Purpose of Position/Mission of the Board of Trustees:

Principal Responsibilities:

• Understand and operate within the framework of UCE’s Bylaws
• Provide the link between the governing Board, staff, and the congregation
• Produce written policies that, at the broadest levels, address each of the following categories:
• Congregational objectives and processes
• Executive Limitations: Checks and balances on executive authority that establish the prudence and ethics boundaries within which all executive activities and decisions take place.
• Governance Process: Specifications of how the BOT conceives, carries out, and monitors its own tasks.
• Establish limited-term special committees and task forces, as needed

Job Description:

• Attend monthly meetings on third Wednesday of each month
• Attend occasional special meetings; usually one extra meeting during budget time; attend any other unexpected, called meeting
• Preparation time before meeting varies; expected to read through board packet and complete any action items assigned; coordinate with liaison committee; any reports prepared
• Attend Fall Connections Convocation (a Saturday) and June Retreat ( Friday evening and Saturday) and any other scheduled Bd. Retreat or special sessions or training
• As liaison to the congregation, be available to accept or solicit input about the life of the church and share, as appropriate with the Board.
• Attendance and participation in at least one annual congregational meeting; any others, if called.
• Serve as liaison to a committee; maintain regular contact with chair of such and attend meetings when appropriate.
• If you are an executive committee member, attend first Wednesday of the month meetings as well. Serve as communications officer at each board and executive meeting, noting, as decisions are made, who should be informed of the outcome and who will have responsibility for notification.
• In meetings and between them, engage in ongoing planning, visioning for the well-being of the church.
• If you are in your second or third year, be available to mentor a first year Board member.
• Perform incidental duties, such as canvassing, that will come up and fall under the heading of being a leader and role model in the church.
• Volunteer to be on subcommittees; to fulfill short term jobs that are requested by the Board Chair.

Qualifications:

• Must be a voting member of UCE
• Ability to be a visionary or future thinker
• Ability to be a conceptual thinker
• Have an awareness and understanding of the needs and wants of the congregation
• Have moral courage
• Ability to work collaboratively and cooperatively in a group
• Ability to accept and use appropriate authority
• Ability to allow others to lead
• Ability to participate assertively in board decision-making
• Ability to attend all meetings of the board

Length of Commitment: Three-year term, beginning with June retreat; July first Board meeting. If commit to Board Chair track, may require an additional year.

Support provided:

• Board retreat in June
• Mentorship by other Board members
• Occasional leadership workshops and retreats through Midwest District
• Staff/clerical support
• Ministerial spiritual support

Unitarian Church of Evanston
1330 Ridge Avenue — Evanston, IL   60201
847 864-1330 — info@ucevanston.org