As a radically inclusive community, we organise ourselves according to a set of core principles. Learn about them below.

Self-governing
We're part of the international Unitarian and Unitarian Universalist movement. Unitarians have no hierarchical organisation; authority rests with each individual congregation. We're self-governing: we own our own buildings and fund all our operational costs.

Democratic
As a representative democracy, the congregation has ultimate authority over its own direction and leadership. The congregation elects an Executive Committee and “calls” its Minister – a choice made by a super-majority vote, for an indefinite term of service. The congregation also has the exclusive power to remove a Minister.

Two buildings
We have two buildings: the Newington Green Meeting House, and Unity Church Islington. Each of these was formerly an independent congregation. In 2014, the congregation voted to legally merge these two independent institutions into one Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), which is known as New Unity. 

Comments, concerns, complaints
We've developed a process to ensure that comments, concerns, and complaints are communicated in the most productive way, that they are heard by the right people, and that they receive an appropriate response. This can be found online here.  

Lots of people help to run New Unity. Find out more about who they are below.

Minister
The Minister (right) leads New Unity's spiritual, social and congregational life, and is responsible for programming, pastoral care, gatherings and social justice work. The Minister also works closely with a variety of volunteer leaders, including members of the Executive Committee.

General Manager
The General Manager (GM) looks after the operational, financial and administrative side of the charity. The GM is responsible for personnel, communications, budget efficiency and management – in conjunction with the Executive Committee.

Trustees
The Trustees are the elected volunteer leadership of the congregation. They include the Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, and several at-large members. Their primary roles relate to finance, policy, staff, buildings, and long-term strategy.

As a self-governing organisation, we’re responsible for financing our own operations.

We rely on our own fundraising to pay staff, maintain buildings, and pay for the equipment and supplies needed to create and maintain the congregation. Our annual budget is over £100,000. In the main, our funds come from two sources: hires of our buildings and individual donations.

The Newington Green Meeting House is currently under renovation, and the grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund will fund this life-saving work – and the exciting heritage programme to come. But this cash can’t be used for any other operating costs, meaning that everything else has to be funded in other ways – such as through donations, proceeds from rental hire and more.