Finance Committee Task Force

Charge from the Standing Committee

Background

In his report following his November, 2007 assessment visit, UUA Director of Congregational Stewardship Services Wayne Clark recommended the formation of a Finance Committee at the Winchester Unitarian Society.  The church has not had a Finance Committee in a number of years.  The purpose of this task force will be to study the functions of finance committees in churches, to make recommendations about whether to form a finance committee here and if so, what its role and tasks should be.

Statement of Purpose/Scope of Work

The Finance Committee Task Force is charged with evaluating the feasibility and advisability of establishing a Finance Committee for the Winchester Unitarian Society.  It is also to consider the structure, functions, and membership of a Finance Committee.  The Task Force will carry out its work in part by:

• reviewing written materials from other similar-sized churches with Finance Committees,
• seeking out resources from the Unitarian Universalist Association,
• discussions with former Finance Committee members, and
• discussions with the Church Treasurer.

Deliverables

The Task Force will make recommendations in the form of a written report for consideration by the Standing Committee which will include:

• Desirability of the establishment of a Finance Committee,
• If recommended, the role of the Finance Committee,
• Composition and size of the Committee, with initial recommendations on the skills and attributes sought in prospective members,
• Duties and annual products, e.g., Annual Report, income and expense projections, and long range planning and resource allocation,
• Relationships within the church, e.g., with ministers and staff,  Church Treasurer, Standing Committee, Trustees, Personnel Committee, and Annual Budget Drive, 
• Other duties and responsibilities of a Finance Committee as determined by the Task Force.

The chair of the Task Force shall report to the SC on the progress of its work at least once each month until it brings forward a formal written recommendation. 

Membership

The Task Force will be made up of three to five members to be approved by the Standing Committee, with one member a liaison from the Standing Committee.

Timetable

It is expected by the Standing Committee that the Task Force will serve for a limited period of time, and will be dissolved after the above tasks and deliverables have been completed.  It is hoped that this limited time frame will make it easier for members of the congregation to serve on the task force.  The Standing Committee requests that a final report be produced within three months of the task force's formation.  This period can be extended upon request if the Task Force feels that additional time is required.

April 8, 2008