We seek renewed reverence for the biosphere as
the ultimate context for human existence....
We seek renewed reverence for the biosphere as
the ultimate context for human existence....
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Bylaws of the Universal Pantheist Society
Article 1 Section 1: This organization shall be known as the Universal Pantheist Society. Section 2: The term "Pantheist" as used herein shall refer to persons who feel that the Universe is divine and the Earth is sacred, who derive their fundamental religious experience through their personal relationship with the Universe, who feel that Nature is the ultimate context for human existence, who seek to improve their relationship with the natural world as their fundamental religious responsibility, who oppose the arrogant world-view of anthropocentrism, and to whom religion is seen as a system of reverent behavior toward Nature rather than anthropomorphic deities. "Nature" as used in these Bylaws includes the entire natural world, thereby encompassing human beings, the entire pageant of life, the Earth and its dynamic systems, the Moon, the Sun, the Solar System, the Milky Way Galaxy, and indeed the entire Universe or Cosmos. Section 3. The Society shall be composed of individuals who feel that fundamental religious experience involves an individual relationship with Nature, and who are interested in furthering understanding, appreciation, and application of pantheist attitudes through mutual support and sharing with others interested in Pantheism, and in spreading pantheist beliefs more widely. Section 4: Recognizing that freedom of belief is inherent in the pantheist tradition, nothing in the purpose of this organization shall ever be utilized to require a particular interpretation of Pantheism or subscription to any particular dogma, but persons uniting with this Society may engage in seeking freedom and nourishment of religious experience from fellow pantheists and through the practice of their religion in ways which are meaningful to themselves. Section 5: The purpose of this Society shall be: to unite Pantheists everywhere into a common fellowship, to spread information about Pantheism to the public, to facilitate discussion and communication among Pantheists, to provide for the mutual aid and defense of Pantheists everywhere, to stimulate a revision of social attitudes away from anthropocentrism and toward reverence for the Earth and a vision of Nature as the ultimate context for human existence, and to take appropriate action toward the protection and restoration of the Earth. Article II Section 1: The administration of the affairs and funds of the Society shall vest in a Board of Directors, who shall be elected by a majority vote of the Directors for a term of one year or until their successors are elected. Section 2: The officers of the Society shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer who shall be elected by the Directors from the BoardÕs own members and who shall serve for one year or until their successors are elected. Section 3: The officers shall perform the usual duties of such officers. The Treasurer shall render an annual report to the Directors for each fiscal year and his reports shall be audited at such time and in such manner as the directors may direct. The funds of the Society shall be deposited in the name of the Society in such bank as the Executive Committee shall designate, and no moneys shall be withdrawn therefrom except by one or more members of the Executive Committee, provided that no officer other than the Treasurer shall sign a check drawn in his own favor. Section 4: The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers of the society and such other members, but no more than six, elected by the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee shall carry on the duties of the Board of Directors between meetings of the Board, and shall submit to the Board reports of its proceedings. Action of the Executive Committee may be secured by a vote of the majority of its members at meetings or through the medium of telephone, telegraph, electronic mail, electronic bulletin board, or other telecommunications device, or mail. Section 5: The Board of Directors may create and appoint such standing or special and advisory committees as it may deem necessary for the promotion and proper conduct of the purposes of the Society. All members of the Society shall be eligible to membership upon all committees so created. Section 6: The Board of Directors may convene a meeting through any member of the Executive Committee, or by written request of one-third of the members of the Board of Directors. (1.) A majority of the Board of Directors, present at meetings in person, shall constitute a quorum. (2.) A resolution in writing, signed or confirmed through electronic mail or other telecommunication device by two-thirds of the members of the Board, shall be deemed to be of the same force and effect as if it had been duly passed by a vote of the Board at a convened meeting. Article III Section 1: Members of the Society shall consist of those persons who wish to further their own understanding of pantheism, and through fellowship with others find purposive means of expressing their faith in daily life. Section 2: The Board of Directors may establish membership dues, provided that the Treasurer, with ratification of the Executive Committee may in his or her discretion waive payment of dues in specific instances. Section 3: The Board of Directors may authorize the acceptance of donations and bequests. Article IV These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of members of the Board of Directors.
Approved by Board of Directors July 1, 1975; amended January 2, 1980; amended March 8, 1999.
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