Adult Education Committee
Charge: The Adult Education Committee offers classes, workshops, and activities for adult religious growth and learning.
Aesthetics Committee
Charge: The Aesthetics Committee consults with experts and designs the interior of the church building.
Archives Committee
Charge: The Archives Committee helps to maintain and display church records and artifacts.
Responsibilities:
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File material regularly related to the functioning of the church: newsletters, committee reports, pictures, articles, etc.
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Provide church archival material upon request
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Undertake projects of a historical orientation
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Prepare an annual budget request, annual goals, and an annual report when requested.
Membership: The committee recruits its own members and elects its own chair. A board liaison is appointed by the Board of Trustees as an ex-officio member. There are no set terms for committee membership. People who are interested are welcomed to the committee and remain members as long as they are interested.
Arms Around Committee
Charge: The Arms Around Committee organizers volunteers to provide temporary services to church members who need help in times of illness, injury, and other life events that benefit from support.
Responsibilities:
- Several committee members serve as coordinators who, along with the Church Administrator and the Minister, facilitate services to members in need.
- Coordinators rotate the chairperson position and meet regularly with the Minister for evaluation of services.
- The Church Administrator passes along member needs to the current chair who then calls volunteers to provide help.
- Types of services offered: provide food, offer transportation, provide respite care for a caregiver, baby-sit special situations, respond in an emergency, visit the home bound, visit families with new babies, assist people in church services and help with food or ushering at a memorial service.
- Prepare an annual budget request, annual goals, and an annual report when requested.
Membership: The committee recruits its own members and elects its own chair. A board liaison is appointed by the Board of Trustees as an ex-officio member.
Art Wall Committee
Charge: The Art Wall Committee coordinates with artists and hangs the art shows in the Commons.
Current Artist: Nancy Arndt
Associational Affairs 
Charge: Associational Affairs keeps abreast of current happenings in the broader UU World - the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Heartland District.
Audio-Visual Committee
Charge: The Audio-Visual Committee will provide technical support, as needed, for church services, activities and events, and for outside groups using the building.
Responsibilities:
- Schedule committee members to work at all church events requiring AV support
- Operate the AV equipment such as cassette players, digital projector, VCR, slide projectors, microphones, speaker systems, overhead projector, etc.
- Carry on audio and video recording of services, memorials or other events on request
- Create montages
- In cooperation with the Archives Committee, archive images and programs created by or for the church
- Maintain and improve the equipment, upgrading when possible.
- Maintain and upgrade skill of committee members in the use of existing and emerging audio-visual technologies
- Collaborate and cooperate with the Information Technology Committee, as needed
- Prepare an annual budget request, annual goals, and an annual report when requested.
Membership: The committee recruits its own members and elects its own chair. A board liaison is appointed by the Board of Trustees as an ex-officio member. Members may remain on the committee as long as interest and time permit.
Buildings and Grounds Committee
Charge: The Buildings and Grounds Committee coordinates and performs maintenance to the physical plant. 
Responsibilities:
- Meet in the spring and fall at church.
- Maintain building systems and call in outside help as needed.
- Mow the grass as needed.
- Shovel walks as needed.
- Schedule clean-up days and coordinate the work done by volunteers on these days.
- Prepare an annual budget request, annual goals, and an annual report when requested
Membership: The committee recruits its own members and elects its own chair. A board liaison is appointed by the Board of Trustees as an ex-officio member.
Committee on Administration
Charge: The Committee acts as an advisory and support group for the Administrator to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the administration of the church.
Responsibilities:
- The committee will meet every other month throughout the year, or as called by the Administrator, at a location away from the church.
- The committee will advise the Administrator on pertinent matters, such as:
- congregational life
- the Unitarian-Universalist Association
- community information
- professional growth
- dealing with difficult situations and/or personalities
- seeking innovative solutions to new challenges as they arise
- The committee will act as a confidential sounding board
- The committee will help to provide volunteer assistance for occasional special projects, or at times the Administrator is ill or plans to vacation.
Membership: 3-4 members serve 3 year terms (renewable). Twice the number of required candidates will be proposed by the Administrator to the Board of Trustees, and the Board may select the required number from that list, which will be confidential. If the board is unable to select the required number of members from the list, the Administrator shall submit additional names for consideration. A board liaison is appointed by the Board of Trustees as an ex-officio member and might be called to meet with the committee on occasion.
Committee on Ministry
Charge: The Committee on Ministry will work to nurture and improve the ministry of the Church, which is a joint responsibility of the congregation and the minister(s), by facilitating education and communication within the congregation about the roles and responsibilities of shared ministry. 
Responsibilities:
- The committee will meet regularly during the church year, to plan, implement, and evaluate goals and tasks related to the ministry of the church, including but not limited to: ministerial continuing education and professional development, compensation and benefits, quality of Sunday Services, leadership, pastoral care, church organization and administration, community presence, and special services.
- The committee serves as a vehicle for the minister(s) to use in confidence in discussing issues related to the ministry of the church. It also allows members to express their concerns in confidence about issues related to the ministry of the church.
- The committee reviews at least annually ministerial performance, congregational participation in the ministry of the church, and mutual expectations between minister(s) and congregation so that incipient problems can be discussed before they become serious.
- Once each year, in coordination with the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees*, the committee will establish goals and objectives for the church’s ministry and review the goals and objectives of the previous year. These goals, objectives and reviews will be reported to the Personnel Committee and the Board of Trustees in a format requested by the Personnel Committee. (The Executive Committee works with the minister to set personal goals for the Minister.)
When a new senior minister is called, the current committee will be dissolved, and members of the search committee will serve as an interim Committee on Ministry during a four to six month period. A new committee will then be formed.
Membership: The minister(s) is/are member(s) of the committee. In addition, five members serve for a term of three years, renewable once, appointed in a manner to produce rotation. Each must be a supporting member of the church. Twice the number of required candidates will be proposed by the minister(s) to the Board of Trustees, and the Board may select the required number from that list, which will be confidential. If the board is unable to select the required number of members from the list, the minister(s) shall submit additional names for consideration.
The Board’s Vice President acts as liaison to the Committee, and may be asked to attend Committee meetings.
Endowment Committee
Charge: The Committee will manage the Endowment pursuant to the Endowment Investment and Distribution policy (as outlined in the Church Constitution).
Responsibilities:
- Pursuant to the Endowment Investment and Distribution policy the Endowment Committee is empowered, acting through its elected chair, to hold, sell, exchange, rent, lease, transfer, convert, invest, reinvest, or engage others to do the same, and in all other respects manage and control the assets of the Endowment.
- A majority vote of the members of the Endowment committee is needed to carry any committee decision.
- Committee members will not be liable for any losses incurred by the Endowment except to the extent that such losses arise out of acts or omissions of willful misconduct or gross negligence. Each member will be liable for his/her own acts or omissions of willful misconduct or gross negligence and not for the acts or omissions of others members. No member of the committee will engage in any self-dealing or transactions with the Endowment in which the member has a direct or indirect financial interest. Members will refrain at all times from conduct in which his/her personal interest would conflict with the interest of the Endowment.
- The committee will report to the Board on a quarterly basis or as the Board requires and provide a written report to the congregation at the Annual Meeting.
- The Board of Trustees of the Church will have the responsibility to accept, reject, or negotiate the terms and conditions of all gifts or bequests given to the Endowment. Any such bequest not earmarked would go to the unrestricted fund unless otherwise determined by the Board.
- Prepare an annual budget request, annual goals, and an annual report when requested.
Membership: The Endowment Committee consists of three Supporting Members of the congregation appointed by the Board. The committee elects its own chair. The term of each committee member will be three years in staggered rotation to ensure continuity. No member may serve more than two consecutive three-year terms. After a lapse of one year, former committee members may be reappointed. No member may serve on the Endowment Committee while also serving on the church governing Board or as an elected officer of the congregation. The Board will fill any vacancy on the committee and may remove any member of the committee.
Finance Committee
Charge: The Finance Committee maintains the fiscal stability of the church so that the purpose of the church can be fulfilled.
Responsibilities:
- Holds regular monthly meetings shortly before each Board meeting
- Monthly, receives the Treasurer’s report detailing income and expenditures for the past month and an assessment of the general financial standing of the church.
- Prepares the annual budget for the next church year by soliciting input from committees and office staff about their needs.
- Copies all committees’ annual goal statement (submitted with budget requests) for the Archive Committee
- Assists the Canvass Steering Committee as needed.
- Maintains and updates an assessment of Church property.
- Reviews and updates insurance coverage for the Church.
- Prepares an annual budget request, annual goals, and an annual report when requested
Membership: The committee recruits its own members and elects its own chair. Membership is restricted to supporting members of the church (see Constitution, Article III). Members serve three year, staggered terms to ensure continuity. The Church Treasurer serves on the committee. A board liaison is appointed by the Board of Trustees as an ex-officio member.
Forum Committee
Charge: To offer varied and informative programs for the church community, to alert persons from beyond the church community regarding the Forums, and to encourage such visitors to attend the Church Services.
Responsibilities:
- Offer informative programs on a variety of topics to stimulate thought and discussion regarding issues pertaining to the church, the community and the wider world
- Seek publicity in the Kalamazoo Gazette, The Battle Creek Inquirer, and the Western Herald regarding the Forums to heighten awareness of People’s Church in the community
- Welcome attendance at Forums by persons beyond the church community and invite such attendees to the Church Services
- Attempt to coordinate Forum programming with the efforts and goals of other church committees and activities
- Encourage persons within the church community to present Forums, thereby enabling church members and friends to become better acquainted with one another and to further their social connectedness
- Prepare an annual budget request, annual goals, and an annual report when requested
Membership: The committee recruits its own members and selects its own chair. A board liaison is appointed by the Board of Trustees as an ex-officio member. The 
present Forum Committee members believe that indeterminate periods of service on the Forum Committee have worked well. Once or more yearly in News & Views the committee invites interested persons to join the committee and/or offer suggestions regarding topics or speakers. Persons who attend Forums quite regularly are invited to join the committee.
Fundraising Committee
Charge: The Fundraising Committee will schedule fundraising events and will oversee all fundraising for the church.
Responsibilities:
- The Fundraising Committee will determine what fund raising events will be held each church year. The committee will decide what events to approve based on past experience, and consider proposals for new events.
- The Fundraising Committee will attempt to recruit one coordinating person for each event. If the committee is unable to successfully recruit event coordinators, the Board of Trustees will take responsibility.
- The committee will assist event chairpersons in their planning, provide records from previously-held fundraisers, and maintain records for future event chairs.
- It will keep the number of fundraisers to a minimum to avoid burnout of the event workers and also of the congregation who support these efforts.
- It will work with the church calendar when planning to manage scheduling and avoidance of conflict.
- Written record of the committee’s work will be kept.
- The committee will meet monthly and encourage leaders of forthcoming events to attend meetings for the three meetings before the chaired fundraising event.
- The Fundraising Committee will request notes from each fundraising event and will maintain a record of all such events for use by leaders in subsequent years.
- The committee will oversee on-going fundraising programs and report to the congregation on funds raised through these efforts.
- All fundraising within the church, except planned giving to the endowment and capital campaigns, must seek approval of the Fundraising Committee before proceeding. This includes the selling of items as well as the scheduling of fundraising events.
- If advance funds are needed for an event, the event coordinator may seek
advance funds by submitting a written request to the Treasurer. The advance
funds must be covered first by the proceeds when the event is over. - Prepare an annual budget request, annual goals, and an annual report when requested.
Membership: The committee recruits its own members and selects its own chair and secretary. A board liaison is appointed by the Board of Trustees as an ex-officio member. A maximum of two three-year consecutive terms is recommended, terms to be staggered for continuity.
Green Sanctuary Committee
Charge: The Green Sanctuary Committee will encourage a sustainable life style for People's Church members as individuals and as a faith community.
Responsibilities:
- Seek out and consult with church members/friends/staff with current interests/commitments relevant to the Green Sanctuary Program.
- Increase individual amd organizational awareness and behaviors consistent with Green Sanctuary ideals.
- Annually, identify specific actions to undertake, across the spectrum of church life, as identified in the Green Sanctuary manual; provide or recruit leadership for these and promote church member/friend participation, as appropriate
- Seek connection with organizations in the wider community whose goals and/or programs are consistent with Green Sanctuary values. Promote these to church members, as appropriate (e.g., church newsletter articles)
- Explore accreditation for People's Church by the UUA's Ministry for Earth as a "Green Sanctuary" congregation.
- Provide annual reports and budgets as requested.
Membership: The committee recruits its own members and elects its own chair and secretary. A board liaison is appointed by the Board of Trustees as an ex-officio member. The committee is composed of five to eight members. Members will serve for three years; initial terms to be staggered. Members may serve consecutive terms.
Library Committee
Charge: Maintain library collection and book sale table .
Responsibilities:
- Make library policy decisions as needed
- Evaluate book and AV donations for inclusion/exclusion in collection.
(Remainder to be given to Friends of the Kalamazoo Library) - Process materials for circulation
- Maintain circulation records; retrieve overdue materials
- Take inventory
- Select and order books for sale book table; keep inventory
- Station members of committee to sale table on Sundays
- Maintain cassettes of Sunday services
- Repair materials as needed
- Participate in Community Reading program
Membership: The committee recruits its own members and elects its own chair. A board liaison is appointed by the Board of Trustees as an ex-officio member.
Membership Committee
Charge: The Membership Committee seeks out visitors on Sundays and welcomes them to People’s Church, introduces newcomers to Unitarianism-Universalism, and for those interested in becoming members, provides guidance and support during their integration into the life of the church.
Responsibilities:
- Staff the Information Desk for all church services to ensure that visitors feel welcome, receive information, and have their questions answered.
- Provide visitor follow-up either with a letter, telephone call, or an email.
- For people who express interest: gather personal information, make them a nametag, and provide this data to the church Database Manager, Administrator, Board, and Minister as needed.
- Organize and hold 3 or 4 sets of Orientation Classes each church year for anyone interested in church membership or learning more about our church and Unitarian Universalism. These classes are called UU101 and 102. As part of this process we have a Path to Membership Program to guide interested people toward membership or to becoming a Friend-of-the-Church through their pledge.
- Conduct a Welcoming Ceremony and New Member Orientation session with an information packet.
- Offer new members or friends-of-the-church a mentor under our People’s Church Mentor Program. The mentor will assist the new member to become integrated into the life of the church.
- Plan church functions that promote member interaction and enhance the process of ‘getting to know’ new members such as our Welcoming Winter Potluck and through the First Sunday Lunch program.
- Provide publicity for People’s Church membership opportunities through the News and Views Newsletter and in conjunction with the Publicity Committee.
- Order and maintain an inventory of brochures and supplies for the information desk and rack in the foyer.
- Conduct meetings as necessary, generally monthly unless business can be conducted electronically.
Membership: The committee recruits its own members and elects its own chair. A board liaison is appointed by the Board of Trustees as an ex-officio member.
Memorial Garden Committee
Charge: The Memorial Garden Committee is responsible for the care and maintenance of the Garden and facilitates memorial plantings and the ordering and placement of plaques.
Responsibilities: 
- Meet as needed.
- Maintain a plan for the use of the area occupied by the Memorial Garden .
- Approve all plantings to be consistent with the plan.
- Provide regular care and maintenance for the Memorial Garden , such as clean-up, special plantings, etc. Mowing will be done by the Building and Grounds Committee.
- Make available a list of certified nurseries where donors may purchase plantings.
- Determine eligibility of people to be memorialized in the Garden, order and place plaques in cooperation with donors. Actual ordering of materials may be done by the Church Administrator. Placement of plaques is done by Building and Grounds.
- Maintain a comprehensive map of the Memorial Garden on which is located each tree. Interred ashes are also listed.
- Maintain a list of the persons who have been memorialized with trees planted in the Memorial Garden . This should include the name of the person, the kind of tree, who conducted the Garden service and when, and the location of the tree on the grid.
- Maintain a list of all persons whose ashes are interred in the Memorial Garden and send a copy of this to the Archives Committee for permanent retention.
- Prepare an annual budget request, annual goals, and an annual report when requested.
Membership: The committee recruits its own members and elects its own chair. A board liaison is appointed by the Board of Trustees as an ex-officio member.
Music Committee
Charge: The Music Committee exists for the purpose of integrating music into the 
life of People’s Church by overseeing and supporting the church’s music program. The music program includes music provided by choirs and other musicians from within and outside of the congregation, as well as participation in music by the congregation. The music program addresses music in all aspects of church life, but especially in the Sunday Service.
Responsibilities:
- Develop goals and plans annually, as well as longer range visions for the music program, in cooperation with the Director of Music, and evaluates his/her achievement.
- Prepare an annual budget request and an annual report when requested.
- Oversee the preparation of an annual budget for the music program, advocate for the music program in the budgeting process of the church, explore ways to obtain other funding for the music program, and make recommendations to the Board of Trustees for the use of those funds when obtained.
- Work cooperatively with the Director of Music and/or Choir Director to provide music for Sunday Services, including assisting in identifying and obtaining musicians for special performances and special services such as weddings and memorials.
- Provide input to the Personnel Committee for the annual performance review of paid staff having an impact on the music program.
- Operate as a church committee, according to the guidelines set forth in the Handbook for committees.
- Other germane tasks as agreed to by the Committee and the Board of Trustees.
Membership:
The committee recruits its own members* and elects its own chair. Members serve three-year terms, with new members coming on each year to replace retiring members.The minister serves as an ex-officio member of the committee.The Music Director is a permanent member of the committee. A board liaison is appointed by the Board of Trustees as an ex-officio member. One Music Committee member acts as a liaison to the Sunday Services Committee.
News & Views
Editorial Group
Charge: Make recommendations to the Board regarding Newsletter policy, and sets formatting and publication dates 
Responsibilities:
- Meets at least annually, or as needed to review and recommend any needed updates to newsletter policy (included in the Church Policies Manual)
- At least annually reviews and updates general formatting of the newsletter
- At least annually sets the calendar for submission deadlines and publication
- Makes recommendations to the Board for new editorial group members, as needed
- Makes recommendations to the Administrator regarding the overall process/procedures of creating and distributing the newsletter to members and friends
Membership: Minister, Administrator, Newsletter Editors and others as appointed by the Board. Members must be supporting members of the church. The group choses its own convener. A board liaison is appointed by the Board of Trustees as an ex-officio member.
Newsletter Editors
Charge: Produce a bi-weekly newsletter featuring upcoming events (depending upon the church calendar – which should be checked by the Minister and Administrator, and then forwarded by the Administrator on each deadline), and/or other information about the church, using articles submitted (or solicited) from staff, members and friends, according to newsletter per policy, formatting guidelines and the annual schedule
Responsibilities:
- Arrange to alternate the responsibility and/or substitute for each other as needed
- Receive articles from members directly via the news@peopleschurch.net email or via Administrator for articles left at church
- Confirms receipt of emailed articles with a simple reply (usually just “received”)
- Formats the articles into the standardized format
- Edits articles for space, as needed, and/or per policy guidelines. Whenever possible, notifies submitters of editing in advance of publication
- Direct inquiries regarding inserts to the Administrator, who will schedule these and arrange their inclusion in mailed and electronic versions
- Regularly, as space permits, includes information in the newsletter regarding newsletter deadlines and submission rules
- As possible, seeks out articles regarding upcoming events, not submitted by deadline
- Ensures that the finished newsletter meets the requirements for bulk mailing, and electronic distribution
- Emails the finished newsletter to the Administrator, who will arrange distribution
Membership: Appointed by the Board. 3-year term. Must be supporting members of the church.
Electronic Distribution
Charge: A member of the Informational Technology Committee manages electronic distribution to those who have requested it.
Responsibilities:
- Receives finished newsletter, plus any inserts, from Administrator and distributes to electronic mailing list
- Maintains electronic mailing list
- Makes recommendations to the Editorial Group regarding suitable formatting for electronic distribution
- Makes changes in formatting as needed when features cause problems with electronic distribution
Membership: Recruited by the Administrator, with recommendations from the Information Technology Committee and/or help from the Board if needed.
Web Page Upload
Charge: The Adminstrator edits the newsletter, in accordance with WEBpage policy and forwards it to the Informational Technology Committee for posting.
Responsibilities:
- Receives finished newsletter, plus any inserts, from Administrator and uploads
- Makes recommendations to the Editorial Group regarding suitable formatting for the web page
- Makes changes in formatting as needed when features cause problems with the web page
Membership: Recruited by the Administrator, with recommendations from the Information Technology Committee and/or help from the Board if needed.
Mailing Crew
Charge: Prepares newsletters for bulk mailing; and takes to U.S. Post Office
Responsibilities:
- Direct any questions to the Administrator
Membership: Recruited by the Administrator, with help from the Board if needed.
Nominating Committee
Charge: The Nominating Committee shall seek to fill and present to the congregation a slate of candidates to the Board of Trustees to conform to the election process used at the Annual Meeting. The Committee shall also nominate candidates for a Ministerial Search Committee.
Responsibilities:
- Nominate one candidate for each vacancy on the Board of Trustees. Candidates must be Supporting Members of the church.
- Announce the slate of candidates for the Board of Trustees to the membership by mail at least six weeks before the Annual Meeting.
- Publicize the alternative nominating procedure: After publication of the Nominating Committee’s slate, other consenting candidates to the Board of Trustees may be nominated by petitions signed by five church members. Petitions must be presented to the church Administrator at least four weeks before the Annual Meeting.
- The committee shall nominate candidates for a Ministerial Search Committee in accordance with Article IX, paragraph 1.
- Serve as a resource to the Board for recommending or recruiting individuals for Board-appointed positions.
- Prepare an annual budget request, annual goals, and an annual report when requested.
Membership The Nominating Committee shall consist of seven Supporting Members of the Church -- none of who shall be current members of the Board of Trustees, six of whom shall serve three-year staggered terms. The immediate past president of the Board of Trustees, or a recently retired trustee appointed by the Board shall be the seventh member of the committee each year. The minister shall be a non-voting consultant to the committee. The Board Vice President acts as a liaison to the Board of Trustees.
Two members of the Nominating Committee shall be elected at each annual meeting. Candidates for election shall be those church members who submit petitions with signatures of five other members supporting their nomination. No member of the Nominating Committee shall be elected to two terms in succession without an interim term of one year. The Board of Trustees shall fill vacancies on the Nominating Committee that occur during the year.
SUGGESTED GUIDELINES FOR NOMINATING COMMITTEE
It has been the practice and policy at People’s Church that candidates:
- Be pledging members of People’s Church with active participation immediately prior to their nomination and be able to attend the monthly Board meetings and accept Board responsibilities as prescribed by the President of the Board.
- Should not have a spouse on the Board or be a paid employee of the church. (Exceptions have been made to this policy, but generally previous nominating committees have observed this restriction.)
Partner Church Committee
Charge: The Partner Church Committee seeks to facilitate and deepen the partnership between People’s Church and our partner congregation in Kovaszna.
Responsibilities:
- Plan events and activities that educate People’s Church members and friends about our partner congregation.
- Support our partner church through sale of their handmade goods.
- Encourage travel to Transylvania to strengthen the bond between our congregations.
- Solicit new ideas and involvement from the entire congregation including the youth.
- Prepare an annual budget request, annual goals, and an annual report when requested.
Membership: The committee recruits its own members and elects its own chair. A board liaison is appointed by the Board of Trustees as an ex-officio member
Personnel Committee
Charge: The Personnel Committee will implement all personnel policies approved by the Board, and will ensure that procedures are followed in a timely and consistent manner.
Responsibilities:
Monitor the staff supervision process (proper records kept for those employees eligible for overtime pay, sick-leave and vacation leave records, etc).
- Evaluate the staff evaluation process
- Standardize the evaluation process and forms
- Implement the stakeholder survey process
- Meet with the staff and their supervisor (minister) yearly for their performance evaluation. At this time the yearly performance goals will be reviewed before submission to the Board of Trustees
- Synthesize an evaluation of the staff for their personnel records
- Make recommendations to the board for the distribution of merit pay.
- Participate in the resolution of employee complaints as requested
- Address questions regarding employee use of professional development funds using the guidelines outlined in Personnel Policy Manual
- Oversee the storage and maintenance of personnel files as defined in the Personnel Policy Manual
Membership: Members are appointed by the Board of Trustees for three year terms; and must be supporting members of the church. The committee elects its own chair. The Board Vice President acts as a liaison to the Board of Trustees.
Planned Giving Committee
Charge: The Planned Giving Committee will serve as a source of information and encouragement to the congregation in building the church’s endowment through planned giving.
Responsibilities:
- Establish a visible program to promote and assist planned giving within the church to benefit the endowment funds established by the Board.
- Make available written information for those interested, and enlist members who can speak with potential donors.
- Working with the church treasurer, annually recognize all donations to the endowment in the Annual Report.
- Honor substantial donations (cash in hand) on a memorial plaque.
- Committee representatives must not offer professional investment or tax advice, but instead should refer potential donors to seek advice from their own investment or tax professionals.
- Prepare an annual budget request, goals, and report, when requested.
Membership: The committee shall be composed of, at least three (3) and not more than five (5), individuals who are Supporting Members in good standing with People’s Church. Members are to be appointed by the Board, with the committee selecting its own chairperson annually. Members are to serve three-year terms, staggered so that continuity of committee action is maintained. Members may serve a maximum of two three-year consecutive terms. The Committee is to be assisted in its technical functions by the Treasurer of People’s Church. A board liaison is appointed by the Board of Trustees as an ex-officio member.
Publicity Committee
Charge: The Publicity Committee seeks to increase the attendance and membership of People’s church by publicizing church services, forums and special events.
Responsibilities:
- Publicize Sunday services and Forums in local newspapers.
- Seek free articles in those newspapers through press releases on special topics or speakers.
- Provide publicity for other church events upon request.
- Maintain the church’s roadside signs announcing forthcoming services and programming.
- Take pictures of church events and projects. Use these photos as needed within or outside the church. After use, send pictures to the Church Archives as a permanent record of events.
- Serve to assist in extending the outreach of the church in creative ways.
- Prepare an annual budget request, annual goals, and an annual report when requested.
Membership: The committee recruits its own members and elects its own chair. A board liaison is appointed by the Board of Trustees as an ex-officio member.
Religious Education Committee
Charge: The Religious Education Committee is responsible for the religious education of children and youth, and giving families support.
Social Justice Coordinating Committee
Charge: The Social Justice Coordinating Committee serves to facilitate and coordinate the efforts of the congregation to be actively involved in living our values in the community and the world.
Responsibilities:
- Plan for monthly meetings and special meetings of the committee for the purpose of carrying out the above charge
- Identify to the entire congregation and the community that social justice activities are a vital aspect of our Church life
- Provide a social justice structure and process for members of the congregation to use in creating and joining community service and social justice projects
- Provide an avenue for new members who bring to Peoples an interest in social problems, the opportunity for participation within the church in social justice activities
- Provide technical, financial or other reasonable resources to church community service or social action committees reviewed and supported by the SJCC;
- Develop fund raising projects to meet the SJCC goals noted above
- Develop relationships with outside community groups with goals consistent with that of People’s Church, e.g. ISAAC.
- Provide SJCC annual reports and budgets and consult with the Board for advice and consent when appropriate.
Membership: The committee recruits its own members and selects its own chair. A board liaison is appointed by the Board of Trustees as an ex-officio member. The SJCC is composed of six to nine members. Members will serve for three years and terms will be staggered. Members may serve consecutive terms. A person appointed to fill a vacant, non-expired term shall be eligible to serve a succeeding full term.
Stewardship Committee
Charge: The Stewardship Committee is responsible for developing and carrying out the annual spring pledge canvass for the church operating budget, and for communicating with new members to encourage them to pledge throughout the year.
Responsibilities:
- Convene no later than November 15 for its initial meeting. Elects a chairperson and sets the important dates: canvass kickoff and conclusion.
- Determine format for canvass and organize any canvass events.
- Determine who will be canvassed in consultation with the Church Administrator, Religious Education Director, Treasurer and Minister. This will include members and friends of the church.
- Recruit, organize and train the canvass team.
- Create printed orientation materials and pledge forms.
- Publicize the canvass.
- Keep detailed records and pledging data.
- Prepare a final canvass report (both narrative and statistical).
- Distribute canvass form comments to the Minister, Administrator, and Director of Religious Education (with names), and to others as needed (without names). Other groups to get comments or partial lists: Personnel, Financial Affairs, Church Operations and the Board.
- Communicate with the Church Treasurer as people join the church to determine whether they have made a pledge. Contact new members or families within two months of joining to encourage pledging as part of their membership.
- Make six copies of a final report in book form containing pledging data, pledging persons, canvassers, orientation materials, and correspondence. The reports will be distributed to each member of the next year’s Canvass Committee and to the Board Liaison; the sixth book is for the Archives and will not include privileged information.
- Send the committee chairperson from the previous canvass to the June Board meeting to present the final report (both narrative and statistical).
- Prepare an annual budget request, annual goals, and a report for the annual meeting when requested.
Membership: The Stewardship Committee is made up of four active working members serving staggered two-year terms. A board liaison is appointed by the Board of Trustees as an ex-officio member. Two new members are recruited and appointed by the Board each year in June. Committee members must be Supporting Members of the church. The committee elects its own chair. Consultants may be asked to serve at the discretion of the committee.
Sunday Services Committee
Charge: The Sunday Services Committee works with the minister to plan meaningful weekly Sunday services, special services for the church year, and to enrich and support all aspects of the services.
Women’s Retreat
Charge: Plan and facilitate an annual weekend retreat for People’s women, and other UU women
Responsibilities:
- Arrange for conference venue
- Arrange for conference speaker(s) and activities
- Publicize conference
- Set conference policies
- Assure that the conference is self-supporting
Membership: Each committee serves for one year, and appoints a liaison to the new committee to pas on information. A board liaison is appointed by the Board of Trustees as an ex-officio member.
20s and 30s +/- Group
A group of people in their 20s and 30s (give or take a few years), who gather together and have potlucks, craft days, and nights out on the town. Childcare is often available on activity days.
People's Church Book Club
A club that gathers on the second Wednesday of every month at members' houses. If interested in joining, please contact Pat Nelson or Drusie Rosengrant.
Chalice Circles
These are small discussion groups of 7 to 9 people, that usually meet every month. Each meeting addresses a topic of mutual interest, concern, and experience within the context of religious life. Discussions follow a format designed to increase sharing of personal experience with a chalice lighting, readings, silence, check-in, discussion and closing. Three different Chalice Circle groups currently meet. If you are interested or have questions, please contact Jill McAllister.
For more detailed information on Chalice Circles, click here
Crone Circle 
A group for women older than fifty that discusses the change of focus that women may go through when they enter the third stage of their lives. Group believes that "aging well is a goal worth pursuing." Meetings are usually held on the third Tuesday of each month with a social hour starting at 1 p.m. and discussion beginning at 2 pm. If interested, contact Marj Lightner.
ISAAC
ISAAC, which stands for Interfaith Strategy for Advocacy & Action in the 
Community, is a group that connects many churches of different faiths to help achieve the goal of social justice in the community. Many congregations in the Kalamazoo area have joined together in this group to promote positive changes for our city and its people.
KUULS
KUULS (Kalamazoo Unitarian Universalist Liberal Students) is a group for young adults and college students to meet and discuss spirituality and religious questions in a safe, inclusive and justice centered environment. Group meets weekly at 7 p.m. on Wednesday @ the Peace Center (in the basement of the Wesley Foundation in the center of WMU's campus) . If interested, contact Hilary Lake.
Living with Depression
A group that meets once a month for discussion and gathering of perspectives from people who are living with depression or know someone who is living with depression. The group meets in library on the second Sunday of every month after the service.
Men's Discussion Group
The Men's Discussion Group meets on the first and third Saturdays of each month during the regular church year at 10:00 a.m. in the church library (Room 2). Light refreshments are provided. All interested parties in the church community, regardless of gender, are welcome to attend and participate. In fact, we encourage women to come! Discussion leaders circulate informational materials on their topics at the meeting prior to the one they will be leading, and also leave it in our box outside the church office.
The Network for Spiritual Progressives
The Network for Spiritual Progressives (NSP) is an organization that was started
by Rabbi Michael Lerner, Sister Joan Chittister, and Cornel West. The group has three main objectives: (1) to change the "bottom line" in America to one of kindness, generosity, non-viokence and peace, (2) to challenge the misuse of religion, God and spirit by the religious right, and (3) to challenge the anti-religious and anti-spiritual biases within liberal culture. The Kalamazoo Chapter is just one of many chapters that meet across the U.S.
O.W.L. (Our Whole Lives)
A sexuality educational program that helps participants learn about positive body images, safe touches and different types of families. The class is offered in different forms to varying ages throughout the year.
Parenting Group
A group that discusses and offers strategies for raising children in today's world. The group meets at 6:30 p.m. on the third Monday of every month in Room 5. If interested contact Kristi Beebe or Teresa Klan.
Pranayama Breathing
A class that teaches ancient breathing, meditation and yoga techniques that can help rejuvenate the body and clear the mind. The Pranayama class is taught by Renu Sharma, an occupational therapist, and Arun Tandon, a registered pharmacist. Group meets on the third Monday of every month. If interested, contact Diane Melvin.
Scrabble
The scrabble group meets in Room 5 on the second Sunday of every month after the service. If interested, contact Lea Kunze or just show up.
Sunday Circle Suppers
A group that meets at people's houses to eat, socialize and enjoy the company of other church members. If interested, sign up in the foyer or contact Jeannine Shafer.
Talking Pots
A group of 4 to 6 people who prepare meals for the Open Door Shelter. The group meets the first Tuesday of every month at 9:30 a.m. in the kitchen. If interested, there is a sign up sheet in the foyer.