By Sandee Steinberg, Chair, Finance Committee

I am pleased to introduce the members of the 2025–2026 Finance Committee. Returning members include Barbara Drew (Auction), Jane Root (Stewardship), George Faulkner (Capital Project Treasurer), Donna Miller (Fundraising), Denny Rodgers (UUCWC Treasurer and Board Liaison), and me as Chair. We also welcome two new members: David Schumann, who will serve as the new head of Endowment, and Karen Damato, who joins us as an at-large member.

Our previous fiscal year concluded on June 30, and I’d like to share a few highlights from the final budget figures:

• Although we initially projected a deficit of $37,000, we ended the year with a smaller deficit of $29,000.
• Several smaller fundraisers, including airport transportation, plant sales, and rentals, performed better than expected. Plate collections also went beyond projections.
• On the expense side, building maintenance costs exceeded expectations.

Looking ahead, two temporary finance-related groups are forming this fall. The UUCWC Financial Health Task Force, appointed by the Board, has been tasked with proposing strategies for balancing the budget both in the short and long term. Their work will examine UUCWC’s income patterns, opportunities to diversify revenue, cultural trends, and both current and expected expenses.

Additionally, I am forming a team to carry out an internal financial audit. We conduct this review every five years; the last one was in 2021. This audit will examine our financial procedures, the roles and responsibilities of finance staff and volunteers, and our privacy and accountability policies. You’ll hear more about these efforts in the upcoming weeks and months.

If you’re interested in joining the Finance Committee as an at-large member, or if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me at finance@uucwc.org.