Appendix 5

Sample Membership Bylaw 

MEMBERSHIP 

We welcome everyone to worship with us and to benefit from our ministries without regard to faith journey, race, age, cultural background, or sexual identity, or affectional preference.

1.  To become a Basic Member of TCC the following criteria must be satisfied. 

a)   Attend worship regularly.  

b)    Sign the Membership Book in the presence of the Minister or a Trustee.  (This is frequently part of the final ceremony of the MOM course, if appropriate.)    

c)     Engage with the church community in harmony with the Principles and Purposes of the Unitarian Universalist Association.

 2.   To vote at congregational meetings however, to serve as head of a ministry team or committee, to teach a religious education curriculum, or to hold an elective position in the church the following minimum additional criteria must be met. 

a)     Attain the 18^th birthday.  

b)    Within the past three years complete the ten month Meaning of Membership course offered by the Membership Services Committee.  Youth may meet this requirement through regular attendance of the religious education program.  

c)     Be present in the life of the congregation regularly based upon such considerations as attending Sunday worship, serving on a church committee, assisting in the religious education program or participating in one of the service ministries.  

d)     Meet one of the following financial stewardship conditions:

i.          Individuals or families attesting to an income of less than $10,000/year are not required to commit to ongoing financial support.  An identifiable financial contribution of any amount is required during the six months prior to a congregational meeting however.

ii.          Individuals or families attesting to an income of $10,000/year or more must make a stewardship commitment to maintain at least Supporting Member status as established in the current Giving Guide, and not be more than six months in arrears at the time of a congregational meeting.

3.    At least fifteen days prior to any duly called meeting of the congregation, the Treasurer and the Membership Services Committee Chair shall jointly sign and post a list of voting members.  The list will be updated to correct errors if necessary prior to the meeting.  In the event of a dispute, the Board may be called upon for reconsideration.