The Bylaws of ANZURA * Introduction  * Article I. Name  * Article 2. Purpose

*  Article 3. Membership Requirements   * Article 4. Friend of ANZURA

* Article 5. Removal Procedure   *Article 6. Fees

* Article 7. Organisational Structure   *Article 8. Meetings 

* Article 9. Changes to ANZURA'S Bylaws     *Article 10. Extra Votes

* Article 11. Dissolution 

I. Introduction

ANZURA became a Chartered National Association of International URANTIA Association (IUA) on March 6, 1994. The Charter for IUA has been adopted by ANZURA. (See International URANTIA Association Charter and Bylaws). ANZURA is designed to encourage the study of The URANTIA Book and to assist in the dissemination of its teachings by non-invasive, moderate, evolutionary growth. It supports URANTIA Foundation's aims and objectives for the dissemination of The URANTIA Book and its teachings. It has a simple organisational structure of readers dedicated to serving this purpose, without seeking recognition. ANZURA is not a religious association, is not associated with any religion and is not a competitor of any religion. We welcome people of all faiths, races and cultural backgrounds where individuals are free to express their own views as their own views. ANZURA as a group, has no opinions to express on religious, political, economical or social issues. It is made up of individuals who have come to recognise the significance of The URANTIA Book and the integrated beauty of its teachings, individuals who have a natural desire to help in the dissemination of The URANTIA Book. The URANTIA Book encourages us to develop our own philosophy through study, experience decisions and actions. We hold the view and recognise that, collectively there are certain things we can support and achieve together. Our focus is to remain on The Urantia Book and its teachings.

The name of the Association shall be The Australian and New Zealand URANTIA Association - (ANZURA).

ANZURA shall be a task-oriented, social and service organisation to foster in-depth study of The URANTIA Book and the orderly dissemination of its teachings. Its focus is to remain on The URANTIA Book and its teachings. This purpose is to be sought by efforts to:

a) Encourage and support the formation of URANTIA Book study groups and their interaction.

b) Sponsor and organise meetings, seminars and conferences for students of The URANTIA Book.

c) Maintain a readership list for the purpose of putting readers in touch with one another if they wish.

d) Respond to reader enquiries.

e) Maintain a directory of URANTIA Book study groups.

f) Publish a newsletter dedicated to the promotion of goodwill and understanding among readers of The Urantia Book.

Any student of The URANTIA Book will be eligible for membership of the Association provided that such a person:

 a) Is either resident in Australia or New Zealand and upholds the laws of that country.

 b) Has read The URANTIA Book in its entirety and supports its teachings.

 c) Supports the aims and objectives of the Association and IUA.

 d) Is recommended by the Membership Committee.

 e) Has been accepted by the Governing Board.

 f) Has paid his/her annual subscription.

 g) Supports the work of URANTIA Foundation as specified in its Declaration of Trust; supports the Foundation's ownership of the copyright of The URANTIA Book and the Foundation’s registered marks; and supports ANZURA's authorised use of the marks.

Any person desiring to identify with the principles of the IUA – ANZURA but has not yet met the membership requirements specified in Article 3, paragraph 1 (b) may declare themselves a Friend of IUA-ANZURA. Such declaration entitles the person to participate in all IUA activities except holding *(elective) office and voting at official meetings. In addition, should the Friend desire the IUA may designate a Sponsor/Mentor to assist them in completing membership requirements. *Friends of ANZURA may serve on a committee to assist the chair of that committee.

No member may be expelled from membership unless, as adjudged by the Association, the attitude conduct or influence, of such a member shall be prejudicial to the interests and work of the Association or IUA generally. In the case of expulsion, appeal may be made to the Coordinating Committee for reinstatement as a member of the Association and of IUA generally.

In order to expel a member, three members of the Association must bring specific charges of misconduct. After providing the accused member a hearing, the Association can remove a member by a two-thirds majority vote of members present, provided that the members present constitute a quorum.

The Association will levy an annual subscription on all members. The amount of the subscription will be set at the Annual General Meeting by majority vote of members present.

The officers of the Association shall be called the Governing Board. Besides its other duties, the Governing Board sets the time and venue of the Association's annual meeting. Officers are elected for two-year terms, with half the officers up for election in one year and the other half up for election in the following year, so that the entire Governing Board will not be replaced at one time. A board member may be re-elected only once; after two successive terms, the officer must vacate the Governing Board and remain without office for at least a year, but that person may be elected again to any office at the next annual meeting.

The Association will have the following officers:

1. President. Presides over meetings of the Governing Board and annual meetings of the Association; acts as spokesperson of the Association and makes an annual written report of Association activities to the Chair of the Co-ordinating Committee. The President of the Association functions as international liaison officer, and attends international meetings of IUA as a voting member.

2. Vice President. Takes up the duties of the President or any officer of the Board as required. The Vice President functions as international liaison officer, and attends international meetings as a voting member. 

3. Secretary. Handles correspondence and takes minutes; keeps the membership register; refers readers to study groups and responds to reader enquiries or delegates such responses. Produces a quarterly Bulletin for the purpose of keeping members in touch with Association events.

4. Treasurer. Responsible for the cash assets and bank accounts of the Association; collects membership dues and donations; responsible for fundraisers.

Additionally, the Association will have four committees. Each committee will have a Chair and two or three members. The committee Chairs are to be elected at the annual meeting.

5. The Conference Committee. This committee takes responsibility for the practical arrangements for national and/or other conferences.

6. The Membership Committee. This committee makes contact with applicants for membership in the Association, interviews applicants, and makes recommendations to the Governing Board to admit or reject these applicants. Admission decisions are made by the Governing Board.

7. The Publications Committee. This committee may publish newsletters and other publications.

8. New Zealand Representative Committee. The New Zealand members will elect this committee to act in a liaison capacity between New Zealand members and the Governing Board. This position will be held for a period of two years. In the event where there may not be enough New Zealand members at the annual meeting, the New Zealand committee will organise a meeting in New Zealand to elect the committee.

Meetings of the Members

* There will be an Annual General Meeting at which members of the Governing Board shall be elected to serve for two years. 

* The date time and venue of the meeting will be set by the Governing Board.

* Notification of the meeting will be given by the secretary and will be no less than thirty days before the meeting date.

* There will be a quorum of five at members’ meetings.
 

Meetings of the Governing Board and Committees.

* Meetings of the Governing Board or committees will be held when called by any two officers of the group in question.

* Date, time and venue shall be set by the officers calling the meeting. Notice, date, time and venue must be reasonable given all the circumstances.

* There will be a quorum of three at these meetings.
 

Meetings by telephone

* Members of the Governing Board or committees may participate in meetings over the telephone provided that all participants can hear one another.

* There will be a quorum of three at these meetings.

Changes to ANZURA'S Bylaws may only be made following a two-thirds majority postal vote of the entire membership. 

All full members of the Association acquire one extra vote for every three years of membership, up to a maximum of three votes. 

In the event of the dissolution of the Association, all assets shall be turned over to:

 URANTIA Brotherhood Association
 533 Diversey Parkway
 Chicago
 Illinois 60614 , USA