Purpose: The Board of Trustees conducts the affairs of the Association and carries out policies and directives, acting for the Association between General Assemblies.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Write and monitor governance policies for the UUA
  • Linkage to congregations, committees, current and future generations of Unitarian Universalists, including youth and young adults
  • Act as faithful stewards of UUA resources and receive audit
  • Do long-range planning and attend to the welfare of the institution
  • Appoint and empower Board committees and board liaisons
  • Do our work through an anti-racist, anti-oppression lens
  • Familiarity with By-laws and Policy Governance Model - Members of the Board should be familiar with the UUA bylaws, policies and procedures and consult them when appropriate.
  • Serve in various roles, including serving on Board-only committees and/or as the Board liaison to one or more other committees, including youth and young adults
  • Serve on Board working groups.
  • All Board members are expected to complete anti-racism training as quickly as possible after they join the Board.
  • Participate in the formulation of and follow Board of Trustees Covenant and Group Agreements
  • Actively engage in the business of the Board and its committees

Skills Needed:

  • A member in good standing of a UUA member congregation (per UUA By-Laws)
  • Be able to authentically and accountably represent the whole of our movement and its diverse members
  • Have a broad, intersectional cultural competence and commitment to grow and develop it
  • Seek out the wisdom and experience of those often unseen and unheard.
  • Conduct themselves ethically and with integrity, seek justice and right relations, and engage with others compassionately
  • Be resilient with a strong sense of self and an established support network.
  • Be passionate about Unitarian Universalism, its institutions and covenanted communities
  • Emotional intelligence and good listening skills.
  • Collaborative problem-solving skills
  • Time-management and communication skills for completing pre-work (readings) before meetings and following through on internal communications

Length of Term: 1 year or 2 years dependent on age during term (Youth trustees must be of high school age during the duration of their term.)

Meetings: several meeting days before and after GA, all of GA, 3-day meeting in October, 2-day meetings in January and April; monthly Zoom calls (2 hours long each)