Four Deacons assist the minister in planning and conducting the worship service. The role has evolved to provide support to several key committees that are involved in Sunday Morning activities including Religious Education, Music and Membership. With a charter to help sustain the spiritual life of the church, the Deacons play a key role in shaping the experience of all who participate in worship and religious education at FCU. As outlined in our ByLaws, Deacons are officers of the church and must be an active member.
TIME: Typically meets monthly (currently 3rd Wednesday of each month). Estimated time/month is 6-8 hours.
Members of the Standing Committee provide leadership on a variety of issues including staff, facilities, budgets, technology, and committee life. The work can be demanding and quite rewarding in that many of the key decisions affecting the future of the church are made by this six member council. As outlined in our ByLaws, Standing Committee members are officers of the church and must be an active member.
TIME: Typically meets monthly. Estimated time/month is 8-10 hours.
The clerk keeps the records of the church including a copy of the by-laws, the roll of active members, births, deaths, baptisms/dedications, marriages and civil unions. A significant part of the work of the clerk is keeping records of monthly Standing Committee meetings and of the annual and warranted meetings. As a complex and dynamic organization, a key source of efficiency and sound decisions making is access to records of previous events and decisions; the clerk’s role in indispensable. The role requires someone who is organized and excellent listener, and a good working knowledge of computers. As outlined in our ByLaws, the Clerk is an officer of the church and must be an active member
TIME: Estimated time/month is 6-8 hours.
The moderator presides over the annual meeting and all warranted meetings. S/he is directly involved in ensuring that decisions made by the congregation are fair and follows church by-laws. A working knowledge of Robert’s Rules is required. As outlined in our ByLaws, the Moderator is an officer of the church and must be an active member.
TIME: Typically presides over two meetings/year. Estimated time/year is 5-10 hours.
The treasurer keeps track of the church’s finances, provides financial reports to the Standing Committee and the congregation, coordinates the annual budget and sits on the finance committee. The treasurer provides information that allows for effective decision-making. Experience in basic accounting, an organized approach to the many details of the budget, the ability to communicate the status of our accounts and accounting practices to the congregation at the annual meeting. and have some knowledge of computers are the core requirements. As outlined in our ByLaws, the Treasurer r is an officer of the church and must be an active member.
TIME: Estimated time/month is 20 hours.
The assistant treasurer is responsible for the subledger for contributions. S/he keeps careful track of pledge fulfillment and communicates status of contribution totals to the finance committee. This role has direct contact with members of the congregation through sending individual pledge status and tax letters to all contributors. An organized approach and willingness to learn bookkeeping skills are prerequisites. A working knowledge of computers will also be helpful. As outlined in our ByLaws, the Assistant Treasurer is an officer of the church and must be an active member
TIME Estimated time/month is 12 hours.
The auditor ensures that FCU financial records are kept in order. S/he will specifically examine the records the treasurer, the assistant treasurer and the trustees. Good record keeping helps ensure the church remains on solid financial footing. Knowledge of basic accounting and practical experience in bookkeeping are core requirements. As outlined in our ByLaws, the Auditor is an officer of the church and must be an active member
TIME: Estimated time/year is 25 hours.
Trustees manage the church’s trust funds. They (a committee of three) are tasked with investing these funds, in paying the income to the treasurer, and in reporting to the congregation at the annual meeting. Well invested endowments support a wide range of essential activities at FCU. An interest in developing investment strategies, managing risk, and reporting on outcomes are core requirements for this role. As outlined in our ByLaws, Trustees are officers of the church and must be an active member.
TIME: Estimated time/month is 4-5 hours.
The nominating committee puts together a slate of candidates for all elected positions, including church officers, General Assembly Delegates, and members of the Nominating Committee. The role requires individuals who frequently interact with others in order to make grounded assessments on skills, aptitude and experience as well as some comfort in asking others to be willing to serve in key leadership roles.
TIME: It is ongoing work, however most meetings are from January –May. Estimated time/year is 40 hours.
Representing FCU, a delegate votes at plenary and elections during GA, may sign petitions for Actions of Immediate Witness and may speak from the Plenary floor (subject to rules of order). It is customary that Delegates make a written report in the FCU annual report and communicate key points of interest to our congregation.
TIME: Estimated 10 hours during GA with 5 hours after GA