UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD MOVEMENT, INC.
COCONUT CREEK, FLORIDA

Universal Brotherhood Movement, Inc. If there is a lapse in your yearly licensing fees to Universal Brotherhood Movement, Inc. (due during your ordination month) then you are not longer covered our legal “umbrella”. Therefore, you are not allowed to perform civil ceremonies and or any other service as an ordained minister. You are responsible for educating yourself and for following local laws and requirements in your area, for your particular practice. Some cities and states require you to register as a minister. It is your responsibility to check with local authorities before you perform any ceremony as an ordained minister to see what the requirements are for your area. In the USA you should contact the local “Clerk of the Court” for this information, and also research what the laws are in your area. These requirements may change between counties and it is your responsibility to insure that you are legally permitted to perform any ceremony before doing so. The best example of this is New York State, were if performing a ceremony in the five boroughs of New York City you must register before officiating a marriage ceremony. This requirement is not necessary any were else in the state that we know of at this time. If you are using your ordination to open a church, center, etc., you must let your clients know under what legal avenue they are coming to you. Example; on your business cards, brochures or advertisements, you must: Indicate you are an ordained minister. This can be done in a number of ways; Rev. in front of your name, or Interfaith Minister under your name, or clergy or Ordained through Universal Brotherhood Movement, Inc. In short you must have some clear way of letting anyone know that this is how you are legally practicing. You must also obtain any business licenses and/or complete any filings that are necessary for the financial end (such as tax ID, etc). This depends on how you are going to classify your business, ie: nonprofit, not-for-profit or regular business. Remember, you are a professional. Most organizations provide a ‘Code of Ethics’ which controls your moral and ethical standards. Universal Brotherhood Movement, Inc. honors your independent ministry. It is up to you to honor and protect the integrity of your ministry and Universal Brotherhood Movement. Inc. Some resources that may be available in your area to help you start your business: The concept of a spiritual base to under-gird persons with a sincere intention to serve, developed from the desire of its founders to express their philosophy of non-judgment and unconditional love. Rick and Jeni Prigmore, in an attempt to express these principles in traditional religious structures, found themselves constrained by parameters of tradition, rules, and dogma. Over a quarter century ago, Rick and Jeni sat down with attorney friend Marty Zevin, to create a legal base for their personal, independent ministry. The result became UNIVERSAL (for everyone) BROTHERHOOD (the international generic term for siblings) MOVEMENT (active service, not just theory, philosophy or preachment), INCORPORATED (a not-for-profit corporation). Information is supplied upon request to those seeking legal means to express their commitment to serve. Each commitment is recognized through the process of ordination in a special face-to-face meaningful ceremony which includes the affirmation,