What is the Bylaw Review Project?
The Bylaws Task Force develops proposals for changes to our bylaws for members to vote on at congregational meetings. A subgroup of Policy & Governance Committee (P&G), we were created in spring of 2020. The P&G Committee’s Task Force includes Grace Colton (P&G member), Marcy Langrock, a rotating SLT member, Ryam Hill , Mary Anderson (P&G member), and David Langrock (Board Liaison). We were empowered by the Policy and Governance Committee to look at ALL of East Shore’s Bylaws to ensure that they are up-to-date, comply with Washington State Law, conform to UUA standards, minimize oppression, and are useful and easy to understand.
What has the Bylaws Task Force been doing so far?
After we started, WA state law governing non-profit bylaws were completely revised resulting in a need to replace ESUC’s Articles of Incorporation. The Articles are a foundational document required by state law in order for East Shore to exist. Bylaws flow from the Articles of Incorporation and also require member approval. The revised Articles were approved by members of our congregation.
There has also been revisions to ESUC’s Bylaws approved over 5 congregational meetings from October 2021 through this December 2023. We had aggressively aimed to finish the bylaw review by June of 2022.
The need to revise the Articles and create new Board Policies has caused that timeline to be revised. We now expect to finish December 2024. There will be proposed bylaw changes for members to vote on at the next two congregational meetings. The last batch will be the largest, at the June 2024 congregational meeting.
What will the Bylaws Task Force be doing?
What remains for the task force to review are the bylaw sections that cover committees and ministry teams, ministers, congregational meetings, public witness activities, elections, Officers & Trustees, and the appendix. The Board, including the Staff Leadership Team, is the primary stakeholder of these sections. So, we will be working closely with the Board both individually and as a whole.
How can I get prepared to vote at a congregational meeting?
The best way to learn, get educated, and ask about what you are voting on is to prepare before a congregational meeting. Read your Notice of Meeting and the materials that come with it. All members receive a Notice of Meeting and associated materials 14 days before a congregational meeting. Informational Forums will be offered so you can ask questions and hear other perspectives. These events are for learning about what you are voting on.
There is, comparatively, more time to ask questions and learn in an Information Forum than there is at a congregational meeting where the emphasis is on hearing viewpoints not on learning the facts. Congregational meetings assume you have read through the material before the meeting.
How can you be involved?
- Your participation is crucial in this project! The Bylaws Task Force wants your suggestions, comments, and questions. These will help guide us in our work. The earlier in the process we receive your thoughts, the more thoroughly they can be addressed before voting. If you have comments about the above sections or any aspect of this work, attend an information forum, email [email protected] or any other member of the Task Force. We want to hear from you.
- There will be additional Forums, e-blasts, and Beacon articles through June 2024 to let you know what’s up. The Task Force counts on your review of the material and understanding of the facts before congregational meetings.
- Watch an introductory video HERE about the Bylaws Project.
- You can read our current Bylaws here and Policies here.