any two (2) Trustees. The persons so authorized to call a special
meeting of the Steering Committee may stipulate the place, time and purpose for
any such meeting.
Section 5.7. Meeting Facilitator
The President or President's
appointee shall preside at all Regular and Special Meetings of the Board.
Section 5.8 Executive Sessions
All meetings of the Steering
Committee shall be open to all interested parties, except that the Board of
Trustees shall have the authority to determine that it is in the best interests
of the Church that a particular item, or particular items, of a confidential
nature, such as confidential personnel issues, be considered in executive
session ("Executive Session"). The Trustees may decide in an open meeting by a
majority vote of at least a quorum to enter into such Executive Session. All
persons other than elected Board Members will be excluded from such Executive
Session unless specifically invited to attend by Trustees present at the
meeting. It is the intent of the Church to conduct its business in as open a
manner as possible with the recognition that on rare occasions some items must
be discussed in confidence.
Section 5.9 Minutes
Complete and accurate typed
minutes shall be kept of all regular and special Steering and Congregational
meetings, excluding Executive Sessions, and copies of the minutes distributed to
Trustees and Minister, and posted in the Church. A record set of final approved
minutes shall be kept in a bound and indexed form at a place determined by the
Steering Committee to be safe from loss or damage. All recorded minutes shall be
approved by the Steering Committee, and shall be signed by the Secretary
certifying that such minutes are as approved by the Steering Committee.
Section 5.10 Removal
Three absences during one year by a member of
the Board of Trustees from Steering Committee meetings without prior
notification to the President or Secretary shall be tantamount to resignation.
After written notification, elected officials may be removed according to the
Church consensus process at a special meeting of the Congregation for breach of
trust or gross misconduct.
Section 5.11. General Duties and Authority
The duties of the Steering
Committee on behalf of the membership shall include the general custody of the
property of the Church, the conduct of all business and financial affairs of the
Church, and ensuring that all assets of the Church are fully dedicated to
performing the organization's religious function. The Steering Committee shall
have the authority to enter into contracts, the authority to engage or delegate
the engagement of all employees except the minister, to appoint temporary
committees in connection with its responsibilities, to make regular evaluation
of the insurance programs, recommending changes where necessary, to maintain an
active membership list, to coordinate the use and rental of the building by
non-Unitarian groups, and to maintain communication between the Steering
Committee and the committees of the Church.
Section 5.12. Limits to Power
The Steering Committee shall have no power to call, settle, or remove a
Minister or to determine the minister's salary. It may not, without consent of
the 2/3 vote of those voting at a Congregational Meeting, as described in
article 10, in person or by absentee ballot, mortgage any real property, or buy
or sell property.
Article 6:
Officers
Section 6.1. Officers
The officers of the Church are
the President, the Vice President, the Treasurer and the Secretary. All officers
shall represent the Church on appropriate occasions and perform all duties
incident to the office and such other duties as may be requested by the
Membership or Minister from time to time. Because the Church has a goal of
shared leadership rather than functioning under a traditional hierarchy,
officers have limited responsibilities. Officers will be elected to handle
dealings with federal and state offices and financial institutions because they
are accustomed to doing business with an organization's President, Treasurer or
Secretary.
Section 6.2. The President
The President shall be the
executive officer of the Church, serve as a member of the Board, be responsible
for organizing the agenda for all Regular and Special Steering Committee
Meetings, and have authority to sign on behalf of the congregation any deeds,
mortgages, bonds, contracts or other legal instruments which the Steering
Committee has authorized to be executed, except in those instances where the
signing and other execution of such instruments shall have been expressly
delegated by the Steering Committee or by these bylaws or by statute to some
other officer or agent of the Church.
Section 6.3. The Vice-President
The Vice-President shall work
with the President and assume the duties of the President in his or her absence,
and be Moderator at all Congregational Meetings.
Section 6.4 Treasurer
The Treasurer shall receive and
safely keep all money and other property of the church entrusted to his or her
care, make disbursements as directed or approved by the Steering Committee, keep
a complete account of the finances of the Church in books belonging to the
Church, including direction and coordination of any public accounting firm
employed by the Church, render a current statement at each regular
meeting of the Steering Committee, ensure that all federal, state or local
returns, reports or other items required by law are properly prepared and filed
with the appropriate authorities in a timely manner, perform the duties of the
President in the event of the simultaneous absence or incapacity of both the
President and Vice President, and may be bonded at the expense of the Church.
Section 6.5. The
Secretary
The Secretary shall keep all minutes of all Regular and Special Steering
Committee meetings and Congregational Meetings of the Church as described in
Section 5.9, issue all notices and conduct the correspondence of the Steering
Committee.
Article 7: Committees
Section 7.1.
Establishment of Committees
All committees of the Church except the Steering Committee shall be
created as either Standing Committees or Special Committees. Standing Committees
shall be established under these Bylaws. Special committees shall be as created
from time to time by the Steering Committee, which committees, once established,
shall cease to exist once the purpose for which they were formed has been
accomplished, unless specifically extended by the Steering Committee. Any three
or more people wishing to compose a new committee may petition the Steering
Committee.
Section 7.2. Committee Membership
Each committee shall determine
its method of organization and method of communicating with the Steering
Committee. Membership of all committees with the exception of the Nominating
Committee, the Ministerial Relations Committee and Search Committees shall be
open to all interested persons. The coordinator(s) and a majority of the members
of each committee shall be voting members of the Church.
Section 7.3. Church Affiliated Organizations
Organizations whose activities
and practices are consistent with those of the Church may be recognized by the
Steering Committee as "Affiliated Organizations." Such organizations will be
given special consideration and support by the Steering Committee. Any three (3)
or more Voting Members or Associate Members may petition the Steering Committee
to establish such an Affiliated Organization. These organizations are
responsible to the Steering Committee, which has the authority to revoke
affiliation of any organization which no longer fits the above guidelines.
Article 8: Nominating Committee
Section 8.1. Selection of Nominating Committee Members
The members of the Nominating
Committee shall be elected at the May Semi-Annual Meeting of the Church. This
committee shall be composed of five (5) Voting Members of the Church who shall
be elected for two (2) year terms. Immediately after the election, the committee
will select a chair for a one (1) year term. The Chair shall call an
organizational meeting of the Committee no later than February 1 of each year.
Three (3) members of the Nominating Committee shall constitute a quorum required
to conduct any business of the Committee. In the event that any vacancy occurs
on the Committee, the Trustees shall appoint a person from among the eligible
voting Members to fill the unexpired term of the position until the next regular
election, at which time a permanent replacement shall be elected by the
Congregation.
Section 8.2. Annual Election Nominations
For each annual election to be
held at the May Semi-Annual Meeting of the Congregation, the Nominating
Committee shall submit one (1) nominee for the following available positions:
(a) President
(b) Vice President
(c) Treasurer
(d) Secretary
(e) Board of Trustees (in accordance with Section 5.1)
(f) Nominating Committee (in accordance with Section 8.1)
(g) Assistant Treasurer (a non-Trustee position)
Nominations also shall be
submitted at each annual election to fill the remainder of terms of office for
Board of Trustee positions in which vacancies have occurred since the last
annual election, the normal terms for such positions being then unexpired.
Because the Church is committed to the concept of shared leadership and the
ideal of developing the leadership potential of all its members, the nominating
committee is strongly encouraged to present a slate of officers and trustees
each year that includes people who have not previously been active in those
positions. We appreciate the worth of continuity and experience among our chosen
representatives, but also need and welcome the fresh perspectives and valuable
ideas that new people bring to our group.
Section 8.3. Publication of Nominations
The Nominating committee shall
issue a list of nominations no later than 30 days prior to the May Semi-Annual
Meeting of the Congregation. This list shall be published in the Church
newsletter and posted at the then current place of meeting of the Church.
Article 9: The Minister
Section 9.1. The Search Committee
In the event of a vacancy in
the position of minister, a Search Committee shall be established as a Special
Committee in accordance with Section 7.1. for the purpose of identifying,
screening and bringing to the Church for consideration a candidate for the
position of Minister. The Search Committee shall consist of seven (7) Voting
Members including at least one (1) Trustee. The Nominating Committee shall
submit the nominees to be voted upon at a Congregational Meeting called for such
purpose.
Section 9.2. Calling a Minister
The Minister of the Church
shall be called by 90% of those members voting in person or by absentee ballot
at a Congregational Meeting called for such purpose. Half (1/2) of the Voting
Members and Associate Members eligible to vote shall constitute a quorum at such
Congregational Meeting.
Section 9.3. Tenure
Tenure shall be indefinite.
Section 9.4. Duties of the Minister
The duties of the Minister
shall be negotiated between the Steering Committee and the Minister and approved
by the Congregation. In general the Minister shall provide overall religious
leadership and guidance in accordance with the established purposes of this
Church, and shall be guaranteed freedom of the pulpit. The Minister may be a
member of any Committee other than the Nominating Committee, Ministerial
Relations Committee and the Search Committee. The Minister will be employed
under written contract, which clearly stipulates the duties, roles, compensation
and other conditions of employment.
Section 9.5. Contract Termination
The contractual relationship
between the Minister and the Church may be dissolved by either party for any
reason upon three (3) months written notice. Such provision shall be
incorporated in any contractual agreement.
Section 9.6. Triennial Evaluation
The Steering Committee shall
direct the evaluation by the Church Membership of the ministry of the Church no
less frequently than every 3 years. The results of such evaluation shall be in
writing and made part of the permanent Church records.
Article 10: Congregational
Meetings
Section 10.1 Semi-Annual Meetings
Semi-Annual Meetings of the Congregation shall be held in May and
December of each year to conduct necessary Church business, with the dates to be
determined by the Steering Committee. At these meetings, the Vice President
shall preside as Moderator. At the May meeting, Trustees to the Board, Officers,
and Nominating Committee members shall be elected to begin their terms June 1.
At the December meeting, a budget for the ensuing year shall be presented by the
Steering Committee for discussion, changed if necessary and adopted by the
Congregation. The date, time, place and agenda of the Semi-Annual Meetings shall
be posted on the Church bulletin board not less than thirty (30) days prior to
the meetings, and publicized in the Church newsletter and announced at Sunday
worship services.
Section 10.2. Special Meetings of the
Congregation
Special Meetings of the
Congregation may be called by the Steering Committee with at least two (2) weeks
notice to members. No business other than that announced for any such Special
Meeting shall be transacted at that particular meeting.
Section 10.3. Notice of Meetings
Written or printed notice
stating the place, day and hour of any Congregational meeting shall be delivered
either personally or by mail to each member entitled to vote at such meeting not
less than ten (10) days nor more than fifty (50) days before the date of such
meeting, by or at the direction of the Steering Committee. In case of a called
Special Meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called shall
be stated in the notice.
Section 10.4 Voting Quorum and Determining Vote
A quorum of the Congregation
for purposes of voting shall be constituted of thirty percent (30%) of the
Members eligible to vote either in person, by proxy, or by absentee ballot. A
simple majority of those votes cast shall be sufficient to either approve or
disapprove matters submitted for determination by vote, except for those votes
taken relating to the election of a Minister as described in Section 9.2.
Section 10.5. Voting by Absentee Ballot
Absentee ballots shall be on
such form as may be stipulated by the Steering Committee and shall be processed
for consideration in such manner as may be prescribed by the Board. If the
Steering Committee decides absentee ballots are not to be allowed for a given
meeting, such decision must be included in the notice of meetings as described
in Section 10.3.
Section 10.6. Nominations from the Floor
Any three (3) members eligible
to vote may submit a nomination for any elected position at any meeting of the
Congregation at which Officers, Board members, Nominating Committee members or
Search Committee members are elected.
Article 11: Dissolution and
Distribution of Assets
Section 11.1. Dissolution
Any action to dissolve the Church must be approved by a two-thirds (2/3)
vote of eligible Voting Members of the Church present at a meeting called to
specifically consider such action, for which meeting written notice has been
issued to all Members eligible to vote in accordance with the provisions of
Section 10.3 of these Bylaws.
Section 11.2. Distribution
If the Church at its own option
shall cease to exist, all property real or personal shall be transferred to the
Southwestern Unitarian Universalist Conference or its successors.
Article 12: Adoption of Bylaws
The initial adoption of these
Bylaws shall be by majority vote of those persons attending a meeting called and
held for such purpose, without regard to any voting qualifications or
requirements provided for in these Bylaws.
Article 13: Amendments to Bylaws
These Bylaws may be amended at
any Congregational meeting by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members of the
Church eligible to vote at the meeting at which such matter is considered,
provided, however, that the text of any proposed changes has been published in
the newsletter and mailed to all members of record at least thirty (30) days
prior to such meeting. The Steering Committee may submit to the congregation any
proposed amendment which the Steering Committee has approved to such submission
by a majority vote of its members. In addition, the Steering Committee shall
submit to the Congregation any amendment received by the Board which shall have
been proposed by a petition signed by at least ten percent (10%) members of the
Church eligible to vote.
Article 14: Indemnification
The Church shall indemnify any
person who is or was an employee, agent, representative, member of the Board of
Trustees, other elected official, or Steering Committee volunteer of the Church against any liability
asserted against such person and incurred in the course and scope of his or her
duties or functions within the Church to the maximum extent allowable by law,
provided the person acted in good faith and did not engage in an act or omission
that is intentional, willfully or wantonly negligent, or done with conscious
indifference or reckless disregard for the safety of others. The provisions of
this article shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which such
person may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, insurance policy, vote of
members or otherwise.
These Bylaws include amendments adopted at the December 18, 2005 Congregational
Meeting, mailing address 3315 El Salido Pkwy, Cedar Park, TX 78613-5537.
Copyright
©2006, Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Church.