3.8 Board Committee Structure: UUA Governance Manual

The Board’s work to define Board vs. operational committees is continuing, and is expected to continue for some time, as we gain both experience and education in and about governance. Directionally, in accordance with Policy Governance principles, the Board wants to move toward this statement:

“A Board committee serves only to support the Board in its work. A Board committee’s existence and charge come directly from the Board, regardless whether Trustees sit on the committee.”

The Board notes that six committees formed by Section 7.1 of our Bylaws do not fit this directional statement. Their charge does not come from the Board. Discernment and decision making about roles and accountability continues as described above. If Bylaw changes are needed, the Board will bring proposals forward.

As the Board finalizes decisions about Board committees, they will be listed in this Policy. At this time, the following committees are considered to be Board Committees. Since the Board has not spoken on others yet, they remain under discernment. Board Committees as of May 2009:

• Finance Committee
   
• Executive Committee
   
• Committee on Committees
   
• Audit Committee
   
• Open UUA [Unitarian Universalist Association] Committee
   
• Investment Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Common Endowment Fund, LLC (UUCEF LLC)
   
• Socially Responsible Investment Committee
   
• Council On Cross-Cultural Engagement

1. Moderator Nominating Committee
   Not later than 26 months before the beginning of a General Assembly at which an election for Moderator will be held, the board shall appoint a Moderator Nominating Committee to assist the board in carrying out its responsibilities under Section 9.5 of the Bylaws and Section 3.6.1.A of these policies. The committee shall consist of five members, including not more than two trustees.
    
2. Retirement Plan Committee
   [Charge to the RPC]
    
3. Appointments Committee
   [Charge to the Appointments Committee]
    
4. Investment Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Common Endowment Fund, LLC (UUCEF LLC)
   [Charge to the Investment Committee]
    
   1. The Bylaws of the UUCEF LLC specify the qualifications of members of the UUCEF Investment Committee, and further describe the specific responsibilities of the committee.
       
   2. The Board of Trustees appoints the members of the UUCEF Investment Committee and has other powers over the UUCEF LLC, as described in the Certificate of Organization, the Operating Agreement, and the Bylaws of the UUCEF LLC.
       
5. Socially Responsible Investment Committee
   [Charge to the CSRI]
    
6. Council on Cross-Cultural Engagement
   [Charge to the CCCE]