Congregational Leadership
All Unitarian Universalist congregations are self-governing and self-sustaining.
This means that final authority over all church matters rests with the members of the congregation, including the decision of whom to call as Minister. Leadership responsibilities are delegated to elected representatives on the Board of Trustees, who oversee the Minister. The Minister, in turn, oversees all staff and day-to-day operations, while supporting the work of the Board and other congregational committees.
Bradford UU Committees
Bradford UU thrives through the work of dedicated committees that support every aspect of congregational life and programming. Below is a summary of our elected and volunteer leadership teams:
Finance
The Finance Committee is accountable for managing all church income and expenses, conducting stewardship drives and developing the annual budget. The Finance Director is elected; committee members are volunteers. Finance meets monthly at times determined by the committee. The Finance Director serves a 3-year term.
Endowment
The work of the church is strengthened through cash gifts, bequests, assignment of life insurance, and transfers of real, intangible, and tangible property. The Endowment Committee decides how best to invest the funds. The Committee meets quarterly to review the investment strategy, usually on zoom. Endowment Committee members serve a 3-year term.
Nominating
The Nominating Committee reviews the membership list and nominates qualified voting members of the congregation for all elected church positions and conducts the elections. Meetings are held regularly during the church year, depending on need, usually on zoom.
Members serve a 3-year term.
Volunteer Leadership
Membership
The Membership Committee connects with visitors and potential members and supports their path to formal BCCUU membership. The committee works in conjunction with the minister to address new member classes and orientation. Meeting times are determined by the committee.
Social Concerns
The Social Concerns Committee organizes the Red Sleigh fundraiser for Shalom Center, the annual Giving Tree for needy families, the UUSC Guest at Your Table charitable and social justice campaign, the monthly Share the Plate collection for local and national charitable and social justice organizations and support Bradford's engagement in C.U.S.H. In addition, we engage with the congregation around opportunities for activism in the community. The Social Concerns Committee meets on the 3rd Sunday of the month after church or on zoom.
Green Sanctuary
The Green Sanctuary Committee offers environmental education through DVDs and discussion courses as well as field trips and participation with other congregations to promote environmental justice. The Green Sanctuary Committee meets on the 4th Sunday of each month of the church year.
Pastoral Care
The Pastoral Care Committee responds to member's trauma/excitement about any special event. We help by being there for the person, listening as they deal with their important event. Meetings are called as needed to support each other.
Hospitality
The Hospitality Committee is responsible for making coffee, setting out snacks, and cleaning up for the fellowship time after the service. It also schedules and supervises the occasional potluck.
Coffee prep takes place about a half hour, and cleanup time varies. There are no formal meetings. The assignment schedule is posted for a 6-month period.
Personnel
The Personnel Committee serves as the HR office for church employees, including hiring, advertising, and separation. It meets as needed; the location and length of meetings vary.
Stewardship
The Stewardship Committee plans and conducts the drive to raise funds for the financial operation of the church. Members of the committee work with the minister, finance committee and the trustees. It meets at the church as needed, from November-May. The meetings last about an hour to an hour and a half.
Auction
The Auction Committee plans the annual church fundraiser held in April, creates the auction booklet and prepares the church for the event. Meetings are held monthly at church from September to March and last about an hour, but the number of the meetings to finalize details may vary as the auction approaches.

