Unitarian Universalist churches are an association of congregations, each governed by elected leadership. In turn, that leadership collaborates with clergypersons and other members of staff to ensure the smooth running of the church. We have no popes or bishops. We practice what is known as “congregational polity” which is a fancy way of saying that ultimately, it is the people in the congregation who are in charge. And they in turn, serve the mission of the church. By law, we have to have a Board of Trustees which are responsible for the big picture: Mission and Vision, Budget, Personnel, Long Range Planning, and Policy. The staff creates and implements programming at the church often in collaboration with lay persons.