Coastal Virginia Unitarian Universalists operate under bylaws. The church employees, officers, directors and bylaw-required committees derive their authority from the bylaws. In effect, we are a republic in which our elected officials and our employees work on behalf of the congregation as directed by our bylaws.

We entrust day to day planning, operations, and spending decisions to our staff, but the congregation approves important functions such as buying and selling property, calling a settled minister, approving the operating budget and employee salaries, etc by vote of the members in good standing. Members in good standing have taken membership vows and are current in an active pledge.

With careful preparation by our employees, officers, and committee chairs, most such actions occur by consensus with over 80% of the congregation voting in the affirmative.