The UUCB Board of Trustees (BOT) has been busy transitioning to new leadership and welcoming new board members, while continuing BOT work.
The BOT is grateful to the Food Ministry, including Mario Nunez, Juli Van Woert, Teal Postula, Ron Houk, Richard Leimbach, Meg Gerrity, Lauren Mitchell and countless others who have contributed to organizing, preparing, hosting and cleaning up the after the “social hour” in the church hall on Sundays after our service. Inspired by Nate Muka’s vision and to support Nate as he attends to health issues, the Food Ministry has stepped up to serve the UUCB community. Thank you!
On Wednesday, March 4, 2026, representatives of the Capital Campaign Task Force, the Fixed Assets Advisory Team and the BOT met in the Alliance room for a collaborative discussion about the best way to proceed regarding two essential Fixed Assets projects: the kitchen stoves, ovens and ventilation system, and completing work involving basement drain and water alignment with City of Buffalo water. All present supported these essential projects. Fixed Assets continues to work with pertinent contractors, vendors and regulations with the goal of providing proposals for these projects by the April 15, 2026 BOT meeting. We also agreed to determine the best process for how to proceed regarding additional projects identified at the UUCB Town Hall held fall 2025. Keep posted for updates!
The Respectful Relations Ministry hosted “UUCB Restorative Practices” by the Erie County Restorative Justice Coalition, from 9 am - 3 pm on Saturday March 7, 2026 in the Alliance Room. Many BOT members attended this informative, engaging and relevant training. The Restorative Practices training will be helpful as we work together as a board and with the UUCB community to support the mission and values of the UUCB. Many thanks to the Respectful Relations Ministry for providing this training and for all of the planning, set up, and for the delicious lunch and snacks!
The Governance Advisory Team hosted a UUCB governance training for the BOT on Saturday, March 14, 2026 from 9 am - 12 noon in the Alliance Room. BOT members learned about their duties and responsibilities, and the UUCB By-Laws and Policies (these are available on the buffalouu.org website under the “About Us” tab at top of page, then scroll down to governance).
The BOT is excited to continue to work together on behalf of the UUCB community for the 2026 year.
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Mann Dolce
Contacting the board
Questions, concerns, comments? Send us an email at board@buffalouu.org.
Board meetings
Third Wednesday of each month at 7pm, at least 10 months of the year. Currently they are held either in the Alliance Room at church or via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/91367741333. Members of the congregation are welcome to be present at these meetings, except when the Board is in executive session. (IMPORTANT: If attending via Zoom, please email the board in advance so they know to expect you). Board activities and decisions are reported in the monthly Newsletter; minutes are filed in the church office, where they are available for review by church members.Board election and service
The congregation elects the seven-member Board of Trustees at the January congregational meeting. The Officers of the Board (President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer) are elected by the Trustees from among the Board members. For more info on the Board of Trustees, see our Bylaws.Term Expiring January 2029
Renee Geraci, President
Mary Coleman, Member at-large
Ted Lightfoot, Member at-large
Term Expiring January 2027
Bill Parke, Secretary
Paul Zanolli, Treasurer
Term Expiring January 2028
Susan Mann Dolce, Vice President
Kenneth Mernitz, Member at-large
Policy Documents
Revised 2026
Revised October 2024
Revised December 2023
Revised 2023
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo is a freestanding, self-supporting congregation, governed by its own members. The congregation is a member of the Unitarian Universalist Association, and pays a “fair share” membership in that association, as well as in the Central East Regional Group of the UUA.
The congregation is governed by an elected Board of Trustees, and is legally and financially independent of any denominational authority. The congregation operates as a legal not-for-profit entity incorporated in the State of New York and is governed by congregationally adopted bylaws.
The Board of Trustees leads the congregation in a model called “policy-based governance” in which their primary responsibility is to provide leadership to the minister, staff, and congregation through a clearly articulated and coherent mission, vision, outcomes, and policies. These are published in a Board of Trustees Policy Book, which is a living document open to refinement as conditions may require. Based on the policies, a set of processes and procedures are developed to guide day-to-day operations, supported by advisory committees, task forces and ministry teams.
