Bylaws of the First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee
Preamble
The congregation of The First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee affirms and promotes the full
participation of persons in our activities without regard to race, color, gender, physical or mental
challenge, sexual identity or orientation, age, class, national origin, or ancestry. Indeed, we are
interested in actively promoting more diversity within our congregation.
Article I The Ministers
Section 1 – Election/Employment of Ministers. Except as provided in the final sentence of
this paragraph with respect to Interim Ministers, the Ministers of the Society shall be elected by
at least eighty-five percent (85%) of the eligible members who have cast ballots. This election
may take place at an Annual Meeting, at a special meeting called for the purpose of electing a
minister, or by ballot with the poll opened for a specified time to be deter- mined by the Board of
Trustees. The total number of ballots cast must equal at least ten percent (10%) of the eligible
voting membership[1]. The church may call an Associate Minister or such other Ministers (with
the exception of Interim Ministers) as the congregation may desire upon the approval and under
the supervision of the Senior Minister. An Interim Minister under a contract providing for not
more than two years of employment shall be employed solely upon approval of the Board of
Trustees.
Section 2 – Tenure. The Senior Minister or Associate Minister shall serve for an indefinite
period subject to termination by:
A. Resignation of the Senior Minister or Associate Minister upon him or her giving three (3)
months advance notice to the Board of Trustees; or
B. By removal pursuant to Section 5 of Article I upon payment to the Senior Minister or
Associate Minister of severance pay equivalent to not less than three (3) months compensation.
Section 3 – Head of Staff. The Senior Minister shall serve as leader of the staff team.
Responsibilities shall include:
1. Bringing to the attention of the Board any staff and operations matters pertinent to the
general interests of the Society and making appropriate recommendations.
2. Developing operational procedures for the staff.
Hiring and supervising select staff members to implement mission-oriented programs for
the church. In cases of particularly sensitive staff positions, the Minister shall form a
Search Committee with representatives of appropriate constituencies.
Section 4 – Other Terms of Employment. Other terms of the employment of a Senior Minister
or Associate Minister shall be those mutually agreeable to the Board of Trustees and the Senior
Minister or Associate Minister. In all events, however, the Senior and Associate Minister shall
enjoy freedom of the pulpit and a minister, as determined by the Senior Minister, shall be an exofficio
member of all committees.
Section 5 – Removal. A Senior Minister or Associate Minister shall be removed by a two-thirds
majority vote of the eligible voting members present and voting at a special meeting for that
purpose.1
Section 6 –Ordination of Ministers. The Board shall vote to accept and submit for Congregation vote a potential ordinand following fulfillment of the requirements established in the Board’s procedure on ordination. A favorable vote of at least 75% by those members of the Congregation present must be received.
Article II Committees
Article II
Committees, Teams and Groups
There are four types of committees, teams and groups in the congregation: (A) standing
committees of the Board (B) special committees (C) staff-led teams and (D) member-led
groups, also known as “member ministries.” The selection of members for each entity and the
responsibility for operations varies based on the type of committee or group.
A. Standing Committees of the Board. These are established by the Board for specific purposes
and report to the Board to serve the church’s mission and the Board’s ends. The Board has
established the following Standing Committees of the Board:
(1) Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee shall be composed of six members of
the Society each serving a three-year term. The Board shall appoint one Board member to
serve as liaison to the Nominating Committee. Two new members of the Nominating
Committee will be elected by the membership at the Annual Meeting in order to stagger the
three-year tenures. If requested by the Nominating Committee, the Board of Trustees shall fill,
for the balance of the unexpired term, any vacancy occurring in the Nominating Committee.
a. The Nominating Committee shall recruit and make recommendations at the time of the
Annual Meeting, and in connection with special elections, for the election of the following: (i)
new members of the Board of Trustees; and (ii) new members of the Nominating Committee.
b. The Nominating Committee shall recruit and recommend to the Board of Trustees as
requested the following: (i) Treasurer; (ii) Members of the Finance Team; and (iii) Members of
the Personnel Team.
B. Special Committees. These may be created by the Board to accomplish specific tasks.
C. Staff-led teams. These are developed by program staff to support programming and
complete tasks delegated by staff. They are operations-driven and may include members and
non-members. Any team chairs must be members of the congregation.
D. Member-led groups, also known as “member ministries.” These groups serve the passions
of the members. They are defined by the members, structured by the members, and regulated
by program policy. They are required to state their mission and are governed by the policies of
the church. They must, however, be staff-approved and adhere to the mission and policies of
the church and the Board goals and ends.
Article III Members’ Meetings
Section 1 – Annual Meetings. An Annual Meeting of voting members (hereafter “members”)
shall be held in the month of May at a time and place to be determined by the Board of
Trustees.
Section 2 – Special Meetings. Special meetings of members may be called at any time by the
Trustees and shall be called by the Secretary upon the written request of twenty-five (25) or
more members. In the event a meeting is called on request by members, the Secretary shall
designate as the time of such meeting a date not more than forty-five (45) days following receipt
of such request.
Section 3 – Notice of Meetings. Written notice of each annual and special meeting of the
members setting forth the time, place and purposes of the meeting shall be mailed by the
Secretary to each member entitled to vote at such meeting at least fifteen (15) days before the
meeting. A member may waive notice of any annual or special meeting of members and shall
be deemed to have waived notice of any meeting at which he or she is present and votes.
Section 4 – Quorum and Manner Acting. Ten percent (10%) of the members entitled to vote
at such meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business which may come
before the meeting. A majority of the votes cast at a meeting with a quorum present shall be
decisive on any action, except as otherwise provided.
Each member entitled to vote shall be entitled to one (1) vote in person or specifically when
authorized by the Board of Trustees by absentee ballot. An absentee ballot must be in writing
and in a form approved by the Board of Trustees and shall be included with the notice of the
meeting or vote to which it relates. Only absentee ballots submitted prior to commencement of
the meeting or vote to which they relate shall be counted at such meeting or vote.
Section 5 – Record Dates and Membership Lists. At least fifteen (15) days in advance of
each annual and special meeting of members, the Secretary shall prepare a list of members
entitled to vote at such meeting. The list shall be posted in a conspicuous place at the meeting,
and it shall be conclusive as to the persons entitled to notice of, and to vote at, such meeting,
except to the extent that the list is challenged and demonstrated to be erroneous at the meeting.
Section 6 – Adjournment. A majority of the members present at any meeting of members
which has been duly called may adjourn the meeting to another time without notice other than
by announcement at the meeting. At any such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be
present, only such business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the
meeting as originally called.
Section 7 – Election Procedures.
A. Nominations. Nominations of members for election to the Board of Trustees and as members
of the Nominating Committee shall be made by the Nominating Committee or by nomination
from the floor. Only members so nominated shall be eligible for election to these positions.
B. Vote Necessary To Elect. When, after nominations have been closed, there shall be only the
number of candidates equal to the positions to be filled, the President shall declare candidates
so nominated to be elected without balloting. In the event of a contested election where there
are more candidates than twice the number of positions to be filled, vote shall be by written
ballot in a form prescribed by the Board of Trustees and the following procedures shall be
followed:
(1) There shall be an initial vote and those candidates equal to twice the number of positions to
be filled who receive the greater number of legal votes among all the candidates shall be the
candidates for the final election.
(2) At the final election, those candidates equal in number to the positions to be filled and who
receive the greater number of votes among all the candidates shall be declared elected.
(3) A tie vote involving candidates, some of whom but not all of whom may be elected, shall be
decided by another ballot on which only the candidates for whom the tie votes shall have been
cast shall be eligible for election.
Article IV Trustees
Section 1 – Number, Election and Tenure. The Board of Trustees shall consist of nine (9)
Trustees, three (3) of whom shall be elected from among the voting members each year at the
Annual Meeting and who shall hold office for three (3) years or until their successors are
elected. A Trustee elected by the voting members shall not be eligible to serve again as a
Trustee until one (1) year after the expiration of his or her term of office.
Section 2 – Vacancies. The Board of Trustees shall fill, for the balance of the unexpired term,
any vacancy occurring in the Board of Trustees.
Section 3 – Powers and Duties. The Trustees shall take custody and possession of the
property of the Society and shall manage its affairs. The Board of Trustees shall appoint one of
their number as a liaison to each Committee of the Society.
Article V Trustees’ Meetings
Section 1 – Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Trustees shall be held, in the Church,
on a day and at a time the Trustees shall, from time to time, prescribe by a resolution adopted at
a proper meeting, and regular meetings may be held without further notice than that provided by
such resolution.
Section 2 – Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Trustees may be held at any
reasonable time and place as may be specified in the notice of such meeting on the call of the
President or upon written request from at least three (3) Trustees.
Section 3 – Notice of Special Meetings. Notice of the time, place and purposes of each
special meeting shall be given by the Secretary to each Trustee in any one or a combination of
the following methods: by delivering such notice (orally or in writing or by telephone) to a
Trustee personally at least twenty-four (24) hours before the time set for such meeting or by
mailing a notice or emailing such notice to each Trustee at least two (2) days before the time set
for the meeting. However, special meetings may be held at any time if all Trustees are present,
and any Trustee may waive notice to him or her of a special meeting and shall be deemed to
have waived notice of any meeting at which he or she is present.
Section 4 – Quorum and Manner of Acting. A majority of the Trustees shall constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business and unless otherwise provided by these Bylaws, a
majority of the votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be decisive of any
action.
Section 5 – Minutes. Minutes of all meetings of the Board of Trustees will be maintained by the
Secretary of the Board and will be available to the congregation. The Secretary of the Board will
periodically forward a set of minutes to the History and Archives Committee for safe keeping.
Section 6 – Open Meetings. Except in situations where the Chair declares an Executive
Session for personnel matters or other sensitive issues, meetings of the Board of Trustees will
be open to attendance by members of the congregation.
Section 7 – Super-Majority Vote Required. An affirmative vote of 85% of all Trustees present
at a duly constituted meeting is required before the Society takes a public position on an issue.
Article VI Officers
Section 1 – Principal Officers, Election and Tenure. The principal officers of the Society and
of the Board of Trustees shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer who
shall all be elected or, in the case of the Treasurer, appointed by the Board of Trustees at a
meeting of the Trustees held as soon as practicable after the Annual Meeting of members. Each
such officer shall hold office until the close of the following Annual Meeting of members or until a
successor is appointed and assumes office. The President, Vice-President and Secretary shall
be elected from among the Trustees, but the Treasurer may be appointed by the Board of
Trustees from among the membership. If the Treasurer is not also a Trustee, they shall be a
member ex-officio and be entitled to be present (without vote) at all meetings of the Board of
Trustees during their term of office. The Treasurer shall serve a three-year term that may be
renewed for an additional three years.
Section 2 – Vacancies. The Board of Trustees shall fill, for the balance of the unexpired term,
any vacancy occurring in any office.
Section 3 – Duties of Officers. The principal officers shall be a President, Vice-President,
Secretary and Treasurer and such officers shall have all the powers and duties that usually
pertain to their respective offices.
Section 4 – Other Officers. The Board of Trustees may appoint such additional officers as they
deem necessary, with powers, duties and terms of office as prescribed by the Board of
Trustees.
Article VII Amendments to By-Laws
The By-Laws may be amended by a majority of the Trustees at any regular or a special meeting
thereof.
Article VIII
Reverter
If this Society shall at any time cease to be a member of the Unitarian Universalist Association,
all of the real property of the Society shall be transferred to the Unitarian Universalist
Association on the understanding that said property will be used by the Association for its
general purposes and this Article shall apply to all property donated to the Society, whether by
will or in some other manner, unless the donor expressly provides otherwise.
The Society shall be deemed to have ceased to be a member if it:
A. has been legally dissolved;
B. has at a duly called meeting formally voted to discontinue religious services;
C. has ceased to be a member of the Unitarian Universalist Association;
D. has, in the opinion of the Association, ceased to use its property for Unitarian Universalist
purposes; or E. has, in the opinion of the Association, failed to hold religious services with
reasonable frequency.
If the Society ceases to be a member of the Unitarian Universalist Association, it shall be the
duty of the officers of the Society and of the Board of Trustees to take all necessary action to
carry out the purposes of this Article.
A declaration approved by the Board of Trustees of the Unitarian Universalist Association, or
approved by the Executive Committee of said Board by lot less than two-thirds of those present
and voting, and duly recorded in the minutes of said Board of said committee that this Society
has ceased to be a member as defined above shall be conclusive evidence of such facts, and
such declaration shall be binding upon this Society and any party or parties claiming under to
through this Society when a copy of such a declaration, attested by the Secretary or Recording
Secretary of said Association is recorded in the appropriate Registry of Deeds or other like
office in the jurisdiction in which this Society’s property is located.
Revised: November, 1987 (Article II, 2)
Revised: October, 1989 (Article IX)
Revised: March, 1990 (Article II, 2, 3-A; Article III, 1)
Revised: February 23, 1992 (Article II, 3-D)
Revised: September 22, 1993 (Article II, 3-C, 4)
Revised: November 24, 1993 (Article II, 3-C, 4)
Revised: January 27, 1997 (Article I, 1; Article II, 1, 2, 3-A, B and C, 4; Article III deleted; Article
V, 3; Article VI; Article VII, 1, 3.) Revised: February 24, 1997 (Article III, 4)
Revised: May 21, 2001 (Article I, 3; Article II, 2, C paragraph 3)
Revised: March 24 2003 (Article II, 2, A, C)
Revised: December 16, 2003 (Article I, 1; Article I, 2, B; Article I, 5)
Revised: September 27, 2005 (Preamble added)
Revised: December 18, 2007 (Article I, 1)
Revised: February 19, 2008 (Senior/Associate Minister et. al., esp. in Article I; Article I, 5,
change in quorum and supermajority) Revised: March 3, 2009 (Article I, 1; Article II, 2 B. (4.); C
[added; subsequent letters updated])
Revised: April 3, 2009 (Article III, 4, paragraph 2)
Revised: September 28, 2010 (Article II, Section 2, A. [last paragraph added])
Revised: March 26, 2013 (Article V, Section 7 [added section]
Revised: May 9, 2014 (Article I, Section 1)
Revised: April 26, 2016 (Article I, Sec. 3; Article II)
Revised: January 24, 2017 (Article II, Section II, B)
Revised: August 29, 2017 (Article II, A, 4)
Revised: April 23, 2019 (Article 1, Section 3; Article II, A, 1-3; Article II, B, 1-2; Article VI, Section
1)
Revised: February 25, 2020 (Article 1, Section 6 added)
Bylaws of the First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee Revised 2/25/2020