Taking Care of Business
As we review our Ends Statements — our reasons to exist and what we are trying to achieve — we come next to Stewardship and Sustainability.
Horizon UUC continues to exist over time because we, as a community, are amazingly giving — not just financially, but also of our time and resources. We also accept the responsibility of being stewards, or caretakers, of the church, our neighbors, and our planet.
We have identified the importance of stewardship and sustainability by clarifying these ideas in Horizon Board Policy 4.6. Horizon UUC is sustained over time by responsible stewardship as we:
Express gratitude and commitment through sharing our resources, time, talents, and creativity.
Nurture and develop volunteers and leaders and enrich lives through their activities with our church community.
Value our resources and facilities and use them in service of our highest values and aspirations.
Operate with transparency and accountability
If you are anything like me, though, you may be saying “nice words but show me the evidence.” I’ll start at the top.
Our choir and Horizon Players diligently work to enhance the church experience by sharing their time and talents…and of course, creativity. In addition, when we as a community are able, we share our resources with one another through monthly potluck lunches after service or through Horizon Dinners. I would also mention the annual Women’s Retreat, which would be nothing without the time and creative efforts of the committee that helps to organize it. And how could I not mention the time that all our talented teachers and staff commit to planning and teaching the Religious Education (RE) classes.
The Leadership Development & Nominating Committee (newly named) has taken on the responsibility of developing leaders among our church members and thus sustaining the pool of individuals who are willing to serve on the Board of Trustees or to participate in one of the various committees that support our church. The Church acknowledges the importance of developing our leaders by acknowledging leadership training in the annual budget. In addition, there are regular events held at the church that allow people to come together and give to the Metrocrest food drives while also embracing something extra such as the Flower Ceremony, which occurred on May 22. And we would be nothing without our amazing volunteers, who enrich so many!
The church building and grounds are loved and cared for by our members and staff and while we have not been able to use the church as we would like this past year, the grounds have provided a place for members to responsibly gather. The grounds have allowed space for a community garden, which is thriving, and provided the chance for members to give back to the community by way of produce, and give back to our Earth by way of promoting composting and organic growth. In addition, Horizon’s Green Sanctuary team is helping us working toward becoming an Accredited Green Sanctuary with the UUA.
Lastly, the Board of Trustees works closely with the church minister and staff to review the church’s finances and make collective decisions on the budget. The budget for each fiscal year is presented to the congregation annually at which time they are encouraged to ask questions and then vote on whether they approve or reject the budget. Financial reports are reviewed in the monthly Board of Trustees meetings and can be made available to members. The Board operates with transparency as our meetings are open to any member who wishes to observe. The meeting minutes are also available for review on the website each month.
The Endowment Committee also functions as good stewards of the financial resources that have been generously given to Horizon by reviewing and selecting investment opportunities for our endowment fund. The members of the committee strive to select opportunities that support a socially just world and green initiatives. As an example, a portion of the fund is invested in PeopleFund, which is a nonprofit lender in Texas that creates economic opportunity and financial stability for underserved people and to help build healthy small businesses. The members of Horizon UUC are a generous people and openly accept that we have a responsibility to one another and our world. If you have suggestions for new ways Horizon should become involved in our community, please reach out to any Board member.
To keep up with Board activities, check out the most recent Board Meeting Minutes on the website, under Governance at the bottom of our home page, or attend our monthly meeting.
– Andrea Dodds, Horizon Board of Trustees