FUUCSL minutes May 2008

UUSL Leadership Group Minutes for 5/7/08

Leadership Group Members present: Etaoin Barcelona, Sofia Freenote, Beacon Questi, Pomona Writer Visitors (for some or part of meeting): Thisbe Blackadder, Ingrid Marsh , Cyfer Braess, Ludo Merit, Spencer Dharnen

The meeting was held in the conference center in Zoshchenko and began shortly after 6:30 pm. A group IM to the UUSL group was sent to invite visitors to the meeting. Since a quorum of 4 members of the Leadership group was present and the meeting had been announced in the wiki, the googlegroup calendar, and the notecard distributer in Lovelace, we began to consider buisiness at hand.

Sofia suggested that in order to implement the bylaws we need to (1) create/elect a treasurer to begin a formal membership process (2) pass the bylaws at the Leadership Group and (3) call a meeting and have a majority of those attending ratify them. This is the process outlined in the Bylaws (see the end of the minutes for a copy of the bylaws under discussion).

Treasurer: After some discussion about whether it would be better to create a new avatar to be treasurer or use UU Guru, presently an avatar of George Byrd, Pomona moved that we elect a treasurer who would either create a new avatar or possibly take over the UU Guru avatar from Biz. Beacon seconded it. We asked for self-nominations from the floor and hearing none, Sofia nominated herself, at least until the next election. Pomona moved that Sofia be treasurer, Beacon seconded and it was passed unanimously. If the Bylaws are passed, Sofia will begin a process of inviting individuals to formal membership in FUUCSL following the membership guidelines in the Bylaws.

Bylaws- approval by Leadership Group: An extended discussion of the proposed bylaws ensued. Sofia moved the approval of the Bylaws. Pomona seconded. The vote in favor was unanimous.

Ratification of Bylaws: The Bylaws have a process for the initial approval of the bylaws. (Yes, this is pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps!) Following that process, we decided to call a meeting in SL, discuss the bylaws and call for a ratification vote. A majority of those present would be sufficient for adoption. Since no one had signed up to lead the service tomorrow, Thursday, May 8, we decided to do it at that time. Sofia agreed to lead the bylaws discussion and send notices in all the usual places…googlegroups, wiki, in-world notices, etc.

Election of Leadership Group in June: We polled the members of the leadership group who were present and found that Sofia and Etaoin would probably stand for office in June and Beacon and Pomona may stand for office, if needed. Pomona was charged with sending notices to solicit self-nominations for the Leadership Group. Otenth has a mechanism for running the election in June. Of the visitors tonight, Thisbe Blackadder, Ingrid Marsh and Cyfer Braess agreed to stand for election. There will be a period of self-nominations, the announcement of the slate, a process for voting and a date for closing the voting.

We ran out of time before considering other items on the agenda: (1) GA presentation (2) use of Voice in services (3) open slots where service leaders are needed.

A new topic was introduced by Beacon – a money tree in the welcome area. After a bit of discussion, we decided we did not know enough to make a decision. Beacon and Cyfer were charged with figuring out the pros and cons and bringing it to the next Leadership Group meeting.

Etaoin agreed to send a notice out soliciting service leaders. He is working on a “how to” notecard and a wiki page to help newcomers to the pulpit.

We adjourned at 7:55 pm SLT.

Respectfully submitted, Sofia Freenote Secretary/Treasurer

PROPOSED BYLAWS: 1. Name: The name of this organization is the FIRST UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF SECOND LIFE (hereinafter referred to as “FUUCSL”). 2. Purpose: The purpose of this group is to organize as a religious community in Second Life which has at its heart these beliefs: a commitment to accept one another and encourage each other’s spiritual growth; a recognition of the inherent worth and dignity of every person; a belief in the need for justice, equity and compassion in human relations; a commitment to a free and responsible search for truth and meaning; acceptance of the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregation; a desire to further the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all; and a deep and abiding respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. 3. Membership: Any person who shall indicate a willingness to support this organization and subscribe to its purposes, as above, and who expresses a desire to join it, can do so by sending an IM to the Treasurer requesting to join. Members are expected to regularly contribute by supporting the organization financially and/or volunteering in its activities. The Treasurer may remove from membership individuals who have not signed on to SL within the last six months or who have not contributed within the last year. Members shall be assigned the role of “Voting Member” in the SL group Unitarian Universalists of SL. 4. Governance: In June of each year, a Leadership Group shall be elected by the voting members of FUUCSL. The mechanism for voting shall be determined by the Leadership Group. The Leadership Group shall consist of seven members of the FUUCSL whose term of office will be one year. Officers of the FUUCSL (Moderator, Treasurer, Secretary) shall be selected by the Leadership Group from among the members of the FUUCSL by an internal process. Vacancies in the Leadership Group shall be filled by the Leadership Group. 5. Amendment: Proposed changes to the Bylaws shall be approved by a 2/3 vote of the Leadership Group and submitted to the membership for discussion and approval. A three-fourths vote of the membership who cast a ballot on any measure shall be sufficient to amend the bylaws. 6. Initial Adoption of Bylaws: These bylaws were approved by the Leadership Group on May 7, 2007, and ratified by a majority vote of those persons attending a meeting called and held for such purpose, without regard to any voting qualifications or requirements provided for in these bylaws.