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1. Governance of UU Women’s Groups

Modified Umbrella Model with a Board:
First Universalist Church
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Church membership: 800 adults

Type of women’s group: The main women’s group, the Association of Universalist Women (AUW) has one hundred members and a working board of eleven that is responsible for planning and hosting two or three events monthly. There are several business meetings between services during the year, a fall kick-off on a Friday evening with a storyteller or speaker, a Holiday Tea each December, a Mother Daughter Banquet, and an Annual Rummage Sale (the major fundraiser for the organization) each spring. Some events are in the daytime; some are in the evening or on weekends. Special monthly programs have included: cancer and healing, storytelling, healing and faith, In addition, there is an ongoing ritual group of about twenty-five members, three book clubs (including one for women 9 to 90 and one for mothers with daughters in grades one to four). In the year 2000, the AUW hosted its first mother-son field trip to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts to see the Star Wars exhibit. Chi Gung classes are offered two or three times a year by a member of the organization. A subgroup of the AUW tends the labyrinth and sets it up regularly for members and friends to “walk” it. Finally, the AUW gives yearly donations to several women’s organization.

Leader: AUW Board President Janet Keysser

UU Women’s Federation affiliated? Yes. Members are encouraged but not required to joint the UUWF.

Dues? $10 plus UUWF dues which are optional

Food? For most events. Potluck-style, catered meals, bag lunches, and donations by members are all used at various times.

Highs? There is a wealth of programming and many ways for women to get to know each other.

Lows? Some women’s support groups in the church are outside of the AUW umbrella. Board members plan most of the programs, thus, there is some danger of burnout among board members.

See Appendix A for bylaws and budget samples from the AUW.
See Appendix B for Tips on Hosting a Christmas Tea.
See Appendix C for Tips on Hosting a Mother Daughter Banquet.
See Appendix D for a Timeline for Hosting a Rummage Sale.