Triad CUUPS Unitarian Universalist Church of Greensboro  

Triad CUUPS Bylaws

Bylaws for Triad CUUPS,  A Chapter of the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans

ARTICLE I - NAME, PURPOSE AND GOALS

Section 1. Name
The name of this organization shall be: Triad CUUPS

Section 2. Purpose

The purpose of this organization shall be to:

  1. Provide a safe place for Pagans to gather for worship and fellowship.
  2. Honor and give support to those on a Pagan/Earth Centered spiritual path.
  3. Maintain an environment where people of differing age groups and ability levels are free to participate.
  4. Share the collective wisdom of the past and the present.
  5. Encourage leadership and participation of all members.
  6. Enable Pagan and UU networking.
  7. Incorporate the Principles and Purposes of Unitarian Universalism in all workings of this chapter

ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP

Active members shall consist of individuals interested in the goals and objectives of Triad CUUPS, regardless of race, creed, gender, sexual orientation or national origin. The right to vote shall be reserved to those who have been members of the chapter for at least 60 days and have paid dues for the current membership year by their due date. Participation is encouraged for all ages, but membership is reserved for those 18 years and older.

ARTICLE III - GOVERNANCE

Section 1. Board of Directors
The board of directors will be composed of the elected officers and the committee chair of each standing committee. The first board of directors will serve for a term beginning 1 month after the adoption of these bylaws and ending on June 30, 2001. All succeeding boards shall serve for a term of one year. Boards will assume office on July 1 of each year and hold office until June 30 of the following year.

Section 2. Elections
Annual elections shall occur during the June chapter meeting of each year. Nominations shall be made for each elective office at the May chapter meeting of each year. Elections will take place by secret ballot. Active members, as listed by the Secretary's roster thereof, who cannot be in attendance, may leave a written proxy vote with the Membership Chair or their designee. Any proxy shall be executed in writing by the member wishing to cast that ballot. Proxy votes will not count toward the quorum. Ballots will be tallied by at least two members of the chapter and certified as accurate by the Membership Chair or their designee. The candidate receiving the largest number of votes shall be declared the winner.

Section 4. Executive Officers
Officers of Triad CUUPS shall be at least 21 years of age, members in good standing of CUUPS National, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greensboro as well as a voting member of Triad CUUPS. Nominees for officers must have been a voting member for a minimum of three months prior to nomination as well as demonstrated leadership and active involvement in events of Triad CUUPS.

  1. President— The President shall be the chief elected officer and spokesperson for the Chapter. The President shall preside at all regular and special meetings. The president shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.

    Within 30 days of taking office, the President shall ensure that any existing committee has a chair. In cases where a chairperson has not been elected, the president shall appoint a committee chair.

    If any office except President shall become vacant for any reason, the Board of Directors shall appoint an officer Pro Tempore until a special election can be held for the purpose of electing the new officer. Such election must be held within 60 days of the vacancy of the office.

  2. Vice-President— During the temporary absence of the President, the Vice-President shall assume the duties of the President Pro Tempore. If the office of President becomes vacant for any reason, the Vice-President shall immediately assume the office of President Pro Tempore and serve until a special election is held for the purpose of electing a new President. Such election must be held within 60 days of the office of President becoming vacant.

  3. Secretary— The Secretary shall record and maintain minutes of all meetings; shall have charge of all papers, archives, records and property; shall issue all notices of meetings; maintain an up-to-date membership roster; and shall provide periodic reports as may be required on the activities of the chapter to the national CUUPS organization. The Secretary shall maintain the confidentiality of the membership roster, and shall make it contents known only to a) the chapter membership, b) any individual authorized to inspect it on behalf of the Continental Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans, or c) any individual authorized to inspect it on behalf of the Unitarian Universalist Association or the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greensboro.

  4. Treasurer— The Treasurer shall manage receipts and expenditures; shall render an monthly report to the membership on the financial condition of the organization and shall prepare and submit any reports required by law.

ARTICLE IV - FINANCES

Section 1. Funds
Funds may be derived from dues collected from each active member, income from fund raising activities and gifts to the chapter.

Section 2. Fiscal Year
The fiscal year shall correspond with the fiscal year of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greensboro.

Section 3. Dues
Annual dues, whose amount shall be set by the Board of Directors, may be required of all active members. Dues shall be payable on July 1 each year and become delinquent thirty (30) days thereafter. Any member delinquent in his or her dues may be removed from the membership rolls.

Section 4. Loans
No loans shall be contracted on behalf of the organization and no evidence of indebtedness shall be issued in its name.

Section 5. Authority
The active membership, by majority vote of those present at any regular or special meeting, must approve any project requiring the expenditure of funds in excess of $500.00. Any such project must also be approved by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE V - MEETINGS

At least ten meetings shall be held per year. The Board of Directors shall have the right to call special meetings of the active membership, upon at least ten (10) days written, e-mail or telephonic notice to each member. No official business may be conducted at any meeting unless a quorum is present. A quorum shall consist of at least 25% of active members as established by the Secretary's roster of members.

ARTICLE VI - COMMITTEES

Section 1. Committees
Standing and ad-hoc committees shall function in an advisory capacity to the chapter officers. Committees may develop and implement programs and policies authorized by the active membership. Committee chairpersons shall report on their activities at least annually and at such other times as directed by the President.

Section 2. Standing and Ad-Hoc Committees There shall be four standing committees: the Program Committee, the Membership Committee, the Public Relations and the Finance Committee. The Board of Directors shall appoint the chairman of each standing committee, and the chairman shall then select its members.

All other committees shall be ad hoc. Ad hoc committees may be appointed at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Such ad hoc committees shall remain active until they have accomplished the purposes for which they were appointed or until inauguration of a new Board.

Each committee, whether ad hoc or standing, shall be comprised of a minimum of three persons.

  • Finance Committee— The Finance Committee shall be responsible for identifying means of raising revenue to support the expense incurred by the chapter. The finance committee will work in conjunction with the Treasurer. They will be responsible for creating the fiscal budget.
  • Membership Committee— The Membership Committee shall be responsible for developing programs and projects aimed at reaching out to those persons in the community seeking a Pagan or Earth-centered spiritual path, and making recommendations as necessary concerning chapter membership criteria and responsibilities.
  • Program Committee— The Program Committee shall be responsible for assuring that a public ritual for each seasonal festival is sponsored by this chapter, and to develop proposals for the membership's consideration for other and further programming in order to advance the purposes of CUUPS.
  • Public Relations Committee— The Public Relations Committee shall be responsible for distributing information about Triad CUUPS and its events to the public including local, regional and national pagan and Unitarian Universalist communities through the use of the Triad CUUPS and UUCG websites, electronic media as well as printed media.

ARTICLE VII - BYLAWS

Amendments to these bylaws may be considered at any meeting of the membership. Amendments may be initiated by a proposal signed by at least two (2) voting members and delivered to the Secretary. Within thirty (30) days thereafter, the Secretary shall send notice of the proposed amendment to the Board of Directors. Such notification must be sent not less than thirty (30) days prior to a meeting of the membership where such amendment is to be considered. Amendments to these Bylaws shall be approved by 2/3 of votes cast.

ARTICLE VIII - AFFILIATION

Triad CUUPS is an affiliated Chapter of the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans and as such supports and promotes the goals and objectives of CUUPS as outlined in its bylaws. This chapter shall conform to all CUUPS rules and regulations and shall pay its CUUPS obligations when due. The chapter will also comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greensboro, with whom it has a primary working relationship.

ARTICLE IX - PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE

Except when contrary to the Bylaws or any standing rule the Chapter should govern itself by consensus.

ARTICLE X - DISSOLUTION

Section 1. Dissolution— In order to dissolve this organization, the President must present a resolution recommending that the organization be dissolved to the active membership. A proposal for dissolution may be considered at a regular or special meeting of the active membership only after thirty (30) days notice in writing is given to each member in good standing. The resolution to dissolve shall be adopted upon receiving at least 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by active members present at such regular or special meeting. This organization shall not be dissolved while 20% of the members in good standing dissent.

Section 2. Resolution— Upon adoption of the resolution for dissolution, this organization shall cease to conduct its affairs, except insofar as may be necessary for the proper completion thereof, and shall immediately cause a notice for the proposed dissolution to be mailed to every person and organization with an interest in chapter activities, and shall proceed to collect its assets and apply and distribute them lawfully. All moneys and assets will be transferred to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greensboro.

ADOPTED THIS 11th day of July 2005 to become effective on July 11, 2005 by the undersigned, being all of the members of TRIAD CUUPS, a chapter of the COVENANT OF UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST PAGANS.

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