Board Policy
FOOTHILLS UNITARIAN CHURCH BOARD POLICY - Adopted Sept 16, 2025
Under the authority the Congregation has given us through the bylaws, the Board has adopted the following policies to provide a framework for the conduct of the Board and guidance for the Senior Minister. These are statements of direction, intention, and limitations, as the Board engages in governance and conducts the work of the Church. The Board commits to working in covenant and mutually supportive partnership with each other and with the Senior Minister in their role as ex-officio board member and chief executive of the church.
1. Ends
The following subsections identify the principles and moral sources that inform and guide the wor...
1.1 Our Mission
Approved by the Congregation 10-16-2016 Foothills Unitarian Church unleashes courageous love in N...
1.2 Our Guiding Values
Approved by the Congregation 12-20-2018 Joyful Resilience Collective Courage Deepening Belo...
1.3 Our Bold Vision
Approved by the Congregation 12-20-2018 We, the members of Foothills Unitarian Church, commit to ...
1.4 Our Sources of Accountability and Authority
We understand our sources of accountability and authority to include the following categories: ...
1.5 Fundamental Expression of the UU Values of Foothills Unitarian Church
On behalf of the Foothills Unitarian Church congregation, we proclaim that our principles and val...
2. Executive Direction and Limitations
2.1 Role of the Senior Minister
The Senior Minister is the chief executive and spiritual leader of Foothills Unitarian Church, re...
2.2 Global Delegation to Senior Minister
The Board delegates its authority to manage the work and resources of the Church, except as expre...
2.2.1 Legal and Ethical Integrity
The Senior Minister shall not cause or allow actions or practices that violate any applicable law...
2.2.2 Interpretation of Membership Identity
To uphold clarity and consistency in applying the Church ByLaws regarding membership status, the ...
2.2.3 Information Retention and Distribution
The Senior Minister shall not allow inadequate protection, retention,or access to church records....
2.3 Care for People
2.3.1 Staff and Volunteer Treatment
With respect to staff and volunteers, the Senior Minister shall not allow conditions that are inh...
2.3.2 Congregational Care
With respect to members and guests, the Senior Minister shall not allow environments -- on site o...
2.3.3 Grievance and Complaint Resolution
The Senior Minister shall not fail to provide systems for resolving grievances and complaints by ...
2.3.4 Congregational Healing
In the wake of any ministerial, staff, or lay leader misconduct, the Senior Minister tends to the...
2.4 Care for Material Resources
Foothills Unitarian commits to the faithful stewardship of its financial and material resources, ...
2.4.1 Financial Accountability of the Senior Minister
The Senior Minister is accountable for the organization’s financial performance and condition. Th...
2.4.2 Budget Creation and Oversight
2.4.2.1 Operating Budget Each fiscal year, the Senior Minister shall propose an operating budget ...
2.4.3 Spending and Reserve Limits
2.4.3.1 Spending Authority The Senior Minister is responsible for all spending and account manage...
2.4.4 Contracts, Debt and Investments
2.4.4.1 Contracts The Senior Minister may delegate authority to staff to sign contracts up to $...
2.4.5 Fundraising
The Senior Minister must ensure fundraising activities occur to secure sufficient financial suppo...
2.4.6 Asset Protection and Insurance
The Senior Minister shall take all reasonable care to protect the church’s assets from loss, dama...
2.4.7 Fiscal Agency and Outside Fundraising
The Board must approve any arrangement in which Foothills serves as a fiscal agent or sponsor for...
2.4.8 Financial Transparency and Reporting
The Senior Minister will ensure that financial records are accurate, timely, and accessible to th...
3.1 Board-Executive Leadership Linkage
3.2 Board Governance Process
3.2.1 Oversight and Accountability
The Board holds a fiduciary role and is legally responsible for the well-being and long-term futu...
3.2.2 Monitoring
The Board monitors policy compliance through a variety of methods, including regular internal r...
3.2.3 Evaluation
The Board and Senior Minister conduct an annual mutual review of their partnership and respecti...
3.2.4 Policy and Bylaws Review and Retention
The Board reviews its policies and Church Bylaws at least every five years to ensure alignment ...
3.2.5 Board Officers
The Board Officers are responsible for facilitating effective governance. These positions are as ...
3.2.6 Board Committees
The Board may form committees to support its governance responsibilities. Committees exist to str...
3.2.7 Board Ethics and Conflict of Interest
Board members are expected to act ethically, professionally, and in the best interest of the Cong...
APPENDIX A Foothills Unitarian Church Fundamental Expression of UU Religious Values
Core Theological Foundation
Our religious practice flows directly from fundamental convictions established through 130 years ...
Theological Articulation of Essential Religious Practices
Bodily Autonomy as Sacred Trust Our theological understanding holds that each person's body is sa...
Religious Authority and Constitutional Protection
Mission Clarity: Through active community discernment, we articulate our evolving understanding o...
APPENDIX B COMMITTEE CHARTERS
APPENDIX C BOARD LINKS
APPENDIX D GLOSSARY OF TERMS
PRIOR VERSION OF BOARD POLICIES FOR REFERENCE - Adopted on April 15th 2025
Under the authority the Congregation has given us through the bylaws, the Board has adopted the f...
1 Governance
PRIOR VERSION OF BOARD POLICIES FOR REFERENCE Under the authority the Congregation has given us ...
2 Senior Minister Role
PRIOR VERSION OF BOARD POLICIES FOR REFERENCE 2.1 Senior Minister as Spiritual Leader The Sen...
3 Operational Guidance and Requirements
PRIOR VERSION OF BOARD POLICIES FOR REFERENCE
3.1 Care and Administration of Personnel
PRIOR VERSION OF BOARD POLICIES FOR REFERENCE As Head of Staff, the Senior Minister creates a cul...
3.2 Care for Members and Guests
PRIOR VERSION OF BOARD POLICIES FOR REFERENCE The Senior Minister creates a culture of care for m...
3.3 Care for Material Resources
PRIOR VERSION OF BOARD POLICIES FOR REFERENCE The Senior Minister is accountable for the organiza...
4 Oversight by the Board
PRIOR VERSION OF BOARD POLICIES FOR REFERENCE 4.1 Mission Focus The Board ensures the Church’s...
Board Policy Appendices
PRIOR VERSION OF BOARD POLICIES FOR REFERENCE
Board Committee Charters
PRIOR VERSION OF BOARD POLICIES FOR REFERENCE
Nominating Committee Charter
PRIOR VERSION OF BOARD POLICIES FOR REFERENCE Updated: May 2023 Purpose: The Bylaws state that t...
Policy Committee Charter
PRIOR VERSION OF BOARD POLICIES FOR REFERENCE Date Revised: May 4, 2023 Purpose: The Policy Comm...
Linkage Committee Charter (Needs Updating)
PRIOR VERSION OF BOARD POLICIES FOR REFERENCE Date Adopted: May 4, 2023 Purpose: The Linkage Com...