Volume 3, Number 3
Spring/Summer 2000

index of issues
table of contents


Governance Policy (see http://www.cyberstreet.com/uufld/govpolicies.htm)

In my column in the last Sunshine, I indicated that I understood an Ends statement to be one that answers the question ‘When we get there, what will we be’. I provided you with our first draft and warned “It will change, perhaps significantly, as it is refined with your help.”

Well, thanks to the help of many people it really did change - all for the better. The Board proudly adopted the Ends statement and the rest of the Governance Policy at its March meeting. Here is the Ends statement.

ENDS

The Florida District of the UUA will be a diverse community of healthy, interdependent, self-governed congregations that live our UUA purposes and principles. Congregations will:

• be connected to the District and to each other,

• have well trained, knowledgeable and competent leaders,

• grow in total membership and in number of congregations,

• champion social and racial justice and oppose oppression,

• be grounded in our living tradition and history,

• view the District as a responsive, creative and prudent steward of financial and human resources.

For a task oriented person like me, it seems like we have spent a lot of time on process, but this process change is essential if the Florida District is going to achieve these Ends. The board must function in capacities of policy, finance and planning. The District Executive must be given clarity of direction and empowered with appropriate authority and account-ability. Thereby, under the direction of the D.E., the Program Council and Committees will flourish in a creative, nourishing environment where they can make things happen.

You can find the complete Governance Policy on our website http://www.cyberstreet.com/uufld/. Also, some copies will be available at the District Annual Meeting or contact me at 941-945-1315 and I’ll get one to you.

Additionally, the Florida District will be sponsoring a meeting on this subject at G.A. It will be titled “Carver Policy Governance” and held on Friday afternoon, June 23 at 1:45 P.M. in the Nashville Convention Center, room 107. The Florida District is the first district to institute this policy and several other Districts are beginning to think about it. We will be joined by representatives from several congregations that have been using it for some time.

— ED PORTEUS, FDUUA PRESIDENT