The practical import of this form of governance is that it is the membership, not a synod or presbytery or other central denominational authority, that determines the ministries, educational and service programs of their congregation. The membership also chooses its own leadership. This includes all its officers --- including the election of its minister/s. Congregational meetings are where decisions effecting the overall well-being of the church are made. The Congregation also approves an annual budget as proposed by the Board of Trustees.

Membership: The Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers is a non-creedal congregation. This means there is no formal test of membership nor creedal assertions with which one must agree in order to become a member. Membership is open to all, 16 years of age and older. It is gained by completing an application, which asks for your basic biographical background. The Board of Trustees formally votes to accept all applications after the Membership Committee has ascertained that a person is known to us. The benefits of membership include belonging to a 400 year old religious heritage, association with over 300 other souls of similar outlook, the personal services of our minister, participation in all church programs, opportunity to serve in leadership, and to be elected to church offices. The responsibilities of membership are to participate fairly in the affairs of the congregation, including offering of time, talent, treasure, and one's presence at church events. While there is no formal test, membership will be most congenial to those who find themselves in sympathy with the church's Mission Statement and the Principles of the Unitarian Universalist Association.

Elected Officers: The Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers is governed by a nine-member Board of Trustees, elected for two year terms at the Congregation's annual meeting each Spring. The Congregation also elects a Nominating Committee, whose responsibilities include recruiting leadership for elective offices, and an Endowment Committee, which is responsible for ensuring the congregation's future financial stability.

Minister/s: The election or "the calling" of a settled minister is a high moment in any congregation's history. Ministers are fellowshipped (licensed) by the Ministerial Fellowship Committee of the UUA after completing their seminary education. A congregation may call any minister it so chooses; however, most Unitarian Universalist congregations draw upon fully fellowshipped ministers of the UUA to ensure knowledge of our faith and competency to serve.

Ministers are elected by the membership after a rigorous series of interviews, first with an elected Search Committee, and then with the membership prior to a vote. Ministers are called indefinitely and serve at the pleasure of the membership. The Minister of a Unitarian Universalist church is the spiritual leader of the congregation. S/he is responsible for the conduct of worship, for the direction of the religious education programs, for pastoral care and general church administration. S/he also serves as a consultant to church leadership regarding church policy and development.

As Unitarian Universalism is non-creedal in nature (see history page), the Minister is granted a free pulpit to preach the truth as s/he discerns it. Correspondingly, the congregation has the free pew, to accept only those teachings members discern as truthful. Neither the minister nor the membership shall trammel upon or censor one another at any time.

The Association of Unitarian Universalist Congregations.

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers is one of 1,100 member congregations comprising the Unitarian Universalist Association. The UUA is located on the historic Boston Commons, at 25 Beacon Street in Massachusetts (617.742.2100).

The UUA provides support to congregations, including: recruitment and training of ministers and religious educators, curriculum development, coordination of social justice ministries, congregational organizational development, loan and building consulting, and serves as the public voice of religious liberalism to the larger society. The UUA is governed by officers elected by church delegates to the annual General Assembly, held each June in various places around the United states.

UUCFM is also a member of the Florida District of Unitarian Universalist Association, located in Orlando, Florida (407.894.2119, or UUAFLDIST@aol.com).