Unitarian Universalist congregations follow a governance form called congregational polity. Congregational polity puts all power into the hands of each individual congregation, each of which is completely self-governing and fully autonomous.

Polity's roots date back more than 350 years, to the Puritans of early Massachusetts Bay, who developed the model to organize their churches.  The model has been followed and adapted by our congregations ever since.  

USG has an elected nine-member Board of Trustees, who are ultimately responsible for governance of our church community. They delegate certain responsibilities to three appointed councils, the Program Council, Strategic Planning Council and Administrative Council. The structure is intended to free the Board to focus on big picture, long term issues.  

Significant questions are voted upon by the entire congregation. For example, when seeking a new minister, we establish a search committee, which ultimately brings a recommendation to the congregation. The entire membership then votes, and if the vote is not overwhelmingly positive, the candidate is not 'called' to the church. (Of course, with good search committees, a negative vote is a pretty rare occurrence.)  

USG also has a strong minister and excellent staff, including a Director of Religious Education, Music Director and Administrator. And we have an extensive network of committees, some of which work on worship, social action, religious education and adult spiritual enrichment, while others are responsible for various management and administrative functions, such as overseeing our endowment fund and taking care of the church grounds. The volunteers and staff work together collegially.  

Many committees are open to anyone interested. Some, generally on the administrative side, are appointed.  All elements of the governance structure should be transparent to the entire congregation. We work hard to ensure that this happens.

Here is our most recent annual report.  and most recent annual meeting minutes.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES:  Mission: Overall responsibility for general policy, vision, and financial accountability. Composition:  Nine members elected in classes of three and serving three-year terms; members are nominated by the Nominating Committee and then elected by the congregation.

Key responsibilities:
•  Articulate the vision for the future of USG
• Review and approve annual strategic plan
• Approve long-term priorities for programs
• Approve and promote covenants of behavior (i.e., how we will interact with each other) and    standards of conduct (including fiscal propriety, non-discrimination, health, safety and welfare)
• Articulate requirements for membership Set general policies, including Committee rotation and policies.
• Make appointments to key positions and standing committees (for example, Treasurer, Committee on Ministry,  Nominating committee etc.)
• Maintain responsibility for the Annual Meeting at which new Trustees, nominating committee, and GA delegate elections occur.
• Elect Board officers
• Meet bi-monthly to conduct Board business
• Be familiar with the bylaws and provide for bylaw-designated annual events
• Appoint Non-Board council members.
• Serve on one of the three councils for the duration of the Board term
• Oversee the financial health of the church.  Review financial statements annually.
• Approve the annual operating budget
• Prioritize and approve major capital projects and expenditures
• Approve personnel policies, staff configuration, and basic job descriptions
• Conduct an annual job review with the minister. Receive periodic reports from the minister and provide support when appropriate.  The minister is responsible to the Board of trustees.
• Plan and implement leadership development and other training, as appropriate
• Provide assistance or conflict resolution if Councils are at an impasse

STRATEGIC PLANNING COUNCIL:   Mission: Creation and periodic modification of the USG Strategic Plan.  Composition: 3 elected Board members and three non-Board members to be appointed by the Board of Trustees; three-year terms; two members rotate off and two new members come on each year.  Meet at least 4 times a year.

Key responsibilities:
• Secure input from all stakeholders.
• Evaluate general needs, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities relevant to USG & its goals.
• Develop a five year plan that identifies clear goals, sets priorities and provides a basic “roadmap” for achieving them.
• Identify resources and capabilities needed to meet goals.
• Review progress on the plan, evaluating new circumstances and revising the plan as appropriate.
• Report yearly to the Board of Trustees and revise the plan as appropriate.

PROGRAM COUNCIL:  Mission: Overall coordination and nurturing of all church events and activities. Composition: Three elected Board members and three non Board members to be appointed by the Board of Trustees; three year terms; two members rotate off and two new members come on each year.  Meet either monthly or bimonthly.

Key responsibilities:
• Oversee and coordinate all church activities and programs. 
• Current committees under the care of the Program Council include: Sunday Services, Worship Arts,  Worship Associates, Sunday Religious Education, Choir, Social Action, Ending Racism, Adult RE, Coffee & Conversation, Small Group Ministries, Membership,  Small Group ministries, Caring Committee, Chalice Lights Productions, Solstice, Earth Centered Celebrations,  etc.
• Develop a process for recruiting for committees.  Approve committee leadership.
• Review and rationalize the structure, roles and responsibilities of committees and task forces within its purview.  Determine how relevant functions or issues are best addressed. 
• Propose new committees or task forces and disband committees when appropriate.  
• Articulate the scope, responsibilities and membership of committees and task forces; promote their effectiveness.
• Monitor the rotation of committee membership or leadership in accordance with general guidelines set by the Board
• Evaluate on-going and proposed activities and events to insure relevance and suitability to USG mission
• Develop and publicize the annual church calendar in conjunction with the Administrative  Council.
• Identify and prioritize resource needs for church programs and activities
• Develop budgets for programs or activities; advocate for adequate funding, as appropriate, and allocate  or reallocate Board-approved program funds.
• Reallocate funds during the fiscal year, as necessary and report re-allocations to the Administration Council and to the Board.
• Monitor Committee expenditures as reported by the Treasurers; keep committee chairs informed of their budget & expenditures.
• Plan and implement leadership development and other training, as appropriate.
• Provide assistance and conflict resolution when there is dissension in program matters.

ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL:  Mission: Oversight of all administrative functions of the church. Composition: Three elected Board members and three non-Board members to be appointed by the Board of Trustees; three-year terms; two members rotate off and two new members come on each year.  Meet either monthly or bimonthly

Key responsibilities:
• Oversee and coordinate the work of all administrative functions.
• Current committees under the care of the Administrative Council include: Land Stewardship, Personnel, Development (including pledge & fund raising activities), Property, Aesthetics,  Budget & Finance, Communications, ( Monthly newsletter, publicity/ website), etc.
• Review and rationalize the structure, roles and responsibilities of committees and task forces; determine how issues are best addressed.
• Develop a process for recruiting for committees.  Approve committee leadership.
• Propose new committees or task forces and disband committees when appropriate.  
• Articulate the scope, responsibilities and membership of committees and task forces; promote efforts to coordinate work, avoid duplication, clarify job descriptions and to insure succession
• Monitor the rotation of committee membership and chairpersons in accordance with general guidelines set by the Board. 
• Develop annual budget; provide sound fiscal oversight. Review monthly treasurer statements.
• Work with the Budget & Finance Committee to establish an open and inclusive process for requesting funds.
• Recommend rental policies and rates, fundraising and other financial policies to the Board
• Identify operational needs and developing plans to address them.
• Oversee and coordinate the full range of church operations such as personnel, building and grounds, equipment and supplies, procurement, maintenance and facility use.
• Develop and maintain effective vehicles for communication such as the newsletter, e-mails and the website.
• Assist the Program Council in the development of the annual church calendar.
• Plan and implement leadership development and other training, as appropriate.
• Provide assistance and/or conflict resolution when there is dissension or disagreement among administrative areas.