How Our Unitarian Society Operates

The following description of committees and other groups within our Society provides (1) an overview of how we operate and (2) insight into areas of focus and concern within our congregation. This is intended to better acquaint friends and members with our congregation and to serve as a resource for obtaining more information.

The Society is a voluntary and democratic organization. The active participation of friends and members is an essential ingredient to our success as a congregation.

We welcome your comments, questions and involvement. Please feel free to contact the chairperson(s), listed on the following page, to discuss any thoughts or questions. An interest form is attached which can be completed and placed in the offering plate, or sent to the Society office.

The following types of groups within our Society are summarized:

Members and Friends are encouraged to participate in a Program Group, one of the effective ways for new members and friends to get to know other members as well as to become integrated into the activities of the Society.

Each of 4 groups is responsible for two Sunday Services a year. Initially, each group meets and socializes at a pot-luck dinner arranged by the leaders of that group, where the group decides on ideas for their Sunday service. Two or three meetings are held at the Society or at members’ homes to plan each service. The group is also responsible for greeting, ushering, music, and coffee on their Sundays.

If you are not already in a group, please contact the Program Group Coordinator or the Office Administrator. You are welcome, even if you think you will not be an active planner.

The coordinator places Members and Friends in different groups each year to maximize each person’s circle of acquaintances. The coordinator also procures and assists program group leaders.

The Religious Education Program is an integral part of our Society. Our Sunday School provides religious education and growth for our young people. The classes are taught by trained volunteers from the Society.

The children's Religious Education focuses on our Unitarian Universalist history, our Judeo-Christian roots, studies of all major world religions, and looks at moral and ethical decision-making.  These are the four main objectives of the curricula for Primary grades through the Coming Of Age program.

The Religious Education Committee meets once a month to review the direction of the program, select curricula, plan special events and address issues relevant to the program and our young people.

The Society has a paid Director of Religious Education who works closely with the RE Committee and the Minister to integrate our program with the goals and visions of the Society.

The Denominational Affairs Committee keeps the membership and Board of Trustees informed about activities of the Northern Area Council, UU District Metro New York. Unitarian Universalist Association, UUSC, and UU-UNO and encourages participation in any and all activities beyond our local congregation.
 

The Facilities Committee aims to maintain and preserve the building and property in a presentable and appealing manner to provide for enjoyment of facilities for present congregational activities, to accommodate current tenants and rentals, and to protect value for the future.

Activities, represented by sub-committees, include
Building
Grounds
Archives
Art & Amenities
Housekeeping/Kitchen
Technology/Office
 

The Finance Committee has overall responsibility to preserve and protect the financial assets of the congregation.

Activities include
Prepare and oversee the annual budget
Manage current assets and investments
Oversee insurance and tax status issues
Support the role of Treasurer
Supervise tenants and rentals
Coordinate fundraising efforts
Oversee canvass and pledge campaign
Oversee long range planning/expansion projects
 

The Membership Committee advertises our presence to the larger community, creates a welcome to visitors and newcomers, incorporates new members into our congregation, and monitors the changing involvement and interest of longtime members.  The committee also functions as the official keeper of records – membership list (for our use and the use of the Unitarian Universalist Association), mailing list for newsletters, contact information for committee and board use,

Activities include:
Member List and Mailing List
Brochures
Visitor packets
New member packets
Public Relations
Web site
Member attraction, involvement, retention -
Congregational Assessment
 

The Ministry Committee includes the activities of the Caring Committee, Lay Pastoral Care, and Small Group Ministry.  A Shared Ministry function, collecting and noting member talents, interests, and involvement, should be coordinated with the membership committee.
 

The Nominating Committee - Makes nominations from among the members for the officers and trustees of the Society, to be acted upon at the annual corporate meeting; and, at the request of the Board of Trustees, fills vacancies in any office or on the Board until the next meeting, except that a vacancy in the office of the president is filled by the vice-president. Any member of the Society may make additional nominations at the annual corporate meeting. The nominating committee consists of seven members four chosen at the annual corporate meeting and three by the Board of Trustees. The president designates the chairperson.
 

The Programs Committee oversees Affiliated Groups and Programs; Scheduling, Building Usage, interface with other groups and committees.

Proposed Groups:
Campus Outreach
Singles Group
Young Adult Program
 

The RE Committee oversees the Religious Education Program
(See RE Program Brochure)

The Goal of the RE program is to help young people:

• develop a value system on which to base thoughtful decisions
• know themselves, to develop a sense of self-worth
• appreciate the worth and potential of every individual
• develop a joyous response to the beauty, the order and the mystery of life and nature
• embrace from many religious heritages those ideas and values which are relevant to them
• feel a sense of belonging to our religious community
• explore, compare, study and discuss moral values

Committee activities include:

Planning and Providing Children’s Worship
Deciding curriculum
Determining Classes
Allocating classrooms
Identifying, recruiting, training, and supporting teachers
Overseeing Jan Plan and intergenerational services
Evaluating curriculum and overall program, modifying as needed for following year.
 

The Social Action Committee works on a variety of local projects, as well as those related to regional, national, and international issues. Ongoing and recent projects include, among others:

The committee’s goals include attracting participation by an ever greater number of congregation members, and offering assistance to other committees considering Social Action related projects. Although there are no requirements for membership on the committee, it is hoped that whenever possible, members will attend our monthly meetings, contribute enthusiasm and ideas for possible events, and ideally, directly participate in at least one event during the year.
 

The Staff Relations Committee provides support to the board of trustees in official matters concerning employment of professional staff and other employees.  The staff relations subcommittees serve as communication channels between the individual staff member and the congregation, act as a support group for the staff member, keep the staff member advised of conditions within the congregation, and advise the board, the Staff Relations Committee, and the finance committee on compensation package, professional development and training, and other issues.
 

The Sunday and Holiday Services Committee is responsible for overseeing the elements that create the Sunday Services and the special services at holiday times. 

Music
Choir   
Coffee/Hospitality
Flowers/Candles
Greeters/Ushers
Program Groups
Pulpit
Summer Services
 

The Board of Trustees is responsible for governance of the Society and for making policy decisions not made by the membership at the Annual Meeting in June. The Board consists of the Society’s officers (President and Vice President – who serve a maximum of two one-year terms; Secretary and Treasurer – who are elected for 1-year terms of an indefinite number) and six Trustees, who serve for three-year terms. The Minister, Administrator, and Director of Religious Education usually attend Board meetings. The Board meets the third Monday of every month, 7:30 -10 p.m.
 

The Council is responsible for coordinating the day-to-day activities of the Society, providing a forum for sharing plans and strategies among different Society entities and managing the Society’s calendar. The Council consists of representatives of all committees and affiliated groups, the Minister, the Administrator, and the Director of Religious Education. The Council is chaired by the Vice President of the Society and meets once a month.