uu Santa fe Governance

Unitarian Universalist Community Polity
UU Santa Fe is self-governing. We typically hold an Annual Meeting of UU Santa Fe in late May. "Congregational Polity sees no power that extends beyond those who elected them, that is, the congregation. A congregation has the right and responsibility to choose and ordain its own clergy, elect its own officers, direct them in the course of their duties, and replace them when necessary. In the Unitarian Universalist denomination, there are no synods, bishops, or other persons empowered elsewhere with authority over a congregation."―Jane A. Page, Statesboro, GA

At UU Santa Fe "we trust you with the holy things."―Nadia Bolz Weber

Governing Bodies

​Earn your leadership every day. – Michael Jordan, former NBA basketball player
UU Leadership Resources
Board of Trustees
Board of Trustees (elected membership) oversees our vision, direction, priorities and our committees.​
  • President, Laura Brockington
  • Vice President, Teresa Tunick
  • Vice President for Finance, Mary Beth Kuderik 
  • Secretary, Leon  Winston
  • At large, John Faucett, Ruth LaNore, Donna Walter, Janie Farler and Jean Brophy
  • Ex Officio, Rev. Gail Marriner
If you think you are leading and turn around to see no one following, then you are just taking a walk. – Benjamin Hooks, former director of the NAACP
Program Council
Program Council (appointed membership) oversees our Mission Teams, their activities and priorities.​
  • Chair, Teresa Tunick
  • Worship, Greg Berg and Jean Brophy
  • Lifelong Learning |  Adult Programs, Kimi Floyd Reisch 
  • Family Programming, Mike Owens and Kimi Floyd Reisch
  • Community Life, Elizabeth Swope and Roberta Armstrong
  • Justice Council, ​Rotating monthly leadership, with Gale Wasserman as liaison
  • At large, Rev. Gail Marriner
UU Santa Fe Board online meetings are open to all―
Fourth Thursday at 6 pm on July 27, August 24, September 28, October 26, or Second Sunday on November 12, December 10, January 14, February 11, March 10.
Email secretary@uusantafe.org for joining information.
Our Board is:
  • Governed by our Bylaws, Mission and Vision Statements, and covenant
  • Regulated by our congregational policy and informed by membership
  • Accountable for creating conditions that achieve the mission and vision of UU Santa Fe—its decision-making is always biased toward this end

Board Covenant read at every Board meeting:
"We covenant to lead our congregation with integrity, guided always by our UU principles and purposes; to act and speak with respect for each one present and all those absent; to listen with open hearts and minds to the full spectrum of perspectives; to follow a democratic process in all our decision making; and to treat one another with kindness and care."

​Our Board's Responsibility. The Board focuses on our future, creates and manages our long range plan, listens deeply to membership, and oversees UU Santa Fe's business affairs, such as financial management, facilities management, staffing, membership, communication and operations.​
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Our Program Council's Responsibility. The Board delegates to our minister, community leadership (Program Council) and program teams the achievement of our mission and vision. Significant ministries include worship, pastoral care, small group facilitation, justice-making initiatives and lifelong learning programs.
To lead people, walk beside them. As for the best leaders, the people do not notice their existence … When the best leader’s work is done, the people say, ‘We did it ourselves!’” – Lao Tzu, philosopher