As the United Church of Christ lives into the plan for Unified Governance, individual members and churches are invited and encouraged to name potential nominees for the new United Church Board.

The Proposal for Unified Governance and the enabling Bylaw amendments call for the General Synod Nominating Committee to provide for a means of allowing "individual members" to nominate either themselves or other members of the Church for election. This is the first time individual members and local churches have had this opportunity.

If a local church or individual member of the UCC wants to nominate a potential board member, they need to send an e-mail to the General Synod Nominating Committee at UCCNominatingCommittee@ucc.org, with the name of the person, the local church membership of the nominee, the Conference in which the local church is located, the nominee’s email and mailing addresses, and all of the nominee’s phone numbers (home, cell, work). Then, by email, the person being suggested will be contacted by the Nominating Committee and sent a nomination form to complete and return.

From this process, the Nominating Committee will select 36 at-large nominees, including 12 from the existing Executive Council and boards, and their names will be placed on the ballot submitted for election by the UCC’s Twenty-ninth General Synod in Long Beach in July 2013. Those elected will begin service with the start of the new governance structure, shortly after the conclusion of the 2013 General Synod.  Initial terms will be of two, four or six years, staggered so that all the terms do not end simultaneously.  Beginning in 2015 all terms will be of six years.

The General Synod Nominating Committee sincerely wishes that those members of the United Church of Christ who can make the commitment of time and bring passion toward the leadership of the Church consider making application.

The United Church of Christ Board shall act for the General Synod, ad interim. The Board will also serve as the Board of each of the continuing, separately incorporated Covenanted Ministries: Local Church Ministries, Justice and Witness Ministries, and Wider Church Ministries. The Board will be responsible to provide the United Church of Christ with accountable, strategic governance leadership. It will relate covenantally to all settings of the Church, including the Associated and Affiliated Ministries, Conferences, Associations, Local Churches, seminaries, colleges, health and human service ministries, and other bodies. Initially, all Board members will serve on one of three Ministry Committees within the Board: Justice and Witness, Local Church, and Wider Church. Ministry Committee members will bring expertise and passion to carry forward the historic commitments and relationships of the current Covenanted Ministries, including Common Global Ministries.

Specifically the United Church Board will provide:

Strategic Visioning;
Set the strategic direction
Advance Mission and Vision
Define goals, objectives, establish policy
 
Fiduciary Monitoring & Oversight;
Supervise Executives, approve Goals, and Review Performance
Approve Goals and Review performance of the board itself
Fiduciary Oversight of Financial & Risk management:  ensure financial health, and adherence to legal, ethical and regulatory requirements
 
Resource Development & Acquisition (essential functions);
Strong Relationships with Prospects
An Organizational Infrastructure that Facilitates Giving
An Unapologetic and Compelling Case for Support
An Appropriate Solicitation
The Intersection of Responsiveness and Prophetic Voice

The United Church Board will be diverse, as expressed in the Bylaws, comprised of at least 50 per cent people of color and at least 50 per cent women. One third shall be persons with ordained ministerial standing or ordained ministerial partner standing. One third will be lay men and one third will be lay women.  20 per cent of the membership shall be under the age of 30 at the time of their election. At least one member will self-identify as being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender and at least one member will self-identify as having a disability.

The United Church Board will likely meet at least twice a year, likely over a three- or four-day period, most often in Cleveland. Board members are not paid, but travel, lodging and meals are provided and reasonable incidental expenses are reimbursed. There is an expectation that members of the board will make an annual financial gift to the UCC, above their normal giving level, as is the common nonprofit board practice.

The Nominating Committee is looking for persons from all ages, backgrounds and professions with a wide variety of skills, competencies and life experience who are prepared to lend their gifts, skills and attributes to the leadership of the United Church of Christ.
 
The deadline for receiving nomination forms from potential candidates is Oct. 15, 2012.