Universalist National Memorial Church

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The Universalist National Memorial Church Board of Trustees approved this Interim Search Committee Charter on March 27, 2004.

1. There is established at UNMC an Interim Search Committee (ISC). The purpose and role of this Committee is to identify and screen candidates for the position of UNMC’s Interim Minister, and to make a hiring recommendation to the Board for the position of interim minister. The Committee shall keep the Board and congregation informed regarding its activities.

2. This Committee shall be chaired by Board Member Vicki Pepper. The Chair shall invite and obtain 4 additional UNMC members to serve on the ISC. The Board directs the Chair to seek to represent different Church constituencies among these other members, including members who have expressed interest in serving in response to Anchor, e-mail, and pulpit announcements. The Chair shall report to and the Board shall approve the ISC’s final recommended membership as soon as possible.

3. The Committee is requested to represent the Board in working with the Unitarian Universalist Association and Joseph Priestly District in the interim search process, and to use the UUA’s Guidelines in its work insofar as that is practicable for UNMC. The Board shall provide the application for interim minister made to the UUA to the Committee, and shall provide the Committee such other support and guidance during the process as the Committee requests or the Board deems necessary. In soliciting and identifying a candidate to recommend, the Committee shall seek a minister who is trained and certified in interim ministry, or has specific experience rendering the candidate particularly qualified for assisting the congregation through an interim period. The Committee shall seek a candidate who will not only maintain UNMC’s high standard of quality worship, but also will be strong in tending to the pastoral needs of the Church during the transitional period, and who is willing and able to be actively engaged in all aspects of the life of the Church, including managing cultural change and seeking membership growth.

4. The Committee shall meet as necessary to fulfill its responsibilities at the call of the Chair. Three members shall constitute a quorum for any meeting. Only Committee members may vote on any matters within the Committee’s purview requiring decision, but the Committee also may enlist in its work the assistance of such other Committees and Coordinators, members of the congregation, and staff (particularly the Church Administrator), as appropriate to fulfill its Charter, and is encouraged to hold at least one brainstorming meeting open to the congregation early in its work. However, the Committee, Board, and congregation shall remain mindful of and must respect the need for confidentiality in the Committee’s work. Evenly divided votes on interview and hiring recommendation decisions shall be reported to the Board, but the Committee may move forward at the direction of the Chair.

5. The Committee is authorized in advance a budget of up to $500 for its work. Interim Search expenses exceeding this amount shall require additional Board authorization.

6. Unless otherwise tasked by the Board at that time, this Committee shall be discharged upon making its final report and hiring recommendation to the Board. The Board expects that this Committee will be constituted as soon as possible and in no event later than 15 April, and will be discharged by no later than 30 June.