Congregational Polity
Like all Unitarian Universalist congregations, UUMAN governs itself through “congregational polity”. UUMAN is a self-governing democracy, choosing its own leadership, handling its own finances, and choosing its own delegates to the General Assembly. Becoming a member of UUMAN gives one the right to vote on matters that come before the Congregation’s membership for a vote and, for those eighteen or older, the right to hold office as Trustees of the Congregation.
Some actions require a vote of the membership: Changing the Mission Statement, electing Trustees, calling a Minister, taking on debt, amending the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, and selling, merging, or dissolving the Congregation.
Bylaws
The Bylaws detail the manner by which the Congregation is governed. Click here to access the Bylaws.
Policies
UUMAN has developed and put in place policies to help guide the congregation and in support of our mission.
Board of Trustees
The congregation elects the Board of Trustees at its May meeting. The Board is empowered to hire and fire, to admit members, to create, appoint and terminate committees, to develop governance-related policies, to monitor the Program Council, and to attend to the control and governance of the business, property and affairs of the Congregation. The Board delegates the day-to-day operation of the Congregation’s business to the Program Council.
Members of Board of Trustees
The Minister
The Minister, empowered with freedom of the pulpit, is responsible for conducting worship and serving the Congregation’s spiritual interests and affairs, providing vision and inspiration to the Board, Program Council, and Congregation, and helping to keep the congregation focused on the Mission Statement. The Minister supervises the staff, including consulting on hiring/firing decisions, in consultation with appropriate Program Council members following processes set up by the Personnel Committee. And the minister is an ex-officio member of the Board of Trustees.
(Click here to view short biographies of our Staff including our Minister)
Program Council
The Program Council is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the Congregation through the committees, communication across committees, providing support to fellow committee members, coordinating mutual activities, and organizing volunteers and contractual services to assist in the accomplishment of its activities within the scope of the budget as approved by the Board. The Program Council is made up of the chair of every committee.