UUFP Bylaws

Article I - Name

The name of this religious fellowship shall be the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Paris.

Article II - Purpose

The purpose of the Fellowship is to bring religious liberals located in France, and particularly in Paris, into closer acquaintance and cooperation for fostering among them liberal religious living through worship, tolerance, study, service and fellowship.

Our basic underlying convictions are: that religious and scientific truth must be compatible, that the democratic process should govern human relations, and that each individual has an inherent dignity and the right to freedom of belief unfettered by any prescribed creed.

Article III - Membership

Any person 16 years of age or above may become a voting member of the Fellowship who is in sympathy with its purpose and convictions, and who has signified such by signing the Fellowship's membership book. Membership is open to all persons regardless of race, color, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, or national origin. Membership in the Paris Fellowship is relinquished after the member is no longer in attendance at Fellowship functions for more than one year or has not made a financial contribution to the Fellowship during the previous year. This shall happen after the member has been contacted or has asked to be removed from the mailing list. Conditions 1 and 2 shall not apply when an individual has expressed an interest in remaining a member and this has been accepted by the Executive Committee.

Article IV - Denominational Affiliation

The Fellowship shall be a member of the Unitarian Universalist Association and of the Association of European Unitarian Universalists.

Article V - Meetings

The regular meetings of the Fellowship shall be determined by the Fellowship itself or any person or persons designated by it. The Annual Meeting shall be held each year in the month of May at such time and place as shall be fixed by the Executive Committee.

Each officer and committee chair shall present an annual report of their activities before the Annual Meeting. Notice of this meeting, along with an agenda of items to be voted upon, shall be given two weeks in advance.

In case of dispute, the Annual Meeting shall be conducted with guidance from Robert's Rules of Order Revised.

Special meetings may be called by the Executive Committee or at the written request of any five members. The business to be transacted at any meeting shall be mentioned in the call to the meeting. 30 percent of the UUFP membership living in Ile de France shall constitute a quorum.

Article VI - Officers

At each Annual Meeting there shall be chosen a President, one or two Vice Presidents, as determined by the Nominating Committee, a Secretary and a Treasurer, who shall serve for one year beginning September 1 or until their successors have been elected and qualified. They shall perform the duties usually pertaining to these offices. They shall constitute the Executive Committee.

The Executive Committee shall have general charge of the property of the Fellowship and the conduct of its business affairs and the control of the administration, including the appointment of such committees it deems necessary. It may fill vacancies and persons so chosen shall serve until the next Annual Meeting. All officers shall be voting members of the Fellowship.

Chairs of standing committees and members-at-large shall be invited to regularly scheduled meetings (preferable monthly) and be given a vote on Fellowship business. Standing committee chairs shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the Executive officers. The steering committee shall not exceed 11 members.

Article VII - Nominating Committee

Not later than April first of each year the Executive Committee shall appoint a nominating committee of not less than three members. This committee shall propose candidates for office for submission to the Annual Meeting and they shall appear in the official call to the meeting.

Article VIII - Fiscal Year

The fiscal year shall end August 30 to coincide with the program year which is September 1 to August 31.

Article IX - Amendment

These Bylaws, so far as allowed by law, may be amended or replaced at any meeting of the Fellowship by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting. Notice of any proposed change shall be contained in the official call of the meeting.

Article X - Dissolution

Should this Fellowship cease to function and the remaining membership vote to disband, any assets of the Fellowship shall be assigned to the Association of European Unitarian Universalists (EUU) or, if EUU is defunct, to the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) to be used for the extension of liberal religion in Europe. This transfer shall be made in full compliance with whatever laws are applicable.

Article XI - By-Laws

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Paris shall use the English language version of their by-laws to conduct internal business. The French language version shall remain as filed to meet the legal requirements for being a French 1901 Association.

Original: April 12, 1986
Revised: May 29, 1994
Amended: May 28, 2000
Retyped: November 17, 2002