Charter Partner Church
Charter of the Partner Church Committee1. Purpose
The purpose of the PCC is to foster and support relationships with Unitarian congregations in other parts of the world where partnering is sought. The MVUC currently has two partners: the Szentháromsági Unitárius Egyházközség (Troita), Romania and Mawlat, India in the Khasi Hills.
2. Type Of Committee And Program Area
The Partner Church Committee is a standing committee of the Social Justice Council in the Our Larger World Program area.
3. Membership
Membership is open to all members and friends of the congregation who are interested in supporting the partner churches. The Minister and DRE are ex-officio, non-voting members.
4. Chairperson
The chair is elected by the committee members and approved by the chair of the Social Justice Council. The chair serves for a one-year renewable term.
5. Activities, Duties, And Responsibilities
The MVUC PCC provides financial assistance to help improve the lives of the congregants and the villagers of its partners. The Committee raises funds through special collections and/or specific fund raising events. Personal communication and visits are vital parts of partnership.
MVUC and the partnered church congregations exchange information about their culture and lives through communication such as talks, pictures, visits, letters, and email. At MVUC, the Committee will provide a basic history of Unitarianism in Transylvania and India; history of the partner churches; information about their community and needs; and current information about Romania and Khasi Hills of India.
MVUC PCC is part of the Greater Washington Area (GWA) Partner Church group and the UUA Partner Church Council. Yearly dues are paid to the UUA PCC. Contributions are also occasionally made to other causes through both the GWA and the UUA PCC.
The Partner Church Committee provides scholarship assistance to students in its partner church communities, regardless of religion. The Szentháromság Scholarship Committee identifies students who need assistance in furthering their education. The MVUC Partner Church Committee finds sponsors in the MVUC congregation to support individual students. The two committees work together to ensure that the program is being administered properly and that there is communication between the students and the donors. The Scholarship Program receives its funding from individual sponsors for specific students and their needs.
The Committee is currently self-sustaining through its fundraising activities.
6. Authority Delegated or Retained
All profits from Partner Church fundraising activities are used to support the needs of MVUC’s partner churches, such as funds for: the Unitarian and village schools, internet fees, utilities costs for the church and parish house, bus transportation for congregants to the Unitarian Annual meeting and other expenses determined by the partner churches’ board and approved by the Partner Church Committee. The BOT delegates the decision making authority to the Partner Church Committee for expenditures of its funds.
7. Annual Assessment
The Committee will assess its activities on an annual basis and will review this charter annually to reassess its adequacy and to recommend any proposed changes, or no requested changes, to the BOT.
Primary author of the charter: Lisa Gillispie
Date this charter was reviewed and approved by the BOT: April 14, 2009