GEORGIA MOUNTAINS UNITARIAN
UNIVERSALIST CHURCH, INCORPORATED
May 18, 2025
Article I. Name
The name of this Church shall be Georgia Mountains Unitarian Universalist Church, Incorporated (GMUUC). The corporation shall be referred to in these Bylaws as "the Church" or "GMUUC," and the members of the Church shall be referred to as "the Congregation."
Article II. Denominational Affiliation
This Church shall be a member of the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Southern Region. This Church intends to make annual financial contributions equal to its full fair share as determined by the Association.
Article III. Purpose & Authority
Section 3.1 Purpose
The purpose of this Church shall be to establish, maintain, and house a congregation dedicated to the principles of the Unitarian Universalist Association.
Section 3.2 Authority
1) The Congregation, acting together in accordance with the procedures laid out in these bylaws, is the ultimate authority of GMUUC, with the power:
a) to call or dismiss a Minister
b) to approve a budget annually and to specify the limitations, if any, on the administration of the budget by the staff.
c) to buy, sell, or lease any interest in real estate
d) to mortgage, encumber, or commit any asset owned by the Congregation.
2) Subject to the limitations contained in these bylaws, the business and affairs of GMUUC are managed under the direction of the Board of Trustees (the “Board”), in accordance with the Board’s Policies.
Article IV. The Minister
Definitions
A ‘contract Minister’ may include transitional, contract, and contract-to-call positions as defined by the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). A contract Minister has not been “called” by the Congregation.
A ‘called Minister’ is voted on by the Congregation to be the long-term Minister for the Congregation, as defined herein and by the UUA.
Section 4.1 Responsibilities of the Minister
The Minister shall be the primary religious and spiritual leader of the Congregation in accordance with the established purposes of GMUUC. The Minister is responsible for the spiritual well-being of the Congregation by way of Sunday services and other religious gatherings or rituals of the Congregation and pastoral services to individuals, families and congregational leadership.
The Minister covenants with the Congregation, and is responsible for implementing GMUUC’s vision and mission as defined by the Congregation, subject to Board policies. In doing so, the Minister will supervise and coordinate all lay-led teams and shall manage and assign duties of paid staff. The Minister shall attend meetings of the Board as an ex-officio, non-voting member.
The Minister represents the Congregation in the larger community.
Section 4.2 Freedom of Speech and Action
The Minister shall be free to express or act upon his or her opinions, beliefs and convictions both in the pulpit and in the community at large. The Minister’s views are not necessarily those of the Congregation and shall not be so represented.
Section 4. Minister Eligibility A Minister who is either in, or eligible for, Full Fellowship with the UUA is eligible to become a Minister with GMUUC.
Section 4.4 Hiring a Contract Minister
The Board has the authority to hire a Contract Minister, subject to the UUA guidelines. The Board shall decide whether a Search Team is required and if so, its charge and composition. The Search Team shall include Board and non-Board members. The Board shall collaborate with the Leadership Development Committee on identifying non-Board members. The Search Team shall recommend ministerial candidates to the Board.
The Board shall negotiate, and the President shall execute, an employment agreement to include the standard terms and conditions for a contract Minister as recommended by the UUA.
Section 4.5 Termination of a Contract Minister
The Board has the authority to terminate the contractual relationship with a contract Minister, subject to the terms and conditions of the Minister’s agreement.
4.6 Calling a Contract Minister
To call a contract Minister employed by GMUUC, the Board shall hold a special meeting of the Congregation. The contract minister shall be called by receiving at least eighty percent (80%) of those members voting by secret ballot at a Congregational Meeting held for that purpose, where forty percent (40%) of the Voting Membership shall constitute a quorum.
Prior to the Congregational vote, the Board shall negotiate conditional terms of employment. The Board-negotiated employment contract shall only take effect upon Congregational approval of the candidate.
Section 4.7 Termination of Call
The contractual relationship between a called Minister and the Congregation may be dissolved by either party for any reason upon three (3) months written notice. Such provision shall be incorporated in the Ministerial Agreement.
1) Dismissal - The Minister may be dismissed from duties during a Congregational Meeting by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the qualified members of the congregation present at any meeting legally called for that purpose. The quorum for such a meeting shall be forty percent (40%) of the voting members. In the event of the Minister’s dismissal, their salary, housing allowance, and other standard benefits per the Minister’s contract shall be continued for three months after the date of dismissal unless a shorter term is mutually agreed upon.
2) Resignation - Should the Minister offer his or her resignation, a written letter giving three months notice, unless a shorter term is mutually agreed upon, must be submitted at 3 the time the resignation is offered. The Ministerial Agreement with GMUUC should be referenced for greater detail.
Section 4.8 Interim Ministry.
Should the Board decide to employ an interim Minister, UUA guidelines for hiring an interim Minister shall be followed.
Article V. Staff
Section 5.1 Staff. The Minister, in consultation with the Board President, shall hire staff as necessary to carry out the mission of GMUUC within the financial means of the Congregation.
Section 5.2 Terms of Employment. After consultation with the President and the Finance Committee, the Minister shall recommend terms of employment for paid staff to the Board for approval. The Minister shall routinely supervise and coordinate paid and unpaid staff and shall conduct performance reviews of paid staff. In consultation with the Board President, the Minister shall have the authority to dismiss a paid staff member. The Minister and the Board President will collaborate on the terms of dismissal.
Article VI. Membership
Section 6.1 Membership Requirements Membership in the Church shall require:
1) A statement, signed once by the member, agreeing to support the principles and purposes of the Unitarian Universalist Association, including its policy that we welcome into membership all persons fifteen years of age or older without regard to race, color, sex, affection or sexual orientation, marital status, gender identification, abilities, or ethnicity.
2) Each member is expected to annually financially support the Church’s operation with a contribution of record commensurate with his or her capability or commitment in order to vote in Congregational meetings. The expectation of a financial contribution to maintain membership may be waived by the Minister.
Section 6.2 Founding Members Members who joined the Church on or before Charter Sunday shall be designated as Founding Members.
Section 6.3 Friends Friends of the Congregation (“Friends”) are non-members who participate in the life of the Congregation. Pledging Friends are those who choose to help support the Congregation by making an annual financial contribution of record. A Friend may be removed from participation for breach of the Congregational covenant and refusal to return to covenant in accordance with fair and reasonable procedures approved (adopted) by the Board.
Section 6.4 Termination of Membership
1) Members may terminate their membership by making a written request to the Board Secretary.
2) The Board will annually purge the membership roll of those who have died.
3) Membership may also be terminated for breach of the Congregational Covenant and refusal to return to covenant, in accordance with fair and reasonable procedures approved (adopted) by the Board of Trustees.
Section 6.5 Removal from Participation Anyone may be removed from participation if jeopardizing the safety of others or the facilities in accordance with fair and reasonable procedures approved (adopted) by the Board.
Article VII. Board of Trustees
Section 7.1 Membership
There shall be eight (8) Trustees, all of whom must be GMUUC members, a President and a President-Elect. Four Trustees and the President-Elect shall be elected each year at the annual membership meeting.
Section 7.2 Term of Office
The term of office for Board members shall be for two years and eligibility limited to two consecutive two-year terms, excluding any portion of an unexpired term that was filled by a Trustee. The Board may vary the terms of Trustees added by amendment of Section 7.1.
Section 7.3 Meetings
The Board shall meet monthly. The time, date, and place of meetings shall be publicly posted. The Board shall pursue a policy of openness of meetings to all interested members. The President, with approval of the majority of Board members present, may declare portions of meetings to be in executive session, i.e., attendance closed to non-Board members and any other individual invited for another specified purpose for that meeting of the Board. These private sessions shall be closed only for the purposes of discussions of personnel issues, alleged or improper activities, crisis management, or negotiations for purchases or sales of real property. All discussion in executive sessions will be held as confidential, unless otherwise determined by a majority approval of the Trustees present.
Section 7.4 Quorum
A majority of Trustees shall constitute a quorum. There will be no proxies at meetings of the Board.
Section 7.5 Unexpired Terms
Unexpired terms among the Trustees or Officers, other than the President or President-Elect, shall be filled by the Board, upon recommendation of the President and/or the Leadership Development Committee, at a regular monthly meeting; and persons elected shall serve until the next annual meeting. Election shall be by majority vote.
Section 7.6 Expenditure Authority
The Board shall be authorized to amend the operating budget from time to time during the fiscal year. The Board is not authorized to amend the operating budget in such a way that the overall budget is increased by more than five percent (5.0%) above the original budget approved by the Congregation at its annual meeting, or to expend any amount toward property acquisition, or to make any commitment to expenditures beyond the current fiscal year (with the exception of longer term contracts for goods or services) without Congregational approval. In the event of an
emergency situation, defined as one that risks the safety of persons or property, or when time is of the essence for repairs to buildings or equipment owned by the Congregation, such an emergency shall be declared by the Board by a two-thirds (2/3) majority, and the Congregation shall be informed of the emergency expenditure as soon as is practicable. The limit of expenditures in an emergency situation shall be in accordance with the Prentice Tuggle Building,
Grounds and Technology Reserve. (See Article XII)
Section 7.7 Resignation and Removal
Any Trustee may resign by giving notice in writing to the Board. A Trustee who fails to attend four (4) regular meetings of the Board per fiscal year may be removed by a majority vote of the Board. The unexpired term will be filled as described in Section 7.5.
Article VIII. Officers
Section 8.1 President and President-Elect
There shall be a President and a President-Elect. The President-Elect shall be elected for a one-year term at the annual membership meeting. The office of the President shall be filled for a one-year term by the person who served as President-Elect in the previous year.
1) President - The President shall be the principal executive officer of the Church and shall call and preside at meetings of the Board and business meetings of the membership. The President shall have a vote only in the event of a tie.
2) President-Elect - The President-Elect shall preside in the absence of the President and shall perform other duties as requested by the President or authorized by the Board. The President-Elect shall automatically become President in the event of a vacancy in the office of President due to expiration of term, resignation, death or otherwise. The President-Elect may not serve on a standing committee but may serve on an ad hoc committee. The President-Elect may not simultaneously serve as an elected Trustee and as President-Elect. In the event a sitting Trustee is elected as President-Elect, a new Trustee shall be elected according to Article VII, Section 7.5 of the bylaws. The President-Elect shall have a vote, except when acting in the capacity as President.
In the event the office of President-Elect is vacated for any reason, the Leadership Development Committee will present a candidate to fill the unexpired term. The President shall call a special meeting of the membership to elect a new President-Elect.
Section 8.2 Other Officers
Other officers shall be elected by the Board from their number at the first meeting following the annual meeting. The officers shall not serve on the Leadership Development Committee. The
officers shall be:
1) Secretary - The Recording Secretary shall be responsible for minutes of all meetings of the membership and Board, shall notify members of the annual meeting and special meetings, and shall maintain the official membership records that are annually reported to the UUA.
2) Treasurer - The responsibilities of the Treasurer include the following: a) Establishing the accounting procedures for the corporation to record all financial activities. b) Establishing and maintaining the bank accounts authorized by the Board. c) Receiving and depositing the funds of the corporation.
d) Authorizing the paying of bills for expenses provided for in an approved budget or special expenditures approved by the Board.
e) Filing the annual report and corporation fee with the State of Georgia. f) Signing all checks or delegating signing to signatories approved by the Board. g) Preparing monthly and annual financial reports for the Board and the membership.
Article IX. Meetings
Section 9.1
Robert’s Rules of Order, newly revised, shall govern all meetings.
Section 9.2 Annual Membership Meeting
The annual membership meeting shall be held each year during the month of May at the Church. The exact date shall be chosen by the Board.
1) Notice of the time, date, and place of the annual meeting, proxy form and the business to be transacted shall be mailed or emailed to the membership at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting. All Board-proposed motions to be voted on at the meeting, along with any accompanying background material, shall be included with the notice.
2) The business of the meeting shall include:
a) The President’s Report.
b) A report from the Minister to include an update on the various ministries of the Church; in the absence of a Minister, the President-Elect shall deliver the report.
c) A report from the Finance Committee.
d) The Leadership Development Committee’s report, including, but not limited to, their slate of nominees. No candidate shall be nominated from the floor who has not previously presented themselves to the Leadership Development Committee. All candidates for office shall be voting members of the Church.
e) Elections of President-Elect and Board trustees. Elections shall be by majority vote of those present and voting by secret ballot. However, if no contest exists, the election may be by a show of hands or unanimous consent.
f) Adoption of the operating budget for the next fiscal year.
3) The Church membership present shall constitute a quorum. Proxies are acceptable. Unless otherwise provided in these bylaws, transaction of any business shall be by majority vote of the voting members present at a regular or special meeting.
Section 9.3 Special Meetings
The Board may call a special meeting of the membership at any time. Requirements for notice and quorum are the same as for an annual meeting, except when calling or dismissing a Minister.
Article X. Lay Leadership - Committees and Teams
Section 10.1 Standing Committees
Standing committees help the Board govern by gathering information, drafting policy, and reporting back to the Board. The standing committees are Leadership Development and Finance. Standing committees shall meet at least four (4) times per year and minutes shall be recorded at each meeting and retained as permanent Church records. Unexpired terms among the Committee Chairs shall be filled by the President, with Board approval.
1) Leadership Development Committee - This committee shall consist of four (4) voting members of the Congregation and the immediate past-President, who shall call the first meeting in the first quarter of the new fiscal year. The committee shall elect a chair from among the membership of the committee. Two (2) members shall be elected at the annual
membership meeting and serve two-year terms. This committee shall seek and nominate candidates for President-Elect, Board, and members of the Leadership Development Committee. This committee shall identify members willing and capable of serving in other leadership positions to the President and Board, and promote leadership development opportunities throughout the Congregation. Meetings of the Leadership Development Committee may be publicized in the monthly newsletter, otherwise email notifications may be utilized. Members are encouraged to rotate off after their first two-year term, but must rotate off after two (2) consecutive terms on the Leadership Development Committee. The President may nominate members to fill unexpired terms subject to approval by the Board.
2) Finance Committee - The Finance Committee reports to the Board and is accountable to all policies approved by the Board. The Finance Committee shall plan for a sustainable financial future for the Congregation, by monitoring trends in income and expenses, recommending material intra-year budget amendments, financial policies and procedures to the Board.
a) Finance Committee Members and Terms
i) The Finance Committee shall consist of the Treasurer and three
Board-appointed members who are not currently serving on the Board. The Treasurer shall call the first meeting of the Committee during the first quarter of the new fiscal year.
ii) Board-appointed members shall be voting members of GMUUC. iii) Board-appointed members shall serve two-year terms starting on July 1. The Board may reappoint a member to one (1) additional two-year term. After serving two (2) consecutive terms, members may be reappointed after a one-year hiatus. In the event a term is vacated before its conclusion, the Board may appoint another member to complete the remainder of the vacated term. iv) At its discretion, the Board may remove a Board-appointed member at any time.
v) The Finance Committee shall nominate a Chairperson from among its members to the Board for approval prior to the July Board meeting. The Chairperson shall serve a two-year term and may be renominated (either
for one (1) or two (2) years) provided they have not exceeded or would not exceed their term limit of two 2-year terms on the committee.
b) Duties of the Finance Committee
i) Monitor GMUUC financial transactions for compliance with Board financial policies and procedures and recommend material budget amendments to the Board as needed.
ii) Develop a preliminary annual operating budget in conversation with the Board, GMUUC staff, Stewardship Team, and other congregational committees/teams that is in alignment with the mission of the Congregation, its vision and the current Strategic Plan. Upon Board approval, this preliminary budget would be used in support of the annual stewardship campaign.
iii) Prepare and maintain an updated strategic and sustainable three-year operating budget projection based on Board or Congregation directed goals and objectives.
iv) Provide the annual Stewardship Team with planning and financial
information as requested.
v) Review and make recommendations on proposed agreements and contracts between GMUUC and third parties, including but not limited to vendors, service providers and lenders.
vi) Recommend policies on the sustainable and socially responsible management and investment of the Endowment Fund and other long-term account balances.
3) Ad Hoc Committees - The Board shall have the authority to appoint or abolish ad hoc committees, whose appointment shall include a clear definition of its membership, role and date that the committee will disband (“sunset date”) unless otherwise extended. The Ad hoc Committee leader or chair shall be a GMUUC member.
Section 10.2 Teams
Much of the work of the Church is accomplished through the collaboration of staff and volunteers organized into teams responsible for programs and activities in support of the mission of the Church. These may include leading the Sunday worship services, providing pastoral care, offering fellowship opportunities, supporting social justice causes, maintaining the building and grounds and communicating within the Church and beyond our doors. Membership on teams can be fluid, but each team should have a designated leader who is a member of GMUUC.
The work of the teams is to be aligned with the current strategic plan and GMUUC’s Bylaws, and reported to the Congregation at its annual meeting. Teams will be coordinated and supervised by the Minister and GMUUC paid staff. The Minister’s monthly report to the Board and yearly report to the Congregation will be inclusive of the activities of the ministry teams. Communication among teams will be facilitated through quarterly meetings of the Lay Leadership Council, which is comprised of the Team Leaders, chaired by the Minister, and attended by the President or President-elect.
While the paid staff will supervise teams and be the direct report, ultimate authority of budget, expenditures, and compliance to GMUUC bylaws and policies will remain with the Board.
1) Ministerial Advisory Team - In support of the Minister, the Ministerial Advisory Team shall have the following responsibilities:
a) Continually monitor congregational life and serve as the vehicle for receiving comments on the ministry from the congregation at large.
b) Coordinate biennial assessments of the shared ministry of the Congregation. c) Continually educate itself about ministry and the Congregation regarding all aspects of the ministry, including Pastoral, Music and Lay ministries.
d) Model healthy and deepening relationships with the Professional Ministry. e) Support the Professional Ministry as Lay-Colleagues.
f) Support the Ministers’ planning for continuing education, sabbaticals, and other professional development and actively support and recommend such plans to the Congregation.
g) Partner with the staff and support planning efforts for continuing education of the Congregation for its growing understanding of Congregational Ministry. h) Unless agreed otherwise, discussions between the Minister and the Ministerial Advisory Team shall be held in confidence.
2) Ministerial Advisory Team Members - Members shall serve three (3) years with a member serving their final year as the Team Leader. The Minister and the Ministerial Advisory Team shall submit one name each year for consideration by the Leadership Development Committee for the replacement of the member who rolls off the committee that year. The Leadership Development Committee can, at their discretion, reject this name and submit another for the Minister and the Ministerial Advisory Team to consider.
3) Ministerial Advisory Team Vacancy - In the event there is a vacancy before a member’s term has expired, the Minister will select a replacement. Meetings of the Ministerial Advisory Team shall be held in private and are excluded from the policy of openness to visitation by persons not serving on this Team.
Article XI. Property Acquisition or Sale
Purchase, sale or encumbrance of real property by GMUUC must be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of those present in person or by proxy at called or regular meetings of the Congregation as provided in Article IX of the Bylaws.
Article XII. Prentice/Tuggle Building, Grounds & Technology Reserve Fund
The purpose of this Building, Grounds and Technology Reserve Fund (Reserve Fund) is to provide for repairs, emergency repairs, replacement, and modest improvements to the Building, Grounds and Technology belonging to the Congregation. (See historical footnotes at the end of this document.)
1) The Building, Grounds and Technology Reserve Fund Managers shall consist of the Board and other designees appointed by the Board.
2) After consultation with the relevant teams, the Building, Grounds and Technology Reserve Fund Managers shall be authorized, by majority vote, to make expenditures out of the
Reserve Fund consistent with its stated purpose.
3) Unless the Board approves an annual waiver due to temporary, particularly difficult budget circumstances, the Building, Grounds and Technology Reserve Fund shall be funded by budgeting one percent (1%) of each annual budget and with gifts in accordance with the GMUUC Gift Policy; with the goal of achieving a balance equal to ten percent (10%) of the then-current operating budget and shall then be maintained at the ten percent (10%) level of the then-current operating budget.
Article XIII. George Fuchs Memorial Endowment Fund
The purpose of the George Fuchs Memorial Endowment Fund (Endowment Fund) is to enhance and support the mission of GMUUC apart from the general operation of the Congregation and to establish a significant and growing financial reserve to ensure GMUUC’s future as a beacon of liberal religious values in north Georgia.
The Endowment Fund offers GMUUC members and friends (donors) the opportunity to contribute Gifts currently or as part of an estate plan through a bequest or participation in the Chalice Keepers Legacy Gifts program. Unless otherwise designated by the donor, these Gifts, and Earnings on these Gifts, are all available in financial support of GMUUC with the approval of either the Endowment Fund Managers or the Congregation. Each donor, regardless of the size of their Gift, is offered a choice to designate their Gift toward several Mission-based areas.
The Endowment Fund shall be funded through contributions of cash, stocks, bonds, real estate, charitable bequests in wills, Chalice Keepers Legacy bequests, memorial gifts, charitable remainder and other trusts, pooled income funds, charitable gift annuities, and assignment of life insurance and retirement plans (the original financial values of which are collectively referred to as ‘Principal’ or ‘Gifts’).
1) All assets of the Fund are to be held in the name of The George Fuchs Memorial Endowment Fund.
2) The Endowment Fund Managers (Fund Managers) shall consist of the Board and the Chair of the Finance Committee. The Minister shall be an advisory member of the Fund Managers. The Fund Managers shall elect their own Chair.
3) The Fund Managers shall meet at least once annually before the end of the calendar year to review Endowment Fund performance and investment strategies, plan marketing and promotion efforts and address other matters as required.
4) After considering advice from the Finance Committee, it is the responsibility of the Endowment Fund Managers to invest the assets in socially responsible, sustainable investments. At its own expense, the Endowment Fund may provide for such professional counseling on education and promotion, investments or legal matters as it deems to be in the best interest of the Endowment Fund.
5) It is the responsibility of the Fund Managers to educate the Congregation on the Endowment Fund’s purpose and to solicit Gifts in support of its purpose.
6) Members of the Fund Managers shall not be liable for any losses, which may be incurred upon the investments of the assets of the Endowment Fund, except to the extent that such loss shall have been caused by bad faith or gross negligence. No member shall be personally liable as long as he or she acts in good faith and with ordinary prudence. Each member shall be liable only for his/her own willful misconduct or omissions and shall not be liable for the acts or omissions of any other member. No member shall engage in any self-dealing or transactions with the Endowment Fund in which the member has direct or indirect financial interest and shall at all times refrain from any conduct in which his or her personal interests would conflict with the interest of the Endowment Fund.
7) All gifts to the Endowment Fund shall be considered undesignated Principal (the original financial value of the Gift) unless designated by the donor as described in Item 11.
8) Undesignated Principal may only be distributed upon the Congregation’s approval by a two-thirds affirmative vote in a duly called or regular meeting.
9) Subject to Item 10 herein, Earnings on undesignated Principal (including but not limited to interest, dividends, capital gains, other profits, etc.) may be distributed by a majority affirmative vote of the Fund Managers. For example, distributions may be made for grants to provide one-time financial support to special projects or other one-time needs at GMUUC, other Unitarian Universalist congregations or organizations whose values are
aligned with our own, and tuition grants for members to pursue a career in professional ministry.
10) Only in particular, temporary, difficult circumstances, and where integrity of Gift designations permit, may the Congregation, by a two-thirds affirmative vote in a duly called or regular meeting, distribute the Earnings on undesignated Principal for its own annual operating budget or ongoing support services.
11) Gifts (including Chalice Keeper Legacy Gifts - see Item 14) to the Endowment Fund may be donor-designated toward one or more of the following Mission-based designation categories:
a) GMUUC Ministry & Religious Education
b) Social Justice
c) GMUUC Capital Expenditures (for periodic major repairs, additions or improvements to the building or grounds)
d) Permanently Restricted Gift where the Principal is preserved and only Earnings may be distributed.
There is no minimum Gift value requirement to make a donor-designated gift. Gifts that are not donor-designated shall be considered undesignated Principal.
12) The Fund Managers shall keep a record of donor designations, as described by Item 11 herein, of all Gifts to the Endowment Fund and shall determine what is Principal and Earnings on that Principal according to accepted accounting procedures for each designation category as a whole. The designations on the Principal apply to the Earnings from that Principal. This means that if a person giving a Gift specifies the designation category for which the gift is to be used, then any Earnings generated by that Gift must also be designated toward the same category.
13) With one exception, donor-designated Principal and its Earnings may be distributed by a majority vote of the Fund Managers, but only in strict accordance with the category designations. The exception is the Principal from a Gift designated as a Permanently Restricted Gift may not be distributed by the Fund Managers or the Congregation. However, its Earnings may be distributed by Fund Managers. The Fund Managers are authorized to decide whether a proposed distribution
is in accordance with a designation category.
14) The Chalice Keepers Legacy Gifts program (Chalice Keepers) shall be responsible for promoting future bequests or planned Gifts to the Endowment Fund through education and marketing (see historical footnote #3).
a) The Fund Managers shall manage the Chalice Keepers Program, including the appointment of non-Manager members to promote and manage its administration as required.
b) Future Chalice Keepers bequests, when realized, shall be considered undesignated Principal unless otherwise designated by the Chalice Keeper donor as defined in Item 11 herein.
c) Chalice Keeper donors may designate future bequests as described in Item 11 herein. These donor-designated Gifts shall be recognized accordingly when realized. d) There is no minimum bequest value requirement to make a donor-designated Chalice Keepers Legacy Gift.
e) The Fund Managers shall be responsible for maintaining the Chalice Keepers database. This shall include, but not be limited to: Names of individuals or organizations making the bequest, the type of bequest and describing where it is documented for the estate administrators, potential value of the bequest (if willing to share), whether the bequest is designated toward one or more Mission-based designation categories, and primary, secondary and possibly tertiary estate contacts.
15) A prospective Gift or Chalice Keeper bequest may be denied by the Fund Managers if its origin is an individual or organization whose purpose and goals stand in conflict with Unitarian Universalist Principles and Values.
Article XIV. Restricted Operating Reserve
The Operating Reserve is available only at the discretion of the Congregation by a majority vote at a duly called or regular meeting as needed.
1) Distributions are permitted if budgeted revenues fail to materialize and expenses that are 17
critical to the operation or mission of the Church are in danger of not being met.
Article XV. Acquisition of Debt or Long-Term Liabilities
The acquisition of debt or long-term liabilities in any form (including annual debt that is renewable) and from any source, or collateralization of any property owned by GMUUC must be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of voting members present or by proxy at a duly called or regular meeting of the Congregation.
Article XVI. Fiscal Year
The fiscal year shall begin on July 1 and end June 30.
Article XVII. Amendment
These bylaws may be amended or replaced at any annual or special meeting of the membership. The Secretary shall include any proposed bylaw amendments in the notice to the membership at least ten (10) days prior to the annual or special meeting. A two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of those present in person or by proxy shall be necessary.
Article XVIII. Dissolution
In the event of the dissolution of this Church, any remaining assets shall become the property of the Unitarian Universalist Association, after the settlement of any and all valid obligations of the Congregation.
Adopted at the First Congregational Meeting December 12, 1993
Amended at the Annual Congregational Meeting on May 22, 1994
Amended at the Called Congregational Meeting on March 19, 1995
Amended at the Called Congregational Meeting on April 25, 1997
Amended at the Called Congregational Meeting on December 13, 1998
Amended at the Annual Congregational Meeting on May 20, 2001
Amended at the Annual Congregational Meeting on June 9, 2002
Amended at the Called Congregational Meeting on January 25, 2004
Amended at the Called Congregational Meeting on October 31, 2004
Amended at the Annual Congregational Meeting on May 21, 2006
Amended at the Annual Congregational Meeting on May 22, 2011
Amended at the Annual Congregational Meeting on May 15, 2016
Amended at the Annual Congregational Meeting on May 21, 2017
Amended at the Annual Congregational Meeting on May 19, 2019
Amended at a Special Called Congregational Meeting on October 11, 2020 Amended at a Special Called Congregational Meeting on April 11, 2021
Amended at the Annual Congregational Meeting on May 29, 2022
Amended at the Annual Congregational Meeting on May 28, 2023
Amended at the Annual Congregational Meeting on May 19, 2024
Amended at the Annual Congregational Meeting on May 18, 2025
GMUUC Bylaws Historical Footnotes
While not a formal part of GMUUC’s Bylaws, these historical footnotes add context and perspective to select Bylaw Articles. New footnotes may be added, or existing footnotes revised, as deemed appropriate by the Board:
1) Article XII. Prentice/Tuggle Building, Grounds & Technology Reserve Fund (Historical footnote added May 19, 2024.)
This fund was established after John Tuggle, a Founding Member, passed his Alabama baseball cap at a Sunday Service in the mid-1990’s announcing he believed we should someday own our own building. Virginia Prentice began the tradition of making a donation to the Fund on one’s birthday in the amount equal to their age. Since then, that tradition has expanded to include a variety of funding needs, including scholarships for GMUUC High School Seniors, Grants for professional UU education, etc.
2) Article XIII. George Fuchs Memorial Endowment Fund
(Historical footnote added May 19, 2024.)
The original fund was established in 2000 at the request of Nancy Fuchs in honor of George Fuchs, both Charter (Founding) Members, with funds donated by friends and loved ones in George’s honor after his passing.
3) Chalice Keepers Legacy Gift Program
(Historical footnote added May 19, 2024. Amended June 2025.)
The Chalice Keepers came about as a result of a GMUUC member who read in 2017 about matching funds available through a collaborative campaign by the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Shelter Rock in Manhasset, NY and the UUA. Shelter Rock had $5,000,000 they wished to share by matching funds with congregations whose members designated contributions in their future estates to the congregation. The program was called “Wake Now Our Vision'' and the campaign was administered by the UUA Legacy Campaign Director. The program granted one dollar for every ten dollars in a congregation’s future bequest commitments. The program was advertised and promoted to GMUUC members and nine members pledged funds from their future estates. GMUUC received $25,000 in matching funds from “Wake Now Our Vision.” Of that total, $21,900 was held aside in a Building Fund and granted to the Building
our Future project in 2020 in support of our new facility.
At the May 19, 2024 Annual Meeting, the Congregation revised Article XIII. George Fuchs Memorial Endowment Fund to affirm that “the Chalice Keepers Legacy Gifts program shall be responsible for promoting future bequests or planned Gifts to the Endowment Fund through education and marketing.” (see Article XIII. Item 14.)