Charter Religious Education Council
Charter of the Religious Education Council1. Purpose
a)To encourage the lifelong journey of faith development
b)To act as the coordinating body of all religious education committees, working closely with the committees to coordinate their efforts
c)To serve as a resource to the religious education staff, offer encouragement and support to volunteers, guide the direction of the RE programs, and ensure that the desires and mission of the congregation in the area of religious education are met
2. Type of Committee and Program Area
The Religious Education Council is a standing committee in the Religious Education program area.
3. Membership
The Religious Education Council consists of a chair, one or more representatives from YRUU, and other interested members and friends.The Director of Religious Education, the Religious Education assistant, the BOT chair, and the parish minister shall serve as advisory, non-voting members of the Council.
4. Chairperson
The chair, who is ordinarily the Program Council Coordinator for Religious Education, subject to nomination and election by the Congregation, serves for a term of two years.
5. Activities, Duties, and Responsibilities
a)The Religious Education Council shall work with the religious education staff to develop and implement the goals and objectives of education programs at MVUC. In particular, the Religious Education Council shall:
·Provide guidance and administrative support to the Director of RE in the selection and delivery of religious education programs at MVUC
·Plan, evaluate, and publicize the course offerings and curriculum of religious education programs
·Recruit, train and support teachers for religious education programs
·Create, compile, and maintain policies and procedures manuals pertaining to religious education programs
·Develop and implement social justice programs for children and youth, coordinating these efforts, as necessary, with other MVUC social action programs
·Plan and hold intergenerational educational and social activities
·Ensure that the programs and activities stay in concert with the desires of the congregation, the mission of the church, and the principles of the UUA
b)Serve as a liaison to and between the Board; the Program Council; the Director of RE; the parish minister; the teachers, learners, and parents; and the congregation in matters involving the RE program at MVUC
c)Work with and serve as a resource for the Personnel Committee:
·To analyze needs for RE professional and support staff at MVUC and, as needed, initiate the creation or redefinition of specific employee positions
·To develop and maintain current job descriptions for the Director of RE and any other RE staff
·To develop standards to be met in the performance of staff duties
·To establish terms and conditions for the employment of RE staff
·To participate in an annual performance review of the Director of RE
·To make recommendations concerning staffing and salary decisions based on employee performance and UUA guidelines
d)Work with the Director of RE to develop a recommended budget for the RE program, including specific recommendations for expenditure of funds, and present its recommended budget to the Board in a timely fashion
e)Provide oversight and/or assist the Director of RE in maintaining the RE children’s and curriculum library
f)Provide such reports and budget information as the Board of Trustees requires
6a. Authority Delegated to the Religious Education Council
a)Authority to spend money up the amount authorized by the Board in the annual budget
b)Authority to request Board approval for special fundraisers relating to the RE program
c)Authority to spend money received from conducting intergenerational events for general program expenses
6b. Authority Retained by the Board of Trustees
a)Authority to set annual budget allocations and to approve expenditures of the committee in excess of its budget allotments
b)Approval of any special fundraising activity requested by the committee
c)Approval of any contracts recommended by the committee.
Primary author of the charter: MVUC Religious Education Council 2007-8; Tamara de la Camp, Chair. This Charter has been coordinated with the Director of Religious Education.
Date this charter was reviewed and approved by the BOT:May 6, 2008.