Fargo-Moorhead Unitarian Universalist
By-Laws

Article I. Name
The name of this religious society shall be the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fargo Moorhead.

 

Article II. Purpose
The purpose of this church is to further individual freedom of belief, the democratic process to human relations, human kinship undivided by nation, race, sex, or creed, and allegiance to the cause of a united world community. Relying upon reason and compassion as our guides, and upon freedom of inquiry as our method, we seek to grow in understanding of ourselves and of our world, to promote and serve the universal human family.

 

Article III. Membership
Membership is open to any person, regardless of race, color, gender, affectional or sexual orientation, age, national origin, socio-economic status, physical or mental ability, who supports our purposes and principles, signs the membership book, registers intent of membership annually and is accepted by the board of directors.
A voting member is a member as specified above who lives close enough to attend business meetings or who is temporarily out of the area but who has made prior arrangements with the board to retain voting status. On matters pertaining to purchase, sale or mortgage of church property, however, only voting members who are eighteen (18) years of age or older may vote.
Unitarian Universalist Association and Prairie Star District membership reports will be based on the annual membership registrations.

 

Article IV. Denomination Affairs
This church shall be a member of the Unitarian Universalist Association and of the Prairie Star District. It is the intention of this church to make annual financial contributions equal to its full share as determined by the Association and the District.

 

Article V. Business Meetings

  1. Meetings of this church shall be determined by the membership.
  2. The annual business meeting shall be held on or before the third Sunday in May each year at the church. The agenda of the annual meeting shall include election of officers, directors at large, and the Nominating Committee; reports from standing committees; and other business as appropriate.
  3. Special business meetings may be called during the year by the president, the board of directors, or by written petition of at least ten members.
  4. At least fourteen (14) days notice shall be given, in the newsletter or by other written means, of all business meetings including business to be transacted.
  5. Thirty percent (30%) of the voting membership shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any business meeting.

 

Article VI. Officers and Board of Directors

Section 1: Officers, elections, terms.

  1. The officers of this church shall be a president, a president-elect, a secretary, a treasurer, a past-president and three directors at large.
  2. Officers and directors shall be voting members of the church and shall be elected by ballot at the annual meeting.
  3. Officers and directors at large shall assume their duties on the first day of July following the annual election.
  4. The person selected as president-elect shall serve one year as president-elect, one year as president and one year as past-president, or until his or her successor is elected or appointed.
  5. The other officers and the directors at large shall serve for a term of three years or until their successors are elected or appointed.
  6. Any director who has three absences during the fiscal year may be relieved of his or her office and the vacancy filled.
Section 2: Vacancies.
Any vacancy occurring on the board may be filled by a majority vote of the members of the board. Such election shall be effective until the next annual meeting.

 

Article VII. Duties.

Section 1: President and Vice President.
The president and president-elect shall be chief executive officers of the church and shall in general supervise the business affairs of the church. The president, or the president-elect in the absence of the president, shall preside at all of the meetings of the board of directors and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the board of directors are carried into effect. Allocation of their duties shall be determined by the board.
Section 2: Secretary.
The secretary shall take and preserve minutes of all meetings of the congregation and of the board of directors, shall keep all official and legal documents of the church, shall maintain a current list of the voting membership, and shall perform such duties as required by the president or board of directors. Such records shall be kept in the church office.
Section 3: Treasurer
The treasurer shall receive and disburse all church funds and keep proper records thereof, submit a yearly financial report at the annual business meeting, and be responsible for financial records, which represent the funds, property, or liabilities of the church.

 

Article VIII. Board of Directors

Section 1: Responsibilities.
The board of directors shall have general charge of the property of the church and the conduct of all its business affairs and the control of its administration, including appointment of such committees, as it may deem necessary. The board of directors is ultimately accountable for the hiring, firing, and salary determination of all employees of the church. A quorum of the board of directors shall be four (4) members.
Section 2: Executive Committee.
The president and president-elect, together with any other directors and/or officers as the board may elect, shall constitute the executive committee. To the extent determined by the board, the executive committee has the authority of the board in the management and business of the church. The executive committee shall only act in the interval between meetings of the board and at all times is subject to control and direction of the board.

 

Article IX. Committees

Section 1: Nominating Committee.

  1. A nominating committee consisting of three non-board members shall be elected at the annual meeting.
  2. The nominating committee shall submit a slate of nominees from the membership for the positions of the officers, the directors at large, and the nominating committee members.
  3. The nominating committee shall select at least one nominee for each office to be filled. These nominees shall be presented to the membership at least fourteen (14) days before the annual meeting. Nominations may also be made from the floor at the annual meeting. Only those who have consented to serve if elected shall be eligible for nomination either by the committee or from the floor.

Section 2: Standing Committees.

  1. The board of directors shall establish standing committees in such areas and with such duties as the board of directors shall determine.
  2. All committee chairs shall be appointed by the President and approved by the board,
  3. The President shall be an ex-officio member of all standing committees except the Nominating Committee.

 

Article X. Fiscal Year.
The fiscal year shall begin on July 1 and end on June 30.

 

Article XI. Amendments.
These bylaws, so far as allowed by law, may be amended or replaced at any meeting of the church at which a quorum is present by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those present and voting providing written notice of the proposed amendments shall have been given at least fourteen (14) days prior to the meeting at which the amendment is to be considered.

 

Article XII. Dissolution.
Should this church cease to function and the membership vote to disband by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the voting membership, any assets of the church will be transferred to the Prairie Star District of the Unitarian Universalist Association or its successor. If the District no longer exists, the assets shall go to the Unitarian Universalist Association. Such transfer shall be made in full compliance with all applicable laws. Any action dissolving the organization will not take effect until sixty (60) days after the vote to disband, at which time another vote of dissolution will take place, which will also require a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the voting membership.

 

Bylaws Amended May 2, 2004

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