Current Bylaws in PDF format suitable for printing

UU Governance in Brief

Unitarian Univeralists affirm and promote the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large; therefore, most decisions within our local congregation are made democratically or by some process by which all voices are heard and considered. Voting members of the congregation meet annually, or at specially called business meetings, to conduct the business of the congregation. Each Unitarian Universalist congregation is autonomous and self-governing.

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Northern Chautauqua is served by an Executive Board of six voting members.

Each year at the annual meeting in May or June, voting members of the congregation elect members of the Executive Board. They also elect members of the Leadership Development (Nominating) Committee and adopt the annual budget. The fiscal year begins July 1.

Together, independent Unitarian Universalist congregations make up the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (UUA), as the congregations have freely chosen to pursue common goals together. The Association’s polity is congregational; Association decisions are made by congregational delegates in business sessions at the annual General Assembly.

Independent local congregations support the UUA by sending financial contributions. The Unitarian Univeralist Congregation of Northern Chautauqua does this by pledging a “fair share” contribution based on our congregation’s operating budget.

Our “fair share” contribution also supports Unitarian Universalist regional programs, services and field staff in the Central East Region (CER) of the UUA. This region includes all of New York State and congregations in Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.