UUA Trustee Tidbits, September 26, 2003
Joan Lund, jlund@uua.org, 813-931-9727
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As the newly elected Florida Unitarian Universalist Association Trustee I have been asking UUs what you would like or expect me to do for our denomination and perhaps your church? I am finding folks asking me: what is the role of the Trustee, how many Trustees are there, and when do you meet? As you read this I may have already returned from the October Trustee meeting but as this is being written I am awaiting the meeting; upon return there will be more about our actual work. But for now….

The UUA Board of Trustees are vested by the UUA Bylaws to conduct the affairs of the Association and, subject to the Bylaws, carry out the Association's policies and directives as provided by law. The Board also has the power to "act for the Association between General Assemblies". This is in contrast to the responsibility of the General Assembly which is to "make" policy. The responsibility of the Board of Trustees also includes the authority to adopt resolutions and to take actions necessary to implement policies. In other words, while the General Assembly has the power to direct and control the Association's affairs; the Board of Trustees has the power to conduct the affairs of the Association and supervise the management and business of the Association, which includes control over financial matters (adoption of the Association's annual budget and the power to amend it).

Trustees are expected to perform in a responsible manner and this includes being informed of UUA activities and business matters, attending Trustees' meetings, avoiding conflicts of interest in matters relating to the Association's affairs, understanding the duties of the office, reading and verifying the accuracy of all minutes of meetings, reporting on Board actions to our District, and being familiar with the Bylaws and Rules of the Association. There are twenty District Trustees, four at-large Trustees, and a Youth Trustee. We meet in Boston three times per year and for three days before General Assembly. We serve without compensation.

Certain responsibilities are delegated by the Board of Trustees to committees and the Board may act through these committees. These include standing committees: Executive Committee, Ministerial Fellowship Committee, Finance Committee, and Investment Committee. The Board is able to create additional committees and determine their membership duties. I have been assigned to the Anti-Racism Assessment and Monitoring Team (ARAMT) and the Justice Board working group. I will continue working with the Annual Program Fund as the liaison from the Board of Trustees.

Please know I look forward to this work and welcome hearing from you.