Our Membership Policy (proposed)

Note: Drafted on 2011 October 19, this proposal has not yet been approved by the Board.

Since we consider our congregation to be our extended family, current members guiding new and potential members is an essential part of our membership program. As such, when potential members begin to actively attend services, the Membership Team (MT) will assign active members of the congregation who volunteer to act as sponsors and guides in the orientation process.

These sponsors will be responsible for determining the needs and expectations of those whom they guide, helping the new congregant feel welcome, and encouraging them to become joyful participants in our congregation. If and when a new congregant expresses a desire to become a member of the church, their sponsor will recommend them to the MT for consideration.

Requirements for Consideration

All candidates for membership must attend enough services for them to become familiar with our congregation and for us to become familiar with them. We should be familiar with one another's values before we invite them into our extended family.

An individual who has been a member of another UU congregation and who would now like to become a member of our congregation must attend at least three services within three months prior to consideration. After a minimum of thirty days from their first visit, their sponsor may recommend them for membership.

An individual who is new to Unitarian Universalism and who would like to become a member of our congregation must attend at least six services within three months and must participate in a UU educational program. Preferably they will attend a UU & You class, but online study will be considered acceptable. After a minimum of sixty days from their first visit, their sponsor may recommend them for membership.

Consideration Process

The MT will consider the recommendation of the sponsor and will listen to all interested parties in determining if the candidate has met all requirements and if he or she will enrich our community. If the majority of the Team agrees and no appeal is requested, the potential member will be asked to sign the Membership Book in a signing ceremony.

In a case where where the MT feels that further consideration is needed, they may reject the sponsor's recommendation. If the sponsor disagrees, then he or she may request that the Board of Directors (BoD) decide the case. Likewise, if the MT approves the candidacy against the wishes of one or more active members, then the BoD must hear the case. If the BoD accepts the candidacy without additional appeal, the potential member will be asked to sign the Membership Book in a signing ceremony.

If the BoD also rejects the recommendation, then the sponsor may petition the congregation. Likewise, if the BoD approves the candidacy against the wishes of one or more active members, then they may petition the congregation. If twenty-five percent or more of the active membership agrees to sponsor the candidate, by signing a petition of sponsorship, the potential member will be asked to sign the Membership Book in a signing ceremony.

If appeals are required, it is recommended that the sponsor report to the candidate that the process is proceeding. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, it is recommended that appeals not be reported to candidates.

Signing Ceremony

The signing ceremony will be held before several members of the congregation, preferably during a regular Sunday service, and must include at least one member of the MT and either the President or Vice President of the congregation. At a minimum, this ceremony will require that the candidate(s) be announced, be asked to read and agree to serve our Pledge, and sign the Membership Book.

Our Pledge is printed inside the front cover of the Membership Book

Continuing Sponsorship

After the joining ceremony, each sponsor will be responsible for continuing to guide the new member(s) in their care for at least one year. Each sponsor will periodically interact with the new member to discover areas of concerns and to otherwise help the new member become a joyful participant in our beloved community.