UULMF By-Laws
By-Laws: Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of Florida
Adopted February 10, 2007
Amended March 21, 2007
Name: Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of Florida
UULMF is a statewide justice ministry that serves to empower the moral voice of Unitarian Universalist values in the public arena. Guided by Unitarian Universalist principles, the Ministry educates, organizes, and advocates for public policies that:
• Uphold the worth and dignity of every person
• Further justice, equity, and compassion in human relations
• Ensure use of the democratic process and the rights of conscience
• Protect religious freedom
• Promote respect for the interdependent web of all existence
• Build community of peace, justice and liberty for all
• Engages in other activities consistent with its purpose
Our faith calls us to change policies and structures that inhibit human development, harm the environment, and destroy communities. We are called to educate and organize for justice.
We seek to build a statewide education and advocacy network that:
• Is anchored in our UU faith, and informed by its history and principles,
• Shares information and policy expertise, particularly from member UUs
• Can inspire and mobilize coordinated action through a network of mutual support and accountability
• Trains new leadership, with special attention to involvement of youth and young adults
• Is celebratory, sustainable, and fun
• Raises the visibility of Unitarian Universalism and its values to policy makers and the larger community
Organization
A Steering Committee guides the activity of the UULMF and the Florida District Unitarian Universalist Association acts as its Fiduciary Agent.
Steering Committee
The Steering Committee is made up of no less than 5 or more than 8 voluntary members including roughly equal numbers of clergy and lay members. Terms of office are for two years (renewable for a second term) and staggered such that one-half of the founding Steering Committee will serve three year terms, the remaining half two-year terms.
The Steering Committee shall:
Meet annually in the Fall to assess progress from the previous year and to plan the succeeding year's work. Between annual face-to-face meetings, the full Advisory Board will collaborate and conduct geographically dispersed meetings to conduct its business:
• Develop the overall program of the Legislative Ministry including the selection of target priorities, providing advice and assistance to the Coordinator. Identifying focal issues as well as strategies to address them.
• Address issues of sustainability and approve relevant plans.
• Elect the Steering Committee Chair.
• Evaluate the Coordinator and communicate his or her evaluation in writing to the District Executive
Coordinator (position currently vacant):
The Coordinator is the paid chief administrative officer of the UULMF and serves at the pleasure of the District Executive with the advice and consent of the Steering Committee. The responsibilities of the Coordinator include:
• The day to day operations, staffing, budget, and program administration of the UULMF
• Communications with the relevant bodies of the UULMF, the District Executive, the Steering Committee, and Congregational Leadership
• The Coordinator serves as staff for all Steering Committee meetings
Membership:
Membership shall consist of all Unitarian Universalist Congregations in the State of Florida who elect to be members.
Individual membership is available through the Friends of the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry.
Amendments to the By-Laws
Amendments to these by-laws shall be submitted to the Steering Committee 2 weeks before a vote. Approval of the proposed change shall be made by a 2/3rds vote of the Steering Committee.
Adopted February 10, 2007
Amended March 21, 2007
Name: Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of Florida
UULMF is a statewide justice ministry that serves to empower the moral voice of Unitarian Universalist values in the public arena. Guided by Unitarian Universalist principles, the Ministry educates, organizes, and advocates for public policies that:
• Uphold the worth and dignity of every person
• Further justice, equity, and compassion in human relations
• Ensure use of the democratic process and the rights of conscience
• Protect religious freedom
• Promote respect for the interdependent web of all existence
• Build community of peace, justice and liberty for all
• Engages in other activities consistent with its purpose
Our faith calls us to change policies and structures that inhibit human development, harm the environment, and destroy communities. We are called to educate and organize for justice.
We seek to build a statewide education and advocacy network that:
• Is anchored in our UU faith, and informed by its history and principles,
• Shares information and policy expertise, particularly from member UUs
• Can inspire and mobilize coordinated action through a network of mutual support and accountability
• Trains new leadership, with special attention to involvement of youth and young adults
• Is celebratory, sustainable, and fun
• Raises the visibility of Unitarian Universalism and its values to policy makers and the larger community
Organization
A Steering Committee guides the activity of the UULMF and the Florida District Unitarian Universalist Association acts as its Fiduciary Agent.
Steering Committee
The Steering Committee is made up of no less than 5 or more than 8 voluntary members including roughly equal numbers of clergy and lay members. Terms of office are for two years (renewable for a second term) and staggered such that one-half of the founding Steering Committee will serve three year terms, the remaining half two-year terms.
The Steering Committee shall:
Meet annually in the Fall to assess progress from the previous year and to plan the succeeding year's work. Between annual face-to-face meetings, the full Advisory Board will collaborate and conduct geographically dispersed meetings to conduct its business:
• Develop the overall program of the Legislative Ministry including the selection of target priorities, providing advice and assistance to the Coordinator. Identifying focal issues as well as strategies to address them.
• Address issues of sustainability and approve relevant plans.
• Elect the Steering Committee Chair.
• Evaluate the Coordinator and communicate his or her evaluation in writing to the District Executive
Coordinator (position currently vacant):
The Coordinator is the paid chief administrative officer of the UULMF and serves at the pleasure of the District Executive with the advice and consent of the Steering Committee. The responsibilities of the Coordinator include:
• The day to day operations, staffing, budget, and program administration of the UULMF
• Communications with the relevant bodies of the UULMF, the District Executive, the Steering Committee, and Congregational Leadership
• The Coordinator serves as staff for all Steering Committee meetings
Membership:
Membership shall consist of all Unitarian Universalist Congregations in the State of Florida who elect to be members.
Individual membership is available through the Friends of the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry.
Amendments to the By-Laws
Amendments to these by-laws shall be submitted to the Steering Committee 2 weeks before a vote. Approval of the proposed change shall be made by a 2/3rds vote of the Steering Committee.
