Providing an integral part of the UUCW community are the many committees that provide for member involvement, and also provide for the growth of our liberal religious environment through various activities and outreach programs.

Following is a list of active committees with brief descriptions and contact names for each.

Chair: Dennis Briley

The Adult Enrichment Committee is committed to providing educational and interesting seminars for the adult members of our congregation and larger community. Our goal is to present diverse topics which foster a better understanding of our own spiritual pathways. Areas of study include world religions, book discussions, meditation techniques, and Yoga. Rather than present a series of lectures only, our intention is to involve students in courses through discussion, art, movement and music. Meeting time and place: 7:00 PM on 3rd Tuesday of month in the UUCW library.

Related Page: Adult Enrichment

Chair: vacant

The Child Care Committee arranges for childcare during worship services and other church activities.

Chair: Ken Luepke

The Committee on Ministry monitors the relationship between the minister and congregation and cultivates high-quality ministry to fulfill the congregation's missions.

Listserv Manager: Judy Kordus
Webmaster: Ruben Piirainen

This committee is concerned with outreach to our Unitarian Universalist community and the promotion of UU values and activities to the larger community. The primary focus of our outreach activity has been the publication of the West Wind, our bi-weekly newsletter. It serves as the primary vehicle for outreach to our congregation. This committee also oversees this web site to determine additional ways the site can be used as an outreach tool.

We strive, as well, to communicate our UU values to the larger community through publicizing the activities and work with which our church is involved. The committee also assists other committees produce brochures and promotional materials.

Volunteers who prefer short-term projects, general assistance for mailings, or who have skills in specialized areas such as desktop publishing, graphic arts, marketing, writing and editing are encouraged to contact the committee.

Related Page: West Wind

Chair: Julie Mayhew

The CommUUnity Connections Committee is a church organization whose mission is "to provide a helping hand to members of the church community in times of need."

Our goal is to organize our church community to help provide a helping hand, assistance and support, to church community members in times of need. CommUUnity Connections' intent is to enhance and support, not replace the lay ministry practiced by each member of our church community. We will respond as quickly as possible to urgent needs, however, crises or needs requiring a response of less than 24 hours should be referred to the minister.

You can become a volunteer offering your services to a church member in need. All you need to do is complete a volunteer form with the areas in which you would like to help. Forms are located on the community connections bulletin board. You can also get involved by being a CommUUnity Connections coordinator for a month. A coordinator manages calls from church members in need with those who have volunteered their services.

If you have any questions please feel free to call this months CommUUnity Connections coordinator (name posted in the order of service each Sunday and on the bulletin board).

Chair: Kevin Stone

The Computer Committee provides expertise in installation and maintenance of the church computers and network.

Chair: Dana Cable

This committee is responsible for our congregation's relationship with three other UU organizations: SEWUUC is the Southeastern Wisconsin UU Churches; CMwD is the Central Midwest District; and UUA, the Unitarian Universalist Association. The most important connection that most members have to the UUA is attendance at the annual General Assembly. Information about this year's GA can be obtained by going to the web site: www.uua.org/ga.

Chair: Doug Earl

The Endowment Fund awards grants to promote the long-range effectiveness of UUCW. Rather than for items that would regularly be funded by the UUCW Annual Operating Fund or a UUCW Capital Fund Drive, the Endowment Fund grants cultivate opportunities:

• to promote or expand the mission of UUCW
• for new church development, special ministries or educational purposes

Download the following forms for more information:

• Endowment Fund Grant Policy
• Endowment Fund Application Form

Chair: Lynn Broaddus
Members: Leslie Peterson (Treasurer), Suzanne Nason (Assistant Treasurer), Jeff Purcell, Max Grefig, and Erich Zuern

The Finance Committee arranges for the safekeeping and accounting of church funds, proposing an annual budget, proposing current and long range planning, monitoring expenses, collection counting teams, and recruiting canvass teams.

Download the following documents for more information:

• Budget Request Form for 2007-2008
• Fundraising Policy
• Instructions for Donating Appreciated Stock to UUCW

The Operating Fund Canvass Committee coordinates the process by which members and friends make an annual financial commitment to UUCW to help meet its mission and goals.

Chair: Lilo Sewell

The Historian Committee receives, organizes, and files photos, articles, and church memorabilia for future reference.

Coffee Hour: Rita Piper and Sue Swearingen

UUCW church services begin with a welcoming smile and a warm handshake. Greeters, posted at both the upper and lower doors, welcome members and visitors as they enter the church. Often times visitors rely on greeters to help them with the "next step" and can be directed to the Membership Table in order to get the most from their visit to UUCW. Greeters arrive to church approximately 35 minutes prior to the church service and remain at their assigned door until the service begins. Typically, greeters will be responsible for approximately 5 Sundays throughout the year, 2 in the fall, 2 in the spring and 1 in the summer. If a conflict arises greeters are encouraged to contact another volunteer and arrange to switch days.

Greeting is easy and fun. It is a great way to get to know people and make a church service more complete without requiring a large time committment.

The Alice Holz Memorial Library is located on the lower floor of the UUCW building. Its 1000 items emphasize Unitarian Universalism, world religions, theology, social and ethical issues, ecology, parenting, biography, and children's literature. Both children and adult books are available. In addition, we keep an archive of UUWorld. Members are welcome to check out any of the materials on the honor system. Library Committee volunteers staff the Library on Sunday mornings. A paper catalog, which we are currently converting to an electronic catalog, currently lists our holdings. Donations to the Library are welcome.

Every other Sunday, the Library has a Book Nook in the Social Hall after service. The Book Nook is a rolling cart by means of which we sale published materials which might be of interest to Unitarian Universalists. Members and visitors thereby have a change to preview Skinner House Books (the publishing arms of the UUA) as well books offered by Beacon Press, which publishes materials with a UU bent. Both children and adult materials are available. Meditation manuals as well as pamphlets on Unitarian Universalism are always for sale.

Chair: Greg Pearson

The Membership Committee maintains records of members and friends, provides orientation and facilitates involvement of prospective members, and supports retention of members.

Related Page: Membership (see this page for information on current and upcoming Membership Classes)

Chair: Peg Murphy

The purpose of the New Member Canvass Committee is to welcome new members with a home visit and assist in securing pledges of financial commitment.

Chair: Kathy McKinney

The Music Committee exists to provide support to the Music Staff of UUCW and to promote its programs.

Related Page: Music

Chair: Gay Ruby
Members: Patricia D'Auria, Amy Taivalkoski, Becky Steffes, Ron Zdroik

The Nominating Committee is elected by the congregation to nominate candidates for UUCW offices.

Chair: Bruce Chesshire

The Personnel Committee ensures that basic practices and procedures related to employed staff are established consistent with the UU Principles, UUCW Bylaws, and applicable state laws.

Chair: Allan Johnson

This committee oversees the care and maintenance of the church in four key areas:

1. Building
   Coordinating volunteers to paint or make minor repairs. Working with contractors for major maintenance projects. Contact: Warren Phinney
2. Grounds
   Provides for day-to-day maintenance of the grounds, implementation of landscape design and parking lot up keep. Contact: Dave Rierson
3. Housekeeping
   Organizes and maintains our church home to create the best possible impression and ambience. Contact: Dorothy Ann Phinney
4. Meditation Garden - click here for a photographic guide to plants in our meditation garden
   Maintains our mediation garden that provides a haven for spiritual renewal. Contact: Sarah Frey and Loretta Hernday

The Policies and Procedures Committee establishes and maintains the Policy and Procedure Manual.

Chair: Nancy Tabor

The Program Council coordinates programs in the church.

Chair: vacant

The Religious Education Committee strives to:

• enable children to develop their own personal religious values rooted in the principles and purposes of Unitarian Universalism
• explore the religious traditions of others and thereby examine their own
• encourage the spiritual growth of individuals
• help each child feel a true sense of belonging to our church

The Committee assists the Director of Religious Education in establishing direction, policies and programs for our children and youth. We provide communication between the UUCW congregation, religious education patrons and participants, and the Board of Trustees on religious education matters and issues. We assist in conducting the religious education programs by facilitating and supporting the work of the Religious Education Teachers and Volunteers and coordinating the Summer Religious Education Program for children.

Volunteers can serve in a variety of roles, including team teaching for children and youth, teacher support, and program coordination. Special projects also require short-term volunteer help. Participation in the Religious Education Committee and programs provides an opportunity for those who enjoy using their talents to nurture spiritual growth of children and youth.

Related Pages: Religious Education (for information regarding religious education classes, news, and policies)

Liaison: vacant

GrUUp is the Junior High Youth Program.

Lead advisor: Patricia D'Auria

Advisors: Kathleen Adams & Mellissa Minich

YRUU is the High School Youth Program.

Co-Chairs: Nancy Hall and Becky Steffes

All members and friends are encouraged to participate in activities where interests and time permits. Social Action Committee meetings are normally held on the fourth Mondays.

Related Page: Social Action (information on Interweave West/Welcoming Congregation, Green Sanctuary, and other Social Action programs)

Chair: Nancy Wulf

The Stewardship Committee is responsible for the financial health of our organization.

• Direct Payment Authorization form

Co-Chairs: Jerome & Vicki Schuh

The Ushers Committee coordinates teams of volunteers to collate and distribute Orders Of Service, take the collection during services, and help to make the services run smoothly.

Chair: Carol Trinastic

It is the mission of the Worship Ministry Team to plan Sunday services of deep value which provide an experience of being connected, inspired, unified in community as Unitarian Universalists while seeking to understand ourselves, our world, and the great mystery of life in a non-dogmatic way.

Religious services should be focused, powerful, and creative, invoke a spiritual feeling throughout, and cause us to examine the intellectual content from a perspective that stimulates thoughtfulness.