Article One: Name and Purpose:
Section 1.1 Name: The name of this organization shall be the Universalist Gnostic Communion.
Section 1.2 Purpose: The purpose of the Universal Gnostic Communion is to train, encourage, and support Contemporary Universalist Gnostic Ministers; to provide encouragement and support for Contemporary Universalist Gnostic Ministries; to foster liberal religion and make it effective in the life of the Contemporary Gnostic; to provide direct mentoring for potential and actual Gnostic ministers; to provide educational direction for potential and actual Gnostic ministers; to promote the establishment of Contemporary Universalist Gnostic ministries the world over.
Article Two: Membership:
Section 2.1 Member Ministries: All ministries recognized as active ministries according to the UGC Bylaws are member ministries of the UGC. All member ministries are accorded voting rights when member voting is call for. Such member ministries may send lay or religious delegates as the individual ministry deems fit to all UGC functions. Member ministries are required to follow a Universalist form.
Section 2.2 Associate Membership: The Board of Directors, upon application, may admit to associate membership any organization whose leadership and members wish to align with the philosophy and purpose of the UGC. Associate membership is accorded those ministries whose leadership have not been trained or mentored directly by the UGC; associate membership is accorded to those ministries whose leadership has been trained and mentored by the UGC, but does not follow a Universalist form.
Each associate membership is accorded representatives’ at all major UGC gatherings; Associate membership is not accorded voting rights.
Section 2.3 Independent Affiliate Organizations: The Board of Directors upon request may admit to affiliate status any independently constituted and operated ministerial organization whose purpose and programs it finds to be in sympathy with the philosophy and purposes of the UGC, and may terminate such status upon finding that the organization no longer meets the foregoing qualifications or is not in compliance with the rules relating to such organizations. The Board shall adopt rules governing the privileges of and requirements for Affiliate Organizations. The UGC shall neither exercise control over nor assume responsibility for the programs, activities, or finances of any Affiliate Organization.
Section 2.4 Individual Solitary Membership: All individuals recognized as members of the greater UGC according to the UGC Bylaws are Solitary members of the UGC. All Solitary members are accorded voting rights when member voting is called for. Such solitary members may appear as personal representatives to all UGC functions. UGC Solitary members are free to pursue any level of ordination offered by the UGC.
Section 2.4 Individual Solitary Ministerial Membership: All Solitary members of the UGC may apply for ministerial formation. All levels of ordination offered by the UGC are available to Solitary members. Such ministers are referred to as “Solitary Ministers” or “Ministers at Large.”
Article Three: Board of Directors:
Section 3.1 Board of Directors:
A. Management: The business and affairs of the Communion shall be managed by a Board of Directors. The Presiding Bishop and an even number of appointed officers (at least four: the President, the Vice-President, the Secretary, and the Treasurer) constitute the Board of Directors.
B. Responsibilities: the Board shall have general charge of the operations of the Communion, the conduct of all business affairs, control of its administration, presentation of the budget at the Annual Meeting, and appointment of such committees and task forces as deemed necessary.
C. Board Meetings: the Board will meet at the least once every two months, and any greater number deemed necessary.
D. Quorum: Fifty percent of the members of the board constitute a quorum.
Section 3.2 Officers:
A. Elective officers: The Presiding Bishop is the only elected officer on the Board of Directors. The Presiding Bishop is elected from all UGC Bishops, High Priests, High Priestesses, and Elders. The term of service of the Presiding Bishop is lifetime, or until requested retirement. The Presiding Bishop has a single vote in all Board of Directors voting. The Presiding Bishop cannot preside at meetings of the Board.
B. President: The President shall preside at all meetings of the members and Board and shall perform such functions as are commonly associated with the office, and shall be Chief Executive Officer of the Communion. The President is appointed to office by the Presiding Bishop.
C. Vice-President: In the absence of the President, the Vice-President shall preside at all meetings of the members and the Board and shall perform such functions as are commonly associated with the office. The Vice-President is appointed to office by the Presiding Bishop.
D. Secretary: The Secretary shall keep a correct record of all meetings of the members and the Board.
E. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall have custody of all money of the Communion. He or she shall receive and give receipts for all monies or other thing of value due, or to become due, to the Communion and make disbursements as directed by the Board.
F. An appointed officer may serve indefinitely unless resignation is requested by that officer or by the Presiding Bishop.
G. Vacancies: A vacancy in any office for any reason may be filled by the Board for up to one year, at which time a successor shall be appointed.
Article Four: Rules and Policy:
Section 4.1 Adoption, Repeal and Amendment of Rules and Policy: The Board of Directors may adopt Rules and Policies not inconsistent with this Constitution and may amend or repeal these Rules and Policies.
Article Five: Amendments:
Section 9.1 Amendments: This Constitution may be amended by a majority vote of the accredited delegates at any meeting of the Communion, provided written notice shall have been mailed by the President or Secretary of the Board of Directors at least one month prior to such meeting, or notice shall have been given at the meeting next preceding.
