Committees of the Unitarian Universalist Association
The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) relies upon energetic, committed, visionary Unitarian Universalists (UUs) to serve the twenty-plus committees, panels and task forces that work with staff and the UUA Board to carry out the mission of the Association. We are eager to draw volunteers from the rich diversity of our movement: diversity of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and identity, age, geography, skills, and vocation.
For some appointments—Ministerial Fellowship Committee and finance-oriented committees, for example—we look for specific skills or life position (e.g., lay person, minister, psychologist, auditor). Every two years, the Committee on Committees (COC) reviews and brings recommendations to the Board for appointment and reappointment to all Board-appointed committees.
The COC also fills vacancies on Elected committees as they occur, and appoints to elected committees (usually the Nominating Committee’s purview), if vacancies occur between election cycles. Vacancies are announced on the UUA-L email list.
Elected Committees
- Board of Review (Executive Vice President)
- Commission on Appraisal (Executive Vice President)
- Commission on Social Witness (Advocacy & Witness)
- General Assembly Planning Committee (Conference Planning)
- Nominating Committee (Executive Vice President)
To be considered for nomination to one of the committees above, fill out the Nominating Committee application form (PDF, 4 pages).
Board-Appointed Committees
Staff liaisons are indicated in parentheses.
The Unitarian Universalist Association Board of Trustees makes appointments to the committees listed here. Most appointments are for two-year terms with the possibility of three re-appointments. The Committee on Committees recommends appointments throughout the year as vacancies occur, including temporary replacements for Elected Committees between two-year election cycles.
In addition, some members of Elected Committeee (PDF, 4 pages) are Board-appointed. Please see the Nominating Committee site for more about nominations to elected committee
- Audit Committee (Treasurer)
Oversees the annual audit of financial statements by a public accounting firm and monitors the review, establishment and implementation of accounting policies and internal controls. One day meeting quarterly. - Appointments Committee (Administration)
The Appointments Committee has seven members plus a trustee liaison. The committee recruits and recommends candidates for board-appointed committees as well as board appointments to elected committees. As with all board-appointed committees, terms are for two- year periods, which can be renewed up to three times for a maximum of 8 years of service. The time commitment is significant, with an anticipated six meetings a year, at least two in person, and significant work between meetings. More Information. - Committee on Socially Responsible Investing (Treasurer)
Assists with implementation of SRI investment policies and practices involving funds for which the UUA Trustees are responsible (including alternative and community development investments) consistent with GA resolutions and Statements of Immediate Witness, Board resolutions and UU Principles and Purposes. Utilizes shareholder activism to express UU values, and works in coalition with other UU social justice constituencies. One day meeting quarterly. - Commission on Social Witness (2 Board Appointments)
- Election Campaign Practices Committee (Executive Vice President)
- Fund for a Just Society (Unitarian Universalist Funding Panel (UUFP)
Makes grants to non-UU organizations engaged in community organizing to create systemic change on issues of social and economic justice. Two meetings per year. - Fund for International Unitarian Universalism (UUFP)
Makes grants to strengthen Unitarian/Universalist institutions worldwide. One meeting per year. - Fund for Unitarian Universalism (UUFP)
Provides grants to Unitarian Universalist groups that support innovative, challenging programs designed to have wide denominational impact. Funding is provided by the Veatch Program of the UU Congregation at Shelter Rock. Two meetings per year. - Fund for Unitarian Universalist Social Responsibility (UUFP)
Provides grants to Unitarian Universalist groups that work to increase the involvement of UUs in social change, education, service, and advocacy. Funding is provided by the Veatch Program of the UU Congregation at Shelter Rock. Two meetings per year. - Health Plan Trust (Ministry & Professional Leadership (MPL)
The Health Plan Trust was established for the purpose of operating a self-funded health insurance plan for the staffs of Unitarian Universalist congregations, the UUA headquarters and field staffs, plus other eligible persons. - General Assembly (GA) Planning Committee (2 Board Appointments)
- Investment Committee (Treasurer)
Composed of investment professionals, oversees the investment of all UUA endowment funds. The current value of our endowment funds is approximately $87,000,000. One-day quarterly meetings. - Journey Towards Wholeness Transformation Committee (President)
Charged with strategically planning, guiding, facilitating, coordinating and monitoring the transformation of the UUA into an anti-oppression, anti-racist, multi-cultural faith community. This involves presentation of a progress report to each General Assembly. One other meeting during the year plus phone conferences and email. - Ministerial Fellowship Committee (MPL)
Has jurisdiction over all phases of ministerial credentialing. Candidates for ministerial fellowship are interviewed by the Committee before fellowship is granted. Additionally, the MFC has the authority to remove ministerial fellowship. Three four-day meetings each year. - Off-site GA Planning Team
- Open UUA (Executive Vice President)
Charged to clarify the functional application of Rule G-2.1 to the UUA Board and all UUA committees, commissions and task forces. The Committee works in collaboration with committee leadership, to create a clear, detailed process for each group to establish effective openness practices and policies. It provides a mechanism for congregations and individuals to submit comments about adherence to this policy. The Committee will report no less than annually to the Board of Trustees. Oversight will be provided by the Board of Trustees. - Regional Sub-Committees on Candidacy of the MFC (Ministry & Professional Leadership) (MPL)
Four RSCC's ranging from 7 to 10 members depending upon region meet with aspirants who desire candidacy status as part of preparation for ministerial fellowship with the Unitarian Universalist Association. Two four day meetings per year. - Religious Education Credentialing Committee (Ministry & Professional Leadership) (MPL)
Helps set and review standards, rules, policies and evaluative practices for participants in the Religious Education Credentialing Program, evaluates participants and their application and portfolio materials, and ensure that all participants adhere to relevant rules and policies. Two meetings per year. - Retirement Plan Committee (Treasurer) (RPC)
Oversees the UU Organizations Retirement Plan (UUORP or the Plan). The UUORP is a self-directed, defined contribution 401(a) retirement plan with a 401(k) component covering religious professionals and other employees of UU congregations, districts, related organizations as well as the UUA staff.
To be considered for nomination to any of the committees listed above, please fill out the Committee on Committees application form. If you do not receive an email acknowledging receipt of your application within 2 business days please contact Nancy Lawrence at nlawrence@uua.org
Moderator Appointed Task Forces
- Council on Cross Cultural Engagement
Staff Appointed Committees
Staff liaisons are indicated in parentheses.
- Annual Program Fund Committee (APF)
Established in 1976 to promote annual financial support for the Unitarian Universalist Association. - Committee on Military Ministry (Ministry & Professional Leadership) (MPL)
Provides support and information to those interested in becoming Unitarian Universalist (UU) military chaplains. - Congregational Properties and Loan Commission (Congregational Services)
Provides loans, grants, and support to congregations with property and land needs, and manages UUA Funds designated for those purposes. - Melcher Book Award Committee (Executive Vice President)
Each year selects a book published during the prior calendar year which they judge to be the most significant contribution to religious liberalism. One or two meetings each year. - Music Leadership Credentialing Committee (Ministry & Professional Leadership)
Reports to the President of the UUA, has jurisdiction over music leadership credentialing, makes rules governing music leadership credentialing as well as policies and procedures related to music leadership credentialing. - Panel on Theological Education (President/Ministry & Professional Leadership)
Evaluates programming at Unitarian Universalist seminaries and makes recommendations to the Board of Trustees regarding grants from the Theological Education Endowment Fund. Meets two times each year. - Youth Ministry Advisory Committee (Youth and Young Adult Ministries)
Serves in an advisory capacity to the UUA President on Associational progress in implementing the recommendations of the Youth Ministry Working Group, the future needs of Unitarian Universalist youth ministry, and the creation of a truly multigenerational faith.
To be considered for nomination to any of the committees listed above, please fill out the Committee on Committees application form. If you do not receive an email acknowledging receipt of your application within 2 business days please contact Nancy Lawrence at nlawrence@uua.org
For more information contact coc@uua.org.
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Last updated on Wednesday, May 9, 2012.
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