Categories of Membership
Some congregations have only one category of membership, whereas other congregations maintain several categories of membership (for example, voting, associate, student, and inactive). If you decide to have more than one category, you must clearly spell out the requirements, rights, and responsibilities for each category, with provisions that determine how people move from one to another; for example, how does a person move from voting to inactive, from associate to full voting, and so on? Where more than one category exists, it is particularly important to specify the requirements for being a voting member. In considering categories, your congregation may wish to examine underlying biases against particular groups, such as youth.Sample Provisions
Example 1: A Voting Member is any Member who has attained the age of sixteen (16) years and has been a Member of the Church for at least ninety (90) days. Only Voting Members may vote at congregational meetings. A Pledging Friend is any person who is in general sympathy with the purposes, goals, and programs of the Church, and who makes a pledge or contribution of record thereto, but who chooses not to sign the membership book.
Example 2: Individuals may become "Voting Members" thirty (30) days after having signed the membership book, having been acknowledged by the Steering Committee, and having pledged a contribution of money to the Church within the guidelines as approved by the congregation. Individuals between the ages of fifteen (15) and eighteen (18) may become "Associate Members" upon fulfilling the requirements for Voting Members. Such Associate Members will have full voting privileges and may be elected as a Trustee as described in these bylaws. An Associate Member may not be elected as an Officer described in these bylaws.
Example 3: Each member shall be entitled to one (1) vote on each matter submitted for a vote in accordance with the policy and procedures established in the Articles of Association and By-laws. However, because a piece of paper cannot listen to and reason with meeting participants, proxy voting shall not be allowed, although the Committee of the Whole may consider and defer to the opinions, concerns, or objections of absent members to the extent that they are made known.
Additional examples of membership categories >
For more information contact growthresources @ uua.org.
Last updated on Friday, April 18, 2008.
