Governance & Management
Who Are We?
The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) is a voluntary association of autonomous, self-governing local churches and fellowships which have freely chosen to pursue common goals together. Our polity is congregational, and delegates from each congregation make Association decisions in business sessions at the annual General Assembly (GA). Between GAs, we're governed by the Board of Trustees.
Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees is comprised of 16 elected individuals: the Moderator(s), the President (without vote), the Financial Advisor(s), 11 Trustees, and 2 Youth Trustees. View the complete list of Trustees.
Co-Moderators
UUA Co-Moderators and Chief Governance Officers, Charles Du Mond, and the Rev. Meg Riley, (moderator@uua.org) preside at the GA and at meetings of the Board of Trustees.
The Moderator, the highest volunteer position in the UUA, is the Chief Governance Officer for the Association. The Moderator chairs the UUA Board of Trustees, facilitates the plenary (business) sessions at GA, serves as an important interface with congregations that comprise our Association, and consults with the President in developing a common vision for the Association. The Moderator also consults regularly with leaders and administrative committees at the national, regional, and district levels.
The Moderator is elected by the GA, choosing from one or more candidates for Moderator nominated by the Board of Trustees or by petition of at least 50 certified member congregations. The Moderator serves a single, six-year term.
Co-Financial Advisors
Co-Financial Advisors Chris Chepel and David Stewart advise the Board of Trustees and the President on financial policy and assist the Board in long-range planning by reviewing the sources of funds, the application of funds designated for specific purposes, the balance between foreseeable income and proposed expenditures, and the overall financial welfare of the Association. The Co-Financial Advisors report to the GA yearly, and from time to time, report to the President and the Board findings and recommendations respecting the current financial affairs of the Association and long-range planning.
The Co-Financial Advisors serve as members of the UUA Board of Trustees, Investment Committee, Audit Committee, and Socially Responsible Investing Committee, and serve as trustees of the UUA Employee Benefits Trust, which oversees the UUA Health Plan.
The Co-Financial Advisors are elected by the General Assembly for a three-year term* and may serve no more than two consecutive terms. Candidates for Financial Advisor are nominated by the Nominating Committee or by petition of at least 25 members of certified member congregations.
Secretary
The responsibility for Board correspondence and elections lies with the Secretary, John Simmonds.
Financial Secretary
Rev. Sam Trumbore organizes and oversees the fiduciary work of the board as its Financial Secretary.
Vice Moderator(s)
John Newhall serves as the Vice Moderator.
Staff
President
Elected in 2023, the President of the Unitarian Universalist Association is the Rev. Sofía Betancourt, Ph.D. (president@uua.org). As President, she is responsible for overall leadership of the UUA through administering staff and programs that serve its more than 1,000 member congregations. She also acts as principal spokesperson for the UUA.
The UUA President is the chief executive officer of the Association, responsible for all operational aspects of the Association. The President is an ex officio member of the Board of Trustees without voting privileges, and is also a member, ex-officio, without vote, of all standing committees of the Association, except the Nominating Committee and the Board of Review, and of all standing committees of the Board except the Ministerial Fellowship Committee, the Audit Committee, and the Religious Education Credentialing Committee.
Candidates for President are nominated by a Presidential Search Committee elected by the General Assembly, or by petition of at least 50 certified member congregations. The Presidential Search Committee nominates at least two candidates.The President serves a single, six-year term.
Executive Vice President
The Executive Vice President, Carey McDonald (evp@uua.org), maintains responsibility, under the supervision of the President, for the day-to-day management of the Association. He also serves as Recording Secretary of the Board of Trustees, keeping minutes of all board meetings. The Office of the Executive Vice President maintains liaison with the Board of Trustees.
Vice President for Programs and Ministries
The Vice President for Programs and Ministries, the Rev. Ashley Horan, is charged with overseeing and coordinating the UUA’s primary programs and ministries in alignment with the UUA’s mission and values. As a new executive role, this portfolio will take on supervision of the Ministries and Faith Development, Congregational Life (regional staff), and Organizing Strategy/Side With Love staff groups.
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
The Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer is responsible for all of the UUA's financial affairs and oversees the UUA's annual audit and other financial reports as issued by the Financial Services staff group.
Staff Information
Regions & Districts
Ours is an interconnected Association. Congregations are united in geographic groupings called Regions and Districts which have their own dedicated staff and some of which have their own governance and elected officials.
Unitarian Universalist Volunteer Leadership
We rely upon energetic, committed, and visionary Unitarian Universalist volunteers to serve on the committees, commissions, and boards that work with the staff and the UUA Board to carry out the mission of the Association. Apply to serve! We need you.
