By-LawsFlorida District Unitarian Universalist
Association of Congregations
By-Laws
ARTICLE I- NAME
The name of this organization is the Florida District of the Unitarian Universalist Association.
ARTICLE II - PURPOSE
The purpose of this organization shall be:
(a) To cultivate cooperative relationships among the societies in the Florida District and their constituents.
(b) To promote the religious life of the societies.
(c) To assist the societies in carrying on active and effective programs within their respective communities.
(d) To support the Unitarian Universalist Association and to assist in formulating and implementing it's policies and programs.
ARTICLE IIl - MEMBERSHIP AND REPRESENTATION
Section 1, COMPOSITION.
Membership shall be comprised of societies within the Florida District which are members of the Unitarian Universalist Association and which indicate their wishes to assume the privileges and responsibilities of membership in this District.
Section VOTING DELEGATES AT DISTRICT MEETINGS.
Each member society in good standing shall be entitled to three (3) voting delegates and any member society with membership of more than fifty (50) persons shall be entitled to one(l) additional delegate for each additional one hundred (100) members, or fraction thereof, to a maximum of eight (8). Each minister professionally serving a society shall be entitled, if he or she so chooses, to be one of the voting delegates for that society.
Section 3. GOOD STANDING.
In order to maintain good standing, a society must have made contributions to the UUA Annual Program Fund and to the Florida District for the fiscal year ending the preceding June 30. Only delegates from societies which are in good standing shall have the right to participate in meetings of this District.
ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Section 1. COMPOSITION OF BOARD.
The Board of Directors shall consist of the Officers of the District, the Directors representing the Clusters, the Directors elected-at-large, the Director representing the Florida Young Religious Unitarian Universalists, the Director representing Florida Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association, the Director representing the District Presidents' Council, and the District Executive(s) Ex-Officio without vote.
Section 2. OFFICERS.
The Officers of the District shall be a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. The terms of office shall be two (2) years. an individual may be elected to two consecutive terms only. Thereafter, at least one year must lapse before a member may serve in the same office again.
Section 3. ELECTIONS.
All District-wide elections shall be held at the Annual Meeting each year. The President and Vice-President shall be elected in odd numbered years, and the Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected in even numbered years. All newly elected officers and directors elected-at-large shall assume office at the close of the Annual Meeting at which elected, except for the Treasurer who shall assume office at the beginning of the next fiscal year.
Section 4. CLUSTER REPRESENTATIVES.
There shall be one (i) Director on the District Board representing each Cluster. Any Director representing a Cluster shall be elected according to the procedures of his or her Cluster. If a Cluster fails to conduct an election, the District Board may appoint a representative from one (1) of the societies within that Cluster to serve as Director for one (1) term or the remainder of an expired term or until the Cluster elects its representative. The regular terms of Directors shall be for two (2) years. Each such Director shall assume office at the District Board meeting which follows his or her election. Certification of election shall be signed by the President and the Secretary of the cluster and provided to the Board of Directors by the Cluster.
Section 5. DIRECTORS ELECTED AT-LARGE.
The number of Directors to be elected at-large each year is the number needed to bring the number of such Directors on the Board up to five (5). No more than one (i) such Director from the same society is eligible to serve on the Board at the same time. The regular term will be for two (2) years. If any Director vacates the position before completing the term, a replacement is to be elected at the next Annual Meeting. As needed, timelines for nominations may be waived by the Board in order to nominate such replacements.
Section 6. TERM LIMITS FOR DIRECTORS.
Directors elected by their Clusters and/or at-large will be limited to two (2) consecutive two (2) year terms. Directors who have served two (2) consecutive terms will be eligible for re-election as a Cluster representative or at-large after being out of office as a Director- for at least one(1) year.
Section 7 YRUU. FUUMA. & CONGREGATIONAL PRESIDENTS REPRESENTATIVES.
(a) One(i) Director shall be elected by the delegates at the Annual Meeting for a term of one (i) year and shall represent the Florida Young Religious Unitarian Universalists. If the person serving is under eighteen (18) years of age, the person will be a non-voting member of the Board. If the person serving is eighteen (18) years of age or older, the person will be a voting member of the Board.
(b) One (1) Director shall be elected by the Florida Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association for a term of one(i)year.
(c) One (1) Director shall be elected by the Florida Congregational Presidents Council for a term of one (i)year.
Section 8. NOMINATION OF OFFICERS. DIRECTORS. AND YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE
The Nominating Committee shall nominate the Officers, Directors, and Youth Representatives as candidates for election at large. Efforts should be made to insure that membership of the District Board reflects the broad range of sizes and geographic locations of societies in the district. All candidates shall be active members of affiliated societies which are in good standing according to these and UUA Bylaws.
Section 9. BOARD MEETINGS.
Meetings of the Officers and Directors shall be held not less than twice a year. Special meetings may be called by the President or upon the request of three (3) members of the Board. Notices shall be sent to members at least ten (in) days before the time of the meeting. A quorum shall consist of fifty percent (50%) plus one (i) of the current Board membership. A report of the actions of the Board shall be submitted to all member societies and to the District Annual Meeting.
Section 10. GENERAL AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD.
The general direction of the affairs of this organization and the general authority necessary for exercising such direction, together with authority to adopt all measures necessary for promoting the interests of this organization, shall be vested in the Board of Directors, subject to annual review by the delegates of the member societies.
Section 11. DUTIES OF THE BOARD.
It shall be the duty of the Board of Directors:
(a) To authorize the disbursement procedures to be followed by the Treasurer.
(b) To appoint, each year, a Committee on Credentials.
(c) To submit to the Annual Meeting recommendations concerning policies and programs for the following fiscal year. These recommendations shall be included in the Call and Notice for the Annual Meeting.
(d) To fill any Officer vacancy (except that of President) until the next Annual Meeting when an unexpired term can be filled by election.
Section 12. PRIMARY FUNCTION OF THE BOARD.
Notwithstanding the specific duties of the Board, the primary function of the Board is the making of policy and plans. The Board is hereby empowered to determine its own procedures in order to expedite routine business so that proper attention can be given to policy and planning.
ARTICLE V- DISTRICT MEETINGS
Section 1. ANNUAL MEETING.
The Annual Meeting of this organization shall be held at least fifty (50) days before the date of the UUA General Assembly at a place within the Florida District to be specifically selected by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. SPECIAL MEETINGS.
Special meetings of the District may be called by the Board of Directors and shall be called at the written request of five (5) or more member societies. At any such meeting, consideration may be given only to business for which the meeting has been called as stated in the notice of the meeting.
Section 3. NOTICE OF MEETINGS.
The Secretary shall provide notice of any meeting of delegates by depositing the same in the United States mail, regular first-class postage prepaid, not less than twenty-one (21) days before the date of the meeting, with a separate copy of the notice to be addressed to the minister, Board Chair, or President, and the Secretary or Clerk of each member society.
Section 4. VOTING ENTITLEMENT.
At all meetings of the District, those entitled to vote shall be the Officers and Directors of this organization and the delegates from each society in good standing.
Section 5. QUORUM.
At meetings of the District, a quorum shall require at least thirty (30) delegates representing at least ten (10) separate member societies. In determining a quorum, Officers and Directors of the District shall be counted as delegates and as representing the society of which the Officer or Director is a member.
Section 6. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR.
At the discretion of the Chair, the privilege of the floor shall be extended to those in attendance who are not voting delegates.
Section 7. ACTION TAKEN.
Action taken at the Annual Meeting of the District shall constitute the final authority in all policy matters and shall constitute general direction to the Board on budgetary matters. A majority vote of those present and voting shall decide all substantive questions presented at meetings of the District, except as otherwise provided herein.
ARTICLE VI - CLUSTERS
The boundaries of each Cluster and the member societies within each Cluster shall be determined by the District Board. A request for realignment of Clusters may be made by the Board of Directors of the Cluster or by any society which is involved. All societies involved in proposed changes as well as the Clusters shall be notified In writing at least sixty (60) days in advance of any meeting of the Board of the District at which the matter may be presented for vote. A Cluster shall be made up of a minimum of three (3) societies.
ARTICLE VII - DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1. PRESIDENT.
The President shall:
(a) Exercise general supervision over the activities and programs of the District.
(b) Preside at all meetings of the District and of the Board of Directors.
(c) In consultation with the Board, appoint all committee chairs not otherwise chosen.
Section 2. VICE PRESIDENT.
The Vice President shall:
(a) In the absence or inability of the President to serve, be vested with the powers of the President and perform those duties. In the event of the death, resignation or permanent inability of the President to serve, the Vice President shall assume the office of President.
(b) Perform such duties as the President and the Board may assign.
Section 3. SECRETARY.
The Secretary shall:
(a) Keep minutes of all meetings of the District and of the Board of Directors, and send copies of minutes to the appropriate member groups end individuals.
(b) Provide all required notices of the meetings of this organization.
Section 4. TREASURER.
The Treasurer shall:
(a) Receive all moneys collected under the authority of the District and give receipts therefor.
(b) Pay all debts, including the travel expenses of Officers and Directors in accordance with procedures authorized by the Board of Directors.
(c) Keep accounts of all financial transactions, which accounts shall be annually examined and certified by an auditor selected by the Board of Directors. The report of the auditor shall be presented at the Annual Meeting.
ARTICLE VIII - COMMITTEES AND APPOINTMENTS
Section 1. APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEE CHAIRS
The Board of Directors shall recommend to the President the appointment of committee chairs for such periods as they may deem appropriate and shall specify the duties of each committee at the time of appointment.
Section 2. COMMITTEE REPORTS.
Each committee shall make a written report to the Board of Directors for inclusion in the Annual Report to delegates.
Section 3. NOMINATING COMMITTEE.
(a) The Nominating Committee shall consist of six (6) persons who shall serve for three (3) years each. The number of members to be elected each year is the number needed to bring the membership up to six(6). No member may serve for a second consecutive term. No Committee member is eligible to be nominated for any position by the Committee. Efforts should be made to have at least two (2) members who have served on the District Board and to have members on the Committee which reflect the broad range of sizes and geographic locations of member societies.
(b) The Committee shall present at least one(1) nomination for each position to be filled. No person shall be nominated by the Committee nor from the floor at the Annual Meeting without the nominee's consent. It is recommended that the report of the Committee include biographical material for each nominee. The report shall be submitted to the Board of Directors at least sixty (60) days before the Annual Meeting and copies shall be included in the Notice of the Annual Meeting.
(c) The Committee shall also nominate:
1. Two (2) persons to serve on the Board of the Southeast Unitarian Universalist Summer Institute (SUUSI) each for a three (3) year term.
2. One (1) person to serve on the Board of the Southeast Unitarian Universalist Winter Institute (SWIM), for a two (2) year term.
3. One (1) person to serve on the Board of the Unitarian Universalists in the Pines for a two (2) year term.
Section 4. COMMITTEE ON CREDENTIALS
There shall be a Committee on Credentials composed of at least three (3) members, to be appointed by the Board of Directors before the Annual Meeting. It shall be responsible for determining the credentials for voting members and the supervision of elections and balloting procedures at the Annual and Special Meetings of the District and shall make such reports to each meeting as the delegates or the Secretary shall direct. In order to be recognized as a voting delegate, a representative must be certified as a delegate or an alternate by the society being represented. Proxy voting will not be honored. The certification should be in writing over the signature of an officer of the society. However, the Committee on Credentials shall have the authority to use other reasonable criteria in determining credentials.
Section 5. YOUTH COUNCIL.
There shall be a Youth Council. The purpose of the Youth Council shall be to promote and coordinate youth programming. it is the governing body for YRUU (for ages 12-20) throughout the District. The Youth Council shall be composed of the continental Youth Council representative, the Director elected by the delegates at the Annual Meeting to represent the Florida Young Religious Unitarian Universalist on the District Board, and other youth and adults appointed by the District Board.
Section 6. REPRESENTATIVES TO SUUSI BOARD
Subject to the By-Laws of the Southeast Unitarian Universalist Summer Institute (SUUSI), two (2) representatives shall be elected to its Board by the Florida District at its Annual Meeting for three (3) year terms. Vacancies occurring between Annual Meetings may be filled by the District Board.
Section 7. REPRESENTATIVE TO SWIM BOARD.
Subject to the By-Laws of the Southeast Unitarian Universalist Winter Institute (SWIM), one (1) representative shall be elected to its Board by the Florida District at its Annual Meeting for a two (2) year term to serve not more than two (2) consecutive terms. Vacancies occurring between Annual Meetings may be filled by the District Board.
Section 8. REPRESENTATIVE TO UU IN THE PINES BOARD.
Subject to the By-Laws of the UU in the Pines, one (1) representative shall be elected to its Board by the Florida District at its Annual Meeting for a two (2) year term. Vacancies occurring between Annual Meetings may be filled by the District Board.
ARTICLE IX - ADMINISTRATION
A District office with a mailing address shall be maintained at the direction of the Board. To staff this office, the Board may employ an Executive Secretary to serve at the discretion of the Board and to be supervised by the President.
ARTICLE X - GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1. FISCAL YEAR.
The fiscal year of this organization shall be from July i through June 30.
Section 2. RULES GOVERNING MEETING BUSINESS.
The business of each District Meeting shall be conducted in accordance with these By-Laws and the latest edition of Robert's Rules of Order.
Section 3. BUDGET.
The annual budget of this organization shall be supported by its member societies, together with such funds as may be secured from other sources. The "fair share" of member societies shall be determined at the Annual Meeting preceding the fiscal year in which it is to be collected.
Section 4. INCORPORATION.
The Florida District of the UUA shall be incorporated under the laws of the State of Florida.
Section 5. WAIVER OF NOTICE.
Any notice required by these By-Laws shall be deemed sufficiently given if a Waiver of Notice is subsequently signed by a majority of the members of the group entitled to the notice.
ARTICLE XI - NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF UUA TRUSTEE FROM MID SOUTH AND FLORIDA DISTRICTS
The trustee representing the Florida and Mid-South Districts shall be elected in accordance with the By-Laws of the Unitarian Universalist Association. Future amendments to the UUA By-Laws shall take precedence over the provisions of this Article. For the purpose of this Article, active member societies shall be those qualified to send delegates to the General Assembly in the year of the election.
Section 1. ELECTION COMMITTEE.
Two hundred and fifty (250) days before the General Assembly in the year in which the two (2) Districts are entitled to elect a UUA Trustee, or in the event of a vacancy in the office, the District Boards shall each appoint one(l) person to an Election Committee, shall designate a mailing address for the Committee, and shall cause notice of the appointment of this Committee to be mailed to all active member societies in both Districts, together with a request for nominations. The Election Committee shall carry out the requirements of this By-Law in such a manner that the election will be completed forty-five (45) days before the General Assembly.
Section 2. NOMINATIONS FOR TRUSTEE.
Each active member society in each District may nominate one(1) and no more than one (1) Candidate for the post of UUA Trustee. This nomination shall be certified by the clerk or secretary and the President of the society and sent to the Election Committee so that it is received no less than one hundred and twenty-five (i25) before the General Assembly.. No one shall be nominated without his or her consent.
Section 3. BALLOTS.
The Election Committee shall receive the nominations, confirm the qualifications of the nominees, prepare ballots, and mail one (1) ballot to each of the active member societies in the Districts at least one hundred and ten (110) days before the General Assembly. If more than two (2) candidates are nominated, the ballots shall be prepared and the election conducted in the same manner as that provided for the election of President in the UUA By-Laws, Article IX, Section 9.10 (A), Paragraph 3.
Section 4. VOTING.
Each society shall vote on the nominees at a local meeting of the congregation, and shall cast the number of votes equal to the number of delegates to which it would be entitled at the General Assembly based on the number of members given on the UUA Membership Certification Form. Ministerial and accredited DRE General Assembly delegates may be counted in the vote total when permitted by UUA By-Laws. The total number of votes allowed the society shall be distributed among the nominees as the society shall determine, with no fractions of a vote permitted. The vote shall be recorded on the ballot, certified by an Officer of the society, and returned to the Election Committee so that it is received no later than fifty-five (55) days before the General Assembly.
Section 5. TABULATION AND RECORDING OF THE VOTE.
The Election Committee shall arrange to count the votes no later than forty-five (45) days before the General Assembly. In a timely manner, the Election Committee shall submit a proposed method for tabulating the votes to the Boards of the Mid South and Florida Districts for approval. After the election, the committee shell report to the Boards the approved method and persons used in tabulating the votes. A letter signed by the two (2) committee members shall be sent to the Secretary of the UUA giving the name and address of the newly elected trustee.
ARTICLE XII - RESOLUTIONS
To be presented for adoption at a meeting of the District, a resolution must have been furnished in writing to each member society at least twenty-one (21) days before the meeting. This rule may be waived by the favorable vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the delegates present at any meeting of the membership.
ARTICLE III-AMENDMENTS
These By-Laws may be amended by the favorable vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the delegates present and voting at any Annual or Special Meeting, provided a copy of the proposed amendment has been mailed to the member societies with the call of the meeting. Proposed amendments may originate with the By-Laws Committee, the District Board or by petition of at least five member Societies. Additional amendments to the By-Laws shall not be acted upon at the meeting.
ARTICLE XIV- DISSOLUTION
In the event of dissolution of this organization, all of its assets shall be vested in the UUA.
