Berry Street Executive Committee Charter

Ministerial Conference in Berry Street Executive Committee Charter of the UUMA

UUMA/MCBS Relationship: The Ministerial Conference in Berry Street is an event of long-standing tradition and history dating back to 1820. The Board of Trustees of the UUMA values the MCBS contribution to our members and to the UU ministry, and so seeks to support its continuation.  To make that possible, the Board appoints UUMA members to serve as a committee of the UUMA Board of Trustees, called the MCBS Executive Committee.    

The Ministerial Conference in Berry Street exists at the time the Scribe convenes the meeting and ceases to exist at the conclusion of the meeting. The meetings are held annually at a mutually agreed time.  The MCBS Executive Committee, as duly appointed by the UUMA Board of Trustees, has a dual role existing within the Association as fellow members, and is therefore accountable to fellow members and reports to the Board. Yet, the Executive Committee, in its selection of the essayist must extend its interests and perspective beyond the Association in order to invite sufficient reflection on the state of the Association and its members.  This relationship can be portrayed as having one foot in, and one foot out, but with a lean outward in order to truly maintain a level of critique and promote truth in pursuit of our highest ideals. 

Therefore, it is crucial this relationship exists within the bonds of trust and transparency.  Every effort must be extended to maintain the health and wellbeing of this relationship in order to: maintain the integrity of the long standing and honored history of the Conference; recognize and support the essayists importance in addressing issues relevant to our ministries; further the cause and mission of Unitarian Universalism in the larger world. 

Purpose: The MCBS Executive Committee shall annually select an essayist, who is a UUMA member in good standing, to speak before the UUMA members, in order to bring matters of importance to colleagues about the state of our Association and our mutual pursuit of the cause and mission of Unitarian Universalism.

Charge:

  1. Develop procedures for selection of the essayist and share those with the UUMA Board.  
  2. Consult with UUMA Board and staff concerning eligibility of speakers, logistical needs, and financial needs.   
  3. Submit to the UUMA Board proposals of names to be considered for nomination by the Board to the MCBS Committee. 
  4. Facilitate submission of written copies of the essay and responses to the UUMA staff for posting on the UUMA’s website. 
  5. The Scribe convenes the committee and conference
  6. The scribe maintains written and electronic archives of the proceedings of the Executive Committee (as appropriate for maintaining confidentiality of discussions); and the essays and responses presented at the Conference.                                  

Appointment: The members of MCBS Executive Committee will be selected by the UUMA’s Board of Trustees through a process which will conform with UUMA appointments policies.  A high priority will be placed for consideration of those names recommended from the MCBS Executive Committee.  Nominees must be UUMA members in good standing.  The usual structure of the committee includes three members, each coming on in a different year, and a fourth member who is the Scribe.   Each member of the committee will serve a non-renewable three-year term. A member of the UUMA Board of Trustees will serve as a non-voting ex-officio member of the Executive Committee but should refrain from influencing the selection of the essayist. 

The position of Scribe is also appointed by the Board, on the recommendation of the MCBS Committee. The scribe serves at the pleasure of the Board and will hold a term of 4 years which is renewable once. 

Publication of Essays: The UUMA may post written copies of the essay and any responses, as well as video recordings of the Conference on the Association’s website. It is recognized that the website is owned and operated by the UUMA, yet no changes to the content of any archives shall be made without consultation with the MCBS Executive Committee.

The MCBS charter is to be consistent with the other Board committees and include the mission and charge for the committee, details about terms of office, requirements for service and how the committee will interact with the Board.  

The committee’s expenses will be included in the annual operating budget and the board may ask the Executive Director to work with the committee as needed.  

The committee is accountable to the Board, and the committee’s charter will outline the committee’s process and decision making and define the extent and boundaries of the autonomy of its work.      

Because of the unique history of the tradition of the Conference, it is acknowledged that the possibility exists that the MCBS could later move to be independent of the UUMA Board.

Revised: November 2016 confirmed with Cheryl Walker Jan. 19, 2017, on phone
Revised: April 13, 2017 by UUMA Board
Revised: February 17, 2023 and May 19, 2023 by UUMA Board