BYLAWS AUDIT 2026

As the Bylaws & Policies Audit progresses, this page will continue to grow with updates and draft materials. The primary focus will be on the Bylaws, which require congregational approval, while current governing documents remain available at iucc.org/bpp

It’s that time again—our bylaws continue to evolve as IUCC grows and changes. Most cycles bring small updates: removing what no longer fits, clarifying what needs definition, or adding items that reflect how our church already operates. This upcoming audit will be a larger overhaul focused on structure and presentation. Because of that, the committee will take its time and keep the process fully transparent.

Formatting - Our current bylaws aren’t especially digital friendly. Inconsistent indentation, mixed bullet styles, and other layout quirks will be standardized so the document has a clean, professional look that’s easy to read online and in print.

Structure - Our bylaws currently include program details that really belong in Policies. Bylaws should state who we are and the purpose/authority of each body; Policies should cover how we carry that out (program menus, schedules, formats). This is most obvious in the ministry sections.

Example – Music Ministry: the bylaws rightly say Music “develops and implements music programs for worship,” but then dive into specifics—naming a Chancel Choir, Children’s Choir, and special events. Those are program choices, not constitutional identity. Moving such specifics to policy lets the boards adjust offerings—like pausing a Children’s Choir when it isn’t active—without requiring a two-thirds congregational vote.

While format and structure will change, the content itself is not being rewritten. This is a restructure, not a redefinition of IUCC. Roughly 95% of existing material will remain intact—often just moved to the right place or expanded for clarity. We’re a small committee and can’t catch every flaw. If you notice anything in our bylaws or policies that feels unclear, outdated, or just “off,” no matter how minor, please email bylaws@iucc.org.

Bylaws, Policies, and Procedures 2026 Audit

    • Current Bylaws (Not Uploaded)

    • Proposed Bylaws (Not Uploaded)

    • Side by side with notes (not uploaded)

    • Article 1 – Name

    • Article 2 – Purpose

    • Article 3 – Definitions

    • Article 4 – Polity

    • Article 5 – Covenant

    • Article 6 – Membership

    • Article 7 – Services and Worship

    • Article 8 – Congregational Meetings

    • Article 9 – Officers of the Church

    • Article 10 – Church Boards

    • Article 11 – Ministries of the Church

    • Article 12 – Committees and Other Bodies of the Church

    • Article 13 – Pastoral Leadership

    • Article 14 – Finance

    • Article 15 – Parliamentary Authority

    • Article 16 – Amendments

    • Article 17 – Policies and Procedures

    • Article 18 – Dissolution

    • Article 19 – Indemnification of Directors, Officers, and Other Agents

    • 1.01 – Creation and Maintenance of Policies and Procedures

    • 1.02 – Use of Mailing Labels

    • 1.05 – Meeting Rules

    • 1.07 – Pilgrim Pines Camp Use

    • 1.08 – Items Requiring Board Approval

    • 1.11 – Email Church List

    • 1.12 – Document Retention

    • 1.13 – Safe and Healthy Church Community Policy

    • 1.14 – Administration Board Calendar

    • 1.15 – Childcare Policy

    • 1.16 – Hiring Practices

    • 1.16 Appendix – Hiring Checklist

    • 1.17 – ECC Refunds and Fee Waivers

    • 1.18 – Quarantine Pay

    • 1.19 – Solicitation of Donations

    • 2.01 – Authorization to Use IUCC

    • 2.02 – Using IUCC Facilities

    • 2.02 Appendix A – Facility Hold Harmless Agreement

    • 2.02 Appendix B – Outside/Non-Member User Policies

    • 2.03 – Short-Term Rental of IUCC Facilities

    • 2.03 Appendix – Short-Term Rental Form

    • 2.04 – Key Policy

    • 3.01 – Cash Management

    • 3.02 – Receipt and Use of Gifts

    • 3.03 – Fundraising

    • 3.04 – Event Tickets

    • 3.05 – Finance Committee

    • 3.06 – Budget Process

    • 3.07 – Pastor Paul Camper Fund

    • 5.01 – Child Care Committee


    • Adult Education & Programs

    • Advocates for Peace & Justice

    • All-Church Work Day Teams

    • Board Chair (Administration)

    • Board Chair (Ministries)

    • Building & Grounds Committee

    • Bylaws, Policies & Procedures Committee

    • Caregivers / Congregational Care Groups

    • Chancel Choir

    • Child Care Center Committee (CCC)

    • Children’s Choir

    • Children’s Ministry (appears on website; partially overlaps with MYP in bylaws)

    • Clerk of Administration

    • Clerk of Ministries

    • Coffee Hour / Hospitality Volunteers

    • College Student Representative

    • Comma Groups (Small Groups)

    • Communications Ministry

    • Congregational Representatives (Admin Board)

    • Deacons Ministry

    • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Ministry

    • Environmental / Green Faith Group (website)

    • Fellowship Ministry

    • Finance Committee

    • Fund Development Committee

    • Hospitality Ministry

    • Human Resources Committee

    • Interfaith / Ecumenical Engagement Group (website)

    • Membership Ministry

    • Men’s Fellowship

    • Ministry with Young People (MYP)

    • Mission & Service Ministry

    • Moderator

    • Music Ministry

    • New Members / Inquirers Class Team

    • Pastoral Leadership (Senior Pastor, Associate Pastor roles)

    • Pastoral Relations Committee

    • Plumer Endowment Fund Committee

    • Prayer Shawl Ministry

    • Property & Facilities Volunteers (website; overlapping B&G)

    • Scouting / Scout Liaison

    • Seekers Group

    • Senior Pastor

    • Special Committees (bylaws-defined)

    • Special Events Planning Teams

    • Stephen Ministry

    • Sunday School Teachers (website; not a bylaws ministry but a recognized program)

    • Task Forces (bylaws-defined)

    • Technology Committee

    • Treasurer

    • Ushers & Greeters

    • Women’s Fellowship

    • Worship Ministry

    • Young Adults Group (website)

    • Youth Representative (Ministries Board)

  • Item description

    • Because this is an active, year-long audit, all content on this page is considered draft and may change as the work unfolds. Updated materials will be posted regularly—please check back each month.