Reflections on Governance in Unitarian Universalist congregations - part 1

1. On Governance… (Part 1) Gini Courter UUA Moderator http://justgini.blogspot.com/

5. Representative Democracy Boards are authorized to make decisions on behalf of the whole congregation. Therefore, it’s vital that we choose board members who focus not one program or area, but on the health and well being of the entire congregation.

6. Representative Democracy One of the benefits of representative democracy is that we get to take turns being decision makers. I can spend a few years on my congregation’s board and when my term is up, I know that someone else will take my place and exercise the same level of care and concern that I exercised during my service. While the work of the board continues, I can be a youth advisor or serve on a committee.

7. UU Congregations Use Both Types Almost all UU congregations use both types of democracy. Direct democracy is typically used for a limited number of important actions: calling a minister, changing the name of the congregation, or engaging in an activity that dramatically changes congregational life (like buying a new building.)

8. UU Congregations Use Both Types Other decisions are made by the congregation’s elected representatives: either the board, or the minister (who is “elected” by being called by the a vote of the entire congregation). In Unitarian Universalism, a congregation uses a democratic process – voting – to delegate its authority to a board and a minister.

9. Committees In every congregation, there are committees that make decisions and do work on behalf of the congregation. Most committees aren’t elected. They’re a group of volunteers with a passion for a specific aspect of church life: religious education, finance, facilities, and so on.

10. Committees One of the challenges is continuously connecting the disparate, specialized committees to the mission of the whole congregation, to set up lines of authority and accountability to the board or staff and therefore, back to the congregation.

11. Committees Committees may be doing excellent work, but what’s best for a specific program may not be what’s best for the congregation as a whole. If the congregation is not clear about how they delegate their authority (election and call), disagreements between committees and the board or committees and minister can turn into conflicts.

12. AUTHORIZATION