Here is the list of proposed changes to the September 10, 2018 Unity of Melbourne Bylaws changes and rational.

  • ARTICLE III – Office and Official Records. Section 1. Principal Office.
    • Change
      • “Currently the office is at 1745 Trimble Road, Melbourne, FL.” to “Currently the office is at 2401 N Harbor City Blvd, Melbourne, FL.”
    • Rationale
      • Update the address of the ministry.
  • ARTICLE IV – Members, Section 4. Renewal of Membership
    • Change
      • “Membership renewal forms will be mailed to all members two weeks before the annual meeting February and are due back to the church by the end of March.” to “Membership renewal forms will be distributed electronically or through the mail to all members two weeks before the annual meeting and are due back to the church by the Annual Membership meeting or not later than the end of March whichever is earlier.
    • Rationale
      • Permits membership renewal to be accomplished electronically and eliminates cost of mailing membership renewal cards via the post office, costing the member (or ministry) to pay to return the renewal card and the manual processing of the received card to update member database.
      • This change also specifies membership renewal must be accomplished prior to the Annual Membership meeting.
  • ARTICLE V – Meeting, Section 1. Annual Meetings, Paragraph F. Voting
    • Change
      • “Proxy, absentee, or electronic (Internet, email, fax, etc.,) voting are not allowed.” to “Proxy or absentee voting is not allowed.”
    • Add
      • “Partner members may participate and vote electronically provided there is “simultaneous interactive oral communication” (i.e. through such platforms as Zoom, GoToMeetings, Microsoft Teams, Google Hangouts, etc.,).”
    • Rationale
      • Establishes the ability to hold Annual Membership meetings virtually and establishes requirement for “simultaneous interactive oral communication” as the criteria for dialog and discussion for voting when participating and voting virtually.
  • ARTICLE IX – Electronic Meetings and Alternative Voting Procedures. Section 1.
    • Change
      • “The board and all ministry are authorized to meet by telephone conference or through other electronic communications media so long as all participating members can interact simultaneously.” to “The board and all ministry teams are authorized to meet in person, by telephone conference or through other electronic means provided there is “simultaneous interactive oral communication” using such platforms as  Zoom, GoToMeetings, Microsoft Teams, Google Hangouts, etc.,.”
    • Rationale
      • Include any and all Board and other ministry team meetings were able to be held in person, and the methodology for these meetings is consistent.