The mission of the UCE Board of Trustees is to promote the vision and mission of the congregation. As the governing body of UCE, the Board establishes church policy, provides leadership and support for the activities and administration of the church, and has general charge of church property. The board consists of 15 members of the church (see the roster for a list of current members). Five trustees are elected at each annual meeting of the congregation to serve for a term of three years. The board presently meets monthly on the third Wednesday of each month. In addition, an executive committee consisting of members of the board and the ministers meets once a month, on the first Wednesday, to set agenda items.
The members of the board pledge themselves to uphold the values held in common with our congregation as stated in our covenant. This includes, among other things: maintaining a caring community, nurturing our children, recognizing all contributions of time, talent and money, practicing an open process of decision-making to help reach a unity of direction for the church while respecting individual differences, supporting decisions of the board, and making a positive contribution to the larger community in which we exist.
In order to function effectively as a link between the governing Board, staff and congregation, each member of the Board also belongs to one of three Working Groups: Membership Development, Membership Service, or Financial Health. Parallel groups exist within the Church Council. These groups provide an open flow of communication whereby Board objectives are conveyed to the Church Council and Church Council concerns are reported back to the Board.
2010/11 Board Goals
Approved: August 18, 2010
Unless otherwise stated, the goals are targeted for completion by June 30, 2011.
1. Ministry Celebration: Develop and implement a celebratory process acknowledging the years of contribution of our Senior Minister.
2. Ministerial Transition: Hire an exceptional interim minister in May, 2011 based on the identified needs and expectations for our interim period.
3. Interim Period Goals: With the “expiry” of our current 3-year goals in February, 2011, develop draft goals specific and appropriate for the interim period as input to the interim minister selection process. The plan will be finalized after the arrival of our interim minister.
4. UCE Policy-Governance Model: By March 30, 2011, formally study and discuss what is meant by policy-governance and how it may be adapted to UCE. Determine whether this is an intended direction to consider, but not necessarily implement, during the interim period.
5. Covenant to Grow: Establish a working group to prepare a “covenant to grow” proposal and determine if the commitment exists on the Board and within the congregation to implement the plan. Determination no later than March 30, 2011.
6. Healthy Congregation Team: Develop and implement a plan for UCE to adopt a “healthy congregation team” modeled on the successful approach used by other congregations.
7. UCE By-Law Revision: Complete the revision process, currently underway, of the by-laws with congregational affirmation in December, 2010.
8. New Lay Leadership: Work with the member involvement process to identify, recruit, and place at least five members, who have not yet been in a UCE leadership role, in such a role for the 2011/12 church year.
9. UCE Governance Book: Establish a formal governance book to include all written documents associated with the governance of UCE. Review existing policies and practices and prioritize the development or confirmation of at least 15 written policies.
10. UCE Dashboard: Develop a metrics-based monthly report of key aspects of UCE health (referred to as a dashboard) for implementation by staff. Trial the dashboard beginning in December with a review/revision process in May, 2011.
11. Financial Management: Manage the church finances to end the year in a surplus.
12. Pledge Drive Goal: Raise a minimum of $485,000 in pledge income for the 2011/12 church year to strengthen our financial base and fund the first year of our ministerial transition process.
