Affiliates

Affiliates of the CUC can leverage relationships with other local, regional, national and international UU and other organizations, thereby taking their place in the mosaic of interdependent UU communities.

The CUC and Affiliates make commitments to each other regarding their respective obligations within the relationship. For example, the CUC may offer to promote Affiliate events. The basis any exchange of services will be specified in a formal covenant between the two parties.

The official representatives of CUC Affiliates have the privilege of speaking at (but not voting) the CUC’s Annual General Meetings, on equal standing with voting delegates of member congregations, members of the Board, the Executive Director or designate, ministers of member congregations, retired and community ministers, staff, and CUC’s public accountant.

Supports provided by the CUC to an Affiliate, as determined by the Executive Director on a fair and equitable basis, might include one or more of the following:

• Listing on the CUC’s website’s on relevant pages;
• Access to CUC and UUA resource materials;
• Access to CUC communication mechanisms (postings to listserves, congregational mailings, etc;)
• Referrals to CUC Staff and other volunteer resources whe appropriate;
• Access to the CUC calendar and participation in CUC events (e.g. access to meeting/display facilities at Fall Gatherings and national conferences).

Criteria

To become an Affiliate, the group must satisfy certain criteria:

• The group has a vision and mission statement and values consistent with those of the CUC;
• The group is able to demonstrate, by virtue of historical and future reports and plans, that its actions are consistent with its mission and values.

Organization

• The group has a clearly defined organizational structure with identified points of linkage to the CUC at both the policy and operational levels.

Independence

• The group must sign a declaration at the time of affiliation stating it is not legally connected to the CUC and that the CUC is not responsible for programs, activities, or finances of the group;
• The group must in no way suggest, in print, word or deed, that it speaks or acts on behalf of the CUC or the Canadian Unitarian Universalist movement as a whole.

Financial Policies

• The group maintains financial records, policies and practices appropriate to its size and nature of activities;
• Unless provisions are explicitly made to the contrary, the group will make a direct financial contribution to the CUC sufficient to cover any costs incurred by the CUC on its behalf (e.g. additional office time and expenses).

Safety Policies

• The group has policies regarding duty of care, safety guidelines for children and youth, volunteer management, accessibility, abuse prevention and harassment guidelines, and emergency preparedness appropriate to its size and nature of activities. (The group may choose to adopt the CUC’s policies in these areas.)

Affiliate Agreement

Groups that meet the criteria for affiliation shall enter into an Agreement of Affiliation with the CUC that sets out the terms of the relationship. The agreement will specify the commitments between the CUC and the Affiliate to each other regarding their respective obligations within the relationship. For example, the CUC may provide some services to the Affiliate. The basis upon which such services are to be provided will be specified in the agreement.

Right to Determine

The CUC Board shall have the right to determine if an applicant group meets the above criteria and will work with the Executive Director (ED) or an appointed liaison to interact with the group on the Board’s behalf.  The ED or liaison will make periodic reports to the Board and the applicant on the progress of the CUC-Affiliate relationship.

If, in the sole opinion of the Board in consultation with the ED or Board liaison, an Affiliate group ceases to meet the terms of the agreement or the criteria for application, the Board may, with written notice, suspend the Affiliate status of the group and related benefits (including the provision of services and other resources).  The group’s on-going status shall be re-assessed at the Board Meeting immediately following such suspension.

Term of Agreement

The initial agreement of association shall be for a two-year period; subsequent renewals shall be for a five-year period.  Either party may approach the other to request renewal or dissolution.  This re-assessment process will be co-ordinated by the ED or Board liaison appointed for the group.

For more information, please email executivedirector@cuc.ca.