What does the Governing Board do?

The role of the Governing Board is to oversee the administration of the church. This includes writing policy and procedures for governance claity in the congregation,  presenting a budget to the congregation, oversight of fiscal responsibility, hiring and firing of staff, negotiating the Letter of Agreement with the minister, coordinating with the Program Council, and being the legal representative of the congregation.

The Governing Board consists of  four Fellowship officers (President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer), the Immediate Past President, and two at-large Trustees elected from the membership. Each Trustee serves a two-year term on the Board.  An individual may serve two consecutive two-year terms as a Trustee.

The Board holds its regular meetings at least four times each year, including once to adopt the proposed budget for the next year in May. Currently, the Board meets monthly.

The President or Secretary may call a special Board meeting if deliberation or action on an issue is required before the next regularly scheduled Board meeting.

It is expected that Members of the Governing Board have a duty to participate regularly. Any member of the Governing Board who is absent without notification for two consecutive meetings or three meetings in one year may be considered to have resigned his or her position. In such event, the Governing Board may declare the position vacant and arrange to fill the position.

Members of the Board may participate in meetings electronically.  Electronic participation includes participation via computer or telephone.  Electronic particiption will be used only in situations such as a Board member’s being ill or out of town and unable to physicaly participate.  Electronic participation must meet the following guidelines:
    1.  A quorum of Board members must physically be present so that the meeting can continue if connections are lost.
    2.  Board members attending electronically must attend the entire meeting unless there is a loss of connection.
    3.  Each Board member may attend electronically not more than two times per year.
    3.  A Board member who plans to attend electronically is asked to give 24-hours’ notice to the Board president or secretary.
    4.  The equipment and connections must be such that Board members can hear and be heard.
    5.  Votes at a meeting at which one or more members are attending electronically shall be taken by voice vote, with the presiding officer polling each member for a vote.
    6.  Minutes of meetings at which one or more Board members are attending electronically shall record the electronic attendance.

Respectfully submitted by Kristin S.

• Policies & Procedures approved: Hiring Authority (Personnel); Membership; Electronic Attendance of Board Members; Accountable Reimbursement Plan
• Staffing issues: sponsoring David E. as Ministerial Intern for 2011-2013; Salary adjustments; Letters of Agreement (Minister, MLFD, Office Admin); affiliation with Community Minister, Rev. Dr. LoraKim Joyner; hiring music program pianist/assistant
• Filled volunteer positions on: UUF Foundation; Board; Right Relations Team; and Committee on Ministry
• Created volunteer teams/committees: Finance Committee; Garage Sale Team; Stewardship Committee; Auction Team
• Congregational input opportunities: Special Budget Congregational Meetings (Budget and Social Justice); Board Q&As; November Town Hall (Stewardship-related) ; changed meeting date/time; January Town Hall (2012-13 visioning)
• Fiscal Responsibility: Approved a budget to be presented to congregation
• Approved large expenditures: driveway/parking lot maintenance; roofing repair; fire sprinkler repair
• Board building: training sessions; covenant approval; June/February retreats; September Leader’s Roundtable