The bylaws (regulations) of CUUPS approved at the Annual Business Meeting for a vote of the membership in June 2014. Revisions Approved by the membership Fall 2017.

PRINCIPAL OFFICE: Miami Valley UU Fellowship, 8690 Yankee St., Dayton, OH 45458

The Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans was incorporated in the State of Ohio in 1997. Regulations adopted June 1998. Amended 2001, 2009. Restated 2014.

PREAMPLE

In accordance with the principles of the Unitarian Universalist Association (“UUA”), as expressed in Article II of the Bylaws of the UUA, we, as interested and concerned members and friends of UUA societies, join together in association to advance a free and responsible exploration of our religious and spiritual values and to promote the understanding of those values within the UUA and among the broader religious community.

Article I NAME

The full name of this organization is the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans, Inc. (“CUUPS”).

Article II AFFILIATION AND INCORPORATION

1. CUUPS is intended to be an organization in relationship with the Unitarian Universalist Association.
2. CUUPS is organized incorporated exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes as defined by Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

Article III PURPOSE

As stated in the Articles of Incorporation, "The Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans, Inc. exists for the purposes of promoting the practice and understanding of Pagan and Earth-centered spirituality within the Unitarian Universalist Association, enabling networking among Pagan-identified Unitarian Universalists, providing for the outreach of Unitarian Universalism to the broader Pagan community, providing educational materials on Paganism and Earth-centered spirituality for Unitarian Universalist congregations and for the general public, promoting interfaith dialogue, encouraging the development of theological and liturgical materials based on Pagan and Earth-centered religious and spiritual perspectives, encouraging greater use of music, dance, visual arts, poetry, story and creative ritual in Unitarian Universalist worship and celebration, providing a place or places for gathering and for worship, and fostering healing relationships with the Earth and all of the Earth's children."

The purposes of The Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans, Inc CUUPS is to facilitate and support the work of Unitarian Universalists by affirming and promoting the seven principles and six sources of the UUA, in particular the sixth, “Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature..”

The purposes of CUUPS include providing support for Pagan and Earth-centered UU religious professionals and ministerial students and maintaining relationships with movements and leaders outside of the UUA.

Article IV MEMBERSHIP

1. Any person subscribing to the purposes and by-laws shall be eligible for membership. Membership is activated by indicating intent in writing and paying the required annual dues. Membership in the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans shall be open, without regard to race, color, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, gender expression, physical disability, national origin, or social condition.
   
2. The organization shall hold its Annual Meeting in conjunction with the General Assembly of the UUA, unless there is no GA in a given year, in which case the meeting may take place elsewhere or online. Members shall be notified in writing at least 30 days in advance. The agenda shall include nomination of the Directors. There shall be a treasurer’s report. The Board of Directors shall report on current programs and propose goals for the ensuing year.
   
3. Each member has one vote. At the annual meeting members may vote in real time. For the board election ballot and other official business, such as bylaws revisions, members may vote by electronic vote through a secure polling software sent to all current members. Notice of such a polled vote will specify all items of business and will be sent to members at least 30 days in advance.
   
4. Members may indicate that their data is confidential and shall not be share outside of the board, staff or bonded volunteers.
   

Article V BOARD OF DIRECTORS

1. The Board of Trustees (Board) shall consist of at least three, but no more than thirteen active members of CUUPS who will select from among themselves individuals to carry out required formal roles, including, but not limited to, chair and treasurer. The Board may appoint acting members to fill unexpired terms.
   
2. Directors shall serve three-year terms, and the President shall serve no more than two consecutive terms in that role. Trustees shall receive no salary. The Board may approve compensation for reasonable expenses.
   
3. The Board shall meet at least quarterly. Meetings may be conducted in person, electronically or by conference call. A quorum of the Board is necessary to conduct business and consists of the majority of its members.
   
4. The responsibilities of the Board shall be to manage the affairs of the organization, including but not limited to the following:
   

• Plan all meetings of the membership, including the Annual Meeting
  
• Assist in developing General Assembly resolutions
  
• Establish dues and manage the financial resources of the organization
  
• Establish policies and procedures necessary to conduct the business and programs of the organization
  
• Prepare an Annual Report of the organization
  
• Enter into contracts for administrative and program services
  

Article VI FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION

1. The fiscal year of the organization shall commence on the first day of January each year.
   
2. The programs of the organization shall be financed by membership dues, sponsorships, investment income, legacies or gifts, sales of educational materials, grants and contracts, or other means as determined by the Board.
   
3. In the case of dissolution of the organization, all its property, both real and personal shall be conveyed to the UUA or its successors.
   
4. Voluntary dissolution of this corporation shall be proposed by the board as a resolution to the members. Such a resolution shall be put to the members, and approved by them, by a total two-thirds vote of the members who vote in person or submit a mail-in or email ballot postmarked within 30 days of the call for a vote.
   

Article VII AMENDMENT OF THE BY-LAWS

1. Amendment to these bylaws may be proposed by the members at the Annual Business Meeting, or by the board at any board meeting or at the Annual Business Meeting. Before amendments are voted on, members shall be notified by the board not less than 30 day before the vote. The vote may take place either by electronic or mail-in ballot, or, if a quorum is present, at the Annual Business Meeting, or electronically in real time. Approval of bylaw amendments require a two-thirds affirmative vote of the members.
   
2. The sole exception to item 1 is that the principal office address may be changed by a majority vote of the board of trustees at a board meeting

Article IX RULES

The Rules of CUUPS shall contain such provisions as these Regulations, or the Standard Operating Procedure Book and may require any other provisions which the Board or the members may deem necessary for the proper conduct of the affairs of CUUPS. No Rule of CUUPS shall be valid which is inconsistent with law, the Articles of Incorporation, or these Regulations. The Rules of CUUPS shall be adopted upon approval by two-thirds of the Trustees then in office, or by an ordinary act of the members. The Rules of CUUPS shall become effective upon publication via email to all the voting members, or posted on the CUUPS website as a whole in writing, or upon such a date subsequent to publication as may be therein specified.