2026 bylaws - proposed for annual meeting

Below, is a draft of bylaws constructed by the United Life CSL Leadership Council. The community is invited to review and propose changes in advance of the vote on Sunday, January 11th, 2026. Contact Rev. KC Taylor with your comments in advance of the Annual Meeting. 

BYLAWS OF UNITED LIFE CHURCH OF RELIGIOUS SCIENCE dba UNITED LIFE CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL LIVING

An Oklahoma Nonprofit Religious Corporation

ARTICLE 1 

Section 1.1. Name of Center. The name of this Center is United Life Church of Religious Science dba United Life Center for Spiritual Living.

ARTICLE 2 - OFFICES

Section 2.1. Principal Office. The street and mailing address of the principal office of the Center is 4917 N. Portland, Oklahoma City, OK 73112. The Leadership Council has the authority to change the location of the principal office.

ARTICLE 3 - PURPOSES AND POWERS

Section 3.1. Purposes. The Center is organized and shall be operated exclusively for religious and charitable purposes within the meaning of section 50l(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Subject to the foregoing, the specific purposes and objectives of the Center shall also include teaching, educating, and practicing the Science of Mind.

Section 3.2. Powers. In furtherance of the foregoing purposes and objectives (but not otherwise) and subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 3.3, the Center shall have and may exercise all of the powers now or hereafter conferred upon nonprofit corporations organized under the laws of Oklahoma and may do everything necessary or convenient for the accomplishment of any of the corporate purposes, either alone or in connection with other organizations, entities or individuals, and either as principal or agent, subject to such limitations as are or may be prescribed by law.

Section 3.3. Restrictions On Powers.

(a) No substantial part of the activities of the Center shall consist of carrying on propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation. The Center shall not participate or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office. 

(b) Upon dissolution of the Center, all of the Center’s assets remaining after payment of or provision for all of its liabilities shall be paid over or transferred to a Centers for Spiritual Living entity, providing the Centers for Spiritual Living continues to be exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code at the time of dissolution of the Center. Should Centers for Spiritual Living not be exempt at such time, then the Center’s assets shall be distributed among one or more exempt organizations described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, contributions to which are deductible under Section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code. The organizations to receive such property, and their respective shares and interests shall be determined by the Leadership Council.

ARTICLE 4 - AFFILIATION WITH CENTERS FOR SPIRITUAL LIVING

Section 4.1. Affiliation with Centers for Spiritual Living. This Center is affiliated with Centers for Spiritual Living (herein sometimes "CSL"), a Colorado Nonprofit Religious Corporation. In accordance with the terms of the Member Community Affiliation Agreement entered into between this Center and CSL, nothing in these Bylaws shall conflict with the CSL Organizational Design Model, the CSL Bylaws, or the provisions of CSL's Articles of Incorporation relating to the exempt status of CSL and/or this Center under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, as any of those documents are amended from time to time.

ARTICLE 5 - MEMBERSHIPS

Section 5.1. Qualification of Membership. Age limits for voters can be determined by the Leadership Council’s discretion. A voting Member must have completed a paper or electronic membership application that is on file. 

Section 5.2. Termination of Membership. 

(a) Automatic Termination. Membership shall be automatically terminated by death, resignation, withdrawal.

(b) Termination by Leadership Council. Membership may be terminated by the Leadership Council as follows:

(1) Where a Member has not contributed to the support of, or participated in, the services or affairs of this Center for a period of at least one year.

(2) A Member may be terminated for cause by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Leadership Council upon a showing that a Member is acting to the detriment of this Center. The Member must be sent written notice of termination and has ten (10) days to file a written objection with the Leadership Council. Said Members shall not be terminated upon objection until they have had the opportunity to present reasons why they should not be terminated to the Leadership Council. After hearing such reasons, the Trustees, in their sole discretion, may find the termination unwarranted and reinstate the Member, suspend the Member for a stated period of time, or may terminate the membership. The decision of the Leadership Council shall be final and not subject to further appeal.

(c) Membership Rolls - The Leadership Council may draft and alter membership record keeping policies

ARTICLE 6 - MEETING

Section 6.1. Annual Meeting. A regular annual meeting of the Members of this Center shall be held. The time and place of the meeting shall be established by the Leadership Council within the first quarter of the calendar year. Notice of all membership meetings must be announced through written notice  given to all Members. Such announcement or notice must be given at least thirty (30) days prior to such meeting. Such notice shall also state what vacancies are open on the Leadership Council, whether any existing Leadership Council Members wish to run  for reelection, and invite all Members in good standing willing to run for election to present their names to the Nominating Committee. Such annual meeting may be adjourned from day-to-day or to a subsequent day by majority vote of the Members in attendance at such meeting.

Section 6.2. Annual Meeting Agenda. At the annual meeting of this Center, the membership shall receive appropriate and comprehensive reports of the activities of this Center during the preceding year including a complete statement of the financial condition of this Center. The membership shall elect Trustees to fill the positions of the terms then expiring, and pass upon and transact such other business as may properly come before such meeting.

Section 6.3. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Members of this Center may be held at the call of the Senior Minister or the Presiding Officer of the Leadership Council, or a majority of the Members of the Leadership Council or by twenty percent (20%) or more of the Members of this Center. Notice of Special Meetings shall be given by the same methods as for Annual Meetings of Members. Notice of any special meeting shall specify, in addition to the place, date and hour of such meeting, the nature of the business to be transacted. No business, other than the business that was set forth in the notice of the meeting, may be transacted at a Special Meeting.

Section 6.4. Authority for Electronic Meetings. The Council may authorize electronic meetings of the membership that allow Members not physically present to participate. Such methods may include audio, video, computer, or any other methods of real time communication.

Members so participating assume all of the rights and duties of Members attending the meeting live and in person. Such electronic meetings must allow Members reasonable opportunity to participate and vote.

ARTICLE 7 - NOTICE

Section 7.1. General Notice Requirements. Notice of all membership meetings may be given to each Member in good standing by at least one of the following means:

(a) Announcements at Sunday services, in Center newsletters, or other publications circulated to the membership.

(b) Written notice by email or other electronic method where the email or electronic method is on file with the Center.

(c) Written notice by first class mail.

The notice shall specify the place, date, and hour of the meeting, and the means of electronic transmission, if any, being provided.

ARTICLE 8 - QUORUM

Section 8.1. Quorum. 

A quorum for the membership business meeting shall consist of thirty percent (30%) of those Members listed on the United Life Membership roll. 

ARTICLE 9 - VOTING

Section 9.1. Eligibility to Vote. Each Member entitled to vote may cast one vote on each matter submitted to a vote of the Members. Members may not cumulate votes for the election of Trustees.

Section 9.2. Manner of Voting. Voting may be by voice or by ballot, except that any election of Trustees must be by ballot if demanded by any Member at the meeting before the voting begins.

Section 9.3. Approval by Majority Vote. If a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power represented at the meeting, entitled to vote and voting on any matter, shall be deemed the act of the Members.

ARTICLE 10 - CENTER RECORDS AND FINANCES

Section 10.1. Accounting; Records. The Center shall maintain appropriate accounting records. Correct books of account of the activities and transactions of the Center shall be kept at the principal office of the Center.

Section 10.2. Minutes and Related Documentation. The Center shall keep as permanent records minutes of all meetings of the Leadership Council and Annual and Special Meetings of the Members. The Center encourages all committees of the Center to keep minutes, notes or other records and to file them as part of the permanent records of the Center.

Section 10.3. Membership List. The Secretary of the Leadership Council shall keep and maintain a fully up-to-date permanent record of Members containing at least the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of the Members. The Secretary shall promptly record all new Members of this Center, and to delete from the records all terminated Members. Such record shall establish membership of record for all purposes.

Section 10.4. Center's Records Maintained at Principal Office. This Center shall keep a physical or electronic copy of each of the following records at its principal office:

(a) The Articles of Incorporation;

(b) The Bylaws;

(c) The Member Community Affiliation Agreement between this Center and CSL;

(d) Copies of all filings and reports to any governmental agency;

(e) All documents related to this Center's claim of exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, including without limitation this Center's favorable determination letter granting tax-exempt status and/or documents pertaining to its group exemption status in conjunction with CSL;

(f) The membership list referenced in Section 10.3;

(g) Financial statements, including without limitation balance sheets and income statements, covering at least the most recent six (6) years' activities and transactions of the Center;

(h) All other documents or records required to be maintained by the Center at its principal office under any applicable federal, state, or local law(s) or regulation(s).

Section 10.5. Form of Center's Records. This Center's accounting records, minutes and related documentation, membership lists, and the records specified in Section 10.4, above, shall be kept either in written form or in any other form capable of being converted into clearly legible tangible form or in any combination of the two. Records shall be made available upon request. 

ARTICLE 11 - PROXIES

Section 11.1. Member's Right to Vote in Person or By Proxy.

No proxy vote will be recognized, accepted, or validated at any meeting where a Member is entitled to vote. Members must be physically present or participating electronically in order to vote.

ARTICLE 12 - OFFICE OF SENIOR MINISTER; QUALIFICATIONS

Section 12.1. Qualifications for Office of Senior Minister. Except in the event of disaffiliation, no person shall hold the office of Senior Minister of this Center unless they have been approved by Centers for Spiritual Living, or unless the Leadership Council of Centers for Spiritual Living accepts the minister's qualifications from another organization, and such minister affiliates with Centers for Spiritual Living.

Section 12.2. Powers and Duties of Senior Minister.

The Senior Minister shall have and exercise all of the powers, duties and prerogatives usually accorded to an ecclesiastical head of the Spiritual Community, including the planning and conducting of all religious services; the planning, teaching and supervising of all classes of instruction, both accredited and non-accredited; the leadership and support of the activities of the Practitioners; and the religious counseling and worship activities of this Spiritual Community, provided the same are consistent with the teachings of Religious Science as taught by Ernest Holmes; and the growth and financial prosperity of this Spiritual Community.  All duties of the Senior Minister shall be stated in their Letter of Call.

Section 12.3. Selection of Senior Minister. The selection of a Senior Minister shall be determined by the membership. All other aspects of the contractual relations between the Senior Minister and this Center shall be determined by the Leadership Council.

Section 12.4. Selection of Candidates for Senior Minister; Notice to Headquarters.

Except in cases where the succession of Senior Minister has been previously established by the Center, the Leadership Council shall appoint a Search Committee to recommend candidates for the office of Senior Minister to the membership, and the membership shall select the Senior Minister. The search committee shall include at least one (1) lay member who is not currently serving on the Leadership Council, one (1) practitioner  and one (1) member of the Leadership Council. If there is no practitioner available, the Committee will still have three (3) members. The Leadership Council shall also, as soon as practicable but in no event later than 90 days after receipt of a Notice of Termination or Notice of Resignation of the Senior Minister, contact the Centers for Spiritual Living Headquarters. In extenuating circumstances, the Leadership Council is granted the authority to select a Senior Minister by alternative means, other than a Search Committee. 

Section 12.5. Terms of Employment for Senior Minister. The Leadership Council shall arrange the terms of employment of the Senior Minister. The Senior Minister always retains the power to decide if they wish to serve as an employee of this Center or as an independent contractor, so long as they remain in compliance with the requirements of all applicable State and Federal laws and regulations. The Senior Minister also retains the power to determine their status in relation to Social Security.

Section 12.6. Resignation or Termination of Senior Minister. In the event that this Center shall desire to call for the resignation of the Senior Minister, such employment may be terminated or resignation called for, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the entire membership voting at such regular or special meeting called for that purpose.

Section 12.7. Termination of Senior Minister for Cause. A Senior Minister may be terminated for cause for a violation of the Ministerial Code, the Professional  Standards and Ethics Policies and Procedures Manual, and/or the Policy on Sexual Conduct of Centers for Spiritual Living, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Policies and  Procedures  Manual  of Centers for Spiritual Living. In the event the Senior Minister's status as Senior Minister is terminated by the Professional Standards and Ethics Committee, the Leadership Council shall terminate the Senior Minister in accordance with the decision. In the event of termination for cause, the vote of the membership shall not be necessary.

Section 12.8. Notice of Meeting for Termination of Senior Minister. Actions taken by the Membership under Section 12.6, above, can be taken only at a regular or special meeting of the Members of this Center, to be held after notice of the time, place and purpose of such meeting shall have been given by announcement at the public meetings of this Center for at least two (2) consecutive weeks before the meeting, and written notice is given to all Members ten (10) days prior to such meeting. 

Section 12.9. Authority to Establish Office of Co-Senior Minister. With the prior  approval and consent of this Center's Senior Minister and Leadership Council and upon a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the entire membership voting at a regular or special meeting called for that purpose, this Center may establish and select an individual to serve as this Center's Co-Senior Minister. Unless otherwise specifically provided in the Co-Senior Minister's letter of call or employment contract, the rights, powers, and responsibilities of any Co-Senior Minister shall be co-extensive with the rights, powers, and responsibilities of the Senior Minister of this Center.

ARTICLE 13 - LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

Section 13.1. General Powers. The secular activities, business, and affairs of this Center shall be managed, and all corporate powers shall be exercised, by or under the direction of the Leadership Council. The Leadership Council shall consist [Even Number] of four (4) or six (6) Members, excluding the Senior Minister. 

In the case of Centers having two Co-Senior Ministers, both on the Council, the Leadership Council will consist of an odd number of council members  (five (5) or more), to end up with an odd number of votes, avoiding tie vote scenarios.

Section 13.2. Specific Powers. In addition to their general powers, the Leadership Council shall have the specific powers to:

(a) Borrow money and incur indebtedness in the ordinary course of business on the Center's behalf.

(b) Amend the Center's Articles of Incorporation.

(c) Recommend changes to the Center’s Bylaws to the Membership, subject to approval by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the entire Membership voting at a duly noticed regular or special meeting called for that purpose.

(d) Dispose of all or substantially all of the Center's assets, including any real estate owned by the Center, subject to approval by the two thirds (2/3) of the entire Membership voting at a duly noticed regular or special meeting called for that purpose.

(e) Adopt or amend a merger, subject to approval by the two thirds (2/3) of the entire Membership voting at a duly noticed regular or special meeting called for that purpose.

(f) Elect to wind up and dissolve the Center, subject to approval by the two thirds (2/3) of the entire Membership voting at a duly noticed regular or special meeting called for that purpose.

(g) Exercise all other rights and powers conferred by law, or by this Center's Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws.

Section 13.3. Qualification of Members of the Leadership Council. Members of the Leadership Council must be Members of the Center in good standing, have taken at least one Science of Mind class, or commit to take a Science of Mind class within their first year on the Council, be committed to conscious financial giving to the Center, and be mentally capable of carrying out all of the duties and obligations of a Trustee.

Section 13.4. Nominations and Elections of Leadership Council. A Nominating Committee of at least two (2) Members, but not limited to two (2) Members of the Leadership Council shall be appointed with the Senior Minister to nominate a slate of qualified candidates to serve on the Leadership Council. In the event that there is no Senior Minister, a Nominating Committee of at least three (3) Members of the Leadership Council shall be identified to nominate a slate of qualified candidates to serve on the Leadership Council. In the event that there is no Senior Minister and there are either not enough Trustees to serve on the Nominating Committee, or there is an actual or apparent conflict between the Leadership Council and the Membership, a Nominating Committee consisting of one (1) Member of the Leadership Council and two (2) Members of the congregation not currently serving on the Leadership Council shall be formed by majority vote of the Membership. The Nominating Committee must afford all qualified Members of the Center a reasonable opportunity to submit their names to the Nominating Committee. The nominees receiving the highest votes for the positions to be filled shall be deemed elected. Each Member entitled to vote may do so only in person or electronically.

Section 13.5 Election of Members of Leadership Council. The Members of the Leadership Council shall be elected by the Members of this Center at the annual meeting of the membership for a term of three (3) years. An elected Member of the Leadership Council may stand for re-election for one additional three (3) year term, but after serving for two consecutive terms the Member may not stand for re-election again until at least one year after the expiration of the Member's second term, after which time such Member is again eligible to serve for two consecutive three (3) year terms. A Council Member can serve a maximum of six (6) consecutive years before being required to step down from the Council for at least one (1) year. 

Section 13.6. Vacancies on Leadership Council. Vacancies on the Leadership Council occurring before the expiration of any regular term of office may be filled and the successor to such office appointed for such unexpired term by a majority vote of the remaining Members of the Leadership Council.

Section 13.7. Forfeiture of Membership by Absence From Meeting. Any Member of the Leadership Council who is absent from three (3) consecutive regular and/or special meetings of the Leadership Council without reasonable excuse shall forfeit their position as a Member of the Leadership Council and shall be advised accordingly by the Secretary of the Council. A Member of the Leadership Council forfeiting their position under this paragraph may be reinstated upon a showing of good cause by a majority of the remaining Members of the Leadership Council.

Section 13.8. Removal of Member of Leadership Council.  The Leadership Council may remove any Member of the Leadership Council other than the Senior Minister by a two-thirds (2/3) vote. Any Member of the Leadership Council so removed may request reconsideration of such removal by the membership of this Center, setting forth in detail their grounds for requesting reconsideration, provided that such written request for reconsideration is filed within thirty (30) days of their removal as a Member of the Leadership Council and that a copy of the request for reconsideration be simultaneously sent to the Leadership Council. The action of the Leadership Council removing the Member shall be considered final if such written request for reconsideration is not filed within such period. Such reconsideration shall be heard at a duly noticed meeting of the membership and shall be confirmed or denied by a majority of the membership.

Section 13.9. Meetings of the Leadership Council.

(a) Place of Leadership Council Meetings. All meetings of the Leadership Council shall be held at the principal place of business of this Center unless otherwise specified in the notice, resolution or other specification convening such meetings.

(b) Authority for Electronic Meetings. The Leadership Council may authorize electronic meetings which allow Members not physically present to participate. Such methods may include audio, video, computer, or any other methods of real time communication. Members so participating assume all of the rights and duties of Members attending the meeting live and in person. Such electronic meetings must allow Members a reasonable opportunity to participate and vote.

(c) Election of Officers. The following are the procedures for the time and method of organizing a new Leadership Council:  At the first regular and/or specially-called meeting of the Leadership Council following the regular annual congregational meeting, the retiring Leadership Council shall proceed with the customary order of business as needed. The Secretary of the outgoing Leadership Council shall then act as Chairperson Pro Tem while a new President is nominated and elected for the new Leadership Council at which time, the new President shall then assume their office and proceed with nominations and elections of a Vice-President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer for the ensuing year. This newly organized Leadership Council shall then proceed with any new business necessary at this first meeting, including scheduling the meeting dates for subsequent Leadership Council meetings.

(d) General Meetings. General meetings of the Leadership Council may be held without notice at such time and place as the Council may fix from time to time.

(e) Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Leadership Council for any purpose may be called at any time by the Chair of the Leadership Council, the President or any Vice President, the Secretary, or any two Members of the Leadership Council.

(f) Quorum. A quorum for the transaction of business by the Leadership Council shall be a majority of Members thereof. A meeting at which a quorum is initially present may continue to transact business, despite the withdrawal of some Trustees.

(g) Action by Unanimous Written Consent. Any action that the Leadership Council is required or permitted to take may be taken without a meeting if all Members of the Leadership Council consent in writing to the action. Such action by written consent shall have the same force and effect as any other validly approved Council action. All such consents shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Leadership Council. 

(h) Waiver of Notice. Notice of a meeting need not be given to any Trustee, who, either before or after the meeting, signs a waiver of notice, a written consent to the holding of the meeting, or an approval of the minutes of the meeting. The waiver of notice or consent need not specify the purpose of the meeting. All waivers, consents, and approvals shall be filed with the corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the meetings. Notice of a meeting need not be given to any Trustee who attends the meeting and who, before or at the beginning of the meeting, does not protest the lack of notice to him or her.

Section 13.10. Compensation and Reimbursement. It is the policy of this Center that Members of the Leadership Council serve without compensation. This policy does not preclude establishment of per diems or other reimbursement for expenses.

Section 13.11. Mutual Support and Collaboration of Leadership Council and Senior Minister. 

Each Member of the Leadership Council has a duty to support the goals and aspirations of the Senior Minister and the vision and direction of the Center. This does not mean there cannot be healthy debate but once a decision is legally and properly made by the entire Leadership Council, each Member must support that decision. Criticizing any minister, practitioner or other Member of the Leadership Council outside of the confines of a legally called meeting is a breach of the fiduciary duty of a Member. If a Member of the Leadership Council can no longer support the direction set by the Senior Minister or the remainder of the Leadership Council, he or she must either resign or use the legally constituted methods within council protocol to make necessary changes. Once a decision has been properly and legally made by the Leadership Council, the Senior Minister must honor the decision of their Council, putting the best interest of the Center as a whole before their personal interests.

ARTICLE 14 - COMMITTEES OF LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

Section 14.1. Creation and Powers of Committees. The Leadership Council may appoint such standing or special committees as are deemed necessary to carry on the business of this Center. Final action by any committee must be approved by the Leadership Council. The Senior Minister shall be an ex-officio Member of all committees. Any contracts proposed by any Committee shall be approved in advance by the Leadership Council and executed by an officer designated by the Leadership Council.

ARTICLE 15 - AUTHORITIES AND DUTIES – EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 15.1 Combinations of Offices 

Any two (2) or more offices, other than the office of President and Secretary, may be combined. 

Section 15.2 President 

The President shall be the Chairperson of the Leadership Council and shall preside at all Leadership Council and Spiritual Community meetings. The President shall lead all policy making groups and shall, subject to the control of the Leadership Council, have general supervision of the business affairs and the properties of the Spiritual Community. The President shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be required of him or her, from time to time by the Leadership Council. The President shall vote only in the event of a tie. The President may appoint committees as he/she may be authorized to appoint by the Leadership Council, and define the duties of such committees. Exceptions to this are committees of an ecclesiastical nature, the Election Committee, and the Senior Minister Selection Committee. In all administrative matters, except those of an ecclesiastical nature, the President shall be responsible for maintaining open communications and relations with the Centers for Spiritual Living. 

Section 15.3 Vice-President 

In the absence or inability of the President to act, the Vice-President shall exercise the duties and powers of the President. When so acting, the Vice-President shall have the powers of, and be subject to the same responsibilities and authority as applied to the President. The Vice-President shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as from time to time may be prescribed to him/her by the Leadership Council or by the Bylaws. 

Section 15.4 President Pro Tem

In the absence or inability of the President and the Vice President, the Treasurer shall serve as the President Pro Tem of the Council. In the absence or inability of the President, the Vice President, and the Treasurer, the Leadership Council shall select a President Pro Tem.    

Section 15.5 Secretary

The Secretary shall be in charge of the Corporate Seal. The Secretary, along with the President or Vice President or any other Trustee designated by the Leadership Council or Bylaws, shall be one of the signatures for all contracts and legal documents. 

The Secretary shall keep or cause to be kept, at the principal office or such other place as the Leadership Council may order, a book of minutes of all meetings of the Leadership Council and of regular and special Congregational meetings, with the time and place of holding such meetings, whether regular or special, and if special, how authorized, the notice thereof given, the names of those present at the council meetings, the number of persons present at congregational meetings, and the proceedings thereof.   The Secretary shall keep or cause to be kept at the principal office of the Spiritual Community the Official Spiritual Community Membership roll showing the names of the members and their addresses. 

The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all the meetings of the members of the Leadership Council required by the Bylaws or by law to be given, and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Leadership Council or by the Bylaws. 

Section 15.6 Treasurer

The Treasurer shall keep and maintain, or cause to be kept and maintained, adequate and correct amounts of the properties and business transactions of the Spiritual Community, including accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains, losses, capital and surplus. The books of the accounts shall be open at all reasonable times to inspection by any Council Member. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the preparation and distribution of financial statements of the Spiritual Community. Any financial records should be reasonably accessible to any Council Member in the principal office of the Spiritual Community. 

The Treasurer shall deposit or cause to be deposited all monies and other valuables in the name and credit of the Spiritual Community with such institutions as may be designated by the Leadership Council. He/she shall disburse or cause to be disbursed the funds of the Spiritual Community as may be ordered by the Leadership Council. The Treasurer shall render to any member of the Leadership Council, whenever they request it, an account of all his/her transactions as Treasurer, and the financial condition of the Spiritual Community.  The Treasurer shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Leadership Council or these Bylaws. 

Section 15.7 Abolishment of Offices

The Leadership Council may, from time to time, create and abolish such other offices as it may deem appropriate and fix powers, duties, qualifications, and manner of selection. 

ARTICLE 16 - CONTRACTS WITH MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL

Section 16.1. Contracts With Members of the Leadership Council. No Member of the Leadership Council of this Center may have a material financial interest in any contract with this Center unless the transaction is approved by a majority of all the other Members of the Leadership Council not having any financial interest.

ARTICLE 17 - CONSENSUS DECISION MAKING AND SHARED LEADERSHIP

Section 17.1. Consensus Decision Making. Although the general and specific powers of the Senior Minister, the Leadership Council, the Corporate Officers, and the Members of this Center are delineated in these Bylaws, it shall be the general policy of this Center to reach decisions by consensus. This means that the Senior Minister, the Leadership Council, the Corporate Officers, and the Members of this Center allow all ideas to be heard in order to reveal the wisdom of the group. When all parties agree that the wisdom of the group has been revealed, even if one or more Members do not personally agree with that wisdom, a decision has been reached. The decision may not be unanimous but all parties have been given the opportunity to express their views. Once a decision has been made, all Members agree to support the decision regardless of their personal opinions along the way toward building consensus. If the Senior Minister, the Leadership Council, the Corporate Officers, or any Member of this Center objects that the wisdom of the group has not been revealed and cannot be revealed, or objects that he or she cannot support the decision, then the decision shall be made by more formal and traditional parliamentary methods, requiring a majority vote unless a greater vote is required by this Center's Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, or as otherwise required by law. The use of parliamentary procedures and voting shall also be used by this Center whenever required by law, or by third parties dealing with this Center who may not recognize decisions reached by the consensus method.

ARTICLE 18 - INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE

Section 18.1. Indemnification. To the fullest extent permitted by law, this Center shall indemnify the Members of the Leadership Council and its Corporate Officers, and may indemnify employees and other persons, including persons formerly occupying any such positions, against all expenses, judgments, fines, settlements, and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred by them in connection with their conduct and actions as trustees, officers, employees, or other persons.

To the fullest extent permitted by law and except as otherwise determined by the Leadership Council in a specific instance, expenses incurred by a person seeking indemnification under these Bylaws in defending any proceeding shall be advanced by this Center before final disposition of the proceeding, on receipt by this Center of an undertaking by or on behalf of that person that the advance will be repaid unless it is ultimately found that the person is entitled to be indemnified by the Center for those expenses.

Section 18.2. Insurance. This Center shall have the right, and shall use its best efforts, to purchase and maintain insurance to the full extent permitted by law on behalf of the Members of the Leadership Council, its Corporate Officers, employees, and other agents, to cover any liability asserted against or incurred by any Member of the Leadership Council, Corporate Officer, employee, or agent in such capacity or arising from the Member's, Officer's, employee's, or agent's status as such.

ARTICLE 19 - MEMBERSHIP RECORDS

Section 19.1. Inspection of Membership Records. Any Member of this Center may inspect and copy the records containing the Members' names, addresses, and voting rights, in addition to any documents referred to in Section 10.4, above, at reasonable times, on 5 business days' prior written request, for a purpose reasonably related to the Member's interest as a Member. Without the prior written consent of the Leadership Council no Member of this Center shall be authorized to use Member records so obtained for any commercial purpose.

ARTICLE 20- DISAFFILIATION FROM CENTERS FOR SPIRITUAL LIVING

Section 20.1. Disaffilation. In the event disaffiliation with the Centers for Spiritual Living is contemplated, action can be taken only by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of those members listed on the Official Spiritual Community Membership Roll as certified by the Leadership Council, at a regular annual or special congregational meeting of the Spiritual Community, to be held after notice of time, place and purpose of such meeting shall have been given by announcement at the public meeting of the Spiritual Community for at least two (2) consecutive weeks next preceding the date of said meeting; and written notice to all voting members ten (10) days prior to the meeting. Notice shall also be sent to the appropriate official office of the Centers for Spiritual Living with the right of representation at such meeting. If disaffiliation is approved by the necessary vote of the membership, title and all assets, both real and personal, shall remain with United Life Church of Religious Science, Inc. as an independent corporate body.  Said majority members voting to disaffiliate with the Centers for Spiritual Living shall then set a time and place within ten (10) days or sooner if possible, for the purpose of electing a new Leadership Council to continue the business activities of the Spiritual Community. 

ARTICLE 21 - ADOPTION. AMENDMENT, OR REPEAL OF BYLAWS

Section 21.1. Adoption, Amendment, or Repeal of Bylaws. Bylaws may be adopted, amended, or repealed by approval of the Members or the Leadership Council except that:

(a) A Bylaw specifying or changing a fixed number of Members of the Leadership Council or the maximum or minimum number or changing from a fixed to a variable Council or vice versa may only be adopted by approval of the Members of this Center; and

(b) Any Bylaw that requires the vote of a larger proportion of, or all of, the Members, or the vote of a larger proportion of, or all of, the Members of the Leadership Council than is otherwise required by the Nonprofit Religious Corporation Law, shall not be altered, amended, or repealed except by that greater vote.

CERTIFICATE OF SECRETARY

I certify that I am the duly elected and acting Secretary of United Life Center for Spiritual Living, an Oklahoma nonprofit religious corporation; that these Bylaws, consisting of nineteen (19)] pages, are the Bylaws of this Center adopted by the Leadership Council as of [Date]; and that these Bylaws have not been amended or modified since that date.

Executed on [Date], at [City/State/Province].

(Sign) (Date)

(Printed/Typed Name)

Secretary

[Name of Center] Center for Spiritual Living