MEMBERSHIP PROCESS

The process of becoming a member of this congregation culminates in a simple ceremony of signing the Membership Book.  By signing, the new member has joined with others in covenant to use the Unitarian Universalist Principles and Purposes as guiding values in life.Our congregation expects that, before deciding to join, prospective members will:

• Have become familiar with Unitarian Universalism and its history, its organization, and its Principles and Purposes.

• Have become familiar with the UU Church in Eugene and its operations.

• Understand the rights and responsibilities of membership. 

To this end, the process of becoming a member usually begins with attendance at a series of Newcomer Orientation meetings, called “Getting to Know UU,” held several times a year.Watch here for dates of the next orientation series, or contact the Membership Chair mdjunkins@comcast.net.     

See also Membership Matters           

LOCAL MEMBERSHIP POLICIES

(revised 2/09)

MEMB. 1 The aim of the Newcomer Orientation program is to facilitate integration into the church and to help new members become familiar with Unitarian Universalism, its history, its organization and its Principles and Purposes; and with UUCE, its operations and the rights and responsibilities of membership.

Prospective members must complete and submit a New Member Information Sheet, and are also expected to:

1. attend an orientation series approved by the Minister and conducted by the Membership Committee,
2. read the “Principles and Purposes of Unitarian Universalism” and
3. participate in an official welcoming ceremony at a worship service.

New members are to be informed about opportunities for participation in church activities and for volunteering time to maintain church operations. The general financial condition of the church and the cost to the church of each membership shall be explained clearly to new members.  (revised 2/12/2009)

MEMB.  2 A member of the Board of Trustees or the Minister will help in welcoming a new member in the above ways and by emphasizing that the primary value of each new member to the church is the gift of their personhood and not their tangible contributions. (revised 2/12/2009)

MEMB. 3 The names of Honorary Lifetime Members shall remain on the membership roll unless they resign or are deceased and final rites have been performed, and shall not be removed simply because the church cannot contact them, so that previously active members who become elderly or inform will not be denied membership and the right to use the church for their rites of passage. (revised 2/12/2009)

MEMB. 4 In connection with Bylaw 040.5, "for cause" refers to serious violations of the purposes of the church. (adopted 6/12/03) Any person whom the Board intends to remove from membership or deny membership shall be given thirty days advance written notice by certified mail and the reasons for the proposed action together with an opportunity to be heard by the Board orally or in writing not less than five days before the effective date of the removal or denial. A two-thirds affirmative vote of the Board members then in office shall, for cause, be sufficient to remove any member or deny any person membership. The decision of the Board shall be written, final and not reviewable by any court.  (revised 2/12/2009)

MEMB. 5  The annual count of voting members is taken by the chair of the Membership Committee. The names on the membership database kept by the Church Administrator will be compared with the records of identifiable financial contributions of record of any size to the church in the previous fifteen months, at the time of the count. Donations “to the church” means any donation to the UUCE church, including donations to the church’s general fund and also donations designated for a specific church fund or purpose.  This does not include donations made to related but separate groups or activities that are affiliated with the church, but which are  not funded through the church’s budget. Any discrepancies between the two lists will be reconciled by the chair of the Membership Committee to determine the final count. This count will take effect on December 31 of each year. (revised 2/12/2009)

MEMB. 6 A member whose name has been dropped from the membership roll for reasons other than “for cause” may be reinstated by completing and submitting the New Member Information Sheet, and re-signing the Membership Book.  A member whose name has been dropped from the voting membership roll may be reinstated as a voting member by making an identifiable financial contribution of record of any size to the church, which may be done immediately prior to a congregational vote in which the person wishes to vote. (revised 2/12/2009)

Full Bylaws
Full Policies

RELATION of UUCE to UUA and PNWD

The UUA (Unitarian Universalist Association) and Pacific NorthWest District (PNWD) have a per-member dues structure from local congregations, both for their own support and for providing services to congregations. The amount changes over time, but currently each congregation pays about $50-$60 per year per member to the UUA and $25 per member to the District (PNWD). The return benefits include but are not limited to:

top