| Bylaws |
Bylaws of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tullahoma 1 July 2009
Article I: Name
The name of this religious society shall be The Unitarian Universalist Church of Tullahoma.
Article II: Purpose
We covenant to affirm and promote:
- the inherent worth and dignity of every person;
- justice, equity, and compassion in human relations;
- acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
- a free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
- the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregation and in society at large;
- the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
- respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are all a part.
Article III: Membership
3.1 Any person, who is in sympathy with its purpose and is at least 16 years of age, may become a member of this church by
signing the membership book.
3.2 If a member so requests in writing, membership shall be terminated thirty days after receipt by the Secretary, unless the
request is withdrawn.
3.3 If a member moves away and does not request continuation of membership within a year, membership may be terminated by
action of the Board.
3.4 If a member does not attend any meetings over the course of one year or does not make a contribution of record within the
same period, membership may be terminated by action of the Board.
Article IV: Voting Membership
Members of this Church shall become Voting Members ninety days after having signed the membership book, having been formally
accepted by the Church as a member, and having made a monetary contribution of record to the Church.
Article V: Denominational Affiliation
This Church shall be a member of the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Mid-South Unitarian Universalist District. It is the
intention of this society to make annual financial contributions equal to its full Fair Share as determined by the Association and the
District.
Article VI: Meetings
The annual business meeting (Annual Meeting) of the Church shall be held each year in March at such time and place as shall be
fixed by the Board of Trustees. Special business meetings may be called by the Board of Trustees, or by at least five Voting Members
of the Church, and the business to be transacted in such meetings shall be mentioned in the call to the meeting, which call shall be
sent to all members by mail and/or electronic mail at least 14 days prior to the meeting. Fifty percent of the Voting members shall
constitute a quorum. Roberts Rules of Order, Revised, shall govern the meetings. The secretary shall tally only those votes cast by
Voting Members.
Article VII: Officers
At each Annual Meeting in March, the members shall elect a President, a first Vice-President, a Second Vice-President, a Secretary, a
Treasurer, a Director of Religious Education, and a Continuing Trustee, as required by his or her term of office. All shall hold office for
one fiscal year, commencing on the next July 1st, except for the Continuing Trustee, whose term of office shall be for three years. All
officers shall be Voting Members of the Church. These officers plus the Minister or Lay Minister and the Past President shall constitute
the Board of Trustees. The Minister or Lay Minister and the Past President shall have no vote in Board meetings.
Article VIII: Delegates
Delegates and alternates to the General assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association, the Tennessee Conference of Unitarian
Universalist Societies, and the Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Universalist District will be elected by the membership at appropriate
times prior to each meeting. Funds budgeted to cover delegate expenses will be allotted to the delegates as determined by the Board
of Trustees. The Board of Trustees may fill vacancies in delegations.
Article IX: The Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of this Church shall be from July 1 to June 30, in order to coincide with the fiscal year of the Unitarian Universalist
Association.
Article X: Amendments
These bylaws, as far as is allowed by law, may be appended, amended, or repealed at any meeting of the Church by a two-thirds vote
of Voting Members present and voting. A quorum is required for action under this Article. Fourteen days’ notice of any proposed
change in the bylaws shall be contained in the notice of the meeting in which the change is to be considered.
Article XI: Duties of Officers
11.1 President: The President shall preside at all business meetings of the Church and the Board of Trustees; shall be a member
ex-officio of all committees; shall authorize the disbursement of funds as the Church may direct; shall appoint chairpersons of
committees, except for elective offices; shall appoint the editor of the Church newsletter; shall fill committee vacancies; and shall
perform such other duties as usually devolve upon a president. In addition, approximately one month prior to the Annual Meeting in
March, the President shall appoint a nominating committee of three members, whose purpose it will be to present a slate of officer-
nominees at the Annual Meeting.
11.2 First Vice-President: The First Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President in his/her absence or at his/her
request; and shall serve as chairperson of the Program Committee.
11.3 Second Vice-President: The Second Vice-President shall perform the duties of the First Vice-President in his/her absence or
at his/her request; and shall serve as the chairperson of the Building and Grounds Committee.
11.4 Secretary: The Secretary shall attend to the correspondence of his/her office and such other duties as the President and the
Board of Trustees may assign. He/she shall keep a record of all the proceedings of the Church meetings and the Board of
Trustee meetings. He/she shall preserve records and reports of the Church.
11.5 Treasurer: The Treasurer shall receive all money of the Church and disburse same as directed by the President and the
Church, deposit funds in the name of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tullahoma, and render a report at regular Board of
Trustees meetings and at the Annual Meeting and at such other times as requested by the President or the Board of Trustees.
11.6 Director of Religious Education: The Director of Religious Education shall be chairperson of the Religious Education
Committee. He/she shall be responsible for the securing of teachers, planning curricula, obtaining supplies, and reporting on the
progress and requirements of the Religious Education program to the membership of the Church.
11.7 Board of Trustees: The Board of Trustees shall transact all routine business, have general charge of the property of the
Church, and may fill vacancies in elective offices. The Board of Trustees may, at its discretion, elect from its membership three
or more Board members to act as an Executive Committee to meet and conduct all Board of Trustee functions, subject to limitations
and conditions the Board of Trustees might set. However, only the full Board may transact business involving more than
two percent of the assets of the Church. The Board of Trustees may dissolve the Executive Committee at any time.
Article XII: Dissolution of the Church
Upon the dissolution of this Church, its assets remaining after payment, or provision for payment, of all debts and liabilities of this
Church shall be conveyed to and vested in The Mountain or its legal successor, and the Board of Trustees shall perform all actions
necessary to effectuate such conveyance. Such conveyance shall be made in accordance with all applicable provisions of the laws of
this state and of the United States.
MS Word Version
Article I: Name
The name of this religious society shall be The Unitarian Universalist Church of Tullahoma.
Article II: Purpose
We covenant to affirm and promote:
- the inherent worth and dignity of every person;
- justice, equity, and compassion in human relations;
- acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
- a free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
- the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregation and in society at large;
- the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
- respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are all a part.
Article III: Membership
3.1 Any person, who is in sympathy with its purpose and is at least 16 years of age, may become a member of this church by
signing the membership book.
3.2 If a member so requests in writing, membership shall be terminated thirty days after receipt by the Secretary, unless the
request is withdrawn.
3.3 If a member moves away and does not request continuation of membership within a year, membership may be terminated by
action of the Board.
3.4 If a member does not attend any meetings over the course of one year or does not make a contribution of record within the
same period, membership may be terminated by action of the Board.
Article IV: Voting Membership
Members of this Church shall become Voting Members ninety days after having signed the membership book, having been formally
accepted by the Church as a member, and having made a monetary contribution of record to the Church.
Article V: Denominational Affiliation
This Church shall be a member of the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Mid-South Unitarian Universalist District. It is the
intention of this society to make annual financial contributions equal to its full Fair Share as determined by the Association and the
District.
Article VI: Meetings
The annual business meeting (Annual Meeting) of the Church shall be held each year in March at such time and place as shall be
fixed by the Board of Trustees. Special business meetings may be called by the Board of Trustees, or by at least five Voting Members
of the Church, and the business to be transacted in such meetings shall be mentioned in the call to the meeting, which call shall be
sent to all members by mail and/or electronic mail at least 14 days prior to the meeting. Fifty percent of the Voting members shall
constitute a quorum. Roberts Rules of Order, Revised, shall govern the meetings. The secretary shall tally only those votes cast by
Voting Members.
Article VII: Officers
At each Annual Meeting in March, the members shall elect a President, a first Vice-President, a Second Vice-President, a Secretary, a
Treasurer, a Director of Religious Education, and a Continuing Trustee, as required by his or her term of office. All shall hold office for
one fiscal year, commencing on the next July 1st, except for the Continuing Trustee, whose term of office shall be for three years. All
officers shall be Voting Members of the Church. These officers plus the Minister or Lay Minister and the Past President shall constitute
the Board of Trustees. The Minister or Lay Minister and the Past President shall have no vote in Board meetings.
Article VIII: Delegates
Delegates and alternates to the General assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association, the Tennessee Conference of Unitarian
Universalist Societies, and the Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Universalist District will be elected by the membership at appropriate
times prior to each meeting. Funds budgeted to cover delegate expenses will be allotted to the delegates as determined by the Board
of Trustees. The Board of Trustees may fill vacancies in delegations.
Article IX: The Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of this Church shall be from July 1 to June 30, in order to coincide with the fiscal year of the Unitarian Universalist
Association.
Article X: Amendments
These bylaws, as far as is allowed by law, may be appended, amended, or repealed at any meeting of the Church by a two-thirds vote
of Voting Members present and voting. A quorum is required for action under this Article. Fourteen days’ notice of any proposed
change in the bylaws shall be contained in the notice of the meeting in which the change is to be considered.
Article XI: Duties of Officers
11.1 President: The President shall preside at all business meetings of the Church and the Board of Trustees; shall be a member
ex-officio of all committees; shall authorize the disbursement of funds as the Church may direct; shall appoint chairpersons of
committees, except for elective offices; shall appoint the editor of the Church newsletter; shall fill committee vacancies; and shall
perform such other duties as usually devolve upon a president. In addition, approximately one month prior to the Annual Meeting in
March, the President shall appoint a nominating committee of three members, whose purpose it will be to present a slate of officer-
nominees at the Annual Meeting.
11.2 First Vice-President: The First Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President in his/her absence or at his/her
request; and shall serve as chairperson of the Program Committee.
11.3 Second Vice-President: The Second Vice-President shall perform the duties of the First Vice-President in his/her absence or
at his/her request; and shall serve as the chairperson of the Building and Grounds Committee.
11.4 Secretary: The Secretary shall attend to the correspondence of his/her office and such other duties as the President and the
Board of Trustees may assign. He/she shall keep a record of all the proceedings of the Church meetings and the Board of
Trustee meetings. He/she shall preserve records and reports of the Church.
11.5 Treasurer: The Treasurer shall receive all money of the Church and disburse same as directed by the President and the
Church, deposit funds in the name of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tullahoma, and render a report at regular Board of
Trustees meetings and at the Annual Meeting and at such other times as requested by the President or the Board of Trustees.
11.6 Director of Religious Education: The Director of Religious Education shall be chairperson of the Religious Education
Committee. He/she shall be responsible for the securing of teachers, planning curricula, obtaining supplies, and reporting on the
progress and requirements of the Religious Education program to the membership of the Church.
11.7 Board of Trustees: The Board of Trustees shall transact all routine business, have general charge of the property of the
Church, and may fill vacancies in elective offices. The Board of Trustees may, at its discretion, elect from its membership three
or more Board members to act as an Executive Committee to meet and conduct all Board of Trustee functions, subject to limitations
and conditions the Board of Trustees might set. However, only the full Board may transact business involving more than
two percent of the assets of the Church. The Board of Trustees may dissolve the Executive Committee at any time.
Article XII: Dissolution of the Church
Upon the dissolution of this Church, its assets remaining after payment, or provision for payment, of all debts and liabilities of this
Church shall be conveyed to and vested in The Mountain or its legal successor, and the Board of Trustees shall perform all actions
necessary to effectuate such conveyance. Such conveyance shall be made in accordance with all applicable provisions of the laws of
this state and of the United States.
MS Word Version