UUCC Bylaws Changes to Vote on at Annual Meeting 2026

This page summarizes the proposed changes to the UUCC Bylaws and provides the rationale for each change. 👉 Access the proposed bylaws in full, with tracked changes here. These changes are being proposed to enable implementation of UUCC Board of Trustees decisions and to shift some detail to Board Policies.  

The Bylaws changes are now accessible here for congregational review and will be voted on at UUCC’s Annual Meeting on Sunday, June 7, 2026. Please note, a quorum of 30% is required for a vote to change the bylaws.  

Summary of Proposed Bylaw Changes

4.1 Bylaws changes proposed:  

• ARTICLE V – MEMBERSHIP
  
  • Section 1. Membership. Edited membership requirements to use the language the Board voted on as reflected in minutes.
    • Removed Quest, changed age to 14, added UUA Values 
    • Moved the following 2 paragraphs about the positions and rotation timeline to the Governing Policies.  
    • Rationale:
      • The Quest program is no longer offered by the UUA. Changed the minimum age to 14, which was the age associated with the Quest program.  
      • The details regarding position rotations, which are implementation guidelines, are better reflected in Board policy documents. 
         
  • Section 2. Duties of Members 
    • Added “as well as other elected roles as specified in policies of the Board of Trustees,” to cover the OBIC Board representation. 
    • Rationale:
      • This change implements the board’s decision to assign nomination of OBIC Board candidates to the list of elected positions. That decision was based on a request from the OBIC Board of Directors and a desire to formalize the selection process and elevate the visibility of this essential facilities management function.  
      • OBIC Directors were previously appointed by the Executive Team. There is no organizational mandate to justify limiting the selection process via the Bylaws to nomination and election.  
      • The flexible wording allows for the Board to add other elected roles without requiring a bylaws change.  
      • The details regarding positions and the timing of rotations will be defined in UUCC Board Policies.  
        
• ARTICLE VIII – BOARD OF TRUSTEES
  
  • Section 2 – Membership 
    • Added “may include one Youth or Emerging Adult Trustee” 
    • Rationale:  
      • Aligns language with the UUA terms for individuals from 14-25 years of age.  
      • The change from “shall” to “may” allows for the possibility of inability to identify a candidate willing to serve in this role without violating the bylaws. It has been challenging to find willing candidates, and the position was not filled in the 2025-2026 Board year.  
        
  • Section 4 – Nominating Committee 
    • Changed wording to “… candidates for all elected offices, as specified in Board Policies, for which the term is ending.”  
    • Removed the list of elected positions.   
      • Rationale is to specify the roles for which nominations are required in the UUCC Board Policies.  
        • This will include the OBIC Board Directors, in accordance with a Board decision this year.  
        • In the future, it could include nominations for other elected roles, including future Ministerial Search Candidates. This year, we appointed a separate committee to nominate Ministerial Search candidates. The Nominating Committee serves this function in many other congregations, so it is sensible to have this option available. It is reasonable to allow the Board of Trustees discretion in this decision.  
        • Previously, neither the bylaws nor the Board Policies provided guidance on how to select a Ministerial Search Committee. 
          
  • Section 5 – Election 
    • This section was deleted.  
    • Rationale: The list of elected positions is no longer needed. The voting procedures in Article VI, Section 4 cover all elections. This change eliminates redundancy. 
       
• ARTICLE X – MINISTERS
  
  • Section 4 – Vacancies 
    • Added “following the process defined in the Board Policies”  
    • Rationale:  
      • More specific policy is required. This guidance is detailed, and more appropriate for Board Policies than in the Bylaws.  
    • Regarding employment terms, added shall be “aligned with the guidance of the UUA Transitions Office (or its successor).”  
    • Deleted “After election to office, a called minister shall meet with the Board of Trustees and the Personnel Committee (Article XII) to draw up a formal agreement.” 
    • Rationale 
      • The UUA has formalized its process for candidates to apply and for congregations to seek Ministerial candidates and provides guidance and templates for standard employment agreements. The UUA Transitions Office oversees this process. 
      • A draft employment agreement is required for the candidate to accept the offer for candidating week, so it cannot be agreed to after the candidate is called to serve the congregation.  
    • Deleted the reference to the Personnel Committee and deleted Article XII in its entirety.  
    • Rationale: 
      • The Personnel Committee is a Committee of the Board when it exists. Board Committees can be established at the discretion of the Board.  
      • Other advisors, including those outside the congregation, can be consulted to fulfill the personnel-related advisory function.