Convenors

Learn more about the administration and governance of our congregation and the role of members of our Board of Trustees.

The Convenor Team is made up of volunteer leaders who serve our community for a 3-year term by managing the operations side of Toronto First. Each Convenor is responsible for the decisions, activities, and committee chairs and other volunteers within their portfolio. Convenors are appointed by the Board in consultation with the current group of Convenors.

The Convenors are formally installed by the congregation each spring using the Charge to the Convenors and Board of Trustees.

Chief Convenor

• The Chief Convenor is a member of the Executive Committee and responsible for decision and activities of the Convenor Team.

Administration Convenor

• Responsible for ensuring that First Unitarian is a responsible employer. Ensures that policies and procedures (hiring, supervising & measuring staff performance) are observed, maintained and updated as necessary.

Communications Convenor

• Responsible for the decisions, activities, committees and volunteers overseeing First's print and electronic communications.
• Members serving the Congregations by maintaining and improving First's communications throughout the year: Archivist, Board Reporter, Computer and Network Support, Horizons Editor and proof readers, List serve monitor, Publicity Community, Webmaster

Denominational Affairs Convenor

• Responsible for the decisions, activities, committees and volunteers representing Toronto First within our denomination and to the larger community.
• Members serving the Congregation by representing Toronto First both within the denomination and to the larger community: Lay Chaplains, Chaplaincy Coordinator, Partner Church Committee; Representatives to: Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC), International Council of Unitarians and Universalists (ICUU), International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF), Unicamp of Ontario, Unitarians Congregations of Greater Toronto

Finance Convenor

• Supports convenors & board by presenting financial updates and leading the budget process. Advises: Funds Management Committee & Canvass Committee. Oversees fiscal year-end financial statements and issuing of tax receipts.

Member Services Convenor

• Responsible for the decisions, activities, committees and volunteers involved with welcoming, integrating, engaging, supporting, keeping track of and looking out for members throughout the course of their membership.
• Members serving the Congregations by helping to integrate, keep track of and ensure care for fellow members over the course of their membership: Membership Committee, Member Engagement Team, Database Team, Caring Committee, Pastoral Care Team, Planned Giving Committee

Programs Convenor

• Responsible for decisions, activities, committees and volunteers related to programming and religious education for children, youth and adults; Works closely with the Director of Lifespan Religious Education (DLRE).
• Program Committees: Members serving the Congregation by helping to create, maintain and improve religious education programs for children, youth and adults.
• Adult Program Committee: Course facilitators, time-limited courses.
• Youth Program: Youth advisors, Young Adult Council (YAC)
• Children's Religious Education (RE) Committee: RE teachers and assistants, family chapel coordinator, Family Retreat team

Property Convenor

• Responsible for the decisions, activities, committees and volunteers attending to the maintenance of the building and grounds.
• Members serving the Congregation by managing the upkeep of our facility inside and out throughout the year: Property Committee, Aesthetics Subcommittee, Grounds Committee

Social Events Convenor

• Responsible for the decisions, activities and volunteers serving to build community through fun and fellowship. Recruits, supports and coaches members who are organizing congregational events.
• Members serving the community by organizing short term (social or fundraising) events that deepen connections, build community and raise money for First or other worthy causes.
• Previous events have included: auctions, book sales, plant sales, sandwich sales, rummage sales, breakfasts lunches, dinners, dances, concerts, lectures, cabarets, picnics, retreats, conferences, holiday parties

Social Justice Convenor

• Responsible for the decisions, activities, committees and volunteers who are working to address social justice issues and involve members of First in bringing about change.
• Members acting on issues that affect the larger community and the world: Amnesty International (Group 142), Canadian Unitarians for Social Justice (CUSJ), Central America Community Development, The Green Team, Refugee Family Sponsorship, Sanctuary Project, UU-United Nations Office (UU-UNO)

Sunday Support Convenor

• Responsible for the decisions, activities, committees and volunteers who ensure the smooth operation and hospitality of Sunday morning activities before and after the service.
• Sunday Support Teams: Members serving the Congregation by helping make Sunday mornings run smoothly and feel welcoming: Arts Committee, Book Shop Volunteers, Coffee Team, Greeters, Library Committee, Office Volunteers, Ushers

Worship Convenor

• Responsible for the decisions, activities, committees and volunteers contributing to Sunday worship services. Manages the volunteers and staff working to create services that inspire, challenge and offer meaning to our lives.
• Worship Teams: Members serving the Congregation by helping to create meaningful worship services: Choir, Dance Group, Music Committee, Musicians, Storyteller Team, Worship Leaders