Bylaws

Spirit of the Sacred Journey CUUP’s Chapter

of the

Unitarian Universalist Church Surprise, Arizona

PRINCIPAL OFFICE: Unitarian Universalist Church of Surprise, 17540 N. Avenue of the Arts, Surprise, AZ. 85378

Spirit of the Sacred Journey CUUPS Chapter was formed May 2023. Regulations adopted July 2023.

PREAMBLE

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 to be the Spirit of the Sacred Journey CUUP’s Chapter, (“SSJ”).

ARTICLE II: AFFILIATION

1. Spirit of the Sacred Journey is intended to be an organization in relationship with the Unitarian Universalist Association as well as the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans, (“CUUP’s”).

2. Spirit of the Sacred Journey is to be a chapter of the National Organization known as Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans “CUUP’s” CUUP’s is an organization 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 Affiliation, Spirit of the Sacred Journey CUUP’s Chapter (SSJ) exists for the purposes of promoting the practice and understanding of Pagan and Earth-centered spirituality within the Unitarian Universalist Association as well as the Covenant of the Unitarian Universalist Pagans, 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 Spirit of the Sacred Journey (SSJ) 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 Spirit of the Sacred Journey (SSJ) also 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 Spirit of the Sacred Journey 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 meetings bi-weekly on the first and third Sunday of each month in person regularly on church grounds of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Surprise, unless written or email notice of social media notice is given to meet at another location just for that specific meeting. Members are notified of dates two months in advance, and are informed of any changes in writing through email and social media. All meeting minutes and agendas are released to members upon request.

3. Each member has one vote. Members may vote in real time or by Google forms when a vote is required for officer’s election by 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 officers, staff or bonded volunteers.

5. Members are encouraged to be paid active members of the national CUUP’s Inc. Organization.

ARTICLE V: OFFICERS

The Officers shall consist of at least three active members of Spirit of the Sacred Journey elected yearly by its active members during the month of March, at the second regular meeting on the third Sunday of the month. These officers will be the President, Vice-President, and Secretary. Officers will select from among themselves active members to carry out other required formal roles, including, but not limited to Treasurer, Librarian, Web – Social Media Manager, and other Officer positions as needed.
Past president will act as trustee for one year, and will assist officers as directed by president.
The Officers may appoint members to fill unexpired terms.
Officers, and the President shall serve for one year in their positions. These positions are voluntary and unpaid.
Officers shall meet at least monthly. Meetings may be conducted in person, electronically or by conference call. A quorum of the Officers is necessary to conduct business and consists of the majority of its members.
The responsibilities of the Officers shall be to manage the affairs of the organization, including but not limited to the following:

● Plan all meetings of the membership, including rituals and other related events and needed functions of Spirit of the Sacred Journey.

● 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 Spirit of the Sacred Journey shall commence on the first day of January each year.

2. The programs of the organization shall be financed by membership dues, fundraising events, sponsorships, investment income, legacies or gifts, sales of educational materials, grants and contracts, or other means as determined by the Officers.

3. In the case of dissolution of the organization, all its property, both real and personal shall be conveyed to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Surprise, or the UUA, or its successors.

4. Voluntary dissolution of Spirit of the Sacred Journey shall be proposed by the Officers 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 an email ballot 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 any meeting. Before amendments are voted on, members shall be notified by the Officers not less than 30 day before the vote. The vote may take place either by electronic ballot, or, if a quorum is present, at the presented meeting date, or electronically in real time. Approval of bylaw amendments requires 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 Officers at an officer’s meeting.

ARTICLE VIII: RULES

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