Our Governance
The Camp UniStar Foundation is legally established as a Minnesota membership non-profit corporation with a single corporate member: the MidAmerica Region of the UUA. While this creates a loose subsidiary relationship, CUF is separate from – and operates independently of – the MidAmerica Region. CUF has specific rights, most notably appointing some CUF Board positions, approving any sale of the camp, and approving by-laws changes that affect the relationship between CUF and MidAmerica. CUF is recognized as a 510c(3) non-profit by the Internal Revenue Service.
As established in our Articles of Incorporation By-laws, and subsequent Board actions, the current organization of CUF is shown in Figure below. The By-laws define the Board, the Management Committee, and the Nominating Committee. The Board assumes ultimate accountability for the camp and the organization, while the Management Committee is responsible for the operation of the camp. The Nominating Committee was created to field candidates and develop future leadership.
Board of Directors
Consisting of eight members – seven voting Directors plus the Management Committee Chair – the Board of Directors is expected to be ultimately accountable for the ongoing business affairs of the Camp UniStar Foundation, and the overall health and success of Camp UniStar.
The by-laws also call out fiduciary oversight, strategic and long-term planning, and policy development, especially with respect to the health and safety of campers, as Board expectations. The Board is required to annually evaluate the Management Committee’s operation of the camp.
The Board commits to an inclusive approach, building a strong and collaborative working relationship with the Management Committee, and connecting with all stakeholders to ensure that CUF is achieving its mission.
Selection of Directors
The selection of the seven voting Directors is outlined in the By-Laws. Directors serve three-year terms, so each year two or three positions become available. All Directors must be at least 18 years old, have a demonstrated commitment to the camp and its vision, and have attended, worked at, or volunteered at Camp UniStar.
Three positions on the Board are appointed by the MidAmerica UUA Board. Recommendations are made by the MidAmerica Nominating Committee, after consultation with the CUF Nominating Committee. These positions require that the candidate is a Member of a MidAmerica UU congregation.
The four (4) remaining voting Directors shall be chosen from a slate presented by the Nominating Committee. They are approved by a majority of eligible voters. Eligible voters include any individual who has attended, worked at, volunteered at, or made a financial donation to Camp UniStar in either the current or previous four years at the time of the election. Eligible voters must be at least 16 years old at time of attending, working at, volunteering at, or donating to Camp UniStar.
If you are interested in being considered for the Board of Directors, please reach out to one of the Board members listed below
Meet the Board
President, Term 2: 2022-2025 I began attending Camp UniStar in 2005 with my children Audrey and Owen (both are in their twenties now). Within two days of being at camp they asked me if we could come back the following year. I’ve missed some years of late, but it’s still a special place that I’m committed to. Owen was on…
Vice President, Term 1: 2021-2024 I first attended UniStar in 2013 to visit my then-girlfriend, Louise Livesay, and her kids, Sam and Lily Hamacher, and fell in love with camp. Louise and I were married in August 2014 at Unity Church Unitarian in Saint Paul, and have been coming up with Sam and Lily ever since. Relaxation sets in the…
Treasurer, Term 3: 2021-2024 I am a retired CPA with a 34-year career in accounting. I began my career in public accounting at Koechler & Brown where I performed audits of many nonprofit organizations and later as a tax accountant at Pannell Kerr Forster. I then worked in the tax department of Medtronic, Inc. for five years. In 1994, I…
Secretary, Term 1: 2021-2024 I have been coming to camp since 1999 as part of the “Maxwell Clan” (through marriage to Howard who had attended since he was a very small child). Our two kids (now in their twenties), Mackenzie and Andrew attended Youth Week 1 all six seasons (Andrew missed his junior year as he was away on exchange…
Board Member, Term 1: 2022-2023 I am the Great Lakes Private Lands Director for the American Bird Conservancy. I’m an avid birder and have worked in the avian conservation field for more than 15 years. My passion lies in connecting birds and people while employing ecologically sound science, research, and education to accomplish landscape-scale bird conservation. I first attended Camp…
Board Member, Term 1: 2022-2025 I retired as a high-risk perinatal RN from Swedish hospital in Seattle in 2018. I was honored to help pregnant people and their families on their journeys. So many variations of how things can go, and in 25+ years in OB, I was lucky to find such a rich career where I could be helpful.…