Tahoma Unitarian Universalist Congregation

The board has authorized a committee to begin reviewing the TUUC bylaws for possible changes. Board members Randall Kintner and Doug Schafer (Treasurer) are forming such a committee, and they invite participation by all interested TUUC members. They plan on meeting at 6:30 pm on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, beginning February 9. The initial phase is to consider overarching governance concepts rather than "wordsmithing" bylaws language. Our bylaws are posted on our website (under Governance), and sample bylaws of other area UU congregations are posted at http://tuuc-wa.org/Documents/SampleBylaws/. Please attend if you are interested.

Thank you,
Doug Schafer

BYLAWS of TAHOMA UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION (as amended through June 14, 2009)

ARTICLE I. NAME

This organization, originally incorporated as the Unitarian Association of Tacoma to conduct business as a church and previously conducting its operations using the name the "Unitarian Universalist Association of Tacoma" (UUAT), now conducts its operations using the name the "Tahoma Unitarian Universalist Congregation" (TUUC or Congregation).

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE

The purpose of this Congregation is to welcome all with love and compassion; celebrate the diversity in our common humanity; inspire the spirit, heart, and mind; engage the wider community in working for justice; and live and promote Unitarian Universalist principles.

ARTICLE III. AFFILIATION

This Congregation is a member congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Association and may affiliate with other liberal religious organizations of the membership's choosing.

ARTICLE IV. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Membership in this Congregation shall be open to all persons without reference to gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, or physical ability.

Section 2. Membership shall be accorded to any person who, in affirmation of the purpose of the Congregation, signs the Membership Book and agrees to the rights and obligations of active membership, including the right to vote in meetings of the Congregation.

Section 3. Membership shall be open to persons age 18 or over. Persons age 14-18 who have completed the "Coming of Age" program, or with the approval of the Minister or the Director of Religious Education, may sign the Membership Book as a "Youth Member." Youth Members shall have all the rights and responsibilities that other members have, except as provided by law.

Section 4. Membership status shall be retained by making a written financial commitment to the ongoing support of the Congregation on an annual basis. Exceptions may be arranged by private request directed to the Minister. Members are expected to meet their financial commitments.

Section 5. The Board shall have authority to confer Honorary Membership in such special circumstances as it deems appropriate.

Section 6. The Congregation shall acknowledge and welcome each new member in appropriate ways.

Section 7. Membership may be terminated by request or by failure to respond for a period of one year to reasonable communications regarding a person's intent to continue.

Section 8. Membership may neither be denied to nor withdrawn from any person who is a "member in good standing," defined as one who meets the requirements of Sections 2 and 4 above. A person may be removed from membership under extraordinary circumstances, such as failure to adhere to the basic principles of the Congregation, based on recommendations from either the Minister or Com and then only by specific action of the Board. Board action under this section shall be based upon a confidential written finding by the Board. The member shall be provided with a copy of the finding and afforded an opportunity to respond.

ARTICLE V. AUTHORITY

All authority in the Congregation is vested in its membership and is exercised through authorized meetings of the membership except as is delegated in these Bylaws.

ARTICLE VI. MEETINGS

Section 1. Meetings of the Congregation

A. Any duly convened meeting of the Congregation shall be known as a "RegularMeeting."

B. At least one Regular Meeting shall be held annually, designated as the "Annual Meeting." The Annual Meeting shall be held in the late fall on a date set by the Board. Business at this meeting should include:

1. Electing Board members and the President of the Congregation as herein provided.

2. Electing the Nominating Committee.

3. Presenting the Annual Report.

4. Presenting and adopting the Annual Budget.

5. Electing any other Congregational positions as may be provided in these bylaws.

C. Conducting any other necessary business matters.

6. Special Meetings may be called by the Board or upon written request of ten members to the Secretary who shall set the date.

7. A request shall state the business to be considered.

8. Action shall be limited to the stated purpose(s) of the request.

9. Special meetings shall be held within thirty days of the request.

D. Notices of each Special or Regular Meeting shall be in the following form: "A meeting has been set for (date, time, and place) at the request of (the Board or ten named individuals). The business to be considered at the meeting shall be limited to (list purposes of the meeting)." Regular Meetings shall be announced in a written form thirty days in advance and Special Meetings ten days in advance.

Section 2. Meetings of the Board of Trustees (Board)

A. All meetings shall be open to members of the Congregation unless the Board elects to go into an executive session. The Board may meet in executive session only to discuss personnel matters and to receive legal advice.

B. Any member of the Congregation may address the Board with permission of the President.

C. The Board shall meet monthly, at least ten times per year, with regular dates announced to the membership.

D. Special meetings of the Board may be called by an officer of the board or by three Board members.

E. Advance notice of the date, time, and place of Board meetings shall be given each member of the Board and to the membership.

F. Board meetings shall be official if a majority of the Board and at least one officer are in attendance.

Section 3. Meetings of the Program Council

A. All meetings of the Program Council shall be open to members of the Congregation.

B. Any member of the Congregation may address the Program Council.

C. The Program Council shall be comprised of the Program chairs, the Vice-President, and the Minister, and shall meet at least four times a year.

D. Program Council meetings shall be called and chaired by the Vice-President or by another member of the Board as determined by the President or by the Minister.

E. Advance notice of the date, time, and place of Program Council meetings shall be given to each Program Council chair, to each member of the Board, and to the membership.

ARTICLE VII. ELECTIONS AND OTHER CONGREGATIONAL BUSINESS

Section 1. Voting

A. Only those who have been members of the Congregation for a period of thirty days prior to the date of a congregational meeting may vote. A current membership list shall be made available in advance of congregational meetings.

B. All elections shall be determined by a simple majority of votes cast in a manner determined by the President or other presiding officer. A quorum shall consist of one-third of the membership or thirty members in good standing, whichever is less.

C. Absentee ballots and proxies shall not be authorized or accepted for any election or congregational vote other than a vote to seek a new physical location or facility for the Congregation under Article XVI of these Bylaws.

D. Nominations to the Board or to the Nominating Committee may be made by petition of five members to the Nominating Committee.

E. Such nominations shall be announced two weeks prior to the election.

F. Such nominations shall be included in the slate for the position to be filled.

G. Nominations may be made from the floor for any elective office with the prior written consent of the nominee if absent, or if present, after the nominee has been given an opportunity to decline.

H. Nominations for President shall be made from the floor and/or from the newly elected and continuing Board members.

ARTICLE VIII. BOARD OF TRUSTEES (BOARD)

Section 1. Function

A. The function of the Board shall be to manage the business, property, and affairs of the Congregation.

B. The Board shall have the responsibility to approve, finance, and supervise all programs of the Congregation, subject to the direction of the membership as expressed at duly convened meetings of the Congregation.

Section 2. Composition

A. The Board shall consist of seven voting members, plus the Treasurer and the Minister, who are ex-officio members.

B. The Board shall also include the officers of the Congregation: the President, the Vice-President, and the Secretary.

Section 3. Election

A. Seven voting members shall be elected at-large from the membership of the Congregation for two-year terms, three members elected at one Annual Meeting and four in the subsequent Annual Meeting.

B. From that body of elected Board members the Congregation shall elect a President for a one-year term.

C. Vice-President and a Secretary shall be selected by and from the Board for one-year terms.

Section 4. Eligibility

A. Members of the Board shall be members of the Congregation.

B. No member who has served two consecutive two-year terms shall be eligible for re-election until one year after so serving.

Section 5. Term of Office

A. Board members shall be elected for terms of two years.

B. Members are eligible to be re-elected to a second two-year term.

C. Terms of office for voting members of the Board shall begin January 1.

Section 6. Vacancies

A. Vacancies to the Board shall be filled by appointment by the President subject to the approval of the Board.

B. Persons so appointed shall serve until the successors are elected and assume office.

C. The unexpired terms created by such vacancies shall be filled by election at the next Annual Meeting.

ARTICLE IX. DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF BOARD MEMBERS

Section 1. The President

A. Shall preside at meetings of the Board and the Congregation.

B. Shall not vote at meetings of the Board or the Congregation except in the case of a tie vote.

C. Shall be the Chief Executive Officer.

D. Shall make an Annual Report to the Congregation.

E. Shall appoint the Treasurer, delegates to external meetings, and chairs of Programs and committees with Board approval.

F. Shall hire employees, with the exception of the Minister, with Board approval.

G. Shall delegate other responsibilities as necessary.

H. May remove, with Board approval, any Board member who has been absent from three or more Board meetings during the church year.

I. May appoint a Parliamentarian.

Section 2. The Vice-President

A. Shall discharge the duties of the President in the President's absence.

B. Shall succeed to the Presidency for the unexpired portion of the term upon the President's death or resignation.

C. Shall assume other responsibilities as may be determined by the President or the Board, such as chairing the Program Council and the Human Resources Committee.

Section 3. The Secretary

A. Shall review minutes of all proceedings of the Board and of the meetings of the Congregation for accuracy and completeness.

B. Shall maintain any policy handbooks set up at the direction of the Board and maintain or delegate the maintenance of any historical files.

C. Shall serve as liaison to the editor of the church newsletter.

D. Shall maintain current committee and Program Council member rosters.

E. Shall take the official minutes of any Congregation or Board meeting.

Section 4. The remaining four Board members shall serve in capacities as determined by the Board, such as liaisons to various groups and committees as the need arises, or as appointed by the President for special functions.

ARTICLE X. THE BOARD ELECT

Officers-elect of the Congregation

A. The President-elect shall convene the Board members-elect in a timely manner to select a Vice-President and a Secretary from its members.

B. The term of office for officers-elect shall begin January 1 for a period of one calendar year.

ARTICLE XI. THE TREASURER

The Treasurer shall be appointed each year by the President with the approval of the Board and shall serve as an ex-officio member of the Board. Responsibilities of the Treasurer shall include:

A. Presenting a current financial statement at each meeting of the Board and the Congregation.

B. Keeping full and accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements of the Congregation.

C. Presenting these records for inspection upon reasonable notice, except for identified pledges.

D. Submitting the books for annual audits by persons designated by the President.

E. Serving on the Finance Committee and providing assistance to that committee on the preparation of the Annual Budget.

F. Maintaining the Reserve Fund as directed by the Board with the advice of the Finance Committee.

G. Maintaining other Congregational funds as directed by the Board with the advice of the Finance Committee.

ARTICLE XII. PROGRAMS AND PROGRAM COUNCIL

Section 1. A "Program" is a collection of individuals, groups, and committees engaged in related functions of church activity. The following six Program Areas are authorized: Business and Communication, Membership and Ministry, Facilities Use and Management, Religious Exploration, Social Justice, and Worship and Celebration. These Programs are charged with implementing TUUC's mission, vision, and purpose at the direction of the Board. Other Programs may be established by amendment to these bylaws.

Section 2. The Program Council

A. Shall be comprised of the six Program chairs, the Minister, and the Vice-President or another Board member.

B. The Program Council, the Board, and the Minister shall endeavor to coordinate the activities of each Program Area and to facilitate communication.

C. The Program Council shall operate by consensus.

Section 3. The description and configuration of each Program mission shall be maintained and updated annually by the Program chair for review by the Program Council and the Board. Programs shall operate independently of the Board but are subject to Board oversight.

Section 4. Program Council Chairs

A. Program chairs shall be voting members of the Congregation.

B. Program chairs shall organize and structure their Program, regularly communicate with all persons working and serving within their Program, assist all groups within their

C. Program, and may recruit committee members.

D. Program chairs shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the Board for terms of negotiable duration.

E. A Program chair may be removed for cause by the President with the approval of the Board.

ARTICLE XIII. AFFILIATED GROUPS

Section 1. Groups that wish to function or affiliate with the Congregation shall present to the Board their proposed purpose(s), nature of membership, and program.

Section 2. The Board must approve co-functioning or affiliation before the group may affiliate with the Congregation.

Section 3. The Board shall review the affiliation status of all affiliated groups annually.

ARTICLE XIV. STANDING COMMITTEES

The following standing committees are authorized:

Section 1. Committee on Ministry (COM)

A. COM shall be comprised of three Congregation members and the Minister. Members shall serve for a term of two years. No member may serve longer than two consecutive terms. Members shall be appointed by the Board in consultation with the Nominating Committee.

B. COM shall select its own chair.

C. COM's duties include:

1. Promoting the standards and strengthening the quality of ministry set by the Congregation. This includes advocating for staff compensation and working conditions that are consistent with the Congregation's values.

2. Providing a resource for resolving concerns about the Minister.

3. Evaluating congregational and professional ministry periodically. The evaluation process shall be developed according to the needs of the Congregation, the current resources available to COM, and the guidelines jointly developed by the UUA and other professional resources. The purpose of the evaluation shall be to assess how well the Congregation is implementing its covenant, vision, and mission commitments.

4. Providing consultation about the Congregation's ministry.

D. COM shall meet at least quarterly.

Section 2. The Human Resources Committee

A. The committee shall include the Vice-President as chair, two members appointed by the President, and the Minister.

B. Duties of the committee shall be:

1. Developing Human Resource policies for approval of the Board.

2. Serving as a recruitment and screening committee to assist the President in all hiring activities other than that of the Minister.

3. Hearing and attempting to resolve employee (other than the Minister) grievances prior to appeal to the Board.

4. Recommending to the Board compensation, benefits, and disciplinary action related to employees.

5. Coordinating, budgeting for, and encouraging staff development.

Section 3. The Nominating Committee

A. The committee shall consist of three members of the Congregation elected at the Annual Meeting. Nominations to this committee may come from the Board or the floor. Members shall serve one-year terms beginning January 1.

B. The committee shall be responsible for recruiting new Board members and shall present its recommendations to the Congregation at the Annual Meeting.

C. The committee shall help the President recruit a new Treasurer, Program chairs, and persons to serve on special committees or taskforces when requested.

Section 4. Other committees may be established by the Board as the need arises, either on a short-term or permanent basis, without a requirement for amendments to these Bylaws.

ARTICLE XV. FINANCES

Section 1. Operating Fund

A. The Board shall prepare and the Congregation shall approve an annual budget for the Operating Fund.

B. All routine operating expenses, including staff compensation, shall be taken from this fund.

C. The Board may re-allocate not more than 3% of the annual budget from the Operating Fund on any transaction without approval of the Congregation, provided such money is available in the Operating Fund.

Section 2. Reserve Fund

A. The Treasurer shall establish and maintain a Reserve Fund.

B. The Congregation shall have sole power to authorize the Treasurer to disburse money from this fund except as provided in subsections C and G.

C. Expenditures of $3,000 or less may be spent at the discretion of the Board. Expenditures over $3,000 shall require approval of the Congregation.

D. All Operating Fund moneys remaining unused at the end of the fiscal year shall be deposited in this fund.

E. Interest income generated in this fund shall be retained in this fund.

F. At any duly called meeting, the Congregation may authorize the expenditure of all or part of this fund.

G. When delays necessary to call a Special Meeting of the Congregation authorizing use of Reserve Funds would result in obvious and substantial loss of property value, create substantial health or safety risks, or expose the Congregation to substantial unnecessary liability, the Board is authorized to spend up to $20,000 from the Reserve Fund to undertake emergency repairs and maintenance to Congregational property. Such authorizations are limited to property uses only.

Section 3. Building Fund

A. The Congregation may establish and maintain a Building Fund separate from the Operating Fund and the Reserve Fund.

B. Expenditures from this fund shall be made solely for the purpose of church relocation, real property acquisition, remodeling, or planning for such.

C. Recommendations for expenditures shall be forwarded by the Board to the Congregation, which shall have sole power to authorize the Treasurer to disburse money from this fund.

D. At any duly called meeting, the Congregation may authorize the expenditure of all or part of this fund.

E. Funds acquired by sale or condemnation of real property owned by the Congregation shall be placed in this fund.

F. In extraordinary circumstances, loans from this fund may be made to the Congregation. Such loans must be recommended by the Board and approved by a two-thirds vote of the Congregation. Any such loan must meet the following requirements:

· The interest rate will equal to that paid on U.S. Treasury notes or bonds of the same maturity at the time the loan is made.

· Loan payments must be included in the Congregation's operating budget.

· Any "prepayment" of principal through a capital campaign or other method will cause a recalculation of the payment schedule that will amortize the remaining principal over the life of the loan.

· In the event the Congregation fails to make the required loan payments, no loans can be made from the fund until the required payments are made.

Section 4. Endowment Fund [See Article XVI]

ARTICLE XVI. ENDOWMENT FUND

Section 1. Name and Purposes

A. Name. The Tahoma Unitarian Universalist Congregation shall hold and administer an endowment fund of permanent duration which shall be known as the Tahoma Unitarian Universalist Congregation Endowment Fund (the AFund").

B. Purpose. The purpose of the Fund is to further the purposes of the Congregation by providing a suitable receptacle for receipt, management, and distribution of gifts where the intent of the donor is to make a lasting contribution to support the Congregation and the practice or principles of the Unitarian Universalist faith in the area it serves.

Section 2. Administration of Fund

A. Endowment Trustees. The Fund shall be administered by three Endowment Trustees, subject to the provisions of this Article. All shall have been members of the Congregation for at least five years, and none shall be members of the Board of Trustees or paid employees of the Congregation; provided, however, that members of the Board of Trustees may serve as Endowment Trustees until the Fund reaches a level that permits distributions under Section 4.A.

B. Election and Term of Office. The Congregation at their annual meeting shall elect the Endowment Trustees. The term of office for each Endowment Trustee shall be six years, but initially one Endowment Trustee shall be elected for a full six‑year term, one for a four‑year term, and one for a two‑year term. An Endowment Trustee whose term is expiring shall be eligible for reelection. An Endowment Trustee may be removed from office by the Board upon written recommendation signed by a majority of the other Endowment Trustees.

C. Powers and Duties. The Endowment Trustees shall have the powers and duties granted to trustees of a religious, educational, or charitable institutional fund by the Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act and Washington State law. They shall encourage members and friends of the Congregation to contribute to the Fund.

D. Service Without Compensation. Endowment Trustees shall not receive compensation for their services but may be reimbursed, with Board of Trustees' approval, from the Fund (if not reimbursed from the General Fund) for their reasonable expenses incurred serving as such.

E. Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring for any reason in the position of an Endowment Trustee shall be filled by an interim appointment by the Board of Trustees for a period ending at the next annual meeting of the Congregation. Any remaining period of such term shall be filled by election by the Congregation at that annual meeting.

Section 3. Fund Property; Restricted Gifts

A. Property and Funds. The Endowment Trustees may accept such funds and property as may be tendered to the Fund from any source. All bequests and other gifts that at a donor=s death transfer to the Congregation shall be added to the Fund unless the donor directed otherwise. The Endowment Trustees may decline to accept any tendered property that in their opinion would not be appropriate and suitable for the Fund.

B. Restrictions by Donors. Donors may impose reasonable restrictions on the use of tendered gifts. However, the Endowment Trustees may decline to accept any tendered gift which is subject to restrictions which, in their opinion, are not consistent with the purposes of the Fund or the tax‑exempt status of the Congregation and Fund, or in light of the value of the gift, are not practical to comply with and administer. If the Endowment Trustees accept a restricted gift, its restrictions shall prevail over any inconsistent provision of this or any other document governing the Fund.

Section 4. Distributions from Fund

A. Early Growth Stage of Fund. The Endowment Trustees shall make no distributions from the Fund until the total value of the Fund equals at least fifty percent of the Congregation=s annual operating budget. When the total value of the Fund reaches at least one hundred percent of the Congregation=s annual operating budget, then the Endowment Trustees may make normal distributions, as described in this section, from the Fund. While the total value of the Fund is a percentage between fifty and one hundred of the Congregation=s operating budget, the Endowment Trustees may make up to that same percentage of normal distributions from the Fund.

B. Normal Distributions. Normal distributions from the Fund each year shall be five percent (5%) of the fair market value of the Fund determined, using the "Harvard Method," on the basis of market values of a unit of the Fund averaged over thirteen prior quarters. The Endowment Trustees may decrease the distribution percentage, or may increase it up up to seven percent (7%), if in their judgment doing so does not impair the permanency of the Fund.

C. Extraordinary Distributions. Only upon the recommendation of the Endowment Trustees and with approval of two-thirds of the members of the Congregation present at a meeting called for the purpose may the Endowment Trustees distribute in any year more than seven percent (7%) of the fair market value of the Fund determined in the manner for Normal Distributions.

D. Application of Distributions. All distributions from the Fund shall be applied as determined by the Board of Trustees of the Congregation. Because churches dependent on endowments for operating funds tend to decline, no more than ten percent (10%) of the Congregation's annual operating budget may be funded by distributions from the Fund. Exceptions to that limit may be made to support expansions in the Congregation's programs and ministries for up to four consecutive years. The Board of Trustees may apply distributions from the Fund toward the Congregation's operating budget (up to but not exceeding the stated limit) or to any purpose that supports the practice or principles of the Unitarian Universalist faith in the area it serves.

E. Fund Operating Expenses. The Endowment Trustees shall pay operating expenses of the Fund from the unrestricted assets of the Fund, but may use restricted assets of the Fund to pay expenses specifically incurred by the particular restricted assets.

Section 5. Procedures of the Endowment Trustees

A. Investment and Custodianship. The Endowment Trustees shall direct the Treasurer of the Congregation concerning investments of the Fund and disbursements from it, and the Treasurer shall follow those directions. The Endowment Trustees in writing may delegate investment responsibility for the Fund to the Finance Committee or Treasurer of the Congregation.

B. Procedures. Each Endowment Trustee shall have complete access to all records of the Fund. All decisions of the Endowment Trustees shall be made by a majority vote only after each has had an opportunity to be heard by the others on the matter. They shall maintain minutes or other records of all decisions, and such records and financial records of the Fund shall be reasonably available for inspection and copying by any member of the Congregation.

C. Annual Report. The Endowment Trustees shall present to the Congregation at its annual meeting a written report summarizing the status and activities of the Fund.

D. Maintenance of Records. The Endowment Trustees shall maintain records of all assets and investments of the Fund, including records of the dates on which assets were received by the Endowment Trustees, the nature of these assets, the donors (unless anonymity has been requested by the donor), and any terms agreed to at the time of their acceptance.

Section 6. Audit

The Board of Trustees of the Congregation shall arrange for a periodic audit, by either one or more volunteers or paid professionals, of the records of the Fund, and the auditors= report shall be reasonably available for review and copying by any member of the Congregation.

ARTICLE XVII. RELOCATION

Section 1. At any time the necessity or desirability of seeking a new physical location or facility for the church building of the Congregation is determined by affirmative vote at a duly convened meeting of the Congregation, the Board shall undertake:

A. To find an appropriate site and method for relocation.

B. To present a special budget for relocation to the Congregation for approval at a Special Meeting called for that purpose.

C. At the direction of the Congregation, to perform negotiations to secure the new site and facilitate the relocation.

Section 2. A two-thirds vote shall be required from the members voting to authorize relocation expenditure from the Capital Fund of the financial and legal obligations therefore. Absentee ballots received by the Secretary by the time and date of the Congregational meeting will be accepted.

ARTICLE XVIII. THE MINISTER

Section 1. Minister Selection Committee

A. If at any duly called meeting of the Congregation at which the majority of the members shall affirmatively express the desire to seek a professional Minister, full-time or otherwise, then the Congregation shall elect a Minister Selection Committee.

B. The committee shall consist of seven members: five elected by the Congregation and two named by the Board.

C. The five-member slate to be voted on at a meeting of the Congregation shall be chosen by a special nominating committee of three members of the Congregation.

D. The special nominating committee shall be selected by the Board. This committee, early in its tenure, shall invite the Congregation to suggest names to be considered for a place on the Minister Search Committee. Nominations from the floor shall be invited at the Congregational meeting called to elect the Minister Search Committee Members.

E. Members of the Minister Search Committee shall select a chair from the five members selected by the Congregation.

F. The Congregation shall instruct the committee regarding the terms of agreement, which the committee shall tentatively negotiate.

G. Duties of the committee shall be:

1. To consult Association and the UUA Ministers Association.

2. To contact potential candidates and select one.

3. To agree tentatively in writing with the candidate regarding the terms of employment.

4. To nominate such candidate and present the tentative terms of agreement for Congregation action at the meeting.

5. To prepare a contract containing detailed terms of agreement, in consultation with the elected Minister, and to propose it to the Board and to the Minister.

6. To acquaint the Minister with the Congregation and the community, and to assist the Minister in the search for living accommodations.

H. The committee shall be dissolved after the Minister is settled.

Section 2. The Minister

A. A Minister shall be selected by a two-thirds vote of the members voting at the Special Congregational Meeting convened for this purpose.

B. Term of office of the Minister

1. The term of employment shall be as prescribed in the Letter of Agreement.

2. The salary shall be set by a majority vote of the Congregation.

3. The Minister may resign by submitting a written notice to the President.

4. In the event of resignation or dismissal, the Minister may continue in office for a transitional period agreed upon between the Congregation and the Minister.

5. The procedure for dismissal shall be the same as the procedure for election, as specified in "A" above.

C. Duties, compensation, and terms of employment of the Minister shall be set forth in the Letter of Agreement.

ARTICLE XIX. NON-MINISTERIAL HUMAN RESOURCES

Section 1. Salaried Human Resources shall be employed by the Board.

Section 2. Salaried Human Resources shall be hired and have their employment terminated by the President with Board approval.

Section 3. Salaried Human Resources shall receive written contracts.

Section 4. Salaried Human Resources shall report to the Minister, who shall conduct regular performance evaluations in consultation with the Board and the Human Resources Committee.

ARTICLE XX. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The Congregation shall employ Roberts Rules of Order Revised at all its meetings.

ARTICLE XXI. BYLAWS

Section 1. These Bylaws shall supersede all previous Bylaws.

Section 2. Suggested changes for these Bylaws shall be submitted to the Secretary for the Congregation.

Section 3. These Bylaws may be revised or amended by a two-thirds vote of the members of the Congregation voting at any Regular or Special Meeting. Specific proposed bylaw changes must be posted on Congregation bulletin boards or in other conspicuous designated sites.