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.

The UUA Nominating Committee nominates candidates for all positions elected by the General Assembly except for President and Moderator. Candidates for elected positions may also be nominated by petition.

Announcement

Unitarian Universalist Association

Election Slate 2013

• Complete UUA Nominating Committee Slate for 2013 (PDF).
   
• UUA Trustee Slate with trustee position number, as required in Section 6.4 of the Association’s bylaws (PDF).

The UUA Bylaws provide for nomination of elected positions by two procedures:

• Nomination by the Nominating Committee
• Petition

To run by petition a candidate must:

• Be a voting member of a UU congregation
• Secure signatures of at least 50 members of certified UU congregations with no more than 10 from any single congregation
• File requisite papers with the UUA Secretary by February 1, 2013
   

To apply for consideration by the Nominating Committee, complete an application form or nominate by petition form or contact Nancy Lawrence administration@uua.org; phone: (617) 948-4303

Elected Committees

The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Nominating Committee nominates candidates for all positions elected by the General Assembly except for President and Moderator. Candidates for elected positions may also be nominated by petition.

Positions to be elected at the 2013 General Assembly are: Board of Trustees, Financial Advisor, Presidential Search Committee, Commission on Appraisal, Commission on Social Witness, General Assembly Planning Committee, Ministerial Fellowship Board of Review, and Nominating Committee.

• 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)
   
• The Presidential Search 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 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.

In accordance with Unitarian Universalist Association (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 consults with groups and organizations, including those traditionally underrepresented in Unitarian Universalist leadership, to help inform the appointment process. The committee collaborates with the Nominating Committee to develop systems and processes for recruiting, selecting, and training appointees and candidates, and assists in providing training, support, and monitoring to further the work of other committees.

Vacancies for Appointed Committees are announced on the UUA-L email list.

• 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)
  The mission of the Commission on Social Witness is to engage individuals, congregations, and districts in an ongoing process of study, action and reflection on pressing social issues to deepen our faith, to foster a greater sense of association among Unitarian Universalists, and to proclaim our vision of justice in the world.
   
• Election Campaign Practices Committee (Executive Vice President)
  Supervises UUA elections to ensure their fairness and compliance with the UUA Bylaws and Rules. Committee members must remain neutral in elections.
   
• 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)
  The Planning Committee selects the site for each General Assembly, sets the daily schedule, and determines which organizations affiliated with the UUA may present program material. In addition, the committee oversees the annual Ware Lecture, Opening Events, music, ambiance, and evening activities. The UUA Board, based on recommendations by the Planning Committee, selects GA sites four to five years in advance
   
• 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.
   
• Moderator Nominating Committee (Executive Vice President)
  Under the Bylaws, the Board nominates one or more candidates for Moderator. At least 26 months before an election for Moderator, the Board appoints this committee, which recommends to the Board two or more possible candidates for nomination for election as Moderator.  
  
• 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.
  
• The Presidential Search Committee (2 board appointments)
  The Presidential Search Committee selects at least two nominees for the position of President of the Unitarian Universalist Association beginning with the 2017 election. 
  
• 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 Appointments Committee application form. 

In addition, some members of the Elected Committee (PDF, 4 pages) are Board-appointed. Please see the NominatingCommittee site for more about nominations to elected committee

If you do not receive an email acknowledging receipt of your application (s) within 2 business days please contact Nancy Lawrence at administration@uua.org

Moderator Appointed Task Forces

• Council on Cross-Cultural Engagement

Staff Appointed Committees

Staff liaisons are indicated in parentheses.

• 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.
   
• 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.
   
• 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.
   
• 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.
   
• 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.
   
• Regional Sub-Committees on Candidacy of the MFC (Ministry & Professional Leadership) (MPL)Two RSCC's with 10 members who meet with aspirants who desire candidacy status as part of preparation for ministerial fellowship with the Unitarian Universalist Association. Western RSCC meets in Portland, OR twice a year for 3-4 days. Eastern RSCC meets in Boston twice a year for 3-4 days.
   
• 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.
   
• 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 Appointments Committee application form. If you do not receive an email acknowledging receipt of your application within 2 business days please contact Nancy Lawrence at administration@uua.org