Corporate Structure of CUUPS Inc.
Is CUUPS part of the UUA?
The Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans is an Interest Group of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). This means that CUUPS is considered a supporting and sustaining force in Unitarian Universalism, as well as being a resource for Pagan UUs. It also means the internal workings of CUUPS are the business of our organization, and not of the UUA. As long as CUUPS remains in harmony with the Seven Principles and Purposes of Unitarian Universalism, we can reasonably expect our positive association with the denomination to continue.
How Does CUUPS Govern Itself?
CUUPS is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, incorporated in the State of Ohio in 1997.
Our incorporation in Ohio came about as a result of the Ohio Corporate Code's ability to
allow the levels of member privacy our organization required. Our 501(c)3 non-profit status
gives us the ability to take tax-exempt donations as well as remain free from federal taxation
ourselves. We are governed by the Regulations of CUUPS,
('Regulations' is the Ohio State designation for organizational by-laws), which were adopted
by our organization and ratified by our membership in 1998. There is currently a Regulations
Reconstruction project ongoing. If you are interested in updating and revising our regulations,
please go to the Yahoo group:
Click to join cuups-bylawsWho's In Charge Here?
CUUPS is administered by a Board of Trustees, who are elected in a tripartite rotation, yearly. This method ensures that the entire Board is not re-elected, under normal circumstances, at the same time. The designated offices of President, Vice- or Co-President, Secretary and Treasurer are always filled. The other Trustees receive such offices and responsibilities as seems good to the Board and to the Members.
What Does CUUPS DO For ME?
The CUUPS General Meeting, specified in the Regulations, takes place each year at the General Assembly of the UUA. Below you will find the reports of the Annual Meetings as far as these are available (we did not have a web page until 1998, so many reports that only ever existed in hard copy are missing from this list.) Prior to June 2000, the Annual Meeting Report was contained in the Newsletter, and can be read there. These records are a running compendium of the Acts of CUUPS Inc. in pursuit of the goals outlined in our mission statement. Other reports, such as financial statements and press releases, are also available below. This section of this page is a work in progress. Check back often for new content.
Annual Meeting Reports
Financial Reports
As a 501(c)3, the financial records of CUUPS Inc. must be open to the perusal of any member or other interested party. The most recent financial statements of the organization are located here.
Revisioning Report
At the Annual Meeting in 2004 a report was given by the then-President of CUUPS, Mary Gelfand, on ideas put forth by the Board and the Membership, as well as her own personal vision, of the ways in which CUUPS Inc. could and should adapt and update its practices and philosophies to be in harmony with trends in the UUA and in modern Paganism. You may see this report here.
Press Release
In line with the idea, as mentioned in the Seven Principles of the UUA, of supporting the "free and independent search for truth and meaning," the Board of CUUPS Inc. from time to time chooses to speak in an organizational capacity on issues of the greater good. A press release on the topic of religious freedom for Pagans in the military can be found here.
