UUA Nominating Committee

We appreciate the affirmation of the UUA Board of Trustees.

UUA Board Statement on GA 2026 Elections Elections are an important part of our Unitarian Universalist democratic process. The Nominating Committee, in accordance with our bylaws, “endeavors to...

We’re excited to announce the 2026–27 UUA Common Read, “Love at the Center: Unitarian Universalist Theologies,” edited by UUA President Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt.

This collection brings together more than two dozen voices exploring what it means to place love at the center of our faith, our communities, and our lives.

An expanded resource kit coming June 2026 will include:
✨ Lifespan curriculum resources
✨ Discussion guides
✨ Worship materials
✨ An intergenerational mystery game

Learn more at the link in the comments!

OUR COVENANT

Preamble

We commit to living in the tensions within Unitarian Universalism.

We commit to expanding the circle of leadership while acknowledging the limitations of the current system.

We commit to coaching and supporting current denominational leaders while advocating for our future leaders being coached, trained, and supported in their development.

We commit to matching volunteers to opportunities, with their expertise and passions, while advocating that volunteers are set up to succeed and feel supported in their work.

Covenant

Because right relationship is crucial to a healthy team dynamic, we the members of the UUA Nominating Committee covenant with one another to hold our work and each other in mutual respect through honoring the following principles.

Recognize current and past inequities in our Association, and in support of our elected committees, we commit to holistically analyze and work with elected committees on their individual needs.

Collaborate with one another by co-creating agendas and collectively defining our responsibilities and clarifying processes.

Work to broaden the circle and representation of denominational leadership.

Recognize the worth and dignity of each member of the committee and candidate we consider, while also acknowledging not every person is suited to every role.

Hold in confidence the details of our work, while recognizing the need to be transparent of process.

Honor our commitments and hold each other accountable to the commitments we have made.

Hold each other through the messy process and commit to practicing grace, gratitude, and forgiveness.

Support each other in our continued spiritual development, growth, and learning.

Recognize that we are all volunteers with limits, who are working to identify volunteers who also have limits.

Be mindful of the power dynamics of the Association while remembering we are ultimately empowered and accountable to the General Assembly and wider faith.

Some of the core values of our process include seeking candidates of diverse backgrounds and experiences who will complement those of existing elected committee members, in particular, those leaders from historically marginalized communities. Each elected committee is contacted by a liaison from Nominating to discuss the particulars of needed roles. Additionally, Nominating Committee members are liaisons to the array of UU associated affinity groups of which they are a part. We especially reach deeply for Lay Leadership since the steps from congregational to national service no longer exist.

“Nominating Committees play a key role at all levels: Congregational, in the Association, and in Unitarian Universalist professional associations, camps, and conference centers. These committees play the function of determining who we call into leadership and how they understand their commitments to work toward justice and equity.”

Nominating Committees as Agents of Institutional Change In the effort to bring about the Beloved Community, we often err on the side of the individual as the primary agent of change over and against systemic

One of the ways the UUA Nominating Committee has engaged our work, since rebuilding after the exodus of 2017, has been to take time to identity our individual strengths, preferences, work style and availability. With 9 members with diverse backgrounds, UU roles and locations, not everyone needs to to all the things. Through our annual in-depth retreat that allows for relationship-building, we are able to discern how the work will flow for the year. This has proven very successful as we have been able to fill longstanding vacancies and provide full slates each year.

Section 9.4.b. Of the UUA Bylaws states:

The Nominating Committee shall endeavor to nominate individuals so that the membership of the Board of Trustees and each elected committee reflects the full diversity of the Association, especially in regard to historically marginalized communities, but also balancing amongst size of congregation, lay and ordained, geography, age (including youth and young adults), and gender, among others. The Nominating Committee shall consult with groups and organizations including those traditionally underrepresented in Unitarian Universalist leadership, to help inform the nominating process.

Tomorrow, the GA 2026 Final Agenda will be posted and shared.

As you may know, GA begins on Sunday, June 14th, but you don't need to wait that long to discuss the business items with other UUs. To help with discernment, the UUA's online discussion site is now open (and you don't need to be a delegate to participate). All are welcome! Please join us!

https://discuss.uua.org

In a recent UU World reflection on meeting this moment, Gretchen Maune reminds us that love is expressed through accessibility, care, and the ways we make room for one another.

At a time when many disabled people and other vulnerable communities are facing fear, isolation, and economic hardship, Gretchen calls Unitarian Universalists beyond “business as usual” and toward deeper solidarity.

To truly put love at the center, says Rachel, our congregations and communities must become places of radical welcome, where people are fully valued and included.

Read more from Rachel and this larger Meet the Moment reflection series from UU World at the link in the comments.

All Roads Lead to the South — National Day of Action for Voting Rights The voting rights they marched for are being stripped away right now. We're going back. Are you coming?

For many of us, 2025 felt like the world — and often our lives — were on fire. 🔥

As we enter a new year, we hold this truth from Sara Eileen LaWall - that from fear, doubt, and hate, we rise with courage, hope, wonder, and love. 💛✨

Out of the flames, we rise and meet 2026 together. 🌅✨

#2026