BYLAWS (adopted in about 1986)
Article I. Name
The name of this religious society shall be the Huntsville Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Huntsville, Texas.
Article II. Purpose
The purpose of this society shall be the enjoyment and practice of religion founded upon devotion to individual freedom of belief. Using reason as our guide and freedom as our method, we seek to grow in understanding of ourselves and our world and to promote and serve the universal human family.
Article III. Membership
Section 1. Voting Members
A. Any person may become a voting member of this Fellowship who
a. is in agreement with its purposes and program;
b. is 18 years of age or older;
c. has signed the membership book in the presence of an officer of the Fellowship;
d. makes a financial contribution of record each year.
B. Voting privileges begin thirty (30) days after signing the membership book.
C. Members may be removed from the membership list if
a. the member cannot be located;
b. the member has not made a financial contribution within either the current or the previous fiscal year;
c. the member has informed an official of the Fellowship that he or she no longer desires membership;
d. the member has requested in writing that his or her membership be canceled.
Section 2. Non-voting Members and Friends
A. Emeritus members are persons who have been voting members in good standing and who for reasons as determined by the Executive Board are unable to continue as voting members.
B. Friends of the Fellowship are persons who desire to affiliate with the Fellowship but who do not desire to or who otherwise do not qualify to be voting members.
Article IV. Denominational Affiliation
The Fellowship shall be a member of the Unitarian Universalist Association and of the Southwestern Unitarian Universalist Conference. It is the intention of the society to make annual financial contributions equal to its full fair share as determined by the association and the conference.
Article V. Meetings
Section 1. Religious Meetings
The time and place of religious services of the Fellowship shall be determined by the Fellowship itself or by any person or persons designated by the Fellowship.
Section 2. Business Meetings
The agenda for any business meeting of the general membership and a list of the current voting members shall be announced, with sufficient clarity, in a notice sent to each member and not less than fourteen (14) days prior to the meeting.
A. Annual Meeting
The annual meeting shall be held each year in April or May at such time and place as determined by the Executive Board. At each annual meeting the Executive Board’s recommendation of altered membership shall be approved, disapproved, or modified; officers shall be elected; and the annual budget shall be approved, disapproved, or modified.
B. Special Meetings
Special meetings may be called by the Executive Board or by the request of twenty (20) percent or more of the voting members.
C. Voting and Quorum
The membership shall approve by vote
a. the Executive Board’s recommendations of altered membership;
b. the election of officers;
c. the annual budget;
d. amendments to the budget exceeding $500
On ordinary business, a quorum will be one-third (1/3) of the voting membership; a simple majority of those members voting in person is required to approve any motion. In matters concerning the sale, lease, or purchase of real estate and the contractual employment of a minister, a quorum shall be (50) percent of the voting membership; a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those members present is required to approve any motion. In any event, a quorum exists when the required percentage of voting members is present at the meeting. Absentee voting shall not be allowed.
Article VI. Authority and Responsibility
Section 1. Officers
At each annual meeting there shall be elected a President, a Vice President who shall serve as program chair, a Secretary, and a Treasurer, as well as other officers that the Fellowship deems advisable. All such officers shall take office on June 1 following the annual meeting and shall hold office for a term of one year or until their successors are qualified. The officers shall perform the duties usually pertaining to such offices and shall constitute the Executive Board. No person shall hold the same office longer than three consecutive terms. All officers shall be voting members of the Fellowship.
Section 2. Executive Board
A. The Executive Board shall consist of all the current elected officers, the immediate Past President, and other individuals the Executive Board deems advisable.
B. The Executive Board shall have general charge of the property of the Fellowship, shall conduct all of its business affairs, and shall control its administration, including appointment of such committees as it may deem necessary. It may fill vacancies, and persons so elected shall serve until the following June 1.
Article VII. Fiscal Year
The fiscal year shall run from July 1 to June 30.
Article VIII. Amendments
These bylaws, as far as allowed by law, may be amended or repealed at any meeting of the Fellowship by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those members voting in person. A quorum shall consist of one-third (1/3) of the voting membership. Notice of the proposed changes shall be sent to all voting members at least fourteen (14) days prior to such meeting.
Article IX. Dissolution
The voluntary dissolution of the Fellowship may be approved at any special or annual meeting by two-thirds (2/3) of those voting members voting in person. A quorum for this purpose shall consist of fifty (50) percent of the voting membership. However, dissolution shall not be imposed as long as six or more voting members wish to continue the activities of the Fellowship. In the event of dissolution, all assets of the Fellowship will be transferred to the Unitarian Universalist Association for its general purposes. This transfer is to be made in full compliance with all applicable laws.
PO Box 6751Huntsville, TX 77342
Revised and accepted by membership September 30, 2006