Is it Your Turn at the Table?
Unitarian Universalist churches are fully self-supporting and independent in their governance. That makes us different from most other denominations, in which congregations are subject to binding decisions they did not make. At UU churches, the Board decides the direction of the church based on the church’s mission statement and strategic goals.
Wildflower operates with a seven-member Board which consists of four officers (President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer) and three regular positions. A term lasts two years, and a person is permitted to serve two terms in a row but no more than that.
In 2022, an even-numbered year, we have four 2-year positions open. (In odd-numbered years, we have only three.)
The work of the Board is important, but it’s not just work. Many past Board members have cited their Board service as the most meaningful experience they have had at the church. It’s an opportunity to learn more about how the church works, bond deeply with a small group of people, and enhance leadership skills.
Because we govern ourselves, it is important that every voting member who is able takes a turn at serving on the Board. It takes all of us chipping in to make this church work, and that includes Board service. Is it your turn at the table? Please read the Board member job description and the frequently asked questions as you ponder that question.
What stands out for me from my Board service is how interesting it was and how much I learned. There are so many decisions that need to be made at a church. It was fascinating learning what it takes to make this church work, and it was humbling being a part of the process. And doing it all while working with amazing people, for the benefit of an incredible organization, was just icing on the cake! I really recommend that every member of the church serve on the Board at some point.
If you feel ready to serve on the Board, please fill out the Declaration of Interest in Board Candidacy and email it and the associated documents to the nominating@wildflowerchurch.org. The deadline for submission is May 20, 2022.
The congregation will vote on those who submit the packet at the June congregational meeting, with new board members officially taking office July 1.
I joined the Board in July 2014, with Mike Ignatowski as President, after a disastrous two years under an interim minister, when I wasn’t alone in having my commitment to the congregation seriously tested. The Board’s job then was to revitalize the community and re-empower ourselves as a congregation, which we did. We introduced electronic communication among Board members, an innovation that enabled us to do what we needed to do, when we needed to do it, while maintaining full accountability. We also strengthened our partnership with Faith by negotiating the first multi-year space sharing agreement to provide a sense of stability that was important for attracting new members and a minister. I only made it through one year, but in that year we hauled ourselves out of quicksand and back onto ground where we could begin to flourish yet again.