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University Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ)
2007 University Avenue
Austin, Texas
OPERATING MANUAL
By-Laws
Mission Statement
Job Descriptions
Operating Policies and Procedures
As of February 2001
Revised 2006
Revised 2008
Table of Contents
1. UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN CHURCH
1.001 Vision Statement
1.002 By-Laws of University Christian Church
1.003 Organization Chart
2. FINANCIAL
2.001 Use of Gifts and Bequests
2.002 Designated Gift Disposition Form
3. PERSONNEL
3.001 Policies and Procedures
3.002 Personnel Review Procedures
3.003 Role Description--Senior Minister
3.003R Review--Senior Minister
3.004 Role Description—Minister of Music and Education
3.004R Review—Minister of Music and Education
3.006 Role Description--Church Organist
3.007 Role Description--Section Leader
3.008 Role Description--Custodian
3.009 Role Description--Nursery Coordinator
3.010 Role Description--Campus Minister
3.010R Review--Campus Minister
3.011 Role Description--Administrative Assistant
4. FACILITIES
4.002 Building Use Fee Schedule
4.003 Application for Building Use
4.004 Building Use Agreement
4.005 Organ/Piano Use Guidelines
ENDOWMENT FOR CREATIVE MINISTRY
PERMANENT ENDOWMENT FUND
C001 Permanent Endowment Trust
C002 Permanent Endowment Operating Procedures
ADOPT-A-STUDENT PROGRAM
IMPORTANT BOARD ACTIONS July-Sept. 2006
Date Revised: July 18, 2006
University Christian Church seeks to be an inclusive, dynamic community living out the love of Jesus the Christ, through thoughtful worship, compassionate service and spiritual growth.
May 2006
Amended by the Board April 18, 2006
PREAMBLE
University Christian Church of Austin, Texas (the “Church”) is a non-profit corporation which was organized for religious purposes on November 3, 1946 under the laws of the State of Texas, with its domicile in Austin, Travis County, Texas. The Church is and shall be affiliated with the national body of Christians known as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada.
ARTICLE I
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1.1 Members. The membership (or, as it is sometimes referred to herein, the Congregation) of the Church shall consist of members, including student members. Student members shall be persons who are in attendance at the University of Texas at Austin or other schools in or around Austin, Texas, and who wish to retain their resident membership in a church elsewhere. Names of members shall be placed on the roll of the Church when persons unite with the Church through confession of faith and baptism, or through transfer of membership from other churches, or through student membership.
Section 1.2 Participating Members. Participating Members shall be those Members, regardless of the place of residence, who exercise a continuing interest in one or more of the following ways: attendance, giving, or activity in the fellowship of the Congregation.
Section 1.3 Non-Participating Members. Non-Participating Members shall be those Members who fail to exercise an interest in one or more of the ways set forth in Section 1.2.
Section 1.4 Withdrawal and Termination of Membership. Any Member may withdraw from membership by submitting a written or oral statement to the President or a Minister, and the name of the Member so withdrawing shall be removed from the roll of the Church. The fact of the termination of the membership of a Member (whether by withdrawal, death or otherwise) shall be recorded together with the date on which the membership ceased. In the case of an oral withdrawal, the President or a Minister will confirm such withdrawal in a letter to the withdrawing Member.
Section 1.5 Authority. The governing authority of the Church is the Congregation. However, except as may be prohibited by the laws of the State of Texas, the Board shall exercise the authority of the Congregation between meetings of the Congregation. In addition, the Congregation may expressly delegate such powers and authority to the Board, any of the Officers, any Minister, committees, or agents as it may deem proper from time to time. The powers and authority of the Board shall be limited to the extent set forth in Section 3.1 hereof, except as expressly otherwise empowered or authorized by the Congregation at an annual meeting or at a special meeting called for that purpose.
Section 1.6 Place of Meetings. All meetings of the Congregation shall be held at such time and place within the State of Texas as shall be stated in the notice of the meeting. If no designation is made, the place of meeting shall be the Church’s location at 2007 University Avenue, Austin, Texas.
Section 1.7 Annual Meeting. An annual meeting of the Congregation shall be held each year during the month of April or May.
(i) At each annual meeting, the Congregation shall transact such business as may properly be brought before the meeting, shall elect replacement Board members for those Board members whose terms are expiring June 30, and shall elect a President-Elect.
(ii) At each annual meeting held in an even numbered year, the Congregation shall elect the following officers: Treasurer, Secretary, and Assistant Treasurer.
Section 1.8 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Congregation, for any purpose or purposes, may be called at any time by the President, or, in his or her absence or failure to act, by the President-Elect, or by the Board or by Members having not less than one-tenth (1/10th) of the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting. Business transacted at a special meeting shall be confined to the objects stated in the notice of the meeting.
Section 1.9 Notice of Meetings. Notice of the date, time, place and purpose of each meeting of the Congregation shall be mailed not less than ten days in advance of the meeting to all Members of the Congregation entitled to vote at such meeting or announced at a regularly scheduled worship service at least six days in advance of the meeting. Notice of any special meeting shall specify, in addition, the general nature of the business to be transacted. In the event of any situation which is deemed an emergency in the judgment of the Executive Cabinet, the Executive Cabinet may authorize special meetings upon such notice as the Executive Cabinet may deem adequate and proper under the circumstances.
Section 1.10 Quorum. Twenty percent of the Participating Members of the Congregation as set forth in the most recent Membership Report prepared by the Minister(s) and approved by the Board, present in person or represented by proxy, shall be requisite and shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the Congregation. If a quorum is not present or represented at a meeting of the Congregation, the members of the Congregation entitled to vote, present in person or (except for Non-Participating Members) represented by proxy, shall have the power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present or represented. At such adjourned meeting, should a quorum be present or represented, any business may be transacted at the meeting as originally notified.
Section 1.11 Voting Rights. Each Member shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote of the Congregation.
Section 1.12 Majority Vote; Withdrawal of Quorum. When a quorum is present at any meeting of the Congregation, the vote of the majority of the Members, present in person or represented by proxy, shall decide any question brought before such meeting, unless the question is one upon which, by express provision of the statutes of Texas or of the Articles of Incorporation or of these By-Laws, a different vote is required in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question. The members present at a duly organized meeting of the Congregation may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough members to leave less than a quorum.
Section 1.13 Proxies. At any meeting of the Congregation, a Participating Member may vote in person or by proxy executed in writing by the Member; provided, however, that a proxy executed by an attorney-in-fact for such Member shall not be recognized. No proxy shall be valid after thirty days following its date of execution. Each proxy shall be revocable unless expressly provided therein to be irrevocable and, in no event shall it remain irrevocable for more than thirty days. Each proxy shall be filed with the Secretary prior to or at the time of the meeting. Non-Participating Members shall have no rights to vote by proxy.
Section 1.14 Membership Report. By February 1 of each year (or as soon thereafter as may be practical), the Minister(s) shall prepare a written Membership Report listing all members of the Congregation and classifying them as Participating Members or Non-Participating Members. The Membership Report shall be submitted to and approved by the Board, with or without modification, at its next regular meeting or at a special meeting called for that purpose. Changes in status shall be madeby the Minister(s) as members join as set forth in Section 1.1 or withdraw as set forth in Section 1.4.
ARTICLE II
OFFICERS
Section 2.1 Officers; Election; Term; Qualification.
(i) The Church shall have:
(a) A President, a President-Elect, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and an Assistant Treasurer.
(b) Such other officers and assistant officers as the Congregation may deem necessary or desirable.
(ii) The Secretary, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer shall be elected by the Congregation at its annual meeting in each even numbered year. Officers named in Section 2.1 (i) (b) may be elected by the Congregation at any meeting. The President-Elect shall be elected by the Congregation at its annual meeting each year to serve a one-year term as President-Elect and a following one-year term as President.
(iii) Unless otherwise specified by the Congregation at the time of election, each officer’s and agent’s term shall begin on July 1 following the date of their election and continue for two years ending on the following June 30.
(iv) Any two or more offices may be held by the same person, except that the President and the Secretary shall not be the same person.
Section 2.2 Removal. Any officer may be removed by the Congregation at any annual meeting or at any special meeting by the affirmative vote of the Participating Members present in person or by proxy whenever in its judgment the best interests of the Church will be served thereby; provided that notice of intention to act upon such matter shall have been given in the notice calling any such special meeting.
Section 2.3 Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Church by death, resignation, removal, or otherwise may be filled by the Board.
Section 2.4 Authority. Officers shall have such authority and shall perform such duties in the management of the Church as are provided in these By-Laws or as may be determined by resolution of the Congregation not inconsistent with the statutes of Texas. In particular, the officers shall have such authority and shall perform such duties as set forth below:
(i) President. The President shall be the principal executive officer of the Church; shall preside at meetings of the Board and at meetings of the Congregation; shall use his or her best efforts to see that all orders and resolutions of the Congregation and of the Board are carried into effect; may sign, with the Secretary or any other proper officer of the Church authorized by the Congregation, any deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts, or other instruments which the Congregation has authorized to be executed, except in cases where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Congregation or by statute to some other officer or agent of the Church; shall cause a record to be made of the fact of and date of termination of memberships as set forth in Section 1.4; shall appoint and charge ad hoc committees as deemed necessary; and shall perform such other duties and have such other authority and powers as the Congregation may from time to time prescribe.
(ii) President-Elect. The President-Elect shall, upon the death, absence, resignation, removal or inability of the President, perform the duties and have the authority and exercise the powers of the President, and shall have such other authority and powers as the Congregation may from time to time prescribe or as the President may from time to time delegate. The President-Elect shall serve as chair of the Personnel Council.
(iii) Secretary. The Secretary shall keep careful minutes of Board meetings and meetings of the Congregation and record all official actions of the Board and Congregation; keep on file records of the actions taken at meetings of the Congregation and any documents filed with him or her for permanent Church records; and shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by the Congregation or the President.
(iv) Treasurer. The Treasurer shall keep the Church’s financial records and shall sign all checks for disbursements approved by the procedures established by the Board, shall supervise the collection and accounting and depositing of Church funds; and shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by the Congregation or President. The Treasurer shall be responsible for keeping account of each Member’s pledge and payments thereon, and for sending out statements as directed by the Board to help Members keep account of their giving.
(v) Assistant Treasurer. The Assistant Treasurer shall provide assistance at the direction of the Treasurer in any aspects of the Treasurer’s duties, and shall serve as Acting Treasurer whenever the Treasurer is absent. The Assistant Treasurer shall have the same ability to sign checks as the Treasurer. The Assistant Treasurer shall not be a voting member of the Board merely by virtue of holding this office except when attending Board meetings in the place of the Treasurer.
ARTICLE III
BOARD
Section 3.1 Authority. The affairs of the Church shall be managed by the Board between meetings of the Congregation, either annual or special. The Board may not encumber assets of the church or incur indebtedness in excess of twenty-five percent (25%) of the Annual Budget in any one instance or obligate the Church to pay sums in excess of twenty-five percent (25%) of the Annual Budget, without approval of the Congregation. Except as limited by these By-Laws or as restricted by action of the Congregation, the Board shall have authority over all officers, committees and auxiliary organizations of the Church.
Section 3.2 Duties. The Board shall operate under such general policies (if any) as may be adopted by the Congregation, but shall not have primary responsibility for details of program planning and execution. It may confine its concern to broad matters of policy, program, and finance and will specifically perform the following tasks:
(i) Consider and establish policy in harmony with general Congregation policy;
(iii) Approve an annual budget;
(iv) Recommend to the Congregation for selection of prospective Ministers;
(v) Determine in January of each even year and announce the number of Elders and the number of Deacons, both of which shall be in effect for the two years beginning the following July 1;
(vi) Cause to be kept proper books of all minutes of all meetings of the Board and the Congregation, adequate books of accounts and financial transactions, and a membership file containing the name and address of each member of the Congregation; and
(vii) Assure that officer, Board, and other representative vacancies are properly filled for the remainder of the applicable term of office.
Section 3.3 Membership and Voting Rights. The Board shall be composed of not less than fifteen (15) nor more than eighteen (18) members elected by the Congregation, including the following officers and members:
(i) President.
(ii) President-Elect.
(iii) Secretary.
(iv) Treasurer.
(v) Chairman or Chairwoman of the Elders.
(vi) Immediate Past-President.
Each member of the Board shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote of the Board. The Minister(s) and the Chairmen or Chairwomen of the Cabinets shall be ex-officio members of the Board without the right to vote.
Section 3.4 Election.
(i) The membership of the Board will be so constructed that the terms of approximately one-third (1/3) of its members will expire each year and those members will be replaced by Congregational election. During the initial three-year period when this staggered expiration of term is created, the Nominating Council will be responsible for selecting Board members for one, two, and three year terms. These selections will be presented at the first Congregational meeting in the initial three year period.
(ii) At its annual meeting each year thereafter, the Congregation shall elect new members of the Board to replace members whose terms are expiring on June 30. Each new member of the Board will be elected to serve a three year term each or until successors are elected and assume office. All members of the Board who are so elected shall begin their terms on the following July 1.
Section 3.5 Removal. Any member of the Board may be removed by the affirmative vote of the majority of the Participating Members present in person at a Congregational meeting, if notice to act upon such matter shall have been given in the notice calling such meeting.
Section 3.6 Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring in the Board (by death, resignation, removal or otherwise) may be filled by an affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining members of the Board though the remaining members may be less than fifteen and less than a quorum of the Board. Vacancies should be filled so that the terms of approximately one third (1/3) of the members of the Board will expire each year.
Section 3.7 Place of Meetings. All meetings of the Board, whether regular or special, shall be held at such time and place within the State of Texas as shall be stated in the notice of the meeting. If no designation is made, the place of meeting shall be the Church’s location at 2007 University Avenue, Austin, Texas.
Section 3.8 Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board may be held without notice each month as provided by the Board.
Section 3.9 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board may be called by or at the request of the President or any five members of the Board on notice mailed not less than three days in advance of the meeting to all members of the Board; provided, however, that such notice shall be deemed sufficient in all events if made by oral announcement at a regularly scheduled worship service prior to such meeting or by printed notice in the Church paper prior to such meeting. Except as otherwise expressly provided by statute, or by the Articles of Incorporation, or by these By-Laws, neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any special meeting need be specified in a notice.
Section 3.10 Quorum; Majority Vote. Business cannot be transacted at any meeting of the Board unless a quorum is present. A quorum shall be at least fifty percent (50%) of all voting members of the Board. The act of a majority of the voting members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board, except as otherwise specifically provided by statute or by the Articles of Incorporation or by these By-Laws. If a quorum is not present at a meeting of the Board, the members present may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present. The members present at a duly organized meeting of the Board may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough members to leave less than a quorum. In the event both the President and President-Elect are absent for a meeting at which a quorum is otherwise present, the meeting shall be chaired by the Treasurer or by any other voting member of the Board selected to chair the meeting.
Section 3.11 Meetings Open. All meetings of the Board shall be open to any member of the Congregation who desires to attend.
ARTICLE IV
CABINETS
Section 4.1 Executive Cabinet.
(i) The Executive Cabinet shall be comprised of the President, the President-Elect, the Chairman or Chairwoman of the Elders, the Board Secretary, and the Treasurer. The Senior Minister and Immediate Past President shall be ex-officio members of the Executive Cabinet without the right to vote. A simple majority of the Executive Cabinet shall constitute a quorum.
(ii) The Executive Cabinet shall manage the affairs of the Church between meetings of the Board. It need not have regularly scheduled meetings.
(iii) In matters requiring prompt or emergency action between regular Board meetings, the Executive Cabinet may take such action as it deems appropriate, subject to reporting such action for ratification at the next regular or special meeting of the Board.
Section 4.2 Program Cabinet.
(i) The Program Cabinet shall be comprised of the President, President-Elect, the chairmen or chairwomen of each council which is designated from time to time by the Board, the president of the CWF, the president of the DSF, each full-time minister and such other members as the Board may designate from time to time. The Senior Minister shall serve as chairman or chairwoman, as the case may be.
(ii) The Program Cabinet shall be responsible for program planning and coordination, the review and allocation of program expenditures in relation to approved budgets, establishment of program priorities and goals, establishment of agendas for Councils, coordination of the efforts of the Councils, and other similar duties. The Program Cabinet shall not establish policy, unless specifically authorized by the Congregation or the Board. The Program Cabinet shall meet at least bi-monthly. All Councils shall report to the Program Cabinet.
ARTICLE V
COUNCILS
Section 5.1 Nominating Council.
(i) Prior to an election meeting of the Congregation, a Nominating Council and its Chairman or Chairwoman (who shall have been a member of the previous Nominating Council) shall be appointed by the President and approved by the Board. It shall consist of four members of the Board and two members of the Congregation who are not members of the Board. The chairman or chairwoman of the last preceding Nominating Council shall serve as an ex-officio member. The Senior Minister shall be an ex-officio member of the committee without the right to vote.
(ii) The Nominating Council shall nominate persons for all offices; the Board; Elders, except the Permanent Life Elders; and Deacons.
(iii) Members of the Congregation may submit nominees. The Nominating Council shall then consider qualifications, secure consent from the nominees and prepare a slate consisting of one or more nominees for each vacancy. The slate shall be posted at least ten days before the election meeting and attention called to it in the preceding regularly scheduled Sunday Worship.
(iv) After the slate prepared by the Nominating Council has been posted, any ten Members of the Congregation, by written petition to the President, with the signed consent of the nominee, may make further nominations at least five days before the election meeting. Such nominees shall be added to the list of candidates provided by the Nominating Council. Nominations shall not be made in any other manner than as contained in this section.
Section 5.2 Personnel Council.
(i) Membership. The Personnel Council shall consist of the President Elect, who shall act as Chair, and no more than four other persons appointed by the President and approved by the Board. These persons shall be appointed for a three year term on a rotating basis, and may not be reappointed until after a two year lapse of time. Meetings will be called by the Chair.
(ii) Function. The Personnel Council will exercise oversight and provide support to all ministerial programs and support staff of the church. It will serve as the official liaison between the staff and the congregation for the purpose of promoting mutual understanding and effective ministry. Regular meetings will be called for the following reasons:
(a) Develop an on-going understanding of expectations concerning the church ministry and prepare appropriate role descriptions for each staff position.
(b) Consider staff concerns and evaluate staff performance.
(c) Annually review and set staff compensation, expenses and benefits.
(d) Employ and, when necessary, discharge from employment non-ministerial and program support staff.
Section 5.3 Other Councils, Committees and Subcommittees. Other councils may be designated from time to time by a resolution adopted by the Board. Councils may designate their own committees and subcommittees. The Board may terminate any council, committee and subcommittee from time to time. The President shall have the authority to appoint and charge ad hoc committees that operate for terms of six months or less.
Section 5.4 Miscellaneous. Each council or committee may adopt rules for its own government not inconsistent with these By-Laws or with rules adopted by the Board.
ARTICLE VI
MINISTERS
Section 6.1 Composition of Ministerial Staff. The ministerial staff shall be comprised of professional ordained ministers with standing in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) with the following titles, accountabilities and responsibilities.
(i) A Senior Minister who is directly accountable to the Board for the satisfactory performance of the responsibilities set forth in the role description in effect from time to time for the position. The Senior Minister shall be an ex-officio member of the Board and all councils and auxiliary organizations of the Church.
(ii) One or more (as authorized by the Congregation) Associate Ministers directly accountable to the Senior Minister for satisfactory performance of responsibilities set forth in the role description in effect from time to time for the position and as delegated by the Senior Minister. The titles of the Associate Ministers may be determined by the Senior Minister and Personnel Council.
Section 6.2 Selection. The Congregation shall choose its Ministers (this collective term includes Associate Ministers) by the following procedure:
(i) A Search Committee of at least eight persons, nominated by the President and elected by the Board, shall be responsible for recommending prospective ministers to the Board. The President shall specify the Chairman of the Search Committee. The Board shall assure that the Congregation is informed of the general progress of the Committee’s work.
(ii) The Board shall consider the recommendation of the Search Committee and, if approved, recommend the prospective Minister to the Congregation.
(iii) The recommendation of the Board must be accepted by at least two-thirds of the Members present and voting in an annual or special meeting of the Congregation before a call may be extended.
Section 6.3 Termination. After a call a minister shall continue in this capacity as long as it is mutually satisfactory to the Church and the Minister. Service may be terminated by the Church on ninety days notice, or by a Minister upon no less than thirty nor more than ninety days notice. Dismissal of a Minister shall be by a two-thirds vote of a quorum of the Congregation. Written notice must have been sent to all members two weeks before the meeting. In lieu of ninety days notice, a minister may be dismissed after a shorter period, so long as he or she is paid his or her full compensation as it would otherwise become payable for such ninety day period.
Section 6.4 Minister to Students. The Church may employ a Minister to Students who may or may not be an ordained minister. If this minister is ordained in accordance with Section 6.1, then Sections 6.1 through 6.3 apply to the conditions of reporting, selection and termination. If the Minister is not ordained, then the Board shall have the freedom to determine these conditions according to the circumstances.
ARTICLE VII
AUXILIARY ORGANIZATIONS
The purpose and responsibilities of any auxiliary group shall be outlined in its own constitution, by-laws or plan of procedure. These organizations must be sanctioned by the Board and shall not only cooperate with the Board in planning and administering the total program of the Church, but also shall develop their individual programs in the best interests of the total program.
ARTICLE VIII
ELDERS AND DEACONS
Section 8.1 Election and Term. The Church shall have such even number of Elders and Deacons as may be established from time to time by a resolution adopted by the Board. The Elders and Deacons shall be nominated, elected, serve for such terms, be removed, and have vacancies filled in the same manner as provided for officers (other than the President-Elect) as set forth in Article II of these By-Laws; provided, however, that Elders may serve no more than two consecutive terms in such capacity. The Elders and the Deacons shall each elect their own chairmen or chairwomen, as the case may be.
Section 8.2 Function of Elders. The Elders shall be responsible for the spiritual nurturing of the Congregation as a whole. Elders shall normally preside at the communion table during communion services. The Elders shall coordinate communications among the Congregation and shall divide responsibility for the following specific tasks:
(i) Pastoral Care. The Elders shall be responsible for pastoral care, including care in times of concern such as hospitalization, divorce, illness, death and other personal concerns.
(ii) Servant Tasks. The Elders shall be responsible for (a) preparation of communion, (b) serving communion and cleaning the sanctuary, and (c) cleaning and polishing communion dishes and offering trays.
Section 8.3 Functions of Deacons. The Deacons shall assist the Elders by performing those tasks assigned to them by the Elders.
Section 8.4 Life Elders. The honorary title of “Life Elder” may be permanently bestowed by the Board of Elders upon nomination by a committee of three (3) Elders appointed by the Chair of Elders and the Senior Minister which shall meet at least annually to review candidates from the congregation meeting the following criteria:
(i) Long time member of the Church;
(ii) A faithful and generous supporter of the Church in terms of time, talent and/or stewardship;
(iii) Due to circumstances is unable to continue to take an active role in the servant tasks as in years past.
Service as an elected Elder shall not be necessary for nomination. No posthumous recognition is authorized.
Section 8.5 Appointment of Pastor Elders. The title of “Pastor Elder” may be bestowed by the Board of Elders upon candidates from the congregation meeting the following criteria:
(i) Decline to serve at the Table; and
(ii) Demonstrate a willingness to serve by calling on shut-ins, members and friends of the Church, and others in time of need.
Previous service as an elected Elder shall not be necessary for nomination.
Section 8.6 Duties of Pastor Elders. The duties of Pastor Elders shall be assigned by the elected Elders in coordination with the ministerial staff and may include but not be limited to:
(i) Contacting members requiring pastoral care and reporting their needs;
(ii) Assignment to special projects of pastoral care.
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 9.1 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Church shall be from July 1 to June 30, unless otherwise fixed from time to time by resolution of the Board.
Section 9.2 Email Notices. Anywhere in these By-Laws where written notice is required, Email notice may substitute for a mailed notice for individuals with operable email accounts.
Section 9.3 Waiver of Notice. Whenever any notice is required to be given under the provisions of the Texas Non-Profit Corporation Act or under the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation or these By-Laws, a waiver thereof in writing signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice.
Section 9.4 Seal. The Board may (but shall not required to) provide a corporate seal, which shall have inscribed thereon the name of the Church and the words Corporate Seal of the University Christian Church of Austin, Texas.
Section 9.5 Amendment. These By-Laws may be altered, amended, or repealed at any meeting of the Board at which a quorum is present, by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the voting members present at such meeting, provided notice of the proposed alteration, amendment, or repeal is contained in a notice of such meeting mailed to all members at least twenty days in advance of the meeting.
Section 9.6 Construction. The Plan of Operation of the Church is superseded and replaced by these By-Laws. Whenever the context so requires, the masculine shall include the feminine and neuter, and the singular shall include the plural, and conversely. If any portion of these By-Laws shall be invalid or inoperative, then, so far as is reasonable and possible:
(i) The remainder of these By-Laws shall be considered valid and operative, and
(ii) Effect shall be given to the intent manifested by the portion held invalid and inoperative.
Section 9.7 Parliamentary Practice. Robert’s Rules of Order Revised shall govern the meetings of the Congregation and the Board in all respects in which they are not inconsistent with the Articles of Incorporation or these By-Laws or the Texas Non-Profit Corporation Act.
Last Reviewed: mm/dd/yyyy
[Editor’s note: This chart was made inaccurate by 4/06 by-laws changes. Administrative Cabinet and Other Administrative Councils were eliminated .]
