USR Governance

Welcome to the Unitarian Society of Ridgewood from the 2023-24 Board of Trustees.

The USR is governed by a Board of Trustees, which is elected by the congregation and adheres to a set of bylaws approved by the congregation. In a recent reorganization approved by the congregation, the Trustees established Circles of administrative responsibility and authority to oversee areas of Society business. Each Circle is led by a Facilitator who coordinates its work consistent with the Mission and Covenant of the Society. Circle Facilitators serve for a maximum term of three years and may not serve an immediate consecutive term as Facilitator for any Circle, except with Board approval.

There is a Nominating Committee, elected annually by the congregation. Its role is to foster leadership development and to select nominees to serve on the Board of Trustees and the Nominating Committee.

The standing committees of the congregation are the Committee on Shared Ministry (facilitates congregational communication to ensure the emotional well-being of the congregation; works with the minister to assess congregational areas of ministry and then makes recommendations to improve functioning; provides counsel to the minister; and facilitates covenantal behavior within the community), Safe Congregation Response Team (monitors, assesses and works to improve the physical safety of USR Congregants and visitors, particularly working to prevent sexual abuse of children and youth; assesses and considers physical risks and takes appropriate action; and reviews and amends the Safe Congregation Policies), and Planned Giving Committee (promotes awareness of and encourages giving to the Endowment Fund and counsels congregation members as to the methods and means by which gifts may be given).

All congregants are warmly welcomed to participate in the work of our beloved community. Please contact any trustee, circle coordinator or committee chair to find out more about the ways that you can become involved.

Board of Trustees:

Jack Lohr, President
Mary Mogerley, Vice President
Jan Bottcher, Treasurer
Kirsten Huze, Secretary
Craig Hertenstein, Trustee
Hetty Hirshman, Trustee
Liz Kempey, Trustee

Circle Facilitators:

Jeff Summerville, Asset Management
Dawn Walter, Congregational Connections
Judd Seals, Governance & Well-Being
Laura Krag, Spiritual Development
Margaret Summer, Welcoming & Participation
Joanna Davis-Swing, Wider World

Nominating Committee:

Libby Ortiz (2nd year)
Margaret Summer (2nd year)
Kathy Smolen (2nd year)
Cecilia Bistrim (1st year)
Aurora Coya (1st year)

Committee on Shared Ministry:

George Witte, chair
Rev. Sarah Lenzi, Minister
Bea Cronin
Sally Lewis
Judd Seals
Kathy Smolen

Safe Congregation Response Team:

TBA, chair
Jack Lohr, President of the Board
Rev. Sarah Lenzi, Minister
Jeanne Nametz, Director of Religious Education
Ben Grossman

John Halenar
Dan Summer

Planned Giving Committee:

Ira Mendelsberg, chair
Ed Collins
Peter Duran

To view past Annual Reports, click here.

USR Governance

Board of Trustees:

Circle Facilitators:

Nominating Committee:

Committee on Shared Ministry:

Safe Congregation Response Team:

Planned Giving Committee:

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