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Policy Manual & Bylaws
Below you will find the SCUCA Bylaws as they were revised and approved on October 11, 2007. You can follow the links below to go directly to a particular section of the bylaws. You can also download the bylaws as a Microsoft Office document.
Title
Definitions
Article I - Identification
Article II - Membership
Article III - Annual Conference
Article IV - Government - Board of Trustees
Article V - Regional Representatives
Article VI - Ministry Teams
Article VII - Licensed Unity Teacher Regional Representative
Article VIII - Finances
Article IX - Dissolution
Article X - Bylaws
SOUTH CENTRAL UNITY CHURCHES ASSOCIATION
BYLAWS
(Revised and approved by Conference Body 10/11/2007)
DEFINITIONS
The South Central Unity Churches Association, Inc. will be called SCUCA.
The SCUCA Regional Board of Trustees will be called the Board.
Association of Unity Churches International will be called the Association.
ARTICLE I
IDENTIFICATION
SECTION 1.01 - STATEMENT OF PURPOSE – The purpose of this organization is to assist each other in the conduct, operation, and management of the member centers, churches, and study groups through conferences, consultations, prayer and education. These activities will encourage Ministers, Spiritual Leaders, Licensed Teachers and Lay Leadership. SCUCA will hold open discussions and examine progressive ideas that, through this Association and fellowship, will bring about an increasingly effective presentation of the teachings of Jesus Christ as interpreted by Unity School of Christianity of Unity Village, Missouri, the Association of Unity Churches International of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and the inspiration received through the founders of Unity School of Christianity, Charles and Myrtle Fillmore. Toward the accomplishment of its purpose, there will be an Annual Regional Conference to conduct the business of SCUCA. top
SECTION 1.02 – LEADERSHIP – We acknowledge Jesus Christ as our leader and teacher, invisible though ever present, and his teachings as our guide. In all things, we follow the inspiration and illumination of the Christ indwelling as taught by him. The Bible will be our authorized textbook. top
ARTICLE II
MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 2.01 - ELIGIBILITY – The SCUCA Conference Body will include all ministers and Licensed Teachers who are current members of the Association and reside in SCUCA, two additional elected representatives from each traditional member ministry, and one additional elected representative from eligible alternative ministries. SCUCA consists of the states of Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Western Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Wyoming, and the city of Des Moines, Iowa. top
SECTION 2.02 – VOTING – Voting privileges are granted to include all ministers and Licensed Teachers in our Region, regardless of whether or not they are placed in a ministry, and the elected representatives from traditional and alternative ministries as listed in Section 2.01. Licensed Teachers may vote on all matters other than the election of the Regional Representative, and the Alternate Regional Representative. top
ARTICLE III
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
SECTION 3.01 – MEETING TIME AND LOCATION – The annual Regional meeting will be held in the last half of the year. The Board will establish the location, and teams so designated will accomplish the logistic arrangements, planning of program content and the overall coordination of the Annual Conference. top
SECTION 3.02 – QUORUM – A quorum will constitute the members present and voting at any meeting of which all members have been notified in writing in accordance to Article III, Section 3.03. top
SECTION 3.03 – WRITTEN NOTICE – A written notice stating the date, time and place will be mailed to all members at least 30 days prior to the Annual Conference. top
ARTICLE IV
GOVERNMENT – BOARD OF TRUSTEES
SECTION 4.01 – MEMBERSHIP –
The Board will consist of eight members, all of which have voting privileges.
At least four will be ministers now serving in recognized Unity ministries of SCUCA, and elected by the Conference Body;
The Regional Representative or his/her alternate;
The Licensed Unity Teacher Regional Representative or his/her alternate.
Two members may be qualified laypersons duly elected by the Conference Body.
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SECTION 4.02 – TERMS OF OFFICE – Each Board Member will hold office for a three-year term. Two Board Members’ terms will expire annually. No Board Member will serve more than two consecutive terms of three years without an interval of one year before serving another term. Two Board Members will be elected by the Conference Body present and voting at the Annual Conference. A SCUCA Board Member will not serve a Regional and a National position, concurrently. top
SECTION 4.03 – BOARD MEMBER QUALIFICATIONS –
- Desires to serve on the Board.
- Three years of field experience as a Minister/Licensed Unity Teacher and completion of at least one year in his/her present ministry.
- Furthers the work of this Region by his/her active interest, love and support and through regular attendance at Regional Conference
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- Upholds the spiritual purpose, vision and goals of the Region, and the highest interest of its membership.
- Has demonstrated capabilities and is willing to take assigned leadership roles.
- Supports this Region through prayer, time and finances lovingly given.
- Maintains loving, open communication with other Board Members and the ministries in SCUCA.
- Has the ability, time and prayerful commitment to fill the duties and responsibilities as outlined in the job description for a Board Member contained in the Policy Manual of the South Central Region.
- Ministers have the agreement and support of their Board and Licensed Teachers and lay candidates have the agreement and support of their minister. top
SECTION 4.04 – VACANCIES – In case of a vacancy on the Board, the remaining Board Members will appoint a new member who qualifies to fill the unexpired term of the said vacancy. Serving more than one year of an unexpired term will constitute a full term of office. top
SECTION 4.05 – REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE – The Regional Representative will serve as a member of the Board during his/her term of office. When the Regional Representative or the alternate Regional Representative are unable to participate regularly at Board meetings, or in the Regional Conference activities, or to fulfill Association of Unity Churches duties and responsibilities, their resignation will be accepted after an inquiry of their individual intent is made by a Board representative appointed by the President. Replacement shall be in accordance with Section 5.03. top
SECTION 4.06 – LICENSED UNITY TEACHER REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE – The Licensed Unity Teacher Regional Representative will serve as a member of the Board during his/her term of office. When he/she is unable to participate regularly at Board meetings or in the Regional Conference activities, his/her resignation will be accepted after an inquiry of their individual intent is made by a Board representative appointed by the President. Replacement shall be in accordance with Section 7.03. top
SECTION 4.07 – RESIGNATION – When a Board member is unable to participate regularly at Board meetings or in the Regional Conference activities; his/her resignation will be accepted after an inquiry of his/her intent will be made by a Board representative appointed by the President. When the President is unable to participate regularly at Board meetings or in the Regional Conference activities, his/her resignation will be accepted after the Regional Representative makes an inquiry of his/her intent. top
SECTION 4.08 – FUNCTION – The Board will transact all fiscal business, and provide appropriate programs for its closed, public and retreat meetings. Suggestions and recommendations for pursuing the purpose of this organization as established in Article I of these Bylaws will be presented to the SCUCA body. The Board will report in full all actions taken at its meetings and furnish a financial report consisting of an Income and Expense Report, Trial Balance and a Balance Sheet. The Board is specifically charged with the fiscal responsibility of the assets of this corporation, and will fulfill the desires and intentions of the SCUCA body with promptness and dispatch. top
SECTION 4.09 – BOARD MEETINGS – The Board will meet at least two months prior to the Annual Conference to transact all business pertaining to the Annual Meeting. This will accomplish advance planning, programming, and announcing so orderliness and good timing can be exercised in all required meetings. When the President deems it necessary, he/she will call a special Board meeting. When the Association of Unity Churches Regional Representative deems it necessary, s/he can request that the President call a special Board meeting. Four Board members will constitute a quorum for the transaction of all Board business. When deemed necessary by the Board President, regional business may be conducted by phone or email communications. top
SECTION 4.10 – ELECTION OF OFFICERS – The members of the SCUCA Board will elect their officers from among their members at a special meeting held before the close of the Annual Regional Conference. Officers terms are for one year and are eligible for re-election to additional one-year terms. top
SECTION 4.11 – OFFICER VACANCY –A vacancy in an office will be filled by appointment of the Board at its next scheduled or special business meeting. The appointee will serve during the unexpired term of the said office. When a Board officer is unable to participate regularly at meetings or in SCUCA activities, his/her resignation will be accepted after an inquiry is made of his/her intent by a Board representative appointed by the President. top
SECTION 4.12 – OFFICER COMPENSATION – Officers may be reimbursed for their expenses for travel to Board meetings, or otherwise incurred in the performance of their duties and responsibilities, as directed by the SCUCA body. top
ARTICLE V
REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES
SECTION 5.01 – ELECTION AND DUTIES – SCUCA will elect a Regional Representative to serve on the Standards Ministry Team and as liaison between the Region and the Association. The Representative will handle all duties that are decided and determined by the Association and the region. S/he will distribute to the members of SCUCA informational reports pertaining to all pertinent decisions and determinations made by the Board of Trustees of the Association. S/he will be a member of SCUCA’s Board; s/he will convey those determinations which the members of SCUCA will deem necessary, to the Board of Trustees of the Association for review and consideration. top
SECTION 5.02 – COMPENSATION – The Regional Representative will be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of his/her duties and responsibilities as determined by the Board. The Board may, with the approval of the Conference Body, determine adequate compensation over and above said expenses, to be paid on a monthly basis, or as mutually agreed upon by the Board and the Regional Representative. top
SECTION 5.03 – ALTERNATE REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE – The nominee who receives the second largest number of votes when the Regional Representative is elected will be the Alternate Regional Representative. S/he will assume the duties of the Regional Representative only in the event that the Regional Representative is unable to fulfill his/her term of office and s/he will complete the unexpired term. The Board will appoint an Alternate Regional Representative when there is a vacancy in said office to serve until the next election of the Regional Representative. top
ARTICLE VI
Ministry Teams
SECTION 6.01 – APPOINTMENT – All teams, chairpersons and Board representatives, with the exception of the Nominating Committee, shall be appointed by the Board President with the approval of the Board. The President will be an ex-officio member of al teams. top
SECTION 6.02 – ELIGIBILITY – Team members will be appointed from the SCUCA membership of Unity ministers, Licensed Teachers and laypersons. top
SECTION 6.03 – RESPONSIBILITIES – Team chairpersons will call and conduct their respective meetings. They will pursue the discharge of duties assigned by the Board. Written reports will be provided on all activities in which they are engaged prior to regularly scheduled Board meetings. Copies of said reports will be mailed to the President and the Recording Secretary. top
SECTION 6.04 – VACANCIES – When any team chairperson, program coordinator, facilitator or team member is unable to participate regularly at said team meetings or SCUCA activities, his/her resignation will be accepted after an inquiry of his/her intent is made by a Board representative appointed by the President. top
SECTION 6.05 – NOMINATING TEAM– The Nominating Team shall consist of one member of the Board and three active ministers selected in the following manner:
- At the Annual Membership Meeting, the membership will elect one of its Active
members and an alternate to serve on the Nominating Team for the next year’s election.
- The Board will elect one of its Trustees.
- The two team members and the Board member will select a third team member from the active members. In the event either of the two persons elected
are unable to serve, the Board will select a person/s from the active membership within one week of notification.
1 This team will select one nominee for each Board vacancy This team will also select at least two nominees for the positions of Regional Representative and Alternate Regional Representative and at least two nominees for the positions of Licensed Unity Teacher Regional Representative and Alternate Licensed Unity Teacher Regional Representative . All nominees must be active participants in the region. Nomination of qualified individuals from the regional membership may be submitted to the Nominating Team in writing no less than 30 days prior to the Annual Conference. A copy of the Board Member Requirements will be in the registration packet, and the requirements will be read by the Secretary prior to the election process. top
ARTICLE VII
LICENSED UNITY TEACHERS REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE
SECTION 7.01 – ELECTION AND DUTIES – The Licensed Teachers of SCUCA will elect a Licensed Teacher Regional Representative for a three-year term at the appropriate Annual Conference by a majority of the Licensed Teachers present and voting. The Licensed Unity Teachers Regional Representative is responsible for maintaining communications among the Licensed Teachers of the Region and with the SCUCA Board; for presenting proposals from the Licensed Teachers to the Board and after approval, to the Conference Body. He/She will keep in continuing communication with the Licensed Teacher section of the Association to disseminate pertinent information, and to act as liaison for the Licensed Teachers with the Association. Replacement shall be in accordance with Section 7.03. top
SECTION 7.02 – COMPENSATION – The Licensed Unity Teachers Regional Representative will be reimbursed for his/her expenses for travel to Board meetings, or otherwise incurred in the performance of his/her duties and responsibilities as directed by the SCUCA Conference Body. top
SECTION 7.03 – ALTERNATE LICENSED UNITY TEACHER REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE – The nominee who receives the second largest number of votes when the Licensed Unity Teacher Regional Representative is elected will be the Alternate. He/She will assume the duties of the Licensed Unity Teacher Regional Representative only in the event that the Licensed Unity Teacher Regional Representative is unable to fulfill his/her term of office and he/she will complete the unexpired term. When there is a vacancy to said office, an alternate will be elected to serve out the unexpired term by the Licensed Teachers present and voting at the next Annual Conference. top
ARTICLE VIII
FINANCES
SECTION 8.01 – SUPPORT – SCUCA will be supported by the tithes and love offerings of the members of this organization. Legacies, bequests, endowments and any excess income over expenses generated by any Regional retreat or activity will be deposited through the Treasurer. A Finance Team will be established for investments and fiscal operations. top
SECTION 8.02 – CONTRACTS – All contracts approved by the Board must be signed by an officer of the Board. top
SECTION 8.03 – SIGNATURES – The Treasurer is authorized to sign checks for ordinary, approved business transactions and others as approved by the Board. top
ARTICLE IX
DISSOLUTION
SECTION 9.01 – Should this corporation dissolve; all property and funds remaining after the payment of the debts of the Corporation will be delivered to the Association of Unity Churches International, a non-profit corporation organized under the laws of the State of Georgia, for religious and educational purposes. Such funds or property will be for the use and benefit of the Association as may be determined by the Board of Trustees. Upon re-establishment of a Regional organization of churches and centers within the geographical limits of the South Central Unity Churches as set out by the Association of Unity Churches, the Association will make available to said organization an amount of money equivalent to that received from the dissolution.
Should the Association of Unity Churches no longer exist, any assets of this corporation remaining after dissolution will be delivered to the Unity School of Christianity, Unity Village, Missouri. Should Unity School of Christianity no longer exist, any assets remaining of this corporation after dissolution will be disposed of by a Court of Competent Jurisdiction of the County in which the principal office of the corporation is then located, exclusively for such purpose or to such organization or organizations, as said Court will determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for purposes set out in Section 5.01 ( c ) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. top
ARTICLE X
BYLAWS
SECTION 10 – Amendments to these Bylaws must be made by active members of SCUCA at the Annual Membership Meeting. Written notice setting forth the proposed amendments must be made available to all members at least thirty days prior to the required membership meeting. An affirmative vote by a majority of members present will be necessary to pass any amendments to the Bylaws. These Bylaws fully supersede all previous Bylaws adopted by SCUCA. top
Approved October 11, 2007 by the conference body
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