Governance and Structure

Our Governing Style

The Unitarian Universalist Association is organized around the principals known as Congregationalism. That means that each local group is independent, self-supporting, and self-governing. We determine how we will organize, how responsibilities will be shared among us, and our goals for our group. It is that particular brand of community that makes us responsible to ourselves and to each other. In our polity the governance is reliant on the Fifth Principle of Unitarian Universalism, which is “The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large”, as well as the Second Principle, “Justice, equity and compassion in human relations”.

The members of our fellowship meet at least once a year as a whole to determine elected positions, changes to our governance, approve the budget, and other regular business decisions. Special business meetings can be called anytime in the year where members can vote on items that need to be resolved quickly, such as extending an offer to a minister. At any of these meetings, only those persons who are UUFA members according to our bylaws can vote, however any member of the congregation is welcome to be present and participate in discussions.

Our Structure

Authority in the fellowship resides in members of the congregation. Yearly, the congregation gathers to elect members to fill positions on the Executive Committee, Committee on Ministry and Endowment Committee.

Executive Committee (Board)

The Executive Committee consists of elected positions of President, President-Elect and At-Large Representatives and appointed positions of Recorder, Sexton, and Treasurer.

Committee on Ministry

This committee is responsible for ministerial relations, congregational relationships, dispute resolution, ministry direction, mission, and covenantal interaction.

Endowment Committee

This committee is responsible for overseeing our Endowment Fund and its investment.

Other Ways to Get Involved

There are several other committees including Programming, Finance, Communications, Religious Education, Social Action, and Facilities. The are also other groups within the UUFA that don’t hold the responsibilities that committees hold but are just as important to our Congregation. Among these groups have been the Choir, the Secular Humanist Study Group, and our local chapter of CUUPS (Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans). Such groups are semi-autonomous and responsible for following our principles and our Congregational Covenant.