Board of Trustees of the Unitarian Universalist Association
The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Board of Trustees conducts the affairs of the Association and carries out policies and directives, acting for the Association between General Assemblies. The Board is composed of the Moderator, who chairs the Board, the Financial Advisor, three trustees elected at large, one youth trustee elected at large, and one trustee for each District. The President of the Association is a member of the Board without voting privileges. The Board meets at least quarterly, with additional conference call meetings during the course of the year. Check Announcements below for information about upcoming conference call meetings.
The Board approves new congregations, Associate organizations, and Affiliate Member organizations; defines rules for Association membership, General Assembly (GA) procedures, ministerial and religious educator credentialing, and delegate accreditation; sets the business agenda for General Assemblies and schedules the time and location; proposes amendments to bylaws and rules; appoints members of Board Committees and Officers of the Association; nominates candidates for Moderator; adopts the annual budget; oversees investments; appoints study commissions as required by the Bylaws; creates policies to promote openness and transparency and to establish the boundaries and goals governing the work of the staff and committees; and assigns new congregations to Districts.
Announcements
Important New Leadership Opportunity!
In an effort to broaden and deepen volunteer leadership opportunities in our Association, The UUA Board of Trustees has created an “Appointments Committee” of persons not currently serving on the board. This committee will have seven members plus a trustee liaison, and will recruit and recommend candidates for board-appointed committees. Committee members will be responsible for recruiting persons to serve on entities that currently include, but are not limited to:
- Open UUA Committee
- Journey Toward Wholeness Transformation Committee
- Election Campaign Practices Committee
- Investment Committee
- Committee on Socially Responsible Investing
- Audit Committee
- Retirement Plan Committee
- Employee Benefit Trust
- Board appointments to:
- General Assembly Planning Committee
- Commission on Social Witness
- Presidential Search Committee
In accordance with UUA Board policy, the Appointments Committee is expected to recommend individuals so that the membership of committees and task forces reflects the full diversity of the Association, especially in regard to historically marginalized communities, but also balancing amongst size of congregation, lay and ordained, geography, age (including youth and young adults), and gender, among others. The committee shall consult with groups and organizations, including those traditionally underrepresented in Unitarian Universalist leadership, to help inform the appointment process. The committee shall collaborate with the Nominating Committee to develop systems and processes for recruiting, selecting, and training appointees and candidates, and shall assist in providing training, support, and monitoring to further the work of other committees.
The time commitment is significant, with an anticipated six meetings a year, at least two in person. Work between meetings can be significant. Persons considering service on this committee must enjoy phone calls and in depth conversations with references and applicants. The ability to timely respond to phone and email contacts is critical, as is discretion and the ability to manage detailed information. These positions require evaluation and discernment skills, and a commitment to the transformation of the UUA into an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, multi-cultural faith community.
Deadline for applications is May 18, 2012. The board expects to make the appointments by the end of June.
Complete our online application.
For questions, contact Nancy Lawrence, nlawrence@uua.org.
Packets, Minutes, and Reports
- Board meeting packets, minutes, and reports are organized chronologically.
Statement from the Board of Trustees—November, 2011
At its quarterly meeting in October, the UUA Board of Trustees discussed the real estate needs and opportunities of the Association. The Board and the Administration have analyzed the financial value of our Beacon Hill properties and concluded that to be good stewards and to best serve the mission of the Association, we should explore alternatives to remaining on Beacon Hill. Staying in our current buildings will require substantial investment over the next few years, while selling our current buildings would allow us both to move to more efficient, up-to-date, flexible office space and to add to the Association’s endowment, providing ongoing program support long into the future. The Board asked the Administration to prepare an analysis of several options including: (a) staying in the current building and investing in necessary upgrades, (b) exploring the possibility of submitting another bid for the Hebrew College site, which has not yet found a buyer, (c) moving to another location in central Boston, and (d) moving to another US location. The Board will review this analysis at its January meeting.
Restructuring the Board
- Read the Proposed Bylaws Changes (PDF, 21 pages).
Related Documents
- Increasing Diversity & Efficiency in Governance (PDF)
Solutions for Restructuring UUA Board of Trustees - Restructuring UUA Governance (PDF)
Questions and Answers
Call for Nominations, Award for Distinguished Service to the Cause of Unitarian Universalism
The Annual Award for Distinguished Service to the Cause of Unitarian Universalism is one of the most prestigious awards given by the UUA. The Award Committee would appreciate receiving nominations from throughout our Association so we can select from a broad range of exemplary leaders of our movement. Read the full call for nominations and award announcement.
Letter from the UUA Board of Trustees: "GA 2012—A Justice GA in Phoenix, AZ"
At the August 26th UUA Board of Trustees meeting considerable time was spent in discussing our presence as a General Assembly of congregations in Phoenix in June of 2012. We are asking for your assistance now as we prepare for this event. A business resolution was passed in Minneapolis which makes several requests of the board. Read the entire letter and resolution on GA 2012 (PDF).
Letter from Rev. Jake Morrill Reflecting on Phoenix
I was in Phoenix yesterday for the same reason I went to D.C. last fall to march for Marriage Equality: because what is at stake is the safety of families. Because what is at stake is which future our national will claim. And because the church I serve in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, has taught me that showing up matters. Read more from Rev. Morrill (PDF).
For more information contact administration@uua.org.
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Last updated on Wednesday, April 25, 2012.
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