The First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor is a democratically-run organization. An elected Board of Trustees serves as the congregation's governing body. Board members are elected at the congregational meeting that is held annually in the late spring. Additional congregational meetings may also be called at other times for special votes or presentations.

Board of Trustees

Our bylaws state that the Board of Trustees "is charged with establishing, maintaining and communicating policies and strategic priorities that are forward-looking, congregation-wide, and reflective of the values and mission of the Congregation."

The board has these basic responsibilities: maintain communication with members of the congregation; establish policies that set the direction and expectations for the congregation's programs, activities and operations; establish limitations on what is permissible in programs and operations; monitor performance in carrying out board policies. The board delegates to the Senior Minister the authority for management of operations and for oversight of programs and activities. The Senior Minister is accountable to the board. The board has adopted the Policy Governance® model as the framework in which it does its work.

Policy Governance®

Policy Governance® refers to a governance model developed by John and Miriam Carver to aid boards of not-for-profit organizations to function effectively (Policy Governance® is a registered service mark). The Carvers have developed very precise terminology to describe the key concepts of this governance model, including: Ends, Means and Policies.

Ends state the difference that we want to make in the lives of members of the congregation, in our community and in the world. The board developed our current Ends Statements from the themes that emerged from the Appreciative Inquiry process that the congregation undertook in 2006. These themes are stated in the "Provocative Proposals" document that summarized the major ideas to come out of this year-long process. Ends statements identify what is important to us as a congregation. They reflect the values, principles, aspirations and priorities of the congregation and they set the direction and articulate outcomes for programs and actions of the congregation.

Means are the ways we achieve our Ends. They include all of the things we do -- our Sunday services, our religious education program, social justice activities, building maintenance and everything else that we do to achieve the outcomes that are set forth in the Ends Statements.

The Senior Minister functions as the Chief Executive Officer and is accountable to the Board of Trustees for overseeing the activities and programs that First UU of Ann Arbor undertakes to achieve our Ends and for providing the Board with status reports. The Senior Minister oversees the work of both paid and volunteer staff in achieving these Ends. The Senior Minister and the staff have latitude and freedom to be creative and efficient in developing and pursuing Means to achieve the Ends, so long as they follow Policies established by the board and reflect our Core Values. Our core values were derived from the "Provocative Proposals" articulated during an all-congregation Appreciative Inquiry process in 2006.

All of the board's Policies are written. You will find them in the document "Governing Policies ." This is the board's Policy Manual. It contains four kinds of policies:

1. Ends Statements, which state the board's expectations of the Senior Minister and this congregation's reason for being;

2. Executive Limitations policies , which establish the boundaries of permissible staff activity by stating limits on the means by which Ends may be achieved.

3. Board Governance, which identifies how the board conducts its business;

4. Board-Executive Linkage policies, which establish authority that the board delegates to the Senior Minister and how performance will be monitored and evaluated.

The Board usually meets at 7:00 pm on the first Tuesday of each month. Members of the congregation are welcome to attend board meetings as observers. Each scheduled board meeting begins with "Member Comment Time." Any topic that is related to board policy as stated in the board's  "Governing Policies" document is welcome. The Board will not respond to or take immediate action on issues raised during Member Comment Time.

Member Comment Time must be reserved not later than 5:00 p.m. on the Monday preceding the board meeting at which an individual wishes to speak. You may click here for the board meeting schedule. Please be aware that meetings may be canceled and that the board may go into executive session. Members may reserve Member Comment Time by sending an e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by contacting Board President This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it C directly.

Board members welcome your questions, comments and suggestions. We invite you to talk with us in the Social Hall after Sunday worship services, to address us during Member Comment time, or to e-mail us at:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

To learn more about policy governance, read our Policy Governance Primer.