The Executive Board is the governing body of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Manchester (UUCM). Executive Board members are responsible for conducting the business affairs of the church, setting policy and practices, overseeing the financial assets and budget, and making personnel decisions. Although the by-laws of UUCM establish a 13-member Executive Board, in May 1999, we suspended our by-laws for two years in order to experiment with our organizational structure. Our experiment ends in the Spring of 2001, at which time we will either revert to our old organization structure, or amend the by-laws accordingly.

Under the current experimental structure, the E-Board, as it is often called, is comprised of seven people: four officers (President, Vice-President, Clerk and Treasurer) and three trustees. The Minister and Director of Religious Education have ex-officio status and are often in attendance at E-Board meetings, which are held once a month on a Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. (except in July & August). Meetings are open to all church members.

There are three paid staff members at our church:

Our Minister, the Reverend Mary Wellemeyer, was settled at our church in the summer of 2001. Mary is responsible for providing three Sunday church services each month, pastoral counseling and visitations, representing our church in the wider community, and coordinating church energy and efforts in the direction of community outreach and personal growth.

Our Director of Religious Education (DRE), is responsible for implementing the curricula and activities for the children in our Church School, recruiting and training the Church School teachers, and leading youth worship services. She also helps plan intergenerational Sunday services.

Our Office Administrator, Anne Harvey, is responsible for the general administration and office management of the church, including publication of the order-of-service for each Sunday Worship service, our monthly newsletter, and the annual report. Anne also schedules use of the building and supports the Minister, DRE and committees.

The Committee Council (CC) –created as part of our two-year organizational structure experiment – is comprised of all committee chairs. The CC meets once per month on a Wednesday night, and is responsible for making sure that church activities and events are coordinated. The CC discusses issues that are of interest or concern to more than one committee and keeps the E-Board aware of any significant issues. An E-Board representative attends every meeting to act as liaison between the E-Board and the Committee Council. The Office Administrator, DRE and Minister have ex-officio status on the CC and are usually in attendance at the meetings.

Finance Committee:

The Finance Committee is responsible for managing the general financial operations of the church, including managing the investments and securities held by the church in compliance with the general investment policies established by the Executive Board. It has seven members, including a chair, the Treasurer and the Collector. This committee prepares an annual budget for review and approval by the church membership. Throughout the church year, this committee oversees the income and expenditures of the budget that was adopted at the prior annual meeting. It is also responsible for raising funds through an annual canvass as well as other fundraising projects.

Religious Education Committee:

The Religious Education (RE) Committee is responsible for working with the Director of Religious Education to plan, organize and provide support for the religious education program for children and youth. The RE Committee also supports family events during the year and helps to recognize the many dedicated teachers in our Church school. The Adult RE Sub-Committee offers courses during the year based on demand and available facilitators. Please see the RE Prospectus for further details.

Worship and Music Committee:

The Worship Committee is responsible for establishing, coordinating and evaluating Sunday services. The Worship Committee supports the Minister, and finds speakers or plans programs for the Sundays the Minister is away. This committee insures that programs are beneficial to the congregation and community while upholding our Unitarian Universalist principles. The Worship Committee shares responsibility for publicity and public relations. Ushers hand out the Orders of Service on Sunday mornings, take offertory and assist folks at getting settled in the Sanctuary.   The Music Director works closely with the Minister and the Worship Committee to plan and coordinate music for our Sunday services and other events.

Committee on the Ministry:

The Committee on the Ministry is responsible for maintaining open communication among church members and staff. The Committee on the Ministry seeks to understand what is working well in all aspects of church life, to identify what improvements may be needed, to be aware of goals and directions emerging within the congregation, and to assist the Minister, staff and congregation in growing together in mutual ministry.

Membership Committee:

The Membership Committee is responsible for overall continued growth and support of our church membership. This committee provides information for newcomers and offers and "Introduction to UUCM" course two or three times during the year. This committee communicates opportunities for involvement to friends, members and newcomers and shares responsibility for publicity and public relations. Greeters welcome folks arriving for Sunday services and host the "welcome table" during coffee hour in fellowship hall.

Fellowship Committee:

The Fellowship Committee is responsible for recruiting and training people to support the feeling of fellowship within and beyond our church walls. The committee shares and implements ideas that foster an atmosphere of togetherness and fun! There are several subcommittees of Fellowship: Hospitality, Flowers, Social Activities and Caring.

The Hospitality team coordinates our Sunday coffee hour by providing goodies and friendly service to newcomers, members and friends of the church.

Our Flower Coordinator publicizes and maintains a sign-up sheet, insuring beautiful arrangements for each Sunday service.

The Social Activities Committee plans and implements a diverse range of fun activities during the church year that give us a chance to get to know each other.

Our Caring Committee sends cards and coordinates help for members in need.

Buildings and Grounds Committee:

The Buildings and Grounds Committee is responsible for meeting immediate, ongoing and future needs of the church building. Projects range from organizing yard and garden clean-up, mowing and watering the lawn, to tightening loose screws and meeting with contractors for major repairs and projects.

The Building Use Subcommittee refines and interprets guidelines for the use of the church building by both members and outside groups.

Social Action/Social Justice Committee:

The Social Action/Social Justice Committee initiates, coordinates, and implements projects and activities which benefit the larger community of which we are a part.