Board of Trustees
The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Board of Trustees conducts the affairs of the Association and carries out policies and directives, acting for the Association between General Assemblies. The Board is composed of the Co-Moderators, who chair the Board, the Co-Financial Advisors, ten trustees elected at large, and two youth trustees. The President of the Association is the member of the Board without voting privileges. The Board meets monthly throughout the course of the year.
The Board approves new congregations; defines rules for Association membership, General Assembly (GA) procedures, ministerial and religious educator credentialing, and delegate accreditation; sets the business agenda for General Assemblies and schedules the time and location; proposes amendments to bylaws and rules; appoints members of board committees and officers of the Association; nominates candidates for Moderator; adopts the annual budget; oversees investments; appoints study commissions as required by the bylaws; and creates policies to promote openness and transparency and to establish the boundaries and goals governing the work of the staff and committees.
Contacting the Board
The UUA Board of Trustees welcomes communication, comments, questions, and suggestions. If you would like to contact the Board, including to request time on the agenda at an upcoming board meeting, please email board-contact@uua.org. Emails will receive an acknowledgement and will be reviewed by Board members at the next available opportunity, recognizing that Board members are volunteers. Smaller questions and comments may receive a response within a week, while more detailed or substantive questions and comments are typically discussed at the next monthly Board meeting.
If you have an urgent need, contact Stephanie Carey Maron at scarey@uua.org.
Packets, Minutes, and Reports
- Board meeting packets, minutes, and reports are organized chronologically.
News and Announcements
Board Statement, Post-General Assembly 2023, Regarding Divestment Reparations
Last week’s General Assembly was a meaningful yet challenging time for many Unitarian Universalists, including those of us on the Board of Trustees. While we were able to advance some significant priorities—including continuing the conversation about the proposed revisions to the Article II bylaws—we also heard some painful accusations regarding the Unitarian Universalist Association’s (UUA) intentions and efforts connected to climate justice.
We want to reiterate that the UUA Board of Trustees is committed to continuing our pursuit of climate justice, both within the UUA and in society at large, working alongside our staff. As we stated at General Assembly, the reason many of us serve on the Board is to align our values with all of our work, to become the strongest and most authentic and powerful movement we can be. (Read the full statement.)
Co-Financial Advisors’ Statement on Actions Following the UUA’s 2014 Climate Divestment Resolution
We have recently received some questions about whether the UUA followed the 2014 Business Resolution on Fossil Fuel Divestment (the Resolution) approved by the General Assembly. We confirm that yes, the UUA has followed the requirements of the Resolution. Following completion of the five-year timeline laid out in the Resolution, the UUA and UU Common Endowment Fund (UUCEF) have also continued work on climate justice and a fossil-free future in new ways. (Read the full statement.)
UUA Board Statement About Proposed Revisions to Article II
The revisions to Article II of the UUA Bylaws have stimulated deep and passionate discussion among Unitarian Universalists about the core of our UU (Unitarian Universalist) faith. The Article II Study Commission engaged thousands of us through forums, surveys, as well as presentations and breakout groups at the past two General Assemblies. The Commission provided study materials for congregations to engage in their own reflections and encouraged them to do so. Ministers preached on the topic and Religious Educators helped facilitate discussions among adults and our children and youth. The core values proposed by the Commission come not from the Commission members, but from the many UUs who participated in the process. The Commission work was a widely publicized, democratic and collaborative approach to generating our core values. (Read the full statement.)
UUA Board Statement on the Prioritization Process for Amendments to the Article II Proposal
Greetings Friends,
We would like to share with you the next steps in the prioritization process for amendments for Article II. As reminder, the bylaws [Article XV. Section C-15.1 (c) (3) (ii)] require, "The Moderator, in consultation with the chair of the study commission, the parliamentarian and legal counsel shall prioritize proposed amendments for consideration by the General Assembly." (Read the full statement.)
UUA Board Position on the Rules of Procedure Amendment Reinstating Procedural Microphone
The Board of Trustees strongly opposes this amendment.
In a faith community, democracy is embodied when we talk and listen to each other. Over the past several years, the Board has worked to develop rules of procedure that prioritize time for substantive discussion and listening. By reinstating parliamentary actions like closing debate, or tabling issues, we move away from substance in favor of parliamentary tactics. In the past, procedural maneuvers have often been used to silence discussion. There is nothing democratic in actions to shut down discussion. There is nothing democratic in one person being able to divert the conversation of several thousand by using the procedural microphone. (Read the full statement.)
Statement from the UUA Board of Trustees against the 2023 Business Resolution ‘Complete Divestment from the Fossil Fuel Industry and Subsequent Reparations’
The UUA Board of Trustees supports the long-existing work of the Investment Committee and the UU Common Endowment Fund (UUCEF) on climate action, human rights, and values-based investing. Divesting from fossil fuel companies and advocating for climate action has been a long-term commitment of UUCEF and is an urgent priority for our faith and our planet. However, the UUA Board opposes the Business Resolution ‘Complete Divestment from the Fossil Fuel Industry and Subsequent Reparations,’ which was submitted by petition, because it would undermine the UUCEF’s current values-based work on climate action and other human rights issues, close off the conversations we need to have about UU values and investments, pre-empt the work the Board has begun around reparations, and directly cut the UUA budget. We are committed to continuing and expanding conversation about actions we can responsibly take to urgently and responsibly address the climate crisis in the months and years ahead. (Read the full statement.)
Article II Idea Submission Form Now Live Until April 30, 2023
At General Assembly (GA) 2023, Unitarian Universalists will take an initial vote on proposed changes to Article II of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Bylaws, which includes the current UUA purposes, principles, sources, and clauses on inclusion and freedom of belief. The UUA Board of Trustees encourages you to read the full proposal from the Article II Study Commission and get more information about the process.
The UUA’s goal is to maximize discussion and engagement with this proposal, which addresses the foundational values and purposes of our faith community. From April 1-30, 2023, any Unitarian Universalist may submit as many suggestions and ideas as they would like through an online form for ways they recommend modifying the Article II Study Commission proposal (PDF). Each suggestion or idea should describe specific language changes to the proposal, explain the reason, and be limited to a single section of the proposal. Individuals may submit multiple suggestions and ideas. (Read more and submit your idea via the form.)
Volunteer Nominations for General Assembly 2023
The Nominating Committee submitted the following slate of nominees to the Board of Trustees on March 15, 2023. The election for these positions will take place at General Assembly (GA) 2023. (Read the full slate.)
Board Statement on the Presidential Search Committee's Nomination for UUA President
We are delighted that the Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt has been nominated as a candidate for President of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) by the Presidential Search Committee (PSC). She brings the wisdom, experience, and passion for our faith to lead us through the challenges and opportunities ahead.
We, the UUA Board, are grateful to the members of the PSC for their work and their willingness to take on the monumental task of understanding the needs of our community and finding candidates who can help us move forward. The work of volunteers makes this faith community possible. (Read more.)
Board Calls for Volunteers for Bylaws Renewal Team
Your Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Board of Trustees will soon be appointing members to a five to seven person Bylaws Renewal Team. This team will lead the work in reimagining and rewriting the UUA Bylaws as called for the in the 2022 General Assembly Business Resolution: Renewing UUA Bylaws for Theologically Grounded and Mission-Focused Governance (PDF). If you are interested in this work, please fill out this Volunteer General Interest Form and share your experience and interest in bylaws and governance. In addition, the Bylaws Renewal Team will be engaging thought partners and stakeholders to grapple with the bigger questions that arise in this process. Even if not selected for the Renewal Team, there will be other ways to be engaged in the process of reimagining the bylaws. (Read more and apply!)