Share Your Voice: Timeline for UUFC Elections and Annual Meeting 2026

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The UUFC Annual Meeting is coming up on Sunday, May 17, 2026 after worship service. Many things happen at our annual meeting, including voting on who will fill various leadership roles. For exact details, please read the UUFC Bylaws, shown at the bottom of this page.

Here is the timeline of events leading up to this year’s annual meeting.

The Annual Meeting on May 17 is also online. If you are unable to attend the Annual Meeting in person, it will be available on Zoom using the same link as the Sunday Service, included below. You will also be able to vote using Zoom. The meeting will start after the service at approximately 11:30 am.

Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/96231448170?pwd=cUoxaWxyei9wOTE5cVFVZ0t0Qk5KUT09

Agenda for the UUFC Annual Meeting

Come vote on many key items and celebrate our search for meaning, deep connections, and actions toward a better world for all, The meeting will be held shortly after the service on Sunday, May 17. We require a quorum of at least one-quarter of the membership. Sign-in sheets will be available before the service. Snacks will be available in the Social Hall. The meeting will be carried on Zoom and on-line voting will be available.
The agenda includes several important items:

  • Gathering, Chalice Lighting, and Confirmation of Quorum
  • Voting
    • Search Team (requires a vote of ¾ of members present)
    • Emerita Status Resolution (requires a vote of ¾ of members present)
    • Candidates for Office (simple majority)
  • Board, Council, Team and Staff Reports
  • Financial Overview and Vote (simple majority)

You can read more about the Annual Meeting here.

Matters Up For Vote

Elected Fellowship Lay Leaders

The Nominating Committee has presented a slate of candidates to fill the following roles:

  • Members of the Board of Directors
  • Members of the Nominating Committee
  • Chair of the Personnel Committee
  • Chair of the Financial Oversight Council

View the slate of candidates at https://uucorvallis.org/nominees-for-uufc-elected-positions-2026-27/.

Note that the Chair of the Committee on Ministry would normally also be elected at the Annual Meeting, but the work of the Committee on Ministry is paused during our time of Interim Ministry.

Ministerial Search Committee

The Board of Directors has presented a slate of candidates to serve as the Ministerial Search Committee, which will be tasked with conducting a search for our next settled minister.

View the nominees for our Ministerial Search Committee at https://uucorvallis.org/nominees-for-settled-minister-search-committee/.

Ways of Voting

Motions are passed by majority vote of those present, which is determined through a verbal Yea/Nay vote. Attendees on Zoom will vote using Zoom’s polling function.

Becoming a Voting Member

Voting at the Annual Meeting is only open to people who are signed, active members of the Fellowship. In other words, those who have signed the membership book and maintained active membership. See Bylaws Article II.

There is still time for new members to join before the Annual Meeting! Prospective members are required to attend three of the Inquirers Series sessions before signing the book: #1 Our Shared Values, #2 Transitions Q&A, #8 Membership 101 (or #9 UU Roots). These sessions will be offered before the Annual Meeting, on these dates:

  • Transitions Q&A: April 19 (swapped dates with Care & Support, which is now on May 10)
  • Membership 101: April 26
  • Our Shared Values: May 3

If you have already completed any of these sessions, you only need to attend the others. You do not need to repeat a session you’ve already attended, though you are welcome to!

The membership book will be available for signing after the Inquirers Series on May 10, for those who have completed the prerequisites. This will be the last opportunity to sign the membership book before the Annual Meeting. To learn more about membership at the UUFC, see our Path to Membership page.

UUFC Member Voting FAQ

This list of Frequently Asked Questions was prepared to help inform people about the votes that will occur at the Fellowship’s Annual Meeting. Please read these questions, and share this page with anyone who has questions about voting. If you have a voting question that isn’t answered here, please email it comms@uucorvallis.org.

Do I have to be a member to vote?
Yes, per the Fellowship’s Bylaws.

Does pledging make me a member?
No. But it is greatly appreciated!

How do I know if I’m a member?
Check the list of members that is currently available at the Board table in the Social Hall after Sunday worship service.
You can also ask by emailing comms@uucorvallis.org.

How does the Fellowship keep track of who the current members are?
Fellowship staff maintain a member database using Breeze Church Management Software.

Can I vote proxy?
No.

Can I vote with an absentee ballot?
No.

Can I vote on Zoom?
Yes.

Can I vote by phone?
No.

Can my friend / roommate / spouse / cat vote for me?
No.

How many of the Inquirers series do I have to take before I can become a member?
Three; specifically Sessions 1, 2, and 8 (or 9). For more information see Our path to Membership page.

Can I sign the book the morning of the congregational meeting? The day before? The week before?
Our Membership Coordinator is willing to meet with people to sign through May 13, but after that, the list of members will be in process to be prepared for the Annual Meeting.

If I was a member elsewhere, can the minister make an exception for me?
No.

I didn’t know I had to be a member. Can I vote anyway?
No.

I have been coming to the UUFC for a long time. Doesn’t that count?
Not for the purposes of voting on congregational matters, no.

I think I signed the book 20 years ago, but you all don’t have proof. Can I vote?
No. But ask about your membership status anyway, so existing records can still be checked.

UUFC Bylaws