Members and Friends

Membership and Its Privileges

1. Membership is open to any individual, sixteen years of age or older, who concurs with the principles and purposes of the UUA and this church. The individual becomes a member of the church upon signing a membership card and delivering it to the Minister or the Clerk or any other office of the Board of Trustees. Membership will continue for the life of the individual or until written notification of termination of membership is received by the Church. The clerk will maintain membership records.

2. Voting members: For the purpose of voting in congregational meetings, a voting member is one (a member) who supports the church through a recorded financial contribution at a base or greater level during the previous or current calendar year January 1 – December 31.

• A base level contribution is one that meets the church’s financial obligations for each member to UU continental and district associations and to the expense of the church newsletter publication.

• A new member shall be a voting member 60 days after making a base or greater level contribution of record.

• If two or more members chose to make their pledges and contributions jointly, they will notify the Treasurer of this intent so that all contributing members will be recognized as voting members.

• A person unable to support the church at the base level may request the Board to waive the requirement and declare him or her a voting member for the current calendar year.

• If a current voting member does not make a recorded financial contribution at the base level or greater level in any given calendar year January 1 – December 31, the Membership Committee will contact the member in January to inform them that they are about to lose voting privileges. The member can retain voting privileges by then making a contribution at the base or greater level to be applied towards the previous year or by obtaining a waiver for that year from the board.

• Ten (10) days prior to any Congregational meeting, the clerk will post the names of all voting members along with the requirements for voting eligibility.

Friends. The Board may establish policies relating to a category of non-member Church participants known as Friends.

Article III, Bylaws, Unitarian Church, Davenport, Iowa

Friends of the Church

There is also a category of non-membership participation in the church which is known as being a "friend" of the church. This is for people who have not signed a membership card, but have contributed to the vitality of the church by means of a recorded contribution or pledge.
 

Benefits of Being a Contributing Member or Friend

Members and contributing friends of the church are eligible to receive a number of benefits including: 

• Our twice per month newsletter, the QCU - in electronic and/or hardcopy form.
• Listing in our annual Church Directory.  (This directory includes both members and friends of the church as of January 2009.
• A copy of the annual Chruch Directory - in printed or electronic form
• Access to the private pages of the church website (which include directory information as well). 
• Bi-monthly issues of the UU World magazine in print form.  (It is also available on the UUA website.)
• Use of the church facilities once per year at no charge.
• Opportunities to serve on any of over 25 committees, join in a variety of social groups, or initiate new groups or special events that foster personal or spiritual growth as it relates to the UU Principles and Purposes.

Additional Benefits for Voting Members

• Voting members are entitled to vote, in person or by proxy, at congregational meetings.
• They are also entitled to serve as an Officer, a member of the Board of Trustees, or a member of the Nominating Committee which seeks candidates to these positions.
• Voting members can also represent our congregation as delegates to the Prairie Star District meetings or the UUA General Assembly.
• Finally, they receive priority in attending leadership training opportunities.

Newcomer's Orientation

Each fall and spring we conduct a Newcomer's Orientation class for the benefit of those persons who are interested in exploring Unitarian Universalism and possible membership in this church.   Taking this class does not obligate a person to become a member; however, it provdes are great deal of basic information on this church and on the UUA denomination as a whole. 

We also invite newcomers to speak with the Minister at any time about the benefits and responsibilities of becoming a member of this congregation.