ARTICLE I. NAME, AFFILIATION AND AREA

The name of this organization shall be the Seaway Chapter of the Liberal Religious Educators Association (hereinafter referred to as the Chapter). The Liberal Religious Educators Association (LREDA) desires to promote the values of liberal religious education through a continental professional organization.

The Seaway Chapter, affiliated with and honoring the by-laws of LREDA, is an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, multicultural welcoming organization that supports and advocates for religious educators of every age, race/ethnicity, class, gender, gender identity, physical ability and sexual orientation.

The geographic area covered by the Chapter shall be the same as that of the St. Lawrence District of the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Central and Eastern Regions of the Canadian Unitarian Council.

ARTICLE II. PURPOSES

As stated in the By-Laws of LREDA, "The purpose of chapters shall be to uphold LREDA as outlined in (LREDA's) by-laws, to further these at the local level, to form support groups, and to uphold the work of the parent organization at the continental level."

In addition, the purposes of the Seaway Chapter shall be:

- broadening and deepening our understanding of lifespan religious education

- offering collegial support and encouragement for professional development

- holding one another accountable to the LREDA Code of Professional Practices

- providing and encouraging the use of LREDA Good Offices people

- supporting LREDA in its efforts to establish recognized levels of professional

credentialing

- educating congregations to an understanding of religious educators as professionals

- cooperating with the UUA Dept of Ministry and Professional Leadership Development, the St. Lawrence District Board and Religious Education Committee, and the Canadian Unitarian Council and its Director of Lifespan Learning toward the goal of excellence in religious education in all our congregations

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

Any member of the Liberal Religious Educators Association residing within the St. Lawrence District of the Unitarian Universalist Association or the Central or Eastern Regions of the Canadian Unitarian Council, shall be eligible to become a member of the Chapter. LREDA is an inclusive organization of liberal religious educators and those supportive of religious education, including Unitarian and Universalist ministers of religious education, parish ministers, community ministers, and lay directors of religious education, and supportive members.

Membership shall be established by the payment of annual dues both to LREDA and to the Chapter. All members in good standing for 30 days of more shall be eligible to vote.

ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS

The officers of the Chapter shall be a chairperson, a vice chairperson, and a recorder/treasurer . Officers must be members of the Chapter.

The chairperson shall call, convene, and preside over meetings of the membership, and shall oversee the functioning of the committees. The chair shall send notice of all meetings at least thirty days in advance of the meetings. The chair will submit an annual report to continental LREDA.

The vice chairperson shall assist the other officers as needed and carry out the duties of the chair in his or her absence. The vice shall assist in planning events by soliciting program coordinators depending on the venue of the event.

The recorder/treasurer shall send notice of and collect dues, take and distribute minutes of the meetings, maintain records of meetings, policies and membership, handle and report on the finances to the membership of the Chapter. S/he shall maintain an up-to-date electronic mailing list of members.

Officers shall be elected by a simple majority of the members in attendance at the annual meeting for a two-year term. Officers shall serve a maximum of two consecutive terms, not including any partial term that they have been elected to cover.

ARTICLE V. GOOD OFFICES

There shall be two people appointed by the chairperson, one an American and one a Canadian, to serve as Good Offices persons. They shall be encouraged to attend LREDA Good Offices training at the General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association.

ARTICLE VI. COMMITTEES

Committees shall be appointed as needed to carry out the purpose of the Chapter.

ARTCILE VII. MEETINGS

The annual meeting of the Chapter shall be held each year in conjunction with the St. Lawrence District Annual Assembly.

ARTICLE VIII. FINANCES AND DUES

Annual dues shall be determined by the membership. Dues shall be payable at the beginning of each fiscal year, July 1 through June 30.

The recorder/ treasurer shall present a financial report at each meeting of the membership.

ARTICLE IX.. AMENDMENTS

These bylaws may be amended at the annual meeting by a majority vote of the membership present at the annual meeting. Proposed bylaw amendments shall be circulated to the membership not later than 30 days prior to the annual meeting. Bylaw amendments may be proposed by any member.