Committee Chair, Mary Jo Hamilton

Purpose

The Aesthetics Committee oversees the appearance of the church interior in order to present a well-designed, pleasant atmosphere to our congregation and guests. It works with the Buildings and Grounds Committee to see that regular maintenance needs are taken care of in a timely manner.

Responsibilities and Scope

• Oversee the purchase of furniture, carpeting, and other major items to be sure that the overall appearance of the interior is consistent and inviting.
• Regularly inspect all aspects of the interior of the church for maintenance needs and arrange for maintenance and repairs to be done.
• Manage the Gallery Wall in the Fellowship Hall, recruiting artists to display their work and providing a reception for the artists during the social hour after the Sunday Service.
• A member of the Aesthetics Committee shall serve on the Building Committee for all Capital Campaigns.

General Committee Expectations

It is the expectation of the UUCP congregation and Board of Directors that all committees will transparently conduct their business within the letter and spirit of the UUCP vision, mission, and bylaws. Committees are required to do the following:

• Once per year, provide a short written report to the Board summarizing the committee’s activities during the previous year and plans for the year ahead. (This report can be included as part of a budget request but is required whether a committee requests funding from the Board or not.) This report must include the name and contact information of the Committee’s current chair.
• Stay within their allotted budget (if applicable).
• Retain meeting minutes or some other record of committee decisions and activities.
• Notify the Board whenever the committee chair changes.

Committee Chair, Al Poplawski

Purpose

The Building and Grounds Committee cares for the UUCP buildings and grounds to maintain their functionality and aesthetic qualities.

Responsibilities and Scope

The Committee is responsible for repairing any aspects of the buildings that fall into disrepair by either using their own members and skills or hiring skilled professionals to conduct the repairs. The committee is also responsible for maintaining the grounds in a safe and presentable condition.

General Committee Expectations

It is the expectation of the UUCP congregation and Board of Directors that all committees will transparently conduct their business within the letter and spirit of the UUCP vision, mission, and bylaws. Committees are required to do the following:

• Once per year, provide a short written report to the Board summarizing the committee’s activities during the previous year and plans for the year ahead. This report can be included as part of a budget request but is required whether a committee requests funding from the Board or not. This report must include the name and contact information of the Committee’s current chair.
• Stay within their allotted budget (if applicable).
• Retain meeting minutes or some other record of committee decisions and activities.
• Notify the Board whenever the committee chair changes.

Committee Chair, Elisabeth Berlinger

Purpose

The Caring Committee arranges for help if someone in the UUCP congregation is ill, in crisis or experiencing life transitions. Committee members hear from people in need directly, from members of the congregation or from the minister.

The Committee organizes help through SignUp Genius, Meal Trains or by calling members of the congregation who have indicated that they can help with specific tasks. The Committee follows up by sending cards, visiting, making phone calls, or sending emails to see if additional help is needed. It also plans receptions following UUCP memorial services.

Responsibilities and Scope

The Committee can offer help in the following areas:

• Meals
• Home visits
• Child care
• Rides
• Truck hauling/moving help
• Pet care
• Yard work
• Farm care
• House cleaning

The Committee maintains a list of congregation members who have indicated their willingness to provide various services when needed. They also have a visitor team that meets regularly with people who are homebound temporarily or long term. The visitor team occasionally receives additional training on tips for most effectively serving the homebound population.

The Committee generally meets once a month for 1 1/2 -2 hours and stays in contact by email in between if needed.

General Committee Expectations

It is the expectation of the UUCP congregation and Board of Directors that all committees will transparently conduct their business within the letter and spirit of the UUCP vision, mission, and bylaws. Committees are required to do the following:

• Once per year, provide a short written report to the Board summarizing the committee’s activities during the previous year and plans for the year ahead. This report can be included as part of a budget request but is required whether a committee requests funding from the Board or not. This report must include the name and contact information of the Committee’s current chair.
• Stay within their allotted budget (if applicable).
• Retain meeting minutes or some other record of committee decisions and activities.
• Notify the Board whenever the committee chair changes.

Committee Chair, Elizabeth Stevens

Purpose

“Ministry” consists of everything a congregation does to fulfill its mission. The Committee on Ministry (COM) supports the church’s mission by working to strengthen all aspects of the ministry of the UUCP, including ministry of and by the congregation, minister, staff, and lay leadership. It serves as an advisory team to the minister and lay leadership of the church.

Responsibilities and Scope

The COM is involved in monitoring, educating, evaluating, advising, and protecting the congregation’s ministry as a whole. It serves as a primary entity within the church for promoting shared responsibility for the ministry through collaboration, right relations, and mutual trust. It provides guidance in honoring our Covenant of Right Relations.

The specific functions of the COM are as follows:

1. Serve as leaders to minister, staff, and congregants. This may involve making ideas or concerns known for improving the ministry of the church, and working with the minister and church committees to facilitate solutions to problems as they arise.
2. Support the continuing education of the congregation regarding the UUCP’s mission and its ministry, in partnership with the minister, to promote understanding of congregational ministry, including roles and realistic priorities for the minister. Create brochures and other educational materials about the COM and the ministry of the UUCP.
3. Aid the minister in carrying out effective ministry by being available as a sounding board. Note that this is not meant to be a substitute for professional support, which should come from colleagues of the minister who understand the unique issues of professional ministry. Rather, the COM should provide the minister with a group of caring and open laypeople who will give honest, pertinent feedback and advice about the effectiveness of the minister’s work in the context of the congregation’s ministry as a whole.
4. Solicit ideas and feedback from the congregation for enhancing the ministry of the church using various methods. Listen for members’ concerns as they participate in the life of the congregation as a way to assure continuous assessment of the overall health of the ministry.
5. Facilitate conflict management within the UUCP, in cooperation with the Board of Trustees and other Lay Leadership. The role of the COM is not to resolve conflict, but to help process concerns and complaints without triangulation, and with an aim toward reconciliation (see Conflict Management Policy).
6. Monitor the entire ministry of the church, keeping the board and the congregation informed about the health of the ministry.
7. Conduct periodic assessments of the health of the ministry, including a formal congregational evaluation of the professional and shared congregational ministry at least every three years. This should be accompanied by the submission of a written report with recommendations to the Board of Trustees and the congregation and should include an assessment of the church’s entire ministry. Note though that formal evaluation of a settled minister is done by the Board of Trustees.

General Committee Expectations

It is the expectation of the UUCP congregation and Board of Directors that all committees will transparently conduct their business within the letter and spirit of the UUCP vision, mission, and bylaws. Committees are required to do the following:

• Once per year, provide a short written report to the Board summarizing the committee’s activities during the previous year and plans for the year ahead. This report can be included as part of a budget request but is required whether a committee requests funding from the Board or not. This report must include the name and contact information of the Committee’s current chair.
• Stay within their allotted budget (if applicable).
• Retain meeting minutes or some other record of committee decisions and activities.
• Notify the Board whenever the committee chair changes.

Committee Chair,

Purpose

Our mission is to collect information on environmental and sustainability issues in order to educate ourselves, other local groups, and the community at large.

Responsibilities and Scope

We will seek out and share scientifically verifiable data to promote knowledgeable decision making through community dialog. We would like to provide a pulpit for all local environmental groups to share their issues in order to preserve and protect our world.

General Committee Expectations

It is the expectation of the UUCP congregation and Board of Directors that all committees will transparently conduct their business within the letter and spirit of the UUCP vision, mission, and bylaws. Committees are required to do the following:

• Once per year, provide a short written report to the Board summarizing the committee’s activities during the previous year and plans for the year ahead. This report can be included as part of a budget request but is required whether a committee requests funding from the Board or not. This report must include the name and contact information of the Committee’s current chair.
• Stay within their allotted budget (if applicable).
• Retain meeting minutes or some other record of committee decisions and activities.
• Notify the Board whenever the committee chair changes.

Committee Chair,

Purpose

The UUCP Executive Committee provides a clear, efficient, effective, timely mechanism for addressing the routine, day-to-day operations of the UUCP, saving the time and logistical difficulties of convening the entire Board of Directors.

Responsibilities and Scope

Expectations

It is the expectation of the UUCP congregation and Board of Directors that the Executive Committee transparently conducts its business within the letter and spirit of the UUCP vision, mission and bylaws. The Executive Committee will report its actions to the Board in a timely manner. Decisions of the Committee will be by consensus; for a decision to be made at least four members need to be present. If the Committee is not agreed, then the issue shall go to the Board.

Membership

The Executive Committee is comprised of six members:

• The UUCP board president, or other designated member of the current board, who will serve as chair
• The UUCP minister
• A past UUCP board member, appointed by the UUCP Board
• The UUCP treasurer or a designated representative who is fully apprised of the church finances
• The UUCP administrative secretary
• The Director of Lifespan Religious Exploration

Powers

Working within the spirit of the UUCP vision, mission and bylaws, the Executive Committee has the authority to:

• Attend to routine, day-to-day operations of the church
• Assess situations that fall outside the routine, day-to-day operations of the church, triage their urgency and engage the appropriate UUCP members, committees, and/or board to address them
• Speak on behalf of the congregation in times of emergencies or great need   Serve as the steward of church protocols, operational practices, church records and documents, (e.g., insurance policies, bank account numbers, etc.)

The Executive Committee does not have the authority to:

• Spend UUCP resources beyond or outside of the UUCP budget
• Hire or fire UUCP employees
• Change UUCP policy

General Committee Expectations

It is the expectation of the UUCP congregation and Board of Directors that all committees will transparently conduct their business within the letter and spirit of the UUCP vision, mission, and bylaws. Committees are required to do the following:

• Once per year, provide a short-written report to the Board summarizing the committee’s activities during the previous year and plans for the year ahead. This report will include the name and contact information of the Committee’s current chair.
• Stay within their allotted budget.
• Retain meeting minutes or some other record of committee decisions and activities.
• Notify the Board whenever the committee chair changes.

Committee Chair, Bill Webb

Purpose

The UUCP Finance Committee’s role in UUCP is to follow the Finance Policy.

Responsibilities and Scope

The Finance Committee is responsible for the day to day collection and distribution and documentation of all cash and non-cash donations to UUCP, the development of a yearly budget for presentation to the Executive Committee, and management of the UUCP checking, savings and investment accounts. The UUCP Treasurer is a member of the Committee. The committee has no budget lines.

General Committee Expectations

It is the expectation of the UUCP congregation and Board of Directors that all committees will transparently conduct their business within the letter and spirit of the UUCP vision, mission, and bylaws. Committees are required to do the following:

• Once per year, provide a short written report to the Board summarizing the committee’s activities during the previous year and plans for the year ahead. This report can be included as part of a budget request but is required whether a committee requests funding from the Board or not. This report must include the name and contact information of the Committee’s current chair.
• Stay within their allotted budget (if applicable).
• Retain meeting minutes or some other record of committee decisions and activities.
• Notify the Board whenever the committee chair changes.

Committee Chair, Pat Fuerst

Purpose

In wonder and awe of the natural world, we seek to transform ourselves and our communities in order to help heal our planet.

Responsibilities and Scope

The Green Sanctuary Committee’s purpose is to provide inspiration, information, worship and educational activities regarding environmental justice, sustainability, and appreciation of nature through services, organized classes, short talks and other activities

General Committee Expectations

It is the expectation of the UUCP congregation and Board of Directors that all committees will transparently conduct their business within the letter and spirit of the UUCP vision, mission, and bylaws. Committees are required to do the following:

• Once per year, provide a short written report to the Board summarizing the committee’s activities during the previous year and plans for the year ahead. This report can be included as part of a budget request but is required whether a committee requests funding from the Board or not. This report must include the name and contact information of the Committee’s current chair.
• Stay within their allotted budget (if applicable).
• Retain meeting minutes or some other record of committee decisions and activities.
• Notify the Board whenever the committee chair changes.

Committee Chair, Elisabeth Berlinger

Purpose

We strive to help newcomers, members and friends find fulfillment in congregational life. From the moment an individual enters our church on Sunday morning, and continuing indefinitely, we focus on providing a welcoming and nurturing atmosphere so that all will feel a sense of belonging.

Responsibilities and Scope

We have a core committee who meet regularly to set procedures for meeting the needs of our members, friends and visitors. We focus primarily on the following areas:

• Welcoming: We offer visitors nametags and information and develop Greeter best practices so that everyone is met warmly and provided needed information. We maintain a list of newcomers’ contact information.
• Integration of Newcomers: We guide interested individuals on the path to active involvement.
• Pastoral Care and In-reach: We encourage all members to find enrichment and fulfillment through active church involvement. We nourish a culture of {radical} hospitality.
• Data Tracking: We collect newcomers’ contact information. We keep membership and attendance records required for UUA certification.

General Committee Expectations

It is the expectation of the UUCP congregation and Board of Directors that all committees will transparently conduct their business within the letter and spirit of the UUCP vision, mission, and bylaws. Committees are required to do the following:

• Once per year, provide a short written report to the Board summarizing the committee’s activities during the previous year and plans for the year ahead. This report can be included as part of a budget request but is required whether a committee requests funding from the Board or not. This report must include the name and contact information of the Committee’s current chair.
• Stay within their allotted budget (if applicable).
• Retain meeting minutes or some other record of committee decisions and activities.
• Notify the Board whenever the committee chair changes.

Committee Chair, Mary Jo Hamilton

Purpose

• To share our resources in order to strengthen our community.
• To support existing community-based charitable operations who are serving people in need.

Requirements for Selection of Month of Sundays Recipients

• Organization must have non-profit status
• Organization must serve all people who qualify for their service without discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, etc.
• Organization must serve UUCP’s local communities, which are defined as Latah and Whitman counties.  (They may also serve beyond these areas, but these communities are our focus.)

Priorities for Selection

• Organizations that serve immediate human needs such as food, shelter, and basic medical and mental health care
• Local organizations that are small, have few if any paid staff, and have less ability to do fundraising. These organizations may be unaffiliated (not part of a state or national group)
• Organizations that improve access to education, including early childhood education (eg. Head Start) and adult education (eg. ESL and GED preparation)
• Organizations that serve marginalized and vulnerable people

The Month of Sundays committee also selects recipients of special offerings that occur on the fifth Sunday in months that have five Sundays. These can be broader in scope than the general recipients guidelines. The committee has no budget line.

General Committee Expectations

It is the expectation of the UUCP congregation and Board of Directors that all committees will transparently conduct their business within the letter and spirit of the UUCP vision, mission, and bylaws. Committees are required to do the following:

• Once per year, provide a short written report to the Board summarizing the committee’s activities during the previous year and plans for the year ahead. This report can be included as part of a budget request but is required whether a committee requests funding from the Board or not. This report must include the name and contact information of the Committee’s current chair.
• Stay within their allotted budget (if applicable).
• Retain meeting minutes or some other record of committee decisions and activities.
• Notify the Board whenever the committee chair changes.

Committee Chair, Mary DuPree

Purpose

The UUCP Music Committee supports the Music Director in providing music for Sunday and other services, arranges for service music during the summer, and explores other opportunities for music-making by members of the congregation and the larger community.

Responsibilities and Scope

The Music Committee helps the Music Director recruit musicians for services and for special events, including groups that will provide the UUCP with a wide range of musical styles that will speak to our diverse community.  The committee helps in the organization of the choir, and acquisition and management of sheet music; provides the Board of Directors with an annual budget proposal; works through its representative with the Worship Committee and the Minister to coordinate the music for services; recruits summer pianists, makes arrangements for guest musicians, monitors the replacement of hymnals as needed; and encourages musical activities, formal or informal, that seem appropriate for the congregation.

General Committee Expectations

It is the expectation of the UUCP congregation and Board of Directors that all committees will transparently conduct their business within the letter and spirit of the UUCP vision, mission, and bylaws. Committees are required to do the following:

• Once per year, provide a short written report to the Board summarizing the committee’s activities during the previous year and plans for the year ahead. This report can be included as part of a budget request but is required whether a committee requests funding from the Board or not. This report must include the name and contact information of the Committee’s current chair.
• Stay within their allotted budget (if applicable).
• Retain meeting minutes or some other record of committee decisions and activities.
• Notify the Board whenever the committee chair changes.

Committee Chair, Marcus Smith

Purpose

In effort to promote the safety and security of our congregational community and the sanctuary in which we gather, the UUCP Safety Committee has been formed to better communicate and address potential health and safety concerns in the ongoing operations of our ministry. This committee will endeavor to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities, enhance security, maintain preparedness in response to emergencies, and ultimately foster safety awareness.

Responsibilities and Scope

• Recognize and identify on-site hazards and/or risks which may result in incidents, injuries, or illness.
• Mitigate potential security risks, hostile intrusions, or vandalism through awareness, prevention, deterrence, and appropriate response training.
• Utilize UUA ‘Safe Congregation’ checklists to assure safeguard consistency.
• Respond to notifications, complaints, or suggestions concerning health and safety issues. Monitor and follow-up recommended actions.
• Consult with local Emergency Response Authorities (Police, Fire Dept., Hospitals) to address response planning, preparations, and coordination.
• Report current activities and make recommendations regarding pending concerns to UUCP Staff, Board of Trustees, and/or Operations Committee.
• Seek advice and sanctions to establish relevant policy and protocol from UUCP Staff, Operations Committee, as well as other UUCP committees.
• Initiate and promote Emergency Medical Response training and education for Staff, response teams, or any interested participants in our community.

Committee Membership and Expectations

As of November 2022, current Safety Committee members are comprised of the following, including an appointed Chair and a UUCP Staff representative:

Marcus Smith – Chair

Ginger Allen – Staff representative

Rodney Frey

Pat Eaton

Juno Peterson-Pope

Rich Alldredge

• This committee will regularly meet twice per month on the second and forth Sunday, 11:30 — 12:00 pm, in the church third floor meeting room unless otherwise noted.
• Membership on the committee is voluntary and there is no expectation to serve a specified term. Members may resign at any time by notification made to the committee chair. A minimum of three members in consultation per meeting will comprise a quorum for purposes of initiating projects, planning activities, and program decision making. Any changes in committee membership will be provided by notice to the Board of Trustees.
• The Committee Chair in conjunction with the Staff Representative will provide regular summary reports to the Operations Committee and Board regarding current activities which may include proposed safety initiatives, recommended policy changes, or motions seeking approval of funds for specific safety program purposes. A Committee meeting agenda will be distributed to the members prior to each meeting and will serve as a record of committee activities, proposals, and resolutions.

Committee Chair, Patricia Jessup

Purpose

Small Group Ministry deepens and broadens personal and spiritual growth for UUCP members and friends.

Responsibilities and Scope

Small Groups strive to:

• Listen and be listened to in a safe place
• Learn about the mysteries of our world and our spiritual paths
• Build new and deeper personal connections
• Serve our community and the needs of one another

Each small group has 1-2 facilitators who link the group to the Small Group Ministry committee.

This committee meets the fourth Sunday of the month after services to discuss group issues and engage in the curriculum for the next month.

The Minister creates the session plans each month.

The Minister and chair

• recruit new members
• establish new groups
• train facilitators
• maintain a list of small group members and their facilitators
• forward Soul Matters packets and session plans to facilitators
• assist facilitators as needed

General Committee Expectations

It is the expectation of the UUCP congregation and Board of Directors that all committees will transparently conduct their business within the letter and spirit of the UUCP vision, mission, and bylaws. Committees are required to do the following:

• Once per year, provide a short written report to the Board summarizing the committee’s activities during the previous year and plans for the year ahead. This report can be included as part of a budget request but is required whether a committee requests funding from the Board or not. This report must include the name and contact information of the Committee’s current chair.
• Stay within their allotted budget (if applicable).
• Retain meeting minutes or some other record of committee decisions and activities.
• Notify the Board whenever the committee chair changes.

Committee Chair, Ken Faunce

Purpose

The Social Justice Facilitator provides oversight and guidance for social justice activities and events in our congregation, our community, and our region. The facilitator provides support and guidance to various groups and task forces dealing with social justice issues. Also, the facilitator implements social justice events and activities for the UUCP.

Responsibilities and Scope

Support of social justice activities, task forces, and groups within the congregation. Implements UUCP social justice activities, including fundraising food booth at the Moscow Renaissance Fair, organizing a UUCP presence at the Pride Parade and at the Pride festival, social justice Brown bags, and sponsorship of social justice events within the community, as well as support of the UI and WSU campus groups in relation to social justice activities. 

General Committee Expectations

It is the expectation of the UUCP congregation and Board of Directors that all committees will transparently conduct their business within the letter and spirit of the UUCP vision, mission, and bylaws. Committees are required to do the following:

• Once per year, provide a short-written report to the Board summarizing the committee’s activities during the previous year and plans for the year ahead. This report will include the name and contact information of the Committee’s current chair.
• Stay within their allotted budget.
• Retain meeting minutes or some other record of committee decisions and activities.
• Notify the Board whenever the committee chair changes.

Committee Chair, Nancy Nelson

Purpose

The Worship Committee coordinates a calendar of worship services, including the speaker, topic, celebrant, and music. The committee also evaluates the effectiveness of our worship services and seeks ways to make services better serve the needs of the congregation.

Responsibilities and Scope

When the minister is not available to speak, the committee arranges a speaker or speakers to fill the role. This includes the minister’s Sundays off during the church year, summer services, and times during sabbatical. The Worship Committee works with staff to create services; this includes consulting the minister, music director, and RE director.

General Committee Expectations

It is the expectation of the UUCP congregation and Board of Directors that all committees will transparently conduct their business within the letter and spirit of the UUCP vision, mission, and bylaws. Committees are required to do the following:

• Once per year, provide a short written report to the Board summarizing the committee’s activities during the previous year and plans for the year ahead. (This report can be included as part of a budget request but is required whether a committee requests funding from the Board or not.) This report must include the name and contact information of the Committee’s current chair.
• Stay within their allotted budget (if applicable).
• Retain meeting minutes or some other record of committee decisions and activities.
• Notify the Board whenever the committee chair changes.