UWTN BYLAWS

Yet, for too many individuals and families, access to a better life remains elusive. To achieve our vision, we must understand and address the underlying factors that impede progress. United Ways of Tennessee recognizes that structural racism and other forms of discrimination contribute to persistent disparities. By challenging practices based on racism, sexism, and other historical and current forms of discrimination, the United Way network can create more inclusive communities and equitable outcomes.
Therefore:
- We denounce discrimination and exclusion based on race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, age, or other identities.
- We commit to ongoing learning, communication and dialogue to deepen our progress toward being a more diverse, equitable and intentionally inclusive organization for all Tennesseans.
- We commit to challenging the biases and stereotypes that prevent Tennesseans from their right to live in an equitable and inclusive society.
- We commit to fostering equity, which can only be achieved when the systemic, institutional, and historical barriers no longer predict socioeconomic, education and health outcomes.
- We commit to creating and sustaining an equitable UWTN and equitable communities in collaboration with our network across the state through convening, capacity-building, advocacy, and representation.
NAME AND PURPOSESSection 1.1. Name. The name of the organization is United Ways of Tennessee, Inc .Section 1.2. Purpose. The Corporation is organized for the purpose of strengthening a statewide network to assist local United Ways throughout Tennessee in their local capacity building, public policy and in fulfilling their missions.
MEMBERSSection 2.1. Classes. There shall be two classes of members: Local United Way members and At-Large members.
a) A Local United Way is a United Way organization, within the State of Tennessee, as defined and recognized by the United Way Worldwide.
b) An At-Large Member is an individual who can enhance the mission and purpose of the United Ways of Tennessee (UWTN) and will have no voting rights (except if elected to serve on the Board of Directors or serve on a committee/board of UWTN. Then they may vote in their appropriate committees/boards).
Section 3.1. Authority of Directors. The Board of Directors is the policy-making body and may exercise all the powers and authority granted to the Corporation by law.
Section 3.2. Number. The Board shall consist of no less than ten (10) but no more than seventeen (17) directors. No more than twelve (12) directors shall be representatives of the local United Way member: the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or his/her appointee. No more than five (5) directors shall be ‘At-Large’ members. At all times, a majority of the Board must consist of Local United Way members .