Committees & Councils
The Fellowship’s Board of Officers and Trustees oversees our committees and our administrative staff, and is responsible for the governance of our congregation. The Committee on Shared Ministries oversees various councils and is responsible for the ministries we provide as a Fellowship.
Click HERE to see a pictorial view of our organizational structure.
Here is a sampling of how we gather to get things done:
The Caring Council oversees the Fellowship’s efforts at the parts of congregational life devoted to caring for our members’ needs.
The purpose of the Committee on Shared Ministries is to understand, assess, support, and advocate for robust and shared ministry throughout congregational life. This elected committee provides leadership, mission, and vision to the Congregation’s ministry programs. It also serves as one of the channels of communication among congregants and with the Minister. The most important functions of the committee are:
- In partnership with the Minister, educates the Congregation regarding all aspects of the ministry
- Coordinates between the Minister, the Congregation, the Board, other committees, and ministry programs to provide ministry leadership and vision
- Coordinates periodic and rolling assessments of the shared ministry of the Congregation and the professional ministry
- Annually reviews priorities and results with the Minister
- Annually reviews salary, benefits and professional expense allowances of the Minister and recommends adjustments to the Board
- Recommends and actively supports sabbaticals and other professional development of the Minister
- Holds the confidence and trust of both the Minister and the Congregation.
Members or friends of the congregation are encouraged to discuss any concerns they might have with regard to ministry first with the minister and then, if needed, with members of the committee.
CoSM Mission, Members, and Success Traits
Committee on Shared Ministries Members
Jim Highsmith
Laura McCollum
Illya Kowalchuk
Derrick Belanger
Lorraine Wilson
Kris Zoellner
Deb Schmidt
For more information, contact sharedministry@bvuuf.org
Chalice Lighters
Through the Chalice Lighters, the Fellowship is able to support appeals issued by way of the Mountain Desert District Extension Committee. These appeals help promote growth in UU congregations around the district by meeting special financial needs. Our local representative supports Chalice Lighters by recruiting new members from the Fellowship. Special Note: Our Fellowship was chosen as the recipient of one of the 2004 calls! In the fall of 2004 we received approximately $8,000 — $10,000 to help pay for remodeling costs at our new home, specifically the RE workroom area with sink and the handicap accessible bathroom. To become a Chalice Lighter, visit the UUA Website.
Mountain Desert District
The Mountain Desert District exists to:
Promote the growth of liberal religion
Aid in the establishment and development of new Unitarian Universalist congregations
Make the varied resources of our religious movement more directly available to our congregations
Assist our churches, fellowships, and individual Unitarian Universalists by mutual effort
Develop wider lay and professional participation and leadership
Cooperate with the Unitarian Universalist Association for its strengthening and growth
Learn more about the MDD at www.mdduua.org.
UUSC Representative
Firmly grounded in Unitarian Universalist values, the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) promotes and protects human rights in the United States and internationally. Through advocacy, partnership, and education, the UUSC:
1.Supports the struggles of oppressed racial, ethnic, and indigenous groups
2.Defends the rights of children.
3. Fosters a new generation of social justice leaders.
UUSC programs are funded by the donations of individual members and contributors, UU congregational support, foundation grants, and a generous matching grant from the UU Congregation at Shelter Rock in Manhasset, N.Y. Individuals may join UUSC online (uusc.org) or by calling the Membership Services Department at the UUSC.
Leadership Development
Purpose & Mission
The purposes of the Leadership Development Committee are:
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To help develop the leadership capabilities within the Fellowship,
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To help the members and friends of the Fellowship identify and bring their interests, passions, and skills to the Congregation and greater community,
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To ascertain the leadership needs of the Fellowship,
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To help match the capabilities with the needs, and
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To present, in consultation with the Board President and Minister, and as appropriate with the incoming Board President, to the Board of Officers and Trustees each year a slate of Officers and Trustees, members of the Committee on Shared Ministry, and members of the Leadership Development Committee (and Search Committee and other leadership roles as determined by the Board) for the following year and presented to the Congregation at the Annual Meeting
The Committee, in concert with other Fellowship committees, councils, and task forces maintains an inventory of member skills, interests, and passions, tracks current openings and needs, and suggests matches between the two.
The mission of the Committee is to help develop congregational leadership through the identification and recruitment of candidates who are representative of the congregation as a whole and who offer the possibility of service to the Fellowship in the future.
Responsibilities
The responsibilities of the Leadership Development Committee are to:
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In coordination with other Fellowship committees, create and maintain a skills inventory of our Members and Friends
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Develop and offer training to the congregational leaders and emerging leaders
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Obtain information from the Board President of elected vacancies for the following year, and from committee chairs of key leadership vacancies in the Fellowship
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Inform members of the Fellowship of the open positions and ways of making suggestions of candidates to the Leadership Development Committee.
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Working with the Board, the Minister, and Committee Chairs, screen possible candidates for each position
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Present to the Board of Officers and Trustees by the April Board meeting a slate of candidates for elected positions which will be vacant the following fiscal year.
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Recommend to the Board each year, at an appropriate time, possible candidates for UUA-sponsored Leadership School.
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Develop, submit and manage the committee budget consistent with Board policies.
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Submit an annual report to the Vice-President of the Board prior to the spring business meeting.
Coordinating Relationships
The Leadership Development Committee will work closely with the President and Vice-President of the
Board, the Minister, the Membership Engagement Council, and Fellowship committee chairs to implement a leadership development process for the Fellowship.
Contact Auction Chairpersons for more information about the Auction Committee.
Bed and Breakfast hosts offer their homes to Unitarian Universalist (or like-minded) travelers from the U.S. and Canada. The below-market nightly fees go to BVUUF as a fundraiser. Stays range from one night to a week and breakfast can be continental or something more – you determine what will work for you. Our program coordinators handle advertising, inquiries, placing the visitors and fee collection. Hosts meet interesting travelers, offer hospitality and add to the fundraising of the Fellowship! Contact Rosemary Arp at rsarp@comcast.net. Learn more about the Bed and Breakfast Program here.
The Building Committee is currently heading up the renovation of the BVUUF building; find description of the various aspects of this work on their blog here.
The committee, which meets monthly, advises all other Fellowship committees, the board, and staff about how best to communicate, leading us in the use of rich and constructive methods of communications. The committee keeps the Fellowship aware of and members and friends trained in new methods of communication including Google and Facebook.
Reaching out to the broader community in Boulder and Broomfield counties, the Communications Committee focuses on relating our Unitarian Universalist message and attracting new visitors and members to our services and events. Methods for this include sending out press releases and working with editors of print and online media to get them carried; advertising campaigns; and using Facebook and other social media effectively.
Each January, all Fellowship committee chairs and the congregation in general are asked to submit budget requests for the fiscal year to begin the following July. The Finance Committee proposes a preliminary budget to the Board in February. Following Board modifications and approval, the preliminary budget is presented to a Congregational meeting for a vote in February. This budget then provides the goals for the Canvass in March. A final budget, based on the canvass results and any necessary adjustments, is approved by the congregation at the annual meeting in May.
- Grass, trees, shrubs, and flowers
- Arranging for mowing and trimming of native grass and turf areas
- Maintenance of trees, shrubs, and flowers
- Fertilizing, weeding, and irrigating the grounds
- Arranging for seasonal inspection of sprinkler system and any necessary repair
- Spring and Fall cleanup
- Snow removal from parking lots and sidewalks
- Planning
- Short term grounds improvement (projects that take 6 months or less to complete)
- Long-term grounds improvement (projects that take more than 6 months to complete)
Members: If you have an idea for grounds improvement projects that you would like the Grounds Committee to consider, you are encouraged to submit a Landscaping/Grounds request to Dotty Stauber, Grounds Committee Coordinator. To do so, download the form to your computer in PDF or Word format. Fill in the form, save it, and either place a printed copy in the Grounds Committee’s mailbox at the Fellowship or send it as an e-mail attachment to Carol Pranschke, officemanager@bvuuf.org.
Landscaping/Grounds request forms: Word | PDF
The Grounds Committee meets once a month, or as needed, to discuss plans to fulfill the committee’s responsibilities. Any and all members of the Fellowship are welcome to attend.
In addition, we will regularly schedule Grounds Work Parties, usually on a Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon, when members and friends of the Fellowship are invited to help do the manual labor that is necessary to meet our short-term and long-term goals. Watch for more information about Grounds Work Parties in the newsletter, in Order of Service programs, and on the BVUUF email groups.
If you have questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact the Coordinator.
Grounds Policies
UUF Grounds Policies
Revision 0, September 13, 2004
Offers of Donated Play Structures
We are unable to accept play structures from private homes, as they do not meet the standards that are set for institutional playgrounds. Not following these standards could result in liability issues for the Fellowship.
Offers of Donated Plant Material, Including Trees, Bushes, and Flowers
Until we have a long term plan developed for the landscaping of the Fellowship grounds, we are unable to accept donated plant material. However, if potential donors would like to keep the Grounds committee apprised of plant material that they would like to donate, we’ll store that information for future used.
Weed Barrier
When mulching with organic material (chips, bark, etc.), 2”- 4”, we will use dampened newspaper as the weed barrier. When using rock mulch, we will use a high quality synthetic weed barrier or plastic.
Use of Herbicides
We will use herbicides sparingly, and only when necessary. The treated area will be posted so that passersby are aware of their use.
Lawn Maintenance
We will hire a firm to mow and trim the lawn next summer. David will solicit three bids from firms so that the committee can choose one. The remaining tasks needed to maintain the grounds will be performed by volunteers from the Fellowship.
Weeds in the Back Lot
These will be cut, when necessary, by an outside firm.
Sprinkler System
We will begin to use the sprinkler system in the spring of 2005.
Snow Removal
We have a two-year contract for snow removal.
Stewardship Council Responsibilities:
- Ensure that Captains recruit canvassers
- Ensure that brochure and pledge cards are printed
- Sort members, friends, and former pledgers into canvass
- Provide packets and training for canvassers
- Ensure that the canvass is accomplished within deadlines
- Assist captains with difficult-to-reach Fellowship members and friends
- Mail letters to mail list plus difficult-to-reach individuals
- Report canvass status and projection to Finance Committee in early May
- Distribute confirmation memos for received pledges