Elected Committees

  • The Parish Committee is the governing body of the church. It is composed of a 7 person board (including the Treasurer) for a three-year term. It attends to overall policy decisions and financial matters. Drawing on congregational polity, it convenes the congregation to make major policy decisions.

    As the governing board, the Parish Committee:

    • develops administrative policy

    • is accountable for the business affairs of the congregation

    • is trustee of the property of the congregation

    The Parish Committee appoints Standing Committees and other committees as necessary, and fills vacancies by appointment until the next annual meeting. They report their year's actions to the Parish at the annual meeting. Minutes of monthly meetings are posted in the Parish Hall. Meetings are typically held on the third Tuesday of each month. Any member of the church is welcome to attenCommittee Membersd, and "Members Time" is made available for members to raise issues directly with the committee.

    Committee Members are elected by the Parish Committee for a 3-year term.

  • The Finance Committee is responsible for the management of the church's financial resources. It is composed of 5 members, elected on a rotating basis for three-year terms.

    To finance the operating budget, the Finance Committee runs the Canvass to raise funds from the members each year. It sets the canvas goal, evaluates the results, and provides a full analysis in the Every Member Canvass Report. The Finance Committee works with committees of the congregation to develop the annual budget, which is referred to the Parish Committee and voted on by the membership.

    Committee Members are elected by the Parish Committee for a 3 year term.

  • The Invested Funds Committee oversees the invested funds of the church to provide growth of capital, protect against inflation, and provide a consistent payment stream to support the needs of the church. The work of this committee is based on Management of Invested Funds Guidelines established by and approved by the Parish. It is focused on the very long-term health and hopes to sustain the church for another 375 years.

    The Invested Funds Committee consists of seven voting members: five serving a four-year term, one member elected annually by the Finance Committee from its members, and one member elected annually by the Parish Committee from its members. No individual shall be nominated for or appointed to the Invested Funds Committee unless he or she meets the requirements for voting membership of First Parish of Norwell, has been a member for three years, and has previously served on an elected or standing committee.

    Committee Members are elected by the Parish Committee for a 4-year term.

  • The Denominational Affairs Committee serves to link the First Parish of Norwell with denominational organizations and to educate the Parish about the larger denomination. The committee encourages and promotes greater participation of members and friends of the First Parish of Norwell in the activities and concerns of the broader Unitarian Universalist movement. Committee members provide information about services, resources, and processes that enhance or are necessary to the healthy functioning of our church operations.

    The committee is comprised of delegates elected at the annual meeting of the First Parish of Norwell to represent the Parish at the New England Region UUA annual meeting and the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) General Assembly. The number of delegates elected relates to the number of certified members of the First Parish of Norwell congregation and is regulated by the bylaws of the UUA.

    Committee Members are elected by the Parish Committee for a 1 year term.

  • The Nominating Committee is elected by the membership of the congregation. The designated Chairperson is a former member of the Parish Committee or a former Chairperson of a Standing Committee. The Nominating Committee draws enthusiastic people and their talents into the life of First Parish. They identify prospects and interview and answer questions of potential nominees for offices to be filled. At each Annual Meeting of the church in June, the Nominating Committee presents a slate of nominees to the membership, for a vote. In addition to Committees, the following Officers are also elected by the Parish: Moderator, Deputy Moderator, Clerk, Treasurer, Collector, and Auditor.

    Committee Members are elected for a 4-year term.

  • First Parish Preschool
    The Preschool was founded in 1949 as a kindergarten by the forward-thinking women of the First Parish Alliance, who recognized the importance of quality early childhood education. When the town of Norwell added kindergarten to its public school program, the Preschool became a nursery school for 4-year-olds. As classes were added for younger children, the name was changed to First Parish Preschool. Today, the Preschool is still operated under the sponsorship of the Alliance. The Executive Committee of the Preschool consists of four members, two of whom are also members of the Alliance.

    The Preschool now offers four unique programs that meet on weekdays during the school year. The school has a director with a staff of fifteen and an enrollment of at least 110. On Sundays, the church school religious education program utilizes the shared space in the Parish Hall.

    Committee Members are elected by the Parish Committee for a 3 year term.

  • The James Library and Center for the Arts, owned by First Parish and only two doors away from the church, is housed in an historic Italianate building in Norwell Center. Open to the public for use by anyone in the wider community, the free lending library for adults and children offers a current collection of popular fiction and non-fiction, classics, and collections focused on local history, art, music, and gardening. As a community arts center, the James offers concerts, music lessons, art exhibits, meeting spaces, and a range of cultural events to the entire South Shore community.

    The nine James' Board members are chosen annually by the Parish. They receive and expend fund income from the church, but have a separate budget, and raise funds independently. The James' Board provides an annual financial report and a report of their activities to the Parish. The James' Board of Directors usually meet the fourth Tuesday of each month at the library and members of the Parish are welcome to attend.

    The nine James' Board members are chosen annually by the Parish. They receive and expend fund income from the church, but have a separate budget, and raise funds independently. The James' Board provides an annual financial report and a report of their activities to the Parish. The James' Board of Directors usually meet the fourth Tuesday of each month at the library and members of the Parish are welcome to attend.

    Committee Members are elected by the Parish Committee for a 3 year term.