Proposed Amendment to the By-Laws of First Unitarian Church of Dallas for congregational vote in December 2024
Background
A task group of the Board of Trustees was established earlier this year to assess improvements to the current nominating process. The group has interviewed current and past members of the Nominating Committee, as well as Church leadership. A review of historical practices was also conducted.
This review drove a focus on the current term structure of the Nominating Committee. It also led to consideration of adjustment to the timing of the annual commencement of the Committee’s work.
As a result of this assesment, The Board of Trustees of the First Unitarian Church of Dallas, in accordance with Article XV of our bylaws, is proposing a by-law amendment to Article XI for congregational consideration. Voting members will have an opportunity to vote on the proposed bylaw amendment at the Parish Meeting on December 15, 2024.
Rationale
Some of the Nominating Committee members serve only one-year terms, creating excessive churn and continuity challenges. Having all elected members serve two-year terms allows for greater time to build knowledge in the role and less effort spent by continuing members on getting new members up to speed, which should improve the effectiveness of the Committee.
In addition, the assessment revealed a need to initiate the work of the Committee earlier to give adequate time to properly perform the Committee’s work.
Proposed Amendment
Current text in Article XI
Nominating Committee Membership. The Nominating Committee shall be composed of five (5) voting members of the Church: two (2) to be elected annually for a term of one (1) year from a slate of two (2) or more nominees; one (1) to be elected each year for a term of two (2) years from a slate of one (1) or more nominees; and a fifth (5th) to be appointed by the Board of Trustees for a term of one (1) year. The President shall call an organizational meeting of the Committee by at least the first day of June, at which meeting a Chairperson shall be elected and the duties of the Committee reviewed.
Proposed replacement text
Nominating Committee Membership. The Nominating Committee shall be composed of five (5) voting members of the Church: two (2) to be elected annually for a term of two (2) years from a slate of two (2) or more nominees, totaling four (4) elected members, and a fifth (5th) to be appointed by the Board of Trustees for a term of one (1) year.
The Board shall appoint its allocated member to the nominating committee not later than the end of February. The President shall convene the committee’s organizational meeting not later than the end of March, at which meeting a Chairperson shall be elected and the duties of the Committee reviewed.
