The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Bozeman (UUFB) is a congregation striving to ensure that all who participate in our services and activities feel a meaningful connection to our community. We intend to provide UUFB congregants many meaningful opportunities to grow personally, spiritually, and intellectually; to make significant contributions to building a fairer and more peaceful world for all; and to surround our children with a caring community in which they are appreciated and nurtured.

We encourage UUFB participants who wish to become UUFB Members to learn about:

• UU principles and sources of knowledge, our appreciation for diversity, our lack of dogma
• UUFB and UUA (Unitarian Universalist Association) history
• the nuts and bolts of how UUFB works, as indicated in by-laws, policies, the Board structure and functions, main activities, and the process for asking questions and giving suggestions, and
• the value of personal and communal commitments of time, talents, and financial contributions to
  UUFB.

Knowledge and understanding of UU and UUFB may be obtained through:

• attending UU and UUFB orientation classes (a set of two, held twice a year)
• participating in UUFB services
• engaging in UUFB-related social, educational, social justice activities
• signing up for UUFB’s Friday email, monthly newsletter, and general listserv group emails
• exploring the UUFB and UUA websites
• utilizing UU-related books, DVD’s and pamphlets,
• Attending children’s, youth and adult religious education classes and
• arranging individual meetings with the minister and/or UUFB leaders.

Persons who come to UUFB as members of other UU congregations – and who are thus already knowledgeable about Unitarian Universalism – may wish to learn about the specific history and workings of UUFB by attending orientation classes or meeting with the minister or congregation leaders.

When a participant decides to become a UUFB Member, they notify the minister or a member of the Hospitality and Membership Committee. As soon as possible, a time is arranged for the participant to sign the UUFB Membership Book. Signing is a significant act and is acknowledged by the congregation in several ways, including announcing the new membership at a service as a joy during Joys and Concerns, and introducing and honoring the new member at a special Welcoming Ceremony during a future service.

The UUFB Hospitality and Membership Committee, with the assistance of the minister, other UUFB committees and congregation members, offers Orientation Classes, arranges the Welcoming Ceremony for new members, invites UUFB participants to become members, and encourages the integration of all participants into the life of the congregation.

Adopted by the UUFB Board, September 16, 2014