First Parish Bedford UU

Purpose
Council promotes communication and coordination between Church Committees (clustered by related functions: Spiritual Growth, Community Inreach, Community Outreach, Infrastructure) and the Leadership Team regarding church programs, scheduling, and the development of the annual operating plan and budget.  
Members
Council Chair (appointed by the Parish Board), Committee Chairs (or their delegate), Leadership Team Liaisons (Treasurer, Ministers), Director of Religious Education, Music Director, and Clerk.  

Meetings
Council shall meet at least three times during the church program year.  Typically a portion of the Council meeting will allow for Clusters to meet with their Leadership Team Liaison.  Clusters are encouraged to meet with their Leadership Team Liaison at other times during the year as needed.   Meetings are open to all church members and friends.
Roles and Responsibilities

• Council Chair: Develops agenda in coordination with the Leadership Team.  Schedules and orchestrates Council meetings.  Promotes cooperation and supportive relationships among committee chairs and staff.
• Committee Chairs & Staff: Contribute to the development and implementation of the annual plan and budget under the guidance of the Leadership Team Liaison and within the context of the long-term plan developed by the Parish Board.  Budget requests for items not covered by the approved budget must go through the Leadership Team Liaison who will direct the request as appropriate for approval consideration.
• Leadership Team Liaisons: For cluster committees, review performance to budget on a quarterly basis.  Periodically meet with cluster committee chairs, monitor committee goals, and review issues related to achievement of goals.
• Clerk: Take meeting minutes and distribute minutes to Council and to the office administrator.