Bylaws of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashville

Approved January 21, 2001;
Amended June 16, 2002; June 11, 2006; June 10, 2007; June 08, 2008; June 14, 2009;
Effective June 14, 2009

Printable (PDF) version of the bylaws

 

ARTICLE 1: NAME
The name of this Congregation shall be "The First Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashville" (Church).

ARTICLE 2: MISSION, COVENANT, AND MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH
Section 2.1 The Mission of the Church is to create community, to nurture spiritual growth, and to act on our values in the broader world, guided by reason and compassion. We serve each other in this mission by being present as witness to each other’s lives; seeing each other and being seen, listening to each other and being listened to; agreeing to be open to the differences of belief and values that we hold individually; learning to build ever-deepening connections with individuals and the community; and inviting each other’s potential into the light, in an atmosphere of encouragement and love.

Section 2.2 This is the Covenant of this Congregation: We gather in safe and compassionate community, seeking our spiritual truths. We affirm our interdependence, celebrate our differences, and create a thoughtful and harmonious voice for liberal religion. Through the practice of the principles of our faith, we promote social, economic, and environmental justice and continue our legacy of respect and acceptance. We covenant together in a spirit of love and freedom.

Section 2.3 The Ministry of the Congregation, in our free tradition, shall be the responsibility of the entire Congregation. It shall be a ministry in which the lay leadership, the professional staff and the membership all have complementary responsibilities in fulfilling the covenant between the members and friends of the Congregation and in carrying out the mission of the Congregation.

ARTICLE 3: INCLUSION
This Congregation affirms and promotes the full participation of all individuals in carrying out its mission without regard to race, color, gender, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, age, class, or national origin, and without requiring adherence to any particular interpretation of religion or to any particular religious belief or creed.

ARTICLE 4: MEMBERSHIP
This Congregation shall be comprised of members and friends of the Congregation

Section 4.1 Members
Any person 14 years or older shall become a member of this Congregation by signing its membership book and pledging time and/or financial support as an indication of commitment to its mission and covenant. The Board shall have the authority to set a minimum level of financial support and determine conditions for any waivers of this requirement.

Section 4.2 Friends
Persons shall become friends of the Congregation by pledging time and/or financial support without signing the membership book.

Section 4.3 Termination of Membership
A member may resign from membership upon that member's written notice to the Board. The Board may terminate membership of an inactive member following appropriate inquiry that shall include giving members reasonable notice and opportunity to respond. Any member who is so removed from membership shall be eligible to rejoin the Church at any time.

ARTICLE 5: DENOMINATIONAL AFFILIATION
The Church shall maintain its membership in the Unitarian Universalist Association, the Mid-South District of the Unitarian Universalist Association, and the Tennessee Unitarian Universalist Conference.

ARTICLE 6: CONGREGATIONAL POWERS AND AUTHORITY
Section 6.1 Congregational Authority
In addition to powers stated elsewhere in these bylaws, the Congregation shall have the exclusive authority to approve contracts for the purchase or lease (in which the Church is the lessee) of real estate and to approve contracts for borrowing an amount in excess of five percent (5%) of the annual budget. The Congregation shall have the authority to modify or overrule any action of the Board and to take any other action at a congregational meeting in accordance with procedures set forth in this Article.

Section 6.2 Congregational Meetings
6.2.1 Annual Congregational Meeting
The annual congregational meeting shall be held in June of each year at such specific time and place as shall be determined by the Board. At this meeting, officers of the Congregation, members of the Board, Trustees, members of the Safe Congregation Panel, and members of the Nominating Committee shall be elected; committee chairs shall be announced; a budget for the following year shall be considered and adopted; annual reports as appropriate shall be made; and any other appropriate business shall be transacted.
6.2.2 Special Congregational Meetings
Special congregational meetings may be called by the Board on its own authority or shall be called by the Board upon written petition addressed to the President, stating the purpose, and signed by ten percent of the voting membership. The meeting shall take place within thirty days of receipt by the Board of the petition. The meeting notice shall state the business to be transacted, and no other business shall be considered at that special meeting.
6.2.3 Meeting Notice
(a) Notice of all congregational meetings shall be mailed to all members at least ten calendar days in advance of the date of such meeting, except that members who have agreed to it may be notified by email; announced from the pulpit to the Congregation during morning worship for at least two Sundays immediately preceding the date of the meeting; and posted prominently on the Church bulletin board for at least ten calendar days in advance of the meeting.
(b) The notice for the annual congregational meeting shall include the budget proposed by the Board for the ensuing Church year, as well as the nominees for all positions to be elected.
6.2.4 Quorum
A quorum at any congregational meeting shall consist of seventy voting members or twenty percent of the voting membership, whichever is the smaller number.
6.2.5 Procedure
All congregational meetings shall be conducted according to the procedures set forth in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order, except where they are inconsistent with these bylaws.
6.2.6 Voting
(a) The privilege of voting at congregational meetings shall be open to any person who has been a member for ninety days and who has made a recorded financial contribution within the current or previous fiscal year. Non-voting members and friends of the Church shall be given the courtesy of the floor at all congregational meetings, but shall not be allowed to vote.
(b) Nominations from the floor shall be allowed provided that the nominee consents to the nomination. If there is no more than one nominee for a given office, the election may be by acclamation. If there is more than one nominee for a given office, voting shall be by ballot. For voting other than elections, the chair shall propose the method of voting, subject to approval by the voting members present.

ARTICLE 7: OFFICERS AND ELECTIONS
Section 7.1 Nominations and Elections

(a) Nominating Committee
(1) The Congregation shall elect a Nominating Committee composed of seven voting members of the Church. Terms shall be for two-year terms and shall be staggered so that three members shall be elected at annual congregational meetings in even-numbered years and four members shall be elected at annual congregational meetings in odd-numbered years. Members of the Nominating Committee shall serve no more than two consecutive full terms. The Nominating Committee shall elect a Chair from among its members who have served on the Nominating Committee for at least one year immediately prior to being elected Chair.

(2) In the event of vacancies on the Nominating Committee, the Nominating Committee shall recommend candidates to the Board, which shall make an interim appointment. The vacated position(s) shall be included on the ballot at the next annual congregational meeting.

(b) Nomination Procedures
(1) It shall be the duty of the Nominating Committee to nominate candidates for the elected offices to be filled at the annual congregational meeting of the Congregation, including the Board, the Safe Congregation Panel, the Trust, and the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee shall report its nominations to the Congregation in accordance with these bylaws relating to annual congregational meetings.

(2) In preparing this ballot, the Nominating Committee shall publicize to the Congregation the offices to be filled and the qualifications required or recommended for each office, and shall request suggestions from the congregants for nominees, and may consult with the parish minister.

(3) Prior to the annual congregational meeting the Nominating Committee, pursuant to the request of the Board, shall select and propose committee chairs to the Board for its approval. In the event of a vacancy in a committee chair position, the Nominating Committee shall recommend a candidate to the Board, which shall make an appointment to fill the vacancy.

(c) Elections and Terms of Office
(1) The officers of the Congregation shall be President, Council Chair, Finance Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and Personnel Chair. Officers shall be elected by the membership at the annual meeting and shall hold office for two years beginning on July 1 of the year in which they are elected and ending on June 30 two years thereafter, unless their successors have not been duly qualified and elected by that date, in which case they shall hold office until their successors have been duly qualified and elected. The President, Council Chair, and Treasurer shall be elected in even-numbered years, and the Finance Chair, Secretary, and Personnel Chair shall be elected in odd-numbered years.

(2) Officers shall serve no more than two consecutive full terms. No person shall serve on the Board in any capacity for more than six consecutive years. The period of ineligibility resulting from either of these circumstances shall last for two years; thereafter, an individual may again run for an officer or a Board position.

Section 7.2 Qualifications
Nominees for officers shall meet the same qualifications as Board members, as stated in Section 8.15, and in addition shall have demonstrated leadership capacity either in this Church or in another organization.

Section 7.3 Duties
Officers shall perform the duties prescribed by these bylaws and by the most recent edition of Roberts Rules of Order. The duties shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(a) Duties of the President
(1) preside at board meetings and at congregational meetings;
(2) sign, with another officer, all legal documents;
(3) act for the Board or the Congregation only with the prior authorization of the Board or the Congregation.

(b) Duties of the Council Chair
(1) chair the Church Program Council;
(2) serve as board liaison to the Program Council;
(3) plan and coordinate, with the Program Council, the Church's calendar of events; and
(4) assume the duties of the president, if the president is unable to perform them, until the Board appoints a successor.

(c) Duties of the Finance Chair
(1) chair the Finance Committee;
(2) report the status of fiscal affairs to the Board at each regular Board meeting and the Congregation at each annual congregational meeting;
(3) guide the development of the annual budget of the Church, in cooperation with the Board, with input from the Program Council and the Congregation; and
(4) advise the Congregation, the Board, the Program Council, and other Church groups as necessary, of financial aspects and implications of proposed actions.

(d) Duties of the Secretary
(1) keep a record of all the proceedings of the Board and all congregational meetings; and
(2) maintain a record of policies and procedures adopted by the Board.

(e) Duties of the Treasurer
(1) receive and disburse all Church funds and shall keep true and complete records of all of the financial affairs of the Church; and
(2) serve as a member of the Finance Committee.

(f) Duties of the Personnel Chair
(1) chair the Personnel Committee;
(2) serve as Board liaison to the Personnel Committee; and
(3) report to the Board periodically on actions of the Personnel Committee which may include, but are not limited to, developing and revising job descriptions, training of staff, monitoring working relationships of staff, acting as appeal body for grievances, and reviewing compensation and working conditions of staff.

(g) Order for Presiding
If it is necessary for the President to vacate the chair during a meeting, or if the President is absent, the chair shall be occupied temporarily by officers in the following order: Council Chair, Finance Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and Personnel Chair.

ARTICLE 8: BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 8.1 Powers and Duties

Section 8.1.1 Powers

(a) Except for those powers reserved for the Congregation by these bylaws, the Board of Directors shall have the authority to act for the Church. The Board shall be responsible for the finances, administration, property, personnel and business affairs of the Church.

(b) The powers of the Board of Directors shall include, but are not limited to the authority:
(1) to enter into contracts on behalf of the Church, including:
     (i) those for borrowing an amount up to 5% of the annual budget of the Church; and
     (ii) those for larger amounts or for purchase or lease of real estate that have been approved by the Congregation;
(2) to authorize the President and any other officer to sign such contracts;
(3) to hire and terminate all employees of the Church except the ministers;
(4) to establish such committees as it deems necessary; when doing so the board shall specify whether the duration of a committee is for a specific term, a specific task, or indefinite, and to annually notify the Nominating Committee of committees for which it is to find chairs;
(5) to set policy for the use of the Church facility by members and by outside groups; and
(6) to oversee the financial management of the Church.

Section 8.1.2 Duties
The Board of Directors shall:

(a) designate a parliamentarian from among its members;

(b) oversee the functioning of the administrative committees of the Church and may require reports as needed from them;

(c) consider implementation of any policies or actions recommended to it by the Program Council;

(d) fill by appointment any vacancy in an officer or board member position that occurs more than two months prior to the annual congregational meeting. If any officer or member of the Board misses three consecutive regularly scheduled Board meetings, the position shall be deemed to be vacant;

(e) set the agenda for congregational meetings;

(f) recommend a budget for consideration at the annual congregational meeting;

(g) appoint, prior to the end of each fiscal year, the chairs of all committees for the following year, based upon recommendations of the Nominating Committee;

(h) appoint members to serve two-year terms on the Committee on Ministry as provided in Section 10.5;

(i) review the bylaws periodically and recommend appropriate amendments;

(j) ensure that the information necessary for the maintenance of the Policy and Procedures Manual is provided to the Secretary, including the following:
(1) all general policy decisions of the Church and the Board;
(2) detailed job descriptions for all officers, directors, paid staff, and other officials;
(3) a list of standing committees and charges;

(k) designate liaisons to all Board committees.

Section 8.1.3 A current and complete copy of all policies and procedures adopted by the Board shall be available from the Church office and on the Church website for reference by the general membership.

Section 8.1.4 Composition and Quorum
The Board of Directors shall consist of the six (6) officers of the Congregation and six (6) elected members. A quorum shall consist of seven (7) members, at least two of whom shall be officers.

Section 8.1.5 Qualifications, Elections, and Vacancies
To be eligible to serve on the Board of Directors, an individual must be at least 18 years of age, have been a voting member of the Church for two years by the beginning of the term of office, and have served on a committee in this Church.

Section 8.1.6 The six Board members who are not officers shall be elected at the annual congregational meeting and take office on July 1. They shall serve three-year terms that shall be staggered so that no more than two terms begin each year. If the Board has filled a vacancy of an officer or other Board member during the previous year, the Congregation shall elect someone to fill any unexpired term of the position at the annual congregational meeting. A Board member shall serve no more than two consecutive full terms. No person shall serve on the Board in any capacity for more than six consecutive years. The period of ineligibility resulting from either of these circumstances shall last for two years; thereafter, an individual may again run for an officer or a Board position.

Section 8.1.7 Meetings and Procedures
(a) The Board shall hold at least ten meetings per year on a regular schedule. Special meetings may be called by the President or by a petition signed by at least three members of the Board. Notice of special board meetings shall be by telephone, mail, or e-mail, and shall include the purpose or purposes of the meeting. No other business than that stated in the notice may be conducted at that meeting. The quorum requirement applies to special meetings.
(b) The Board's meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the most recently published edition of Robert's Rules of Order, unless it is inconsistent with any provision of these bylaws. Meetings shall be open to all Church members and friends, unless the board votes by a two-thirds majority that it is essential to a particular item of business that it meet in executive session. Minutes of regular, special, and executive session Board meetings shall be kept in the Church office and shall be available for review by members and friends.

ARTICLE 9: THE CHURCH PROGRAM COUNCIL
Section 9.1 Powers and Duties

Section 9.1.1 Powers

(a) The Church Program Council shall have general responsibility for the development and coordination of programs of the Church.

(b) The Program Council may recommend policies or actions to the Board.

Section 9.1.2 Duties
The Program Council shall prepare and present a written report of Committee activities at the annual congregational meeting.

Section 9.1.3 Composition
The Program Council shall be comprised of the chairs of the program committees of the Church. The chairs of the administrative committees of the Church may also attend Program Council meetings.

Section 9.1.4 Meetings and Procedures

(a) The Church Program Council shall meet at least quarterly. If the Chair cannot attend a Program Council meeting, he or she may designate a chair or the members in attendance may select a chair for the meeting.

(b) The Program Council's meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the most recently published edition of Robert's Rules of Order, unless it is inconsistent with any provision of these bylaws. Meetings shall be open to all Church members and friends. Minutes of Program Council meetings shall be kept in the Church office and be available for review by members and friends.

ARTICLE 10: MINISTER
When a vacancy occurs in the position of parish minister, the search committee procedures in Section 10.1 shall be followed to call a new settled minister. For the positions of interim parish minister or any other minister, the Board may determine a different process after giving notice to, and receiving input from, the Congregation.

Section 10.1 Selection: Search Committee
(a) The Congregation at a congregational meeting in accordance with the following procedures shall elect a Ministerial Search Committee:
(1) The Nominating Committee shall nominate a slate of at least ten voting members of the Congregation.
(2) These nominees shall be presented to the Congregation at a special congregational meeting. Nominations from the floor shall be allowed provided that the nominee consents to the nomination.
(3) Each voting member may vote for up to seven different candidates. The seven candidates receiving the largest number of votes by secret ballot shall be the Ministerial Search Committee.

(b) The duties of the Ministerial Search Committee shall be as follows:
(1) elect one of its members as Chair;
(2) choose candidates for the office of minister from among ministers in fellowship with the Unitarian Universalist Association and according to the procedures recommended by the Association;
(3) report to the Board of its progress at each Board meeting;
(4) report the name of the candidate recommended for approval at a special congregational meeting.

Section 10.2 Approval to call a ministerial candidate shall require a two-thirds majority vote by secret ballot of the voting membership present at a special congregational meeting.

Section 10.3 In the event that the candidate for parish minister is rejected by the Congregation, a new search committee shall be elected and a new search process undertaken.

Section 10.4 Minister Emeritus
A former minister of the Church may be nominated by the Board of Directors and elected Minister Emeritus by a majority vote of the voting members present at an annual or special congregational meeting. The Minister Emeritus may represent the Church in an honorary capacity.

Section 10.5 Committee on Ministry
(a) The purpose of the Committee on Ministry shall be to promote effective ministry in the Congregation and to assist the Congregation in understanding and evaluating the nature and scope of the work of the ministers.

(b) The Committee on Ministry shall be composed of all of the members of the Ministerial Advisory Committees for all ministers called by the Congregation. The Ministerial Search Committee shall be the temporary Ministerial Advisory Committee for the parish minister until a new Ministerial Advisory Committee is formed as specified in these bylaws.

(c) Within six months after a minister is employed by the Congregation, a new Ministerial Advisory Committee shall be formed and succeed the Search Committee.

(d) Each Ministerial Advisory Committee shall consist of five members mutually agreed upon by the Board and the minister. Each Ministerial Advisory Committee shall elect its own chair. The Committee on Ministry shall elect its chair.

(e) Each member shall serve a two-year term. Terms shall be staggered so that no more than three terms expire in any given year on each Ministerial Advisory Committee. Members shall serve no more than two consecutive full terms. The period of ineligibility shall last for two years.

(f) The Committee on Ministry or the Ministerial Advisory Committees shall assist the Board and the ministers as they develop a covenant setting forth specific goals and responsibilities of the Board, minister, and Congregation in fulfilling the stated mission and covenant and vision of the Congregation.

(g) The Committee on Ministry or the Ministerial Advisory Committees may review the compensation of the ministers prior to the preparation of the annual budget and make recommendations to the Board concerning all contracts and benefits for the minister.

(h) The Committee on Ministry shall meet as a whole on an as-needed basis and the Ministerial Advisory Committees shall meet at least four times per year with the ministers, and shall act as liaison between the ministers and the Congregation, fostering direct and constructive communication among the ministers, Board members, and the Congregation.

(i) The Ministerial Advisory Committees shall be available to the ministers for job-related counsel and support and shall respect the need for confidentiality concerning such discussions as are held for these purposes.

(j) The Ministerial Advisory Committees shall work with the ministers regarding their professional development needs, communicate such needs to the Board and the Congregation, and assist the Board in identifying resources that could be used to meet such needs.

Section 10.6 Employment and Termination
(a) A minister's employment agreement, negotiated by the Board, shall note in detail the duties, compensation, and other matters agreed upon by the minister and the Board, and the Congregation shall be informed of its terms at the meeting to consider calling the minister before the vote takes place. Among other provisions, the agreements shall require that a minister gives at least a three-month written notice before terminating the agreement.

(b) The dismissal of a minister shall require a majority vote of the voting members at a special congregational meeting. The vote shall be by written ballot.

(c) The duties of a minister shall cease immediately upon the affirmative vote for dismissal, except for such transitional duties as may be mutually agreed upon by the minister and the Board.

(d) Upon dismissal or resignation of a minister, that minister’s Ministerial Advisory Committee shall be dissolved.

Section 10.7 Minister Responsibilities
(a) The ministers shall be religious leaders and shall perform duties as authorized by Tennessee law and such other duties as are in keeping with the policies and purposes of the Congregation, and as specified in the bylaws, in the contract, and in the covenant as defined in these bylaws, Article 2.

(b) The ministers shall:
(1) serve an indefinite term;
(2) have letters of agreement approved by the Board, which clearly spell out responsibilities, including any supervision of other Church employees;
(3) have freedom of the pulpit.

(c) The parish minister shall consult with the Personnel Committee and the Board as appropriate, regarding the appointment or dismissal of employees of the Church. The parish minister shall have general responsibility for the supervision of all staff members including other ministers.

Section 10.7.1 The ministers may attend all meetings of the Congregation, all Board meetings and all committee meetings except those of the Nominating Committee; however, the Nominating Committee may consult with the ministers as provided in Section 7.1(a)(4).

ARTICLE 11: FISCAL AFFAIRS
Section 11.1 Fiscal Year
The fiscal year shall begin on July 1 and end on June 30.

Section 11.2 Financial Review
There shall be an annual financial review conducted by financial reviewers selected by the Board. The review shall cover the fiscal year just concluded and the reviewers shall provide a written report to the Board at its December meeting following the election.

Section 11.3 Spending Approval
There shall be no donation of Church funds to any other organization, except as provided in the approved budget or by vote at a congregational meeting.

ARTICLE 12: THE CHURCH TRUST
Section 12.1 Purposes and Structure

(a) Memorial gifts and bequests to the Church shall be deposited into the Church Trust and shall be managed by the Church Trustees for the purposes of administration and investment except as terms of gifts or bequests may provide otherwise.

(b) Five voting members of the Congregation shall be elected at the annual congregational meeting by the Congregation to serve staggered terms, in accordance with Trust bylaws.

Section 12.2 Operation
(a) The Trust shall be operated for the benefit of the Church and shall facilitate gifts and bequests to the Church.

(b) The Trust shall function in accordance with Trust bylaws adopted by the Congregation and are incorporated herein by reference. As such they are a part of the Church bylaws and binding upon the Trust and the Church as fully as if they were printed herein.

ARTICLE 13: THE SAFE CONGREGATION PANEL
Section 13.1 Purposes and Structure

(a) The Safe Congregation Panel shall administer the Grievance Policy and Procedure and the Safe Congregation Policy and shall consider and propose to the board such other policies it deems necessary in order to keep our community safe.

(b) The Safe Congregation Panel shall be comprised of five members elected at the annual congregational meeting. Members shall serve two-year terms that are staggered so that two members are elected in even years and three members are elected in odd years. The Safe Congregation Panel shall select its own chair.

Section 13.2 Operation
The Safe Congregation Panel shall meet as needed.

ARTICLE 14: CHURCH AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS
The Board may recognize organizations whose activities and practices are consistent with those of the Church as "Affiliated Organizations." Members of this Church wishing to form an Affiliated Organization must submit a written petition to the Board. These organizations are accountable to the Board, which has the authority to revoke affiliation of any organization that no longer conforms to the guidelines established in the current Policies and Procedures Manual.

ARTICLE 15: AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVES
No individual or group within the Church is authorized to make any statements that purport to bind or express the sentiment of the Church on issues of public consequence without having been previously instructed by the Congregation to do so; provided however that this shall not limit duly authorized delegates of the Congregation in expressing themselves, or voting, on any matter before any authorized Unitarian Universalist meeting.

ARTICLE 16: AMENDMENTS
These bylaws, as far as allowed by law, may be amended or repealed at any annual or special meeting of the Congregation by a two-thirds majority of those present and qualified to vote. The notice for any such meeting shall include either the text of the existing language and any proposed change or, if the proposed changes exceed two pages in length, a fair summary of all the changes.

ARTICLE 17: DISSOLUTION
Should this Church cease to function and the membership vote to disband, any assets of the Church will be transferred to the Unitarian Universalist Association for its general purpose. This transfer shall be made in full compliance with whatever laws are applicable.