EC Election Time!
We are looking for new candidates to stand for election to join our Executive Committee.
Who do you know who might be an asset to our movement in this role? Candidate applications close on 23 January 2023, so now is a great time to have a quiet word of encouragement with potential candidates!
The role of the Executive Committee is to work with the Chief Officer and staff team to lead and serve the Unitarian and Free Christian movement.
As Liz Slade, Chief Officer, wrote in a recent issue of the Inquirer: “This is an exciting time to be part of this leadership group, because of the nature of the challenges we are facing. Covid brought closer to home the fragility of many of our congregations, but also displayed the creativity and care they hold. We know that ‘more of the same’ could lead to chapels closing in the not-too-distant future, and we know in a movement like ours, the path to the future must be found locally, not imposed from the top down. So the work of leadership from Essex Hall is akin to that of gardeners – tending the soil, nurturing the seedlings, supporting the mighty oaks, taking care of the compost, having an eye on the weather, and the keeping the whole ecosystem in view.”
Executive Committee members represent the movement and are democratically elected by members across the country. They bring experience from within our movement and from their professional and voluntary work elsewhere. This may be in management, finance, communications, change management, charity governance, or some other experience that you would like to use in service of our denomination.
We meet around six times a year, usually in person in London, with dinner together the evening before a 9am to 5pm meeting. We also try to get together for a longer two-day meeting, and at times will have videoconferences or make decisions over email.
Who can stand for election?
Candidates should have been part of the Unitarian community for at least three years and have experience as a member of either their congregation’s governing body or similar committee, or have been a trustee of another charity. They will also need to fulfil the Charity Commission’s legal requirements for trustees.
How do I apply?
Applications needs to be received by 23 January 2023, with support from the candidate’s congregation or other Unitarian organisation. You can find all the information you need, including nomination forms, here.
Questions
If you would like to know more about the work of the Executive Committee, or whether you should consider applying, please do get in touch with either me or Marion Baker, our Convenor.
Elizabeth Slade
Chief Officer – Prif Swyddog
General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches