BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Board of Trustees (BoT) The Board of Trustees is responsible for enacting the policies, priorities, and objectives of the Society; conducting its legal affairs; executing employment agreements at the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, overseeing and evaluating the performance of the Minister; appointing certain Standing Committee members; presenting an annual operating budget to the Society for approval, and administering that budget. Current board members are:

• Alexandra Allen, Chair
• Andrew Deardorff, Treasurer 
• Sarah DeWitt
• Paul Friedrichs, Recording Secretary
• Stephanie Marshall 
• David Michelsen
• Paul O’Neil 
• Sujeong Shin 
• Denise Short

You can contact the board at bot@exeteruu.org 

STANDING COMMITTEES

Finance Committee This committee proposes an annual operating budget to the Board of Trustees, makes recommendations to the BoT on the investment of funds, provides advice and assistance on financial issues of importance to the Society, and provides direct support and oversight to the Treasurer. To ensure adequate financial controls, this committee develops and periodically reviews procedures, which are subject to approval by the BoT.

Nominating Committee This committee cultivates leadership at FUUSE by identifying members to fill open positions among the Officers, Board of Trustees, and certain Standing Committees. This committee prepares a slate of candidates for open positions to be voted on at FUUSE’s Annual Meeting. 

Personnel Committee  This committee oversees the hiring of Society staff, excepting the Minister; the maintenance of job descriptions, tracking of staff evaluations, and negotiation of terms and agreements relating to compensation, benefits, and employment status. This committee solicits input on these matters from the appropriate committees regarding the positions of Director of Religious Education and Music Director, and other staff, as appropriate.

Program Council The Program Council is comprised of Program Committee chairs and a member of the BoT. The council facilitates the development and coordination of church programs; coordinates the Church calendar, enhances intra-church communication; initiates, advances, or modifies programs and activities to meet Society objectives; provides leadership development and training, and ensures that Program Council leaders have the information and resources needed to carry out their function. The Program Council supports the inner workings of the church community and assists in achieving the objectives of the Society as directed by the Board of Trustees.

The council may establish and dissolve program committees deemed necessary for the purposes of the Society and efficient conduct of its affairs. Program Committees are established to oversee program areas including religious education, membership, music, social justice, outreach, and caring.  

Property Committee  This committee is responsible for the overall upkeep and maintenance of the Society’s buildings and grounds. It is also responsible for making recommendations to the BoT regarding capital improvements and staffing required to ensure the property’s preservation. 

Stewardship Committee  This committee organizes and carries out the Society’s annual pledge-drive; promotes and maintains legacy giving, and oversees all other fundraising activities of the Society. 

This committee communicates and consults with the Finance Committee and BoT to establish revenue goals and report progress in achieving these goals.

PROGRAM COMMITTEES

Aesthetics Committee This committee seeks to ensure that the Parish Hall and Parsonage are aesthetically pleasing, while meeting the functional needs of the congregation. Projects have included installation of acoustical panels to control noise in the Community Room and the creation of a name tag holder that members can access easily. This committee frequently collaborates with the Property Committee. 

Caring Committee  The Caring Committee exists as a ministry to help FUUSE members with situations of temporary crisis or transition, due to difficult events such as illness or death, or in the case of happy events such as a new child in the family.

Our committee works confidentially with our minister to be as aware as possible of members in our community who need support.   We are always happy to have help from the greater congregation to occasionally cook and deliver a meal or help with memorial service reception food.   It takes all of us to support each other in our Beloved Community!

Green Team Inspired by the Unitarian Universalist Seventh Principle—respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part—the Green Team works toward a healthier, more sustainable future. The Team is continually seeking out practices and initiatives that will helpour faith community live a lighter carbon footprint.

An accredited Green Sanctuary Congregation, FUUSE has received official recognition for completing the Unitarian Universalist Association’s Green Sanctuary Program.

Green Team activities and initiatives include the following: 

• Beach Clean up
• Multiple recycling projects 
• Holiday Shopping table featuring gently used goods 
• Slide presentations highlighting important environmental messages 
• Opting-up to the Exeter Community Power Program 
• Collaborating with other local organizations seeking to save our planet

Knitting Ministry  This group’s mission is to give members, families of members, and friends of the church, a hand-knitted item (shawl or scarf) when they, or a family member, have encountered a difficult life event (loss, illness, accident) or when long-term members are moving away. 

Membership Committee  This Committee supports FUUSE’s mission of building a caring, inclusive community by welcoming newcomers, assisting with the transition from newcomer to member and providing meaningful activities that increase our connections to one another. Should members leave, this Committee seeks to learn why and to determine whether the departure has something to teach us about FUUSE.

Responsibilities of this committee include: 

• Track Blue Cards, which capture information about interested newcomers 
• Personally reach out to interested newcomers via email, phone, or in person
• Organize Circle Dinners
• Assist with New to UU Pathways classes
• Update Welcome Guide 
• Collaborate with Minister to Plan New Member Service in the Spring 
• Reach out and track members who have fallen away to update yearly membership list 

Music Committee This committee supports music at FUUSE by supporting the work of the Music Director and choir and by setting committee goals that create the best possible music elements for our church. We want music to be a top reason people decide to walk through FUUSE’s doors again and again!

Our committee meets once per month for about an hour, helps the director to get choir members, organizes the choir calendar, assists with filing used music in the music library, helps to locate and schedule guest musicians, and helps to coordinate budget. 

We strive to:

• have a wide variety of music, vocalists and musicians in our services, integrating the many talents of our congregation
• educate ourselves continuously about all that is involved in creating a dynamic music program 
• connect with other committees at FUUSE and be aware of our shared goals and projects 

Outreach Committee  The Outreach Committee reaches beyond the FUUSE walls by providing meaningful ways to connect, support, and enrich others through service, spirit, and financial contributions.

Religious Education Committee  The Religious Education Committee works with our RE Coordinators to plan and design our Religious Education programming and activities.

Social Justice Committee This committee seeks to inspire participation by the congregation in local, national, and global issues that promote peace, human rights, economic justice and eco-justice. The committee uses a focus group structure whereby members choose a specific area of interest and then brainstorm ways to educate and/or promote action among church members, friends, and the greater community.

Focus groups include a Water Affinity Group, a Forest Affinity Group, and SJC is looking into forming a group that explores Core Values. The committee particularly welcomes collaboration with the Children’s Religious Education Committee. 

Welcoming Circle Teams  Welcoming Circle is a team of volunteers who work together to provide a welcoming, safe, and comfortable environment for the Sunday Service, coffee hour, and more. Presently, we have six teams of five volunteers. We continually welcome and need new volunteers! Learn more.

Responsibilities include the following: 

• Greet and give Order or Service 
• Pass out Name Tags 
• Usher 
• Collect offering 
• Count the offerings,track attendance, and make bank deposits
• Coffee Hour set up, clean up, and hosting